Do you have a small fortune parked in your basement?

Six decades ago, Hot Wheels were America’s hottest new toy. Now the children of the ‘60s are fueling a small but mighty collectors' market. Cars that originally sold for under a dollar now command five figures. Today we meet some of the hobby's most prolific figures and find out what cars they're still chasing. 

VERY SPECIAL CREDITS
Today's episode was produced in conjunction with Celia Aniskovich’s Dial Tone Films.

Written by: Lucas Reilly
Hosts: Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English
Editing and Sound Design: Josh Fisher  
Producers: Karl Keadle and Josh Fisher
Additional Production Support: Marisa Brown, Mary Dooe, and Ramsey Yount
Mixing and Mastering: Baheed Frazier
Original Music: Elise McCoy
Research and  Fact-Checking:  by Celia Aniskovich, Lucas Reilly, and Austin Thompson    
Show Logo: Lucy Quintanilla
Executive Producer: Jason English

Do you have a small fortune parked in your basement?
Six decades ago, Hot Wheels were America&rsquo;s hottest new toy. Now the children of the &lsquo;60s are fueling a small but mighty collectors' market. Cars that originally sold for under a dollar now command five figures. Today we meet some of the hobby's most prolific figures and find out what cars they're still chasing.&nbsp;
VERY SPECIAL CREDITS Today's episode was produced in conjunction with Celia Aniskovich&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.dialtonefilms.com">Dial Tone Films</a>.
Written by: Lucas Reilly Hosts: Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English Editing and Sound Design: Josh Fisher &nbsp; Producers: Karl Keadle and Josh Fisher Additional Production Support: Marisa Brown, Mary Dooe, and Ramsey Yount Mixing and Mastering: Baheed Frazier Original Music: Elise McCoy Research and &nbsp;Fact-Checking: &nbsp;by Celia Aniskovich, Lucas Reilly, and Austin Thompson &nbsp; &nbsp; Show Logo: Lucy Quintanilla Executive Producer: Jason English

On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie.” Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.

On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie.” Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.

Very Special Episodes

Hot Wheels of Fortune

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/44e637ba-7a29-449f-9eb8-b25601676813/transcript

While leafing through 75 years of local newspapers, Zaron Burnett uncovers an American Christmas tradition as ingrained in our culture as the red-and-white Santa: sneaking up to a nativity scene and stealing the Baby Jesus. And, in many cases, immediately regretting it.

Note: Please do not steal Baby Jesus.

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VERY SPECIAL CREDITS
Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English
Written by Zaron Burnett
Produced by Josh Fisher
Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs
Mixing and Mastering by Chris Childs
Voice Actors: Jonathan Washington, Chris Childs, Elizabeth Dutton, Katie Mattie, Josh Fisher, and Zaron Burnett
Original Music by Elise McCoy
Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla
Executive Producer is Jason English

Thanks for listening! We'll have one more episode in 2024 next Monday. If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. 

While leafing through 75 years of local newspapers, Zaron Burnett uncovers an American Christmas tradition as ingrained in our culture as the red-and-white Santa: sneaking up to a nativity scene and stealing the Baby Jesus. And, in many cases, immediately regretting it.
Note: Please do not steal Baby Jesus.
*
VERY SPECIAL CREDITS Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English Written by Zaron Burnett Produced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs Mixing and Mastering by Chris Childs Voice Actors: Jonathan Washington, Chris Childs, Elizabeth Dutton, Katie Mattie, Josh Fisher, and Zaron Burnett Original Music by <a href="http://www.elisemccoy.com">Elise McCoy</a> Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla Executive Producer is Jason English
Thanks for listening! We'll have one more episode in 2024 next Monday. If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.&nbsp;

Stealing Baby Jesus

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/29e1bef7-96a6-4602-abd9-b24f00f53e24/transcript

Who's the artificial Christmas tree king? Meet Si Spiegel, a Jewish kid from New York with a remarkable, improbable Christmas story. Si's story was first brought to light by Laurie Gwen Shapiro in her 2021 New York Timesfeature, "He Bombed the Nazis, Outwitted the Soviets, and Modernized Christmas."

Laurie Gwen Shapiro kindly shared her extensive notes for this episode. Her next book, The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage That Made an American Icon, will be published by Viking in July 2025. Learn more at LaurieGwenShapiro.com.

ANOTHER VERY SPECIAL THANKS

Kevin C. Fitzpatrick is author of World War One New York and 7 other books tied to New York City history. Kevin's also a public historian and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Learn more at FitzpatrickAuthor.com.

* 

VERY SPECIAL CREDITS 
Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English
Written by Dave Roos
Produced by Josh Fisher
Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh Fisher
Mixing and Mastering by Baheed Frazier
Original Music by Elise McCoy
Research and Fact Checking by Dave Roos and Austin Thompson
Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla
Executive Producer is Jason English


Want to listen to other VSEs written by Dave Roos? Check out 'The Shot' (episode 16) and 'The Pledge' (episode 4). If you're enjoying the show and want to do something nice this holiday season, leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. 

Who's the artificial Christmas tree king? Meet Si Spiegel, a Jewish kid from New York with a remarkable, improbable Christmas story. Si's story was first brought to light by Laurie Gwen Shapiro in her 2021 New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/17/nyregion/bomber-pilot-christmas-trees.html">feature</a>, "He Bombed the Nazis, Outwitted the Soviets, and Modernized Christmas."
Laurie Gwen Shapiro kindly shared her extensive notes for this episode. Her next book, The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage That Made an American Icon, will be published by Viking in July 2025. Learn more at <a href="LaurieGwenShapiro.com">LaurieGwenShapiro.com</a>. ANOTHER VERY SPECIAL THANKS
<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffitzpatrickauthor.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJasonEnglish%40iheartmedia.com%7Cd96d1d791d784de5cc2808dd212d05ec%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638703199449515518%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Tp70ybxMQQ5yX4sroOZhhgsoUX2QIWkFeGnBiR3s%2F0k%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-outlook-id="9bb19f8e-3545-4514-a8dc-ab92c93a5085">Kevin C. Fitzpatrick</a>&nbsp;is author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffitzpatrickauthor.com%2Fbooks%2Fworld-war-i-new-york-a-guide-to-the-citys-enduring-ties-to-the-great-war%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJasonEnglish%40iheartmedia.com%7Cd96d1d791d784de5cc2808dd212d05ec%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638703199449538539%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jZgenGtHKYCHKLkIIaMK3Wwh3d0uBaf7fylr9WhqlrA%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-outlook-id="c00066fd-ed12-4e58-ab76-e09fc0fb2a60">World War One New York</a> and 7 other books tied to New York City history. Kevin's also a public historian and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Learn more at <a href="FitzpatrickAuthor.com">FitzpatrickAuthor.com</a>.
*&nbsp;
VERY SPECIAL CREDITS&nbsp; Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English Written by Dave Roos Produced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh Fisher Mixing and Mastering by Baheed Frazier Original Music by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.elisemccoy.com">Elise McCoy</a> Research and Fact Checking by Dave Roos and Austin Thompson Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla Executive Producer is Jason English 
Want to listen to other VSEs written by Dave Roos? Check out 'The Shot' (episode 16) and 'The Pledge' (episode 4). If you're enjoying the show and want to do something nice this holiday season, leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at <a href="mailto:veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com">veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com</a>.&nbsp;

An Artificial Christmas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7efa5787-3fcb-4c1a-ac5f-b24c0004da7b/transcript

Stuffed crust pizza. Grilled cheese burritos. How did so much cheese get into so many things? On today's episode, we peel back the curtain on the Dairy Industrial Complex — AKA Big Parma. 

* 
VERY SPECIAL CREDITS 
On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.  

Today’s Episode Was Written and Hosted by Very Special Guest Stars Ben Bowlin and Alex French

Producer is Josh Fisher

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs

Additional Editing by Mary Dooe

Mixing and Mastering by Baheed Frazier

Original Music by Elise McCoy 

Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla  

Executive Producer is Jason English

Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. 

Stuffed crust pizza. Grilled cheese burritos. How did so much cheese get into so many things? On today's episode, we peel back the curtain on the Dairy Industrial Complex &mdash; AKA Big Parma.&nbsp;
* VERY SPECIAL CREDITS On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.&nbsp; 
Today&rsquo;s Episode Was Written and Hosted by Very Special Guest Stars Ben Bowlin and Alex French
Producer is Josh Fisher
Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs
Additional Editing by Mary Dooe
Mixing and Mastering by Baheed Frazier
Original Music by Elise McCoy&nbsp;
Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla &nbsp;
Executive Producer is Jason English
Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at <a href="mailto:veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com">veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com</a>.&nbsp;

Big Parma

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/52927e28-ec9e-4eef-85e2-b243003688b7/transcript

Hot Wheels of Fortune

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