Topic: Dope

Time Magazine released a list of the 100 best podcasts of all time, notably excluding popular shows like the Joe Rogan Experience. The rankings include titles such as 2 Dope Queens, 99% Invisible, and 30 for 30. Critics argue the list reflects editorial bias rather than actual influence or innovation within the podcasting medium.

The Perth Mint in Australia is embroiled in a scandal after it was revealed they "doped" gold bars with silver to save money, potentially affecting 100 tonnes of gold sent to the Shanghai Gold Exchange. The Shanghai exchange discovered the substandard bars, leading to a potential $9 billion recall. This breach of trust in the bullion market recalls previous scandals involving tungsten-filled gold bars originating from China.

The Hulu series Dope Sick, starring Michael Keaton, depicts the history of the Sackler family and the marketing of OxyContin. The narrative highlights how the term "breakthrough pain" was allegedly invented by pharmaceutical companies to justify doubling dosages when time-release medications failed. This historical marketing tactic is compared to the modern use of the term "breakthrough cases" in the pharmaceutical industry.

The "In Search Of" (ISO) segment features various clips of Joe Biden and others. An NPR report on an artificial wave machine in Waco, Texas, is highlighted for its use of slang like "dope" and "shreds," which the hosts find incongruous with the network's usual style.

Chinese swimmer Sun Yang received an eight-year ban from competition for a 2018 doping test violation, ruling him out of the Tokyo Olympics. The ban followed an incident where Sun's entourage allegedly smashed blood samples with a hammer. The story's lack of coverage in some outlets led to a discussion about Chinese influence in Western media, including their stake in platforms like Reddit.

The film Icarus won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, detailing the massive state-sponsored doping program in Russian athletics. The documentary features Grigory Rodchenkov, who claims that 99% of Russian athletes were involved in doping with the help of the government. The discussion questions the transition of sports "cheating" into the realm of "criminality" as defined by the International Olympic Committee.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reports that a hacking group known as "Fancy Bears" leaked the confidential medical records of 25 athletes, including British cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome. The leak reveals "therapeutic use exemptions" for banned substances, which the hosts suggest supports Russian claims of a double standard in sports doping.

Russian officials, including a spokesman for Vladimir Putin, denied state involvement in the WADA hacks but offered to help fight cybercrime. WADA maintains that the hacks are retaliation for investigations that led to the ban of Russian track and field athletes from the Rio Olympics.

NBC News correspondent Richard Engel reported on Yulia Stepanova, the whistleblower who exposed the Russian state-sponsored doping scandal. Stepanova and her family are currently living in hiding in the United States after their location was allegedly compromised by Russian hackers. The report linked the hacking of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the same Russian intelligence actors accused of breaching the Democratic National Committee.

The entire Russian Paralympic team is banned from the Rio games following allegations of state-sponsored doping. The hosts characterize this move as a cruel political maneuver rather than a purely athletic decision. They suggest the continued pressure on Russian institutions is a retaliatory measure for Russia's refusal to extradite Edward Snowden to the United States.

The Rio Olympics faced multiple scandals, including a Kenyan coach posing as an athlete for drug testing and the diving pool turning green and "smelling of farts." The hosts discuss the achievements of swimmers Simone Manuel and Katie Ledecky, while criticizing the New York Times for focusing on "racism in swimming pools" rather than athletic performance.

Vladimir Putin condemns the collective punishment of Russian track and field athletes following a systematic doping ban from the Rio Olympics. Meanwhile, Julian Assange claims to have information that could prevent Hillary Clinton from becoming president and accuses Google of being integrated with her campaign.

Two former Russian anti-doping officials died within two weeks of each other under mysterious circumstances following a doping scandal. The hosts transition to the Democratic primary, discussing Bernie Sanders' prospects in South Carolina. Dvorak makes controversial claims regarding the state's receptiveness to Jewish candidates, citing viewership for Larry David.

Former IAAF President Lamine Diack is under investigation by French prosecutors for corruption and money laundering related to Russian doping cover-ups. Diack is suspected of accepting 200,000 euros to overlook suspicious drug tests involving Olympic gold medalists. Newly elected president Sebastian Coe is reportedly cooperating with the investigation into the decade-long scandal.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is investigating allegations of widespread doping in international athletics following a data leak. The conversation references the downfall of Lance Armstrong, suggesting his case was driven by a personal vendetta.

The hosts reminisce about building plastic model airplane kits during childhood, specifically recalling the distinct aroma of Testers Dope paint and alcohol-based engine fuel. They contrast the physical tethered-string flying models of the past with modern remote-controlled versions that require less mechanical maintenance. The discussion touches on the health effects of inhaling aromatics like toluene found in model glue.

The public fall of Lance Armstrong is discussed from the perspective of his hometown, Austin, Texas. While his charitable work with Livestrong is acknowledged, local sentiment reportedly views him as personally unpleasant. The hosts question the timing of his confession to Oprah Winfrey and the broader implications for the sports industry.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is identified as a private organization that derives authority from international treaties and government funding. The hosts argue that the crackdown on athletes is a precursor to mandatory "doping" tests in the general workplace. The goal is theorized to be the elimination of illegal drugs in favor of corporate pharmaceutical products.

Reports of doping scandals in traditionally low-intensity sports like curling and archery are highlighted as evidence of the anti-doping industry's overreach. The World Anti-Doping Agency's efforts to harmonize testing standards globally are viewed as a move toward a "New World Order" in medical surveillance.

The book "Dope, Inc.," originally published by the Lyndon LaRouche organization in 1978, has been re-released with claims regarding British involvement in the opium trade. The hosts discuss the book's introduction, which thanks US intelligence services, suggesting a complex relationship between LaRouche and the CIA. Separately, listeners who ordered 10-10-10 coins via PayPal are warned to seek refunds before the 90-year dispute window expires due to production delays.