Dive into the bizarre true story of L. Ron Hubbard and the rise of Scientology. From pulp fiction writer to founder of one of the most controversial religious movements in history, Hubbard's life blurs the line between myth and reality. In this episode of Real Talk Rewind, we explore his questionable claims, the birth of Dianetics, and the shocking allegations surrounding the Church of Scientology. Discover how one man's storytelling genius created a global empire—and the human cost behind the belief. Perfect for fans of true crime, cult stories, and hidden history.

Episode Title: L. Ron Hubbard and the Strange Rise of Scientology

Episode Description

Welcome to Real Talk Rewind, where we uncover the stories they don't teach in textbooks. In this episode, we're diving deep into one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century: L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology.

What You'll Learn:

The Early Years (1911-1949)

Lafayette Ron Hubbard's unconventional childhood in Nebraska

His career as a pulp fiction writer

Unverified claims of global exploration and mystical experiences

How storytelling shaped his future empire

The Birth of Dianetics (1950)

The revolutionary claims of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health

The concept of "engrams" and "auditing"

Why the medical community rejected it as pseudoscience

How a bestselling book became a movement

From Dianetics to Scientology (1950s)

The evolution from mental health system to spiritual organization

Introduction of "thetans" and extraterrestrial theology

The Xenu story and cosmic mythology

Building a hierarchy of belief and advancement

Controversy and Growth (1960s-1980s)

Legal battles over tax exemption and fraud allegations

Hubbard going into hiding under assumed names

The "Fair Game" policy and harassment of critics

How the church survived mounting scrutiny

The Human Cost

Families torn apart by disconnection policies

Financial exploitation through expensive courses and auditing

Allegations of forced labor in the Sea Organization

Former members speaking out about their experiences

The Psychology of Control

How Hubbard understood human psychology and vulnerability

The role of narrative in creating belief systems

The E-meter and auditing as psychological tools

The sunk cost fallacy and why people stay

Scientology Today

The church's current status and global presence

Celebrity members as public faces

How the internet changed information control

Former members using social media to share experiences

Key Themes Explored:

The power of charismatic leadership

Critical thinking in the face of extraordinary claims

The line between religious freedom and exploitation

How belief systems can control through secrecy

The importance of questioning authority

Related Topics:

Cults and new religious movements

Charismatic leaders throughout history

The psychology of belief

Financial exploitation in organizations

Family disconnection and cult recovery

First Amendment religious protections

Investigative journalism

Resources Mentioned:

Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health (1950)

Church of Scientology history and timeline

Former member testimonials and documentaries

Investigative journalism on Scientology practices

Connect With Us:

Have your own stories or questions about controversial religious movements? Want to suggest a topic for future episodes? Email us at realtalkrewindshow@gmail.com

We read every message and your perspective could be featured in an upcoming episode.

Keywords:

L Ron Hubbard, Scientology history, Dianetics explained, cult stories, religious controversy, true crime podcast, documentary podcast, critical thinking, Church of Scientology allegations, ex-Scientology stories, pulp fiction writer, fair game policy, disconnection policy, Sea Organization, auditing process, E-meter, thetans, Xenu story, charismatic leaders, psychological manipulation, belief systems, hidden history podcast, investigative journalism

If you build it, he will come.
It’s one of the most haunting lines in film history — a whisper that turned a simple baseball story into something timeless. But Field of Dreams isn’t really about baseball. It’s about regret, forgiveness, and the ache of things left unsaid between fathers and sons.

In this episode of Real Talk Rewind, we step into the cornfields of Iowa to uncover what the movie was really saying — about faith, legacy, and the quiet power of belief.

Real talk. Real stories. The ones that never leave you.

Step onto the baseball diamond in an Iowa cornfield where ghosts walk and dreams come alive. In this episode of Real Talk Rewind, we deep-dive into Field of Dreams - the 1989 film that became more than just a baseball movie.

Discover the fascinating journey from W.P. Kinsella's novel "Shoeless Joe" to the silver screen, including why J.D. Salinger had to be replaced, how Kevin Costner fought for the role, and the production disasters that nearly killed the film. Learn about the real Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Black Sox scandal that made his story so tragic.

But more importantly, we explore why this film still resonates 35+ years later - it's not really about baseball at all. It's about regret, reconciliation, and the courage to build something when everyone thinks you're crazy.

Perfect for fans of classic cinema, baseball history, father-son relationships, and anyone who's ever wondered what their own "field of dreams" might be.

Detailed Show Notes

EPISODE TITLE: If You Build It: The True Story and Meaning of Field of Dreams

EPISODE SUMMARY: "If you build it, he will come" - one line that changed cinema forever. Join us as we rewind one of the most beloved films of the 1980s and discover why Field of Dreams is really about second chances, not baseball.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

✅ Field of Dreams behind the scenes ✅ W.P. Kinsella and Shoeless Joe novel ✅ Kevin Costner baseball movies ✅ 1980s classic films ✅ Black Sox scandal history ✅ Father-son relationships in cinema ✅ Iowa baseball field tourist attraction ✅ James Earl Jones memorable performances ✅ Film production disasters ✅ Baseball movie analysis ✅ Second chances and redemption ✅ 1989 movie nostalgia

NOTABLE QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:

"Life doesn't give us magic cornfields, but the movie reminds us of something important: it's never too late to try."

"What if the crazy thing is actually the sanest thing you could do?"

"If you build it — whatever 'it' is for you — the right people will come."

RESOURCES & LINKS:

📍 Visit the Real Field of Dreams: Dyersville, Iowa - Open to visitors year-round

📚 Read the Book: "Shoeless Joe" by W.P. Kinsella (1982)

🎬 Watch the Film: Field of Dreams (1989) - Available on major streaming platforms

🏛️ National Film Registry: Library of Congress preservation (2017)

⚾ Learn More About Shoeless Joe Jackson: Baseball Hall of Fame archives

CONNECT WITH REAL TALK REWIND:

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen ⭐ Leave us a 5-star rating and review 💬 Share your own "Field of Dreams" story with us on social media 📧 Contact:realtalkrewindshow@gmail.com

CREDITS:

Host, Producer, Writer, Audio Engineer: Chris

Real Talk Rewind is a production of 1218 Studios

Subscribe to Real Talk Rewind for more deep dives into the movies, moments, and stories that shaped our culture.

In 1975, a man vanished into the Arizona night. Five days later, he returned — claiming to have been taken aboard a craft not of this world.
Was it a hoax, hysteria, or the most credible alien abduction ever recorded? In this chilling episode, we rewind the Travis Walton case and examine what really happened in the woods.

Show Notes

Episode 6: The Travis Walton Abduction: The True Story Behind the Alien Encounter

Real Talk Rewind

Release Date: 11/07/2025

What We Cover

The Night of November 5, 1975 — What happened when the logging crew encountered a strange light in the Sitgreaves National Forest

The Investigation — How local law enforcement handled reports of a UFO abduction and why suspicion quickly turned to murder

The Polygraph Tests — Why five of six crew members passed lie detector tests, and what that meant for the case

Travis Returns — What Travis Walton claimed happened during his five missing days

The Fallout — Media frenzy, the National Enquirer, and Hollywood's dramatization in Fire in the Sky (1993)

Real Talk — Why this story still matters, and what it reveals about truth, memory, and belief

Key Figures

Travis Walton — 22-year-old logger who disappeared

Mike Rogers — Crew boss and Travis's brother-in-law

Sheriff Marlin Gilespe -- Led the investigation

Cy Gilson — Polygraph examiner, Arizona Department of Public Safety

Timeline

November 5, 1975 — Travis Walton disappears

November 6-10, 1975 — Massive search operation; crew members take polygraph tests

November 10, 1975 — Travis Walton reappears near Heber, Arizona

1993 — Fire in the Sky releases in theaters

Contact & Community

Have thoughts on this case? Know of other mysterious disappearances we should cover?

📧 Email us: realtalkrewindshow@gmail.com

Credits

Host: Chris

Podcast: Real Talk Rewind

Real Talk Rewind is a history podcast that digs into the stories, mysteries, and moments that shaped us—without the sensationalism, just the facts and the conversation.

It started as a medicine. It became a cultural icon. But buried under the fizz and nostalgia is a story of addiction, exploitation, and marketing deception.
From cocaine-laced formulas to global manipulation, this is the true history Coca-Cola doesn’t advertise — and the reason its sweetness comes with a bitter aftertaste.

Show Notes - Coca-Cola’s Sweet Lies: The Dark Truth Behind America’s Favorite Drink

Episode: 5

Release Date: 11/07/2025

Episode Summary

Coca-Cola is one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. It's sold as happiness in a bottle, nostalgia in a can. But behind the red label and feel-good advertising lies a complex history most people don't know. From its origins as a cocaine-laced "medicine" in the 1880s to modern controversies over health, labor, and the environment, this is the story of how a pharmacist's tonic became a global empire—and what that empire has cost us.

What We Cover

The Cocaine Origins (1886-1904) — Dr. John Pemberton's "medicinal tonic" and the nine milligrams of cocaine in every glass

The Coca Leaf Connection Today — Why Coca-Cola still imports coca leaves through a licensed New Jersey facility

Branding as Power — How Coke pioneered mass marketing and literally shaped the modern image of Santa Claus

Health Deception — Decades of funded research that blamed fat instead of sugar for America's health crisis

Labor Controversies — Allegations of worker exploitation and violence against union organizers in Colombia and Guatemala

Environmental Impact — Coca-Cola's role as one of the world's largest plastic polluters

Who Really Runs Coke? — The shareholders (Berkshire Hathaway, Vanguard, BlackRock) who control the empire

Real Talk — Why we defend brands like family, and what corporations take from us while selling us "happiness"

Key Figures

Dr. John Pemberton — Pharmacist who invented Coca-Cola in 1886

Warren Buffett/Berkshire Hathaway — Major shareholder in The Coca-Cola Company

Vanguard & BlackRock — Investment giants with significant stakes in Coca-Cola

Timeline

1886 — Coca-Cola invented in Atlanta as a medicinal tonic containing cocaine

1904 — Cocaine phased out; "spent" coca leaves used instead

1930s — Coca-Cola marketing campaigns help popularize the modern image of Santa Claus

Late 20th Century — Expansion into global markets; controversies emerge over labor practices

2000s-Present — Growing criticism over plastic pollution, health impacts, and corporate influence

Key Facts

Early Coca-Cola contained approximately 9 milligrams of cocaine per serving

Coca-Cola still legally imports coca leaves today (processed in New Jersey under government license)

The company is consistently ranked as one of the world's top plastic polluters

Coca-Cola funded research for decades that shifted blame from sugar to fat in the obesity debate.

Quote of the Episode

"A logo isn't a friend. It's a mask for power."

Contact & Community

What brands do you think have the darkest hidden histories? What products are we most blindly loyal to?

📧 Email us: realtalkrewindshow@gmail.com

Credits

Host: Chris

Podcast: Real Talk Rewind

Real Talk Rewind peels back the labels and delves into the history companies would rather you forget.

On the surface, The Shawshank Redemption is a prison story. But beneath the walls and wire, it’s a study of freedom, guilt, and what hope really means when you’ve lost everything.
In this episode, Real Talk Rewind delves into the symbolism, real-life inspirations, and emotional weight behind one of the most powerful films ever made.

Show Notes - Hope Behind Bars: The Legacy of Shawshank

Episode: 4 The Shawshank Redemption: The Real Meaning of Hope Behind BarsRelease Date: 11/07/2025

Episode Summary

In 1994, a prison drama hit theaters and completely bombed. Critics liked it, but audiences stayed away. It lost at the Oscars. It seemed destined to be forgotten. But through cable TV, word of mouth, and VHS rentals, The Shawshank Redemption became one of the most beloved films in history. This is the story of how a movie about hope behind bars became a cultural phenomenon—and why it still resonates today.

What We Cover

The 1994 Box Office Bomb — Why Shawshank failed in theaters despite critical acclaim and strong performances

The Casting That Almost Was — How Rob Reiner wanted Tom Cruise and Harrison Ford, and why Frank Darabont said no

Red's Irish Origins — The Stephen King novella detail that became an inside joke in the film

Ohio State Reformatory — Filming in a real abandoned prison and the grueling conditions on set

The Sewer Crawl — Tim Robbins and five hundred yards of chocolate syrup, sawdust, and dedication

Cable TV Resurrection — How TNT and VHS rentals turned a flop into the #1 movie on IMDb

Stephen King's Dollar Deal — The one-dollar check King never cashed, and the note he sent back years later

Themes of Hope, Friendship, and Time — What makes this story about prison transcend its setting

Real Talk — Why we all feel like prisoners sometimes, and what Shawshank teaches us about breaking free

Key Figures

Frank Darabont — Director and screenwriter (first-time director)

Tim Robbins — Andy Dufresne

Morgan Freeman — Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding

Stephen King — Author of the original novella "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"

Rob Reiner — Director who tried to buy the rights

Timeline

1982 — Stephen King publishes "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" in Different Seasons

1994 — The Shawshank Redemption releases in theaters; bombs at box office

1995 — Seven Oscar nominations, zero wins

Mid-to-Late 1990s — Cable TV and VHS rentals resurrect the film

Present Day — Ranked #1 on IMDb's Top 250 Films

Locations

Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio — Primary filming location (now a tourist destination)

Quote of the Episode

"Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

Contact & Community

What walls are you chipping away at? What movies shaped the way you see the world?

📧 Email us: realtalkrewindshow@gmail.com

Credits

Host: Chris

Welcome to Real Talk Rewind — the show that doesn’t sugarcoat history.

Every episode pulls you into the moments they’d rather you forget — the scandals, the conspiracies, the strange truths buried beneath the headlines. We dig deep, peel back the layers, and get brutally honest about what really happened and why it still matters.

Then we flip it into Real Talk — no scripts, no filters, just perspective. Because the past isn’t dead — it’s still shaping the world around us.

Subscribe now and step into the conversation.

🎧 Available on Spotify and YouTube Music, and coming soon — wherever you get your podcasts.

🔥 Real Talk. Real History. And really, in about 10 minutes.

He lived on a quiet Wisconsin farm. But behind closed doors, Ed Gein was crafting horrors that would inspire Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Silence of the Lambs.
This is the true story of the man who blurred the line between the living and the dead and how his crimes changed America’s definition of “monster.”

What if Halloween wasn’t born from fun, candy, and costumes — but from fear, fire, and sacrifice?
This episode of Real Talk Rewind strips away the pumpkin-spiced nostalgia and digs into the true origins of the holiday. From Celtic rituals meant to ward off death to the church’s quiet takeover of pagan traditions, we uncover the brutal roots of All Hallows’ Eve and the spirits it was meant to appease.