Zaron Burnett’s dad didn’t want slavery to be his son’s only image of Black people in American history. So every night, he filled Zaron’s dreams with these incredible stories of Black cowboys. Despite what Hollywood taught us, one-in-four cowboys were Black. Their stories tell a bigger, braver, more honest history of America.
Dock Ellis: High and Outside [from Very Special Episodes]
Host Zaron Burnett explores Dock Ellis's journey from a legendary LSD-fueled no-hitter to a life dedicated to redemption and helping others.
2 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Richard Nixon and the Magic Suitcase [from Very Special Episodes]
In honor of April Fools' Day this week, Zaron Burnett dug into a persistent legend surrounding VSE regular Richard Nixon. With a little help from his pops, Zaron ventured into smoky clubs to unpack a bizarre tale of jazz, drugs, and politics.
After the episode, Dana talked about her upcoming book, The Arcane Arts (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771398/the-arcane-arts-by-s-d-coverly/), and Zaron discussed his role in a recent Jordan Peele documentary. (https://www.peacocktv.com/blog/peacock-high-horse-the-black-cowboy-release-date)
Listen to Very Special Episodes wherever you get your podcasts!
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5 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT
Introducing: What Happened in Nashville
What Happened in Nashville is a deeply reported investigation into the sudden collapse of a Tennessee fertility clinic, and the patients caught in the fallout. When the Center for Reproductive Health shut down without warning, people lost access to their embryos, their treatments were abruptly cut off, and many were left scrambling to recover money, medical records, and time they couldn’t afford to lose. Through intimate conversations with the patients who lived through it, host Melissa Jeltsen reveals the emotional and physical toll of the clinic’s abrupt closure. But the story reaches far beyond a single clinic. The series exposes the cracks in a fertility industry built on hope, high price tags and minimal oversight. What Happened in Nashville isn’t just the story of one tragedy — it’s a warning about a system where families have everything at stake and far too little protection.
Listen here (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-what-happened-in-nashvill-93564012/) or on the iHeartRadio app.
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Inside a recent episode
Dock Ellis: High and Outside [from Very Special Episodes]
Published 13 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] It was an emotional high point in his life to receive that letter you can only imagine. There was another great black ball player who also meant the world to Doc Ellis. His name was Roberto Clemente. He was Doc's teammate on the Pittsburgh Pirates. And together, they shared a remarkable bond. […]
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