The Epstein Files Book Club https://www.epsteinfilesbookclub.com en A show where comedian Jena Friedman and journalist Elise Hu break down the latest revelations from the trove of documents released about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sprawling network of powerful people. We're trying to understand what’s real, what’s not and what we can do about it. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/b7aeaa50-0303-11f1-8765-eb4b326fb287/image/e0a80e81a5124511001fb56fcab1b2da.jpeg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress The Epstein Files Book Club https://www.epsteinfilesbookclub.com episodic Elise Hu and Jena Friedman A show where comedian Jena Friedman and journalist Elise Hu break down the latest revelations from the trove of documents released about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sprawling network of powerful people. We're trying to understand what’s real, what’s not and what we can do about it. A show where comedian Jena Friedman and journalist Elise Hu break down the latest revelations from the trove of documents released about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sprawling network of powerful people. We're trying to understand what’s real, what’s not and what we can do about it.

]]> Elise Hu and Jena Friedman elisehu@gmail.com Secrets Near Santa Fe with Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez We had more questions about Zorro Ranch, so New Mexico-based journalist Alisa Valdes Rodriguez joins the show to give us the lowdown on why investigators never seemed to look too closely at Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell’s Western outpost. Also, a lot of Epstein-related headlines this week as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced Congressional questioning, and the House Oversight Chair didn’t rule out a pardon for convicted child sex trafficker Maxwell. Mentioned in this Episode NPR: Howard Lutnick is Questioned  The Hill: Pam Bondi to Testify Miami Herald: Pulitzer Prizes Honor Julie K. Brown  Pulitzer Citation of Julie K Brown CNN: Ghislane Maxwell’s guilty convictions Politico: House Oversight interview of Ted Waitt IBT: Bard College President Steps Down The Pugilist with Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, on Substack New Mexico DOJ: Zorro Ranch and Jeffrey Epstein investigation Reuters: Local survivors come forward in New Mexico Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full Elise Hu and Jena Friedman We had more questions about Zorro Ranch, so New Mexico-based journalist Alisa Valdes Rodriguez joins the show to give us the lowdown on why investigators never seemed to look too closely at Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell’s Western outpost. Also, a lot of Epstein-related headlines this week as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced Congressional questioning, and the House Oversight Chair didn’t rule out a pardon for convicted child sex trafficker Maxwell. Mentioned in this Episode NPR: Howard Lutnick is Questioned  The Hill: Pam Bondi to Testify Miami Herald: Pulitzer Prizes Honor Julie K. Brown  Pulitzer Citation of Julie K Brown CNN: Ghislane Maxwell’s guilty convictions Politico: House Oversight interview of Ted Waitt IBT: Bard College President Steps Down The Pugilist with Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, on Substack New Mexico DOJ: Zorro Ranch and Jeffrey Epstein investigation Reuters: Local survivors come forward in New Mexico Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices We had more questions about Zorro Ranch, so New Mexico-based journalist Alisa Valdes Rodriguez joins the show to give us the lowdown on why investigators never seemed to look too closely at Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell’s Western outpost. Also, a lot of Epstein-related headlines this week as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced Congressional questioning, and the House Oversight Chair didn’t rule out a pardon for convicted child sex trafficker Maxwell.

Mentioned in this Episode

NPR: Howard Lutnick is Questioned 

The Hill: Pam Bondi to Testify

Miami Herald: Pulitzer Prizes Honor Julie K. Brown 

Pulitzer Citation of Julie K Brown

CNN: Ghislane Maxwell’s guilty convictions

Politico: House Oversight interview of Ted Waitt

IBT: Bard College President Steps Down

The Pugilist with Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, on Substack

New Mexico DOJ: Zorro Ranch and Jeffrey Epstein investigation

Reuters: Local survivors come forward in New Mexico

Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub

Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2353 BONUS: Are Dentists Scamming Us? Cross-Post From No Such Thing Elise and Jena will be sharing their Epstein reading as usual this Friday, but while you wait, we have a feed drop of another show you might like: NO SUCH THING is a show where three best friends and journalists settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research.  In today's edition, they ask: Are dentists scamming us? It happens to be an interest of EFBC's, as well, given Epstein's girlfriend at the time of his death, Karyna Shuliak, is a certified dentist in the U.S. Virgin Islands. And New Mexico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Elise and Jena will be sharing their Epstein reading as usual this Friday, but while you wait, we have a feed drop of another show you might like: NO SUCH THING is a show where three best friends and journalists settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research.  In today's edition, they ask: Are dentists scamming us? It happens to be an interest of EFBC's, as well, given Epstein's girlfriend at the time of his death, Karyna Shuliak, is a certified dentist in the U.S. Virgin Islands. And New Mexico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Elise and Jena will be sharing their Epstein reading as usual this Friday, but while you wait, we have a feed drop of another show you might like: NO SUCH THING is a show where three best friends and journalists settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research. 

In today's edition, they ask: Are dentists scamming us? It happens to be an interest of EFBC's, as well, given Epstein's girlfriend at the time of his death, Karyna Shuliak, is a certified dentist in the U.S. Virgin Islands. And New Mexico.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 952 Dude Ranch and Gates Keepers This week, Jena and Elise each select a part of the sprawling Epstein network to do a little further reading. Jena explains what we know about Epstein’s former property in New Mexico, Zorro Ranch. Elise breaks down the connections between Bill Gates and Epstein, as well as The Gates Foundation and Epstein. Mentioned in this episode: CBS: 60 Minutes interview with Donald Trump Click on Detroit: Ford worker calls Trump a pedophile protector The Independent: Abuse of boys on Zorro Ranch  Mitch the Lawyer Substack: Katie Phang partners with former federal prosecutor Carrie Johnson episode of EFBC USA Today: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted again NYT: Maurene Comey suing the administration Time: New Investigation Launched into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch New Mexico House Resolution 1 (which authorized the ranch investigation) DOJ: Anonymous email detailing “two foreign girls” deaths 60 Minutes Australia Chauntae Davies interview Texas Tribune: Huffines buys Zorro Ranch in 2023 NM DOJ statement on Zorro ranch investigation Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez Substack NPR: Melinda Gates reacts to Bill Gates details in files Fortune Magazine: Playing with Fire - How Epstein Bankrolled Gates’ Mistress NYT: How Jeffrey Epstein Ingratiated Himself With Top Microsoft Executives Vanity Fair: Jeffrey Epstein’s Longtime Grip on the Gates Foundation BBC: Norway police investigate diplomat over Jeffrey Epstein links Rep Maxwell Frost episode of EFBCJoin our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and video episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 18 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman This week, Jena and Elise each select a part of the sprawling Epstein network to do a little further reading. Jena explains what we know about Epstein’s former property in New Mexico, Zorro Ranch. Elise breaks down the connections between Bill Gates and Epstein, as well as The Gates Foundation and Epstein. Mentioned in this episode: CBS: 60 Minutes interview with Donald Trump Click on Detroit: Ford worker calls Trump a pedophile protector The Independent: Abuse of boys on Zorro Ranch  Mitch the Lawyer Substack: Katie Phang partners with former federal prosecutor Carrie Johnson episode of EFBC USA Today: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted again NYT: Maurene Comey suing the administration Time: New Investigation Launched into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch New Mexico House Resolution 1 (which authorized the ranch investigation) DOJ: Anonymous email detailing “two foreign girls” deaths 60 Minutes Australia Chauntae Davies interview Texas Tribune: Huffines buys Zorro Ranch in 2023 NM DOJ statement on Zorro ranch investigation Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez Substack NPR: Melinda Gates reacts to Bill Gates details in files Fortune Magazine: Playing with Fire - How Epstein Bankrolled Gates’ Mistress NYT: How Jeffrey Epstein Ingratiated Himself With Top Microsoft Executives Vanity Fair: Jeffrey Epstein’s Longtime Grip on the Gates Foundation BBC: Norway police investigate diplomat over Jeffrey Epstein links Rep Maxwell Frost episode of EFBCJoin our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and video episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week, Jena and Elise each select a part of the sprawling Epstein network to do a little further reading. Jena explains what we know about Epstein’s former property in New Mexico, Zorro Ranch. Elise breaks down the connections between Bill Gates and Epstein, as well as The Gates Foundation and Epstein.

Mentioned in this episode:

CBS: 60 Minutes interview with Donald Trump

Click on Detroit: Ford worker calls Trump a pedophile protector

The Independent: Abuse of boys on Zorro Ranch 

Mitch the Lawyer Substack: Katie Phang partners with former federal prosecutor

Carrie Johnson episode of EFBC

USA Today: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted again

NYT: Maurene Comey suing the administration

Time: New Investigation Launched into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch

New Mexico House Resolution 1 (which authorized the ranch investigation)

DOJ: Anonymous email detailing “two foreign girls” deaths

60 Minutes Australia Chauntae Davies interview

Texas Tribune: Huffines buys Zorro Ranch in 2023

NM DOJ statement on Zorro ranch investigation

Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez Substack

NPR: Melinda Gates reacts to Bill Gates details in files

Fortune Magazine: Playing with Fire - How Epstein Bankrolled Gates’ Mistress

NYT: How Jeffrey Epstein Ingratiated Himself With Top Microsoft Executives

Vanity Fair: Jeffrey Epstein’s Longtime Grip on the Gates Foundation

BBC: Norway police investigate diplomat over Jeffrey Epstein links

Rep Maxwell Frost episode of EFBC
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and video episodes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2085 Oversight Needs Oversight with Rep. Maxwell Frost House Oversight Committee member Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-FL, joins the show to explain why (and who is responsible for) the holdup in getting former Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about her handling of the Epstein files, what the public could do to help the investigations move forward, and the vision he has for justice when it comes to this sprawling scandal. The Daily Beast: Warren Grills Trump’s Fed Pick The CoverUp: Amanda Ungaro interview Scripps News: High profile figures set to testify on Epstein files Reuters: Giuffre Family Still Seeks Justice A Year After Her Death WSJ: Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff Representative Maxwell Frost Oversight Chair James Comer Frost post on Reddit: What files have you found that I should review? Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 17 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman House Oversight Committee member Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-FL, joins the show to explain why (and who is responsible for) the holdup in getting former Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about her handling of the Epstein files, what the public could do to help the investigations move forward, and the vision he has for justice when it comes to this sprawling scandal. The Daily Beast: Warren Grills Trump’s Fed Pick The CoverUp: Amanda Ungaro interview Scripps News: High profile figures set to testify on Epstein files Reuters: Giuffre Family Still Seeks Justice A Year After Her Death WSJ: Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff Representative Maxwell Frost Oversight Chair James Comer Frost post on Reddit: What files have you found that I should review? Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices House Oversight Committee member Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-FL, joins the show to explain why (and who is responsible for) the holdup in getting former Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about her handling of the Epstein files, what the public could do to help the investigations move forward, and the vision he has for justice when it comes to this sprawling scandal.


The Daily Beast: Warren Grills Trump’s Fed Pick

The CoverUp: Amanda Ungaro interview

Scripps News: High profile figures set to testify on Epstein files

Reuters: Giuffre Family Still Seeks Justice A Year After Her Death

WSJ: Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff

Representative Maxwell Frost

Oversight Chair James Comer

Frost post on Reddit: What files have you found that I should review?

Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub

Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2439 Flings of Leon Black After multi-billionaire Les Wexner cut him off, multi-billionaire Leon Black became pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s primary source of income from 2012 and on. In this episode, William Cohan — who is writing the book on Leon Black and his firm, Apollo Global Management  — explains what Black was keeping Epstein around for, and all the fallout that ensued. Mentioned in this Episode Puck: ⁠Leon Black Discusses Jeffrey Epstein⁠ The New York Times:⁠ How Epstein Helped Solve a Billionaire’s Problems with Women⁠ Report on ⁠Apollo’s Outside Review of the Epstein-Black Relationship⁠ ⁠Bloomberg:⁠ Nobody Makes Money Like Apollo’s Ruthless Founder Leon Black ⁠FT:⁠ Leon Black’s Downfall Confounds the Legacy of MeToo on Wall Street Puck: ⁠Leon Black from the Ashes, Part II⁠ Puck: ⁠Leon Black Breaks His Silence on Jeffrey Epstein, Again⁠ Mother Jones: ⁠Leon Black’s No Good, Very Bad Year⁠ (covers Guzel Ganieva) The Guardian on Wigdor LLC's suit against Leon Black NYT: ⁠Jeffrey Epstein’s Angry Emails to Leon Black⁠ Join our Patreon community at ⁠Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub⁠ Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 16 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman After multi-billionaire Les Wexner cut him off, multi-billionaire Leon Black became pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s primary source of income from 2012 and on. In this episode, William Cohan — who is writing the book on Leon Black and his firm, Apollo Global Management  — explains what Black was keeping Epstein around for, and all the fallout that ensued. Mentioned in this Episode Puck: ⁠Leon Black Discusses Jeffrey Epstein⁠ The New York Times:⁠ How Epstein Helped Solve a Billionaire’s Problems with Women⁠ Report on ⁠Apollo’s Outside Review of the Epstein-Black Relationship⁠ ⁠Bloomberg:⁠ Nobody Makes Money Like Apollo’s Ruthless Founder Leon Black ⁠FT:⁠ Leon Black’s Downfall Confounds the Legacy of MeToo on Wall Street Puck: ⁠Leon Black from the Ashes, Part II⁠ Puck: ⁠Leon Black Breaks His Silence on Jeffrey Epstein, Again⁠ Mother Jones: ⁠Leon Black’s No Good, Very Bad Year⁠ (covers Guzel Ganieva) The Guardian on Wigdor LLC's suit against Leon Black NYT: ⁠Jeffrey Epstein’s Angry Emails to Leon Black⁠ Join our Patreon community at ⁠Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub⁠ Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices After multi-billionaire Les Wexner cut him off, multi-billionaire Leon Black became pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s primary source of income from 2012 and on. In this episode, William Cohan — who is writing the book on Leon Black and his firm, Apollo Global Management  — explains what Black was keeping Epstein around for, and all the fallout that ensued.

Mentioned in this Episode

Puck: ⁠Leon Black Discusses Jeffrey Epstein⁠

The New York Times:⁠ How Epstein Helped Solve a Billionaire’s Problems with Women⁠

Report on ⁠Apollo’s Outside Review of the Epstein-Black Relationship⁠

⁠Bloomberg:⁠ Nobody Makes Money Like Apollo’s Ruthless Founder Leon Black

⁠FT:⁠ Leon Black’s Downfall Confounds the Legacy of MeToo on Wall Street

Puck: ⁠Leon Black from the Ashes, Part II⁠

Puck: ⁠Leon Black Breaks His Silence on Jeffrey Epstein, Again⁠

Mother Jones: ⁠Leon Black’s No Good, Very Bad Year⁠ (covers Guzel Ganieva)

The Guardian on Wigdor LLC's suit against Leon Black

NYT: ⁠Jeffrey Epstein’s Angry Emails to Leon Black⁠

Join our Patreon community at ⁠Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub⁠

Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2534 The Melania Presser No One Asked For The US first lady’s unexpected White House statement denying substantive ties to Jeffrey Epstein took everybody – including Trump – by surprise. What was behind it? The timing coincides with a series of posts from her friend and former Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro, who was deported during a bitter custody fight last year and now vowing to “take down” Melania and her “pedophile husband.” This one’s a doozy, we'll explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:30:00 -0000 full 15 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman The US first lady’s unexpected White House statement denying substantive ties to Jeffrey Epstein took everybody – including Trump – by surprise. What was behind it? The timing coincides with a series of posts from her friend and former Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro, who was deported during a bitter custody fight last year and now vowing to “take down” Melania and her “pedophile husband.” This one’s a doozy, we'll explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The US first lady’s unexpected White House statement denying substantive ties to Jeffrey Epstein took everybody – including Trump – by surprise. What was behind it? The timing coincides with a series of posts from her friend and former Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro, who was deported during a bitter custody fight last year and now vowing to “take down” Melania and her “pedophile husband.” This one’s a doozy, we'll explain.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1556 Better Call ... Todd Blanche? Pam Bondi is out as attorney general — and her 14-month tenure makes her the shortest timer as the nation's top lawyer since Watergate. To put it all into context, NPR’s Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson joins Elise and Jena to discuss what’s next for the so-called “Justice” Department when it comes to the Epstein-related investigations under acting AG Todd Blanche. They discuss Bondi’s biggest missteps with the Epstein files, what’s next for DOJ, and what avenues might exist for the growing chorus of Americans who don’t want the misdeeds of the billionaire class to be shoved under the rug. Mentioned in this Episode NPR's Carrie Johnson NPR: Trump Removes Bondi as Attorney General Time: Bondi Won't Appear Before House Oversight Fox News: Todd Blanche on the Epstein Files DOJ: Dr. Larry Nassar's abuse  investigation Time: EPA Head Lee Zeldin as potential AG NYMag: Judge Jeanine Pirro as potential AG Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookClub Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 14 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Pam Bondi is out as attorney general — and her 14-month tenure makes her the shortest timer as the nation's top lawyer since Watergate. To put it all into context, NPR’s Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson joins Elise and Jena to discuss what’s next for the so-called “Justice” Department when it comes to the Epstein-related investigations under acting AG Todd Blanche. They discuss Bondi’s biggest missteps with the Epstein files, what’s next for DOJ, and what avenues might exist for the growing chorus of Americans who don’t want the misdeeds of the billionaire class to be shoved under the rug. Mentioned in this Episode NPR's Carrie Johnson NPR: Trump Removes Bondi as Attorney General Time: Bondi Won't Appear Before House Oversight Fox News: Todd Blanche on the Epstein Files DOJ: Dr. Larry Nassar's abuse  investigation Time: EPA Head Lee Zeldin as potential AG NYMag: Judge Jeanine Pirro as potential AG Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookClub Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Pam Bondi is out as attorney general — and her 14-month tenure makes her the shortest timer as the nation's top lawyer since Watergate. To put it all into context, NPR’s Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson joins Elise and Jena to discuss what’s next for the so-called “Justice” Department when it comes to the Epstein-related investigations under acting AG Todd Blanche. They discuss Bondi’s biggest missteps with the Epstein files, what’s next for DOJ, and what avenues might exist for the growing chorus of Americans who don’t want the misdeeds of the billionaire class to be shoved under the rug.

Mentioned in this Episode

NPR's Carrie Johnson

NPR: Trump Removes Bondi as Attorney General

Time: Bondi Won't Appear Before House Oversight

Fox News: Todd Blanche on the Epstein Files

DOJ: Dr. Larry Nassar's abuse  investigation

Time: EPA Head Lee Zeldin as potential AG

NYMag: Judge Jeanine Pirro as potential AG

Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookClub

Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2551 What We Know About The Rothschilds, with Mike Rothschild How do conspiracy theories take hold, and what makes them endure? The myths around The Rothschild banking family have been around (and used as anti-semitic tropes) for hundreds of years, and the theories are still very much alive. Jeffrey Epstein claimed to work for the family, so Jena dives into the Rothschild family history before journalist Mike Rothschild (no relation) helps us understand fringe beliefs and sort out the actual conspiracy – from conspiracy theories. Mentioned in this Episode Accountant Richard Kahn testimony before House Oversight Britannica: Where do antisemitic tropes about the Rothschild family come from? Le Monde: Jeffrey Epstein’s business ties with banker Ariane de Rothschild revealed NYT: From the Court Jews’ Uneasy Heyday Stanford: Historian explores how explusions became widespread in medieval Europe Journalist Mike Rothschild Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories, by Mike Rothschild Newsweek: Who are the Rothschilds, and how much are they worth today? Snopes: Fact Check - The Rothschild Family Wealth Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 13 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman How do conspiracy theories take hold, and what makes them endure? The myths around The Rothschild banking family have been around (and used as anti-semitic tropes) for hundreds of years, and the theories are still very much alive. Jeffrey Epstein claimed to work for the family, so Jena dives into the Rothschild family history before journalist Mike Rothschild (no relation) helps us understand fringe beliefs and sort out the actual conspiracy – from conspiracy theories. Mentioned in this Episode Accountant Richard Kahn testimony before House Oversight Britannica: Where do antisemitic tropes about the Rothschild family come from? Le Monde: Jeffrey Epstein’s business ties with banker Ariane de Rothschild revealed NYT: From the Court Jews’ Uneasy Heyday Stanford: Historian explores how explusions became widespread in medieval Europe Journalist Mike Rothschild Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories, by Mike Rothschild Newsweek: Who are the Rothschilds, and how much are they worth today? Snopes: Fact Check - The Rothschild Family Wealth Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices How do conspiracy theories take hold, and what makes them endure? The myths around The Rothschild banking family have been around (and used as anti-semitic tropes) for hundreds of years, and the theories are still very much alive. Jeffrey Epstein claimed to work for the family, so Jena dives into the Rothschild family history before journalist Mike Rothschild (no relation) helps us understand fringe beliefs and sort out the actual conspiracy – from conspiracy theories.

Mentioned in this Episode

Accountant Richard Kahn testimony before House Oversight

Britannica: Where do antisemitic tropes about the Rothschild family come from?

Le Monde: Jeffrey Epstein’s business ties with banker Ariane de Rothschild revealed

NYT: From the Court Jews’ Uneasy Heyday

Stanford: Historian explores how explusions became widespread in medieval Europe

Journalist Mike Rothschild

Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories, by Mike Rothschild

Newsweek: Who are the Rothschilds, and how much are they worth today?

Snopes: Fact Check - The Rothschild Family Wealth

Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub

Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2076 Love Story: Elon and Epstein The billionaires are beefing. Richest man in the world Elon Musk and LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman both appear many times in the Epstein files, but who was closer with the disgraced pedophile? Investigative journalist Amy Westervelt read all thousand-plus exchanges in the latest trove featuring exchanges with or about Elon Musk and shares the timeline of the Epstein-Elon friendship, the mystery of what changed the relationship’s tenor, and why the prevailing media take on Elon and Epstein is wrong. Mentioned in this Episode Amy Westervelt, investigative journalist Reuters: Edmond de Rothschild Paris offices raided in Epstein-linked probe into diplomat Politico: Wyden, DOJ spar over DEA investigation of Epstein CBS: Democrats walk out of tense Bondi closed-door hearing MSNOW: As Epstein’s longtime lawyer testifies, questions remain about what he knew Inside Higher Ed: Students want to ‘take back’ Bard Kate Manne’s open letter to the Bard President The Tufts Daily: Changes on campus after revelations about the Tisch-Epstein relationship Le Monde: French Foreign Ministry in turmoil over Fabrice Aidan AA: Hoffman and Musk debating over who went to the island and who did not DOJ: Dec 25, 2012: Elon says he wants to party on the island but is bringing Talulah and then Epstein says "the ratio on my island might make Talulah uncomfortable," and Elon replies "Ratio is not a problem for Talulah"  DOJ: Elon asking asking JE to bring a girl (blacked out, so presumably a victim) for Kimball and that "she might like Elon too"  DOJ: Epstein trying to entice Elon with "under 25" girls in NY Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sat, 28 Mar 2026 17:29:00 -0000 full 12 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman What the files actually tell us about the Elon-Epstein relationship The billionaires are beefing. Richest man in the world Elon Musk and LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman both appear many times in the Epstein files, but who was closer with the disgraced pedophile? Investigative journalist Amy Westervelt read all thousand-plus exchanges in the latest trove featuring exchanges with or about Elon Musk and shares the timeline of the Epstein-Elon friendship, the mystery of what changed the relationship’s tenor, and why the prevailing media take on Elon and Epstein is wrong. Mentioned in this Episode Amy Westervelt, investigative journalist Reuters: Edmond de Rothschild Paris offices raided in Epstein-linked probe into diplomat Politico: Wyden, DOJ spar over DEA investigation of Epstein CBS: Democrats walk out of tense Bondi closed-door hearing MSNOW: As Epstein’s longtime lawyer testifies, questions remain about what he knew Inside Higher Ed: Students want to ‘take back’ Bard Kate Manne’s open letter to the Bard President The Tufts Daily: Changes on campus after revelations about the Tisch-Epstein relationship Le Monde: French Foreign Ministry in turmoil over Fabrice Aidan AA: Hoffman and Musk debating over who went to the island and who did not DOJ: Dec 25, 2012: Elon says he wants to party on the island but is bringing Talulah and then Epstein says "the ratio on my island might make Talulah uncomfortable," and Elon replies "Ratio is not a problem for Talulah"  DOJ: Elon asking asking JE to bring a girl (blacked out, so presumably a victim) for Kimball and that "she might like Elon too"  DOJ: Epstein trying to entice Elon with "under 25" girls in NY Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The billionaires are beefing. Richest man in the world Elon Musk and LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman both appear many times in the Epstein files, but who was closer with the disgraced pedophile? Investigative journalist Amy Westervelt read all thousand-plus exchanges in the latest trove featuring exchanges with or about Elon Musk and shares the timeline of the Epstein-Elon friendship, the mystery of what changed the relationship’s tenor, and why the prevailing media take on Elon and Epstein is wrong.

Mentioned in this Episode

Amy Westervelt, investigative journalist

Reuters: Edmond de Rothschild Paris offices raided in Epstein-linked probe into diplomat

Politico: Wyden, DOJ spar over DEA investigation of Epstein

CBS: Democrats walk out of tense Bondi closed-door hearing

MSNOW: As Epstein’s longtime lawyer testifies, questions remain about what he knew

Inside Higher Ed: Students want to ‘take back’ Bard

Kate Manne’s open letter to the Bard President

The Tufts Daily: Changes on campus after revelations about the Tisch-Epstein relationship

Le Monde: French Foreign Ministry in turmoil over Fabrice Aidan

AA: Hoffman and Musk debating over who went to the island and who did not

DOJ: Dec 25, 2012: Elon says he wants to party on the island but is bringing Talulah and then Epstein says "the ratio on my island might make Talulah uncomfortable," and Elon replies "Ratio is not a problem for Talulah" 

DOJ: Elon asking asking JE to bring a girl (blacked out, so presumably a victim) for Kimball and that "she might like Elon too" 

DOJ: Epstein trying to entice Elon with "under 25" girls in NY

Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com


Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2266 Epstein's Publicist Pen Pal wth Jessica Bennett Over the final decade of Epstein’s life, former A-list Hollywood publicist Peggy Siegal helped him reintegrate into high society. She worked for studios with Oscar aspirations, throwing lavish parties and being an ultimate connector. But she was also working for Epstein, in a way, as he was funding her travel and keeping her close for information. Journalist Jessica Bennett, who recently profiled and spoke with Siegal, chats with Elise and Jena about what the files reveal about this relationship. Mentioned in this Episode Jessica Bennett, Journalist and Author NYMag: The Grand Dame of the Epstein Files NPR: Richard Kahn testifies he was “not aware” of Epstein crimes LAT: Andersen Auditor Details Shredding of Enron Papers Fortune: Epstein Bankrolled Epstein Mistresses Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail [dot] com Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 11 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Over the final decade of Epstein’s life, former A-list Hollywood publicist Peggy Siegal helped him reintegrate into high society. She worked for studios with Oscar aspirations, throwing lavish parties and being an ultimate connector. But she was also working for Epstein, in a way, as he was funding her travel and keeping her close for information. Journalist Jessica Bennett, who recently profiled and spoke with Siegal, chats with Elise and Jena about what the files reveal about this relationship. Mentioned in this Episode Jessica Bennett, Journalist and Author NYMag: The Grand Dame of the Epstein Files NPR: Richard Kahn testifies he was “not aware” of Epstein crimes LAT: Andersen Auditor Details Shredding of Enron Papers Fortune: Epstein Bankrolled Epstein Mistresses Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail [dot] com Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Over the final decade of Epstein’s life, former A-list Hollywood publicist Peggy Siegal helped him reintegrate into high society. She worked for studios with Oscar aspirations, throwing lavish parties and being an ultimate connector. But she was also working for Epstein, in a way, as he was funding her travel and keeping her close for information. Journalist Jessica Bennett, who recently profiled and spoke with Siegal, chats with Elise and Jena about what the files reveal about this relationship.

Mentioned in this Episode

Jessica Bennett, Journalist and Author

NYMag: The Grand Dame of the Epstein Files

NPR: Richard Kahn testifies he was “not aware” of Epstein crimes

LAT: Andersen Auditor Details Shredding of Enron Papers

Fortune: Epstein Bankrolled Epstein Mistresses

Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail [dot] com

Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2695 Listen to Jane Doe with Kate Manne This week, we get to the heart of the story. Philosopher Kate Manne recounts the harrowing stories of the women pseudonymed Katie Johnson and Jane Doe 4. Both say President Donald Trump sexually assaulted them when they were 13 years old. “It is plausible, though not certain, that our President is a rapist of children,” Kate Manne says. “And that is devastating.” Stick around as Kate explains the logic of misogyny at work among the Epstein network, and how all of society is hurt when male entitlement is a norm. Mentioned in this Episode NYT: ⁠Zorro Ranch investigation begins⁠ ⁠Post and Courier reporting on Jane Doe 4⁠ NPR: ⁠Justice Dept posts some of the missing documents⁠ ⁠Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women⁠, by Kate Manne ⁠Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny⁠, by Kate Manne Inside Higher Ed: ⁠More Prominent Professors Resign⁠ Japan Today: ⁠Joi Ito out at Global Startup Campus⁠ The Daily Beast: ⁠David Copperfield To End Vegas Show⁠ ⁠Kate Manne’s Substack, More To Hate⁠ Join our Patreon community at ⁠Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub⁠ Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 10 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman This week, we get to the heart of the story. Philosopher Kate Manne recounts the harrowing stories of the women pseudonymed Katie Johnson and Jane Doe 4. Both say President Donald Trump sexually assaulted them when they were 13 years old. “It is plausible, though not certain, that our President is a rapist of children,” Kate Manne says. “And that is devastating.” Stick around as Kate explains the logic of misogyny at work among the Epstein network, and how all of society is hurt when male entitlement is a norm. Mentioned in this Episode NYT: ⁠Zorro Ranch investigation begins⁠ ⁠Post and Courier reporting on Jane Doe 4⁠ NPR: ⁠Justice Dept posts some of the missing documents⁠ ⁠Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women⁠, by Kate Manne ⁠Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny⁠, by Kate Manne Inside Higher Ed: ⁠More Prominent Professors Resign⁠ Japan Today: ⁠Joi Ito out at Global Startup Campus⁠ The Daily Beast: ⁠David Copperfield To End Vegas Show⁠ ⁠Kate Manne’s Substack, More To Hate⁠ Join our Patreon community at ⁠Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub⁠ Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week, we get to the heart of the story. Philosopher Kate Manne recounts the harrowing stories of the women pseudonymed Katie Johnson and Jane Doe 4. Both say President Donald Trump sexually assaulted them when they were 13 years old. “It is plausible, though not certain, that our President is a rapist of children,” Kate Manne says. “And that is devastating.” Stick around as Kate explains the logic of misogyny at work among the Epstein network, and how all of society is hurt when male entitlement is a norm.

Mentioned in this Episode

NYT: ⁠Zorro Ranch investigation begins⁠

⁠Post and Courier reporting on Jane Doe 4⁠

NPR: ⁠Justice Dept posts some of the missing documents⁠

⁠Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women⁠, by Kate Manne

⁠Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny⁠, by Kate Manne

Inside Higher Ed: ⁠More Prominent Professors Resign⁠

Japan Today: ⁠Joi Ito out at Global Startup Campus⁠

The Daily Beast: ⁠David Copperfield To End Vegas Show⁠

⁠Kate Manne’s Substack, More To Hate⁠

Join our Patreon community at ⁠Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub⁠

Email us anytime at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2340 What Did Wexner See In Him? With Lauren Sherman Lauren Sherman, who wrote the book on Les Wexner, sits down with Elise and Jena to explain why the retail billionaire from New Albany, Ohio, is such an important figure in the Epstein network. They also discuss the fashion people in the Epstein files, the unanswered questions that deserve more attention, and what it means to follow the money in this story. Mentioned in this episode: Lauren Sherman at Puck House Oversight to seek seven more transcribed interviews The Hill: Bill O'Reilly on no need to depose Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton deposition before House Oversight Committee  WSJ: More than 40,000 Withheld Files Selling Sexy by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez Full Les Wexner deposition Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries Spectrum News: Wexner and New Albany Ohio The Cut: Which Fashion People Are In the Epstein Files?  NYMagazine: Peggy Siegal, the grande dame of the Epstein files Puck: Questions about Wexner ex-girlfriend Sharon Cohen  Join our Patreon community for bonus content Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 06 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000 full 9 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Lauren Sherman, who wrote the book on Les Wexner, sits down with Elise and Jena to explain why the retail billionaire from New Albany, Ohio, is such an important figure in the Epstein network. They also discuss the fashion people in the Epstein files, the unanswered questions that deserve more attention, and what it means to follow the money in this story. Mentioned in this episode: Lauren Sherman at Puck House Oversight to seek seven more transcribed interviews The Hill: Bill O'Reilly on no need to depose Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton deposition before House Oversight Committee  WSJ: More than 40,000 Withheld Files Selling Sexy by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez Full Les Wexner deposition Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries Spectrum News: Wexner and New Albany Ohio The Cut: Which Fashion People Are In the Epstein Files?  NYMagazine: Peggy Siegal, the grande dame of the Epstein files Puck: Questions about Wexner ex-girlfriend Sharon Cohen  Join our Patreon community for bonus content Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Lauren Sherman, who wrote the book on Les Wexner, sits down with Elise and Jena to explain why the retail billionaire from New Albany, Ohio, is such an important figure in the Epstein network. They also discuss the fashion people in the Epstein files, the unanswered questions that deserve more attention, and what it means to follow the money in this story.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lauren Sherman at Puck

House Oversight to seek seven more transcribed interviews

The Hill: Bill O'Reilly on no need to depose Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton deposition before House Oversight Committee 

WSJ: More than 40,000 Withheld Files

Selling Sexy by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez

Full Les Wexner deposition

Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries

Spectrum News: Wexner and New Albany Ohio

The Cut: Which Fashion People Are In the Epstein Files? 

NYMagazine: Peggy Siegal, the grande dame of the Epstein files

Puck: Questions about Wexner ex-girlfriend Sharon Cohen 

Join our Patreon community for bonus content

Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail.com 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1593 Doctors Without Boundaries Records show Jeffrey Epstein was aided by a network of doctors and dentists who treated women he employed and trafficked. After the latest headlines and fallout, we explore Karyna Shuliak, Epstein’s girlfriend and former assistant, and Dr. Harry Fisch, a celebrity urologist who liked to joke around with Epstein, Woody Allen, and who, according to the files, tried to write and shop a comedy pilot. Mentioned in this episode Bill Clinton’s testimony before House Oversight Poophole Loophole song Netflix: Jeffrey Epstein Filthy Rich Chauntae Davis on Bill Clinton NYT: Elite Doctors Served Jeffrey Epstein While Treating His ‘Girls’ People: Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie banned from royal events BBC: Paleontologist Jack Horner out at Chapman University NYT: Columbia University Dental School resignations SCMP: Karyna Shuliak married a woman WPIX: Missing dental student pulled from Hudson River Seth Herzog NYT archive on Dr. Harry Fisch Cornell Daily Sun on Weil doctors and Epstein Join our Patreon community for bonus content Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:35:00 -0000 full 8 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Records show Jeffrey Epstein was aided by a network of doctors and dentists who treated women he employed and trafficked. After the latest headlines and fallout, we explore Karyna Shuliak, Epstein’s girlfriend and former assistant, and Dr. Harry Fisch, a celebrity urologist who liked to joke around with Epstein, Woody Allen, and who, according to the files, tried to write and shop a comedy pilot. Mentioned in this episode Bill Clinton’s testimony before House Oversight Poophole Loophole song Netflix: Jeffrey Epstein Filthy Rich Chauntae Davis on Bill Clinton NYT: Elite Doctors Served Jeffrey Epstein While Treating His ‘Girls’ People: Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie banned from royal events BBC: Paleontologist Jack Horner out at Chapman University NYT: Columbia University Dental School resignations SCMP: Karyna Shuliak married a woman WPIX: Missing dental student pulled from Hudson River Seth Herzog NYT archive on Dr. Harry Fisch Cornell Daily Sun on Weil doctors and Epstein Join our Patreon community for bonus content Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Records show Jeffrey Epstein was aided by a network of doctors and dentists who treated women he employed and trafficked. After the latest headlines and fallout, we explore Karyna Shuliak, Epstein’s girlfriend and former assistant, and Dr. Harry Fisch, a celebrity urologist who liked to joke around with Epstein, Woody Allen, and who, according to the files, tried to write and shop a comedy pilot.

Mentioned in this episode

Bill Clinton’s testimony before House Oversight

Poophole Loophole song

Netflix: Jeffrey Epstein Filthy Rich

Chauntae Davis on Bill Clinton

NYT: Elite Doctors Served Jeffrey Epstein While Treating His ‘Girls’

People: Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie banned from royal events

BBC: Paleontologist Jack Horner out at Chapman University

NYT: Columbia University Dental School resignations

SCMP: Karyna Shuliak married a woman

WPIX: Missing dental student pulled from Hudson River

Seth Herzog

NYT archive on Dr. Harry Fisch

Cornell Daily Sun on Weil doctors and Epstein

Join our Patreon community for bonus content

Email us at eliseandjena [at] gmail dot com


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1978 The Talentless Mr. Epstein with Vicky Ward Journalist Vicky Ward first profiled Jeffrey Epstein for Vanity Fair in 2003 and has continued following the case since. Ward joins Elise and Jena to talk about all the unanswered questions in this ongoing scandal, how Jeffrey Epstein became wealthy in the first place, and why, after all these years, the Epstein saga won’t slow down. Mentioned in this Episode NPR: Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump Roger Sollenberger Substack WSJ: DOJ To Review Whether Epstein Files Were Improperly Withheld Hillary Clinton opening statement  Mother Jones: State Department guts office combating human trafficking PBS: Clinton deposition paused over leaked photo Bill Gates admits to affairs with two Russians NYT: World Economic Forum’s Borge Brende resigns over Epstein Ties Harvard Crimson: Larry Summers leaves Harvard NYT’s running list of Epstein-related resignations or removals  Journalist Vicky Ward Ward’s 2003 Vanity Fair profile, “The Talented Mr. Epstein” Fresh Air: Excavating the Epstein Files, with Vicky Ward NYT on Leon Black and Epstein WaPo: Steven Hoffenberg, Epstein mentor, dies  Bloomberg: ‘Eva Dubin gave me your email” NBC: Epstein’s named and unnamed co-conspirators Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:18:00 -0000 full 7 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Journalist Vicky Ward first profiled Jeffrey Epstein for Vanity Fair in 2003 and has continued following the case since. Ward joins Elise and Jena to talk about all the unanswered questions in this ongoing scandal, how Jeffrey Epstein became wealthy in the first place, and why, after all these years, the Epstein saga won’t slow down. Mentioned in this Episode NPR: Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump Roger Sollenberger Substack WSJ: DOJ To Review Whether Epstein Files Were Improperly Withheld Hillary Clinton opening statement  Mother Jones: State Department guts office combating human trafficking PBS: Clinton deposition paused over leaked photo Bill Gates admits to affairs with two Russians NYT: World Economic Forum’s Borge Brende resigns over Epstein Ties Harvard Crimson: Larry Summers leaves Harvard NYT’s running list of Epstein-related resignations or removals  Journalist Vicky Ward Ward’s 2003 Vanity Fair profile, “The Talented Mr. Epstein” Fresh Air: Excavating the Epstein Files, with Vicky Ward NYT on Leon Black and Epstein WaPo: Steven Hoffenberg, Epstein mentor, dies  Bloomberg: ‘Eva Dubin gave me your email” NBC: Epstein’s named and unnamed co-conspirators Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Journalist Vicky Ward first profiled Jeffrey Epstein for Vanity Fair in 2003 and has continued following the case since. Ward joins Elise and Jena to talk about all the unanswered questions in this ongoing scandal, how Jeffrey Epstein became wealthy in the first place, and why, after all these years, the Epstein saga won’t slow down.

Mentioned in this Episode

NPR: Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump

Roger Sollenberger Substack

WSJ: DOJ To Review Whether Epstein Files Were Improperly Withheld

Hillary Clinton opening statement 

Mother Jones: State Department guts office combating human trafficking

PBS: Clinton deposition paused over leaked photo

Bill Gates admits to affairs with two Russians

NYT: World Economic Forum’s Borge Brende resigns over Epstein Ties

Harvard Crimson: Larry Summers leaves Harvard

NYT’s running list of Epstein-related resignations or removals 

Journalist Vicky Ward

Ward’s 2003 Vanity Fair profile, “The Talented Mr. Epstein”

Fresh Air: Excavating the Epstein Files, with Vicky Ward

NYT on Leon Black and Epstein

WaPo: Steven Hoffenberg, Epstein mentor, dies 

Bloomberg: ‘Eva Dubin gave me your email”

NBC: Epstein’s named and unnamed co-conspirators

Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/EpsteinFilesBookclub

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2247 We Read Donald Barr’s Space Relations Long before the Epstein scandal broke, Donald Barr, former headmaster of The Dalton School (where Jeffrey Epstein taught math), wrote a 257-page novel called Space Relations. Jena is joined by writer Laura Moran for a book report on Space Relations by Donald Barr (who is also the father of former Attorney General William Barr). Moran calls it “a catastrophe of a book” and “deeply, deeply, unfortunate.”  Mentioned in this episode: BBC: What happens after Andrew’s arrest? Was This Victoria’s Secret? (Episode 4) See clips of the Les Wexner testimony  Space Relations by Donald Barr Variety: Wasserman’s earlier scandal Writer Laura Moran  NPR: The relationship between Donald Barr and William Barr Support the show and join the community at our Patreon Rate, subscribe and follow wherever you listen Write us at eliseandjena [at] gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000 full 6 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Long before the Epstein scandal broke, Donald Barr, former headmaster of The Dalton School (where Jeffrey Epstein taught math), wrote a 257-page novel called Space Relations. Jena is joined by writer Laura Moran for a book report on Space Relations by Donald Barr (who is also the father of former Attorney General William Barr). Moran calls it “a catastrophe of a book” and “deeply, deeply, unfortunate.”  Mentioned in this episode: BBC: What happens after Andrew’s arrest? Was This Victoria’s Secret? (Episode 4) See clips of the Les Wexner testimony  Space Relations by Donald Barr Variety: Wasserman’s earlier scandal Writer Laura Moran  NPR: The relationship between Donald Barr and William Barr Support the show and join the community at our Patreon Rate, subscribe and follow wherever you listen Write us at eliseandjena [at] gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Long before the Epstein scandal broke, Donald Barr, former headmaster of The Dalton School (where Jeffrey Epstein taught math), wrote a 257-page novel called Space Relations. Jena is joined by writer Laura Moran for a book report on Space Relations by Donald Barr (who is also the father of former Attorney General William Barr). Moran calls it “a catastrophe of a book” and “deeply, deeply, unfortunate.” 

Mentioned in this episode:

BBC: What happens after Andrew’s arrest?

Was This Victoria’s Secret? (Episode 4)

See clips of the Les Wexner testimony 

Space Relations by Donald Barr

Variety: Wasserman’s earlier scandal

Writer Laura Moran 

NPR: The relationship between Donald Barr and William Barr

Support the show and join the community at our Patreon

Rate, subscribe and follow wherever you listen

Write us at eliseandjena [at] gmail.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1961 Potentially Indictable Stuff with Anne P. Mitchell Retail magnate Les Wexner testified before the House Oversight Committee, New Mexico approved a probe of the former Epstein ranch in New Mexico, we track more fallout at home and abroad in the expanding Epstein scandal, and attorney Anne P. Mitchell joins the show to talk about legal pathways for justice after the Department of Justice indicates its Epstein cases are ... closed. Mentioned in this episode Anne P. Mitchell’s Notes from the Front Substack BBC: Les Wexner’s testimony before the House subcommittee Thomas Pritzker retires as Hyatt’s chairman Kimbal Musk off the Burning Man board Lawrence Summers resigns from Open AI board Larry Summers columns at The New York Times Ghislane Maxwell hints at ties to Trump administration  Jmail.world  State AGs lead opposition to Trump in 2026 Call your reps with 5Calls.org Contact the Florida bar Our Patreon to join the Book Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000 full 5 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Retail magnate Les Wexner testified before the House Oversight Committee, New Mexico approved a probe of the former Epstein ranch in New Mexico, we track more fallout at home and abroad in the expanding Epstein scandal, and attorney Anne P. Mitchell joins the show to talk about legal pathways for justice after the Department of Justice indicates its Epstein cases are ... closed. Mentioned in this episode Anne P. Mitchell’s Notes from the Front Substack BBC: Les Wexner’s testimony before the House subcommittee Thomas Pritzker retires as Hyatt’s chairman Kimbal Musk off the Burning Man board Lawrence Summers resigns from Open AI board Larry Summers columns at The New York Times Ghislane Maxwell hints at ties to Trump administration  Jmail.world  State AGs lead opposition to Trump in 2026 Call your reps with 5Calls.org Contact the Florida bar Our Patreon to join the Book Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Retail magnate Les Wexner testified before the House Oversight Committee, New Mexico approved a probe of the former Epstein ranch in New Mexico, we track more fallout at home and abroad in the expanding Epstein scandal, and attorney Anne P. Mitchell joins the show to talk about legal pathways for justice after the Department of Justice indicates its Epstein cases are ... closed.

Mentioned in this episode

Anne P. Mitchell’s Notes from the Front Substack

BBC: Les Wexner’s testimony before the House subcommittee

Thomas Pritzker retires as Hyatt’s chairman

Kimbal Musk off the Burning Man board

Lawrence Summers resigns from Open AI board

Larry Summers columns at The New York Times

Ghislane Maxwell hints at ties to Trump administration 

Jmail.world 

State AGs lead opposition to Trump in 2026

Call your reps with 5Calls.org

Contact the Florida bar

Our Patreon to join the Book Club

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1851 Was This Victoria's Secret? https://www.epsteinfilesbookclub.com Updates on the latest fallout from the release of the most recent trove of Epstein documents. Those affected include Kathy Ruemmler, the top lawyer at the major investment bank Goldman Sachs, and the CEO of Dubai’s largest port. Plus, a deeper dive into retail magnate Les Wexner, the man responsible for much of Epstein’s money, his New York mansion, and his jet. Mentioned in this episode: DOJ’s letter naming 300+ prominent people Kathy Ruemmler steps down from Goldman Sachs Wasserman to sell his agency Head of Dubai ports giant quits Forrner Norweigan Prime Minister charged with corruption Rho Khanna on seeking justice Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez Jean Luc Brunel dies by suicide Faith Kates leaves her agency, NEXT Models The New Yorker’s David Remnick interviews Julie K Brown Julie K. Brown’s reporting on Alex Acosta and the non-prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein Anne P Mitchell’s Substackeliseandjena [at] gmail.com is our email, Patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub is our Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 17 Feb 2026 23:00:00 -0000 full 4 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Updates on the latest fallout from the release of the most recent trove of Epstein documents. Those affected include Kathy Ruemmler, the top lawyer at the major investment bank Goldman Sachs, and the CEO of Dubai’s largest port. Plus, a deeper dive into retail magnate Les Wexner, the man responsible for much of Epstein’s money, his New York mansion, and his jet. Mentioned in this episode: DOJ’s letter naming 300+ prominent people Kathy Ruemmler steps down from Goldman Sachs Wasserman to sell his agency Head of Dubai ports giant quits Forrner Norweigan Prime Minister charged with corruption Rho Khanna on seeking justice Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez Jean Luc Brunel dies by suicide Faith Kates leaves her agency, NEXT Models The New Yorker’s David Remnick interviews Julie K Brown Julie K. Brown’s reporting on Alex Acosta and the non-prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein Anne P Mitchell’s Substackeliseandjena [at] gmail.com is our email, Patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub is our Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Updates on the latest fallout from the release of the most recent trove of Epstein documents. Those affected include Kathy Ruemmler, the top lawyer at the major investment bank Goldman Sachs, and the CEO of Dubai’s largest port. Plus, a deeper dive into retail magnate Les Wexner, the man responsible for much of Epstein’s money, his New York mansion, and his jet.

Mentioned in this episode:

DOJ’s letter naming 300+ prominent people

Kathy Ruemmler steps down from Goldman Sachs

Wasserman to sell his agency

Head of Dubai ports giant quits

Forrner Norweigan Prime Minister charged with corruption

Rho Khanna on seeking justice

Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez

Jean Luc Brunel dies by suicide

Faith Kates leaves her agency, NEXT Models

The New Yorker’s David Remnick interviews Julie K Brown

Julie K. Brown’s reporting on Alex Acosta and the non-prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein

Anne P Mitchell’s Substack
eliseandjena [at] gmail.com is our email, Patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub is our Patreon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1915 Maybe The Cold War Never Ended? https://www.patreon.com/posts/maybe-cold-war-150665312 Betches Media Co-Founder Sami Sage joins Elise and Jena this week to discuss the systemic flaws to bear in mind as we continue our reading, and why Steve Bannon is a fulcrum in, well, all of this. Plus, context on AG Pam Bondi’s combative testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, the latest fallout from the files, and Jena makes a provocative bet. Mentioned in this episode: Ghislane Maxwell wants to cut a deal ​​Howard Lutnick faces calls to resign Chappell Roan and other artists leave Casey Wasserman Lawmakers react to unredacted files Massie and Khanna release a list of six co-conspirators Four Takeaways from Pam Bondi’s testimony before House Judiciary Watch exchange between Ted Lieu and AG Pam Bondi  Sami Sage on Threads Betches Media Steve Bannon and Epstein and a global populist movement Bannon and Epstein on Justice Brett Kavanaugh  The implications of the SCOTUS Chevron decision Dr. Mark Landon received payments from Jeffrey Epstein Democracy in Retrograde by Sami Sage and Emily Amick Jeffrey Epstein and Leon Black Les Wexner of Victoria’s Secret and Jeffrey Epstein Morning Announcements podcast Find Jena @jenafriedman on Instagram, or on her YouTube or Substack Find Elise @elisewho on Instagram, @whoelise on TikTok, or on Substack Join our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and will start putting up video episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:06:00 -0000 full 3 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman Betches Media Co-Founder Sami Sage joins Elise and Jena this week to discuss the systemic flaws to bear in mind as we continue our reading, and why Steve Bannon is a fulcrum in, well, all of this. Plus, context on AG Pam Bondi’s combative testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, the latest fallout from the files, and Jena makes a provocative bet. Mentioned in this episode: Ghislane Maxwell wants to cut a deal ​​Howard Lutnick faces calls to resign Chappell Roan and other artists leave Casey Wasserman Lawmakers react to unredacted files Massie and Khanna release a list of six co-conspirators Four Takeaways from Pam Bondi’s testimony before House Judiciary Watch exchange between Ted Lieu and AG Pam Bondi  Sami Sage on Threads Betches Media Steve Bannon and Epstein and a global populist movement Bannon and Epstein on Justice Brett Kavanaugh  The implications of the SCOTUS Chevron decision Dr. Mark Landon received payments from Jeffrey Epstein Democracy in Retrograde by Sami Sage and Emily Amick Jeffrey Epstein and Leon Black Les Wexner of Victoria’s Secret and Jeffrey Epstein Morning Announcements podcast Find Jena @jenafriedman on Instagram, or on her YouTube or Substack Find Elise @elisewho on Instagram, @whoelise on TikTok, or on Substack Join our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and will start putting up video episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Betches Media Co-Founder Sami Sage joins Elise and Jena this week to discuss the systemic flaws to bear in mind as we continue our reading, and why Steve Bannon is a fulcrum in, well, all of this. Plus, context on AG Pam Bondi’s combative testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, the latest fallout from the files, and Jena makes a provocative bet.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ghislane Maxwell wants to cut a deal

​​Howard Lutnick faces calls to resign

Chappell Roan and other artists leave Casey Wasserman

Lawmakers react to unredacted files

Massie and Khanna release a list of six co-conspirators

Four Takeaways from Pam Bondi’s testimony before House Judiciary

Watch exchange between Ted Lieu and AG Pam Bondi 

Sami Sage on Threads

Betches Media

Steve Bannon and Epstein and a global populist movement

Bannon and Epstein on Justice Brett Kavanaugh 

The implications of the SCOTUS Chevron decision

Dr. Mark Landon received payments from Jeffrey Epstein

Democracy in Retrograde by Sami Sage and Emily Amick

Jeffrey Epstein and Leon Black

Les Wexner of Victoria’s Secret and Jeffrey Epstein

Morning Announcements podcast

Find Jena @jenafriedman on Instagram, or on her YouTube or Substack

Find Elise @elisewho on Instagram, @whoelise on TikTok, or on Substack


Join our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and will start putting up video episodes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1640 Out of the Rabbit Hole We’ve got a rundown of the latest headlines in the Epstein fallout, including the Epstein friends both domestic and abroad who are resigning from their posts — as ambassadors and protein bar advisors. Then, Jena reviews Virginia Giuffre’s memoir and why it’s so important, and Elise digs into Lawrence Summers and his anxiety over “Yellow Peril.” Mentioned in this episode: Ghislane Maxwell testifying before a Congressional subcommittee Survivors’ Superbowl spot A Threads post about the way the files were released  Valeria Chomsky’s apology saying they were ‘careless’ about Epstein Brad Karp at Paul Weiss "60 Minutes"pulling the Peter Attia segment  Dave McPhillips CEO of Chuck E Cheese Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre The Larry Summers-Jeff Epstein chat about “Yellow Peril” Join our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and video episodes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:18:00 -0000 full 2 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman We’ve got a rundown of the latest headlines in the Epstein fallout, including the Epstein friends both domestic and abroad who are resigning from their posts — as ambassadors and protein bar advisors. Then, Jena reviews Virginia Giuffre’s memoir and why it’s so important, and Elise digs into Lawrence Summers and his anxiety over “Yellow Peril.” Mentioned in this episode: Ghislane Maxwell testifying before a Congressional subcommittee Survivors’ Superbowl spot A Threads post about the way the files were released  Valeria Chomsky’s apology saying they were ‘careless’ about Epstein Brad Karp at Paul Weiss "60 Minutes"pulling the Peter Attia segment  Dave McPhillips CEO of Chuck E Cheese Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre The Larry Summers-Jeff Epstein chat about “Yellow Peril” Join our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and video episodes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices We’ve got a rundown of the latest headlines in the Epstein fallout, including the Epstein friends both domestic and abroad who are resigning from their posts — as ambassadors and protein bar advisors. Then, Jena reviews Virginia Giuffre’s memoir and why it’s so important, and Elise digs into Lawrence Summers and his anxiety over “Yellow Peril.”

Mentioned in this episode:

Ghislane Maxwell testifying before a Congressional subcommittee

Survivors’ Superbowl spot

A Threads post about the way the files were released 

Valeria Chomsky’s apology saying they were ‘careless’ about Epstein

Brad Karp at Paul Weiss

"60 Minutes"pulling the Peter Attia segment 

Dave McPhillips CEO of Chuck E Cheese

Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre

The Larry Summers-Jeff Epstein chat about “Yellow Peril”

Join our Patreon at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub where we have a running chat with the community and video episodes. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1684 We're Processing This Together This week, we decided to start podcasting to talk about the files. Jena and Elise riff on why the Epstein story is so important, as it's tied into wealth and power in this moment, and how they'd love a community to come together to process the sheer volume of information we're learning from the Epstein investigations. To support the show, spread the word. And you can join our live chat and community at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub, where we will post exclusive video episodes each week and other member extras. Profits will go to RAINN, to support and advocate for victims of sexual violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:22:00 -0000 full 1 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman This week, we decided to start podcasting to talk about the files. Jena and Elise riff on why the Epstein story is so important, as it's tied into wealth and power in this moment, and how they'd love a community to come together to process the sheer volume of information we're learning from the Epstein investigations. To support the show, spread the word. And you can join our live chat and community at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub, where we will post exclusive video episodes each week and other member extras. Profits will go to RAINN, to support and advocate for victims of sexual violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week, we decided to start podcasting to talk about the files. Jena and Elise riff on why the Epstein story is so important, as it's tied into wealth and power in this moment, and how they'd love a community to come together to process the sheer volume of information we're learning from the Epstein investigations.


To support the show, spread the word. And you can join our live chat and community at patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub, where we will post exclusive video episodes each week and other member extras. Profits will go to RAINN, to support and advocate for victims of sexual violence.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1129 no Welcome to the Epstein Files Book Club http://Patreon.com/epsteinfilesbookclub The Epstein Files Book Club is a show where comedian Jena Friedman and journalist Elise Hu break down the latest revelations from the trove of documents released about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sprawling network of powerful people to try to understand what’s real, what’s not and what we can do about it. Join us as we try to get to the bottom of one of the craziest and widest reaching scandals of our time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 06 Feb 2026 02:33:00 -0000 trailer 1 Elise Hu and Jena Friedman The Epstein Files Book Club is a show where comedian Jena Friedman and journalist Elise Hu break down the latest revelations from the trove of documents released about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sprawling network of powerful people to try to understand what’s real, what’s not and what we can do about it. Join us as we try to get to the bottom of one of the craziest and widest reaching scandals of our time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The Epstein Files Book Club is a show where comedian Jena Friedman and journalist Elise Hu break down the latest revelations from the trove of documents released about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sprawling network of powerful people to try to understand what’s real, what’s not and what we can do about it. Join us as we try to get to the bottom of one of the craziest and widest reaching scandals of our time.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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