The Epstein Files Book Club
A podcast hosted by comedian Jena Friedman and journalist Elise Hu that breaks down newly released documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his network of powerful associates. The hosts investigate what's real and what's not, aiming to clarify the facts and explore potential actions. Each episode analyzes revelations from the document trove, offering a mix of humor and serious journalism.
Episodes
Virginia Giuffre's Life and Legacy
Another trove of Epstein-related documents are set to be released soon, from the late Virginia Giuffre’s successful defamation suit against Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre’s widely known for her fearlessness in taking down some of the world’s most powerful people, but few knew about her private battle at home, and her painful final months in Australia. This week, Elise and Jena sit down with Australian
The Mysterious Deaths of Jeffrey Epstein’s Friends
At least 22 people connected to Jeffrey Epstein have died under either somewhat suspicious or super sketchy circumstances. Among them are Epstein himself, Ghislaine Maxwell’s father, two modeling agents, and two higher-ups at Deutsche Bank. This week, writer and comedian Ginny Hogan does her reading and brings us her research on these deaths, and explains why they deserve more scrutiny (and in som
Trumpworld’s Other Sex Trafficking Scandal, with Brian Beutler
The Trump administration may be on the verge of a “second Epstein scandal” that could prove “worse” in some ways, according to this week’s guest, political journalist Brian Beutler. Brian, Elise and Jena discuss the alarming abuse of girls and women at the hands of right-wing influencers the Tate Brothers, the striking (and perhaps not well-known) similarities with the Epstein operation, and Trump
Covert Affairs with Murtaza Hussain
Was Epstein a spy? Our guest says he didn’t need to be. Instead, investigative reporter Murtaza Hussain of Dropsite News explains how Epstein was far more powerful by using his contacts as a kind of global “fixer,” facilitating security agreements and arms sales for Israel, working with Emiratis to further their interests in Africa, establishing a backchannel between Israel and Russia during the S
The British Component: Disorder Podcast Cross-Post
If you can buy a royal seal of approval — like Jeffrey Epstein did with former Prince Andrew — you get the keys to some of the most influential people in the world. In today’s crossover episode from our friends across the pond at the Disorder podcast, host Jason Pack is joined by British historian Andrew Lownie, author of the Sunday Times bestseller, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of Yor
What Ghislaine Maxwell Knows with Barbara Shearer
In this week’s headlines, Todd Blanche is grilled in his Senate confirmation hearing, Goldman Sachs exec Kathy Ruemmler goes before House Oversight, and the FBI admits it made training videos to teach Epstein file redaction. Then, we zoom in on Ghislaine Maxwell, the only Epstein co-conspirator currently behind bars. In this episode, Ghislaine Maxwell documentarian Barbara Shearer explains the stu
There Are No Good Billionaires with Tim Schwab
What are the ties that bind men like Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein? Investigative journalist and author Tim Schwab joins the show to explain the various and unsavory ways that Gates and Epstein were connected, details from the Gates testimony before the House Oversight committee and the new questions it raises, and the risks of an unregulated world of private philanthropy.
Mentioned in this epis
Deadline for the DOJ with Anne P. Mitchell
The deadline has come for the Justice Department to release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein, after a federal judge concluded that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This ruling came as a result of a lawsuit brought by Katie Phang, a lawyer and political commentator, and on this week’s show, Jena and Elise are joined by lawyer Anne P. Mitchel
Everyone's Named, Now What? Conspiracy, She Wrote Cross-Post
The full transcript of House Oversight's interview of Lesley Groff, the woman Epstein called his "right-hand," is now available. Jena offers a recap. Then, in a cross-post from the Conspiracy She Wrote podcast, Elise and Jena share the backstory of bringing this podcast to life, what keeps them going, and what to make of all the women who explicitly and implicitly aided in Epstein's decades of abu
Epstein's Fixer, Michael Wolff
Nearly 2,000 emails between writer Michael Wolff and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein reveal the inner dynamics of their close relationship, and the way that Wolff managed Epstein's public reputation all while maintaining a reputation as a "journalist." Also, researcher Ellie Leonard scrutinizes the giant block of time that's missing from the DOJ's public files, and the curious relationship between
FSB Femmes? With Scott Stedman
What do the files show about Jeffrey Epstein's ties to The Kremlin? Investigative journalist Scott Stedman of The Newsground joins the show to share what he's found after following the records and the money. We explore the stories of two Russian women who appear thousands of times in the files, but have escaped heavy media scrutiny. One, Svetlana Pozhidaeva, a longtime Epstein gatekeeper , and t
A Little Less Devastated with Molly Jong-Fast
Political commentator Molly Jong-Fast joins Elise and Jena to talk through the recent interview of former Attorney General Pam Bondi by House Oversight, new claims about Melania Trump’s backstory, and what she’d like to see happen now that Epstein Files Transparency Act co-author Rep. Thomas Massie is a lame duck in Congress. Plus, this week’s headlines offer some more proof that we’re living in a
Systematic Abuse At Scale with Lucia Osborne-Crowley
How should we think about the women who helped Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network expand? Survivors of his abuse say Epstein's executive assistants Leslie Groff and Sarah Kellen worked alongside convicted sex offender Ghislane Maxwell to make it possible to victimize some 1,200 girls and women. Journalist Lucia Osborne-Crowley, who wrote the book on the Maxwell trial, joins Elise and Jena t
Prison Pals and The Final Hours
This week, lawmakers questioned one of the last people to see Jeffrey Epstein alive, correctional officer Tova Noel. Elise and Jena explore the final weeks of Epstein's life and the unanswered questions about his death by doing the reading on Noel and Efrain Reyes, Epstein's final cellmate, who was removed from the cell fewer than 24 hours before Epstein was found dead.
Mentioned in this episode:
Eight Tons of Epstein Files
For a limited time only, all 3.5 million law enforcement documents related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein are on display at a pop-up reading room in New York. David Garrett, one of the exhibition’s organizers, joins Elise and Jena to explain the Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room, the motivation behind the exhibition, and the scale that can be conveyed by printing a
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 did
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
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:
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
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 D
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’
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 bigges
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 frin
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
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
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
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 Sherm
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.
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
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, unfortun
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 th
Was This Victoria's Secret?
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
Maybe The Cold War Never Ended?
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 Maxwel
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 testify
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 com
Welcome to the Epstein Files Book Club
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 r
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