Four Letter Word season continues with a quiz (which is a four-letter word itself) about four letter words. Test your etymological knowledge, and hear about the original nepo baby, John Venn's invention that wasn't the venn diagram, brat, gunk, rube, the time(s) Led Zeppelin changed their name, and plenty more.
Play along while you listen - there's an interactive scoresheet at theallusionist.org/444, where there's also a transcript of this episode, plus links to more information about topics therein, and to the rest of Four Letter Word season and the previous Allusionist quizzes.
Also check theallusionist.org/events for upcoming live shows, including a special collab with Material Girls podcast, and an event with Samin Nosrat for her new book Good Things.
Support the show at theallusionist.org/donate and as well as keeping this independent podcast going, you also get behind-the-scenes glimpses about every episode, livestreams with me and my collection of dictionaries, and the charming and supportive Allusioverse Discord community.
This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman, on the unceded ancestral and traditional territory of the of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. The music is by Martin Austwick. Download his songs at palebirdmusic.com and listen to his podcasts Song By Song and Neutrino Watch.
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Financial independence isn’t just about early retirement. It’s giving your future self freedom.
J.L. Collins is the best-selling author of The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life. Robert Brokamp caught up with Collins for a conversation about:
- The challenges and appeal of being a super-saver.
- How to use the 4% rule.
- The value of “self-cleansing” index funds for investors.
Ticker discussed: VTI
Host: Robert Brokamp
Guest: J.L. Collins
Producer: Ricky Mulvey
Engineer: Rick Engdahl
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Interview with Emily Schoerning; Quickie with Bob: Prepping for Q-Day; News Items: Seed Oils, Lead into Gold, American Lysenkoism, The Screwworm is Coming, Galactic Collision; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Dream Learning; Science or Fiction
The migrant at the center of a legal storm is back on US soil. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. He now faces criminal charges. Plus, World Pride is wrapping up in Washington DC with thousands set to take part in a parade close to the White House. And the latest sports news on the NBA finals and Stanley Cup.
Concern mounts over Gaza's deepening humanitarian crisis including the hospitals. We speak to a British doctor who's been working there.
Also on the programme: a resident of Ukraine's second largest city tells us about the unprecedented Russian attack; and from the bromance to break up between Donald Trump and Elon Musk. We ask a former Tesla director what it's like to work with Mr Musk.
(Photo: An internally displaced Palestinian girl attends Eid al-Adha prayer in Gaza City, 06 June 2025. Credit: EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
Joy in China as Beanbag the Capybara returns after months on the run. The giant rodent's adventures had gripped social media. Also: an ingenious idea making cities greener; and the flatpack furniture world champion.
Crypto kidnappings & "wrench attacks" are surging globally. Charlie & Colin break down real cases, from Ledger CEO torture to NYC penthouse hostage drama, plus essential security tips to protect yourself from physical Bitcoin theft.
Charlie and Colin dive deep into the dark side of crypto wealth - the rising amount of physical attacks, kidnappings, and torture targeting Bitcoin holders. From the Ledger co-founder's mutilation in France to wild NYC penthouse hostage situations involving crack cocaine and air fryers, they explore real cases and share Jameson Lopp's security wisdom.
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**Notes:**
• Ledger co-founder kidnapped 2 days, fingers cut
• American tourist lost $125K in London scam
• Italian held 17 days, $28M crypto extorted
• 90+ officers in French rescue operation
• Attacks started with Hal Finney in 2014
• Most incidents happen in Europe/Asia
Timestamps:
00:00 Start
01:08 What is a wrench attack?
05:33 Jameson Lopp
08:19 3 Types of attacks
09:34 Kidnapping (Ledger Case)
12:19 Kidnapping (French Father Case)
13:03 Attempted Abduction (France Daughter of CEO)
14:59 Arch Network
15:31 Wrench Attack Tracker
19:10 Hostage (American Tourist London)
22:08 Different custody setups
24:34 Hostage (Kentucky Crypto King)
30:58 Best practices
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