Behind the Bastards: Part One - Behind the Bastards Q&A: Year's End Edition

Released: December 31, 2024 by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Behind the Bastards takes listeners on a deep dive into the lives of some of history's most notorious individuals, uncovering the bizarre and lesser-known facets of their existence. In this special Year’s End Q&A edition, hosts Robert Evans and Sophie engage with their audience, addressing fan questions, sharing personal insights, and providing an inside look into the creation and challenges of producing such a compelling podcast series.

Introduction and Setting the Tone

The episode kicks off with the hosts casually discussing their attire, setting a laid-back and approachable tone for the Q&A session. Robert mentions his "CHUD sweater," a practical choice that he humorously connects to blending into a new regime:

Robert Evans [02:05]: "If you're a tall white man and you wear a hoodie with a deer head on it, you are effectively invisible. So I'm prepared for the new world. Are you?"

Sophie responds with her own experiences related to online interactions and the pressures of maintaining a presentable appearance:

Sophie [02:20]: "I spent the last hour trying to make myself look nice enough for the camera so people aren't mean to me on the Internet."

Favorite and Least Favorite Episodes

One of the first questions addressed revolves around the hosts' least favorite episodes to produce. Robert candidly shares his struggles with episodes focused on foreign leaders outside his expertise:

Robert Evans [03:50]: "I really hate the foreign leader episodes... like, getting up to speed because you can't... It's a lot of work. And it's also nerve-wracking because there's no not getting some stuff wrong."

He highlights the anxiety of covering figures like Jair Bolsonaro and Benjamin Netanyahu, where incomplete knowledge can lead to inaccuracies. Sophie echoes this sentiment, particularly disliking episodes that delve into traumatic subjects involving children:

Sophie [05:36]: "I really fucking hate those [wilderness camp] episodes. Just like horrific shit up horrific kids..."

Handling Sensitive Topics

The hosts delve into how they handle the passing of controversial figures, exemplified by Henry Kissinger’s death. Robert shares a surprisingly subdued reaction, emphasizing respect for individuals who lived long lives without visible suffering:

Robert Evans [05:53]: "There's not a lot I'm glad he's dead, but like he lived an incredibly long life and got to do most of the things he wanted and never really suffered."

They also discuss the emotional toll of covering topics like the U.S. healthcare system and environmental disasters, with Robert expressing deep frustration:

Robert Evans [06:42]: "Every time we talk about the US healthcare system, I'm fucking livid... Those drive me fucking insane."

Pop Culture and Personal Interests

Shifting gears, Robert shares his views on modern Star Trek, expressing a preference for series that explore societal complexities over space battles:

Robert Evans [07:34]: "Deep Space Nine is asking what would the dark sides of that utopia be... Star Trek's never had good space battles, I'll say that right?"

Sophie engages in light-hearted banter, including a playful guessing game about Robert’s fantasy podcast guest, which humorously lands on unexpected names like LeBron James:

Robert Evans [10:19]: "I would love to talk with either Alan Moore or Werner Herzog... Or have a funny guest like Will Ferrell."

Behind the Scenes: Podcast Creation and Challenges

Robert provides an in-depth look into the genesis of Behind the Bastards, tracing back to his time at Cracked.com and his passion for exploring dictators’ histories. He recounts pitching the original idea and the subsequent evolution of the podcast format:

Robert Evans [20:03]: "I want to do a series where every season I talk about a different dictatorial regime... And then all of a sudden one day they got bought by iHeartRadio."

Sophie adds personal anecdotes about their collaborative journey and the influence of colleagues like Jack O'Brien in shaping the podcast’s direction.

Fan Interactions and Feedback

Addressing feedback, Robert discusses handling backlash from sensitive episode topics. He emphasizes the importance of not speculating on unverified personal attributes of historical figures, such as diagnosing autism based solely on behavior:

Robert Evans [17:43]: "It's not my job to be like this is what I believe is going on with Jeffrey Bezos. And now we all have to act like it's true because it's probably not."

He also highlights the positive impact of their listeners, noting the altruistic actions fans take in the real world:

Robert Evans [30:00]: "Some chunk of them are always going to be doing something weird and off-putting... But usually when I encounter our fans, it's in the context of them like doing something nice that's helpful to people out in the world."

Personal Stories and Light Moments

In a fun segment, Robert shares a humorous and heartwarming story about his cat, Saddam, including an incident involving a seed:

Robert Evans [26:03]: "He managed to get it wedged inside his urethra and it nearly killed him. But he's fine now."

Sophie complements this with her own update, showcasing their camaraderie and the personal side of the podcast hosts.

Additionally, they entertain listeners with whimsical questions like their Spice Girl names, revealing their playful personalities:

Robert Evans [18:44]: "My Spice Girl name would be Afraid of Women Spice."

Sophie [19:15]: "I think I would be Producer Spice."

Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms

When asked about activities that help them cope with the heavy topics they cover, the hosts provide contrasting yet genuine responses. Sophie highlights her affection for her dog, Anderson, while Robert candidly discusses his sobriety and hobbies like shooting:

Sophie [27:39]: "This beautiful dog I'm holding... Anderson. She looks quite beautiful."

Robert Evans [27:51]: "I've been sober for a while and will be staying sober. So I just get depressed and then get better and better at shooting a gun."

Future Projects and Upcoming Content

Looking forward, Robert gives an update on his forthcoming book sequel, After the Revolution, discussing the delays caused by personal losses and promising content releases:

Robert Evans [12:24]: "I finished the rough draft. I think probably in January, I'll put out the first three chapters just as kind of a teaser."

He also teases future podcast episodes, particularly focusing on Richard Nixon, promising a multi-part deep dive into his complex and controversial life:

Robert Evans [15:13]: "The current big one that I'm very slowly working on is doing another Nixon. Probably a six-parter... collecting fucked up Dick Nixon stories."

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Robert expresses heartfelt appreciation for their listeners, highlighting the positive actions fans undertake in their communities. The hosts emphasize their commitment to delivering high-quality content and maintaining a supportive relationship with their audience.

Closing with promotional segments, Behind the Bastards directs listeners to their website and YouTube channel for more content, ensuring the audience stays connected and engaged.

Notable Quotes

• Robert Evans [03:50]: "I really hate the foreign leader episodes... It's a lot of work. And it's also nerve-wracking because there's no not getting some stuff wrong."

• Sophie [05:36]: "I really fucking hate those [wilderness camp] episodes. Just like horrific shit up horrific kids..."

• Robert Evans [06:42]: "Every time we talk about the US healthcare system, I'm fucking livid... Those drive me fucking insane."

• Robert Evans [07:34]: "Deep Space Nine is asking what would the dark sides of that utopia be... Star Trek's never had good space battles, I'll say that right?"

• Robert Evans [15:13]: "The current big one that I'm very slowly working on is doing another Nixon. Probably a six-parter... collecting fucked up Dick Nixon stories."

• Sophie [19:15]: "I think I would be Producer Spice."

Behind the Bastards continues to captivate its audience by blending historical analysis with personal anecdotes and interactive segments. This Year’s End Q&A Edition not only answers pressing listener questions but also provides a transparent look into the hosts' creative processes and personal lives, solidifying the podcast’s reputation as a thought-provoking and engaging series.