Podcast
Commendable Commotion
Hosted by Commendable Commotion · EN
Where the creative arts intersect with their sinister cousins- true crime and parapolitics.
commendablecommotion.substack.com
commendablecommotion.substack.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Panic in Bethel Park: EP 2
Feb 1501:09:48Tap to summarizeThe second episode of a deep-dive into Thomas Crooks, who tried to assassinate Donald Trump in July 2024.Partial list of sources used:'Bethel Park municipal website hacked'. CBS Pittsburgh (KDKA). March 21st, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw2x9-C5ack'Weapons, drugs and explosive devices discovered in Bethel Park home, police say'. WTAE-TV (ABC) Pittsburgh. June 7th, 2022.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nNio6dPsm8'Feds charge 30 as part of investigation into drugs and weapons in Pittsburgh-area Pagans Motorcycle Club'. TribLIVE. December 9th, 2020.https://triblive.com/local/regional/30-members-of-pagans-motorcycle-club-hit-with-drug-trafficking-and-weapons-charges/'Police find weapons in Bethel Park High School employee's possession during on-campus arrest'. CBS Pittsburgh (KDKA). May 4th, 2021.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcEtHj3lwUQ'Who Is Thomas Crooks?' Tucker Carlson Network. November 14th, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXM0lN_zWSE&t=220sLogbooks from the Clairton Sportsmen's Club (Pennsylvania). Published in redacted form by Sen. Chuck Grassley, August 2024. X post by Ken Silva, August 9th 2024.https://x.com/JD_Cashless/status/1821732543105769882?s=20'Trump shooter's gun club defends culture after assassination attempt'. NBC News. July 17th, 2024.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-shooters-gun-club-defends-culture-assassination-attempt-rcna162293Lauryn Kalka, LCSW bio. Mindful Matters Counseling Group (Pittsburgh, PA).https://mindfulmatterspgh.com/1-therapists/Dr. Nathan Kalka's list of publications. DBLP Computer Science Bibliography website.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/37086037397'Image Quality Assessment for Iris Biometric'. Nathan Kalka. Graduate Thesis, West Virginia University College of Engineering & Mineral Resources. 2005.https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2673&context=etd'Trump rally gunman "didn't want attention" in school, classmates said'. The New York Times. July 15th, 2024.https://archive.is/KpucsBulletproof: The Truth about the Assassination Attempts on Donald Trump. Jack Posobiec & Joshua Lisec. Skyhorse Publishing, 2025.YouTube playlist by 'Willy Tepes' (videos linked in X post by 'troofevades').https://x.com/troofevades/status/1989463005609038221?s=20r/chess (Reddit) post about Thomas Crooks' Chess.com profile. Circa July 15th, 2024.https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1e4q99i/per_wsj_thomas_matthew_crooks_had_a_chess_profile/'The NSA in Augusta? Reality Winner's arrest shines spotlight on agency's Georgia presence'. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 6th, 2017.https://web.archive.org/web/20210726163323/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/the-nsa-augusta-reality-winner-arrest-shines-spotlight-agency-georgia-presence/ng91jZt4OraLKa5cHDG2ZK/'Leaked document appears to show NSA infiltrated Cryptos, Tor, VPN'. BitCoin.com News. February 2nd, 2018.https://news.bitcoin.com/leaked-document-appears-to-show-nsa-infiltrated-cryptos-tor-vpn/Excerpt from Thomas Crooks' alleged Internet search history. Shown on Candace Owens' show, September 24th 2025 (at 25:43).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZWSsq8ZWzw&t=1666sAssassin Thomas Crooks' Connections. Report by The Oversight Project (The Heritage Foundation) into Thomas Crooks-linked device movements. July 22nd, 2024.https://x.com/ItsYourGov/status/1815446054428352591?s=20'Man found dead in water at Nelson Park Beach in Plymouth'. NBC10 Boston. March 2nd, 2024.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkcfsBgdbbYDoug Bryson's LinkedIn profile.https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-bryson-37a04829/Col. Charles Dalgleish's LinkedIn profile.https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-dalgleish-a0033b11/'Was President Trump's would-be assassin Thomas Crooks part of a larger conspiracy?' The New York Post. March 3rd, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFlhG6OI4Lg&t=352s'Medical Examiner collected Trump shooter's bile and hair, but omitted results from toxicology report'. HeadlineUSA. July 22nd, 2025.https://headlineusa.com/exclusive-medical-examiner-collected-thomas-crooks-bile-and-hair-but-omitted-results-from-toxicology-report/Douglas J. Hagmann bio. Amazon.com.https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01DIZO6Q2/about?ccs_id=68e171bc-7de4-4738-9289-f0b11bc52e45'Teixeira expected to plead guilty'. The Boston Globe. March 1st, 2024. Accessed on Newspapers.com.Music:Myuu- 'Forsaken', 'Strange Vision', 'Identity Crisis', 'Winds Wreck 2014', 'Angst', 'Lights Out', 'Unspoken', 'Bad Encounter', 'Cornered', 'Distant Reminder', 'Mirrors', 'Outsider', 'Happy Birthday Song (Creepy Piano)'.Kevin MacLeod- 'Anxiety', 'Come Play with Me'.Closing Dirge: '20 Racks' by Shanoviah Thomas (Novicane). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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Stanley Kubrick, Mohamed Al-Fayed & the Death of Princess Diana
Aug 401:34:36Tap to summarizeI was a guest on the latest episode of Steven Snider's podcast 'The Farm'. In the episode, re-uploaded here, I described my recent meeting with Stanley Kubrick's personal assistant, Emilio D'Alessandro. I told Steven about the bizarre, creepy events that befell the production of Kubrick's final film, 'Eyes Wide Shut', as related to me by Emilio in the Summer of 2025 when I travelled to Cassino, Italy.Follow Steven Snider ('Recluse') on X:https://x.com/RecluseS9Look out for Tony Zierra's documentary about the making of Eyes Wide Shut, 'SK13: Kubrick's Endgame':https://www.docaddicts.comBuy Emilio D'Alessandro's memoir, 'Stanley Kubrick and Me', co-authored with Filippo Ulivieri:https://www.filippoulivieri.it/SKEM/english/the-book/index.html This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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The Panic in Bethel Park: EP 1
Jul 1400:52:53Tap to summarizeThe opening overture to a deep examination of Thomas Matthew Crooks, who tried to assassinate Donald Trump on July 13th 2024.Partial list of sources used for this episode:WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Channel 4 Action News. July 13th 2024 broadcast.'Police comb through Thomas Matthew Crooks' van that hid explosives, video shows'. Fox News, July 18th 2024.Dr. James D. Frizzi nomination. Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America. Volume 152 (February 1st 2010).Lawrence J. Macko's LinkedIn profile.'Eisenhower Army Medical Center among the safest in the Nation'. U.S. Army news piece, June 11th 2015.'Leaked Document Appears to Show NSA Infiltrated Cryptos, Tor, VPN'. BitcoinNews.com, February 2nd 2018.Ruby Kehaulani Macko nomination. Proceedings & Debates of the 116th United States Congress, First Session. July 25th 2019.'The Hospital That Treated Friend & Foe'. The New York Times, October 2nd 2009.‘Use of neurosurgical decision-making and damage-control neurosurgery courses in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts: a surgeon’s experience’. Neurosurg Focus 28 (5). 2010.John N. Frizzi obituary, December 2nd 2010.Lt. Col. Mark Revor's LinkedIn profile.John Frizzi Jr. obituary, June 28th 2019.Marriage license application of Lawrence J. Macko and Cynthia A. Cavanaugh (later Frizzi). Pittsburgh Press, 10th March 1984.‘Van crash kills boy’. Indiana Gazette, 15th July 1986 (mentions Deputy Coroner James Frizzi of the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office).'Headline USA Obtains Trump Shooter's Autopsy Records'. Headline USA, October 7th 2024.'Trump shooter Thomas Crooks' emails reveal a student dreaming of a bright future. And contemplating a violent attack.' CBS News, May 23rd 2025. 'Local Sniper Who Lost Thomas Crooks Shot Himself 7 Months Ago'. Headline USA, July 29th 2024.'Thomas Crooks Searched for Porn Before Shooting Donald Trump: FBI'. The Daily Beast, July 19th 2024.Music tracks by the wonderful Myuu:‘In the Hall of the Mountain King (Piano Version) by Edvard Grieg (Cover)’,’Forsaken’, ‘Unspoken’, ‘Shelter’, ‘Cornered’, ‘Bad Encounter’, ‘Identity Crisis’,‘Strolling Around’, ‘Winds Wreck 2014’,’Angels We Have Heard on High (Dark Piano Version)’.Closing dirge: ‘Ceefour’ by Cay ‘Xxtrah’ Oliver. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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Advice for Indy Filmmakers with Vinnie Vineyard & Luke Walker
May 4, 202501:06:04Tap to summarizeFilmmakers Vinnie Vineyard and Luke Walker give their advice on independent production, particularly distribution and scriptwriting.My documentary 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was' is coming very soon. Check out the trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwIXOmvQPj8Also check out Vinnie and Luke's film company, Big N Funky Productions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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The Hunter S. Thompson Enigma (with Henry Vinson & Zach Glenn)
Feb 21, 202501:00:54Tap to summarizeA new side of renowned writer Hunter S. Thompson is presented here exclusively. We talk to Henry Vinson, convicted in 1990 for running a large “male escort service” in Washington D.C. For the first time, he describes his interactions with Thompson, & the late Gonzo journalist’s close friendship with disgraced lobbyist (& purported CIA asset) Craig J. Spence.Afterwards, we talk to Zach Glenn of the Predictive Programming podcast. Zach will walk us through the murkier sides of Hunter Thompson’s life, including possible links to the U.S. intelligence community.At the start of this episode, you’ll also hear about the strange, scandalous events unfolding in D.C. during the month of Thompson’s death. The father of Gonzo journalism may have been much closer to these events than has previously been known.Some helpful background reading:‘WV native, former leader in DC prostitution ring, authors tell-all book’. Charleston Gazette-Mail, May 17th 2015.https://www.wvgazettemail.com/arts__entertainment/wv-native-former-leader-in-dc-prostitution-ring-authors-tell-all-book/article_3a5fea02-9ae7-5f12-ae6b-e8efca445b93.html‘The Shadow World of Craig Spence’. Washington Post, July 17th 1989.https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/07/18/the-shadow-world-of-craig-spence/2837e91e-49ce-4121-9416-8e0c7a2debf6/‘Son’s Shotgun Tribute’. Rocky Mountain News, March 2nd 2005.https://web.archive.org/web/20050404123625/http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_3587245,00.htmlMusic- ‘Identity Crisis’, ‘Cornered’ & ‘Danger’ by the wonderful Myuu. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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The Years of Lead with Dr. Alexander Reid Ross
Dec 14, 202401:06:14Tap to summarizeToday I talk to Dr. Alexander Reid Ross from Portland State University. He writes and hosts the excellent Years of Lead Podcast, examining Italy’s turbulent Cold War years and the murky, covert forces in the background. We also discuss two filmmakers who have made interesting movies relating to Italy’s Years of Lead- Alan Francovitch and Pier Paolo Pasolini.The Years of Lead Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/7z53cv4hO0JhU3wkHLh5ot?si=2169712bdbb645e6‘Stay-behind networks and interim flexible strategy: the 'Gladio' case and US covert intervention in Italy in the Cold War’. Francesco A. Cacciatore. Intelligence and National Security, Vol. 36, Issue 5:https://doi.org/10.1080/02684527.2021.1911436 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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'The Panic in Bethel Park' preview - Journalist Ken Silva's new info
Oct 20, 202400:03:31Tap to summarizeIn this preview for my upcoming project, 'The Panic in Bethel Park', journalist Ken Silva relates a small but significant new detail he recently uncovered about the investigation into the July 13th 2024 assassination attempt of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.Follow me for updates on this work-in-progress, and follow Ken Silva on X:https://x.com/JD_CashlessMusic: ‘Identity Crisis’ and ‘Forsaken’ by Myuu. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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Mothman Festival 2024 - Matthew Tannam-Elgie Presents 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was'
Oct 10, 202400:40:03Tap to summarizeOn September 21st, I gave a talk prior to the premiere of my new documentary ‘Mothman: The Film That Never Was’. The event took place at the 2024 Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The audience consisted mainly of festival attendees from elsewhere in the United States, several from West Virginia. There were also some locals present, and two actors from the film even made a surprise appearance.You’ll get to see people’s reactions and questions when the topic of the Mafia was discussed, and you’ll hear about several strange crimes that occurred in this famous “Mothman town” over several decades, which may have been Mob-linked.Many thanks to Mark Lopez for recording my talk, and to Jeff Wamsley for giving permission to share it online. You can watch the video recording of my talk by going to the Commendable Commotion YouTube channel. The film is now ready for distribution and this is being looked into at this very moment. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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The Mysterious Clack Mountain with Tom Byron
Sep 29, 202401:11:09Tap to summarizeWith Halloween coming up, filmmaker Tom L. Byron talks to me about 'Clack Mountain', a mysterious landmark near his home in Morehead, Kentucky. Strange tales of devil worship have surrounded this place for years. You'll also hear the strange story of a local woman named Donna Markwell, who was murdered on the mountain in the 1980s, and the mysterious death of her killer, Alexander Bowling.Partial list of sources used for this episode:'Missing woman's body found in trunk of car', Louisville Courier-Journal, 1st November 1980'Rowan man gets death penalty in 1980 kidnap-murder case', Lexington Herald-Leader, 26th November 1981'Non-jury trial set in drug possession case', Daily Republic (Fairfield, CA), 26th February 1970'Dyer Act charge jails three', El Paso Times, 24th January 1971'Prison death now blamed on drug overdose', Louisville Courier-Journal, 25th September 1982'Small deprivations on death row could lead to thoughts of suicide', Louisville Courier-Journal, 5th November 1982'Gallery of the Doomed: An Exploration of Creative Endeavors by the Condemned', Roberta M. Harding, University of Kentucky College of Law, 2002 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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Filming 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was' with Mark Lopez
Jun 24, 202400:49:52Tap to summarizeIn anticipation of my upcoming documentary 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was', now's a good time to upload this chat between myself and Mark Lopez. Mark is a former West Virginia and Ohio resident who assisted me greatly in filming the Ohio Valley region for my documentary. Check out his YouTube channel below:Come One Come AllCheck out my recent interview on The Nick Bryant Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHd_JneXgwk&t=1237sFor updates on my upcoming documentary, follow Commendable Commotion on Twitter/X, YouTube, Facebook & Instagram. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commendablecommotion.substack.com/subscribe
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