Last Podcast On The Left: Side Stories – "Only Files"

Podcast by The Last Podcast Network | Released: March 11, 2026
Main Hosts: Henry Zebrowski (A), Ed Larson (B) | Guest: Jenna Friedman (C)

Episode Overview

This week's Side Stories dives into three central "cover-ups" and conspiracies making headlines: alleged U.S. government suppression of UFO disclosures, the continuing mystery of Havana Syndrome, and the ever-expanding, deeply disturbing Jeffrey Epstein files. The episode is packed with the hosts' signature irreverence and dark humor, but also welcomes comedian and podcaster Jenna Friedman for a focused, insightful examination of the Epstein saga and the complexities of information warfare, media responsibility, and how these stories intersect with politics and justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Kissing to Cock and Ball Torture: Icebreakers, Tour Updates & Listener Engagement

Timestamps: 01:14–08:12

• The hosts banter about upcoming live shows, mouth noises, and introduce their irreverent tone, complete with jokes about kissing and "sucking man mouth" as a stand-in for intimate fan interactions.
• CBT Confusion: The hosts discuss the dual meaning of "CBT" — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cock & Ball Torture. Henry shares he was contacted by a dom about the actual physical limits of CBT, learning it takes "110 lbs of pressure to rupture a testicle" and many participants panic before anything extreme happens.
  • Notable Quote:

    "CBT is also short for combined ball torture—cock and ball torture."
    — Henry Zebrowski (04:11)

• They examine the abundance of explicit images on the Wikipedia page for CBT compared to, say, Rosa Parks, and poke fun at the difference.
• Listener engagement is encouraged, particularly around their wanderings into extreme topics and touring plans.

2. UFO Disclosure and Deep State Coverups

Timestamps: 08:12–18:47

• Disclosure Fatigue: Henry argues that formal "disclosure" from the government about aliens is a dead end, believing all public statements are staged or sanitized for public consumption. Instead, he advocates for "disclosure from the people" via declassified documents and independent research.
  • He discusses the history of the MJ12 (Majestic 12) documents: once touted as proof of a shadowy UFO cabal, largely debunked, but possibly seeded as disinformation to discredit real whistleblowers.
  • A new Substack investigation links supposed MJ12 codes to recently declassified Operation Paperclip and MKUltra documents, hinting at legitimate cross-contamination of real and fake conspiracies.
  • Notable Exchange:

    “So mj12 did exist?”
    — Ed Larson (15:21)
    “If so, it’s just...seeing for the first time maybe that the documents are real. Not that mj12 is real.”
    — Henry Zebrowski (15:25)

• The hosts muse on possible explanations for the recent disappearance of military UFO investigator William McCaslin, favoring (with dark humor) personal tragedy over government abduction.

3. Havana Syndrome: Weapon or Weirdness?

Timestamps: 22:47–27:47

• The hosts unpack the latest “bombshell” 60 Minutes report on Havana Syndrome — the mysterious ailments reported by diplomats and spies, believed by some to be the result of targeted microwave weapons.

  • The segment details internal CIA cover-ups, the procurement and testing of a Russian-made microwave device that fits in a backpack, and the theory that such weapons are now widespread ("the mafias are just printing them").
  • Notable Quote:

    “We bought this thing...It could fit in a backpack. It gives off no heat. It takes very little power to do.”
    — Henry Zebrowski (25:36)

• The hosts query whether this story is a "limited hangout"—a controlled controversy to distract from more damning news (like the Epstein trial or Middle East tensions).

4. The Epstein Files and Mass Cover-up (with Jenna Friedman)

Timestamps: 28:04–71:10

Introduction and Media Critique

• Jenna Friedman, cohost of the "Epstein Files Book Club," joins to discuss why she and Elise Hu launched their own show: mainstream outlets and even the leading "Epstein" podcasts are either ignoring the most damning revelations or are algorithmically driven AI productions.
  • Notable Quote:

    “I started listening...this is AI—and that’s the number one Epstein Files podcast right now.”
    — Jenna Friedman (33:21)

• Humorous asides about being “stalked” by Disney ads and army recruitment messages as podcast inserts.

Digital Rights, Censorship & Surveillance

• Jenna shares a sequence of ominous personal and digital incidents:
  • Being interrogated at the border about her political satire career.
  • Multiple Twitter (X) suspensions, unexplained deletions of her account, and shadowy manipulation of her digital identity, possibly at the direct/implied behest of platform insiders or billionaires.
  • The lack of recourse or digital rights for creators and citizens alike.
  • Notable Quotes:

    “Just get offline...they can take all your data. They will take all your data.”
    — Jenna Friedman (49:15)
    “If it’s free, you’re the product.”
    — Ed Larson (49:23)
    “[Twitter/X] can just be erased...because of some billionaire’s whim.”
    — Jenna Friedman (48:59)

Epstein Files—What Matters Most?

• The discussion tackles:

  • The cynicism and complexity of American legal/political structures handling—or ignoring—allegations found in the files, especially those connecting high-level figures (Trump, Wexner) to abuse or cover-up networks.
  • The “Covid-up” (cover-up) being as large a crime as the abuse itself.
  • Media illiteracy, fragmenting public trust, and the proliferation of unreliable and AI-generated sources, making it harder for the public to focus on actual crimes.
  • The importance of a sober, evidence-driven approach when discussing possible criminal acts—neither giving in to conspiratorial free-for-alls nor to numbing complicity.

• Notable Quotes:

  “The COVID up is also a huge crime...like, there are tons of pedophiles everywhere you look.”
  > — Jenna Friedman (52:34) “To be a pedophile, you would need a network. It’s very difficult to operate alone.”
  > — Henry Zebrowski (53:17)

Notable Sub-topics and Memorable Moments

• Melania Trump’s Connection: Jenna claims Melania was “one of Epstein’s girls,” part of a broader pattern of trafficking under the guise of modeling (62:25).
• Trump & Email Evidence: Discussion of the strategic absence of digital records from Trump in the Epstein files (58:52). Bill Clinton claims to have only sent two emails, both on benign political occasions (60:22).
• Media Dysfunction:
  • Jenna and hosts lament the collapse of local, independent journalism, the risky dominance of influencers like Rogan/Schulz, and the “information overload” that can even trick seasoned readers into following AI hoaxes (67:16–68:20).
• Impunity & Accountability: They repeatedly circle back to the pessimism of actual criminal accountability for the powerful, seeing “Father Time” as more likely to take down Trump and other elites than the legal system (69:29).
• Jokes and Moments:
  • Running gag about Epstein loving The Lion King musical as a seduction technique.
  • Satirical questions about “Charlie Kirk Remembrance Day” and “what is a woman?” to lampoon right-wing media personalities and culture wars.

5. Listener Emails: Juvenile Justice and Growing Up with Violence

Timestamps: 73:50–81:27

• Debate over whether 11-year-olds who commit murder should be tried as adults; Henry presents email clarifying that, in states like Pennsylvania, such cases start in adult court but typically end up with long-term juvenile placement (75:16).
• Ed shares anecdotes about childhood violence and briefly jokes about appropriate disciplinary measures, ultimately admitting the complexity and sadness of youthful crime and broken family structures.

6. Wrap-Up: Announcements, Housekeeping, and Closing Banter

Timestamps: 81:27–End

• Promotion for the new Last Comic Book on the Left (volume four at Z2Comics.com).
• Announcements on Mystic Museum live events, upcoming tours, and the Crime Wave at Sea cruise.
• Shoutout to new research assistant Pat Barker.
• The show closes with characteristically dark, absurd humor, saluting the late Tommy Takarlo of Boston.

Most Memorable Quotes & Moments:

• “It takes 110lbs of pressure to rupture a testicle.” (Henry Zebrowski, 04:11)
• “MJ12 did exist?...Not that MJ12 is real. That the documents might be real.” (Henry & Ed, 15:21–15:25)
• “We bought this thing...backpack, gives off no heat. It takes very little power to do.” (Henry, 25:36)
• “I went into the files myself. What I saw was so insane. Is anyone talking about this?...This is AI—and that's the number one Epstein Files podcast right now.” (Jenna Friedman, 33:21)
• “Just get offline. Like, you have no rights. They can take all your data. They will take all your data.” (Jenna, 49:15)
• “If it’s free, you’re the product.” (Ed, 49:23)
• “To be a pedophile, you would need a network. It's very difficult to operate alone.” (Henry, 53:17)
• “Father Time...I think Father Time is the only thing that, that can really come into play here.” (Henry, 69:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |-------------------------------------------------------|----------|----------| | Show intro, Live shows, CBT/wikipedia joke | 01:14 | 08:12 | | UFO disclosure, MJ12, Operation Paperclip | 08:12 | 18:47 | | Havana Syndrome, Microwave weapons, 60 Minutes report | 22:47 | 27:47 | | Epstein Files: intro & Jenna Friedman interview | 28:04 | 71:10 | | Listener Emails: Juvenile justice/sentencing debate | 73:50 | 81:27 | | Live events promo and closing banter | 81:27 | End |

Tone & Language

• True to “Last Podcast On The Left,” the episode is an unfiltered mix of comedy, dark irony, and serious critique of American institutions, with gallows humor and absurdist tangents to leaven the morbid subject matter.
• Jenna Friedman matches the hosts’ wit while steering the conversation toward responsible journalism and the perils of digital information warfare.

Summary Takeaways

“Only Files” is both a cautionary tale about media literacy and a meta-commentary on modern conspiracy culture—a plea to stay skeptical, dig for truth, and not let either the “disruptors” or the comfortable become gatekeepers of justice. Underneath the jokes, the message is clear: institutional rot and elite impunity only thrive when we let information become noise, or when we accept accountability as a lost cause.

Recommended for:
Anyone interested in true crime, government cover-ups, digital rights, and dark political humor, especially fans tracking ongoing stories in American conspiracy and the Epstein files.