Episode #011426: Short Stuff: Did a vampire legend help win the Cold War?

During the Cold War, the CIA used the legend of a vampire named Aswang to scare locals into not helping the communists.

AI Summary

In this episode, Josh and Jerry dive into a wild Cold War tale where the CIA weaponized Filipino folklore to fight communist rebels in the Philippines during the 1950s. They explore the Oswang, a terrifying creature from Philippine mythology that feeds on blood and organs, and reveal how CIA operative Ed Lansdale—a former advertising guy turned psychological warfare expert—actually used gruesome fake Oswang attacks to scare villagers into stopping their support for the Huk insurgents. It's a bizarre intersection of folklore, military strategy, and some deeply questionable Cold War tactics that somehow actually worked, at least once.

Movies Discussed

Family Matters

1989 TV-G

★ 6.7

"the show that we were both on back in the 90s called Family Matters. Kelly and I have done a lot of things and played a lot of roles over the years, but both of us are just so proud to have been part of Family Matters. — Referenced in an advertisement for the 'Welcome to the Family' podcast featuring cast members from the original sitcom."

The Agency

2024 TV-MA

★ 7.2

"It's called the agency, colon, central intelligence. It's a really stupid name, but it is a really well-done, suspenseful, but also really dramatic show. — Chuck recommends this CIA-themed drama series featuring Michael Fassbender and other acclaimed actors during the SYSK episode about CIA operations." — Chuck

💬 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first!