You Can’t Make This Up

Netflix

Hear the incredible real stories behind the making of the biggest documentary series & films on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie leads in-depth interviews with creators and subjects, exploring how these stories are produced & their impact, while uncovering new information. New episodes every Wednesday. read less

Our Editor's Take

For audiences who can't get enough of their favorite Netflix shows, You Can't Make This Up is a fascinating podcast. It's a journey into the making of popular documentaries and series screened on the streaming platform. Journalist and true crime author Rebecca Lavoie hosts this show.

Almost everyone has a favorite Netflix series. It's the show they never wanted to finish—when it was over, there was a longing for more. This is where You Can't Make This Up comes in. It gives a sneak peek into the making of these shows. It gives the real stories of how creators brought the characters to life. It explores the details of what went through the director's mind during filming. Lavoie reveals great insight into the most-loved shows. This is material listeners can't get elsewhere.

For those who have ever wondered, "How did the director find the ideal cast member for that true crime?" Or it was, "What made producers want to enlighten viewers on Woodstock '99?" You will have a chance to get an answer on You Can't Make This Up. This podcast comes out every second Wednesday, so there's lots of info on plenty of Netflix series. Previous series include The GameStop Saga or The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe. The broad topics mean there's something to suit a range of tastes. Even if someone hasn't seen a show, the podcast will spark their intrigue immediately. Warning: Listeners should know that the episodes contain spoilers aplenty.

Lavoie poses intriguing questions to directors, executive producers, and other guests. Audiences then become privy to information they wouldn't know otherwise. Fans can listen to learn, discover, and even find the next best show!

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TV & FilmTV & Film

Society & CultureSociety & Culture

True CrimeTrue Crime

Film InterviewsFilm Interviews

DocumentaryDocumentary

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Introducing: You Can't Make This Up

Introducing: You Can't Make This Up

Join journalist, true-crime author and podcaster Rebecca Lavoie as she delves into the true stories behind some of the biggest documentaries and films on Netflix. Hear from filmmakers, writers, actors and contributors as they describe the journey from real life to screen: how they found the story, how they got access, what got cut, and the continuing impact on the lives of its subjects. New episodes every Wednesday.

Episodes

They train for a lifetime, all for ten seconds at glory. But who will take the gold on track’s biggest stage: the Paris Olympiad? Will it be the brash Noah Lyles, the earnest Kenny Bednarek, or the enigmatic Kishane Thompson? Can Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce grab a medal at her fifth games? Or will up-and-comers like Sha’carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson take her place at the top of the sport? Or will Julien Alfred shock the world by earning her tiny island nation’s first ever Olympic medal? The Netflix sports series SPRINT Part 2 delves deep into the psyches of those elite competitors who train to be the fastest person on the planet. It’s an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the high stakes and the mental toughness of the sprinters whose professional futures are decided in just fractions of a second. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Executive Producer Warren Smith and Showrunner Suemay Oram. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched SPRINT Part 2 yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

BONUS | The Diplomat: The Official Podcast

BONUS | The Diplomat: The Official Podcast

In this episode, we’re turning things over to one of our sister shows, The Diplomat: The Official Podcast. Host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika talks with actors, producers, and real-life diplomats for a deeper look into the show's creation and the real-life inspirations that shaped the storylines in season 2 of The Diplomat. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Diplomat season 2 episode 2, titled "St. Paul's," make sure to add it to your watch list on Netflix before listening to this episode. You can listen to The Diplomat: The Official Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to your podcasts. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Simone Biles Rising | Part 2

Simone Biles Rising | Part 2

After a 2020 Olympic performance marked by disappointment, questions lingered on whether the most decorated gymnast of all time would ever return to the world stage. But Simone Biles was determined to go out on top and capture gold in Paris. With the glare of the world upon her, and not feeling 100%, Biles took this summer’s XXXIII Olympiad by storm. Her story resumes in Simone Biles Rising Part 2. The series follows the acclaimed athlete as she overcomes challenges both physical and personal. It provides an intimate portrait both on and off the mat as she completes her triumph in France and removes any doubt that she’s the greatest of all time. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Katie Walsh. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Simone Biles Rising Part 2 yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

Mats Steen appeared to live a life of isolation. A Norwegian teen suffering from a degenerative muscle disease, reliant on adaptive technologies, Mats spent all of his time on his computer. It wasn’t until he died at age 25 that his parents learned what he’d been doing. The gamers did not know Mats’s medical condition. Instead, they knew him as Ibelin: a brawny medieval nobleman in search of adventure. The online players regarded Ibelin as a caring friend, a ladies man, and someone whose advice changed them in real life. It wasn’t until his passing, Mats’s impact on both worlds was revealed. The Netflix documentary film The Remarkable Life of Ibelin uses game logs and code to digitally recreate Mats’s online journey. Through Ibelin, he experiences companionship, romance, and acceptance in a community where he could be his true self. The film asks questions about the nature of friendship and what it means to live a quality life - even one in a virtual world. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Benjamin Ree. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Remarkable Life of Ibelin yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

What goes through the mind of a killer just as they take a life? And how do they feel about their actions after spending years in prison? Season five of the Netflix documentary series I AM A KILLER explores those questions, allowing admitted killers to talk about their crimes and reflect on how taking a life has changed them. But their tales don’t go unchallenged. Investigators, prosecutors, and loved ones hear their words and respond - some with forgiveness, some with a fact check on what really happened. What are the inmates looking for? Understanding? Redemption? A chance to rewrite their violent histories? Or simply the opportunity to tell the world “I am a killer.” In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producers Ned Parker and Danny Tipping. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched I AM A KILLER yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In a league filled with superstars, they stand out among the rest. But what does it take to achieve greatness in the NBA, as well as away from the court where you can’t call a timeout in real life? The ten-part Netflix sports series Starting 5 provides an intense, behind-the-scenes look at the 2023-24 season through the eyes of five of the league’s biggest players - Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis, and Jayson Tatum. The series captures their battles on and off the court as they chase greatness, push through injuries, and balance the demands of family and legacy. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Showrunner Peter Scalettar. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Starting 5 yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 3

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 3

Part 3: Hope for the Future. Today, over 30 years after their crime, Lyle and Erik feel they have healed and evolved. Alejandro learns how they've spent decades in search of peace and fulfillment in their lives behind bars. The brothers speak on the renewed interest in their case spawned from social media sites like TikTok, and share their hopes for the future. As their hours of conversation come to an end, Alejandro reflects on how his journey with the Menendez Brothers has personally impacted him as a storyteller. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, information and resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com. The Menendez Brothers is streaming now on Netflix. --- CREDITS Netflix Podcasts Presents A Campfire Studios Production in association with Pod People The Menendez Brothers: The Official Podcast Written and produced by Angela Palladino, with help from Tony Mantia, Rebecca Chaisson, Natalie Grillo, Sam Gebauer, Alex Vikmanis, and Aimee Machado From Campfire Studios, Executive Producers: Ross M. Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans From Netflix, Executive Producer: David Markowitz Edited by Carter Wogahn and Morgane Fouse Sound design and mixed by Carter Wogahn Music composition by Jimmy Stofer Narrated by Alejandro Hartmann

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 2

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 2

Part 2: The Legends of the Father. Alejandro dives deeper into the legacy of what it means to be a Menendez, the legend that Lyle and Erik’s father, Josè, created around their bloodline, and what it would ultimately drive his sons to do. All the while, as he develops a closer relationship with them, Alejandro reckons with his understanding of the brothers and their crime. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, information and resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com. The Menendez Brothers is streaming now on Netflix. --- CREDITS Netflix Podcasts Presents A Campfire Studios Production in association with Pod People The Menendez Brothers: The Official Podcast Written and produced by Angela Palladino, with help from Tony Mantia, Rebecca Chaisson, Natalie Grillo, Sam Gebauer, Alex Vikmanis, and Aimee Machado From Campfire Studios, Executive Producers: Ross M. Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans From Netflix, Executive Producer: David Markowitz Edited by Carter Wogahn and Morgane Fouse Sound design and mixed by Carter Wogahn Music composition by Jimmy Stofer Narrated by Alejandro Hartmann

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 1

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 1

Part 1: The First Call. In the first of this three part mini-series, Alejandro Hartmann, the director of The Menendez Brothers documentary, takes us on his journey to reach Lyle and Erik Menendez and convince them to be interviewed for the documentary. The Menendez brothers are serving life without parole for the 1989 murder of their parents inside the walls of the family’s Beverly Hills mansion. They haven't spoken together about their case since first being incarcerated. Through hours of candid conversation, documentarian Alejandro Hartmann embarks on a journey to uncover the raw, untold stories of the brothers’ lives before and after their crimes. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, information and resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com. The Menendez Brothers is streaming now on Netflix. --- CREDITS Netflix Podcasts Presents A Campfire Studios Production in association with Pod People The Menendez Brothers: The Official Podcast Written and produced by Angela Palladino, with help from Tony Mantia, Rebecca Chaisson, Natalie Grillo, Sam Gebauer, Alex Vikmanis, and Aimee Machado From Campfire Studios, Executive Producers: Ross M. Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans From Netflix, Executive Producer: David Markowitz Edited by Carter Wogahn and Morgane Fouse Sound design and mixed by Carter Wogahn Music composition by Jimmy Stofer Narrated by Alejandro Hartmann

Introducing The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast

Introducing The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast

It was the trial that rocked the nation. Two brothers from Beverly Hills, convicted of murdering their parents. Lyle and Erik Menendez are serving life in prison without parole. But their crime was more than 30 years ago. Was justice served? And who are the Menendez brothers today? In this preview of the companion podcast to the new Netflix documentary, The Menendez Brothers, filmmaker Alejandro Hartmann takes us behind-the-scenes on his quest to build a relationship with the two brothers. Through over 20 hours of exclusive prison interviews, the brothers reveal the deeper story of just what happened that summer in 1989 – a story of abuse, myth-making, and choices you can’t come back from. They've never told their story together, until now. All three episodes of the companion podcast to the Netflix documentary, The Menendez Brothers, will be available right here on Wednesday, October 9th. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it! Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Jailbreak: Love on the Run

Jailbreak: Love on the Run

Vicky White was well-liked and respected by her co-workers in the Alabama jail she ran, and by the inmates she supervised. They were shocked when, on one of her last days on the job, she vanished with accused murderer Casey White. It wasn’t until later authorities discovered the pair had a secret relationship for years, and they escaped so they could finally be together. After eleven days on the run, the manhunt came to a tragic end. Through surveillance video and audio from their secret phone calls, Netflix’s Jailbreak: Love on the Run chronicles Vicky’s plan to spring her dangerous lover and the nationwide search for the couple. It also seeks answers to the question: why did Vicky do it? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producers Dan Abrams and Rachel Stockman. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Jailbreak: Love on the Run yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

BONUS | Forgive Me For I Have Followed

BONUS | Forgive Me For I Have Followed

The new podcast Forgive Me For I Have Followed builds on Netflix’s Dancing for the Devil, delving into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. Shinn founded Shekinah Church in LA over two decades ago, before establishing 7M Films, and is named in a civil lawsuit alleging abuse and "cult-like" behavior. In this, the premiere episode, co-host and former member Kailea Gray shares her personal perspective. Joined by co-host and Dancing for the Devil Executive Producer Jessica Acevedo, Kailea reflects on her and her now-husband's involvement with the church, how their lives have changed, and their journey moving forward. Dancing For the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult is streaming now on Netflix. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter

Cathy Terkanian learned the daughter she gave up for adoption decades earlier vanished under mysterious circumstances while a teenager. When Cathy began her own investigation into the disappearance, she learned police dismissed the involvement of the violent predator living in the home Aundria Bowman grew up in. Her birth mother dedicated herself to getting Aundria’s adoptive parents to reveal the truth about what happened. Then, after years of persistence, an unlikely discovery broke the case wide open. From the creative team behind The Keepers and Executive Producer Charlize Theron comes the Netflix documentary series Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter. It follows a decades-long quest for justice and the investigation into a man whose list of violent crimes remained largely unconnected. It also profiles Cathy’s quest to do right by the daughter she never knew and bring her home. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Ryan White and producer Jessica Hargrave. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

UNTOLD: Sign Stealer

UNTOLD: Sign Stealer

Michigan football assistant Connor Stalions had an uncanny knack for the art of sign stealing - the perfectly legal practice of deciphering opponents’ signals to gain an on-field advantage. Stalions credited hard work and research for his success. But the NCAA believed he’d broken the rules by sending friends and family to other games to illegally scout teams in advance. The scandal rocked the sport, launched a thousand memes, forced Stalions out of football, and cast a cloud over Michigan’s undefeated season. In UNTOLD: Sign Stealer, Stalions tells his story for the first time, showing his methodical preparation and answering questions about whether he went too far to give his team a leg up. It asks was Stalions the best who ever did it…or was he a cheater? It also probes why college football was willing to turn a blind eye to the practice until now. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Micah Brown. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched UNTOLD: Sign Stealer yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

UNTOLD: The Murder of Air McNair

UNTOLD: The Murder of Air McNair

On July 4, 2009, former NFL MVP quarterback Steve “Air” McNair and 20-year-old Sahel “Jenny” Kazemi were found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at a Nashville townhouse. The deaths shocked the sports world. While the police declared the pair died by Jenny’s hand, others say the investigation was botched and other suspects were dismissed too quickly. Volume four of the acclaimed Netflix sports series, UNTOLD: The Murder of Air McNair takes viewers through the pivotal moments of the investigation while also charting McNair’s rise to stardom across 13 seasons in the NFL. Through gripping game day footage and emotional interviews with teammates, coaches, and friends, the film captures McNair’s extraordinary career — while also examining the factors that led to these tragic deaths. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Rodney Lucas and Taylor Alexander Ward. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched UNTOLD: The Murder of Air McNair yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

A program in D.C. offers the children of incarcerated men a rare chance to be with their fathers: a Daddy Daughter Dance inside the jail. While the men go on a journey to consider the impacts of their actions on their family, the girls navigate heartbreak, anger, and uncertainty, as they seize a precious opportunity to be with a parent they’re not even permitted to hug. But when the music stops, will these connections endure? Netflix’s Daughters follows Aubrey, Santana, Raziah, and Ja’Ana as they prepare for a momentous Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers. The film sheds light on the complexities of familial bonds strained by the unforgiving barriers of the criminal legal system. It also follows its main subjects long after the dance to see if the experience had a lasting effect on the bonds between father and daughter. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Natalie Rae Robison and Angela Patton. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Daughters yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

American Murder: Laci Peterson

American Murder: Laci Peterson

She was the bright and bubbly young woman who disappeared on Christmas Eve of 2002 while eight months pregnant. The disturbing mystery of what happened captured the nation’s attention and dominated the news as the investigation slowly pointed to her husband. The murder of Laci Peterson remains one of the most famous and compelling true crime cases of the century. The Netflix documentary series American Murder: Laci Peterson is a story about a beloved woman, intimate partner violence, and media obsession. For the first time, we hear from Laci’s mother, Sharon, about her family’s ordeal. And we get the perspective of the woman thrown into the center of the case: Scott Peterson’s unsuspecting girlfriend, Amber Frey. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Skye Borgman. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched American Murder: Laci Peterson yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Unsolved Mysteries volume 4: The Directors

Unsolved Mysteries volume 4: The Directors

How do they bring unseen monsters and unknown murderers to life on the screen? How do they get those interviews that no one else gets? What’s it like to tell the stories with only questions and no answers? Today we’ll hear the stories behind the episodes in volume four of Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries. These directors hope their stories can help crack an unsolved mystery. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Directors Robert M. Wise and Gabe Torres. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Unsolved Mysteries yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Unsolved Mysteries volume 4

Unsolved Mysteries volume 4

From classic true crime to paranormal encounters, we can’t get enough of unexplained tales and the questions they raise. Volume four of Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries brings us more of the unsettling, head-scratching cases you’ve come to expect from the legacy series. But this isn’t a series you only watch. Tips to unsolved.com have made a difference in many of the cases profiled. This time viewers are asked to solve a murder inside a locked building, find a terrifying night creature, determine whether a bloodsoaked death was an accident or a homicide, identify a victim by only her severed head, and travel to Victorian England to uncover history’s most notorious serial killer. Who knows? Maybe you have information that will crack an unsolved mystery. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer and showrunner Terry Dunn Meurer. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched volume 4 of Unsolved Mysteries yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa

Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa

She’s a single mom working at a Whole Foods in Connecticut with one dream: to climb Mount Everest…again! Lhakpa Sherpa holds the record for most Everest summits by a woman. Now she returns to her native Nepal to conquer the world’s tallest mountain for the tenth time, and in the process, find healing from her past traumas. The Netflix documentary film Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa follows her dangerous trek to the top of the world. It also explores Lhakpa’s efforts to climb out of the valley of her despair and achieve serenity through the spiritual powers of her beloved Everest. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Lucy Walker and producer Miranda Sherman. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.