Behind the Bastards

Part One: Behind the Bastards Q&A: 2026 Edition

January 13, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Robert's research methodology emphasizes cross-referencing multiple sources, avoiding single-source reliance, and actively searching for debunked myths to ensure accuracy, especially when dealing with pop history. 
  • A commonality among 'bastards' that Robert identifies as a significant predictor of bad behavior is a desperate yearning to be close to power and improve one's perceived societal standing. 
  • The hosts of Behind the Bastards Q&A: 2026 Edition, Robert and Sophie, spent the beginning of the episode discussing holiday gifts, including a lightsaber torch and various ceremonial weapons Robert has given Sophie over the years. 

Segments

Podcast Ad Reads
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The initial segment features advertisements for the podcasts ‘Monster: Hunting the Long Island Serial Killer’ and ‘Zone 7,’ alongside promotions for Mattress Warehouse and MyFICO.
  • Summary: Listeners are directed to find ‘Monster: Hunting the Long Island Serial Killer’ on iHeartRadio and other platforms. ‘Zone 7 with Cheryl McCollum’ focuses on teamwork in solving crimes, featuring experts and victims’ families. Mattress Warehouse is offering sales up to 60% off, and MyFICO allows users to check their FICO score for free without credit impact.
Q&A Welcome and Holiday Chat
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(00:02:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert expressed mixed feelings about the end of the holidays, dreading the return to reality, while Sophie highlighted receiving a lightsaber torch that he used to start a fire as a gift highlight.
  • Summary: Sophie, the executive producer, opened the episode of Behind the Bastards Q&A: 2026 Edition by welcoming listeners and noting the 481 questions submitted. Robert described the post-holiday period as difficult as the break ends and re-engagement with reality looms. Sophie mentioned Robert consistently gifts her cool weapons, including a Moroccan ceremonial dagger this year.
Identifying False Information Tips
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(00:05:36)
  • Key Takeaway: When researching history, Robert advises checking if an anecdote sounds too good to be true or too movie-like, and suggests searching descriptions alongside terms like ‘historians reddit’ or ‘myth’ to find professional analysis.
  • Summary: Robert suggests that if a historical claim perfectly aligns with what one wants to believe about a complex situation, it warrants a second look. For questionable anecdotes, searching the description along with ‘ask historians reddit’ can reveal if the myth has been busted by experts. He also recommends cross-referencing pop history books by searching for professional historians’ critiques of the author’s claims.
Unresearched Bastards and Common Traits
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(00:11:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert has postponed episodes on figures like Nixon and Mao due to the heavy research lift required, and he argues that poverty and abusive childhoods are common historical experiences, not unique predictors of bastardry.
  • Summary: The Nixon episode is delayed because it requires reading numerous books, a heavy lift Robert plans to tackle periodically. Robert contends that poverty and parental abuse were common experiences in the late 1800s/early 1900s, making them less significant as unique traits of monsters. The most significant warning sign for future bad actors is a desperate need to be attached to the group in power.
Ad Break and Further Promotions
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(00:15:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The second ad break featured promotions for ‘Monster: Hunting the Long Island Serial Killer,’ ‘Just Food for Dogs,’ Vanta security software, and Orderly Meds.
  • Summary: Listeners are reminded about the ‘Monster’ podcast investigation into the Long Island Serial Killer. Just Food for Dogs offers 50% off the first box of vet-recommended fresh dog food. Vanta automates compliance processes like SOC 2 to help companies win deals faster. Orderly Meds provides access to GLP1 medications discreetly.
Journalism Inspiration and Ethics
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(00:18:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert’s initial inspiration to pursue journalism stemmed from watching live news coverage of the Bosnian genocide, and his ethical framework was shaped by a college psychology class on the ethics of the insanity defense after the Aurora shooting.
  • Summary: Robert recalled being impressed by serious reporters covering the siege of Sarajevo as a child, viewing it as an important adult job. Reading the comic ‘Transmetropolitan’ as a young adult further fueled his interest in journalism. A freshman college course on the psychology of ethics, focusing on the Aurora shooting defense, significantly impacted his views on people and influenced his podcast work.
Oldest Bastard and Societal Power
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(00:23:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The first bastard is nameless, as hunter-gatherer societies developed rituals like the ‘Ikung ritual’ specifically to combat the universal human danger of individuals accumulating too much power.
  • Summary: Robert explained that egalitarian hunter-gatherer tribes developed rules to prevent young hunters from developing egos that ignored the contributions of others, like female gatherers. These societal rules were not evidence of superior enlightenment but rather pragmatic responses to the universal problem of power concentration. The failure of these cultures to last suggests that the danger of individual assholes seeking power is inherent throughout human history.
Writing Habits and Sympathetic Bastards
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(00:27:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert sometimes listens to live bluegrass shows or ‘white light mixes’ while writing scripts, and he has avoided episodes on figures like Katy Perry because their flaws were not substantial enough to warrant a full ‘bastard’ profile.
  • Summary: Robert finds live bluegrass shows, such as Green Sky Bluegrass at Red Rocks, helpful for concentration while writing podcast scripts. He noted that he has avoided certain subjects, like Katy Perry, because their negative actions were isolated incidents rather than indicative of a sustained pattern of bastardry. He cited the Bo Brummel episodes as an example where he found the subject more sympathetic than initially portrayed, but the surrounding culture justified the episode.
Ideal Podcast Guest
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(00:31:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert humorously suggested that the least responsible but most interesting podcast would feature L. Ron Hubbard critiquing other cult leaders, despite the risk of creating new hyper-competent cult leaders.
  • Summary: The hypothetical ideal guest to cover another horrible person would be L. Ron Hubbard. Robert envisioned a show where Hubbard would critique various cults, pointing out where other leaders made tactical errors. He acknowledged this hypothetical podcast would be highly irresponsible and likely lead to prison time, but guaranteed it would be super interesting.
Episode Wrap-up and Outro
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(00:32:22)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts concluded the Q&A segment, promising more questions on Thursday, and directed listeners to subscribe to the Behind the Bastards YouTube channel for new episodes every Wednesday and Friday.
  • Summary: Robert offered a final New Year’s sentiment to ‘fuck it’ to whatever the listener needs to do. The episode confirmed that new episodes of Behind the Bastards are released every Wednesday and Friday. Listeners can find the show on YouTube, iHeartRadio, and Apple Podcasts, as it is a production of CoolZone Media.