#1706 - Billy Corben
NaN minutesEpisode #1706
Billy Corben is a documentarian and producer. His new series, "Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami," is now available on Netflix.
Episodes with Billy Corben
Episode Timestamps
Florida's Response to the Pandemic and Impact on Law Enforcement
- Discussion on Florida's approach to the pandemic and public perception during the crisis
- Insights into the high number of Covid deaths among law enforcement officers in Florida
- Exploration of Florida's unique pro-business and pro-freedom attitude and its consequences
Healthcare Response and Treatment Disparities During the Pandemic
- Focus on the effectiveness of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies in preventing severe Covid outcomes
- Concerns about access to quality healthcare and treatment for infected individuals in different regions
- Discussion on the importance of healthcare support for frontline workers like law enforcement officers
Misinformation Surrounding Ivermectin Usage for COVID-19
- Discussion on the misinformation regarding ivermectin, including its human dosages and its portrayal as a horse dewormer
- Importance of informing the public accurately about medications and treatments
- Exploration of the complexities and differing views regarding ivermectin's efficacy for COVID-19
Miami, Climate Change, and Corruption
- Insight into the vulnerability of Miami to climate change and the potential submergence of the city
- Discussion on the King Tides phenomenon in Miami and its annual impacts
- Examination of Miami's culture of corruption, excessive construction, and carefree attitude towards regulations
Hotel California Creation and Cocaine Culture in Miami
- Glenn Fry and Don Henley writing the lyrics for Hotel California in a rented mansion with historical significance
- Anecdotes about the communal creative scene during the making of Hotel California
- Stories about cocaine culture and practices in recording studios like Criteria in Miami
Cocaine Trends, Dangers, and Legalization Debate
- Discussion on cyclical drug trends, focusing on cocaine's popularity and decline in the 90s
- Insight into the resurgence of cocaine use in the 2000s and related tragedies like fentanyl-laced cocaine overdoses
- Debate on drug legalization, highlighting the risks associated with illicit drug trade and the need for informed choices
The War on Drugs and the Medical Uses of MDMA
- Discussion on the DEA's classification of MDMA as a controlled substance
- Exploration of the financial implications and consequences of the war on drugs
- Introduction to the therapeutic uses of MDMA in treating PTSD and traumatic brain injuries
Personal Experience with Drug Use and Writing Under the Influence
- Personal anecdotes about trying marijuana and the impact of edibles
- Discussion on the creative process under the influence of substances like marijuana
- Reflection on famous writers' experiences with substance use and its impact on their work
Stephen King's Struggles and Writing Process
- Discussion on Stephen King's demons and recovery after a severe accident
- Insight into King's writing process during challenging times
- Anecdote about observing subtle nuances in King's work and personal battles
Stand-up Comedy Challenges and Personal Experiences
- Reflections on the challenges of stand-up comedy and the pressure to be funny on demand
- Personal experience of watching legendary comedians like George Carlin in difficult performances
- Anecdote about introducing less artistically sophisticated friends to different forms of comedy
Tony Bourdain, Sushi with Janet Jackson, and Miami Stories
- Anecdote about Janet Jackson watching 'Cocaine Cowboys' at 4 AM with Jermaine Dupree
- Discussion on meeting Janet Jackson, going to Nobu for sushi, and the surreal experience
- Conversations about drinking preferences, local beer in Miami, and memorable experiences with Tony Bourdain
Miami in the 1980s: Drug Trade, Trickle-down Economics, and Marco Rubio's Experience
- Insights into the thriving drug trade in Miami in the 1980s and its significant impact on the local economy
- Examination of how drug money trickled down into various sectors like real estate and banks
- Story about Marco Rubio's experience living in a cocaine stash house and the connection of Miami residents to the drug trade
Miami's Flashy Lifestyle and Money Laundering History
- Discussion on Miami's culture of extravagant displays of wealth and fakery
- Exploration of Miami's history as a hub for money laundering, particularly linked to drug money
- Anecdote about Sunshine State Bank and its explicit role in drug money laundering
Nuclear Power Plants and Money Laundering Connections
- Insights into the efficiency and risks associated with older nuclear power plants
- Link between Miami's past as a hub for money laundering and its current position as a Bitcoin hub
- Story involving Guillermo and Dara highlighting connections between money laundering and political power
Evolution of Documentary Filmmaking and Audience Engagement
- Discussion on the process of creating compelling documentary content that resonates with the audience
- Insight into the importance of keeping the audience entertained and engaged in the current era of abundant content
- Reflection on the challenges faced in the documentary industry and the necessity of captivating storytelling to attract viewers
Impact of Documentary 'Cocaine Cowboys' in the Filmmaking Industry
- Historical account of 'Cocaine Cowboys' becoming a viral sensation through unconventional channels like the bootleg market
- Discussion on the evolution of the documentary genre and the increasing competition in the present documentary landscape
- Insight into the ruthless world of drug trafficking portrayed in documentaries and the repercussions faced by individuals involved in illicit activities
The Iguana Problem in Florida
- Discussion about the invasive nature and destructive behavior of iguanas in Florida
- Anecdotes about encounters with iguanas, including hunting them and their aggressive tendencies
- Exploration of the impact of iguanas on local ecosystems and infrastructure
Miami's Dark Underworld and Alexia's Story
- Introduction to the Miami drug-related activities during the late 70s and 80s
- Narrative about Alexia's involvement with a drug dealer and the tragic connection to Champlain Tower South
- Reflection on the underreported stories and the complexity of Florida's history
Infrastructure Failures and Lack of Accountability in Miami
- Discussion about the deteriorating infrastructure in Miami and the lack of maintenance
- Incidents of deadly infrastructure failures and collapses in Miami Dade County
- Absence of accountability and responsibility in cases of construction errors leading to fatalities
Wealth Disparity and Corruption in Miami Government
- Analysis of the significant wealth gap in Miami's population
- Examination of government corruption involving influential private individuals in public projects
- Critique of the unethical practices of public officials holding multiple private sector jobs
Homelessness Crisis in Major Cities
- Discussion on the significant issue of homelessness in cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco
- Challenges faced by cities in managing the homeless population and lack of effective solutions
- Observations on the impact of the pandemic on real estate values and housing affordability
Personal Anecdote and Insights on Current Events
- Personal story of the comedian Ralphie May and the regret of not spending more time with him
- Reflections on pandemic drinking and the risks associated with large gatherings
- Conversation about the importance of vaccination, concerns about evolving variants, and misinformation campaigns
Florida's Historic Segregation and Racial Struggles
- Discussion on the presence of Confederate elements in the Florida state flag and its historical context
- Insight into racial segregation practices in Miami Beach, highlighting restrictions on black individuals
- Examples of prominent figures like Muhammad Ali and Nat King Cole facing discrimination in Miami due to segregation
Corruption, Social Division, and Economic Challenges in America
- Exploration of foreign-led propaganda efforts to sow division within American society
- Analysis of the compassion gap in US culture and the shift in values towards selfishness
- Reflection on economic disparities and the challenges faced by millennial and post-millennial generations in America
Compassion, Empathy, and Understanding
- Discussion on the importance of having compassion for others and acknowledging their experiences
- Exploration of the compassion gap, especially in the context of immigration and suffering
- Advocacy for being better informed, listening to diverse stories, and fostering sympathy and compassion
Teaching Compassion and Diversity to Children
- Debate over critical race theory and its implications in early education
- Concerns about children being taught guilt vs. compassion regarding inherent biases
- Emphasis on teaching children to value diversity, compassion, and understanding in a positive light
Challenges in the Public School System and Allocation of Resources
- Discussion on the current state of public schools and the lack of value society places on education
- Exploration of the misallocation of resources prioritizing corporations over disenfranchised communities
- Insight into the systemic issues affecting historically marginalized areas like Liberty City in Miami
Politics, Corruption, and the Democratic Party
- Overview of the influence of cronyism on capitalism and the threats faced by the system
- Analysis of the political landscape, including the failure to address key issues within the Democratic Party
- Reflection on past elections and the dynamics of outsider vs. establishment candidates
Freedom of Speech and Social Media Regulation
- Debate on whether individuals should be banned from social media for their expressions
- Discussion on the role of social media platforms and their enforcement of rules
- Exploration of the concept of censorship and the challenges of regulating speech on platforms like Twitter
Private Business Autonomy vs. Regulation
- Conversations on the autonomy of private businesses in setting their rules
- Critique of the inconsistency in enforcing rules by platforms like Twitter
- Debate on the threshold for government intervention in regulating social media platforms
Political Divide and Social Media Communication
- Discussion on extreme demonization of opposing viewpoints, especially politically
- Importance of maintaining decency and love towards others regardless of differing opinions
- Concerns about lack of face-to-face communication leading to unproductive debates on social media
Mask Wearing and Public Health
- Debating the politicization of mask-wearing during the pandemic
- Addressing the logic and effectiveness of wearing masks for public health
- Exploring the potential positive outcomes of pandemic in promoting personal health awareness and self-care
The Impact and Reach of Non-Fiction Content
- Discussion on the shift towards non-fiction content and its economic advantages for platforms like Netflix
- Anecdotes about the success and viewership patterns of documentaries like Tiger King and Cocaine Cowboys
- Insights into how Netflix leverages sophisticated algorithms and audience preferences for content delivery
Netflix's Strategic Approach and Audience Engagement
- Exploration of Netflix's strategic decisions in series renewals and audience engagement tactics
- Details on Netflix's secrecy in sharing viewership data and using interactive metrics for thumbnails
- Anecdotes about the reception of different documentary series on various platforms and the evolving viewership demographics