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The Ebone Zone

Ethan Rivers

Welcome to The Ebone Zone, make yourself at home among the Zoner community. Whether you're binge-listening, you're a casual fan or you're here for the first time, you'll love what goes on. Stay connected on Twitter @OfficialEBZ and Facebook @ebonezonepodcast New episodes are released Friday nights at 9:00 pm.

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Yesterday · 11 min
Let the Machines Handle It
What happens when you believe in the future so much that you're willing to gamble with your own health today? On this episode of The Ebone Zone, we’re looking at one of the strangest claims to emerge from Silicon Valley: some AI researchers are reportedly taking up smoking to demonstrate their faith that artificial intelligence will eventually cure cancer. The claim comes from Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar, who sees a deeper problem in the tech industry's increasingly intense belief in AI. Is this just another bizarre tech-world trend, or does it reveal something more troubling about our willingness to put our faith in technology? From promises of medical breakthroughs to the idea that artificial general intelligence could solve humanity's biggest problems, we examine the line between optimism and outright overconfidence. If people believe tomorrow's technology will fix today's mistakes, what happens to personal responsibility? This Week’s Featured Hashtag #IfImTheBoss Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
October 17 · 13 min
An Argument That Went One Word Too Far
A long wait in line turned into a confrontation that allegedly went far beyond an argument. On this episode of The Ebone Zone, Ethan takes a look at the bizarre chain of events at a store in Waldorf, Maryland, where 38-year-old Tiffany Deshaunta Booze is accused of punching an employee after becoming upset over the wait. According to investigators, the confrontation briefly turned physical before Booze left the store—only to return moments later and allegedly display a handgun. The strangest part? Investigators say she left behind her wallet and cellphone on the store counter, helping authorities identify her. Deputies later located a blue-and-black pistol in her vehicle, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office. From a dispute over a line to an alleged assault and firearm display, this story raises a simple question: how does an ordinary trip to the store escalate this far? Other Interesting Things Visit Cold Stuff Creamery’s Website This Week’s Featured Hashtag #CheeseLoversAreGoodAt Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
October 10 · 13 min
The Mystery of the Empty Hives
What happens when the thing being stolen can fly, sting, reproduce, pollinate crops—and comes by the tens of thousands? This week on The Ebone Zone, we’re getting into one of the strangest crime stories to emerge from Australia: the disappearance of more than 800,000 bees from apiaries across far north Queensland. These weren’t random swarms that wandered away. Entire brood boxes were taken from more than 40 hives in what authorities and beekeepers describe as a sophisticated operation—one that likely required specialized equipment and someone who knew exactly what they were doing. The missing colonies are estimated to be worth tens of thousands of dollars when you factor in the bees, honey production and valuable pollination contracts. And there’s another layer to the story. Queensland’s beekeeping community is already dealing with the spread of the varroa mite, a parasite that threatens honeybee colonies. For beekeepers, losing hundreds of thousands of bees under these circumstances isn’t just a bizarre theft—it adds another threat to an industry tied directly to food production. So who steals 800,000 bees, how do you even pull off a heist like this, and where could all those hives end up? Let’s get into it. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #HonestBrandSlogans Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
October 3 · 11 min
The First Rule of Daycare
What happens when the people entrusted with caring for a child are accused of becoming part of the danger? This week on The Ebone Zone, we examine the disturbing allegations surrounding a Texas Montessori nursery where parents say their four-year-old son was subjected to an altercation involving another child while under the supervision of daycare staff. According to a lawsuit reported by ICLG, the parents allege that a teacher encouraged her own son to hit and kick their child and physically handled him during the incident. The case raises difficult questions about childcare oversight, the responsibility of caregivers, warning signs that may have been missed, and what happens when parents place their trust in an institution to protect their children. The nursery faces a lawsuit seeking more than $1 million, while state childcare regulators cited the facility for alleged improper disciplinary methods and a failure by a caregiver to intervene. The allegations remain allegations, and the case has not been decided by a court. This episode takes a closer look at what the lawsuit alleges, what regulators reportedly found, and the larger questions this case raises about accountability and the safety of children in care. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #TheBestWayToEatBread Other Interesting Things More on the Daycare Allegations Legal Definition of “Gross Negligence” in Texas Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
September 26 · 12 min
It Started with Passing Gas
A request to stop passing gas in bed somehow became the starting point for a Florida domestic-violence case. In this episode, we take a closer look at the case of 32-year-old Anthony Gordon, who is accused of strangling his 45-year-old girlfriend during an argument at their home. According to the arrest affidavit, the dispute began after she asked him not to fart in bed. Police say the confrontation escalated after she spit at Gordon, and that he then grabbed her by the throat and pulled her from the bed. The alleged attack ended when the woman bit Gordon's finger and was able to get away. She later reported the incident to police and provided investigators with a recording of a conversation in which the two discussed what happened. The allegations discussed in this episode have not been proven in court. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #TheBestCheeseburgersAre Other Interesting Things National Domestic Violence Hotline More information on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) How are Police Really Using FLOCK Cameras? FLOCK Cameras: Myths vs. Facts Classic Popeye: Popeye and the Giant Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
September 19 · 11 min
The Skill Behind the Shovel
What happens when digging a grave becomes a competition? This week on The Ebone Zone, we take a look at an unusual contest in Hungary where 19 two-person teams went head-to-head with spades, shovels and pickaxes—not for a trophy in a traditional sport, but for the title of fastest and most skilled grave-diggers. The competitors had to dig graves to exact specifications, working through hard, dry soil while being judged on both speed and technique. But beneath the unusual premise is a more serious purpose: bringing attention to a profession that is essential, physically demanding and often hidden behind society's discomfort with talking about death. The story raises an intriguing question: what happens when we take one of life's most solemn responsibilities and put it into a competitive setting? This episode of The Ebone Zone digs into the Hungarian contest, the work behind it, and the strange intersection of mortality, craftsmanship and competition. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #HowISpiceThingsUp Other Interesting Things Hungarian Association of Cemetery Maintainers Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
September 12 · 14 min
The Purpose Behind the Spectacle
What can 90,000 rubber ducks tell us about community, competition, and making a difference? This week on The Ebone Zone, we take a closer look at Chicago’s annual Ducky Derby, where a river full of rubber ducks becomes an extraordinary fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois. The spectacle is playful, colorful, and undeniably unusual—but underneath the yellow sea of ducks is a story about creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities and bringing an entire community together around inclusion. The 2026 derby sent more than 90,000 ducks floating down the Chicago River, with the event raising more than $480,000. Even a $10 “lone duck” can help provide an athlete’s lunch at a competition, while a $30 “quack pack” can help supply gold medals for a team. Listen to this week’s episode for a perspective on why this quirky Chicago tradition is about much more than rubber ducks racing down a river. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #UnappealingFallFlavors Other Interesting Things Special Olympics Illinois Website Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
September 5 · 13 min
When Takeout Gets Personal
What would you do if a $10,000 food order suddenly showed up at your door—and you never ordered it? On this episode of The Ebone Zone, we’re looking at a bizarre and disturbing case out of Poland involving alleged harassment through food delivery. A 23-year-old man is facing up to eight years in prison after police say he used other people’s personal information to place massive unpaid food orders at their addresses. One order reportedly topped $10,000, while another called for a staggering 300 pizzas. But this story goes well beyond an absurd amount of takeout. Investigators say some of the orders allegedly included threats, personal information about the recipients, and messages referencing serious crimes. So how does a food delivery prank become a criminal investigation? What happens when technology, personal information, and harassment collide? And what does it say about how easily an everyday service can be weaponized? This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #TheStrangerLuredMeWith Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
August 29 · 11 min
When Anime Becomes A Legal Issue
This week on The Ebone Zone, we take a look at the bizarre story of a Houston man accused of threatening the Texas Governor’s Office after claiming state law was keeping him from watching anime. What exactly did he think Texas had banned, what do the state’s internet and app laws actually cover, and how did a complaint about streaming escalate into an alleged threat against public officials? It’s a strange story, but it also opens the door to a bigger conversation about internet restrictions, government overreach, personal frustration, and the increasingly complicated relationship between entertainment and the laws governing online access. Because sometimes the story isn’t just “a guy was mad about anime.” Sometimes the strange story tells us something worth examining. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #JazzUpBoringMeetings Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
August 22 · 12 min
The Trouble With "Kids Being Kids"
A dodgeball game, an ex-girlfriend, a 13-year-old accused of targeting her with repeated throws—and now a misdemeanor assault charge. This week on The Ebone Zone, we take a closer look at the Arizona case that has sparked a much bigger conversation about bullying, intent, accountability, and where the line between childhood misconduct and criminal behavior should be drawn. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #PassiveAggressiveMusic Other Interesting Things Ringo Starr: With A Little Help From My Friends | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2015 Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight The Beatles – Help! Olivia Newton John and John Travolta – You’re the One That I Want Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
August 15 · 11 min
The Cost of Chasing Close Encounters
A wildlife encounter turned into an international headline when influencer Julia Beautx was rushed to the hospital after a monkey attack while traveling. But beyond the shocking images and viral reactions is a larger conversation about the growing intersection of tourism, wildlife, social media, and personal responsibility. In this episode of The Ebone Zone, we unpack what happened, why these incidents are becoming more common, and how internet culture can blur the line between unforgettable experiences and unnecessary risks. We also explore how quickly viral moments shape public opinion before all the facts are known. Join the conversation as we look beyond the headline and examine what this story says about travel, content creation, and our relationship with wild animals. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #IfICouldHaveSuperpowers Other Interesting Things TripAdvisor Trip Reviews: Monkey Island] JuliaBeautx on TikTok Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
August 8 · 12 min
The Meaning We Bring to Milestones
When does a love story become a statement? This week on The Ebone Zone, we're diving into one of New York City's most talked-about weddings—a ceremony inspired by Titanic that has people debating romance, symbolism, and where admiration for a story crosses into spectacle. From the emotional pull of one of cinema's most iconic films to the public reaction surrounding the couple's unforgettable celebration, this conversation explores what it means to build a wedding around a cultural phenomenon. Is it an expression of creativity, a misunderstood tribute, or something else entirely? This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #OddWaysToRelax Other Interesting Things The Groom Who Sold Advertising on His Suit Listen to “The Price of Getting to I Do” Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
August 1 · 9 min
The Mosquito Experiment
A notebook filled with mosquito "victims." Carefully planned experiments. Millions of views. What started as an unusual TikTok account has turned into one of the internet's strangest viral rabbit holes. This week on The Ebone Zone, we're unpacking the viral phenomenon known as the "Mosquito Serial Killer"—the creator whose bizarre obsession with mosquitoes has captivated audiences through detailed experiments, dramatic storytelling, and a growing online following. We explore why this unexpected niche has become so addictive to watch, how social media rewards increasingly unconventional content, and where entertainment crosses into internet spectacle. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #MyLowBarRedFlag Other Interesting Things Check out Fatsocat Rusty Cage on Facebook Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
July 25 · 12 min
It Started with "Naked"
This week on The Ebone Zone, we're unpacking the bizarre case of a man who authorities say was arrested after allegedly riding naked on top of a moving locomotive in Colorado. We explore what happened, how a story like this captures national attention, and why extraordinary headlines often overshadow the bigger conversation. From the facts of the case to the public reaction, this episode examines the intersection of viral news, public safety, and the culture that turns unusual moments into internet spectacles. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #BadAdviceForSummer Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
July 18 · 12 min
Looking Beyond the Peanut Butter
A museum floor covered in more than 800 pounds of peanut butter sounds like the setup for a joke—but it's actually a tribute to an artist whose work challenged the very definition of art. This week on The Ebone Zone, Join Ethan and explore the story behind the recreation of Wim T. Schippers' iconic Peanut Butter Floor and the bigger questions it raises. When does an ordinary object become art? Does intention matter more than the materials? And why do unconventional works continue to spark debate decades later? From conceptual art to public perception, this episode looks beyond the headline to examine creativity, legacy, and the conversations that refuse to stick to the surface. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #AbsurdThingstoDoDuringSummer2026 Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
July 11 · 13 min
The Old Country Church Controversy
A viral video from a Kentucky church has sparked a heated national conversation about faith, symbolism, and the messages adults send to children. "Take him out. Blow him up." Those are the words children can be heard chanting in a Kentucky church just before a group of costumed soldiers pretend to shoot the devil. This week, we're unpacking how that moment became one of the internet's most talked-about videos. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #IBeatTheHeatBy Other Interesting Things The “Gospel Gun” Skit More Information on the Vacation Bible School Incident Moms Demand Action (Kentucky) Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
July 4 · 11 min
When an App Becomes the Opponent
A wedding fund gone, a life unraveled, and a lawsuit that asks a hard question: when does entertainment become exploitation? In this episode of The Ebone Zone, we unpack the Illinois federal lawsuit against DraftKings, where a groom-to-be claims the platform didn’t just enable his gambling addiction—it allegedly engineered it. What started as casual betting reportedly escalated into VIP perks, algorithmic nudges, and relentless engagement tactics that followed him through financial collapse, job loss, and a mental health crisis. We dig into the tension at the center of the case: personal responsibility versus product design, and whether modern sportsbooks are simply apps—or highly optimized behavioral systems built to keep users betting longer than they intend. This isn’t just about one man’s losses. It’s about the growing legal and cultural battle over how far digital gambling platforms can go in the name of “responsible gaming,” and what happens when the line between choice and compulsion starts to blur. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #AddSunshineToBadNews Other Interesting Things Mets/Yankees Video Essay by Dugout Saga ESPN’s Article on Gambling Lawsuit in Massachusetts Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
June 27 · 9 min
The New Math of Mobility
As gas prices continue to squeeze household budgets, Americans are finding new ways to get where they need to go. Some are riding buses and trains for the first time in years. Others are carpooling, cutting back on travel, or even turning unconventional vehicles into practical transportation. This week on The Ebone Zone, we examine what rising fuel costs reveal about the state of the economy. This conversation looks beyond the pump and into the realities many people are facing every day. Are these temporary adjustments—or signs of a larger shift in how Americans think about mobility, money, and independence? This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #MakesMeShakeMyFist Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
June 20 · 10 min
From Traffic Obstacle to Local Celebrity
A routine traffic call turned into one of the most unexpected stories of the week when police officers in Pennsylvania responded to reports of a chicken wandering into traffic. What followed was a short pursuit, a trip to the police station, and the creation of a temporary law enforcement legend known as "Lt. McQuail." In this episode of The Ebone Zone, we're looking at the story behind the headlines and discussing why moments like these resonate with communities far beyond where they happen. Join Ethan for a conversation about humor, humanity, and the unexpected moments that bring communities together. This Week’s Featured Hashtag: #MyKidnappersReturnedMeBecause Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!
June 13 · 10 min
The Price of Getting to "I Do"
What happens when love collides with financial hardship—and an entrepreneur's refusal to give up? This week on The Ebone Zone, we explore the remarkable story of French entrepreneur Dagobert Renouf, who found himself nearly broke, determined to marry the woman he loved, and facing a wedding bill he couldn't afford. Instead of postponing the ceremony or taking on debt, he came up with an idea that sounded ridiculous at first: sell advertising space on his wedding suit. What began as a joke on social media turned into a viral experiment. Twenty-six startups signed on, his tuxedo became a walking billboard, and the internet couldn't decide whether it was genius, desperation, or the future of marketing. But beneath the headlines lies a bigger conversation about entrepreneurship, community, creativity under pressure, and the increasingly blurred line between personal life and personal brand. Was this simply a clever way to fund a wedding, or does it say something larger about the world we're living in? Join us as we unpack one of the most unusual wedding stories of the year This Week’s Featured Hashtag #MyTShirtMessageSays Other Interesting Things Listen to “One Hair Color, Many Stories” CompAI PromptWatch Superblog ScreenshotOne React Video Editor CrawlChat ShortsAI HeapChat Inbox Zero Toolfolio Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

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