Step into the ancient world with Neuronature as we uncover the secret trade of the dream sellers of Mesopotamia. In the earliest cities of Ur and Babylon, dreams were more than illusions — they were sacred messages from the gods, shaping battles, marriages, and kingdoms.
But behind these visions stood powerful figures: priests and mystics who claimed they could interpret, even create, dreams for those wealthy enough to pay. Using rituals, incense, and whispered words, they guided the subconscious of kings and nobles — the earliest form of dream hacking.
In this episode, Neuronature explores how ancient Mesopotamians bought and sold dreams, why rulers trusted them, and the striking parallels with modern neuroscience. From clay tablets to brainwave headbands, we ask: has humanity always been trying to control the subconscious?
✨ What you’ll learn in this Neuronature episode:
• How Babylonians and Sumerians viewed dreams as divine messages
• The rise of dream interpreters and “dream sellers” as power brokers
• Strange stories of kings who claimed gods appeared in their sleep
• How these ancient rituals mirror modern lucid dreaming and neuroscience
• Why controlling dreams remains one of humanity’s deepest obsessions
🎧 Listen now to Neuronature: The Dream Sellers of Mesopotamia — and ask yourself: who’s really writing your dreams?
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.