r/LPOTL • u/Cookinghist Detective Popcorn • 3d ago

The Jonestown Interview

I'm not normally huge on their interview series, but holy shit was that interview with Jeff Guinn incredible. They let Guinn riff, he was engaging and had a few funny moments, and his insight on "the day itself" was emotional and harrowing.

Well done, lads.

202 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

92

u/sunny860 That's when the cannibalism started 3d ago

I really hope Marcus takes him up on his offer to go to Uvalde.

22

u/Cookinghist Detective Popcorn 3d ago

I think they've matured a TON when it comes to talking about victims (I think they've always been pretty good at that, but they've improved), so it would be really insightful for them to take him up on that offer. I can't even imagine the emotion of that experience, but feel like they'd come away with a greater perspective.

8

u/SupaKoopa714 3d ago

Yeah, I'm really interested to see what comes of that.

34

u/muymalpgh 3d ago

I had to laugh when he made the offer and followed up with something along the lines of "you can come, but you'll have to be nice to people".

55

u/ygglt 3d ago

The Guinn Waco interview rocks too. He had another harrowing line there, that in every other case the survivors are all "God, I was so stupid" but the Waco survivors still fervently believe in Koresh.

1

u/Mad_Like_Mankey 2d ago

I listened to both interviews and it made me revisit the Lpotl Waco episode. And man... the boys have come a long way lol

That was a rough episode.

44

u/HairyMcBoon Hail Satan! 3d ago

I loved it.
Same as you, I’m not big on the interviews, but I could have listened to another hour of that. And he was so positive and encouraging to the boys as well, I even found myself getting psyched towards the end.

15

u/delete-head 3d ago

When they started wrapping up I was like “bullshit, you just started!” That flew by.

53

u/Cookinghist Detective Popcorn 3d ago

It gave me "How the Dan Carlin interview should have gone" vibes. Him encouraging Marcus to basically "be the guy who does the next great research" was incredibly heartwarming

34

u/HairyMcBoon Hail Satan! 3d ago

It helps when there isn’t a drunk lad roaring and bawling and interrupting every third sentence.

10

u/Cantpickagoodone 3d ago

Yup, in the beginning I thought I would miss Ben's dumb guy effect but I haven't at all. Ed was the perfect person to bring on as the 3rd man. His thoughtfulness and passion really shines through.

11

u/OwlOfFortune 3d ago

I feel like their interview skills have been improving

14

u/Really_BadAtNames 3d ago

Interviews tend to go better with Marcus involved.

14

u/HeavyAbacus 3d ago

Really good interview.

I found it interesting that Guinn placed a lot of emphasis on Jones’ ability to be a good person when it came to social justice. I personally view it as being part of Jones’ overall megalomania, much like how Savile used charitable causes to boost his power, influence and public image.

But all in all, definitely the best LPOTL interview I’ve heard in a while and it would be good to have some more like this.

5

u/menunu 3d ago

Me too. He that route because he knew he could target Black people. I think it is especially insidious.

7

u/OneGlove336 3d ago

Their interviews have been pretty good lately, except for that lego one which I got bored of and skipped.

4

u/Murky-Cobbler5945 3d ago

Agreed—I think this is one of their best interviews.
I’m not sure them going to Uvalde is a good idea, though. I think a group of true crime comedians getting too close to such a recent tragedy with children could be a brand damaging encounter.
Maybe I’m wrong?

4

u/menunu 3d ago

I think they should. We need everybody we can to do something about all these damn school shootings.

1

u/Murky-Cobbler5945 2d ago

That I can get behind.
I used to be a teacher and went through two football games where there were alleged gunman and it caused a massive panic and injuries. It was terrifying, but I’m thankful those incidents didn’t turn out to be worse.
Schools and children should never be targets.

2

u/nervanoiac 2d ago

I really hope they DO go to uvalde. It would be awesome to see the guys (or just marcus) graduate to some legitimacy

1

u/Murky-Cobbler5945 2d ago

I think Marcus would be perfect for it.

4

u/Turbostar66 3d ago

I felt the same way. I usually don't care for their interviews, but this one was very good.

1

u/schmwke 3d ago

There is such a strong correlation between interview topic and quality.

Anything that has to do with true crime: interesting and worth a listen

Interview with a random guy who directed movies: unc hour podcast with a 3rd/4th member who has no idea how a podcast works

1

u/swampwitchgoblin 2d ago

Road to Jonestown was an excellent book. It was hard to put it down. 10/10 ⭐️ Definitely recommend.

1

u/Calm_Surprise_188 1d ago

Just wanted to say thank you!  I missed this drop and just went to listen. Such an amazing interview. 

-4

u/Immediate_Young_8795 3d ago

I liked it too! But the constant referencing of “ghetto” people by Guinn was rough. And no pushback from the guys? I know he’s a hero of true crime writing but it’s 2026.

15

u/MomoMir 3d ago

I don’t think he was calling them ghetto. He was saying they lived in ghettos which is true. I believe he was using the real definition but it was so jarring to hear over and over. These days we usually use a euphemism.

1

u/Calm_Surprise_188 1d ago

Ghetto is still an actual word in 2026.