DELVE: Powder Keg
True Crime
Some stories grow from a green shoot; some explode like a powder keg. The global supplement market is worth $200 billion a year, and Chris Ashenden is a rock star of the industry. Yet in his home country of New Zealand, nobody had heard of him. Investigative journalist Jonathan Milne wanted to tell his story – but when Chris proved elusive, alarm bells began to ring. In the latest electrifying podcast from DELVE, we investigate the superstar endorsements, the science and the safety of the world’s favourite green powder, AG1. Listen to a story that will entangle the biggest names in audio, from Joe Rogan to Andrew Huberman to Gwyneth Paltrow. We follow the money, dig into the crimes and commission our own lab analysis. From the chill of the Southern Ocean to a record Mexican heatwave, from Colombia to the Caribbean, we chase down AG1’s founder to tell the story he didn’t want told.
Only on DELVE, the home of gripping, in-depth investigative podcasts, including award-winning The Boy in the Water, and Fractured.
Sign up to our premium service DELVE+ on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform. DELVE+ subscribers get Early Release, Ad Free listening.
Led by investigations editor, Melanie Reid. Listen to journalism that matters.
Discover more on the Melanie Reid Investigates Facebook and Instagram pages, and on Newsroom.co.nz.
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Location:
United States
Description:
Some stories grow from a green shoot; some explode like a powder keg. The global supplement market is worth $200 billion a year, and Chris Ashenden is a rock star of the industry. Yet in his home country of New Zealand, nobody had heard of him. Investigative journalist Jonathan Milne wanted to tell his story – but when Chris proved elusive, alarm bells began to ring. In the latest electrifying podcast from DELVE, we investigate the superstar endorsements, the science and the safety of the world’s favourite green powder, AG1. Listen to a story that will entangle the biggest names in audio, from Joe Rogan to Andrew Huberman to Gwyneth Paltrow. We follow the money, dig into the crimes and commission our own lab analysis. From the chill of the Southern Ocean to a record Mexican heatwave, from Colombia to the Caribbean, we chase down AG1’s founder to tell the story he didn’t want told. Only on DELVE, the home of gripping, in-depth investigative podcasts, including award-winning The Boy in the Water, and Fractured. Sign up to our premium service DELVE+ on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform. DELVE+ subscribers get Early Release, Ad Free listening. Led by investigations editor, Melanie Reid. Listen to journalism that matters. Discover more on the Melanie Reid Investigates Facebook and Instagram pages, and on Newsroom.co.nz. (Android and Spotify listeners can Sign up to DELVE+ here.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Language:
English
Episodes
S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 5: A Flop And A Skip
11/19/2024
A leaked recording reveals the Kiwi founder of billion-dollar supplements firm AG1 misrepresented his criminal history in public statements and in a meeting with the company’s president and staff, just this year. Chris Ashenden’s high-powered American lawyer claimed he had never been charged with a crime, or convicted of a crime, or been the subject of an arrest warrant – but none of those things was correct.
We listen to the recording alongside Anita Mika, who lost her home in Chris’s property scheme. Her sister also lost her home – but she died without seeing justice done. ‘We can forgive, but we never forget,’ Anita says.
Each episode is available first to subscribers to DELVE+. To listen early and ad-free to this show, to our bonus episodes, and to award-winning podcast The Boy in the Water and Melanie Reid’s latest investigation, Fractured, sign up to DELVE+.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:39:33
S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 4: The Antagonists
11/12/2024
Travelling to New Zealand’s southernmost city, with a chill wind that feels like it’s blowing off Antarctica, we discover it was a woman named Dee Chisholm who first blew the whistle on Chris the Kiwi’s criminal property schemes.
But tracking her down won’t be easy…until we drive out to a small remote mining village called Nightcaps.
Everyone has secrets. And in this episode, we finally meet the protagonists – some might call them antagonists – who faced off in former police officer Chris Ashenden’s first clash with the law. It won’t be his last…the story of AG1, the world’s favourite green powder supplement, is blowing up big.
Each episode is available first to subscribers to DELVE+. To listen early and ad-free to this show, to our bonus episodes, and to award-winning podcast The Boy in the Water and Melanie Reid’s latest investigation, Fractured, sign up to DELVE+.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:29:24
S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 3: The Asshole Of The World
11/5/2024
We track down families who lost their homes in 'Chris the Kiwi’ Ashenden’s property dealings. And what happens next is what Powder Keg, the podcast, is all about – Ashenden, his unorthodox billion-dollar business and his magical mystery powder.
All we know is that his company AG1 is headquartered at an address in Carson City, Nevada. If it comes to the crunch and he doesn’t front, we’ll need to go there to talk with the company’s founder.
What we didn’t know is the story of criminal offending that will emerge – a story that Chris the Kiwi didn’t want told.
Listen to the first 3 episodes now. Episode 4 is available first to subscribers to DELVE+. To listen early and ad-free to this show, to our bonus episodes, and to award-winning podcast The Boy in the Water and Melanie Reid’s latest investigation, Fractured, sign up to DELVE+.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:30:44
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 9: Declined
11/5/2024
Our final episode in this season coincides with world headlines about a man facing execution for the same diagnosis that imprisoned Zita. Shaken baby syndrome is being called “junk science” in the US, but it has upended the life Zita had hoped for in New Zealand. Now out of jail, she is battling her impending deportation with Immigration NZ, all while continuing to maintain her innocence. Will she get to see her daughter? Will the international experts come through in time? And why won’t Starship Hospital front up on this case?
Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:31:48
S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 2: The Untold NZ Story
10/30/2024
When investigative journalist Jonathan Milne started slugging back an expensive, vivid green AG1 shake every morning to get in shape for his 50th birthday, he knew what the company’s chief science officer said – that the green powder product would make him healthier.
What he didn’t know about were the adverse reports to the Food and Drug Administration of liver damage, nor of the scrutiny by the courts, and now of a national regulator.
Episodes 1 and 2 of Powder Keg are live now, with Episode 3 also available for subscribers to DELVE+.
To listen early and ad-free to this show, to our bonus episodes, and to award-winning podcast The Boy in the Water and Melanie Reid’s latest investigation, Fractured, sign up to DELVE+.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:26:48
S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 1: Meet Chris Ashenden
10/30/2024
Chris Ashenden and Jonathan Milne are both Kiwi blokes in their late 40s. Chris has an unrelenting personal ambition – it’s served him well. The business leader’s quest wasn’t for the Holy Grail, it was for a holy green drink.
Jonathan is an investigative journalist. What’s served him well is his doggedness. And when Chris wouldn’t front for an interview about the success of his green powder shake and his US$1.2 billion company, Jonathan began asking questions.
At first, Chris’s AG1 supplement had been targeted at sportspeople and gym freaks – but by last year, we reveal he’d rebranded to target the widest possible market of middle-America…desk-bound 30- or 40-something mums and dads, anxious to get back in shape.
Episodes 1 and 2 of Powder Keg are live now, with Episode 3 also available for subscribers to DELVE+.
To listen early and ad-free to this show, to our bonus episodes, and to award-winning podcast The Boy in the Water and Melanie Reid’s latest investigation, Fractured, sign up to DELVE+.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:27:03
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 8: Going International
10/29/2024
Things really start to wind up when Melanie and Bonnie have a major breakthrough and track down a UK paediatric pathologist who was at forefront of overturning murder charges in a high profile London case. She throws a whole new light on our case and will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz
*Listen to the first eight episodes free. If you want to support our work and hear today’s Episode 9 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.*
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:36:18
S5 | Welcome to Powder Keg
10/22/2024
Some stories grow from a green shoot; some explode like a powder keg. The global supplement market is worth $200 billion a year, and Chris Ashenden is a rock star of the industry. Yet in his home country of New Zealand, nobody had heard of him. Investigative journalist Jonathan Milne wanted to tell his story – but when Chris proved elusive, alarm bells began to ring. In the latest electrifying podcast from DELVE, we investigate the superstar endorsements, the science and the safety of the world’s favourite green powder, AG1. Listen to a story that will entangle the biggest names in audio, from Joe Rogan to Andrew Huberman to Gwyneth Paltrow. We follow the money, dig into the crimes and commission our own lab analysis. From the chill of the Southern Ocean to a record Mexican heatwave, from Colombia to the Caribbean, we chase down AG1’s founder to tell the story he didn’t want told.
Episodes 1 and 2 launch Thursday, October 31, with Episode 3 also available for subscribers to DELVE+
To listen early and ad-free to this show, to our bonus episodes, and to award-winning podcast The Boy in the Water and Melanie Reid’s latest investigation, Fractured, sign up to DELVE+.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:02:16
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 7: Bedevilled
10/22/2024
How did moving to live in the dream country of New Zealand end up like this? Prison, divorce and a baby in the custody of the state.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz
*Listen to the first seven episodes free. If you want to support our work and hear today’s Episode 8 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.*
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:38:34
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 6: The Judge And The Sentencing
10/15/2024
Zita continues to maintain her innocence as the courtroom drama concludes with the judge delivering a sentence Zita is totally unprepared for. In jail, she is put in an isolation wing after inmates call her a baby killer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:25:39
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 5: The Trial And The Defence
10/8/2024
Did some of Baby K’s fractures occur while on 24 hour watch in the hospital? What about the traumatic birth? “Doctors sometimes can and do get it wrong”…all this and more in the final address of Zita’s lawyer.
*Listen to the first five episodes free. If you want to support our work and hear today’s Episode 6 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. DELVE+ subscribers get Early Release, Ad Free listening.*
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:34:32
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 4: The Trial And The Crown
10/1/2024
What is it like to be charged with child abuse in a foreign country? Zita finds out as she faces the might of Starship Hospital at her criminal trial.
*Listen to the first four episodes free. If you want to hear today's Episode 5 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. DELVE+ subscribers get Early Release, Ad Free listening.*
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:32:45
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 3: Surveillance And Supervision
9/24/2024
The NZ police investigation ramps up and, with their child taken, the couple have their house bugged, their phones tapped and just as they think it can’t get any worse…it does.
*Listen to the first three episodes free. If you want to hear today’s Episode 4 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. Sign up for a free 7 day trial. DELVE+ subscribers get Early Release, Ad Free listening.*
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Duration:00:21:51
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 2: Meeting the Couple
9/11/2024
Melanie and Bonnie meet the young couple at the centre of this case and they begin to unravel the complex cascade of events that led to a young mother being accused, convicted and jailed for two and a half years - and the daunting fight that lies ahead.
Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:26:34
S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 1: Up Against It
9/11/2024
What happens when the dream country, New Zealand, becomes a living hell? The Boy in the Water creator, multi-award-winning journalist Melanie Reid, is in the middle of another story when she receives an email that causes her to drop everything and get on a plane. After a year of extensive investigations, we now bring you that case.
Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:24:27
S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 15: The Closing Addresses
9/9/2024
On the final day of the coronial inquest into the death of three-year-old Lachie Jones, his mother has a statement read out in court, Lachie’s father addresses the Coroner and throws more shade on the police investigations - and the lawyers play their final cards for and against an accidental drowning.
We also introduce our scorching, brand new podcast investigation on DELVE, coming very soon!
Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:01:12:20
S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 14: Tyler And Jonny
9/8/2024
Jonathan appears via videolink from his new home in Australia to respond to allegations he threw his little brother Lachie in the pond, and the young man at the centre of the Facebook messages gets riled up during cross examination.
Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:01:01:17
S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 13: The Facebook Message Testimony
9/5/2024
Things get heated in court when the young woman at the centre of the messages that allege Lachie’s brother threw him in the pond testifies at the inquest - and she fires back at attempts to question her motive and undermine her evidence.
Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:54:35
S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 12: The Paediatrician
9/4/2024
A doctor from Starship Children’s Hospital is questioned on all the big mysteries in the case including that Lachie was found face up, had no water in his lungs and had no external injuries.
You can see an image of a cross section of the pond on our Facebook page and our Instagram page.
Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz and search for Melanie Reid Investigates on Facebook and Instagram.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:48:42
S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 11: The Psychologist And The Water Guy
9/3/2024
As the line-up of experts continues, we go on a crash course on the inner workings of the Gore sewerage ponds, and we hear yet another opinion on whether Lachie could have made it all the way out there by himself.
You can see an image of a cross section of the pond on our Facebook page and our Instagram page.
Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.
Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duration:00:36:11