Cutting Class
183 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 124 ratingsJess and Joe provide a humorous and thoughtful approach so some of the lesser known or poorly explained stories of history. These two history teachers will set the record straight and unveil some fascinating and lesser known stories of American and World History
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Episodes
132 – Navy Devil Docs
November 25, 2020 18:45 - 46 minutes - 33.7 MBJoe and Jess dive (see what we did there?) into the wild history of the Devil Docs of the navy and their role in various historical events of the past. Not all soldiers carry guns, but these ones certainly do. Check out these badasses who excel and saving and taking lives. Sources – 1 2 … 132 – Navy Devil DocsRead More »
131 – Who Killed Harry Houdini?
November 11, 2020 13:24 - 36 minutes - 26.8 MBToday we wrap up (see what I did there?) Houdini’s legacy with his mysterious death. As the war with the Spiritualists raged on Houdini will die under odd circumstances. Was it an act from beyond the grave? Was it a hit by the Spiritualist leaders? Or was it all unlucky circumstance? You decide! Sources – … 131 – Who Killed Harry Houdini?Read More »
130 – Houdini’s Life and War on Spiritualism
October 28, 2020 11:01 - 45 minutes - 37.7 MBNo, that’s not a sadist being locked up for funsies. It’s Harry Houdini! Harry Houdini is a name we’ve all heard at some point before. Images of straight jackets, handcuffs, and death defying feats jump to mind first. But there’s more to this trickster’s life than simply being an escape artist. Joe gives us the … 130 – Houdini’s Life and War on SpiritualismRead More »
129 – Did A War of the Worlds Radio Play cause mass hysteria?
October 14, 2020 10:00 - 58 minutes - 48.2 MBMany people have heard the story that a gripping radio drama caused panic back in the 1930s of a REAL alien invasion. Wailing in the streets, bodice ripping, and gnashing of teeth are said to have ensued. But is this really the case? If not? Why not? Joe takes on this classic American legend of … 129 – Did A War of the Worlds Radio Play cause mass hysteria?Read More »
128 – Carl Brashear the hero is here!
September 30, 2020 10:00 - 31 minutes - 26.5 MBJess introduces us to Master Chief Carl Brasher who has quite a heroic legacy. This is kind of a side-story to a previous episode we did a while back. See if you can guess which one! Special shout out to Bob who recommended this topic. Sources 1 2 3 4 Consider Supporting us on Patreon for exclusive … 128 – Carl Brashear the hero is here!Read More »
127 – The Presidents Cigar
September 16, 2020 21:48 - 50 minutes - 42.1 MBWe’re not just blowin’ smoke! Today’s episode is entirely around the Presidents and their cigar smoking habits. We’ll make no mention of anything else they may have been accused of doing with them. Joe brings us the details on the leaders of the past and of course… yet another visit from our favorite president ever. … 127 – The Presidents CigarRead More »
126 – The Halifax Explosion
September 02, 2020 12:08 - 43 minutes - 36.8 MBWe return with the follow up of our last episode on the Beirut explosion. This time we take a look at a heavily requested topic. The Halifax explosion is the largest non-nuclear explosion the world has ever seen and the whole thing happened by a terrible accident. Listen into this amazing story of titanic proportions! … 126 – The Halifax ExplosionRead More »
125 – The Beirut Blast of 2020
August 19, 2020 10:00 - 41 minutes - 34.5 MBAugust 4th 2020 Beirut was shook by a massive explosion on the north side of town. Today Jess takes a look at the causes and consequences of this blast and how it may shape Beirut’s future. We know it’s not history yet, but it will be! NOTE: Jess epic failed and recorded with his internal … 125 – The Beirut Blast of 2020Read More »
124 – The Dramatic Life of Christopher Lee
August 05, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 53.4 MBChristopher Lee was an astounding actor whose career spanned half of the 20th century and beyond. He’s best known for his villainous roles from Dracula to Dooku. But did you know he served in WWII or that he’s related to royalty? Did you know he was an award winning heavy metal musician? Learn more about … 124 – The Dramatic Life of Christopher LeeRead More »
123 – The First and Only Emperor of the United States
July 22, 2020 10:00 - 35 minutes - 29.2 MBYou remember Emperor Norton I right? You learned about him in gradeschool I imagine as the first emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. No? Oh! Well let us fill you in on this bizzare and somewhat heartwarming tale of a man who lost it all and decided to pick himself up again … 123 – The First and Only Emperor of the United StatesRead More »
122 – The War on Emus
July 08, 2020 09:30 - 35 minutes - 30 MBFew countries can boast of a war against our feathered foes. We covered one battle against birds in the Chinese Communist Calamity episodes but now it’s time to look into Australia’s army versus that of the Emu hordes plaguing the western farms in the early 20th century. Sources – 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 122 – The War on EmusRead More »
121 – The Perfect 36 and Women’s Right to Vote
June 25, 2020 00:42 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBIt only took about 150 years but American women finally got the right to vote! Joe wraps up the series on Women’s suffrage with the Perfect 36 and Tennessee’s unique “War of the Roses” to gain women’s right to vote. Not surprisingly it all boils down to one young man’s decision and a mother’s guilt! … 121 – The Perfect 36 and Women’s Right to VoteRead More »
120 – The Continued Struggle for Women’s Suffrage
June 10, 2020 09:33 - 43 minutes - 35.8 MBYou knew it wouldn’t be that easy right? The fight to vote didn’t end in Seneca Falls and women would struggle onward for nearly about another 70 years before they could vote. But the Civil War threw a real whirlwind of change in America as to who was a citizen, who could vote, and who … 120 – The Continued Struggle for Women’s SuffrageRead More »
119 – Seneca Falls and the early push for women’s suffrage
May 27, 2020 09:30 - 51 minutes - 36.4 MBAs we near the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, Joe seeks to outline the key players in making this reality take place. But to do so we have to dive back to probably the biggest push for women’s voting since Jane Addams was in the White House. The Seneca Falls convention … 119 – Seneca Falls and the early push for women’s suffrageRead More »
118 – World-War-True or False
May 13, 2020 09:30 - 35 minutes - 29.8 MBToday’s show is a spin on our usual podcast in which Jess tries to stump Joe with some stories about World War II. Which are true and which aren’t? Did the British have a reindeer aboard a submarine? Did American’s plan to release glow-in-the-dark foxes on the japanese? Find out on today’s show! Sources – … 118 – World-War-True or FalseRead More »
117 – Green Corn and the Socialist Rebellion of Oklahoma
April 29, 2020 09:00 - 42 minutes - 35.1 MBJoe delivers the goods on a bizarre uprising of socialist farmers in Oklahoma that formed just before the US went to war in WWI. Learn about their Americanized version of the socialist doctrine that led them to do some pretty weird things! Sources – 1 2 3 Consider Supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content … 117 – Green Corn and the Socialist Rebellion of OklahomaRead More »
117- Green Corn and the Socialist Rebellion of Oklahoma
April 29, 2020 09:00 - 42 minutes - 35.1 MBJoe delivers the goods on a bizarre uprising of socialist farmers in Oklahoma that formed just before the US went to war in WWI. Learn about their Americanized version of the socialist doctrine that led them to do some pretty weird things! Sources – 1 2 3 Consider Supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content … 117- Green Corn and the Socialist Rebellion of OklahomaRead More »
116 – The Tale of the Flying Tailor
April 15, 2020 09:30 - 34 minutes - 25.1 MBToday Jess tells us the story of Franz Reichelt, an Austrian man with the dream of making people safe. in the early 1900s, the rapidly growing hobby of airplane use demanded a safer parachute to protect pilots. Franz thought he was just the dressmaker for the job. The only problem was he didn’t have a … 116 – The Tale of the Flying TailorRead More »
115 – A Man, A Hat, A Dream of Black Equality
April 01, 2020 09:30 - 57 minutes - 41.6 MBJoe gives us the overview of an often overlooked hero of the “first civil rights movement” that took place in the 1920s. Marcus Garvey is an excellent example of one of the many different approaches people had to gaining black equality at the early 20th century. Learn about how fancy hats, 30 year old ships, … 115 – A Man, A Hat, A Dream of Black EqualityRead More »
114 – Carlos Hathcock: Worming his way to “Sniper Legend”
March 18, 2020 09:00 - 44 minutes - 32.5 MBJoin Joe and Jess as we take a double listener request to cover the famous American sniper from Vietnam. If you’ve never heard of Carlos Hathcock then prepare to be amazed by this guy’s feats that distinguish him as one of America’s most impressive snipers. Sources – 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 … 114 – Carlos Hathcock: Worming his way to “Sniper Legend”Read More »
113 – Valentine’s Day Massacre
March 04, 2020 10:45 - 26 minutes - 20 MBNo this episode doesn’t recall Joe’s high school dating experience. We take a brief look at the infamous gang wars of the early 20th century as Al Capone and his crew faced off against “Bugs” Moran. What could be more fun than bootlegging, bosses, and bloodshed? Sources 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 … 113 – Valentine’s Day MassacreRead More »
112 – Argentina’s Dirty War Pt. 2
February 19, 2020 11:00 - 39 minutes - 29.3 MBLearn today about the wild history behind the controversial 1978 Wold Cup Olympics that was held in Argentina during the military junta’s time in power. This story has it all! Sports, death threats, nationalistic egos, and Henry Kissinger! Find out how the Junta “cleaned the streets” and to put a happy face on a not … 112 – Argentina’s Dirty War Pt. 2Read More »
111- Argentina’s Dirty War Pt. 1
February 05, 2020 10:00 - 34 minutes - 25.6 MBThis month Jess and Joe will dive into with the little known “Dirty War” that took place in Argentina from 1976-1983 after the death of Juan Peron. What followed would be a miltary coup followed hostile closure of any democratic forms of the government. They just so happen to also have the World Cup hosted … 111- Argentina’s Dirty War Pt. 1Read More »
110- Buffalo Soldiers, the REAL heroes of San Juan Hill?
January 22, 2020 09:00 - 48 minutes - 35 MBToday we look at the famous Buffalo Soldiers which were a famous black american military regiment formed directly after the American Civil War. For many black Americans, they were the first official black heroes of the US military. We specifically focus on their service during the Spanish American War and how a famous American President … 110- Buffalo Soldiers, the REAL heroes of San Juan Hill?Read More »
109- Ignoring the Gods of Egypt
January 08, 2020 09:00 - 44 minutes - 33 MBJoe takes us way back to Ancient Egypt in which we learn of Amenophis IV and his attempt to essentially destroy the Pantheon of Egyptian Gods. It takes quite an ego to overturn your entire culture’s religion and put yourself at the center of it but that never stopped him from trying. Find out about … 109- Ignoring the Gods of EgyptRead More »
108- WJB and the Scopes Monkey Trial
December 24, 2019 09:00 - 40 minutes - 29.8 MBIf William Jennings Bryan hasn’t already had a wild ride just wait for the infamous finale to his career. WJB would represent the state of Tennessee as it fought to uphold it’s Butler Bill which forbade the teaching of evolution in schools. Clarence Darrow and the ACLU would have a thing or two to say … 108- WJB and the Scopes Monkey TrialRead More »
107- America’s Most Influential Loser Part 3
December 11, 2019 10:00 - 42 minutes - 31.1 MBThe WJB saga continues as we look into the his time at the White House! After years of trying (and failing) Bryan finally made it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But how? What got him there? And what on earth could possibly possess him to RESIGN after years of trying to get in there? Find out … 107- America’s Most Influential Loser Part 3Read More »
106- America’s Most Influential Loser Part. 2
November 27, 2019 10:00 - 42 minutes - 31.4 MBWe return to this week to the ever-present but never president, William Jennings Bryan. Early 20th Century America had just begin to flex her imperial muscles at the Spanish American War and beyond. But this would not be without controversy. The silver-tongued boy orator is back to argue that invading foreign countries and plundering their … 106- America’s Most Influential Loser Part. 2Read More »
105 – America’s Most Influential Loser Part 1
November 13, 2019 09:00 - 55 minutes - 40.4 MBAmerica has spawned many “losers” over the course of it’s existence. Many of them live and die as nobodies. But occasionally one of those losers is a real somebody despite his/her tenacity for supporting the losing side throughout their life. Meet William Jennings Bryan. This guy was THE mover and shaker in the early 20th … 105 – America’s Most Influential Loser Part 1Read More »
104- Impeaching Andrew Johnson
October 30, 2019 08:00 - 59 minutes - 42.8 MBGet your ticket to the impeachment show! We dive into the first American President to face the wrath of Congress…it’s as convoluted as it is petty. What did Johnson do that was SO WRONG he was the first president in American history to face the dreaded impeachment powers? Sources – 1 2 3 4 5 … 104- Impeaching Andrew JohnsonRead More »
103 – The Harlem Hellfighters
October 16, 2019 08:00 - 49 minutes - 36 MBDuring WWI a contingent of all black soldiers would volunteer to serve their glorious country. Not surprisingly, they wouldn’t be given the same treatment as other eager young men who wanted to fight the Great War. Despite being assigned Despite being originally assigned supply and bathroom cleaning duties, they would go on to be one … 103 – The Harlem HellfightersRead More »
102- J. Edgar Hoover’s Dirty Deeds
October 02, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBThe FBI’s director, J. Edgar Hoover, has a long and wild history. He’s a man who made a lot of enemies and crushed a lot of people in the name of purging America of internal threats. Jess and Joe are joined by Moxie of Your Brain on Facts to look into the wild stories of … 102- J. Edgar Hoover’s Dirty DeedsRead More »
101- George Pullman’s Catastrophe Town
September 25, 2019 08:00 - 43 minutes - 32.6 MBIn 1884 a brand new worker’s utopia opened it’s doors to newcomers. It was equipped with much of the latest in greatest homes and neighborhoods. But like all Utopias, it was not set to last. Not too long after the happy new workers moved into Mr. Pullman’s company town things started to go very dark … 101- George Pullman’s Catastrophe TownRead More »
100- A Cow in the Courtroom
September 18, 2019 07:00 - 56 minutes - 40.6 MBDid you know in that Europe would drag animals into the court room and put them on trial for hundreds of years? Pigs, donkeys, locusts, and even slugs would be summoned before the court and sentenced with various punishments for their crimes! What on earth? Were Europeans just insane or was this for a laugh? … 100- A Cow in the CourtroomRead More »
99- Lobotomies and Rosemary Kennedy
September 11, 2019 07:00 - 49 minutes - 40.6 MBKate from Ignorance Was Bliss joins us today as we pick her brain about lobotomies. We look at the history of Dr. Freeman who popularized it in the United States as well as some other specific examples of the procedure and what it does. Finally, we tackle the hidden story of Rosemary Kennedy the sister … 99- Lobotomies and Rosemary KennedyRead More »
98- Nikola Tesla the definitive “Mad Scientist”
September 04, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 59.5 MBNikola Tesla has enjoyed a newfound publicity as of late. Perhaps because the man was a mad genius. Not only did he invent some incredible things we use today but he also was quite mad towards the end of his life. Learn about the wild life of Tesla and why such a world renowned inventor … 98- Nikola Tesla the definitive “Mad Scientist”Read More »
97- Rep. Leo Ryan’s ticket to Jonestown
August 28, 2019 07:00 - 52 minutes - 42.8 MBJoe and Jess dive into this story of California Representative Leo Ryan who had a knack for theatrical politics. Perhaps we also find out why politicians are big fans of staying out of the field. He was a man who believed in seeing it first hand and getting himself right in on the action. When … 97- Rep. Leo Ryan’s ticket to JonestownRead More »
96- The Moral Panic of Video Game Violence
August 21, 2019 07:30 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBEver since video games have been publicly available people have worried they were a “gateway drug” enacting these violent behaviors FOR REAL! Sadly, in the wake of yet another public shooting this summer, games have yet again become whipping boy for political pundits looks for an easy scapegoat. It seems like every week another “groundbreaking … 96- The Moral Panic of Video Game ViolenceRead More »
95- Lyndon Johnson, a Genitalia Waving Bully
August 14, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBWARNING: Hide yo’ kids and hide yo’ wives ’cause LBJ’s harassing ever’body up in here! Lyndon Johnson was a crass son of a gun and this episode shows it! You’ve been warned. We’re looking at the incredibly bizarre behavior of our 36th president of the United States. If you want to see our Civil Rights … 95- Lyndon Johnson, a Genitalia Waving BullyRead More »
94- The Pepsi Fleet of Warships
August 07, 2019 07:00 - 40 minutes - 33.2 MBIn the late 1980’s Pepsi struck a deal to exchange cola syrup for submarines and other warships. Find out on today’s show about how an Eisenhower Era product exhibition in New York and then Moscow sparked the infamous ‘kitchen debates’ between Khrushchev and Nixon. But they also sowed the seeds of Pepsi products being sold … 94- The Pepsi Fleet of WarshipsRead More »
93- The Love Canal Tragedy
July 31, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBSomebody’s poisoned the watering hole! Imagine pools of toxic ooze bubbling up from your front yard. Imagine your kids coming home with strange burns on their hands and faces. Now imagine you find your entire town is buried over a toxic waste dump and your property is worthless. Not only that, but your local representatives … 93- The Love Canal TragedyRead More »
92- The DeLorean’s Amazing Origin Story
July 24, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBWe’ve all seen Back to the Future and Doc Browns awesome Delorean time machine right? If you haven’t amend this immediately and return to our podcast. But the Delorean has a fascinating history with it’s creation and its creator, John Delorean. This is a wild story that has it all! FBI investigations, Cover-ups, Embezzlements, Millions … 92- The DeLorean’s Amazing Origin StoryRead More »
91- Should DDT make a Comeback?
July 17, 2019 12:48 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBRachel Carson was famous for exposing DDT as a dangerous pollutant pesticide in her book “Silent Spring.” It arguably started off the environmentalism movement in the United States. But as Americans’ ditched the DDT other nations of the world demand it more and more. Learn about this fascinating controversy in today’s show! Special Shout out … 91- Should DDT make a Comeback?Read More »
90- The Ghost Army of WWII
July 10, 2019 10:00 - 40 minutes - 33.1 MBFor nearly 50 years after WWII one of the most amazing stories of American ingenuity and deception was kept secret. It wasn’t until 1996 that the Ghost Army was declassified. Imagine a force of 1,100 men sent to destroy the nazis with… Art? Acting? Sound equipment? What on earth is this all about? Find out … 90- The Ghost Army of WWIIRead More »
89- The Banana Man Takes Honduras
July 03, 2019 10:00 - 55 minutes - 44.3 MBIn the early 1900s a Banana planter named Sam Zemurray would plot the overthrow of Honduras with a rag-tag team of mercenaries. This was done directly in defiance of the government of Honduras and even the government of the United States. So why was he doing this and how did he get away with it? … 89- The Banana Man Takes HondurasRead More »
88- Edith Cavell: The Heroine of Brussels
June 26, 2019 10:00 - 48 minutes - 40.2 MBWhile most run from danger, there are those who run directly towards it. Edith, a nurse of WWI, found herself in exactly this situation when the Germans invaded Belgium. Learn the amazing story of a woman who risked life and limb to save British, Belgian, and even German soldiers from the Great War. Special shout … 88- Edith Cavell: The Heroine of BrusselsRead More »
87- Eugenics: Science Runs Amok!
June 19, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 53.8 MBEugenics was cutting edge science in early the 20th century. All the educated elite were aware of it’s implications and goals. Popular authors, actors, and even politicians lobbied for it. Now it’s synonymous with death, forced sterilizations, and even Nazism. What happened and why is it coming back into conversations as a possibility in 2019? … 87- Eugenics: Science Runs Amok!Read More »
86- Rottnest Island: A Vacation Site of Death
June 12, 2019 10:00 - 47 minutes - 39 MBToday it’s a beautiful island for biking, snorkling, and nature walks with cute little critters called quokkas. But this island has a dark past that should be learned. When indigenous peoples became problematic to British settlers in Western Australia they were sent to Rottnest Island and subsequently died by the hundreds. Today we dive in … 86- Rottnest Island: A Vacation Site of DeathRead More »
85- A Communist led Ukrainian Genocide?
June 05, 2019 10:00 - 52 minutes - 43 MBEver heard of the Holodomor? Most Americans haven’t! It refers to a debated “genocide” that took place in Ukraine in the early 1930’s. The stories of Communist collectivization and control of the food are shocking and heartbreaking. Thus only proves once again our bias against Stalin as one of the worst humans in history. Between … 85- A Communist led Ukrainian Genocide?Read More »
84- Floating to Freedom
May 29, 2019 10:00 - 47 minutes - 39.1 MBImagine floating thousands of feet in the air with your spouse and small children in a hot air balloon you built in your garage with scrap parts. Oh yeah, and the Western German police will arrest you or maybe even kill you if they catch you doing it. This is exactly what happened in 1979 … 84- Floating to FreedomRead More »