Don't Look Now artwork

Don't Look Now

275 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 18 ratings

What could an Engineer and an Archaeologist have to talk about? Listen to us discuss history, mysteries, science, culture and art. The world is vast and episode by episode we learn about the way the world works.

Society & Culture Science comedy storytelling random culture science history
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Episodes

267 - The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

March 26, 2024 04:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MB

The fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was the deadliest industrial disaster in US history.  146 workers lost their lives when a fire started in the factory, located on the 8th - 10th floors of the Asch Building near Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village.   The owners of the building kept the doors of the factory locked during working hours to prevent the workers from taking unauthorized breaks and lead to the great loss of life.  Come learn about the fire, and the effect it had o...

266 - The Victorio Peak Treasure

March 19, 2024 04:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MB

Time for a little story about mysterious treasure, tons of gold, land lost to immanent domain, and the whole lot possibly stolen by... LBJ?  The treasure of Victorio Peak was found by Doc Noss in 1937, and supposedly dwelled without hidden caverns under the mountain.  However, before he could removed it all, the area was taken over as part of White Sands Missile Range.  Legal battles raged over who owned the treasure and who could search for it and rumors even persist that Lyndon Johnson him...

265 - The Morrigan

March 12, 2024 04:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MB

Time for a deep dive into some lesser known mythology.  Rather than Greeks, Romans, or Norse, we take a look at a figure from Irish mythology, The Morrigan.  The Morrigan is an Irish goddess of war and fate that plays a role in many ancient Gaelic stories.  She backs various figures in battle, controls the fate of kingdoms, and often like to hang out as a raven or cow.  What's not to like?  Tune in and find out more. 

264 - The Tuskegee Experiment

March 05, 2024 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MB

Today's topic is one from the all time annals of unethical experimentation, The Tuskegee Experiment.    From 1932-1972 black men who were infected with syphilis were monitored by their doctors without being told of their condition and without being treated long after the disease became easily curable.  Since their infected status was kept from them, they unknowingly infected their partners and children were born with congenital syphilis.  The experiment was not ended until a whistleblower fi...

263 - Terra Nova 2 - A Not-So-Happy Ending

February 27, 2024 05:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MB

This week we continue our discussion of the Terra Nova expedition, Robert Falcon Scott's attempt to become the first human to reach the south pole. This week we discuss the push for the pole and the result of the race between Scott and Amundsen including the tragic aftermath.  Take a listen and join us for some time spent in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. 

262 - The Terra Nova Expedition - Part 1

February 20, 2024 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MB

This week we discuss the Terra Nova expedition, a largely privately funded attempt by Robert Falcon Scott to become the first human to reach the south pole.  While history most often centers on the race between Scott and Norwegian Roald Amundsen to reach the pole, the expedition was took part in a great deal of other exploration and scientific discovery.  This week we learn about the start of the expedition and the discoveries made in 1910-1911, before the push for the pole.

261 - The Midas Touch

February 13, 2024 06:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MB

This week we discuss the Greek Myth of King Midas and his wish for a golden touch.  Learn more about the myth, the truth behind the historic King Midas, and variations on the tale that appear around the world in various forms.

260 - Lady Godiva

February 06, 2024 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MB

Most people have heard the story of Lady Godiva's ride au natural through the town of Coventry and possibly Peeping Tom who was disrespectful enough to watch her and ended up going blind.  However, did you know that the whole story is about taxes?  Take a listen and find out how much, if any, of the story is based on fact and if there ever was indeed a Lady Godiva in 11th century England.

259 - Walking Tall, the real story of Buford Pusser

January 30, 2024 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MB

Over the years, almost half a dozen movies have been made about Bufford Pusser, .Tennessee Sheriff, that fought organized crime and attempted to avenge the death of his wife.  We discuss the real story of Buford Pusser and a little bit about the history of Moonshine. 

258 - John Wesley Hardin

January 23, 2024 05:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MB

John Wesley Hardin was the son of a Methodist minister, but it didn't seem to rub off on him.  Born in 1853, he became a notorious outlaw of the wild west (or maybe more correctly a serial killer in folk hero disguise).  Killing a man when he was 14, he was finally sentenced to jail in 1877 having claimed to have killed 42 men, though only 27 were verified.  Somehow he was released from prison and pardoned in 1894, promptly passing the bar exam and gaining the right to practice law before ki...

257 - Holy Wars Aplenty

January 16, 2024 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MB

We continue last weeks topic of the crusades.  Europe's drunken weekend continues with wave after wave armies sent off to "fight the infidels", be they in the holy land or sometimes the south of France.  Richard the Lionheart and Frederic Barbarossa make an appearance, and a pope attempts to lead an army into battle.  Nothing goes well.  

256 - The First Crusade

January 09, 2024 17:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MB

Today we delve into history a bit and discuss the crusades and most specifically the First Crusade.  We often hear the crusades referenced in western language all the time with various causes and quests being termed a "crusade", but most people don't know much about the actual crusades themselves.  Violent, homicidal, ill planned hoards of knights and peasants trying to free the the holy land in search of the salvation promised them for their violent acts... the crusades are not for the fain...

255 - The Great Library of Alexandria

January 02, 2024 07:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MB

To kick of 2024 we discuss the Great Library of Alexandria.  Supposedly created around 300BCE in the Ptolemaic Kindom of Egypt shortly after the breakup of the empire of Alexander the Great, the Great Library is famed for having collected all the written knowledge that the rulers of Alexandria could get their hands on.  Any ship passing through the trading port was required to submit any books for copy and installation in the library.  However, was this library really as vast and wonderous a...

254 - A Very Krampus Christmas

December 26, 2023 05:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MB

This week, for Christmas, the podcast looks at the history of Krampus, Santa's much less friendly BFF that punishes children for being bad.  From his origins in the myths of the Alps, to Krampus Spinoffs like Frau Perchta, to modern Krampus celebrations in Austria, we have all your Krampus needs covered.  Listen up and be good boys and girls or Krampus might have to birch you... or drag you off to hell depending on your take of the legend.

253 - Christmas Traditions

December 19, 2023 20:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MB

Ever wonder where some of your favorite Christmas traditions came from?  This week's podcast takes a look at the origins of Christmas Trees in the United States, Gingerbread Houses, and the origin of the ugly Christmas Sweater.  Kick back, drink some egg nog, and enjoy.

252 - The Family (A Not So Family Friendly Cult)

December 12, 2023 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MB

This week's podcast gets back to our roots in weird cults.  The cult du jour is The Family, an Australian group also known as the Santiniketan Park Association and the Great White Brotherhood (yes, they are that racist).  The cult started as a new age group led by founder Anne Hamilton-Byrne, that taught a strange amalgamation of Christianity and Eastern Religion with Hamilton-Byrne claiming to be a reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Sadly, the group eventually led down the path of Hamilton-Byrn...

251 - Rock Me Amadeus

December 05, 2023 05:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MB

Time for a bit of classical music lore.  We discuss the life and times of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, from his days as a child prodigy to his early death and burial in a common grave.  What are the most common theories about the cause of his untimely death?  Did F. Murray Abraham do him in? Come take a listen.

250 - Nikola Tesla

November 28, 2023 05:00 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MB

Nikola Tesla has gained renown over the years for being a far sighted inventor and engineer that seemed to sense the future potential of electromagnetic waves and induction, helping create the present AC powered world we live in and sensing the usefulness of communication through electromagnetic waves.  While we could go into the details of his inventions, this isn't that kind of podcast ;)  We offer a glimpse into his life, from dodging the Hungarian Army to falling in love with a Pigeon.  ...

249 - Edgar Cayce, When New Age was Actually New

November 21, 2023 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MB

Edgar Cayce was a claimed clairvoyant who though connecting with his "higher self" in a trance like state, spoke of all sorts of subjects both controversial and mundane.  These sessions were often recorded and in them he discussed medical practices, the nature of the afterlife, and interestingly enough... a lot about the Lost City of Atlantis.  Cayce founded the Association for Research and Enlightenment to record the results of his sessions and attempt to put the advice to use, which still ...

248 - Mother Shipton

November 14, 2023 06:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

Mother Shipton, born Ursula Southeil, was born in Yorkshire, England in the late 1400s.  According to legend she was born in Shipton's cave, a site famous for waters that quickly petrify objects left in it.  She is purported to have written a great deal of prophesy that predicted such things as the death of Cardinal Wolsey and the eventual use of plumbing to bring water across the Ouse Bridge.  While it is hard to determine what, if any, of the writing that are attributed to her are indeed h...

247 - Miss Manhattan, Audrey Munson

November 07, 2023 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

Audrey Munson became America's first supermodel shortly after the turn of the 20th century.  She became the most desired model for sculptures all over New York and beyond, earning the nickname Miss Manhattan.  While her fame initially translated into wealth and a movie career, tragedy soon befell her.  She ended up spending the last 65 years of her life committed to a mental institution, eventually dying at age 104 in 1996. 

246 - Ed and Lorraine Warren - The Inspiration for Horror

October 31, 2023 04:00 - 53 minutes - 37.1 MB

Ed and Lorraine Warren founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in 1952, making it the oldest ghost hunting group in New England.  Over they years many of their cases have inspired the horror movies that have captivated audiences for decades, from  the Amityville Horror to Annabelle and the Conjuring series.  Take a listen and learn the story behind their relationship and how they became involved with the Annabelle doll that still resides in their museum even after their deaths.

245 - Jack the Ripper - Part 2

October 24, 2023 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MB

This week we continue the discussion of Jack the Ripper, focusing on the investigation and suspects.  While most of the physical evidence from the case was destroyed during the Blitz in WWII, this has not stopped modern sleuths from coming up with their own theories about who the ripper was.  We discuss a few, some plausible, so not so much.

244 - Jack The Ripper Part 1

October 17, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MB

Beginning a two part series on Jack the Ripper, we discuss the victims of the Whitechapel murders, both those attributed to the ripper and those before and after that might be related.  Most of the victims have often been dismissed over the years as prostitutes of little interest and we spend some time in this episode discussing the situation they were in living in Whitechapel at the time and some of their background.  Warning: Some very unpleasant details discussed

243 - Numerology

October 10, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MB

Numerology is the belief that certain numbers and number combination hold mystical significance.  Numerological beliefs very greatly across cultures and groups, ranging from things like Angel Numbers, to codes supposedly embedded in spiritual texts, to people noticing numbers that repeat in nature and ascribing significance to them.  Take a listen and learn about the mysticism of numbers (and how it has sometimes shaped the modern world).

241 - Spirit Photography

October 03, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MB

With the advent of photography in the 19th century came the inevitable inclusion of the new process in the spiritualist movement.  William Mumler gained fame in the 1860s when he developed a photo that showed the ghostly image of his deceased cousin.  He then went to to great fame taking photos of people with their ghostly loved ones appearing in the frame.  While he was accused of fraud, he was never convicted and mediums and others still claim to be able to take spiritual photographs today.

242 - Spirit Photography

October 03, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MB

With the advent of photography in the 19th century came the inevitable inclusion of the new process in the spiritualist movement.  William Mumler gained fame in the 1860s when he developed a photo that showed the ghostly image of his deceased cousin.  He then went to to great fame taking photos of people with their ghostly loved ones appearing in the frame.  While he was accused of fraud, he was never convicted and mediums and others still claim to be able to take spiritual photographs today.

Pope Joan

September 26, 2023 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

As far back as the 13th century, rumors have existed of a female Pope who originally came to the Rome disguised as a man to be with a lover in the church.  She is said to have rose to prominence though her abilities and was eventually elected as Pope John but found out when she gave birth to a child.  Is there any truth to the rumor that has persisted for centuries?

240 - Pope Joan

September 26, 2023 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

As far back as the 13th century, rumors have existed of a female Pope who originally came to the Rome disguised as a man to be with a lover in the church.  She is said to have rose to prominence though her abilities and was eventually elected as Pope John but found out when she gave birth to a child.  Is there any truth to the rumor that has persisted for centuries?

241 - Pope Joan

September 26, 2023 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

As far back as the 13th century, rumors have existed of a female Pope who originally came to the Rome disguised as a man to be with a lover in the church.  She is said to have rose to prominence though her abilities and was eventually elected as Pope John but found out when she gave birth to a child.  Is there any truth to the rumor that has persisted for centuries?

240 - Fire Under the Big Top

September 19, 2023 04:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MB

One of the worst fires in US history occurred on July 6, 1944 in Hartford, Connecticut.  The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus had just arrived in town and set up for their first performance at 2:15.  Since it was midday, during the work week the crowd consisted of a large number of women and children, excited to see the circus after their parade from the train station.  During the performance a fire broke out and the big top which had been waterproofed with flammable materials quic...

239 - Blackbeard

September 12, 2023 04:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MB

While many names might come to mind when someone mentions pirates, the first name of the list that isn't fictional is typically Blackbeard or Edward Teach.  While he has become synonymous with the image of a fearsome pirate, Blackbeard was only truly active as a pirate for about two years (1716-1718) and was known for avoiding violence whenever possible and using the intimidation of his presence and legend to convince others to surrender.  Take a listen to the history of Blackbeard the Pirate!

238 - The FBI

September 05, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MB

Take a listen and learn about the history and formation of the FBI, the US's most famous federal intelligence and law enforcement service.

237 - Now You See Me... Now You Don't

August 29, 2023 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MB

In today's episode we discuss three separate cases of prominent citizens from the turn of the 20th Century that suddenly disappeared only to, possibly, reappear years later.  The first is William Cantelo, a British inventor and pub owner that vanished while developing a machine gun only to possibly reappear as an American inventor with the same idea.  The second is Dr. William Bates, a noted surgeon and ophthalmologist that vanished leaving his wife heartbroken, only to reappear years later ...

236 - The Liberty Bell

August 22, 2023 04:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MB

Most people know the Liberty Bell as a symbol of the American Revolution.  However, what is the story behind it?  Where did it come from? How did it crack? How did it somehow become associated with the Revolution?  All these answers and more this week on the podcast.

235 - The Great Train Robbery

August 15, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB

Early in the morning on August 8th, 1963 a Royal Mail train carrying the equivalent of $80 million in modern money was robbed by a band of 15 men.   Take a listen and learn about the robbery, how the culprits were eventually found, and what it was like for one family of the run.

234 - The Inventions of Harry Houdini

August 08, 2023 04:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

Most know Harry Houdini as a legendary escape artist.  What most don't know is that his performances were largely possible though many inventions he developed to aid in his slight of hand.  He did not want them to become public knowledge so he refused to patent them, instead keeping them secret.  Many of his methods are still unknown to this day.

233 - Psychic Powers

August 01, 2023 04:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MB

Studies show that roughly a quarter of the world's population believes in various forms of psychic powers despite there being no reproducible scientific evidence of their existence.  We discuss the history of psychic phenomenon from ancient oracles to Miss Cleo's pay per call line as well as people's attempts at conducting research into parapsychology. 

232 - Moral Panic

July 25, 2023 05:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MB

The term "Moral Panic" is used in sociology to denote a widespread feeling of fear, which is often irrational, that an evil person, thing, or group threatens the interests and well being of society.  While you can probably think of several active examples today, we discuss the term and some famous past examples, like the fear of the corruption of youth by Rock and Roll, and the Satanic Panic of the 80s.  Ever wonder how these panics start and how they are perpetuated?  We've got you covered.

231 - The Radioactive Boyscout

July 18, 2023 05:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MB

David Hahn spent his teen years attempting to build a breeder reactor in the potting shed behind his house.  His work resulted in a crude neutron source, a merit badge, and the unintentional creation of a superfund site and a trip to jail.

230 - Whitey Bulger

July 11, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 42.7 MB

James Joseph "Whitey" Bulger Jr. was an organized crime leader in Boston from the 1960s through the 1990s.  He went into hiding in 1994 and wasn't found and arrested until 2011, resulting in him sitting behind only Osama Bin Laden on the FBI's ten most wanted list.  Most astonishingly, Bulger managed to operate as an FBI informant during his career.  By giving information on his rivals and being shielded from arrest by his status, he managed to become one of the most powerful organized crime...

229 - MKUltra

July 04, 2023 06:00 - 55 minutes - 38.5 MB

This week we discuss the infamous MKUltra program.  The CIA's attempt to identify drugs and procedures to help with interrogation, discredit targets, and perform brainwashing and torture.  This program was carried out on human subjects, often without their knowledge and consent.  Take a listen and learn the known facts about the program that has often be portrayed in books and film.

228 - Zeus

June 27, 2023 05:00 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MB

We’ve got an episode all about Zeus, leader of the Greek pantheon of Olympic Gods and epic philanderer.  Take a listen and learn some Zeus history and some of his greatest hits from Greek mythology.

227 - The Bone Wars

June 20, 2023 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MB

One of the greatest scientific rivalries in history was that between paleontologists Edward Cope and Othniel Marsh, often referred to as The Bone Wars.  The two struggled not just to outdo each other but also to destroy each other, resorting to bribery, theft, violence, and any other means they could think of to ruin the reputation of their rival.  The rivalry resulted in the academic and financial ruin of both men but also left us with the discovery of many of the dinosaurs we love today li...

226 - Do You Know the Muffin Man?

June 13, 2023 04:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

Most of us remember the nursery rhyme “Do you know the Muffin Man” from childhood or its appearance in Shrek movies.  However, is there truth to the claim that the song references the first documented serial killer in London as opposed to some nice gentleman that made baked goods?  We discuss the truth behind the origin of the song and the real first documented serial killer in London history.

225 - The Ariel School UFO Phenomenon

June 06, 2023 04:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MB

On September 16th, 1994, children at the Ariel School in Ruwa, Zimbabwe claim to have seen an alien spacecraft and extraterrestrial visitors while outside playing at morning recess.  People have heralded this as proof of Extraterrestrial visitation or contended that it is a classic case of mass hysteria.  Take a listen and see what you think.

224 - Into the Wild

May 30, 2023 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MB

We discuss the details of the case of Christopher McCandless who opted into living a nomadic lifestyle and ultimately starved to death in the Alaskan wilderness leading to a somewhat cult following.  What led him to do what he did and why do people still risk their lives to emulate his ultimately fatal decision to live unprepared in the wilderness?

223 - Creepy Female Urban Legend Twofer

May 23, 2023 04:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MB

We discuss to urban legends that revolve around female monsters.  The first is the Kuchisake-onna, or “slit faced woman”, of Japan.  She confronts lone travelers at night and murders those that no longer find her beautiful after revealing her bloody slit open mouth.  The second is Baba Yaga, the Slavic grandma living in the woods in her chicken-footed home, cooking and eating children.

222 - The Invention of Fire

May 16, 2023 12:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MB

One of the great revolutions in the history of the development of humankind is the controlled use of fire.  When did we as a species learn to keep and make fire?  What changes did it make to humans socially and physically.  Jeni, our resident Anthropologist, has the answers.

221 - The Dirty 30s

May 09, 2023 05:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MB

Our episode this week is on the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.  A time when major drought, grasshopper plagued, swarms of jackrabbits, and massive migration shook the Great Plains of the United States.  Take a listed and find out the multiple horrors of the Dirty Thirties.

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Children of God
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