Historical Figures
128 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 4.9K ratingsBig lives, little-known facts. Dig up what you don’t know about the icons you do know! Unexpected anecdotes, real personalities, lasting impacts… Historical Figures is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
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Episodes
A Bram Stoker Classic from Haunted Places: Ghost Stories
February 25, 2021 08:01 - 31 minutesDracula wasn’t the only frightful fiction conjured by Irish author Bram Stoker… In this retelling of “The Judge’s House,” a Cambridge student is overcome with curiosity — then dread — as he faces an evil man’s terrifying legacy. Listen to Part 1 right here, then search “Haunted Places: Ghost Stories” to hear Part 2, when the Judge himself comes calling… Haunted Places: Ghost Stories is a Spotify Original from Parcast. Every Thursday, find a new tale of terror from some of history’s greatest ...
New Limited Series: Criminal Couples
February 01, 2021 08:01 - 1 minuteThis season, “L” stands for love… and lawless… and lethal. Beginning February 1st, uncover history’s most infamous couples in this collection of episodes from across Parcast Network. Follow the misdeeds of married mafiosos. Enter the transgressions of casanova cult leaders. And demystify the lives of coupled kingpins, pirates, and spies… Because in this limited series, romance takes a sharp turn into the radical. Get a preview of Criminal Couples right here, then search “Criminal Couples” t...
Welcome to the Family: The Kennedys
January 19, 2021 08:01 - 1 minuteThey’re a powerful political dynasty with no shortage of tragedies, scandals and controversies. Ahead of the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, revisit the most shocking moments in the Kennedy family history — from conspiracies and cover-ups to assassinations and affairs — in this Parcast limited series. All 12 episodes are available January 19th. Listen free, only on Spotify.
Superstitions Special: New Year’s Eve Festivities
December 31, 2020 08:01 - 35 minutesThe clock’s winding down on the final moments of the year and people around the world are putting their charms and traditions to work, shoring up good fortune for the future. But it’s not always our own personal luck that’s on the line… In this story, a night of superstitions weaves together the fates of merrymakers eager for fresh starts. This episode is presented by Superstitions, a Spotify Original from Parcast. Follow Superstitions free on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 3)
December 21, 2020 08:10 - 41 minutesFor decades, family members and sleuths have tried to determine what really happened the night of the fire. As of yet, they have been unsuccessful. But the clues remain, the questions linger, and the case unofficially stays open… This episode is presented by Unexplained Mysteries, a Spotify Original from Parcast. For more of history’s greatest puzzles, follow Unexplained Mysteries free on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 2)
December 21, 2020 08:05 - 42 minutesIn the aftermath of the fire, a startling number of tips, twists, and witnesses came forward regarding the fate of the Sodder children. Their father, George, followed the clues for decades, driven by a suspicion of the “official” story and a belief that the blaze was no accident. This episode is presented by Unexplained Mysteries, a Spotify Original from Parcast. For more of history’s greatest puzzles, follow Unexplained Mysteries free on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 1)
December 21, 2020 08:01 - 38 minutesEarly Christmas day in 1945, Jennie Sodder woke up to her house on fire. The blaze consumed her home, and five of her young children. Or did it? Strange events, prescient remarks, and a lack of human remains hinted at more nefarious — though no less tragic — outcomes. This episode is presented by Unexplained Mysteries, a Spotify Original from Parcast. For more of history’s greatest puzzles, follow Unexplained Mysteries free on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Blind Dating: Finding Love on a Podcast
December 07, 2020 08:01 - 20 minutesYou know you can find love in a bar… on an app… Why not a podcast? Every week on Blind Dating, one hopeful single is introduced to two potential matches in a virtual hangout — no cameras allowed. This week, listen in as Pauler, a 33-year-old dancer from Australia, meets a tutor who falls for mama’s boys and a one-time swinger who’s “lived and learned” in LA. Is personality enough to spark a lasting connection? Listen to find out… and don’t miss the twist at the end! Blind Dating is free on Sp...
Unsolved Murders Crossover: The Two Princes in the Tower Pt. 2
November 23, 2020 08:05 - 44 minutesToday we’re bringing you a special two-part episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Unsolved Murders on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! In 1483, two princes got caught in the center of a bloody war for the throne of England — and became one of the biggest murder mysteries in British history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Unsolved Murders Crossover: The Two Princes in the Tower Pt. 1
November 23, 2020 08:01 - 43 minutesToday we’re bringing you a special two-part episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Unsolved Murders on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! In 1483, two princes got caught in the center of a bloody war for the throne of England — and became one of the biggest murder mysteries in British history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dictators: The Rise & Fall of a Roman Emperor
November 16, 2020 08:01 - 13 minutesThey’re natural-born leaders, hungry for absolute power. Every week on Dictators, delve into the minds and motives of history’s most infamous rulers — people who rose through the ranks toward radicalism, eliminating anyone who stood in their way. This week, track the rise and fall of Nero, an emperor who led Rome to destruction. Hear a clip from Part 1 here, then head to Dictators for the rest of the episode. Dictators is free to listen on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Introducing Blind Dating
September 30, 2020 07:01 - 19 minutesCan you meet the love of your life doing a socially distanced podcast in your living room? There’s only one way to find out! Every Wednesday on Blind Dating, host Tara Michelle introduces one hopeful single to two strangers in a voice-only virtual hangout. They’ll chat, flirt, and make the case for why they deserve a second date. But once a match is made and the cameras are turned on, will the new connection be strong enough to last? Enjoy the first episode of Blind Dating, then follow Blind...
Solved Murders: The Story of Helen Potts
September 25, 2020 07:01 - 35 minutesListeners, we’re excited to bring you an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries. Every Wednesday on Solved Murders, we explore the days, months, and even years leading up to the closure of a seemingly uncrackable case. This is part 1 of our episode on Helen Potts, a young girl who gets tangled up with a playboy medical student, with deadly consequences—but not for the reasons you might first suspect. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out p...
New! Incredible Feats with Dan Cummins
September 14, 2020 07:01 - 5 minutesHumanity’s most daring achievements are coming together in the new Spotify Original from Parcast! Every weekday, Incredible Feats introduces you to a new story of jaw-dropping physical strength, mental focus, and bizarre behavior. Join comedian Dan Cummins as he profiles the people who turned the impossible into the incredible, breaking records and making history along the way. Enjoy this exclusive clip from our first episode, and stay tuned for episodes on daredevils, ultramarathoners, per...
New Parcast Original: Medical Murders
August 26, 2020 07:01 - 14 minutesWe all know that medical professionals are trained to give exceptional care. But in the new Parcast Original, Medical Murders, you’ll discover a disturbing diagnosis… that not every doctor wants to extend your life. Every Wednesday, meet the men and women who used their expertise to develop sinister specialties. Host Alastair Murden examines the formative years and motives of history’s most infamous killer doctors, dissecting their medical backgrounds with expert analysis provided by practici...
Introducing Very Presidential with Ashley Flowers!
August 11, 2020 07:01 - 14 minutesUncover the dirty dealings of history’s most badly behaved presidents in the NEW Spotify Original from Parcast, Very Presidential with Ashley Flowers. Every Tuesday through the 2020 election, Ashley shines a light on the darker side of the American presidency… From secret love affairs and all-night ragers to blackmail schemes and excessive drug use, she’ll expose the personal and professional controversies you may never knew existed. Enjoy this exclusive clip from our first episode of Very ...
Falls From Grace: Gloria Grahame
July 29, 2020 07:01 - 39 minutesIn the 1940s and ‘50s, Gloria Grahame was known for her sophisticated acting style and signature lipstick. But what really thrust her into the public eye was her tumultuous personal life. As events escalated at home, Gloria’s career backslid into oblivion. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates, free and only on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Falls From Grace: Bobby Fischer
July 22, 2020 07:01 - 47 minutesChess grandmaster Bobby Fischer etched his name into the history books with his World Championship win in 1972. But after his peak, he became a paranoid recluse, withdrawing from his friends, family and country further into his own deeply troubled mind. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates, free and only on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Falls From Grace: John DeLorean
July 15, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutesAuto engineer and inventor John DeLorean built an enormously successful career at GM in the ‘60s and ‘70s, creating the blueprint for the iconic American muscle car. But he’s mostly known for his eponymous car and motor company, which failed when he became entangled in a cocaine trafficking scheme. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates, free and only on Spotify! Learn more about your a...
Falls From Grace: Jim Bakker
July 08, 2020 07:01 - 50 minutesHe built a Christian theme park and launched a satellite into space so he could preach the word of God to everyone, everywhere, all the time. But when Bakker’s cooked books and sexual proclivities worked their way onto the television screens in 1987, not even his larger-than-life fame could save him from disgrace… This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates, free and only on Spotify! Learn ...
Falls From Grace: Marie Antoinette
July 01, 2020 07:01 - 50 minutesIn 1770, Marie Antoinette arrived in France from Austria and married the future King of France. Though, in Versailles, she enjoyed every possible luxury, in the streets of Paris, the people whispered increasingly vicious things about her which eventually led to her grim demise. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates, free and only on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Falls From Grace: Lance Armstrong
June 24, 2020 07:01 - 53 minutesHe famously won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005. During that period, Lance Armstrong was adamant that he never took performance-enhancing drugs. But in reality, the so-called "cleanest athlete in sports" was running the most sophisticated doping ring in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Falls From Grace: Dalton Trumbo
June 17, 2020 07:01 - 50 minutesIn the 1940s, screenwriter and author Dalton Trumbo was at the top of his game. Despite his talent and success, Trumbo's decision to join the Communist Party at the height of the "Red Scare" led to him being disgraced, blacklisted and jailed. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates free and only on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Introducing SOLVED MURDERS: TRUE CRIME MYSTERIES, A Parcast Original Series!
June 10, 2020 07:05 - 14 minutesTo commemorate its fourth anniversary, Parcast and the team behind Unsolved Murders are taking a closer look at what it takes to catch a killer. In the new series Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries, you'll follow the clues and uncover the missing pieces to some of history's most gripping cases. Every Wednesday, join hosts Carter and Wenndy as they explore the days, months, and even years leading up to a killer being caught. Each episode plays out like a classic murder mystery—where the fina...
Falls From Grace: Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle
June 10, 2020 07:01 - 47 minutesIt is often referred to as “Hollywood’s first scandal.” At the center of it: Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, a world-famous star whose association with sexual assault and murder would send shockwaves through tinseltown in the 1920s. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates free and only on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Falls From Grace: Aaron Burr
June 03, 2020 07:01 - 43 minutesUltimately becoming the third Vice President of the United States, Aaron Burr spent his life’s work clawing his way up through the world of Congressional politics in the late 1700s. This would culminate in a deadly duel with Alexander Hamilton that would leave Burr's reputation irreparably tarnished. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates free and only on Spotify. Learn more about your a...
Falls From Grace: Jerry Lee Lewis
May 27, 2020 07:01 - 47 minutesJerry Lee Lewis was a rock and roll superstar whose early 1950s fame rivaled Elvis's—until his scandalous marriage to a 13-year-old cousin derailed his career at the height of his popularity. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates free and only on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Falls From Grace: Charles Ponzi
May 20, 2020 07:01 - 51 minutesNearly a century before Bernie Madoff stole billions, Charles Ponzi was the dapper Italian con artist who laid the foundations for his scam: the Ponzi scheme. By 1920, Ponzi’s fall would be painful. But it was a fitting end for a man who scratched and crawled his way to the top. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates free and only on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Falls From Grace: Howard Hughes
May 13, 2020 07:01 - 53 minutesHe had it all—respect, wealth, beautiful Hollywood girlfriends. A golden finger that seemed to make everything he touched into a success. The same obsessive perfectionism that had pushed Howard Hughes to the top in the ‘20s and ‘30s would take over his life, and leave him a shell of the all-American golden boy he once was. This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates: Falls From Grace, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates free and only on Spotify. ...
Sneak Peek: DAILY QUOTE, A Parcast Original Series!
April 26, 2020 07:01 - 3 minutesWhether you’re jumpstarting the morning, searching for that midday pick-me-up, or trying to finish the evening off strong… Daily Quote offers some of history’s most inspirational quotes whenever you need them—365 days a year. In this 2-3 minute podcast, you’ll be given a quote that will motivate, uplift, and renew your outlook on life. You’ll also dive deeper into the context surrounding the quote—learning more about its origin and the meaning behind it. Enjoy this sneak peek of Daily Quote ...
Crossover Week: Gone (Theodosia Burr Alston)
April 13, 2020 07:01 - 56 minutesIf you enjoy the true stories told in Historical Figures, check out this episode from our series Gone: In December of 1812, the daughter of disgraced former Vice President Aaron Burr, boarded a ship in South Carolina to travel north to see her father. Theodosia Burr Alston was never seen again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Introducing SUPERNATURAL WITH ASHLEY FLOWERS, A Parcast Original Series!
April 08, 2020 07:01 - 15 minutesJoin Parcast and Crime Junkie’s Ashley Flowers as they dive deep into the strange and surreal to explain some of the world’s most bizarre true crime occurrences in the new series, Supernatural with Ashley Flowers. Every Wednesday, Ashley digs into a different mystifying crime—where the most fitting theory isn’t always the most conventional. Was there a special committee formed under President Truman to recover and investigate alien spacecraft? Sort through the details with Ashley and decide ...
Famous Fates: Leon Trotsky
February 13, 2020 08:01 - 56 minutesIn the first half of the 20th-century, Leon Trotsky was a revolutionary writer, a communist leader, and a man assassinated on the orders of Joseph Stalin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Socrates
February 11, 2020 08:01 - 41 minutesHe was a Greek philosopher who lived in the 400s, B.C.E. Socrates believed in provoking people into bettering themselves and society, but it was this very attitude that led to his execution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Andy Warhol
February 06, 2020 08:01 - 44 minutesHe inspired the phrase “15 minutes of fame,” and proved to the world that anything could be the subject of great art—anything at all. In his later years, Andy Warhol survived an assassination attempt, only to die due to medical negligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Ernest Hemingway
February 04, 2020 08:01 - 44 minutesFor his book, “The Old Man and the Sea,” Ernest Hemingway was awarded the 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature. But despite his success, he was haunted by a deep sadness—and no amount of travel, women, or alcohol could ever help him escape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Kurt Cobain
January 30, 2020 08:01 - 39 minutesHe was a leading figure in grunge music, and he can still be heard on the radio today. When he died at age 27, Cobain left the world brimming with questions… and conspiracy theories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Jimi Hendrix
January 28, 2020 08:01 - 33 minutesHe redefined the way a guitar could sound, permanently changing the popular music soundscape. Jimi Hendrix was a singer, songwriter, innovator, rock god, and tragically, a member of the 27 Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Wild Bill Hickok
January 23, 2020 08:01 - 45 minutesHe was a law enforcer, gambler, and performer. When you picture an Old West Cowboy, Wild Bill Hickok is likely what comes to mind. And true to that image, he died after being shot in a saloon in 1876. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Al Capone
January 21, 2020 08:01 - 41 minutesHe was America’s first-ever Public Enemy Number One, and the man behind the “Scarface.” Al Capone changed the face of crime in the 1920s before his ultimate arrest for tax evasion. And by the time Capone got out of prison, he had already entered his final years of decay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Franz Ferdinand
January 16, 2020 08:01 - 34 minutesHis death was the spark that lit the wildfire of World War I. While Franz Ferdinand is most remembered for his final moments, he led a fascinating life of royal intrigue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Julius Caesar
January 14, 2020 08:01 - 53 minutesA military general, Julius Caesar rose to power as part of the Roman Triumvirate, but then took power as a dictator in the first century BC. But this great power led to his infamous death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Abraham Lincoln
January 09, 2020 08:01 - 44 minutesAs the 16th President of the United States, he was revered for tirelessly leading the U.S. through the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln was also the first American President to be assassinated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Robert F. Kennedy
January 07, 2020 08:01 - 41 minutesJust like his older brother, John, Robert Kennedy’s promising political career was cut short by assassination. But in that brief time, he left an indelible mark on American politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Princess Diana
January 02, 2020 08:01 - 41 minutesNicknamed “The People’s Princess,” Princess Diana used her public profile to serve charities and work as an activist through the 1990s. But her bitter divorce from Prince Charles led many to believe her death was no accident. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Cleopatra
December 31, 2019 08:01 - 45 minutesHer death is memorialized in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, but the Empress of the Nile’s life held an equal caliber of drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Billy the Kid
December 26, 2019 08:01 - 38 minutesRecords say he was shot to death at age 21. But legends say otherwise. Ride deeper into the tales—tall tales—and iconic fate of Henry McCarty, better known as “Billy the Kid.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Best of 2019: Nefertiti
December 25, 2019 08:01 - 44 minutesHere’s one of our listeners’ most requested episodes of 2019: This famous Queen ruled Egypt during the mid-14th century, BC, over a period of immense religious upheaval. With her husband, she conspired to convert all of Egypt from the traditional polytheistic religion to the worship of a single God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: Anastasia
December 24, 2019 08:01 - 37 minutesThe circumstances of Anastasia Romanov’s death cemented her iconic status in pop culture. But in life, she was the playful youngest sister, a girl who never asked for her tragic destiny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Famous Fates: James Dean
December 19, 2019 08:01 - 27 minutesIn the 1950s, James Dean starred in hits East of Eden, Giant, and Rebel Without a Cause. Surrounded by fast cars, cigarettes, and adoring girls, Dean became synonymous with teen rebellion. But did this devil-may-care image lead to his death at age 24, or was it just a tragic accident? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices