History Told By Idiots
61 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsFrom hilarious and wacky to dark and disturbing, history has a lot of fascinating topics worth discussing. Join us as we delve in to a new historical topic each episode!
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Episodes
4.8: Consumption Assumptions
January 22, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 50.6 MBFINALLY! This episode has been a long time in the making. When one views massive, defunct sanitoriums like Waverly Hills, they're often associated with mad scientists performing torturous experiments and angry spirits in the afterlife. That is not, however, the case. Join us as we talk about tuberculosis and why the sanitorium movement was necessary. Also stick around for a history of Waverly Hills Sanitorium followed by a new segment that we like to call The Paranormal Fanny Pack. We'll tel...
4.8: Consumption Assumptions
January 22, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 50.6 MBFINALLY! This episode has been a long time in the making. When one views massive, defunct sanitoriums like Waverly Hills, they're often associated with mad scientists performing torturous experiments and angry spirits in the afterlife. That is not, however, the case. Join us as we talk about tuberculosis and why the sanitorium movement was necessary. Also stick around for a history of Waverly Hills Sanitorium followed by a new segment that we like to call The Paranormal Fanny Pack. We'll tel...
4.7: Death By Rock And Roll
September 29, 2021 03:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBRock and Roll is a musical genre near and dear to the Idiots. Do you know what actually happened the day the music died? Maybe you heard some 'rumors' about Fleetwood Mac, and you'd like us to clear them up for you! Join us as we talk about the 27 club, the white lighter theory, and some urban legends and tragedies in the music world. Support the show
4.6: They Chose Violence - The Molly Maguires and The Battle of Blair Mountain
June 30, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBHave you ever heard of the Molly Maguires? What about the Battle of Blair Mountain? Strikes, unfair wages, and raging tempers caused war to break out in the coalfields. One thing is for certain: these folks woke up and chose violence. Come and learn some dark history as the Idiots discuss these two (pretty much) wars. Support the show
4.5: Things You Can Never Un-know
May 18, 2021 04:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBYou wanted dark and terrifying, and we delivered! Mature content warning: the topics discussed in this episode are disturbing and graphic! Join us as we learn about the injustice of the Junko Furuta case, how Edison was a complete jerk, and why you should never take a break during an exorcism. Can Tessa retain her title as the Queen of Dark? Or will Josh or Ty usurp her and take the crown for themselves? Find out in this grim and gory episode! Support the show
4.4: Rabbits All The Way Down (Treasures and Secrets)
April 07, 2021 16:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBEver hear of Jonathan Swift's silver mines? What about hidden golden rabbits and clues within picture books? What about Colonel Benjamin Caudill's gold, or the ultimate quest for Atari glory? Join us as we tell you about some pretty neat treasure hunts and quests throughout time, and maybe even give you a little spoiler as to where we think some of these treasures are hiding! Support the show
4.3: Beauty in Bravery - Strong Italian Women (Feat. Jennifer Anton)
March 08, 2021 05:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MBLet us take you a few steps back in history to Italy under fascism, and the thumb of Mussolini. Come and listen to the stories of bold women like Nina, whom lived through death, war, loss, and great love, and her mother Adelasia (El Capitan), who was one of the greatest midwives Fonzaso, Italy ever saw. The Idiots take a little stop along the way to tell you about fascism, communism, and socialism, and what it was like to be a woman in a time not very friendly to women. In celebration of Int...
4.2: Love Your Libraries
February 14, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBEver wonder about the history of libraries? Throughout history, there have been some great libraries, great librarians, and great philanthropists that paved the way for library services worldwide. The Great Library at Alexandria was an ancient wonder of the world, but was destroyed in a fire.... wasn't it?? Andrew Carnegie donated a literal fortune to open public libraries throughout the world. Brave women used to brave the Appalachian landscapes on horseback or mule in order to deliver mate...
4.2: Love Your Libraries
February 14, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBEver wonder about the history of libraries? Throughout history, there have been some great libraries, great librarians, and great philanthropists that paved the way for library services worldwide. The Great Library at Alexandria was an ancient wonder of the world, but was destroyed in a fire.... wasn't it?? Andrew Carnegie donated a literal fortune to open public libraries throughout the world. Brave women used to brave the Appalachian landscapes on horseback or mule in order to deliver mate...
4.1: Not So Silent Nights
January 09, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 43 MBCrime doesn't take off on holidays! Listen as Josh and Tessa tell you about some murder cases that happened around the holidays; definitely no silent nights for these unfortunate folks. Also, Tyrell makes him return, and of course hilarity ensues! Support the show
3.7: Miracle Babies and Cautionary Tales
November 04, 2020 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBDid you know that historic Coney Island was once home to a sideshow exhibit of premature infants in life-saving incubators? Ever hear of the Dionne quintuplets, who were conceived and born against all odds before fertility treatments were a thing? The survival of these little ones is nothing short of a miracle, and also a pretty entertaining (and in one case, sad) story. Join Tessa as she ventures solo into the past and tells you all about Dr. Martin Couney and his sideshow babies, and the ...
3.6: Feuding, Fighting and (Not So) Fun Times
September 23, 2020 02:00 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBKentucky is full of rowdy folks that love to start feuds! Come join us for this episode as we tell you a little about some not-so-famous feuds in American History! From slicking to stealing pocket watches to cartoonish chases through the Appalachians, this episode has got it all (or at least enough to keep you well entertained)! Support the show
3.5: Come Life, Shaker Life
August 21, 2020 03:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MBHave you ever heard of the Shakers? Lots of people have, though they tend to only remember one thing: they denied themselves 'pleasures of the flesh'. The Shakers were so much more than that one belief, however. Come listen as we tell you all about our recent visit to Pleasant Hill Shaker Village, the history of the Shakers, their beliefs, their music, and more. Music from Early Shaker Spirituals, sung by members of The United Society of Shakers, Sabbathday Lake, Maine. Support the show
3.4: The Cure-All and Quackery
July 17, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 47.6 MBHumans have come up with some odd ways to cure whatever it is that ails you! From bleeding you in order to cure blood loss, poking around in your noggin with an ice pick, and painting you teeth with radioactive chemicals (but they were so attractive when the GLOWED!), we bring you some of the oddest and most disturbing. Come laugh (and cringe) with us as we discuss the worst cures ever. Support the show
3.3: Zeus on the Loose!
May 07, 2020 04:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MBCome and join us as we dive into Greek Mythology and discover Hera's anger problem, Zeus's loose morals, and exactly what a Titanomachy is! We discuss the Titan War, Greek love stories, and try to explain how Zeus got a mortal woman pregnant while disguised as a swan. What more could you want?! Support the show
3.2: Pandemic Panic!
March 25, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBThe outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) isn't the first time the human race has had a pandemic on their hands; smallpox, Spanish flu, the black plague to name a few. Join us as we discuss some of the pandemics humanity has encountered in the past, and listen as a special guest physician tells us all about COVID-19, what TO do and what NOT to do. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/historybyidiots)
3.2: Pandemic Panic!
March 25, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBThe outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) isn't the first time the human race has had a pandemic on their hands; smallpox, Spanish flu, the black plague to name a few. Join us as we discuss some of the pandemics humanity has encountered in the past, and listen as a special guest physician tells us all about COVID-19, what TO do and what NOT to do. Support the show
3.1: The Goodest of Boys - Heroic Animals
February 22, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBAnimals have a long history of being absolutely heroic. Whether transporting medicine in order to save lives, boosting troop morale in the trenches, or even taking down a machine gun nest single-handed (single-pawed?), animals have saved the day time and time again. Come learn about the doggos, goats, bears, and even ducks that saved the lives of their humans. Support the show
2.19: Distractions, Trivia, and Season Finales!
January 19, 2020 00:00 - 40 minutes - 28.3 MBJoin us as we play a rousing game of Truth or Myth, get a little distracted, and find out whether or not George Washington actually had wooden teeth (plus lots more)! Support the show
Episode 2.18: The Weird Side of Thanksgiving
November 18, 2019 05:00 - 46 minutes - 32.4 MBDid you know that Thanksgiving used to look exactly like Halloween? Ever hear of a man who could eat enough food for 15 men, but still remain hungry? Join us as we discuss the weird side of Thanksgiving! Ragamuffins, gluttony, and a whole lot of mispronounced words! Support the show
Episode 2.17: Sometimes Truth is Scarier Than Fiction
October 31, 2019 20:00 - 52 minutes - 36.9 MBHaunted dolls, haunted chairs of death, paranormal happenings, Ed and Lorraine Warren, and more spooky stuff on this Halloween episode! Support the show
Episode 2.16: Weird History!
September 13, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 55 MBOn this episode, we're looking at some strange events from history, like the Dyatlov Pass Incident! Join us as we talk about disappearances, UFOs, cannibalism and more! Support the show
Episode 2.15: Dumb History Round 2!
September 01, 2019 18:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBWe are back again on this episode with some of the weirdest and dumbest events in history! Join us as we talk about things from awful miscommunications, to more run ins with the terrifying rabbit! Support the show
Episode 2.14: The One That's Really Dark
August 17, 2019 18:00 - 1 hour - 67.2 MBOn this episode, Josh, Tessa, and Ty talk about Josef Mengele, Lizzie Borden, and Albert Fish. This episode contains some of the darkest material to date, so if you're up for it, join us as we talk about some of history's monsters. Support the show
2.13 - The Hulk, Glowing Pups, and Nuclear Disasters
August 02, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBThis week's episode is all about Nuclear Meltdowns throughout history! Learn about Chernobyl, SL-1, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima, and the disasters that occurred after meltdown. Also, we get way off topic again and talk about nerdy stuff like Heroclix and the MCU! Support the show
Episode 2.12: Who Dat! New Orleans!
July 10, 2019 02:00 - 1 hour - 58 MBOn this episode, Josh, Tessa, and Ty talk about some of the history and culture of New Orleans, brought about by some of our past trips there! Support the show
Episode 2.11: Suspenseful Narrator Voice... Urban Legends!
June 23, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBWe're back with some origins of famous urban legends. From Black Dogs and Cropsey to old Cherokee folklore and Black Eyed Children, we bring you some of the biggest legends in the world! Support the show
Episode 2.10: Cults, Killers, and Castration!
May 24, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 34.9 MBWe have a wild ride for you this episode! Join Tessa and Ty along with special guest Trey as we talk about disturbing cults, maniacal serial killers, and and infamous crime of revenge involving the male member! Support the show
Episode 2.9: Big Ole Pile O' Them Bones... Death Customs!
May 08, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 29.5 MBOn this episode we talk about death customs from all around the world and some of the ways the people were used post mortem. Join us for a very informative episode, albeit a little morbid. Support the show
Episode 2.8: Ice, Ice(box) Baby - Weird and Wonderful Inventions!
April 24, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 32.1 MBJoin us as we talk about weird, wonderful, and just plain useless inventions of history! Plus, we answer a question posed to us by a high school history class: where did Victorian Era peeps get ice for their ice boxes? Plus special guest Trey tells us all about the evolution of home entertainment, Tessa talks about the Dymaxion House, and Josh gives us some info on things that were invented by accident! Support the show
Episode 2.7: April Fool's Day Fool's Game!
April 04, 2019 04:00 - 59 minutes - 27.6 MBWe decide to have a little fun with a contest this week as we all learn about some of the greatest April Fool's Day pranks of all time! Support the show
Episode 2.6: Dark Days of Kentucky, The Scotia Mine Disaster
March 24, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBThis episode is a very special episode. We talk about one of the most important pieces of our own local history in little Letcher County, Kentucky. The tragedy at Scotia Mines in Partridge, Kentucky were some of our darkest days, and we feel the need to share it with you all. We talk about the 26 men who lost their lives and the struggles of their widows afterwards. We are joined by Eddie Nickels, author of Scotia - Coal Mine of Doom, and Tyrell's Grandfather, Marvin, and his Uncle, Clifford...
Episode 2.6: Dark Days of Kentucky, The Scotia Mine Disaster
March 24, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBThis episode is a very special episode. We talk about one of the most important pieces of our own local history in little Letcher County, Kentucky. The tragedy at Scotia Mines in Partridge, Kentucky were some of our darkest days, and we feel the need to share it with you all. We talk about the 26 men who lost their lives and the struggles of their widows afterwards. We are joined by Eddie Nickels, author of Scotia - Coal Mine of Doom, and Tyrell's Grandfather, Marvin, and his Uncle, Clifford...
Episode 2.5: Cloud Warriors & Candle Zombies - Exploring Peru
March 06, 2019 05:00 - 57 minutes - 26.9 MBJoin us as we learn about the Cloud Warriors of Peru from Ty! Tessa tells us all about Peruvian urban legends (candle zombies, anyone?)! Josh shares some super weird and interesting facts about Peruvian history and culture! And of course, randomness and hilarity ensue as per usual! Support the show
Episode 2.4: Believe It... Or Not...
February 20, 2019 05:00 - 41 minutes - 19.4 MBThis week we bring you a little history about the most famous curator of the weird and wonderful, Robert Ripley! Join us as we talk about his life and some of th oddities he discovered throughout his career and the legacy he left behind. Support the show
Episode 2.3: Railroad Murders and Hillbilly Mafiosos
February 06, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 28.6 MBThis week we bring you a fan requested topic that has been being researched for several months now! Join us as we talk about some of our local history of Eastern Kentucky with Railroad and Prohibition infamy! Support the show
Blue Folks and Dancing Till' Death - Medical Mysteries
January 23, 2019 05:00 - 48 minutes - 22.9 MBJoin Tessa and Josh as they talk about the Dancing Plague that caused hundreds of people to dance till' they died, and Tessa's ancestors who happened to have blue skin (but sadly, they didn't have a Vegas show like other blue folks)! Plus, a special guest who actual knows how to speak medical lingo explains odd diseases to us in layman's terms! Support the show
Episode 2.1: We Back!
January 09, 2019 05:00 - 43 minutes - 20.4 MBWe are back with the first episode of Season 2! On this episode, we'll be discussing an infamous vigilante group from Missouri called The Bald Knobbers! We'll also talk a bit about Old Christmas and some Appalachian tales behind it. Support the show
Bourbon, The Boar's Nest, and Making Fun of Tessa (again)
December 05, 2018 05:00 - 22 minutes - 11.1 MBBONUS EPISODE: We couldn't leave you high and dry until next season, so here's a mini episode to wet your whistle (pun intended). After a weekend getaway, the married idiots hung out with their family and recorded an impromptu segment about bourbon, bottled in bond, and hung out with one of their biggest fans (who is only 9)! Support the show
Episode 22: Ancient Mysteries and Lost Civilizations!
November 28, 2018 05:00 - 51 minutes - 24.2 MBOn this episode, we talk about some of history's mysteries as we discuss Roanoke, The Mississippians, The Voynich Manuscript and more! Also, this episode marks the end of season 1 for us! We'll be back in 2019 to begin Season 2! Support the show
Episode 21: Toys? A Tangent Becomes an Episode!
November 14, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 29.3 MBWe're notorious for going on tangents, and this one happened to become an entire episode of it's own. Less history and more us reminiscing about the cool toys from our childhoods. This episode is very lightly edited to keep the fun intact. So please enjoy our sleep deprived stories! Support the show
Episode 20: Real Monsters... Cults and Murderers
October 31, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 40.5 MBOn our special Halloween episode, we'll be talking about some of the real monsters of the world, cult leaders and murderers. We discuss Jonestown, Charles Manson, Gilles de Rais, and more. This episode is a bit more dark, so if that's not your thing, you might want to skip it. With that being said, Happy Halloween everyone! Support the show
Episode 19: Nobody Expects The Spanish Inquisiton... Torture Devices!
October 17, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 30.9 MBDisclaimer! This episode may be a little graphic. In the spirit of Halloween, we decided to take a look at the dark and gruesome history of torture devices! We cover a wide variety of different devices and methods from some of the darkest periods in history. Support the show
Episode 18: He's Not A Tame Lion... C.S. Lewis!
October 03, 2018 04:00 - 59 minutes - 27.8 MBAs a followup to the last episode, we're talking about a dear friend of Tolkien, none other than C.S. Lewis. We talk about his life and his works, including the famous Chronicles of Narnia!Support the show
Episode 17: In A Hole In The Ground...
September 19, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 35.4 MBOn this episode, we talked about one of the greatest fiction writers ever, J. R. R. Tolkien! We discuss some of his background, his life, and his fascination with language that gave rise to some of the greatest pieces of fiction and the resurgence of the fantasy genre.Support the show
Episode 16: Food History and We Make Tessa Mad!
September 05, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 32.8 MBJosh, Tessa, and Tyrell talk about the history of some of their favorite foods! We have a very short message from Jordan and we make Tessa angry as well, so it's a good time as always.Support the show
Episode 15: Secret Codes & Ciphers!
August 22, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 29.9 MBWe've got the whole crew! Jordan is back with us on this episode as we discuss some strange codes, the Zodiac Killer, and master code breaker Alan Turing! Sorry about the Whistle at the end...Support the show
Episode 14: Italia e Roma!
August 07, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 34.5 MBThis episode is a listener request! We discuss some of Italy and Rome's history and about some strange facts of Italy and ancient Rome!Support the show
Episode 13: I'll Never Let Go, Jack... Titanic Facts!
July 25, 2018 04:00 - 54 minutes - 25.4 MBJosh, Tessa, and Tyrell discuss some facts about the Titanic, also a couple of conspiracy theories! It's a rather scatterbrained episode with a surprise ending involving cops running up the street! Dude, we're really living up to the name...Support the show
Episode 12: The World Is a Frost Giant, Norse Mythology 101
July 11, 2018 04:00 - 53 minutes - 25.3 MBWe do our best to pronounce words as we talk about Norse Mythology! It's kinda crazy...Support the show