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Ridiculous History

735 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★ - 4.1K ratings

History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

History Society & Culture
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Episodes

The US Boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics, and Puerto Rican Boxers Went Anyway

June 07, 2022 19:35 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MB

In a response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the US, along with more than 60 other countries, boycotted the Olympics. Yet three Puerto Rican boxers refused to allow politics to stand in their way of their athletic ambitions. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max welcome Bijan Stephen and Layne Gerbig, the creators of the Eclipsed podcast, to learn what led them to create this show -- and what the 1980 Olympics can teach us about the larger context of history. See omnystudio.com/list...

Disco Demolition Night: How Disco Died at a White Sox Game

June 02, 2022 22:41 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MB

Cast your memory back to 1979. Tensions across the US are high, on multiple levels. Disco dominates the music scene, and, oh boy, rock fans are mad about it. Things come to a head at Comiskey Park, where White Sox owner Bill Veeck and a young anti-disco DJ named Steve Dahl decide to promote a doubleheader baseball event with a particular theme -- bring a disco record, and you get to watch it get blown up between games. Spoiler alert: things went wrong, almost immediately. See omnystudio.com...

Bolivia Fought -- And Lost -- A War For Bird Poop

May 31, 2022 17:48 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

Most people associate think of bird poop as an annoyance -- it can gunk up sidewalks and windshields, and, occasionally, even splat on an unlucky person walking by. But in the late 1800s, guano was a hugely important resource. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max take a closer look at the 'white gold' of guano... and how it led to one of 19th-century South America's deadliest wars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why You Can't Say "MacBeth" in a Theater

May 26, 2022 17:06 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MB

As one of history's most well-known, highly-regarded writers, it's no secret that Shakespeare's life and work is full of strange stories -- but did you know one of his most famous plays is considered cursed? In today's episode, the guys are joined by special guest, award-winning playwright Will McFadden, as he breaks down to supposed origin of the curse, along with multiple disasters attributed to it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Operation Mincemeat: Britain's Ghoulish Plan to Fool the Nazis

May 24, 2022 19:51 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MB

As World War II raged on in 1943, both Allied and Axis forces knew they were riddled with spies. In a dizzying cavalcade of undercover, double, and even triple agents, both sides of the war sought to deceive their opponents -- and ethical concerns increasingly took a back seat in these pursuits. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the story of Operation Mincemeat, a macabre (and, ultimately, successful) plan to plant fake intel on a corpse. Inspired by Netflix's new film, Operati...

Paradise Lost: Crime in Miami Trailer

May 23, 2022 04:00 - 1 minute - 1.76 MB

Paradise Lost: Crime in Miami is a conversation between friends, both South Florida natives, about the notorious true crime cases that have occurred in their home state. Each episode cohosts Kareem Tabsch and Joey Daoud narrate the facts of the case, with details, anecdotes, and general color offered by an interview guest with a connection to the crime - journalists who covered it, the investigators who solved it, survivors or the perpetrators. In each episode, we share the story of true crim...

Who the heck was Joseph Warren?

May 19, 2022 17:07 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MB

When it's time to study the American Revolution in grade school, US kids tend to learn the same few names -- Betsy Ross, George Washington, Benjamin Banneker, Jefferson, Revere and so on. But, were it not for a single gunshot, physician and revolutionary Joseph Warren just may have become one of the first presidents. Tune in to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chocolate Syrup: From Medicine to Dessert

May 17, 2022 18:58 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MB

Most people nowadays associate chocolate syrup with ice cream -- but back in the day, it was considered a legitimate medicine. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the origins of chocolate from ancient Mesoamerica to the modern day. Ben and Max also try to save their pal Noel from the unpleasant experience of 'Beverly.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historical Hypocrisy: The Confederacy's Weird Stance on "Individual Rights"

May 12, 2022 16:36 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MB

While the Confederacy often portrayed itself as a champion of certain individual rights-- not applied to enslaved people, of course-- it didn't always practice what it preached. In today's episode, the guys explore how factions of the Confederate government used the chaos of war to confiscate all sorts of property and then, through a web of corruption, made themselves wealthy in the process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Juana Maria: The Real-life Story Behind "Island of the Blue Dolphins"

May 10, 2022 16:10 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MB

No one knew the real name of the woman living alone on San Nicolas Island, but when she returned to civilization after decades in solitude, she was a hit with the locals at the nearby mission. Known for her exuberance and friendliness, the religious authorities and townsfolk alike loved the woman they christened Juana Maria, but they knew next to nothing about her life -- because she spoke a language no one, from the missionaries to the native communities, could understand. Tune in to learn ...

Introducing: Wheel Woman

May 05, 2022 19:56 - 1 minute - 1.86 MB

This is the true story of Georgia Durante, an All-American beauty, once named “Kodak Girl” as the most photographed model in the world, who moves to New York and becomes a Mob wife and getaway driver for the Gambino crime family.Then, as a means to save her daughter and escape her abusive marriage and criminal ties, she moves to Los Angeles with $7 in her pocket, reinventing herself as Hollywood’s first female stunt driver. It’s a story that’s as wildly entertaining as it is powerful and poig...

Curling: The Most Ridiculous Sport?

May 05, 2022 15:06 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MB

The time has come! In this special episode, the one and only Super Producer Max Williams takes point on the research into one of his long-standing fascinations: the curious sport of curling. As Max schools the guys on everything from the basic rules to the surprisingly long history of this unique sport, they -- and you -- walk away with a deeper understanding of "The Spirit of Curling." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobuo Fujita Bombed Brookings, Oregon -- and Then Became a Town Hero

May 03, 2022 19:22 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MB

War is a brutal business, and it often leaves scars that last for generations. Two decades after he bombed Brookings, Oregon during World War II, former Imperial Japanese Navy pilot Nobuo Fujita returned to Brookings to give an official apology -- and the town essentially adopted him. Fujita would go on to visit Brookings multiple times, sponsoring student trips to Japan, and gifting the city his samurai sword, which had been in his family for more than 400 years. See omnystudio.com/listene...

A Teetotaling Preacher Basically Invented Modern Tourism

April 28, 2022 17:15 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MB

When's the last time you had a vacation, just for fun? Regardless of where you went, you probably want to tip your hat to Thomas Cook. As a traveling Baptist preacher, Thomas Cook walked thousands of miles on foot warning people about the danger of alcohol -- it was a rough, demanding life, and people often ignored his message. But he was nothing if not a forward thinker. In today's episode, the guys explore how one man's determination to -- originally, at least -- spread the good word of Te...

Ira Aldridge: Actor, Activist and Record-breaker

April 26, 2022 17:29 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MB

As an African-American actor in the 1800s, Ira Aldridge had the odds stacked against him. Yet despite systemic racism, as well as negative attitudes about Americans in general, Aldridge went on to become the darling of the London stage. In today's episode, the guys explore how Ira Aldridge used his tremendous fame as a way to advocate for equality, abolition and more -- and broke numerous records along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lithuanian Book Smugglers Vs. The Russian Empire

April 21, 2022 13:16 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MB

When people think of rebellion, they often think of guerilla warfare, rousing speeches and protests. But what about books? When the Russian Empire sought to "Russify" much of what is now Lithuania, the Tsar's forces waged a war against culture, forcing children to learn a Cyrillic alphabet -- and even banning the pre-existing Lithuanian alphabet from printing presses. Native Lithuanians from all walks of life responded by becoming knygnešiaĩ, or book carriers. Tune in to learn how this vast ...

The Yule Lads Terrified Children Across Iceland

April 19, 2022 14:55 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MB

Many countries have their own, distinct Christmas traditions, but Iceland's Yule Lads are especially disturbing. Born of a monsterous giantess, these thirteen creatures each specialize in certain types of harassment or theft, leaving gifts for good children, and rotten potatoes for the rest. In today's episode, the guys explore the origin of this strange story -- and how, once upon a time, it was actually outlawed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Infamous Aurora UFO Incident of 1897

April 14, 2022 19:11 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MB

In April of 1897, something crashed from the sky, destroying a local windmill. As rumors and speculation grew, strange reports emerged -- could there have been a pilot? What was this craft, exactly, and why were some observers convinced it was from beyond this world? Tune in to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How The Evil May Day of 1517 Became the Perfect Propaganda Opportunity

April 12, 2022 21:32 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MB

London of the 1500s was a bustling center of commerce, finance and industry -- and it attracted a fair number of foreign-born professionals, who sought their fortune in the metropolis. However, as epidemics and economic downturns made life worse and worse for the average person, the native-born working class began to blame foreigners, whom they called 'strangers,' for their woes. In today's episode, the guys follow the escalating, xenophobic tensions that led to citywide riots -- and how the...

Day Drinkers (Sort of) Helped Stop Cholera in London

April 07, 2022 22:30 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MB

Dr. Jon Snow -- no relation to the guy from A Song of Ice and Fire -- was in a pickle. Cholera was ravaging London, particularly in the Soho area, and no one knew how to stop it from spreading like poisonous wildfire. As the crisis raged on, Snow was able to use his medical knowledge and amateur detective skills to figure out where the contagion was coming from. His big breakthrough? Folks at the local brewery, who were known for day drinking, seemed to avoid the infection almost entirely. T...

The Much-Maligned Reign of Swedish Queen Maria Eleonora

April 05, 2022 21:50 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MB

We often assume wealth can solve everything, but unfortunately that's not the case -- and there are few better examples of this than the life of Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg, German princess and Queen of Sweden. In today's episode, the gang explores the Queen's turbulent struggles in the realms of geopolitics, parenting, the patriarchy and romance.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weird Ways People Used to Communicate, Part II: Smoke Signals and Bottled Messages

March 31, 2022 13:38 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MB

People these days are, for better or worse, increasingly accustomed to living in an area of constant communication. But how did people communicate over long distances before the rise of things like telegraphs, telephones and the internet? In the second part of this week's special two-part episode, guests Bill Whorley and Mark Kendall, the creators of the hit new podcast Ridiculous News, join the guys to talk about some of the weirdest ways people used to communicate in days of yore. See omn...

Weird Ways People Used to Communicate, Part I: Only a Pigeon Away

March 29, 2022 19:34 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

People these days are, for better or worse, increasingly accustomed to living in an area of constant communication. But how did people communicate over long distances before the rise of things like telegraphs, telephones and the internet? In this week's special two-part episode, guests Mark Kendall and Bill Whorley, the creators of the hit new podcast Ridiculous News, join the guys to talk about some of the weirdest ways people used to communicate in days of yore. See omnystudio.com/listene...

That Time A Dead Guy Won an Olympic Medal

March 24, 2022 16:06 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB

In his heyday, the story goes, Arrhichion of Phigalia was a renowned pankration champion, a brutal sport of the ancient Olympics. But he was getting on in years, and his days at the top seem numbered. In today's episode, the guys explore the strange series of circumstances that led to Arrhichion's final, fatal match -- and how, after death, he was declared victorious one last time. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Julia Barnett Rice Waged an Elitist War on Noise

March 23, 2022 03:01 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MB

If you, like the majority of humans alive today, live in a city, you're more than familiar with noise -- sirens, construction, traffic and more. In today's episode, the guys explore how one woman's mission to silence the tugboats near her opulent Manhattan mansion led to a nation-wide, classist campaign against noise. Co-starring Ben's nemesis, the local leafblower (who somehow always knows when we're recording). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See ...

Ridiculous History Presents: A History of "Adult" Toys, Part 2

March 17, 2022 21:28 - 1 hour - 57.7 MB

While it's a taboo subject in the modern day, it turns out people have been improvising ways to pleasure themselves since, well, the dawn of history. In the second part of this week's two-part takeover episode, Ben and Noel join Eli and Diana Banks, real-life spouses and creators of the hit podcast Ridiculous Romance, to discuss the strange, ridiculous (and at-times disturbing) history of sex toys across the planet. Heads-up, this one gets a little raunchy. Learn more about your ad-choices...

Introducing: Ridiculous News

March 16, 2022 10:01 - 1 minute

Ridiculous News - not your average news show. We cover stuff you didn’t realize was news, from the wild and funny to the deep and hidden to the absolutely ridiculous. Hosted by Bill Worley and Mark Kendall Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Ridiculous History Presents: A History of "Adult" Toys, Part 1

March 15, 2022 17:46 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MB

While it's a taboo subject in the modern day, it turns out people have been improvising ways to pleasure themselves since, well, the dawn of history. In this week's two-part takeover episode, Ben and Noel join Eli and Diana Banks, real-life spouses and creators of the hit podcast Ridiculous Romance, to discuss the strange, ridiculous (and at-times disturbing) history of sex toys across the planet. Heads-up, this one gets a little raunchy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihe...

The Cobra Effect, Part 2: Four Pests and a Disastrous Success

March 10, 2022 20:20 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MB

The Cobra Effect - a particularly extreme form of unintended consequences - isn't limited to India and Vietnam. In China, the technically successful Four Pests eradication campaign led to tremendous ecological disaster, as the mass murder of sparrows led to a plague of ravenous locusts. In part two of this week's two part episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore what went wrong, how it affected later generations, and what the Cobra Effect can teach us about unforeseen consequences. Learn more ab...

The Cobra Effect, Part 1: Snakes, Rats, and Unintended Consequences

March 08, 2022 23:42 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MB

Back in the days of the British Raj, colonial leaders had a problem: Delhi was overrun with snakes. And not just any snakes -- cobras. These dangerous death noodles slithered through every nook and cranny in town. The solution? Put a bounty on cobras, and allow any citizen to receive payment for every cobra skin they bring in. While this seemed like a good idea at first, it quickly led to even more snakes pouring into town. So what happened? In part one of this week's two-part episode, Ben a...

British Suffragettes Knew Jūjitsu

March 04, 2022 01:48 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MB

As activists in the UK fought for the right to vote (and divorce, and inherit land), they ran into increasingly brutal actions on the part of police -- they were beaten, arrested, imprisoned, and even force fed when attempting hunger strikes. The police seemed confident that this abuse would silence the protestors... but that was before they were aware of Jūjitsu expert and dojo owner Edith Garrud. Edith didn't just conduct self-defense training for locals -- when she saw the increasing tren...

British Suffragettes Knew Jūjitsu

March 04, 2022 01:48 - 1 hour

As activists in the UK fought for the right to vote (and divorce, and inherit land), they ran into increasingly brutal actions on the part of police -- they were beaten, arrested, imprisoned, and even force fed when attempting hunger strikes. The police seemed confident that this abuse would silence the protestors... but that was before they were aware of Jūjitsu expert and dojo owner Edith Garrud. Edith didn't just conduct self-defense training for locals -- when she saw the increasing trend...

Introducing: Inventing Anna

March 02, 2022 08:00 - 2 minutes

Hi, Ridiculous History fans! iHeartPodcasts and Shondaland are excited to announce Inventing Anna. The companion podcast of a Netflix series that will delve deeper into the story of Anna Sorokin - the fake heiress who stole the hearts – and money – of New York’s social elite. A story that will keep you guessing but don't just take our word for it. Check out the trailer to decide for yourself! About Inventing Anna: Based on the Netflix show, Inventing Anna, the companion podcast will delve de...

A Tale of Two Hansons: Busting Myths About the 'First' US President

March 02, 2022 03:27 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MB

It's no secret that people in the US often tend to mythologize the Founding Fathers -- so it shouldn't come as a surprise that people also, often, claim George Washington wasn't actually the first US president. What gives? Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Soldiers in World War I Really Team Up to Fight Wolves?

February 25, 2022 01:37 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MB

World War I was a bloody, terrifying conflict for everyone involved -- and not just humans. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max accidentally run into deep emotions, going one hundred percent Team Wolf as they explore the ecological consequences of massive human conflict. Ben remains resentful regarding the hot tub situation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Slum Tourists: When Wealthy People Toured Chinatown ‘For Fun’

February 23, 2022 03:50 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MB

It’s true — back in the day, wealthy residents of cities from London to Chicago would pay for tours of disadvantaged communities, the same way that you might take your friends to a zoo today. The communities responded, staging events meant to give the upper class an ersatz sense of authenticity. Spoiler, it was terrible. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That Time Victorians Treated Seaweed like Pokemon

February 18, 2022 03:31 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MB

Europe's Victorian Era was, in many ways, a study in contradiction. While society in general championed independent scientific research, institutions of the day rejected women as members. Seaweed collections became a way for these scientists to circumvent the dumb ideas of their day. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valentine's Day Is So Much Weirder Than We Thought

February 15, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 70.1 MB

Valentine's Day is a pretty normal holiday in the US and several other countries, and other parts of the world have similar holidays, focused on appreciating our loved ones. But as Ben, Noel and Max learn in today's special episode, a lot of the history behind Valentine's Day is just... incredibly weird. The boys join forces with returning special guests Eli and Diana Banks, the creators of the hit podcast Ridiculous Romance, to dive into some of the most bizarre -- dare we say ridiculous --...

Weirdest Celebrity Busts, Part II: Mr. David Lee Roth and a Drunken John Wayne

February 10, 2022 23:36 - 1 hour - 56.2 MB

What can Mr. David Lee Roth's run-ins with the law teach us about wholesomeness? Why did John Wayne have public, drunken beef with Harvard? In part two of this week's special two-part series, guests Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton, the creators and hosts of Ridiculous Crime, join the guys to explore some of history's strangest celebrity busts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdest Celebrity Busts, Part I: Nixon Smuggled Weed, Arbuckle Was Innocent

February 09, 2022 02:33 - 1 hour - 66.3 MB

Did Richard Nixon smuggle weed? What can the Fatty Arbuckle scandal tell us about American society? In this week's special two-part series, guests Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton, the creators and hosts of Ridiculous Crime, join the guys to explore some of history's strangest celebrity busts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: X-Rays, Songs and Soviets: The Stilyagi Story

February 03, 2022 18:39 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MB

Caught between the conflicting ideologies of the Cold War, Soviet teens were banned from collecting Western music -- smuggled records could be both rare and expensive. The solution? Discarded X-rays, also known as 'bone recordings'. Join the guys as they explore the strange story of the Stilyagi in this classic episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tossed Popcorn, Part 2: Chaplin was a Jerk, Brando was Insane

February 02, 2022 03:05 - 1 hour - 61.8 MB

Don’t let the charming slapstick fool you — Charlie Chaplin was a monster to his lovers, coworkers and family. His former collaborator, Marlon Brando was even weirder and could be just as cruel. In the second part of this two-part episode, the hosts of Tossed Popcorn return to explore more bizarre stories behind the scenes of cinema. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tossed Popcorn, Part 1: The Wizard of Oz and the Titanic

January 28, 2022 04:41 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MB

It's no secret that Hollywood has been home to numerous lurid, disturbing -- and, sometimes, ridiculous -- tales over the decades. In the first part of this two-part series, the guys are joined with Lianna and Sienna, the creators of Tossed Popcorn, for an exploration of bizarre behind-the-scenes stories from some of film's most iconic movies, celebrities and eras. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Freuchen: Explorer, Raconteur, Movie Star and War Hero

January 25, 2022 20:15 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MB

You may not have heard of Peter Freuchen, but in his day he was one of the world's most well-known polar explorers. He also wrote prolifically about his adventures, including his numerous brushes with death. And that's just the beginning of his story -- he later went to Hollywood, fought against the Nazis in Europe, had some brushes with celebrity scandal and more. Tune in to learn more about the amazing (and occasionally gruesome) adventures of Peter Freuchen. Learn more about your ad-cho...

Did Honduras and El Salvador Really Go to War over Soccer?

January 20, 2022 15:54 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

If you read the international headlines in 1969, you'd think the Central American countries of Honduras and El Salvador loved football (soccer, for the US folks in the crowd) so much that they actually went to war over it. But does this story actually hold up? That's the question for today's episode, as the guys dive into the true events leading to the infamous, short-lived 'Football War.' Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener ...

The US Literally Had Nazi Summer Camps

January 19, 2022 02:25 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MB

For many adults, the idea of 'summer camp' conjures up fond, nostalgic memories of childhood. And most folks see these outfits as great opportunities for children to learn, play and connect with their peers. Yet as the Nazi party rose to power in Germany, multiple communities in the US created their own kinds of summer camp -- camps dedicated entirely to indoctrinating children with Nazi propaganda, all under the guise of popularizing 'German virtues.' Tune in to learn more.  Learn more ab...

The Emperor of the United States

January 13, 2022 18:42 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MB

When San Franciscan businessman Joshua Norton lost his fortune in a Peruvian rice deal gone sour, he temporarily disappeared from the public eye. Not long after, he reemerged as Norton I, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States (and, later, Protector of Mexico). In today's episode, Ben and Noel explore the life and times of Norton, and the surprising legacy he left behind. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The Trans-Saharan Ostrich Expedition of 1911

January 12, 2022 02:09 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MB

Most people haven't met an ostrich in person, but everyone knows what they are: the large, flightless birds have been around since before the rise of humanity, and throughout history people have admired their long, luxurious feathers. Back in the day, any self-respecting socialite absolutely had to have ostrich feathers festooning their hats, creating an international trade market that led a small army of South Africans to launch a harrowing, dangerous heist to steal the legendary Barbary os...

That Time Everyone Tried To Outlaw War

January 07, 2022 00:21 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MB

War is ugly, horrific and, according to some, a necessary part of human civilization. Yet in the 1920s, world powers recovering from World War I sought to make the planet a safer (or, at least, less unsafe) place. Their solution? The Paris Peace Pact, which aimed to, through an international agreement, outlaw war. Spoiler: it didn't work. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: Who Solves Murders in Antarctica?

January 04, 2022 21:12 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MB

Antarctica is home to one of the most brutal climates on the planet, and the few humans living on this continent face profound isolation and cramped quarters. Often, tension rises as the months between supply runs pile up -- so what happens when something goes wrong? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests

Abraham Lincoln
1 Episode
Dr. Seuss
1 Episode
Ernest Hemingway
1 Episode
Isaac Newton
1 Episode
Jimmy Carter
1 Episode

Books

Uncle Tom's Cabin
1 Episode