
Unhinged History
172 episodes — Page 2 of 4
Ep 125Episode 122 | Retirement Sounds Great After That
EGrab your weighted blanket and settle in with a mug of calming tea. You'll need it. Angie kicks things into high gear when she shares the story of the legendary female samurai, Tomoe Gozen. Listen along to Theresa thinking she knows more of the story than she actually does. Theresa takes a sharp left turn by sharing the story of the Lone Fir Cemetery and the Chinese Immigrants who built Portland, Oregon. In true Theresa fashion, she gets us all aggregated before surprisingly ending on a ray of hope. This episode pairs well with: Blood Soaked Battle Angel Yasuke The Shanghai Tunnels
Ep 124Episode 121 | It’s Either This or Literal Violence
ESince Angie took the entire episode last week, Theresa brought a hell of a story this week. Grab your popcorn and hunker down because she's sharing the story of the 442nd. This heroic group of Japanese-American soldiers in WWII bravely fought for five days and nights through freezing rain and dense fog to rescue 211 Texans pinned down by German troops. This episode pairs well with: The Joshigun (women's army) fighting during the Battle of Wakimatsu
Ep 123Episode 120 | Lemme Keep the Cook
EDude. Brace yourself. Angie found a whopper of a story. Buckle up for her telling of Yoshiko Kawashima, a member of the Qing dynasty who was a gender-fluid spy for the Japanese in the early 1900s. Whatever you're expecting, this ain't it. This episode pairs well with: Aline Griffith
Ep 122Episode 119 | Going on Vibes Alone
EWoowwee. This week is a crazy mashup of stories. First off, Angie shares a Japanese festival called Nakizumo, where sumo wrestlers attempt to make babies cry, on purpose. Theresa overcomes her feelings about this to share the story of Richard Sakakida, a Nisei (a first-generation Japanese American) sent to spy on the Japanese in Manilla before the US's entrance to WWII. She shares his capture, torture, and survival. It's a lot. These stories pair well with: The Spaghetti Hoax The Time the Japanese bombed Oregon during WWII
Ep 121Episode 118 | Thanks for Translating Past Theresa
EJoin your favorite unhinged historians as they bring you some crazy stories. Today Theresa shares the tale of Molly Williams, the first female firefighter, who was also the first Black woman firefighter. Oh, and she did it at the age of 71. Not to be outdone, Angie regales us with Lilian Wyles, the first female inspector of Scotland Yard. This barrier-breaking woman paved the way for women in the police force in the UK, and you need to hear her story. These stories pair well with: Stagecoach Mary "Mrs. Sherlock Holmes" / Grace Quakenbos
Ep 120Episode 117 | Suckers for Resistance Stories
EAt Unhinged History, we are nothing if not consistent. To prove that, Angie shares a solid resistance story from WWII. In this unbelievable tale, Major Cary Elwes, not that Cary Elwes, along with fellow SAS sneak behind enemy lines, steal a train, and rescue POWs. Theresa presses all the buttons triggering outrage as she shares the Mexican Repatriation Act, that time the United States deported up to 1.8 million people, with up to 60% of them being citizens. This episode pairs well with: The man who created the SOE The Great Locomotive Chase of the Civil War "Mad" Jack Churchill The Black Village That Thrived in Central Park
Ep 118Episode 116 | The Tea of the Time
ENo matter what you expected, you never guessed this week's stories. Theresa kicks things off with the tale of Hazel Scott, the Black musician who seamlessly blended classical and jazz. She was the first Black woman to have her show on national TV in the 1950s. Angie refuses to be chill with her choice of stories when she shares the story of Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalhami, the Persian pirate prince. This man starts his life on land selling horses before a 20-year career in piracy. This episode pairs well with: Sister Rosetta Tharpe Artemisia I of Halicarnassus
Ep 117Episode 115 | I’m So Glad You Didn’t Ask
EIn celebration of April Fool's Day, Angie and Theresa are at it again. Angie starts off with the tale of the Cardiff Giant. George Hull and his cousin William Newell created this elaborate hoax to convince people that they found a giant petrified man – then the showman Barnum gets involved. Theresa then shares the story of the Fox sisters. These renowned mediums ushered in the Spiritualist Movement. But were the frauds? This episode pairs well with other hoaxes of history: Spaghetti Hoax The Time Traveler
Ep 116Episode 114 | More Impressive Than a 1300s Prenup
EAww, the sweet feeling of predictability. Theresa starts us off with the particularly unhinged story of Jeanne de Clisson, the Lion of Brittany. This female French pirate was an absolute menace for 13 years as she pillaged her countrymen in a revenge plot. Angie is well, the sweet, amazing soul she is, week after week, as she shares the story of Mary Kingsley. This Victorian adventurer makes a name for herself trekking through Africa and hanging out with cannibals. This story pairs well with: Catalina de Erauso, the lieutenant nun Nellie Bly Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth
Ep 119Episode 113 | Everyone Loves Us, But Vermont
EAngie kicks us off with Tarenorerer. This Aboriginal woman comes from Tasmania. After being a slave for a brief period, our girl escapes from slavery and shows the colonizers how much of a pain this rebel leader can be. Theresa picks up from here and regales us with the story of French sculptress Camille Claudel. This woman comes of age during the late 1800s and makes a name for herself while having a tumultuous relationship with renowned artist Rodin, who is also married. This trainwreck is bigger and worse than you think it will go. This episode pairs well with: General Harriet Tubman The Queen of the Paris Lesbians – Natalie Clifford Barney
Ep 114Episode 112 | A Level of Chutzpah to Rock the Name Elmo
EJoin us this week as Angie and Theresa serve up some fabulous stories of strong-willed women. Theresa starts with Rosemary Bryant Mariner. This naval aviator holds many firsts. She was the first woman to fly a tactical jet, the first woman to command an aviation squadron, and she was one of the first women to serve aboard a navy warship. Angie goes on to tell the story of Nellie Bly. This hard-hitting journalist elevated investigative journalism. She's most known for infiltrating a New York City asylum and taking a record-breaking trip around the world. This episode pairs well with: The WASPs of WWII "Mrs. Sherlock Holmes" – Grace Quackenbos
Ep 113Episode 111 | The Bad Batch are the 99
EThis episode is in response to a move to pull key stories from the Air Force History Class. We believe in telling stories that have representation. These stories are filled with struggles and hardships. Theresa starts by sharing the WASPs of WWII. The Women's Air Service Pilots bridged the gap created by men serving on the front lines. These 1074 women shuttled planes from factories, were test pilots, towed targets, and more. At least 30 of these women died during their duty during their two years of service. Angie regales us with the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. These men flew bombers and fighters during WWII. Although they were relegated to older planes, they outperformed many other units. This episode pairs well with: Aviatrix – Bessie Coleman Aviatrix – Kathrine Sui Fun Cheung The Harlem Hellfighters of WWI
Ep 112Episode 110 | Petrol Filled Champagne Bottles
EThis week's stories are incredible. Angie starts off with the story of Ronald Erwin McNair, the second Black NASA astronaut. Not only was he an astronaut, he was a fifth-degree black belt and accomplished saxophone player. His tenacity helped him rise through the ranks at all of his goals. His life is cut short, tragically, when the Challenge spacecraft explodes. Theresa lightens the mood by reverting to a love of hers – female spies of WWII. She regales us with the story of Josephine Baker, the nude dancer, turned actress, turned spy. Just when you think you know what is happening Theresa says something else out of right field. This episode pairs well with: Astronaut Sally Ride Angie's Favorite Space Mistakes Astronaut Kalpana Chawla WWII Spy Nancy Wake WWII Creation of the SOE / Collin Gubbins WWII Spy Phyllis Latour Doyle WWII Spy Aline Griffith
Ep 111Episode 109 | That’s an Awesome Going Away Party
EWhatever you were expecting, this wasn't it. Theresa shares the over-the-top story of Eartha Kitt. Come for her rough childhood and stay for her playing Cat Woman. Between that and the CIA compiling a dossier about her with some racy gossip, this story has it all. Angie zips much further back into history to share Toussaint Louverture with us. This Haitian general led during the revolution against France. Sometimes called the "Black Spartacus" he ends slavery on his island. It's a riveting tale. This episode pairs well with: Actress – Libby Holman Actress – Hedy Lamarr Slave Uprising – Gabriel's Conspiracy and Guion Buford Jr.
Ep 110Episode 108 | No One Destroys Like the Hoover
EThis week the dynamic duo do what they do best. Angie kicks us off by sharing her greatest love, Egypt, with us and telling us facts about King Tutankhamun. Maybe you've heard them all before, but you've never heard Angie gush about him. Theresa dips into her bag of stories that make you both happy and livid. Come for her telling the tale of how the Black Panther Party created the Free Breakfast Program, which is the reason public schools offer it nationwide in the US. Stay for FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, who is depicted as the villain. This episode pairs well with: Pyramids of Sudan More reasons to hate Hoover – the Osage Indian's Reign of Terror
Ep 109Episode 107 | A Token Aristocrat
EJourney with us on a fantastic romp through history. Theresa shares the story of Enheduanna, the first named author. She lived in approximately 2300 BC, in ancient Sumaria, and wrote hymns for 42 temples and three epic poems. Angie regales us with the tale of Jeffrey Hudson. As a member of the court of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I of England, he lived quite the life. This man was raised as a gentleman, fought a duel, and was kidnapped by pirates. Angie failed to tell Theresa that Jeffrey Hudson was only 18 or 19 inches high and more often known as the "queen's dwarf." This episode pairs well with: Angie's favorite court mistress – Nell Gwyn
Ep 108Episode 106 | Victoria's Grandbabies Were Clones
EStrange things happened this week. Both Angie and Theresa cover a very specific time in Russian History. Angie starts with the story of Maria Bochkareva, who created and led the Russian Women’s Battalion of Death during WWI. Then Theresa harkens back to the Otsu Incident. In May 1891, Russian Crown Prince Nicholas Alexandrovich visited Otsu, Japan, when he was attacked by the Samurai Sanzo Tsuda. This would sour his affinity for Japan and lead to the Russo-Japanese War and the infamous Russian Second Pacific Squadron from Episode 69. This episode pairs well with: The Nightwitches of WWII Infamous Russian Second Pacific Squadron
Ep 107Episode 105 | This is Why HOAs Exist
EEver wonder about extremely niche aviation stories? No worries, we got you. This week Theresa shares the tale of Franz Reichelt, the "Flying Tailor." This man dreams of creating a parachute and believes his invention would work if he could only jump from a higher surface, so he tests his prototype from the Eiffel Tower. He leaves a six-inch crater as his legacy. Angie surprises Theresa by telling her about The Flying Nightingales, the nurses during WWII who flew injured troops across the channel. Their bravery saved many troops. This episode pairs well with: WWII –George “Skeeter” Vaughan and the Moccasin Rangers Founder of the American Red Cross – Clara Barton
Ep 106Episode 104 | Weaponized Incompetence That I’m Okay With
EJoin us this week as Angie shares the unhinged story of Doug Hegdahl. This POW during the Vietnam War single-handedly saved the lives of over 250 men by memorizing their names and info to the tune of "Old McDonald Had a Farm." This episode pairs well with: Jesse Owens and Carl Luz Long – WWII Tootsie Rolls at the Chosin Reservoir
Ep 105Episode 103 | Proof Fashion Will Get You Anywhere
EThis week, Theresa takes us on a jaunt through history to share about the Wide Awakes, the Republican political movement that elected Lincoln president during the fateful 1860 election. Started by Eddie Yergason, who made a cloak to wear to prevent his clothes from getting messed up by the torch he'd carry during a rally that Cassius Clay was speaking at, he galvanizes the party. We might have just uncovered Theresa's new Roman Empire, as she touches on so many previous episodes. This episode pairs well with: General Harriet Tubman Cassius Marcellus Clay Robert Smalls
Ep 104Episode 102 | Mentally Into Tim Curry
ECuddle up with a warm beverage and get ready. Theresa kicks things off by sharing the Hatpin Panic, where women at the beginning of the 1900s were using hatpins in self-defense against assault on public transit. It sparks global outrage – against the hatpins, not the assault. Once you have ordered your new hairpins made of forged steel, Angie tells the story of Lucy Hay, the countess of Carlisle. You likely remember her as Milady de Winter in The Three Musketeers. This episode pairs well with: "Madame Mustache" Eleanor Dumont Nell Gwyn Julie d'Aubigny
Ep 103Episode 101 | I’m Not Going to Admit Anything
EThis week, Angie and Theresa did deep cuts of history and brought you little-known stories of some mighty women. Angie kicks things off with Yaa Asantewaa. She was the Queen Mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti empire. If you're looking for a strong African queen, we got you. Not wanting to be outdone, Theresa shares the story of Hajjah Ghazala bint Ammar, an Amazigh Chaoui woman who stood up to the French in the Algerian War, as told through the photographs of Marc Garanger. This episode pairs well with: Candaces – Sundanese Warrior Queens Sundiata Keita, a.k.a. The Lion Prince Prince Dejatch Alemayehu
Ep 101Episode 100 | Because I Was Bored, Sir
EWelcome to the 100th episode. We promise to be just as unhinged as ever. Today Theresa starts us off with the story of Harriet Tubman. Come for the part about the Underground Railroad. Stay for the part where she's awarded the rank of general post-humorously. Angie brings us back to WWII by sharing the crazy life of Jack Churchill – the legend of the man who: carried a sword into battle, played bagpipes, and had the last confirmed kill in battle with a bow and arrow. This episode pairs well with: Abolitionist – Cassius Marcellus Clay Black Union Fighter – Robert Smalls WWII Creator of the SOE – Colin Gubbins
Ep 100Episode 99 | This Sounds Credible Already
EGet ready to discover your new favorite Chinese Queen Consort and General, Fu Hoa. This absolute legend enjoyed battle axes and oracle bones. Listen to Angie share her life around 1200 BC. Theresa carries the girl boss vibes by sharing the story of Alice "Diamond Annie" and the Forty Elephants. This girl gang was known for two things: Shoplifting Throwing great parties Listen to their methods, crimes, and lives. You won't be disappointed. This episode pairs well with: The Real Story of Mulan The Start of the Han Dynasty Jewel Thief – Doris Payne The Jewel Heist Featuring Arthur Vicars
Ep 99Episode 98 | Come on, Brain! BRAIN!
EWhatever you thought we'd cover this week, you're wrong. Theresa starts us off with the disappearance of Agatha Christi. Christi vanishes for 11 days. Was it amnesia? A fugue state? Angie deals with this troubling story by lobbing her own into the mix. She tells us about George “Skeeter” Vaughan and the Moccasin Rangers. Skeeter is credited with the longest knife throw in wartime, taking out a Nazi soldier at 87 feet. He goes on to live quite the life. This episode pairs well with: WWII Creator of the SOE – Colin Gubbins WWI Indigenous Fighter – Francis Pegahmagabow
Ep 102Episode 97 | Scrooge McDuckian Vault
ECome with us this week for some fairly unhinged tales. Angie shares the story of the 1901 San Francisco Mint Heist. It's giving Ocean's 11, true crime, and a treasure tax? Theresa picks up the baton and shares the story of Sacagawea. Learn about her tragic background and stay for the mystery around her death. This episode pairs well with: Irish Crown Jewel Heist The Maple Syrup Heist Matoaka – the Real Pocahontas
Ep 97Episode 96 | Witchcraft Was on the Table and We Chose Violence
EWe know you listen with the expectation of hearing wild stories and this week, we delivered. Theresa starts by sharing the death of Sioux Chief Sitting Bull and the Massacre(s) at Wounded Knee. Angie thankfully saves the emotional tone by sharing the meat shortage from the turn of the 1900s in the US and the proposal to import hippos to fill the void with the American Hippo Bill. This episode pairs well with: The Osage Indian's Reign of Terror Lawnchair Larry Crazy Facts About the Country: Liechtenstein
Ep 96Episode 95 | The Defense Shuts Up
EAnother classic roundup of stories. Theresa kicks things off with the Indian Occupation of Alcatraz and how it influenced reforms positively impacting Indigenous people. Angie shares the story of Saint Lawrence's martyrdom and whatever you think she's about to say, she isn't. Trust us. This episode pairs well with: WWII Hero – George “Skeeter” Vaughan and the Moccasin Rangers St. Vitus and the Dancing Plague
Ep 95Episode 94 | You Are Now Among Heroes
EAngie takes the entire episode to share the history of the Berlin Wall. Whatever you thought this episode would contain, we highly doubt you have two rival zoos caught on opposing sides of the wall locked in an "animal arms race," the myriad of SNAFUs around spycraft, and David Bowie performing at the Reichstag in June 1987. Bowie's performance shifted public sentiment around the Soviet government's control over Eastern Berlin and is credited with bringing down the wall. This episode pairs well with: Josef Linowski Stealing a Sidewinder Missle
Ep 94Episode 93 | Allow Me to Destroy Everything You Said
EWhew. This week Theresa takes the entire episode to share the story of Ishi, commonly referred to as "the last Indian." She sets the stage with the start of the Gold Rush and how settlers wiped 2/3 of native peoples off the census of California within two years. Then shares how one feared tribe, the Yahi fought to survive. On Aug. 29, 1911, a starving middle-aged man, walks onto the pages of written history as the last member of his tribe. After he dies, his wishes for his body are ignored and spark a lengthy court battle as several indigenous tribes fight to unite his brain and body and give him the last rites he deserves. This episode pairs well with: Sacagawea and her mysterious death(s)
Ep 93Episode 92 | The Good Ghost Gossip
ECelebrate Halloween with this week's roundup of tales. Angie starts us off with her favorite ghosts said to hang out at the Tower of London. She shares the stories of just her favorites (Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyn, the princes in the Tower, Lady Jane Grey and her husband Guilford Dudley, and Sir Walter Raleigh). Then if you're looking for reasons to give up sleeping ever again Theresa regales us with SUNDS (Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome) and the Origins of the Freddy Kruger franchise. This frightening story, based on several true stories explores the unexplained deaths of 117 Hmong refugees in the early 80s and how they inspired the invention of the serial killer haunting the dreams of teenagers in suburbia. This episode pairs well with: Angie's Favorite Curses The Hmong Still Fighting the Vietnam War
Ep 92Episode 91 | Ghosts You Want as Roommates
ESpooky Season is in full swing this week. Theresa shares the story of the first legally haunted house in the US that spawned the Ghostbuster Ruling. Refusing to be outdone, Angie regales us with the investigation into the vampire Arnold Paole. This according to sources, is the most famous vampire. Have you ever heard of him? This episode pairs well with: Sarah Winchester and the Winchester Mystery House The New England Vampire Panic The Casquette Girls of New Orleans
Ep 91Episode 90 | Try Bigger Crimes
EFirmly leaning into the spooky season, Angie shares Samhain and the Origins of Halloween. Come for the costumes and fire festivals, stay for the carved turnips that look like shrunken heads. Theresa steals a story from Angie's backyard when she tells the story of Sarah Winchester and the Winchester Mystery House. In typical Theresa fashion, she debunks the myths and breaks hearts regarding the ghost stories. This episode pairs well with: Angie's Favorite Curses The Haunting of Lady Mary Howard The Ghostbuster Ruling
Ep 90Episode 89 | I'll Take My Chances With the Sharks
ESpooky Season stories hit differently. This week Theresa shares the story of the Haunted Queen Mary, one of the most paranormal places to visit in the US. Come for the WWII milestones, stay for the tragic death of a crew member. Angie dips way back into history and tells the tales of the werewolf trials we've had through our past. This episode pairs well with: The Haunted Shanghai Tunnels in Portland, Oregon Vampire Arnold Paole The Last Witch of Ireland – Bridget Cleary
Ep 89Episode 88 | I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Queen
ENot every story starts out with Angie using Snoop Dogg as a source, but this week's does. Join us as Angie shares the story of Jesse Owens and Carl Luz Long. This unlikely friendship starts at the Berlin Olympics between Black athlete Jesse Owens, and German Carl Luz Long and displays the best parts of humanity and good sportsmanship. Theresa's story on the other hand is a sharp left turn. She regales us with information on Lorenc Peter Elfred Freuchen. This forgotten arctic explorer was 6' 7", and once got caught in a snowstorm and had to chisel his way out using a pick made out of his own fecal matter. This episode pairs well with: Similar Vibes: Peter Wessel Tordenskjold The Lafitte Pirates Rear Admiral Richard E. Bryd and His Hollow Earth Theory
Ep 88Episode 87 | A Different Flavor of WWII
EThis week's roundup of stories is a happy accident. Today Angie and Theresa bring you two very different stories from WWII. Theresa kicks it off with the Night Witches, the only female combat pilots from WWII. These badasses are from Russia and you're going to love them. Angie starts by sharing the history of the US paying its soldiers with booze, then explains how the attitude toward alcohol shifted. Somehow she ends up telling the story of the United States retrofiting a cement barge into an ice cream flotilla. This episode pairs well with: Aviatrix – Beryl Markham Tootsie Rolls at the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War
Ep 87Episode 86 | I Agreed Too Early
EToday's roundup of history stories you didn't know starts when Angie tells the story of General Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, or as you know him, General Marquis de Lafayette. This man was part of so many plot points of history your head will spin. To keep up with the craziness, Theresa shares the many Defenestrations of Prague, kicking off the Hussite Wars, the Thirty Years War, and beyond. For some reason, the people of Prague keep yeeting people out of windows and it's bananas. This episode pairs well with: The Smugglers of the Boston Tea Party Revolutionary War's Culper Spy Ring and Agent 355 The Crazy Facts of Liechtenstein
Ep 86Episode 85 | I Am Not Here to Make Sense
EWe hope you have handfuls of sweet snacks this week as Theresa and Angie share their stories. Theresa starts with The Great Molasses Flood of 1919 – an incident that would forever coat Boston in a sweet smell. Angie must have intuited Theresa's story because she tells the story of Tootsie Rolls at the Chosin Reservoir. Her story occurred during the Korean War when a group of Marines known as the "Chosin Few" needed to figure out how to survive subzero temperatures. It was so cold that the radiators cracked. Thankfully the Marines had $13,547.80 in Tootsie Rolls (or $176,613.28 in today's money). They used the candy to plug holes and retreat. This episode pairs well with: The Maple Syrup Heist When the Navy had a Concrete Ice Cream Barge
Ep 85Episode 84 | It's Only Treason If You Lose
EWhew. What a week! Angie starts us out by sharing Gabriel's Conspiracy. This is the story of a slave living in the late 1700s and his attempt to gain his freedom. To elevate the mood, Angie also touches on Guion Buford Jr, the first Black astronaut. Theresa takes a sharp left turn and shares the story of the Harlem Hellfighters, the 369th regimen made of primarily Black soldiers who saw more combat than any other unit of American soldiers during WWI. This story pairs well with: Seneca Village – the Black Village in Central Park Tootsie Rolls at the Chosin Reservoir During the Korean War
Ep 84Episode 83 | Misery is My Paintbrush
ELook we've all said some things in the past. Sometimes it's Theresa saying stuff like there was a Children's Crusade in 1212. And other times it's Angie regaling us with Count Victor Lustig's cons like a money box or selling the Eiffel Tower. Either way, this week's tales are unhinged. This episode pairs well with: The siege of Caffa That time a man stole a sidewinder missile... How "Lord" Timothy Dexter kept falling up
Ep 83Episode 82 | Classic Art With a Feminist Tarantino Flair
ESometimes we learn about someone so delightfully unhinged it makes Angie think that Theresa is the modern incarnation of that human. Today, Angie shares the story of Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth. And listeners, you'll have to tell us if she and Theresa are the person. Theresa turns around and shares the story of Elisabetta Sirani, an Italian Baroque painter during the 1600s who created some fantastically violent paintings. This episode pairs well with: Julie d'Aubigny – the sword-fighting badass The craziness that is the Voynich Manuscript
Ep 82Episode 81 | A Costco Worshipping a God
EThe Parthenon has lived her life, honey. Little did you know what a varied life she's led. But don't worry, Theresa jumps on and shares how the iconic temple of Athena only recently fell into ruin. Angie moves in and shares the story of Tycho Brahe. This old-timey astronomer seemed to live a rock star-esque life even dueling over "who's the better mathematician." This episode pairs well with: Artemisia I of Halicarnassus The death of Alexander the Great The history of the guillotine Count Robert and the castle of pranks
Ep 81Episode 80 | You Got a Worse Word I Can Use?
EJoin us in an unhinged selection of stories. Angie kicks things off with the antics of Specialist Skippy Schwarz and shares the myriad of things he's banned from doing. Some of these exploits include wearing a kilt made of fruit roll-ups, allowing sock puppets to take over his watch, and having the right to a strip search when detained by MPs. Theresa brings up the intellectual tenor when she shares the historical background of Pocahontas. Because apparently Disney lied to us, Theresa uses her real name, Matoaka. This episode pairs well with: Sacagawea Lawnchair Larry
Ep 80Episode 79 | This Checks
EThis week's stories are about as opposite as you can get. Theresa starts by sharing that time during WWII when the Japanese bombed Brookings, Oregon. It doesn't stop there. The pilot who flew the mission returns 20 years later and you won't guess what happens then. Angie shares one of the darkest stories she ever has on the podcast. She dives into the theories on who Jack the Ripper really was. This episode pairs well with: The bat bombs of WWII The horror that is Tarrare (you've been warned)
Ep 79Episode 78 | All I Can Do is Yodel
EYou want to know the history of war elephants? What are we kidding, of course you do and Angie is here to give you what you want. She brings us back to 1100 BCE to their first recorded use. She shares how they fought against Alexander the Great. They helped in both World Wars. They were used even in 2017 by Burmese rebels in Myanmar. Theresa closes us out by sharing the Godmother of Rock 'N' Roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. This woman combined so many musical influences to give us the genre we all love. ...and Angie keeps bringing up Elvis. Because, Elvis. This episode pairs well with: The tragic story of Prince Dejatch Alemayehu
Ep 78Episode 77 | This One Talks. This One Talks. This One Listens.
EThis week's stories are verifiably unhinged. Theresa starts off sharing about how some Hmong, a small ethnic minority from Laos are *still* fighting the Vietnam War all these decades later. Angie attempts to lift the emotional tone by sharing the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Duchess of Aquitaine who became queen of France, then after a divorce, queen of England, and then some. This episode pairs well with: Hmongs suffering from Sudden Nocturnal Death Syndrome Battle of Hastings and Bayeux Tapestry
Ep 77Episode 76 | Karl Urban, Looking at You
EGet ready for your favorite three letters, W, T, and F. Theresa starts us off with the story of Captain Eric Moody, the British Airways pilot who flew through a volcano in 1982 and delivered the greatest understatement to his passengers when he informed them all four engines had failed. Angie picks up the mantle and continues this bizarre episode by sharing the tale of Button Gwinnett, the signer of the Constitution of the United States, with the most valuable signature. Come for his spectacular failures in business, and stay for the constant promotions. This episode pairs well with: Another crazy story – the Kamchatka "Lord" Timothy Dexter
Ep 76Episode 75 | 1900s Netflix and Chill
ECaptain Stephen Barton and his daughter Clara Barton Natalie Clifford Barney. Did you ever wonder who started the American Red Cross? No? Well, Angie did. She starts us off this week with the story of Captain Stephen Barton and his daughter, Clara Barton. Theresa picks up the baton and shares the story of Natalie Clifford Barney, writer & queen of the Paris lesbians. This episode pairs well with: Penelope Barker Catalina de Erauso, the lieutenant nun Julie d'Aubigny
Ep 75Episode 74 | Every Riot Needs a Kickline
ELook, the first Pride was a riot and Theresa came with the receipts. Join Angie and Theresa as they explore what led up to the Stonewall Uprising. Starting with the mafia moving in and opening gay bars, to kicklines, broken glass, and a mention of Afeni Shakur (Tupac Shakur's mom) and her connection to the riots and the Black Panthers. This episode pairs well with: Black Nite Brawl and Josie Carter
Ep 74Episode 73 | A Nun Teaching Sex Ed
ESometimes life is a weird mashup of stories. This podcast episode fairly encapsulates that. First Angie shares the History of Coffee and the times it's been banned – most notably by King Gustav III. Theresa resorts to comforting violence as she shares the story of when four sailors pick a fight at a bar for the LGBTQ+ community. The Black Nite Uprising was the first time in Wisconsin's history that members of the LGBTQ+ community stood up to oppression and this was eight years before events at Stonewall would spawn the Pride movement. This episode pairs well with: William Dorsey Swann The history of bourbon