Unhinged History

This 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

Today'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

We 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

Whew. 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

Look 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

Sometimes 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

The 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

Join 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

This 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)

You 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

This 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

Get 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

Captain 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

Look, 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

Sometimes 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

This week Angie and Theresa brought some completely unhinged stories. Theresa starts off with the tale of Christine Jorgeson, the WWII GI who underwent a sex change in the 1950s and went into entertainment. Angie didn't want to be outdone and shared Sally Stanford, the brothel-owning woman who would go on to be mayor of Sausalito. This episode pairs well with: Shelly Bauman WWII Danish Nazi Resistance fighter, Willem Arondeous

First off, let us start by saying that Disney lied to us. Theresa attempts to address this issue by sharing the story of Mulan in the various ways it's gone through history, including the opera. Angie closes us out by sharing the story of Abigail Kawānanakoa, Hawaii's last princess. She covers HRH's philanthropic efforts and her marriage to her wife, Veronica Gail Worth. This episode pairs well with: The last Hawaiian Queen Lili'uokalani The real story of Pocohantas

Do you know the story of the Chinese Amelia Earhart, Kathrine Sui Fun Cheung? Let's fix that. Angie starts this episode off by sharing how this aviatrix entered the history books and became one of the fabled Ninety-Nines. Theresa continues this heart-warming trend by sharing the story of Seneca Village, the thriving Black community in what is now Central Park. She shares how one Black man, Andrew Williams, bought land in this community and homeownership provided generational wealth and changed the trajectory of six generations of the Williams family. This episode pairs well with: Aviatrix Bessie Coleman The Harlem Hellfighters

We all have bad days at work, but never, and I mean never have we struggled as hard as Rear Admiral Zinovy “Mad Dog” Rozhestvensky as he led the Russian Second Pacific Squadron from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean to do his part in the Russo-Japanese War. Theresa has way too much fun sharing what could only be the real-life basis for Mchale's Navy. This episode pairs well with: Why Czar Nicky 2 hated Japan so much (he was attacked by a samurai) 106

You ever learn about a guy so bold and self-assured *and* keeps winning?! Angie tells us the story of the Norwegian Hans Solo, Peter Wessel Tordenskjold. At one point he goes in for a court martial and comes out with a raise instead. Theresa then shares the Dancing Plague of 1518. You know, that time everyone just compulsively danced until they dropped dead? That one. This episode pairs well with: The crazy death of Saint Lawrence The badass adventures of Lorenc Peter Elfred Freuchen

Grab a juice box and settle in. Theresa is telling the story of Nakano Takeko, her joshigun (women's army), and the battle at Aizu-Wakamatsu. Takeko leads this group of 20-30 trained female warriors, think samurai, into battle and shows everyone just what an alpha female looks like. This episode pairs well with: Yasuke, the Black Samurai The saber saint Miyamoto Musashi

Okay, some sets of stories are so delightfully unhinged they will be shared in public, without warning. These are two of those tales. Angie sets things off with the retelling of the Ghost Army, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops from WWII. These men used inflatable tanks, set design, and everything theater instructors had ever taught to fool the Axis Powers. Then Theresa tells the bizarre tale of Pope Pius II. She shares his spy mission, the dirty book he wrote (The Tale of Two Lovers), and how he funded Vlad the Impaler's campaign against Mehmed II. This episode pairs well with: Nancy Wake Natalie Clifford Barney - American writer

This episode has it all. The plague. Trebuchets. WWII. Ducks. Theresa starts us off with a rollicking tale of how the Golden Horde allegedly flung their plague-ridden corpses into the city of Caffa around 1345–1347 because Khan Jani Beg had some big feelings about losing. Thank goodness Angie takes it upon herself to lighten the load, so to speak. She shares the story of Marine Sergeant Jack “Siwash” Cornelius, the duck that fought in several amphibious assaults in the Pacific Theater during WWII. This episode pairs well with: The Children Crusade of 1212 Sargent Stubby, the stray dog who served in WWI

Journey through the pages of medieval writing with Angie and Theresa as we learn about the Voynich Manuscript. Angie unpacks what we know about this unreadable text. She shares theories and touches on aliens. Yup. Aliens. This episode pairs well with: Battle of Hastings and Bayeux Tapestry

Come for the myth of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Stay for Theresa sharing the facts around what we really know about the Voudou Queen of New Orleans. If you're like us, the truth is far more compelling. This episode pairs well with: Julia Brown – the Voodoo Queen The Tignon Law of 1876

This last week of Women's History Month hits hard. Theresa shares the story of Grunya Efimovna Sukhareva, the Russian researcher who discovered Autism decades before Hans Asperger. Angie makes Theresa cry when she shares the story of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to make it to space. This episode pairs well with: NASA Astronaut – Sally Ride The Immortal Henrietta Lacks

You know these two love a good WWII spy story. Theresa serves up the tale of Aline Griffith, the Princess Spy. She served the Allies during the war while based in Spain before marrying into a noble family. Angie brings us all the way back to the California Gold Rush with the story of Eleanor Dumont, the French card player who earned the nickname "Madame Mustache" later in life. This episode pairs well: WWII Spy Nancy Wake WWII Creator of the SOE Collin Gubbins Stagecoach Mary

Angie starts off strong telling the story of Margaret Skinnider. This strong woman had zero chill. She starts out as a school teacher and turns into a revolutionary in Ireland. She participates in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin as a sniper. Before we introduce Theresa's story, let's point out that she misspeaks and says, "Mexican-owned Canada" multiple times. She meant California. She's as sorry as she should be. Despite this glaring error, Theresa tells the story of Esther Short, the woman who found Vancouver, Washington. This episode pairs well with: "Mrs. Sherlock Holmes" Grace Quackenbos Portland's Shanghai Tunnels The Pig War

Get a fresh cup of coffee, drink it black, and strap in. Theresa starts us off by sharing the tale of Queen Lili'uokalani, the first and last queen of Hawaii. Angie comes in hot with the tale of a lesser-known aviatrix, Beryl Markham. This woman does it all, including two princes. This episode pairs well with: Abigail Kawānanakoa – the last Hawaiian princess Aviatrix – Bessie Coleman Aviatrix – Kathrine Sui Fun Cheung

Join us as Angie kicks off Women's History Month with an absolute doozy. Kick your feet up and listen to the story of Georgia's Queen Tamar. This absolute badass lived from c. 1160 – 18 January 1213 and was their first queen to rule in her own right. This episode pairs well with: That pope who wrote a dirty book and funded Vlad the Impaler

Some stories just stick with you. In Episode 55, Theresa mentioned Nubian warrior queens in passing. This caused Angie to rabbit hole and dig that story out. So sit back and enjoy the history of the Kandake, or Candaces, Sudan's warrior queens. These women face down Rome, at its height. Theresa brings us back to the US as she shares the story of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the nation's first Black woman physician. She got her medical degree as the Civil War raged and became the only published Black woman in the 19th century. This story pairs well with: The Pyramids in Sudan The first female Indian doctor Anadi Joshi

This romp through history starts with Theresa returning to the 1980's in Brooklyn. She tells the tale of the Lo Life Crew. This group of men united through passion and started boosting Ralph Lauren's Polo merch. From there they unknowingly changed the course of fashion. Angie balances out the episode by taking us back to the Wild West and telling us the story of Stagecoach Mary. Mary Fields (c. 1832 – December 5, 1914), was the first Black woman star route postwoman in the United States. This episode pairs well with: Our favorite jewel thief – Doris Payne "Madame Mustache" Eleanor Dumont Catalina de Erauso – the lieutenant nun

This was an incredible round-up of stories, as we celebrate Black History Month. Angie starts us off with a bang telling the story of Bass Reeves (July 1838 – January 12, 1910) the Black marshall who started his life as a slave. Theresa ponders the severity of travel warnings from the US State Department, as she shares the pyramids of Sudan. This episode pairs well with: Stagecoach Mary Fields The Candaces – the warrior queens of Sudan

Look, you're going to have some big feelings about this episode. This week, Theresa covers Henrietta Lacks and the medical racism that exists. While we have greatly benefited from Lacks' medical contributions, there are a lot of issues with the medical ethics around the HeLa cell line. This episode pairs well with: Black Doctor – Rebecca Lee Crumpler

Some mashups are so bizarrely incredible that you don't know you need until you get them. We hope you're sitting down. This week Angie shares the story of the dark purple menace, Libby Holman. This singer, activist, and actor is on a whole other level. Theresa follows her up sharing the story of Phyllis Latour Doyle. Latour Doyle was a female spy in Nazi-occupied France and used knitting in her spy efforts. ...You're welcome. This episode pairs well with: Actress – Sarah Bernhardt Founder of the SOE – Colin Gubbins

What a year of podcasts it's been. Angie shares the history of the guillotine because, of course, she does. Then Theresa shares the most unhinged Christmas party that ever happened. She tells the tale of the Egg Nog Riots, that time when the Westpoint Academy went off the rails when they overindulged in the holiday drink. This episode pairs well with: General Lafayette The Boston Tea Party

Whew. What a couple of stories we've gathered for you. Angie shares the delightfully unhinged tale of Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. This dude (1742-1819) has zero chill and is why Wellington won the Battle of Waterloo. Theresa must have known what Angie was bringing and matched the unhingedness with her telling of Erasmus of Lueg. This 15th-century knight survived a year-long siege in Predjama Castle and died when he was shot with a cannon while on the toilet. This episode pairs well with: The Lafitte Pirates The Battle of New Orleans

Come hang out with us. Theresa starts off by telling us the folklore of Julia Brown, the Voodoo Queen ...sorta. She does a deeper dive giving you her origin story. Angie torments Theresa by telling the tale of Alexander the Great's death and how he was buried alive. This episode pairs well with: Voodoo Queen – Marie Laveaux Pirate Queen – Artemisia I of Halicarnassus

Come with us to 1066 as Angie starts off by sharing the Battle of Hastings. Don't get too comfortable learning about this battle, because Angie uses it just to share about the Bayeux Tapestry. It is 230 feet long and is believed to have been embroidered by Queen Matilda and six of her women in waiting. The Bayeux Tapestry visually tells the story of the battle. This episode pairs well with: Voynich Manuscript

Venture back with us to WWII and learn more about the enigmatic Colin Gubbins, the Director of the SOE. Under the guise of Professor Sandwich, Gubbins got the Enigma Machine into British hands. He also headed up Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. This is the WWII story you need to hear. This episode pairs well with: Phyllis Latour Doyle – WWII Spy Aline Griffith – WWII Spy Nancy Wake – WWII Spy

This time-sensitive episode reflects fondly on two notable smuggling events. Theresa covers the Boston Tea Party that took place on December 16, 1773. Angie shares the Great Maple Syrup Heist, which while it took place over months, the investigation occurred from December 18-20, 2012. This episode pairs well with: The Great Molasses Flood The Culper Spy Wing Penelope Barker's Tea Party

Join us for a delightful smattering of stories. Angie starts us off by telling us about the Great Balloon Escape. During this story, two families, Strelzyk and Wetzel, smuggle themselves from East Germany over the Berlin Wall on September 16, 1978. Theresa shares the lighthearted tale of Clara, the 18th-century rhinoceros who became a European sensation. This episode pairs well with: That time David Bowie caused the Berlin Wall to fall Sargent Stubby, the stray dog who served in WWI

Brace yourselves. Theresa is coming with spoilers for the movie Killers of the Flower Moon as she covers the horrific murders of the Osage Indians during the Reign of Terror, which took place from 1921-1926. Angie fills her role as the palette cleanser and brightens the mood by regaling us with both the history of mustaches and the waiter's strike of 1907 –– where waiters wanted the right to a day off and to a mustache. This episode pairs well with: Ishi the last Yahi Indian "Madame Mustache" Eleanor Dumont

Whatever you're expecting from this episode, you aren't ready. Theresa shares the story of Francis Pegahmagabow, an indigenous Canadian veteran from WWI. He was the deadliest sniper, the most decorated First Nations veteran, and a staunch defender of his people's rights. This episode pairs well with: The Harlem Hellfighters

We know you're like us. You woke up looking for a story about barmaids, banjo players, the 1814 Beer Flood, and zebras. So Angie shares the story of Lady Meux, the Victoria socialite who really lives a crazy life. This episode pairs well with: Nell Gwyn – actress and court mistress

If you're looking for a story that has everything, click that play button. A pointless battle, pirates, dysentery, and an absinthe bar. Theresa covers the Battle of New Orleans from 1814. You know, it was part of the War of 1812... yeah... it's a doozy. This episode pairs well with: The Casquette Girls of New Orleans

Theresa just can't contain her excitement as she regales us with the pirates from Baratarian Bay. Jean and Pierre Lafitte led colorful lives in the early 1800's in the New Orleans area. Angie shares the story of the only emperor of the United States, Joshua Abraham Norton, ( c. 1818 – January 8, 1880) who lived ruled from San Francisco. This man created his own currency, wrote edicts, and was beloved by The City. This episode pairs well with: The Battle of New Orleans "Lord" Timothy Dexter Santa Anna lost his legs during the Pastry War

Whew. We hope you're fully hydrated for this episode. Theresa starts off with the tale of Arthur the Ghost who haunts the B-29 at Castle Air Museum in Atwater, CA. Angie follows her up with a true crime / supernatural mashup when she recounts the story of Bridget Cleary who is known as "the last witch burned in Ireland" in 1895. This episode pairs well with: The Haunted Queen Mary Helen Duncan – the last woman convicted of the 1732 Witchcraft Act

Join us this week as Theresa shares a bit of history and myth around Portland, Oregon's Shanghai Tunnels. She covers everything from Nina the ghost to the Chinese building and uses them to escape drug raids. This episode pairs well with: The NW Butter Crimes

It's time for some comfy leggings and spooky stories. Join us this week as Angie shares the history behind Lady Mary Howard (1596-1671) and her carriage of bones. This episode pairs well with: Bridget Cleary who is known as "the last witch burned in Ireland"