The Alarmist

Who’s to blame for the Mount Erebus Disaster? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes comedian Jen Kober to discuss a hauntingly tragic disaster in Antarctica when Air New Zealand flight 901 crashed directly into Mount Erebus on a sightseeing expedition due to incorrect coordinates. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Will putting too much faith...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. James Goodman about the pivotal moment in NYC history before, during and directly after the massive blackout on that hot summer night in 1977. Author of Blackout , Dr. Goodman shares first hand accounts and lends some important historical context that helps clarify the various reactions to this unique New York event. Afterward, Pa...

Who’s to blame for the NYC Blackout of 1977? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes comedian Janet Varney, host of The JV Club podcast, to discuss the epic NYC Blackout of 1977. If you’re in the dark about this one, allow us to shine a much needed light on all the events that occurred during this prolonged power outage. Did a freak lightning strike put a strain on the NYC power g...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with author and beer historian Martyn Cornell about the details of the London Beer Flood of 1814. And it’s a good thing we did! Not only does he help us better understand the beer production and drinking culture at the time, but he also clears up a few nasty rumors that have persisted since the incident. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can...

Who’s to blame for the London Beer Flood of 1814? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) speaks with author, writer and comedian Evan Waite about the bizarre tragedy of a brewery turned lethal beer flood in the crowded streets of St. Giles, London circa 1814. Was this really an “Act of God” as the city eventually claimed or was there a little bit of Big Vat Energy going on at the time? An...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. Marika Cifor about the evolution of the AIDS epidemic in the United States. Author of Viral Cultures: Activist Archiving in the Age of AIDS, Dr. Cifor describes the social, political and structural climate in America during the time Freddie Mercury was living and dying with AIDS. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can see if the verdi...

Who’s to blame for the Death of Freddie Mercury? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes comedian Adam Macias, host of the podcast That Was Wild! , to discuss the legacy of iconic rockstar Freddie Mercury and his premature death at age 45 due to complications with AIDS. While we know how he died, it’s hard not to think this could have been avoidable for Freddie and countless other...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. Karlos Hill about the legacy of Juneteenth in America. A distinguished author and Regents Professor at the University of Oklahoma, Professor Hill honors the bravery and perseverance of our ancestors who fought so hard for the freedom of enslaved people and manifests some of the wonderful ways we can continue celebrating this holid...

Who’s to blame for Texas’s Delayed Emancipation: Juneteenth? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes comedian Brandon Collins, host of the podcast Drunk Black History , to discuss the egregiously delayed freedom of formerly enslaved people in Texas after the Emancipation Proclamation, aka Juneteenth. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. America’s...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits the family mayhem in the film The Birdcage with psychologist Dr. Terri Apter. Author of several books on family dynamics, identity and relationships, Dr. Apter discusses changing status, boundaries, the health risks of biting your tongue and how idealism is the enemy of reality. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can hear the post-interview...

Who’s to blame for the chaos that ensues in the movie The Birdcage? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes comedian Roz Hernandez, host of the podcast Ghosted! , to discuss the iconic film The Birdcage and the mischief that occurs when 2 wildly different in-laws meet for the first time. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Will keeping up appeara...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with author and researcher Karina Eileraas Karakuș about the life and tragic murder of Brandon Teena. As a DEIA & gender equity consultant, Karina speaks to society's collective consciousness in relation to the Trans community at the time and reminds us that violence doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Language matters! Afterward, Patreon subs...

Who’s to blame for the murder of Brandon Teena? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes back Alarmy favorite Tony Rodriguez to discuss the deeply disturbing assault and eventual murder of Brandon Teena. How big of a role did a lack of Trans visibility in 90’s America play in this senseless crime? Did Brandon fall prey to the dangers of a small town mentality? Or was he the unfortu...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits the Attack on Pearl Harbor with distinguished professor of military history, Professor Andrew Wiest. Having published several books on the topics of war, Professor Wiest shares an expert account of the events leading up to the attack and reflects on the important moment it holds in world history. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can join T...

Who’s to blame for the attack on Pearl Harbor? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes author and journalist Jess McHugh to discuss one of America’s most epic historical tragedies, the attack on Pearl Harbor. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. What led up to this calculated and massively devastating attack and why didn’t American forces see it c...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. Ryan Williams about Burt and Linda Pugach and their long and complicated relationship history. An Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Illinois Springfield, Dr. Williams details the psychological toll stalking has on its victims and the difficulties they might encounter seeking justice. Afte...

Who’s to blame for the tabloid “love story” of Burt and Linda Pugach? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes back Kelly Hudson to discuss the troubling tale of Burt and Linda Pugach. What the tabloids once called a bizarre “love story” sounds a lot more like assault and oppression once you hear the facts. Will the problematic realities of the American nuclear family take the fall...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Professor of Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Mario Macis. Dr. Macis breaks down the concept of scarcity economics, reflects on whether or not finding a golden ticket was truly left to chance alone and gets into our irrationality when it comes to low probability events. Afterward, Patr...

Who’s to blame for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes actor Toccarra Cash to discuss the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and the the downright dirty and deceitful incidents that occur while Mr. Wonka searches for an heir to his candy filled kingdom. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Ea...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca follows up on the Tasman Bridge Collapse with Australian historian and Hobart native, Dr. Imogen Wegman. Considering her parents drove over the Tasman Bridge an hour before its collapse, Dr. Wegman brings new meaning to the term ‘local historian!’ Dr. Wegman also shares vital new information about the local environment, weather patterns, and topo...

Who’s to blame for the Tasman Bridge Collapse? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes Allan McLeod, host of the new podcast Walkin’ About , to discuss the Tasman Bridge Collapse in Hobart, Tasmania. Are we as a society really discussing the vulnerability of bridges enough? Could sailing familiar waters cause you to let your guard down? And what is the difference between a captain...

Mail Call! Hey Alarmy! It’s been awhile since we last checked in and it turns out you have a lot on the brain. Sounds like it’s time for a good old fashioned Mailbag episode. Join The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith), Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early as they go through episode suggestions, reviews and reactions from listeners old and new to the Alarmy Family. Plus, there’s an up...

Who’s to blame for the Ramree Island Crocodile Massacre? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes old friend and all around funny guy Arthur Meyer to discuss the gruesome events that went down at Ramree Island during WWII. With so much second hand information flying around, how big a role did the crocodile’s play afterall? Are sharks to blame too? Maybe man simply doesn’t belong in...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits the US Women’s National Soccer team pay disparity with Dr. Nancy Lough. Dr. Lough is the founding director of the Sports Innovation Institute and specializes in sports marketing, sponsorship and improving gender equity in the sports world. Her deeply insightful input is sure to fascinate, infuriate and inspire you. Afterward, Patreon sub...

Who’s to blame for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Pay Disparity?  This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes filmmaker Christina Dodson and the owner of Rough and Tumble , Seattle's home for women's sports, Jen Barnes to discuss the complicated history of US Women’s Soccer and their fight for equal pay. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early...