Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most Questionable Figures

We conclude our first Dueling Villains series with the judgement on John Brown and Aaron Burr. Matt fills in for Jamie and helps us break down the flaws and the greatness of two of history's most enigmatic (and frustrating!) figures. Brown or Burr, who is the greater villain in our history? Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon...

NOTE: We always have a 7 day free trial for our Patreon memberships so this could be the perfect time to check that out! Hello listeners! We've been dealing with illness, job changes, issues with our editing program, and the usual chaos of life that has pushed us behind schedule. We just wrapped a full episode for our Patrons on Patreon to make up for January's mini-episodes there and th...

Follow the rest of Aaron Burr's story, as he vies for the presidency in the Election of 1800, enters that infamous duel with longtime rival/future musical star Alexander Hamilton, and finds himself dabbling in some *light* treason. Emperor Aaron I has a nice ring to it, does it not? Sources: The Great American Rascal: the Turbulent Life of Aaron Burr by Noel Gerson Tell us your thoughts! Do y...

We are covering Aaron Burr (SIR!) as the second half of our "Dueling Villains" series. In this episode, we cover Burr's early life, the American Revolution and his role in it, as well as his political life up until the election of 1800. There's babies attending college, cougars, and absolutely insane attempts at staying neutral in between! We also pitch Timothee Chalamet the ro...

We spoke about Bleeding Kansas briefly in the previous episode on John Brown, but we have invited back Husband of the Pod, Erin's husband, Matt, to explain more of what was happening in Kansas during the lead up to the Civil War. St. Louis baseball supremacy and Chicago Deep Dish references abound!  Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram...

Listen to our first installment of our new Dueling Villains series! We will be covering John Brown, an American enigma. Terrorist, martyr, mad man--or a little bit of each? We will talk about Brown's early life, his move to Bleeding Kansas, and the raid at Harper's Ferry that would lead to his demise. Next time, in our second part of the series, we will cover Aaron Burr (of "Hamilto...

With the new season of Wolf Hall  airing in the U.K. now and coming to the United States in March, we have begun our own rewatch series of the first season. Follow along with us as we continue through the first season and sharing our comments/historical analysis/eternal love for Mark Rylance. You can join our Patreon for free to join the chats that we will have after each episode! Tell us your tho...

FYI I (Jamie) had to re-record a few lines so apologies if they stand out too much!  Before we jump into our dueling offenders series, we wanted to do something a little different and discuss how questionable female historical figures are viewed and treated versus their male counterparts. Listen as we have an informal conversation on this very important topic about historical discourse and why we...

In our final episode on the Tigress of Forli, Caterina Sforza, we will conclude the rest of Caterina's exciting life--more assassinations, more himbos, the first appearance of syphilis, and plenty of female rage follows! Oh, and Cesare Borgia makes his long awaited appearance like a horror movie villain.   Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show In...

We pick up Caterina Sforza's story as she finally launches into action, taking castles and fortresses, outwitting cardinals and bishops, and earning that nickname of the Tigress of Forli. Expect assasinations, daring deeds, more pregnancies than we care to think about, and pulp (unfortunately, not orange juice pulp)...it is a wild ride! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share...

Caterina Sforza is often overshadowed by the men who she came into contact with as they comprised some of the Italy's most infamous dynasties: the Medicis and the Borgias. While there is much to commend her on being a real warrior female leader in the Italian renaissance, a female powerhouse -- after all her nickname is the Tigress of Forli -- Caterina's legacy is marred by instances of...

Another week and another ambivalent offender...this time Jamie tackles another one from the music world (thanks to our Patreon fans & their votes!) and from one of the most recognizable bands of all time--John Lennon. From his traumatic childhood to his battles with mental health to his tumultuous relationships with romantic partners (as well as his son Julian), follow along to hear our examin...

The Roman Emperor Claudius was as unlikely an emperor as they come (from inside the imperial family that is). Learn about his unexpected rise, his...complicated...marital history, and if we can truly call him one of the "good" Emperors. Remember, you can access FREE content on our Patreon this month by going to our patreon page linked below and joining as a free member! Tell us your thou...

Come one, come all, to learn about the man who has been nicknamed the Greatest Showman and created the Greatest Show on Earth. In this one-parter, you'll learn about P.T. Barnum's dark start (understatement) in show business and his journey from museum owner to starting a circus. Stick around at the end to hear a trailer for "Door Key" history podcast!  Tell us your thoughts! D...

Listen to the conclusion of Wernher Von Braun's story as he arrives in America, works for NASA, launches the first manned mission to the moon, and does something with Spice Flight (you will need to listen to get the reference there!). Hear our judgements on the man sometimes called history's most controversial figure.  Main Source: Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of War Tell us you...

We have a very special guest joining the pod today to discuss Operation Paperclip. Erin's husband, Matt, history teacher extraordinaire, gives us the basics on Operation Paperclip, why it was called that, and its long-lasting legacy.  Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website  I...

"Gather 'round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun, A man whose allegiance Is ruled by expedience."  🎶 “Gather 'round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun,  A man whose allegiance is ruled by expedience…” – Tom Lehrer In this first installment of our deep dive into Wernher von Braun , we finally tackle one of the most controversial figures in modern history — a man who help...

The conclusion to the Bonnie Parker saga...To quote Bonnie from her most famous poem: "They don’t think they’re tough or desperate They know the law always wins They’ve been shot at before, but they do not ignore That death is the wages of sin. Some day they’ll go down together And they’ll bury them side by side To few it’ll be grief, to the law a relief But it’s death for Bonnie and Clyde.&q...

Welcome back to part 2 of Jane Boleyn's story! The dust settles after Anne Boleyn and George Boleyn's executions...now Jane must figure out what the next part of her life will look like. Follow us as we chart Jane's unlikely return to court serving more of Henry VIII's queens (along with some asides, such as a "Queer Eye" style Thomas Cromwell fixer type reality show)...

We pick up with Part 2 of Bonnie Parker’s story! Bonnie has decided on a life of crime with her boyfriend, Clyde Barrow, and becomes a part of the Barrow Gang! Murder, more murder, poetry, and (eeeek) a mention of J. Edgar Hoover all make their appearance. Things are heating up for our star-crossed lovers as the authorities close in… Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your ta...

Bonnie Parker was one half of one of America’s most infamous duos... but who was she really, beyond the cigarette, the shotgun, and the headlines? In this episode of Ambivalent Offenders  we go past the pop culture legend to explore the true story of Bonnie Parker — a bright, ambitious, and complex woman shaped by poverty, heartbreak, and a thirst for something bigger than life in Depression-era T...

NOTE: We apologize for the extra delay but between weather and then audio not lining up, we both spent hours trying to get this to work!  The infamous Lady Rochford is portrayed as the sister-in-law from hell--but what's the reality behind the portrayals? Learn more about Jane's time at court with her husband, George Boleyn, and of course, the one, the only Anne Boleyn. Come for the Tudo...

This episode is a one parter! We are out of Europe for now and covering someone who pretty much everyone at least recognizes---The King himself, Elvis! So join us to look at his life--the good, the problematic, and of course, come to a conclusion on where he falls on our scale! Correction: Elvis' performance of "Hound Dog" is from his second appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, not t...

We pick up the podcast after Isabella’s invasion of her husband’s kingdom. Dogs, beheadings, and fiscal irresponsibility follow…and at least one semi-believable conspiracy theory.  Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website  If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have c...

Isabella of France: married at 12, sidelined by her husband's boyfriends, naked tent rescues, and eventually known as the she-wolf.  Oh, and there's beheadings too! Plus our first "listener judgement!" Come along for the ride!  Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show we...