American Shadows

Before electricity, those who walked the night were looked down on — and feared. Murderers, thieves, and sex walkers were frightening enough. But those who roamed the night involuntarily—they were feared above all.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our quests for love can be disappointing. Maddening, even. When the love story that plays out is different than the one imagined – or the one you had wished for – the results can be devastating... or even deadly.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, life will change in an instant, in a flash, or... in the case of the 1944 Hartford Circus... with a spark.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer,  Grim & Mild Presents  continues its journey into the strange, the unusual, and the fascinating. For our newest season, we’ll be taking to the high seas to explore one of history’s most notorious types of criminal: pirates. From naval battles and buried treasure, to deadly sword fights and stolen rum. Prepare to raise anchor!  Grim & Mild Presents: Pirates  sets sail on Friday...

If something seems too good to be true it often is, from snake oil to opiates the American medical system has tried some radical treatments to heal the sick and make a quick buck. But who stands between us and disaster, quietly uncovering the darkest aspects of so called medical miracles? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If I were to tell you that some of the things you know about health and wellness come from behind the veil, would you believe me? There was one man -- a reluctant sleeping prophet -- whose lasting imprint is still felt today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were those who exploited the cracks in the American dream, and took advantage of others -- and then there was one man who used it to become everyone he wished he ever could have been. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing old isn't for the faint of heart. It's true that none of us will get out alive -- but we can all hope that no one takes that truth into their own hands for us.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They say that "clothes make the man" -- but in the case of these violent few days in Los Angeles, clothes also became man's undoing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a darkness in the human soul when it comes to survival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get rich quick schemes have been around forever. But one con man not only made history, but became a household name.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daredevils. They are on a quest to go higher, faster, and bigger than anyone else. Some think they are foolish for tempting death. But for those in this story, testing their mortal limits has given them reason to live. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, it's true what they say about karma. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out in the garment district. Within 18 minutes, 146 people were dead. Though the factory owners were acquitted of wrong doing, the fire paved the way for safety regulations.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1587, 115 people arrived on Roanoke. The newly appointed governor left for England, promising to return with supplies. When he returned, all that remained of the colony was a single word carved in a wooden gate post: Croatoan.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When life got tough, Kate Warn got tougher. She became a spy and agent at 23. And in 1861, her boss tasked her with saving the president elect's life.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wild West. Home to legends — and one of the most bizarre stories of an outlaw ever told. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arsenic was called the inheritance poison - and for good reason. And killers who tried it once were likely to try it again. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The people of Peshtigo, WI knew the dangers and ignored the signs until it was too late.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, everyday heroes come from the most unusual places.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America's dark history of a time when society turned to eugenics in an attempt to stamp out mental illness. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1950s, the CIA was on a quest to create a method of mind control using LSD. Over the next 20 years, the experiment added torture, emotional and sexual abuse, and murder to the experiment.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prohibition, extortion, and street gangs were common in New York during the 1930s. But none caught the attention of the American public the way Murder Inc did. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A day of sunshine and picnics turns into one of the deadliest boating accidents in American history. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert E. Lee's plans laid out in Orders 191 would have won the war. Then a Union corporal finds a lost copy which should have also ended the war. Along the way to Antietam, mistakes were made. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.