Circus Stories: A Circus History Podcast

Come join us as we "tip toe through the tulips" and discuss whom some have described as the "original goth" and all around quirky dude, Tiny Tim! The singer - not the other one -- and what is his connection with the circus!? We also share some VERY interesting circus lingo and stories from the vault! Two audio versions of “Tip Toe Through The Tulips With Me” shared in this epis...

We are talking strong women today! Katharina Brumbach, more commonly known as Katie Sandwina or Lady Hercules was, for a time, a headlining act at the famed Barnum and Bailey's circus and considered the "perfect" female specimen. We dive deep into her life, career, family and of course amazing feats of strength which will blow your socks off! +Check out our IG for images we discuss...

We are SO Back! And boy this is a deep cut my friends... A wild ride where lore, exile and circus collide.  While Mark takes a family sabbatical; Callie B is joined by circus "scholar" Aíne Norris and together the two explore Maria Rasputin's, daughter of infamous mystic and alleged healer Grigori Rasputin (friend to the last imperial family of Russia- ever heard of 'em!) I don...

THIS is what Circus Stories is all about folks! Tall tales and circus lore. Strap in and hold on while I interview Billy B (my dad) who dishes all the tea about his early days visiting Jungle Land, traveling with Circus Vargas in its 'heyday', storm blow downs, epic Hey Rubes and a run in with the real Rocky Dennis. I mean this episode literally has it all! Support the show +Follow Us on...

Hair Hang - Dang a lang! This episode is full of secrets, stories and all the juicy details of life on the road as a present day hair hang circus performer. Join us as we ask all the questions and get all the info from famed generational circus performer Christopher Williams, best known for his hair hang act but he is so much more!! {This episode contains explicit language and content} Support the...

Often billed as the "Half Boy" but more accurately dubbed "The Most Remarkable Man Alive" by Robert Ripley (of Ripley's Believe It or Not), Johnny Eck was a born performer, as well as showman, magician, movie star, wood worker, fine art painter and above all - a true artist in every sense. Join us as we explore his incredible life journey. {This episode contains explicit l...

Step right up ... Step right up! feast your ears on the real life account of a present day carnival worker and entreprenuer. Learn some wild new 'carnie' lingo, carnival superstitions, and the nitty gritty ins and outs of what its like to be a career carnival worker. It isn't quite circus but we all know carnivals are the wily cousin of circus so lets get into it! {This episode cont...

We explore the life and career of fascinating and worldly sideshow performer Francesco "Frank" Lentini aka The Great Lentini, born with three legs, four feet and two functional sets of genitalia! Join us on our deep dive into his early life, varied show skills and interesting perspectives proclaimed by this famed exhibitor. {This episode contains explicit language} LENTINI'S "...

We discuss the unique and incredibletown of Gibsonton Fl - a small town just miles away form Sarasota that was (and still is) a haven for performing circus, sideshow and carnival folk alike.  With its unique permit and zoning laws, accommodating amenities to those of all shapes and sizes and of course all the colorful characters that make its splendid community - its is magical oasis created for a...

We talk ALL things clown with the fantastical Cait the Clown who just recently became apart of the illustrious Clown Egg Registry, a huge figure in the Wooster clown community and a successful working clown - performing in so many different forums in would make your head spin! Join us for a super deep dive about all things CLOWN! Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: circuss...

Enjoy a plunging deep dive into the incredible life and career of the Great Blondin who broke countless performative barriers as one of the most famous tight wire walkers of his day and still credited in so much of the artform's evolution in circus. Check out IG for images we discuss during the episode!   This episode contains explicit language. Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stori...

OK OK! This is dense - we know!! But we love details - So dive right into this spooky but INFORMATIVE episode about why circus is so heavily affiliated with all things spooky- namely  "scary clowns". We will explore some more spooky circus hauntings, circus depicted in the media, reasons for circus having such a "dangerous" reputation, and a heavy helping of the science behind...

Enjoy this deep dive into the history of circus tents - how they are set up, torn down, and all the the bonkers man power that it all requires and intricate logistics involved . We also discuss the history of Ringling's TOP tent maker, tent design and its evolution from the Golden age of circus to present. VIDEO LINKS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg5JuVFxljc https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

We explore Disney's love affair with the circus and also uncover the history of the Mickey Mouse Club Circus . OH Yeah - thats right ...Walt Disney + Disneyland tried their hand at running their very own circus within the confines of the Disneyland park during its first year in business. It was very elaborate + VERY short lived.  Hop on this wild ride with us - No height requirement! VIDEO LI...

Today's episode is a rootin tootin ride as we transport back to the high brow performances of 19th century Paris and the world famous Moulin Rouge - strap your booties in ( are you getting the posterior references here...) We are discussing Joseph Pujol the most famous and most well paid "Fartiste" that had graced the stage.  This episode is a gut buster, so get ready for a stupid a...

We do a deep dive (all the way down the gullet) exploring and dissecting sideshow performances meant to SHOCK and AWE. We chat about acts like the Human Blockhead, Sword Swallowing and more; get a glimpse on how these acts work, affect the human body and the sincere dangers involved. DISCLAIMER: DO NOT TRY THESE AT HOME! Check our Instagram @circus.stories to view images we discuss during the epis...

What do you think of when I say Circus Church? Or Clown church service?  Not many people associate religion with the circus folk - but you might be mistaken. How do religion and circus collide ? Enjoy our LENGTHY episode as we explore how religion infiltrated circus and the history and genesis behind it.  This podcast contains explicit languange. Visit our IG for images. Support the show +Follow U...

The WHEEL of Death also known as the Space Wheel. We are barreling into the new year with a chonky episode that is equally as dangerous. Please enjoy the ins and outs of the daredevil performance - the Wheel of Death (seriously like how and why do people do this!) We discuss the early to current iterations, the mechanics, and the perils involved! We also speak to current circus artist and generati...

A very spooky episode where we explore a few ghost stories, sightings, and alleged hauntings that surround the circus and circus folk from the past.  Are these strange occurences the real deal or simply legend? Listen and find out .. IF YOU DARE! Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for...

 We revisit the over 100 year old tragedy of the 1918 Hagenbeck Wallace circus trainwreck in Hammond Indiana. We uncover those presumably responsible for the incident,  the subsequent causes, as well as the lore, conspiracies and ghost stories that still loom around the resting place of the deceased This podcast contains explicit languange. Visit our IG for images. Support the show +Follow Us on I...

Please join me on a journey back to the 1970's where things were ...well very 1970's. Mama B shares some radical travel stories from her time working concessions with Circus Vargas. HOT DOGS baby!  Another rad Patreon episode unlocked! Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for L...

ANOTHER CLOWN EPISODE! Today's episode we deep dive into the experience of former Cole Bros Circus clown, Meatball. Join Callie B as she picks Meatball's clown brain for all the juicy details of how he got into clowning, how he got his first circus gig, how he pieced his clown persona together, what is was like to travel with one of the longest running tent circuses in the U.S. at the ti...

Iron jaw is an aerial act where the performer is quite literally hanging only by their teeth. Enjoy learning about this centuries old act, and trust me we leave no stone unturned. Get into this episode with some serious TEETH TALK! To hear the unedited interview with Iron Jaw performer Nikki, please join our Patreon - link  found below Main Source for the episode : Bandwagon; Vol 65. No 3 Support...

Much like every office that partakes in a company sports team... the Circus, namely Ringling Bros, was no different. OH and they were like REALLY good. Enjoy this unlocked Patreon episode all about Circus Soccer teams. also who knew?? Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening +...

We explore the fascinating history of world renowned escape artist and magician Harry Houdini.  Uncover some of his best kept secrets and how he performed his most famous feats.  Discover details of his lavish lifestyle and of course, mine the cavernous mystery that haunts his early demise which fell on Halloween. Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gm...