Dirt Nap City - History's Most Interesting Dead People

The episode delves into the tumultuous period of Prohibition in the United States, which spanned from 1920 to 1933. The Prohibition Era, a period of immense social and cultural upheaval, was marked by the nationwide ban on the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Alex and Kelly explore the factors that led to the passage of the 18th Amendment, which enshrined Prohibition in...

Dick Clark is often called "America's Oldest Teenager".  He was an iconic figure of American television, who was more than just a handsome face. He was the architect of countless hit shows that shaped popular culture for decades. Join us as we delve into the life and legacy of this broadcasting legend. We'll explore Clark's early career, from his humble beginnings in radio...

If you remember a time before downloadable or streaming music, you might remember the (seemingly) amazing offer that Columbia House offered - 12 CDs, Records, Cassettes, 8-Tracks, etc for one penny (later 1 dollar). This was an early subscription model of business that raked in the big bucks for CBS records and was successful for many years. But how was it for the consumer? What was the "catc...

John DeLorean: The Rise and Fall of an Automotive Icon Join us on a thrilling journey through the life and legacy of John DeLorean, the visionary automotive engineer who dared to dream big. From his meteoric rise at General Motors, where he revolutionized the automotive industry with iconic models like the Pontiac GTO, to his audacious gamble on the stainless steel DeLorean DMC-12, this podcast de...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating yet tragic tale of the dodo bird. Once a common sight on the island of Mauritius, this flightless avian species has become a symbol of extinction. We'll explore the dodo's unique characteristics, its peaceful existence, and the factors that contributed to its demise. From its discovery by European sailors in the 16th century to its extinctio...

This episode delves into the fascinating and controversial story of Mary Mallon, a seemingly healthy Irish immigrant who became the infamous "Typhoid Mary." In the early 20th century, New York City was grappling with a typhoid fever outbreak, a disease transmitted through contaminated food and water. Despite extensive efforts to contain the epidemic, the source remained elusive. It was i...

In this episode, we dive deep into the vibrant and revolutionary hippie movement of the 1960s. Join us as we explore the cultural, social, and political landscape that gave rise to this counterculture phenomenon. We'll examine the key events, figures, and ideas that shaped the hippie movement, from Woodstock and the Summer of Love to the rise of psychedelic drugs and the anti-war protests. We...

John Lennon was one of the most influential rock and roll icons of all time. He was a founding member of The Beatles whose musical influence is still felt today. But who was this poet, musician and peace loving hippy from Liverpool, England? In this episode Kelly and Alex explore the early days of John Lennon's life in Liverpool and what may have influenced him as he became a man. We look at...

Welcome to Dirt Nap City , the podcast where we roll out the welcome mat, or in this case, the shag carpet. Join your hosts, Alex and Kelly as we delve into the world of one of the most divisive home decor choices of all time: shag carpeting. Is it a cozy, retro haven or a dust-collecting monster? We’re here to explore both sides of the shag carpet spectrum. From its heyday in the 70s to its quest...

Welcome to Dirt Nap City where we dive deep into the shallow end of history. Join your hosts, Kelly and Alex, as we embark on a journey through the life and times of Marco Polo, the world's most famous overachiever. We're talking about the guy who not only traveled the Silk Road but probably brought back the world's first ever souvenir keychain. From the mundane to the mythical, we&...

Welcome to "Goldfish Gone Wild," the Dirt Nap City Dead End that dives headfirst into the absurd world of goldfish swallowing. We're talking about the most shocking stunts, and the downright fishy characters involved in this peculiar trend. Your hosts, Kelly and Alex, are your quirky guides through this aquatic abyss. With a healthy dose of humor, we'll explore the science (or...

This week we dive into the extraordinary life and legacy of one of America's greatest sports heroes, Jim Thorpe. Beyond his athletic prowess, we explore the complex man behind the legend. From his humble beginnings as a Native American boy to his meteoric rise as a football, baseball, and track and field star, we examine the challenges and triumphs that shaped his life. Thorpe’s story is a te...

Artificial Intelligence or "A.I." is all over the news these days, but what does that mean to most of us? That we can use it to write emails or help with podcast episode descriptions? Yes. But it also means that we can create deep fakes of images and voices. And with this ability, it's going to be harder to trust that something we see or hear with "our own eyes and ears" i...

Forget the Disney tales! This podcast dives deep into the life and times of the real Davy Crockett. We peel back the layers of myth to reveal a fascinating frontiersman, soldier, politician, and storyteller. Join us as we explore Crockett's adventures from his early days on the Tennessee frontier to his rise as a folk hero and eventual stand at the Alamo. We'll separate fact from fiction...

Looking back on 1975 and 1976, it's hard to believe that one man made almost $20 million dollars selling Pet Rocks. And this was before the internet!  In this episode, Alex and Kelly dive into the fad that was the "pet rock" to see where it came from and why it became so wildly popular for a brief moment. If you had a pet rock named "Rocky", this episode is for you. Or if...

Tired of being the office wallflower? Does your boss confuse "charisma" with "causes nausea"? Join us on "Carnegie's Caper: How NOT to Win Friends and Influence People" where we dissect Dale Carnegie's self-help classic, one awkward tip at a time. We'll explore the hilarious pitfalls of becoming a "phony friend," the dangers of complimenting a...

In a world dominated by digital payments, where even your grandma can Venmo, there exists a peculiar group of individuals who cling desperately to a bygone era: the check writers. This hilarious podcast dives headfirst into the absurd world of paper checks, exploring the inexplicable joy of licking glue, the art of balancing checkbooks, and the sheer terror of writing the wrong amount. Join your h...

Who was the real Neil Armstrong? Beyond the astronaut suit and the moon landing, there's a fascinating story of a complex man. Join us as we delve into the life and legacy of this American hero. We'll explore his triumphs, his challenges, and the incredible journey that led him to become the first person to walk on the moon. But don't worry, space helmets optional! Dirt Nap City is...

From the 1970's to the mid 1980's, citizen's band or "CB" radios were all the rage with professional truck drivers and the public in general. They inspired movies and songs - and truck drivers became the new outlaws of the open roads in the United States. In this episode, Alex and Kelly talk about what made CB's a special part of the the American cultural landscape. 1...

In this episode of Dirt Nap City, we dive into the enigma that is Andy Kaufman. This episode unravels the life and career of the comedic genius who blurred the lines between performance and reality. From his outrageous characters like Latka Gravas to his legendary wrestling battles with Jerry Lawler, we explore the tactics that made him a legend...and sometimes, a villain. Was he a brilliant provo...

Cursive writing, once a cornerstone of education, has seen a dramatic decline in recent decades. The elegant loops and flowing connections that adorned historical documents are increasingly a relic of the past. But what factors led to this shift? The rise of technology is a major culprit. Typewriters, introduced in the early 20th century, offered a faster and more efficient way to produce written...

After George Washington, Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the most important figures during the early days of the United States of America. He was a scholar, a writer, an inventor and a statesman. But did you know that he also tried to invent a new alphabet that eliminated "useless letters" and added new ones? And he also famously wrote an essay about flatulence...among many essays...

Did you know that you don't pronounce the name of the famous synthesizer "Moog" with a "moo" (like a cow)? It's "Moog" with a long "o" like "mode". In this episode of Dirt Nap City Dead Ends, Alex and Kelly explore the heyday of synthesizers, the 1980's, and which music could rock the synth and which were just trying too hard. If you...

He's the name synonymous with seduction, a legend whispered in bedrooms for centuries. But Giacomo Casanova was far more than just a notorious lover. Get ready to delve into the life of this 18th-century adventurer, writer, and self-proclaimed genius. Casanova was a man of many hats - a violinist, a clergyman, a mathematician, even a librarian! We'll explore his intellectual pursuits and...

Flagpole sitting is exactly what it sounds like: a person climbing on top of a towering pole, usually in the middle of a city, and testing their endurance by sitting atop it for as long as their body holds up. It began in Hollywood in January 1924, when a former sailor, boxer, steelworker, and stuntman named Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly was hired by a local theater to sit on a pole outside of the build...