Don't Look Now

Where do all the Christmas traditions that are common across the United States come from?  Have we really be doing them for hundreds of years are or they recent inventions?  Come with us as we journey through Christmas Past and see what started many of the traditions we hold dear.

We discuss the history of the Hope Diamond and it's famous curse.  From it's "acquisition" in India by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier to it's acquisition by the Smithsonian, the Hope Diamond has been famous for tragedies that have surrounded it.  Are they part of a curse, or just a false pattern that people have latched on to?

We discuss the violent and sad history of the Hotel Cecil, a great old landmark of Downtown LA.  From it's sad history during the Great Depression to it's most recent, horrifying episode, bad things seem to happen around the Cecil.

We discuss the 1983 disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, a 15 year old girl who lived in the Vatican.  Theories abound on what happened to her on her way to flute lessons in June 1983.

The history of the Ghost Dance movement.  Listen along as we talk about a culture movement in the Paiute Native American tribe that spread quickly across America giving hope to the disenfranchised Native Americans, and troubling the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

The story of Uncle Jerry and the McDonald's Monopoly cheating scandal.  Ever wonder why you never found Boardwalk while playing McDonald's Monopoly?  It's probably due to Jerome Jacobson and his secret distribution of the major prizes for cash, soon to me a major movie near you.

We discuss the history of witchcraft, where the roots of the modern idea of a witch come from, and how technology becomes indistinguishable from witchcraft.

We discuss Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the story, the background to it's conception, and general tidbits.  We also end with a bummer :( 

We discuss the (so famous it's infamous) Salem Witch Trials.  How did several local girls accusing local women of bewitching them turn into a crazed outbreak of mass hysteria?  How does one become a #rampanthag?  Come find out.

Listen as we discuss America's first ghost story, Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  What facts are buried in the fiction?  What does this story have to do with Will freaking out as a kid on the way to visit Jarbelo, KS?  Join us and find out.

The story of Corpsewood Manor.  The home hand built in the remote Georgia woods by Dr. Charles Scudder and his lover Joe Odom and unfortunate site of a grizzly murder and reported supernatural events.

Listen in on the history of Halloween from its ancient pagan roots to the modern traditions of Trick-or-Treating for candy and dressing up in costume. 

We discuss the Coral Castle, a strange home/monument constructed by hand without assistance by the diminutive Edward Leedskalnin.  Why did he build it?  How did he build it?  We'll discuss the facts and fun theories.  

Ever wonder why there's a children's rhyme about a contrary gardener with a strange garden?  We discuss the life and times of Mary the First, Queen of England and notorious elder half sister to Queen Elizabeth the First.  

Want a story that's full of jungles, adventure, archaeology, and people going missing without a trace?  You'll love learning about the Lost City of Z, the famed city lost in the Amazon which inspired the tales of Indiana Jones.

We discuss the history of the concept of Ley Lines.  Who came up with them?  What are they?  Why would the have featured in the most recent Ghostbusters movie?  These answers and more will be revealed.

The history of the dancing plague and other cases of mass hysteria

More on the Dyatlov pass including the host of theories surrounding the unexplained deaths of hikers at the Devil's pass in the Soviet Urals.

We continue our discussion of the warrior women of history with two legendary women from Ireland. Stay tuned for Ginger Ninjas and Pirate Queens.

We discuss the mystery of the Dyatlov Pass Incident. What happened in 1959 when 9 Russian hikers perished under strange circumstances in the Ural Mountains? We discuss the facts and background of the case in Part 1.

We discuss the origins of the werewolf myth from Gilgamesh to Medieval Europe and beyond.  Come learn about the Loup Garou, Werewolf, Wulver, Faoladh, Skin Walker, etc. 

We begin to discuss famous powerful female war leaders and warriors of the past from the mystical Veleda of ancient Germany to Mad Anne Bailey of the revolutionary United States.

We discuss the curious case of the Blue Fugates, a clan from Kentucky with a mysterious condition that caused them to appear completely blue.  Listen and find out the story behind their blueness and how has appeared throughout history and around the world.

Jeni and Will discuss the origins, spread, and eventual explosion in the Americas of the world's most perfect drink, coffee.

The life, times, works, and assorted randomness associated with legendary author Stephen King.  We also mark a return to high quality audio after Will's ill fated audio source mistake during our previous marathon recording session.