Fascinating People Fascinating Places

Morris dancing — a traditional type of British folk dance is synonymous with villages fairs and men dressed in white dancing with wooden sticks. But there are many more elements to “Morris” that the stereotypes we are familiar with. In this episode, I explore its origins, and learn how it has expanded around the globe. Today’s guests: Peter Austin, “Bagman” of The Morris Ring – The founding Nation...

Witches have existed in Denmark since primitive times. Though in the past, many were categorized as “cunning folk” since they were concerned with good deeds rather than ill. But in the late 16th century, anyone carrying around runes, whipping up potions, or practicing traditional folklore suddenly found themselves in danger. King Christian IV, developed a preoccupation with all forms of witchcraft...

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The Roman Emperor Commodus is best know for Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of him in the movie Gladiator. There is little doubt the ranks as one of Rome’s craziest emperors. In this Wednesday bonus mini-cast, I separate fact from fiction and examine the man behind the movie.

Druids are synonymous with Stonehenge and the Summer Solstice but are these modern druids representative of their ancient forbears? And who exactly were the druids? Many people base their knowledge of the druids on brief remarks made by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. But, there are many other sources – from Ireland – that provide us with much more information on this ancient group. In this episode,...

On 13 September 1999 Gennadiy Seleznyov speaker of the Duma announced to the Russian parliament that a terrorist attack had hit the remote and hitherto unremarkable city of Volgodonsk. The bombing did occur but not until 3 days later. But it was this incident in conjunction with other bombings that set in motion a series of events that salvaged the reputation of President Boris Yeltsin and laid th...

Founded in 1878, Everton are nine times English football champions but recent decades have seen the club slide into mediocrity. In this episode, I talk to fans who witnessed relegation in the 1950s, The Golden Vision and Holy Trinity of the 1960s, the pinnacle of success in the 1980s, and the rollercoaster ride since. Featured Interviewees: Isaac Chisnall Dominic Hodgson Derek Knox Lyndon Lloyd Jo...

Heroes of Space. Part III In 1990, astronaut Steven Hawley deployed the Hubble telescope in space as part of the crew of the space shuttle Discovery. Kansas-born Hawley was among the civilians selected to be part of the space program on the basis of his expertise in a specific area: astronomy. One of his subsequent trips into space involved completing maintenance on HST. More recently, he has used...

Heroes of Space. Part II In the aftermath of World War II, the United States and USSR quickly turned their attention to space. In this episode, I talk to one of the world’s leading experts on space history: Dr. Cathleen Lewis curator of International Space Programs and Spacesuits at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum. We discuss the early efforts to send animals and later...

The Anzac landings in Gallipoli quickly descend into chaos as Braund and other commanders try to lead their men to victory against overwhelming odds. In this episode, I explore the story of the tragic tale of George Braund, Henry Edward White, and so many others. I interview two experts in the field: Brad Manera, and Ian Hodges, who provide fascinating insights into the battle, the legacy of Galli...

In August 1914, New South Wales politician George Braund was tasked with forming the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the newly created Australian Imperial Force. One of his recruits was Henry Edward White. Both men had some prior military experience, and like many of their countrymen, they had been born in England. When the call came to defend the British Empire against the Central Powers of Europe, the...

Do you have Irish ancestry? Are you intrigued about the history of Carlow? John Kelly of the Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society offers advice and resources for anyone thinking of making a visit or delving into genealogical research. This is bonu

On the 24 May 1798, simultaneous revolts across cities and towns in Ireland signified the start of the long anticipated Irish rebellion. The insurectionists — many of whom were members of The Society of United Irishmen — were both protestant and catholic, rich and poor. But they shared a vision of an Irish republic — free from British rule. In this episode, I investigate the events surrounding the...

When you hear people talk about zealots and religious hate groups, you tend to think of some dour old cave dweller with a long beard or a 17th century puritan with an obscenely large and seemingly unnecessary buckle on his hat. You don’t typically think of a smiling, colorfully dressed, personable wife and mother who drops terms of endearment like “hun” into conversation while discussing serious t...

In season 3 Dan talks to NASA astronauts Jim Wetherbee and Steve Hawley as well as Smithsonian space historian Cathy Lewis. He discusses Gallipoli with Australian Department of Veteran’s Affairs historian Ian Hodges and explores the 1798 rebellion in Ireland.

In the Spring of 2019, Scottish police launched investigations into incidents at two football matches. In the first, Aberdeen fans were accused of using colorful language to suggest that English football manager Steven Gerrard was an Orange man. A few weeks later, Aberdeen’s own manager Derek McInnes was targeted with similar chants from Celtic fans. The fact that fans from Aberdeen – a largely se...

In this compelling episode, we venture beyond the Hollywood clichés of flying saucers and delve deep into the fascinating world of UFOs. Join us as we engage with four distinguished experts who have extensively researched these phenomena, offering a diverse range of perspectives from academia, journalism, and personal experience. Our featured guests include: Professor Greg Eghigian, a renowned his...

Join us in this intriguing episode as we venture beyond the Hollywood flying saucers and delve deeper into the enigmatic world of UFOs. We engage in enlightening conversations with four experts hailing from diverse fields, including academia, journalism, and research. Each of them brings a unique perspective, whether as a skeptic or an experiencer, shedding light on the UFO phenomena. Our guests h...

In this compelling episode, we delve into the life and experiences of Tamara Jones, a prominent civil rights activist and vocal critic of well-documented instances of racism and corruption within the Kansas City Police Force. Tamara's advocacy for justice and accountability has made her a central figure in the ongoing struggle for civil rights. However, her involvement as the Minister of Justice f...

Coming in March 2022. Dan investigates the UFO phenomena on Fascinating People, Fascinating Places. Guests include Professor Greg Eghigian of Penn State University, MUFON state director of Michigan William Konkolesky, author Robert Sheaffer, and journalist and Vice Chairman of UFO-Sweden Clas Svahn. Art and music courtesy of Pixabay.com — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwarin...

NEW SEASON OF FASCINATING PEOPLE, FASCINATING PLACES STARTS IN APRIL 2025!!   Explore the captivating story of the Romanian revolution of 1989, a pivotal moment shaped by the country's rich history of resisting and embracing external influences. This intricate tapestry of events traces back to the second century AD when the Roman Emperor Trajan conquered the region, leaving an indelible mark in th...

On 28 June 1914, a young Serb named Gavrilo Princip sat outside a Delicatessen in Sarajevo, reflecting on his role in a botched assassination attempt on Archduke Ferdinand – heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire. To his surprise, the intended target suddenly came back into view. This time there would be no mistake. He calmly approached the car and fired two shots. One at Ferdinand, the other at his...

In a pivotal moment on 30 January 1649, a sizable crowd gathered beneath a hastily erected scaffold at the Palace of Whitehall. At the precise hour of 2 pm, an enigmatic masked figure struck a single fatal blow, forever altering the course of history by beheading King Charles II. This dramatic event unfolded 700 years after Alfred the Great's quest to establish the Kingdom of England, marking the...

Coming in January I reflect on Romania 1989 —

On 1 April 527 AD, an extraordinary event unfolded in the ancient city of Constantinople — known to the modern world as Istanbul. A 37-year-old woman, a former actress and prostitute dressed in the imperial regalia of Rome, was crowned as empress of Byzantium, the Eastern branch and largest remnant of the Roman Empire. But unlike many women who've been awarded such titles, Theodora wasn't just a c...