Historical Blindness

Here at the end of Pride, I want to discuss the long, bigoted history and false scriptural basis of religious opposition to LGBTQ rights, and the effort of the religious right to seek an exemption to anti-discrimination laws so that they can persecute gay and trans people. UPDATE: since the production of this episode, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of religious objection to LGBTQ+ books in the c...

As Trump ramps up his immigration raids in California and brings the armed forces to bear against peaceful citizen protesters, I want to talk more about the long, racist history behind similar immigration crackdowns in the US. I encourage you to visit ⁠5calls.org⁠ and find their page to help you ⁠Protest the Unlawful Deportation of Venezuelan Immigrants to El Salvador⁠ and demand that your governo...

In this episode, I discuss the history of the controversial wartime power that Trump has invoked to justify his mass deportations and the importance of the inalienable rights of due process and habeas corpus, granted by the constitution to all persons, that he is seeking to strip away. UPDATE: a few weeks after the production of this episode, the Supreme Court further contributed to Trump's centra...

In this episode, in response to Trump's order supposedly "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," I look at the many ways he and his handlers/enablers distort and whitewash history and "sanewash" his administration. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at ⁠⁠MintMobile.com/Blindness⁠⁠ Check out ⁠⁠the show merch⁠⁠, perfect for gifts!  ⁠⁠Pledge support on Patreon to...

In this episode, I tell the history of the US through the history of controversial tariff policies, and I examine speculation about the motivations behind Trump's disastrous tariff hikes. For an easy and effective way to make a political impact, visit ⁠5calls.org⁠ and make your voice heard. Specifically, see the site's guidance for ⁠ demanding Congress Stop Trump’s Tariffs and Reclaim Trade Author...

From claims about the pagan origins of Easter traditions to biblical literalists asserting that the miraculous darkness at the crucifixion is historically provable, I explode all kinds of myths in this holiday special. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts!  Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free...

Throughout the Middle Ages and the Reformation, a story was told of the first female Pope, who had hidden her sex and been elevated to the highest position within the Church by accident. The story of Pope Joan is a total myth, but even today it serves as a useful lesson to illustrate the historical roots of the sexism and misogyny that still keeps women out of leadership positions. Get 3 months of...

In the face of trans erasure and genocide, this episode affirms the existence of transgender people throughout history, focusing on the trans empress of the Roman Empire, long misgendered and called Elagabalus, though that was not her name. For an easy and effective way to make a political impact, visit 5calls.org and make your voice heard. Specifically, see the site's guidance for Opposing Effort...

An examination of Aspasia, a woman of ancient Athens who was universally agreed to have been extremely influential in politics and philosophy, depicted as both a harlot and a sage. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts!  Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check ou...

In the 4th and final part of my series on the legends surrounding Lincoln and his assassination, I look at the false urban legend that John Wilkes Booth was not actually killed but rather escaped justice. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts!  Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with excl...

In the 3rd part of my series on the legends surrounding Lincoln, I further examine conspiracy theories suggesting the plot to assassinate was much larger, involving some of the favorite culprits of conspiracists: the government, the Catholic Church, the Freemasons, and Jews. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect...

In the second part of the series, we look at the plot to assassinate Lincoln, and the claims that it was a much larger conspiracy than history suggests. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts!  Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found...

In the 2025 season premiere, I kick off a series about the myths and conspiracy theories surrounding Abraham Lincoln's assassination with a look at the misconceptions and legends that surround this much mythologized figure. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts!  Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-...

In this year's annual holiday special, I examine the roots of the Christmas tree custom to determine its origins and whether it is indeed a pagan survival, as many claim. Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts!  Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related ima...

In this holiday special minisode from last year, I tackle the claims of entheogen theorists who suggest, falsely, that almost all Christmas traditions really derive from Siberian cultures' use of hallucinogenic mushrooms! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which makes a great gift!  Direct a...

In this special presentation, I share an episode of the wonderful podcast Plodding Through the Presidents, in which hosts Howard and Jessica Dorre discuss the many myths, mysteries, and scandals surrounding the early presidents who shaped our country. In this episode from their archives, they explore the role of the Illuminati in the Election of 1800 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and th...

This holiday bonus minisode presents my personal thoughts on the upcoming holiday, in the wake of the election, reflecting on the establishment of the national holiday during the Civil War. Music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Tracks include "September," "Tumult," "Harbor," and "Seeker." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the conclusion of my series on Jack the Ripper, I look the many claims and theories purporting to solve the crimes, their weaknesses and how far Ripperologists go to sell books. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.histor...

In the first part of a 2-parter, I look closely at a genuine historical mystery, THE true crime case, which launched an entire genre of non-fiction research: Jack the Ripper. In part one, I look at the actual murders. Listener discretion is advised. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of...

In my last episode of October, I consider the legends of 16th-century arch-killers, or what we might consider serial killers today, cave-dwelling highway robbers who were also said to be cannibals and sorcerers, like Sawney Bean and Christman Genipperteinga, whose kill count reached the thousands according to the cheap and lurid chapbooks and ballads that spread their tales to terrified readers. B...

In this special presentation, I introduce a spooky podcast for your October listening pleasure, and present a full episode for you to enjoy. Step into the world of the unknown and unravel the dark history and infamous legends of the American South. Join host Brandon Schexnayder as he journeys into the heart of this rich and fascinating region, uncovering its ghostly stories, haunted places, and ee...

As we start off October, let's consider the appalling act that is foundational to much monster folklore and horror literature: cannibalism, which some anthropologists have revealed to be, in most cases, a total myth. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citatio...

In a new standalone episode that follows on from my series on fascism, I seek historical precedent to better understand the threat of the fake electors scheme employed by Trump in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.  Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with...

In the conclusion of my series on the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany in the 1920s, I make further legitimate comparisons to modern American politics and Trumpism. Continued insistence that there are no grounds for such comparisons at this point borders on denialism. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/historical today to get 10% off your first month. Direct all adve...

In a new series on the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany in the 1920s, I make pertinent comparisons to modern American politics and Trumpism. It's time to call MAGA out for what it is without any further hedging. Likenesses can no longer be ignored. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/historical today to get 10% off your first month. Direct all advertising inquiries to...