History For Weirdos

In this episode of History For Weirdos, Andrew embarks on a captivating exploration of one of ancient India's most compelling figures: Ashoka Maurya aka Ashoka the Great. From the conquests of Alexander the Great & Ashoka's grandfather, Chandragupta, to his early upbringing to his rise as a powerful ruler, his fierce conquests, and his subsequent transformation after the brutal war in Kalinga; we...

In the midst of World War II, a clandestine and formidable witch coven emerged to stop the Nazi regime. Fueled by a desire to protect the innocent and alter the course of history, they crafted the "Cone of Power" spell. Hear all the details about this covert and mystical intervention in this week's episode to wrap up our "Summerween" series! - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some...

Join us this week on a chilling journey as we uncover the haunting history of Willowbrook State School, a nightmare of neglect for children with disabilities. In this gripping episode, Andrew dives deep into the heart-wrenching stories of abuse, deplorable living conditions, and the tireless efforts of activists who exposed the horrors within its walls. Listen in horror as we shed light on the dar...

In December of 1900 three lighthouse keepers on the remote island of Eileen Mor vanished. More than 100 years later people still wonder what happened. Was it spirits? A storm? Or something more sinister? Stephanie dives into all the details and theories. Listen now to this week’s episode to decide for yourself! - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating, reviewing, sub...

Ghost stories have been around for quite some time. They are ancient, literally. This week, Andrew tackles the first known "spooky" ghost story in recorded history, dating back to the first century Roman Empire. The earliest story comes from a well known Roman author and historian, Pliny the Younger. A haunted house in ancient Athens, a stoic philosopher and a conspiracy...what more could you ask...

Buckle up Weirdos, this one is about as strange as it gets. An expedition through the Ural Mountains in the Soviet Union during the night / early morning of February 1st & 2nd, 1959 goes horribly wrong. All nine explorers perished in the brutally harsh Soviet winter. The tragedy at Dyatlov Pass, as the incident would come to be known as, would immediately fascinate and horrify all who have studied...

In this episode of "History For Weirdos," Stephanie embarks on a thrilling journey to explore the extraordinary life of Julie d'Aubigny, aka La Maupin, an unapologetic badass of 17th-century France. Known for her skills as an opera singer, her vivacious lifestyle, and her remarkable prowess in dueling, d'Aubigny was a woman far ahead of her time. From her rebellious upbringing as a fencing master'...

Get ready for an epic journey back in time in this tantalizing episode of "History for Weirdos"! Join one of your favorite weird history aficionados, Andrew, as he unravels the enigmatic life and enduring legacy of Ancient Greece's legendary poet, Sappho. Often referred to as the "Tenth Muse," Sappho was a lyrical genius whose poetic compositions, brimming with vivid expressions of love and longin...

Get ready to embark on an enchanting journey back to Ancient Greece on this special double-header episode of "History For Weirdos". This time around, we’re diving deep into two enthralling and, at times, outright bizarre Greek myths: The captivating adventures of Theseus and the heartfelt, peculiar story of Baucis and Philemon. In the first half of the episode, we'll journey alongside Theseus, the...

This week, we embark on a chilling journey into the dark history of "Starvation Heights", a notorious sanatorium in Olalla, Washington. Join us as Steff unravels the story of Linda Burfield Hazzard, the fasting specialist / serial murderer who did it all in the name of "healing." - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating, reviewing, subscribing and sharing it today. Y...

In today's episode, Andrew will be connecting a legendary ancient Athenian playwright to a doomed 19th century sea voyage searching for the fabled northwest passage… to a haunted painting. This is an absolutely wild tale of how some words can last throughout the ages. - Check out the history podcast rankings: https://riverside.fm/blog/best-history-podcasts - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show t...

In this electrifying episode of "History for Weirdos," join Stephanie as she delves into the mysterious Tunguska event, a monumental explosion that rocked the remote Siberian wilderness back in 1908. With a force greater than 1,000 atomic bombs, this extraordinary occurrence remains one of history's most intriguing enigmas. Stephanie takes you on a fascinating journey, revisiting the events surrou...

Join us on this episode of "History For Weirdos" as we dive into the extraordinary lives of two unlikely World War II heroes: Wojtek the Bear and "Unsinkable" Sam the cat. Discover how Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear, became a beloved member of the Polish army, carrying ammunition and boosting morale during WWII. Then, learn about "Unsinkable" Sam, a tenacious feline who survived three shipwrecks in W...

In this fascinating episode of "History For Weirdos", we dive into the bizarre life of Tarrare, an 18th-century French showman known for his insatiable appetite and peculiar eating habits. From eating live animals to performing on stage, this story is not for the faint of heart. Get ready to learn about one of history's strangest figures as we try to understand what drove Tarrare's incredible hung...

In this episode of "History For Weirdos," Andrew and Stephanie take us on a fascinating journey into the depths of Derinkuyu, an ancient underground city in modern-day Turkey. They explore its mysterious origins, its possible purposes as a refuge during times of conflict or as protection from harsh climate conditions, and the various civilizations that inhabited the city over the centuries. From t...

The Incredible Story of Phineas Gage the man who survived a brain injury and changed neuroscience forever! In today's episode, we will uncover the remarkable story of Phineas Gage, a man whose life-changing experience transformed our understanding of the brain. Phineas Gage was a 25-year-old railroad construction foreman in 1848 when a tragic accident occurred that would alter the course of his li...

In this week's episode, Andrew explores the incredible life of Alice Roosevelt, the eldest child of President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt and her enduring impact on American culture and politics. Alice Roosevelt Longworth, also known as "Princess Alice," was the eldest daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. Born in 1884, Alice grew up in the White House and quickly became a popular figure in Was...

In this week's episode, we will be discussing the case of Giulia Tofana who was a 17th-century professional poisoner who became a legendary figure. Giulia Tofana was known for helping women in Rome escape mainly abusive marriages by poisoning their husbands. If her own confessions are to be believed, she’s responsible for the deaths of a LOT of men. Listen now to learn more! - Thank you for listen...

In this week's episode, Andrew explores the life and legacy of Enheduanna, the first known author in history. Enheduanna was the daughter of Sargon of Akkad and served as the high priestess of the moon god Nanna in Ur during the 23rd century BCE. She is best known for her literary works, including hymns, poems, and prayers, which have had a significant impact on the development of Mesopotamian lit...

Today's episode is about Ada Lovelace the first computer programmer. The weirdest part? She wrote about computers in the 1800s! In addition to being brilliant she lived an interesting life as the daughter of famous poet Lord Byron and hanging out with fellow icons like Charles Dickens. Listen to learn more about the incredible countess, mathematician, and visionary. - Thank you for listening Weird...

Yasuke was a remarkable figure in Japanese history, an African man who rose to become a samurai in the late 16th century. Originally from Mozambique, Yasuke was brought to Japan by a Jesuit missionary named Alessandro Valignano, but his talents and strength caught the attention of the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was so impressed with Yasuke that he made him a retainer and samurai. Yasu...

In this week's episode, Stephanie tells us all about some of the most powerful people in Ancient Rome - the Vestal Virgins. They were the priestesses of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and the home. Listen now to learn about the mythology and politics that shaped this sacred order. - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating, reviewing, subscribing and sharing it today...

In this week's Valentine's Day themed episode, Andrew discusses the ill-fated love between Peter I of Portugal and his longtime mistress, Ines de Castro. Filled with intrigue, suspense, international politics and even murder, this story has something for everyone. Listen now to hear how their tale became immortalized within Portuguese lore forever. - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podca...

Today's episode is all about the incredible life of American aviator and advocate Bessie Coleman. Coleman was the first African-American woman and the first Native American to hold a pilot license. Listen now to hear Stephanie share her incredible journey and her lasting legacy. - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating, reviewing, subscribing and sharing it today. Yo...

In 1859, the United States & Great Britain were on the brink of war. This conflict arose after an American farmer, Lyman Cutlar, shot a pig belonging to an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, a British-owned business, which was grazing on his property. This event escalated into a full-blown military standoff between American and British forces, with both sides sending troops to the islands. Craz...