History Hyenas with Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas

⚽ The biggest sporting event on Earth gets the Hyenas treatment. This week, the boys dive into the incredible history of the FIFA World Cup—from its unlikely beginnings to the moments that turned soccer into a global obsession. They break down the greatest goals ever scored, the legends who became immortal, and ask the ultimate sports debate: **What if America's greatest athletes grew up chasing...

Step back in time with the Hyenas as the boys wander through **Colonial Williamsburg**, debate the magic of a **2AM Burger King run**, explore the gloriously chaotic decay of **Atlantic City**, and gush over the postcard-perfect charm of **Spring Lake** on the Jersey Shore. From America's colonial roots to late-night fast food, abandoned casinos, and one of the East Coast's prettiest beach towns,...

This week on History Hyenas, the boys tackle the most important historical event of 2026: Chris' wedding. From planning the big day to debating what makes a perfect wedding, Yannis and Chris break down the chaos, traditions, and inevitable family drama. Chris also recounts a chance encounter with Game of Thrones star Kit Harington that left him questioning his own attractiveness. Was it admiration...

The Hyenas are back! This week, Chris and Yannis break down the Knicks' long-awaited championship, the wild celebrations that followed, and why every sports victory somehow ends with people climbing poles and setting things on fire. Then they revisit the Shroud of Turin, exploring new evidence, fresh theories, and whether history's most famous relic is any closer to being solved. Plus: UFC at the...

The Hyenas head deep into ancient Africa to uncover the incredible story of the Kush Empire and its legendary warrior queen, Amanirenas. Long before Rome conquered much of the known world, the Kingdom of Kush stood as a powerful rival on the Nile, rich in gold, culture, and military strength. Yannis and Chris break down how Queen Amanirenas led her people against the mighty Roman Empire after Empe...

This week on History Hyenas, Chrissy Chaos and Yanni Long Days dive into one of the greatest political rivalries in American history: Thomas Jefferson vs. Alexander Hamilton. Was America supposed to be run by powerful states or a powerful federal government? Jefferson believed local governments knew best and fought for states' rights, while Hamilton pushed for a strong central government, a nation...

This week on the History Hyenas, the boys head to the Mecca of basketball and the birthplace of modern chaos: NEW YORK CITY. From the legendary history of the New York Knicks to the sneaky Dutch origins of Manhattan, Chrissy D and Yanni break down how a swamp trading post became the loudest city on Earth. The Hyenas dive into the rise and fall of the Knicks dynasty, Madison Square Garden madness,...

This week on *History Hyenas*, the boys dive into Homer’s *Odyssey* — the legendary journey of Odysseus, Greek mythology, monsters, gods, and why this ancient story still shapes modern movies today. Yannis and Chris break down Christopher Nolan’s upcoming *The Odyssey*, the internet reaction to the casting choices, and why every big Hollywood adaptation turns into a culture war before filming even...

The Hyenas head to Renaissance Italy to break down the life, lies, and legendary power plays of Niccolò Machiavelli. The boys dive into *The Prince*, political backstabbing, war, betrayal, and why Machiavelli’s name became synonymous with manipulation centuries later. Was he an evil genius, a realist, or just the first guy honest enough to explain how power actually works? Chris and Yannis also sp...

THEY JUST WOULDN’T STOP DANCING. 💃🕺 This week on the History Hyenas Podcast, the boys dive into one of the strangest events in human history: the mysterious Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg. Hundreds of people danced uncontrollably in the streets for days… some until they collapsed, and others until they DIED. Was it mass hysteria? Poisoned bread? Religious panic? Possession? Or just medieva...

This week on History Hyenas, the boys take on one of the darkest and most debated chapters of the 20th century — the Armenian Genocide. Chris and Yannis break down the historical context of the collapsing Ottoman Empire, the rise of nationalism, and how over a million Armenians were systematically deported and killed between 1915 and 1923. They dive into the political tensions, the global response...

History Hyenas is back with longtime friend of the show Tank Sinatra, and things get wild quick. The boys dive into the origin of classic Hyenas lingo, breaking down how some of the most iconic phrases were born and why they still hit. They also take a turn into the history of steroids—where it started, how it evolved, and how it became part of modern fitness culture. Tank keeps it real about what...

The Hyenas are back and this week they’re joined by legendary comedian David Cross for an absolute banger. The boys dive into David’s experience growing up Jewish in the South, the misery of small talk, thoughts on the Mayor of New York, and yes…why Jason went to space (it makes sense in a Hyena kind of way). It’s smart, wild, and exactly the kind of unfiltered comedy you need. Check out David Cro...

The Hyenas are diving headfirst into one of the most mysterious relics in human history—the Shroud of Turin. Is it the real burial cloth of Jesus Christ, a medieval hoax, or something science still can’t explain? Chris and Yanni break down the history, the tests, the controversies, and the wild theories surrounding the Shroud, all while doing what they do best—getting loud, getting weird, and keep...

The Hyenas are BACK and this one is a certified kiki 😜🔥 Chris and Yanni sit down with longtime friend, comedy wild card, and certified gay icon Joey Camasta for an episode that goes everywhere. The boys catch up on life, get into Joey’s love affair with fashion, and hear all about his adventures in Paris—because you KNOW the stories are unhinged. From plastic surgery talk to the realities (and h...

The boys are BACK and diving headfirst into one of the wildest economic survival stories in modern history — Cuba’s “Special Period.” When the Soviet Union collapsed, Cuba lost its lifeline overnight, and what followed was a full-blown national struggle to survive. Chris and Yanni break down how the Cuban people adapted with insane ingenuity—bikes over cars, blackouts as a lifestyle, and a whole l...

🔥 On this bonus episode of *History Hyenas*, Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas are joined by the hilarious Jordan Carlos to talk about his new book on how husbands can step it up, make their wives happy, and maybe—just maybe—save their marriages 💍 Jordan drops real gems (and some hard truths) about relationships, communication, and why most guys are out here doing the absolute wrong thing 😂 The...

Simon Rex pulls up to the History Hyenas studio and it’s pure chaos. The certified hottie with a body breaks down his wild early days at MTV, his unexpected music career, and how he made the jump into legit serious acting. Plus—plot twist—Simon flips the script and actually schools Chris and Yanni with a history fact the boys somehow never knew (yes, it gets WILD). It’s laughs, glow-ups, and a lit...

Hollywood stories you’ve never heard before. On this episode of Hyenas, Yanni and Chris sit down with actors Matthew Modine and D.B. Sweeney for an unfiltered conversation about their careers, the wild reality of the film industry, and what it was like working with legendary—and controversial—figures like Stanley Kubrick and Harvey Weinstein. From behind-the-scenes stories on iconic films to first...

On this episode of History Hyenas, Chris and Yannis dive into the insanity of the Iran–Contra affair—the secret Reagan-era operation that sold weapons to Iran and funneled the money to rebels in Nicaragua. The boys break down the shady back-channel deals, the CIA intrigue, and how one of America’s wildest scandals still echoes today. Then they jump to the current 2026 Iran war, where U.S. and Isra...

This week on History Hyenas, Yanni and Chris go full chaos mode. Chrissy vents about his sitcom not getting picked up and what really goes down behind the Hollywood curtain, the boys break down the legend of the Long Island Medium Theresa Caputo, and Chris recaps an awkward date with the star of Owning Manhattan. They also dive into the booming world of THC seltzers, and Yannis tells a wild story...

This week on History Hyenas, we dive into Robert Maxwell — disgraced media mogul, alleged intelligence asset, and father of Ghislaine Maxwell — whose mysterious 1991 death at sea still fuels speculation. From looting pension funds to rumored ties to Mossad, Maxwell’s rise and fall cast a long shadow over the world later exposed by Jeffrey Epstein. We break down the scandals, the secrets, and the p...

This week the boys sit down with comedian Radel Ortiz for a wild episode breaking down Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance, what it meant for Latin culture, and how NYC shapes identity from borough to borough. From growing up in Brooklyn to deep dives into Dominican culture and history, it’s laughs, culture, and classic Hyenas chaos all in one. 🇩🇴🔥 #HistoryHyenas #RadelOrtiz #BadBunny #NYC Support...

Former late-night host Craig Ferguson joins the Hyenas for a wide-ranging, hilarious, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation. Craig breaks down why he walked away from late-night television at the top of his game, what he didn’t like about the modern talk-show machine, and how freedom became more valuable than fame. Chris and Yanni also dive into Craig’s deep love of historical fiction, storytel...

The boys are in Bay Ridge talking about the Montenegrin people and just how tough and wild they are. One of the only people to never be fully conquered. Chris’ daughters are in the room while they pod—so it gets wild. Support our sponsors: Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://RocketMoney.com/HYENAS Upgrade your denim game with Rag & Bone!. Get 20% off sitewi...