Horrible People That Did Good Things

History EN ↓ 4 episodes

What happens when the world's worst villains do unexpectedly good deeds? In this podcast, we dive into history's most uncomfortable paradoxes. Did you know that Adolf Hitler started a pioneering public campaign to completely ban smoking? Or that infamous serial killer Ted Bundy actually saved lives by helping people on suicide hotlines? We explore the complex, bizarre, and sometimes beneficial actions of notorious figures. New episode every week! Note: This podcast is an exercise in holding two opposing thoughts at once. While we discuss specific positive policies, we strictly condemn the ev...

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Episodes

Stalin’s Poetry & Mussolini’s Violin 04.02.2026 28:09

In this episode, we look at the strange, "good" deeds of two horrible men. We explore whether writing poetry implies a soul, and if being a good teacher counts for anything when you are a dictator. Stalin: Responsible for millions of deaths... and the author of romantic poetry? Mussolini: The father of Fascism... and a talented violinist who fixed the school system? Disclaimer:  Hig...

Did Genghis Khan Have More Religious Freedom Than Us? 27.01.2026 25:47

It sounds like fake news, but it’s history. In this episode, we challenge everything you think you know about three of the world's most feared rulers. We dig into the uncomfortable truth that some of history's biggest villains implemented policies that modern democracies would envy. The Warlord of Tolerance:  How  Genghis Khan , the man who slaughtered millions, established one of the fi...

The Opera Composer & The Genocidal Poet 20.01.2026 23:11

We often think of dictators as one-dimensional monsters, but history tells a stranger story. In this episode, we explore the shocking artistic and intellectual pursuits of four of the world's most ruthless leaders. Kim Jong Il's Musical Hit:  How the North Korean leader composed operas that became surprisingly popular in China and even wrote a book titled  The Art of Opera . Mao Zedong's...

The Anti-Smoking Nazi & The Marine Biologist Emperor 12.01.2026 30:02

History is rarely black and white. In this debut episode, we explore the uncomfortable and bizarre "good deeds" performed by four of history's most notorious figures. We dig into the archives to uncover: • Adolf Hitler’s Health Kick: How the man responsible for the Holocaust also launched a pioneering public campaign to ban smoking completely.   • Saddam Hussein’s Soft Side: Beyond the g...