Ill-Equipped History

The story of Madam CJ Walker is a true rags-to-riches tale. Sarah Breedlove was born on a cotton plantation just after slavery was abolished in the south. After being orphaned at a young age, she struggled until she finally had an idea - create her own brand of hair care products for black women. Sarah Breedlove became Madam CJ Walker, who had a brand that would last decades, and arguably make her...

Emileigh and Morgan take a look at the Nuremberg Trials that held many of the upper Nazi officials accountable for their crimes against humanity.    Disclaimer: mentions of suicide and other potentially triggering subjects such as genocide and concentration camps.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/i...

For over 100 years, people have tried to accomplish the ultimate feat; climbing to the peak of Mount Everest. The first two people to do it successfully were humble men with a passion for climbing. Tenzing Norgay was a Tibetan yak herder-turned-mountain climber extraordinaire. Edmund Hillary was a beekeeper from New Zealand who began climbing mountains at an early age. The two of them would go on...

Emileigh and Morgan go through the eras of Christmas movies and discuss how they reflect the mindset and environment of their times. Plus some healthy discussion on ehat is and isn't a Christmas movie. It's a hill we will Die Hard on, if you will.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory...

It was a peaceful day for the citizens of Cisco, Texas, a few days before Christmas in 1927. Suddenly, four men, one dressed as Santa Claus, draw their weapons in the First National Bank of Cisco and demand money. What follows is a series of hijinks and tragedies that will forever mark this small town.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook gr...

Emileigh and Morgan discover the life of the last great astronomer before the invention of the telescope. And the planets might be the most boring thing about his life!    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory   Email us!  illequippedhistory@gmail.com   Check us out on TikTok!  https://w...

In 1978, the headlines were filled with the news about the Lufthansa cargo bay robbery at JFK International Airport. The culprits? A group of guys tied to the New York mafia families. Join Morgan and Emileigh as they talk about the execution of the biggest airport robbery in US soil, and some unfortunate folks afterwards.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/  ...

Emileigh and Morgan look into how one of the most famous shipwrecks on Lake Superior went down.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory   Email us!  illequippedhistory@gmail.com   Check us out on TikTok!  https://www.tiktok.com/@illequipped.histo   Find us on YouTube!  https://www.youtu...

Marie Antoinette married into the French royal family when she was 15 years old. Unfortunately, from the beginning she faced prejudice from the royal court and distrust from the common people. Marie would eventually become the scapegoat for the worsening economy in France, even after she and her family met their tragic end during the French Revolution. Join Morgan and Emileigh as they discuss the...

Few people are as memorable as the amazing Julia Child. She started her life with no real plan and in her 50s became the first Television Chef. Emileigh and Morgan explore how her life and shows continue to inspire our country to make good food and have fun doing it.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/group...

For 13 terrifying days in 1962, the world was on the precipice of nuclear war. The United States, Cuba, and the Soviet Union were in a standoff regarding missiles stationed on the island, only 90 miles from US soil. Listen to find out how President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev negotiated for the continuance of humanity.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/  ...

When Zona Heaster eloped with Erasmus Shue, she had hoped it would be the start of a long wonderful life. Those dreams were dashed when, in the following January, she was found unresponsive in her home. Emileigh and Morgan find out how her own ghostly testimony was used in a court of law to convict the person behind her death.   Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory...

Today's episode is about Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, one of the most prolific authors of all time. She is considered the mother of science fiction and wrote Frankenstein, which would go on to inspire the movie monster imbedded into pop culture today. From the beginning, her life was steeped in tragedy, betrayal, and loss, which would influence her writings and give us what we have today.    TRIGG...

Sarah Winchester was the heir to the massive Winchester fortune after her husband died. Not only was she a kind philanthropist and environmentalist, but she built one of the most famous structures in North America: The Winchester House of Mystery. Join Emileigh and Morgan as they wind through stairs that go to nowhere as they unwind the legends surrounding the Winchester mansion.    Follow us on I...

We're continuing spooky month talking about seances! The phenomenon spread like wildfire as people were entertained by productions and found peace in connecting with lost loved ones.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory   Email us!  illequippedhistory@gmail.com   Check us out on TikT...

The girls have done it again! Another paranormal investigation has come to a close and what a great one it was! This episode is free for everyone but sign up for our Patreon in the month of October and receive an exclusive Investigation sticker and more content for only $5 a month!    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.fac...

Emileigh and Morgan kick off the October spooky episode with one of our favorite curse stories! In the Holy Roman Empire all the way in 1518, a town was swept up in a frenzy that occurred more than you think. Happy Spooky Season everyone!    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory   Email...

Ballroom culture is a community of drag made for queer people of color to express themselves in an accepting, safe environment. But the history of drag and ballroom culture goes back farther than you'd think in history! Join Morgan and Emileigh as they explore the amazing queens and kings that made this culture what it is today.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhist...

Fresh from a trip to Chicago, Emileigh was inspired to cover the life and career of America's greatest architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. The girls are then thrown into a story of a life full of scandal, inspiration, and creativity.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory   Email us!  illeq...

Vercingetorix was a Gallic king who united discordant tribes to fight against Roman conquest. The only problem was that his adversary was Julius Caesar. Today's episode discusses the political climate leading up to the Gallic Wars, Caesar's conquest, and one man's attempt to win back freedom for his people.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebo...

Emileigh and Morgan dive into some of the pettiest 20 year span of history. You could say that something fishy was going on. The Cod Wars were a series of conflicts between Iceland and Great Britain. This story of how the underdogs used the threat of Communism to win isn't one to be overlooked.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  ht...

Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian doctor who made the revolutionary discovery that handwashing saves lives. However, his research results were rejected by the medical community. Learn how he persisted in his fight to mandate sterilizing handwashing techniques to reduce maternal deaths in childbirth.    *CONTENT WARNING* This episodes contains discussion of death in childbirth, as well as infant mor...

Edvard Munch lead a tragic childhood and a talent that forever changed the world of art. His art became so legendary that it has been the target of art thieves multiple times over the years. Today, Emileigh and Morgan dive into his life and stolen art.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhi...

The 1930s were a collective hellhole for Americans; not only were they suffering from the Great Depression, but decades of agricultural malpractice and a serious drought led to one of the worst environmental disasters in US history. Thankfully, there is light at the end of the dust cloud. Join Emileigh and Morgan as they discuss humanity's stewardship of the Earth, and its harsh consequences.    F...

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most iconic women in the world. Her fame was propelled by her beauty and talent but there was much more beneath the surface. Under the glamour was a woman who just wanted to be loved unconditionally and was constantly let down by those around her. Her death was made a spectacle and rumors of conspiracy flew. Emileigh and Morgan dive into her life, love, and death and c...