Long Story Short

In this episode of Long Story Short, Kris and Leah explore the origins of alternative rock, the genres of sludge and grunge, and the creation of a little band called “Nirvana.” Series: Made By Melvin (1/2) Music: "Dragostea din tei" by O-Zone; "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down; "Werewolves in London" by Warren Zevon; "In Bloom" by Nirvana; "Night Goat" by The Melvins; "Sweet Willy Rollbar" by The Melvi...

The finale of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the debauched presidency of Romania's final autocrat, the Trump-analogous Traian Băsescu, the restoration of confidence and economy alike under the administration of former schoolteacher Klaus Johannis, and the present issues facing the country, most notably being a border crisis, a NATO bid, and the looming...

The fifteenth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the immediate chaos following the execution of the Ceaușescus - a chaos likely orchestrated by provisional president Ion Iliescu in order to legitimatize his seizure of the throne - and a handful of similarly-corrupt figures who colluded with the international elite to surreptitiously privatize Romania's...

The fourteenth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the life of Vlad Dracula, "the Impaler", a clever and relentless man of gruesome legend; his triple-crossing of two heavyweights of consequence - the Hungarian Catholic John Hunyadi, AKA the "White Knight of Wallachia", and the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, conqueror of Constantinople; and the long-awaited t...

The thirteenth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores Nicolae Ceaușescu's final speech and the revolution that rose partway through it: from turbulence in a reluctant crowd to a night of fear and fighting, and the mid-morn insurrection that forced their dotard dictator into literally taking flight to save his life — if only for the meanwhile... Series: Ceau...

In this one-shot episode of Long Story Short, Kris and Leah explore the word “fart” and its synonyms, notable farts of the animal kingdom, the chemical curiosities of a fart, and the many different ways one could hide or cherish a fart. Series: One-Shots, Episode 002 Outro: "Toxic Coffee" by Aesop Rock x Britney Spears mashup ( YouTube ) Mentioned: Australian fart-bullying case ; Herring fishy far...

The twelfth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the life of rocketry pioneer Hermann Oberth, Silviu Brucan's dissenting "Letter of the Six", and the Transylvanian pastor László Tőkés, whose secret interview for Canadian television ultimately led to Ceaușescu's downfall. Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (12/16) Outro: "Ketamine" by Versatile ( YouTube ) Speci...

The eleventh of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the construction of Ceaușescu's absolutely-massive palace, the dissent of writer Paul Goma, the defection of Securitate chief Jon Mihai Pacepa, the Jiu Valley miners' strike, and the slow collapse of the state economy. Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (11/16) Outro: "On Point" by Old Man Saxon ( YouTube )

The tenth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the rise of "honorary scientist" Elena Ceaușescu, the lives of those rascally Ceaușescu Kids, Nicolae's first efforts as "Conducător 2.0", and a flashback to Trajan's Bridge, as well as the etymologies of Romania and the Romani. Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (10/16) Outro: "The Power of Music (Old Spice)" by m...

The ninth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the baby-boom of Decree 770 and the distressing consequences of natalism, Romania's lovely-but-brief affair with Westernization, and the influence that North Korea and China bore on Ceaușescu's gestating cult of personality. Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (9/16) Outro: the ProleteR remix of Frank Sinatra's "Tha...

The eighth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the character arc of the O.G. "Iron Lady," Ana Pauker, the isolationist endeavors of the despot Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, and the last-minute compromise that put Nicolae Ceaușescu in control of Soviet Romania. Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (8/16) Recommended: from Messy Nessy, What History Didn’t Tell Us about...

The seventh of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the dawn of Soviet leadership under the blockhead brute Petru Groza, the dethronement of King Michael, the gruesome Pitești Experiments, and the origins of Jack Lemmon-lookalike Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej and his dog-brained protégé, Nicolae Ceaușescu. Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (7/16)

In this one-shot episode of Long Story Short, Kris and Leah explore the science behind flatulence, the foods that promote it, and the anatomy of the anus, as well as the origins of the apple and the private letters of author James Joyce. Series: One-Shots, Episode 001

The sixth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the blunders and horrors of the Odessa Campaign, the life of Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko, and the last days of dictator Ion Antonescu. Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (6/16)   Recommended: from The Washington Post, If Trump had been in charge during World War II, this column would be in German , by Max Bo...

The fifth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the driving tension between co-rulers Ion Antonescu and Horia Sima, the intervention of one Adolf Hitler, and a divided nation's steep careen into genocide. Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (5/16)  

The fourth of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the outbreak of World War II, Romania's unintentional alignment with the Axis Powers, and King Carol Two's usurpation by the antisemite General Ion Antonescu.   Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (4/16)   Recommended: from the New Yorker, Francis Fukuyama Postpones the End of History , and, for more on the poet Be...

The third of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the noble perseverance of Prime Minister Armand Călinescu, the looming presence of Adolf Hitler over Romania's oil, and the Soviet-soiled lifeline extended by Turkey.   Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (3/16)  Recommended: for those who like to read,   OpenArticle.xyz .

The second of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores Corny Codreanu's violent climb toward legitimizing his fascist faction (a period rich with assassinations), the interloping of Octavian "Goldfish" Goga's National Christian Party, and King Carol Two's desperate feint to conserve and consolidate power.   Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (2/16)   Recommended: an a...

The first of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the origins of Unified Romania, the early reign of the vain and blundering King Carol Two, and the rise of the ultranationalist Legionnaires, a faction of death-fetishists led by a charismatic so-called-prophet Corneliu "Corny" Codreanu.   Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (1/16)   Recommended: for those who like...