Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged

Did wealthy Wall Street elites try to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934? In this episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes , we dive into one of the strangest and least-taught chapters in American history: The Business Plot , an alleged fascist coup attempt against FDR during the Great Depression. In 1934, decorated Marine Corps Major General Smedley Darlington Butler —a two-time Medal of...

Bonus Sample from our Patreon Bonus Episode! Today, Shea brings you the history of the Nakasendo trail, a 400 year old road that stretches from Kyoto to Tokyo. Sections of this trail, and the towns that were built up along it to provide services to the feudal lords and samurai who used it, are perfectly preserved. Hiking through Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku is like time travel. In this episode, wa...

Arizona is known for deserts, dust, and dramatic sunsets—not naval warfare. And yet, in 1934, the state of Arizona very briefly assembled an honest-to-God navy and aimed it straight at California. In this episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes , we dive into one of the strangest interstate standoffs in U.S. history, where water rights, political grudges, and pure stubbornness collided on the Colorado R...

Step into one of the most jaw‑dropping survival stories in American history — a tale so wild that even The Revenant barely scratched the surface. In this episode, Rainy Day Rabbit Holes unpacks the chaotic, violent, and strangely cinematic life of Hugh Glass: sailor, pirate captive, adopted Pawnee tribesman, frontier scout, and the man who simply refused to die. Before Glass ever met the grizzly t...

A truly crappy way to go. Today, enjoy this bonus sample from our most recent Patreon bonus episode about the Erfurt Latrine Disaster-a high‑stakes medieval gathering goes disastrously wrong in one of the most infamous mishaps you’ve probably never heard of. This bonus episode unpacks the political tensions, the crowded venue, and the chain of decisions that set the stage for a catastrophe so biza...

Proud members of the MSW Media Network Last week, we revisited one of our biggest episodes ever: How the West Was Stolen — The Oregon Land Fraud King , our 2024 deep dive into the Oregon Land Frauds featuring Allison Gill ( The Daily Beans ) and Shea’s brother Jason. If you want the full “how the scheme worked” breakdown — the dummy entrymen, the timber grabs, the scale of the theft — go listen to...

Special Guest Allison Gill of the Daily Beans, Unjustified, Cleanup on Aisle 45, and founder of MSW Media! This week, Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is going full “wild west,” with a scandal that spans four decades , features millionaire tycoons , U.S. senators , railroad barons , and—because history is never normal—a belly dancer called “Little Egypt.” Shea takes us deep into the late-1800s timber boom,...

How One Man Drowned San Diego. What if someone promised to make it rain —and you believed them? In the early 1900s, Charles Hatfield went from selling sewing machines door to door to pitching American cities on an impossible idea: that he could manufacture rainfall using a secret chemical process. Farmers hired him. Towns paid him. And rain seemed to follow wherever he went. Then San Diego made a...

Today we have a huge announcement! Rainy Day Rabbit Holes has joined the MSW Media Network! We are so excited for this new partnership. We will continue to bring you all of the juicy and unhinged history that you have grown to love, but now with 25% more politicians behaving badly! Also, if you haven't heard about it yet, we cover the story of the Columbia outdoor wear company offering its ass...

History is messy. It’s weird, wild, and anything but boring. Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is a history podcast about unhinged stories that make you stop and ask, wait… is this real life? From crazy disasters and tasty scandals to enlightening and surprisingly heartwarming tales, the show explores moments where people behaved badly—and sometimes beautifully. Expect naughty politicians, cultural chaos, an...

In this special fan-fiction episode of  Rainy Day Rabbit Holes , Shea and Jody dive headfirst into myth, memory, and maritime magic with a story written especially for beloved Patreon supporter  Captain Dan . Set against the storm-soaked docks and taverns of the 19th-century Salish Sea, this tale follows a seasoned ship’s captain whose final voyage brings him face-to-face with  Cadborosaurus —the...

🎉  This week is a little different—and very special. We’re not bringing you a new historical story in this episode. Instead, we invite you to  curl up with us  as we look back, laugh, and reflect on the last  100 episodes of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes . If you’re in the mood for something story-driven instead, no worries at all—feel free to hop over to our  latest fan fiction episode , which is ready...

What happens when ancient mythology collides with modern travel, sibling dynamics, and a very tight bus schedule? In this episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes , Shea takes us deep into the mountains of Nagano Prefecture to explore Togakushi Shrine , one of Japan’s most sacred—and least touristy—Shinto sites. Along the way, we unravel the myth of Amaterasu , the sun goddess who plunged the world into...

In this episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes , Shea and Jody wander straight into the delightfully unhinged heart of Japanese folklore, where the landscapes are beautiful, the temples are ancient, and the raccoon dogs have… opinions. And tricks. And extremely versatile anatomy. Fresh off Shea's travels through Nagano, the conversation opens with reflections on Japan’s quiet magic — misty mountain...

Shea is back from her Japan adventure and is bringing you some of Japan's most captivating legends!  Today, not only does Shea share some insights into driving in Japan, Japanese bathing culture, castles as adult museums, and toilets, she brings the tale of one of Japan's most terrifying Yokai and urban legends, Kuchisake-onna or the Slit-Mouthed Woman. Visit our website for pictures from...

In this special episode swap, listeners are swept into the ghost-laden corridors of the legendary Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado—the real-world inspiration behind  The Shining . Through rich storytelling and a flair for the uncanny, Ani Khajadourian of Audibly Haunted resurrects the hotel’s past: the 1911 explosion that shook room 217, the resilient chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson who still ti...

A government-built city rose out of the Columbia River Basin with rules no one could explain and a purpose no one fully understood. Families lived in identical houses, signed confidentiality papers they barely read, and trusted that whatever was happening behind the restricted fences was “for the good of the country.” What really happened out there shaped world history, rewrote entire landscapes i...

Summary The conversation explores the story of a wild man who emerges from the wilderness, highlighting themes of cultural identity and the challenges of communication across different languages and backgrounds. The narrative illustrates the complexities of understanding and interpreting the experiences of those who are marginalized or misunderstood.   Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.c...

This conversation explores the rich and tumultuous history of the Muckleshoot Tribe, from their deep-rooted connection to the land and salmon to the devastating impacts of colonization and treaty betrayals. It highlights their struggle for survival, the significance of the Fish Wars, and the transformative power of the Muckleshoot Casino in revitalizing their community. The discussion also address...

In case you missed it, we are rereleasing one of our most popular episodes- Madame Mustache: The Wild West’s Most Badass Gambler In this captivating episode of "Rainy Day Rabbit Holes," we delve into the remarkable life of Eleanor Dumont, famously known as Madame Mustache, a figure who epitomized the grit and spirit of the Wild West. Prepare to be transported to a time when high-stakes gam...

Make sure to listen to the end for another installment of our Patreon Fan Fiction! This conversation explores the historical relationship between Doc Maynard and Chief Sealth, two pivotal figures in the shaping of Seattle. Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest in the 1850s, the discussion delves into their unlikely friendship, the cultural clashes of the time, and the enduring legacy o...

We want to say thank you to our beloved Patreon supporters, so we are creating a bespoke piece of fan fiction starring each of our supporters! These little stories are based on one of our past episodes, chosen at random, and feature a completely fictional tale with a supporter as the main character. This week, we are thanking Doug Holbrook and his lovely wife Marsha. In this tale, Doug uses his ec...

The Great Midwest vs. PNW Debate (Feat. Rainy Day Rabbit Holes) You’ve heard of East Coast vs. West Coast — but forget all that. This week, we’re settling the  real  rivalry:  the Midwest vs. the Pacific Northwest. Shea and Jody of  Rainy Day Rabbit Holes , the podcast that uncovers the wild, weird, and wonderful hidden stories of the Pacific Northwest and beyond, join Trevin and Amanda for a  fou...

Caroline Fraser recently mentioned the tragic tale of Frances farmer in her new book "Murderland" and it is such a great story that I just needed to share this episode again!  With special guests Laura & Stephen from the Midday Movies Podcast! Make sure to check them out!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midday-movies/id1715523597 This episode of the Rainy Day Rabbit Holes Podcas...

The end of pain....forever This conversation delves into the chilling events surrounding the Tylenol murders of 1982 and the subsequent Excedrin poisonings in 1986. It explores the tragic deaths caused by cyanide-laced capsules, the investigations that followed, and the impact these events had on product safety regulations in the United States. The discussion highlights the key figures involved, i...