Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged

In this special episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, we're thrilled to share an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, **Midday Musings with Stephen and Laura**. In our busy, buzzy, stressful world, their show is the perfect remedy for Internet overwhelm. Midday Musings dives into discussions on media that matter, history that fascinates, and relationships that resonate. Laura and Stephen, b...

Today, Shea & Jody dive into the weird and wonderful world of Northwest sports. Join us as we explore some of the region's most bizarre athletic endeavors, from octopus wrestling to the famed Pumpkin Regatta. Despite Shea's lack of enthusiasm for all things sports ball, its a fun and whimsical journey into the light side of the PNW. **Octopus Wrestling:** First up, we unravel the curio...

**Special Episode – The Funniest Moments and Behind-the-Scenes Antics** Welcome to a very special episode of our podcast! Today, we’re popping the cork on a bubbly mix of our funniest moments and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Join Shea and Jody as they let loose with champagne in hand, showcasing their most ridiculous, laugh-out-loud antics. **Listener Discretion Advised:** This episode contains...

🌧️🐇 Welcome back to Rainy Day Rabbit Holes! In this episode, we delve into the fascinating life of Roy Olmstead, the Gentleman Bootlegger who ruled Seattle’s underground scene during the Prohibition era. 🌆🍸 Episode Highlights: - **Woodmont Beach Arrest:** We kick off with the dramatic capture of Olmstead at his Woodmont Beach hideout. - **Seattle Origins:** Explore Roy’s early days as a dedicat...

This week, Jody and I needed a little break, so we have a special treat for you. Today, we're sharing an episode from one of our favorite shows, "Audibly Haunted," a spine-chilling podcast hosted by the talented Ani Khajadourian. If you're a fan of ghost stories, eerie encounters, and supernatural mysteries, this is the podcast for you. Each episode delves into haunting tales that...

Join Shea & Jody as they take a hilariously spooky tour of the Old Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, Montana. This episode is packed with off-color humor, ghostly encounters, and a deep dive into the infamous prison riot. Buckle up for a rollercoaster of laughter, chills, and some historical insights that will leave you both entertained and a little creeped out! On this episode: We wax philo...

In this thrilling drunk-isode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, we dive deep into the enigmatic life of Fred Crisman, a figure surrounded by mystery and controversy. From his involvement in the infamous Maury Island UFO incident to his alleged connections to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Crisman’s story is one that blurs the lines between reality and conspiracy. Join us as we unravel th...

In the summer of 1947, the skies over Maury Island, Washington, just north of Tacoma, held secrets that would captivate a nation. It all began when private pilot Kenneth Arnold reported seeing a string of nine shiny flying objects zooming past Mount Rainier at incredible speeds. His account led to the coining of terms like "flying saucer" and "flying discs" to describe these myster...

In the quiet town of Bellingham, nestled in the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest, whispers linger in the air, carrying tales of a curse that haunts its streets. Among these whispers are echoes of a dark past, where injustices and betrayals have left their mark on the city and its people. It is within this enigmatic setting that our story unfolds, delving into the mysteries that lurk beneath...

When does a religious group become a cult? In this episode, we venture into the scandalous world of the Community Chapel and Bible Training Center, nestled in the quiet community of Normandy Park, Washington (Shea's former home). This Pentecostal religious group had a dark underbelly of secrets and peculiar sexual practices, prompting speculation of cult-like tendencies veiled behind the guise...

Jody's back! It's good to be together again! Make sure to listen all the way to the end for a trip back to the 1990's. Delve into the enigmatic tale of E.R. Butterworth, a figure shrouded in mystery amidst Seattle's historic landscape. Journey through the foggy Pacific Northwest as we uncover the secrets behind Butterworth's meteoric rise to wealth and influence in the mortuary...

It's time to talk Tacoma-with Shea's brother Jason! Step back in time to 1970s Tacoma, Washington—aka Grit City—where the Top of the Ocean restaurant arson ignited a firestorm of controversy. Join us as we peel back the layers of this Pacific Northwest noir, revealing a seedy underworld entangled with organized crime and corruption. In this gripping episode, we unravel the sinister plot th...

Gifted healer? Or serial killer? In the misty woods of Olalla, Washington, lurks the remains of a truly terrifying place, where patients were starved to death under the care of an ambitious woman, Linda Hazzard. Linda rejected the medical establishment, and even though she was never able to rise to the level of a real medical doctor, killed 15 patients with her unique "fasting therapy". Jo...

Part 1 available now on Effed Up History! Listen to Part 1 first! https://open.spotify.com/show/02rG1jbgTKvvCLE33S6QvJ?si=3c0ef33553d84746 This episode is a continuation of a conversation with Krystina at Effed Up History. She told us all about the origins of Satan or Lucifer in mythology, and his role in the Witch Trials of Salem and other time periods. We take the panic into modern times, explor...

There is a little news in the case of Jesse Lee Calhoun, a man who might be connected (allegedly) to the deaths of at least four women in the greater Portland metro area. Tune in for a quick update plus some news! Tomorrow you get not one but TWO episodes with Shea & Jody! We collaborated with Krystina over at Effed Up History to talk about the Satanic Panic! Both episodes drop tomorrow, April...

Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: Unhinged History with Shea & Jody Episode 26: Release the Kraken! Sea Monsters of the Salish SeaEpisode Summary: In this episode, Shea and Jody dive deep into the murky waters of Pacific Northwest folklore to uncover the legendary sea monsters of the Salish Sea. From the infamous Kraken to the mysterious Cadborosaurus, they explore the origins of these myths, real-life...

It's our 25th episode!!! What happens when you batch record three episodes in one morning? This hot mess express! Today, Shea tells you all about how the San Juan Islands of Washington almost fell to British rule, and how one poor pig sparked a 15 year skirmish that almost disintegrated into an all-out war between the Americans and the British in the Pacific Northwest. Marvel at Shea's ina...

Beautiful mountains, gorgeous lakes and waterfalls, epic hikes, mouth-watering craft beer, steamy hot springs.... Idaho's got it all....plus militias! Today, Jody tells us about how Ruby Ridge became the epicenter of a harrowing standoff between the federal government and Randy Weaver, a former Green Beret, and his family. What began as a simple firearms charge escalated into a deadly confront...

Hold onto your mushroom caps! Did you know that Oregon is home to the world's largest organism? Deep in the Blue Mountains an ancient killer is at work under the soil, spreading it's deadly tendrils for over four square miles! Today, we talk about the Pacific Northwest's most amazing natural marvel, the Humongous Fungus. And of course, we have all of the finest quality mushroom puns an...

Step into the whirlwind of the Stanley Quencher water bottle craze! In this episode, we unravel the phenomenon that turned a simple hydration tool into a cultural icon. Discover what sparked the frenzy, the features that made it irresistible, and the social media storm that fueled its rise. Join us as we explore the highs, the hype, and the eventual decline of the Stanley Quencher tumbler craze. T...

Wondering if you should listen to Rainy Day Rabbit Holes? Well of course the answer is yes! Do you like to laugh while you learn? Then this podcast is for you. Do you like your history hysterical? Then this podcast is for you. Every episode we tell a story about the Pacific Northwest, from Bigfoot to Starbucks to the Salish Sea Feet Discoveries. Discover the upper left corner of North America like...

It's Rainy Day Rabbit Holes story time, with professor of Pacific Northwest history Michael Sullivan. Michael leads us on a journey through the spellbinding world of Ray Gamble, Tacoma's own millionaire magician, and uncovers the captivating story behind Gamble's rise to fame and fortune. Michael Sullivan taught Pacific Northwest history for 23 years as well as historic preservation, a...

Discover the untold story of Zula Swanson, a trailblazing entrepreneur who became Alaska’s largest Black landowner and a powerful businesswoman. From running a high-profile brothel to shaping the region’s economy, Swanson’s influence stretched far beyond her time. Join us as we dive into her remarkable legacy, her fight for economic empowerment, and her role in Black history. 💻 Explore more: www....

Seattle’s early history wouldn’t be the same without Lou Graham, the city’s most misunderstood madam and business mogul. While many remember her for running one of Seattle’s most luxurious brothels, few know she was also a wealthy financier who quietly shaped the city's development. In this episode, we uncover the truth behind her legacy, from her influence on Seattle’s economy to her unexpect...

Join us for a toe-tally intriguing episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes where we dive deep into the baffling phenomenon of the Salish Sea Feet Discoveries! Since 2007, detached human feet have been washing ashore on the coasts of the Salish Sea, leaving both locals and scientists scratching their heads—and their toes.   In this gripping episode, we explore the possible explanations behind these myste...