Strangest Species

Send a text What happens when a tragedy on the other side of the world has such an impact that it causes Disneyland to scrap one of its star attractions for a new park? Join us today as we discuss Superstar Limo, the short-lived, widely unpopular ride in Disney's California Adventure.  

Send a text At some point, we all have to face death. Billions of people have passed from this existence to the next, and in this episode, we explore some of the more unusual and sometimes funny ways in which some of our fellow species have met their demise.

Send a text In 2013, the Carnival Triumph set off for a four-day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. Things started off like any other cruise: great weather, food, and fun. But on the return home, a fire broke out in the engine room, causing the ship to lose both power and propulsion. The ship was left to drift aimlessly in the ocean, with no AC, no power, and no working toilets.  Join us as we discuss the...

Send a text In the summer of 1974, a group of all-female mountaineers set off to summit Lenin Peak, a mountain that stretches over 23,000 feet into the sky. It was important to the group to perform the climb without any assistance from any of the nearby male teams.  After a successful summit, the weather took a turn for the worst, and today, we discuss the tragedy and heartbreak that followed. 

Send a text In 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, and soon after, East and West Germany were reunified for the first time in about 30 years. But during that entire time of separation, many people tried their hands at creative and unique ways to overcome the formidable wall that separated the two sides.  Join us today as we discuss outlandish attempts (all successful as well) to escape from East Germ...

Send a text In this episode, we delve into the life of Ching Shih, exploring her rise to power, her ingenious tactics, and her indomitable spirit that led her to become a legend in maritime history.  Discover how Ching Shih transformed a ragtag band of pirates into a disciplined and formidable force, enforced her strict code of laws, and outwitted both the Qing Dynasty and foreign navies. Learn ab...

Send a text In 1945, a group of former Jewish Partisan fighters banded together to seek revenge for the atrocities committed against their people. They planned to inflict massive casualties on the German people, to be sure that no one ever tried another Holocaust.  They called themselves the Nokmim, or Avengers, so join us today to discuss the plans they created to seek vengeance against the Nazi...

Send a text In the foothills of the majestic Canadian Rockies sits the small town of Frank, Alberta. At least it used to be there until a massive rock slide in 1903 covered the town in 145 feet of stone.  Join us today as we celebrate our one-year anniversary by discussing the deadliest rockslide in Canadian history. The story takes place just an hour or so from Eth's hometown, a place that w...

Send a text During the 2020 lockdowns, Sandra Hughes needed a change in her life, so she sold her house and decided to take a long solo backpacking trip in the Sierra National Forest.  Six days after she left, her campsite was discovered by a group of hikers. All of Sandra's gear and belongings were scattered about. A search team was created, and what happened over the next weeks and year wil...

Send a text On a hot summer day in Germany in 1518, a local woman began dancing in the streets of her hometown. Seems like an innocent enough story, right? But what happens when a few hundred other people join in on the dancing, but you can't stop? Some unseen force is compelling you to dance, even until some of those around you drop dead.  Well, that's what happened to this German villa...

Send a text Who is the worst neighbor you've ever had? What did they do that was so bad? We promise that whoever it was wasn't as bad as one neighbor in Japan, the infamous Mrs. Noisy. Today, we discuss the notorious Japanese woman who took her entire neighborhood by storm by terrorizing them with loud music. But why? What would cause someone to go so crazy? Join us and find out.

Send a text Today, we discuss Pitcairn Island's crazy history, from its establishment by a rogue band of mutineers to its becoming a religious sanctuary overflowing with little kids.  It's a crazy and wild ride, but join us as we dive into its details.

Send a text Some people love exploring caves; others find caving near the top of their list of greatest fears. However, for some people, mapping and exploring caves is their profession.  In this episode, we discuss a team of cavers and two photographers who traveled to the bottom of the world's deepest cave. Let's just say the adventure they had is worth telling. 

Send a text Gonzolo Pelayo was an average middle-aged man until, in his mid-fifties, he decided to take on the gambling industry. Using math, he devised a betting protocol that quickly turned him into enemy number one for many casinos. 

Send a text This week, we explore not the one time, but the six times that the US government has admitted that they have lost nuclear warheads. Along with that, we go into a few of the thirty-two times that they have also had accidents with them, including accidentally dropping nukes on North Carolina and New Mexico.

Send a text Join us today as we take our own time machine back to visit Victorian London and lament about how we wouldn't be tough enough to endure the most basic aspects of life.  From the Two Penny Hangover to mummy revealing parties and Eth's favorite, living garden gnomes, come and explore some of the bizarre and unusual everyday parts of life for the Victorians. 

Send a text Spiritualism swept through the United States in the mid-1800s and early 1900s, bringing along its main star, the séance. Millions of average Americans flocked to mediums and huddled around dark tables in shadowy rooms for the chance to speak to their deceased loved ones, and unfortunately, many ill-meaning crooks took advantage of them, making considerable money off of them. They neede...

Send a text  What would you do if you were stuck in Antarctica with no chance of being rescued when all of a sudden you developed Appendicitis? What if the doctor there said he had to operate to remove your Appendix, or you'd die? What if you were the doctor and had to remove your own Appendix? That's what happened in the true story of Leonid Rogozov, a soviet doctor who had to operate o...

Send a text Join us as we journey back in time to uncover the haunting story of the SS Princess Alice, a tragedy lost to the depths of history. In this gripping video, we explore the harrowing events surrounding the sinking of the SS Princess Alice and the devastating impact it had on those aboard. Set against the backdrop of Victorian London, we delve into the bustling waters of the Thames River...

Send a text Embark on a riveting journey through time as we delve into the extraordinary life of Alexander Selkirk, the real-life inspiration behind Daniel Defoe's iconic character, Robinson Crusoe. In this captivating episode, we unravel the gripping tale of Selkirk's fateful decision to be marooned on an uninhabited island off the coast of Chile in 1704. Join us as we explore Selkirk&a...

Send a text  Dive into the bizarre and comical military campaign that pitted Australian soldiers against an unexpected foe - the emus! In this episode, we explore the infamous "Emu War" of 1932, where Australia's military was deployed to combat a population of emus wreaking havoc on farmlands. Join us as we uncover the peculiar events, the strategies employed, and the unexpected twi...

Send a text In 2007, Trent Reznor, the frontman of Nine Inch Nails, decided to do a little something extra to release the band's new album. He hired a gaming company to design and execute an elaborate scavenger hunt both in real life and online, dropping hints about the new album shrouded in a future post-apocalyptic game fans could participate in.  Sounds confusing? It was, but also amazing...

Send a text Join us on a captivating expedition as we delve into the enigmatic world of Forrest Fenn's treasure. In this episode, we embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind one of modern history's most tantalizing mysteries. Forrest Fenn, an art dealer and author, sparked a treasure hunt like no other when he claimed to have hidden a chest filled with gold, jewels, and other precio...

Send a text Join us as we delve into the daring world of those who have risked it all by going over Niagara Falls. From the legendary stunts of Annie Edson Taylor to the modern thrill-seekers, we explore the motivations, preparations, and harrowing experiences of individuals who have defied gravity and challenged fate at one of the world's most iconic natural wonders. Join us as we uncover th...

Send a text Step into the extravagant world of Henry Cyril Paget, the flamboyant 5th Marquess of Anglesey, whose life was a whirlwind of feathers, fabrics, and frivolity! Join us on a hilarious romp through the lavish escapades of this eccentric aristocrat, whose passion for theater, fashion, and all things fabulous knew no bounds. From his legendary costume parties where peacocks strutted alongsi...