The Box of Oddities

Can a painting actually be cursed? Many say "The Crying Boy" painting has been the cause of dozens of house fires. And then Kat tells us the story of two men who could quite possibly be the luckiest people to ever hit the high-seas. Warning! The little part which suffocates when the sharp part which gets hurt is swallowed is contained generously. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

They were the rock gods of the 18th century. They played to packed venues filled with screaming fans. But they were the ones who should have been screaming. Then, would you trust a restroom made of outward-looking one-way mirrors? The painful price that 18th-century opera stars paid and the world's most bizarre restroom facilities.  Box350 has salt, MSG, artificial color, or flavoring added. Learn...

Both beloved and reviled, he was one of the most bizarre saints in history. And then the story of the man who was President of The United States... for one day. The lives of Saint Simeon and Senator David Rice Atchison, both neatly packed inside Box349 and vacuum-sealed for freshness. Taste the rainbow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JG talks about what past us thought the future was going to look like. And Kat shares the story of an obsession and a triple murder. Retro-futurism and the deeply upsetting story of Daniel LaPlante in BOX348. Alternate toy available for children under 3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Lazarus lizard or a courthouse con? And then a tale of cowboy revenge. Ol Rip the Horned Toad and Pistol Pete in BOX-whateverthisis. It’s not wet, like gravy, but does taste like paradise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This serial killer duo will shake you to your very sole. And the beautiful corpse-turning ceremony of Madagascar. The Marrakesh Arch-Killer and Famidihana in BOX346. It’s blown to hell, crash. I’m the last splash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat tells us about a fella who delighted in the art of the pointless and JG talks about a guy who we were both shocked we’ve not covered. The Mole Man of Hackney and Howard Hughes in BOX345. Can you dig it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She disappeared for over a decade and reappeared with amnesia. And then, she may have been the first woman to take a bullet for the US. The mystery of Jody Roberts and the masquerading Deborah Sampson in BOX344. It's better than a kick to the shin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JG shares the story of the leader of the Southcottian movement and Kat talks about the last free place in America. Joanna Southcott and Slab City in BOX343. Buff until shiny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She had how many vaginas?! Also, a most unusual paleontological discovery in Brazil. The unexpected true-life story of Blanche Dumas and the recent unearthing of a dinosaur with fur. Kind of.  No transfers issued until BOX342 comes to a complete stop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trouble at the nudist colony? And what’s going on with those tall, dark figures in the mountains? The Sunny Sands con-man and the Dark Watchers in BOX341. It’s got calcium for growing bones! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your tickets for our "You Choose Our Tattoos" Live Looped show! What could possibly go wrong? https://www.events.loopedlive.com/boxofoddities  It was built in the early 1700s, is valued at over $330,000,000, and went missing 70 years ago. Until now? Also, bees do what after they mate? Nazi treasure and the missing Amber Room plus strange and unusual mating rituals of animals. Do not attempt to...

Get your tickets for our "You Choose Our Tattoos" Live Looped show! What could possibly go wrong? https://www.events.loopedlive.com/boxofoddities  First, how a laboratory coffee pot changed the internet. Then, why was this man hounded by salesmen, doctors, orphanages, and divorce lawyers? We’ll discuss XCoffee and the tale of Morgan Dix’s dilemma in BOX339. It’s not your grandma’s oatmeal. Learn m...

Get your tickets for our "You Choose Our Tattoos" Live Looped show! What could possibly go wrong? https://www.events.loopedlive.com/boxofoddities  Is the FBI pretending not to have found a long-lost treasure? And the amazing survival of a WW2 soldier all kinds of jacked up in the Russian wilderness. The disappearance of civil war gold and Aimo Koivunen in BOX338. Clever girl. Learn more about your...

Shall we plan a family outing to the sewer? And what’s the skinny on those frozen explorers? The Paris Sewer Museum and Franklin Expedition updates in BOX337. It’s wafer thin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A murder ship and pee drinking. Oh, it’s a rough one. The tale of the Mary Russell and medieval “cures” for the bubonic plague in BOX336. Do not iron while wearing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of Denmark’s oldest castles has stood for more than 800 years and it’s said some of its earliest residents still occupy the historic hallways. Also farts. It’s BOX335 and it’s grrrrreat! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An ominous epitaph leads to satan speculation. And measurements can be fun! Lilly Grey’s tombstone and units you may not have heard of in BOX334. How you turn my world, you precious thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JG blesses us with some random interesting facts and Kat shares the tragic story of Joseph Merrick. Tidbits for your summer gatherings and the Elephant Man in BOX333. Hey, remember Friendster? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat covers one of the worst school mass murders in US history and JG shares the nutty things some people will bid on. The Bath School Disaster and bizarre auction items in BOX332. Do not feed after midnight.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JG dishes on the guy who was, possibly, our oddest founding father. And Kat shares the story of a medieval septic tank that changed history. Gouverneur Morris and the Erfurt latrine disaster in BOX331. This ish is bananas. B-a-n-a-n-a-s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you wear pants made of milk? And what’s unique about this mummy? JG talks about some interesting inventions and Kat shares the details of the first mummy mommy in BOX330. Can ya dig it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat talks about the first official mistress of the King of France and JG shares deets on the man who thought you could poop all your problems away. Agnès Sorel and fake doctor James Morrison in BOX329. Simmer on medium until desired thickness is reached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JG explores some of the more creative lawsuits ever filed, and Kat talks about a mountain made of fire. Frivolous lawsuits and Yanar Dag in BOX328. Do not listen to this episode while serving jury duty. Hey! Want to listen to The Box Of Oddities ad-free and early? Join The Order Of Freaks! C'mon, all the cool Freaks are doin' it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is really buried in John Wilkes Booth's Grave? And then, an amazing ancient discovery in a Scottish farmers field.  It's BOX327. Try jiggling the handle. Join The Order Of Freaks and get The Box Of Oddities ad-free and early! Plus lots of other cool insider stuff! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices