The Morbid Curiosity Podcast

South of Egypt lies Nubia, the ancient home of of the Kushite Kingdom. The Kushites built their own pyramids and even rose to rule Egypt at one point. In this episode we discuss the history of Kush and the many pyramid tombs they built in the red sands of Sudan.  Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

The practice of footbinding - binding the feet tightly in order to change their shape - appeared sometime before the 10th century in Imperial China among noble women. As time passed, it became popular among women of all classes, despite the pain and debility it caused. In this episode, we discuss the process and the reasons why women continued this practice into the 20th century. Become a Patron:...

Nine women and two men were tried and executed for witchcraft in 1612 near Pendle in Lancashire. This was an unprecedented death toll for a single witch trial at the time. In this episode, we discuss witchcraft in England, and why these trials may have resulted in so many executions.  Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidpatron

While hundreds of urban legends surround Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky, there is also plenty of documented history. Some of the rumours may hold a grain of truth to them. In this episode, we shine a light on the history of Waverly Hills, a grim history tied to the disease tuberculosis. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist   *Information provided by Kentu...

Back by popular request, Hallie discusses more toxic plants! Poisonous plants have been used throughout history for many purposes, including hunting, medicine, cosmetics, and of course, murder. In this episode we discuss several of the most poisonous plants with emphasis on those associated with murder and medicine. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

The Doppelgänger, or supernatural double, has been featured in almost every modern media genre, from romance to science fiction. However, the roots of this folkloric creature are ancient, and the concept of the double and what it represents has been the subject of deep professional curiosity since the 19th century. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist  

1918 saw the end of World War One but also a pandemic that killed more soldiers than the fighting. It wasn't until 1997 that the lethal disease, sometimes called the Spanish Flu, was identified as Influenza. In this episode, we discuss the spread of the pandemic, the effects it caused and the virus itself.  Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

During the night on June 20th, 1756, a large number of prisoners were crowded into a single cell at Fort William, Calcutta, and died due to suffocation. This incident was later used to legitimize British rule in India, as well as fight against it. In this episode, we discuss the validity of this story and the context in which it occurred.  Become a Patron:  bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book:  bit....

In the finale of this three part episode, we discuss the last of the three Great Plague Pandemics, known as the Plague of Bombay and the Third Pandemic, which began in 1855. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

In this now three part episode, we discuss the three Great Plague Pandemics. In Part Two, we discuss the Black Death, Plague Doctors, and the Great Plague of London Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

In this two part episode, we discuss the three Great Plague Pandemics. In part one, we discuss the bacterium behind the plague, Yersinia pestis, and the Plague of Justinian, which occurred in the 6th century CE. In part two, we will discuss the Black Death and the Third Pandemic.  Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

In 1937, Amelia Earhart, a pioneer of aviation, attempted to fly around the world. Near the end of this journey, she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.  In this episode we discuss Earhart's rise to fame, her world flight, her mysterious disappearance, and the theories about what might have happened to her. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/...

During the Victorian era, the practice of capturing photographs of the dead was part of a complicated etiquette surrounding death and mourning. In this episode, we examine that etiquette and how post-mortem photography developed, its processes and how it aided in the mourning process. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy The MCP a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

In 1845, Sir John Franklin and 129 men sailed into the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in search of the Northwest Passage. They were never seen again, and what happened on that expedition has remained a mystery. In this episode, we explore the 19th century attempts to find them, and the more recent information gleaned from what's been found, including artifacts and human remains. Become a patron: bit....

In 1845, Sir John Franklin and 129 men sailed into the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in search of the Northwest Passage. They were never seen again, and what happened on that expedition has remained a mystery. In this episode, we explore the man, the mission, and one of the early attempts at rescue. Become a patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

In the year 79 CE, Mt. Vesuvius erupted, burying the Roman city of Pompeii. The ruins were only rediscovered in the the late 1700s, and have been under excavation ever since. In this episode we discuss written references and the archaeology of Pompeii, Vesuvius and the day the volcano destroyed the city.  TW Detailed discussion of traumatic death by natural disaster Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidp...

Women in White, or White Ladies, are female ghosts, spirits, or apparitions that are dressed in white. They are also one of the most commonly told ghosts stories in the world. In this episode, we discuss the many variations of this legend and its possible origins.   Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

There is a moment in the history of New Orleans that has lived on in infamy since it occurred. That moment was a raging fire that broke out at 1140 Royal Street on April 10th, 1834, and revealed seven enslaved people who had been brutally tortured. The number one suspect in this crime was Madame Delphine Lalaurie. TW: Torture, Enslavement Become a Patron of the MCP: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us A Bo...

Rats have a reputation for being disgusting plague carriers, but they're also thought of as integral to the scientific process and loving pets. In this episode we explore the three versions of the rat, their place in human history, and the ways in which they are more like humans than most people think. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

High in the Himalaya Mountains sits a tiny lake surrounded by hundreds of shattered human skeletons. Known as 'Skeleton Lake' in the media, its true name is Roopkund and it seems determined to keep its secrets. In this episode, we try to shed some light on this shroud of mystery. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

Corpse medicine, or medicinal cannibalism, is the practice of eating human flesh as medicine. During the European Renaissance, it became incredibly popular for all kinds of ailments. In this episode we discuss why and which body parts were most often used to treat different medical conditions. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

One of the most baffling Australian cold cases is the 1948 death of an unidentified man at Somerton Beach. To this day, the man's identity and the cause of his death remains cloaked in mystery, the only clues being a suitcase full of clothing and a scrap of paper with the words ' T a m a m S h u d ' typed on it. There are many theories as to who the man was and what may have occurred to cause his...

Claude Tozer was a doctor and a rising Australian cricket star in 1920, but his career was cut short when he was shot by Mrs. Dorothy Mort, a woman with whom he was having an affair and also treating for mental illness. In this episode we discuss this intriguing and very tragic case. TW: War and Suicide discussed Become a Patron Buy Us A Book

Poisonous plants have been used throughout history for many purposes, including hunting, medicine, cosmetics, and of course, murder. In this episode we discuss several of the most poisonous and historically significant plants, with emphasis on those associated with medicine and witchcraft.   Become a Patron Buy Us A Book

In this episode, we discuss the amazing discovery of a Neolithic man frozen in the ice of Italian Alps, including what his life could have been like and the mystery of his death. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist