Fraser Smillie

The Most Dangerous Podcast

Society EN ↓ 103 episodes

Step into the shadows with Fraser Smillie and James Cox as they explores the darkest corners of history, horror, and the human mind. Each episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast pulls you deep into stories that were never meant to be told — from the gruesome and the paranormal to the mysterious and the forgotten. Now featuring the brand-new series “Dark Witness” — short, chilling tales told through the eyes of those who were there. Whether it’s a survivor of medieval torture or a lone soul haunted by something unseen, every voice has a story… and every story has a price.

Author

Fraser Smillie

Category

Society

Podcast website

shows.acast.com

Latest episode

Jun 7, 2026

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Episodes

The Radium Girls: Poisoned Paint, Courage & a Fight for Justice 21.04.2024

Join James and Fraser on The Most Dangerous Podcast for a powerful and surprisingly funny episode about the Radium Girls — the women who unknowingly faced deadly radiation while painting watch dials in the early 20th century. Presented by James, this episode blends humour with hard-hitting history as we dive into the shocking radium craze, the devastating health effects on these brave workers, and...

The Race to Nuke the Moon: America’s Cold War Moonshot (Literally) 14.04.2024

In this absurdly real and ridiculously funny episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast, Fraser takes James on a journey through one of the strangest Cold War schemes ever conceived: Project A119 — the U.S. military’s actual plan to nuke the moon. Yes, really. Buckle up as we uncover how, in the 1950s, a group of serious scientists (including a young Carl Sagan!) were tasked with figuring out how to de...

Tilikum: SeaWorld’s Killer Whale & the Dark Side of Captivity 07.04.2024

Join James and Fraser as they plunge into the deep and disturbing story of Tilikum, the killer whale whose name became synonymous with both entertainment and tragedy. In this powerful episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast, James leads the charge, blending sharp insight with dark humour as the hosts uncover the life of SeaWorld’s star performer — and the hidden horrors behind the splash zone. From...

Tarrare: The Man Who Could Eat Anything (And Possibly Anyone) 31.03.2024

Feast on Fear in this week’s stomach-turning episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast, as Fraser presents the truly disturbing tale of Tarrare — a man whose hunger was so relentless, it defied logic, science, and morality. Born in 18th-century France, Tarrare could eat his own body weight in meat, devour live animals whole, and was even rumoured to have darker cravings that pushed him into the realm...

The Raft of the Medusa: Shipwreck, Survival & the Sea’s Grim Toll 28.03.2024

Join The Most Dangerous Podcast on a gripping journey into one of the most tragic and unforgettable shipwreck stories in history — the wreck of the French naval frigate Medusa . After the ship ran aground off the coast of Senegal in 1816, over 140 people were left stranded on a hastily built raft with no provisions, no navigation, and no hope of rescue. What followed was a nightmarish ordeal of st...

The Dancing Plague - AKA Dance Mania 17.03.2024

This week on The Most Dangerous Podcast, Fraser takes the lead with one of history’s strangest and most haunting mysteries: The Dancing Plague, also known as dancing mania. From medieval Europe to the streets of 16th-century Strasbourg, this bizarre phenomenon saw hundreds of people dance uncontrollably — sometimes for days — often collapsing from exhaustion, injury, or even death. But what could...

The Legend of Spring Heeled Jack: Britain’s Bouncing Bogeyman 10.03.2024

The Most Dangerous Podcast returns with the Season 2 premiere — and it’s leaping straight into the bizarre. James and Fraser introduce a brand-new segment called Dangerous News, where they round up the weirdest and deadliest headlines from around the world. But the true focus of this episode is one of the most chilling and mysterious figures in British folklore: Spring Heeled Jack. With glowing re...

Killer Snails & Final Showdowns: The Deadliest Creature in Australia? 25.02.2024

In the epic finale of The Most Dangerous Podcast’s Australia mini-series, Fraser takes a surprising turn — diving into one of the most unlikely but truly deadly creatures Down Under: the cone snail. Beautiful, slow, and packing enough venom to kill a human in minutes, these sea-dwelling snails prove that in Australia, danger comes in every shape and speed. Fraser and James wrap up their hunt for A...

Eight-Legged Killers: Australia’s Deadliest Spiders 18.02.2024

In Part 4 of The Most Dangerous Podcast’s Australia series, James takes the reins as he and Fraser delve into the terrifying world of Australian spiders — where nearly every corner hides something venomous, fast, and eight-legged. From the infamous Sydney funnel-web (whose bite can kill in under an hour), to the iconic redback, the giant huntsman, and more, this episode ranks five of the country’s...

Australian Outback Apocalypse: Killers, Heatwaves & the Perils of the Red Centre 11.02.2024

In Part 3 of The Most Dangerous Podcast 's wild and dusty Australia series, Fraser takes us deep into the heart of the continent — the unforgiving Outback . From scorching heat that can melt your shoes to mysterious murders, missing tourists, and some of the strangest survival stories ever told, this episode explores why the Outback is one of the most dangerous places on Earth. Fraser uncovers...

Stung by a Thousand Wasps: Australia’s Most Painful Plant – The Gympie-Gympie 05.02.2024

In this episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast , James and Fraser continue their dive into the deadly oddities of Australia with one of the most terrifying plants on Earth: the Gympie-Gympie . Also known as the “suicide plant,” the Gympie-Gympie looks like any ordinary leafy bush — but touching it has been compared to being stung by hundreds of wasps… simultaneously… for weeks . Some victims have d...

Drop Bears & Deadly Myths: Australia’s Most Feared Predator? 28.01.2024

Welcome to the first episode of our brand-new series all about Australia — a land bursting with beauty, mystery… and things that want to kill you. Over the next few episodes, The Most Dangerous Podcast will dive into the deadly, bizarre, and sometimes hilarious threats that make Australia truly unique. This week, Fraser kicks things off with a deep (and slightly suspicious) dive into one of the co...

AFCON & the Free Kick That Shook the World: African Football’s Untold Story 21.01.2024

This week on The Most Dangerous Podcast , James takes the lead as he and Fraser explore the rich history of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) — diving into the evolution of the tournament and challenging outdated stereotypes surrounding African football. They also revisit the unforgettable moment from the 1974 World Cup , when Zaire stunned Brazil with one of the strangest free kicks in football...

Clip Show Spectacular 14.01.2024

Due to James being unwell for two weeks we have had to release a clip show instead of a regular episode. We apologise but hope you enjoy listening back to some of the bets bits from the early episodes.

Perilous Places: The World’s Most Dangerous Landmark & The Mystery of Humberstone 07.01.2024

In the first-ever fan-requested episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast , James and Fraser dive into the story of the world’s most dangerous landmark — a place where visiting could cost you your life. They also share their own run-ins with famous landmarks, bizarre tourist spots, and shine a light on the curious case of Leicester’s Humberstone . It’s a wild ride through history, danger, and hilariou...

Midnight Mayhem: New Year Chaos, The Millennium & Strange Traditions 31.12.2023

In this totally unplanned but highly entertaining New Year special, Fraser and James ring in the chaos as they look back on past celebrations — including their memories of the millennium madness and some of the strangest New Year traditions from around the world (spoiler: some involve fire and grapes). They also chat about what’s next for The Most Dangerous Podcast in the year ahead. It's a me...

Deadly Toys & Dangerous Traditions: A Most Dangerous Christmas Special 24.12.2023

In this festive (and slightly unhinged) Christmas special of The Most Dangerous Podcast , Fraser and James unwrap the weird, wild, and downright dangerous gifts of Christmas past. From lawn darts to actual uranium science kits , they explore the toys that somehow made it onto shelves — and into our childhoods. Along the way, they share memories of their own chaotic Christmasses, awkward traditions...

Cursed Cinema: The Omen & the Scariest Films of Our Childhood 17.12.2023

In this chilling episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast , James investigates the eerie real-life events surrounding the production of The Omen — a horror classic with a shockingly cursed legacy. From plane crashes to lightning strikes, was something sinister at play? Fraser and James also revisit the films that traumatised them as kids, from unexpected nightmares to cult classics that still haunt t...

Fugu & Fatal Bites: The World’s Most Dangerous Foods 10.12.2023

In this killer episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast , Fraser and James dive into the deadly world of extreme cuisine — including fugu , the infamous Japanese pufferfish that can kill in minutes, and Sannakji , the Korean live octopus dish that fights back. From dishes that need a license to serve, to their own wildest meals and dream death row dinners, this episode is a must-listen for thrill-see...

The Glass Armonica: The Deadly Instrument Invented by Benjamin Franklin 03.12.2023

In this episode, James introduces the world’s most unexpectedly dangerous musical instrument — the glass armonica. Invented by none other than Benjamin Franklin, this eerie-sounding device was once so feared it was banned in parts of Europe. Linked to madness, illness, and even death, could an instrument really be that dangerous? Tune in to uncover the bizarre and haunting history behind Franklin’...

The Bullet Catch: Magic’s Deadliest Trick 26.11.2023

Do you believe in magic? In this episode of The Most Dangerous Podcast , James and Fraser explore the mysterious and often risky world of magicians and illusions. At the heart of it all is the infamous Bullet Catch — a trick so dangerous it has claimed the lives of several performers over the years. Along the way, they dive into stories of legendary magicians like David Copperfield, Paul Daniels,...

Honey Badger: Nature’s Most Dangerous Little Psycho 19.11.2023

This week, James takes us deep into the undergrowth for a hilarious and surprisingly intense look at one of nature’s most fearless creatures — the honey badger. From its ridiculous toughness to its complete lack of concern for the rules of the animal kingdom, this little beast has earned its title as the most dangerous badger in the world. Expect facts, ferocity, and a fair bit of innuendo in this...

The Most Dangerous Job in the World? Think Lumberjack! 12.11.2023

In this week’s episode, James and Fraser dive into the surprising world of dangerous jobs — and reveal why lumberjacking (tree cutting) tops the list. It’s riskier than you might expect! They also take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, sharing stories about their very first jobs. Tune in for a mix of laughs, facts, and unexpected danger. Keywords: dangerous jobs, lumberjack risks, tree cutter dan...

Aaron Ramsey: The Footballer with the Deadly Curse? 05.11.2023

In this episode, James dives into one of football’s strangest and spookiest coincidences — the so-called "Aaron Ramsey Curse." Could one midfielder really be linked to the deaths of celebrities and world figures every time he scores? From bin Laden to Bowie, the coincidences are chilling. Is it just a weird pattern, or something more? James explores the dark legend of the world’s most da...

Halloween Special: The Ancient Ram Inn & Other Strange Hauntings 29.10.2023

It’s Halloween, and things are getting spooky on The Most Dangerous Podcast. In this special episode, James investigates what many believe to be the most haunted place in the UK — the infamous Ancient Ram Inn. Meanwhile, Fraser dives into a collection of bizarre and creepy tales, including the strange case of the Enfield Monster. A departure from the usual format, but packed with eerie fun, haunte...

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