The Strange History Podcast

Part pagan, part Christian — 100% symbolic. Amy unpacks Serbia’s burning of the Badnjak, where sparks predict blessings, and ashes become protective charms. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your...

Discover the unbelievable true story of Calum MacLeod, the Scottish postman who single-handedly built a 1.75-mile road on the Isle of Raasay after the government refused to do it. This humorous and deeply detailed episode of The Strange History Podcast explores how one man’s determination, stubbornness, and pure Highland grit transformed an isolated community and created one of the most inspiring...

Step inside the extraordinary story of Christmas 1945, the first holiday season after World War II ended. In this deeply emotional and richly detailed Strange History Podcast episode, Amy explores a world breathing again for the first time in six years. From desperate toy shortages to bittersweet homecomings, ration-era Christmas dinners, soldiers reuniting with their families, and the fragile hop...

Travel across the globe to witness Christmas 1945 as the world emerged from the shadow of World War II. From Britain’s ration-tight celebrations to Germany’s Christmas in the ruins, France’s liberation feasts, Italy’s rebuilding joy, the Pacific’s tropical soldier holidays, and the quiet resilience of refugee and displaced persons camps, this Strange History Podcast episode reveals how nations—and...

Millions of letters addressed to Santa travel to one special code: H0H 0H0. Amy follows how postal workers became official Christmas elves responding in dozens of languages. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged mome...

Early Victorian Christmas music = slow, haunting, minor key. Think: “What if Christmas but with Gothic cathedral acoustics?” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your ideas for The Strange History Po...

Dickens grew up during one of the coldest winters in British history, so he assumed snow was normal. His stories taught the world that Christmas should look snowy—even in places where it never snowed. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and h...

Dive into the chilling true stories of five devastating Christmas-season crimes, each echoing the brutality of the Covina Christmas Eve Massacre. From familicides to extremist-driven killings and unsolved civil rights bombings, this episode explores the darkest nights hidden beneath holiday lights. Blending detailed historical analysis with Strange History’s signature storytelling and dark humor,...

Return to the darker side of December with five more devastating Christmas-season crimes that shocked communities and destroyed families. From mass murderers striking on Christmas Day to unsolved disappearances and near-miss massacres, this episode exposes the tragedies hidden beneath holiday cheer. Blending deep historical research, detailed trials, and Strange History’s signature humor, Part II...

Christmas Dinner Often Included Boar’s Head Served with an apple in the mouth like a medieval feast. Victorians loved a dramatic centerpiece. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your ideas for The S...

They Decorated with Paper Chains They Made Themselves Before Etsy, there was Victorian Craft Night. Entire families covered the house with handmade decorations. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit y...

Carolers Expected Payment Caroling wasn’t just festive—it was a job. If you didn’t tip carolers, they might insult you in song form. Victorian “singing Yelp reviews.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Su...

Finding the coin = good luck. Accidentally swallowing the coin = new family holiday emergency. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your ideas for The Strange History Podcast Follow The Strange Histo...

Get ready for the wildest holiday episode in Strange History Podcast history. In “The Twelve Crimes of Christmas,” host Amy unwraps centuries of bizarre, hilarious, and unbelievable Christmas crimes. From medieval caroling riots and Victorian tree thefts to goose-related heists, reindeer misadventures, Florida ninja tree thieves, and a ham replacing baby Jesus — this festive special dives deep int...

Mince Pies Originally Contained Meat Early Victorian mince pies still included beef or mutton mixed with spices and raisins. Sweet. Savory. Confusing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your ideas...

Forget Christmas concerts — Families staged living scenes of: Biblical stories Fairy tales Morality plays Basically: holiday cosplay, but with more solemn staring. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submi...

Yes. You might find: Stuffed owls Foxes Birds with glass eyes They thought it looked elegant. Instead: Victorian Horror Aesthetic Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your ideas for The Strange Histo...

Step back into the wild world of retro toy chaos with The Strange History Podcast! In this hilarious deep-dive, Amy unpacks 12 true, shockingly real toys that somehow made it onto store shelves — from radioactive science kits and hair-eating dolls to lawn-dart javelins, espionage-suspected Furbies, and the craft beads that accidentally turned into a controlled substance. Filled with humor, history...

Victorian Christmas gatherings weren’t complete without wild parlour games involving blindfolds, stolen kisses, accidental tackles, and questionable dares. From “Snapdragon” to “Blind Man’s Buff,” Amy explores the rowdy social chaos that turned polite society into a Regency-era frat party. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/sup...

Victorians loved giving handmade holiday gifts — including woven hair wreaths, braided lock jewelry, and embroidered mourning designs using the hair of the living and dead. Amy explores why these tactile treasures were considered heartfelt keepsakes rather than eerie reminders of mortality. Bonus: one London girl school reportedly held a best hair craft competition. Imagine the judging table. Beco...

Feasting on Goose Was More Common than Turkey Turkey was expensive. Goose was the people’s bird. Cue Dickens describing Cratchit’s goose with reverence. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your idea...

The Victorians didn’t just burn a yule log — they studied it. Cracks were omens, smoke signaled future fortunes, and if the flame died before morning? Someone in the household was doomed. Amy explores true accounts of families who fed their logs ale, decorated them like honored family members, and guarded the ash like sacred treasure. Cozy? Yes. Chill-inducing? Also absolutely. Become a supporter...

Step inside the glittering absurdity of America’s Gilded Age, where the wealthy elite bathed in milk, invented imaginary husbands, staged ostrich parades, built ballrooms for cats, and weaponized fashion with bird-covered hats. In this hilariously decadent episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore real Gilded Age scandals, bizarre behavior, ghost weddings, diamond-filled soup, and etiquet...

Step into the wonderfully unhinged world of America’s Gilded Age in this hilarious and true deep dive into butter sculptures, breakfast champagne culture, and the day thousands of decorative turtles escaped and caused chaos across New York City. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we uncover bizarre fairground art, dark-dining scandals, portable mansions of the elite, and the infamous...

Before the Victorians romanticized it, Christmas was basically: Drunk caroling + street parades + people demanding food from wealthy homeowners. It was the original trick-or-treat, but louder Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s...