Episodes

  • (Remastered) The Mysterious Underground City of Derinkuyu

    (Remastered) The Mysterious Underground City of Derinkuyu
    Jun 17 2024
    In this episode of "History For Weirdos," Andrew and Stephanie take us on a fascinating journey into the depths of Derinkuyu, an ancient underground city in modern-day Turkey. They explore its mysterious origins, its possible purposes as a refuge during times of conflict or as protection from harsh climate conditions, and the various civilizations that inhabited the city over the centuries. From the Phrygians to the Romans & beyond, we delve into the intricate details of daily life in this subterranean metropolis, examining the city's architectural marvels, its ingenious security measures, and the rich cultural lives of its inhabitants. Join us as we uncover the hidden stories and secrets of this remarkable underground city. - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts. Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇 Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos Website: historyforweirdos.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • (Remastered) The Witches Who Tried to Stop Hitler

    (Remastered) The Witches Who Tried to Stop Hitler
    Jun 10 2024
    On this spellbinding episode of History For Weirdos, Stephanie explores a fascinating and often overlooked corner of World War II history: the role of English witchcraft in the fight against Nazi Germany. Join us as we delve into the enchanting world of Gerald Gardner and the New Forest Coven, a group of witches who gathered in a moonlit forest to cast a spell aimed at stopping Hitler and thwarting his plans for world domination. Did their magical efforts make a difference? Were these witches simply practicing harmless folklore, or did their "Cone of Power" play a role in the Allies' eventual victory? Tune in to discover the captivating story of these mystical resisters and the enduring power of belief in the face of evil. We'll uncover the historical context, the rituals, and the personalities involved, exploring the intriguing intersection of magic, folklore, and wartime resistance. Get ready for a bewitching episode that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the fight against Hitler. - **Pick July's theme here!🎉** - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts. Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇 Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos Website: historyforweirdos.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • (Remastered) The Legendary Lawrence of Arabia

    (Remastered) The Legendary Lawrence of Arabia
    Jun 3 2024
    Join your favorite Weirdo historians, Stephanie and Andrew, as we explore the enigmatic life of T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. This British archaeologist, military strategist, and writer became a legendary figure during World War I, leading Arab forces in a daring revolt against the Ottoman Empire. But beneath the romanticized image of a desert warrior lies a complex and often contradictory individual. In this episode, we'll uncover the hidden facets of Lawrence's life, from his early days as an Oxford scholar to his crucial role in shaping the Middle East's political landscape. We'll explore his passion for archaeology, his love-hate relationship with the British military, and his struggles with fame and identity. Buckle up, Weirdos, for a thrilling journey through the deserts of history, as we separate fact from fiction and discover the true Lawrence of Arabia. - **Pick July's theme here!🎉** - ***If you are interested in Stephanie's book, click here*** - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts. Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇 Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos Website: historyforweirdos.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Episode 132: Historical Mass Hysteria

    Episode 132: Historical Mass Hysteria
    May 27 2024
    Welcome back, Weirdos! In this week's episode, we're diving deep into the bizarre world of mass hysteria, where groups of people experience seemingly contagious symptoms with no clear medical explanation. Get ready for some truly strange stories that will leave you scratching your head and wondering, "What the hell was happening?!" First, we'll rewind the clock to 1939 Louisiana, where a high school dance takes a weird turn when a group of teenage girls suddenly starts twitching uncontrollably. This mysterious "twitching epidemic" soon spreads like wildfire through the school and beyond, baffling doctors and leaving everyone wondering what caused this strange phenomenon. Was it stress? Environmental toxins? Or something even stranger? Next, we'll hop over to 1962 Tanzania, where a fit of giggles at a girls' school turns into an uncontrollable laughing epidemic that lasts for months. This bizarre outbreak forces the school to close and leaves researchers puzzled about the origins of this contagious laughter. Was it a mass psychogenic illness, a social contagion, or something else entirely? Join us as we investigate these fascinating cases of mass hysteria, exploring the historical context, potential causes, and the lasting impact on the communities affected. We'll also discuss other examples of mass hysteria throughout history and try to understand why these strange phenomena continue to capture our imaginations. - **Join our Patreon🎉 Click here to sign up!** - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts. - Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇 Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos Website: historyforweirdos.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Episode 131: Marcus Agrippa - The Roman Empire's MVP

    Episode 131: Marcus Agrippa - The Roman Empire's MVP
    May 13 2024
    Augustus Caesar may be the name etched in history books as Rome's first emperor, but behind every great leader is an even greater right-hand man. This week, we delve into the life of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the unsung hero who helped build and maintain the vast Roman Empire. Agrippa, a brilliant military strategist and gifted engineer, was instrumental in Augustus' rise to power and the subsequent Pax Romana. From crushing rebellions to designing architectural marvels like the Pantheon, Agrippa's contributions were as diverse as they were vital. Join us as we uncover the fascinating life of this overlooked figure. We'll explore his military conquests, his enduring friendship with Augustus, and the whispers of a potential dynasty that could have changed the course of history. So grab your toga and a goblet of wine (or a cup of coffee, we don't judge) and settle in for another History for Weirdos adventure. Trust us, this is one Roman tale you won't want to miss. - **Join our Patreon🎉 Click here to sign up!** - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts. - Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇 Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos Website: historyforweirdos.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 130: The Mysterious Mary Celeste

    Episode 130: The Mysterious Mary Celeste
    May 6 2024
    Welcome to another episode of "History For Weirdos" where Stephanie plunges into one of the sea’s most haunting mysteries—the enigmatic tale of the Mary Celeste. Found adrift in the Atlantic on December 4, 1872, this ghost ship was discovered in a perfectly seaworthy condition, yet eerily devoid of all crew. With the ship’s cargo intact and the crew's personal belongings left undisturbed, the mystery of the Mary Celeste presents a perplexing maritime puzzle that has baffled historians and inspired countless theories. Join us as we sail through the foggy details and try to piece together what might have happened to the crew of this forsaken vessel. In this episode, we'll explore the events leading up to the ship's strange discovery, including the final entries in the ship's log and the weather conditions at the time. We'll dive into the various theories that have surfaced over the years—from piracy and insurance fraud to aliens and alcoholic fumes from the cargo. By reviewing the evidence and weighing the credibility of each theory, we aim to provide a fresh perspective on this century-old maritime mystery. So, set your sails with us as we attempt to uncover the truth behind the ghostly voyage of the Mary Celeste. - **Join our Patreon🎉 Click here to sign up!** - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts. - Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇 Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos Website: historyforweirdos.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Episode 129: Cannabis History with David Bienenstock

    Episode 129: Cannabis History with David Bienenstock
    Apr 20 2024
    In this special episode of History For Weirdos, we have a very special guest for April 20th (4/20), a cannabis / marijuana journalist and historian who has covered everything about the plant for almost twenty years! David Bienenstock is the author of "How to Smoke Pot (Properly): A Highbrow Guide to Getting High" (Penguin / Random House), and creator/host of the popular podcast "Great Moments in Weed History." Previously, he served as Head of Content at HIGH TIMES and was a producer at VICE Media, where he created the video series Bong Appetit, including viral episodes like "A Gourmet Weed Dinner at Hunter S. Thompson's House" and "Marijuana Nonna." A contributor to VICE, Leafly, GQ, the Guardian, and other publications, he has been profiled by The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, LA Weekly, Slate, and elsewhere, while making frequent media appearances, including on CNN, NPR, MSNBC, HBO and Fox News. We hope you enjoy this special episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Episode 128: The Roswell Incident

    Episode 128: The Roswell Incident
    Apr 15 2024
    In this spine-tingling episode of History For Weirdos, we’re diving deep into the dusty files of the Roswell incident, the UFO phenomenon that sparked an avalanche of conspiracy theories and stoked the fires of extraterrestrial enthusiasts for decades. Join Andrew as he peels back the layers of mystery surrounding the strange events of July 1947. From the first crumpled pieces of debris on a secluded New Mexico ranch to the U.S. Air Force's flip-flopping explanations and the chilling testimonies of those who were there, we’re exploring every angle of this enigmatic tale. Was it a weather balloon, a top-secret military experiment, or something not of this Earth? We scrutinize the original claims, the subsequent cover-ups, and the peculiar remnants that some say couldn't possibly belong to our world. Featuring the haunting stories of firefighter Dan Dwyer and his daughter Frankie Rowe, this episode promises to leave you questioning what really happened on that fateful day. Tune in, as we uncover the obscured threads of one of the most baffling events in American history. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and theories with us—because at History For Weirdos, the stranger, the better! - **Join our Patreon🎉 Click here to sign up!** - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts. - Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇 Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos Website: historyforweirdos.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins