Shows
Almost FictionAnthony Edward SowellIn this gripping true crime episode, we uncover the horrifying story of serial killer Anthony Edward Sowell, also known as the Cleveland Strangler. Between 2007 and 2009, Sowell lured vulnerable women to his Cleveland home, where he committed unspeakable acts of violence. We trace his troubled childhood, disturbing behavior, and the systemic failures that allowed him to evade justice for so long. Featuring survivor accounts, court details, and the tragic stories of the 11 women whose lives were taken, this deep-dive exposes the chilling reality of one of America's most shocking serial murder cases.Sources:The road to Imperial Avenue. By To...2025-04-1549 min
The Elevated ManThe SECRET To Going From Dating To Exclusivity! (Make Her EMOTIONALLY Hooked)Elevated Man Podcast with Apollonia Ponti The SECRET To Going From Dating To Exclusivity! (Make Her EMOTIONALLY Hooked) Do you want a long-term commitment to the woman you are dating? Do you want to make your relationship more serious? Without making it feel rushed? If you’re looking to elevate your relationship to a more serious stage and want to do it in a way that feels natural and unforced, this podcast episode is a must-listen! In this episode, Apollonia Ponti will share invaluable insights on transitioning from dating to exclusivity, help...2024-06-2421 min
Severed | True Crime PodcastTrue Crime: The Ice ManWe discuss notorious hitman, Richard Kuklinski (The Iceman), and his cyanide connection, Robert Prongay (Mister Softee). We examine patterns in Kuklinski’s childhood and crimes, his deadly connection to ex-military, demolition expert, and neighborhood ice cream man, Prongay, who helped The Iceman freeze his victims to foil what’s called PMI or post-mortem interval: the time of death to avoid capture by the police or incriminating evidence commonly found by medical examiners. The episode concludes with a discussion of The Iceman Tapes or Kuklinski’s hour-long interviews that include forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Park Dietz.CW/TW...2024-02-191h 40
Research PodjectEp. 32 Vampire EpidemicsThis week's super-late Halloween Spooktacular is bloody fantastic. We chat vampires, but maybe not the type you're thinking of. We have news for you too, of course.Send interesting stuff, corrections, suggestions, ect to researchpodject@gmail.com Follow the instagram @researchpodjectNews links:https://apnews.com/article/horse-loose-cargo-plane-returns-jfk-airport-6066bedc8438d69fd783fc4516bcf4e0https://www.npr.org/2023/08/21/1195016459/monster-hunters-largest-search-for-the-loch-ness-monster-in-50-yearsReferences:New England Vampire Panic Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_vampire_panicHistory article: When New Englanders Blamed Vampires for Tuberculosis Deathsby Crystal Ponti https://www.history.com...2023-12-1252 min
Hypnotic HistoryE36: Christmas CardsWhy Victorians created the first bizarre Christmas cards and how the practice took off in America
Instagram and More: https://linktr.ee/hypnotichistory
Sources:
Blake, Quentin. “The first Christmas card.” The Postal Museum, https://www.postalmuseum.org/collections/first-christmas-card/.
Brown, Ellen F. “Christmas, Inc.: A Brief History of the Holiday Card.” JSTOR Daily, 15 December 2005, https://daily.jstor.org/history-christmas-card-holiday-card/.
Buday, György. The History of the Christmas Card. Omnigraphics, 1992. Internet Archive.
Hanc, John. “The...2023-12-1133 min
Toddler PurgatoryBirthday Parties: They're a Lot
When did kids' birthday parties become such a big to-do? Why do we celebrate birthdays in the first place? What sound does a clown make? Blaire's and Molly's sons are both turning six within five days of each other, so listen in as they party plan and take a trip down memory lane about their own birthdays growing up.Blaire and Molly discuss:
Memorable birthdays from their childhoods
The average price of a modern kid's birthday party
How to plan a kid's birthday party
Here are links to some of the resources...2023-10-1247 min
Strange CountryThe Man Who Killed HalloweenHalloween is the time of year of ghouls, goblins and moral panic about candy. Could some neighbor be handing out candy full of pins? Or even worse, plain boxes of raisins? Where did this all come from? Strange Country cohosts Beth and Kelly talk about the origin of poisoned candy, stemming from one father who poisoned his own kid to collect insurance money. Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands Cite your sources: “DEA Warns of Brightly-Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Young Americans.” DEA.gov, 30 August 2022, https://www.dea.gov/press...2023-10-0535 min
The Muck PodcastEpisode 187: Dr. Vinnie Boombatz | New England Vampire PanicHillary and Tina cover the New England Vampire Panic.
In 19th-century New England, a devastating illness was tearing families apart, but many believed it was vampires to blame.
Hillary's Story
Sources
Heritage
THE NEW ENGLAND VAMPIRE PANIC
History
When New Englanders Blamed Vampires for Tuberculosis Deaths--by Crystal Ponti
How Stuff Works
The New England Vampire Panic Was Very Real and Very Deadly--by Nathan Chandler
Medium
New England’s Vampire Panic--by C.S. Voll
Mental Floss
The Mystery Behind the 19th-Century Ne...2023-08-091h 08
Weird DistractionsWeird Distractions Presents: Ye Olde Crime - The New England Vampire PanicHost Alex is taking a small break, so please enjoy this episode from fellow a Cultiv8 Network show, Ye Olde Crime!In this episode, Ye Olde Crime hosts Lindsay and Madison discuss the New England Vampire Panic, as well as why you shouldn’t bury baby shoes, that organs are pretty flammable, and that you should never drink or breathe in ashes of your dead loved ones, like, ever.Information pulled from the following sources:
2022 New England Today article by Joe Bills
2022 Heritage Daily blog post
2021 Newspapers.com blog post by Jenny Ashcraft
2019 History ar...2023-05-211h 00
The Victorian Variety Show“Don’t Be Mine!” Victorian Valentines With a Splash of VinegarAlthough Valentine’s Day existed prior to the 19th century, the Victorians helped to make this day what we know and love (or hate) today. I briefly discuss the history of the day, then talk about the many “vinegar valentines” Victorians looking to insult rather than flirt could choose from.
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References
Andersen, Charlotte Hilton. “What Is Valentine’s Day, and Why Do We Celebrate It?” https://www.rd.com/article/history-of-valentines-day/
Corrigan, Maya. “When Valentines Were Vicious: A Brief History of the Vinegar Valentine.” https://crimereads.com/when-valentines-were-vicious-a-brief-history-of-the-vinegar-valentine/
Five Minute History. “Valentine’s Day in the Victorian Era.” https://fiveminutehistory.com/valentines-day-in...2023-02-0425 min
There’s Too Much To ThinkEpisode 17: The Origins of ChristmasA long one for y’all to listen to before the holidays, hope you all enjoy and if you do please share! Happy Holidays folks! SOURCES:
Hillerbrand, Hans J. “Christmas Holiday” Britannica, 25 Oct 2022. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas Accessed 7 Dec 2022
Ishak, Natasha. “Inside the Black Pete Tradition of Christmas Blackface In the Netherlands” All That’s Interesting, 14 Nov 2021. https://allthatsinteresting.com/black-pete Accessed 14 Dec 2022.
Kennedy, Lesley. “Who Invented Candy Canes?” HISTORY, 7 Dec 2018. A&E Productions. https://www.history.com/news/candy-canes-invented-germany Accessed 7 Dec 2022.
Kaz Rowe. “The Creepy History of Europe’s Christmas Folk Villains” [Youtube] 17 Dec 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQyEd9Vbes...2022-12-1737 min
Ye Olde CrimeThe True Story of the New England Vampire Panic and Its Haunting LegacyLindsay and Madison discuss the New England Vampire Panic, as well as why you shouldn’t bury baby shoes, that organs are pretty flammable, and that you should never drink or breathe in ashes of your dead loved ones, like, ever.Information pulled from the following sources:
2022 New England Today article by Joe Bills
2022 Heritage Daily blog post
2021 Newspapers.com blog post by Jenny Ashcraft
2019 History article by Crystal Ponti
2012 Smithsonian Magazine article by Abigail Tucker
1896 American Anthropological Association article by George. R. Stetson
The Avocado
New England Historical Society
Wikipedia
Go ch...2022-10-121h 00
Toddler PurgatoryBirthday Parties: They're a Lot
When did kids' birthday parties become such a big to-do? Why do we celebrate birthdays in the first place? What sound does a clown make? Blaire's and Molly's sons are both turning six within five days of each other, so listen in as they party plan and take a trip down memory lane about their own birthdays growing up.Blaire and Molly discuss:
Memorable birthdays from their childhoods
The average price of a modern kid's birthday party
How to plan a kid's birthday party
Here are links to some of the resources...2022-10-0447 min
Tripping on LegendsEpisode 101...Is Thanksgiving Haunted?Name a song you associate with Thanksgiving not sung by Adam Sandler. It is the holiday people enjoy, but most of its traditions are internal. We eat similar food, but the story of the holiday is more the story of our own families. But does the have its own ghost stories? Join Christopher Balzano as he looks at the ABCs of the Thanksgiving haunted legends. Along the way, Tripping on Legends will explore the why and why nots while looking at a few notable stories, including the unusual case of Duffy’s Cut in Pennsylvania. For a more indepth look at...2022-01-271h 27
Tripping on legendsEpisode 101...Is Thanksgiving Haunted?Name a song you associate with Thanksgiving not sung by Adam Sandler. It is the holiday people enjoy, but most of its traditions are internal. We eat similar food, but the story of the holiday is more the story of our own families. But does the have its own ghost stories? Join Christopher Balzano as he looks at the ABCs of the Thanksgiving haunted legends. Along the way, Tripping on Legends will explore the why and why nots while looking at a few notable stories, including the unusual case of Duffy’s Cut in Pennsylvania. For a...2022-01-271h 27The Victorian Variety ShowSeason’s Creepings! A Brief Discussion of Victorian-Era Holiday CardsVictorian-Era holiday cards featured a variety of memorable themes, many of which we might consider dark and disturbing today. However, as I explain in this episode, the tone of these cards becomes more understandable when you consider the fact that Christmas cards were a new concept at the time and the social context in which many Victorians lived.
*****
References
Alvar, Oliver G. “The Crazy Reason Why There Are Dead Birds On Victorian Christmas Cards.” https://culturacolectiva.com/design/victorian-christmas-cards-weird-dead-birds
Baghsaw, Marcus. “Origins of the Victorian Christmas card.” https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discover/2018/11/23/origins-of-the-victorian-christmas-card/#!
Bar, Sarune. “57 Victorian Christmas Cards That Are As Creepy...2021-12-2423 minTripping on legendsEpisode 101...Is Thanksgiving Haunted? - AudioName a song you associate with Thanksgiving not sung by Adam Sandler. It is the holiday people enjoy, but most of its traditions are internal. We eat similar food, but the story of the holiday is more the story of our own families. But does the have its own ghost stories? Join Christopher Balzano as he looks at the ABCs of the Thanksgiving haunted legends. Along the way, Tripping on Legends will explore the why and why nots while looking at a few notable stories, including the unusual case of Duffy’s Cut in Pennsylvania. 2021-11-301h 28
Tripping on LegendsEpisode 101...Is Thanksgiving Haunted?Name a song you associate with Thanksgiving not sung by Adam Sandler. It is the holiday people enjoy, but most of its traditions are internal. We eat similar food, but the story of the holiday is more the story of our own families. But does the have its own ghost stories? Join Christopher Balzano as he looks at the ABCs of the Thanksgiving haunted legends. Along the way, Tripping on Legends will explore the why and why nots while looking at a few notable stories, including the unusual case of Duffy’s Cut in Pennsylvania. Fo...2021-11-301h 28
Tripping on LegendsEpisode 101...Is Thanksgiving Haunted? - AudioName a song you associate with Thanksgiving not sung by Adam Sandler. It is the holiday people enjoy, but most of its traditions are internal. We eat similar food, but the story of the holiday is more the story of our own families. But does the have its own ghost stories? Join Christopher Balzano as he looks at the ABCs of the Thanksgiving haunted legends. Along the way, Tripping on Legends will explore the why and why nots while looking at a few notable stories, including the unusual case of Duffy’s Cut in Pennsylvania. Fo...2021-11-301h 28Tripping on legendsEpisode 101...Is Thanksgiving Haunted?Name a song you associate with Thanksgiving not sung by Adam Sandler. It is the holiday people enjoy, but most of its traditions are internal. We eat similar food, but the story of the holiday is more the story of our own families. But does the have its own ghost stories? Join Christopher Balzano as he looks at the ABCs of the Thanksgiving haunted legends. Along the way, Tripping on Legends will explore the why and why nots while looking at a few notable stories, including the unusual case of Duffy’s Cut in Pennsylvania. 2021-11-301h 28
High Tales of HistoryThe History of Halloween; The New England Vampire ScareWelcome Back!
This week, we celebrate KT's birthday around the smoke circle as she tells us about the history of Halloween and its traditions. After that, Laurel takes us to 19th century America and recounts the long-standing vampire panic that pervaded the rural areas of New England for about 100 years!
Grab your cocktail, your bud, or a nice cozy cup of tea or hot chocolate and cozy up!
*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Socials!
Email -- hightailinghistorypod@gmail.com
Instagram -- @hightailinghistory
Facebook -- Hightailing Through History or with use...2021-10-1558 min
3 AM Mystery ClubThe Rainbow Murders (of Pocahontas County, WV)June 25, 1980 the bodies of two women were found haphazardly disposed of in a clearing at a West Virginia State Park. Vicki Durian and Nancy Santomero were hitchhiking across the United States from Iowa to the lush Greenbrier River Valley in the mountains of West Virginia to attend the annual Rainbow Coalition Festival. A weeklong celebration of fellowship and music intended to bring people together and promote world peace. Unfortunately for these two women, the mystery of who killed them would drag on for decades. Join us as 'Ro presents The Rainbow Murders.
Sources...2021-06-2837 min
Neurolawgical: A True Crime Podcast To Be Psyched AboutEpisode 5: Still a missing person, still missing information, new charges [Update on Linda Stoltzfoos case]This episode is part of an ongoing investigation into the missing person case of a woman named Linda Stoltzfoos, missing since June 21, 2020.
Linda disappeared from a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania community over six months ago, and although a man is behind bars related to the case, there are still many unanswered questions.
**Please note, this article may be difficult to listen to for some people due to its content, listener discretion is advised.**
Join me (Alex) and Tiana as we discuss the details of the case after new updates have been released. We also discuss the idea of a case being...2020-12-2626 min
Welcome to Denver, Colorado!Episode 12: Denver Art MuseumThe Denver Art Museum (or DAM) is one of the largest art museums between the West Coast and Chicago. Observe the architecture: it is made up of two architecturally stunning buildings – one a fortress-like structure from Italian architect Gio Ponti, the other, a structure that resembles a titanium crystal with peaks and shards designed by Daniel Libeskind. This is the most striking feature: a triangular shape of a corner that is fired out of the street toward the old Gio Ponti building.The exterior titanium panels reflect Colorado's 300 days of sunshine per year. If you look carefully, you will see in...2020-12-2302 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 34: The Government Program that Imprisoned "Promiscuous" Women In the United States, the war against women took a particularly dark and secretive turn in the early 1900s—around the start of World War I. Under a government-sponsored “social hygiene” campaign, to protect newly recruited soldiers, tens of thousands of women were arrested on “suspicion” of having a venereal disease. Sex workers were the prime targets, but any woman who raised an eyebrow could be apprehended. The women were subjected to invasive gynecological examinations. If they tested positive for an STI, they were incarcerated in hospitals, reformatories, and prisons, without any semblance of due process. 2019-09-1829 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 33: This Influential Female Author and Anthropologist Blazed a Trail for WomenThis trailblazer became the most successful and significant black woman writer of the first half of the 20th century. In the 1970s, during the second wave of feminism, Alice Walker helped revive interest in this pioneer’s writings, bringing them back to public attention. Have you ever heard of Zora Neale Hurston? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: It was a deep honor and absolute pleasure to speak with Valerie Boyd, author of Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston, and DaMaris Hill, a professor at the University of Kentucky and author of A Bound...2019-04-0340 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 32: This Strange Civil Disturbance Changed How Americans Study MedicineIn the US, doctors are held in high esteem. But that wasn’t always the case. There was time when the medical field was riddled with controversy and public scrutiny. Tensions between the world of medicine and society reached a boiling point in New York City during April of 1788, when resurrection, the common practice of grave robbing, came under scrutiny. Have you ever heard of the New York Doctors Riot? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: I want to give a special thanks to Andrea Janes, owner and founder of Boroughs of the Dead LLC...2019-03-1342 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 31: Before Modern Medicine, These Female Healers Cured What AiledIn the days before modern medicine, the sick, injured, and expecting often relied on community healers to perform the services of doctors and midwives. Women largely fulfilled these roles. Whether their practices were rooted in scripture, nature, or common sense, there’s no denying their quintessential place in the history of medicine. Have you ever heard of the Ozarks’ Granny Women? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit Janet Allured, a professor of history and the Director of Women’s Studies at McNeese University in Louisiana, and Vincent Anderson, historian and author of multiple books on the Ozarks’...2019-02-1833 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 30: The Mysterious Life and Supposed Murder of Vincent van GoghOn July 27, 1890, a painter sustained a single gunshot wound to the abdomen and died a few days later. This infamous event has carried through time as a suicide. After his death, the deceased became one of history’s most iconic and celebrated artists. Yet, we are only now learning the truth about his life and untimely death. Have you ever heard of the mysteries surrounding Vincent van Gogh? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: I want to give a special thanks to Dr. Irving Arenberg, a prominent (retired) ear surgeon and author of the ne...2019-01-3147 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 29: All You've Needed to Know and Then Some Since 1818Throughout history there have been countless methods for forecasting the weather. In 1818, David Young, a poet and an astronomer from Morristown, New Jersey, launched a publication that would help take the guesswork out of this tricky task...and then some. Have you ever heard of the Farmers’ Almanac? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: Peter Geiger, publisher and editor at the Farmers’ Almanac, joined me for this wonderful episode on the history of a timeless publication. I’m grateful for his insight and stories. Image Copyright: Almanac Publishing Company Sources: Farmers...2019-01-0823 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 28: A Doctor Claimed the Springs Could Cure in This Lost Missouri CityGreene County, Missouri was once home to many bustling communities that slowly withered away. One town had quite an intriguing story. There it was said the springs could cure; that a bit of heaven had fallen to earth. A respected doctor even banked his future on the town’s medicinal wonders. Have you ever heard of the lost town of Bethesda? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: A huge thanks to author and local Greene County historian Shirley Gilmore who wrote a little book called Bethesda: Lost City in 1970, when she was a senior in high sc...2018-12-2126 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 27: The Flying Santas Who Airdrop Christmas Cheer to America’s Lighthouse KeepersIn the 1920s, one aviation pioneer launched a thank-you project for the families that keep coastal ships safe. He propelled a goodwill tradition that’s lasted longer than he ever imagined. One that has lasted to this day… Have you ever heard of the Flying Santas? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: I’d like to give a huge thanks to the Friends of Flying Santa for their dedication and generosity in keeping this good-will tradition alive. If you’d like to donate to this wonderful cause, please visit their website at https://www.flyingsanta.com/Donation...2018-12-0818 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 26: This Double-Crossing General Deceived America and Walked AwayAfter the Revolutionary War, at a pivotal moment when Washington and Spain were fighting for control of North America, one American war hero deflected from honor and signed a secret allegiance with Spain. President Theodore Roosevelt said, "In all our history, there is no more despicable character.” Have you ever heard of James Wilkinson? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: A huge thanks to New York Times bestselling author, Andra Watkins, whose new book I Am Number 13 pairs international aid volunteer Emmaline Cagney with the unsettled ghost of James Wilkinson—the former American general who’s stuck i...2018-11-2937 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesBonus Episode: A Thanksgiving Ghost StoryFor years, on Thanksgiving, one former railroad worker from Pennsylvania told his family a chilling tale. Well, they thought it was a tale—a grandiose and macabre account almost certainly rooted in fiction. Yet, as the story traveled through generations, the family would discover that some ghosts lead to the truth; that some of our darkest secrets lie below our feet. This is a Thanksgiving ghost story…2018-11-1615 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 25: Utah's Forgotten National Park is Rich in History and the UnexplainedIn the heart of southeast Utah, water and gravity have sculpted one forgotten national park into a rugged landscape. Rich in human history and natural beauty, this vast and untamed terrain is also an epicenter of legend and lore. Have you ever heard of Canyonlands National Park? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Bentenson, Butch Cassidy’s great nephew and author of the book Butch Cassidy, My Uncle; David Weatherly, author, explorer, and investigator of strange phenomenon; and Clyde Denis, a professor at the University of...2018-11-0956 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesBonus Halloween Episode: A New England Ghost Story“So full of artless jealousy is guilt, it spills itself in fearing to be spilt,” wrote Shakespeare in his famous play Hamlet. Perhaps, in the spectrum of human emotions, there is no deeper feeling than guilt. This strong emotional reaction manifests when we believe—or when we come to realize—that we’ve done something wrong or violated some universal moral standard. Guilt, and its handmaiden, shame, can paralyze us—or it can ruminate into mania. It is said that Micah Rood knew this kind of madness. When a farmer supposedly murders a traveling salesman in his orcha...2018-10-2516 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 24: Decades Before Lizzie Borden Gained Notoriety, This Woman was Dubbed the "Witch of Staten Island"On Christmas night in 1843, a horrific crime rattled Staten Island. Within days, suspicion attached itself to one woman. Decades before Lizzie Borden gained notoriety, this young woman was accused of a horrific crime and dubbed the "Witch of Staten Island." Have you ever heard of Polly Bodine? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patricia Salmon, a professor of history and author of the book Murder and Mayhem on Staten Island. She previously served as the history curator at the Staten Island Museum and on the Board...2018-10-1833 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 23: Before Chatty Cathy, Edison Gave Us the Ultimate Creepy DollBefore Chatty Cathy made us flinch, the Wizard of Menlo Park not only perfected the lightbulb, he also gave us a creepy humanoid with a nightmarish shrill. Have you ever heard of Thomas Edison’s talking dolls? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Paul Israel, the director and general editor of the Thomas A. Edison Papers at Rutgers University and Patrick Feaster, a three-time Grammy nominee and specialist in the history, culture, and preservation of early sound media, including Edison’s recordings. Sources: Ori...2018-10-0353 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 22: Black Wall Street was Obliterated During 1921 Tulsa Race MassacreIn 1921, a white mob entered an affluent district known as Black Wall Street. They opened fire into crowds of innocent people, burned homes and businesses to the ground, and forced countless others to flee. For decades, the attack was hidden from textbooks and even oral histories. Have you ever heard of the Tulsa Race Massacre? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Hannibal Johnson, an author, attorney, consultant, and college professor who writes and lectures about the history of the Greenwood District. His books include: Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa's His...2018-09-201h 12
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 21: Dracula's Best Friend was a Fierce Warrior with an Impressive LibraryIn the Late Middle Ages, the Kingdom of Hungary rose from the ashes, leaving behind a dismal episode in Hungarian history. The mid-15th century soon marked the nation’s Golden Age. At the height of its prosperity, a revered ruler, hailed the Raven King, commanded an eminent presence on the European stage. But, in the end, it wasn’t his conquests or his castles or his culture-forward mentality that made him so remarkable. His legacy may be better defined by his unorthodox relationship with Dracula and his magnificent library. Have you ever heard of Matthias Corvinus? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: It was...2018-09-061h 00
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 20: A Great Molasses Flood Swept Through Boston in 1919Slow as molasses in January is a common American idiom for something that is painfully slow. The history of this expression dates to the turn of the twentieth century and to one very specific event. On an unseasonably warm winter day in 1919, only a few weeks into the new year, Boston, Massachusetts suffered one of history's strangest disasters. Have you ever heard of the Great Boston Molasses Flood? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Stephen Puleo, historian, public speaker, and author of Dark Tide, and Nicole Sharp, an aerospace engineer turned science communicator who...2018-08-2049 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 19: These Events of 1811 and 1812 Caused Series of Strange PhenomenaA series of unexpected events in 1811 and 1812 caused some strange phenomena and gave birth to countless legends. Sand volcanoes. The Mississippi running backward. Miles-long chasms opening in the earth. But only some of these weird occurrences are the truth. Have you ever heard of the New Madrid earthquakes? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Grunwald, administrator of the New Madrid Historical Museum, and Seth Stein, a seismologist and geophysicist at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and author of several papers and books on the New Madrid earthquakes. Sources: The 10 Deadliest Earthquakes in...2018-08-0637 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 18: The Myth of Maine's Red Paint PeopleIn 1892, Charles C. Willoughby became the first archaeologist to excavate sites in Maine that contained powdered red ochre and artifacts in clusters that he interpreted as graves. His discovery led to an assumption that would later be proven wrong. Have you ever heard of the myth of the Red Paint People? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking Dr. Bonnie Newsom, an indigenous archaeologist and professor of anthropology at the University of Maine, and Julia Gray, owner of Riverside Museum Solutions and the former director of collections and research at the Abbe Museum. I also...2018-07-2344 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 17: This Great Warrior Escaped Slavery and Established America's First Free Black CommunityMore than a century before the United States was even formed, some African slaves escaped forced servitude and formed the first free black community in the nation. The enclave was founded and led by an extraordinary military commander who has never received proper acknowledgment in history books. He gave the lost hope, the fledgling refuge, and the enemy a run for their money. Have you ever heard of Francisco Menendez? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jane Landers, a historian of Colonial Latin America and the Atlantic World specializing in the history of...2018-07-1054 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 16: Unsuspecting Men were "Shanghaied" Through Port Townsend's Secret UndergroundAt the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the number of skilled and unskilled sailors needed to staff sea-going vessels fell short. Innocent men were forced to serve as seamen under conditions that were little better than serfdom. This cunning practice happened through a secret underground in one part of the Pacific northwest. Have you ever heard of Port Townsend’s history of shanghaiing? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Strecker, author of Shanghaiing Sailors: A Maritime History of Forced Labor, and Norm Stevens, a retired member of the United St...2018-06-271h 00
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 15: This Road-Trippin' Housewife Became First Woman to Drive Across U.S.On June 9, 1909, as rained poured down on New York City, a young, poncho-cloaked woman got behind the wheel of a touring car that was a bit tricky to maneuver. Back then, paved roads were far and few between, and there was no air conditioning or roadside service to save the day. But these minor technicalities didn’t stop this fearless adventurer from making history. Before Amelia Earhart made her legendary flight across the Atlantic, before Naomi James sailed single-handedly around the world, at a time when society was still very much “driven” by men, one road-trippin’ housewife paved the way for wome...2018-06-1248 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 14: The Dark Legend of the Devil's BibleCenturies before the devil reached mainstream popularity, at a time when he was eternally feared and considered a looming threat on humanity, he made a strange appearance in a remarkable book. Have you ever heard of the Devil’s Bible? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Hugh Houghton, a professor of New Testament textual scholarship at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, and author and theologian Robin Nettelhorst, who currently serves as the president of Quartz Hill School of Theology where he teaches about the Bible and Biblical Languages. Sources: Co...2018-05-3033 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 13: A Hidden World Runs Rampant Under St. LouisThere’s a hidden world running rampant under the streets of St. Louis. Buried deep within the earth, it’s so secret even residents of the Gateway City have no idea it exists. Carved by Mother Nature, this majestic limestone wonderland has provided shelter to Native Americans and Civil War soldiers, helped the brewing industry prosper, and allowed more than one local to escape and have a good time. Have you ever heard of the caves of St. Louis? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Donnie Keck, a resident of St. Louis, Andrew Wank...2018-05-1648 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 12: The Forgotten "Downwinders" of America's Nuclear Testing ProgramThe United States conducted its last nuclear test on September 23, 1992 at the Nevada Test Site, just 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. By official count, more than one thousand tests were performed between 1945 and 1992. History depicts these tests as having taken place in the center of a vast, uninhabited plain. But as explosions filled the skyline and ashen fallout settled over the land like a dusting of snow, people who lived downwind were often exposed to radiation and radioactive debris. We’ve since heard about the scientists, government employees, homesteaders, and ranchers. In the shadows, there's another pocket of victims… Have you e...2018-04-271h 02
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 11: Funeral Games Were Once an Olympics-Style Celebration of DeathDeath is a topic that makes most of us uncomfortable. But back in ancient times, some civilizations not only embraced death, they honored the recently deceased with athletic competitions and contests. Have you ever heard of the funeral games? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: I’d like to give a special thanks to Dave Lunt, a history professor at Southern Utah University who specializes in ancient sports and politics, and Todd Hara, a mortician and co-author of the critically acclaimed books Mortuary Confidential: Undertakers Spill the Dirt and Over Our Dead Bodies: Undertakers Lift the Lid. Sources: Athletics in the Ancient World; E...2018-04-1140 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 10: In 1648, this Trailblazing Feminist Demanded Her Right to VoteOutside of the home, Colonial America was a man’s world. Women were mostly excluded from power in the church and could not take part in town meetings, which meant they could not vote. But one woman defied the norms. Have you ever heard of Margaret Brent? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: A huge thanks to Dr. Henry Miller, historical archaeologist and Director of Research at Historic St. Mary’s in Maryland, Julie Dolan, professor of political science specializing in women and politics at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Lily Read, a Member of the Watertown School Committee in Massachusetts. Part...2018-03-2635 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 9: Fifty Years Before the Salem Trials, Colonists Executed This Accused WitchAlthough the origin of witchcraft remains unknown, from a colonial perspective it was carried to the New World from England. The colony's English settlers brought with them a strong belief in Satan’s power and a deep hostility toward those who did not strictly conform to the community’s harsh social and personal norms. While Salem, Massachusetts often stands out as ground zero, the witch purge began decades earlier in 1647. Women, of course, were disproportionately targeted. Nearly fifty years before the famous Salem witch trials, a young Connecticut woman was accused of witchcraft and hanged. She was the first of many...2018-03-1452 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 8: A Mysterious Underwater Graveyard Lies at the Bottom of Florida's Lake OkeechobeeLake Okeechobee, also known as Florida's Inland Sea, or as the locals like to call it, Lake O, is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida and the third largest freshwater lake wholly within the country. Resting at the northern edge of the Everglades and rimming the western edge of Palm Beach County, the lake is a remnant of the prehistoric Pamlico Sea and appropriately carries the Seminole word for “big water.” Although it’s a major tourist destination and a favorite among those who live in the area, most people have no idea what lingers below the surface...2018-02-2831 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 7: If the Bermuda Triangle is a Mystery, the Bridgewater Triangle is an Epic Conundrum of the UnexplainedJust 30 miles south of Boston lies the mysterious "Bridgewater Triangle," a 200-square mile "vortex" that has been rumored to be both haunted and cursed. Although skeptics shrug off the unexplainable, the bloody and disturbing history of this part of Massachusetts might make you question what’s real and what’s false. Have you ever heard of the Bridgewater Triangle? DOWNLOAD NOW Credit: This episode would not have been complete without the brilliant insight of Jeff Belanger one of the most visible paranormal researchers today. He’s also the Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England...2018-02-1447 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 6: Meet the Notorious, Yet Politically Significant, Black and Native American Outlaws Omitted from Old West HistoryWhile the ballads of gun-slinging outlaws like Jesse James and Billy the Kid play on, there’s another Old West gang that has been largely forgotten. This group of young boys – black, Native American, or of mixed-race – emerged from the shadows in a politically charged, yet severely flawed, rebellion. Have you ever heard of the Rufus Buck Gang? DOWNLOAD NOW Credits: Thank you to novelist Leonce Gaiter for bringing the Rufus Buck story to light. I’d also like to thank Stephen Aron, a professor at UCLA and specialist in frontier, borderland, and western American history, and Art...2018-01-3156 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 5: About that Time Kissing Was Outlawed in Canoes on Boston’s Charles RiverLong before Fats Domino found his thrill on Blueberry Hill or making out in the backseat of a station wagon on Lover’s Lane was hip, young couples took to the water. But they weren’t out there for a midnight swim. They didn’t make a splash or even get wet. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, canoes provided a private escape. Canoodling went on for years in the Boston area. Then, someone let the cat out of the bag, and the innocence of love turned into the scandal of the century. Have you ever heard about the time B...2018-01-1342 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 4: Vermont’s Legendary Wampahoofus Circled the Green Mountains Long Before Bigfoot or YetiDeep in the Green Mountains of Vermont, history runs as rich as the pristine waters that ebb and flow between the rocky peaks. Many stories have originated from within this lush countryside. Some accounts are true. Others came to life in the imaginations of restless souls. Long before Bigfoot and Yeti became well-known in Western popular culture, another legendary creature was said to roam the hilly woods of the Green Mountain state. Have you ever heard of the wampahoofus?2018-01-0340 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 3: World War II’s Rumor Clinics Dispelled the Scuttlebutt and Tale TalesRumors, like most forms of gossip, are usually rooted in half-truths and outright falsities. Yet, during World War II, these insatiable tidbits of hearsay threatened to undermine civilian morale and even cause unrest within the military community when they nearly spiraled out of control. A network of “morale wardens” tracked down the latest scuttlebutt, and helped refute these tall tales. Have you ever heard of the World War II rumor clinics?2017-12-1835 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 2: Step Inside Madam Fan Jones' Bawdy Blue House of 19th Century PleasureThere was once a stretch of land so wicked and rowdy, it became known as the Devil’s Half Acre of Bangor, Maine. Historians affectionately refer to this legendary destination of merriment and mayhem as Satan’s playground – a place where loggers, sailors, and other workingmen gathered to spend their hard-earned cash on whiskey and women. When Maine became the first state to pass Prohibition in 1851, supporters dreamed of a pine-strewn moral haven. But one freethinking former seamstress had other ideas. Have you ever heard of Fan Jones? DOWNLOAD NOW Credits: This story was originally published on Narratively, a site where hum...2017-12-0439 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesEpisode 1: The Former Slave Who Became an ExecutionerDeath is a part of life that makes most of us… uncomfortable. But there are many faces of death – some more troubling than others. Take, for example, executions. Imagine being the individual tasked with the job of death. Right or wrong, however moral or unjust, the history of execution dates to the earliest footprints of time. One of the most unusual, yet forgotten accounts, is of a former slave who became an executioner. Have you ever heard of Louis Congo? 2017-11-1631 min
Historium Unearthia: Unearthing History's Lost and Untold StoriesComing SoonFreelance journalist and lifelong history sleuth, Crystal Ponti, introduces Historium Unearthia - a podcast celebrating history's lost and untold stories… the ones overshadowed by the more memorable and talked about events, people, and "things" from our past. But these are no ordinary stories. These are the weird, the macabre, the unbelievable. The stories that make your heart race and your mind spin. They’re the kind of stories that leave you stunned and amazed and questioning everything you thought you knew about our history. Join her next month as she unveils the very first episode of Historium Unearthia. In the m...2017-10-2204 min