Shows
The Chestnut CompendiumJanuary AnnouncementSorry for the unannounced hiatus, everybody! Hopefully we can get a normal episode out soon2020-01-2402 min
The Chestnut Compendium54 - Florence is the MachineCould you drive down the road with your eyes closed while surrounded by monsters? What would it be like to attend a private concert where the musician was a spirit? Have you ever been convinced that you were possessed? This week’s Halloween episode is extra scary with instructions on how to play the creepiest games imaginable, and the story of the exorcism of Anneliese Michel.2019-10-291h 30
The Chestnut Compendium53 - Tap Dancing Spaghetti NoodleHave you ever mistakenly wandered into a tick-infested field? What lengths would you go to avenge your brutally murdered husband? What would you do if you were the chosen leader of a rebellion? This week’s episode is best served cold with the revenge stories of Princess Olga and Queen Boudica.2019-10-2259 min
The Chestnut Compendium52 - That's My Bowin' ArmDo you rely on video games to learn proper word pronunciation? What would it be like to fight demons and gods? Do you smell too weird to have a significant other? Take a moment to appreciate the lives of some legendary martial artists through the stories of some badass Samurai, and the famous Lucy Liu.2019-10-1539 min
The Chestnut Compendium51 - Fossil Huntin'Do you ever get sass from your friend’s pets? What would it feel like if everyone was convinced you were pure evil? Have you ever stabbed a friend in the back over science? Enjoy this spooky skeleton and bone themed episode through the stories of Elizabeth Bathory and the tale of the Bone Wars.2019-10-0840 min
The Chestnut CompendiumMBoN 6 - Babies on LoanDo you enjoy snooping through people’s belongings? Would you ever loan your baby to an exhibit at the world fair? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the sky? Enjoy this mixed bag episode about Martin Couney and the Wyandot legend, Rainbow and the Autumn Leaves.2019-10-0133 min
The Chestnut Compendium50 - But, What If Goats?Have you ever invented a new word or phrase? Would you ever undergo hypnosis to recover lost memories? What would you do if two demanding kids knocked on your door? Things take a supernatural turn this week with the stories of alien abductees, Betty & Barney Hill, and the disturbing legend of the Black-Eyed Kids.2019-09-1746 min
The Chestnut Compendium1st Anniversary!It’s a very special anniversary episode! Grab some champagne, a slice of cake, and celebrate with us! We take a look back at some of our favorite moments from the podcast, and also discuss some brand new topics. No stories this week, just 10 heckin great facts!2019-09-1347 min
The Chestnut CompendiumMBoN 5 - Southern Belle SatanWhat would it be like to have your consciousness transferred into the internet? Have you ever wanted to just float away? What would it be like to dangle from high voltage power lines? This Mixed Nuts episode presents the curse of Repleh Snatas, and daredevil Larry Walters.2019-09-1032 min
The Chestnut Compendium49 - Skelegon, Will You Marry Me?How would you feel if your skeleton was made of shiny things? Have you ever had a goth girlfriend? What would you do if five grown men suddenly jumped out of your tub? Listen up to hear all things Austria as your hosts discuss the stories of Tatzelworm, Kruzimügeli and The Wind’s Present.2019-09-0353 min
The Chestnut Compendium48 - Erotic FriendFictionHave you ever come down with a case of the happy feet? Could you ever wear a live snake as an accessory? Would you be willing to spend fifty grand just to teach someone a lesson? Espionage abounds in this exciting episode featuring badass Virginia Hall, and the real 007, Duško Popov.2019-08-2758 min
The Chestnut Compendium47 - Clean Air the BearHow buff is your bladder? What would you do if you were surrounded by sharks? What would it feel like if your life and career were studied by college students? Enjoy part two of this survival and success theme with the stories of Poon Lim and Oprah Winfrey.2019-08-2058 min
The Chestnut Compendium46 - Tipping the Crazy BucketWould you trust a thin nylon line with your life? Could you ever keep your cool if you were surrounded by chocolate milk? What would you do if you had to live in a van with your whole family? Anna and Lauren switch things up in this episode with the survival story of Xisco Gràcia and the success of Jim Carrey.2019-08-1347 min
The Chestnut Compendium45 - The Popcorn PinnacleDo you have a strong opinion about superheroes? Has a chair ever ruined your life? How far would you go to counteract an age old curse? Cross your fingers, turn around three times and listen to the accursed stories of Busby’s chair and the Macbeth Curse.2019-08-0652 min
The Chestnut Compendium44 - A Mess of LegsHave you ever succumbed to the power of a nap? Would you trust a horse that eats everything to carry secret messages? Could you ever forgive several acts of treason? Help Anna and Lauren honor the incredible heroes Sergeant Reckless and Queen Lili’uokalani.2019-07-301h 09
The Chestnut Compendium43 - SnacklaceWhat kind of questions do you ask on a first date? How would you react if someone bit your ear off? Would you write a cryptogram just to help you remember where you put your treasure? All aboard for a lively discussion about pirates Sadie the Goat and Olivier Levasseur!2019-07-2352 min
The Chestnut Compendium42 - Mobile WeedwackerHave your own internal organs ever started a revolution? Are you a train robbing aficionado? What would it be like to have a king save your life? Come along for a wild ride this week as Anna and Lauren discuss the heists of the Glasgow-London mail train and Crown Jewels of England.2019-07-161h 07
The Chestnut Compendium41 - BrontohorsusDo you use insects in your revenge plots? Has being an introvert ever put your entire country in danger? What would you do if people told you that you resembled a goat? Do-do-do-dooooo! Welcome to the most royal episode yet and learn about the eccentricities of King Ludwig II and Emperor Caligula.2019-07-021h 14
The Chestnut Compendium40 - Anti-Copying ArmDo you invite ghosts to girls night? What would it be like to invent a new alphabet that you couldn’t see? Could you survive all alone at sea? Learn what it takes to be one of the coolest kids around from experts Louis Braille and Terry Jo Duperrault.2019-06-2549 min
The Chestnut Compendium39 - Cat ConduitHave you ever wandered off from a loved one? What if every time you sneezed it started raining? Could you raise a canine delinquent that jumps through closed windows? Things get fuzzy this week as Anna and Lauren talk about several ship’s cats and the best boy, Togo.2019-06-1849 min
The Chestnut CompendiumMBoN 4 - Can't Ignore the OnionsHave you ever won a sweepstakes? Would you ever consider wrestling a princess? Do you fall down when you have too much to drink? Things get fresh this week with special guest, Joe, the warrior Princess Khutulun, and Andre the Giant.2019-06-1157 min
The Chestnut Compendium38 - Tortilla ArmadaHave you ever broken a world record? What would it be like to live with monkeys and parrots? Could you survive a police raid at your local dive bar? Celebrate Pride this month through the inspiring lives of Frida Kahlo and Sylvia Rivera.2019-06-041h 05
The Chestnut Compendium37 - Goths in the Salt MinesIs Onion the reason for your entire existence? Did you ever make serious money by playing pretend? Have you ever held a work of art for ransom? Help Anna and Lauren find the jewels stolen by Doris Payne, and the missing panel of the Ghent Altarpiece.2019-05-2859 min
The Chestnut Compendium36 - Pastry GunHave you ever been filled with a righteous rage? What would it be like to watch your children turn into suns? What lengths would you go to in order to be reunited with your dead lover? Things get steamy this week with stories of the great loves of Houyi and Chang’e, and Thomas and Lucinda.2019-05-2148 min
The Chestnut Compendium35 - DoggggggggggggggggggggHave you ever been possessed by a feminist spirit? What would it be like to write a song completely out of spite? Could you turn down a fortune for the sake of artistic integrity? Find out what it means to be Calvin this week as Anna and Lauren discuss the stories of Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. and Calvin and Hobbes.2019-05-141h 03
The Chestnut Compendium34 Self-Marinated FishDo you create portmanteaus for maximum efficiency? What would it be like to see a lake monster attack your campsite? Could you convincingly pretend to be dead? Learn about the Bear Lake Monsters, the Portneuf Stagecoach Robbery, and all things Idaho in this week’s episode!2019-05-0755 min
The Chestnut Compendium33 - The 3 B's of SummertimeAre you passionate about mini corn dogs? What would it be like to try to survive on a mountain far from any civilization? What would you do if your only shelter was swallowed by the sea?
This week, get inspired by the endurance of the Andes Flight Disaster survivors and Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition.2019-04-301h 17
The Chestnut CompendiumMBoN 3 - Tooked UpHave you ever passed someone a secret message with a handkerchief? Do you like to drop some eaves at dinner? Did you ever pretend to be someone else as a prank? Shenanigans are afoot this week in our Mixed Nuts episode featuring Agent 355 and Horace de Vere Cole.2019-04-2345 min
The Chestnut Compendium32 - Ghost SkisDo you have a debilitating weakness for a specific candy? Could you rocket yourself along the surface of the earth and survive? What would it be like to achieve a lifelong goal while shattering glass ceilings? Celebrate National Deaf History Month with two rad deaf women, Kitty O’Neil and Geraldine Lawhorn.2019-04-161h 01
The Chestnut Compendium31 - Ghost in Ya BloodIs bursting into flames on your bucket list? Are you compatible with your poltergeist? Have you ever been tempted to commit insurance fraud? Things get toasty this week as Anna and Lauren delve into Spontaneous Human Combustion and Belle Gunness.2019-04-0959 min
The Chestnut Compendium30 - Hell RibbonsDo you have a weird celebrity connection you like to brag about? Have you ever come across an egg-laying giant with four arms? Would you ever put rainbow ribbons in your beard? Learn about all things lost and help us find the Continent of Lemuria and Blackbeard’s Treasure.2019-04-021h 03
The Chestnut Compendium29 - The Mitten of BritainHave you ever received a message from your unconscious self? Do people mysteriously disappear in your neighborhood? How would it feel if your family was divided by extreme political beliefs? Explore criminal acts and bizarre familial relationships with the Bloody Benders and the Mitford Sisters.2019-03-2656 min
The Chestnut Compendium28 - A Wrist O'CrazyDo people who waste cookies deserve criminal charges? Have you ever cut your hair to embarrass a man in your life? How would it feel to be faced with a choice between imprisonment or organ removal? Celebrate Irish-American Heritage and Women’s Month through the stories of Grace O’Malley and Mary Mallon.2019-03-1957 min
The Chestnut Compendium27 - Space Pool PartyHave you ever solved a problem with gentle photo cropping? Do you think there is a planet full of blondes floating beyond our solar system? What would it be like to be a part of a secret government project? Anna and Lauren go far out this week and talk about the mysterious lost planet Nibiru and the Philadelphia Experiment.2019-03-121h 06
The Chestnut Compendium26 - Crocodile ComplimentsWhat is your optimal bath time experience? Has your hometown filed a restraining order against a person? Have you ever definitely not murdered your husband to inherit his million-dollar company? Come listen to the struggles of survivor Mary Vincent and trailblazer Nellie Bly.2019-03-051h 11
The Chestnut CompendiumMBoN 2 - 100 Swift KicksDid you hide your teeth at the dentist’s office? Have you ever used anonymity as a superpower? Has an animal ever saved your life? Kick back with a Mixed Bag of Nuts and learn about the bravery of the Guerilla Girls and Sergeant Stubby, a very good boy.2019-02-2647 min
The Chestnut Compendium25 - Invisibility Pinky RingHave you ever been under the influence of a communication curse? Did you change the course of history with a white lie? What would you do if you had the powers of an invisibility helmet? Learn the magical secrets of Johann Bottger and the Helm of Darkness in this week's episode.2019-02-1946 min
The Chestnut Compendium24 - Oni & EenaDid you have a cute childhood nickname that stuck longer than expected? Have you ever remembered something long after you needed to know it? How far are you willing to go to prove everyone wrong and chase your dreams? In honor of Black History Month, learn the history of writer extraordinaire Maya Angelou and the first black pilot Bessie Coleman.2019-02-1254 min
The Chestnut Compendium23 - QueenBusinessHas the North Pole visited you this week? Have you ever been to an armed protest? Do you think you could stand up to a masked gunman? Get inspired this week by the bravery of activists Anna Mae Aquash and Malala Yousafzai.2019-02-061h 01
The Chestnut Compendium22- Prune MonsterHave you ever turned into a pruny resemblance of your former self? Did you ever try to be one of the boys? What would it be like to have one third of the world get sick? Get vaccinated and cover your cough as you learn more about diseases through the life of Stephen Hawking and the deadly Spanish Flu!2019-01-2942 min
The Chestnut CompendiumMBoN 1 - Butt CallusesDo cats have heat vision? Have you ever invoked the wrath of an undead spirit? How far would you go for a $10,000 bet? Welcome to our first Mixed Bag of Nuts episode where we bring you an assortment of stories, from ancient curses to bicycle expeditions.2019-01-2241 min
The Chestnut Compendium21 - Drama, Hijinks, and WalnutsDo you have an enemy-turned-lover? Has a rubber duck ever helped you solve your problems? Have you ever been told your painting looks like a sack of walnuts? Put your game face on for this episode about the famous rivalries between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison and Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.2019-01-151h 04
The Chestnut Compendium20 - RadioToxicWould you sleep on a mattress infused with ghostly technologies? What if your friend showed up one day with a helicopter? Would you ever call the police on yourself? Find out more about the freaky felonies of Pascal Payet and the debauchery of Serhiy Tkach on this weeks episode.2019-01-0846 min
The Chestnut Compendium19 - Lady WalkerDoes your pet have a favorite hunting technique? What if you drank champagne during an athletic competition? Could you drive through a blizzard without a windshield? Get competitive with Anna and Lauren as they talk about Pedestrianism and the Great Race of 1908!2019-01-0158 min
The Chestnut Compendium18 - Don't Question the DuckDo you drink holiday libations out of skulls? How would you feel if your food was sentient and served itself? What if your family holiday traditions involved beating inanimate objects with sticks? Hear the stories of Panettone and other jolly traditions from around the world in this episode about all things Christmas!2018-12-2544 min
The Chestnut Compendium17 - Barrel Aged BribesHave you ever waged war with the person one cubicle over? How would it feel to have the president testify in your favor? Have you ever had an arch enemy who just won’t quit? This week Anna and Lauren discuss bribery in the stories of the Whiskey Ring and Francis Bacon.2018-12-181h 06
The Chestnut Compendium16 - Knight PagentHave you ever accidentally tripped on cough syrup? Do you take notes in a “secret” code? Have you ever re-invented an entire field of work? This week Anna and Lauren take a closer look at innovators Leonardo da Vinci and Florence Nightingale.2018-12-111h 01
The Chestnut Compendium15 - Hypnotic BleatDo you wish your deodorant would be more of a team player? What happens when you get hypnotized by a goat? What would happen if there were giant worms that shoot acid? Find out more about the Pope Lick Monster of Kentucky and the Mongolian Death Worm in our creepy cryptid episode.2018-12-041h 03
The Chestnut Compendium14 - Snow SnootAre you a pro at beatboxing? How did Lawyer Ron end up in Antarctica? How much confidence does it take to order the Air Force around? Learn answers to these questions and more with trailblazers Robert Falcon Scott, Roald Amundsen, and Mae Jemison in our episode of firsts.2018-11-271h 03
The Chestnut Compendium13 - Elbow ChinsCan you count how many chins you have? How many times do you need to try to enter Tibet before you gain psychic powers? Would you ever wear a gas mask to keep hay fever away? Find out the answers to these questions and more as we get philosophical with Helena Blavatsky and Alan Turing.2018-11-201h 25
The Chestnut Compendium12 - Rave EggHow would you feel if you just laid an egg one day? Would you ever jump onto a moving train? What would you do if you caused a 10-year war? Find your inner Helen this week as we talk about Helen of Troy and Helen Gibson.2018-11-131h 05
The Chestnut Compendium11 - Interstellar TreasureWould you vote for Nicholas Cage as Miss Universe? Do you believe in Yetis? Are you a master cryptographer? See if you have answers to the mysteries of the Dyatlov Pass Incident and the Kryptos sculpture outside the CIA.2018-11-061h 09
The Chestnut Compendium10 - Afterlife SpicesAre tape dispensers considered office decor? Do you like to get groovy on Halloween? How many spirits can fit into one old haunted baby doll? Anna and Lauren bring you some thrilling tricks and treats in this episode about Halloween songs and Harold the Doll.2018-10-301h 16
The Chestnut Compendium9 - Forgotten OysterAre you obsessed with rain? Have you ever come across an octopus tree in the American wilderness? Have you ever pretended to be in a famous band? This week we explore the chaos caused by pranksters Joseph Mulhattan and Improv Everywhere.2018-10-231h 16
The Chestnut Compendium8 - The End of BagsDo your animals get possessed? Would you ever have a secret goth love affair in a graveyard? Have you ever made up your own secret language? Anna and Lauren delve into the rich lives of Mary Shelley and J.R.R. Tolkien in this episode about literature.2018-10-161h 12
The Chestnut Compendium7 - Horse DetectiveWhat does it take to be considered a squash-buckler? Would you let a horse represent you in a court of law? What kind of name would you choose for a racehorse? Lauren and Anna get sporty in this episode about pumpkin regattas and two racehorses, Whirlaway and War Emblem.2018-10-091h 02
The Chestnut Compendium6 - Rock & Roll ManateeDo you have strong feelings about lawns? What if your livelihood depended on wearing a viking helmet? What is it like to be a child star? In this episode we are entertained by the strange lives of Moondog and Judy Garland.2018-10-021h 23
The Chestnut Compendium5 - Gifts for Friends and GravyDo you know the Lettuce Man? Have you ever circumnavigated the world? Could you survive an attack by a saber-wielding assassin? In this episode we follow the explorations of Jeanne Baret and Isabelle Eberhardt.2018-09-251h 09
The Chestnut Compendium4 - Oh BufannahWhat's it like to have your last name be your first name? Have you ever forged a check? What if your dad was a serial killer? In this episode we explore the lives and crimes of Ed Edwards and Sarah Wilson.2018-09-181h 09
The Chestnut Compendium3 - The Throat CrawlerHow many children does it take to build a bone fence? Should you open the box? Was a house with legs the first mobile home? Answer these questions and more with these legends of Baba Yaga and Urashima Tarō.2018-09-1156 min
The Chestnut Compendium2 - Complete MayonnaiseIs cannibalism worse than eating cats? Have you ever tried to eat paint? Would you survive living on the open seas? Find out more about all these questions in this episode about Art, featuring The Raft of the Medusa and Vincent Van Gogh.2018-09-041h 33
The Chestnut Compendium1 - Plucking the BeansWhat kind of hats should monkeys wear? Would you drink explosive espresso? What is the worst way to handle explosive materials? This episode, we dive into some stories about the mad scientists Jack Parsons and Jose Rodriguez Delgado.2018-08-281h 12
The Chestnut Compendium0 - Ghost Playing TchaikovskyWhat if ghosts could read sheet music? Have you ever tried making coffee in the shower? Can an elevator take you to another world? Explore these topics in this episode of spooky stories about Elisa Lam and The Lemp Family Curse!2018-08-211h 07