The Strange History Podcast

On January 11, 1922, doctors administered insulin to a dying teenager for the first time in medical history. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy tells the strange true story of Leonard Thompson, the experimental injection that nearly failed, and the breakthrough that transformed diabetes from a fatal disease into a survivable condition. A powerful reminder of how quiet moments can change the world.

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On January 10, 1863, London opened the world’s first underground railway, forever changing how cities move. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the strange true story of the Victorian subway — from steam engines in brick tunnels to fears of madness and suffocation — and how one bold experiment reshaped urban life across the globe.

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On January 9, 1793, French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard made the first manned balloon flight in the United States, soaring above Philadelphia as George Washington looked on. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy tells the strange true story of America’s first encounter with human flight — from gasps in the crowd to the birth of airmail and the moment the sky stopped being unreachable.

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Bodie, California was once one of the most violent and lawless boomtowns of the American West—and today it’s widely considered one of the most haunted ghost towns in the United States. In this mega episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy dives deep into the true history of Bodie, from gold-rush greed, gunfights, fires, and brutal winters to its sudden abandonment and eerie preservation in arrested decay. Featuring documented ranger and caretaker encounters, firsthand reports of footsteps, phantom lights, piano music, apparitions, the infamous Bodie Curse, and real letters from visitors who returned stolen artifacts after experiencing year...

On January 8, 1994, cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov launched to the Mir space station and began a mission that would last an astonishing 437 days — the longest single spaceflight in human history. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the strange true story of the man who stayed in orbit for over a year, the physical toll of microgravity, and the moment that proved humans could survive long-duration space travel. A fascinating look at endurance beyond Earth.

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On January 7, 1948, U.S. Air Force Captain Thomas Mantell died while pursuing a mysterious object in the sky over Kentucky. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the strange true story behind one of America’s earliest UFO incidents — the eyewitness reports, the fatal high-altitude chase, and the conflicting explanations that followed. A haunting reminder of how curiosity, mystery, and the limits of human endurance can collide.

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On January 7, 1901, a routine supply visit to the Flannan Isles lighthouse off the coast of Scotland revealed a chilling mystery: three experienced lighthouse keepers had vanished without a trace. In this mega episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the true story of James Ducat, Thomas Marshall, and Donald McArthur—who they were, what was found inside the lighthouse, the strange logbook entries, the violent damage outside, and why the official explanation has never fully satisfied. This strange but true maritime mystery remains one of history’s most unsettling disappearances.

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On January 6, 1540, King Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves after choosing her almost entirely based on a portrait. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy tells the strange true story of the royal marriage that failed instantly, the awkward first meeting that doomed it, and how Anne of Cleves became the only one of Henry’s wives to walk away wealthy, alive, and relieved. A cautionary tale of politics, portraits, and royal regret.

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On January 5, 1914, Henry Ford stunned the business world by announcing a five-dollar-a-day wage for factory workers — more than double the industry standard — during a time of brutal working conditions and extreme employee turnover. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the true story behind Ford’s decision, why it terrified other industrialists, how it triggered chaos in Detroit, and how one unexpected move helped shape modern wages, labor expectations, consumer culture, and the concept of the eight-hour workday.

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On January 5, 2005, astronomers discovered a distant object beyond Pluto that would ultimately change how we define planets. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the strange true story of Eris — the icy world that sparked a scientific identity crisis, forced astronomers to rewrite the rules of the solar system, and led to Pluto’s infamous reclassification. A fascinating look at how one discovery reshaped astronomy forever.

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Throughout history, people have reported terrifying encounters with their own doubles — silent figures that look exactly like them, appear in multiple places at once, and often signal tragedy. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the strange true history of doppelgängers, from chilling folklore and medieval death omens to real historical cases involving emperors, presidents, writers, and entire classrooms of witnesses. We examine famous doppelgänger sightings, unexplained historical accounts, psychological theories, and why modern science still struggles to explain cases seen by multiple people at the same time. If you’ve ever wondered whether doppelgängers a...

On January 4, 1975, early computer systems reached a hidden limit and quietly broke when they could no longer count forward in time. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the bizarre true story of one of the earliest time rollover failures — how outdated assumptions caused modern machines to stumble, why engineers never expected their systems to last this long, and how this forgotten incident foreshadowed Y2K and future digital disasters. A strange reminder that even computers are at the mercy of time.

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On January 3, 1961, an experimental nuclear reactor in Idaho suffered a catastrophic accident so powerful it caused the reactor vessel to jump nearly nine feet into the air. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy tells the haunting true story of the SL-1 nuclear disaster — the routine maintenance task that went tragically wrong, the rescue that exposed responders to deadly radiation, and the Cold War secrecy that kept this event largely forgotten. A chilling reminder of how small mistakes can lead to enormous consequences.

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Dive into the unbelievable true story of Aimo Koivunen, the Finnish soldier who survived a Soviet ambush, consumed an entire bottle of military-issued methamphetamine, skied more than 250 miles through Arctic wilderness, survived a landmine explosion, hallucinations, starvation, and freezing temperatures, and somehow lived to tell the tale. In this hilarious and deeply detailed episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore one of the most extreme survival stories in military history. Blending humor, true accounts, and the cultural backbone of Finnish “sisu,” this episode reveals how one man accidentally became a real-life super soldier in one of history’s strangest wartim...

On January 2, 1959, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 1 launched toward the Moon — and missed it entirely, drifting off into deep space and becoming the first human-made object to orbit the Sun. In this Strange History Podcast episode, Amy reveals the chaotic rush behind the mission, the guidance error that changed space exploration, and the strange true stories behind this so-called “successful failure.” From Cold War pressure to glowing sodium clouds trailing across the night sky, this is the bizarre tale of the Moon mission that became an accident-turned-milestone.

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On January 1, 1818, a mysterious anonymous novel quietly entered the world — and changed history forever. In today’s episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy dives into the bizarre and fascinating true story behind Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: the nightmare that inspired it, the real scientific experiments that fueled its horror, and the strange reception that followed when readers assumed a woman couldn’t possibly have written something so dark and brilliant. From volcanic winters to Victorian stage shocks, discover how a teenage writer created the first true science-fiction masterpiece and unleashed one of the most famous monsters in history.

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In this powerful New Year episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy explores the quiet but world-changing opening of Ellis Island on January 1, 1892. As the first immigrants stepped onto American soil, lives were reshaped in minutes through inspections, paperwork, and life-altering decisions. From Annie Moore’s historic arrival to the myths, fears, and hopes that filled the great hall, this episode dives into the strange, emotional, and often overlooked New Year’s moment that helped create modern America — blending rich history, human stories, and dark humor.

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In this eerie and surprisingly funny New Year episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy explores the widespread fear that the world would end on January 1, 1000. As medieval Europe faced famine, disease, and religious anxiety, rumors of Judgment Day spread rapidly. From mass confessions and abandoned farms to the deeply awkward sunrise that followed, this episode dives into one of history’s earliest doomsday panics — revealing how humans have always feared calendar flips and cosmic deadlines, even when nothing actually happens.

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Discover the unbelievable true story of Jānis Pīnups, the Latvian man who disappeared into the forest in 1944 to avoid Soviet conscription and remained hidden for fifty years. In this gripping and humorous episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore how Pīnups survived decades of Soviet occupation, built secret bunkers, evaded patrols, and became a living legend known only in whispers. Blending history, dark comedy, and emotional storytelling, this episode brings to life one of Latvia’s most extraordinary figures — a man who returned to society only when his country regained its independence. This is the ultimate tale of...

In this bizarre New Year episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy explores the unbelievable day it snowed in Miami during the Orange Bowl of 1961. As Florida experienced near-freezing temperatures, snow flurries, and icy rain, college football fans and players were forced to endure a winter storm in a city built for sunshine. From palm trees dusted with snow to bundled cheerleaders and stunned locals, this episode dives into one of the strangest weather events in American history — a New Year’s Day that turned Miami into a cold-weather anomaly filled with confusion, humor, and historic disbelief.

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In this chilling episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy dives into the Great Freeze of 1962–63 — the brutal New Year winter that brought London to a standstill. From the River Thames partially freezing to coal-smog fog, burst pipes, stalled trains, and a city unprepared for Arctic temperatures, this episode explores one of Britain’s coldest and deadliest winters. Packed with dark humor, bizarre historical details, and strange-but-true moments, this mega episode reveals how one New Year’s cold snap reshaped modern Britain and proved that history doesn’t need monsters — just bad weather and bad infrastructure.

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Explore the unbelievable true story of Jan Baalsrud, the Norwegian resistance fighter who survived a failed WWII mission, escaped Nazi capture, endured Arctic blizzards, amputated his own toes, and trekked across Norway to freedom. In this gripping and humorous episode of The Strange History Podcast, we dive deep into Baalsrud’s legendary escape, the brave villagers who hid him, the Sámi guides who saved him, and the sheer Norwegian stubbornness that kept him alive for two brutal months in the freezing wilderness. Blending historical detail, dark humor, and dramatic storytelling, this is the definitive account of one of Norway’s mos...

Radishes… but make them art. Amy uncovers how a vegetable market prank became a nationally celebrated Christmas competition drawing thousands every year.

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In Norway, Christmas Eve belongs to the living — and the dead. Amy explores ancestral reverence, graveyard traditions, and why some still leave food for unexpected spiritual visitors.

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A dessert worth setting aflame — intentionally. Amy shares how this dense, boozy pudding survived Victorian scandals and continues to ignite British tables today (sometimes literally).

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Part pagan, part Christian — 100% symbolic. Amy unpacks Serbia’s burning of the Badnjak, where sparks predict blessings, and ashes become protective charms.

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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 feats of DIY engineering in modern history. Packed with historical context, true accounts, and comedic storytelling, this is the definitive tale of Calum’s Road—Scotland’s most legendary road built by a single man armed only with a shovel...

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 hope woven through every decorated tree, this is a cinematic journey into one of the most poignant holidays in modern history. Filled with humor, true accounts, and warm storytelling, this episode brings the past to life one candlelit moment at a time.<...

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 people—found light in the darkest winter. Filled with vivid storytelling, true historical accounts, and a deep emotional arc, this is the gripping second chapter of our Christmas 1945 special.

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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.

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Early Victorian Christmas music = slow, haunting, minor key.
Think: “What if Christmas but with Gothic cathedral acoustics?”

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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.

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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, this is the Christmas episode you won’t forget.

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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 continues the chilling holiday series you didn’t know you needed.

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Christmas Dinner Often Included Boar’s Head Served with an apple in the mouth like a medieval feast.
Victorians loved a dramatic centerpiece.

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They Decorated with Paper Chains They Made Themselves Before Etsy, there was Victorian Craft Night.
Entire families covered the house with handmade decorations.

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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.”

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Finding the coin = good luck.
Accidentally swallowing the coin = new family holiday emergency.

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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 into the strangest historical events ever committed during the holiday season. Packed with humor, weird facts, fake ads, storytelling, and true historical accounts, this episode is perfect for fans of strange history, odd traditions, dark holiday humor, and the wonderfully chaotic side of Christ...

Mince Pies Originally Contained Meat Early Victorian mince pies still included beef or mutton mixed with spices and raisins.
Sweet. Savory. Confusing.

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Forget Christmas concerts — Families staged living scenes of:Biblical storiesFairy talesMorality plays
Basically: holiday cosplay, but with more solemn staring.

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Yes. You might find:
Stuffed owlsFoxesBirds with glass eyes
They thought it looked elegant. Instead: Victorian Horror Aesthetic

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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, and fake ads that might make the Consumer Product Safety Commission sweat, this episode explores the bizarre evolution of childhood fun, danger, and poor decision-making. Discover the toys that should’ve never existed… and maybe the reason we all have trust issues...

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 etiquette meltdowns—told with the wit of a gossip columnist and the accuracy of a historian who has emotionally given up. Perfect for fans of strange history, high-society chaos, vintage scandals, and stories so odd they feel fictional.

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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 Ice Cream Riot that shook the streets. Packed with absurd historical details, humor, eyewitness accounts, and societal chaos, this episode is perfect for fans of strange history, vintage oddities, and stories too ridiculous to be fiction.

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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

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Victorians adored decorating their Christmas trees — but many ornaments were crafted from arsenic-rich green paint, mercury-coated glass, and lead-based glitter. Amy explores how a little holiday sparkle occasionally led to dizziness, nausea, or sudden fainting — and why newspapers still called it “the height of elegance.” Forget festive — Victorian trees were basically weaponized foliage.

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What do you get when you mix gunpowder, paper hats, and holiday cheer? A Victorian invention that went off — literally. Amy unwraps the story of Christmas crackers, the noisy, spark-filled party favors that occasionally left guests singed but satisfied.

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Step back in time and discover the weird, wonderful, and surprisingly effective world of vintage household hacks. In this two-episode series, we explore the cleaning tips, DIY solutions, beauty tricks, pantry hacks, and bizarre old-school home remedies our great-grandparents swore by. From using vinegar to clean everything, shining furniture with walnuts, polishing shoes with banana peels, deodorizing clothes with vodka, to freezing sweaters, boiling orange peels for scent, and clarifying soup with eggshells — these forgotten tricks reveal how people survived long before modern products, Pinterest, or Google. This humorous and storytelling-driven deep dive blends real historical accounts, science, odd traditions, an...

In Part Two of this nostalgic and entertaining series, we explore the stranger side of vintage household hacks — including beauty rituals, pantry tricks, old medical remedies, DIY fixes, and bizarre home solutions passed down through generations. From freezing sweaters to stop shedding, polishing shoes with banana peels, deodorizing clothes with vodka, clarifying soup with eggshells, and boiling orange peels and cloves to freshen the house, these forgotten techniques reveal a fascinating chapter of everyday life before modern products and convenience culture existed. This episode blends real historical accounts, questionable medical treatments, proven hacks still used today, and the weirdest pieces of...

Before Hallmark came horror. Amy dives into the bizarre world of early Victorian Christmas cards — featuring dead robins, frogs with pipes, and insects doing chores. Discover why these creepy images were meant to symbolize renewal, not ruin, and how the Victorians found beauty in the morbid.

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Brandy, flames, and third-degree burns — nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a dessert that doubles as a torch. Amy investigates the fiery ritual of Victorian plum pudding, complete with true accounts of flaming disasters, family pride, and the occasional singed moustache.

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Some Victorians hung silver baubles… others hung Aunt Mildred. Amy unpacks the unsettling custom of placing mourning ornaments — locks of hair, miniature portraits, and memento mori — on Christmas trees. Inspired by Queen Victoria’s lifelong grief, this eerie practice blurred the line between celebration and sorrow.

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The 25 Strangest days of Christmas Day - Why Victorian Christmas's Resembled a Tim Burton Movie

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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy uncovers the shocking and little-known life of William Patrick Hitler — the nephew of Adolf Hitler who fled Germany, exposed his infamous uncle, joined the U.S. Navy to fight the Nazis, and eventually built a quiet life on Long Island. From his chaotic childhood in England to his tense encounters with Adolf Hitler in Germany, his controversial lecture tour in America, military service, name change, marriage, family life, and the mysterious vow his children made to end the family bloodline — this episode explores one of the most astonishing and forgotten pers...

Step into the unsettling — and often unbelievably strange — world of Nazi Germany in the 1940s. This episode uncovers Hitler’s carefully crafted vegetarian-animal-lover persona, bizarre Nazi environmental laws, stolen children, occult expeditions to Tibet, underground megaprojects, and the creation of terrifying “wonder weapons.” This isn’t just another World War II history lesson — it’s a deep dive into the absurd contradictions, propaganda strategies, misguided science, and dangerous ideology behind one of history’s most notorious regimes. Delivered with careful respect for victims, historical accuracy, and just enough dark humor to make it survivable.

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In Part 2 of this series, we explore the even stranger depths of Nazi Germany’s ideology and operations — from the looting of European libraries to the bureaucratic efficiency of genocide, propaganda radio systems, dystopian eugenics programs, and failed architectural mega-dreams like the city of Germania. We also examine the strange legends of Die Glocke, Nazi pseudoscience, facial measurement “research,” and the chilling contradictions between animal welfare laws and human atrocity. This is a thought-provoking, historically grounded, darkly humorous look at one of history’s most disturbing and bizarre dictatorships.

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Journey back to the Middle Ages as The Strange History Podcast explores the hilarious and bewildering world of medieval bestiaries — where lions symbolize Christ, unicorns flirt with virgins, and beavers make shocking life choices. Host Amy takes you through the myths, morals, and mistakes of history’s weirdest animal encyclopedias, complete with humor, true stories, and fake ads scattered throughout.

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Travel back to 1920 and discover the bizarre, unbelievable, and often hilarious realities of everyday life during the Roaring Twenties. From icebox kitchens and horse-clogged city streets to radium toothpaste, silent movie orchestras, flapper scandals, Prohibition whiskey prescriptions, and cocaine-infused tonics — this episode explores the strange side of history you definitely won’t find in school textbooks. Hosted by Amy, The Strange History Podcast blends storytelling, humor, real historical accounts, and delightfully ridiculous fake ads to bring the past to life. Whether you love weird history, vintage culture, odd inventions, or spooky old-time vibes — this is your stop on the time machin...

Journey from ancient tombs and temples to modern tabletops in this witty, story-driven deep dive into board game origins. Host Amy uncovers how Senet, the Royal Game of Ur, Go, Chaturanga (chess), Hnefatafl, Mancala, Mahjong, Tarot, and dominoes evolved into crowd-pleasers like Monopoly, Scrabble, Risk, Clue, Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, and legacy/co-op Eurogames. Expect archaeology, strategy, dice drama, meeples, and tongue-in-cheek faux ads—plus the surprising social tech behind games: community, negotiation, and beautifully contained chaos.

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In this eerie sequel to Unearthing New York’s Secret Speakeasy Tunnels, host Amy of The Strange History Podcast delves deep into the ghostly afterlife of Prohibition’s underground bars. Discover the true haunted stories from beneath Manhattan and Brooklyn — from the restless spirits of McSorley’s and Chumley’s to the phantom jazz of Harlem’s Cotton Club. Featuring real accounts from construction crews, paranormal investigators, and historians, this episode blends history and hauntings with humor, atmosphere, and a few fake sponsors you’d definitely find in a haunted speakeasy. Join us for a chilling nightcap under the city that never sle...

Beneath the bustling streets of New York City lies a hidden world of tunnels, trapdoors, and secret passageways — once filled with jazz, gin, and the ghosts of rebellion. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy unearths the forgotten speakeasy tunnels that fueled the city’s underground nightlife during Prohibition. From the shadowy corridors beneath McSorley’s Old Ale House to the legendary escape routes of the 21 Club and the mob-run catacombs under Harlem’s Cotton Club, we’ll uncover true stories of bootleggers, mobsters, and musicians who defied the law — and sometimes physics — to keep the party going. You’ll...

What if Antarctica isn’t just ice and penguins — but the coldest cover-up in human history? In this two-part mega episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy takes you on a frozen expedition through the continent’s most unsettling legends and conspiracies. From rumored Nazi bases in Neuschwabenland and Operation Highjump’s flying saucers, to the Hollow Earth entrances, mysterious deaths of scientists, and NASA’s ANITA neutrino anomalies, this episode explores every strange and shadowy story buried beneath the ice. Discover how real events — like the disappearances of Carl Robert Disch and Rodney Marks, the eerie Wilkes Land gravity anom...

Ever wondered why we say “a stitch in time saves nine” or “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”? In this laugh-out-loud deep dive, The Strange History Podcast explores the true, weird, and wonderfully human origins of our most common old sayings. Host Amy unravels centuries of forgotten wisdom — from Roman horse traders to 18th-century seamstresses, from spilled milk to midnight oil — uncovering the odd, hilarious, and surprisingly literal history behind each phrase. Featuring signature Strange History humor, fake sponsor ads, and more twisted trivia than a medieval tongue twister, this episode proves that every cliché once had a story… and so...

In Part Two of Old Sayings and Where They Came From, host Amy takes us further down the rabbit hole of everyday phrases with strange beginnings. Discover why we say “let sleeping dogs lie,” why “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and what ancient Romans really meant by “take it with a grain of salt.” From medieval kitchens to Roman streets, from mossy stones to pigs with wings, this episode turns dusty old advice into hilarious historical storytelling. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll never say “better late than never” the same way again. Packed with Strange History’s signat...

In Part Two of Old Superstitions and Where They Came From, host Amy dives even deeper into history’s weirdest omens — from cursed umbrellas and lucky chimney sweeps to haunted birds, poisoned wine toasts, and the mysterious house spirits that still lurk in folklore. Learn why Victorians feared birds in the house, why brides once kissed chimney sweeps for luck, and how a sneeze once required a papal blessing to survive. It’s another darkly funny, historically rich journey into the strange ways humans have tried to outsmart fate. Packed with humor, fake ads, and centuries of delightful nonsense, this Strang...

Step into the strange world of ancient fears and folk beliefs in this hilariously spooky episode of The Strange History Podcast. Join host Amy as she unpacks humanity’s weirdest superstitions — from spilling salt and breaking mirrors to black cats, bird poop, and Friday the 13th. Discover how the Romans thought mirrors reflected your soul, why medieval peasants blamed cats for the plague, and how garlic became the original vampire repellent. It’s a laugh-out-loud tour through history’s most irrational — and oddly relatable — traditions. Featuring classic Strange History humor, fake commercials, and centuries of bizarre luck, this episode proves one thing: s...

Step into the mud, madness, and absurdity of the First World War with The Strange History Podcast. Host Amy uncovers 20 of the strangest, funniest, and most unbelievable facts from World War I. From carrier pigeons that saved hundreds of lives to goats who became decorated war heroes, and from glowing wounds to beer pipelines in the trenches, these true stories show just how weird history can be. Discover the legendary Christmas Truce of 1914, the bizarre “dazzle camouflage” ships that looked like Picasso paintings, Lawrence of Arabia’s camel sabotage missions, fake trees hiding snipers, and the surprising role of women teleph...

Dive into the weird side of World War II with The Strange History Podcast. Host Amy explores 20 of the strangest, funniest, and most unbelievable facts from WWII. From “Mad Jack” Churchill charging Nazis with a sword, to the U.S. Ghost Army of inflatable tanks, Wojtek the beer-drinking bear, Japan’s balloon bombs, and exploding chocolate, this mega-episode proves the war was as strange as it was deadly. Discover how pigeons earned medals, how spies fooled the Nazis with crossword puzzles and wooden legs, how Disney made war propaganda cartoons, and why one Japanese soldier fought for 29 years after the war en...

Before Achilles became the unstoppable warrior of the Trojan War, he was a baby dunked in the River Styx, a student of the centaur Chiron, and a reluctant fighter disguised as a girl on the island of Skyros. In Part One of our two-part epic, Amy takes you through the strange childhood, divine prophecies, and early adventures of Achilles. From doomed weddings to awkward disguises, this is the story of how a boy became destiny’s greatest hero. We unpack the rage that shook the Trojan War, the heartbreaking death of Patroclus, the legendary duel with Hector, and the fateful ar...

Follow witchcraft from Enlightenment skepticism to Romantic fairy tales, Wicca, feminist reclamations, and today’s WitchTok revival. See how witches transformed from persecuted outcasts to cultural icons and spiritual innovators.

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Travel beyond Europe to meet witches of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas—jinn masters, Yoruba healers, Indian chudails, Chinese fox spirits, Navajo skinwalkers, and Caribbean obeah workers—all shaping unique witchcraft traditions.

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Relive Europe’s most notorious witch-hunts—from German storm-makers and French possessions to Scotland’s hare-shifters and Sweden’s Blåkulla banquets. Discover how fear, politics, and folklore drove thousands to the stake.

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Step inside medieval Europe, where church canons, scholars, and peasants debated charms, Sabbaths, and pacts with the devil. Learn how folk festivals and early manuals like the Malleus Maleficarum paved the way for centuries of witch trials.

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Explore the icy world of Norse seeresses, Celtic healers, and Slavic forest witches. From Viking völvas and Scottish banshees to Baba Yaga’s spinning hut, uncover how northern Europe’s folklore forged some of history’s most fascinating witch legends.

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Embark on a thrilling journey into the origins of witchcraft—from Mesopotamian clay curses and Egyptian resurrection spells to Greek moon-drawers and Roman curse tablets. Discover how sorcery shaped laws, literature, and everyday life in the ancient world.

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Spotify Duration: 00:07:33

In the conclusion of our White House haunting special, Amy descends into the darker corners of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—where the forgotten still knock, pace, and whisper.
Meet the restless spirit of President William Henry Harrison, the stubborn landowner David Burnes, the grieving Anna Surratt who still begs for her mother’s pardon, and the British soldier eternally patrolling the lawn he once burned.
Then brace yourself for “The Thing”—the strangest haunting in White House history, the mysterious presence President Taft tried to banish by executive order.
With wit, historical depth, and eerie atmosphere, The Strange History Podcast re...

From Abraham Lincoln’s midnight strolls to Dolley Madison’s floral intervention, the White House has hosted more than presidents—it’s hosted presences.
In this first part of our two-episode special, Amy invites you into America’s most elegant haunted house, where history refuses to move out. Hear the chilling (and surprisingly funny) stories of Abraham and Willie Lincoln, Andrew Jackson’s swearing fits, Abigail Adams’ eternal laundry day, Thomas Jefferson’s ghostly violin, and Dolley Madison’s garden patrol.
Featuring firsthand accounts from First Ladies, foreign dignitaries, and White House staff, this episode blends true history, eyewitness lore, a...

Step into the shadows (and Wi-Fi dead zones) with The Strange History Podcast in this 11-episode journey through trolls across time and continents. Host Amy takes you from Norse fjords to Iceland’s lava fields, Danish bridge builders, Swedish silver-mine spirits, Finnish peikko, British trows, German kobolds, Breton korrigans, Slavic leshies, and a parade of global ogres — Persian divs, Indian rakshasas, Chinese yaoguai, African tikoloshes, Pacific taniwha, even Himalayan yetis — before landing in the modern era of neon-haired dolls and internet troublemakers. Each chapter blends folklore, history, and humor (with fake ads you didn’t know you needed), revealing why trolls s...

Discover the haunted cemeteries of Georgia in this spine-chilling episode of The Strange History Podcast. From Savannah’s Colonial Park, Bonaventure, and Laurel Grove to Atlanta’s Oakland and Mount Olive, explore eerie legends, true eyewitness ghost stories, and the chilling history behind Georgia’s most haunted graveyards.

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Step back into the 1930s with host Amy on The Strange History Podcast, as she uncovers 25 everyday sights, sounds, and habits that have vanished from modern life. From milkmen with horse-drawn wagons to WPA murals, penny-arcade fortune tellers, and jitterbug dance marathons, this mega-episode dives into the culture, history, and oddities of a turbulent yet fascinating decade.
Discover how Dust Bowl storms shaped migration, why neon “Air-Conditioned” signs lured shoppers, how automats fed a hungry nation, and why monkeys in red coats once patrolled city streets. Packed with true stories, historical context, and tongue-in-cheek sponsor reads, this journey through the...

Pack your lantern — we’re going global! In Part 2 of Ghost Trains & Haunted Railways, Amy continues her eerie expedition through the world’s most haunted tracks.
From Japan’s cursed Shinagawa subway and Ireland’s wailing Banshee Train to Colorado’s phantom mining locomotive, Melbourne’s ghost tram of St Kilda, and South Africa’s mysterious Blue Train, these stories blend fact, folklore, and the unexplainable.
Each haunting carries echoes of the past — engineers who never left, passengers who never arrived, and whistles that pierce eternity. Hop aboard… if you dare.

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All aboard the haunted express! In this spine-chilling episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy dives into the eerie world of haunted railways — from Sweden’s ghostly Silverpilen subway to Ohio’s Moonville Tunnel, India’s cursed Begunkodor Station, Kentucky’s phantom L&N line, and the eternal funeral train of Abraham Lincoln.
Hear true eyewitness accounts, historical tragedies, and the mysterious legends of trains that never stopped running… even after death. Blending folklore, humor, and history, this episode proves some timetables are written in ectoplasm.

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Step into the eerie origins of Halloween with The Strange History Podcast! Host Amy takes you back over 2,000 years to explore Samhain, the Celtic festival that birthed our modern Halloween traditions. From terrifying turnip lanterns and druid bonfires to ghostly myths, faerie mischief, and the chilling goddess Morrígan, this episode dives deep into the rituals, legends, and transformations that shaped Halloween. Learn how Samhain survived Christian rebranding, traveled with Irish immigrants, and evolved into pumpkins, costumes, and trick-or-treating. Packed with dark history, Celtic mythology, humor, and spooky storytelling, this episode will leave you laughing, learning, and maybe side-eyeing your p...

For over 15,000 years, the Basques have carved out a mysterious corner of Europe—speaking a language unrelated to any other, surviving empires, and holding tight to traditions rooted in caves, mountains, and the sea. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy takes you from Paleolithic cave art to Bronze Age DNA, from the Kingdom of Navarre to Basque whalers in Canada, from the bombing of Gernika to today’s thriving Basque Country and diaspora. Discover why Basques are both ancient and modern, how their genetic story reveals survival through isolation, and why Idaho is a surprising Basque stronghold. With...

The legal road trip continues! In Part Two, Amy explores the final 25 states, from Montana to Wyoming, and the laws only a lawyer—or a comedian—could love. Discover why Vermont once required women to get permission for dentures, why Nevada banned camels on highways, and how Washington gave Bigfoot legal protection. With storytelling, history, and fake commercials sprinkled throughout, this episode closes our 50-state journey with laughter, disbelief, and a reminder: freedom always comes with fine prin

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From Alabama’s ice-cream cone ban to North Carolina’s strict bingo curfew, America’s weirdest laws are alive and well. In this hilarious first half of our 50-state tour, host Amy uncovers 25 bizarre rules that prove history is stranger than fiction. Learn why pickles must bounce in Connecticut, why elephants pay for parking in Florida, and why you can’t eat fried chicken with a fork in Georgia. Packed with quirky stories, historical context, and fake commercials, this episode is a finger-lickin’ legal feast.

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Duration: 00:14:14

Continue your journey into Edgar Cayce’s astonishing visions in part two of our series. Discover his predictions on reincarnation, spiritual evolution, UFOs, global unity, karma, and the dawn of a new age of peace. From medical miracles to the rise of human consciousness, explore how this Sleeping Prophet’s mystical insights continue to inspire wonder, debate, and curiosity.

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Dive into the mysterious mind of Edgar Cayce, the Sleeping Prophet, in part one of our two-part series. Explore his most famous predictions, from the rise and fall of nations to catastrophic Earth changes, pole shifts, and the lost city of Atlantis. Learn how this psychic’s visions of ancient technology, natural disasters, and holistic health still captivate listeners today. Perfect for fans of history, mystery, and the paranormal.

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Discover why Scottish DNA is some of the strangest in the world. From the mysterious Picts who vanished from history but live on in genes, to Viking raiders who left their mark in the Highlands and islands, to the legendary Scottish clans whose bloodlines carry ancient secrets—this episode of The Strange History Podcast unravels the ghostly saga written in Scotland’s blood. Learn the true story of red hair genetics, clan DNA like living tartans, and the eerie folklore that connects modern Scots to their ancient ancestors. History, myth, and science collide in this unforgettable journey through the strange hist...

Take a wild ride back to the 1980s with The Strange History Podcast! In this mega episode, we explore 24 everyday habits and customs from the 80s that seem completely bizarre today. From smoking everywhere and kids riding in cars without seatbelts, to leaving doors unlocked, mixing tapes from the radio, and visiting full-service gas stations, the 80s were a decade of neon fashion, VHS rentals, questionable safety rules, and unforgettable childhood memories. Packed with true stories, hilarious anecdotes, and nostalgic details, this episode will make you laugh, cringe, and wish you could relive the decade when streetlights were curfews, the...

Step into the cardigan and discover the fascinating history of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood!
In this heartwarming episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy unpacks 12 surprising, funny, and touching facts about Fred Rogers and his beloved children’s show. Learn how a Presbyterian minister turned television into a gentle classroom, why every cardigan was hand-knit with love, and how jazz genius Johnny Costa brought live music magic to the set. Hear about the real Mr. McFeely, the famous fish-feeding moment, a quiet civil rights statement in a wading pool, and the six-minute testimony that saved PBS. Whether you grew up i...

stockings on their legs with gravy, and families huddled around radios that sometimes broadcast secret coded messages to resistance fighters. In this mega-episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy dives into 25 unbelievable slices of everyday life during the World War II era—from ration books and Spam feasts to jitterbug dance crazes, zoot suits, pin-up posters, propaganda cartoons, and the birth of the baby boom. With true accounts, hilarious details, and stories stranger than fiction, this episode brings the 1940s roaring back to life in ways you’ve never heard before. If you think history is just dusty textbooks, wait...

Explore the haunted history of four of America’s eeriest cemeteries in this mega episode of The Strange History Podcast. From the Lady in White of Vale Cemetery to the weeping statue of Ida Bennett Bass in Oakland, the spectral twisters of Forest Park Lawndale, and the Oak of Whispers at Goodleburg Cemetery, uncover chilling tales, paranormal sightings, and eerie local legends. Join host Amy as she weaves history, humor, and ghostly stories into a spine-tingling journey across haunted grounds. Perfect for history buffs, ghost hunters, and anyone curious about the paranormal.

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Step back in time with The Strange History Podcast as host Amy explores the quirky, bizarre, and unforgettable world of the 1950s. From radioactive children’s toys and Jell-O nightmares to ducktail hair, soda fountains, and Cold War fallout shelters, this mega-episode uncovers 25 strange things from the 1950s you’ll never see today. Packed with historical facts, funny stories, and nostalgic details, this episode dives deep into America’s postwar culture—highlighting the fads, fashion, food, and forgotten trends that defined a decade. Whether you’re a history buff, vintage lover, or just curious about what made the 1950s so weird, thi...

Step back into the kitchens of the 1930s and discover how families survived the Great Depression with strange, thrifty, and resourceful recipes. From Hoover Stew and Mock Apple Pie to cornbread, beans, and vinegar pie, this episode explores what people really ate when money and food ran out. Learn about the history of the Depression, the economic collapse, the Dust Bowl, and how different regions of America cooked with whatever they could find. Featuring true survivor accounts, WPA interviews, and authentic Depression-era recipes, this storytelling episode uncovers the resilience and creativity that kept families alive during one of the hardest...