Ridiculous History

The Ridiculous History of Estate Sales

Who doesn't love a good deal? Since the days of the Victorian era, people have flocked to estate sales -- the public or private sale of a person's belongings, usually hel

The Sound of Silence: What's Up With Silent Lettters?

While English may not be the world's most difficult language, it's certainly a weird one. Modern English is riddled with contradictory rules, bizarre exceptions and, of c

CLASSIC: Castle Itter: When Germans and Americans Joined Forces in World War II

With one notable exception, American and German forces were bitterly opposed to one another during World War II -- that exception? The Battle of Castle Itter. Tune in to

The Rasputin Episode, Part Two: A Death and Mysterious Rumors

As Grigori Rasputin manipulated his way into the upper reaches of the aristocracy, he gained great influence over the Emperor's family, who were convinced that only Raspu

The Rasputin Episode, Part One: A Young Mystic On The Rise

While Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin would later become one of the most infamous figures in modern Russian history, he came from incredibly humble origins -- which he would

CLASSIC: A Grave Mistake: The Story of Patton's "Abandoned Rear"

In this week's Classic episode: When George S. Patton decided to found a tank training school in the tiny French village of Bourg, the mayor approached him in tears. "An

The Unsung Bravery of Martha Gellhorn

While history often relegates Martha Gellhorn to a single role -- one of Ernest Hemingway's four wives -- this lauded journalist, fiction writer, and war correspondent wa

The Millionaires and Wild Horses of Cumberland Island

Located in the southeastern US just off the coast of Georgia, Cumberland Island is a hidden treasure with deep -- and, at times, disturbing -- lore. In today's episode, B

CLASSIC: Did the US Mafia actually start in New Orleans?

When we think of the mob today, most Americans think of New York City -- and why not? After all, films, books and TV shows often depict New York as the heart of mob count

The Weird Afterlife of The Zombies

In 1969, the Zombies had a song hit No. 3 on the Billboard charts. There was just one problem: the band had broken up two years earlier, and most people in the US had no

The Fascinating History of Fountain Pens

Nowadays, most people take pens for granted. They're always around if a business needs you to sign something, and people accidentally steal or lose them constantly. Yet t

CLASSIC: Meet Albert Cashier, the Trans Man Who Fought for the Union in the Civil War

Born as Jennie Hodgers with a female sex assignment on December 25th, 1843, Albert Cashier emigrated to the United States lived as a man from his early teens on through t

Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part Two: Apple Trees, Ice Cream Wars and Weird Nuclear Gadgets

How much do you know about the inner chaos of Carvel or Ben Cohen's quest to free Ben and Jerry's? Why are apple trees so different from one seed to the next? In the seco

Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part Two: Apple Trees, Ice Cream Wars and Weird Nuclear Gadgets

How much do you know about the inner chaos of Carvel or Ben Cohen's quest to free Ben and Jerry's? Why are apple trees so different from one seed to the next? In the seco

Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part One: 60 Minutes and Other Natural Wonders

Did the creators of the groundbreaking 60 Minutes show have any idea how popular they would become? What other wonders of the world need to be on that list of ancient spe

"CLASSIC: Operation Northwoods: How the US Planned to Attack Itself and Start a War with Cuba"

It's no secret that the US and Cuba have a long history of tense relations, often teetering on the brink of war. But just how far would Uncle Sam go to begin a genuine wa

Death by Honey: The Legend of the Mellified Man

Have you ever heard of a 'human mummy confection'? While it may sound like a Halloween treat, the legend of the Mellified Man was once taken quite seriously. Humans and h

Let's Cook on Perpetual Stew

As summer finally mellows into Autumn, Ben, Noel, and Max could not be more excited about "soup weather". In today's episode, the guys explore the history of one of the m

CLASSIC: That Time Irish Separatists Invaded Canada

It’s true! Once upon a time, Irish separatists based in the United States thought invading Canada was the best way to reunify Ireland. Join the Ben, Noel, and Max as they

Getting High with Ridiculous Crime: Reindeer Trips and Soothing Syrup

Did you know reindeer love tripping? Or that, once upon a time, otherwise responsible parents would dose their children with high-test opioids? In the second chapter of t