Goodnight, Irene

an icon finally gets her due

The story of the "weeping icon" has it all - a 102-year-old flying nun, the Gulf War, armed robbery, John Gotti, religious schism, and insurance fraud. Hear the amazing truth in this week's episode, "Goodnight, Irene"!

Categories: Hoaxes, Frauds & Forgeries, People & Places, Series 2

Tags: Canada Chicago, IL civil law crime Mafia New York, NY paranormal Presented by #13 skepticism

Published: December 16, 2019

Be My Bebe

everyone deserves a best friend - even Richard M. Nixon

Bebe Rebozo was Nixon's best friend -- but was he a kind, generous man or a diabolical manipulator?

Categories: Biography, History, Most Popular, Series 2

Tags: civil law crime Florida Mafia Miami, FL Presented by #13 Santo Trafficante Tampa, FL Washington, DC

Published: December 2, 2019

Cold Hard Cash

the rai stones of Yap, David Dean O'Keefe, and the nature of money

Would you trade your house for a rock? Before you say no, keep this in mind: it's a really really nice rock!

Categories: People & Places, Series 2, Strange Customs & Superstitions

Tags: Federated States of Micronesia Germany Presented by #13 Spain United Kingdom World War I World War II

Published: November 18, 2019

The Brouhaha

when abstract art when on trial

Is Constantin Brâncuși's "Bird in Space" a masterpiece, or just a hunk of polished bronze? Why not let the courts decide?

Categories: Arts & Culture, Series 1

Tags: art art history civil law Ezra Pound Presented by #13

Published: October 21, 2019

Monster without a Mask

the life and times of Rondo Hatton (1894-1946)

They called him the Glutton of Glands, the Monster without Makeup, the Brute, the Creeper. His friends called him Rondo.

Categories: Biography, Entertainment & Media, Series 1

Tags: Hollywood motion pictures Presented by #13 Tampa, FL Universal Pictures World War I

Published: October 7, 2019

Microaggression

victory in :30 or less, or your war is free

What happens when a micronation picks a fight with the world's largest empire? The shortest war in recorded history...

Categories: History, Series 1

Tags: Presented by #13 Sultanate of Zanzibar United Kingdom

Published: September 23, 2019

The Ugliest Man in Baseball

big, rugged, and in his way, beautiful

He may have had the best worst nickname in baseball, but "Ugly" Johnny Dickshot was more than just a pretty face. He was also a character.

Categories: Biography, Series 1, Sports & Leisure

Tags: baseball Chicago, IL New York Giants New York, NY Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, PA Presented by #13

Published: September 9, 2019

He Fired When Ready

the Spanish-American war's forgotten hero

He was the most celebrated war hero of his day, but is virtually forgotten today. We explore the life of Charles Vernon Gridley (1844-1898).

Categories: Biography, History, Series 1

Tags: American Civil War Charles Vernon Gridley Erie, PA Presented by #13 Spain The Philippines United States Navy United States of America USS Michigan

Published: August 26, 2019

The Jackalope

lopegigrus lepusalopus ineptus

Douglas Herrick invented the jackalope in 1932 by "enhancing" a mounted rabbit with a set of deer antlers. It's a nice story, but is it true?

Categories: Legendary Lands & Beasts, Most Popular, Series 1, Wild Card

Tags: cryptozoology fakelore folklore jackalope Presented by #7 Wyoming

Published: August 12, 2019

Strange Stories, Amazing Facts

never underestimate the power of a good book

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step... and sometimes with a book pilfered from grandma's house. Or maybe Aunt Paula's house.

Categories: Bonus Episodes, Curious & Bizarre Beginnings, Meta

Tags: Presented by #13 The Ancient and Esoteric Order of the Jackalope

Published: July 29, 2019