Author Archives: History's B-Side Podcast

In which guest host Trey tells the story of Dmitry I of Russia and the various people who impersonated him in an effort to claim the Russian throne, Phil takes the rare opportunity to make a movie reference, and we reinforce the idea that politics really haven’t changed much over time. In light of theContinue reading “66 | One Tsar, Two Tsar, Dead Tsar, New Tsar”

In which Phil tells the story of Tarrare, a showman and the worst spy of the French Revolution with a disgusting talent, guest host Trey describes his dream European vacation, and we express some sympathy for the humble house cat (and how they were treated by 18th century French doctors). Listen Now

In which guest host Tony tells the story of Martha Gellhorn, the only woman at D-Day and her nearly 70 years covering global conflicts, Phil talks about the importance of seizing opportunity, and we have our first every bird interruption on the podcast. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Beulah Henry, one of History’s most prolific female inventors, guest host Tony blames his mom for taking away his chance at becoming a famous inventor, and we discover we don’t know U.S. Presidents as well as we thought. Listen Now

In which guest host James tells the story of Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller, the neurologist, psychiatrist, and pathologist whose behind-the-scenes work affirmed the memory condition known today as Alzheimer’s Disease, Phil explains why he doesn’t get movie references, and we award ourselves honorary doctorate degrees via the transitive property. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, the woman who unknowingly contributed the most important cell line (HeLa cells) in the history of medical research, guest host James, of the “Science Night” podcast, critiques male doctors for being too focused on erections, and we attempt some unusual online shopping. Listen Now

In which guest host Matt tells the story of Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as H.H. Holmes, America’s first serial killer and owner of Chicago’s “Murder Castle,” Phil ponders the female fascination with the ‘true crime’ genre, and we learn how to profile other infamous murderers, including the legendary Jack the Ripper. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Easy Eddie O’Hare, a lawyer who changed his ways to protect the name of his future WWII hero son, Butch O’Hare, guest host Matt wishes a more painful death on Al Capone, and we recall a shady (but delicious) Italian restaurant in the Windy City. Listen Now

In which guest host Vince tells the story of Kenny Washington, the first African American signed to play in the modern National Football League, Phil rehashes an old argument with his sister, and our bias as lifelong Cleveland Browns fans shines through.  Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Edward Bernays, a public relations consultant who used propaganda to shift public opinion and ethics, guest host Vince explains why he’s unfit to serve in the military, and we learn the origin of a common “banana” phrase…but not that one. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Hetty Green, America’s wealthiest woman and the world’s greatest miser, Matt tries to explain cryptocurrency using LEGOS, and we vouch for the quality of dollar store silverware. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of Agoston Haraszthy, the Hungarian businessman who orchestrated and self-funded California viticulture, Phil espouses his distaste for avocado toast, and we revisit a host of former B-Siders and their unique parallels to this week’s unfortunate legend. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Zura Karuhimbi, the Rwandan healer whose fake “witchcraft” helped saved lives during the Rwandan Genocide, Matt explains his strategy if he ever got into a fist fight, and we discuss race as a social construct. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of Stephen Foster, one of the most popular American composers in history, Phil divulges a scandalous secret from his trombone playing days, and the we wrestle with our B-Sider’s imperfect past to decide if he deserves the such a legendary title. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of William Stetson Kennedy, the folklore writer who went undercover to learn and expose the secrets of the Ku Klux Klan, Matt explains how he spent his time at the beginning of the pandemic, and we discuss our favorite super heroes. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of mathematician and computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, Phil gives his take on our modern day relationship with technology,  and we both struggle to understand the math behind any of this stuff. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Witold Pilecki, the Polish resistance soldier who volunteered to be arrested and sent to Auschwitz in order to investigate and report on the conditions at the concentration camp, Matt ponders living through modern history-book events, and Phil talks in depth about his recent travel experiences. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of the Clovis People, who are one of the earliest known groups of human beings to inhabit the Americas, Phil imagines how future generations will study our present-day civilizations, and we both struggle to understand the science behind prehistoric research. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Grace D. Banker and the Hello Girls, the Female Telephone Operators who were the first women to formally serve with the US Army, Matt manages to drive from LA to Portland without the aid of a cell phone, and we remember our comfort (or lack thereof) with talkingContinue reading “48 | Hello Girls”

In which Matt tells the story of Marie-Josephte Corriveau, the legendary Québécois folk tale murderer and her morbid fate, Phil pities the sights and smells of local townspeople, and we learn about and discover our own ancestry and genealogy. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Aloysius Lilius, the 16th century medical professor who proposed a solution to reform the modern calendar, Matt questions his own standing in comparison to the great minds of history, and we reflect on a year of podcasting. Listen Now

Gather ’round the fireplace for a magical Ho Ho History’s B-Side episode, in which Matt uncovers a host of nightmarish Christmas sidekicks, including Krampus, Hans Trapp, Belsnickel, Frau Perchta, and more; Phil explains how the real St. Nicholas turned into the fat, jolly legend of Santa Claus; and we discuss whether Amazon is good or badContinue reading “45 | Anti-Santas”

In which Phil tells the story of Sir Hiram Stephens Maxim, a successful inventor who developed the first fully-automatic machine gun, Matt proposes replacing wars with an executive chess match, and we sleuth a totally different mysterious, disappearing inventor. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of Robert Smalls, whose incredible escape from slavery led to a successful military and political career, Phil attempts to re-appropriate the Confederate Flag for good, and we try to interpret old Scottish poetry. Listen Now

With Fancy Town Crimes Podcast In which Phil tells the story of Erzsébet (Elizabeth) Báthory, history’s most prolific female serial killer, Matt describes his favorite torture methods, and we are joined by Meghan and Taylor from the Fancy Town Crimes podcast who give their thoughts on the woman who (may not have) tortured and killedContinue reading “42 | The Blood Countess”

In which Matt tells the story of Marguerite “Missy” LeHand, President Roosevelt’s career-long personal assistant and the only woman to serve as the White House Chief of Staff, Phil determines what makes an effective cult leader, and we discuss American Presidents who couldn’t keep it in their pants. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Wilmer McLean, the man for whom the Civil War started in his kitchen and ended in his parlor, Matt remembers his personal connection to our B-Sider, and we learn about America’s important but complicated relationship with sugar. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of Rosalind Franklin, the chemist whose research on the structure of DNA was left deliberately uncredited, Phil admits to copying math homework in grade school, and we discuss our personal struggles and shortcomings in education. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Sgt. Stubby, a stray puppy who became an American war hero in WWI, Matt woofs (twice), Barley takes a nap (at least at the beginning), and Ody sulks in the other room because it rained on his walk.   Other stories include Trakr–a Canadian search and rescue dogContinue reading “38 | The Dogs of War”

In which Matt tells the story of Roy Disney, brother of Walt Disney and talented businessman who quietly but skillfully helped build a multimedia empire, Phil questions people who take the same vacation every year, and we reminisce about our favorite childhood films. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Mary Fields, a former slave who became a town-celebrity, Matt ponders Leonardo DiCaprio’s hypothetical child, and we discuss our interpretation of the American Dream. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of Ignaz Semmelweiss, the doctor of obstetrics who discovered the life-saving benefit of handwashing, Phil recalls the medical marvel that was bloodletting by leeches, and we learn some really gross hygiene statistics. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Mariya Oktyabrskaya, the Soviet woman who purchased a tank to take revenge on the Nazis, Matt compares our B-Sider to Captain America, and we recall times when we faced the wrath of scorned women. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of Maurice Willows, who spearheaded relief efforts following the Tulsa Race Riots of 1921, Phil gives his take on rumors, gossip, and the spread of (mis)information, and we both learn about one of the most destructive and violent events to ever happen on U.S. soil. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of John Frederick Parker, the sockdologizing failure of Presidential security, Matt speculates on a Super Bowl national emergency, and we talk about drinking at work while drinking and working on our podcast. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of the Champenois’ resistance to Nazi occupation, Phil marvels at the beauty of the German language, and we both pop corks and get tipsy on Champagne. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Ay, the top advisor (and decision maker) behind Tutankhamun’s rule, Matt compares the tradition of marrying-for-power to modern-day Tinder, and we try to keep straight all of the Ancient Egyptian names and family relationships — white board and marker recommended. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of Ona Judge, the enslaved woman who escaped George and Martha Washington, Phil explains why thorough historical research should make you angry, and we consider the status of the Founding Fathers as national heroes. Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Reverend Burrell Cannon, the inventor of the Ezekiel Airship; Matt considers his hard-working, gritty Ohio roots; and we relive the worst flights we’ve ever experienced. Listen Now

In which Matt tells the story of Max Martin, the writer and producer behind a generation of pop hits, Phil blames his sisters for his early music preferences, and we rediscover the guilty-pleasure songs of our generation.  It’s a late-90s/early 2000s Modern Music History throwback episode! Listen Now

In which Phil tells the story of Elizabeth Cochrane, a.k.a. Nellie Bly, a journalist who traveled the world in less than 80 days, Matt establishes the official “History’s B-Side Packing Guide,” and we discuss our favorite (and least favorite) classic literature. Listen Now