Historical Blindness

A contemplation of the modern conservative conspiracy theory of a "deep state" leads me back to the dawn of modern conspiracy theory, the Enlightenment, when the ultimate conservative conspiracy theory was born as an explanation of the French Revolution: the Illuminati! Get a 30-day free trial of Audible with a free audiobook AND support this show by visiting http://www.audibletrial.com/historicalblindnessSome background music on the episode is copyright Alex Kish. Contact Alex at AlexKishMusic.com to license music for your own project. Other background tracks, including "Wake Up," "Remedy for Melancholy," "Delirium," "Laburnum," and "Marée," are by Kai Engel, licensed under an International Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY 4.0).    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the aftermath of an explosion that killed a king and upset the foundations of power in Scotland, various suspects in the murder vie for control of the country. What evidence exists to prove who was behind the regicide, and can it be trusted? This episode is sponsored by Sudio. While as patrons you won't hear their ad, you can still support the show by making a purchase of one of their fine audio devices at Sudio.com and entering the promo code "rockingprek" at check out for 15% off.  Some background music on the episode is copyright Alex Kish. Contact Alex at AlexKishMusic.com to license music for your own project. Other background tracks, including "Cold War Echo," "Cobweb Morning," "Sentinel," "Homeroad," "daemones," and "daedalus," are by Kai Engel, licensed under an International Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY 4.0).  1 Like Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1567, the King of Scotland is murdered, and even today, mystery surrounds the crime. In part one, we look at the life and reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, from birth to her consort's demise to learn what led up to the murder and better understand the questions that remain. This episode is sponsored by Sudio. While as patrons you won't hear their ad, you can still support the show by making a purchase of one of their fine audio devices at https://www.sudio.com/us/ and entering the promo code "rockingprek" at check out for 15% off. Some background music on the episode is copyright Alex Kish. Contact Alex at https://www.alexkishmusic.com/contact to license music for your own project. Other background tracks, including "Seeker," "Great Expectations," "Mare," "Mercy," "Low Horizon," and "Evermore," are by Kai Engel, licensed under an International Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY 4.0).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the conclusion to this series about an age of miracles in the midst of the Enlightenment, we look at the strange development of convulsionism among the adherents of François de Pâris. Along the way, we see the emergence of egalitarianism and democratic ideals in pre-Revolutionary France as well as signs of disorder between the powers of the throne, the Church, and the sovereign court. Much of the music on this episode is copyright Alex Kish. Contact Alex at https://www.alexkishmusic.com/ to license his music. Other songs, including the tracks "daedalus," "Evermore," "Mare," and "July" are by Kai Engel and licensed under a Creative Commons International Attribution license (CC BY 4.0). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the center of the High Enlightenment, as Western culture moved toward rational worldview, a series of miracles deepens a religious schism and contributes to a lack of faith in the royal government, laying the groundwork for a future revolution. But what really happened at the tomb of François de Pâris in the cemetery of Saint-Médard? Part one of two. Featuring a promo for Pontifacts, the podcast that ranks all the popes, from Peter to Francis!Background tracks "July," "Brand New World," "Scenery," "Interception," "Meekness," "periculum," "modum," and "Delirium" by Kai Engel, licensed under a Creative Commons International Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). Other music copyright film composer Alex Kish. License his music by contacting him at https://www.alexkishmusic.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this new episode, I play the devil's advocate and investigate the supposed miracles of an Italian monk said to have the superhuman ability of unencumbered flight! Was he the returned messiah, a servant of the devil, or a charlatan? Or did he just have a superpower?To provide material support to the Black Lives Matter movement, visit https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019.To support the Black Lives Matter movement’s fight against racism and police misconduct in other ways, visit https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/.Background tracks "Something (Bonus Track)," "Smoldering," "July," and "Daylight (PON II)" by Kai Engel, licensed under a Creative Commons International Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). Other background music is copyright Alex Kish, alexkishmusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we see anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and hate speech surge during the coronavirus pandemic, a historical pattern can be discerned, a tradition of fear and resentment that is well illustrated in the medieval legend of the Wandering Jew. Join me as I explore this Christian legend, connecting it every step of the way with the long history of using Jews as scapegoats for calamities of all kinds.  Background tracks "Wake Up," "Imminence," "Smoldering," "Homeroad," "Delirium," "daedalus," "July," and "Behind Your Window," by Kai Engel, licensed under a Creative Commons International Attribution License.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I address some false historical claims about pandemics and focus in on a devastating and mysterious plague in 16th century Mexico in an effort to find some historical perspective on our current global health crisis. WARNING: many may find the content of this episode disturbing, especially during the current public health emergency. Background tracks "Seeker," "Comatose," "Daylight (PON II)," "daedalus," and "daemones" by Kai Engel, licensed under an International Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I tell the story of a legendary artifact and the drama surrounding its purported discovery in the 1930s. This is a sequel of sorts to the last episode because the revived Clampers play a central role in this story. Featuring a promo for The History of Malls."Scenery," "Global Warming," "Meekness," "Anxiety," and "daedalus" by Kai Engel are licensed under an International Attribution Licence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I look at the long and storied history of a California Gold Rush era secret society with roots all the way back to the beginning of time! It's a scarcely credible tale that includes a sex slave mutiny, lusty monks massacred by well-endowed Native Americans, and the Chinese discovery of California! It's so crazy, it's hard to believe!Background tracks "Headway," "Meekness," "Salue," "Brand New World," "Scenery," and "Delirium by Kai Engel, licensed under and International Attribution License. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices