Historical Blindness

In this companion piece to my last episode on the blood libel, I expose the 19th and 20th centuries' conspiracy theories attributing plots of global domination to the Jews. The focus of the episode is on the forged document known as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which has fueled anti-Semitic conspiracy theory ever since.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exploration of one of the darkest and most destructive myths in history, I examine the blood libel, the accusation that Jews of the Middle Ages and beyond ritually murdered Christian children, a lie that I trade back to its roots in medieval England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of a Halloween special, Mike Brown and I continue to scrutinize claims of devil worship throughout history. Go back and listen to part one, if you haven't already. Listener beware: this subject matter involves alleged violent crimes against children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special two-part crossover Halloween edition explores the Satanic Panic and accusations of devil worship throughout history. Special thanks goes out to our guest co-host, Mike Brown of Pleasing Terrors. Check out his show if you don't already listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a bit of a warning for any Southern patrons, I tackle some major myths in Southern and Civil War history in this episode, and there is the possibility it may offend those who embrace those myths. Please listen with an open mind and check out the sources I mention (plus, when the episode is released on the website on Tuesday, you'll find the books linked in the reading list and as always you'll find links to sources in the text of the blog post). In no way am I attempting to denigrate an entire region or culture, nor am I suggesting that Southerners shouldn't love their home states or take pride in their heritage. Rather, I am encouraging listeners, as always, to question received history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this companion piece to Episode 11, I detail the later misfortunes of Aaron Burr and explore the further mystery of his daughter's disappearance at sea and the many versions of the ensuing legend surrounding her fate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode provides an account of America's first "Trial of the Century," a murder mystery involving both Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton that, as our first documented court case, has become the first entry in the modern True Crime genre.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a companion piece to our story on Mulhatton, we take a look at some other fabulous caves full of hidden treasure that may have been total fabrications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we take a look at the fake news of the late 19th century, focusing on the life and work of one of the greatest hoaxers who ever lived. After a brief overview of "fake news" today, we look back at the distinguished history of 19th century newspaper hoaxes before following the hoaxing career of Joseph Mulhatton, the Modern Munchausen and Monarch of Mendacity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After digging deeply into the folklore of the White Lady of the Berlin Schloss, harbinger of Hohenzollern doom, this companion piece explores other legends of guardian spirits and ominous entities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices