Hard Fried History

Ep 123: Napoleon p1 - Issued from the Isle Jul 24, 2022

How did the French Revolution shape Napoleon Bonaparte's view on effective governance? What exactly are the origins of the 'Corsican Ogre?' In this episode we begin the second installment of our six-part series, discussing Napoleon's beginnings, his place within the French Revolution, the Italian campaign and the coup of Brumaire, commonly cited as the end of the Revolution itself.

Ep 122: French Revolution p3 - Collapse of an Ideal Jul 23, 2022

What were the worst abuses of the French Revolution? Why were Revolutionary champions such as Danton and Robespierre not ultimately immune from the guillotine? Are there ever noble-enough ends to justify excessive means? This week we explore these topics in the conclusion of our series on the French Revolution, covering the decisions leading up to the Great Terror, the formation of the Committee of Public Safety and what finally undid (consecrated?) the Revolution itself.

Ep 121: French Revolution p2 - Into the Maelstrom Jul 14, 2022

After the initial upheaval, how are revolutions navigated? What forms do effective dissent take? Is the term 'mob-rule' necessarily synonymous with 'majority-rule'? In this episode, Henry and Josh continue their examination of the French Revolution following the fall of the Bastille and the arming of the citizens, glancing at the French attempt to create a new constitution, the organization and then polarization of the ascendent under-class and the rise of a group of idealists known as the Jacobins.

Ep 120: French Revolution p1 - The Anatomy of Revolt Jul 14, 2022

How do we know for sure when a nation is definitively and indisputably beyond redemption? What are some large portents or warning signs that indicate a country is on its last legs? In sum, how are revolutions built? Josh and Henry RETURN from their hiatus with the first in a three-part installment covering the rise and fall of French Revolution, discussing in this episode the social and economic factors that led up to the storming of the Bastille, including France's fiscal shortcomings, a widespread disbelief in competency of the ruling class and, to top it all off, a food crisis.

The Amazons (Ep. 119) Mar 02, 2022

Who were the Amazonian women of ancient Greek legend? This week we kick off Women's History Month with a look at the warrior women of the surrounding Black Sea region, what the most recent archeological record has borne as well as a few notable Amazons in myth and in history.

Home is where the Hurt is: The World War 1 story of The Harlem Hellfighters w/ Tre Tutson Feb 23, 2022

In this episode we discuss the most decorated unit of WW1: The Harlem Hellfighters, who battled the Germans and brought Jazz to Europe during the era of Jim Crow segregation. We are joined by Tre Tutson, a comedian from Texas and soon to be a national name. Remember to Like, follow and share!

The Rise and Fall of the Songhai: Sunni Ali Ber, Askia Muhammed and the Moorish plague (Medieval West Africa Part 3) Feb 17, 2022

On this episode we discuss The Songhai Empire and its formation under the Mali Empire, Its internal conflicts that led to dynastic changes and the Invasion of the Pasha Moor army which destroyed the empire and threw Sub Saharan West Africa into turmoil just in time for the Atlantic Slave Trade.

The Hajj of Mansa Musa (Medeival W Africa p2) Feb 09, 2022

Henry E Price wrote this - So you wanna be a baller? Shot caller? Worship and praise in the name of Allah? (It works better if you sing it in your head, phonix not phonetics). THIS WEEK we examine the reign of Mansa Musa, primarily discussing the details of his famous Hajj to Mecca, his reasons for undertaking this venture, the actual status of his finances and the Mali naval expedition off the coast of the Atlantic.

Episode 115: Medieval West Africa p1 Feb 02, 2022

We're Back! In this episode we discuss the myths surrounding the creation of Medieval Ghana, the Gold Trade and the Epic of Sundiata - The Forrest Gump/Lion King/George Washington/King Arthur/Tom Brady of Mali.

#Comedy #History #Funny #ForestGump #KingArthur #Georgewashington #Mali #TheLionKing #TomBrady

Ep 114: German Coast Uprising Dec 25, 2021

In this episode Henry and Josh discuss America's largest slave revolt: Louisiana's 1811 German Coast Uprising where a collection of African tribes, maroons and enslaved people conspired, revolted and almost overran New Orleans.

Ep 113: The Road to Pearl Harbor (w/ Special Guest Tim Williams!) Dec 02, 2021

What did WW2-era Japan have in common with Sunny D? They both unleashed the power of the sun. THIS WEEK! In honor of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, Josh, Henry and itinerant funny-man Tim Williams dive as deep as possible into the series of events leading up to this most infamous of days. Within, we cover topics such as the Emperor's active involvement in war preparations, the character of the escalating tensions between Japan and the US and the rawest nature of duel-track diplomacy.

Ep 112: Frederick Douglass p2 - Bearing the Flag Nov 25, 2021

Exactly how was American Reconstruction bungled? Join us as we explore the question through the last thirty six years of Frederick Douglass' life, examining his role during the Civil War, the minor-league coup's launched during Reconstruction itself and the social causes advocated by Douglass up until the end of his life.

Episode 111: Frederick Douglass p1: America's Jeremiah Nov 10, 2021

What's the biggest personal obstacle you've had to overcome? This week we cover the first 39 years of the life of Frederick Douglass, discussing his escape from enslavement, the evolution of his ideas and his eventual connection to the conspiracy around John Brown.

Ep 110: Celtic Magic - Druids and You Nov 04, 2021

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Ep 109: Magic and Religion in Ancient Egypt (w/ special guest Will Loden!) Oct 27, 2021

Is your heart lighter than a feather? This week we continue our spooky streak by exploring the mythology, spirituality and religious organization of Ancient Egypt, covering topics such as the Book of the Dead, the reasons for and process of mummification and the individual Day of Judgement that awaits us once we cross that final threshold. Joined by Houston-area favorite Will Loden!

Ep 108: Yokai - Mythical Monsters of Japanese Folklore Oct 22, 2021

Have you ever encountered a troll under a bridge? In the spirit of Halloween, we decided to examine the folk monsters of Japan, covering both the attributes of the monsters themselves as well as the history of their commercial publication.

Ep 107: Osama bin Laden p3 - When Terror Reigned Oct 14, 2021

What exactly was communicated (or not communicated) between the various intelligence agencies and executive branch in the months leading up to 9/11? How did Osama bin Laden spend the last ten years of his life? What scars remain from that horrific day? All this and more answered in this episode.

Ep 106: Osama bin Laden p2 - Insurgent Ascendent Oct 09, 2021

Where and how did al Qaeda spread? As we continue our investigation, we discuss the Black Hawk Down Incident, the first bombing of the World Trade Center, the first few attempts at the detention and assassination of Osama bin Laden and that time leaders of the Taliban had dinner with an oil baron in Sugar Land.

Ep 105: Osama bin Laden p1 - Shifting Sands Oct 06, 2021

What do you really know about Osama bin Laden? This week we look at the first 35 years of America's, if not the world's, most infamous terrorist, covering the circumstances of his birth and childhood, his service in the Soviet-Afghan war and how his radical beliefs were shaped by the events and people around him. Also covered is the US' initial reaction to the emergence of bin Laden on their intelligence radars, the negotiation of Afghanistan's national identity after the Soviet withdrawal and the beginnings of the First Persian Gulf War. Part two coming within the next couple days!

Ep 104: Saudi Royal Family p3 - Oil on Troubled Waters Sep 28, 2021

If both your old friends and your new friends are inviting you to sit with them in your grade-school's cafeteria, which group would you sit with? This week we conclude our series on the Saudi Royal Family, covering events such as the First Persian Gulf war, the most-recent frictions caused by Saudi Arabia's attempts to modernize and the global standing of Saudi Arabia today. (Sorry for the delay, been a busy week. Hope you enjoy and stay tuned!)

Ep 103: Saudi Royal Family p2 - Petrodollars Pay My Bills Sep 16, 2021

You ever shut off the world's supply of oil and weren't assassinated by the CIA? Few could. This week we venture further into the history of Saudi Arabia, covering its opening toward the West, initial phase of modernization and how it navigated the precarious politics of the Middle East during the Cold War.

Ep 102: The Saudi Royal Family p1 - Origins of Saudi Nationalism Sep 09, 2021

What's the difference between an Emirate and a Nation State? Emirates don't get a seat at the UN. This week we begin our analysis of the rise of Ibn Saud and the Saudi Royal Family, covering topics such as European attempts to colonize the region, Saudi Arabia's place in both World Wars and the early attempts to modernize the largest country in the Middle East.

Ep 101: Exxon is American AF Sep 02, 2021

You drinking my milkshake bro? This week, we examine the origins and modern history of Exxon Mobile, just your regular ol' multinational corporate Leviathan. So grab a seat, pull out your re-useable straw and slurp down some of this knowledge bro, plenty to go around.

Ep 100 (Yeet): The Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan, 1979 - 1989 Aug 25, 2021

Have you checked in with the enemy of your enemy? For our 100th episode special, Henry and Josh peak into the history of Afghanistan, covering the first of its approximately four decades of civil war and turmoil. Included within our analysis is the events that prompted the occupation, the nature and gradual escalation of the US support of rebel factions within Afghanistan and hints as to why Afghanistan is known to some as "the graveyard of empires."

Thank you all who have stuck with us thus far! We hope you all have enjoyed learning with us and are looking forward to more from us. If you have any suggestions or feedback feel free to share it with us online. Thank you and stay safe!

Ep 99: Marquis de Lafayette - Herald of the Revolution Aug 19, 2021

If revolution comes, which side will you take? This week, we merely graze the surface of the life of a man who became absolutely immersed in revolution, turbulence and upheaval, first during the rebellion of the American colonies and then in France.

Ep 98: Canadian Divisions During WW2 (w/ Special Guest Graham Kay!) Aug 12, 2021

What exactly was Canada's role during World War Two? This week, Josh, Henry and Canada's own Graham Kay explore the question by tracing the itinerary of five Canadian battalions throughout Europe and how they contributed to the defeat of the Axis. Be sure to follow Graham Kay on IG and Twitter and check him out on his upcoming nationwide tour!

Ep 97: FDR p3 - American Caesar Aug 05, 2021

What do you want your legacy to be? In finale of HFH's trilogy on this giant in American history, Henry and Josh talk about how FDR combatted American isolationism through the use of clever legal loopholes, the crucial months up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and both the military and geopolitical battles fought during WW2, as well as a brief examination of the triumphs and shortcomings of the man himself.

Ep 96: History Wormhole - Court Packing Jul 29, 2021

Listen man lemme tell you, it's all about packin bowls, packin heat, packin out crowds and packin courts. FDR knew it and now you do too. For real though, THIS WEEK we are discussing Franklin Delano Roosevelt's attempt to add SIX seats to the US Supreme Court in early 1937, a brief overview of how the number of Supreme Court seats has expanded and contracted throughout America's history and what the hell greenbacks are.

Ep 95: FDR p2 - New Deal, Who Dis? Jul 22, 2021

Do the well-off have a social obligation to help the down-trodden? In this week's episode, Franklin Delano Roosevelt ascends to the highest office in American government, implements a wide-range of social programs in an attempt to kickstart the struggling US economy and toes the line between entrenched American isolationism and the clear need to fight Fascism in both Europe and Asia.

Ep 94: FDR p1 - The Prodigy of Privilege Jul 14, 2021

How privileged are you? This week we get a taste of the opportunities afforded to the ultra-wealthy New York elite through the eyes of our subject, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, tracing the circumstances of his birth, his struggle with poliomyelitis and his attainment of the governorship of New York. Part one of three!

Ep 94: Captain Robert Smalls - Broken Chains and Broken Barriers Jul 07, 2021

What glass ceilings have you broken? Our Person of Interest this week is Robert Smalls, a formerly-enslaved Civil War Hero who went on to serve in the South Carolinian House and Senate then US Congress for nearly 20 years.

Ep 93: History Wormhole - Pride Jul 03, 2021

This week! Henry and Josh recap and elaborate on things discussed this month as well as in months prior, touching on people/subjects as Martha P. Johnson, the persecution of homosexuals during the Holocaust, the Battle of the Hundred in the Hands and the role of the winkte in Lakota society, among others. Sorry for the delay, it has been a rough week.

Ep 91: Sappho of Lesbos - Lady with the Lyre Jun 24, 2021

What kinda sick jams did they bop in Ancient Greece? This week our subject is Sappho, a Grecian poet, bard and lyricist who is widely acknowledged as one of the earliest and most prolific female poets in history.

Ep 90: The Lavender Scare - The Purge within the Purge Jun 17, 2021

How did the atmosphere of conspiracy and paranoia unleashed by Senator McCarthy affect the homosexual community of Washington DC? This week we cover the Lavender Scare, a branch of the Red Scare that specifically targeted gay and lesbian employees within the federal government.

Ep 89: Harvey Milk - "The American Dream Starts With the Neighborhoods." Jun 10, 2021

How did San Francisco's property values get so high? This week we cover the life and times of the eclectic Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the history of California, progressive activist and "the unofficial mayor of Castro Street."

Ep 88: Stonewall Riots/Rebellion/Uprising - Dawn of Gay Liberation Jun 02, 2021

Have you ever been pushed too far? This week we discuss the Stonewall Inn, an otherwise obscure mob-run hole-in-the-wall dance bar that, in late June of 1969, became the center of a series of protests that served as a springboard for various pro-gay and lesbian organizations such as the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance.

Ep 87: Jeff Fort - Chief of El Rukn May 27, 2021

How much government cheddar can you misappropriate before you have to go to prison? This week we discuss this question through the eyes of notorious Chicago criminal Jeff Fort, one of the founders and eventual leader of the Black P. Stones gang and the El Rukn tribe of the Moorish Science Temple of America.

Ep 86: The 1971 Attica Prison Uprising May 20, 2021

What do you get when place 'law-and-order' politics at the intersection of a struggle for prisoner rights? Unfortunately, a recipe for disaster. This week we discuss the efforts of inmates in upstate New York's Attica prison to improve their living conditions, and the New York State government's excessive and disproportionate response.

Ep 85: Russia in the 90s p2 - Trickle Up Economics May 12, 2021

You've heard of Russia interfering with the 2016 election, but what of American interference in Russian elections? How did the Mafia fill the power vacuum left by the crumbled Soviet Union? What do you know about Russian stonks? All this and more on this episode of Hard Fried History.

Ep 84: Russia in the 90s p1 - The Bigger They Are... May 05, 2021

What factors contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union? How did Russia transition from Communism to Capitalism in the early years of the “Wild 90s?” In the first of a two-part analysis, Henry and Josh take an initial peek behind the Iron Curtain and enter the world of fast money, backroom deals and bad Russian accents.

Ep 83: History Wormhole - MKULTRA Apr 28, 2021

"Hey buddy...you wanna party?" This week we explore the hidden world of secret government safe-houses and sketchy university laboratories where the CIA conducted their infamous MK-ULTRA program, under which agency-subsidized neurologists and biochemists conducted torturous experiments by bombarding people with electrical shocks and drug cocktails in an effort to turn people into highly-dependent and suggestible sleeper agents ready for deployment. OUR TAX DOLLARS.

Ep 82: Weimar Germany, 1929 - 1933 Apr 21, 2021

What were the final nails in the coffin of German Democracy? How did the Nazi party gain enough support to transform itself from a fringe movement on the margins of the political spectrum to the dominant party within Germany? What parallels exist between the rise of fascism in Germany and the rise of the alt-right in Western democracies? These questions and many more answered in this episode.

Ep 81: Weimar Germany, 1918 - 1929 Apr 14, 2021

How exactly did Fascism rise in Germany? What should we be on the lookout for in the modern era? In the first of a two-part series, Josh and Henry take a look at Germany in the aftermath of World War One, the political and social circumstances that aided the rise of Fascism and which types of people found that poisonous ideology appealing and why.

Ep 80: Marielle Franco Apr 08, 2021

When do current events become history? This week we discuss the life and premature death of Marielle Franco, a Brazilian activist and politician who was assassinated by right-wing goons only three years ago.

Ep 79: Anna Mae Aquash - Woman Warrior Mar 31, 2021

What cause would you give your life to? Our person of interest today is Anna Mae Aquash, a Canadian indigenous women who spent her life fighting for the improvement of conditions for American indigenous people throughout the 1960s and 1970s, perhaps most notably through the American Indian Movement (AIM).

Ep 78: Phoolan Devi - Avatar of Durga Mar 24, 2021

What's the furthest you've ever gone in search of vengeance? Our subject today is the amazing story of Phoolan Devi, a lower-caste Indian woman who, after being cornered into a life of crime, eventually gained an international reputation as the infamous "Bandit Queen of India." Viewer discretion advised.

Ep 77: Dolores Ibarruri (La Pasionaria) - An Overview of the Spanish Civil War Mar 17, 2021

What do you know about the Spanish Civil War? Our subject today is Dolores Ibarruri, a key player in the Spanish Communist Party who served on both the political and military front lines of this struggle. Reading her autobiography against a more general history, Josh and Henry give a condensed overview of the causes of and international responses to this conflict while contextualizing Ibarruri within these broader strokes. Buckle up! No Pasaran!

Ep 76: Angela Davis - "We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society" Mar 10, 2021

Have you ever been falsely accused? Kicking off women's history month, we take a look at the early life and rise of Angela Davis, covering such topics as the activities of domestic terrorists in Birmingham during the 50s, the origins of the black liberation movement in the 60s and the LAPD/FBI's violent attempts to stop this movement.

Ep 75: Marcus Garvey - "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." Mar 03, 2021

What do you know about post-WW1 America? Today, we examine that period through the eyes of Marcus Mosiah Garvey Sr, founder of the first black-owned commercial shipping companies, the rival of WEB Dubois, central figure in the Harlem Renaissance and founder of UNIA, an organization focused on the improvement of the conditions of black people across the globe.

Ep 74: Haile Selassie - The Ethiopian Machiavelli Feb 24, 2021

How much do you know about the founding of Rastafarianism? Our subject today is Haile Selassie, long-ruling Emperor of Ethiopia who reigned during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia during World War Two and, perhaps more famously, unintentionally served as the religious figurehead for Rastafarianism.

Ep 73: Western Wrap Up Feb 18, 2021

This week! In the conclusion of HFH's series on the The West, Josh and Henry discuss a couple of stories affecting current day indigenous groups and grapple with some of the seismic consequences stemming from and interpretations of America's subjugation of the once-Wild West. Closing out, we announce our upcoming areas of focus for the next few months.

Ep 72: Fred Hampton - You can kill a revolutionary, but you can't kill the revolution Feb 10, 2021

How accomplished were you at age 21? This week, we take a look at the life and tragically early death of revolutionary Black Panther leader and organizer Fred Hampton, examining the circumstances around his assassination and how/why the FBI and Chicago police brutally shot him in his bed, then tried to cover it up.

Ep 71: Bass Reeves - "Pull it fast and shoot it straight" Feb 03, 2021

Is the law on your side? In the conclusion of our Western package, we serve up the writs alongside Bass Reeves, a former enslaved person who went on to become one of, if not THE, most accomplished US Marshalls to date.

Ep 70: Who are the Texas Rangers Really? Jan 27, 2021

All the BS and romanticism aside, Josh and Henry untangle the farrago of legends and tall tales that has characterized our collective memory of the Texas Rangers and take an honest look at their origin and evolution all the way up to modern day.

Ep 69: Jesse James - "the worst man, without any exception, in America" (w/ special guest Jerry Wayne Longmire) Jan 20, 2021

Does crime pay? On today's episode, Josh, Henry and beloved Houston Comedian Jerry Wayne Longmire cover the politics of Reconstruction, James' criminal itinerary and debunk the popularized fictions and interpretations of one of America's most notorious and violent bank robbers/domestic terrorists (spoiler: he died in 1882).

Ep 68: Billy The Kid - American Outlaw Jan 13, 2021

How do you want to be remembered? Few figures cast a larger shadow over how people imagine the Wild West than Billy the Kid. So join us as we explore the fast and dangerous life of one of America's most-infamous outlaws, and find out if his bloodthirsty reputation holds up to the facts.

Ep 67: Juan Cortina - "the Prince of Bandits" Jan 06, 2021

Oh you think you've got warrants? Lawless frontier warlord to some, virtuous defender of Tejano/Mexican rights to others, Juan Cortina earned his fair share while carving out a bloody reputation on the Texas-Mexico border fighting against the Texas Rangers, the French, the Confederates and the forces of Imperial Mexico during its own Civil War.

Ep 66: Geronimo - Paragon of Resistance Dec 30, 2020

Mexican-American War? Civil War? Oh, we're just getting warmed up. Today's subject is Geronimo, the infamous Apache outlaw and formidable warrior who repeatedly led his people off the reservation and into bloody excursions throughout Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico, all for the sake of preserving the old ways.

Ep 65: Christmas Traditions - From Odin to Krampus Dec 23, 2020

Taking a brief break from our regular programming, Josh and Henry discuss some of the obscure origins of winter traditions practiced during the holiday season and discover what a weird, pagan amalgamation of a holiday Christmas actually is. Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho oh oh oh oho ho ho ho ho ho h oh ho ho ho ho ho h oh oh oh ho oh oh oh help me.

Ep 64: Chief Joseph - the Moses of the Mountains Dec 16, 2020

How far could you run before your legs gave out? Our subject today is Chief Joseph, who served as the spiritual and civilian leader of his people during what's known as the Flight of the Nez Perce, a four-month migration from their homeland to Canada during which they were pursued relentlessly by the US army, which was baffled and evaded at nearly every turn.

Ep 63: Crazy Horse - Champion of the Great Plains Dec 09, 2020

What lengths would you go to to defend your homeland? In this episode, we cover the life and tragic death of Crazy Horse, a Lakota patriot and warrior whose tactical ingenuity, concern for his people's plight and, perhaps above all, his bravery compelled him to resist the settler invasion, first under Red Cloud and then under Sitting Bull, culminating in the stunning indigenous victory at Little Bighorn.

Ep 62: Red Cloud - Whirlwind of the West Dec 02, 2020

The only war the US ever lost was Vietnam right? Wrong. In this episode, we study the origins of the frontier hostilities of the 1860s, a few of the tactics in the US' expansive arsenal of legal tricks and how this indigenous warrior coordinated, organized and oversaw a protracted guerrilla war against the US and won.

Ep 61: James P. Beckwourth - The Manumitted Mountain Lion Nov 25, 2020

Born enslaved, James Beckwourth is easily one of the most accomplished mountain men that ever lived. Once free, he forayed into the West, became chief of the Crow people and played a role in such notable yet commonly undiscussed historical events such as the War of 1812, the Second Seminole War, the California Revolution, the Mexican American War and Red Cloud's War. Westward-Ho!

Ep 60: Indian Removal / The Trail of Tears Nov 18, 2020

"This land is your land, this land is my land," but it isn't though, is it? In this episode, we examine the origins and evolution of the US' policy of Indian Removal from roughly 1810 to 1840, unveil the unsurprising reasons why white Southerners wanted native lands, and talk about what the removal process meant in practice.

Ep 59: Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa - The War Chief and the Prophet Nov 11, 2020

Have Ohio and Indiana ever actually been interesting places? Not for many, many moons. Join us as we explore the original American frontier, where a pan-native religious revival movement seized almost the entire Northwest territory, Britain and America had a rematch, and a true warrior was born beneath a shooting star.

Ep 58: Sacagawea - Opening the Frontier Nov 04, 2020

Was Sacagawea merely a passive figure wrangled into serving an outsider’s agenda, or was she active in influencing and shaping the events around her? Josh and Henry open the West by examining an under-utilized and potentially controversial source that sheds light on some hereto unknown details of her story.

Ep 57: Marie Laveau - Voodoo Queen of New Orleans Oct 28, 2020

Do certain elements of voodoo contain a 19th century classist critique? How did Marie Laveau establish herself as one of the most influential women in her city despite the entrenched racial prejudices of Southern society? What Saint should you invoke if your man just stops trying? All this and more on this episode of Hard Fried History.

Ep 56: Ghosts of Hiroshima - August 6th, 1945 Oct 21, 2020

The decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan is one of the most consequential decisions in human history. But what did the landscape of Hiroshima to those inside of the blast zone? In an extremely graphic episode, Josh and Henry comb through survivors accounts of that horrid day and briefly examine the circumstances that led to that fateful decision.

Ep 55: Erzsebet Bathory - The Darling of True Crime Oct 14, 2020

Having victimized over 200 girls in feudal Hungary by a variety of brutal methods, Erzsebet Bathory is considered by some to be the most prolific serial killer, certainly of her time and perhaps even of our own. But have some of the claims about her become sensationalized? Where exactly did her legend cross the threshold into myth?

Ep 54: Edgar Allan Poe - America's OG Sadboi Oct 07, 2020

Henry and Josh inaugurate the spooky season by examining the tumultuous life and career of one of the Founding Fathers of American literature, and, in the spirit of Halloween, pull all the skeletons from out of his closet.

Ep 53: Cold War Wrap-Up Sep 30, 2020

In the conclusion of HFH's series on the Cold War, Josh and Henry cover topics such as the rise of neocolonialism, what that encompasses, the step-by-step methodology for how the US launches coups in developing nations, the strategic misuse of the terms "communist" and "socialist," and what that means for today's world. Also announced is our upcoming areas of study for the next few months.

Ep 52: The School of the Americas - Our Tax Dollars at Work Sep 23, 2020

The School of the Americas is now open for enrollment and accepting new applications. The curriculum? Mass murder. Join us as we discuss this not-notorious-enough institution and learn why the US trained and supplied death squads and dictators in various Latin American countries, and why it's still in operation today.

Ep 51: Ho Chi Minh p2 - Toppling the Domino Sep 16, 2020

What did Vietnamese political landscape look like before the worst of the war? How did the Viet Minh topple the military might of US? Was Ho Chi Minh more a true-blue (or, more suitably, true-red) communist or a pragmatic nationalist? These questions answered and much more on this episode.

Ep 50: Ho Chi Minh p1 - Odyssey of a Radical Sep 09, 2020

Surely one of the most vilified men in American historical memory wasn't always such a bad guy, if indeed he ever was. Listen now to learn how this globetrotting insurrectionary became radicalized and what preconditions existed that made Vietnam so ripe for revolution.

Ep 49: Indira Gandhi p2 - The Death of Democracy Sep 02, 2020

Opposition protests turning violent causing the declaration of a period of national emergency, thus granting the executive broader powers, including the ability to suspend elections and send federal troops into 'problematic' states, all in an a desperate attempt to stay in power when faced with impending criminal charges? That's right, we're talking about Indira Gandhi! Wait, who did you think?

Ep 48: Indira Gandhi p1 - The Birth of Democracy Aug 26, 2020

Born into the nucleus of emerging Indian nationalism, Indira Nehru Gandhi survived German air-raids and later British detention to became India's first (and only) female Prime Minister. Listen to learn how she shaped the the world's largest, and most ethnically diverse, democracy.

Ep 47: Patrice Lumumba p2 - Autopsy of a Coup Aug 19, 2020

Only 11 days after announcing independence, the Congo rapidly deteriorated into an orgy of chaos. Army grunts sought reprisals against its still-Belgian officers, the mineral-rich province of Katanga seceded from the nation and even the UN dragged its feet when it came to stabilizing the situation. But why? Why did UN troops refuse to enter Katanga, the problematic, pro-Belgium, secessionist province? Why did Joseph Mobutu, once one of Lumumba's closest friends, betray him and declare rebellion against Lumumba's government? What interests did the US have in the Congo, and what was the nature of its intervention, as well as its motives for doing so? Join us as we dissect the 7 months after Congolese independence and uncover how how the West murdered freedom in the Congo.

Ep 46: Patrice Lumumba p1 - Emerging Independence and Social Justice Aug 12, 2020

Emerging from centuries of division, exploitation and abuse at the hands of outside oppressors, the people of the Congo began to assert themselves in the aftermath of World War Two, part of the "liberating breath" rolling over the African continent. None came to epitomize the newfound independence movement quite as much as nationalist politician Patrice Lumumba, but is the common image of Lumumba as a fire-breathing, pro-independence radical warranted? What were Lumumba's exact motives, and why did the West come to view him as such a threat?

Ep 45: Suharto and the Forgotten Genocide Aug 05, 2020

Serving as the world's most-populous Islamic nation, Indonesia's modern history has been dominated by Suharto, a general who took power in a violent counter-coup, annihilated the opposition while suspending due process, thereby detaining, torturing and killing innocents, and established a corporatist autocracy nominally under the thin veil of democracy whereby the army controlled all major political and economic affairs. So why did the US endorse and support his rise to power? Was Vietnam the US' sole occupation in Southeast Asia, or, in some ways, was Indonesia the real prize?

Ep 44: Mao Zedong p3 - Building Communist China Jul 29, 2020

Do the ends justify the means? No. They don't. At least, not in the case of Mao's governing. Join us as we discuss what Mao does once he finally ascends to the position of undisputed ruler of China, his attempts to transform China into a communist utopia and how that reality nosedives from collective expectations.

Ep 43: Mao Zedong p2 - Rise of the Reds Jul 22, 2020

A once-great country splintering into various factions all jockeying for control causing a Civil War even though the hostile factions should really rejoice in the common bond of their collective patriotism, allowing them to unite against the real threat - an outside, foreign aggressor? Nah, couldn't happen here. But it did happen in China. Join us as we examine how Mao Zedong managed to lead his army through the Chinese Civil War and eventually obtain victory through the use of Machiavellian guile.

Ep 42: Mao Zedong p1 - From Protests to Bullets Jul 15, 2020

In less than a century, China transformed itself from a colonized nation dreaming of its former glory to one of the world's dominant economic and political powers. For better or for worse, this transformation could not have taken place without Mao Zedong, a pivotal figure in the Cold War who brought China into the Communist camp and thrust the nation back into global prominence. So how did this young revolutionary get his start? How did the son of two peasants rise through the ranks of poverty to become one of the most important and controversial figures in the 20th century?

Ep 41: The Rosenbergs - a Miscarriage of Justice Jul 08, 2020

The Rosenbergs, two Soviet spies stationed in Manhattan are alleged to have passed vital information about the atomic bomb to the Soviets, secrets so pivotal they provided the Russians the breakthrough they needed in the development of this apocalyptic weapon. They were sentenced to the electric chair in 1953, but did the US justice system get it right? What exactly was the case against the Rosenbergs? Who actually passed atomic secrets to the Soviets, and was that information of any actual value at all?

Ep 40: Nikita Khrushchev p2 - Denouncing the Giant Jul 01, 2020

Suez Canal, the Cuban Missile Crisis, civil war in the Congo, the construction of the Berlin Wall, the assassination of JFK; all this and more on this episode of Hard Fried History.

Ep 39: Nikita Khrushchev p1 - Under Stalin's Shadow Jun 24, 2020

What's the only type of party you don't want to attend? A party purge. Communist boogeyman Nikita Khrushchev survived not only waves of bloody purges, but other historic free-for-alls such as the Russian Revolution, the Great Famine, the Great Terror and World War Two. So how did this meager, uneducated peasant manage to navigate his own course through the treacherous, shark-infested waters that is the Soviet bureaucracy to eventually become Stalin’s successor?

Ep 38: Fidel Castro p2 - Exporting the Revolution Jun 17, 2020

Absolute power corrupts? Absolutely! Cuba might be under economic blockade, but they've got a new chief export: the revolution. Join us as we talk about Fidel's attempts to support independence movements in other developing nations, his secret visit with North Korea's Kim il-Sung and Cuba's illicit dealings with the Colombian cartel.

Ep 37: Fidel Castro p1 - Building the Revolution Jun 10, 2020

What do you do after a dictator has been overthrown? How does the youth become radicalized? Join us in the premier of season two with a look at the enigmatic Fidel Castro, the long-time leader (dictator?) of the socialist country of Cuba, located a mere 90 miles away from the US.

Ep 36: Quick Announcement! Jun 07, 2020

Just a brief announcement of the direction the pod is heading. We hope you will tune in over the next few months for what will be a wild, wild ride!

Ep 35: Boko Haram (w/ JT Kelley) Jun 03, 2020

Oppressive governments? Disenfranchised people? Throw in some desertification, a whole lot of Libyan guns and some viral YouTube videos and you’ve got a recipe for one of the most notorious terrorist groups on the African continent. Known in the West as Boko Haram, they have committed a slew of horrific terrorist attacks, ranging from child abduction to suicide bombings, displacing millions and killing tens of thousands of civilians in the name of waging jihad. So why do their teachings still appeal to so many young men? What measures will the government implement to suppress the movement? Featuring Austin comedian, JT Kelly. Please subscribe, rate, review and share (and stay safe)!

Ep 34: Sam Houston Part Two May 27, 2020

In the second half of his life, Sam Houston navigates the treacherous waters of international diplomacy as president of the new Republic of Texas, considers annexing all of Mexico to the Union and maybe even...runs for president? Please like, share, subscribe, rate and review!

Ep 33: Sam Houston Part One May 20, 2020

Rounding out Season One, Josh and Henry take a look at Sam Houston, adopted Cherokee, disgraced governor, raging alcoholic and one of the founding fathers of the weird, weird place that is Texas.

Ep 32: Ulysses S. Grant (w/ Jake Rawls) May 13, 2020

Perhaps the world's most highly-functioning alcoholic, Ulysses S. Grant served in the Mexican-American War, the Civil War and served two terms as America's president. Featuring Jake Rawls from the Regular Dude Report.

Ep 31: Cleopatra Part Two May 06, 2020

Love is a battlefield, sometimes literally. Join us as we conclude Cleopatra's tale, covering the rise of Caesar Augustus, the Battle of Actium and the tragic curtain call of Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare's other pair of star-crossed lovers. Please like, subscribe, rate, review and share (and stay safe)!

Ep 30: Cleopatra Part One Apr 29, 2020

Cleopatra, allegedly both cunning and stunning, this international and cosmopolitan woman of mystery has moreso served as a sexual icon than as the calculating yet benevolent stateswoman who presided over arguably the most advanced civilization that existed during her era. Does this projected sexuality eclipse her accomplishments as a ruler? How much do you really know about Cleopatra? Please like, subscribe, rate, review and share (and stay safe)!

Ep 29: Saladin Apr 22, 2020

Stalwart defender of dar-al-Islam, this 12th century Muslim warrior successfully repelled waves of Christian crusaders and brought the iconic cities of both Alexandria and Jerusalem under the control of the caliphate. Please like, subscribe, rate, review and share (and be safe)!

Ep 28: Sitting Bull Apr 15, 2020

Warchief of the Lakota, Sitting Bull resisted the efforts of both white settlers and the US government to steal the lands of his tribe and subjugate his people, eventually serving as a rallying point for disenfranchised natives across the West. Please like, subscribe, rate, review and share (and stay safe)!

Ep 27: The Black Plague Apr 08, 2020

In light of recent events, Josh and Henry decided to examine possibly the most gruesome and fatal pandemic to have trimmed the ranks of the human race - the Black Plague of the 14th century. Please subscribe, rate, review and share (and stay safe)!

Ep 26: Emperor Hirohito Part Three Apr 01, 2020

In the dramatic conclusion of the Hirohito trilogy, the bomb is dropped and the chrysanthemum curtain is lifted as Japanese and US government officials work together to lift the crushing weight of war responsibility from the emperor’s shoulders. Please subscribe, rate, review and share (and stay safe)!

Ep 25: Emperor Hirohito Part Two Mar 26, 2020

Secret chemical weapons programs, the Rape of Nanking, Pearl Harbor; all this and more discussed on this episode of Hard Fried History. Please subscribe, rate and review and tell us who you would like to see next!

Ep 24: Emperor Hirohito Part One Mar 18, 2020

As leader of Japan during World War Two, Emperor Hirohito oversaw, sanctioned and orchestrated the brutal atrocities committed by the Japanese against their enemies, both civilian and in uniform. So why did he remain on the throne 54 years after the end of the war? First of a trilogy. Please subscribe, rate and review and tell us who you would like to see next!

Ep 23: Sultan Aurangzeb Alamgir Mar 11, 2020

Championed by Pakistan yet derided in India, this 17th century Mughal king expanded Muslim rule over India to its greatest extent. In this episode, Josh and Henry discuss whether or not Aurangzeb was deliberately malicious toward Hindus or if he was merely trying to keep a firm hand on his growing empire. Please subscribe, rate and review, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 22: Ibn Battuta Mar 04, 2020

Having traveled around 73,000 miles spanning across 40 modern countries, this 14th Century North African Islamic scholar just might be the most prolific travel blogger you’ve never heard of. Please subscribe, rate and review, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 21: Assata Shakur Feb 27, 2020

What does it take to make the FBI's most wanted list? Not much, apparently. In this episode, Josh and Henry examine the life of Assata Olugbala Shakur, a black activist who, for one reason or another, was framed for a handful of robberies, kidnappings and murders allegedly organized by the Black Liberation Army (BLA). Please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes/Spotify, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 20: Charlie "Bird" Parker Part Two Feb 20, 2020

Will Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillepsie’s new style take hold in LA? Could Charlie learn the rhythms and tempos of domestic life if he were to meet the right woman? Can Charlie conquer his personal demons, or will his demons conquer him? All these questions and more answered in the dramatic second episode on Charlie “Bird” Parker. Please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 19: Charlie "Bird" Parker Part One Feb 12, 2020

The Hard Fried History team pops into the American Jazz Age with a look at Charlie Parker, a profoundly talented and troubled saxophonist who helped shift the development of American jazz from the more grounded melodies of swing to the sporadic and spontaneous rhythms that characterize the style now known as Bebop. Please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes/Spotify, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 18: President Thomas Sankara Feb 06, 2020

One of modern Africa’s most noteworthy and forward-thinking revolutionaries, this charismatic yet humble leader ushered in a series of progressive reforms that would have modernized the state and strengthened the economy of Burkina Faso had his life not be tragically cut short. Please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 17: Queen Njinga of Angola Jan 30, 2020

In this episode Henry and Josh dive into the elusive warrior queen that took on colonial powers and won, Queen Njinga of Angola.

Ep 16: "Mad" Anthony Wayne Part Two Jan 22, 2020

Deception, scandals and intrigue abound in this episode, covering the last 13 years of Anthony Wayne's life. With the American Revolution now over, Anthony "Scamgod" Wayne wriggles out of a devastating financial lawsuit while also investigating a plot that could potentially destroy the new nation. Please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 15: "Mad” Anthony Wayne Part One Jan 15, 2020

With colleagues such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton, Anthony Wayne was absolutely instrumental in accomplishing the goals of the American Revolution. So why does no one talk about him? Please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 14: Shaka Zulu Jan 08, 2020

Shaka Zulu is one of the most fierce and influential warriors of the Zulu kingdom. Despised by some and beloved by others, Josh and Henry examine the rise and fall of South Africa’s warrior king. Please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 13: Muammar Gaddafi Part Three Jan 01, 2020

In the final installment of the Gaddafi trilogy, Josh and Henry explore the climax and inevitable fall of our celebrated and revered Brother Leader. Please subscribe and review on iTunes, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 12: Santa Claus Dec 25, 2019

How well do you know Santa Claus? In this holiday special, Josh and Henry trace the evolution of this iconic figure from his origin as an obscure saint to his emergence into the Western conscious in the form of a rotund, jolly, gift-slanging machine. Please subscribe and review on iTunes, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 11: Muammar Gaddafi Part Two Dec 19, 2019

Henry and Josh break down the political career of the adored Brother Leader Muammar Gaddafi after he has already taken power. Please subscribe and review on iTunes, follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) and like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 10: Muammar Gaddafi Part One Dec 11, 2019

Josh and Henry discuss the early life of our beloved Brother Leader Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 9: Boudica Part Two Dec 04, 2019

Henry and Josh cover Boudica's revolt in barn-blazing finale. Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 8: Boudica Part One Nov 27, 2019

Henry and Josh discuss the Roman conquest of Ancient Britain leading up to the outbreak of a violent rebellion spearheaded by Boudica, the Iron Age Warrior Queen of Great Britain. Episode 1 of 2. Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 7: Montezuma Part Two Nov 20, 2019

Henry and Josh dive headfirst into the questions and controversy surrounding the fateful meeting between Montezuma the Younger and Hernan Cortes, tracing it from first contact to the mysterious and tragic death of the man himself, Montezuma. Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 6: Montezuma Part One Nov 13, 2019

Henry and Josh sketch the rise of both the Aztec/Mexican empire and its final ruler: Montezuma the Younger, the first episode of a two-part analysis covering this tragic figure. Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading, citations included.

Ep 5: Ching Shih / Cheng I Sao Nov 06, 2019

Henry and Josh discuss the life of infamous pirate queen Chin Shih / Cheng I Sao of China, who was arguably the most successful pirate of all time. Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading.

Ep 4: Vlad Dracula AKA Vlad the Impaler Part Two Oct 30, 2019

In the second part of this Halloween special, Josh and Henry trace the vicious exploits of the infamous Dracula to their inevitable conclusion. Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading.

Ep 3: Vlad Dracula AKA Vlad the Impaler Part One Oct 24, 2019

In a Special Halloween Two Parter, Henry and Josh deep dive into the gruesome and spiteful VLAD THE IMPALER or more commonly known as DRACULA! Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading.

Ep 2: Carrie Nation and The Hatchetations (World's Worst Soul Band) Oct 17, 2019

Henry, Josh and the craziest lady on either side of the Mississippi: Carrie Nation. Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading.

Ep 1: Rasputin Oct 17, 2019

Henry and Josh take on the enigmatic and mysterious Rasputin, known as Russia's "Mad Monk." Follow us on Instagram (Hard Fried History) and Twitter (HFHPodcast) or like our Facebook page for behind the scenes photos and to see what we've been reading.

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