Ridiculous History

Copyright: 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

The Millionaires and Wild Horses of Cumberland Island Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Located in the southeastern US just off the coast of Georgia, Cumberland Island is a hidden treasure with deep -- and, at times, disturbing -- lore. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore some of the more ridiculous stories from the island's past, from Thomas Carnegie's plans to take over the whole joint to the strange reason that wild non-native horses still roam there in the modern day.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: Did the US Mafia actually start in New Orleans? Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

When we think of the mob today, most Americans think of New York City -- and why not? After all, films, books and TV shows often depict New York as the heart of mob country. Yet, as the guys discover in today's episode, the story of the Italian-American mafia has a surprisingly different (and often forgotten) origin point.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Weird Afterlife of The Zombies Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

In 1969, the Zombies had a song hit No. 3 on the Billboard charts. There was just one problem: the band had broken up two years earlier, and most people in the US had no idea. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore how a deeply sketchy promo company created multiple fake versions of the Zombies... and sent them across the country.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fascinating History of Fountain Pens Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Nowadays, most people take pens for granted. They're always around if a business needs you to sign something, and people accidentally steal or lose them constantly. Yet the humble pen has a backstory thousands of years in the making. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max trace explore the rise of the fountain pen, from the old school quill to the modern day.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: Meet Albert Cashier, the Trans Man Who Fought for the Union in the Civil War Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

Born as Jennie Hodgers with a female sex assignment on December 25th, 1843, Albert Cashier emigrated to the United States lived as a man from his early teens on through the rest of his life. Despite the massive prejudices of the time, he managed to find support in his local communities, his friends and his fellow soldiers from the 95th Illinois Infantry both during and after the war, when the US government temporarily tried to revoke his pension.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part Two: Apple Trees, Ice Cream Wars and Weird Nuclear Gadgets Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

How much do you know about the inner chaos of Carvel or Ben Cohen's quest to free Ben and Jerry's? Why are apple trees so different from one seed to the next? In the second part this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore more of the Ridiculous History they didn't get to in this year's previous episodes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part Two: Apple Trees, Ice Cream Wars and Weird Nuclear Gadgets Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part One: 60 Minutes and Other Natural Wonders Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Did the creators of the groundbreaking 60 Minutes show have any idea how popular they would become? What other wonders of the world need to be on that list of ancient spectacles? In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel, and Max gear up for a field trip to Bermuda and explore all the Ridiculous History they wished they'd mentioned in this year's previous episodes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"CLASSIC: Operation Northwoods: How the US Planned to Attack Itself and Start a War with Cuba" Oct 03, 2026

Show notes

It's no secret that the US and Cuba have a long history of tense relations, often teetering on the brink of war. But just how far would Uncle Sam go to begin a genuine war with Cuba? The answer can be found in the declassified proposals for Operation Northwoods, a secret plan to wage false flag attacks on US citizens, soldiers, planes and ships, all with the goal of blaming these attacks on Cuba.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Death by Honey: The Legend of the Mellified Man Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever heard of a 'human mummy confection'? While it may sound like a Halloween treat, the legend of the Mellified Man was once taken quite seriously. Humans and honey have a deep relationship that predates known history (and Homo sapiens entirely), and for centuries people believed some holy men would voluntarily consume honey until they died, at which point they would be interred in coffins full of honey. Let a century pass, then -- boom! -- you open the coffin and the gunk inside has become a miraculous healing agent, capable of curing everything that ails you. Join Ben, Noel, and Max as they dive deep into the bizarre legend of the "Mellified Man".

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected