The Strange History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Bloody Benders: America's First Serial Killer Family | The True Story of the Kansas Murder Inn Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Who were The Bloody Benders, and how did an ordinary family farm become one of the most terrifying crime scenes in American history? In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the chilling true story of the Bloody Benders, the mysterious Kansas family accused of operating what many historians consider America's first documented family of serial killers. During the early 1870s, travelers along the Osage Trail in southeastern Kansas began disappearing without a trace. Merchants, doctors, ranchers, settlers, and families simply vanished while journeying across the American frontier. The investigation eventually led to a small roadside inn owned by the Bender family. Behind its welcoming appearance lay one of the darkest secrets of the Wild West. Guests were invited to enjoy a hot meal before being seated in the place of honor at the dinner table—where a carefully planned murder method allegedly claimed victim after victim. Hidden trapdoors, shallow graves beneath an orchard, and the shocking discovery of multiple bodies turned the Bender homestead into one of the most infamous crime scenes in nineteenth-century America. Discover the strange lives of John Bender Sr., Elvira Bender, John Jr., and the mysterious Kate Bender, the self-proclaimed psychic and spiritual healer whose charm helped lure unsuspecting travelers into one of history's deadliest traps. Learn about the disappearance of Dr. William York, the nationwide manhunt that followed, the dozens of reported sightings, and the enduring mystery surrounding what became of the Bender family after they vanished without a trace. We'll separate historical fact from frontier legend, explore the rise of Spiritualism after the Civil War, examine life on the Kansas frontier during westward expansion, and uncover why this extraordinary true crime case continues to fascinate historians more than 150 years later. Were the Bloody Benders America's first serial killer family? Did they escape justice forever? Or did frontier vigilantes secretly catch them before history lost their trail? Join The Strange History Podcast for one of the most disturbing and unforgettable true crime stories ever to emerge from the American Old West.
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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

The Devil's Bible: The True Story of the Codex Gigas, Medieval Monks, and History's Most Mysterious Manuscript Aug 14, 2026

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Was the Codex Gigas, better known as The Devil's Bible, really written in a single night after a monk made a pact with Satan? Or is the truth even more unbelievable? In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy uncovers the fascinating history behind one of the world's most mysterious medieval manuscripts. Journey back to 13th-century Bohemia and explore the legend of Herman the Recluse, the Benedictine monk said to have traded his soul to complete the largest handwritten book ever created. Discover what historians, paleographers, and modern researchers have learned about the Codex Gigas, from its astonishing size and perfectly consistent handwriting to its famous full-page portrait of the Devil. We'll separate medieval myth from historical fact while exploring life inside a Benedictine monastery, the painstaking process of creating illuminated manuscripts, the role of medieval scribes, the Hussite Wars, Emperor Rudolf II's legendary collection, and the dramatic story of how the Codex Gigas survived a devastating castle fire after being thrown from a window in Stockholm. Is the Devil's Bible truly cursed? Why were pages removed from the manuscript? Could one person really spend decades creating a book of this magnitude? And why does the Codex Gigas continue to fascinate historians, conspiracy theorists, and lovers of unexplained mysteries more than 800 years after it was created? If you enjoy strange history, medieval mysteries, ancient manuscripts, forgotten legends, dark folklore, historical conspiracies, archaeology, unexplained events, and true stories that blur the line between fact and myth, this episode is for you. Subscribe to The Strange History Podcast for more incredible stories from history that prove the past is often stranger than fiction.
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Big Nose George: The Wyoming Outlaw Turned Into Shoes | America's Strangest True Crime Story Aug 12, 2026

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What really happened to Big Nose George? In one of the strangest true crime stories in American history, notorious Wyoming outlaw George Parrott attempted to derail a Union Pacific train, murdered two railroad detectives, escaped justice—until an angry mob took matters into their own hands. But his story didn't end with his execution. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we uncover the bizarre and thoroughly documented tale of the outlaw whose body became one of the most infamous medical curiosities in the American West. Learn how frontier physician Dr. John Eugene Osborne studied George's brain, removed portions of his skin, and had them tanned into leather that was crafted into a pair of shoes and a medical bag. Those shoes were later worn by Osborne after he became the Governor of Wyoming, creating one of the most unbelievable moments in American history. We'll explore the violent days of the Wyoming Territory, the failed Union Pacific train robbery near Medicine Bow, the murders of railroad detectives Robert Widdowfield and Henry "Tip" Vincent, the Rawlins lynching, Victorian-era medical science, the controversial theories of criminal anthropology, and the extraordinary artifacts that still survive today at the Carbon County Museum. Was this science? Revenge? Frontier justice? Or simply one of the strangest chapters in American history? Join Amy as she dives deep into the true story of Big Nose George—a tale filled with Wild West violence, historical mystery, medical oddities, and unbelievable facts that sound too bizarre to be true...except they are. If you love strange history, true crime, Wild West legends, forgotten American history, and the bizarre stories your history teacher never told you, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

The Watchers of Enoch: Fallen Angels, Forbidden Knowledge & Giant Nephilim Aug 11, 2026

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Dear listeners, in this deep-dive episode of The Strange History Podcast we uncover one of the most shocking stories from the ancient Book of Enoch. Two hundred Watchers — powerful angels — descended from heaven to Mount Hermon, swore a dark oath, took human wives, and fathered violent giants known as the Nephilim. Discover how these fallen angels taught humanity forbidden secrets of weapons, sorcery, astrology, makeup, metallurgy, and magic. Learn about Azazel’s controversial teachings, the terrifying rise of the giants, the archangels’ brutal response, and the imprisonment of the Watchers in the depths of the Earth until final judgment. We explore the full dramatic account from 1 Enoch chapters 6–16, its connection to Genesis 6, and why this forbidden text was so influential in early Judaism and Christianity. Was this the true origin of evil on Earth? A heavenly rebellion that made the Flood necessary? Packed with detailed ancient lore, theological implications, and one hilarious fake biblical-times ad you won’t forget. If you love ancient mysteries, fallen angels, Nephilim giants, the Book of Enoch, or biblical apocrypha, this episode is for you.
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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

Star Trek Was Almost Canceled… and the Strange, Chaotic Birth of the Final Frontier | 20 Strange Facts, Secrets & Behind-the-Scenes History Aug 10, 2026

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Discover the strange, surprising, and little-known history behind Star Trek: The Original Series. From near cancellation and rejected pilots to groundbreaking diversity, behind-the-scenes drama, and futuristic predictions that became reality, this episode explores 20 fascinating facts that shaped one of the most influential sci-fi shows of all time. Learn how Star Trek went from a struggling 1960s television experiment to a global phenomenon that inspired modern technology, changed pop culture, and redefined science fiction forever.
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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

The Sun-Obsessed Emperor: Elagabalus and Rome’s Strangest Reign Aug 09, 2026

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In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, explore the bizarre and controversial reign of Roman Emperor Elagabalus, the teenage ruler who tried to transform Rome through sun worship, wild rituals, and shocking displays of power. From replacing traditional Roman gods with his own solar deity to hosting dangerous banquets and turning his palace into a sun-drenched sanctuary, Elagabalus pushed the limits of what an emperor could do. Learn about daily life in ancient Rome, the role of religion and politics, and how historians like Cassius Dio and Herodian recorded one of the strangest chapters in Roman history. A fascinating blend of dark humor, ancient culture, and unbelievable true stories.
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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

The Roman Emperor Who Dined With Statues | BYOB was really Bring Your Own God Aug 08, 2026

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In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, explore the bizarre and unsettling reign of Roman Emperor Caligula, known for his strange behavior and shocking displays of power. From inviting statues to dinner parties to declaring war on the sea and elevating his horse, this episode dives into the wildest stories from ancient Rome. Discover the truth behind Caligula’s madness, the role of historians like Suetonius and Cassius Dio, and what these strange events reveal about power, control, and life in the Roman Empire. A perfect blend of dark history, humor, and unbelievable true stories.
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Before Twitter: Insults Fired Straight at Your Face | Ancient Insults Turned Into Deadly Weapons Aug 07, 2026

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Over 2,000 years ago, during the Hellenistic Period and the Roman Civil Wars, soldiers weren’t just fighting with swords and spears—they were launching insults carved into deadly sling bullets. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, discover the bizarre world of ancient warfare where psychological tactics met dark humor. From Greek mercenaries to Roman soldiers under leaders like Julius Caesar, we explore how inscribed weapons like “Learn your lesson” reveal the human side of history. Dive into ancient military culture, daily life, battlefield psychology, and the surprising ways humor helped soldiers cope with constant war. This strange but true story shows that even in antiquity, people found ways to get the last word—sometimes at lethal speed.
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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

The Dark History of Galata Tower: Fires, Legends, and Watchers Aug 07, 2026

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Galata Tower explores the history, legends, and eerie stories surrounding one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul.
In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we uncover how Galata Tower began as a Genoese stronghold before becoming a critical fire-watch tower during the Ottoman Empire, where watchmen scanned the city for devastating fires that could destroy entire neighborhoods.
We also explore the legend of Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi, who is said to have flown from the tower across the Bosphorus, along with strange accounts from watchmen, unexplained sightings from above the city, and the darker human stories tied to the tower’s long history.
This is where Istanbul was watched—and where the past still looks back.
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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

Topkapi Palace: Power, Secrets, and the Ottoman Empire Behind Closed Doors Aug 06, 2026

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Topkapi Palace explores the power, secrets, and hidden world of the Ottoman Empire inside Istanbul. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we uncover how Topkapi Palace became the center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. From the Imperial Council chambers to the mysterious Harem, this palace controlled politics, succession, and survival. We dive into the influence of powerful figures like Hürrem Sultan and Kösem Sultan, the brutal reality of royal succession under rulers like Mehmed III, and the chilling system of the “Cage,” where princes were kept in isolation. From palace intrigue and elite soldiers to whispered stories and uneasy corridors, this is where an empire was ruled from behind closed doors.
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🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments?
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New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.

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