Unhinged History

Latest Episodes:

Episode 117 | Suckers for Resistance Stories Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

At Unhinged History, we are nothing if not consistent. To prove that, Angie shares a solid resistance story from WWII. In this unbelievable tale, Major Cary Elwes, not that Cary Elwes, along with fellow SAS sneak behind enemy lines, steal a train, and rescue POWs.

Theresa presses all the buttons triggering outrage as she shares the Mexican Repatriation Act, that time the United States deported up to 1.8 million people, with up to 60% of them being citizens.

This episode pairs well with:
The man who created the SOE
The Great Locomotive Chase of the Civil War
"Mad" Jack Churchill
The Black Village That Thrived in Central Park

Episode 116 | The Tea of the Time Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

No matter what you expected, you never guessed this week's stories.

Theresa kicks things off with the tale of Hazel Scott, the Black musician who seamlessly blended classical and jazz. She was the first Black woman to have her show on national TV in the 1950s.

Angie refuses to be chill with her choice of stories when she shares the story of Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalhami, the Persian pirate prince. This man starts his life on land selling horses before a 20-year career in piracy.

This episode pairs well with:
Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Artemisia I of Halicarnassus

Episode 115 | I’m So Glad You Didn’t Ask Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

In celebration of April Fool's Day, Angie and Theresa are at it again.

Angie starts off with the tale of the Cardiff Giant. George Hull and his cousin William Newell created this elaborate hoax to convince people that they found a giant petrified man – then the showman Barnum gets involved.

Theresa then shares the story of the Fox sisters. These renowned mediums ushered in the Spiritualist Movement. But were the frauds?

This episode pairs well with other hoaxes of history:

Spaghetti Hoax

The Time Traveler

Episode 114 | More Impressive Than a 1300s Prenup Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

Aww, the sweet feeling of predictability. Theresa starts us off with the particularly unhinged story of Jeanne de Clisson, the Lion of Brittany. This female French pirate was an absolute menace for 13 years as she pillaged her countrymen in a revenge plot.

Angie is well, the sweet, amazing soul she is, week after week, as she shares the story of Mary Kingsley. This Victorian adventurer makes a name for herself trekking through Africa and hanging out with cannibals.

This story pairs well with:

Catalina de Erauso, the lieutenant nun

Nellie Bly

Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth

Episode 113 | Everyone Loves Us, But Vermont Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

Angie kicks us off with Tarenorerer. This Aboriginal woman comes from Tasmania. After being a slave for a brief period, our girl escapes from slavery and shows the colonizers how much of a pain this rebel leader can be.

Theresa picks up from here and regales us with the story of French sculptress Camille Claudel. This woman comes of age during the late 1800s and makes a name for herself while having a tumultuous relationship with renowned artist Rodin, who is also married. This trainwreck is bigger and worse than you think it will go.

This episode pairs well with:

General Harriet Tubman
The Queen of the Paris Lesbians – Natalie Clifford Barney

Episode 112 | A Level of Chutzpah to Rock the Name Elmo Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

Join us this week as Angie and Theresa serve up some fabulous stories of strong-willed women.

Theresa starts with Rosemary Bryant Mariner. This naval aviator holds many firsts. She was the first woman to fly a tactical jet, the first woman to command an aviation squadron, and she was one of the first women to serve aboard a navy warship.

Angie goes on to tell the story of Nellie Bly. This hard-hitting journalist elevated investigative journalism. She's most known for infiltrating a New York City asylum and taking a record-breaking trip around the world.

This episode pairs well with:
The WASPs of WWII
"Mrs. Sherlock Holmes" – Grace Quackenbos

Episode 111 | The Bad Batch are the 99 Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

This episode is in response to a move to pull key stories from the Air Force History Class. We believe in telling stories that have representation. These stories are filled with struggles and hardships.

Theresa starts by sharing the WASPs of WWII. The Women's Air Service Pilots bridged the gap created by men serving on the front lines. These 1074 women shuttled planes from factories, were test pilots, towed targets, and more. At least 30 of these women died during their duty during their two years of service.

Angie regales us with the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. These men flew bombers and fighters during WWII. Although they were relegated to older planes, they outperformed many other units.
This episode pairs well with:
Aviatrix – Bessie Coleman
Aviatrix – Kathrine Sui Fun Cheung
The Harlem Hellfighters of WWI

Episode 110 | Petrol Filled Champagne Bottles Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

This week's stories are incredible. Angie starts off with the story of Ronald Erwin McNair, the second Black NASA astronaut. Not only was he an astronaut, he was a fifth-degree black belt and accomplished saxophone player. His tenacity helped him rise through the ranks at all of his goals. His life is cut short, tragically, when the Challenge spacecraft explodes.

Theresa lightens the mood by reverting to a love of hers – female spies of WWII. She regales us with the story of Josephine Baker, the nude dancer, turned actress, turned spy. Just when you think you know what is happening Theresa says something else out of right field.
This episode pairs well with:
Astronaut Sally Ride
Angie's Favorite Space Mistakes
Astronaut Kalpana Chawla
WWII Spy Nancy Wake
WWII Creation of the SOE / Collin Gubbins
WWII Spy Phyllis Latour Doyle
WWII Spy Aline Griffith

Episode 109 | That’s an Awesome Going Away Party Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Whatever you were expecting, this wasn't it. Theresa shares the over-the-top story of Eartha Kitt. Come for her rough childhood and stay for her playing Cat Woman. Between that and the CIA compiling a dossier about her with some racy gossip, this story has it all.

Angie zips much further back into history to share Toussaint Louverture with us. This Haitian general led during the revolution against France. Sometimes called the "Black Spartacus" he ends slavery on his island. It's a riveting tale.
This episode pairs well with:
Actress – Libby Holman
Actress – Hedy Lamarr
Slave Uprising – Gabriel's Conspiracy and Guion Buford Jr.

Episode 108 | No One Destroys Like the Hoover Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

This week the dynamic duo do what they do best. Angie kicks us off by sharing her greatest love, Egypt, with us and telling us facts about King Tutankhamun. Maybe you've heard them all before, but you've never heard Angie gush about him.

Theresa dips into her bag of stories that make you both happy and livid. Come for her telling the tale of how the Black Panther Party created the Free Breakfast Program, which is the reason public schools offer it nationwide in the US. Stay for FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, who is depicted as the villain.
This episode pairs well with:
Pyramids of Sudan
More reasons to hate Hoover – the Osage Indian's Reign of Terror

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