Ridiculous History

iHeartPodcasts

History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio. read less

Our Editor's Take

Ridiculous History is a podcast that lives up to its title. It explores some of the most bizarre and absurd stories from throughout history. Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown cohost this podcast. The show guides listeners on an entertaining journey through time. The host talk about strange tales that are often overlooked in traditional historical accounts.

Most episodes discuss a different topic each week. But some topics get more than a single episode of coverage. Topics range from forgotten inventions to unusual events and everything in between. Episode titles like "Weird Epidemics, Part One: From Sweating to Pokemon" set the scene for the show. The Ridiculous History podcast hosts have a unique blend of humor and curiosity. This helps to bring these stories to life, making them accessible for all types of audiences.

One example includes the story—make that stories—behind breakfast cereals. Another episode explains the odd custom of smashing cakes at wedding receptions. Ridiculous History also talks about dancing manias. More traditional history topics get discussed as well on this podcast. Who were the men who tried to be president, but failed? Why did the US government ask the Mafia for help in World War II? This show has the answers.

Bowlin and Brown add humor to history on this podcast. Ridiculous History has many fun stories that listeners may enjoy—and share with their friends. The show adds depth beyond what listeners can find online or in books alone. This makes the program both informative and enjoyable. It is a good listen for anyone looking for an engaging way to learn more about the world's past. New episodes featuring these weird anecdotes get released several times each week.

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How Emergency Call Lines Became A Thing

How Emergency Call Lines Became A Thing

In most of the modern world, the average person has an astonishing resource for any disastrous situation: you find a phone, then dial 3 numbers to be immediately connected with someone who can call police, EMTs, fire fighters or other first responders. It's a fantastic concept, and though it remains a work in progress, these resources inarguably save lives. But how did we get here? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they delve into the suprising evolution of emergency call lines -- along with some hilarious examples of calls gone wrong, especially when callers have their own definitions of "emergency."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

How Emergency Call Lines Became A Thing

How Emergency Call Lines Became A Thing

In most of the modern world, the average person has an astonishing resource for any disastrous situation: you find a phone, then dial 3 numbers to be immediately connected with someone who can call police, EMTs, fire fighters or other first responders. It's a fantastic concept, and though it remains a work in progress, these resources inarguably save lives. But how did we get here? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they delve into the suprising evolution of emergency call lines -- along with some hilarious examples of calls gone wrong, especially when callers have their own definitions of "emergency."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are the Vikings to Blame for Cats?

Are the Vikings to Blame for Cats?

House cats are astonishing, fascinating, and at-times frustrating little creatures -- yet they've made a comfortable home with humans, spreading in step with every civilization they join. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore an intriguing theory that busts more than a few stereotypes: What if Vikings were responsible for spreading cats even farther around the world?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: Napoleon Bonaparte Was Attacked by Bunnies -- And Lost

CLASSIC: Napoleon Bonaparte Was Attacked by Bunnies -- And Lost

Born in Corsica, Napoleon Bonaparte rose from obscurity during the French Revolution, crowning himself Emperor of France in 1804. This brilliant, ruthless tactician changed the course of French history. Despite his meteoric rise and bloodied fall, Bonaparte still needed to grab lunch once in a while. That's when the rabbits got him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Most Ridiculous Weather of Baseball

The Most Ridiculous Weather of Baseball

We've been going through a bit of a sports phase here on Ridiculous History, and of course we can't talk sports without talking baseball. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into some of the strangest weather events to ever grace -- or curse -- an otherwise ordinary game of ball. Note - we don't talk about just how many people got struck by lightning on the field, but... there are a lot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bhutan Grades Itself On Happiness

Bhutan Grades Itself On Happiness

Most people never get the chance to travel to Bhutan. Nestled high in the Himalayan mountains, this ancient kingdom is unique on multiple levels. It's the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation on the planet -- and it's also the only nation that measures its success in terms of happiness rather than money. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the history of Bhutan and the inspiring idea of GNH - Gross National Happiness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: California Was Named for a Fictional Island Ruled by a Black Amazon Queen

CLASSIC: California Was Named for a Fictional Island Ruled by a Black Amazon Queen

California was admitted to the United States as the 31st state in 1850, but it acquired its unique name much, much earlier. Join Ben and Noel as they trace the strange story behind California's name, from the fiction that inspired it to the loss and rediscovery of the story and, of course, adventures on a legendary Amazonian island. Tune in to learn more in this week's Classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World's Weirdest Sports, Part Two: Literal Murderball

The World's Weirdest Sports, Part Two: Literal Murderball

OK, imagine this: you've been captured by a neighboring civilization, hauled off to an unfamiliar city, and your captors tell you: "Hold up, we're not going to kill you yet. In fact, if you can win this game in front of our audience, we will let you live." In part two of our continuing series the world's weirdest sports, Ben, Noel and Max explore the brutal, bloody, and often lethal Mesoamerican sport loosely known as "the Ball Game," a religious event wherein losing the match often meant losing your life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World's Weirdest Sports, Part One: Buzkashī is Where You Fight Over A Dead Goat

The World's Weirdest Sports, Part One: Buzkashī is Where You Fight Over A Dead Goat

Regardless of everyone's differences in this wide, wide world, it's safe to say every culture loves some kind of sport. Often these sports can seem strange to outsiders -- but before we cast proverbial stones, let's remember almost every sport looks bizarre to people who don't know the rules! In the first episode of this continuing series, Ben, Noel and Max explore Buzkashī, the national sport of Afghanistan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: Ancient Mayan Ritual Alcohol Enemas

CLASSIC: Ancient Mayan Ritual Alcohol Enemas

Like many ancient cultures, the civilizations of Mesoamerica had a vast and rich history of unique cultural practices, spiritual beliefs and ceremonies, some of which may seem bizarre to people in the modern day. In this episode, the guys examine a common practice from ancient Mayan culture: the ritual alcohol enema.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Guy Was So Good At Violin That People Thought He Worshipped Satan

One Guy Was So Good At Violin That People Thought He Worshipped Satan

There's no denying Niccolò Paganini was a virtuoso -- in his heyday, this violinist was an international rock star, wowing crowds across Europe with his rollicking, frenetic performances. He was, in fact, so good that people were at a loss to explain exactly how he got so talented. As the years went on, people started claiming his musical gifts were the result of an infernal pact, and that Paganini had made a deal with the Devil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Credit Scores are Absolutely Ridiculous

Credit Scores are Absolutely Ridiculous

In theory, the concept of credit scores is simple, and makes a lot of sense: lenders need to know they can trust someone to pay back their debts, and debtors need a way to prove they're trustworthy. In practice, however, credit scores are intensely confusing, often ridiculous, and a heck of a pain in the keister for pretty much everyone involved. So how did this system come about in the first place? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they dive into the ridiculous history of credit scores.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: That Time Vermont Was an Independent Republic

CLASSIC: That Time Vermont Was an Independent Republic

Today Vermont is known for its progressive politics, beautiful forestry, Bernie Sanders and Ben and Jerry's. It's not a state you'll hear much about outside of the US and, for many Vermont natives, that's just fine. But once upon a time, Vermont was a very different place -- in fact, for a number of years, it was an independent Republic. How did this come about? How did it become part of the modern United States? Tune in to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spontaneous Generation, Part Two: "Broth Science"

Spontaneous Generation, Part Two: "Broth Science"

Who could have guessed a series of broth experiments revolutionized humanity's understanding of life? Spoiler, not us. In part two of this week's two part episode, Ben, Noel and Max continue their exploration of the once widely-accepted concept of spontaneous generation: the idea that certain nonliving objects could, for one reason or another, suddenly produce living things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spontaneous Generation, Part One: Mice and Grain

Spontaneous Generation, Part One: Mice and Grain

Today the idea sounds silly. Why would anyone think nonliving substances can suddenly generate living things? Yet for much of human history, the concept of spontaneous generation was widely accepted. In the first part of this week's two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the ridiculous theory of spontaneous generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: The Capture of Guam Was Bloodless and Quick, All Due to a Misunderstanding

CLASSIC: The Capture of Guam Was Bloodless and Quick, All Due to a Misunderstanding

Located about 1500 miles to the east of the Phillipines in Micronesia, Guam is a small US territory with a tiny population, beautiful beaches and an incredibly complicated history. For almost four centuries it was a colonial possession of Spain -- but that all changed in 1898, when Guam, in a strange series of misunderstandings, became a possession of the American government. So what exactly happened? Join Ben and Noel as they explore the bloodless, somewhat ridiculous, capture of Guam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ridiculous Royal Deaths, Part 5: A Blind and Bloody Finale (For Now)

Ridiculous Royal Deaths, Part 5: A Blind and Bloody Finale (For Now)

Whether we're talking mysterious nosebleeds, drowning in full armor, or charging literally blind into battle, history is chock-full of ridiculous royal deaths. In the fifth -- and for now, final -- installment of this series, Ben, Max and Noel dive deep into more morbid tales of rulers who met with untimely ends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart was Darn Near Unkillable

Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart was Darn Near Unkillable

Born to an aristocratic Belgian family, Adrian Carton de Wiart could have lived the easy life, with a plum job in government or law. Instead, however, he embarked on a bloody, hyperviolent career across multiple wars and decades. He was shot repeatedly, lost an eye, survived wounds that would kill an orindary man and, when doctor refused to remove his shattered fingers, Carton de Wiart ripped them off himself. Join Ben, Noel and Max as they learn more about this unkillable soldier.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLASSIC: Are All US Presidents Actually Related?

CLASSIC: Are All US Presidents Actually Related?

In 2012 a student in Salinas, California, startled genealogists when she claimed that all Presidents save one were actually related. Could it be true? Join Ben and Noel in today's classic episode as they dive into this strange claim, separating fact from fiction while tackling what it means, exactly, to be related to someone. (It's all relative.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Post-Presidential Careers, Part Two: Adams, Taft, And More

Post-Presidential Careers, Part Two: Adams, Taft, And More

George W. Bush is super into painting. Barak Obama loves making playlists. Taft decided to join the Supreme Court. In the part two of this week's two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the astonishing post-Presidential careers of numerous former US Presidents. Spoiler: some are weirder than others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Post-Presidential Careers, Part One: Happy Birthday, Jimmy!

Post-Presidential Careers, Part One: Happy Birthday, Jimmy!

Over here in the US, there's one dream job so exclusive that only 45 people have held it so far: President of the United States of America, not to be confused with the band bearing a similar name. In the first part of this week's two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the astonishing post-Presidential career of Georgia's own James Carter, often lauded as the best human being to hold the office -- even if he wasn't the best actual President.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.