Podcasts by Dead Ideas: The History of Extinct Thoughts and Practices
We explore ideas and practices once believed to be true but no longer. Each dead idea is explored in all its glorious eccentricity.
For example, discover miasma, the theory that plague comes from stinky air; or the medical diagnosis of hysteria, which holds that women
Further podcasts by B. T. Newberg and history nerd friends
Podcast on the topic Geschichte
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The All-Gay Army: Ancient Greece’s Sacred Band of Thebes: An Interview with James Romm from 2021-06-07T10:00
The Sacred Band of Thebes, comprised entirely of gay male lovers, was Ancient Greece’s original response to the gays in the military question. What was that like? How did it function? And what was ...
ListenReport From Minneapolis: Making Sense of the Riots Over George Floyd’s Death from 2020-05-30T15:42:06
My city is on fire today. This is day four of the riots in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police. And everyone around me is saying, “I’m angry too, but why destroy your own ...
ListenCovid Cabana: Top 5 Ways to Have Fun Despite the Coronavirus from 2020-03-27T10:00:54
This episode goes out to all of you at home out there during this pandemic, but we want to dedicate it especially to listener Owyn in Toronto, Canada. He’s faced a string of tough challenges recent...
ListenFascism II: The Silver Legion: A Real American Fascist Movement–American History from 2019-11-18T11:00:56
Did you know America spawned its very own homegrown fascist movement in the 1930s? Yup. The Silver Legion's William Dudley Pelley was the original Man in the High Castle. Or... at least he dreamed ...
ListenFascism I: What Is Fascism, and Is Trump It?–Modern History from 2019-11-04T11:02:14
TRIGGER WARNING: Politics. Today we explore what characterized early 20th-century fascism, and then ask whether it's fair to call Trump fascist. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/dead...
ListenIntroducing Our New Show: The History of Sex! from 2019-10-14T11:58:56
It's here! It's finally here! After a full year of development, our new show the History of Sex is here. Cruise on over to The History of Sex on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get podcasts. Al...
ListenBest of the Best: Pulp Fiction/Da Derga’s Hostel Mashup–Irish History from 2019-08-25T20:40:44
It's another best of the best for you! This one has it all: romance, plunder, mimes - and it all ends in a bloodbath! This was our first mashup and it's still one of my favorite episodes. What are ...
ListenBest of the Best: Ghost in the Tablet–Gilgamesh/Ghost in the Shell Mashup–Sumerian History from 2019-06-30T12:00:12
We’re trying something new here on Dead Ideas. We have a sizeable back-catalog of episodes, many of which new listeners may never have heard, and which long-time listeners may have forgotten. So, w...
ListenPut That City to the Sword: Julius Caesar Slaughters Avaricum, Feat. Neil Eckart–Roman History from 2019-05-26T12:00:24
When was the last time you put a city to the sword? It's not something we do much anymore today. But there was a day and age when it was quite normal to slaughter every last man, woman, and child i...
ListenGender in Game of Thrones: Its Legacy from 2019-05-19T20:17:26
What will Game of Thrones be remembered for? I would argue it's not its supposed character realism, nor it's moral ambiguity. Rather, it will be its depiction of unusual gender identities in fantas...
ListenWhat It’s Like to Make a Podcast: An Interview with Sam Hume of Pax Britannica from 2019-04-28T12:00:56
What's it like to make a podcast? Sam Hume of the new show Pax Britannica talks with me about all the ups and downs of podcasting. Check out Sam's show. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon....
ListenDoomsday, 1000 AD: How Millenarianism Ushered in the Crusades, Feat. Neil Eckart–European History from 2019-03-31T12:00:26
The end is nigh! Or so they've been saying since the year 1000 A.D. Today, Neil Eckart of the podcast War and Conquest tells us about millenarianism, the medieval idea that the world was coming to ...
ListenDan Carlin of Hardcore History: Full Interview for the History of History Podcasting from 2019-02-17T13:01:28
Last time we delved into the History of History Podcasting, and now we are giving you the full interview with none other than the host of Hardcore History, Dan Carlin. For the rest of the full int...
ListenThe History of History Podcasting, Feat. Dan Carlin, Bob Packett, Lars Brownworth, Cam Reilly, Lara Eakins, Robin Pierson, Roifield Brown, Jordan Harbour, Travis Dow, Glen Gibbs, and Liz Covart from 2019-02-17T13:00:30
This is it: the first ever attempt at a history of our genre, history podcasting. I've interviewed nearly a dozen podcasters and spoke to dozens more to bring you this story, which comes to you wit...
ListenSteampunk Rome VI: Rome Industrial–An Interview with Jordan Harbour of Twilight Histories–Roman History from 2019-02-03T13:00:26
Now that you know ancient Rome fell just shy of an industrial revolution, why not enjoy a world where Rome does industrialize? That's Jordan Harbour's Rome Industrial setting, which he is here to t...
ListenSteampunk Rome V: A Pyrrhic Victory: The Death of Ancient Science–RPG, Pt 3–Egyptian, Greek, and Roman History from 2019-01-20T13:00:11
Success is at hand for Andre's character Pyrrho. But it is a Pyrrhic victory, for after that we recount the history of the backward slide of science from the Roman conquest into the Middle Ages, un...
ListenSteampunk Rome IV: The Great Library of Alexandria–RPG, Pt 2–Egyptian, Greek, and Roman History from 2019-01-06T13:00:26
Arriving at the Great Library of Alexandria, Andre's character Pyrrho of Pergamum searches for the secret plans for the floating statue. But in order to get his hands on them, he must first solve s...
ListenSteampunk Rome III: Hellenistic Science, Hell Yeah–RPG, Pt 1–Greek and Roman History from 2018-12-23T13:00:28
So Roman tech was pretty surprising, but still more surprising is that all that was developed centuries earlier in the Hellenistic period. What's up with that? Today we explore the development of H...
ListenSteampunk Rome II: The Industrial Revolution That Didn’t Happen (And Why Not)–Roman History from 2018-12-09T13:00:08
So why didn't Rome undergo an industrial revolution? Today, we take a look at some of the contributing factors for 18th-century Britain and see how Rome stacks up. Be sure to support the show at w...
ListenSteampunk Rome I: An Ancient Industrial Revolution (Almost)–Roman History from 2018-11-25T13:00:18
For our final series, we're doing the steam technology of the ancient world that died and had to be resurrected in 18th-century Europe. How close was Rome to being able to construct a working steam...
ListenThe Canals of Mars–American History, Science History from 2018-11-11T13:00:02
Is the surface of Mars criss-crossed by lines so long and straight they can only be constructions of an advanced alien civilization? Many astronomers in the late 19th and early 20th century thought...
ListenThe Vamp: Theda Bara, Cinema’s First Sex Symbol–Halloween Special–Women’s History, American History from 2018-10-31T12:00:45
In the early 20th century, the word "vampire" was used to mean something quite different: a female sexual predator. And no one struck more fear into the hearts of men than cinema's first sex symbol...
ListenCourt Eunuchs V: The Varangian Guard–An Interview with Robin Pierson–Byzantine Roman History, Viking History from 2018-10-28T12:00:32
What can the sex lives of Byzantines tell us about court eunuchs? Find out today in these sizzling chariot-cab confessions. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your ...
ListenCourt Eunuchs IV: Sex in the City: Stories from Byzantium–Byzantine Roman History from 2018-10-12T13:00:12
Today, we're talking Vikings in Byzantium with special guest Robin Pierson of the History of Byzantium podcast. What were these big-bearded warriors doing standing next to beardless eunuchs? And wh...
ListenCourt Eunuchs III: When in Rome: Narses in the Reconquest of Italy–Byzantine Roman History from 2018-09-30T12:00:16
How awkward is it for the Roman Empire to not control Rome? Uh, yeah, this cannot stand. Anna's back today to finish the story of eunuch general Narses, as he completes Justinian's reconquest of th...
ListenCourt Eunuchs II: Call of Duty: Narses in the Nika Riots and Beyond–Byzantine Roman History from 2018-09-16T12:00:16
Today, Anna takes the lead with the story of the eunuch general Narses! In this episode, we get an overview of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, and then we see Narses make his first appearan...
ListenTop 5 Peeves of History Podcasting–Two-Year Anniversary Special from 2018-09-09T12:00:50
Happy anniversary! We're getting cranky today with our 5 biggest peeves of history podcasting - what we consistently get annoyingly wrong. We call out our fellow podcasters, with plenty of self-dep...
ListenCourt Eunuchs I: Third Gender of Byzantium–Byzantine Roman History from 2018-09-02T12:00:44
Did you know that Byzantine culture recognized three genders? This begins our new series on Byzantine court eunuchs, and today it's all about different constructions of gender. That, and cutting of...
ListenTuberculean Chic: A 19th-cen. Fashion Inspired by Tuberculosis–featuring Dig: A History Podcast from 2018-08-26T12:00:40
Forget heroine chic. This is tuberculean chic! This episode, courtesy of Dig: A History Podcast, features a most peculiar fashion "look" inspired by the White Plague, i.e. tuberculosis. For credit...
ListenBerserkers VIII Finale: Suicide Swords–Suicide Squad/Göngu-Hrolf’s Saga Mashup–Viking History from 2018-08-19T12:00:08
The grand finale to our series is a tale chock full of no less than 19 berserkers, all villains. And just like the movie Suicide Squad, we're telling it from the bad guys' perspective. So, get read...
ListenBerserkers VII: Why Go a-Viking in the First Place?–An Interview with Lee Accomondo–Viking History from 2018-08-05T12:00:53
We're joined today by the host of the Viking Age Podcast, Lee Accomondo. Together, we're turning back the clock to the early Viking Age today to ask: what got this whole thing started? Why leave th...
ListenBerserkers VI: Origins: Pipe-smoking Werewolves of Doom?–Viking History from 2018-07-22T12:00:32
We go down the rabbit hole today as we explore the possible deep origins of berserkers in initiatory cults and Indo-European wolf traditions. Buckle in - it's going to be a bumpy ride! Special tha...
ListenBerserkers V: Shieldmaidens and Badass Women–Viking History from 2018-07-08T12:00:45
We're continuing to explore the Viking world, and today we ask: did Viking women really fight? Were they truly badass? Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portr...
ListenBerserkers IV: The Duel at the Althing–RPG–Viking History from 2018-06-24T12:00:20
Andre's character Snorri Ankle-grabber shows up at the Althing, the greatest assembly of Iceland, and attempts to convict his stepfather for manslaughter. Will this game of law devolve into a viole...
ListenFather’s Day Special: Personal Stories of My Father’s Side of the Family from 2018-06-17T12:00:57
Happy Father's Day, everybody. Today I'm telling stories of my father's side of the family. It's a tale of adventure, tragedy, murder, loss, and triumph. Join me as we explore what it means to try ...
ListenBerserkers III: Law and Vengeance–RPG–Viking History from 2018-06-10T12:00:42
Today we experience life as a berserker in medieval Iceland on the cusp of Christianization. In this roleplaying epsidoe, Andre faces some tough choices on his road to vengeance! Be sure to suppor...
ListenBerserkers II: Tales of Sex, War, and So Much More–Viking History from 2018-05-27T14:29:37
Today we explore the Viking world of the berserkers, from the Rus to Scandinavia and Iceland, covering everything from longship warfare to romance with dubious queens. Be sure to support the show ...
ListenBerserkers I: Shield-biting Badasses of the Viking Age–Viking History from 2018-05-13T12:00:19
They were the howling, shield-biting badasses of the Viking Age! Who were these frightening fighters? What were they really like? We’re exploring all that and more in our new epic series on Viking ...
ListenThe Topless Renaissance–French History, Women’s History from 2018-05-06T12:00:18
It's our first-ever dead fashion: the Reniassance trend of showing one boob! Believe it or not, that was an actual fashion among court ladies in France and beyond. That's right, we're really classi...
ListenTechnocracy IV: Technocracy Today–Interview with Justin Lazzara–North American History from 2018-04-29T12:00:12
Technocracy isn't dead! Today we talk to a card-carrying modern technocrat, Justin Lazzara. How has the movement grown and changed? Find out with us today. Be sure to support the show at www.patre...
ListenTechnocracy III: Welcome to the Technate!–Alternate History–North American History from 2018-04-15T12:00:19
What if the Technate succeeded? Today, we indulge in a bit of alternate history, constructing a timeline where North America joins into one nation ruled by experts. Then we explore what life might ...
ListenTechnocracy II: Techno-snark and the Techno-future–North American History from 2018-04-01T12:00:48
It gets snarky today with snippets of articles from a 1937 Technocratic magazine, and it gets visionary with excerpts from Harold Loeb's visionary book Life In a Technate: What It Might Be Like. B...
ListenTechnocracy I: Functional Control Is Imperative–North American History from 2018-03-18T12:00:05
Our new series is a 1930s vision of techno-topia! It's not only from the 30s, though - while long past its heyday, a small Technocracy movement still exists today, which only makes this all the mor...
ListenMohism VI Finale: Big Trouble in Little Moh-town–RPG–Chinese History from 2018-03-04T13:00:57
Today we put Mohist principles to the test. Andre's character returns to his home province and is forced to face complicated challenges of family, politics, and intrigue as a newly-trained Mohist. ...
ListenMohism V: Your Mohist Training–RPG–Chinese History from 2018-02-18T13:00:21
Train with the Mohists! This week is a roleplaying episode in which Andre's character experiences what life is like as a Mohist-in-training in the Warring States Era. We read snippets from the actu...
ListenSpace Exploration in 1920: In Honor of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch–PDT3K–Science History from 2018-02-14T13:00:13
It's Valentine's Day, and this is a valentine to humanity, sort of. In honor of last week's Falcon Heavy Launch by SpaceX, we're reading a space exploration article from 1920. What was it like to i...
ListenMohism IV: The Castle of Horrors, Part 2–Chinese History from 2018-02-04T13:00:42
I still haven't taken that damn city! We're continuing our Mohist military defense tactics mini-series in which I am attempting to take a city and Andre is using Mohist tactics against me. This tim...
ListenMohism III: Dungeon Master Mo and the Castle of Horrors, Part 1–Chinese History from 2018-01-21T06:01:31
The enemy is attacking - call the Mohists! Andre Sólo gives us the skinny on the military defense tactics for which the Mohists were so famous. And he gives me the fool's errand of attacking a city...
ListenDead Contraceptives, feat. Kelly Nussbaum–Women’s History from 2018-01-14T06:01:33
We have a very special episode today: the first ever not hosted by me! Join guest host Kelly Nussbaum and me (as co-host) as we talk about all the ways women have tried to keep the bun out of the o...
ListenMohism II: Working Class Philosophers–Chinese History from 2018-01-07T06:01:18
How did the Mohists see the world differently in the Hundred Schools of Thought era? We find out today, as we explore their particular perspective as working class philosophers. We also learn lots ...
ListenMohism I: Ancient Chinese Leftists–Chinese History from 2017-12-24T06:01:10
They were the chief rivals of the Confucians in their early days, but today no one has heard of them. Meet the Mohists: a faction of hard-headed, big-hearted philosophers whose ideas would fit righ...
ListenChristmas Ghost Stories: Glámr the Icelandic Draugr, and 13 Candles–Viking History from 2017-12-21T06:01:53
More ghost stories! This year we hear a spooky tale from 13th-cen. Iceland: the story of Glámr the draugr! And as a bonus, Andre Sólo appears to read an original story of his own called "13 Candles...
ListenSelf-mummification III: A Japanese Abelard and Heloise–Japanese History from 2017-12-10T06:01:18
To conclude our series, here's a a self-mummified monk whose bawdy tale could be called a Japanese Abelard and Heloise (i.e. the story Romeo and Juliet was based on, but with more genital mutilatio...
ListenSelf-mummification II: The Perfect Samurai and the Farmer Fuck-up–Japanese History from 2017-11-26T06:01:56
It's story time! Today we hear two stories of monks who self-mummified, one starting out as the perfect samurai, the other as a not-so-perfect farmer in samurai-era Japan. Be sure to support the s...
ListenThe Merry Thanksgiving of the Burglar and Plumber, 1895–PDT3K–American History from 2017-11-19T06:01:49
Our craziest Thanksgiving special yet! This unexpectedly weird story tells of a lone woman who hates union plumbers, who gets an unexpected visitor in the night. Featuring guest co-host Jon. Don't...
ListenSelf-mummification I: Buddhist Mummies of Japan–Japanese History from 2017-11-12T06:01:15
That's right: *self*-mummification, mummifying yourself through a special 3000-day diet and regimen of spiritual exercises which will lead to your death but, if you do it correctly, will mummify yo...
ListenHalloween in Scotland and at Sea in 1886–PDT3K–Scottish History from 2017-10-30T05:01:42
Curious who your future lover will be? Or what it's like to celebrate Halloween at sea in the 19th century? Then you better check out this special Halloween episode. We finish last year's article, ...
ListenTitoism Epilogue: Another Personal Reflection–Balkan History from 2017-10-29T05:01:04
In the end, Titoism bit the dust, but did it really have to die? And what does all this mean for ethnicity, nationalism, and family? That's how we're concluding this series, which is officially our...
ListenTitoism VII: The National Question: An Interview with Alex Cruikshanks–Balkan History from 2017-10-15T05:01:07
What was the deal with all the ethnic divisions that eventually erupted in the Yugoslav War, and did that rivalry really disappear while Tito was in power? Today we talk to Alex Cruikshanks, host o...
ListenTitoism VI: Art, Pop, and Yugonostalgia: An Interview with Dr. Noah Charney and Srdjan Perisic–Balkan History from 2017-10-01T05:01:10
Dr. Noah Charney of the University of Ljubljana joins us today to talk about artistic freedom under Tito. Former Yugoslav Srdjan Perisic also joins us again to talk about Yugoslav music and today's...
ListenTitoism V: Freedom and Tyranny–Interviews with Former Yugoslavs–Balkan History from 2017-09-17T05:01:55
Today we hear from three former Yugoslavs about their stories of what life was like under Tito. Also, the winner of our Who Should Play Tito in a Hollywood Movie contest is announced! Be sure to su...
ListenCuneiform VIII Finale: Ghost in the Tablet–Gilgamesh/Ghost in the Shell Mashup–Sumerian History from 2017-09-10T05:01:42
This is our grand finale! Take out your holographic tablets and laser styluses, because we're mashing up the most ancient with the most modern: the Epic of Gilgamesh with the 1995 classic anime Gho...
ListenF*** You, History Channel!–One-Year Anniversary Special from 2017-09-03T05:01:19
http://media.blubrry.com/deadideas/ia600805.us.archive.org/27/items/DeadIdeas56FYouHistoryChannelOneYearAnniversary_201709/Dead%20Ideas%2056%20F%20You%20History%20Channel%20One%20Year%20Anniversary...
ListenCuneiform VII: Temple Prostitutes–Fact or Fiction?–Sumerian History from 2017-08-27T05:01:33
Was the famous/infamous institution of temple prostitution in ancient Mesopotamia ever really a thing? And if so, what was that like? Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to...
ListenTitoism IV: Tito–Hero or Anti-hero?–Balkan History from 2017-08-20T05:01:02
Today we look at Tito's post-war regime in which the ideas of Titoism take shape, namely workers' self-management and political non-alignment. And we ask: was Tito ultimately a hero or an anti-hero...
ListenCuneiform VI: Business Nuns–The Naditum of Ancient Mesopotamia–Sumerian History from 2017-08-13T05:01:22
At last, it's the business nuns? (wait... what?!) That's right - there was a class of nun-like religious devotees who apparently wheeled and dealed like they were trying out for The Apprentice! Be ...
ListenTitoism III: The Tito-Stalin Split (Feat. Kristaps Andrejsons)–Balkan History from 2017-08-06T05:02:01
This week you get TWO episodes! This is our first-ever crossover episode going on both Dead Ideas *and* Eastern Border. Kristaps and I talk about the split between Tito and Stalin like it's a heavy...
ListenTitoism II: Tito–Bond or Bond Villain?–Balkan History from 2017-08-06T05:01:54
Was Tito more of a James Bond or a James Bond villain? A romanticizable hero, demonizable villain, or both? That's the question for today as we explore the early life of the man who would become th...
ListenCuneiform V: 50 Shades of Clay–Erotic Poetry of Ancient Sumer–Sumerian History from 2017-07-30T05:01:35
This the world's first bow-chicka-wow. Today, we explore the intimate lives of ancient Mesopotamians, in their own words. Warning: we do get a little crazy toward the end. May your sanity survive. ...
ListenTitoism I: Slovenia from Prehistory to Tito–Balkan History from 2017-07-23T05:01:06
Today begins our series on the ideology of the communist dictator of the former Yugoslavia, Tito, and I'm telling it specifically from the perspective of my own family's ethnic background, the Slov...
ListenCuneiform IV: The Great Sumerian Bake-off–Sumerian History from 2017-07-16T05:01:13
Cooks, brewers, and foodies: you're going to love this. We went all out and cooked up a real seven-course meal of Sumerian dishes, and brewed actual Sumerian beer! Sample the world's oldest cuisine...
ListenEducation Makes Women Infertile–PDT3K–Women’s History from 2017-07-09T05:01:23
Education makes women... what? Infertile?! Yep. This time we delve into a wildly popular book from 1873 that proposed precisely this: Edward H. Clarke's Sex in Education: A Fair Chance for the Girl...
ListenCuneiform III: Intrigue in the Court of Mari–RPG–Sumerian History from 2017-07-02T05:01:54
Our scribes travel to the court of Mari, a city in the far northwest of the Fertile Crescent. There they discover a viper's nest of courtly intrigue in this role-playing game of episode. Be sure to...
ListenTitoism Prologue: A Personal Reflection–Balkan History from 2017-06-25T05:01:37
This episode is a personal reflection on nationality and my own awkward relationship with my Slovenian heritage. This is an initial baby-step toward a longer series on Titoism, the ideology of Jose...
ListenCuneiform II: Scribewarts Academy–RPG–Sumerian History from 2017-06-18T05:01:16
Grab your tablet and stylus and try to avoid the muggles! In this special role-playing game episode, we explore the life of a cuneiform scribe in the age of Babylon. Support the show at www.patreon...
ListenBoy Scouts of Feudal Japan–PDT3K–Japanese History from 2017-06-11T05:01:19
Who were the "boy scouts of feudal Japan"? I have no idea! In this episode of Public Domain Theater 3000, we read this 1914 article to discover what in the hell this author could possibly mean. Sup...
ListenCuneiform I: You’ve Got Mail–The World’s First Writing–Sumerian History from 2017-06-04T05:01:24
We're going all the way back to ancient Sumer! Our new epic series is about the world's oldest writing system, which revolutionized communication. Get your clay tablet and your stylus, and join us ...
ListenBalance of Power V: Oops, A Great War–European History from 2017-05-28T05:01:32
The balance of power was designed to prevent a great from ever happening again. And then THE Great War happened. Today we see how it all went to shit. We conclude by exploring whether we are still ...
ListenBalance of Power IV: Uh-oh, the Balkan Situation–European History from 2017-05-21T05:01:16
What was going so crazy with the Balkans that it could spark a great war like WWI? And why? Guest co-host Adam McKithern and I go full-throttle to make sense of the Balkan Situation. Hint: It all h...
ListenBalance of Power III: Nationalism Arise!–European History from 2017-05-14T05:01:19
Rise up, for the Nation! What was nationalism, and how did it completely eff up the balance of power system prior to WWI? Today we dive into this, and we read an article from 1914 about Czech and P...
ListenBalance of Power II: Frederick the Great, Cabinet Warrior–European History from 2017-05-07T05:01:13
The Cabinet Wars were a period of supposedly restricted warfare, and no one was a greater Cabinet Warrior than Frederick the Great of Prussia. Though he was also in some ways the opposite. Today we...
ListenBalance of Power I: Never Again a Great War!–European History from 2017-04-30T05:01:13
The balance of power system in place prior to WWI was meant to prevent a great war from ever happening again. Then what happened? Not just any great war, but THE Great War. What was this system and...
ListenSerfdom VIII Finale: George Lucas’Serf Wars (with guest Daniel Daughhetee)–Star Wars Mashup–Russian History from 2017-04-23T05:01:24
Our serfdom grand finale! Guest Daniel Daughhetee of the Lesser Bonapartes and Canon Ball helps us bring it home in this cinematic mashup of the autobiography of runaway serf Nikolai Shipov with......
ListenSerfdom VII: Siberians and Old Believers–Russian History from 2017-04-16T05:01:02
The conquest of Siberia! Kinda. Sort of. Well, in name at least. How in the hell did the Russians manage to grab the northern expanses all the way to the Pacific? Find out today. Also, who were the...
ListenSerfdom VI: Cossacks of the Wild Steppe (feat. Nikolai Gogol)–Russian History from 2017-04-09T05:01:55
Run away to join the Cossacks, young serf! Who were these cowboy-like steppe peoples? And what was their obsession with disdain for pants?! Anna digs into Russian author Nikolai Gogol for a unique ...
ListenSerfdom V: Soviet Workfarm vs. Serf Commune: An Interview with Kristaps Andrejsons–Russian History from 2017-04-02T05:01:49
How did the Soviet kolkhoz, or collective farm, stack up against the serf commune? Here to help us understand is Kristaps Andrejsons from the podcast The Eastern Border. Also, it's my birthday! Yay...
ListenSerfdom IV: Stories of Serf and Master–Russian History from 2017-03-26T05:01:29
What was the relationship like between serf and master? Hear chilling first-hand accounts from 19th-century serf autobiographies! Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get...
ListenSerfdom III: The Draft and Marriage Negotiations–RPG–Russian History from 2017-03-19T05:01:20
Experience the horrors of the military draft and the joys (?) of marriage on a Russian serf commune in this role-playing game episode. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod t...
ListenSerfdom II: Serf World: Life on a Serf Commune–RPG–Russian History from 2017-03-12T06:01:07
What was life like on a Russian serf commune? Experience it today in our very first role-playing game episode! That's right, we're doing this as an RPG for an even more immersive experience. Be sur...
ListenSerfdom I: You Got Serfed!–The Rise of Serfdom in Russia–Russian History from 2017-03-05T06:01:19
What is serfdom, and why did Russia take it up just as it was dying out elsewhere in Europe, then keep it all the way up till the mid-19th-century? This institution of near-slavery is the focus of ...
ListenBuddy Genghis Khan: Christian King of the East Prester John?–Mongol History from 2017-02-26T06:01:35
Why did medieval Christians think the Mongols were Christians coming to team up with their Crusader bros to kick some Muslim butt? Well, it had to do with a fake news story about a certain legendar...
ListenGeis VII Finale: Quentin Tarantino’s The Destruction of Da Derga’s Hostel/Pulp Fiction Mashup–Irish History from 2017-02-19T06:01:41
This one has it all: romance, plunder, mimes - and it all ends in a bloodbath! This story is without doubt the Pulp Fiction of medieval Irish literature, so here it is: The Destruction of Da Derga'...
ListenA Valentine to Poe, and Other Traditions of Olde–Valentines Day Special PDT3K–American History from 2017-02-12T06:01:19
What Valentine did Edgar Allen Poe receive from his lover one fateful year? You'll find this along with many interesting old Valentines Day traditions in this special holiday episode. If you ever w...
ListenGeis VI: The Viking Terror: An Interview with Fin Dwyer–Irish History from 2017-02-05T06:01:09
Another interview! Fin Dwyer of The Irish History Podcast talks to us today about the traumatizing impact of the Vikings on medieval Irish culture. You can also see me draw Fin's portrait on our De...
ListenGeis V: Women and Magic in Medieval Ireland: An interview with Dr. Gillian Kenny–Irish History from 2017-01-29T06:01:56
Our first ever interview! Expert on women, sex, and magic Gillian Kenny gives a quirky and fun interview on the position of the fairer sex in medieval Ireland and their relation to geassa in the li...
ListenGeis IV: Nede the Satire-poet, and the Death of Connla from 2017-01-22T06:01:05
More stories! We were having so much fun, we just kept recording. First is the tale of a satire-poet called Nede, followed by the saga of a young warrior named Connla who meets his grisly demise at...
ListenGeis III: The Love Story of Diarmuid and Grainne–Irish History from 2017-01-15T06:01:10
It's story time! Andre promised to tell us a hell of a yarn, and he delivers. This is the medieval Irish story of Diarmuid and Grainne, a romantic (?) tale of two lovers and a geis gone wrong (or r...
ListenGeis II: Social Structure of Medieval Ireland–Irish History from 2017-01-08T16:40:20
What was the social structure like in medieval Ireland? I know that sounds boring but believe me, it's not! It was way different than you think for a medieval society. Discover that and more today ...
ListenGeis I: A Medieval Irish Jinx of Doom–Irish History from 2017-01-01T06:01:21
Remember when your sister jinxed you so you couldn't talk till your mom said it was okay? A geis is kinda like that, except if you talk you die! A geis (plural geassa) is a soul-binding rule that k...
ListenNew Year, New Perks For You! from 2016-12-31T06:01:12
Happy New Year! You can now get your portrait drawn as a perk for supporting the show on Patreon. We've got lots of other cool new perks too for supporters at all levels, so check it out at www.pat...
ListenA Haunted Christmas: Ghost Stories from Around the World–World History from 2016-12-25T06:01:19
Ghost stories on Christmas? Yes, actually. Remember the ghosts in Dickens' A Christmas Story? Turns out ghost stories were big on Christmas in British culture. So today, we are telling ghost storie...
ListenHypnotism: Dangers and Advantages in 1888–PDT3K–French History from 2016-12-18T06:01:50
Can you be hypnotized to commit a crime? Is the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari a real danger? Hear about this and much more from Dr. Tourette - yes, the man who discovered Tourette's Syndrome - as we read...
ListenHysteria II: The Women of Dr. Charcot’s Hospital–French History from 2016-12-11T06:01:37
Warning: This episode includes frank depiction of sexuality. Who were the women diagnosed with hysteria in Dr. Charcot's 19th-century hospital in Paris? Find out, as we focus in particular on two p...
ListenHysteria I: Women and Technology in Belle Époque France–French History from 2016-12-04T06:01:35
Warning: This episode includes frank depiction of sexuality. It's one of the oldest diagnoses on record: hysteria, the medical condition that for millennia attributed anything men found uncomfortab...
ListenBicycle Face: A Lady Cyclist Medical Scare in the 1890s–Women’s History from 2016-11-27T06:01:16
What in the h*** was "bicycle face", why were 1890s doctors afraid of it, and what does it have to do with feminism? Find out today in this single-episode series! Become our patron on Patreon at w...
ListenMiraculous Susan: A Thanksgiving Story from 1893–PDT3K–American History from 2016-11-20T06:01:50
Hear the tale of Miraculous Susan of Quaker Hill! What will this reveal about how people thought about Thanksgiving in 1893? Find out in this special episode featuring new guest co-host Jon! And do...
ListenThe Hammer of Witches (Malleus Maleficarum)–PDT3K–Women’s History from 2016-11-13T06:01:58
Can witches make men's junk disappear? Find out as we read the text that started the whole witch-burning craze: The Malleus Maleficarum! Fair warning: This is a complete trainwreck of a book! And d...
ListenAnti-Witches II: Inquisition Trials and Eastern European Lore–Italian History from 2016-11-06T05:01:02
In this episode, Nick delivers stories from the inquisition trials of the Benandanti, and also goes into related lore from Livonia, Slovenia, Serbia, and more! Find out why the zduhać, or storm wiz...
ListenAnti-Witches I: The Benandanti and the Inquisition in Renaissance Italy–Italian History from 2016-10-30T05:01:02
Happy Halloween! This new series is related to witches but not witches - it's the Anti-Witches! What was up with the Benandanti of Renaissance Italy? Why did they use fennel stalks to fight witches...
ListenHalloween in Ireland in 1886–PDT3K–Irish History from 2016-10-23T05:01:11
Snap-apple! Dumb cake ceremony! Singeing your hair with candles! Never heard of such customs? Then you better check out this episode, where we get a first-hand account of Irish Halloween customs in...
ListenStill Arguing Against Miasma in 1901–PDT3K–American History from 2016-10-16T05:01:24
In our latest installment of Public Domain Theater 3000, we read an article that still has to argue against the miasma theory of disease even as late as 1901. It also gives some interesting DIY tec...
ListenMiasma II: Court Cases from a Plague Year–Italian History from 2016-10-09T05:01:03
It's story-time: Play peeping tom with us as we peak into some wild court cases from the plague-stricken Italy of 1630. And be sure to review us to get your portrait drawn! Become our patron on Pa...
ListenMiasma I: Plague and Mutated Air in Renaissance Italy–Italian History from 2016-10-02T05:01:03
Beware the foul air that causes plague! Put on your plague doctor masks and travel back with us to 17th-century Italy where people believed disease was caused by mutated air called miasma. And be s...
Listen“Savage”Man: Imagining Prehistory in 1873–PDT3K–Modern History from 2016-09-25T05:01:58
We're back with Public Domain Theater 3000, where we read public domain works because we can, and no one can sue us for it. Continuing our Neolithic theme, today we've got an article from 1873 tha...
ListenGinormous Stone Circles II: Making Sense of Stonehenge–British History from 2016-09-18T05:01:03
Fun time, folks: We explore the many nutty and less-nutty ways historians throughout the ages have looked at Stonehenge and tried to imagine what in the f*** it was for. Become our patron on Patre...
ListenGinormous Stone Circles I: Stonehenge Builders of Neolithic Britain–British History from 2016-09-11T05:01:03
Do you feel like schlepping 4- to 25-ton stones across open country and stickin' 'em in the ground is a good way to spend your time? If so, get ready to find kindred spirits! Travel back with us to...
ListenPresenting Indian Asceticism to English-speakers in 1924–PDT3K–Indian History from 2016-09-06T05:03:45
This bonus episode is the debut of our new segment called Public Domain Theater 3000, where we read public domain works because we can, and no one can sue us for it. Since there really isn't much m...
ListenReanimated Corpses II: Ajivika Story Time–Indian History from 2016-09-06T05:02:03
It's story time: it's the adventures of the Ajivika's founder, Makkhali Gosala! We read selected episodes from the Bhagavati Sutra, a text written by one of the Ajivika's rival sects, the Jains. As...
ListenReanimated Corpses I: The Ajivika of Ancient India–Indian History from 2016-09-06T05:01:03
Ever feel like entering into somebody else's dead body and walking around in it for a while? Of course, you do! Travel with us back to ancient India in the 5th century BCE, where an ascetic religio...
ListenEpisode 00 WTF Is This Podcast About from 2016-08-27T13:51:11
Announcing the upcoming release of our first honest-to-goodness episode, coming September 6th! Until then, please enjoy this short intro episode that explains what in the hell this podcast is going...
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