45 - Deadlier Than The Titanic
When the Sultana steamboat exploded on the Mississippi River, it killed around 1,800 people. In comparison, 1,500 people died when the Titanic sank 47 years later.
Aug 13, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 45
America The Bizarre
Dive into the weirdness of American history each week with Jordan & Jeremy Rausch as they explore the crazy stories that shaped America into the beautiful weirdo she is today.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
44 - Commie Congressman
We discuss the congressman that spied for the USSR, who they nicknamed "Crook"
Aug 06, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 44
43 - Boy Band Ponzi Scheme
Lou Pearlman created both Backstreet Boy and NSYNC, while also swindling hundreds out of their life savings.
Jul 30, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 43
42 - Reverse Underground Railroad
Patty Cannon made a living kidnapping freed black Americans and selling them into slavery in the South, a system that is now known as the reverse underground railroad.
Jul 23, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 42
41 - The Last War Chief
Joe Medicine Crow completed all four tasks to become a Crow War Chief during World War II, including stealing some Nazi's horses.
Jul 16, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 41
40 - Radioactive Oatmeal
In 1949, MIT fed students in a school for mentally-disabled children oatmeal covered in radioactive tracers.
Jul 09, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 40
39 - MacArthur's Secret Lady
When MacArthur returned from the Phillippines to become the Army Chief of Staff, he brought home a mistress, 16-year-old Isabel "Dimples" Cooper.
Jul 02, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 39
38 - The Big Lazy
There is a stereotype that Southerners are dumb and lazy. One scientist went on a mission to discover why. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Jun 25, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 38
37 - Bombing Naco
Patrick Murphy was hired by Mexican rebels to bomb Mexican federal forces. The problem was he ended up bombing Arizona instead. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Jun 18, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 37
36 - Kentucky Meat Shower
We discuss the day that a wagon-full of meat mysteriously rained down on a farm in Kentucky. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Jun 11, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 36
35 - Buffalo Soldiers On Iron Steeds
It's Jeremy's turn to tell the story this week and he chose the history of the black buffalo soldiers that formed the Army's first bicycle corps. America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Jun 04, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 35
34 - The Dueling Abolitionist
Cassius M. Clay was an outspoken abolitionist and won several gunfights with a bowie knife. Learn about the man that Muhammad Ali was originally named after. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
May 28, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 34
33 - The Goat Nut Doctor Part 2
In the second part of this story, Dr. Brinkley starts the biggest radio station in the world and uses it to advertise his goat testicle surgery, speak about his love for Nazis, and make country music popular. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
May 21, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 33
32 - The Goat Nut Doctor Part 1
Dr. John R. Brinkley became famous and rich in the 1920's for sewing goat testicles into men's bodies. But was he even a real doctor? Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
May 14, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 32
31 - Riot For Your Right To Party
In 1969, 3,000 college students came to party in the tiny town of Zap, North Dakota. Then the town ran out of beer, the students rioted, and the National Guard had to be called in. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
May 07, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 31
30 - Glitter Space Cult
When Ruth Norman's husband died, she took over his space cult and turned into a glittery fashion public access tv show. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Apr 30, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 30
29 - Blind Bomber
In 1955, the largest department store in Portland, Oregon was bombed. The detectives only had one suspect, Clarence Peddicord. The only problem was that Clarence was blind. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Apr 23, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 29
28 - A Graveyard of Revenge
Robert E. Lee was Montgomery Meigs's friend and idol until Lee became a traitor to the Union. Meigs decided the best revenge was to bury a bunch of soldiers around Lee's house. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Apr 16, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 28
27 - Layover in Havana
Flying was way nicer in the 60's than it is now, the food was amazing and there was tons of legroom. There was also a lot of hijackings. Between 1968 and 1972, 130 American planes were hijacked and many of them ended up in Havana, Cuba. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Apr 09, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 27
26 - The Insane History of Jetpacks
This story has it all: jetpacks, Nazis, James Bond, Michael Jackson, murder, kidnapping and more. It doesn't get cooler or crazier than jetpacks. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Apr 02, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 26
25 - White Race Riot of Wilmington
We discuss the white race riot of Wilmington, also known as the Wilmington coup of 1898 and the Wilmington massacre. After the Civil War, Wilmington, North Carolina was a mecca for newly freed slaves who found financial freedom and political power there until white supremacists were tired of seeing them succeed. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/...
Mar 26, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 25
24 - Tigers & Mullets & Murder, Oh My!
Joe Exotic is a bigger-than-life personality that bred tigers, started his own television studio, and has what some would call an eccentric fashion taste. He was living the high life as "The Tiger King" until he was finally taken down. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/...
Mar 19, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 24
23 - Three Strikes, You're Dead
In 1911, the Wyoming State Penitentiary put together their own baseball team. If the team won, they could get time taken off of their sentence. If they lost, time would be added or worse, they could be executed. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Mar 12, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 23
22 - Beers, BB Guns, & Balloons
In 1982, Larry Walters attached 42 weather balloons to his lawn chair and took off from his girlfriend's LA home. That's when the adventure really began. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merchandise: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Mar 05, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 22
21 - Colter's Naked Run
John Colter was a true American mountain man. One day he found himself caught by 800 Blackfeet warriors and had to run for his life. Oh, and he was completely naked. Support: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merch: https://www.americathebizarre.com/
Feb 27, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 21
20 - National Treasure 3: Stealing Lincoln
We discuss the very real story of the grave robbers that tried to steal Abraham Lincoln's bones and use them for ransom. We also think this story would make a great plot for National Treasure 3 just in case Nicholas Cage is listening. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merch: http://americathebizarre.com/
Feb 20, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 20
19 - Champagne Safari
Charles Bedaux became a successful businessman in America and then used his money to go on grand adventures. His most notable expedition was through the Canadian wilderness, where he brought supplies of champagne, caviar, and truffles. There is also speculation that he was a Nazi spy. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources & Merch: http://americathebizarre.com/...
Feb 13, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 19
18 - Hatchets And Alcohol Don't Mix
Carry A. Nation grew up with a passion for preaching and a hate for alcohol. She joined the temperance movement and began to go on a saloon smashing spree using her hatchet that she believed was a mission given to her by God. Support America The Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources and Merch: http://americathebizarre.com/
Feb 06, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 18
17 - The Incredibly Stupid One
Douglas Hegdahl memorized the names of 256 POWs at the Hanoi Hilton all while making his Viet Cong captors believe that he was incredibly stupid. Listen to this great American hero's story! Project Recover: https://www.projectrecover.org/ Support America the Bizarre: https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources can be found at http://americathebizarre.com/...
Jan 30, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 17
16 - Siamese Twins
Eng and Chang Bunker were the original Siamese twins that were taken from the home in Siam in the 1800's and brought to America to perform as a freak show exhibit. They became rich men, settled down, bought a plantation, owned slaves, and then lost all of their money after the Civil War. Their lives are a real rollercoaster of emotions. Support America The Bizarre at https://www.patreon.com/americathebizarre Sources can be found at https://www.americathebizarre.com/shownotes...
Jan 23, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android