What comes to mind when you think of the Wild West? It might be stories of bank robbers, stagecoach heists, shootouts, and saloons. And usually, these mental images can be attributed to Hollywood’s love of embellishing the past. Yet, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. David S. Terry was Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court during the nineteenth century and his story is one of the most wild tales you’ll ever hear—complete with duels and one former state Supreme Court justice attac...
Dec 29, 2022•18 min•Ep. 35
Who do you imagine when you think of people with great power and influence? It’s probably not the wife of Ottoman sultan, Süleyman the Magnificent, who was kidnapped from her home in Eastern Europe and taken to Istanbul as a child. Yet, this woman became one of the most powerful and influential women in Ottoman history. Her name was Roxelana and she left her mark on history during the sixteenth century through her involvement with state affairs and charities. Let’s travel to modern-day Turkey an...
Dec 14, 2022•19 min•Ep. 34
Who doesn’t love the story of the dog, Balto? He was celebrated across the United States as a hero for leading a sled team in Alaska and saving lives. But, do you also know about Togo? You’re about to find out. In 1925, a team with 20 drivers and 150 dogs embarked on a dangerous journey. This is the story of Balto, Togo, and the Nome Serum Run. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspir...
Nov 30, 2022•18 min•Ep. 33
Do you love watching the Olympics as nations from around the globe come together in the spirit of friendly competition? One Native American enthralled audiences more than 100 years ago, winning gold and returning home a champion. Jim Thorpe grew up as a member of the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma—this is the story of his life and the first indigenous American to ever win Olympic gold for the USA. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young...
Nov 16, 2022•18 min•Ep. 32
It’s no secret that World War II was an incredibly tragic period with a terrible aggressor, the Nazi army, destroying people’s lives and communities. On one European island however, a woman found a way to fight back using a weapon nobody else would think of … her manners. Join us for an episode about Dame Sibyl Hathaway, a brave woman who helped save her community from the invading German army. Let’s go learn about this incredible story! About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning ...
Nov 02, 2022•21 min•Ep. 31
Join us for this Halloween thriller as we explore the story of history’s most famous monster. A vacation to the Swiss Alps created a legend as Mary Shelley formed the story of Frankenstein and his monster. But first, Shelley needed inspiration. She found it in her own past and imagination, with a dash of ghost stories told around the fireplace. It’s time to travel to a cottage in the Alps for a truly spooky adventure! About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, an...
Oct 19, 2022•18 min•Ep. 30
Have you ever had food poisoning? Now, imagine a king from long ago who experimented with mysterious potions to deliberately poison people. This is the story of mad honey and King Mithridates, the king of poison. Growing up, Mithridates was obsessed with plants and animals, and the more dangerous they were, the more Mithridates studied them. It’s time to learn about the mysterious tale of how he discovered a poison that would win battles and mystify his enemy, the Romans. About Honest History Ho...
Oct 05, 2022•17 min•Ep. 29
Do you have a favorite movie star? Have you ever heard of Charlie Chaplin or silent films? This story is about a woman who was one of the most famous movie stars during the silent film era. It’s time to explore the story of Dolores del Río, a Mexican actress who became the first major female Latin American crossover star in Hollywood, and learn about her incredible journey from Mexico to the big screen. About the Host Carmen Morales has a captivating style which incorporates opinionated quick wi...
Sep 21, 2022•21 min•Ep. 28
Who was the first person to reach the actual North Pole? Most people have never heard of Matthew Henson, a Black American explorer who dared to go on an adventure north in 1909. Discover his incredible journey from a sailor to a bonafide explorer who made history. From blizzards to his friendship with the Innuit to finally setting foot at the North Pole, join the adventure and learn about a story often untold in history. About the Host Thomas Lundy is a director, writer and stand-up comedian fro...
Sep 07, 2022•19 min•Ep. 27
Have you heard of the indigenous Sentinelese people of the Andaman Islands? They are one of the few remaining "uncontacted" tribes living off the coast of India. Join host Sandeep Parikh and learn about the incredible story of Dr. Madhumala Chattopadhyay, an Indian anthropologist who ventured on a friendly visit to the Sentinelese in 1991. What happened? Let's go find out! About the Host Sandeep Parikh is an American writer, director, actor born to Indian immigrants. He is the founder of Effin F...
Aug 24, 2022•18 min•Ep. 26
What do you get when you mix a radio broadcast about aliens with fake news? In this case, it’s one of the most well-known and successful hoaxes to ever exist. Join host Patton Oswalt for the incredible story about The War of the Worlds broadcast. It’s time to peek inside the brilliant mind of Orson Welles and join the many Americans who sat glued to their radio sets as they heard a “news” story about aliens attacking Earth in 1938. About the Host Patton Oswalt is an American stand-up comedian, a...
Aug 10, 2022•20 min•Ep. 25
Do you love to swim? Or adventure? Or stories of ancient wars? In this episode, we'll get a big dose of all three as we discover the story of Hydna of Scione and her daring act of sabotage in the war between the Greeks and Persians. Join host Randall Lawrence and travel back to ancient Greece for a lesson about courage, bravery, and loyalty. Hydna learned to swim at a young age and she used this skill during the war in a heroic act of defiance against the Persian invaders. Her story was so incre...
Jul 27, 2022•16 min•Ep. 24
Have you ever played hide and seek? What if your life was a huge game of hide and seek? In this episode, we explore the story of Virginia Hall, a notorious spy during World War II who nobody could catch. Join host Arlo Weierhauser for an incredible adventure across the world and learn about Virginia’s ingenious methods for espionage and undercover operations. As a woman, Virginia stood out as a secret agent. At the time, almost all spies were men. And, Virginia was an amputee, making her feats e...
Jul 13, 2022•17 min•Ep. 23
Have you ever tried to build something? Were you able to bring your vision to life? In this episode, learn about the incredible story behind the creation of the White House and the architect who brought it to life. Join host Amy Miller for a story about James Hoban and his journey from Ireland to the United States to the White House. As a child, Hoban dreamed of building amazing things when he got older. His dreams came true when he immigrated to the US and met George Washington who took an imme...
Jun 29, 2022•18 min•Ep. 22
Have you ever flown on an airplane through the night? Remember how dark it looked outside the airplane’s window? Now, imagine flying through the night with no lights in the freezing snow searching for a place to land. It’s time to discover airmail pilot Jack Knight’s fantastic journey through the skies in 1921. Join host Kyle Kinane for a story about bravery and human ingenuity that laid the foundation for our incredible postal system. Jack Knight’s mission was to deliver mail through the skies ...
Jun 15, 2022•17 min•Ep. 21
Chances are you know a bit about Abraham Lincoln. After all, he was one of America’s most famous Presidents. But, did you know that before he even became President, Lincoln’s life was threatened and he was forced on a daring journey to escape? Join host Adam Ray for a story about detectives, assassins, and disguises. As the story goes, just before Lincoln was to be inaugurated, a plot to assassinate him emerged and was uncovered by one of history’s most famous detectives, Allan Pinkerton. It’s a...
Jun 01, 2022•17 min•Ep. 20
Have you ever watched The Lion King ? Well, you might be surprised to learn that some people think the movie got its inspiration from Japan—and more specifically, from cartoonist Tezuka Osamu. Join host Cameron Peloso for this incredible story about the “god of Manga.” As a child, Tezuka loved to draw. He would hunt insects and draw them. As Japan entered World War II, Tezuka continued to draw and develop a new style of cartoons that would be called “Manga.” It’s an important story of perseveran...
May 18, 2022•18 min•Ep. 19
When was the last time you wrote a poem that got you thrown in prison? For most people, the answer is . . . never. However, this story is about a man from Ukraine whose poetry upset Russia so much that Tsar Nicholas I threw him in prison. This man was Taras Shevchenko. Join host Ben Brainard and explore the long and difficult history between Ukraine and Russia through the eyes of an artist who brought recognition to the suffering his people faced under Russian rule in the 19th century. It’s an i...
May 04, 2022•17 min•Ep. 18
Have you ever wondered how people invest in stocks? Part of that answer comes from a story more than 130 years old. It’s the story of Charles Henry Dow. Join host Kenny Malone and let’s dive into the story of Dow and his famous creation, the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Dow started his career as a journalist and through his work, he discovered the fascinating world of Wall Street and stock investments. He decided to create an average that people still use today to gauge the performance of the s...
Apr 20, 2022•16 min•Ep. 17
Have you ever been upset because of something that happened to your friends or family? How did you help them? Join host Julia Corral and learn about a woman who spoke out against the injustices that her people faced. Rigoberta Menchú Tum was born in a small village in Guatemala. As descendants of the indiginous Maya, the people in her village faced persecution from the descendants of the Spaniards. As she grew up, Rigoberta spoke out about these injustices and eventually won a Nobel Peace Prize ...
Apr 06, 2022•19 min•Ep. 16
Do you love nature and animals? Do you love to write? As a young girl, Rachel Carson was fascinated by the ocean, sea creatures, and writing. Join host Amanda Arnold and discover the amazing story of a woman who changed the world through her love of science and writing. As a scientist, Rachel Carson became aware of dangerous new pesticides being used in farming. In this episode, explore her incredible journey to expose the harmful effects of these chemicals by using her knack for writing, combin...
Mar 23, 2022•17 min•Ep. 15
Have you ever been homesick? What if you weren’t allowed to go back home? Join host Cliff Taylor and explore the brave tale of Standing Bear, chief of the Ponca, and the incredible story of his people’s journey to freedom. After the U.S. government forced them to leave home, Standing Bear stood up for his people and through sheer will and determination, fought to return home. It’s time to discover the incredible story passed down from generation to generation. It’s a story of justice and one peo...
Mar 09, 2022•18 min•Ep. 14
You’ve probably heard about Harriet Tubman’s brave journey as the leader of the Underground Railroad leading enslaved people to freedom. But did you know that she was also a spy for the Union army during the American Civil War? Join host Mia Jackson and discover the story of Ms. Tubman’s secret mission for the North, and how her heroic actions during this mission saved the lives of more than 800 enslaved people. It’s time to explore the incredible story of the Combahee River Raid. About the Host...
Feb 23, 2022•17 min•Ep. 13
Do you enjoy going to the movies or seeing live performances? Join host Shain Brenden and learn about one of the best actors to ever live—someone you’ve probably never even heard of. Ira Aldridge was a Shakespearean actor born in New York who moved to London in the 1800s to pursue his dreams of acting in plays. Why did he move to London? As a Black actor, Aldridge faced many prejudices in his home country and decided to risk it all to move abroad where he had more opportunities at the time. It’s...
Feb 09, 2022•18 min•Ep. 12
Do you love buried treasure and finding objects from long ago that have a story to tell? Imagine growing up and becoming a professional treasure seeker (well, kind of). Join archaeologist Annelise Baer and adventure through one of history’s greatest finds—an enormous boat buried next to Akhet-Khufu, the incredible pyramid built for Khufu, an ancient Egyptian king. Discover the incredible artifacts uncovered during the excavation and learn about the methods used by archaeologists to provide clues...
Jan 26, 2022•15 min•Ep. 11
Have you ever ridden a Ferris wheel? Or chewed on a piece of Juicy Fruit gum or turned on a lightbulb? Join host JoAnn Schinderle and explore the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where all of these items and many more debuted. From Nikola Tesla’s life-changing AC electricity to hot air balloons, the incredible inventions and ideas from this once-in-a-lifetime experience changed the way we live today. Along with the good, discover the harder truths about America in the late 19th century and learn about...
Jan 12, 2022•18 min•Ep. 10
Do you know what Australian food is? Kangaroo, bush carrot and quandong are just the beginning. Join host Pete Campbell and discover the fascinating history of the Aboriginal Australians and their delicious cuisine. For more than 50,000 years, the First People cultivated and cared for their native land, developing some tasty recipes along the way. Learn about the evolution of the cuisine through the period of British colonization and the incredible ways in which the Aboriginal Australians have b...
Dec 22, 2021•17 min•Ep. 9
Did you know that sometimes the government can take something from you without ever charging you with a crime? The practice is called “civil forfeiture” and in this episode, join co-hosts (and lawyers) Maclen and Ashleigh Stanley as they discuss a smelly case involving approximately 64,695 Pounds of Shark Fins. This unbelievable story will teach you about the history of civil forfeiture and the fair and unfair times it’s been used in the past. About the Hosts Maclen and Ashleigh Stanley are lawy...
Dec 08, 2021•17 min•Ep. 8
Have you ever stood in front of a microwave and wondered how it can almost instantly heat your food? What if we told you it started with the tragedy of the Titanic? In this episode, join host Chris Duffy to discover the story behind this amazing invention and its creator, Percy Spencer. Learn about the technology used in creating the microwave and how curiosity can turn into great ideas that lead to inventions that change the world. Next time you’re making popcorn for movie night, you can impres...
Nov 24, 2021•16 min•Ep. 7
Discover the incredible story of an unlikely friendship that changed history in this week's episode. Join Abiola Afolayan, a former United Nations lawyer, as she tells us the story of how Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt made an impact on the UN and world peace. These two incredible women came from vastly different backgrounds and used their differences to create a lasting friendship that made the world a better place for everyone. About the Host Abiola Afolayan is an international lawy...
Nov 10, 2021•16 min•Ep. 6
