Author Ben Thompson and Dr. Pat Larash discuss one of the few places left on Earth about which we still know next to nothing, the people of North Sentinel Island remain almost completley untouched by the outside world. Surrounded by unapproachable reefs, and covered in dense jungle, this tiny island in the Indian Ocean is home to a civilization that is almost completely unobservable, even with modern drones and satellites. More curiously, the people who live there have no interest in communicati...
Jun 27, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Author Ben Thompson and Professor of History Dr. Pat Larash compare and contrast two of the most well-known sisterhoods of heavily-armed mythological warrior women -- the Amazons of ancient Greece, and the Valkyries of Viking legend. In addition to recounting the myths, epic legends, and heroic battles that have enthralled audiences for centuries, they also look into the possible historicity of their stories, and what these badass women represent on a more significant cultural level. See omnystu...
Jun 20, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 11
On this episode, Author Ben Thompson and Professor of History Dr. Patricia Larash discuss some badass vehicles that hauled ass into warzones to try and bring humanitarian aid to people who needed help. It's the story of Helge Meyer and his Ghost Camaro, an armor-plated muscle car that burned rubber through the war-torn streets of Sarajevo to bring food and medical aid to children, as well as the story of Big Wind, a heavily-modified T-34 tank fitted with MiG jet engines that was used to help put...
Jun 13, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Professor of History Dr. Pat Larash and author Ben Thompson continue the story of Marco Polo, who now embarks on his own expedition to the Far East. His adventures take him to the ends of the known world, and find him constantly embroiled in the intrigues of the Mongol Khans, marching with armies, negotiating with kings, and sailing waters uncharted on any European maps. He returns home only to find himself imprisoned in a tower -- and his story is only told to the outside world thanks to an unl...
Jun 06, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Author Ben Thompson and Professor of History Dr. Pat Larash discuss one of the most famous explorers in history, Marco Polo, who traveled to the edges of the earth and brought back amazing stories of unbelievable lands that inspired all of Europe to seek out trade, exploration, and travel for the decades to come. But his story begins with the travels of his father and his uncle -- two Venetian traders who left home in search of treasure, and ended up in the middle of Byzantine politics, a Mongol...
May 30, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In Episode 007, Professor of History Dr. Pat Larash and author Ben Thompson cover the stories of a couple real-life inspirations for James Bond -- the multi-talented actor (and WWII Special Operations Executive soldier) Christopher Lee, and American super-spy Virginia Hall, the notorious "Limping Lady", who made life hard for the Nazis in occupied France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 23, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Author Ben Thompson and professor of history Dr. Patricia Larash discuss Galvarino, an indigenous Mapuche warrior from the Andes mountains who continued leading a heroic resistance against the Conquistadors even after they severed both of his hands -- according to some versions of the story, he even strapped swords to his forearms and led his men charging into battle. Ben and Pat also discuss the Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, a warrior-queen from 19th century India who led a fierce resistance again...
May 16, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode, Badass of the week website creator Ben and professor of history Dr. Pat Larash discuss two badasses who were put in massively-stressful life-threatening situations and proved their badassitude by resolutely resolving to do... nothing. The RCSG Resolute, an antarctic icebreaker faced with seizure by the flagship destroyer of the Venezuelan Navy, and Lt. Col. Stanislav Petrov of the USSR's early-warning nuclear detection service each faced their own unique crises, and each was for...
May 09, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Author Ben Thompson and Professor of History Dr. Pat Larash discuss the most-decorated American soldier of the Vietnam War, First Sergeant Robert Howard, a one-man army who survived 14 wounds and was nominated for the Medal of Honor three different times. His story might not be as well known as those of Sergeant York or Audie Murphy, but his unbelievable exploits battling for his life deep in the jungles of Southeast Asia are no less heroic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 02, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Author Ben Thompson and professor of history Dr. Pat Larash discuss two of the most notorious pirate women in history, Anne Bonny and Mary Read terrorized the Caribbean aboard the warship Revenge -- but their lives and adventures go far beyond just the high-seas infamy for which they are now known. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Author Ben Thompson and professor of history Dr. Pat Larash discuss a selection of war hero animals both furry and feathered, including the incredible tale of Voytek the Soldier Bear -- a massive beer-drinking Syrian brown bear who helped Polish artillery fight Nazis in World War II. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 18, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In the first-ever episode of the Badass of the Week podcast, Badass of the Week website founder Ben Thompson and professor of history Dr. Pat Larash discuss the mythical Greek strongman Hercules, who had brains to go with his brawn, as well as Revolutionary War hero Peter Francisco, the "Virginia Hercules", a one-man army who backed his brawn up with even more brawn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 18, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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Apr 11, 2023•3 min
