You've seen TV shows like Masters of Air and movies like Memphis Belle. Incredible stories of American boys fighting Nazis for dominance of the skies in WWII. But what you haven't heard of is the Soviet 588th Night Bomber Regiment... an all women bomber squadron that flew under the cover of darkness in bare-bones plywood biplanes that dropped more than 23,000 tons of bombs on Nazi targets. Join Ben Thompson and Brandon Fibbs in today's episode to hear more!
Jul 30, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 69
In today's episode Ben and Pat dive into Basil II also known as The Bulgar Slayer a super hardcore dude from Byzantine history who took on Krum the Horrible. No this is not a Conan the Barbarian movie. This is real life and just goes to show we need way better nicknames for our leaders these days.
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 68
On today's episode Ben and Pat dive into the stories of two very different women: Edith Garrud and Mary Church Terrell. They both fought valiantly for civil rights and women's suffrage, but only one them did so with jiu jitsu!
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Today we blast off with Apollo 11 as Ben and special guest Brandon Fibbs (9 Days in July ) celebrate the audacious mission that put humanity on the moon. Learn about how Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins defied the odds, overcame incredible challenges, and made history.
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 66
In today's episode we follow Ernest Shackleton's Endurance expedition to the Antarctic where he led his crew through relentless ice, treacherous seas, and brutal conditions. This is one of the greatest survival stories ever told as Shackleton and his men defy death at every turn.
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 65
He's barely mentioned in history, except for once each in two separate books - but what they do mention - is the sort of utter mayhem that simply must be told and retold. Tune into to find out what makes Wolf the Quarrelsome so freaking badass.
Jun 25, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 64
In today's swashbuckling episode, Ben and Pat set sail on an adrenaline-fueled adventure with John Paul Jones, the fearless naval commander who gave the British navy a run for their money. Here we'll chart the daring exploits of the man who declared, "I have not yet begun to fight," and meant every word. From his legendary sea battles to his relentless pursuit of victory, Jones's story is a tidal wave of audacious heroics and nautical badassery. Prepare to hoist the anchor and dive into the epic...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Ben Thompson is joined by Producer Andrew Jacobs in today's episode as they discuss the epic tale of Roy Benavidez, a human hurricane who tore through the jungles of Vietnam with unstoppable force. In this action-packed episode, witness how Roy transformed into a one-man army, rescuing comrades and defying death like it was just another day at the office. From brushing off land-mines, dodging bullets to taking down enemy fighters, his story is a whirlwind of bravery. Get ready to be blown away (...
Jun 11, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 62
New York Times best-selling author A.J. Jacobs (author of the new book The Year of Living Constitutionally) joins Ben and Dr. Pat to talk about some of the unexpected people who have led to changes in the U.S. Constitution over the years.
Jun 08, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 61
On this week's episode Ben and Dr. Pat chat about "Handsome" Mingyan a mythological character from the Jangar Epic, a group of stories that comprise what some might call the Mongolian King Arthur. He was a minor character in our previous episode about the Scarlet Khongor - today he takes center stage.
May 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 60
In today's episode Ben Thompson and Producer Andrew Jacobs talk about the true story behind the new movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. And you won't be surprised to know that Operation Postmaster and those behind it were even more badass than portrayed in the movie!
May 21, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 59
On today's episode Ben Thompson is joined by journalist and host of Outside Podcast Peter Frick-Wright to tell the story of Ten Tswewang who ran a grueling 200 mile race from Everest to Kathmandu to tell the world that Everest had finally been summited. Along the way they'll chat about Sherpas and Everest and how gnarly it really gets up there.
May 14, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Badass listeners: This week we're sharing Ben's recent appearance on the Ridiculous History Podcast where they chat about Le Maupin. We'll resume our regular scheduled programming next week!
May 07, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Hello regular listeners and new listeners - here's a replay of Le Maupin for those joining us from Ridiculous History. If you are in to badass swordfights, debauchery, classical music, big fancy hats, and a couple unlikely heroes face-stabbing their way to success against seemingly-impossible odds, then this is the episode for you. Julie D'Aubigny and Joseph Boulogne -- better known as La Maupin and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges to the adoring hordes of onlookers cheering them on in battle and ...
May 01, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 1
With Cinco De Mayo coming up this weekend, Ben and producer Andrew Jacobs talk about Ignacio Zaragoza who led Mexican forces to victory over French Invaders way back in 1862, leading to the holiday so many of us love to celebrate with chips, guac and a cerveza!
Apr 30, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Known for his masterful sculptures and fiery temper, Benvenuto Cellini’s escapades ranged from dueling in the streets to making audacious escapes from papal prisons. Join Ben and Daniele as they unfurl Cellini's wild stories and scandalous life.
Apr 23, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 55
King Kamehameha was the original Hawaiian superhero—legend says he was born with a comet lighting up the sky, hinting at his future badassery. He turned his warrior’s spirit into action, unifying Hawaii with clever tactics and serious muscle, like literally pushing his enemies off cliffs. He didn’t just fight with spears; he was all about upgrading to the latest tech—hello, Western firearms! His epic victory at the Battle of Nuʻuanu was the stuff of legends, making him the undisputed boss of the...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Here comes part II (that's 2 in roman numerals for you animals out there!) of the Anita Garibaldi story! Tune in. Tell your friends. Tell your enemies. Leave us a review. Stay Badass.
Apr 09, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 53
In this episode Ben and Pat dive into the story of Anita Garibaldi the Badass Brazilian revolutionary who, alongside with her husband Giuseppe Garibaldi AKA "The George Washington of Italy", fought through the jungles and mountains and more for equality and independence of the Brazilian people.
Apr 02, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Back with another fun bonus episode, Ben and Pat dive into the original cancel culture. Except this was way more extreme, and maybe even a bit worthwhile, as complete d**kwads would be completely erased from history, ensuring that they couldn't even be remember, hatefully.
Mar 30, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1
There are few characters quite as angry and dangerous in greek mythology as Medea. Over the course, Medea's life she dismembered her own brother, murdered her sons, and burned her husband's lover alive. Basically, don't F with her...
Mar 26, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Way down under at the bottom of the globe is a deadly land named AUSTRALIA, where the entire the place is designed to kill you. It's a legit thunderdome, full snakes, spiders, crocs, jellyfish, trees, ants and people descended from criminals. And that's what makes it so badass! Tune in this week as Ben is joined by guest host (and Badass of the Week producer) Andrew Jacobs talk about how to survive a trip to Sydney.
Mar 19, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Bishnu Shrestha wasn't looking for a fight on the evening of 2 September 2010, but a fight found him. Unfortunately for his opponents, Shrestha was a Gurkha, a soldier hailing from an elite Nepalese unit of the British Army. Their motto: "It is better to die, than be a coward." Join Pat and Ben as they dive into the history of the Gurkhas and Shrestha's serious badassitude on todays episode!
Mar 12, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Ben has been marooned in Brazil without a working computer this week so we're delivering a bonus episode! Our regularly scheduled programming will return next week! But first - a couple stories about finding love and jobs way back when...
Mar 05, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1
This week, Ben and Pat discuss the fantastical life of Heinrich Schliemann. His life was full of far travels, great riches, bold lies, and even bolder thievery. What was real about the man and what was his own imagination? Perhaps one of the founding father's of archeology, he discovered the ancient city of Troy, and then sort of blew it up. A badass at the time, in retrospect, a bit of a mixed bag! Take a listen... And if you're digging our episodes, tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell y...
Feb 27, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Every now and then, the sequel is better than the original. In today's episode, Ben and Pat discuss just one of those rare occasions. In fact, Ramesses II was so badass, they made Ramesses III through X. Tune in to find out why! And if you're enjoying the podcast, be sure to tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell the weird dude at work who looks like he's up to something shady. And be sure to rate and leave comment for us!
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Today Ben and Pat tell the story of the 396th Infantry Regiment - an all African American unit that spent 191 days in combat in WWI, more than any other unit, they fought so ferociously, the Germans called them the "Hollenkampfer" aka Hellfighters. Tune in to find to hear more... And if you're enjoying the show, tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell your mom and leave us a rating and a comment!
Feb 13, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 46
This week Ben and Pat dive into the story behind the scientist - Marie Curie - the first woman to win the Nobel prize. From the battlefield to the laboratory, she put herself in harm's way (dodging bullets and not really dodging gamma rays) to make the world a better place. Her work led to chemotherapy and also nuclear weapons. Listen now! And if you're enjoying the show, rate us, leave a comment, and grab your neighbor's phone to make them subscribe! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Feb 06, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 45
In today's ep, Ben and Pat discuss Toussaint L'Ouverture, the Haitian Hero. Born a slave, L'Ouverture eventually turned into rebel and later a leader, in the Haitian Revolution before eventually becoming the Govenor-General of the whole island. He beat the French, the Spanish and even British, while liberating his people. Not too shabby. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 29, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 44
In today's episode Ben and Pat pull from the world of Norse legend a vengeful, pitiless necromancer sorceress. We're talking bear massacres, viking zombies (hell yeah!) and general epic bloody battles. Even her name is awesome: Skuld! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 23, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 43
