New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with journalist and author Leslie Smith about the life of Adèle Hugo. A tragic story that only gets worse once Leslie dives deep into the family dynamic and the impact her father Victor Hugo had on her life. Author of the award-winning historical biography Adèle Hugo: La Miserable, Leslie has plenty to add to this heartbreaking story. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn and Producer Clayto...
Jun 02, 2026•29 min
Who’s to blame for the tragic story of Adèle Hugo? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) covers the story of Adèle Hugo, a tragic story of unrequited love and mental decline. Daughter of the famous writer Victor Hugo, described as more interested in public affairs than his nearest and dearest, did being the child of a star lead to her demise? Was Adèle experiencing an extreme case of Limerence, a term uncoined at the time? Or perhaps it was her own unrealistic expectations of love that...
May 26, 2026•57 min•Season 1Ep. 337
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with author and historian Andrew Cook about the Great Train Robbery of 1963. Having gained exclusive access to thousands of pages of sealed Royal Mail and Metropolitan Police files, Andrew shares some rather surprising new details that have The Alarmist back to the board to reexamine the final verdict. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can hear the post-interview conversation with Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn and Producer Clayton Early. Not p...
May 19, 2026•41 min
Who’s to blame for the Great Train Robbery of 1963? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) tackles the Great Train Robbery of 1963 with Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn and Producer Clayton Early. Like something straight out of a movie, which it later became (and a miniseries), this dramatic heist resulted in the theft of over 2.6 million pounds in just 15 minutes. All from an overnight mail train with a lot of money and very little security. Was this the work of a post officer insider? Could...
May 12, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 336
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. Erik Gilbert about the 1896 Anglo-Zanzibar War. Dr. Gilbert specializes in East African history and the Indian Ocean and shares some enlightening details about the formation of Zanzibar, the location of the palace and the technological advancements in British military arms which contributed to an extremely lopsided battle. Afterwards, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn and Producer Clayton ...
May 05, 2026•28 min
Who’s to blame for the 1896 Anglo-Zanzibar War? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes friend Josh Corey, host of the podcast From Writer To Fighter , to discuss the incredibly short and incredibly destructive Anglo-Zanzibar War. They’re joined by Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn and Producer Clayton Early. A war that unfolded in as little as 48 minutes, was this the British Empire flexing their military power? Could the newly self appointed Sultan, Khalid Ibn Barghash have something...
Apr 28, 2026•56 min•Season 1Ep. 335
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Nicholas D. Smith about Athens, the Peloponnesian War, Socrates and so much more. Author of many books on ancient Greek philosophy and contemporary epistemology, Professor Smith dives deep into Athenian life and shares some exciting and controversial views about the life and death of Socrates. Afterwards, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn and producer Clayton Early to see if the verdict holds ...
Apr 21, 2026•41 min
Who’s to blame for the Death of Socrates? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) decides who’s to blame for the death of perhaps the most famous philosopher of all time, Socrates. With Athens in post-war political turmoil and a people with a strong deference to the will of the Gods, is it any wonder his “Gadfly Style” of questioning authority rubbed some Athenians the wrong way? Did The Oracle at Delphi proclaiming there was no wiser man than Socrates contribute to his eventual convicti...
Apr 14, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 334
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with professor and historian Bob Hutton about the great Hatfield-McCoy Feud. Specializing in the political and social history of Appalachia, Professor Hutton shares fascinating insight about what he describes as phase 1 and 2 of the epic feud and how it expanded beyond these two families. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn and Producer Clayton Early to see if the verdict holds up. Not on ...
Apr 07, 2026•31 min
Who’s to blame for the Hatfield-McCoy Feud? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) is taking on the legendary Hatfield-McCoy Feud which spanned generations between two Appalachian families. The stuff of newspaper sensationalism and regional lore, is it possible this all started over a stolen hog? Did the Civil War complicate matters? Or maybe they just needed some more people in this sparse and sprawling farm country. Producer Clayton Early and our new interim Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn...
Mar 31, 2026•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 333
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca sits down with music journalist and award-winning author Holly George-Warren to discuss the life and untimely death of Janis Joplin. Author of Janis: Her Life and Music , Holly goes into great detail about her formative years, how the culture was influencing Janis and the obstacles she faced as a woman in a male dominated music industry. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Earl...
Mar 24, 2026•40 min
Who’s to blame for the death of Janis Joplin? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) discusses the Rock and Roll legend Janis Joplin and her untimely death at the young age of 27. Joining what would later be called the 27 Club. Bullied relentlessly in her youth and then celebrated for her raw and wild artistry in young adulthood, Janis rose to fame and died in only 4 short years. Did fame come too fast? Could a particularly potent batch of heroin be to blame? Or maybe she was looking fo...
Mar 17, 2026•59 min•Season 1Ep. 332
On this week’s Aftermath REWIND, Rebecca speaks with Professor Lynn Wood Mollenauer about all things La Voisin and the Affair of the Poisons. Specializing in the history of France between the Renaissance and the Revolution, and having coined the phrase “Criminal Magical Underworld” herself, Professor Mollenauer lends fascinating new insight to this dark underworld in 17th century Paris. Afterward, Producer Clayton Early and Fact Checker Chris Smith stop by to revisit the verdict with Rebecca. Jo...
Mar 10, 2026•49 min
Who’s to blame for the demise of La Voisin? On this week's REWIND, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes a dear friend (and potential real life witch!) Jen Curran to discuss the Affair of the Poisons which ultimately led to the execution of the French “wise woman” La Voisin. Are witches real or were they the product of the religious mystique at the time? Could the Criminal Magical Underworld of Paris take the fall for this one? And why is No Social Services for Women up on the Alarmist B...
Mar 03, 2026•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 331
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. Brenna Wynn Greer about the arrest of civil rights leader Rosa Parks and the 381 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama that followed. Dr. Greer dives deep into Rosa Parks involvement in the civil rights movement while also breaking down some of the myths that surrounded the textbook version of her story often taught in schools. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can join Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early for the post-...
Feb 24, 2026•35 min
Who’s to blame for the arrest of Rosa Parks? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) discusses the cultural impact of the Montgomery Bus Boycott which was prompted by the arrest of civil rights icon Rosa Parks on December 1st, 1955. What started as a one day protest turned into 381 days of action. Though it was met with extreme violence, the boycott was hugely successful and resulted in a landmark legal ruling on bus segregation all the way from the Supreme Court the following year. Fact...
Feb 17, 2026•51 min•Season 1Ep. 330
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with writer Ishbel Addyman about the legendary Cyrano de Bergerac and the play that continues to carry on his legacy. And much to our delight, it turns out the historical Cyrano de Bergerac is just as lovely and beloved as the fictional Cyrano. Which Ishbel shares in great detail from her research writing a biography about the man himself. Afterwards, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Cl...
Feb 10, 2026•34 min
Who’s to blame for the Tragic End of Cyrano de Bergerac? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) explores the themes of love, insecurity and deception which ultimately lead to the tragic demise of the famous fictional character Cyrano de Bergerac. She’s joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Are Cyrano and Christians lack of self esteem the culprit? Could the idea of perfection in love have something to do with it? Or perhaps everyone’s ultimate fear of rejection ...
Feb 03, 2026•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 329
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with investigative journalist and NYTimes best selling author Cathy Scott about the Robert Durst murders and the possible explanations behind his extremely delayed conviction. Her book Murder of a Mafia Daughter: The Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman , is a true-crime book about the 2000 murder of Susan Berman. Afterward, Patreon Subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Not part of t...
Jan 27, 2026•25 min
Who’s to blame for the Robert Durst Murders and his delayed Conviction? Happy 2026 Alarmy. We’re back! This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) discusses the enigma that is Robert Durst. Obviously we know who’s responsible for his crimes. But, who’s to blame for his extremely delayed conviction? Could Durst’s nefarious charisma have something to do with it? Are his lawyers and loyalists responsible? Perhaps a lifetime of lying allowed him the ability to convince almost anyone of his innoc...
Jan 20, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 328
Who’s to blame for the demise of the Radium Girls? On this week's REWIND, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) speaks with author and journalist Jane Borden about the Radium Girls and the untimely death of numerous dial painters of the 1920’s. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Is this another classic case of greed, sexism, or good old fashioned Capitalism? Tune in to see who or what ends up in the Alarmist Jail! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/al...
Jan 13, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 327
Who’s to blame for Balloonfest ‘86? On this week's REWIND, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) speaks with fellow podcasters Arielle Nissenblatt and Lauren Passell about the 1986 Balloonfest fail in Cleveland. Hosts of Podcast Therapy and self-avowed members of The Alarmy, Arielle and Lauren are the perfect duo to get to the bottom of this spectacular fiasco. They’re joined by Fact Checker Alex Paul and Producer Clayton Early. On the board: The Cleveland Rebrand, Guinness Book of World Records,...
Jan 06, 2026•58 min•Ep. 326
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Professor Moyara Ruehsen about the nature of the crimes committed in the 1988 film Die Hard. Beyond that, she discusses the plausibility of the attempted heist and what modern day equivalents are taking place in the world of financial crime. Professor Ruehsen is a Certified Specialist in Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board from the live show with Fact Checker Chris Smith an...
Dec 30, 2025•34 min
Who’s to blame for the criminal mayhem in the 1988 film Die Hard? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) is coming to you LIVE from the Elysian Theater in Los Angeles with special guests Mary Grill, Dan Klein and Cass Buggé to discuss the 1988 Christmas classic Die Hard. She’s joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Don’t miss this extra special LIVE episode with audience participation and plenty of spontaneous Die Hard cheer. Up on the board: Cocaine Courage, Car...
Dec 23, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 325
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Professor of Sociology at Yale University, Emily Erikson, about The Black Hole of Calcutta and the legacy that emerged in its wake. Emily's work has focused on the emergence of early multi-national firms and the structure of early modern global trade and reflects on the events that led to what we now know as British Imperial Rule. Afterward, Patreon Subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton...
Dec 16, 2025•27 min
Who’s to blame for The Black Hole of Calcutta? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) discusses the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta and the controversy that followed. Set in Fort William owned by the British East India Company circa 1756, an atrocity occurred that would go on to shape history as we know it. Speculations about the event live on, but the fallout is undeniable. Was a lack of humanity to blame? Is poor communication the culprit? Or was this another symptom of rampant coloni...
Dec 09, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 324
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. Lindsay Stallones Marshall about the Nez Percé Nation and the epic War of 1877 they found themselves wrapped up in. Dr. Marshall is an author and Assistant Professor of History at Illinois State University and details much of the gross negligence by the US Government and local settlers that led to this horrific war. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early to s...
Dec 02, 2025•38 min
Who’s to blame for the Nez Percé War of 1877? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) takes on the Nez Percé War of 1877 and decides once and for all who is to blame. She’s joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. With a combination of broken treaties, settler hostility and general disregard for native inhabitants one thing was clear; the US Government would stop at nothing in its pursuit of gold and westward expansion. Up on the board: Manifest Destiny, Private Pro...
Nov 25, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 323
New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. Jody Lyneé Madeira about the shocking case against fertility doctor Donald Cline. Her research has been profiled internationally, including the Netflix documentary “Our Father,” and she shares some fascinating (if not infuriating) details about the lack of regulation for reproductive medicine. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can hear the post-interview discussion and revisit the board with Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Cl...
Nov 18, 2025•34 min
Who’s to blame for Donald Cline’s Secret Children? This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) tackles the shocking case of fertility doctor Donald Cline and his decades long practice of deception and fraud with vulnerable and hopeful young parents who came to him for help with artificial insemination. Is this what happens when the emotional toll of infertility combines with the stigma and shame of talking about it? Or was there something more sinister at play? Fact Checker Chris Smith and P...
Nov 11, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 322
