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All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Ep #1 : The DuPont Chemical Poisoning

    • June 3, 2021

    Hi friends, happy Thursday! Welcome to episode one of the Dark History podcast. woot! Today we are going to talk about DuPont and their shady ass, just saying. I appreciate you for coming by, and tune in next week for more dark history.

  • S01E02 Ep #2: The Zoot Suit Riots

    • June 9, 2021

  • S01E03 Ep #3: The Rosewood Massacre

    • July 14, 2021

  • S01E04 Ep #4: Andrew Jackson was the literal devil

    • July 21, 2021

  • S01E05 Ep #5: Let’s Talk About The Dark History of Birth Control. Buckle In

    • July 28, 2021

  • S01E06 Mind Games - The Dark History of Lobotomy

    • August 5, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about an insane chapter in medical history where a doctor sold a procedure, the lobotomy, as if it were an infomercial. For a low, low price, this idiot promised to solve all your mental illnesses. He just has to stick this ice pick in your brain.

  • S01E07 Crack vs. Cocaine: Welcome to Incarceration Nation

    • August 12, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about how the media’s reporting on a basketball superstar’s overdose kicked President Regan’s War on Drugs into overdrive and led to incredibly harsh punishments for crack users vs. cocaine. Even though crack and cocaine are the same damn drug.

  • S01E08 The Trail of Tears: Not one, but many

    • August 19, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about the Trail of Tears. Now, this is a heavy one, but it’s a necessary one. Over two decades, the U.S. Government stole Native land and relocated about 88,000 people. About 17,000 died along the way. But this is also a story of pride and resistance, with many of these tribes surviving to tell the story today.

  • S01E09 When the American Dream Goes Up in Flames: Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

    • August 26, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, where 146 garment workers lost their lives. This tragic story lives at the intersection of greedy capitalism, immigrant exploitation and social justice. Workers fighting for basic rights found themselves fighting for their lives.

  • S01E10 Who stole grandma’s body?! The Doctors’ Riots of 1788

    • September 2, 2021

    Modern medicine had to start somewhere, right? And where it started ain’t too pretty. In order to study the inside of the body, bodies had to be dissected. And where did medical students and doctors get bodies to dissect in 1788? They stole ‘em from the cemetery, silly. Today, Bailey tells the wild story of the 1788 Doctors’ Riots.

  • S01E11 Thomas Edison maybe killed a guy and other enlightening Edison tales

    • September 16, 2021

    When people think of American innovation, one name always comes up: Thomas Edison. But, just like everything else in our series, there’s a dark side to Tommy boy. Today, Bailey reveals a story that shines Edison in a different light, a more unflattering one filled with buried tales of greed, fame, dishonesty and, dare she say, murder.

  • S01E12 MKUltra: Mind Control, Drugs and Robocats

    • September 23, 2021

    Today, we’re going to talk about mind control, college students on acid, kitty cat spies, the CIA, and something called Operation Midnight Climax, which, sadly, is not a porno. All of this was a part of Project MKUltra and you’re going to hear why the CIA wanted it kept secret. Hop in, the water is… super weird.

  • S01E13 Edith Wilson: The USA’s First Female President

    • September 30, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about how Edith Wilson quietly became the first female President of the U.S.A. after her husband, Woodrow, had a stroke. With no formal training in politics, Edith caused chaos behind closed doors while the American public had no clue what was going on.

  • S01E14 Gay Conversion Therapy: Pseudo Science is Destroying Innocent Lives

    • October 7, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about Gay Conversion Therapy, an abusive practice where bad science and extreme religious views created hell on Earth for hundreds of thousands of people in the LGBTQ+ communities. And it continues to this day.

  • S01E15 Who gave the Philly Police a friggin’ BOMB?!: The 1985 MOVE Bombing

    • October 14, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about how Cobbs Creek, Philadelphia became a warzone in 1985 when police decided to evict the MOVE organization by dropping a bomb on their home, destroying the entire neighborhood in the process.

  • S01E16 From Riots and Raids to Gay Pride Parades: How Pride Came to Be

    • October 21, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about how a 1969 police raid on the Stonewall Inn sparked violent riots that would become the global revolution for LGBTQ+ liberation.

  • S01E17 People Danced Until They LITERALLY Died?! - The Dancing Plague of 1518

    • October 28, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about the Dancing Plague of 1518: a story where life in a charming French town was so horrible that the peasants broke into a dance… and couldn’t stop until they died.

  • S01E18 Secret Medical Testing on People & the Government Knew?! The Tuskegee Experiment

    • November 4, 2021

    In 1972, an article went viral before the internet existed. The headline read: “Syphilis Victims in U.S. Study Went Untreated for 40 Years.” This bombshell report exposed the Tuskegee Experiment for what it was: a crime against humanity. Today, Bailey tells the story of the study’s 400 participants and the monsters who lied and took advantage of them even though a cure to their illness was readily available.

  • S01E19 Concentration Camps... IN AMERICA?!: Japanese Incarceration

    • November 11, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about one of the ugliest chapters in American history: Japanese-American Incarceration. From 1942 to 1946, the American Government forced over 100,000 Japanese Americans into concentration camps because they thought MAYBE they were spies.

  • S01E20 Secrets Buried in Unmarked Graves: Residential Schools

    • November 18, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about how the Indigenous children of North America were forced into Residential Schools all with the intention to destroy the very culture their families were trying to preserve.

  • S01E21 A Church vs. The Feds: Who Shot First?? The WACO Siege

    • November 25, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about the Waco Massacre, a standoff between the U.S. Government, a religious group and their cult-like leader, David Koresh. Buckle up, there’s no story quite like this one.

  • S01E22 Why 20,000 People Wanted Italian Immigrants Dead: Sicilian Lynchings

    • December 2, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about a bloody day back in 1891 where 11 Italian people were lynched in New Orleans, how it almost started a war and created a Federal holiday we observe every year.

  • S01E23 Before COVID, there was Bubonic Plague in San Fran

    • December 9, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about when the Black Plague arrived in San Francisco in 1899 and how panicked citizens, health officials and politicians had an eerily similar reaction to what we experienced in 2020.

  • S01E24 How Jazz Almost Wasn’t a Thing: The Dark History of Jazz

    • December 16, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about the incredible story of Jazz, how America fell in love with it, how the Federal Government wanted to destroy it and how the genre’s most famous name, Billie Holiday, became public enemy #1.

  • S01E25 Twisted Holiday Tales You’ve Never Heard: Dark History Holiday Edition

    • December 23, 2021

    Today, we are going to talk about the invention of caroling, a Christmas ghost story, a wartime truce and an unforgettable Hanukkah miracle. Four holiday stories packed into one shocking episode and delivered by Sarian Claus herself!

  • S01E26 These Women Were Poisoned by their Job for Years: The Radium Girls

    • January 6, 2022

    Today, we are going to talk about some badass women who, even though they were dying from radiation poisoning, took their bosses to court over horrible working conditions. This is the story of the Radium Girls.

  • S01E27 The Dark Side to the Golden Age of Hollywood

    • January 13, 2022

    Hollywood is known for serving us drama in front of the camera. But, today we turned the camera around and took a look behind the scenes during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Scandals, abuse, death, cover ups. You name it, the Golden Age of Hollywood had it.

  • S01E28 The Many Crimes of The Nestle Company

    • January 20, 2022

    Today we head back to the world of slimy corporations. What started out as a company just looking to feed babies morphed into a cooperation with such a shady past even Dupont would blush. Yep, today we’re taking a closer look at Nestle and just a few of the awful things they’ve done as they’ve grown into a global corporation. And let me tell you, it is not pretty.

  • S01E29 The Birth of Click Bait & Fake News: Yellow Journalism

    • January 27, 2022

    The News. However you feel about it, it’s something we all know and all kind of need. And we have seen how badly it can go when the people in charge of the news take advantage of that. But when did that all start. Well today we’re going to talk about just that. How two men flipped the news industry on its head, sensationalized the news, and changed how the news would be done.

  • S01E30 The Woman who REALLY Started Rock & Roll: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

    • February 3, 2022

    Do you know who Sister Rosetta Tharpe is? Would you believe me if I told you she’s responsible for Elvis Presley, Chuck Barry, Little Richard, The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Jimmi Hendrix and basically Rock and Roll itself? Well today we’re gonna go into Rosetta’s story and learn about how she is the unknown mother of rock and roll.

  • S01E31 How the US STOLE Hawaii

    • February 10, 2022

    Hawaii, the tropical paradise and the 50th state of the United States, or is it? Today we dive into the totally known but never discussed, illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. And how even today, it is known to be an illegal overthrow but nothing is being done.

  • S01E32 Equal Rights and Access FOR ALL: The Americans with Disabilities Act

    • February 17, 2022

    Some things are hard to talk about, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn't talk about it. Which is why we are going to talk about the horrible, dark, treatment that people with disabilities have received for years. And we will also discuss their fight that led to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Plus the fight we still have to fight today.

  • S01E33 The TRUTH behind Central Park, Lake Lanier and Dodger Stadium

    • February 24, 2022

    Today we continue on the path of how we can’t have nice things. Because our history is dark and shady. And that includes the history of Central Park, Lake Lanier, and Dodger Stadium. Or how they were known to the communities that called them home: Seneca Village, Oscarville, Palo Verde, La Loma, or Bishop.

  • S01E34 Private Prisons: Where Prisoners Become Profit

    • March 3, 2022

    Today, we are going to talk about what happens when capitalism intersects with the prison system. Here’s a hint: a whole lotta people get hurt and a small amount of people get super rich. Welcome to the Private Prison industry. It’s disgusting...

  • S01E35 Pre-Tampon vs Post Tampon World: The Dark History of Menstruation

    • March 10, 2022

    Periods. Let’s talk about them. Let’s talk about why we don’t talk about them. And let’s talk about how they’ve been talked about throughout history. Today we start to scratch the surface and the long and global history of menstruation and everything that comes with it.

  • S01E36 The Shocking & Shady Past of Bananas

    • March 17, 2022

    There’s always money in the Banana stand, but that money has a dark, dirty history. And today we’re getting into just that. Today we’re going to talk about the WILD history of bananas.

  • S01E37 The Government Poisoning Alcohol?!: Prohibition

    • March 24, 2022

    Today dark history gets a little….drunk. That’s right babes, we’re talking about Prohibition. We know prohibition for the speakeasies, the flappers, and the bootleggers. But there's so much more to uncover. And ooooo, it is wild.

  • S01E38 The Darkest Show on Earth: The Circus

    • March 31, 2022

    The circus. What a fun place for everyone. Unless you’re one of the employees they threw off a moving train. Or are an animal at one. Or were what they considered a “freak” Or even just decided to go be in the audience the day it all got set ablaze. Oh yeah. Today we’re talking about the dark history of the circus. And believe me when I tell you, there is a whole bunch of shady stuff going on under the big top.

  • S01E39 Is College Even Worth it?: The Dark History of Student Loans

    • April 7, 2022

    Sallie Mae, just saying the name sends shivers down your spine. Why is that? Probably because she’s related to nearly $1.75 TRILLION worth of debt. All for the same thing: Student Loans. Today we get into the history of student loans. How did they start? How did they evolve to what we know today? And what did SallieMae do to make us all hate her?

  • S01E40 Puff, Puff, Pass: Dark History of Cannabis

    • April 14, 2022

    What accounts for more arrests than ALL violent crimes combined? Need a hint? Well it is also a multi-billion dollar, totally legal industry? And not that this narrows it down, but it has a past that’s riddled with racism, greed, and shady dealings. Today we are talking all about the Dark History of Cannabis. And ooo let me tell you it is a STORY. So grab your munchie snacks and settle in.

  • S01E41 Diving Into The Dark Web: Dark History of Silk Road

    • April 28, 2022

    The Silk Road. No, not the one with Marco Polo. But the one with drugs, Dread Pirate Roberts, and murder for hire. Today we go into the history of the internet’s Silk Road, which some refer to as “Amazon but for Drugs.” And they’re not wrong, but oh boy, there is so, SO much more to it.

  • S01E42 Heroin & Cigarettes & Tapeworms: The Dark History of Diet Culture

    • May 5, 2022

    Buckle in, babe, because we’re going to talk about the devastating world of DIET CULTURE. When I started researching this episode, all I wanted to know is who came up with the idea of a diet. But then I discovered that somewhere along the way, dieting became less about health and more about -surprise surprise- money and treating women horribly. So today, we’re headed everywhere from ancient Greece to Jane Fonda’s workout studio to figure out the Dark History of Diet Culture.

  • S01E43 Dark History: Cleopatra, Catherine, Jackie, And Yoko: Their True Stories

    • May 12, 2022

    Cleopatra, Catherine the Great, Jackie Mitchell, and Yoko Ono. Maybe you’ve heard of these four amazing women, maybe you haven’t. But if you’ve heard of them, have you heard the truth? Or just what history wants you to know? Today we are going to dive deep into the stories of each of these women to expose the truth and tell their stories they way they were meant to be told.

  • S01E44 Signs, Seances, and the Stars: Dark History of Psychics and Astrology

    • May 19, 2022

    Has anyone ever blamed being late on being a leo? Or talked about how mercury being in retrograde has really just screwed everything up? Have you ever wondered what any of that meant or how we got here? Well today we’re diving way back into the history of astrology and psychics and figuring out how we got from reading the stars to reading our horoscopes.

  • S01E45 Making the Band: Dark History of Boybands

    • May 26, 2022

    Who remembers the epic battle of our childhood known as NSYNC vs Backstreet Boys? Cause boy do I remember it. But what I did not realize was that it was all fake. It was orchestrated by one man who was raking in the cash from both bands. Today we get into that and much MUCH more about the dark history of boy bands, from when they started to where they are now. And let me tell you, it is QUITE a tale.

  • S01E46 Silence=Death: The Dark History of the AIDs Epidemic

    • June 2, 2022

    The AIDs epidemic. Yeah we’ve all pretty much heard of it. We've heard the horror stories, seen the ads, seen the fundraisers, and even know of lots of people who have it. But how much do we truly know about it? Today we are going to dive deep and really talk about the very heavy and very dark history of the AIDs epidemic.

  • S01E47 The Best of Dark History: The Joanie Awards

    • June 9, 2022

    I honestly had no idea what to expect when we started this Dark History journey a year ago, and it turned out to be so much more than I expected. We got to share some really crazy stories. Some good, some awful, some that sound like a soap opera, and some that I still can’t believe are true. Today we’re going to do something a little different and honor the best and the worst of season one. With Dark History presents: The Joanie Awards.

Season 2

Season 3

  • S03E01 The Secret Lives of America’s Founding Fathers

    • August 3, 2023

    We’re kicking off season 3 with all of the juicy secrets of the daddies of America… aka the Founding Fathers. Turns out these guys were more than just a group of white men in funny wigs. I’m talking dog obsessions, pretending to hate slavery, pasta makers, and more. Get ready to learn a LOT more than you expected to know about our Founding Fathers.

  • S03E02 Prison over Pizza Leftovers?! Let's Make it Illegal - Dark History: Branches of Government

    • August 10, 2023

    This all began because someone stole my pizza from the work fridge- you guys know the feeling, and I just wanted to make that ILLEGAL! So I did a little digging on how laws are actually made, and it turns out there’s some dirty, dirty goss on the branches of government. We’re talking elite dating apps, arguing with your cranky uncle at Thanksgiving, and 13,000 lb doors, so stay tuned for this one.

  • S03E03 Agent Orange, Birth Defects and Toxic Cereal: The Silent Killer, Monsanto Chemical Company

    • August 17, 2023

    In today’s episode, exposing the secrets behind the food we all buy at the grocery store. I’m talking about a company called Monsanto- and if you don’t know them, you should- because they changed the whole course of food history. There’s a lot to cover here, including blood-spitting fish, the deaths of thousands in Alabama, and Vietnam war weapons.

  • S03E04 Tyson’s Destructive Ways: A Simple Farm Turned Evil Empire

    • August 24, 2023

    The only thing juicier than a rotisserie chicken is the secrets it’s hiding: from hormone-stuffed drumsticks to some unexpected protein in your nuggets (ew, bugs!), we're uncovering the less-than-appetizing truths the chicken industry's been hiding. Brace yourselves, as today's episode is bound to ruffle more than just a few feathers!

  • S03E05 Toxic, Tasty, and Targeting You: Dark History of Fast Food

    • August 31, 2023

    Today I’m talking about fast food. I don't know about you, but fast food is my comfort food! But how did our favorite little treat come to be? It all started with a magical vending machine, and fast food is now as addictive as literal drugs. Stay curious my friends & see you next week!

  • S03E06 A Free Concert from Hell: Deadly Drugs, Murder and Music

    • September 7, 2023

    We all know about Woodstock, right? Peace and love, 60s hippie vibes. But did you know that Woodstock has an evil cousin? Today I’m talking about the Altamont Speedway Festival. And this isn’t your average bad festival- this was a day of bad drug trips, violent beatings, and MURDER!

  • S03E07 Train Derailments, Freeway Collapses, and Biblical Floods: The Dark History of U.S. Infrastructure

    • September 13, 2023

    So, literally a hundred years ago, America got a huge facelift. I’m talking about new water systems, roads, the whole fabric of the country basically. And, SHOCKER, it has not been updated since!!! That’s a long time without a little revamping, and today, I’m shedding some light on the nasty consequences of all that neglect.

  • S03E08 Pumpkin Spiced Lies - The Secrets of Starbucks

    • September 21, 2023

    It’s FALL, baby, and pumpkin spice season is upon us. What better time to do a dark dive into the dirty secrets of Starbucks? From killing thousands of orangutans to racial discrimination, their history is anything but sweet. It’s honestly surprising that they’re still around with all of these scandals. Stay tuned for more Dark History next week!

  • S03E09 Killer Pesticides, Human Rights Violations & Forbidden Fruit - The DH Of The Chicano Movement

    • September 28, 2023

    Today we’re talking about the Chicano Movement. Before this movement, just saying the word “boycott” could get you SIX MONTHS in prison. And many Americans weren’t even allowed to take a break, drink water, or even use the bathroom. So yeah, this movement was pretty necessary. And it lead to one of the greatest fights for civil rights in US history.

  • S03E10 Slavery, Diabetes, And Addiction: The Dark History Of Sugar

    • October 5, 2023

    It’s October, which means, it’s the start of spooky season. With Halloween coming up, my mouth is watering just thinking about all of the candy I’m going to eat. But I always hear about how bad sugar is, so I wanted to find out why? Is sugar really as addictive as cocaine? Where does it come from? Are there hidden costs? And of course, the answers are darker than I could have ever imagined.

  • S03E11 Can Nightmares Really Kill You? The Dark History of Sleep Demons, Ghosts, & Alien Probes

    • October 12, 2023

    Today, we're talking about conspiracy theories, and not the kind your annoying uncle brings up on Thanksgiving, but the spooky fun ones. From popular Mexican folktale of la llorona, to the government telling us aliens are real, to sleep demons, this is a spooky one.

  • S03E12 Demonic Wizard or Healing Saint? The Truth About Rasputin

    • October 19, 2023

    This guy was one of my favorite cartoon characters ever, but it turns out he’s actually based on a super creepy villain. Today we’re talking about Rasputin, the man who was possibly responsible for the fall of the Russian monarchy. He was rumored to be able to speak with animals, have magical healing powers, and even… be immortal?

  • S03E13 Werewolf Trials, Real Life Dracula, & Where Zombies Actually Come From

    • October 26, 2023

    I’ve been wanting to do an episode on this topic for a while and October is the perfect time, because we’re talking about monsters! Where did monsters even come from? Why do the same weird creatures come up again in different societies all across the world, all throughout time?! Stay tuned for creepy tales filled with werewolves, vampires, and zombies.

  • S03E14 Conjugal Visits Could Save America? So Why are they taking them away?

    • November 2, 2023

    Today I’m talking all about conjugal visits, which is basically when prisoners are allowed some private time with a visitor. This topic is already pretty spicy, but finding out the history had me SHOOKETH. From hanky panky bribes to a fear of homosexuality, this is a wild one.

  • S03E15 A DOG SAVED THE WAR? Hero Animals You’ve never heard of

    • November 10, 2023

    Today I’m sharing stories of some of the greatest soldiers of all time- and they’re animals. From the 1000-pound brown bear who destroyed Nazis to a little terrier who could hear missiles from miles away, honestly these animals are amazing.

  • S03E16 Real life Willy Wonka: Freak candy disater that killed dozens

    • November 15, 2023

    Freak candy disaster that killed dozens

  • S03E17 A billion dolar curse: The dark history lottery

    • November 29, 2023

    A billion dolar curse: The dark history lottery

  • S03E18 The Dark History of Josephine Baker pt. 1: the first influencer was also a spy

    • December 6, 2023

    Today's story is one that's so juicy it feels like a movie plot. I'm talking about fan favorite Josephine Baker. What if I told you that your favorite celebrity was not just an international superstar but also a secret agent who single-handedly saved thousands of lives?

  • S03E19 How this icon dazzled & duped the nazis: Josephine Baker pt.2

    • December 13, 2023

    Josephine Baker pt.2

  • S03E20 Dark History’s Naughty Gift Guide

    • December 20, 2023

    Today, we’ve got a special Dark History gift guide inspired by some of our favorite stories from this season. But while you’re stuffing your stockings, keep in mind that none of these goodies come guilt free! That’s why we’re unpacking the ugly plot behind each of these potential presents.

  • S03E21 The Dark History of Beauty Standards: Beauty is Pain

    • January 10, 2024

    We all know that “beauty” often comes with a high price to pay. I mean, worth it though, right? Who doesn’t like feeling beautiful? But what if I told you that “beauty” practices throughout history have been down right ugly? And not just any ugly–we’re talking foot binding, bone crushing, pube-plucking ugly. I guess the takeaway is that beauty standards have a shady past. And the question becomes: Who are we doing all this for?

  • S03E22 Nude, rude, and screwed: The Dark History of Nail Salons

    • January 17, 2024

    Did you ever consider that the baddest b*tch you know wouldn’t be anywhere without…the fall of Saigon? Turns out, this major historical moment has a LOT to do with the nail salons we spend so much time in today. But just how did these salons get their start? And at what cost do these salons keep us feeling cute? After this episode, I have a whole new level of respect for nail salons. Salute to you, nail techs!

  • S03E23 The Petty Creep who led the FBI | The Dark History of J. Edgar Hoover

    • January 31, 2024

    There’s always all this talk about who REALLY has the power in America. So I did a little digging, and discovered a not-so-great guy named J. Edgar Hoover–made famous for his 48-year racist reign over the FBI. And just as we thought, the guys pulling the strings ARE, in fact, also confiscating our nudes! Go figure. Between all the spying, lying, and legal murder of a beloved civil rights leader, J. Edgar Hoover would change America’s relationship to our governing powers–forever.

  • S03E24 PROOF that the FBI targeted, tracked, and unalived Americans! | The Dark History of COINTELPRO

    • February 7, 2024

    It’s no secret that the FBI has had a bad reputation for spying, sleuthing, and watchlists. But where did it all begin? At some point, the FBI went from just keeping an eye on people to actively trying to ELIMINATE them. They had their sights set on an up-and-coming inspirational leader from within a growing American movement, and they would do whatever it took to take them down. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the dark waters of… COINTELPRO.

  • S03E25 The Dark History of Valentine's Day: Hate Mail, Orgies, and Animal Sacrifice??

    • February 14, 2024

    Maybe it’s all the social pressure, but personally, Valentine’s Day is not my favorite holiday. And I know I’m not alone in that. Sometimes it feels like Valentine’s Day is just one big scam. Like, why is there only *ONE DAY* to show people we love them? Where did all this pressure come from?! Well turns out, Valentine’s Day has a super surprising backstory…

  • S03E26 The Dark History of Childbirth: We’ve been giving birth ALL WRONG

    • February 21, 2024

    Despite what some people may say, birth is not a problem that needs solving–it's a natural journey that we just need guidance to help us get through (And of course, doctors, midwives, doulas…you get it). As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how scary and borderline traumatizing childbirth can be. But not only that… how downright dangerous it is! So on that note, let’s get to it: the Dark History of Childbirth.

  • S03E27 The Dark History of Hedy Lamarr: You can Thank this Hollywood Bombshell for Wifi

    • February 28, 2024

    Did you know the person who paved the way for the invention of Wifii was one of the most controversial actresses in Hollywood? I know. Random! Today’s episode is about the one, the only, Hedy Lamarr. It turns out, we owe Hedy A LOT. Without her advancements in film and technology, the world would be a VERY different place… She came (onscreen), she saw (war), she conquered (Hollywood). And for that, thanks, Hedy!

  • S03E28 Dark History of Beanie Babies and Furby: Was this demonic 90s toy SPYING on us!?

    • March 6, 2024

    Remember Beanie Baby Mania? It was INSANE. Everyone thought these things would be worth thousands. And then outta nowhere, Furby showed up and completely changed the game, terrorizing kids and adults alike with those creepy little eyes and phrases. If you’re a 90s kid like me, chances are you had one of these iconic toys. But what if I told you the fads that had our parents duking it out in the Toys “R” Us parking lot ended up being…well, just fads?

  • S03E29 Dark History: Thousands of Women Died in These Secret Asylums

    • March 13, 2024

    I’ll be honest with you… it’s hard to shock me anymore. So when I tell you that this story that I found *SHOOK ME* to my core… you know it’s for real. While I was looking into lesser-known Irish history, I kept reading about these things called the Magdalene Laundries. And while something like “laundry” seems innocent enough, this story is anything but that. These Catholic Church corruption-founded facilities destroyed the lives of countless women, and justice has yet to be served–even to this day.

  • S03E30 Dark History: Wait... WHO'S paying for the Olympics?

    • March 20, 2024

    Now, before the Olympics were a thing, it was really just a bunch of Greek competitions about testing physical limits. They had no fancy ass equipment or Nike sponsorships. But since then, a lot of people have been abused, and cities have been destroyed. And apparently, people like you and I pay for the Olympics to exist!? Are they even uniting and inspiring us? And with such a hefty price tag, are they even worth it?

  • S03E31 The Dark History of Pigeons: Rats With Wings or Unknown Heroes?

    • March 27, 2024

    Never in history has there been a more unappreciated animal than the pigeon. Most people think they are just disease infected rats with wings. Right? But actually, pigeons were our companions for centuries. All they wanted to do was help us send our silly little messages and stop wars, and what did they get in return? A whole lot of injustice, that's for sure.

  • S03E32 The Dark History of The Kennedys: America's Cursed Royal Family

    • April 3, 2024

    The story of the Kennedy’s has been so romanticized by the media over the years. People are *obsessed* with them. I personally have never understood it, because I just assumed they were like an old money family that wiggled their way into politics and partied their life away because they could. But no… they were so much more than that.

  • S03E33 Dark History: How a Shakespeare Play Caused New York's Deadliest Riot

    • April 10, 2024

    Did you know one of America’s deadliest riots actually started inside a theater in New York. But instead of a drunk senator causing the chaos--I'm looking at you, Lauren Boebert--it was caused by two actors, with decades of beef between them. And this beef turned into blood in the streets...and I *NEVER* hear anyone talking about it!

  • S03E34 Dark History: The Hidden Truth Behind the Challenger Explosion

    • April 17, 2024

    The Challenger disaster is considered one of the worst tragedies in American history. It’s seared into our minds. But do we have any idea what went wrong? Like… why did it happen and who is responsible? So friends… I dug deep and found some answers. And lemme tell ya… I got some questions for NASA.

  • S03E35 The Dark History of "The Lavender Scare": An Unknown War on Queer American Citizens

    • May 8, 2024

    I recently came across this story about something called “The Lavender Scare.” I was like omg… first of all, what a beautiful name. Sounds nice, what is it? And turns out, it was a government sponsored witch hunt, hellbent on ruining the lives of millions of gay people in America… and nobody really talks about it. If you were targeted in the Lavender Scare, your life was over. Pack your bags. You’re moving back to Oklahoma.

  • S03E36 Dark History: Doctor or Dealer? How celeb doctors destroyed American icons

    • May 15, 2024

    People put their lives in the hands of doctors every day, but what if those doctors aren't so trustworthy? We've got a pair of crazy stories for you today... Dr. Max "Feelgood" Jacobson, who spent his career injecting politicians and Hollywood elite with his "feelgood" amphetamine vitamin cocktail till they were hooked, and Dr. Conrad Murray, the man who gave Michael Jackson a lethal dose of sedatives. But how did these crooked doctors get away with it for so long?

  • S03E37 Dark History: The Unknown Mother of the Civil Rights Movement

    • May 22, 2024

    Do you know the other woman who was a huge force behind the Underground railroad? I know what you're thinking, and no… I’m not talking about Harriet Tubman. Turns out there's another person we rarely talk about. And the Underground Railroad is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her accomplishments.

  • S03E38 Dark History: Meet the Gritty Gals who Shot up America’s Wild West

    • June 5, 2024

    Everything you think you know about women in America’s Wild West is *WRONG.* I feel like we’ve been convinced that women back then were just quietly knitting, churning butter and popping out kids left and right. But THESE ladies? They were rough… they were tough… and they were smart and rebellious. And their legacies are just as complex as the men.

  • S03E39 Dark History: Trafficked & Beheaded!? The REAL Story behind your Disney Favs

    • June 12, 2024

    Once upon a time, bedtime stories were straight-up R-rated. Kids were being tucked in to tales about cannibalism, SA, body mutilation, and so much more. And the best part is, these stories are still around… but disguised… as your favorite *Disney* movies. That’s right, some of your favorite childhood memories have absolutely *horrific* origin stories.

  • S03E40 Dark History: Killer Lemonade and the Unknown Truth of Energy Drinks

    • June 19, 2024

    Look… I grew up in the early 2000s. I essentially had a Blue Ultra Monster glued in my hand at all times. And to be honest… I have no clue where energy drinks even came from. So what is the story? Who invented them? And why are we so obsessed with caffeine? Well friends… I found some answers.

  • S03E41 The Dark History of Gossip: Cancel Culture Started WAY Earlier Than You Think

    • July 10, 2024

    Gossip has played a *VERY* important role throughout history. It brings us together and makes us feel like we know our favorite celebrities or people in power, but it can also tear us apart. But who paved the way for gossip to be what it is today? Well, this is the Dark History of Gossip.

  • S03E42 Dark History: Debutante Balls, Prom, & Daughters for sale?

    • July 17, 2024

    Some of us loved Prom. Some of us thought it was stupid. Some of us didn’t even go. But why do we even do it? And when did Prom start? Turns out… the roots of this high school tradition goes back centuries and involves something *VERY* controversial. This is the Dark History of… Debutante Balls & Prom.

  • S03E43 Dark History: The Bloody Truth Behind Organ Transplants

    • July 24, 2024

    I stumbled upon this wild story around 3am the other day. It's about Claire Sylvia, who faced serious heart issues and underwent a successful heart transplant. However, upon waking up, she suddenly craved beer and Chicken McNugget, things she had never really enjoyed. It turned out her donor, upon investigation, had a deep love for both. The more Claire learned about him, the more she realized she had adopted aspects of his personality. It got me thinking—does this phenomenon occur with every organ transplant? And now they're talking about using pig hearts—will we all start behaving like pigs next? So many questions!

  • S03E44 The Funeral Industry is a SCAM! The Dark History of Death

    • August 7, 2024

    If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with death. Between Dark History and Murder Mystery & Makeup, it comes up *all* the time. But recently, I realized when people talk about death, they only talk about the event leading up to death--not what happens after. If you’re in America, dying isn’t necessarily about being remembered. It’s very freaking stressful. And… expensive. The industry makes over 20 billion dollars a year. So it got me thinking… why do we do this? Does it have to be this way? And who the hell is profiting off of all this death?

  • S03E45 The Dark History of Designer Babies: Creating the "Perfect" Child & Playing God

    • August 14, 2024

    Over the last hundred years, some WILD stuff has gone down in the world of genetics. Did you know that Stalin was once approached to be a sperm donor to create a perfect baby? Or that Jeffrey Epstein had a secret plan to create a squad of genius children on a mysterious ranch in New Mexico? Or that one man created a sperm bank that ONLY accepted “donations” from Nobel Prize winning scientists? Well, we’re gonna get into all that and more in this episode. This is the Dark History of… Designer Babies.

  • S03E46 The Dark History of The Guinness Family: Your Favorite Beer is CURSED!

    • August 21, 2024

    In the US, we have The Kennedys, but here are so many other families in history that are just as rich and influential. Sometimes more. And over in Ireland… they have the Guinness family. Yes, that Guinness. The beer your ex boyfriend loved… a little too much. Also the people who somehow became responsible for those World Record books? But when I started to get into it… I was shocked. I mean I thought the Kennedy Curse was bad. This was *WAY* worse. This family has been a part of some of the biggest events in Ireland’s history, and they have some serious skeletons in the closet.

  • S03E47 The Joanie Awards! The only award show where everyone is dead

    • September 4, 2024

    How the *HELL* are we at *ANOTHER* Joanie’s episode already?! I feel like we *JUST* did the last one… like… a week ago. Anyway… I’m so excited. I *LOVE* the Joanies. It’s just such a fun way to recap the season, revisit my favorite episodes and brush up on some wild cocktail facts that you may have forgotten about.

Season 4

  • S04E01 Death to Disco, Dancing, and Jazz!? The Men Who Ruined Music

    • September 11, 2024

    Whether it was some priests back in the 1500s, a narc who worked for the U.S. government or a Chicago-based DJ who just *HATED* disco music… there always seemed to be some disappointing man taking the fun out of it all. So today… I put together a very fun episode for you… today we are going to expose THE MEN WHO RUINED MUSIC!

  • S04E02 Ruby Ridge, Waco, & the bombing that TERRIFIED America

    • September 18, 2024

    Most of us here at Dark History know about the Waco massacre. But nobody really talks about how the Waco massacre led to the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in United States history. And the story of how we got there is *WILD.* I’m talking Doomsday preppers, a Neo Nazi book that still inspires people today, and a whole lot of weird cult stuff. This is... The Dark History of the Oklahoma City Bombing.

  • S04E03 Death by Ouija Board? Murder by Monopoly? The Dark History of Board Games

    • October 10, 2024
    • YouTube

    I don’t know about you, but the second summer is over, I’m pulling out the pumpkins, I’m lighting my candles, and I am ready to let Halloween take over. When I was going through my closet looking for Joan’s Halloween costumes, something fell from the shelf straight onto my head. It was my Ouija board. And look… I don’t know if it’s because of spooky season or what, but it spooked me. I mean yeah, it’s just a board game… but it is communicating with spirits...allegedly. It made me wonder… why are we letting kids casually communicate with the dead? So I got to searching. Turns out, there is a long, wild history behind the Ouija board, and some of America’s most popular board games. And a lot of their stories end in murder.

  • S04E04 Mail Order Brides, Lesbian Romance Novels, and Ancient Zombies? The Dark History of Vampires

    • October 17, 2024
    • YouTube

    I was trying to pull together a last minute Halloween costume for a party, and I was like maybe a sexy vampire? And then I got to thinking… why is it that all vampires are hot? If we started with Dracula, how did we get here? How did we get to Edward Cullen and Buffy and vampires basically being the sexiest villains out there? Well friends, I got to the bottom of it. Spoiler alert, it involves a toxic relationship between a famous poet and his doctor, French mail-order brides being sent to America, and lesbian vampire erotica.

  • S04E05 Top 3 Ancient Torture Techniques: Forgotten Punishments of the Past

    • October 24, 2024
    • YouTube

    I’ve been watching a lot of scary movies because… hello… It's Halloween. ‘Tis the season. So I put on an old classic… SAW. A couple of years ago, we did a Dark History episode on Ancient Torture. And that alone was way scarier than Saw. I went back and looked into my notes for that episode and girl… I forgot that there are all of these torture techniques we didn’t get to get into. And let’s just say… they’re keeping me up at night. These torture techniques are creative to say the least. So join me on this journey… again! For the Dark History of Ancient Torture… part 2!

  • S04E06 The Deadliest Cook in America? The Dark History of Typhoid Mary

    • November 7, 2024
    • YouTube

    Do you guys ever go to a restaurant and see someone being a jerk to the wait staff? And you’re like hello? Whatever they bring back to you is definitely going to have, best case, spit in it. The point is, there’s a door between you and the kitchen, so you can never really know what’s going on back there. We put a TON of trust into the people that handle our food. Which brings us to today’s story. Her name was Mary Mallon… some people know her as… Typhoid Mary. And she became known as the Deadliest Cook in America.

  • S04E07 This Toxic Workplace Turned Girls RADIOACTIVE!? Life BEFORE Workers' Rights!

    • November 14, 2024
    • YouTube

    Back in the 1800s, matches were a huge deal. In the days before electricity, you needed matches to light your candles, your lamps, your stove so you could cook, and even your fireplace so you wouldn’t freeze to death. Many considered matches to be the most important item in the home. But… ironically… the history of matches is dark. Making matches often led to slow, painful deaths. And workers who didn’t die had to live with brutal, face-altering injuries for the rest of their lives. And, it led to a legendary strike that changed worker’s rights forever.

  • S04E08 Sex, Booze & Conspiracy Theories: The Dark History of Air Travel

    • November 21, 2024
    • YouTube

    I personally hate traveling. I’m always doing something wrong and getting yelled at. But that’s just the price you pay to get somewhere quicker. But has it always been like this? Because I know I’ve seen photos of people in the 60’s having lobster and smoking cigarettes on the plane. Flight attendants had these incredible outfits, the flight had an *open bar*, champagne was served in crystal glasses. But when I got to researching, I realized… the old days of flying weren’t so romantic. Welcome to the Dark History of Air Travel.