Fantastic History

Ep.10 – Tenth Episode Extravaganza: John Dillinger, Part One

We’re celebrating our tenth episode of Fantastic History with a two-parter! This week, Sarah tells Clay about one of her favorite historical figures: Depression Era bank robber, John Dillinger. In Part One, hear about the train heist Dillinger pulled off with his childhood gang, his ridiculous first attempts at robbery, and his time in the Indiana prison system.

We’re celebrating our tenth episode of Fantastic History with a two-parter! This week, Sarah tells Clay about one of her favorite historical figures: Depression Era bank robber, John Dillinger. In Part One, hear about the train heist Dillinger pulled off with his childhood gang, his ridiculous first attempts at robbery, and his time in the Indiana prison system.

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Ep.9 – Ken McElroy: The Bully Who Went Too Far

The town of Skidmore, Missouri faced a problem: a man named Ken McElroy. He had terrorized them for decades, robbed them, threatened them and even tried to murder them. The law would not help - Ken was able to slip his way out every time. Until one day, the town of Skidmore decided to deal with Ken themselves. Their actions have become one of the most bizarre and unique true crime cases I've ever come across. Let me tell you about it

The town of Skidmore, Missouri faced a problem: a man named Ken McElroy. He had terrorized them for decades, robbed them, threatened them and even tried to murder them. The law would not help - Ken was able to slip his way out every time. Until one day, the town of Skidmore decided to deal with Ken themselves. Their actions have become one of the most bizarre and unique true crime cases I've ever come across. Let me tell you about it

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Ep.8 – We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat: New Jersey’s 1916 Shark Attacks

Amidst an already miserable summer plagued with a scorching heat wave and a polio epidemic, visitors to the New Jersey seaside were given yet another worry to keep them up at night: a man-eating shark who claimed five victims over a twelve-day period. Tune in to learn more about the harrowing true tale that inspired Jaws.

Amidst an already miserable summer plagued with a scorching heat wave and a polio epidemic, visitors to the New Jersey seaside were given yet another worry to keep them up at night: a man-eating shark who claimed five victims over a twelve-day period. Tune in to learn more about the harrowing true tale that inspired Jaws.

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Sources:

  • Fernicola, Richard. Twelve Days of Terror: Inside the Shocking 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks. Roman & Littlefield, 2016

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free) Amidst an already miserable summer plagued with a scorching heat wave and a polio epidemic, visitors to the New Jersey seaside were given yet another worry to keep them up at night: a man-eating shark who claimed five victims over a twelve-day period. Tune in to learn more about the harrowing true tale that inspired Jaws.

Ep.7 – The Princes That Vanished: The Boys in the Tower

Near the end of the Wars of the Roses, a battle for the crown of England erupts with Richard III fighting for control after his brother's death. The late king's two sons are shut away in the Tower of London, never to be seen again. What happened to the boys in the tower is a mystery that has gripped England for centuries. Join us as we talk about this scandal and the repercussions Richard III's fight for the throne had on English history.

Near the end of the Wars of the Roses, a battle for the crown of England erupts with Richard III fighting for control after his brother's death. The late king's two sons are shut away in the Tower of London, never to be seen again. What happened to the boys in the tower is a mystery that has gripped England for centuries. Join us as we talk about this scandal and the repercussions Richard III's fight for the throne had on English history.

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Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

Ep.6 – An Actual Game of Thrones: The Wars of the Roses

Jump in the wayback machine and travel with us to the swinging fifteenth century to learn more about the true events that inspired George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series! While we won’t be discussing any direwolves or white walkers, there is plenty of intrigue, double crossing, and dudes named Edward.

Jump in the wayback machine and travel with us to the swinging fifteenth century to learn more about the true events that inspired George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series! While we won’t be discussing any direwolves or white walkers, there is plenty of intrigue, double crossing, and dudes named Edward.

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Source:

Captivating History. The Wars of the Roses: A Captivating Guide to the English Civil Wars That Brought down the Plantagenet Dynasty and Put the Tudors on the Throne. Audible Audiobook, 2018

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Ep.5 – A Credible UFO Case: The Lonnie Zamora Incident

When Police Sergeant Lonnie Zamora went to investigate an explosion just outside the small town of Socorro, New Mexico, he never expected that he would bear witness to what the head of Project Blue Book would later call "the best documented [UFO] case on record". Join us as we discuss this bizarre story of what Zamora saw and the intense investigation that followed.

When Police Sergeant Lonnie Zamora went to investigate an explosion just outside the small town of Socorro, New Mexico, he never expected that he would bear witness to what the head of Project Blue Book would later call "the best documented [UFO] case on record". Join us as we discuss this bizarre story of what Zamora saw and the intense investigation that followed.

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Sources:

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

Ep.4 – Hungary’s Worst Hockey Player: Attila Ambrus

Picture it: Romania, 1988. The country is struggling through its final years of Communist rule, and nobody has it worse than the ethnic Hungarians living in Transylvania. One young man, Attila Ambrus, dreamed of a better life for himself - of fame, glory, and riches. After a daring escape across the Hungarian border, he finds a way to achieve the greatness and notoriety he’s always craved.

Picture it: Romania, 1988. The country is struggling through its final years of Communist rule, and nobody has it worse than the ethnic Hungarians living in Transylvania. One young man, Attila Ambrus, dreamed of a better life for himself - of fame, glory, and riches. After a daring escape across the Hungarian border, he finds a way to achieve the greatness and notoriety he’s always craved.

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Source: Rubenstein, Julian. Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts. Back Bay Books, 2005

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Ep.3 – A Town in Terror: The Circleville Letters

In 1976, the residents of the small town of Circleville began receiving salacious and threatening letters from an unknown writer. These anonymous letters would eventually number in the thousands and would lead to cover-ups, attempted murder and death. Let Clay tell you all about the infamous Circleville Letters.

In 1976, the residents of the small town of Circleville began receiving salacious and threatening letters from an unknown writer. These anonymous letters would eventually number in the thousands and would lead to cover-ups, attempted murder and death. Let Clay tell you all about the infamous Circleville Letters. 

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Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

Ep.2 – The Bear Who Went to War: Wojtek

After being released from a Nazi prison in the spring of 1942, a group of Polish soldiers traded some of their rations to an Iranian shepherd boy in exchange for his pet, a Syrian brown bear cub. The newly christened Wojtek became the mascot of Poland’s 22nd General Transport Company and considered himself to be just one of the boys. Tune in to learn more about his incredible rise from ursine orphan to decorated Army officer!

After being released from a Nazi prison in the spring of 1942, a group of Polish soldiers traded some of their rations to an Iranian shepherd boy in exchange for his pet, a Syrian brown bear cub. The newly christened Wojtek became the mascot of Poland’s 22nd General Transport Company and considered himself to be just one of the boys. Tune in to learn more about his incredible rise from ursine orphan to decorated Army officer!

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Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

Ep.1 – The Heist of the Century: The Antwerp Diamond Robbery

In 2003, thieves robbed one of the most secure and well-guarded places in the world - the Antwerp diamond district in Belgium. It was the largest diamond heist of all time and earned the name 'the heist of the century'. But how did they accomplish it and were they able to get away? Tune in to find out!

In 2003, thieves robbed one of the most secure and well-guarded places in the world - the Antwerp diamond district in Belgium. It was the largest diamond heist of all time and earned the name 'the heist of the century'. But how did they accomplish it and were they able to get away? Tune in to find out!

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Sources:

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)