Berserkers: Violent Viking Villains, Unverified
Vikings! Even centuries after their heyday, these seafaring Scandinavian raiders are the subject of countless works of fiction and film -- a...
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Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous Hi...
Ridiculous History Podcast Guide
Listen to Ridiculous History, a Society & Culture podcast by iHeartPodcasts. Stream 1,026 episodes in English, follow new audio stories, and play episodes online on Radio and Podcast.
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20 of 1,026 episodesDid Knights Really Wear Suits of Armor?
We all know the image of European knights: clad all over in plate armor, they conquer enemy forces and mythological creatures alike. But......
CLASSIC: Nosy Boraha: The Pirate's Paradise (And Cemetery)
Nowadays most people know the pirates depicted in fiction bear little resemblance to real-life, historical pirates. Few actually buried any...
The Outlaw Origins of NASCAR: From Moonshine to Racing
NASCAR! This thoroughly American racing organization is huge in the United States -- and has a lot of international gearhead fans, as well....
The Real Johnny Appleseed was SUPER WEIRD (and Pretty Cool)
For a lot grade-school kids in the States, the story of Johnny Appleseed is a modern American myth. The story centers on a quixotic, wanderi...
CLASSIC: How the Black Death Came To Norway On A Ghost Ship
In the 1300s, the Black Death sprang up in central Asia and swept across continents, killing millions. Quarantines became common as various...
Germans, Sausages and Dachshunds: Oh, My!
From baseball games to picnics, from street vendors to haute cuisine, the humble hot dog is an American icon. But where did it come from, an...
The Ridiculous History of Atlanta's Street Names
OK, folks: yes, Ben, Noel and Max are well aware of Atlanta's bizarre habit of naming every other street 'Peachtree' something-or-other. But...
CLASSIC: Susanna Caroline Matilda: The Colonial Grifter Princess
In this week's Classic episode: Have you ever dreamed about shedding your old identity, casting aside your obligations and becoming an entir...
A Samurai Walks Into The White House
History is often taught as a series of discrete, unrelated events -- and that could not be further from the truth. In today's episode, Ben,...
What is SantaCon -- and Why Do So Many People Hate it?
One thing about the United States -- we'll throw a party for anything. As a result, it's no surprise that back in 1994, a group of well-mean...
CLASSIC: History's Weirdest Flexes, Part Two
While the phrase 'weird flex' may be relatively recent, it turns out that this phenomenon is as old as human civilization. Join the guys wit...
CLASSIC: History's Weirdest Flexes, Part One
Do you know anyone who decided to show off in a weird way? While the phrase 'weird flex' may be relatively recent, it turns out that this ph...
The Bizarre Parable of New Coke, Chapter Two: A Rise. A Fall. A Conspiracy?
Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola -- for reasons the public still can't agree on -- rolled out a controversial new formulation of their legendary...
CLASSIC: How Robert "The Fastest Knife In The West End" Liston Conducted A Surgery With A 300% Mortality Rate
In this week's Classic episode: It's no secret that hospitals can be intimidating, scary places -- but the medical operations of the modern...
The Bizarre Parable of New Coke, Chapter One: Sweeter, Stranger, Strange
Heads-up! We are extremely biased on this one. Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola was terrified of losing the Great Soda War to Pepsi. In the dept...
"Resting Bicycle Face": Bikes and Women's Rights
Nowadays bicycles are a common sight across the world -- they're efficient, convenient, and a great way to get in some exercise. Yet in the...
CLASSIC: How Oliver Cromwell Got Executed Several Years After His Death
In this week's Classic episode: today, Oliver Cromwell is known as one of the most famous figures in English history -- he was a Puritan wit...
The Bizarre Life of Elvis, Part Two: Public Fame, Private Chaos
Have you ever assaulted your hamburger guy? How do you handle your problematic pet chimpanzee? For a lot of us in the crowd, these questions...
The Bizarre Life of Elvis, Part One: From Poverty to Pop Stardom
How far would you fly for a sandwich? Decades after his death at just 42, Elvis Presley remains a global pop phenomenon. His short life was...