Shows / Ridiculous History
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 History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.
Episodes
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculous History of Estate Sales
Who doesn't love a good deal? Since the days of the Victorian era, people have flocked to estate sales -- the public or private sale of a person's belongings…
- Ridiculous History
The Sound of Silence: What's Up With Silent Lettters?
While English may not be the world's most difficult language, it's certainly a weird one. Modern English is riddled with contradictory rules, bizarre…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Castle Itter: When Germans and Americans Joined Forces in World War II
With one notable exception, American and German forces were bitterly opposed to one another during World War II -- that exception? The Battle of Castle Itter…
- Ridiculous History
The Rasputin Episode, Part Two: A Death and Mysterious Rumors
As Grigori Rasputin manipulated his way into the upper reaches of the aristocracy, he gained great influence over the Emperor's family, who were convinced that…
- Ridiculous History
The Rasputin Episode, Part One: A Young Mystic On The Rise
While Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin would later become one of the most infamous figures in modern Russian history, he came from incredibly humble origins --…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: A Grave Mistake: The Story of Patton's "Abandoned Rear"
In this week's Classic episode: When George S. Patton decided to found a tank training school in the tiny French village of Bourg, the mayor approached him in…
- Ridiculous History
The Unsung Bravery of Martha Gellhorn
While history often relegates Martha Gellhorn to a single role -- one of Ernest Hemingway's four wives -- this lauded journalist, fiction writer, and war…
- Ridiculous History
The Millionaires and Wild Horses of Cumberland Island
Located in the southeastern US just off the coast of Georgia, Cumberland Island is a hidden treasure with deep -- and, at times, disturbing -- lore. In today's…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Did the US Mafia actually start in New Orleans?
When we think of the mob today, most Americans think of New York City -- and why not? After all, films, books and TV shows often depict New York as the heart…
- Ridiculous History
The Weird Afterlife of The Zombies
In 1969, the Zombies had a song hit No. 3 on the Billboard charts. There was just one problem: the band had broken up two years earlier, and most people in the…
- Ridiculous History
The Fascinating History of Fountain Pens
Nowadays, most people take pens for granted. They're always around if a business needs you to sign something, and people accidentally steal or lose them…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Meet Albert Cashier, the Trans Man Who Fought for the Union in the Civil War
Born as Jennie Hodgers with a female sex assignment on December 25th, 1843, Albert Cashier emigrated to the United States lived as a man from his early teens…
- Ridiculous History
Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part Two: Apple Trees, Ice Cream Wars and Weird Nuclear Gadgets
How much do you know about the inner chaos of Carvel or Ben Cohen's quest to free Ben and Jerry's? Why are apple trees so different from one seed to the next?…
- Ridiculous History
Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part Two: Apple Trees, Ice Cream Wars and Weird Nuclear Gadgets
How much do you know about the inner chaos of Carvel or Ben Cohen's quest to free Ben and Jerry's? Why are apple trees so different from one seed to the next?…
- Ridiculous History
Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part One: 60 Minutes and Other Natural Wonders
Did the creators of the groundbreaking 60 Minutes show have any idea how popular they would become? What other wonders of the world need to be on that list of…
- Ridiculous History
"CLASSIC: Operation Northwoods: How the US Planned to Attack Itself and Start a War with Cuba"
It's no secret that the US and Cuba have a long history of tense relations, often teetering on the brink of war. But just how far would Uncle Sam go to begin a…
- Ridiculous History
Death by Honey: The Legend of the Mellified Man
Have you ever heard of a 'human mummy confection'? While it may sound like a Halloween treat, the legend of the Mellified Man was once taken quite seriously…
- Ridiculous History
Let's Cook on Perpetual Stew
As summer finally mellows into Autumn, Ben, Noel, and Max could not be more excited about "soup weather". In today's episode, the guys explore the history of…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: That Time Irish Separatists Invaded Canada
It’s true! Once upon a time, Irish separatists based in the United States thought invading Canada was the best way to reunify Ireland. Join the Ben…
- Ridiculous History
Getting High with Ridiculous Crime: Reindeer Trips and Soothing Syrup
Did you know reindeer love tripping? Or that, once upon a time, otherwise responsible parents would dose their children with high-test opioids? In the second…
- Ridiculous History
Getting High with Ridiculous Crime: Betel Nut and 'Asthma Cigarettes'
Have you ever gone full red-mouth off betel nut? Did you ever buy cigarettes to cure your asthma? When Ben, Noel, and Max first began exploring bizarre drugs…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: The Night Witches: How an All-female Soviet Bomb Squad Terrorized Nazi Germany
The 588th Night Bomber Regiment didn't have the best equipment, and they didn't have the best planes. What this all-female bomber regiment did have, however…
- Ridiculous History
Mata Hari: Courtesan Turned WWI Double Agent?
By any measure, Margaretha Zelle led a fascinating life. As a Dutch dancer, socialite and courtesan called Mata Hari, her globe-trotting lifestyle caught the…
- Ridiculous History
That Time We Made Backpack Nukes
Nowadays, pretty much everyone knows that nuclear weapons are incredibly dangerous -- but, not too long ago, military leaders saw these things as shiny new…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Bug Wars: When We Tried to Turn Insects into Soldiers
Let's be honest: Bugs aren't everyone's cup of tea, but they're fascinating, crucial parts of the ecosystem. They're also, according to a few eggheads, the…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Yasuke, the African Samurai
Japanese Daimyo Oda Nobunaga was fascinated by the mysterious, towering slave of a visiting Jesuit missionary, and soon this man, Yasuke, joined Nobunaga's…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: The Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I Tried To Make An Army of Super Tall Soldiers
Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm was fascinated by all things military, but the crown jewel of his army was a group known as the Potsdam Giants -- men recruited…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Playboy, Progressive Politics and Stand-up: The Dick Gregory Story, with Wayne Federman
In this episode, Wayne Federman joins the guys to explore the rise of legendary comedian Dick Gregory, who began life as a boundary-breaking stand-up comic…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculous Racist Origin of Tipping, Part Two: The Great Debate and Anti-tipping Crusades
While tipping is widely accepted (and expected) in the United States today, this wasn't always the case. In the second part of this special two-part series…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculous Racist Origin of Tipping, Part One: A Gratuitous History of Gratuity
What's the best meal you've ever had at a restaurant? If it was in the United States, odds are you paid your tab -- and then added an extra fee on top of that…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: I Modi: The Scandalous Erotic Blockbuster Banned By The Vatican
Nowadays it's no secret that some Papal administrations from centuries past were a bit more scandalous than others, but when master engraver Marcantonio…
- Ridiculous History
The Dark Side of Frank Lloyd Wright, Part Two: Mass Murder, Cults, and the FBI
Even if you're not an architecture enthusiast, odds are you've heard of Frank Lloyd Wright. This massively famous architect fundamentally changed the…
- Ridiculous History
The Dark Side of Frank Lloyd Wright, Part One: Professional Success and Personal Turmoil
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the world's most well-known, storied (ha) architects. Several of his works are official UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and he has…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Patriots, Prisoners and Plants: The World of Political Body Doubles
Has anyone ever told you you resemble a celebrity? Have you ever thought of making this resemblance your job? In today’s Classic episode, Ben, Noel and…
- Ridiculous History
Who Took William Lilly’s Fish?
Back in seventeenth century England, William Lilly was a big deal. As the preeminent astrologer of his day, pretty much everyone followed his research…
- Ridiculous History
Francis Scott Key was Kind of a Jerk
Love it or hate it, every American recognizes the Star-Spangled Banner. The lyrics come from a poem written by a lawyer Francis Scott Key on September 14…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Fort Blunder: The US Fort Mistakenly Built in Canada
After the War of 1812, the US decided to shore up security at Lake Champlain by constructing a fort on Island Point. However, due to a surveying error, the US…
- Ridiculous History
Mastodons and 'Murica, with Lauren Vogelbaum, Part Two: A Grudge Match with the French
Thomas Jefferson wasn't just obsessed with mastodons for no reason. Instead, he was in an intense dispute with a French naturalist named Georges-Louis Leclerc…
- Ridiculous History
Mastodons and 'Murica, with Lauren Vogelbaum, Part One: American Degeneracy
If you grew up in the United States, you've doubtlessly learned all sorts of stuff about Thomas Jefferson -- but did you know about his bizarre fascination…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: The Duke of Edinburgh is Literally a God in Vanuatu
Compared to most people, the UK's Prince Phillip has a pretty swell life -- he's literally royalty, has never gone hungry, and has traveled the world meeting…
- Ridiculous History
Oof! A Lot of Baby Gear was Absolutely Ridiculous
In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max want to begin by shouting out all new parents in the crowd (we hope you get some sleep)! These days, every expecting or…
- Ridiculous History
A Ridiculous History of 'Soft Serve'
Nowadays, ice cream is a pretty popular treat across the planet. In this episode -- at the height of a blistering Atlanta summer -- Ben, Noel and Max learn…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: The Honorary Citizens of the United States
Did you know you can become an honorary citizen of the United States? It's true -- but it isn't easy. Join the guys as they explore the life and times of the…
- Ridiculous History
Who was the real John Henry?
For well over a century, schoolchildren across the United States learned the story of John Henry. According to the legend, John was a formerly enslaved man who…
- Ridiculous History
From Slaves to Superpower: The Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Janissaries
While often forgotten by the global West, the Ottoman Empire was an absolute superpower in its heyday. As the Empire expanded across three separate continents…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: The Nature of Ephemera, with Alex Williams
Whether we’re talking yesterday’s newspaper, pamphlets from museums, or even old lottery tickets and straw wrappers, the world is chock full of…
- Ridiculous History
Badass of the Week Returns, Part Two: Chesapeake Capes
Its a Badass Badass of the Week Week here on Ridiculous History! In the second part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max welcome Ben Thompson and…
- Ridiculous History
Badass of the Week Returns, Part One: George Rogers Clark
Its a Badass Badass of the Week Week here on Ridiculous History! In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max welcome Ben Thompson and…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: That Time Ohio and Michigan Almost Went To War
In this week's Classic episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore how a misunderstanding of the geography of the Great Lakes started a feud, known as the Toledo War…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculously Inspiring Story of Free Public Restrooms, Part Two: The Rise of CEPTIA
In this week's Classic episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore how a misunderstanding of the geography of the Great Lakes started a feud, known as the Toledo War…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculously Inspiring Story of Free Public Restrooms, Part One: Everyone Has To Poop
Today a great many people in the United States take free toilets for granted. Yet, as Ben, Noel and Max discover in the first part of this two-part episode…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: The Rise and Fall of Local Scrip: Alternative Currencies of the Great Depression
Have you ever been so broke that you ended up creating your own currency? It may sound like a crazy idea today, but during the Great Depression multiple…
- Ridiculous History
The Kingdom of Callaway: That Time One Missouri County (Sort Of, Maybe) Became An Independent Nation
Despite the misleading name, the U.S. "Civil War" was anything but. As North fought South, this short-lived, bloody conflict fundamentally shifted the course…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculous History of Saturday Morning Cartoons, Part Two: The Fall of a Grift
For several decades, Saturday morning cartoons were a massive industry in the United States. Every weekend, millions of American children tuned in to watch…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: The Attack of the Japanese Balloon Bombs
Picture this: It's late 1944, and you, like thousands of other people on the west coast of North America, have noticed bizarre, jellyfish-like objects floating…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculous History of Saturday Morning Cartoons, Part One: A Golden Age
In the economic boom of a post-World War II United States the sudden affordability of television fundamentally rocked the nation. From the 1950s on, millions…
- Ridiculous History
People Used to Do Very Weird Drugs, Part One: Broomsticks, Sailors and Vikings
Today, everyone knows the potential dangers of both illegal and legal drugs. Some are more popular and more widely-accepted than others (shoutout to coffee!)…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Marie Antoinette and the Diamond Necklace Hoax
Queen Marie Antoinette's reputation was already tarnished by gossip in 1784, but was completely ruined by the implication that she defrauded the crown…
- Ridiculous History
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 -- and some of the…
- Ridiculous History
Did 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... how much of this…