Unfortunate History
Unfortunate History
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A podcast that covers unfortunate, interesting, and downright wacky moments in history.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Feb 20, 2021
33: The Tulsa Race Massacre - Everything Burns
On the night of May 31, 1921, the town of Tulsa, Oklahoma was the site of a gruesome and intense racial extermination. Cody and Greg discuss how and why this tragedy happened.
Support our show by purchasing this episode's source, "The Burning" by Tim Madigan.
Buy in the US: https://amzn.to/3k4jnGX.
Buy in the UK: https://amzn.to/3dwgCgo.
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Feb 6, 2021
32: The Great Fire of London - Torn Limb From Limb
Cody and Greg discuss the Great Fire of London. In 1666, London was decimated by an incredibly large blaze that destroyed the majority of the city. You may think you know this story, but there's a lot you probably didn't learn in school.
Learn more at https://www.unfortunatehistory.com.
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Jan 30, 2021
31: Poisoning Rome - That's one Scary Giraffe
On a more relaxed episode, Cody and Greg discuss two related topics: The Ancient Roman Poison Ring and Locusta. Both topics occurred in Ancient Rome and both have to do with poison, so drink up! (There's also a pretty intense Giraffe scene.)
Learn more at https://www.unfortunatehistory.com.
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Jan 16, 2021
30: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Cody and Greg discuss the tragic assassination of Abraham Lincoln. They cover the build up to the event and what drove John Wilkes Booth to shoot Lincoln in the head (spoiler, it was racism).
Learn more at https://www.unfortunatehistory.com.
Support our show by purchasing this episode's source:
US: https://amzn.to/35yr8yW
UK: https://amzn.to/38CllKl
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jan 2, 2021
29: Frank Serpico - Taking on the NYPD
Cody and Greg discuss the incredible NYPD detective Frank Serpico. Serpico was instrumental in fighting corruption in the NYPD during the 60s and 70s until one of his drug busts went terribly wrong.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
PeriTune (peritune.com) | Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Dec 12, 2020
28: 1953 Iranian Coup - The British Stole the Booty
Cody and Greg discuss the 1953 Iranian coup that destabilised the entire country of Iran. The boys discuss the reasons for it, how it happened, and the effects it had on the country and the world at large.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Nov 28, 2020
27: Irish Potato Famine - A Tragic Lack of Lumpers
On a more relaxed episode, Cody and Sam discuss the Irish Potato Famine and its long-lasting effects on Ireland. Big shout out to all the lumper lovers our there!
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Nov 14, 2020
26: Alan Turing - The Evil Queen, and her Poison Apple
Cody and Greg discuss the life of Alan Turing, including his absolutely tragic death. Turing was instrumental in winning WWII until he was completely betrayed by his own people. If you've ever wondered how the boys feel about homosexuality, you're about to find out.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Oct 31, 2020
25: The Atrocities of Unit 731 (Graphic)
In this Halloween episode Cody and Greg dive into the awful and depraved acts committed by Unit 731, a Japanese research and experimentation facility during WWII. Some of the acts discussed are brutal, so listener discretion is advised.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Oct 24, 2020
24: Plagues - Black Fingers and Rectum Bleeding
Cody and Greg discuss different plagues and pandemics from history. (No, not Covid-19.) This episode covers four of some of the more intense plagues from history, including the Great Plague of London and one particularly bad measles outbreak.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
PeriTune (peritune.com) | Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Oct 17, 2020
23: Liver-Eating Johnson - Just Kill Me
Cody and Greg discuss the over-the-top antics of one of the most intense mountain men you've probably ever heard of. Liver-Eating Johnson was the epitome of a mountain man, although not all mountain men are cannibals.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
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Oct 10, 2020
22: Julius Caesar - Blinded by Blood
Cody and Greg are back (finally). In this episode, the guys cover the life of Julius Caesar. Caesar was an incredible general with some pretty lofty goals for Rome. The guys cover his birth up to the point of his severely pointy demise.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Aug 31, 2020
21: Unfortunate Hollywood - Superman was a Murderer
Cody and Sam discuss some of the more unfortunate moments in Hollywood history (although there are many). The guys talk about everything including poltergeists, Jesus, and Superman (same thing, right?).
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Aug 26, 2020
20: Sammy Davis Jr. - The Honorary Warlock
Cody and Greg discuss the incredibly interesting life of Sammy Davis Jr. From "dancing midgets", run-ins with the mob, and the Church of Satan, Sammy Davis Jr's life is one of the most amazing stories in music history.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Aug 24, 2020
19: Viking Torture - Inventive, To say the Least
Cody and Greg discuss three forms of viking torture: the Hung Meat, the Fatal Walk, and the Blood Eagle. This episode is slightly more graphic than an average episode, although it was not graphic enough to need our graphic warning intro.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Aug 10, 2020
18: Delphine LaLaurie - The Stirring of Brains (Graphic)
GRAPHIC WARNING - Cody and Sam discuss the awful killer Delphine LaLaurie. Delphine was a Creole socialite in New Orleans who allegedly murdered hundreds of African American slaves.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Aug 4, 2020
17: Mike "the Durable" Malloy - He. Just. Won't. Die.
On today's episode, Cody and Greg discuss the incredible Michael Malloy: the man that just wouldn't die. The guys talk about Malloy's invincibility and the men who decided to test it.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jul 27, 2020
16: The Kray Twins Part 2 - A Few More Murders
Cody and Greg discuss the downfall of The Kray Twins. In this last episode on the series, the guys cover Reggie's relationship with his wife Frances as well as the "murders" of Frank "the Mad Axeman" Mitchell and Jack "The Hat" McVitie.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jul 20, 2020
15: The Kray Twins Part 1 - Let's Get Kray Kray
On today's episode, Cody and Greg discuss the identical twin crime bosses, Ronnie and Reggie Kray. This first part of the series covers the twin's upbringing and Ronnie Kray's descent into insanity.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jul 13, 2020
14: The Great Emu War of Australia - So Much Blood
Cody and Greg discuss The Great Emu War of Australia, the war that rocked Western Australia in 1932 and left thousands (of emus) dead. They discuss why the war was fought, how the war was fought, and who actually won the war. Special thanks to Rohan Windle for this episode's outro song.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jul 6, 2020
13: Captain Morgan Part 2 - Torture Tactics & Politics
On the conclusion of our Captain Morgan series, Cody and Sam discuss a few more of Captain Morgan's famous attacks and the torture tactics he used on his victims. They then finish the series discussing Morgan's later life, political career, and death.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jun 30, 2020
12: Captain Morgan Part 1 - The Pirate, Not the Rum
On today's first pirate episode, Cody and Sam Brown discuss the incredible life of Captain Henry Morgan. They discuss his early life and some of his infamous attacks in the Caribbean.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jun 19, 2020
11: Digby Tatham Warter - The Umbrella Soldier
Major Digby Tatham Warter was an umbrella-wielding commander during the Battle of Arnhem that occurred during World War II. Cody and Greg discuss Major Digby and his insanely British antics before, during, and after the battle.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jun 13, 2020
10: Lorena Bobbitt - Yanked it Right Off
Cody and Greg discuss Lorena Bobbitt and her knife wielding skills. This story caused the world to take a hard look at domestic violence, and also caused a flurry of jokes on nearly every talk show around the world. Sorry in advance for all the laughing.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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Jun 10, 2020
9: Twilight Zone Accident - Dead in the Water
Cody and Greg discuss a fatal accident that occurred during the filming of the Twilight Zone movie. They discuss the accident itself, and also the legal fallout it caused in the filmmaking industry.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
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Jun 4, 2020
8: The Murder of Emmett Till (Graphic)
GRAPHIC WARNING - 14-year-old African American Emmett Till was brutally murdered on 28 August 1955. The details of his murder are infuriating, as are the reasons why it occurred. But even more infuriating were the punishments handed out to the child's murderers. His murder galvanized civil rights activists throughout America, assisting in the fight for equality for African Americans.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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May 30, 2020
7: Billy the Kid Part 2 - Dying in Your Socks
Today's episode is the conclusion to our Billy the Kid series. Cody and Greg discuss the Kid's downfall leading up to his untimely and unfortunate death.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
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May 24, 2020
6: Billy the Kid Part 1 - Brains and Blood
Cody and Greg discuss one of the Wild West's most infamous criminals, Billy the Kid. This episode covers Billy's early life and some of the crazy parts of his childhood that turned him into a ruthless fighter and killer. You'll learn about some of his crazy run-ins with the Apache Indians, like when he defended a wagon train from 14 Apache warriors.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
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May 20, 2020
5: Tsutomu Yamaguchi - Surviving Hell
Cody and Greg discuss Tsutomu Yamaguchi, a man that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during WW2. They discuss the atomic bombs and the actual events of the day leading up to the bombing and its aftermath.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
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May 16, 2020
4: The Murder of James Bulger (Graphic)
GRAPHIC WARNING - Cody and Greg discuss the murder of 2-year-old James Bulger and his 10-year-old murderers, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables. They cover the day of the murder and the years following, including where Thompson and Venables are now.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
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May 1, 2020
3: Lord Timothy Dexter - The Strangest Man of All
Cody Pennington and Sam Brown discuss "Lord" Timothy Dexter, arguably one of the luckiest men in history. Dexter was a true eccentric of history, and his life is an unbelievable tale. We discuss the crazy life he led only to be accepted by the upper-class...who never actually liked him.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
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Apr 25, 2020
2: Tarrare - The French Cannibal
On today's episode, Cody is joined by Sam Brown to discuss the strange life of Tarrare. Tarrare was a French cannibal during the French Revolution who is described as having an abnormally insatiable appetite. This is a truly strange tale of espionage, cannibalism, and, possibly, murder.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
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Apr 2, 2020
1: Robert Liston - The Testicle Wrangler (Pilot Episode)
In our very first episode EVER we discuss Robert Liston, an incredibly talented surgeon born at the turn of the 19th century. Liston was most known for his speed and dexterity when performing gruesome surgeries prior to the invention of anaesthesia.
Visit https://www.unfortunatehistory.com to view episode info and sources. All web traffic helps support the show.
Join our FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unfortunatehistory
PeriTune (peritune.com) | Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)