Ridiculous History
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- 14. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
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.
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CLASSIC: The Portuguese Bank Note Crisis: How One Lucky Forger Almost Destroyed A Nation's Economy
Artur Virgilio Alves dos Reis had a gift. He wasn't the smartest kid growing up, nor was he the most athletic -- he was, however, one of Europe's most talented forgers. After a string of various cons, he …
Shownotes
Artur Virgilio Alves dos Reis had a gift. He wasn't the smartest kid growing up, nor was he the most athletic -- he was, however, one of Europe's most talented forgers. After a string of various cons, he decided to go big. How big, you ask? Tune in to learn how one lucky conman almost single-handedly brought down the entire Portugese economy.
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Tuxedos: Not Always Fancy
Across the modern world, the tuxedo is considered the last word in 'fancy dress'. It's associated with high-class galas, royal ceremonies, weddings, and other white-tie events. But this wasn't always the case! …
Shownotes
Across the modern world, the tuxedo is considered the last word in 'fancy dress'. It's associated with high-class galas, royal ceremonies, weddings, and other white-tie events. But this wasn't always the case! As Ben and Noel learn in today's episode, the tuxedo only became a thing because a certain King wanted to dress down.
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How The Cold War Changed Sci-Fi and Horror Film
For decades after the close of World War II, civilization found itself in the grips of a new kind of conflict: the Cold War. Pretty much everyone was terrified that Earth was on the edge of nuclear armageddon …
Shownotes
For decades after the close of World War II, civilization found itself in the grips of a new kind of conflict: the Cold War. Pretty much everyone was terrified that Earth was on the edge of nuclear armageddon. In today's episode, Ben and Noel learn how this strange, terrifying era had a knock-on consequence... it fundamentally changed the nature of cinema, leading directly to some of the most stunning science fiction and horror movies in history.
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"CLASSIC: Cow Shoe Camouflage: How Prohibition-era Moonshiners Outsmarted the Feds "
During the Prohibition Era, moonshiners and federal agents continually tried to outsmart one another — and one of the moonshiners’ most creative inventions? The bizarre footwear known as Cow Shoes. In this …
Shownotes
During the Prohibition Era, moonshiners and federal agents continually tried to outsmart one another — and one of the moonshiners’ most creative inventions? The bizarre footwear known as Cow Shoes. In this week's Classic episode, Ben and Noel break down a MacGyver-level method to bedevil Big Government.
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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, usually held within their own home, with the aim of …
Shownotes
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, usually held within their own home, with the aim of liquidating everything inside. And, while they've always been popular with a certain crowd, estate sales are experiencing a new resurgence in popularity throughout the US. So, how did we get here? What makes them so popular, how do they work, and how do they differ from your garden-variety yard sale? Join Ben, Noel, and Max to learn more.
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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 exceptions and, of course, a odd little phenomenon known as …
Shownotes
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 exceptions and, of course, a odd little phenomenon known as silent letters. But where did they come from? Why do we spell "enough" that way? Why did we stick a silent "b" in "doubt"? In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max discover how the ridiculous evolution of English led us to the strange rise of 'silent letters'.
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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. Tune in to learn more about the strange sequence of …
Shownotes
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. Tune in to learn more about the strange sequence of events that led both the US and the Germany army to team up for a rescue mission.
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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 only Rasputin could save their hemophiliac son …
Shownotes
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 only Rasputin could save their hemophiliac son. Yet even Rasputin's powerful patrons could not shield him from a growing conspiracy of enemies in Saint Petersburg. In the second part of this special two-part anniversary episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore the many rumors surrounding Rasputin's death -- the fact, the fiction, and, most importantly, the mysteries that remain.
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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 -- which he would later embellish in his quest for more …
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While Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin would later become one of the most infamous figures in modern Russian history, he came from incredibly humble origins -- which he would later embellish in his quest for more prominence and power. In the first part of this special two-part anniversay episode, Ben, Noel, and Max celebrate nine years of Ridiculous History by finally exploring the story of the utter villain on their show's logo.
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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 tears. "An American soldier has died here," said …
Shownotes
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 tears. "An American soldier has died here," said the mayor, "and I would like to lead you to his grave." Patton followed the lachrymose politician to the grave site... but he wasn't prepared for what he would find.
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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 correspondent was an absolute badass. She was on the …
Shownotes
While history often relegates Martha Gellhorn to a single role -- one of Ernest Hemingway's four wives -- this lauded journalist, fiction writer, and war correspondent was an absolute badass. She was on the ground during D-Day, reported during the Vietnam War, and traveled to Panama after the U.S. invasion. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore the oft-ignored bravery of Marth Gellhorn... and the ridiculous ways in which Hemingway tried to sabotage her career. Which, for the record, is only one of the reasons Ben finds ol' Ernest overrated.
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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 episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore some of the …
Shownotes
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 episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore some of the more ridiculous stories from the island's past, from Thomas Carnegie's plans to take over the whole joint to the strange reason that wild non-native horses still roam there in the modern day.
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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 of mob country. Yet, as the guys discover in today's …
Shownotes
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 of mob country. Yet, as the guys discover in today's episode, the story of the Italian-American mafia has a surprisingly different (and often forgotten) origin point.
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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 US had no idea. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and …
Shownotes
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 US had no idea. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore how a deeply sketchy promo company created multiple fake versions of the Zombies... and sent them across the country.
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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 constantly. Yet the humble pen has a backstory thousands …
Shownotes
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 constantly. Yet the humble pen has a backstory thousands of years in the making. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max trace explore the rise of the fountain pen, from the old school quill to the modern day.
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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 on through the rest of his life. Despite the massive …
Shownotes
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 on through the rest of his life. Despite the massive prejudices of the time, he managed to find support in his local communities, his friends and his fellow soldiers from the 95th Illinois Infantry both during and after the war, when the US government temporarily tried to revoke his pension.
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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? In the second part this special two-part series …
Shownotes
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? In the second part this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore more of the Ridiculous History they didn't get to in this year's previous episodes.
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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? In the second part this special two-part series …
Shownotes
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? In the second part this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore more of the Ridiculous History they didn't get to in this year's previous episodes.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 ancient spectacles? In the first part of this …
Shownotes
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 ancient spectacles? In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel, and Max gear up for a field trip to Bermuda and explore all the Ridiculous History they wished they'd mentioned in this year's previous episodes.
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"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 genuine war with Cuba? The answer can be found in …
Shownotes
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 genuine war with Cuba? The answer can be found in the declassified proposals for Operation Northwoods, a secret plan to wage false flag attacks on US citizens, soldiers, planes and ships, all with the goal of blaming these attacks on Cuba.
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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. Humans and honey have a deep relationship that …
Shownotes
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. Humans and honey have a deep relationship that predates known history (and Homo sapiens entirely), and for centuries people believed some holy men would voluntarily consume honey until they died, at which point they would be interred in coffins full of honey. Let a century pass, then -- boom! -- you open the coffin and the gunk inside has become a miraculous healing agent, capable of curing everything that ails you. Join Ben, Noel, and Max as they dive deep into the bizarre legend of the "Mellified Man".
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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 one of the most ingenious -- and, arguably, laziest …
Shownotes
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 one of the most ingenious -- and, arguably, laziest -- inventions in culinary history. A dish with no set recipe, never emptied, and capable of cooking for years or decades at a time. This is the story of perpetual stew.
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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, Noel, and Max as they explore the rise of the Fenians (and …
Shownotes
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, Noel, and Max as they explore the rise of the Fenians (and, along the way, why Canada is more than capable of defending itself) in today's Classic episode.
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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 chapter of their ongoing series, Ben, Noel, and Max …
Shownotes
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 chapter of their ongoing series, Ben, Noel, and Max welcome returning guest Zaron Burnett, co-creator of Ridiculous Crime, to learn more about bizarre drugs of yesteryear.
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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 of yesteryear, they had no idea that they'd stumbled …
Shownotes
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 of yesteryear, they had no idea that they'd stumbled across a continuing series. Luckily, the guys aren't returning to this Ridiculous History alone -- they're joined by special returning guest Zaron Burnett, co-creator of Ridiculous Crime, to learn even more about history's strangest drugs.
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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, was unstoppable ambition, brilliant strategies and …
Shownotes
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, was unstoppable ambition, brilliant strategies and dozens of fearless pilots. Listen in to learn more about the rise of the terrifying force the German soldiers called die Nachthexen -- the Night Witches.
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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 attention of both German and French intelligence …
Shownotes
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 attention of both German and French intelligence agencies. And she happily took money from both sides. Yet, as Ben, Noel, and Max discover in today's episode, historians are still divided on the facts: Was Mata Hari really a master double agent... or a glamorous government scapegoat?
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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 toys. Sure, they spent a lot of time trying to make …
Shownotes
Nowadays, pretty much everyone knows that nuclear weapons are incredibly dangerous -- but, not too long ago, military leaders saw these things as shiny new toys. Sure, they spent a lot of time trying to make bombs bigger. But they also spent a lot of time trying to make bombs smaller. They wanted something small enough for troops to physically carry into the battlefield, evading enemy lines and creating targeted explosions. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max dive into the ridiculous history of 'backpack bombs' and learn how, along with their obvious drawbacks, these devices also had a terrifying habit of going missing.
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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 perfect weapons of war. Join the guys as they explore …
Shownotes
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 perfect weapons of war. Join the guys as they explore the bizarre experiments governments conducted in the field of entomological warfare.
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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 court, eventually becoming a full-on samurai. Join the …
Shownotes
Japanese Daimyo Oda Nobunaga was fascinated by the mysterious, towering slave of a visiting Jesuit missionary, and soon this man, Yasuke, joined Nobunaga's court, eventually becoming a full-on samurai. Join the guys as they explore the strange life of the African-born samurai, Yasuke.
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