The Nutcracker

The second part of Percy Fawcett's story delves into his fascination with a document known as Manuscript 512 and how it impacted his life. His obsession led to his disappearance; there has been endless speculation about what exactly happened. Research: Biello, David. “Ancient Ama ... Show More

Fawcett’s life has invited controversy and speculation, because he was a man who did a mix of great and shady things. Part one covers his early life, marriage, military service, and early visits to South America. Research: Biello, David. “Ancient Amazon Actually Highly Urbanized. ... Show More

This 2021 episode covers a period of time when the milk supply in New York was anything but appetizing and wholesome – it was often deadly. But efforts to address the problem were blocked by corrupt officials.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

The decorative holiday nutcracker has become a staple of holiday decor and it also constitutes a specialized tool, so in this Christmas themed invention episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the gadget’s European history, its analogs in other cultures and the ... Show More

The decorative holiday nutcracker has become a staple of holiday decor and it also constitutes a specialized tool, so in this Christmas themed invention episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the gadget’s European history, its analogs in other cultures and the ... Show More

The premiere of Tchaikovsky’s seminal ballet ‘The Nutcracker’, on 18th December, 1892, at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg. It was NOT a hit. The composer, who thought the Alexander Dumas source material was slight and childish, only agreed to write the piece if i ... Show More

A look at the origins of some of the most popular songs of Christmastime. 

This week, it is the insane original story behind the popular holiday ballet. In this story for children, we'll get some contradictory lessons for the kids. Getting into a van with a stranger offering candy? Bad. Getting into a silver carriage with a man offering a whole magical ... Show More

On this episode of Our American Stories, from its humble beginnings in an Austrian chapel in 1818, 'Silent Night' has become one of the most popular Christmas hymns ever. Here’s the History Guy with the story of the song. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donat ... Show More

A Christmas Miracle!!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

As the western world gears up for its biggest holiday, the guys dive into the strange story of Krampus: a pre-Christian, pagan entity that somehow not only survived the arrival of Christianity -- but thrived, first as a side character in Central European holiday celebrations, the ... Show More

Songs include: Here Comes Santa Claus by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, Jingle Bells by Les Paul, Oh Come All Ye Faithful by Kate Smith, Boogie Woogie Santa Claus by Patti Smith, the Russian Dance from the Nutcracker by Herbert von Karajan and the 12 Days of Christmas by Fr ... Show More