In this "throwback episode" we look back at episode #96. In the 1930’s a famous California history professor thought he had discovered a long lost historical treasure. It was a brass plate apparently inscribed by the famous English adventurer Sir. Francis Drake. The plate was heralded as an amazing discovery, but it was actually an elaborate hoax orchestrate ... Show More
Feb 3
Bonus Episode - Ponzi Empires, Thieving Saints, and Skin Grafts
In this Bonus Episode Sebastian takes questions from listeners about the series on the original Ponzi Scheme. The host investigates the history of the expression "robbing Peter to pay Paul", locates early usages of the phrase "getting Ponzied", and muses about whether all expansi ... Show More
35m 41s
Feb 2024
The Silver Rush Kings and the "Big Bonanza"
On this episode of Our American Stories, straight out of a Horatio Alger novel, the Silver Kings (John Mackay, James Fair, William O'Brien, and James Flood) epitomized the rags-to-riches American dream story. Roger McGrath tells the story of the richest mineral discovery in Ameri ... Show More
17m 58s
Dec 2022
Ridiculous Royal Deaths, Part One: Revenge of the Buck-Toothed
It's no secret that the lives of historical royalty have often been filled with triumph and tragedy -- and, sadly, many royals have met strange, untimely ends. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into some of history's strangest (and most ridiculous) deaths.See omnystudio. ... Show More
38m 16s
Jan 2021
L’homme au masque de fer, l’un des plus grands secrets de l’Histoire de France
Depuis plus de trois siècles, ce personnage incarne un des plus grands secrets de l’Histoire de France. C’est le prisonnier le plus célèbre et le plus mystérieux, dont l’histoire a inspiré les plus grands romanciers, comme Alexandre Dumas. Au cinéma, il a été incarné par les plus ... Show More
15m 8s