Half True History

In episode 70 of Half True History, MC Dan P tells Jam Master P and DJ Crush Crespo about the birth of hip hop music, starting with DJs rapping over disco beats in the 1970s and growing into an art form viable enough for white artists to co-opt and make mainstream. Cheers! "My Manager Quits" featuring Dan Parrella.

In episode 69 (nice) of Half True History, Dan Parrella and Pedro Lima are back in the studio with Chris Crespo to talk about England versus France in the 100 Years' War. Listen to find out how this story includes legendary swords, messengers from God, toddler heirs, long bows, cannons, and more!

In episode 68 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo all about the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith and how this led to our modern understanding of capitalism and why it is probably a problem that we base so much of how our world works on a person with questionable authority on the subject. Enjoy!

In episode 67 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo all about the general who has conquered the most, and that would be Genghis Khan's main man, the Dog of War, the Doorman of the Khan, the Unrelenting, the Wolf Himself, the one and only General Subutai. How bad ass was this guy? Listen to find out!

In episode 66 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about the history of the Taj Mahal, the reason it was built, and the familial civil war that cropped up around it. We're talking about mystic maps, jizya taxes, beheadings, and more! Enjoy the show!

In episode 65 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about the Russo-Japanese War and how Russia's late industrialized development led to them being underprepared for war with Japan in what could be considered World War Zero.

In episode 64 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about the evolution of the English language, and how it is an ever-evolving thing that can't be stopped from changing with each passing generation.

In episode 63 of Half True History, Italiano Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about Italy's 1,400 year journey to unification, and how it involves the Fall of Rome, Napoleon's French Empire, Napoleon III's broken promises, the Ragamuffin War, Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva, the Four Fathers of Italy, and more!

In episode 62 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and producer Chris Crespo all about the Boxer Rebellion. Why is this story of a group of conservative protestors storming a capital at the behest of their manipulative leader relevant to today? You have to listen to find out!

In episode 61 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about the birth of the movie industry in the United States and the art form started as cheap vaudeville entertainment and grew into an international industry. There is talk of the zoopraxiscope, Edison's Black Maria, Fred Ott's Sneeze, the Wizard of Menlo Park, the Cinemagician Georges Méliès, The Great Train Robbery, The Birth of a Nation, and much more!  

In episode 60 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about how Albert Spalding used Abner Doubleday to kickstart baseball in 1800's America, how James Naismith started baseketball, and how Yale invented football. Come for the Cuban Giants, stay for the 1919 Black Sox cheating scandal, time to talk about the truths and legends of early sports in the US.

In episode 59 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about the War of the Three Kingdoms, and how it is one of the most fictionalized wars of all time. Dynasty Warriors, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the restoration of the Han Dynasty all factor in to listen to find out how!

In episode 58 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about the world's first successful slave revolution, and how it started as a colonial class war and ended up a full on fight for independence. The French Revolution starts it and Napoleon Bonaparte ends it, and it all involves lots of sugar money, and somehow Bane from The Dark Knight Rises gets thrown in the mix, so listen this episode to find out how this all ties together. 

In episode 57 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo all about King Louis XIV, who went from child king to long time ruler by divine right! We talk about his expertise in branding and marketing, sowing division to secure power, and belittling others, and how he actually built his empire and then maintained it by use of a 500-room palace that seemingly had something missing.  

In episode 56 of Half True History, Dan Parranormal tells Petrified Pedro Lima and Creepy Chris Crespolteregeist about the history of Halloween, which includes the correct pronunciation of the word "Samhain," the origins of dressing up in costumes, bobbing for apples, and trick or treating, plus there's talk of faeries, turnips, and Catholicism. Also there's a quick appearance from Jared Vorhees, CPA.

In episode 55 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo about how Cristoforo Colombo de Genoa became Christopher Columbus and how, despite being bad at his various jobs and also a rapist and murderer, he got his own holiday in America thanks to the tireless work starting with the Italian immigrants of the 1880s leading all the way up to FDR declaring Columbus Day as a full on holiday, and what that meant socially for Italians in America. Plus Dan has a few ideas for famous Italians who could replace Columbus.

In episode 54 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) about one of the funniest empires in history, the Safavid Empire! Find out about the Curly Joe of Middle Eastern empires and how they started with a lie and ended like a fart in the wind. Enjoy!

In episode 53 of Half True History, Dan Parrella explains to Pedro Lima and Chris Crespo the history (relative to recorded humanity) of climate change, and how the various warming and cooling periods have affected world history. Enjoy!

In episode 52 of Half True History, Dan Parrella talks to Pedro and Breanna Lima (and Chris Crespo) about Alexander the Great, Richard the Lionheart, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, Frederick the Great, Anne Lister, and many more historical figures who are also LGBTQ+!

In episode 51 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) about the Pax Mongolia, finally delivering on the part 2 of the Genghis Khan episode.

In episode 50 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) about the Congo Conference of 1884 and the various events and geopolitics that led to the European corporate capitalist machine divide up Africa and royally screw the entire place up for a very long time to come. Learn about the Songhai Empire selling slaves, abolitionism ending that revenue stream, the birth of Liberia, the unconquering of Ethiopia, the founding of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company, and more!

In episode 49 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) about the interesting parallels between concurrent and subsequent religions throughout the years, starting with the explosion of ideas and philosophies around 500 B.C. and the dominance of The Golden Rule. Dan also talks about the Creator God & the Destroyer God, the flood myths from Gilgamesh to Noah, the Garden of Eden, and the thing that unified the Devil, the Peacock Angel, Prometheus, and Loki, so enjoy this week's show and learn something about world religions for once.

In episode 48 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) about the history of the Aztecs and how they became a theological dictatorship that didn't exactly end well for anyone involved. Who was the Great Feathered Serpent?  Why was there increased sacrifices? Was the whole culture based on re-education and indoctrination? How accurate are Mel Gibson movies? All of these questions get answered in this week's show! 

In episode 47 of Half True History, Dan Parrella talks to Pedro Lima (and producer Chris Crespo) about protesting throughout history, and whether or not progress can be achieved peacefully. Dan goes over the parallels between the French and American Revolutions, the German anti-Nazi group The White Rose, the history of the police, radical suffragettes, and more!

(Pre-recorded before the pandemic shut everything down) In episode 46, Dan Parrella explains to Pedro Lima (and producer Chris Crespo) what the opium wars in China were all about. Why did China call itseld the Middle Kingdom and why did Britain decide to introduce opium to their Eastern trading partners and what does France have to do with any of it? All of these topics and more get broken down in this week's show, enjoy!

(Pre-recorded before the pandemic shut everything down) In episode 45, Dan Parrella explains to Pedro Lima (and producer Chris Crespo) why Cuba has has a long history of bad leadership. From Gerardo Machado to Miguel Díaz-Canel, Dan breaks down why their style of military dictatorships has always caused problems for the actual people of the country, and he suggests ways this problem could be fixed, but the leaders of several different countries will not like what he thinks needs to happen. Enjoy the show!

In episode 44 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) all about the Borgias, Italy's most notorious family, with a Pope who oversaw the Jubilee of 1500, which of course featured, The Contest. This story is bananas and full of mysterious falls down walls and off bridges as well as more than one possible murder by poisoning so we hope you enjoy as you sit around with your own family.

With guest Tony Stigma Twitter - @teddystigma  Instagram - @realteddystigma

In episode 42, Dan Parrella and Pedro Lima invite friends Matthew and Adrienne Palmer to talk about the Crusades in this double-length show! Enjoy!

In episode 41, Dan Parrella connects with Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) via internet in order to remotely explain the timeline, circumstances and consequences of the plague a.k.a the black death. Dan talks about how it started in China and spread throughout Europe and Russia, how the first wave lasted five years, how the Mongols weaponized the plague, and how it traveled via rats and fleas stowing away on trade routes. Dan also explains the Statute of Labourers and how it led to the English Peasant's Revolt and the death of the feudal system, ushering in a golden age of workers. Enjoy the show!

Dan Parrella explains to Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) who Hong Ziuquan was and how he got a whole Christian based movement going around him in the mid to late 1800s by declaring himself to be the half brother of Jesus Christ. Not a bad idea. 

Dan Parrella gives examples to Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) of ways in which history repeated itself, but also in ways that it seemed to do so but actually something else happened entirely. Is the idea of staying out of Russia in the winter really so bad? Is the history of socialism in South America a good example for the history of socialism in general? Plus Dan and Pedro have fashion tips!

Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) all about the Frankish Kings, from Clovis to Charlamagne. It is Franks versus Brats in this show, plus a question of the whereabouts of the real Excalibur. Enjoy! Twitter.com/HalfTrueHistory Instagram.com/HalfTrueHistories Facebook.com/HalfTrueHistory

In episode 37 of The Devil's in the Details, Dan tells Clara and Pedro all about how a government shutdown led to the English Civil War. Things discussed in this episode include the kids of Mary Queen of Scots, Scottish Simba, the Puritans, Absolutism, Charles the First AND the Second, Louis the 13th AND the 14th, the 30-years war, Oliver Cromwell, the Merry Monarch, and much more! Enjoy!

In episode 36, Clara Sinclare and Dan Parrella tell Pedro Lima about the Mongols and the rise of Temujin, who would go on to become known as Genghis Khan. Clan warfare, slavery escapes, early feminism, the beginnings of communism, it is all here in this episode! Dig it!

In episode 35 of The Devil's in the Details, Pedro, Dan and Clara are joined by Clara's father, Doctor Dad! And they talk about all the wacky shenanigans of World War One which lead to so many senseless, thoughtless and irreversible loss and death. Good times! This show includes talk about the Central Powers versus the Allies, the Italian Army's contribution, The Christmas Peace, the Battle of the Somme, Winston Churchill versus the Ottoman Empire, Gallipoli, the Balfour Declaration, the Temperance Movement in the US, Woodrow Wilson, the Harlem Hellfighters, the Red Baron, the treaty of Versailles, and so much more. Enjoy! 

In episode 34 of The Devil's in the Details, Dan Parrella and Clara Sinclare tell Pedro Lima about the events that led to the start of the Great War a.k.a. the War to End All Wars a.k.a. World War I. What do the Triple Alliance, the Black Hand and the Blank Check all have in common? Listen in to find out. Also discussed in this episode: horror movies, Raul Julia, and Pedro's opinion on Jack the Ripper.

In episode 33 of The Devil's in the Details, Dan Parrella and Clara Sinclare are joined by Jack Gallagher to talk about the enduring and compelling mystery that is the Legend of Jack the Ripper. Listen in as Jack and Clara break down the significance of the Whitechapel Murders, explain the Canonical Five, trace the evolution of the Leather Apron killer to Jack the Ripper, and provide their favorite picks for suspects. But before all of that, Dan talks about going to New York City for work and checking out the King Kong musical on Broadway. Enjoy!

In episode 32 of The Devil's in the Details, Clara Sinclare breaks down all of the follies, mistakes and shenanigans that led to the infamous sinking of the unsinkable ship, the Titanic. So listen as Clara explains why there was a lack of lifeboats, how a massive staircase made the entire ship sink 10 meters lower, who was responsible for a locked up set of binoculars and an ignored distress signal, and all of the other crazy decisions and cut corners and insane hubris that brought upon this massive tragedy of SOME sort of proportions, what's the word I'm looking for, I dunno, anyway you get it. It was HUGE.

In episode 31, Dan Parrella tells Clara Sinclare and guest Mike Monroe all about the Mexican Revolution. Enjoy!

In episode 30 of The Devil's in the Details, Clara Sinclare tells Pedro Lima all about the fall of the Romanov family, which includes crazy stories about the Coronation After Party Massacre, the Rise (and fall) of Rasputin, and a little something called World War I. Enjoy! Follow the show on Twitter at twitter.com/TheDevilsDeets and check out the show Instagram at Instagram.com/TheDevilsDeets!

In episode 29, Dan Parrella and Pedro Lima invite professional wrestler and history scholar Clara Sinclare and her husband Jack Gallagher to help him discuss the Angevin Empire, which includes talking about the years between the 2nd and 3rd Crusades, in which England was ruled by French kings. Things discussed include the French and Latin influence on English, King Louis XII and his bad ass wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, Empress Matilda the She Wolf, the disaster of the 2nd Crusade, the Lion in Winter, and much more! Enjoy and learn something! Follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheDevilsDeets and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/TheDevilsDeets and email the show at DevilsInTheDetailsShow@gmail.com!

In episode 28 of the Devil's in the Details, Dan Parrella is back to teach Pedro Lima about the Meiji Restoration of 1860s Japan! They talk about the Tokugawa period and feudal Japan, the Samurai and their Bushido Code, the uprising of the merchants against the noble class, the birth of karate, and how Japanese industrialization led to modernization. Follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheDevilsDeets Follow the show in Instagram at www.Instagram.com/TheDevilsDeets Email the show at DevilsintheDetailsShow@gmail.com 

In episode 27 of The Devil's in the Details, Pedro Lima is joined by returning guest Ken Miller for a summer school edition of the show, in which they talk about Howie Mandel coming to Orlando, Lebron, Papa John's, kneeling for protest, the ESPY awards and Danica Patrick, getting into comedy, Black Moses and black owned businesses, Air Force One, and more!

In episode 26 of The Devil's in the Details, Dan Parrella is out so Kermit Gonzalez from the Obligatory Podcast is back to accompany Pedro Lima, along with their friend Sergio! In this episode they talk about getting pulled over by the police, the Bald Code, new music, Hector Lavoe meets Pablo Escobar, the Chris Hardwick story, flashing vs whacking, the Sex Talk, religion, and more!

In episode 25, Dan Parrella and Pedro Lima celebrate their silver anniversary by recapping their own podcast and personal histories that led them to their 25th episode of The Devil's in the Details. Tweet the show at www.twitter.com/TheDevilsDeets Email the show at DevilsIntheDetailsShow@gmail.com

In episode 24, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima why Donald Trump thinks Canada is such a threat to the United States, and it has to do with the burning down of the White House in the War of 1812. Dan explains the origins of Canada as a French colony and how their beginnings differs vastly from the United States, and why the U.S. is 0 and 3 against their neighbors to the north. Enjoy! Tweet the show at www.twitter.com/TheDevilsDeets Email the show at DevilsInTheDetailsShow@gmail.com!

In episode 23 of The Devil's in the Details, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima and guest Clayton all about the French Mexican Intervention, which includes talk about Cinco De Mayo, liberal and conservative politics in Mexico, the 2nd Mexican Empire, Benito Juarez, Porfirio Diaz, the Black Decree, and much more!

In episode 22, Dan Parrella is joined by fellow teacher Clayton Phillips to talk about the history of Florida. After some Avengers: Infinity War talk, Dan and Clay talk about Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears, Ponce De Leon, the Barber-Mizel Feud, the importance of the railroad, Sanford's past significance, Henry Flagler, Dr. Phillips, the specific history of Orlando street names, what St. Louis has to do with Disney and orlando, the I-4 Dead Zone, Florida's racist history, and so much more! Enjoy! Follow the show on Twitter at twitter.com/TheDevilsDeets Email the show at DevilsInTheDetailsShow@gmail.com!  

In episode 21 of The Devil's in the Details, Dan Parrella explains the Rise of the Tudors to Pedro Lima, and that means talking about the 30-year civil war called the War of the Roses, Henries the Sixth through the Eighth, Edwin of York, The Kingmaker, King Richard III, the Spanish Alliance, and more! Enjoy this week's show and learn ya something!

In this episode, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima about how the Middle East came to be the way it is today, and how the British and the French screwed it all up!