Notorious Narratives

We know a lot of stories about Ben Franklin and his role in many of America's most historic founding moments. But in the earth below his London home there are secrets that may change the way we view one of America's favorite sons. This is the story of The Bones in Ben's Basement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Robin will tell you the tale of Olive Ann Oatman. If you haven't heard of her don't feel bad, but hers is a story dripping with Wild West intrigue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Countless atrocities took place during Imperialist endeavors but some of the most horrible were committed in the Belgian Congo. In this episode, Jen will tell you the true story of Heart of Darkness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trail of Tears is a term used to describe the route that was traveled during the forced removal of over 100,000 Native Americans in the Southeast to what would be called "Indian Territory" in what is today, Oklahoma. The trip was brutal and not well supplied, The harsh reality of starvation, disease and exposure along the trip meant that many would never arrive in their new home. In this episode, Robin tells you one of American history's most shame-filled stories, that of The Trail of Tears. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the death of her husband and the rape of her daughters, Queen Boudica would not lie down and allow the Romans to take her land, her people. In this story, Robin introduces us to the warrior queen who rallied an army to fight against the Roman invasion. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curiosity is natural, and humans are just as curious as any other animal. In the late 19th century as travel and exploration boomed the curiosity about how other cultures lived turned quickly to spectacle. What began as curiosity quickly turned into pure exploitation as humans were stolen from villages and forced into camps where they would perform their daily lives and rituals for American and European audiences to gawk at. In this episode, Jen will tell us the story of the shameful history of human zoos. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While most of us know Julia Child as the great television cooking personality she had quite an interesting start to her career. In this episode, Robin introduces us to the Julia that most do not know, one who's road to the kitchen was paved with espionage and science. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in Part Two of our look into Civil War POW camps we will learn about the most notorious of the camps: Andersonville. In this savage and lawless place almost a third of prisoners lost their lives to starvation, disease and violence. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the next two episode we are going to take a deep dive into two of the worst Civil War prisoner camps, one Union and one Confederate. The starvation, disease and violence that took place in these camps are horrifying. In this episode we will focus on Camp Douglas, just outside of Chicago, this camp saw more death than most civil war battles. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1920s a German architect named Herman Sorgel had a plan change the landscape of Europe, Asia and Africa. On the heels of such massive undertakings as the Hoover Dam and the TVA, Sorgel envisioned a land where a system of dams and bridges would connect Europe and Africa, emptying the Mediterranean and providing unlimited hydroelectric power to Europe. While this may sound like madness the dream of Atlantropa was real, and Sorgel was taken seriously by many at the time. In this episode, Robin tells us the story of Atlantropa, and it is up to you to decide if it was genius or madness. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Noor Inayat Khan was raised in a unique household. Her father, who was Indian royalty was also a musician, writer and yoga instructor. She spent her childhood traveling Europe and spent much of her youth in Paris, finally settling in Great Britain. So when England was looking for those who could work behind enemy lines in Paris, Noor stepped up. In this episode, Jen will tell you the story of the Indian princess who turned spy for England. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At this point in history it should come as no surprise that rich white men like to push their beliefs on to everyone and anyone that they can. In this episode, Robin tells one such tale. This is the story of Fordlandia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early 18th century medical care left something to be desired, that is without question. So it is not surprising that female reproductive health was something of a mystery, a science shrouded in legend and superstition. In this episode, Jen tells us the strange tale of Mary Toft, a woman whose womb made fools of men. Warning: the subject matter discussed in this episode is very explicit, not the language, but the nature of the story itself. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They say that absolute power corrupts absolutely, but what if the power you possess is imbibed with piety and sacrifice? In this episode, Jennifer will introduce you to a young woman named Margaretta Peter. She was religious and captivating and was her own worst enemy. This is the story of her crucifixion.  For early episodes, ad free and exclusive content for as little as become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As WWII came to a close the world slowly became aware of the true cost of the war. There was the immense loss of life, shelter and sense of safety. But there was also the massive loss of culture in the form of art, artifacts and texts. In this episode, Robin will introduce you to those who have such a passion for art that they put their lives on the line to save these lost and stolen artifacts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a story of obsession and infatuation, of a man who would not be told no. Carl Tanzler or Carl von Cosel (depends on who you ask) was promised in a childhood vision that he would find a soul mate, with pale skin and dark hair, and the vision of this woman steered much of his adult life. His desire to possess this ultimate ideal love pushed him to do unthinkable things. This is the story of Elena & Carl: Even the Grave Didn't Stop Him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March of 1911 New York City saw it's deadliest industrial disaster to date. This story is heartbreaking; a tale of immigration, strife, and greed. In this episode Robin tells us the story of The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and how 18. minutes changed the face of worker safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He came in the night, to strike fear in the heart's of all of the citizens of the small Illinois town of Mattoon. The year was 1944, WWII was raging, but the headlines told a very different story. A dark and disturbing tale of a "phantom" who slipped gas into people's homes, causing illness and paralysis. In this episode Jen will tell you the Notorious Narrative of The Mad Gasser of Matoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Black magic, cannibalism, serial killers: this episode has it all. In this episode Robin introduces us to Peter Niers: The Medieval Boogie Man. For ad free and exclusive content become a member of The Society of The Torch and Glass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jen tells us a story of a robbery, a writer and a scoundrel. This is the story of Arthur Conan Doyle's search for justice for the wrongfully accused. For ad free and exclusive content become a member of The Society of The Torch and Glass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No one is perfect, but many religions believe that through confession, one's sins can be absolved. That absolution will allow you to spend their afterlife in glory and to move on to "the good place" (just depends on who you talk to). But for many Europeans and people of Great Britain they wanted extra insurance and that came in the form of a man willing to sell his soul. In this episode Jen delves into the morbid, historic funeral practice of sin-eating, history's loneliest profession. For ad free and additional content join The Society of The Torch and Glass!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of WWI tensions were high as returning veterans competed for jobs raged throughout the United States. In 1921, racial tensions, the reintroduction of the Ku Klux Klan and Jim Crow segregation laws led to massive racial divide that made Tulsa a hotbed ready to catch flame. In this episode, Jen will tell us the story of how one misstep led to the worst incident of racial violence in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In late June 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio caught fire — a river so polluted with oily wastes, chemicals, and debris that the spark from a passing train caused it to ignite. But this was not the first time this river was ablaze, but in fact, it was at least the 13th time. However the 1969 fire came at a time of emerging national concern over pollution, made big news and became something of a famous disaster. In this episode, Robin tells us how a little river in Cleveland spawned the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Southern summer heat is truly unbearable and it was the heat that started all the trouble for the Dunbar family. In this episode Jen will tell you the story of how one mother's white lie changed the future for an entire family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WANTED: Child to remain a virgin for the next 30 years, to be taken from family and devote all of daily life to the job, failure to succeed will lead to death by being buried alive. If this was a job advertisement today people would be horrified but this was essentially the job of the vestal virgins. In this episode Jen will tell you the story of one of the worst jobs in history. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon,com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are few among us that are unaware of the atrocities that took place during World War II. But amongst the atomic bombs and death trains there lingers another story. This is the story of a small German town, not unlike others, but as the Soviet Red Army advanced the citizens were so fearful that they turned to desperate acts. In this episode Robin tells us the heart wrenching tale of Demmin, Germany. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the raucous days of the America's Wild West tall tales were like booze and both flowed freely. These tall tales often mask the tragic and harsh realities of the American frontier. One woman made a legend of herself, she was Calamity Jane. In her male dominated environment she held her own. She could shoot, drink and fight with the best of them. In this episode Jen tells introduces us the the woman behind the tall tale. For ad free and additional content become a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perhaps the inspiration for the mythical city of Atlantis, the ancient civilization that existed on Crete was far more advanced than their neighbors. In this episode Robin delves into the history, culture and myth surrounding the Minoan civilization. Warning, there is a lot of mythical beast sex in this one. For ad free and additional content become a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lyudmila Pavlichenko was a intelligent and competitive young woman, a woman who would not take no for an answer. So when she showed up at the Russian military's recruitment offices demanding to be an infantry soldier she proved to be different than the average woman. In this episode, Jen tells us the story of Lady Death, a woman who was feared by every Nazi soldier. Get ad free and exclusive content by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Orleans is full of legends, dark and mysterious stories surrounding it's colorful history. The tale of the casket girls is no exception. New Orleans was founded by trappers, explorers and traders....in a word: men. In this episode Robin tells us the tale of how women came to New Orleans and the nightmarish stories that surrounded them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jen will tell you the harrowing tale of The Endurance and its prolific captain, Sir Ernest Shackleton. This is a tale that seems to wild to believe. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Robin explains the not so distant history of using elephants as executioners. Totally cringeworthy. For exclusive and ad free content become a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In every old movie there is the brash, bold and ballsy female journalist, did you ever wonder why? Well, meet Agnes Underwood, the First Lady of Hollywood Crime Reporting! Want ad free and exclusive content? Become a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surrounded by rocky coast and hungry sharks, accessible only by cable car we introduce you to the island prison colony known as Devil's Island. Open for nearly a century, closing in 1953, this island is known as one of the deadliest prisons in history. In this episode Robin tells us the tale of the nearly inescapable prison.  Get ad free and exclusive content by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the story of a beautiful hotel that has see more than its fair share of change and tragedy. The Crescent Hotel and Spa was opened in the late 19th century, a health spa for the wealthy. But as time passed the building was used for a multitude of purposes, including a cancer treatment center. The man behind this center was Norman Baker, a narcissist and con man who touted a cure for cancer, allowing his patients to slowly die in the building. This because he had no medical training and his cure was a quack. In this episode Jen will introduce you to America's Most Haunted Hotel.  For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 16, 1947, in the Port of Texas City, Texas, at Galveston Bay there was a series of massive explosions. This industrial accident is the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history, and one of history's largest non-nuclear explosions. In this episode Robin will tell you the story of how this accident devastated the area and changed the way combustible materials are regulated. Get ad free and exclusive Notorious Narratives content by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early 20th century there were very few regulations on adoption and that left the door open for Georgia Tann to swoop in and exploit the system. Over the course of 20 years Georgia Tann used an extensive network of healthcare workers, judges, police and politicians to steal over 5,000 children and sold them to families throughout the United States. In this episode you will hear the tale of how one woman amassed a fortune selling children. Get ad free and exclusive content by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine never feeling full, never, not after eating enough to feed fifteen men, that was the fate of the strange case of Terrare. Terrare was a was a French showman and soldier, noted for his unusual eating habits. His tastes ranged from huge volumes of meat to putrid rotting trash. This is a truly horrifying human medical mystery that 18th century medicine could not solve. Warning, this one is not for the faint of heart. Get ad free and exclusive content by becoming a Patron Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A fortune-teller, spiritualist, stockbroker, and presidential candidate, Victoria Woodhull was a woman ahead of her time. When you think of the first female presidential candidate you probably think of Hilary Clinton, and while she may have been the most successful she was certainly not the first. In the 19th century, long before women had the right to vote Victoria Woodhull was the presidential candidate for the Equal Rights Party. While her candidacy was certainly controversial that was just one of her endeavors that raised eyebrows. In this episode, Jen will introduce you to a woman who ate controversy for breakfast, Victoria Woodhull. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you live in a heavily populated are you may have had this thought...what do we do when the graveyard is full? Well, it is happening in London and other cities whose history is vast, but whose land is not. In this episode Robin will discuss what we do with our dead when there is no room at the inn. Get ready for some surprises. Get ad free and EXCLUSIVE content by becoming a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hope Diamond is a gem that has been shrouded in mystery since its discovery. Perhaps the origin of the curse lies in the gems provenance; as it is rumored to have been stolen from the head of an idol in India by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. From the time the gem came to Europe till it reached the doors of the Smithsonian numerous deaths and accidents have been assigned to the cursed gem. In this episode, Jen tells us the story of this legendary stone and it's body count.  Get ad free and EXCLUSIVE content by becoming a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freemasonry is shrouded in mystery and has given rise to a multitude of conspiracy theories. But in the early 19th century one man set out to break down the wall of secrecy. This man was William Morgan. While you may be thinking of him as some sort of social justice warrior, think again. William Morgan was a hustler and a vagabond and set out to make some real cash selling the secrets of the masons....that was until his mysterious disappearance. In this episode, Jen will tell you a story of secrets, blackmail, murder and politics. Get ad free and EXCLUSIVE content by becoming a Patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Notorious Knowledge, Robin tells us some of the strange uses for our favorite prophylactic; the condom. And this week Jen tells us the story of an archeologic find that changes the way we view the pre-Columbian culture of Peru. In Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, Peru, on a low bluff just a thousand feet from the sea, a pizza shop owner and his dog stumbled upon a massive amount of bones, old bones.....small, very small bones. The story of these bones is in fact the tragic tale of the end of a civilization known as the Chimu. In this episode, Jen will tell the story of these bones and the disastrous end of the Chimu. Get exclusive, ad free content by becoming a Patron Merchandise available on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are few things as nightmarish as working in a field of grain while starving, but that is the fate that befell the people of the Ukraine in the years of 1932-1933. The word Holodomor is derived from the Ukrainian words for hunger (holod) and extermination (mor). This is a accurate description of the situation. Death, hunger and genocide are not topics that are easily discussed in polite company, but in this episode, Robin tells us the story of Holodomor; a heartbreaking tale of famine, loss and starvation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Irish secret societies, labor uprisings to a major garbage crisis, Centralia, Pennsylvania is a town with a story to tell. Once a bustling hub of mining, now a town of only 9 citizens who brave the fire that burns below that constantly threatens to take the earth from beneath their feet. How does a town become a ghost town in the modern day? Well, Centralia is a ghost town, and in this episode, Jen will tell you this ghost's story. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Ancient Rome to Modern Mongolia, immurement has been used as a method of capital punishment, torture and sacrifice. Numerous cultures worldwide have used this practice for a myriad of reasons but regardless of the reason the horror remains. In this episode Robin tells us about the practice of immurement; history's most horrific death sentence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is only one female winner of the Medal of Honor, that is Mary Edwards Walker. Mary was a singular woman in her day, a progressive dresser, physician, field surgeon and suffragette. In this episode, Jen introduces us to a woman ahead of her time. Support us and get exclusive content and swag on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well it is that time of year again - Christmas. Whether you celebrate this holiday or not, one thing is certain, there are lot of weird traditions that surround the holiday. For this episode Jen has dug up a story that brings us trolls, ogres, elves and candy in a shoe. This is the story of the Icelandic Christmas Tradition that surrounds Gryla-The Christmas Witch and her bizarre family of mischief makers. Hope you like it. Merry Christmas ya filthy animals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Notorious Knowledge, Jen will tell you the story of a publicity stunt turned deadly. Then we travel to Ireland where recent discoveries of neolithic structures are changing the way we understand the history of Ireland. In this episode, we armchair archeologist the shit out of one of Ireland's greatest mysteries: New Grange. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are only a few words that evoke such a perfect description of an individual as the word Casanova. But what few know is that Casanova is not just an adjective, he was a real man whose exploits were so grandiose that they cemented his name forever in history. A playboy who made his living as a gambler, an astronomer and even a spy; he rubbed shoulders with all of the Enlightenment's greatest names. While the legend is sounds debonaire the reality of the man may be very different. In this episode, Robin introduces you to a man whose legend may be darker that you realize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Great Chicago Fire of of 1871 in infamous, but on that same October night infernos spread throughout much of the midwest killing thousands. Many factors such as weather and wooden structures led to the fire's ability to spread. But in one town, all contact with the outside world was cut off as a town burned to the ground; taking men, women, children and animals along with it. In this episode, Jen will tell you the tragic tale of the Night the Midwest Burned.  Check out our website for links to our Patreon and our Shopify store! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices