Twisted History 101 Podcast

Do you know the woman that is said to have inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula was named Elizabeth Bathory and she really existed. Come with your favorite history geeks as we unravel the sordid history of one of the most prolific serial killers (allegedly) that ever lived. Blood, betrayal and more are all on deck in this episode.

They came. They stayed. They disappeared. In 1587, 115 colonists vanished without a trace with only a single word left behind as a clue. Join us as we delve into our history's very first unsolved mystery.- The Lost Colony of Roanoke.

On the finale of our reign of terror with Jack The Ripper, please join us as we wrap up the sordid details of this historic crime. Who was Jack The Ripper? Though the case wasn’t solved we do have thoughts on who it could be, and we also delve into the impact of his crimes on society.

Have you ever sat there watching a crazy horror movie and thought...puh-lease, I’d survive that! Especially on Halloween? Well we do too! All the time. But what do our friends think? Well, tune in because finally, Wendy, Waldina, Casey and Patrick are all in the same room and we listed 25 all time classic horror movies and discussed whether we think we would survive them and THEN see what the others thought! Let’s just say, we didn’t all agree! Tune in and HAPPY Halloween!

In episode two we continue with the terrible crimes of Jack the Ripper and explore victims #2 and #3, or Annie Chapman and Elizabeth Stride respectively. His crimes are bloody, daring and continue to confound police and detectives at this time. Don’t miss out on episode 2 of Jack the Ripper and his bloody reign of Terror. 

The Jack The Ripper murders occurred way back in 1888 in London’s East End and although we are talking about over 130 years ago, we are still fascinated by his awful crimes. Maybe it’s because he was never caught. Maybe it’s because he targeted only women in the darkest of nights in the hardest of professions. Maybe it’s because the press never let us forget him...whatever the reason, join your faithful twin sisters as we explore the mystery of Jack the Ripper and discuss his bloody reign of Terror. 

You know how we love a good haunted house...(insert creepy door sound and howling winds!) Grab your rifles and join us as we discuss the Winchester Mystery House and why it's more than just another typical haunted mansion!

Join us as we discuss the genius of Hamilton the musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and why everyone should watch it!

Has 2020 felt a little Apocalyptic to you? Have you stopped and thought...did someone break one of the Seven Seals that means its THE END? Maybe you just don't know anything about the Book of Revelations and one of the most debated biblical chapters ever written by man. Join us as we delve into the history and prophecies of one of the scariest works ever written--The SEVEN SEALS OF THE APOCALYPSE in the Book of Revelations.

Matthew Henson was the first American to stand on top of the North Pole in 1909. He was a skilled sailor, craftsman, linguist, and arctic survivalist. A life that was truly amazing from the very beginning, he weathered harsh conditions (both physical and societal) and with so much against him, Henson and four Inuit teammates managed to plant the stars and stripes at the top of the world. The leader of the expedition, Capt. Peary received the glory back home while Henson’s contributions would take nearly 40 years to be recognized. The role of race in America is threaded in the tapestry of our shared history but Matthew Henson’s story is one of true exceptionalism and triumph in the face of nearly impossible odds. Join Wendy as she takes us through the life and history of this American hero, adventurer, and history maker in our latest episode. Join us as we shine the light of truth on one of the heroes of history who has been buried in the shadows for too long.

An open discussion on race in America and the current climate of protests calling out police brutality, systematic racism, and why Black Lives Matter.

The mere thought of this pest sends your “ick” factor skyrocketing. We know. But rats are more than just diabolical mammals. They are part of our human history in every way, and in some cases, their effect on our species defines whether we live or die. Come with us as Waldina takes us on a rat infested journey starting in NYC and leads us to corners of history.

Music, magic, and mystery surround the life of one of New Orleans' most famous citizens, Marie LaVeau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Did the spirits confide to her everyone's most intimate secrets and make her one of the most powerful players in the Crescent City? Did she really heal the sick and take down her enemies while keeping the wealthiest elite in the palm of her hand? Join us as we delve into the magic and mystery of her life and how she changed the very fabric of New Orleans forever.

Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks, or did she? Join us as we discuss the gruesome murder of Abby and Andrew Borden and how their youngest daughter Lizzie became the prime suspect in their murder investigation. Did the police follow all the clues? Did the prosecution stand a chance with such a circumstantial case?  Or did Lizzie really get away with murder? Take a trip to Fall River with us as we explore the life and infamy of Lizzie Borden and why some nursery rhymes are too creepy to sing out loud. 

The year is 1347 and the black plague decimates all parts of the known world. Join us as Waldina takes us down the dark history of the bubonic plague. Explore the real history of how the very first pandemic almost wiped out all of mankind. Oh, don’t forget the rats!

In part two of our latest Roman episode, Waldina rounds out the countdown of the worst Roman emperors that ever ruled. How much worse can it get? Oh friends...it can get really bad. There’s a reason why Joaquin Phoenix made a certain emperor quite famous. Come hear the conclusion of our countdown and you decide...who’s your #1? 

Because, who doesn’t love a countdown, right? In part one of the TH101 Countdown of the five worst Roman Emperors, Waldina takes us through her top picks that helped to ruin all of Rome. We talk about murder, conspiracy, incest and so much poison! Et Tu Brute? Come tag along for the ride as we explore some of the worst rulers that ever wore a toga.

We are back for Season 2 of the Twisted History 101 Podcast! Did you miss us as much as we missed you? Take a listen to a quick preview of what’s in store this season.

We are back just in time for Christmas as the TH101 crew takes on the legend of the Krampus! Learn all about it's origins and how it is observed still to this day!

In part two of our Haunted America series, Wendy will take us to the Hotel that inspired one of Stephen King's most famous works! Is the Stanley Hotel as haunted as the Overlook Hotel that we know so well? Only one way to find out! Check in if you dare.

In the final installment of our Haunted America series, Wendy takes us to one of the most haunted places in America. Its sordid history is only one part of the history of Pennhurst Asylum. There's a lot to be scared of, but if you joined is for parts one and two, you gotta finish the trilogy and take a listen to the last part of our travels.

In part one of our Haunted America series, Wendy will take you to one of the most haunted places in the United States: The Missouri State Penitentiary that today not only gives guided tours, but also gives ghost tours! And for good reason. Let’s explore why this prison, that’s almost 170 years old gives people the heebie jeebies when they go visit it.  And after you listen, let us know if YOU would dare spend the night there.

The legend and the curse of La Llorona has been scaring generations of people from Mexico, Central and South America for generations. It hasn’t been until recently that a whole new audience has learned about La Llorona and why she keeps us up late at night. But...do you know who she really was? Let Waldina take you down her legend and her curse and who she might really have been.

As always in our after party sessions, it’s a no holds barred taken on what we just learned wrapping up the Salem Witch Trials trilogy!

The trifecta is completed, as Wendy goes into detail about the after effects of the witch trials. Find out the repercussions and if any long-lasting curses that may have fallen upon all of those involved!

As always in our after party sessions, it’s a no holds barred taken on what we just learned! 

Waldina breaks down what really went on in that infamous house that we all know and love! Countless people have weighed in on the Lutz family story on television, documentaries and the blackhole that is the internet. Was it all a hoax? Or was the house possessed by some kind of malignant force hell bent on destroying two different families? Come join Wendy, Waldina and Patrick and find out the truth!

In part two, Wendy leads us back down the rabbit hole to pick up where we left off in Salem Village where they were fast running out of space in the jails for all of the accused witches. 

As always, join Wendy, Waldina, Casey and Patrick in diving a little deeper into our personal views on the lesson we just had. We explore our opinions without having to break the flow of continuity of an episode. How do we really feel about what was going on? We let it all hang out! 

In the first part of our Salem Witch Trials series, Wendy helps set the stage for one of our favorite topics! Witches!!! In this episode, we begin to explore the beginning of one of the most insane times in our history, the infamous Salem Witch trials. A time when young girls and women pointed the finger at neighbors over 300 years ago. How do regular people get swept up in a madness that left 20 people dead and hundreds of others effected? Come find out!

A summary of why we have this podcast and who we are. What is it about history that keeps us riveted and why do we sometimes find it boring? Can we change that narrative? We think so! Come take a listen and see why we started this podcast. Wendy and Waldina are twins, born and raised in New York. See if you can guess who is who!

Part two of our Nikola Tesla journey, we pick up where we left off in his amazing life. Nikola Tesla is on the rise and Thomas Edison is not. But how does it all go so wrong for Tesla? What happens in his life that makes him practically written out of history until a new car company brings his name back into the public sphere and reminds all of us that without Tesla, we would have a much dimmer world. Waldina wraps up the story of Nikola Tesla and hopes you look at your phone, GPS, or Spotify list a little differently.

Episode # 8 is the second part of the saga that is the Queens of King Henry VIII. We pick up where we left off and Waldina continues taking us through wives 2 - 6. How did each wife meet her fate after wedding Henry, and what became of their lasting legacy? Can love nurtured in the most deceptive of ways really bring you happiness? Let’s explore that question by looking at this sordid piece of history.

Join Waldina, Wendy and Casey as we wrap up our opinions on Henry and his Queens. How do we all feel about this whole thing. Who are we sad for and who do we think was crazy as a Madhatter! How do we feel knowing the full story? 

In part one, we celebrate the QUEENS of King Henry VIII. Waldina  breaks down who Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was and how did Anne Boleyn insinuate herself into Henry’s heart and English history, ultimately becoming his second wife and Queen of England. We start at the beginning and the fact that Henry was never meant to be king but a series of events leads European history down an amazingly sordid and scandalous path. 

Wendy, Waldina and Casey break down the craziness after episode #6 and the craziness of Henry VIII. This is rated E for explicit since its a no holds barred conversation based on opinion and a LOT of judgement. We’re pretty judgy but more than a little funny about it,too. Come join the after party and listen to what we have to say when the mic just runs! 

In part two of our Cobs and Robbers series we find out about America’s most famous (and infamous) sweethearts--Bonnie and Clyde. Where did they meet? How did they fall in love and what was their romance really like? Who were these two Depression era criminal lovebirds who still capture our imaginations to this day? Wendy takes us down this path in our American History to learn more about the original Ride-or-Die couple we still can’t get enough of today. 

In the first of our Cops and Robbers series, we explore the Indiana Bad Boy, John Dillinger! Why did he capture America’s hearts during the Depression era? Why was he cheered and even celebrated as an infamous bank robber?  How did his life of crime start and how did he single handedly change the narrative of the modern american criminal. Wendy takes the helm in telling the story of this famous and captivating Public Enemy.

In an exciting time full of marvel, Nikola Tesla was probably the most marvelous of them all. A man who thought before his time, he could envision the world that we live in today. This is the first of a two-part series where we introduce you to Tesla, the man, the innovator, the inventor that changed the world and at the same time, vexed Thomas Edison. A man who believed in a limitless world and almost beat Thomas Edison trying to prove it.