Best Brady Carlson Podcasts (2024)

1
The Black Dog That Helped Inspire Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” 3:01

39m ago3:01

3:01

Today in 1971, the release of the fourth Led Zeppelin album. The opening track, "Black Dog," still gets played and shared today, and it got its name from a very unusual visitor to the studio. Plus: in 2023, a researcher came across the original version of the photo on the Zeppelin album's cover, the one with the older man carrying a big bundle of s…

1
657 Boulevard 45:09

40m ago45:09

45:09

Ghost Furnace Episode 100 - "657 Boulevard" In this episode we take a look back on the last few weeks before getting into the strange case of the Watcher of Westfield NJ. Was it a disturbed neighbor, a prank, a ploy, or something more strange yet? If you're not familiar with this case at all yet, we can recommend the article linked below. This case…

1
When Theodore Roosevelt Got A Full Term As President, He Also Got Two Ostriches 3:04

2h ago3:04

3:04

On Election Day 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt won 56 percent of the popular vote, a huge majority in the Electoral College, and two ostriches. No, really. Plus: starting tomorrow near Haines, Alaska, it’s the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival. In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt Won a Presidential Election…And a Pair of Ostriches (Smithsonian) Alaska Bald Ea…

1
New York City Cabs Used To Have Celebrities Remind Passengers To Buckle Up 3:08

1h ago3:08

3:08

Today is apparently National Taxi Day, which means we get to talk about a program in New York City where they got some very famous voices to give safety tips for taxi riders. Plus: this Saturday in Las Vegas, Major League Eating presents its Hotcake Eating Championships. ⁠A Celebrity in Every Taxi⁠ (Ironic Sans) ⁠NORMS Las Vegas: Hotcake Eating Cha…

1
Hartford Election Cake Is An Old-School Way To Eat Your Way Through A Campaign 3:13

2d ago3:13

3:13

Whatever you're feeling on this Election Day, you might enjoy a slice of an old-school election cake many Americans used to serve when it was time to vote. Plus: this week in Pelion, South Carolina, it's the Pelion Peanut Party. When Elections in Hartford Were a Piece of Cake (Connecticut History) Pelion Peanut Party Vote for Cool Weird Awesome as …

1
The Easy-Bake Oven Has Put Kids At The Forefront Of Lightbulb-Based Cooking For Decades 3:25

16h ago3:25

3:25

Happy National Easy Bake Oven Day! It was today in 1963 that kids could start baking by lightbulb thanks to these colorful little toy appliances. We'll explain how it all came together. Plus: today is National Candy Day, so probably a good time to visit the online Candy Wrapper Museum. The Untold History of the Easy Bake Oven (Gizmodo) Take a Peek …

1
Pan de Muerto Is The Day of the Dead’s Signature Bread 3:00

3h ago3:00

3:00

For el Dia de los Muertos, the living honor loved ones who have passed on with music, dancing, elaborate decorations and food, including what's known as pan de muerto, the bread of the dead. Plus: tomorrow at the Nashville Farmers Market, it’s the annual Turnip Green Festival. San Antonio bakers explain pan de muerto's importance during Day of the …

1
Charlie Brown’s TV Neighbors Gave Him Rocks For Halloween, But Real People Sent Him Candy 3:33

39m ago3:33

3:33

Halloween didn't turn out so great for the title character of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” But that led viewers to do something nice for him afterward. Plus: if you happen to be in Caracas, Venezuela, on this Halloween, keep an eye out for a spot known as the "Balcony of the Dolls." Charlie Brown’s Halloween Miracle (Now I Know) Creepy …

1
John Adams And Ben Franklin Shared A Room Once And Spent The Night Arguing About The Window 3:23

8h ago3:23

3:23

Today in 1735, the birthday of John Adams, the only president who ever spent a night bickering in bed with Benjamin Franklin. Plus: starting tomorrow in Kansas City, it's the World Series of Barbecue. That Time Ben Franklin Slept in the Same Bed With John Adams (Entrepreneur) World Series of Barbecue Help this podcast stay independent as a backer o…

1
Karolina Olsson, “The Sleeper of Oknö,” Woke Up After 32 Years In Bed 3:30

1d ago3:30

3:30

Today in 1861, the birthday of a woman with a very strange story. For reasons that aren’t at all clear, Karolina Olsson went to bed as a 14 year old and apparently didn’t wake up until she was in her forties. Plus: someone marked Halloween by playing keyboards in a New York subway station dressed up as Michael Myers. To this day, the questions rema…

1
The “Logan Bar” Was Not-So-Sweet Chocolate And That’s Just How The US Military Wanted It 3:22

2d ago3:22

3:22

For National Chocolate Day, the story of a World War II-era chocolate bar that wasn't too sweet, and that’s exactly how it was supposed to be. Plus: there was a couple who had a zombie-themed wedding at a bar in Little Rock, Arkansas back in the 2000s. How Hershey’s Chocolate Helped Power Allied Troops During WWII (History.com) Wild days at White W…

1
We need ghosts, we can't recon without them: Tim Grieve-Carlson on Shoemaker 1:04:01

13d ago1:04:01

1:04:01

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 99 "We need ghosts, we can't recon without them: Tim Grieve-Carlson on Shoemaker" On this episode, we speak with local author, professor and folklorist Timothy Grieve-Carlson about one of our long-time subjects, Henry W. Shoemaker. Shoemaker was Pennsylvania's first state Folklorist, prolific author and preservationist w…

1
A Town In Colorado Holds Coffin Races 3:10

11d ago3:10

3:10

Starting tomorrow in Manitou Springs, Colorado, it’s an event known as the Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival. And oh man, does the story of Emma Crawford and her coffin take some explaining. Plus: today in 1964, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall recovered a fumble and took off toward the end zone... just not his team's end zone. Em…

1
Norwood, Ontario Had A Water Tower That Looked Like A Crushed Can 3:13

7d ago3:13

3:13

Today in 1957, the water tower in Norwood, Ontario, which looked like a big can of soda or beer, suddenly looked like a big crushed can of soda or beer. We'll explain why. Plus: starting Saturday at Coarsegold Historic Village, near Yosemite National Park, it’s the Coarsegold Tarantula Awareness Festival. Norwood: Norwood once had a crushed beer ca…

1
William Lyttle, The “Mole Man” Who Dug Tunnels Around His London Home 3:24

7d ago3:24

3:24

My chemistry teacher called today Mole Day, and while this story doesn't have much chemistry in it, it does have a mole: a Londoner called William Lyttle who dug huge tunnels around his place. Plus: ever wanted your clothes to act like a Theremin? A pair of researchers from the Intelligent Instruments develops sound-rich smart fabrics known as "e-t…

1
Scientists Once Trained Rats To Drive Little Cars 3:01

8d ago3:01

3:01

Today in 2019, New Scientist published a study that trained rats to maneuver little cars around to find Froot Loops. Plus: now underway at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, it's Spooky Fest. ⁠Scientists have trained rats to drive tiny cars to collect food⁠ (New Scientist) ⁠Spooky Fest⁠ (Dietrich Theater) ⁠Drive on over to our Patre…

1
William A. Mitchell, The King Of Space Age Snacks 3:12

9d ago3:12

3:12

Today in 1911, the birthday of William A. Mitchell, a food inventor whose name might not ring a bell but whose creations - including Pop Rocks, Cool Whip and Tang - are unforgettable. Plus: today in 1905, a story in the Clinton Mirror newspaper with an odd headline: “Man Was Mailed.” The Scientist Behind Some of Our Favorite Junk Foods (Smithsonian…

1
Ghost Lites No.6 Brady's Run Redux 27:39

13d ago27:39

27:39

The Ghost Furnace - Ghost Lites No.6 Brady's Run Redux In response to the last episodes EVP's, we wanted to look at them again through a lens quite a few listeners had suggested. Like many historic sets of evidence in the paranormal, the Sierra sounds are polarizing. You can find examples from the author online, we don't have them linked here for c…

1
Flag Week: It’s Not Just A Giant American Flag, It’s Superflag 2:59

12d ago2:59

2:59

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about flags and those who fly them. In this episode from June 2021, the story of Superflag, a 505 foot long, 255 foot tall American flag that was once flown over Hoover Dam (because they don't make flagpoles that large). Plus: a study finds people can learn and effectively use click-based echo…

1
Flag Week: Benny Benson, The 13 Year Old Who Designed Alaska’s Flag 2:59

13d ago2:59

2:59

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about flags and those who fly them. In this episode from July 2021, the story of how the flag of Alaska, was designed by a 13 year old. Plus: pastry lovers in Maine mark an important moment in the history of fried dough. Benny Benson: An Alaska Kid Who Made History (Alaska Historical Society) …

1
Flag Week: Bob Heft Designed The 50-Star U.S. Flag In High School 3:10

14d ago3:10

3:10

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about flags and those who fly them. In this episode from January 2022, the story of Bob Heft, who, as a high school student in Ohio, designed the first flag representing 50 states. Plus: there was once an effort to make a biopic about Edgar Allan Poe starring none other than Sylvester Stallone…

1
Flag Week: The Star-Spangled Banner That Inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner” 3:56

15d ago3:56

3:56

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about flags and those who fly them. In this episode from June 2023, the story of the American flag that led to the writing of what is now our national anthem. Plus: the community of Pocatello, Idaho raised a new flag in 2017 after old flag was named the ugliest in the country. The Star-Spangle…

1
Flag Week: Betsy Ross May Not Have Made The First Flag, But She Really Did Make Flags 4:09

16d ago4:09

4:09

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about flags and those who fly them. In this episode from January 2023, the story of Betsy Ross, whose backstory is pretty interesting even if it didn't go quite how the legends tell it. Plus: a village in Austria with an expletive for its name makes a big change. Betsy Ross likely didn’t sew t…

1
Fear Daily - Night Hunting | The Day it Didn't Rain 25:01

17d ago25:01

25:01

Fear Daily - Night Hunting | The Day it Didn't Rain This week we wanted to share with you an episode from our friend's new podcast called Fear Daily. This show is written by Brennan Storr, creator of The Ghost Story Guys who we had on a few weeks back, and hosted by Brandon Schexnayder, creator of Southern Gothic. Both shows you should check out as…

1
Could Smart Tech And Music Playlists Help People Stay Sober? 3:04

19d ago3:04

3:04

There’s a new experiment underway that’s going to see whether music playlists and some stress-sensing technology can help people who are trying to stay sober. Plus: why Marshall, Texas named its annual community festival after fire ants. Studying music and technology to reduce stress, alcohol relapse (Washington State University) FireAnt Festival K…

1
Ed Wood, The Filmmaker Who Made The Best Worst Movies Ever 3:27

20d ago3:27

3:27

One hundred years ago today, the birthday of the man that has long been celebrated as the worst movie director of all time, so bad that some people actually love his movies: Ed Wood. Plus: starting Saturday at the Sunday River resort in Maine, it’s the North American Wife Carrying Championship. Ed Wood, Jr. Centennial: An American Cinematheque Retr…

1
The Great Naha Tug of War Gets Thousands Of People Pulling And Partying 3:01

21d ago3:01

3:01

This Sunday on Okinawa in Japan, it’s an event on a grand scale: the Naha Great Tug of War, with thousands of people pulling a 200 meter long rope. Plus: researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a more eco-friendly lithium-ion battery that uses acids from foods and wine. Naha Tug of War Booze to battery: Wine powers new energ…

1
Somebody Put A Big Pumpkin Way Up On Top Of A Cornell University Tower 3:28

22d ago3:28

3:28

Today in 1997, a very gourd day on the campus of Cornell University: people found a very large pumpkin on top of McGraw Tower, 173 feet in the air. Plus: this Sunday, in Austin, Texas, it’s Quesoff. HOW THE PUMPKIN GOT ON THE TOWER (Cornell Sun via Archive.org) Quesoff Help our show keep climbing as a backer on Patreon --- Support this podcast: htt…

1
The New York Times Used To Have A Period In Its Logo 3:11

1M ago3:11

3:11

Welcome to National Newspaper Week. The newspaper business has changed a lot since the peak of print, like how the New York Times took a very small but important punctuation mark out of its logo. Plus: there's now a luggage set you can buy where the cases are shaped like LEGO. The Daily Heller: The Designer Who Put a Full Stop to the Period! (Print…

1
EVPs of Brady's Run 33:27

1M ago33:27

33:27

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 97 "EVPs of Brady's Run" In this episode we look at two evps (electronic voice phenomena), which we submitted by a friend and listener. These were captured unintentionally, and were not heard aloud at the time. Which put them into a curious category. We talk about these pieces of evidence in relation to other evps we've …

1
Sputnik Kicked Off The Space Age, And Also Gave Us The Word “Beatnik” 3:30

26d ago3:30

3:30

Today in 1957, Sputnik because the world’s first artificial satellite. This changed the world around us in countless ways, including one that doesn’t get a lot of attention: it gave the English language a brand new word. Plus: today in 1992, two Toronto Blue Jays stars pranked their rookie teammate by pretending to give away his car on Fan Apprecia…

1
Even The Inventor Of Inline Skates Crashed Once In A While 3:12

27d ago3:12

3:12

It's National Roller Skating Month, and we’re going all the way back to the guy who created the first skates. It's a little reassuring that even he had trouble rolling along like the rest of us. Plus: Starting tomorrow in Massachusetts, it’s SandwichFest. The History of Roller Skating (HowStuffWorks) Sandwich Fest Help keep our show rolling as a su…

1
The History Of Margarine Hasn’t Always Been Smooth 3:03

1M ago3:03

3:03

Today in 1869, inventor Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès received the French patent for margarine. The butter substitute is used around the world today, though for a while it was banned in parts of the US. Plus: an explorer accidentally drops his GoPro off the side of a cruise ship and ends up with a kind of candid camera for sea life. This week in science h…

1
The New York Earth Room Is An Apartment Filled With Dirt, For Art’s Sake 3:34

29d ago3:34

3:34

Today in 1935, the birthday of Walter De Maria, an artist behind one of the most unusual art installations you’ll ever come across: a loft in New York that he filled with dirt. Plus: the Morris Arboretum and Gardens at the University of Pennsylvania is now home to an immersive audio installation by artist Richard Hamilton. Inside The SoHo Apartment…

1
Barry Marshall Pinpointed The Cause Of Most Ulcers By Giving Himself One 3:13

1M ago3:13

3:13

Today in 1951, the birth of Barry Marshall, a Nobel Prize winning doctor who, while working with colleague Robin Warren, proved what was behind most ulcers by giving himself an ulcer. Plus: an 11 year old in England saves an engraving from the dumpster that turns out to be pretty important. The Doctor Who Drank Infectious Broth, Gave Himself an Ulc…

1
Rabbit Show Jumping Might Be The Most Adorable Sport 3:01

1M ago3:01

3:01

Tomorrow is International Rabbit Day, so today we’re going to celebrate the real and very cute sport known as rabbit show jumping. Plus: starting tomorrow in Nevada, it’s the Genoa Candy Dance, a fundraiser with a long and electric history. Rabbit, Run Is an Exhortation Oft Heard in England Now (Wall Street Journal) Genoa Candy Dance Hop on over to…

1
In Iceland, People Help Baby Puffins By Throwing Them Off Cliffs 3:05

1M ago3:05

3:05

Around this time of year, volunteers on the Westman Islands, off Iceland's southern coast, are on puffling patrol, trying to help lost baby puffins get to sea by tossing them off cliffs. As one does. Plus: starting this Sunday, it's the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival. Why it's perfectly normal to see baby puffins thrown off cliffs in Iceland eac…

1
Keeping Mold From Growing On Space Stations Takes Extra Effort, But It’s Worth It 3:12

1M ago3:12

3:12

Astronauts who live and work on space stations have to make sure to clean every last spot in their quarters, partly to keep big balls of moldy goo from growing! There's research underway to help keep the microbes from moving in. Plus: starting tomorrow in Kingwood, West Virginia, it’s the Preston County Buckwheat Festival. Keeping mold out of futur…

1
Jimmy Doolittle Proved Pilots Can Fly Completely By Instruments 3:00

1M ago3:00

3:00

Today in 1929, Lieutenant James H. Doolittle did what no other pilot had done before: take off, fly and land only using instruments and radio. Plus: today in 2021, Japan's Narita Airport had to delay a flight because of a turtle on the runway. Flying Blind (Air & Space Forces Magazine) Errant turtle closes runway, delays turtle-themed plane at Japa…

1
The “Space Capsule” On The Roadside Near Winganon, Oklahoma 3:15

1M ago3:15

3:15

Around this time in 2011, two people in Oklahoma gave themselves and their part of the state a very off-the-beaten-path anniversary gift: the Winganon Space Capsule. Plus: ever hear someone call a run-down cafe or bar a “hole in the wall”? There’s a coffee shop in the Philippines that serves drinks through an actual hole in the wall. The Winganon S…

1
Hawk Mountain 45:37

1M ago45:37

45:37

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 96 "Hawk Mountain" We only need to travel a few short miles west of the location of our last episode to get into this week's stories. Hawk Mountain is now a nature sanctuary and one of the best places around to watch migrating birds, hike, appreciate the outdoors, and if you're lucky, you'll see a hatchet wielding ghost …

1
Why Did The Fonz Jump The Shark In The First Place? 3:05

1M ago3:05

3:05

Today in 1977, the first broadcast of the Happy Days episode in which Henry Winkler’s character, The Fonz, jumps over a shark on water skis. "Jumping the shark" is a phrase we use today to talk about shows that get weird and go downhill, but why was Fonz jumping over the shark to begin with? Plus: starting tomorrow in Springfield, Missouri, the Cid…

1
Dean Jones Put On A Cricket Clinic While He Was Sick And Extremely Dehydrated 3:11

1M ago3:11

3:11

Today in 1986, Australian cricketer Dean Jones stepped up during a really important match, literally leaving it all on the field as he played through high heat and humidity, dehydration, exhaustion and illness. Plus: today in 1911, the birthday of author William Golding, whose biggest novel only became a hit after being rejected over and over again…

1
Jim Delligatti, The Father Of The Big Mac 3:08

1M ago3:08

3:08

For National Cheeseburger Day, here’s the story of the guy who brought us one of the world’s most massive and massively popular burgers: Jim Delligatti, the inventor of the Big Mac. Plus: a designer in Belgium, Mathilde Wittock, has come up with a way to upcycle used tennis balls into furniture. Michael "Jim" Delligatti, Big Mac creator, dead at 98…

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