If at first you don't succeed, try, try again...OR maybe you've just failed productively? Social Media Darling, Sarah Whittle joins us to share a hilarious history of items invented by accident and we even discuss a few brilliant inventions of our own devising. So listen to this episode and steal our ideas! Our guest, Sarah Whittle Spelling Bee-kin…

More Scottish history than your body can handle! Jk, it is a lot, but we believe in you. Michael Nardone is here to shower us with oodles of fun Fife facts and historical anecdotes inspired by myths, stories from Grandpa, and his own one-man historical and musical show: A Dram O'History. Our lovely guest, Michael Nardone Map of The Kingdom of Fife …

What does hockey's first organized league and a colony of creative rabbits have in common? One was black, one was white, but both buck expectations and deserve some overdue recognition for being really freaking good in their fields. Listen and learn about The Colored Hockey League and The White Rabbits (women sculptors) of the 1893 Chicago World's …

What the networks deem "newsworthy" barely scratches the surface of what it means to be a nation at war, a community at war, a civilian at war. Cultural anthropologist Dr. Greta Uehling joins us to provide a window into life for noncombatant civilians in Ukraine looks like during the current conflict, and the humor and humanity that gets them throu…

Today we're talking about two ladies who've got rhythm and music: black singer, composer and music critic, Nora Holt; and fierce beast of falmenco, Carmen Amaya. Nora Holt Carmen Amaya ⁠⁠⁠Complete citations on our website.⁠⁠⁠ SOCIALS: Follow Shared History at @SharedPod on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, @SharedHistory on ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@sharedhistorypod on Mastad…

As we explore overlooked figures from history, we often find ourselves shouting about how these folks should have been celebrities, either in their time or in history books. But this week we're taking a step further back to examine the history of celebrity itself. And who better to lead us on that journey than former managing editor of People and M…

Remember when every TV show had a musical episode? Ring in the 100th episode of Shared History with the sweat and style of the history of house music and Chicago's notorious and naughty Everleigh club PLUS original and fully improvised songs courtesy of some of our very talented friends: the Then This Happened Podcast, S6 finale guest Alex DiVirgil…

Nobody puts Baby in the corner and nobody makes Merton Clivette pick a lane. Author and indie publisher, Michael MacBride, regales us with tales of painter, magician, writer and more Merton Clivette, aka Clivette the Great, aka The Man in Black, aka The Mysterious Strange. Join us to learn about all things Clivette and how/why MacBride found himsel…

Finally, more people are talking about Scythia and, of course, Chicago! And by more people, we mean us. Listen and learn about Persian-crushing Queen, Tomyris of Scythia and vinyl-crushing mayhem, Disco Demolition Night of Chicago 1979. Handy map of Scythians during Tomyris' time Tomyris straight dunking Cyrus' head 1979 coverage of disco demolitio…

We’re starting this season off with a bang…or at least Natalie is, as she traumatizes Cass with a harrowing tale from Chicago history: The Wingfoot Air Express Disaster before Cass shares the fashion and racism behind the Zoot Suit Riots. Wingfoot Express Leaving Grant Park Inside bank after crash Diagram of crash Composite illustration of wingfoot…

In this incredibly sincere and well-researched bonus minisode, we read a note from the mailbag, explore a magical neighborhood in Wisconsin, and answer the question: "what if Nat & Cass commit to a bit for ~24 minutes?". We want to shout out our listener Melanie who sent in this request and probably didn't expect this. See y'all for Shared History …

This week, it's personal. Mark Bonnar joins to share with us the history of Scottish New Towns -- more specifically, the art of Scottish New Towns and his father's art in Glenrothes during his tenure as a Town Artist in particular. What follows is a heartfelt and hilarious discussion on public art and the importance of art to the human psyche as a …

It's the season 6 finale and that calls for our signature silly finale tradition of a waterfall episode...although this time our comedy guest, Alex DiVirgilio, took that extra literally. That's right, join us for a barrel of laughs as we discuss the history of Niagara Falls! More on Alex Alex DiVirgilio is an improviser, musician and shaper of youn…

UK history is rife with excuses to keep a boot on the neck of Scotland, our guest this week is shedding some light on one of the go-to anecdotes on Scotland’s so-called failure to launch. This week, we’re joined by Andy Clark and we’re chatting about the oft bemoaned Darien Scheme. Our lovely guest, Andy Gulf of Darien map (see dotted area) William…

Everyone knows there is nothing cooler than sweet tats and sick dragons, so in this week's episode we're bringing you both. Cass takes us to the Philippines to school us in the Kalinga art of the batok tattoo, and then Nat takes us on a whirlwind adventure to prove once and for all that dragons are real. Whang-od Whang-od at work St. George and the…

History favors the male. Or, more specifically, the way history has been recorded and taught favors the male. Nalini Chetty joins us this week to set us to rights and discuss some of the women of Scottish history who have been left out of the narrative, from Margaret Bulkley to Maggie Dickson (we promise they aren't all named Margaret) we're having…

We're taking beer back to it's roots, literally, with a not-so-hoppy history lesson from our friend Nia Ryan at Herbiery. Join us as we talk about the history of hops, the proven potential of hop-free beers, and what Queering Beer means to us. Learn more about Herbiery and where to find their delicious beers at Herbiery.com And look out for their t…

Alright mah quines n loons, grab a pear and a chair and tune your ears north to Aberdeen for a lesson in the Doric language/'dialect' from our pal Ian Pirie. Our lovely guest, Ian Ian kilted up Aesops Fables in Doric A lil doric guide to weather The Malt Whisky Trail More on Ian: Ian Pirie is a Scottish actor known for a whole lot of amazing work, …

Same topic, different person. It finally almost happened. Cass and Nat come in hot with ALMOST THE EXACT SAME TOPIC. Join us as we learn about Eleanor Marx and Edith Nesbit, two feminist, socialist organizers in mid-to-late 19th century London. Eleanor Marx Edith Nesbit Edward Aveling Hubert Bland The Railway Children, first edition Miss Marx movie…

From the history to the future of the fabric, this week we talk tartan and the paradox of tartan with Clare Campbell, mastermind behind Prickly Thistle, Scotland’s 1st ever B Corp Mill. NOTE: The audio quality on some of this is less than ideal, thank you for bearing with us and we hope you enjoy the episode despite the wobbles. Our lovely guest, C…

If Tom Cruise is involved, it's wrong. That's one of many lessons we take away from this week's episode on samurai women warriors, or the onna-bugeisha, with Tehya from For The Love of History Podcast. Listen to Tehya's podcast here. Tomoe Gozen Woodblock printing of a warrior woman (Utagawa Kuniyoshi) Woman dressed as Tomoe Gozen at festival Ishi-…

They say you shouldn't meet your heroes, but this week's guest was pleased to discover the real Rob Roy was as magnificent as the movie made him out to be. Join Adam, Nat and Stuart Martin on a trip back to the lowland/highland border for a bit of cattle thievery and blackmail (or as it's known in Gaelic: mal dhu) Our lovely guest, Stuart Proof of …

Coming up with new nicknames is an art form, and this episode is chocked full of art. Cass teaches us all about composer, conductor and family man Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (not to be confused with Samuel Taylor Coleridge). And while they may not have been lauded a fine art in their time, Nat's topic of Dime Novels (or Penny Dreadfuls) are responsibl…

We ran the numbers and if you NepTUNE in this week and you can bet Uranus that you'll have a good time. We're learning about mathematician, astronomer and 10 pound note model Mary Somerville from actor, musician, friend-of-the-pod and 'Honorary Scot': Tyler Collins. Our lovely guest, Tyler Collins Tyler as a toilet in Scots Mary Somerville, self po…

...because he was kind of a d*ck. We're joined by motion designer and co-host of the Cartoon Feelings podcast, Caitlin Cadieux to examine some of the less than ideal labor practices of Walt Disney and his studios. Listen to Cartoon Feelings here. Cait is hosting an online event TOMORROW, Wednesday 11/2: info here More on Caitlin Caitlin Cadieux is …

Murder! Intrigue! A Naked Bum! We're examining the murder of Lord Darnley. After first regretting and then rejoicing in his decision to be on this podcast in the first place, Grant O'Rourke makes his debut as the official history via public transit liaison for Edinburgh. Sexy Scottish Actor, Grant O'Rourke (as promised) 1567 drawing of Lord Darnley…

Sometimes there is nothing scarier than reality. So, in this edition of Scared History, Nat & Cass is keeping things close to home with a very real local (Chicago) murder and Cass is bombarding us with scary tales of Nature. Chicago Reader headline/illustration on Ruthie McCoy murder The Death of Alexander, 323 bce Lake Nyos limnic eruption Lake Ny…

Welcome back for more Under the Kilt action! To kick things off we've got a tidy list of ladies who weren't afraid to make a mess. Outlander's Joanne Thomson joins to sing the praises of some of Scotland's fiercest suffragettes. Our Guest Joanne Thomson! Joanne as Amy McCallum, Outlander Joanne as Mary Leigh, Suffragettes Joanne in The Strange Undo…

Once the second most recognizable brand in the world after Coca-Cola, Pan Am is and was more than an airline. Historian and host of The Pan Am Podcast, Tom Betti, takes us on a journey through historical firsts, fashions and tragedies that all tie back to the innovative, iconic and inspiring: Pan American Airlines. Our Guest, Tom Betti The Pan Am M…

We're back, pals! Everybody climb back under the kilt for more tales of lesser-known Scottish history starting October 20, 2022! This season we're bringing you science, fashion, explorers, state sanctioned torture, murder, intrigue, and so much more all told by a whole new batch of amazing guests. Be sure to subscribe, rate and review, and, of cour…

Cass tells us the 1850 BCE Egyptian story of "The Eloquent Peasant" and Natalie opens up the crock of lies about the danger of poisons in the royal court. Sources: editorialinc, JSTOR, Medicina Antiqua, Complete citations on our website. SOCIALS: Follow Shared History at @SharedPod on Twitter & Instagram SUPPORT: Support us on Patreon or Buy us a "…

This week we're all over the map but also right at home as Dr. Natalia Molina schools us on the historical and everyday impact of immigrants and the all-around importance of big H history and little h history. From community touchstones to your textbooks, the immigrant story is our story. Our Guest Natalia Molina Natalia's latest book: A Place at t…

The women in today's episode saw a need and crafted their own solutions to fill it. First we've got the 10th century canoness Hrotsvitha bringing theatre back to the western world with "clean" new plays, and then we've got Myers and Briggs themselves -- Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs -- offering a more nuanced, introspective look int…

Lard almighty, this week we're joined by King of Kings, Brian King, for a most delectable and distractable episode for you. Make yourself a snack and get lost in the nostalgia as we explore the history of the greatest treat there ever was: The Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich. And once you've unstuck the bread from the roof of your mouth, feel free t…

If you're wondering where to find fantastic beasts, may we suggest The Great Emu War of 1932 and The Hippo Bill of 1910. Cass and Nat both coincidentally bring tales from the animal kingdom this week showcasing the failure of the Australian army to defeat the pesky Emus and the failure of American congress to pass a bill that would've filled our na…

We don't know how it took us 6 seasons but we're joined by our unofficial podcast twins, the Hashtag History podcast!!! Leah and Rachel join the fray today to discuss eugenics and the forced sterilization of thousands of Latinas in California throughout the 20th century. There is also a fair amount of Natalie bullying. Hashtag History covered this …

The title says it all. Nat and Cass are kicking off Season 6 with a lot of heavy sighs and rolled eyes as we explore the history of Abortion rights and Gay rights in America. In Defense of Witches (Nat’s book rec) Zach Wahls Speaks About Family (Iowa Gay Marriage Hearings) Henry Gerber The Society for Human Rights Cert. Henry Gerber House Landmark …

Step right up and try your luck in our grand season finale about the history of amusement parks! We're joined by Chicago comedian Rob Grabowski as we jump all the lines, eat all the sweets, get handsy in the dark rides and take a stroll through the pleasure gardens. Bartholomew Fair illustrated (1808) Advertisement for a puppet show at Bartholomew …

We aren't gonna sugar coat it: this episode is about a genocide. Nat teaches us about Stalin's secret genocide of the Ukrainian people: Holodomor. But don't worry, Cass lightens the mood with a lovely mini-history of accents in America and this is an Erik Singer fancast now. SOURCES: Holodomor: Britannica, holodomor.ca, vlogbrothers, foundation for…

Is this a podcast potluck because our guest Dr. Ellen Schrecker brought us a buffet of tasty historical treats this week. Join us as we discuss her explore how America's unjust involvement in Vietnam and the Black Power and Civil Rights Movement forever changed the landscape and trajectory of the American higher education system. Then learn even mo…

Everything you've ever been told about sleep is wrong. Take it from Cass, she's now a sleep history expert* teaching us all about biphasic and polyphasic sleep and how, of course, capitalism has ruined the party again. Then, Nat introduces us to Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai who made an economical and ecological impact one tree at a time. (*no she…

The devil didn’t make us invite DJ and filmmaker Jason Deuchler (aka DJ Intel) on the podcast this week, but after this overview of the Satanic Panic and glowing endorsement of the modern church of Satanism’s good work…he won’t be disappointed. But no one made Cass tell us about the WWII pet cull and we will all be disappointed. The Satan Seller by…

In honor of her would-be 100th birthday, we're celebrating the life and legacy of the incomparable Betty White. This woman not only lived through a lot of history, she made her fair share as well. Betty on Life with Elizabeth Running the GD show On Password With Allen Ludden on their wedding day As Sue Anne Nevins on Mary Tyler Moore Collecting Emm…

History podcast team-up time! We're joined by the brilliant hosts of Beyond Reproach: Stephanie Domingo and Tux Loerzel! They're here to tell us the not-so-uplifting and frustratingly still relevant story of Buck v. Bell and the history of eugenics and forced sterilization in the United States. Buck v. Bell Historical Marker Carrie & Emma Buck Euge…

Come with us on a historical stroll down Tokaido Road in Japan and then, once you've worked up an appetite, you can munch on the tasty history of Chinese food in America. The five ancient highways in Japan The 53 Stations of the Tokaido map Tokaido Board Game The Shank's Mare (novel about a journey along the Tokaido) One print from The 53 Stations …

Happy Haggis-days--err--Happy Holidays! Join Nat, Adam and Kathleen for this Very Scottish Holiday Special where we ask Adam the hard hitting questions like: What is a Hogmanay? What are the weight classes for Boxing Day? And is Die Hard a Xmas movie? (Spoiler alert: it is.) In this bonus episode, we are exploring Scottish holiday traditions, BUT i…

Who better to tell the tale of the Leif Eriksson saga than the Norse Adventurer himself? Or at least an actor who played him: Thor Knai. Set sail with us on an exploration of Leif the Lucky and his whole family: most notably his sister Freydis and his old man Erik the Red. Thor at Leif in Legends of Tomorrow Leif & Freydis in Legends Leif Eriksson …

Whether you've sacked and plundered ancient artifacts or turned on your country, just take responsibility for your own actions! That's our take away from today's episode exploring the civilization and Bronzes of Benin and WWII triple agent Mathilde Carre aka Victoire aka La Chatte. Statue of Asoro, general who couldn't look over his shoulder when o…

Movies are a man's industry, except when you consider that Hollywood was essentially built by women. Author, screenwriter and Hollywood history super-nerd, Claire S. Duffy joins to chat about the women who made the movies, and then men and code that wrote them out of the final edit of history. From Mary Pickford and Dorothy Azner to Greta Gabo and …

Let us slip into something a little more...history. From impotence trials and cheating on virginity tests, to a history of self-satisfying sex toys, today we're tempting and teasing you with some sexy history. I mean, come on, it's episode 69. Depiction of impotence trial The Life and Adventures of Miss Fanny Hill Still from 'Hysteria' film In The …