It's the final episode! We have our two last matchups between our runner-ups, Ronald Reagan v. Louis the Pious, and the championship for our grand effer-upper, Emperor Maurice v. Mark Sykes and Francois Georges-Picot. Thanks to all of our listeners! Please check out our other projects: Attack of the Final Girls https://shows.acast.com/attack-of-the…

In this special episode, Theresa and Cody determine the biggest effer upper for 2023, going through the sordid cast of characters from episodes 27-50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Theresa and Cody discuss the final effer upper, John Green, and the cup of Diet Coke that altered the careers of several NBA players. Podcast to recommend: History of Egypt (https://www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com/) Sources Abrams, Jonathan. “The Malice at the Palace.” Grantland. 29 Feb 2012.

On this episode of We Effed Up, Theresa flips the script on Cody and explores the 1996 Mount Everest Disaster. Sources Boukreev, Anatoli. (1997) The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest. New York: St. Martins. Claypole, Jonty (Director); Kunzru, Hari (Presenter) (2003). Mapping Everest (TV Documentary). London: BBC Television. Krakauer, Jon. (1997) I…

Happy Halloween! In this spooky episode, Theresa and Cody discuss the real Dracula, Vlad III of Wallachia, and the night attack that could have toppled an empire. Podcast to recommend: The Hellenistic Age (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/) Sources Florescu, Radu. Dracula, Prince of Many Faces: His Life and Times. London, UK: I’ B. Tauri…

On this episode, Theresa and Cody talk about one of the most infamous restrictions on personal freedoms in the modern era, China’s one-child policy, and the role it will play in China’s future. Podcast to recommend: The Explorers (https://explorerspodcast.com/) Sources Aird, John S. Slaughter of the Innocents: Coercive Birth Control in China. Washi…

On this episode, Theresa and Cody explore how the British and French created the several countries in the Middle East by literally drawing random lines on a map. Podcast to recommend: The Civil War (http://civilwarpodcast.org/) Sources Barr, James. A Line in the Sand: Britain, France, and the Struggles That Shaped the Middle East. New York City, NY…

On this episode, we finally tackle the most overrated politician in American history, Ronald Reagan, and the monumental screw-up that kept a loaded gun to the world’s head up to the present day. Podcast to recommend: The Almost Forgotten (http://almostforgotten.squarespace.com/) Sources Brood, William J. Teller’s War: The Top Secret Story Behind th…

On this episode, Theresa and Cody chip away at the behemoth that is the French Revolution and talk about why running away from your problems isn’t a solution. Podcast to recommend: Age of Napoleon (https://ageofnapoleon.com/) Sources Davidson, Ian. The French Revolution: From Enlightenment to Tyranny. New York City, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2016. Doyl…

On this episode, Theresa and Cody discuss why drinking on the job is frowned upon and the annoying naming conventions of the medieval period as they take on the White Ship disaster. Podcast to recommend: Rejects and Revolutionaries (http://americanhistorypodcast.net/) Bradbury, Jim. Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-53. Stroud, UK: The His…

Yet another in the long line of incompetent Roman Emperors, Honorius, is the subject of today’s episode, as Theresa and Cody make an important announcement about the future of the show. Podcast to recommend: Passed (https://shows.acast.com/passedpod) Sources Bain, Douglas. Alaric the Goth: An Outsider’s History of the Fall of Rome. New York City, N…

On this episode, Theresa and Cody discuss the seizure of the Suez Canal and the inevitable response by the British: the empire strikes back. Podcast to recommend: Lafayette, We Are Here (https://www.lafayettepodcast.com/) Aburish, Said K. Nasser: The Last Arab. New York City, NY: St. Martin’s Press, 2004. Alteras, Isaac. Eisenhower and Israel: U. S…

On this episode, Theresa and Cody talk about the show’s number one recurring topic: military incompetence. And they talk about Jaws, too. Podcast to recommend: Flatpack History of Sweden (https://flatpackhistorysweden.podbean.com/) Sources “Court of Inquiry, Guam, 13 August 1945.” Naval History and Heritage Command.

On this episode, Theresa and Cody discuss yet another instance of a damn fool saying “no” to the Mongol horde. Podcast to recommend: History of Persia (https://historyofpersiapodcast.com/) Sources Atiyeh, George N. & John P. Hayes. The Genius of Arab Civilization. New York City, NY: New York U. Press, 1992. Favereau, Marie. The Horde: How the Mongo…

This week, Theresa and Cody talk about how one man’s improv led to one of the most iconic moments of the 20th century. Podcast to recommend: History of the Germans (https://historyofthegermans.com/) Sources Crozier, Brian. The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Empire. . New York City, NY: Rocklin, CA: Forum, 1999. Dale, Gareth. Popular Protest in East Ge…

On this episode of We Effed Up, Theresa and Cody reminisce about their childhoods as they discuss the first episode about something that happened during their lives: the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Podcast to recommend: History in the Bible (https://www.historyinthebible.com/) Sources “Millions Displaced by U. S. Post-9/11 Wars.” The Co…

On this episode of We Effed Up, Theresa and Cody discuss how a Karen’s need for her tea-set led to one of the biggest intelligence coups of the 20th century. Podcast to recommend: Historium (https://historium.buzzsprout.com/) Sources Duffy, James P. Hitler’s Secret Pirate Fleet: The Deadliest Ships of World War II. Lincoln, NE: U. of Nebraska Press…

Join us for episode 35 of We Effed Up, where we discuss Peacemaker and why you have to give your big gun time to cool off. Podcast recommendation: Age of Victoria (https://ageofvictoriapodcast.com/) Sources Beach, Edward Latimer. The United States Navy: A 200-Year History. New York City, NY: Henry Holt & Co., 1986. Brockmann, R. John. Commodore Rob…

In this episode, we dive headlong into the collapse of imperial China with our first female effer-upper, Empress Dowager Cixi. Podcast to Recommend: The History of China (https://thehistoryofchina.wordpress.com/) Sources Hsu, Immanuel. The Rise of Modern China, 6th ed. Oxford, England: Oxford U. Press, 1999. Kwong, Luke. A Mosaic of the Hundred Day…

After a couple of light-hearted episodes, we dive back into the more horrific side of humanity as we take a look at the Army officer behind Native American boarding schools. Podcast to recommend: Wonders of the World () Sources Adams, David Wallace. Education for Extinction: American Indians and the Boarding School Experienc…

On the 32nd episode, Cody educates Theresa on the fact that baseball curses are an actual thing by citing the most famous example: the Curse of the Bambino. Sources Creamer, Robert W. Babe: The Legend Comes to Life. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1992. Rader, Benjamin G. Baseball: A History of America’s Game. Champaign, IL: U. of Illinois Press, 2…

On the 31st episode, we dip our toes into video game history by talking about the game that killed the console industry in the early 1980s. Sources Brode, Douglas. The Films of Steven Spielberg. New York, NY: Citadel, 1995. “Diggers Find Atari’s E.T. Games in Landfill.” Associated Press, 26 Apr 2014. Retrieved 4 Feb 2023. “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestri…

Join us on a very unique episode of We Effed Up - a whodunit! In this episode, Theresa uses her immense powers of deductive reasoning to determine who the real effer-upper is with regards to the loss of Special Order 191 during the Civil War. Sources “An Invitation to Battle: Special Order 191.” National Park Service, 27 May 2020. Accessed 25 Jan 2…

In the 29th episode, we take a look at a man synonymous with fearmongering and baseless accusations: Joseph McCarthy. Sources Adams, John G. Without Precedent: The Story of the Death of McCarthyism. W. W. Norton & Co., New York, 1983. Belfrage, Cedric. The American Inquisition, 1945-1960: A Profile of the McCarthy Era. Thunder’s Mouth Press, St. Pa…

We’re back! In our 28th episode, we investigate the man who led the horrible English response to the Irish Great Famine and how his actions harmed Ireland, even to this day. Sources Coogan, Tim Pat. The Famine Plot: England’s Role in Ireland’s Greatest Tragedy. St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2012. Donnelly, James. The Great Irish Potato Famine. Sutt…

On our one year anniversary special episode, we look back at the effer-uppers from the past year and crown one as the Effer-Upper of the Year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the 27th episode of We Effed Up, where we examine one of the more macabre eff-ups in history with special guest Bry from Pontifacts. Sources Cummins, Joseph. History’s Great Untold Stories: Obscure Events of Lasting Importance. Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, Australia, 2011. Mann, Horace K. The Lives of the Popes in the Early Middle Ages. Ke…

Welcome to the 26th episode of We Effed Up, where we take a look at how one of the most infamous days in American history could have been avoided if one careless lieutenant had shown a bit more concern. Sources Barnart, Michael. Japan Prepares for Total War: The Search for Economic Security, 1919-1941. Cornell U. Press, Ithaca, NY, 1987. Gilbert, M…

Welcome to the 25th episode of We Effed Up, where we look at how a simple mistake led to the creation of an entire musical genre. Sources Bush, John. “Dub Revolution: The Story of Jamaican Dub Reggae and Its Legacy.” ND. . Degiorgio, Kirk. “The Roots of Dub.” 24 Aug 2018.

Welcome to the 24th episode of “We Effed Up,” where we talk about another blink-and-you’ll-miss-it eff-up that managed to derail the restoration of an empire. Sources Hekster, Olivia. Rome and Its Empire, AD 193-284. Edinburgh U. Press, Edinburgh, 2008. Hijmans, Steven. Sol: The Sun in the Art and Religions of Rome. U. of Groningen Press, Groningen…

Welcome to the 23rd episode of “We Effed Up,” where we continue the never-ending saga of English screwing with Ireland, featuring a familiar villain from the American Revolution. Sources Bew, John. Castlereagh: A Life. Oxford U. Press, Oxford, 2011. Elliot, Marianne. Partners in Revolution: The United Irishmen and France. Yale U. Press, New Haven, …

Welcome to the 22nd episode of We Effed Up, where we examine how one man’s distraction brought down a president. Sources Brown, DeNeen. “’The Post’ and the Forgotten Security Guard Who Discovered the Watergate Break-in.” The Washington Post. 22 Dec 2017. Dean, John. The Nixon Defense: What He Knew and When He Knew It. Viking, New York, 2014. Nelson…

Welcome to the twenty-first episode of “We Effed Up,” where we discuss Scotland, England, and why you just can’t rush romance. Sources Brown, Michael. The Wars of Scotland, 1214-1371. Edinburgh U. Press, Edinburgh, 2004. Campbell, Marion. Alexander III, King of Scots. House of Lochar, Edinburgh, 1999. Lynch, Michael. Scotland: A New History. Edinbu…

Welcome to the twentieth episode of “We Effed Up,” where we discuss the dire consequences of impatience. Sources Burns, Thomas. Barbarians Within the Gates of Rome: A Study of Roman Military Policy and the Barbarians, Ca. 375-425 A.D. Bloomington, Indiana U. Press, 1994. Heather, Peter. The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Ba…

Welcome to the 19th episode of “We Effed Up,” where we begin our journey into the repeated offences against Ireland with the king-not-king of England, Oliver Cromwell. Sources Bennett, Martyn. Oliver Cromwell. Routledge, London, 2006. Bennett, Martyn. The Civil Wars Experienced: Britain and Ireland 1638-1661. Routledge, London, 2000. Gentles, Ian. …

Welcome to the eighteenth episode of “We Effed Up,” where we talk about one of the strangest nights in the history of baseball. Sources Dahl, Steve & Hoekstra, Dave. Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died. Curbside Splendor, Chicago, 2016. Dickson, Paul. Bill Veeck: Baseball’s Greatest Maverick. Walker, New York, 2012. Frank, Gillian. “Discophobia:…

Welcome to the seventeenth episode of “We Effed Up,” where we learn why professional qualifications are essential. Sources Coleman, Neil M., Wojno, Stephanie, and Kaktins, Uldis. (2016). Dam-breach hydrology of the Johnstown Flood of 1889 – Challenging the findings of the 1891 investigation report. Paper No. 178-5. Geological Society of America Abs…

Welcome to episode sixteen of “We Effed Up,” where we discuss why it’s a good idea to know where you’re going. Sources Belfield, Richard. The Assassination Business: A History of State-Sponsored Murder. Carroll & Craft, New York, 2005. Clark, Christopher. The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914. Penguin, London, 2012. King, Greg & Woolmans…

Welcome to the fifteenth episode of “We Effed Up,” on which we discuss the Twilight Zone movie accident and the director in charge. Sources Farber, Stephen, and Marc Green. Outrageous Conduct: Art, Ego, and the Twilight Zone Case. Arbor House, New York, 1988. Feldman, Paul. “John Landis Not Guilty…” Los Angeles Times, May 29, 1987. LaBrecque, Ron. …

Welcome to the fourteenth episode of “We Effed Up,” where we FINALLY get around to the American Revolution and the stuffy British aristocrat responsible for Saratoga. Sources Ferling, John. Winning Independence: The Decisive Years of the Revolutionary War, 1778-81. Bloomsbury, New York, 2021. Ketchum, Richard. Saratoga: Turning Point of America’s R…

Welcome to the thirteenth episode of “We Effed Up,” where we discuss a consequence of that age-old enemy of progress: corporate greed. Sources Lange, Brenda. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Infobase, New York, 2008. Marrin, Albert. Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy. Alfred Knopf, New York, 2011. Stein, Leon. The Trian…

Welcome to the twelfth episode of “We Effed Up!” It’s finally time to talk about the Mongols, and why it’s a really bad idea to tick off Genghis Khan. Sources Hildinger, Erik. Warriors of the Steppe: A Military History of Central Asia, 500 BC to AD 1700. Sarpedon, New York, 1997. Jackson, Peter. The Mongols and the Islamic World: From Conquest to C…

Welcome to the eleventh episode of “We Effed Up!” Today, we dive back into eff ups with a death toll, as we look at how a member of the British royal family is responsible for the chaotic partition of India. Sources Khan, Yasmin. The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan. Yale U. Press, New Haven, 2007. Read, Anthony, and David Fisher. …

Welcome to the tenth episode of “We Effed Up!” We take a more light-hearted tack in this episode, as we look at why sports games always preempt other TV programming. Sources Clary, Jack. Pro Football’s Greatest Moments. Bonanza, New York, 1981. Davis, Jeff. Rozelle: Czar of the NFL. McGraw-Hill, New York, 2008. Garlett, Kyle. What Were They Thinkin…

Welcome to the ninth episode of “We Effed Up!” In this episode, we examine the disregard for safety that led to the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger and the deaths of her crew. Sources Houston, Rick, and Jerry Ross. Wheels Stop: The Tragedies and Triumphs of the Space Shuttle Program, 1986-2011. University of Nebraska Press, Omaha, 2013.…

Welcome to the eighth episode of “We Effed Up!” On this installment, we talk about why William Paterson’s hare-brained Darien scheme led to the end of an independent Scotland. Sources McKendrick, John. Darien: A Journey in Search of Empire. Birlinn, Edinburgh, 2016. Orr, Julie. Scotland, Darien, and the Atlantic World, 1698-1700. Edinburgh U. Press…

Welcome to the seventh episode of “We Effed Up!” On this episode, we discuss the collapse of the Carolingian Empire and how one man’s decision to follow tradition led to a millennium of conflict. Sources Davis, Jennifer R. Charlemagne’s Practice of Empire. Cambridge U. Press, Cambridge, 2015. Fried, Johannes (Lewis, Peter, Trans.). Holy Roman Empir…

Welcome to the sixth episode of “We Effed Up!” On this episode, we try to untangle the mess that is King Leopold II’s pursuit of the Congo and why reading the fine print is so important. Sources Hochschild, Adam. King Leopold’s Ghost: A Study of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa. Mariner Books, New York, 1998. Jeal, Tim. Stanley: The Im…

Welcome to the fifth episode of We Effed Up! In this installment, we examine Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and how a single eunuch brought down an ancient empire. Sources Fields, Nic. Warlords of Republican Rome: Caesar vs. Pompey. Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley, 2008. Freeman, Philip. Julius Caesar. Simon & Schuster, New York, 2008. Goldsworthy, Adria…

Welcome to the fourth episdoe of We Effed Up! In this episode, we talk about the racism of President Woodrow Wilson and the effect it had at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. Sources Cooper, Jr., John Milton. Woodrow Wilson: A Biography. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2009. Gordon, Andrew. A Modern History of Japan: From the Tokugawa Times to the Presen…