Best Al Vals Podcasts (2025)

1
Crown of Thorns 51:56

9h ago51:56

51:56

What if one of the most iconic symbols of suffering and triumph in Christian history isn't what you think it is? Matt Lewis is joined by Dr. Faith Tibble to uncover the history and significance of the Crown of Thorns, exploring its Medieval - not ancient - origins, how this symbol evolved from a relic to a powerful icon of suffering and triumph and…

1
Train Necrophilia, Governor Arsonist, Weezer Bassist's Wife in Police Shootout, and More w/ Gold Shields Host Tom Smith! 58:27

1d ago58:27

58:27

📺 Watch this Episode Today, we are joined by Gold Shields host, Tom Smith, to discuss a police shootout involving the wife of Weezer's bassist, snakes and a crocodile found at the scene of an accidental shooting, a baby mauled by the family dog, train necrophilia, and the arson of the Pennsylvania Governor's home. Follow Tom - IG (@thegoldshieldsho…

1
Decapitated Woman’s Head Reattached, Eric Dane ALS Diagnosis, The Science of Squirting, and More! 24:34

3d ago24:34

24:34

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we get into Eric Dane's ALS diagnosis, a decapitated woman's head that was reattached, the worst kinds of physical pain, and the science of squirting. ✨1 MILLION DOWNLOAD GIVEAWAY✨ - Listen to today's episode to find out how to enter! Want to submit your shocking story? Email [email protected] Support…

1
NYC Helicopter Crash, Pharmacist Hacks Computers to Stalk Coworkers, Influencer Finds Cancer Through Baby's Genetic Testing, and More! 1:00:53

4d ago1:00:53

1:00:53

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we kick off the week discussing an influencer who discovered his cancer through his baby's genetic testing. Moving to freak accidents and true crime, we talk about the NYC helicopter crash, a pharmacist who hacked his work's computers to stalk coworkers, and a dead body found in a hotel room closet. Lastly, in m…

1
Ibn Fadlan: An Arab Among Vikings 55:00

3d ago55:00

55:00

**This podcast contains descriptions of sexual violence, enslavement and human sacrifice** "I have never seen more perfect physical specimens, tall as date palms, blond and ruddy. Each man were tattooed with dark-green figures from fingernails to neck." These are the first observations of Vikings from the Arab traveler and diplomat Ibn Fadlan. Dr. …

1
The Black Prince 50:24

7d ago50:24

50:24

Edward of Woodstock, famously known as the Black Prince, was held up as the epitomy of Medieval Chivalry. Matt Lewis is joined by the Black Prince's biographer, Michael Jones to discuss King Edward III's eldest son; how he took command of the English vanguard at the Battle of Crécy at just 16 years old, captured the French King at Poitiers, his pot…

1
Meghan Markle Postpartum Preeclampsia, Man Steals Brother's Body From Funeral Home to Party, Pet Anxiety Days, and More! 42:21

9d ago42:21

42:21

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we get into Meghan Markle's postpartum preeclampsia, a child who lost a chunk of hair while at daycare, a murder for hire plot involving a Philadelphia police officer, pet anxiety days, and a man who stole his brother's body from a funeral home. ✨1 MILLION DOWNLOAD GIVEAWAY✨ - Listen to today's episode to find o…

1
Adam Devine's Toe Fell Off During Masturbation, Hantavirus Linked to More Deaths, Nurse Fired After Mocking Newborns On Social Media, and More! 31:21

10d ago31:21

31:21

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we get into a crazy story about Adam Devine's toe falling off during masturbation, Hantavirus linked to more deaths, a surgeon who shared photos of a patient's penis, a nurse fired after mocking newborns on social media, and a mother seeking an unexpected inheritance. ✨1 MILLION DOWNLOAD GIVEAWAY✨ - Listen to to…

1
Nurse Influencer Dies in Childbirth, Russell Brand Charged, Pallbearers Plunge into Burial Hole, Restaurant Offers Discounts For Skinny People, and More! 1:13:32

11d ago1:13:32

1:13:32

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we kick off the week discussing the death of nursing influencer Hailey Okula and sexual assault charges against Russell Brand. Moving to medical news, we talk about brain tumors found in multiple nurses in the same unit, Ephermeral tattoos, a restaurant that offers discounts for skinny people, organ failure from…

1
Monsters of the Medieval Apocalypse 51:08

10d ago51:08

51:08

Does a four-winged leopard, a woman riding bareback on a monstrous serpent-like beast and giants having a good chat signal the beginning of the apocalypse? Medieval folk certainly thought so. Dr. Eleanor Janega and Prof. James Palmer delight in these terrifying - and sometimes comical - figures and how they served both as religious symbols and as i…

1
Hattori Hanzo: The Medieval Demon Samurai 43:08

14d ago43:08

43:08

Matt Lewis presents a special episode from his podcast Echoes of History on the medieval 'Demon' Samurai. In the world of Assassin's Creed Shadows, the legendary Hattori Hanzo embodies both samurai and shinobi warriors, and earned himself the nickname "The Demon". How did Hattori Hanzo reach such legendary status? How were his loyalties tested as b…

1
Val Kilmer, Epstein Accuser Accident, Homemade Cannon Disembowels Bystander, and More! 32:43

16d ago32:43

32:43

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we get into the death of Val Kilmer, a disemboweled bystander, and Epstein Accuser, Virginia Giuffre's, car accident. Want to submit your shocking story? Email [email protected] Support The Show: 🧠 Join The Gross Room 🖤 Sponsors 🔬 Buy Nicole's Book 🥼 Merch Follow: 🎙️ Mother Knows Death 🔪 Nicole 🪩 Mari…

1
Jessica Simpson Snake Sperm, RibXcar, Teacher Uses Student as Stepping Stool, Chick-fil-A Worker Dies in Freak Accident, and More! 25:57

17d ago25:57

25:57

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we talk about Jessica Simpson using snake sperm to help her sing, a Chick-fil-A worker who died in a freak accident, a teacher who used her student as a stepping stool, a child who contracted a brain-eating amoeba after visiting a water park, and a new waist-slimming procedure. Want to submit your shocking story…

1
Breast Milk Ice Cream, Cop Accused of Spiking Coffee and Pooping on Floors, The Luigi Mangione Act, Mysterious Pee Jugs, and More! 1:08:32

18d ago1:08:32

1:08:32

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we kick off the week with an update about the sudden death of MLB star Brett Gardner's son. Moving to true crime, we discuss a man who put glue in his coworker's soda, a NJ cop accused of spiking coworkers' coffees and pooping on the floor, the newly proposed Luigi Mangione Act, and a child who died after a dent…

1
Eric Bloodaxe 51:28

17d ago51:28

51:28

Eric Bloodaxe was an epic Viking Warrior, and he could certainly cut down his enemies, but was he as 'great' in reality as his romantic bad-boy legend? Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by historian John Sadler to discuss Eric Bloodaxe's brutal rise to power, his early displays of violent ambition, and how he earned his infamous nickname during a bloody…

1
Conjugal Visit Strangulation, Amazon Drowning Lawsuit, Water Bottle STIs, Tacky 9/11 Merch, and More! 53:05

22d ago53:05

53:05

**Please Note - this episode is audio only.** On today’s MKD, we discuss a couple suing Amazon over the drowning death of their toddler, a man who injured his baby by squeezing her, a woman killed during a conjugal visit, contracting STIs through a water bottle, a woman who records herself sleepwalking, and tacky 9/11 merch. Want to submit your sho…

1
Joanna: Eleanor of Aquitaine's Fierce Daughter 1:04:38

22d ago1:04:38

1:04:38

The courageous life of Joanna Plantagenet extends far beyond her mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and her 'brave and heroic' brother Richard the Lionheart. She conquers the throne, escapes from a prison, is shipwrecked, goes on crusade, survives bullying brothers and husbands and essentially waits for no man. As Dr. Catherine Hanley puts it; "you don'…

1
Babysitter Finds Real Monster Under Bed, MLB Player's Son Dies on Vacation, Organ Transplant Rabies, Fetish Murder, and More! 1:01:24

23d ago1:01:24

1:01:24

**Please Note - this episode is audio only. On today’s MKD, we get into the death of former MLB star Brett Gardner's son, a man found under a child's bed, a doctor accused of pushing his wife off a cliff, a fetish murder, a case of rabies contracted through an organ transplant, and a woman in her 60s who gave birth. Want to submit your shocking sto…

1
Coroner to the Stars, The Dr. Thomas Noguchi Story 43:15

25d ago43:15

43:15

**Please Note - this episode is audio only. On today's episode, we discuss Anne Soon Choi's new book, L.A. Coroner: Thomas Noguchi and Death in Hollywood. We dive into the mysterious deaths of Marilyn Monroe, RFK, Sharon Tate, Natalie Wood, and more! Preorder L.A. Coroner Want to submit your shocking story? Email [email protected] Suppor…

1
Welsh Folk Tales 1:00:27

24d ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Dr. Eleanor Janega welcomes Russ Williams, author of 'Where the Folk? A Welsh Folklore Road Trip', to delve into the rich tapestry of Welsh folklore. From the medieval legends of King Arthur to mysterious saints, ghostly castles and even a killer ape, they explore why Wales is a hotbed for folklore. Russ discusses the unique oral storytelling tradi…

1
Cocaine Dogs, Starbucks Disfigurement, Reddit Cracks Down on Luigi Mangione Content, Tori Spelling Doesn't Drink Water, and More! 49:25

29d ago49:25

49:25

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we get into Tori Spelling's claims that she doesn't drink water, a Starbucks disfigurement lawsuit, Reddit cracking down on Luigi Mangione content, dogs who ingested cocaine and killed a grandma, and warnings about sharing medical info with AI. Want to submit your shocking story? Email [email protected]…

1
Medieval Jerusalem 59:47

28d ago59:47

59:47

Imagine walking where those who shaped your deepest beliefs have walked... Matt Lewis is joined by archeologist Professor Jodi Magness to learn how Jerusalem flourished under Byzantine rule and suffered the bloody sieges and dramatic shifts during the Crusades, where Jerusalem saw one of its greatest massacres. They discuss the peaceful transition …

1
Boeing Astronauts Return From Space, Trooper Michael Proctor Fired, Jim Morrison May Be Alive, and More! 45:40

30d ago45:40

45:40

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we discuss a new documentary that suggests Jim Morrison is still alive, the Boeing astronauts return from space, the firing of Trooper Michael Proctor, a man with a nail in his head who murdered his girlfriend, and a woman who won't tell her family about her terminal illness. Want to submit your shocking story? …

1
Sudiksha Konanki, Deadly Tornadoes, Man Held Captive by Stepmom, NYC Man Eats Rat, and More! 1:08:48

1M ago1:08:48

1:08:48

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we kick off the week discussing new claims from Betsy Arakawa's doctor, deadly tornadoes, and a college party roof collapse. In true crime, we get into the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a man held captive by his stepmother for 20 years, a baby cut out of a pregnant teen, a woman who planned to sell a dead m…

1
Edward III: The Little Lion 56:56

1M ago56:56

56:56

Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis bring our series on the Plantagenets to its climax with a look at one of England's most influential monarchs. We pick up the story where we left off in the last episode with Roger Mortimer influencing the boy King Edward III, along with his mother Queen Isabella. But there's so much more to discover about Edward II…

1
Embalmer Cuts Off Pedophile's Penis, Mukbang Death, Dating App Kidnapping, Dog Shoots Owner, Girl Scout Cookie Dangers, and More! 48:24

1M ago48:24

48:24

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we get into a mukbang influencer's death, arrests made in the hyperbaric chamber death of a young boy, an embalmer who cut off a sex offender's penis, a dog accidentally shooting his owner, concerning ingredients found in Girl Scout cookies, and a woman's warning about hair extensions and MRIs. Want to submit yo…

1
Roger Mortimer: The Usurper 57:49

1M ago57:49

57:49

Roger Mortimer: The Man Who Overthrew a King. Matt Lewis delves into the life of Roger Mortimer, a key figure in the downfall of King Edward II. Joined by historian Paul Dryburgh, they explore Mortimer's military and political career, his strategic marriage and his crucial role alongside Queen Isabella. From Mortimer's storied escape from the Tower…

1
Scott Peterson Pickleball Attack, Fishermen Catch Dead Body, Track Baton Assault, 3D Printed Penises, and More! 31:54

1M ago31:54

31:54

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we discuss an attack on Scott Peterson, an incident between two student track stars, a dead man found lying on top of a woman, a man who died after a penis enlargement procedure, a new study involving 3D printed penises, and fishermen catching a dead body. Want to submit your shocking story? Email stories@mother…

1
INTRODUCING: ya sure why not with Anesti Danelis & Alia Rasul 30:19

1M ago30:19

30:19

If you like comedy and confessions, you might love The Sonar Network’s new show: ya sure why not. Enjoy Episode 1: Friend Divorces, Mafia Romance, and Trapping a Man Head over to http://thesonarnetwork.com/ya-sure-why-not/ and click your favorite listening app to subscribe! Over the last two years, Anesti Danelis has been asking his followers for t…

1
Gene Hackman Cause of Death, Idaho Murder Texts, Morning Sickness Suicide, Tacky Grave Decorations, and More w/ PopCrime TV Host, Lauren Conlin 1:32:13

1M ago1:32:13

1:32:13

📺 Watch this Episode Today, we are joined by PopCrime TV Host & Reporter, Lauren Conlin, to discuss the latest pathology in the news. We start the show off discussing Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's official causes of death. In true crime, we talk about arrests made in the 2024 deaths of several Chiefs fans, new evidence in the Idaho Murder case, …

1
Queen Isabella: She-Wolf of France 1:07:27

1M ago1:07:27

1:07:27

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." When that woman is Queen Isabella; She-Wolf, the results are catastrophic. As our series on the Plantagenets continues, Dr. Eleanor Janega and historian Kathryn Warner dive into the fascinating life of Queen Isabella of France. From her royal status in France to her tumultuous marriage to Edward II of Engla…

1
Man Swallows $769K in Diamonds, Couple Abandons Child For Disney Ride, Super Glue Prank Gone Wrong, David Krumholtz's Near-Death Experience, and More! 54:26

1M ago54:26

54:26

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we discuss David Krumholtz's near-death experience from weed, a man who swallowed $769K in diamonds, a couple who abandoned their child to go on a ride, a baby born with his ear on his cheek, a super glue prank gone wrong, and homemade sex toys. Want to submit your shocking story? Email stories@motherknowsdeath.…

1
Edward II: King of Incompetence 1:16:27

1M ago1:16:27

1:16:27

Gone Medieval begins a gripping 4 part series exploring scandal, power, and betrayal in the Plantagenet Court. This one of England’s most dramatic royal sagas; from the ill-fated reign of Edward II to the rise of his son, Edward III, Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Janega uncover how love and the Crown do not make good bedfellows. Each episode brings to…

1
The Luigi Mangione Tapes, Octomom Regrets, Circumcision Gone Wrong, Gwyneth Paltrow's Wildfire Symptoms, Woman Raises Baby Doll, and More! 48:31

1M ago48:31

48:31

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we discuss Gwyneth Paltrow's surprising symptoms from the LA wildfires, Octomom's regrets, Luigi Mangione's sex tapes, a new study on bacterial vaginosis, a circumcision gone wrong, and a woman who raises a baby doll alongside her daughter. Want to submit your shocking story? Email [email protected] S…

1
Casey Anthony Joins TikTok, Dolly Parton's Husband Dies, Teen Without Vagina Gets Pregnant, Middle School Tattoo Session, and More! 1:19:16

2M ago1:19:16

1:19:16

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we kick off the week discussing updates with Michelle Trachtenberg, Gene Hackman, and Bob Bryar. We also cover the deaths of David Johansen and Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean. In freak accidents and true crime, we get into a window washer rescue, Casey Anthony's new venture, and a couple arrested after their …

1
German Peasants' War 48:32

2M ago48:32

48:32

Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by historians Andy Drummond and Professor Lyndal Roper to explore the dramatic events of the German Peasants' War, exactly 500 years ago. Together they cover the thrilling narratives of rebellion, heroism, and tragedy as thousands of peasants rose up against their suppressors. Monasteries became targets of their anger a…

1
The Viking Great Army in Britain 50:31

2M ago50:31

50:31

How did a Viking army transform the very fabric of a nation? In 865, the Viking Great Army landed in East Anglia. For the next 15 years, it shaped England’s destiny with relentless battles, shifting alliances, and the defeat of Anglo-Saxon kings. Unlike earlier Viking raids, this army remained year-round, leaving an indelible mark on England's poli…

1
Michelle Trachtenberg, Preppy Princeton Murder, Gene Hackman, Content Creator Pees on Groceries, and More! 1:01:26

2M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we discuss the shocking deaths of Michelle Trachtenberg and Gene Hackman in addition to Karen Huger's DUI sentencing. In true crime, we cover a man who killed his brother then ate his eyeball, an influencer who peed on groceries, and a nurse who may lose her eyes after a patient's attack. Lastly, in other death …

1
Bird Drops Severed Human Hand, Alec Baldwin Shooting PTSD, Grilled Cheese Stabbing, and More with Reporter, Clodagh Meaney! 55:50

2M ago55:50

55:50

📺 Watch this Episode Today, we are joined by Sunday World Reporter, Clodagh Meaney, to get into the latest pathology in the news! We get into Alec Baldwin's PTSD, a bird carrying a severed hand, an accidental grilled cheese stabbing, a Pennsylvania hospital shooting, a pen cap stuck in a man's lung, and pollution issues with scented wax. Follow Clo…

1
Is the Renaissance a Myth? 59:21

2M ago59:21

59:21

Dr. Eleanor Janega reveals the darker side of the Renaissance with Dr. Ada Palmer, challenging the notion that it was a golden age, exposing it as a period of political instability, medical decline, and relentless power struggles. From the propaganda of the era to the destructive reign of Renaissance popes, Eleanor and Ada hugely enjoy dissecting t…

1
Aztecs 52:35

2M ago52:35

52:35

Matt Lewis is joined by Professor Camilla Townsend to delve into the story of the Mexica, commonly known as the Aztecs. They unpack the true history behind the label 'Aztecs' and reveal how there's so much more to this civilisation than the outdated misconception of blood-thirsty primitives obsessed with human sacrifice. Professor Townsend shares o…

1
IVF Mixup, Delta Payoff, Bobby Hull CTE, Columbine Survivor Dies, Teen Injects Himself with Butterfly Remains, and More! 1:23:44

2M ago1:23:44

1:23:44

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we discuss Bobby Hull's posthumous diagnosis and Delta's cash offer for the Toronto plane crash victims. In true crime, we cover a Columbine survivor's death, a woman who beat her husband with a sex toy, a man who impersonated a state trooper, and a woman who poisoned her family with cake found dead. Lastly, in …

1
Toronto Plane Crash, Jack the Ripper Identified, Kohberger DNA, Conair Lawsuit, Shark Bites Off Woman's Hands, and More! 1:17:43

2M ago1:17:43

1:17:43

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we kick off the week discussing a model who's suing Conair over disfigurement, the Toronto plane crash, a woman who lost her hands after a shark attack, and a woman mauled to death by a Hippo while on vacation. Turning to true crime, we get into new developments about Jack the Ripper and updates surrounding DNA …

1
Supernatural Medieval Ireland 44:21

2M ago44:21

44:21

In early Medieval Ireland, supernatural beings moved in and out of our world, unseen. These were the residents of the Otherworld – the síd. Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by historian and novelist Lisa M. Bitel, author of Otherworld, to explore the sexy, funny, and bloody Irish stories that outshine the better-known European myths. From supernatural …

1
BONUS: Sex Sent Me to the ER 30:40

2M ago30:40

30:40

📺 Watch this Episode Happy Valentine's Day! On today's very special Valentine's episode, we discuss a variety of unusual foreign bodies, bad experiences with urethral sounding, and traumatic sex injuries that sent lovers to the ER. Want to submit your shocking story? Email [email protected] Support The Show: 🧠 Join The Gross Room 🖤 Spons…

1
The Destruction of Charlemagne's Legacy 41:12

2M ago41:12

41:12

What happens when one of the greatest empires in history begins to unravel? Matt Lewis explores the turbulent era of the Carolingian Empire's rise and fall with Matthew Gabriel and David Perry. The Carolingian Civil War saw kings fighting kings, brother facing off against brother, and sons challenging their fathers. Together they delve into the suc…

1
Teddi Mellencamp Brain Tumors, Birth Center Horror Story, Wendy Williams Guardianship, Holy Communion Bans, and More! 50:08

2M ago50:08

50:08

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we have a brief episode covering some of the latest news stories. We cover Teddi Mellencamp's emergency surgery, Wendy Williams' guardianship, a couple who died after consuming homemade limoncello, a birth center horror story, and The Church of England's new Holy Communion bans. Want to submit your shocking stor…

1
Luigi Mangione Defense Fund, Super Bowl Reporter Dead, Menendez-Kardashian Tennis Match, Anal Surgeon's Wiping Warning, and More! 1:09:23

2M ago1:09:23

1:09:23

📺 Watch this Episode On today’s MKD, we start the week off discussing an online fundraiser for Luigi Mangione's legal defense. In celebrity news, we cover the death of a Kansas City Super Bowl Reporter and Christy Carlson Romano getting shot in the face while celebrating her husband's birthday. Turning to freak accidents and true crime, we get into…

1
Murder in Anglo-Saxon England 59:57

2M ago59:57

59:57

Records from Anglo-Saxon England are filled with stories of murder, witchcraft and betrayals of the worst kind, giving the impression that this period was one of lawlessness and rebellion. But how many of these tales are true? How do they square with a period known to have had lengthy, detailed law codes and harsh punishments for unlawful killing? …

1
Treasures from Anglo-Saxon Graves 1:09:44

2M ago1:09:44

1:09:44

What can grave goods tell us about the lives of people 1,500 years ago? Matt Lewis delves into the early medieval world through the lens of burials with Professor Jo Buckberry, discussing how the treasures found in Anglo-Saxon graves changed over the years and provide insights into the cultural, political, and familial dynamics of a fascinating per…

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Al Vals Podcasts

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