On June 1, 1783, a 7'7" Irishman named Charles Byrne died of tuberculosis and complications with giantism. Eagerly awaiting his death was a man regarded as England's greatest surgeon, who was competing with others in the medical community to earn the opportunity of dissecting such a rare medical specimen. Byrne, however, was terrified of post-morte…

On June 24, 1801, Victor Hugo was conceived on the peaks of the Vosges Mountains. It's unclear whether this is pertinent to him writing The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust and Nathan: a sophisticated text-to-speech …

February 2 of 1685, Charles II, King of England, woke up feeling a little under the weather. What followed was perhaps the most aggressive case of "good intentions, poor execution." Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust and Nathan: a sophisticate…

After the discovery of atomic decay, radioactive medicines were soon stocked in drug stores across the world. Today's episode centers on "Radithor," a radioactive patent drug consumed by famed semi-pro golfer Eben Byers; who would go on to be known as "a guy you absolutely shouldn't look up on Google images. Please." Cock and Bull is a somewhat-wee…

The mellified men, also known as human mummy confections, were a legendary medicinal substance created by steeping a human cadaver in honey. Join us as we unravel another Bipin Banger History Mystery! Cock and Bull is a primary source on The Dollop. It's also a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true storie…

The Japanese climate is not exactly conducive to mummification. There are no peat bogs, no arid deserts, and no alpine peaks perennially encased in ice. The summers are hot and humid. Between 1081 and 1903, at least 17 monks managed to mummify themselves. Pic 1Pic 2Pic 3Pic 4 Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable cha…

CONTENT WARNING: ANIMAL CRUELTY, EATING DISORDERS In the early 1780s, a family of French famers made the awful, and no-doubt difficult decision to abandon their son. The boy was incredibly skinny, had angel-fine hair, and an insatiable appetite--able to eat his weight in beef. Unable to afford this costly extra mouth, the boy (known only as "Tarrar…

Famed geologist and paleontologist William Buckland was among the most energetic and eccentric Deans to ever pass through the halls of Oxford. Not only did he help name the fist-ever dinosaur, but he also played a role in discrediting the Biblical Flood Theory, and... and... checks notes ... And he wanted to eat one of every animal on earth? Cock a…

Nathan and Spencer take it down a notch from last week by talking about a silly 18th century doctor who longed for the life of a fancy boy. Midway through the episode we refer to a pair of pictures. Picture 1, and Picture 2. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you …

In 1952, construction began on a public housing project in North St. Louis, Missouri. 33 apartment buildings--a herculean spending project in the name of urban renewal. By 1972, they would famously be demolished on television. There’s much more to the story. Pruitt-Igoe was not proof of a Cold War logic; it did not display the “inevitable” failures…

In December, 1915, the San Diego City Council agreed to pay a pale, homespun-gentleman $10,000 if he could make it rain. His name was Charles Hatfield, and the self-proclaimed "Moisture Accelerator" would be blamed for the most devestating flooding in California's recorded history. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievab…

After the Great Iconoclasm destroyed innumerable holy relics, the Catholic Church had to figure out a way to replace them. When vineyard workers unveiled a crypt that had been untouched for nearly 15 centuries, the church had its answer. Our podcast is an independent show, free of network restrictions and paid advertisements. We keep it that way fi…

After nearly three years of intermittent hiatus, Cock and Bull is back for our triumphant ROAD TO 100! New episodes every Tuesday, starting right here with German businessman / amateur archeologist Heinrich Schliemann. Our podcast is an independent show, free of network restrictions and paid advertisements. We keep it that way firmly based on princ…

Recorded after a six month gap and released another six months after that! Don't call it a comeback, but Nathan and Spencer talk about the elusive artifact dubbed "The Holy Prepuce," also known as the foreskin of Jesus Christ. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to yo…

Nathan and Spencer explore the life and legacy of Father Pellegrino Ernetti, and his miraculous invention dubbed "The Chronovisor." Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan, a sophisticated text-to-speech program. You ca…

Nathan and Spencer talk about Saint Columba, a gaelic historical figure with a slew of impossibly tall tales to his name. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan, a sophisticated text-to-speech program. You can find our…

Episode Notes In 1993, a used-car salesman named Wade Quattlebaum had a harmless idea that spiraled into a scam worth millions. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan, a sophisticated text-to-speech program. You can fi…

Episode Notes Nathan and Spencer crank up the heat and talk about an old-fashioned remedy for mental illness. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan, a sophisticated text-to-speech program. You can find our other shows…

I uploaded this before Nov 3. Hope your post-election life is going alright. <3 Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan, a sophisticated text-to-speech program. You can find our other shows at:www.blunderphonics.pinecas…

Nathan and Spencer are joined by Brittany, guest host, who teaches the brothers all about Dr. John Cade. Cade, throughout the 1940s, single-handedly cornered the jar and guinea pig markets of Australia. Why? We're still not 100% certain, but he'd argue it was science. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters …

Nathan and Spencer have a... well, frankly uncomfortable discussion about organs. Sensitive, external--did I say sensitive?--organs. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan, a sophisticated text-to-speech program. You c…

Nathan and Spencer discuss the long and dangerous life of Irish doctor Joseph Barcroft. In one expeditious career, Barcroft explored the front lines of war, dizzying heights, and frigid lows. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc)…

To celebrate the debut of Blunderphonics Season 2, Jack Derbak sits down with Spencer Foust for a discussion about Romania's tattoo-obsessed physiologist Nicolai Minovici. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan, a soph…

Nathan and Spencer have a little extra free time for some reason. In this week's episode, the brothers have a down-to-Earth discussion about the 18th-century origins of one particular fetish. Also, super sorry for the sounds of mouse-clicks in the background on this one. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characte…

Nathan and Spencer have a little pow-wow about a (supposedly) real human being named Santorio Santorio. First and last name. Would I lie to you? Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan (@MarxMadness, a sophisticated tex…

Nathan and Spencer are stirred from their eternal slumber to talk about one man's thirst for high speeds and hard stops. Cock and Bull is a somewhat-weekly history podcast about unbelievable characters and shockingly true stories, brought to you by Spencer Foust (@BalraagTheOrc), and Nathan, a sophisticated text-to-speech program. You can find our …

Nathan and Spencer lock themselves in a closet for two hours, testing the limits of brotherly bonds and the viability of this podcast.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer discuss the man behind the myth: Johann Conrad Dippel, "learned-boy of Castle Frankenstein."By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Spencer and Ben tell a 1200-year-old tale: a journey from the edge of the world, to the walls of the Mediterranean's mightiest capital.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Spencer and Ben discuss the life of Charles Dawson and his most famous discovery: Piltdown Man. This is potentially the easiest name Spencer has repeatedly mispronounced.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer discuss the father of psychoanalysis: a coke-addicted Sigmund Freud.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer talk about Wojtek, the Syrian brown bear that fought alongside Polish soldiers in WWII.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

CONTENT WARNING: Genital Mutilation. Nathan and Spencer return to talk about the last Chinese Eunuch: Sun Yaoting. Thanks to Driftless Pony Club for allowing us to use the song "There Were Buffalo on the Ark" off the album Cholera. For the first time in 60-something episodes we forgot to thank them. Support Cock and Bull by contributing to their ti…

Nathan and Spencer talk about Scheele Green and Paris Green: two dyes that had their fair share of casualties in the Victorian Era. Special thanks to Andy for the topic suggestion!By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer dust off the podcasting equipment to debut their newest ASMR history venture, sponsored by Conan "Big Caucasian Hands" O'Brien. This week's ep. is actually about poison, and love affairs--if you're actually keeping track.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Oops. Uh oh. We did this one in the same room. Whoopsie! Anyway, here's 45 minutes of a 3-hour-recording. It's about a judge who became a Mormon after battling the Pope in the court of law. Also, bananas? It's an ordeal.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

We're back! A month-long hiatus has brought an interesting story to light: the tale of a WWII Nazi chemical compound that America put through some... interesting experiments.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer break down the decades-long incident known as the Times Beach Disaster.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer discuss LaMarcus Thompson's crusade against sin in the United States.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer talk about Scotsman Gregor MacGregor and his brilliant mosquito-filled scheme.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer talk about a lucky tradesman with an eccentric lifestyle. Support Cock and Bull by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/cockandbull Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-b8b8a7 for 40% off for 4 months…

Nathan and Spencer discuss a surprisingly violent day of eel grabbing.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer talk about Dorothy Lawrence, the only known English woman to serve on the front lines of World War One.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer discuss William Marston, an American Psychologist with ties to a cultural icon.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

David and Nathan discuss Stubbins Ffirth, the doctor that tried to crack the case on the infamous Yellow Fever. CONTENT WARNING: It's just gross. Support Cock and Bull by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/cockandbull Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you…

Nathan and Spencer discuss the disappearance of famed muder-mystery-writer Dame Agatha Christie.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer rattle off a tale about American Naval Captain John Paul Jones, and all of his cool / not so cool escapades.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan (Evan) and Spencer (Spencer) discuss Tsutomu Yamaguchi, the (un)luckiest man in all of Japanese history. This one requires you to laugh through a very dark event, so bare with the chuckles and goofs.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer switch seats to talk about Evander Berry Wall: King of the Dudes.By Spencer Foust, Nathan

Nathan and Spencer return from their two-month-sabbatical, and discuss World War 2's own tiger-hunting Marry Poppins: Digby Tatham-Warter.By Spencer Foust, Nathan