Best German Jungle Podcasts (2025)

1
Speed of Sound and prosecuting Nazis 1:01:38

14m ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Our guest is aviation historian Dr Victoria Taylor. We start with an archive interview of American Chuck Yeager who became the first pilot to fly faster than the speed of sound in 1947. Then, a couple who were caught up in the attack on the Batacl…

1
CLASSIC: What does "Idaho" actually mean? 24:53

2d ago24:53

24:53

Idaho was the 43rd state admitted to the Union, and today it's well-known for potatoes, mining, and stunning forests -- but, even in the modern day, Idaho is home to a surprising mystery: What does its name actually mean? Join the guys as they explore the ridiculous origin story of Idaho's name in this week's Classic episode. See omnystudio.com/lis…

1
The Ridiculous History of Dog Food 36:09

3d ago36:09

36:09

Here on Ridiculous History, we are avowedly pr-dog. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into a strange evolution of slave, to companion, to family member, tracing the evolution of dog food as it blossoms into a multi-billion dollar marketing phenomenon (and one heck of a grift). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Bir Tawil: The Ridiculous Tale of "Earth's Worst Real Estate" 31:26

5d ago31:26

31:26

Land! Historically speaking, it's a pretty popular thing. In fact, a great deal of human conflict is based upon fighting over real estate -- yet, as Ben, Noel and Max discover in today's episode, in at least one case there's a piece of the world no nation wants. For well over a century, Egypt and Sudan have both been fighting over who controls Bir …

1
CLASSIC: Uncle Sam Tried to End World War II With Bat Bombs 38:12

8d ago38:12

38:12

Folks, we are phenomenally excited about this week's Classic episode. It sounds like something straight out of the cave beneath Bruce Wayne's Manor, but thanks to the passion of a part-time inventor named Lytle Adams, the United States military really did spend millions attempting to arm bats with incendiary devices and launch them -- real-life bat…

1
The largest dinosaur and creating Miffy 1:00:26

6d ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Our guest is Darja Dankina, who's a palaeontologist from the Natures Research Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania. We start with the discovery of the largest dinosaur ever, uncovered by a shepherd on a ranch in Argentina in 2012. Then, we hear from the d…

1
The Ridiculous History of the "Ice Cream Sundae" 35:19

10d ago35:19

35:19

For fans of sweet, frozen sweets, there's nothing as perfect as ice cream. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max scoop into a bizarrely niche controversy: Who actually invented the 'Ice Cream Sundae,' and why on Earth is it spelled 'Sundae,' rather than 'Sunday'? Ben here: we do figure it out, and history is super weird. Thanks for tuning in! See o…

1
Zombies, Part Two: The Movies! 53:08

12d ago53:08

53:08

On the shambling heels of their recent episode exploring the bizarre legendary origins of zombies, Ben, Noel and Max dive headfirst into the cinematic side of the undead: zombie movies. As they discover in today's episode, the film version of zombies or the walking dead has become increasingly distinct from the original folklore version -- and this…

1
CLASSIC: The American Soldiers Who Defected to North Korea and Became Movie Stars 36:33

16d ago36:33

36:33

In this weekend's Classic episode, Ben quizzes Max on his dreams of being a director, ultimately asking: What would the average person do to become famous? Often described as one of the most isolated countries in the world, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been ruled by the Kim dynasty since 1948. And while most reports of defectors fo…

1
Emerante de Pradines and Orson Welles’s The War of the Worlds 1:00:19

7d ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Emerante de Pradines's son, Richard Morse, tells us about his mother’s life and her commitment to de-demonising vodou culture through her music. Haiti expert Kate Hodgson, from University College Cork in Ireland, expands on the history of the country in the 20th Century. The story of how an Argentinian doctor was inspired to create a new treatment …

1
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis 32:11

17d ago32:11

32:11

It's no secret that the Wonders of the Ancient World were pretty... wonderful -- yet also pretty mischaracterized. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Super Producer Max explore the phenonemal Temple of Artemis, which was built not once, not twice, but three separate times before it ultimately disappeared. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf…

1
That Time Everyone Loved Radium: What Could Go Wrong? 50:45

19d ago50:45

50:45

Fellow Ridiculous Historians, we all know the inspiring and tragic story of Marie Curie -- however, not everyone is familiar with the absolute boom in radium-associated merchandise, which took the world by storm before the public understood the dangers of radiation. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into a bizarre tale of capitalism, marke…

1
CLASSIC: How a Broken Toilet Foiled a German Sub 25:48

23d ago25:48

25:48

Toward the end of World War II, the German Type VIIC submarine was acknowledged to be one of the most advanced -- and deadliest -- predators on the seas. Yet, in at least one case, some of the same technological breakthroughs that made these subs astonishing also led to their demise. Join the guys as they dive (get it?) into the strange story of U-…

1
Music producer Sonny Roberts and treating diabetes 1:00:48

12d ago1:00:48

1:00:48

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Sonny Roberts’ daughter tells us about how her father created the UK’s first black-owned music studio - this programme contains outdated and offensive language. Music producer and professor emerita at the School of Oriental and African Studies, Lu…

1
CLASSIC: Creature Feature: The Dark Tetrad 1:03:46

25d ago1:03:46

1:03:46

It's the weekend! Time to get outdoors, enjoy nature... and, honestly, watch out for crazy animals. Join the guys in this Classic episode as they make an appearance on Creature Feature, the podcast that takes a critter’s eye view to explore how animal behavior parallels the behavior of humans. In this episode, Katie Goldin and the guys explore the …

1
CLASSIC: Gustaf Broman Tried to Cross the Atlantic in a Canoe . . . Or Did He? 38:59

26d ago38:59

38:59

Ben here: Noel and I are sailing the seas this week -- wish us luck! Luckily, our Super Producer Max is holding it down with some of our favorite Classic episodes. Here's one I especially enjoyed from 2019, all about strange ocean travels: "In 1895, Gustaf Broman announced he would sail across the Atlantic in a 13-foot-long sailboat crafted from a …

1
CLASSIC: The Weird, Surprisingly Recent Origin of the Tooth Fairy 27:29

30d ago27:29

27:29

Ben here: Noel and I are sailing the seas this week -- wish us luck! Luckily, our Super Producer Max is holding it down with some of our favorite Classic episodes. Here's one for all the kids scared of dentists: "For millions of kids in the West, the story is as mysterious as it is profitable: Once your baby teeth begin falling out, hide them benea…

1
Nordic Noir and the Moomins 1:00:03

19d ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Indian-based author and podcaster Purba Chakraborty talks about the history of fiction writing. We hear about the rise in popularity of 'Nordic Noir', following the publication of Henning Mankell's crime novels. Then we listen to BBC archive of wr…

1
CLASSIC: When Vikings Loot The Wrong Town 39:01

1M ago39:01

39:01

Ben here: we're out on the high seas this week -- true story! While we're away, we're sharing some of our favorite Classic episode. Here's one we absolutely loved, and travel-related: "Like many Viking leaders, Halfdan and Bjorn wanted to be known for their fearlessness in battle and their ability to locate the finest spoils -- they wanted the comm…

1
CLASSIC: Were Tulips Really The Bitcoin of the 1600s? 30:21

1M ago30:21

30:21

In the 1600s, residents of the Dutch Republic were -- according to the story -- absolutely bonkers for tulips. A market sprang up around the tulip trade, and people began paying in advance for tulip bulbs, negotiating increasingly extravagant financial agreements and, in some cases, even using tulips as currency. This Tulipmania is often presented …

1
CLASSIC: (Some of) History's Dumbest Military Prototypes 55:49

1M ago55:49

55:49

As Ben and Noel hit the high seas, they're celebrating with a special week of their favorite Classics. It's true that the world's militaries often pioneer technological innovation -- but don't let all those great successes fool you! The world's militaries have at least as many failures as they do breakthroughs. Join Ben, Noel and special guest Chri…

1
The evacuation of Tristan da Cunha and Japan surrenders to China at the end of World War Two 59:50

1M ago59:50

59:50

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. We start with a BBC archive interview where one woman recounts what it was like to survive the earthquake and landside in 1961 following the volcanic eruption in Tristan da Cunha. Our guest is Anne Green, a retired schoolteacher from the island of…

1
The Dumbest Mobster Ever Tried To Steal Ruby Slippers 40:23

1M ago40:23

40:23

There are few pieces of film history more iconic than Dorothy's magic ruby slippers from 1939's The Wizard of Oz. Yet, at first, the studio had no idea how valuable these would become. The multiple pairs of slippers languished in obscurity until costume department worker named Kent Warner launched a mission to save them. Yet the story doesn't stop …

1
The Ridiculously Disturbing History of North Korea 48:25

1M ago48:25

48:25

By iHeartPodcasts

1
CLASSIC: The Forty Elephants: London’s All-Female Jewel Thieves 42:07

1M ago42:07

42:07

For at least 200 years, part of London’s criminal underground was ruled by a gang of brilliant, all-female jewel thieves. In this week's classic episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the rise and fall of the notorious Forty Elephants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
India's nine day tea strike and the birth of the Excel spreadsheet 59:20

1M ago59:20

59:20

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week’s Witness History episodes. Tea expert Sabita Banerji talks about the history of tea in India. We look back at how women teapickers in 2015 fought for justice - and improved the lives of thousands of tea plantation workers. We hear the story of a famous photo of American president John F Kennedy working…

1
Disco Balls are Ridiculous, and We Love Them 38:47

2M ago38:47

38:47

Human history is absolutely riddled with ridiculous inventions. Some are cartoonishly specific. Others, like the disco ball, serve no purpose other than amusement -- and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the dazzling (get it?) history of the 'myriad reflector.' See omnystudio.com/listener fo…

1
The Truth About "Zombies" 50:17

2M ago50:17

50:17

As summer turns and fall begins, Ridiculous History officially enters the most wonderful time of the year. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the legend of a specific kind of 'living dead' -- the zombie. According to the stories, a zombie is a cadaver reanimated through evil magic, and cursed to obey the commands of a powerful bokor (s…

1
CLASSIC: The Malleus Maleficarum: A Real-life Witch Hunter's Bible 33:46

2M ago33:46

33:46

During Europe's period of witchcraft hysteria, one enterprising (and failed) witch hunter sought to bolster his reputation by creating an authoritative text on the existence, discovery and persecution of witches. While it may seem silly now, the Malleus Maleficarum was a runaway success, with thousands of copies inundating European society even whi…

1
The origins of Indian cinema and the start of Scouting 1:00:00

1M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week’s Witness History episodes taking us from India to Texas. Professor Sunny Singh, author of A Bollywood State of Mind, discusses the origins of Indian cinema in 1912. And we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of Bollywood romance Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. We also head to Paris in 1971, to t…

1
How the Kentucky Derby Became a Thing 37:49

2M ago37:49

37:49

We’ve all been there, right? You wake up one day, and you say: “You know what? Forget work! It’s so nice outside. I want to put on a fancy hat, watch a bunch of horses run around in a circle, and gamble. Like they do in Europe.” In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max learn how the volatile, ambitious Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. created a litt…

1
The Ridiculous History of the 90s and Low Culture, with Ross Benes 43:54

2M ago43:54

43:54

The 1990s were a time of chaos, aspiration, and, above all, ridiculous things. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max welcome returning guest Ross Benes, the author of 1999, for an in-depth exploration of talk shows, crime, transformative media and pop culture forensics. (Ben here: of course we get to films, video games and Juggalos.) See omnystudio…

1
CLASSIC: The Great London Beer Flood of 1814 25:58

2M ago25:58

25:58

In 1814, a poor neighborhood in London fell victim to a strange, tragic and boozy disaster -- this calamity would eventually leave eight people dead. So what exactly happened? How could an entire neighborhood flood with a deadly deluge of beer? Join Ben, Noel and Max for a bizarre bit of boozy history in this week's Classic episode. See omnystudio.…

1
The fight against sexual harassment in Egypt and Omar Sharif enters the world stage 59:58

2M ago59:58

59:58

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week’s Witness History episodes, all with an Egyptian theme. We find out more about the 2014 fight against sexual harassment. And we hear from Professor Nicola Pratt, an expert on Middle East feminism about the significance of that moment in the fight for women's rights. Also, we go to the 1960s when antiqui…

1
The True Story of Pac Man -- and a Ton of Weird Theories 37:56

2M ago37:56

37:56

As one of the most iconic games in all of arcade history, Pac Man is recognized across the planet. But how did it get here -- and why are there so many in-depth fan theories about what it means? Is Pac Man a Sisyphean immortal cursed with endless toil? Is he underwater, stealing errant Pong balls? Is he himself a ghost, or on drugs? In today's epis…

1
The Ridiculous Origin of the the Word "Ridiculous" 38:54

2M ago38:54

38:54

With nearly one thousand episodes out in the world over the years, Ben, Noel and Max realized they've never asked about the origin of the word "ridiculous." In this rollicking, cartoonishly meta episode, the gang learns the history of this specific word -- and why, since before the dawn of recorded history, humans have always been all about a good …

1
CLASSIC: Dr. Seuss Wrote His Most Famous Book On A Bet 34:57

2M ago34:57

34:57

What are your favorite children's books? In this Classic episode, Ben and the gang acknowledge Dr. Seuss is one of the most well-known writers on the planet. "Green Eggs and Ham", one of his most successful books, sold over 8 million copies by 2016 -- but would you believe he wrote it based entirely on a bet? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

1
Nigeria’s Festac’77 and Gander’s generosity during 9/11 1:00:31

2M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Our guest is Lucy Durán, a Spanish ethnomusicologist, record producer and Professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. We start with an African American artist who recounts exhibiting her work at Nigeria's largest ever festiv…

1
The Terrifying Science of Tiny Subs and D-Day, Part Two: The Rise of the Chamber Divers 46:53

2M ago46:53

46:53

As Axis powers swarm across Europe in the lead-up to D-Day, a small group of scientists refuse to leave their lab, throwing a fair amount of modern ethics out the window (or the sub, if you like) as they race to complete vital experiments in hyperbaric chambers -- the results of which may just change the course of the war. Tune in for part two of t…

1
The Terrifying Science of Tiny Subs and D-Day, Part One: The Return of Dr. Rachel "Big Spinach" Lance 43:16

2M ago43:16

43:16

Years after their initial conversation with the world's foremost expert on underwater explosions, Ben still sings the praises of Dr. Rachel "Big Spinach" Lance. In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max welcome Dr. Lance back to learn more about the phenomenal -- and, frankly, inspiring -- story of a ragtag crew of rogue …

1
The Chindits and USAID 1:00:31

2M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Max Pearson presents a collection of this week's episodes of Witness History. The formation of an unconventional special force during the Second World War sparks a discussion about three others around the world with military historian Lucy Betteridge-Dyson. Plus, the founding of the United States Agency for International Development, the discovery …

1
CLASSIC: Feral Children and the True Story Behind The Jungle Book 29:37

2M ago29:37

29:37

Now, let's be honest. Rudyard Kipling was a cartoonishly problematic guy. Yet his work made a permanent impression on global literature -- and, to a surprising degree, he based a lot of his writing on real-world events. In today's Classic episode, Ben and Noel ask: What inspired Rudyard Kipling to write The Jungle Book? Join the guys as they explor…

1
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Colossus of Rhodes 28:37

2M ago28:37

28:37

Imagine you're an ancient traveler, visiting Rhodes for the first time in 280 BCE. As you approach the famed city, a singular object dominates the horizon: a huge statue of the Greek sun god Helios, popularly known as the "Colossus of Rhodes." In the fourth part of this series on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Ben, Noel and Max explore how…

1
Unlucky Numbers Across The Globe -- And Why They Are Ridiculous 41:13

3M ago41:13

41:13

Do you have a number you love, or a number you hate? As Ben, Noel and Max discover in today's episode, people have always assigned symbolic meaning to the everpresent existence of math -- and created some frankly ridiculous associations along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
CLASSIC: The Ridiculously Laxative-laden Journey of Lewis and Clark 31:17

3M ago31:17

31:17

In today's Classic episode, Ben and Noel reluctantly sing the praises of poop research. You see, folks, before Lewis and Clark set out to explore the western side of the continent, they tried to prepare for every possible contingency — including medical conditions like constipation. Join the guys as they explore how a dangerous laxative didn’t just…

1
Washington DC and a film noir classic 1:00:02

2M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. We learn why the Mount Pleasant riots erupted in Washington DC in 1991, and hear from our guest, Sarah Jane Shoenfeld, a public historian of the US capital. Plus, more on John Lennon’s benefit concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York, his fin…

1
Moon Rock Heists, Part Two: The Romantic Misadventures of Thad Roberts 40:27

3M ago40:27

40:27

Let's say you're a love-struck NASA intern -- your professional career holds a lot of promise, but your family life back home is in shambles... and you fall in love with a fellow intern. How can you impress your new paramour? Forget flowers, chocolates and all those other silly earth-bound romantic gestures: this is the story of Thad Roberts. From …

1
Moon Rock Heists, Part One: Lunatic Heists and Space Law 49:32

3M ago49:32

49:32

Is it legal to own a moon rock? Well... that depends. If it's a piece of the moon that made it to Earth naturally, then all good. If, however, it's a sample retrieved on purpose by NASA's Apollo program, you can get in some serious trouble for trying to snag it. In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore what happens when powerf…

1
CLASSIC: The Strange and Spectacularly Disgusting Story of the Great Kentucky Meat Shower 35:55

3M ago35:55

35:55

On March 3rd, 1876, residents of Bath County, Kentucky were startled to see what appeared to be chunks and flakes of meat falling from the clear, cloudless sky. The rain, which only lasted a few minutes, captured national attention. People across the country proposed various theories explaining the deluge. In today's Classic episode, the guys belie…

1
BlackBerry phones and Spot the dog 59:07

3M ago59:07

59:07

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Our guest is Jacquie McNish, author and former Senior Correspondent at the Wall Street Journal. We start with the former co-CEO of BlackBerry, who recounts the company's remarkable boom and bust. Then, the creation of the Spot the dog children's b…

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German Jungle Podcasts

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