Another week and another ambivalent offender...this time Jamie tackles another one from the music world (thanks to our Patreon fans & their votes!) and from one of the most recognizable bands of all time--John Lennon. From his traumatic childhood to his battles with mental health to his tumultuous relationships with romantic partners (as well as his son Julian), follow along to hear our examination of John's life---from early losses, to Beatlemania, domestic abuse (trigger warning is mentioned there), demands for peace, and so much more. And yes, of course a Yoko episode will be forthcoming :)

Stay tuned at the end to hear a trailer for another awesome history podcast, "Beheaded!"


Main sources noted:
https://www.biography.com/musicians/john-lennon

https://udiscovermusic.com/stories/jealous-guy-john-lennon-song/

  https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/act300232005en.pdf

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/21/lennon-a-jerk-5-most-incredible-discoveries-of-the-week/23794389/

https://www.newser.com/story/202740/housekeepers-letter-reveals-lennons-dark-side.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/john-lennon-stay-home-dad-inside-his-final-years-n1248445

https://www.vice.com/en/article/you-dont-have-to-imagine-john-lennon-beat-women-and-childrenits-just-a-fact/

https://allthatsinteresting.com/cynthia-lennon#:~:text=When%20John's%20career%20was%20first,and%20their%20young%20son%2C%20Julian.

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The Roman Emperor Claudius was as unlikely an emperor as they come (from inside the imperial family that is). Learn about his unexpected rise, his...complicated...marital history, and if we can truly call him one of the "good" Emperors.

Remember, you can access FREE content on our Patreon this month by going to our patreon page linked below and joining as a free member!

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Subscriber-only episode

Erin and I have a little more informal discussion about the recent trend of casting attractive men (looking at you Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron) to play questionable figures, as well as the worst of the worst, serial killers. We also touch upon true crime media in general.

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If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at [email protected]!

Come one, come all, to learn about the man who has been nicknamed the Greatest Showman and created the Greatest Show on Earth. In this one-parter, you'll learn about P.T. Barnum's dark start (understatement) in show business and his journey from museum owner to starting a circus.

Stick around at the end to hear a trailer for "Door Key" history podcast! 

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Listen to the conclusion of Wernher Von Braun's story as he arrives in America, works for NASA, launches the first manned mission to the moon, and does something with Spice Flight (you will need to listen to get the reference there!). Hear our judgements on the man sometimes called history's most controversial figure. 

Main Source: Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of War

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We have a very special guest joining the pod today to discuss Operation Paperclip. Erin's husband, Matt, history teacher extraordinaire, gives us the basics on Operation Paperclip, why it was called that, and its long-lasting legacy. 

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"Gather 'round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun,

A man whose allegiance

Is ruled by expedience." 

🎶 “Gather 'round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun,
 A man whose allegiance is ruled by expedience…” – Tom Lehrer

In this first installment of our deep dive into Wernher von Braun, we finally tackle one of the most controversial figures in modern history — a man who helped launch humanity into space… but got his start building weapons for the Nazis.

This episode explores von Braun’s early life, his obsession with rocketry, and his pivotal role in developing the V-2 missile program during World War II — a technological feat built on the backs of forced labor and human suffering. With German mustaches, unexpected Space Camp references, and yes, an unwelcome Hitler cameo, we take a closer look at how ambition, ideology, and survival intersected in von Braun’s story.

Was he a brilliant visionary or a morally compromised opportunist? (Spoiler: why not both?)

For more on Von Braun, check out Erin's main source for this episode: Michael J. Neufeld's biography on him, "Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of War."

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The conclusion to the Bonnie Parker saga...To quote Bonnie from her most famous poem:

"They don’t think they’re tough or desperate

They know the law always wins

They’ve been shot at before, but they do not ignore

That death is the wages of sin.

Some day they’ll go down together

And they’ll bury them side by side

To few it’ll be grief, to the law a relief

But it’s death for Bonnie and Clyde."

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If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at [email protected]!

Welcome back to part 2 of Jane Boleyn's story! The dust settles after Anne Boleyn and George Boleyn's executions...now Jane must figure out what the next part of her life will look like. Follow us as we chart Jane's unlikely return to court serving more of Henry VIII's queens (along with some asides, such as a "Queer Eye" style Thomas Cromwell fixer type reality show), and, more importantly...her inevitable downfall.

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We pick up with Part 2 of Bonnie Parker’s story! Bonnie has decided on a life of crime with her boyfriend, Clyde Barrow, and becomes a part of the Barrow Gang! Murder, more murder, poetry, and (eeeek) a mention of J. Edgar Hoover all make their appearance. Things are heating up for our star-crossed lovers as the authorities close in…

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If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at [email protected]!