In this flipping rad episode we discuss  how seals AND ...sea lions have become a thing of the past in American circus. We discuss some SERIOUS seal and sea lion cuteness, habitat behavior,  early circus beginnings, their life performing on the road and of course some silly animal shenanigans. These incredibly intelligent and ADORABLE land and sea creatures have shown audiences far and wide how they are still  "Nature's Most Mystifying Creatures" and so smart they can "do everything but talk".
Link to the Duss Family Sea Lions performance :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd-0R1hgOWI

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In this episode we move out WEST!!! We explore the wild life and adventures of Annie Oakley, best known for her sharp shooting skills and top billing act with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.   Hear about how Annie was requested to shoot at people's faces -- OFTEN, how she helped advance the way film captures motion, her brief run in with a cocaine mishap, and most importantly...her dog Dave and how he played a role in her act.  Saddle up cowpoke and prepared to get blown away by this story ...  and sorry for that pun in advance.

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All we gotta say is WHOA! In our devilish episode 13, we merge the two best things; Circus/Sideshow and True Crime.  We explore the unbelievable murders and trials that centered around Grady Stiles Jr.  AKA "The Lobster Boy".  
This dude is a real SOB and trigger warning - this episode is a real life horror movie. You have been warned.  
Also, most events in the story take place  in Florida, you have been double warned. 

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Gooble Gobble, Gooble Gobble -   One of us, One of us ...
Join us for this BEHEMOTH episode as we deep dive into the controversy that swirled around the cult classic, Tod Browning's 1932 film FREAKS! Callie B and Mark are joined by sideshow aficionado, Krysta Z as the trio explore Browning's film career; it's ups and downs and where Browning found the "suggestion" for the film. 
We also chat about the film's casting process,  production struggles, scathing critic reviews and more; you do not want to miss any of it!! 

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Today's episode we explore the illusive act - The Hair Hang! Yeah! The act of quite literally hanging by one's hair. No tricks or magic here, this act is legit. BUT how the heck do these performers do it!? And what is their hair care regimen? ALSO does it hurt? All of this and more will be answered!

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Half Man  / Half Elephant  ...  HARDLY!! Join us as we revisit the life of Joseph Merrick aka The Elephant Man. We discuss his trials and tribulations as he navigates an unforgiving world but DO NOT WORRY.. this story has a happy ending ....sorta!  We also chat about David Lynch's film adaption of this true story, and discuss the topic of chickens as doctors.  

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The riveting conclusion to Mabel Stark's incredible story. We continue our journey with the infamous Tiger Queen of the circus and her increasing number of husbands and tiger attacks. Mabel gets a taste for Hollywood, rubs elbows with Mae West and discovers a magical place called Jungle Land! 

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Tiger King move OVER!! Mabel Stark can surely be labeled the Tiger Queen. As the first female headlining a Big Cat act in a U.S. circus, Mabel paved the way for so many female trainers that followed. Small in stature, but tough as nails, and a voice that could arguably shatter glass. Join us while we explore Mabel's rise to stardom as she does all she can, and we mean ALL, to leave her past behind and get close to the tigers.

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 We do a deep dive and discuss the astounding lives of the original "Siamese Twins" Chang and Eng Bunker, and explore how they navigated a wild world of pirate captains, sideshow careers, crappy managers, and ... surely a complicated love life/lives. YES, this episode is longer than usual, but just like these two conjoined twins, we didn't DARE separate the episode into two parts!! 

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