I’m fairly sure if you were to ask anyone who is the most iconic, or at least, well known, American architect — they are going to immediately say without hesitation Frank Lloyd Wright. He once upon a time had a little love nest for he and his lover, but on the afternoon of August 15, 1914 a massacre of not only his mistress, but many others would alter his views on architecture and beauty forever. This is the tortured and unknown past  behind one of the greatest artist of architecture in American history. 

Cocktail: Death in the Afternoon

[TRIGGER WARNINGS: violence, murder including an ax, fire, death of children, adultery] 

The Babylonians felt safe prior to being conquered and thus destroyed. Or, the ancient Greek city Helike, a real-life Atlantis - which was reclaimed by the seas by a catastrophic tsunami. Pompeii, an obvious example, was destroyed because of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. History is marred by tales of prosperous civilizations that had their worlds stolen from them within moments by unbridled violence... there is a city in Texas that also was almost wiped from the face of the earth too.

[WARNING: language]

[TRIGGER WARNING: fire]

If these things scare you or you feel you can't listen please just skip this episode. I'm sure next week's will be easier to enjoy. Thanks for listening. 

Arguably America's first viral video of the 20th Century. The 1940 collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.  Google “Galloping Gertie”. What you’re looking at is a tableau of terror, a snapshot of undulating concrete and the twisting of steel that challenges all we know of the physical world. Those images are a portrait of the undetectable line of demarcation dividing the improbable and the impossible.

The week's cocktail I decided to make the Tacoma Tahona, a simple 5 ingredient recipe and perfect for these hot summer days spent outside listening to podcasts https://www.patrontequila.com/cocktails/patron-silver/tacoma-tahona.html

In the year 1800, America was a sort of a utopian union, and still a brand new nation. 1800 saw the first presidential election, the first census, and the Library of Congress was founded. But the strength of a union isn’t truly known until it is tested. And, just like the liberty bell — strength would be tested — and the cracks would begin to show. This is the story of the first murder trial of our brand new nation (mentioned in the Broadway musical, Hamilton) and the first murder trial with a recorded transcript: the infamous Manhattan Well murder of Elma Sands.

WARNING: some cursing, mention of death, sexual relations out of a marriage

On November 16, 1961, a shipping vessel spots a young, blonde girl floating adrift and all alone on a small lifeboat in the shark infested waters off the coast of Bimini. Somehow she had avoided sinking into the depths of the ocean, and her rescue is about to bring the truth of how she was lost at sea to the surface. [TRIGGER WARNING: murder, mention of suicide of the perpetrator, sharks, open ocean]

A crisp and clear morning rose over, the British capitol of, London, on December 5, 1952. They had endured weeks of chilly and overcast days in a mid-season wintery cold-snap but all of that was soon to change as the city was darkened by a deadly smog.

Apart from the neon lights of the Miami’s Art Deco District is a lavish little island, Key Biscayne. A candy coated dream come true for many of the wealthy and elite. But, the sun bleached sands of this pastel paradise concealed a torrid and taboo bond that needed something — or someone — to do more than to just bend, but to break, for this forbidden affair to continue. (WARNING: incest of two consenting adults; murder)

In the historical and coastal town of St. Augustine, Florida a once New York City model turned Florida resident was struck down in midday by a maniac wielding a machete. But, the perpetrator quickly moves on to her best friend months later leaving a sleepy coast city to ponder who murdered Athalia Lindsley, and just what did her best friend know that ended up getting her murdered as well?

(WARNING: murder by machete)

Behind the glitz and glamour of the neon soaked pavements of West Hollywood lurks a vicious killer, who on a night in October 1942, heiress Georgette Bauerdorf had the unpleasure of making his acquaintance. The murder has often been linked to the Black Dahlia as they were both similar in age, similar in appearance and both unsolved. 

[trigger warning: rape -- please skip this episode and come back next week if this is something you feel would make you uncomfortable]

Boston is known for many things and is home for many New England residents. It's a place where hopes, dreams and plans for the future are made for many that are trying to live the sweet life. But, in 1919 a tank holding 2.3 million gallons of molasses flooded the Boston Harbor leaving devastation and death in its wake.