Closed in 1971, Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary is considered by many to be one of the most haunted places in the country. It’s been featured on multiple television shows and is visited by dozens of paranormal researchers each year. There are multiple stories of paranormal-like experiences corroborated by visitors, inmates, guards, and workers for decades. On today’s show, we’re joined by former prison tour guide, and author Dr. Paul Kahan to take us through the history of the prison and its propensity for eerie occurrences.  He’s the author of a number of books, including Eastern State Penitentiary: A History and The Bank War: Andrew Jackson, Nicholas Biddle, and the Fight for American Finance. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Temple University and is currently working on a narrative history of Philadelphia due out in 2022. Find out more about Dr. Kahan and his work at www.paulkahan.com.

Ep. 58 Eastern State Penitentiary w/ Expert Paul Kahan

Frolic on precipice of discovery, rouse your curious mind, and expand self-awareness as Jason and Steve take you on an educational, yet hilarious journey through an explorative stew of mystical, historic, cultural and scientific. Prepare to laugh, learn, and enter into an introspective reverie as they ascertain topics that have always intrigued you whether you know it or not.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Comedy

Splitting is a common symptom associated with issues such as personality disorder which forces individuals to view things only in two absolute terms; black and white;this or that. These individuals are unable to accept qualities in things or people preventing any grey areas to exist in thought or mindset.  As all of us are navigating through a world where mental issues or not, we're faced with decisions that force us into splitting, can we conclude that the entire popluation has subconsciously acquired this mental condition? Or is it just that the Grognostic's crew needed an excuse to talk about popluar 1980's cereals? You be the judge.  Beer enjoyed from Altamont Brewery in Livermore, Ca and Device Brewing in Sacramento, Ca. 

Ep. 74 Splitting

The legend of the Bell Witch dates back over 200 years and is one of Americas most credible supernatural stories. The hauntings which occured on the Bell family farm in Tennessee in early 1800's have been witnesses by dozens of people including a future U.S. President. There have been movies based on the tale and several podcasts and TV shows done by people far more qualified than the Grognostics cast, which of course, isn't saying a whole lot. On today's show, we regale you with a ghost story featuring a neauratic witch who can't seem to make up her mind on whether she is kind, demonic or just downright annoying.  Sure the Grognostics staff attempts to solve the credibility of the story but as usual come to no conclusion. Thanks for nothing. However, you will experience some laughs, some frights and some knowlegde before coming to the end of the podcast when you will be most terrified. Not beacuse of the ending necessarily, but terrified that you've wasted 45 minutes of your life you can never get back. You're welcome. 

Ep. 73 The Bell Witch

Did you know what was made when humanity’s oldest yeast was exhumed (Brendan Frazier and the mummy had nothing to do with it just fyi), How about the culprit for eight people dying in a freak drowning accident in the UK? What about the massage oil used for cuisine’s most popular bovine? Yep, that’s right. It may have something to do with beer. Tune in to hear some of the kookiest beer stories ever told told by the coolest kids west of san Francisco and east of the Farallon Islands which are directly west of San Francisco, so yeah sure when you match them up against a couple of rotting octopus carcasses and shipwrecked seamen, they’re pretty darn funny.

Kooky Beer Tales

Outer Place is a new Irish Craft brewery in Kildare, Ireland focused on hoppy styles of beer which of course is not typical of Irish beers so this makes their tasty beverages unique. Rebellious. Renegade-esque even.   Their vision is to create a destination brewery that is fiercely independent, ethically inclined and sustainable with a goal of creating modern, progressive, delicious beers inspired by friends, family, art, music, nature and whatever else takes their fancy along the way. The story begins at the home of Mark Clarke and Viven Lough and ends with delicious and creative brews in your pint glass (True pint not those swindling American "pints." And it all comes to life on today's Grognostic's podcast where we sit down with Mark to talk Irish Craft scene, his brewery and how he got started in the industry. Our Irish beer expert Oisin is in studio in the flesh (we're still not sure if this is a good thing or not) to provide additional insight into drinking suds in Ireland.  You can learn more about this brewery at outerplacebrewing.com. Be sure to follow on Instagram @outerplacebrew  Enjoy responsibly... or better yet un-responsibly.     

Brewery Field Trip - Outer Place Brewing

We're back to reveal the most savage, most innovative and most effective weapon of human history. If you didn't catch part one where we describe all the competitors please go back and listen. We'll be right here waiting... waiting... waiting... ok ready? You didn't skip any parts did you? Did you?  Enjoy.   

Ep. 58 Eastern State Penitentiary w/ Expert Paul Kahan

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