History's Greatest Screwups

Join guest B.Erin Cole for a rousing discussion about the failed Denver Olympics bid! Come for the sports, stay for the infrastructure and ballot initiatives history! 

In the second half of a series, Anna Kramer concludes the story of how George Hopkins got down from the top of Devils Tower or Bear Lodge in 1941. Airdropped snacks, the Goodyear blimp, and midnight drives are just some of the shenanigans that abound in this episode! 

What do airdropped axels, $50 bets, and tangled ropes have in common? In the first of a two-part series, Anna Kramer tells us the story of George Hopkins, who managed to get himself stuck on top of Devils Tower in 1941. What goes up does not always come back down. 

What do pigs, wooden stakes, and lost border surveyors have in common? In this episode, we chat with Dr. Sheila McManus about how screwups shaped the creation of the US-Canadian border. Join us for settler screw-ups, including almost starting a war over a pig!

In the second of another two-part series, Amanda Martin-Hardin concludes the story of the failed U.S. Camel Corps and the ultimate fate of the camels. Ghost camels, zoos, and headless riders! For every play/download in the next 72 hours, a dollar will be donated to GWC Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-columbia-academic-student-workers

In the first of another two-part series, Amanda Martin-Hardin recounts the complex story of the failed US Camel Corps. Camel facts, Jefferson Davis, and a mule lobby! For every play/download in the next 72 hours, a dollar will be donated to GWC Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-columbia-academic-student-workers 

In the second part on how history demonstrates why it's a bad idea to invade Russia, guest Kathryn Randall tells us how the Nazis bit off more than they bargained for when they invaded Russia. Nazis, frozen tanks, and a catatonic Stalin! 

CW: genocide, racism, and rape. 

In the first episode of a two-part series, we are joined by Kathryn Randall from CU-Boulder to discuss Napoleon's ill-fated invasion of Russia in 1812. Spoiler alert: make sure you bring a coat if you choose to invade Russia!

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Alex Langer to discuss James Brudenell's, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, epic mishaps during his time as a retreating figure in 19th-century British history. It's not Bridgerton but hey, muttonchops, duels, and mayhem abound!

In 1870, a tax man named Truman Everts spent 37 days lost in the area that would eventually become Yellowstone National Park. He did survive, but only just. This episode, with guest Dr. Megan Kate-Nelson, traces how Everts came to be in such a prickly situation and how his story illustrates how Americans sought to re-create themselves following the Civil War.