Not Past It

On January 15, 1919, a tank exploded in Boston’s North End releasing a tsunami wave of molasses that plowed down the city’s streets at 35 miles per hour. It destroyed businesses and homes. Lives were lost. And in the wake of this sticky disaster, people were suspicious… What caused the tank to blow? Who was to blame? There were rumors of foul play. This episode originally aired January 12, 2022.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drag Kings. Gender Bending. Punk Rock. In the 1990s, that’s what Club Casanova was all about. Back then, New York City nightlife was poppin’. But so was crime. Both of which then Mayor Rudy Giuliani was hellbent on cleaning up. Luckily for him, a racist Prohibition-era law helped eradicate crime...and fun. And a few days before New Years 1998, Club Casanova was Rudy’s latest victim. This episode originally aired January 5, 2022.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On December 22, 1972, St. Louis high society was readying itself for The Veiled Prophet Ball—a debutante ball for the daughters of the city’s most pedigreed families. Inside, thousands of guests at the white tie event settled in for an elegant evening. But just outside, a group of stealth activists was preparing to infiltrate the exclusive party, where they’d attempt to pull off a dramatic stunt and unveil the ugly truth behind the ball’s origins. This episode originally aired on Dec. 21, 2022.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, we’ll find out how a 19th-century obsession with the frigid Arctic snowballed into our mythology of Old Saint Nick. We’ll take a sneak peek into Santa’s bag of toys, answer his personal phone calls, and track his sleigh across the starry night sky. We’re joined by comedian and writer Karen Chee (Late Night with Seth Myers, Patchinko). This episode originally aired Dec. 14, 2022.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christmas is upon us. And, that means one thing at Not Past It: diving into the dark, twisted history of S E X. This week, Simone is taking our guest Eric Mennel on a domino history ride that starts with a bishop’s declaration of original sin and ends with the outward sexual displays of America’s beloved celebrities. This episode originally aired December 15, 2021.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To usher in the holiday season, we’re offering up four historical events that we think should be celebrated on the first day of the last month of every year. These history holidays require no religion, gift-giving, or even cooking...just an appreciation for how the past shapes our lives. Come create a new tradition with us. This episode originally aired December 1, 2021.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wamsutta Frank James, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe, led his fellow activists in protest of a Thanksgiving Celebration in Plymouth, MA. On November 26, 1970, he set the record straight as to the true and violent history of this holiday. The Pilgrim celebration went to shit and the first National Day of Mourning was born. This episode originally aired November 24, 2021.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After four decades of devastating oil pollution in the Niger Delta, Ken Saro-Wiwa decided he couldn’t stand the injustices any longer. The Nigerian writer-turned-activist started campaigning to defend the rights of his people, the Ogoni, from the oil drilling that was destroying their land and way of life. But Ken paid a price. In this episode, actor Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Deuce, The Wire), brings Saro-Wiwa’s work to life. This episode originally aired November 17, 2021.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

King Tutankhamen, Egypt’s boy prince was laid to rest in a fantastical chamber of secrets. On November 4, 1922, the entrance to King Tut’s tomb was discovered 33 centuries after he was buried. But when the king’s tomb was disturbed strange things began to happen. This episode originally aired November 3, 2021.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s election season! That time of year when nasty political debates and nonstop campaign ads finally face their judges: you, members of democracy. We decided to honor this special time by bringing back the trivia show that swept the nation… but this time, election style. Guests Emma Choi and Mike Danforth from NPR show Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me roll up their sleeves and compete for the world’s sharpest political brain. This episode originally aired November 2, 2022.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices