Scoundrel: History's Forgotten Villains

Born in Dalian province, China, Wang Ti always had her sights on becoming a fixture in the elite circles of Beijing aristocracy. Her place as the wife of a once star player on a former Chinese Super League champion team gave her access to the who’s who, but Wang Ti wanted more than just access, she desired to BE the who’s who, by any means necessary.

The 2008 Olympics gave her a golden ticket to the top in the form of Xiao Qin, that year’s gold medalist in the Pommel Horse. Known by many names including “The Prince of the Pommel Horse” and “The Pony God” Xiao Qin’s victory on China’s home stage sprung him to international fame. At a fateful wedding reception, Wang Ti and The Pony God crossed paths, and she leveraged her cunning and his national stardom in the wake of the Olympics to enter the upper echelon of Chinese elite society through deception and trickery. One slip of the tongue in a meeting saw her assume the role as the de-facto luxury goods broker for Beijing’s elite athletes and socialites, but a sinister twist of fate landed her life in prison. While her story is recent, it seems that history has already swept the devious deeds of Wang Ti under the carpet in hopes to be forgotten, but we won’t let that happen!

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At the turn of the 20th century, Hetty Green was possibly the richest woman in America. She outsmarted the men of Wall Street at their own game, amassing a fortune that, today, would be worth billions. So, with all that money, why did she die in in squalor, wearing threadbare clothes, alienated from everyone she knew both personally and professionally, with the moniker of "The Witch of Wall Street?"Today, we tell the story of Hetty Green, and explore whether she was a monster who pinched pennies to the point that her son lost a leg because she refused to pay for medical care, or a tragic tale of what happens when money takes the place of love in someone’s life.

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In 1645, the English Civil War caused a great divide in England - on both sides, the destruction, violence and famine were all blamed on malevolent witches, cursing towns and villages all throughout the countryside to fulfill their pacts with the devil. Thankfully, King Charles I endorsed a duo of witch-hunters, led by Matthew Hopkins to identify and condemn as many accused witches as they could lay eyes on, leading to national and international fame and infamy. Over their careers, Hopkins and his partner John Stearne torturously forced confessions and sent more people to the gallows than all witch-hunters for the prior 160 years combined, and Hopkins’ book ‘The Discovery of Witches’ eventually became the inspiration for the Salem Witch Trials when it arrived on American shores. History may have forgotten about Matthew Hopkins’ insidious influence, but we sure haven’t!

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In January of 1920, as their locomotive headed into Rochester, New York, a group of brakemen happened to spot a corpse lying in a nearby ditch. After a quick police investigation, authorities were able to point their fingers at a rather unusual couple of culprits: A married couple - Pearl and James O'Dell.  Nicknamed "The Honeymoon Murderers," their strange motive, method and mayheim splashes its way all over national papers and popular culture...until time washed their story away.  Join us as we bring them back to life and shed light on their human tragedy. 

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TalkSpace

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They were two of the most feared outlaws in the Wild West. Known for their crack shots, and overall disregard of Oklahoma law, their names were on most wanted lists from Alda to Tulsa County.  Oh, and the kicker? They were two teenage girls. The world may have forgotten about Cattle Annie and Little Britches, but we sure haven't!

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On April 16, 1874, a desperate and frostbitten man wrapped in rags wandered into a basecamp in the frosty Colorado San Juan Mountains. Famished and half-dead, soldiers gathered around to quickly feed the poor guy. As he regained strength, Alferd Packer quickly threaded together a story about how he impossibly survived the winter stranded deep in the unforgiving mountains. His story... would be one giant lie. The truth, as it slowly revealed itself, involved unspeakable acts of violence, murder and perhaps most harrowing, cannibalism. History may have overlooked the disturbing true tales of Alferd Packer, but we sure haven't! 

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The Jordan Harbinger Show

Check out jordanharbinger.com/start for some episode recommendations, OR search for The Jordan Harbinger Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

 Listen to Scoundrel ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus

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On July 17, 1918, Nicholas II, Czar of Russia and his entire family were ushered into a dark basement where they were all killed by Bolshevik revolutionary gunmen. But people around the world prayed that perhaps the legend was true. That his 17-year-old daughter Anastasia Romanov survived the massacre. Well, a Polish woman for several decades preyed upon those false hopes and deviously masqueraded as the late Grand Duchess for sympathy, fame and worst of all money. The world may have forgotten about Franziska Schanzkowska, but we sure haven't,

Special Thanks To Our Sponsors: 

Aura Frames

This holiday season, listeners can save on the perfect gift and get up to $30 off Aura’s
best-selling frames. Just go to auraframes.com/SCOUNDREL.

The Jordan Harbinger Show

Check out jordanharbinger.com/start for some episode recommendations, OR search for The Jordan Harbinger Show!

 Listen to Scoundrel ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus

Listen to Scoundrel ad-free, with bonus content at Amazon Music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He had it all. Good looks, a privileged upbringing, the adoration of women...yet in November 1961, Julian Harvey was responsible for murdering almost an entire family while captaining their vacation vessel off the shore of Florida. What made this villain tick and ultimately do the unthinkable? Take a listen now!

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Story Worth

Go to StoryWorth.com/scoundrel and save $10 on your first purchase!

Aura Frames

From now through Black Friday & Cyber Monday, listeners can get $20 off Aura’s best-selling frames. Just go to auraframes.com/SCOUNDREL

The Jordan Harbinger Show

Check out jordanharbinger.com/start for some episode recommendations, OR search for The Jordan Harbinger Show.

 Listen to Scoundrel ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus

Listen to Scoundrel ad-free, with bonus content at Amazon Music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard of famous pirates like Black Beard and Calico Jack, but did you know a 19th century former peasant girl assembled a pirate confederation so massive  it made these men's fleets seem like a couple of row boats? Ching Shih was the most successful pirate the world has ever forgotten.... until today. 

Special Thanks To Our Sponsors: 

The Jordan Harbinger Show

Check out jordanharbinger.com/start for some episode recommendations, OR search for The Jordan Harbinger Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

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Join us and take Field of Greens too. And to help get you started; we got you 15% off your first order. And another 10% off when you subscribe. Visit FieldofGreens.com and use promo code SCOUNDREL. 

 Listen to Scoundrel ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus

Listen to Scoundrel ad-free, with bonus content at Amazon Music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.