Michael Malloy—also known as Mike the Durable—is the closest thing history has to a real-life Rasputin. In 1930s New York, a group of small-time crooks hatched the dumbest insurance scam of all time: take out a life insurance policy on a local drunk and kill him for the payout. Simple, right? Except Malloy had the constitution of a cockroach. Poisoned drinks? He asked for another round. Antifreeze? Tasted just fine. Rotten oysters marinated in wood alcohol? Delicious. Even running him over with a taxi twice wasn’t enough. In this episode of The Lesser Known People Podcast, we break down the hilariously stupid series of attempts to take Malloy out, the absurd perseverance of one very drunk man, and the ultimate downfall of the criminal "masterminds" behind the plot. If you love true crime, dark comedy, and stories so ridiculous they sound fake, this one’s for you.

In the summer of 1942, the town of Pascagoula, Mississippi, was terrorized by a bizarre and unsettling figure—The Phantom Barber. This unknown intruder would sneak into homes at night, bypassing locked doors and windows, only to steal locks of hair from unsuspecting victims. Was it a prank, a fetish, or something even more sinister? Join The Lesser Known People Podcast as we dive into this strange true crime mystery, exploring theories, suspects, and the wildest possibilities behind this unexplained phenomenon. If you love weird history, unsolved crimes, and dark humor, this episode is for you. Subscribe now and never miss a deep dive into the strangest stories you've never heard!

Dad Logic: The Quirks That Made Our Fathers Who They Are Every dad has his own brand of wisdom, weird habits, and unshakable beliefs—whether it's insisting that turning off the AC saves gas or refusing to throw away a single screw “just in case.” In this episode, we take a deep dive into the unique and often baffling quirks that made our fathers the legends they are. From their questionable DIY fixes to the strange rules they swore by, we’re celebrating the men who raised us in the only way we know how—by roasting them. Grab a beer, tighten your cargo shorts, and get ready for a hilarious tribute to dads everywhere.

Ever wondered what happens when a whale carcass goes boom? In this chaotic and educational episode, we dive into the infamous 1970 Florence, Oregon whale explosion, where a poorly planned dynamite detonation made history—and covered spectators in blubber. But that’s just the beginning. We uncover a series of equally wild (and disastrous) attempts to handle beached whales worldwide, complete with explosions, unintended consequences, and plenty of questionable decisions. Join us for explosive laughs, unexpected history, and the kind of whale tales you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for fans of bizarre history, marine mishaps, and a good dark-humored laugh.

What do you get when you mix a polite McDonald’s robber, a daring prison escape artist, and a guy who literally lived in a Toys "R" Us? Meet Jeffrey Manchester, aka "Roofman," the bandit with a bizarre streak of criminal genius. From dropping through restaurant ceilings to locking employees in freezers (politely, of course), to hiding out in a Circuit City furnished with Spider-Man sheets, this story only gets wilder. Add in a dental office arson, a congregation snitch, and a bouquet-bearing arrest — you’ve got a true crime tale that sounds too weird to be true. But it is. Join us as we break down Manchester’s legendary heists, his under-the-radar suburban life, and Hollywood’s upcoming adaptation (Roofman, starring Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, and Peter Dinklage). Don’t miss this chaotic thrill ride from fast food to fugitive status!

Irwin Schiff (1928–2015) was an outspoken and controversial figure in the world of tax protest movements. A self-styled “tax honesty” advocate, Schiff was best known for claiming that paying federal income tax was not legally required for U.S. citizens, a position that led him into repeated legal battles with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and federal courts. Despite earning a degree in accounting, Schiff became a fervent critic of the federal tax system, arguing it was unconstitutional and based on government overreach. He gained notoriety through books like The Federal Mafia: How the Government Illegally Imposes and Unlawfully Collects Income Taxes, in which he outlined his belief that the IRS manipulated Americans into paying taxes they didn’t owe. The book was so controversial that a federal court banned its sale, deeming it misleading and fraudulent. Schiff also conducted seminars and sold kits to promote his tax avoidance strategies, further solidifying his place as a polarizing figure in tax law debates. Schiff’s defiance of the IRS wasn’t just theoretical; he openly refused to pay income taxes and urged others to do the same. Over the years, this resistance led to multiple convictions for tax evasion, fraud, and contempt of court. In 2006, he was sentenced to over 13 years in prison for his repeated offenses. Despite his legal troubles and the lack of legal validation for his theories, Schiff maintained his innocence and stood by his beliefs until his death in 2015 while still incarcerated. Seen by some as a crusader for individual liberty and by others as a dangerous promoter of tax evasion, Irwin Schiff remains a polarizing symbol of the anti-tax movement. His story serves as both a cautionary tale and a rallying cry for those who challenge federal authority.

Errol Musk, the father of Elon Musk, is a South African electromechanical engineer, pilot, sailor, and property developer. Often described as intelligent and ambitious, he has also been the subject of controversy due to his tumultuous family relationships, shady business dealings and a history of contentious remarks in public. Errol Musk was married to Heidi Bezuidenhout, the mother of two of his children, Alexandra and Asha Musk. The relationship was fraught with difficulties, culminating in a divorce after an extended period of strain. Post-divorce, their relationship took a shocking turn when Errol fathered a child with Jana Bezuidenhout, Heidi’s daughter from a previous marriage. This revelation caused significant upheaval within the family, as Errol was effectively Jana’s stepfather for much of her upbringing. The scandal drew widespread criticism and further alienated Errol from his ex-wife and other members of the Musk family. Errol’s relationship with his eldest son, Elon Musk, has been strained for many years. Elon has publicly described Errol as a difficult and complex figure, even calling him "a terrible human being" in interviews. Despite Errol’s claims of having supported Elon during his early ventures, including his education, Elon has distanced himself from his father, citing personal grievances and fundamental differences in values. Errol’s behavior and public comments often exacerbate the tension. While he has occasionally praised Elon’s accomplishments, he has also been critical of him at times, creating a dynamic that is far from harmonious. Their relationship reflects a broader pattern of estrangement within the Musk family, with Errol remaining a divisive figure whose actions and statements continue to generate controversy.

Donald Omand was a fascinating figure in the mid-20th century. He was a Scottish priest and psychiatrist who blended his religious calling with psychological and psychiatric practices. Known as “Doctor, Reverend Donald Omand,” he became famous for his unconventional approaches to mental health and spirituality, often working with individuals in deeply troubled or extraordinary circumstances. Reverend Dr. Donald Omand was a Church of England vicar and exorcist. While specific records of individuals he baptized are not publicly available, it's known that he conducted numerous baptisms as part of his clerical duties. In addition to baptizing individuals, Omand was involved in exorcising spirits from objects and locations, including sites like Loch Ness, the Bermuda Triangle, and a haunted stretch of highway.

Judge Holden, a central figure in Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, is a character of immense physical and intellectual presence, shrouded in mystery and menace. He is described as towering and hairless, with skin so pale it appears almost luminous, giving him an otherworldly and unsettling appearance. His large frame and immense strength contrast with his refined mannerisms and erudite speech, making him both grotesque and charismatic. The Judge is multilingual, well-read, and a polymath, with a prodigious memory and knowledge spanning philosophy, law, natural sciences, and the arts. Despite his outward charm and affable demeanor, he embodies pure, unrelenting violence and chaos. He is a figure of near-supernatural evil, often depicted as a force of nature or a manifestation of war itself, reveling in destruction and domination. His philosophical musings frequently delve into the nature of power, fate, and human violence, casting him as both a nihilist and an arbiter of existential truths. Holden's enigmatic presence looms over the novel, as does his eerie propensity for appearing and disappearing seemingly at will. He remains inscrutable, his ultimate motivations unclear, but his role as a harbinger of death and destruction leaves an indelible mark on the landscape of the book and the psyche of its characters.

Dive into the eerie legacy of Max Schreck, the man who brought terror to silent film audiences as Count Orlok in Nosferatu (1922). Often described as looking like he just crawled out of a crypt (because he did—on screen, anyway), Schreck's portrayal of the gaunt, rat-toothed vampire left such an impression that rumors swirled for decades claiming he was a real vampire. Spoiler: he wasn’t, but his performance was so hauntingly convincing that it blurred the line between acting and the supernatural. Off-screen, Schreck was a far cry from his creepy Nosferatu persona—a theater actor who enjoyed his craft, not blood. Join us as we shine a (UV-free) spotlight on one of cinema’s most enigmatic and misunderstood figures, and explore how his iconic role laid the foundation for every vampire to hiss their way onto the silver screen. Perfect for cinephiles, horror fans, and anyone curious about the origins of on-screen terror. Make sure to sink your teeth into this one!