The Missing Chapter Podcast

Did you know that George Washington had wooden teeth? Wait, that’s not true is it? I thought that was a myth.  Well, as teachers, we should probably debunk some of these historic myths, while at the same time, letting everyone know what unbelievable stories are actually… truth. Let’s do it on today’s episode. A Missing Chapter Podcast all about truths versus myths… fact versus fiction. So, did Washington really have wooden teeth? Pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and relax, and let’s test your knowledge about history - true or false style.

Welcome back to the Missing Chapter Podcast and Happy almost Veterans day to all of our vets! As we begin the holiday weekend and honor those that have served, past and present, I think it’s also honorable to know the history of the holiday and how we got here.  So that’s what we’re here for.  Grab your coffees, salute your vets and lets pay homage to all of our service members around the world, past and present!

Well, listeners, we started this series of seeing double a few weeks ago with the discussion about Joseph Stalin - did he or did he not have a body double?  Check out S5E4 to find out our response.  But today, we have another rendition of this series and today’s question is whether or not Saddam Hussein had known body doubles.  Oh, there’s a hint…I said body doubles, plural, didn’t I?  Here we go, Missing Chapter listeners, no need to adjust your glasses, we’re seeing double…again…and we’re doubling down on our coffee intake as we enter into another episode of the Missing Chapter.

Lizzie Borden took an ax

And gave her mother forty whacks,

And when she saw what she had done,

She gave her father forty-one.

Well, Missing Chapter fans, it’s that time of year again! The leaves are falling and the pumpkins are lit. For the past 4 years, Phil and I have been bringing you history’s forgotten stories and when the calendar turns to October… those stories turn to the dark & the mysterious.  On this Halloween special of The Missing Chapter Podcast, we’re joined by a special guest; who will discuss with us one of the most notorious, grisly murders in our nation’s history and the trial that followed. You know the routine: coffee is poured, shades are drawn, and doors are locked…

You won’t want to miss this episode and you won’t want to listen alone. It’s The Missing Chapter Podcast - Halloween Edition.

I’m sure most of you, especially this time of year, love a good haunted story - something scary, mysterious, murderous, ghastly, ghostly - like the very popular ghost tours around the country right now - like the  nighttime ghost tours of Gettysburg or Salem.  This time of year, especially, many people flock to Salem especially to visit the town that is known for the Salem Tomato Trials - wait, wait, wait - I meant to say Salem Witch Trials, sorry, typo right? 

Oh no, not on this episode.  This episode is filled with deadly, yet juicy details on the trials of…you heard me right…Tomatoes.  Welcome to the Missing Chapter, and Happy Halloween weekend, everyone, let’s get started.

More than thirty-nine years ago, Nintendo debuted a video game that knocked out its competitors, much like a green turtle shell wiping out a string of Goombas. For every groundbreaking movie, television show, or video game, there are  dozens of concepts that fall by the waste side and are lost in the proverbial black hole that is history. But every so often a game or idea develops that is legendary, iconic… historic. This episode focuses on arguably the most well-known video game protagonist, not named Pac-Man, but one that has grown a franchise of games, and the company itself, unlike any other.

So, grab your coffee, and settle in, because… “I’m a back!” to share another forgotten story in history. It’s season 5 of The Missing Chapter Podcast.

“And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”

A quote. A book. A man… forever tied to the holiday season and the veritable meaning of the Christmas spirit.

Charles Dickens became a pioneer for reform during his lifetime and during a time period where England was experiencing a revolutionary change of industry and labor. But what inspired Dickens? What motivated one of Britain’s most beloved authors to take up the cause of championing reform of the working class and the conditions they were being subjected to, while, in the process, penning some of the most beloved works in the history of literature?

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Missing Chapter Podcast website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information, previous episodes, and professional development opportunities!

As the holiday season approaches, I can see the parents and grandparents beginning to plan their menus or maybe even venture out into the unknown and practice some concoctions before the big debut come Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.  And it seems like each season has its own distinct edible feature.  As you know, the Missing Chapter is split down the middle, 1 in favor of candy corn, 1 certainly not, but there’s one treat that almost transcends holidays.  It’s used in the spring, summer, the fall, and certainly the winter holiday season.  So which treat is it?  Welcome to the Missing Chapter…grab your coffees, take a listen, and we’ll get to the answer in a snap, crackle, and pop.

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Missing Chapter Podcast website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information, previous episodes, and professional development opportunities!

If you’re a listener of the Missing Chapter, you’re probably aware that Phil Horender and I are huge action movie fans.  I mean, how can you beat Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, The Rock, The Fugitive, the Terminator - just to name a few of our many favorites.  The best action movies in my opinion, though, are the ones where the actors or actresses do their own stunts.  Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Jackie Chan, Charlize Theron, once again, just to name a few.  And why is it that we’re surprised that these actors and actresses do their own stunts?  It’s because it’s normal that most don’t do their own stunts - they have stunt doubles.  Well, wouldn’t we be ignorant to assume that only happens in movies?  I mean, it wouldn’t happen anywhere else in our crazy world, right?  Like, I don’t know, political figure heads?  Yeah, you’re picking up my sarcasm and I hope you’re picking up your cup of coffee because the Phils are back with another Season 5 episode of the Missing Chapter.

Ok parents, this one’s for you.  Dads specifically, not because moms don’t experience what I’m about to say, but because moms, generally speaking, have a little more patience in reserves than dads do.  The scenario goes like this - a package is delivered and the dad sees a massive square box, with directions that are either in a foreign language or type 4 font with pictures that look like they came from a 1988 smeared ditto.  But worse yet, is what is next to the directions, in all of its L-shaped glory, ready to seek bloody vengeance on your fingertips as you trudge through the 4 hours of your life with 13,000 never-before-seen parts.  Oh this is going to be a doozy today, so grab your coffees and let’s get started on this rendition of the Missing Chapter.