The Missing Chapter Podcast

Albert Einstein, born in Germany in 1879, became a theoretical physicist and is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest scientists of all time. Einstein is best remembered for developing the theory of relativity, but he also made important contributions to the development of the theory of quantum mechanics.  In life, people marveled at Einstein’s brilliance and his name quickly became synonymous with the term ‘genius.’  His pioneering work opened doors that scientists didn’t even realize needed opening in the areas of math, science, and engineering.  The mystery that surrounded him after his death was equally as intriguing.  Find out more on this episode of the Missing Chapter.

There is a verse in the book of Proverbs that says “where there is no vision, people perish.”  Upon reading that, someone might wonder if that is describing literal vision, or a metaphorical way of understanding goals, dreams, aspirations.  Well, we know that blind people aren’t limited by their lack of physical vision, and quite often, the opposite is true...they’re able to operate with a heightened awareness of their surroundings, and they’re able to see things people with vision might not.  On this episode of the Missing Chapter, we discuss a remarkable man, who lived the majority of his life with no sight, but was a profound visionary.  As we discuss the circumstances surrounding his life, he will prove to those that are willing to learn from him, that sometimes it’s the people with sight that have become blinded, not those without.

Mildred Fish-Harnack was a Wisconsin-born woman on a mission...an Anti-Nazi resistance mission.  And the road to success wasn't easy as one can imagine, nor was it met with support by even the United States.  During WWII, she and her husband led the largest underground resistance movement in Berlin.  She risked her life for 10 years with incredible courage and heroism, yet not many people know of this woman and her resistance group, "The Red Orchestra."  Find out more about this woman, who she was, and why we know little about her with our friend and special guest, Tim Field, on this episode of the Missing Chapter.  

It is one of the most iconic images in American History.  A photograph so powerful, it captured the essence of despair that gripped an entire nation, over an entire time period.  A woman holding a baby, 2 small children huddled by her side; shielding their faces over her shoulders.  The woman stares into the distance, a single hand drawn to her cheek.  Her expression, one of hopelessness and desolation; anxiety etched deep in the lines on her face.

But who was this woman and what was her story?  How did this picture of her come to capture an entire generation’s struggle through the worst economic depression the country and the world, had ever experienced?  Like a book cover without a story, the chapters of her life will astound you, and her feelings toward that famous image, might just surprise you… in this revealing episode of The Missing Chapter Podcast.

“The British are coming, the British are coming” - Paul Revere’s famous ride, right?  Well of course, but the problem with that is he never said that, even though he did manage to warn all of Lexington about the British invasion, it was hours before he spurred a horse toward Concord.  But that’s not where the Missing Chapter is going here...we’re going to the unknown story of a person who did almost the exact same thing, but not at age 41 like Revere was, this person was a teenage girl!  Find out more about who this girl was and what she did for Americans in the revolution on this episode of the Missing Chapter.  

Back by popular demand - the Top 5!  

Today the Phils walk through their Top 5 Haunted Historical sites in the United States in no particular order.  What better way to kick off Halloween weekend than to talk about the part of history that haunts locals, travelers, and tourists alike?  Get your favorite coffee and get ready to hear some ghost stories in Missing Chapter Podcast style!

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” by famed author Washington Irving, is widely considered to be the first “ghost” story in the then young country’s history. The tale of a headless horseman in a quiet, unassuming New York town, often resurfaces every year around the time of Halloween.  But Irving didn’t invent the idea of a headless rider, nor did he base the story entirely on fiction.  Find out more about the American classic, in this episode of The Missing Chapter.

Some say this Autumn staple is their favorite candy, while others say it's best dealt with by being thrown directly into the trash!  What is the history behind this polarized treat?  Or is this candy altogether a trick?  Find out more on this episode of the Missing Chapter.

The best inventions have always stemmed from a vision.  Great visionaries can picture a solution to a current problem, or imagine turning a luxury into a necessity, or maybe an innovation that changes how a future society operates entirely.  And most visionaries are met with nay-sayers and doubters, and even outright barriers or obstacles because others can’t see what this visionary can.  This particular inventor holds over 300 patents on items that are difficult to understand even in our technology-immersed society of the 21st century.  Oh, and his first vision for his revolutionary invention?  Came at a mere 14 years old.  One of the most incredible parts of this, though, is not just his idea at 14, but the obsessive pursuit of completing this invention at such a young age.  Find out what this invention is and who this person is on this episode of the Missing Chapter.

When the United States entered into World War II in 1941, people of all backgrounds and demographics enlisted and went to fight overseas.  In fact, others would end up joining these same ranks and travelling to far off places to assist in the war effort as well – and not all were people. Included in this group was a 4-pound Yorkshire terrier, who was discovered in New Guinea, near an American military base in 1944.  Find out more about this K-9 soldier and what he did in the war efforts on this episode of the Missing Chapter.