We often view piracy through a Western lens, but this week, Ben explores the tale of Chinese pirate-slash-warlord, Li-ma-hong. As a young rapscallion, his crew fleet grew quickly. But how cunning was this swashbuckler, really? Listen and find out.

Steve discusses American athletic hero Robert Garrett, and his ballsy scheme to ensure a trip to the first modern Olympic games in 1876. Let's just say his approach to international athletic competition mirror's many of Steve's collegiate study habits.

On this week's episode, we explore a strange phenomenon that plagued Europe, making entire towns dance until they dropped. Then we head to Madagascar to discuss an infamous ruler known as the Female Caligula.

For a full description, including citations, visit http://thenonessential.libsyn.com

This week, Ben kicks off the show with a series of interesting, if not dubious, urban legends straight out of Japan. These ghosts and ghouls love to quiz their victims, so this may actually be essential listening.

Steve tells a brief biography of marine documentarians and all-around crazy couple Valerie and Ron Taylor, whose love of sharks led to an expedition that tests both nature, and what we can consider sane science. 

Check out the debut episode of The Nonessential Podcast!

 

This Week's Sources:

'The Inunaki Village - The Real Story' (Sugoii Nippon News): https://sugoiinipponnews.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-inunaki-village-real-story-to-start.html

'The 1992 Cageless Shark Diving Expedition' (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_cageless_shark-diving_expedition

The Australian National Maritime Museum: http://collections.anmm.gov.au/en/objects/details/137378/stainless-steel-chainmail-diving-suit-worn-by-valerie-taylor;jsessionid=484E223F0BE80ACA77A82448A29BC49D?ctx=e9350098-5cde-4827-a0dc-8a35c1490f42&idx=5

'The Most Glamorous Shark Hunter in the World' (LA Times): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/11700946/The-most-glamorous-shark-hunter-in-the-world.html

'Behind-the-scenes: Shark Cage Attack Scene in Jaws' (Cinemablography): http://www.cinemablography.org/blog/behind-the-scenes-shark-cage-attack-scene-in-jaws