The Other Marthas Podcast

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we explore perhaps the greatest feat of espionage of World War II: Operation Mincemeat. Tune in for Ian Fleming's lesser known spying creation, the ingenious birth of Major William Martin, and the very grisly appropriation of a human body...  

Please note, this episode is set within the context of World War II, and as such contains references to casualties and devastation throughout, as well as allusions to the Nazi regime. The operation in question makes use of a human body for spying purposes, so one to avoid if you're not a fan of grisly details! Between 15:00 and 16:35 we also discuss the life and suicide of Glyndwr Michael, whose death is referenced throughout the episode.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery, and all things morbid. In today's episode, we delve into the many theories behind the true story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, including dancing plagues, religious crusades and more. Tune in to discover the weird wealth of evidence behind the mysterious event, from medieval church windows to foreboding historical accounts and street names - which theory do you think is most likely?  

Please note, this episode deals with the alleged disappearance and possible deaths of multiple children, with speculation as to possible hardships throughout.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery, and all things morbid. In today's episode, we explore the true story behind Herman Melville's Moby Dick: tune in for some truly horrific predicaments and equally astonishing survival stories, as well as a look into the history and traditions of whaling in the 18th Century.  

Please note, this episode recounts a real-life catastrophe, with physical and mental hardships detailed throughout, as well as mentions of racial discrimination. Finally, if cannibalism makes your stomach turn, it might be wise to stop listening around 32:51...

P.S: this instalment comes with a little extra on our YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/7NYIp8OxhAE

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery, and all things morbid. In today's episode, we educate one another on a few of Britain's most intriguing and infamous phantoms, including Mol, the vengeful butter-monger whose spirit is restful only so long as it remains trapped in the dam of Warwick Castle; and Bluidy McKenzie: the world's most renowned poltergeist. Tune in for freaky history, grisly goings-on and post-mortem appearances, from shapeshifting to strangling and more!  

Please note: this episode delves into the supernatural, with heavy speculation around life after death, unfinished business and paranormal activity. We also detail the circumstances of death of several of our featured ghosts, so best avoided for the easily squeamish or scared!  

TIMESTAMPS: 

0:01:35 - Warwick Castle 

0:37:44 - Bluidy McKenzie

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. This week's episode caps off our Everest Blockbuster series, with our own personal thoughts and reflections on Everest, its unique pull for the climbing community, and the life-or-death ethics it brings into question. Tune in to hear our views, discover the miraculous survival of Lincoln Hall, and spawn your own theories on the age-old question: WHO THE HECK IS CHARLOTTE?  

Please note: even more so than the previous two episodes in our Everest series, this episode deals extensively with issues of extreme physical and mental hardship, death, and controversial culpability, so listen at your own risk! We also speculate at length about the implications of climbing Everest while suicidal,  so avoid the section from 16:33 to 25:31 if you'd prefer to skip that.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we continue with our Everest Blockbuster series, this time investigating the 2006 climbing season. Tune in for the incredible feats of physically disabled mountaineers climbing with Russel Bryce, including Mark Inglis' controversial experience and encounters with David Sharp; as well as legendary sherpa Phurba Tashi's heroic attempts to save a fellow mountaineer.  

Please note, this episode centres around the extreme dangers of climbing Everest, including altitude-related illnesses, hypothermia, frostbite, and deadly falls. There is description throughout of extreme mental and physical hardship, high risk, and death (sometimes involving controversial culpability) - not for the easily disturbed!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we embark on the first part of a trilogy on the perils of Earth's highest peak: Mount Everest. Today, we focus on the deadly blizzard of May 10th-11th 1996, one of the mountain's greatest recorded disasters to this day. Tune in to follow the heroic and too often tragic stories of 1996 climbers including Rob Hall and Scott Fisher, as well as one man's miraculous return from the dead... THREE TIMES.  

Please note, this episode (and its two subsequent parts) centre around the extreme dangers of climbing Everest, including altitude-related illnesses, hypothermia, frostbite, and deadly falls. There is description throughout of extreme mental and physical hardship, high risk, and death (sometimes involving controversial culpability) - not for the easily disturbed!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we delve into one of America's most enduring unsolved mysteries: the impossible murder of Isidor Fink. Tune in for theories, reenactments, and a speculated vendetta between the laundry and circus industries...  

Please note, this episode revolves around a true murder case, and as such involves violent/bloody descriptions and speculation around real life events. One to skip for those with sensitive stomachs!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we investigate the eerie unsolved case of the Dyatlov Pass, and discuss theories from government sabotage to alien involvement. Not for the faint of heart!   

Please note, this episode deals with a true case in which nine people lost their lives, and involves description and speculation around death and bodily harm throughout.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane and delve into our childhood writings, which reveal a little more of our respective psyches than perhaps we strictly intended. Tune in for the saga of Polly the chocolate thief, a 10-year-old's appeal to the government to stop global warming, and why no Martha should  be left alone around tea, sprinklers, or naked flames.  

Please note, while this episode generally centres around childhood memories and cringe-worthy accounts, some of our written anecdotes may not be for you - if vomit-based stories make you feel queasy, avoid the section from 30:03-37:40, and if you'd prefer to bypass the unfortunate plight of an injured insect, we wouldn't recommend 38:09-38:48!