The Pittsburgh Oddcast

Pittsburgh has been the home to hundreds of thousands of unique individuals over the course of its history. There are many who came before us whose stories have begun to fade from our consciousness. These are the stories of three Pittsburghers just like you and me, who have a story to tell – one that was not meant to be forgotten. 

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“Happy New Year!” 

We here at the #PittsburghOddcast wanted to share a few hints at what’s to come in 2020 including possible LIVE shows, events, more Celebrity guests and our buildup to some of our most epic shows yet on the likes of Carnegie, Heinz and more. Happy Odd Year!!

#ThatsItFortPitt

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There are so many wonderful tales in Pittsburgh’s holiday past, it was hard to pick just three of them to share. Nonetheless, what we uncovered about a man named Gusky, was one of the most fascinating and heartwarming tales I think we’ve ever come across.

In this holiday themed episode of the #PittsburghOddcast, we read “Letters to Santa” from the little boys and girls of Allegheny City & Pittsburgh from 1897, we discuss the legality of Santa Claus in Pittsburgh and discover that “Yes Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus” at least according to the courts in Allegheny County.

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In this magical episode of the Pittsburgh Oddcast, fresh from filming his Discovery Science Channel show “Houdini’s Last Secrets”, the nationally touring magician, escape artist and entertainer, Lee Terbosic joins us to talk about the history of illusionists in Pittsburgh, his magical obsession with Harry Houdini, what it’s like to hang out with David Copperfield and what magic means to each of us.

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In this special holiday episode of the #PittsburghOddcast, we invited a very special guest from the North Pole, Pittsburgh’s very own Santa Claus!

Many people have donned the suit throughout Pittsburgh’s history but there has only been one “official” Santa Claus of Pittsburgh and that is “Santa John” Suhr. From leading the holiday parade to enjoying a residency in Market Square & the Heinz History Center, Santa John does it all.

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“Jeremy Raymer – The Maestro of Pittsburgh’s Murals”

Public art stirs the imagination & encourages people to perceive more deeply the City they live in.

Walking around Pittsburgh, chances are you’ve almost certainly seen the work of artist Jeremy Raymer.

From bio-mechanical & nuclear engineer to one of the best public artists & most proficient muralists our city has ever seen, Jeremy has literally done it all. I

n this episode of the Pittsburgh Oddcast, we invited Jeremy to join us in talking about the importance of Public Art and what inspires him to create some of his famous art - from small portraits to 500ft murals.

We find out what it’s like to see the city as an everlasting canvass and we dive deep into the philosophical question behind seeing the “art” in everything that we do. An inspiring tale behind the motivation, determination and drive of an artist.

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The history behind our Rivers and the events that have taken place along its shores have been widely known however, the Islands of Pittsburgh have many fascinating & forgotten tales to be told.

In this episode of the #PittsburghOddcast, we everything from a decades-old secret island community to a floodplain hardwood forest featuring one of the rarest plant community types in the World. We find out who Neville, Herr and Brunot were, find out where George Washington really “landed” and dive deep into stories behind the legends of Pittsburgh’s “Lost Islands”.

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There are thousands of tales from Pittsburgh's past that become lost to time.

From heroes on the Monongahela to a disaster in the Liberty Tunnels, these are some of the many tales that need to be told.

In this first "Trilogy of Tales" episode of the #PittsburghOddcast we dive deep into three of these stories and look at the importance of remembering what came before us.

 From unsung heroes to the worst river disaster to strike Pittsburgh.

 

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KDKA Radio: The March To 100

The Saga of KDKA and the Birth of Radio – Part 1

In this first episode of what will be an ongoing saga leading up to the 100th Anniversary of KDKA Radio on November 2, 1010, KDKA Radio’s Morning News host for 18 years & a 31-year long KDKA veteran, Larry Richert joins us to discuss the early origins of Radio in Pittsburgh.

From tales of how Westinghouse was involved early on to the invention of “Radio Telegraphy” in 1899. We also discuss the importance of radio within history and its status in the culture of the “internet-age”.

Pittsburgh, it truly is someplace special.

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From tales of ghostbusting, to horrors along a haunted road, what makes a “ghost story” so fascinating?

In this final “Halloween-themed” episode in our “Trilogy of Terror” we invited special guest Thomas White, who not only has written multiple books on ghosts, witches & haunted tales of Pittsburgh but is also an adjunct professor of History and the University Archivist of Duquesne University.

We dive deep into looking at the truth behind some of the most famous paranormal legends in Western PA and discovery meaning behind the ultimate importance in the quest for truth and how sometimes, the true story is more bizarre than the legend.

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