Dude. Brace yourself. Angie found a whopper of a story. Buckle up for her telling of Yoshiko Kawashima, a member of the Qing dynasty who was a gender-fluid spy for the Japanese in the early 1900s. Whatever you're expecting, this ain't it.  

This episode pairs well with:

Aline Griffith

Woowwee. This week is a crazy mashup of stories.

First off, Angie shares a Japanese festival called Nakizumo, where sumo wrestlers attempt to make babies cry, on purpose.

Theresa overcomes her feelings about this to share the story of Richard Sakakida, a nisei (a first-generation Japanese American) sent to spy on the Japanese in Manilla before the US's entrance to WWII. She shares his capture, torture, and survival. It's a lot.

These stories pair well with:

The Spaghetti Hoax

The Time the Japanese bombed Oregon during WWII

Join your favorite unhinged historians as they bring you some crazy stories. Today Theresa shares the tale of Molly Williams, the first female firefighter, who was also the first Black woman firefighter. Oh, and she did it at the age of 71.

Not to be outdone, Angie regales us with Lilian Wyles, the first female inspector of Scotland Yard. This barrier-breaking woman paved the way for women in the police force in the UK, and you need to hear her story.

These stories pair well with:

Stagecoach Mary

"Mrs. Sherlock Holmes" / Grace Quakenbos

At Unhinged History, we are nothing if not consistent. To prove that, Angie shares a solid resistance story from WWII. In this unbelievable tale, Major Cary Elwes, not that Cary Elwes, along with fellow SAS sneak behind enemy lines, steal a train, and rescue POWs.

Theresa presses all the buttons triggering outrage as she shares the Mexican Repatriation Act, that time the United States deported up to 1.8 million people, with up to 60% of them being citizens.

This episode pairs well with:

No matter what you expected, you never guessed this week's stories.

Theresa kicks things off with the tale of Hazel Scott, the Black musician who seamlessly blended classical and jazz. She was the first Black woman to have her show on national TV in the 1950s.

Angie refuses to be chill with her choice of stories when she shares the story of Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalhami, the Persian pirate prince. This man starts his life on land selling horses before a 20-year career in piracy.

This episode pairs well with:

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Artemisia I of Halicarnassus

In celebration of April Fool's Day, Angie and Theresa are at it again.

Angie starts off with the tale of the Cardiff Giant. George Hull and his cousin William Newell create this elaborate hoax to convince people that they found a giant petrified man – then the showman Barnum gets involved.

Theresa then shares the story of the Fox sisters. These renowned mediums ushered in the Spiritualist Movement. But were the frauds?

This episode pairs well with other hoaxes of history:

Spaghetti Hoax

The Time Traveler

Aww, the sweet feeling of predictability. Theresa starts us off with, the particularly unhinged story of Jeanne de Clisson, the Lion of Brittany. This female French pirate was an absolute menace for 13 years as she pillaged her countrymen in a revenge plot.

Angie, is well, the sweet amazing soul she is, week after week, as she shares the story of Mary Kingsley. This Victorian adventurer makes a name for herself trekking through Africa and hanging out with cannibals.

This story pairs well with:

Catalina de Erauso, the lieutenant nun

Nellie Bly

Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth

Angie kicks us off with Tarenorerer. This aboriginal woman comes from Tasmania. After being a slave for a brief period, our girl escapes from slavery and shows the colonizers how much of a pain this rebel leader can be.

Theresa picks up from here and regales us with the story of French sculptress – Camille Claudel. This woman comes of age during the late 1800s and makes a name for herself while having a tumultuous relationship with renowned artist, Rodin – who is also married. This trainwreck is bigger and worse than you think it will go.

This episode pairs well with:

General Harriet Tubman

Join us this week as Angie and Theresa serve up some fabulous stories of strong-willed women. 

Theresa starts with Rosemary Bryant Mariner. This naval aviator holds many firsts. She was the first woman to fly a tactical jet, the first woman to command an aviation squadron, and she was one of the first women to serve aboard a navy warship. 

Angie goes on to tell the story of Nellie Bly. This hard-hitting journalist elevated investigative journalism. She's most known for infiltrating a New York City asylum and taking a record-breaking trip around the world. 

This episode pairs well with: 

This episode is in response to a move to pull key stories from the Air Force History Class. We believe in telling stories that have representation. These stories are filled with struggles and hardships. 

Theresa starts by sharing the WASPs of WWII. The Women's Air Service Pilots bridged the gap created by men serving on the front lines. These 1074 women shuttled planes from factories, were test pilots, towed targets, and more. At least 30 of these women died during their duty during their two years of service. 

Angie regales us with the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. These men flew bombers and fighters during WWII. Although they were relegated to older planes, they outperformed many other units.