Dark History

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Princesses. They’re gorgeous, they’re happy, they’re all sparkles and rainbows and everything good. But what if I told you the stories behind some of our favorite princesses are dark? Like DARK dark. In today’s episode, we look at some of our favorite fairy tales and their origin story. And to no ones surprise… Disney didn’t exactly get it right.  Episode Advertisers Include: June's Journey, Apostrophe, ZocDoc Inc, and ZipRecruiter. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. How old do you think plastic surgery is? I thought it started like 50/60 years ago. But then someone told me it started because of soldiers injured in WWI, GASP. But then someone else said that forms of plastic surgery had been around since before Jesus. I. Was. Shooketh. I needed to know more. So I started digging, and oooo baby.   In today’s episode, we get into the history of Plastic Surgery. How it started, why it started, and when it started.  And what does a dog with fake boobs have to do with it?? Episode Advertisers Include: Hello Fresh and Babbel. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Okay, so we can’t talk about SATs and college admission without mentioning Aunt Becky. That scandal kind of blew the whole thing open. But Aunt Becky wasn’t the first person ever to use money to help her kid get into college. Far from it. And there is one element of college admissions where there is a lot of money floating around, too much money. I mean we’re talking billion-dollar industry money…the SATs. In today’s episode, we look into the history of the SATs, how it started, why we have it, why there’s so much money in it, and try to figure out who the f is even on The College Board. Who is it??? Episode Advertisers Include: Hello Fresh and Babbel. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Would you believe me if I told you that one grumpy radio DJ from Chicago changed the face of the music industry as we know it? And that he did this with exploding records and frisbees of death? Well, let me explain…because that is all true. In today’s episode, we talk about Disco Demolition Night. And how it altered the path of not only Disco Music but all pop music as we know it today.  Episode Advertisers Include: Apostrophe and Squarespace.

Hi friends, happy Thursday! Welcome to the Dark History podcast.  I feel like there is a new trend every two days. And I do not know how to keep up. And by the time I figure it out, I’m already like four trends behind. But I just don’t know how people are buying these trends so quickly. How are people staying on top of all these new clothes we need every week? And  turns out the answer is a little thing known as “fast fashion”. In today’s episode we get into fast fashion. It’s  been around for longer than you think and it’s impact and damage is even more than you think. Sorry babe, but you’re gonna take a real hard look at your closet after this one. Episode Advertisers Include: Ship Station and Hello Fresh.

Hi friends, happy Thursday! Welcome to the Dark History podcast. PORN. Bom Chicka Wah Wah. We all know what it is, don’t lie Barbara, we know you know. And that’s because porn has been around for a long time. There really isn’t one phase of history where you can’t find some kind of porn. I mean even cavemen had porn.  In today’s episode we go into the history of porn and specifically America’s turbulent history with it. MMmhmmm. Don’t watch this one with grandma, okay? You’ve been warned. Episode Advertisers Include: ZipRecruiter, Squarespace, Babbel US, and Apostrophe.

Hi friends, happy Thursday! Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Look torture is awful, but if there is one age that really turned torture into an artform, it was Medieval Times. No, not the super cool restaurant, we’re talking about the time in history where torture popped AWF. In today’s episode we take a little peak into the golden age of torture and go into the creativity and atrocious ways the medieval people used torture for entertainment.  I appreciate you for coming by, and tune in next week for more Dark History.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Apostrophe, ZocDoc Inc. and Hello Fresh Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Hi friends, happy Wednesday! Welcome to the Dark History podcast. I feel like every day there is some new group of people going on strike. And I'm always like Hell Yeah! Stick it to the man. But then I started doing some research on why there are so many strikes and started reading up on minimum wage and immediately was like bring me my sign, burn it all down. Because believe me, this shit is unbelievable. In today’s episode we get into the history of minimum wage and talk about how from the very start, it’s been about so much more than money. Episode Advertisers Include: Stitch Fix & OUAI Haircare. Learn more during the podcast about special offers! 

Hi friends, happy Thursday! Welcome to the Dark History podcast. It’s Award Show Season Babbbyyy. The Glitz! The Glamour! The Scandal?!?! Oh yes, Award Shows are full of scandals, corruption, and buying awards. In today’s episode, we go to the very beginning of Awards Shows and how from the get-go they were shady, shady events. And even if you think you know all about the dark side of awards, you’ve got no idea. Episode Advertisers Include:  Apostrophe & ZocDoc Inc. Learn more during the podcast about special offers! 

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. What do you think of when you think of “Luxury Fashion”? Glitz, glamor, status?…Nazis, perhaps?? Plot twist I know. In today’s episode, we talk about a few luxury fashion brands that have some pretty shady histories of racism, sexual assault, secret love children, and Nazis. It’ll really make you think before you buy or not. Either way, I fully support horizontal collaborations. Episode Advertisers Include: Hello Fresh & ShipStation. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Have you ever been made to seem like the bad guy? Have you ever had everyone turn against you when you were just trying to do something good? Well, what about, have you ever had people hate you so much for trying to do the right thing that they blow up your office and you have to flee your home? No? Well, all of this and more happened to one Ida B. Wells. In today’s episode, we go over the life and legacy of Ida B. Wells and how she changed history in so many ways. Episode Advertisers Include: Apostrophe, Squarespace, and ZipRecruiter. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast.  New Years. Honestly, not my favorite of the holidays. It’s cold. Sequin Dresses are super uncomfortable. Everyone’s Drunk. And a midnight kiss is overrated.  So I wanted to prove that New Year's sucks because it has a dark and dirty past. And I was right. But once I read the story, I wasn’t very happy to be right. Because let me tell you, this one is messed up. In today’s story, we get into the very dark story of Heartbreak/Hiring Day.  Episode Advertisers Include: Ouai Haircare and Hello Fresh. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Is there anything as cozy as a Christmas tree? When you look at it, what do you think of? Family, holidays, presents, hot coco, singing carols, good times etc etc. But have you ever looked at a Christmas tree and thought about chopped off d**k? Because it turns out you should. In today’s episode, we get into the dark history of four of our favorite holiday traditions: Christmas Trees, Gingerbread, Christmas Cards, and Krampus. And trust me when I tell you, some of this info really jingled my bells.  Episode Advertisers Include: Rocket Money. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Tis the season. And by season I mean scented candle season. Nothing makes you feel more warm and cuddly than an apple cinnamon candle and a blanket. But what if I told you by burning that candle you’re doing the same amount of damage as just inhaling straight exhaust fumes. Seriously. In today’s episode we go into the dark seedy history of fragrance. And how because of them, something as simple as a scented candle is deadly.  Episode Advertisers Include: Apostrophe and Ship Station.  Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Have you always felt like someone is watching you? Well hate to break it to you sweetie, but they are. And when I say “they” I mean advertisers. In today’s episode we learn how the world of advertising went from war propaganda to listening to you through your phone. Talk about a drastic shift. Advertisers Include: SkyLight Frames, Apostrophe, Hello Fresh, and ShipStation.

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. There’s nothing I love more than dropping a good ole F-bomb. But who was the original person to drop it? Was there a caveman somewhere that stubbed his toe and yelled it out? Or was it yelled on a medieval battlefield? Well I had to find out. In today’s episode we look into the history of swearing and focus on three of the big ones. Episode Advertisers Include: Manscaped, Rocket Money, and OUAI Haircare. Learn more during podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. I love a good cake. And with cake mixes right from the store, you don’t need a baking degree or whatever. Now if only I could actually get the cake in the oven before eating all that damn good cake batter. Maybe one day. But while you lick your spoon, let me tell you about America’s homemaker, Mrs. Betty Crocker. In today’s episode, we’ll learn all about her life and what influenced her to become a baker. You might want to set your timer, because the amount of FRAUD in this episode will overbake anyone’s cake! I don’t know, I tried. Just watch. Episode Advertisers include: SkyLight Frame, Apostrophe, Squarespace, Stitch Fix US.

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. If a product is dangerous, but it still sells well, is it really that dangerous? Um, yes, yes it is. In today's episode, we talk all about it by focusing on one company in particular: Johnson & Johnson. J&J has routinely put sales over people’s lives. “But why?” you may ask. Because money talks, baby! Let’s get into the Dark History of Johnson & Johnson. And great, now I’m on another hit list. Episode Advertisers Include: SkyLight Frames, Apostrophe, Hello Fresh, and ShipStation. Get a 60-day free trial at https://www.shipstation.com/darkhistory. Thanks to ShipStation for sponsoring the show! 

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Freakin rich people, amiright? I’m not talking about that kid you went to school with that had the parties at his parent’s mansion and gave out the best gift bags. We’re talking bajillionares, like the insanely rich. In today’s episode we’ll dive into the people who paved the way for the Bezos and the Musks of the world. And we’ll also see how and how the  Original Richie Richs spent dolla bills. Spoiler: it was on themselves. Obvi! Episode Advertisers Include: Hello Fresh, ZipRecruiter, Apostrophe

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. What scares parents more than anything else? It’s the Devil, of course. And it wasn’t too long ago where this fear turned into a nationwide craze. In today’s episode we’ll talk about how Satan invaded our board games, music, even our classrooms! And if you think that everyone just sat down, calmly talked it over like adults, and everything was fine…oh buddy you’d be wrong. It was a total dumpster fire, from hell! Episode Advertisers Include: Hello Fresh, ZipRecruiter, Apostrophe

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Mummies, we know em, we’ve love em. And they are quite exclusive. Really rare. I mean everybody loses their minds whenever we find a new one. But would you believe at one time, there was a whole bunch of these bony bois lying around? Oh yeah, and what’s the reason why there are so few now? In today’s episode, we get into just that. And the reason…not exactly what you may think. Let’s just say…it involves cannibalism. Episode Advertisers Include: Squarespace, Apostrophe, Best Fiends, ExpressVPN

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Clowns, you either like them or you hate them. There really isn’t much of an in between. But how could something as simple as a clown manage to get such strong opinions from people? In today’s episode we explore the long, dark, drunk, and complicated history of the clown. And I knew this story would be dark, but ooo boy, this was even darker than I expected. Episode Advertisers Include: Ship Station, Framebridge, Hello Fresh, OUAI Haircare

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. It’s spooky season babbyyy. Ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and witches. Oooo witches. It’s hard to have a spooky season without witches. But many people hundreds of years ago tried real hard to get rid of all the witches. In today’s episode we’re going to talk about Witch Hunts, but not the ones in Salem. The Witch Hunts we are talking about make those ones look like childsplay. We’re going back to the original hunts that spread across the world.  Episode Advertisers Include: Apostrophe, ZipRecruiter, MeUndies, and Stitch Fix US

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. The Bermuda Triangle, the most mysterious shape on the entire planet. Seriously, why has no one been able to figure out what’s going on there?? It’s no mystery that every year multiple ships and planes are lost to the triangle, and it’s been that way for centuries. So how come no one is able to figure out what the heck is going on?? In today’s episode, we look into the mystery behind the Bermuda Triangle and talk about some potential theories about it. But Bermie isn’t the only mysterious water disappearance we’re talking about, Oh Nay Nay. We’ll also dive into ghosts ships and lost sunken cities. 

Welcome to the Dark History podcast.   Did you know that fewer people know the recipe to Coca-Cola than know the nuclear code? Or that the few people who do know the recipe are not allowed to fly at the same time in case their flights go down. So how did Coca-Cola become such precious cargo? Well in today’s episode we get into Coke’s history, when did the cocaine get taken out and why, how it grew into the empire we know today, and what shady secrets they keep in their vault with the recipe. 

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. We’re going to the chapel and we’re going to get married! But it’s not all pretty dresses and delicious cake (mmmmmm cake). In fact, a lot of the wedding traditions that we hold near and dear have a pretty dark past. In today’s episode we’ll find out why we kiss the bride, why the father gives the bride away, why bridesmaids exist and what’s with their matching dresses, and why the garter toss is even a thing.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Zip Recruiter, Ship Station, Apostrophe, and OUAI Haircare. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. What’s the craziest thing you’ve mailed? I feel like I remember a time in grade school where everyone was mailing potatoes.  Anyone else? No? Just Me? Cool. Anyways, what I’m saying is throughout history, people have sent some crazy things in the mail. And sometimes, the things they sent were…dangerous. On today’s episode we’re talking all about the history of the Post Office. All the twists and turns. And how people got away with mailing babies. Yes. Babies. Episode Advertisers Include:  Stitch Fix US, Squarespace, and SeatGeek.  Use code DARKHISTORY for $20 off your first SeatGeek order. https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/DARKHISTORY

Welcome to the Dark History podcast.  Some things are just meant to be together. Peanut butter and jelly. Milk and cookies.  Graham crackers and masturbation? Yep you read that right. Because without masturbation we never would have graham crackers. In today’s episode we’ll talk all about how one man’s mission to stop people from whacking it, led to the creation of the tasty, cinnamon-y treat. Don't be whacker, grab a cracker. Episode Advertisers Include:  Apostrophe, OSEA Malibu, MeUndies and CASETiFY. Go to http://cst.fyi/Dgzse to get 15% off on your CASETiFY order. 

Welcome to the Dark History podcast.  One of my favorite things about this podcast is learning about all kinds of people I had no idea even existed. And today’s story is exactly one of those.  In this week’s episode we are going to discuss the story of Henrietta Lacks. Who’s that you ask? Well she is the woman who changed the face of medicine and has saved millions of lives.  She’s also the woman whose DNA is inside you right now. But if she’s done all that, why doesn’t anyone know who she is. Well my dear, that’s because her identity was kept a secret for decades while others gathered acclaim and riches off of her cells. DRAMA.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Best Fiends, Apostrophe, Zip Recruiter, and Hello Fresh. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast.  I’ve mentioned her many times before. I’ve tempted you over and over with her juicy story. I promised to you again and again that we’d get into the shady backstory. And the time has finally come. It’s time for us to talk about Miss Lisa Frank. Oh yeah. On today’s episode we get into the story about what was happening behind the glitter and rainbows at Lisa Frank Inc. We’re talking phone bugging, drugs, fraud, verbal abuse, chaining employees inside the building?!?!?! Yeah, this story is not at all what you expect. So hold onto that rainbow tiger trapper keeper tight, babe, this is gonna be a wild ride. Episode Advertisers Include: Ship Station, Ouai Haircare and Apostrophe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Welcome to the Dark History podcast.  Sex has been a part of humanity since the dawn of time. Do you know what else has been around for a while? Sex Toys. Oh yeah. There’s proof of dildos as far back as 30,000 BCE. But how did it go from phallic rocks to the multi-million dollar sex toy industry we have today. On today’s episode we go into the surprising and complicated history of the dildo. We’ll figure out what’s true, what’s a lie, and how the dildo is still around even after many attempts to ruin it. Episode Advertisers Include:   Hello Fresh, Apostrophe and SeatGeek. Learn more during the podcast about special offers! And make sure to  use code DARKHISTORY for $20 off your first SeatGeek order. https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/DARKHISTORY 

Welcome to the Dark History podcast.  People used to be sacrificed for popcorn. Yep. The buttery goodness that you finish eating before the trailers are even over at the movies. Now you may be thinking “how in the heck does that make any sense?” Because, honestly, that was also my initial reaction. But let me tell you, the history of popcorn is WILD. And we’re getting into all of it on today’s episode. So buckle in babe. Episode Advertisers Include:   Apostrophe, Liquid IV, and Express VPN. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Dark History. It seemed like such a simple concept. Let’s talk about the things from history people didn’t talk about. And boy did we do that. We talked of things that were uncomfortable, things that we’d never heard of, things that sounded too crazy to be true, and things that I couldn’t help but giggle at. Today we’re going to review all the stories, characters, and situations we’ve uncovered. And what’s the best way to do that, an award show of course! But not any old award show these are The Joanies. And beware, because most of this time these awards come with a cold, hard truth.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Liquid IV, Apostrophe, Hello Fresh,  and Sqaurespace. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

The AIDs epidemic. We’ve all heard of it. But it seems to be discussed in hushed tones or people are too afraid to really get into it. So although we all know of it, how much do we actually know about it? Where did it come from? What actually is it? Why did it take so long for the government to figure out what it was that was killing so many? And once they did, why didn’t they do anything about it? Today we get into that and so much more. The stories of AIDs has always been, but today we’re finally clearing up any confusion and telling the whole story.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Best Fiends, Hello Fresh, Sqaurespace,  and Apostrophe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Boy Bands. Don’t act like you don’t love them. Every generation has their boy band. But when did it all start? How did it all start? Who came up with the magic sauce that make us all so addicted to 5 boys who can sing and dance? Well babe, we’re gonna get into that and so much more.  Today we take a deep dive into where boy bands came from, and no surprise here, it gets dark. We’re talking fraud, drugs, alcohol, assault. Yep, this dark history is larger than life.  Episode Advertisers Include:  SimpliSafe, Zip Recruiter, Calm US,  and Ship Station. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

What’s your sign, babe? How many times have you been asked that? How many times has someone blamed their behavior on the planetary alignment or the stars? It’s all astrology’s fault. But there is so much more to astrology than just the ~signs~. Today we go into the long history of astrology and how we got from charting the stars to seances in the white house. It’s the Dark History of Psychics and Astrology Episode Advertisers Include:  OUAI Haircare, Upstart, Stitch Fix US,  and Apostrophe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Women. We really get the short end of the stick don’t we. And it’s nothing new. In fact there are women all throughout history who could tell all kinds of tales of when the odds were stacked against them. Or when history completely ignored them. Or when society made them out to be the villain. Or, when nobody believed them. Well kitty cats, today we’re going to talk exactly about those kinds of stories.  We’ll be focusing on just four women: Cleopatra, Catherine the Great, Jackie Mitchell, and Yoko Ono. We’ll talk about these women's true stories, and not the way history has retold them.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Credit Karma Inc, SimpliSafe, Solo Stove,  and Hello Fresh. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Did you know that researchers have found that 98% of all diets are complete failures? Did you also know that the diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and that whatever body a diet promotes has shifted drastically over the course of human history? Why do you think that is? Spoiler alert: it’s MONEY… and making women feel awful. Buckle in, and get ready for the dark history of Diet Culture. Episode Advertisers Include:  Apostrophe, Best Fiends, ZipRecruiter,  and Express VPN. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

The internet isn’t really that old. But that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t already started to gather its own dark history. I mean we’re talking about a whole branch of the internet literally called “Dark Web.” And there was one site in particular that basically made the dark web the mainstream place for drugs, fake ids, and murder for hire. Today we’re going to talk about the Silk Road. The website that single-handedly validated bitcoin and laid the foundation for dark websites we still see in action today.

Weed is a gateway drug. How many of us were warned about this in middle school health class? Well did you know it’s not true?  And has been disproven multiple times? I mean if you think about it, how much do we really know about cannabis.  Today we’re going to fix that.  We are going alllll the way back to the very start of cannabis’s history. Not only are we going to talk about all the ways Cannabis has benefited society throughout history, but we’ll also talk about the group of villains who made it their mission to make Cannabis illegal.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Daily Harvest, SkyLight Frame, ZipRecruiter,  and SimpliSafe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Like pretty much everything we talk about, Student Loans started out as a great idea.  A way to ensure education for all. A way to advance America in the Space Race. And a way to promise citizens a brighter future. But as we’ve seen time and time again, with money on the table, student loans got dark, and FAST. Today we talk about how student loans came to be, how the evolved, and how they came to be something that plagues nearly 46 million Americans today.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Liquid IV, StitchFix US, Apostrophe, and Best Fiends. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Come one come all, gather around for the spectacle of the darkest show on earth.  The circus is definitely not the happy wholesome family adventure it sells itself to be. It’s a dark place filled with kidnapping, fires, murder, bribes, train wrecks, animal cruelty, labor abuse, and LIES. Oh the lies. Today we get the truth behind all the lies and learn alllll about the dark history of the circus.  Episode Advertisers Include:  SimpliSafe, Stamps, Solo Stove, ThredUP. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Most people have heard of Prohibition, the time when America decided drinking was bad. But how much do we really know? Because it wasn’t just the speakeasies that were hidden. We’re talking about Mafia turf wars and government poisoning alcohol for years. And that’s just the start. Because today we are getting into the deep, dark, and a little drunk, history of Prohibition.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Apostrophe, Square Space, Embark, ZipRecruiter. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Bananas. That yummy yellow fruit. We love it. But let me tell you, this simple fruit has a COMPLICATED past. We’re talking labor strikes, insurrections, murder, environmental destruction,  insider trading, and even potential nuclear war. No, seriously. Today we get into the very dark history of Bananas. And girl, it is wild.  Episode Advertisers Include:  Apostrophe, Hello Fresh, Stitch Fix US and Calm US. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

PERIODS. MENSTRUATION. VAGINA. All no-no words according to society. But also all words we’re gonna be using today, A LOT.  That’s because today we are talking about the Dark History of Menstruation.  When did it get a bad rap? How did women back in the day deal with cramps? How is it celebrated in other cultures? When did the tampon come along? We answer all those questions and more when we dive into the dark history of periods.  Episode Advertisers Include: Squarespace, Apostrophe, Best Fiends, and Ouai Haircare. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

At this very moment, there are a bunch of business owners and investors in the United States who profit off people being arrested and imprisoned. It doesn’t seem right and definitely doesn’t feel legal, yet here we are. Welcome to the shocking history of Private Prisons. Today, we talk about the all-American story about how capitalism kept slavery alive long after it was abolished. Plus we discuss how state and federal governments still use these horrible facilities today.  Episode Advertisers Include: Ship Station, ZipRecruiter, Liquid IV, and SimpliSafe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

America, she’s always been stealing land. Grabbing what she wants. And stealing land has never stopped in America, except now it’s done “legally” thanks to a little thing called eminent domain.  Today we will dive into just three of the MANY stories of communities being erased in the name of building landmarks like Central Park, Lake Lanier, and Dodger Stadium. And all of it was done legally because of eminent domain. Oh yeah, today’s stories are shady Episode Advertisers Include: Stitch Fix US, Thred Up, Apostrophe, and Squarespace. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Just how accessible are accessible parking spots, bathrooms, tables etc. And what had to happen in order to even get to this point? Would you believe if I said something called Ugly Laws? Forced Sterilization? Supreme Court Battles? Well babe, that is just a start.  Today we talk about the road to the American with Disabilities Act and the dark history of treatment of people with disabilities.  Episode Advertisers Include: ZipRecruiter, Calm US, OUAI Haircare, and Hello Fresh. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Would you believe me if I told you Hawaii was stolen? Well yeah of course, hi this is Dark History. But would you also believe me if I told you, the US fully fessed up to taking the islands illegally and the International community has acknowledged Hawaii is it’s own country? Because that’s all true. But why is it still the 50th state? Well today we dive into the mind blowing history of Hawaii, how it was illegally overthrown, and why more people don’t know about it. Episode Advertisers Include: MeUndies, Best Fiends, Squarespace, and Apostrophe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Do you know who Sister Rosetta Tharpe is? Would you believe me if I told you she’s responsible for Elvis Presley, Chuck Barry, Little Richard, The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Jimmi Hendrix and basically Rock and Roll itself? Today we’re going to dive into Rosetta’s story and learn about how she is the unknown mother of Rock & Roll. Episode Advertisers Include: Liquid IV, StitchFix US, Ship Station, and ZipRecruiter. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Journalists are supposed to follow the principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity and public accountability. But that wasn’t always the case for Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Today we’re going to talk about how their desire to beat each other led to the era of Yellow Journalism and reshaped Journalism as we know it. 

How did Nestle go from feeding babies to poisoning puppies? Well let me tell you it is a bumpy ride.  As Nestle continued to grow, their scandals got bigger and bigger. Today we dive into just a few of the shady, shady things Nestle has done over the years.

Hollywood, the place where dreams come true. But in reality, Hollywood, and especially during the “Golden Age” was a place of nightmares.  Horrible treatment of actors and actresses, drug addiction, cover ups, forced abortions, eating disorders, death. You name it, and it was happening behind the scenes.  Today we dive into the dark side of the glitz and glam of the movie industry and talk about it’s dark and seedy past.  Episode Advertisers Include: Best Fiends, Liquid IV, Stitch Fix US, and Zip Recruiter. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

When Radium popped on to the scene in the early 1900s, it was called “liquid sunshine” and a “mythological superbeing.” Why? Because it was incredibly powerful and literally glowed. But then a few companies had the bright idea to start making watches with it. Today, Bailey tells the tale of the Radium Girls who were exposed to the radioactive chemical, in horrible working conditions, and lost their lives because of it. Episode Advertisers Include: Squarespace, Apostrophe, Hello Fresh, and Ship Station. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Hi Friends! There's no Dark History episode this week, but here's a bonus episode of a story I did for Murder, Mystery & Makeup (which is now a podcast!!) about Cordelia Botkin. Hope you enjoy it and if you're interested in true crime, make sure to subscribe to Murder, Mystery & Makeup anywhere you listen to podcasts and on YouTube!

Pour some hot coco, slide on those comfy socks and gather ‘round the fire because it’s chilly willy out there. Week after week, we talk about the most horribly dark stuff on this show. So, we’re switching it up a bit. Today, Bailey gives you her first ever ANTHOLOGY episode with four SHOCKING holiday stories you’ve never heard. Don’t worry - they’re still SUPER dark, but there’s a bit of hope in each tale, too. Episode Advertisers Include: SimpleSafe, StoryWorth, Hello Fresh, and Wicked Clothes. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

In the late 1800s, something really cool was happening down in New Orleans. A melting pot of cultures was blending to form a new style of music. These incredible sounds inspired a music revolution that swept the nation almost overnight. People LOVED Jazz. But there were some people who decided jazz was the devil’s music. Today, Bailey tells the shocking story of how the Federal Government tied Jazz to “immoral” behavior and aimed to take down its biggest star: Billie Holiday. Episode Advertisers Include: Apostrophe, Wicked Clothes, Ship Station, and Hunt A Killer. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

121 years before COVID showed up, the U.S. nearly descended into chaos when the Bubonic Plague arrived in San Fran. The Black Death. When it began spreading in the city, politicians went to war with public health officials, claiming everything was blown out of proportion, even calling it a “Plague Fake.” Oy. Today, Bailey gives you yet another dose of how dark history tends to repeat itself. Episode Advertisers Include: Wicked Clothes, Hello Fresh, Stitch Fix US, and Apostrophe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

In 1891, 11 Italian people were murdered in the streets of New Orleans, becoming one of the largest mass lynchings in American history. Because of this, there were rumors of war between the United States and Italy. So, to calm the tension, the American government… created a holiday? Wait. What? Today, Bailey tells the bloody story of the Sicilian Lynchings, where 20,000 people lost their damn minds.  Episode Advertisers Include: Aura Frames, Ouai Hair Care, Liquid IV, and Wicked Clothes. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

In 1993, the quiet Texas town of Waco was turned into a bloody battlefield when an extremist religious group and their leader went to war with the American Government. We’re talking assault weapons, helicopters, tanks, explosions and huge fires. Dozens were killed. Today, Bailey tells the wild story of how this stand off even happened, why the word cult was being thrown around and how the Feds may have made it all worse. Episode Advertisers Include: Apostrophe, ZenBusiness Inc, Wicked Clothes, and SimpliSafe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

In June of 2021, a bombshell investigation uncovered the bodies of 215 Indigenous children in unmarked graves on a Canadian school’s property. Wait. WHAT?! Yeah, they were students at something called a Residential School. And there were MANY of these in both Canada and the United States. Today, Bailey tells you about a horrifying program that resulted in thousands of deaths and even more missing children. Episode Advertisers Include: Wicked Clothes, Ship Station, Hunt A Killer and Stitch Fix US. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, America became paranoid as hell, thinking every Japanese person in the U.S. was a spy. News flash: they weren’t. But that didn’t stop one of the ugliest chapters in American history from being written. Today, Bailey tells the grim story about how the Federal Government rounded up and imprisoned over 100,000 Japanese Americans during WWII. Episode Advertisers Include: Wicked Clothes, Liquid IV, Hello Fresh and Apostrophe. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY. 

 In 1972, an article went viral before the internet existed. The headline read: “Syphilis Victims in U.S. Study Went Untreated for 40 Years.” This bombshell report exposed the Tuskegee Experiment for what it was: a crime against humanity. Today, Bailey tells the story of the study’s 400 participants and the monsters who lied and took advantage of them even though a cure to their illness was readily available. Episode Advertisers Include: Embark, Squarespace, Ouai and Wicked Clothes. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY. 

 In 1518, the peasants of Strasbourg, France began dancing and couldn’t stop. Because of it, 15 people were dying per day. Historians don’t know what caused it, but they all agree that it absolutely happened. Today, Bailey tells the puzzling story of a mysterious Dancing Plague that gripped this town and disappeared just as quickly as it arrived! Episode sponsors include: Hunt a Killer, Wicked Clothes, SimpliSafe and Square Space! Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY. 

In 1969, the Stonewall Inn was just your typical, Mafia-backed queer bar in Greenwich Village, New York. But after yet another police raid, the LGBTQ+ community had enough and decided to fight back. Today, Bailey tells the story of how chaos in the streets of New York evolved into the colorful Pride parades we see around the world today.

In 1985, after a chaotic shootout and an hours-long standoff, the Philadelphia Police dropped a bomb on the home of the MOVE organization, a black liberation and environmentalist group. What? Why? How? Today, Bailey is going to get into that, but just know it killed 11 people and destroyed 61 surrounding homes. It took 35 years for the city to even apologize.   Episode sponosrs include: Liquid IV, Public Goods, Wicked Clothes and ShipStation!  Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

700,000 people have experienced some form of Gay Conversion Therapy over the years. Yet, survivors of this horrible practice call it torture, evil and abusive. So, why, then, is it still legal in 30 states? Today, Bailey tells the dark history of a practice not only happening in camps, but in doctor’s offices and church basements all over the country. Episode sponosrs include: Ouai, Apostrophe, Wicked Cloths and Squarespace!  Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

A rowdy mountain girl inherits a million dollar jewelry business, drag races through the streets of Washington D.C., goes on a blind date with the President, marries him and then takes over the country after he suffers a stroke. No, this isn’t the premise of a Rom Com. Today, Bailey dishes on the true story of Edith Wilson - the unapologetic First Lady who gave Washington politicians the middle finger and did what she wanted.

What if we told you the Government thought LSD could be used for mind control? What if we told you they tested this on thousands of people without their knowledge? Or what if we told you the CIA was slicing open cats and putting microphones in them to create adorable little spies? You’d probably think we’re high. Nope. Just the Government. Well, today Bailey tells the story of a secret Government project called MKUltra, where they did all of this. And more. Episode sponosrs include: Zip Recruiter, Wicked Cloths, Upstart and Calm US!  Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

When people think of American innovation, one name always comes up: Thomas Edison. But, just like everything else in our series, there’s a dark side to Tommy boy. Today, Bailey reveals a story that shines Edison in a different light, a more unflattering one filled with buried tales of greed, fame, dishonesty and, dare she say, murder.  Partners for this episode include: Stamps.com, Hello Fresh, Squarespace and Apostrophe.

Modern medicine had to start somewhere, right? And where it started ain’t too pretty. In order to study the inside of the body, bodies had to be dissected. And where did medical students and doctors get bodies to dissect in 1788? They stole ‘em from the cemetery, silly. Today, Bailey tells the wild story of the 1788 Doctor’s Riots.

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Today, we are going to talk about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, where 146 garment workers lost their lives. This tragic story lives at the intersection of greedy capitalism, immigrant exploitation and social justice. Workers fighting for basic rights found themselves fighting for their lives.  Real Rosewood Foundation https://rosewoodflorida.wordpress.com/   "I will be matching donations for the first 48 hours after the podcast goes live at 12:00am PST on Wednesday August 25, 2021." Partners for this episode include: Wicked Clothes, Pura Vida Bracelets and Upstart. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

Too many Americans think the Trail of Tears was just some difficult nature walk. Like, one path that a bunch of Native Tribes hiked to get from point A to point B. In reality, it was a death march through wild forests and raging rivers. Native Americans had to battle the unforgiving summer sun, harsh winters, brutal diseases, food shortages and abuse from the American Military meant to guide and protect them. Partners for this episode include: Stitch Fix, Apostrophe, Best Fiends, and ZipRecruiter.

America is an Incarceration Nation, locking more people up than any other country. That includes countries with dictators. Think about that. In today’s episode, Bailey pulls back the curtain to show us the ugly truth behind why ONE gram of crack gets the same criminal sentence as ONE HUNDRED grams of cocaine. The crazy thing? They are the SAME DRUG. Today, Bailey takes you on an eye opening ride through the story of crack and cocaine. Partners for this episode include: Squarespace, Hello Fresh, Calm US and Stamps. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

What do the Kennedy’s (yes, those Kennedy’s), ice picks and depression all have in common? The lobotomy. Decades ago, this terrifying procedure was seen as the miracle solution to dozens of psychological problems. Today, Bailey digs into the dark history of lobotomies and how one man convinced America that he can cure all mental illnesses by sticking sharp objects in people’s brains while they were STILL AWAKE. Partners for this episode include: Upstart, True Crime Obssessed, Brooklinen and Wicked Clothes. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!  For 10% off go to Wickedclothes.com and use promo code DARKHISTORY.

Birth Control is in medicine cabinets all over the world, used by millions of women. But few know its scandalous history involves mass sterilizations of Puerto Rican women, an American business tycoon, and an activist who dabbled in eugenics. What’s eugenics? You’ll find out. And it ain’t pretty. Today, Bailey reveals the big history behind the little pill that changed family planning forever. Partners for this episode include: Apostrophe, Embark, Scentbird and Wicked Clothes. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

Today, Bailey dives deep into the story about Andrew Jackson, the master duelist, the man on the $20 bill, and the man responsible for the death of thousands of Native Americans. Partners for this episode include: Stitch Fix, Audible, Jordan Harbinger and Brooklinen.

Murder, Destruction and Racism are all discussed as Bailey digs into the unsettling story of The Rosewood Massacre, which was an attack on the predominantly black town of Rosewood, Florida, in 1923 by large white mobs destroying the entire location. Partners for this episode include: Best Fiends, HelloFresh, Squarespace and Stamps.com. Learn more during the podcast about special offers!

In this trailer, Bailey Sarian shares exciting updates on the relaunch of her #1 podcast "Dark History" and news on upcoming episodes!

On this week’s episode, Bailey explores the story behind the Zoot Suit Riots of 1943 in Los Angeles alongside an Historical Expert, Professor Pagan. Together, they discuss race relations in the US during this period, Zoot Suit inspiration from Jazz culture and the implications that the riots have even today! We also would love to thank our sponsors. Apostrophe: Save $15 off your first visit with a board-certified dermatologist at apostrophe.com/darkhistory and use code, DARKHISTORY. StitchFix: 30% off when you keep everything with stitchfix.com/darkhistory. Scentbird: 30% off your first month with scentbird.com/darkhistory.

On our premiere episode of Dark History,  Bailey dives deep into a topic that still is affecting us today! It is about an experiment and an injustice. The DuPont Chemical scandal is an exploration into synthetic chemicals possibly poisoning us all, a cover-up, and an unlikely lawsuit that exposes everything!

Bailey Sarian, a professional makeup artist & true crime connoisseur, is taking her expertise from her popular YouTube series, Murder, Mystery & Makeup, and expanding into the podcast world with Dark History! Each week, she will explore the chilling stories of the dark past from US and World History that they don't teach you in school!