History For Weirdos Andrew & Stephanie

Welcome back, Weirdos! In this week's episode, we're diving deep into the bizarre world of mass hysteria, where groups of people experience seemingly contagious symptoms with no clear medical explanation. Get ready for some truly strange stories that will leave you scratching your head and wondering, "What the hell was happening?!"
First, we'll rewind the clock to 1939 Louisiana, where a high school dance takes a weird turn when a group of teenage girls suddenly starts twitching uncontrollably. This mysterious "twitching epidemic" soon spreads like wildfire through the school and beyond, baffling doctors and leaving everyone wondering what caused this strange phenomenon. Was it stress? Environmental toxins? Or something even stranger?
Next, we'll hop over to 1962 Tanzania, where a fit of giggles at a girls' school turns into an uncontrollable laughing epidemic that lasts for months. This bizarre outbreak forces the school to close and leaves researchers puzzled about the origins of this contagious laughter. Was it a mass psychogenic illness, a social contagion, or something else entirely?
Join us as we investigate these fascinating cases of mass hysteria, exploring the historical context, potential causes, and the lasting impact on the communities affected. We'll also discuss other examples of mass hysteria throughout history and try to understand why these strange phenomena continue to capture our imaginations.
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Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com
IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos
Website: historyforweirdos.com
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Augustus Caesar may be the name etched in history books as Rome's first emperor, but behind every great leader is an even greater right-hand man. This week, we delve into the life of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the unsung hero who helped build and maintain the vast Roman Empire. Agrippa, a brilliant military strategist and gifted engineer, was instrumental in Augustus' rise to power and the subsequent Pax Romana. From crushing rebellions to designing architectural marvels like the Pantheon, Agrippa's contributions were as diverse as they were vital.
Join us as we uncover the fascinating life of this overlooked figure. We'll explore his military conquests, his enduring friendship with Augustus, and the whispers of a potential dynasty that could have changed the course of history. So grab your toga and a goblet of wine (or a cup of coffee, we don't judge) and settle in for another History for Weirdos adventure. Trust us, this is one Roman tale you won't want to miss.
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Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts.
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Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇
Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com
IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos
Website: historyforweirdos.com
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Welcome to another episode of "History For Weirdos" where Stephanie plunges into one of the sea’s most haunting mysteries—the enigmatic tale of the Mary Celeste. Found adrift in the Atlantic on December 4, 1872, this ghost ship was discovered in a perfectly seaworthy condition, yet eerily devoid of all crew. With the ship’s cargo intact and the crew's personal belongings left undisturbed, the mystery of the Mary Celeste presents a perplexing maritime puzzle that has baffled historians and inspired countless theories. Join us as we sail through the foggy details and try to piece together what might have happened to the crew of this forsaken vessel.
In this episode, we'll explore the events leading up to the ship's strange discovery, including the final entries in the ship's log and the weather conditions at the time. We'll dive into the various theories that have surfaced over the years—from piracy and insurance fraud to aliens and alcoholic fumes from the cargo. By reviewing the evidence and weighing the credibility of each theory, we aim to provide a fresh perspective on this century-old maritime mystery. So, set your sails with us as we attempt to uncover the truth behind the ghostly voyage of the Mary Celeste.
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Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts.
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Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇
Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com
IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos
Website: historyforweirdos.com
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In this special episode of History For Weirdos, we have a very special guest for April 20th (4/20), a cannabis / marijuana journalist and historian who has covered everything about the plant for almost twenty years!

David Bienenstock is the author of "How to Smoke Pot (Properly): A Highbrow Guide to Getting High" (Penguin / Random House), and creator/host of the popular podcast "Great Moments in Weed History."

Previously, he served as Head of Content at HIGH TIMES and was a producer at VICE Media, where he created the video series Bong Appetit, including viral episodes like "A Gourmet Weed Dinner at Hunter S. Thompson's House" and "Marijuana Nonna."

A contributor to VICE, Leafly, GQ, the Guardian, and other publications, he has been profiled by The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, LA Weekly, Slate, and elsewhere, while making frequent media appearances, including on CNN, NPR, MSNBC, HBO and Fox News.

We hope you enjoy this special episode!
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In this spine-tingling episode of History For Weirdos, we’re diving deep into the dusty files of the Roswell incident, the UFO phenomenon that sparked an avalanche of conspiracy theories and stoked the fires of extraterrestrial enthusiasts for decades. Join Andrew as he peels back the layers of mystery surrounding the strange events of July 1947. From the first crumpled pieces of debris on a secluded New Mexico ranch to the U.S. Air Force's flip-flopping explanations and the chilling testimonies of those who were there, we’re exploring every angle of this enigmatic tale.
Was it a weather balloon, a top-secret military experiment, or something not of this Earth? We scrutinize the original claims, the subsequent cover-ups, and the peculiar remnants that some say couldn't possibly belong to our world. Featuring the haunting stories of firefighter Dan Dwyer and his daughter Frankie Rowe, this episode promises to leave you questioning what really happened on that fateful day. Tune in, as we uncover the obscured threads of one of the most baffling events in American history. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and theories with us—because at History For Weirdos, the stranger, the better!
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Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts.
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Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇
Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com
IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos
Website: historyforweirdos.com
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We're kicking off Paranormal April with an episode dedicated to one of the most haunted buildings in North America: The Waverly Hills Sanatorium.
Nestled atop a secluded hill in Kentucky, this monumental structure once served as a beacon of hope for tuberculosis patients during the early 20th century. Through a blend of historical insights and captivating narratives, we'll explore the sanatorium's inception, its innovative yet haunting treatments, and the societal impact it had during its peak. Uncover the tales of perseverance and tragedy that echo through its abandoned halls, painting a picture of an era grappling with a health crisis.
But the story doesn't end with the closing of its medical wards. As night falls, the shadows of Waverly Hills whisper of unresolved spirits and unexplained phenomena, making it a hotspot for paranormal investigators and thrill-seekers. Stephanie and Andrew will delve into the chilling accounts of hauntings that have propelled this former sanatorium into the limelight of the supernatural. From the legendary tunnel known as the "death chute" to the ghostly appearances in the children's ward, we'll sift through the myths and eyewitness reports that have solidified Waverly Hills' reputation as one of the most haunted places in America. Tune in, if you dare, to a journey through history and beyond, where the past is anything but forgotten.
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**Join our Patreon🎉 Click here to sign up!**
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Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts.
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Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇
Email: historyforweirdos@gmail.com
IG/Threads: @historyforweirdos
Website: historyforweirdos.com
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