Oh, Malort!

4.6 (22)
HISTORY
UPDATED WEEKLY

Alyssa Dyksterhouse, Chicago tour guide, history lover and research extraordinaire, walks her friends through her favorite well-known and lesser-known moments in Chicago’s quirky past while exploring each story's parallels to current affairs.

3D AGO

What is happening at The Kennedy Center?

To celebrate NYE, Alyssa and John combined their knowledge of performing arts venue management and recorded an impromptu episode to discuss the dumpster fire that is the Kennedy Center. These people are incompetent and seemingly hate the arts. Grenell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

59 min
6D AGO

Y2K: Fear and Grifting in Chicago

In this episode Alyssa tells Risen about Y2K Chicago Style. This episode takes some surprising twists and turns and 2025 makes more sense. Support the show by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, telling all your friends and following on Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram. Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: PRACTICAL ADVICE ON Y2K PREPAREDNESS CNN: Chicago, retailers pushing for Y2K readiness NPR: Y2K seems like a joke now, but in 1999 people were really freaking out AP: Nearly 20 years ago, doomsayers admitted they were wrong about Y2K Chicago Tribune: Y2K EXPO PREPARED TO PROVIDE FOR WORST WBEZ: The panic of New Year's Eve 1999 Chicago Tribune: CITY SAYS IT’S READY FOR A SMOOTH Y2K ROLLOVER Chicago Tribune: A HAPPY DAY: NO ONE GETS Y2KO’D Chicago Tribune: FOR MANY CHICAGOANS, COVERAGE OF Y2K IS A BIT TOO MUCH Chicago Tribune: Y2K NO CAUSE FOR PANIC Chicago Tribune: WITH Y2K, HOARDING LIKELY TO BE BIGGEST BUG Twin Cities Pioneer Press: Stockpilers prepare quietly for Y2K arrival Chicago Sun-Times: Year 2000 computer fears bring out survival instinct Chicago Sun-Times: Worriers are wasting time, money, one researcher says Chicago Sun-Times: Shortage of caviar threatens festivities Chicago Sun-Times: Buddy, can you spare an Official Barter Unit? Chicago Sun-Times: Bridges to next millennium will work here, city claims Chicago Sun-Times: Y2K brings back '50s-like fearsChicago Sun-Times: City defends Y2K progress - Report of delays `totally false,' computer chief says Chicago Sun-Times: Mayor getting tough on Y2K con artists Chicago Sun-Times: City may be first with Y2K con man law Chicago Sun-Times: Lack of interest bugs Y2K expo - `Survivalist' supplies shunned Chicago Sun-Times: Weaver says Ruby Ridge standoff could have continued Chicago Sun-Times: City `confident' about Y2K - $55 million, 3-yr. preparation all but done Chicago Sun-Times: Consumers say `ho-hum' to Y2K Chicago Sun-Times: Police asked to monitor extremist groups - FBI warns of Y2K violence Chicago Sun-Times: Grocers, retailers prepared for Y2K Chicago Sun-Times: Daley tries to nip Y2K fears - CTA won't let trains run near midnight Chicago Sun-Times: Daley rips Hillard's Y2K staff memo Chicago Sun-Times: Fire, theft top Y2K fears - Public's reaction also a big worry Chicago Sun-Times: Apocalypse delayed - Prophets retreat from predictions Chicago Sun-Times: Oh no! What will we worry about in 2000? Chicago Sun-Times: Survivalist's wallet ends up $15K lighter Chicago Sun-Times: Returning items may not be easy Chicago Sun-Times: Consumers likely are stuck with extra Y2K provisions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 8m
12/22/2025

Johann Hoch: Bigamist and Murderer

Alyssa and Molly McAleer from Mother May I Sleep with Podcast travel back to the late 1890's/ early 1900's to discuss Chicago's Bluebeard Johann Hoch, a bigamist and murder whose crimes would be too much for a Lifetime Movie plot. Show Notes: Second City Sinners New York Times: JOHANN HOCH HANGED, PROTESTING INNOCENCE; Wife Murderer's Lawyers to Test Denial of Stay in Last Hour. PRISONER FORCED DELAY Refused to Leave Death Cell Until Full Time Allowed by Sentence Was Run. Digital Library of Chicago History: John Schmidt, aka Johann Otto Hoch thought to have killed over 50 women.American Heritage: The Lady-killer CBS: Chicago Hauntings: The Sinister Men Who Were Executed At The Old Cook County Jail Gallows, And Sightings At The River North Firehouse Now In Its Place Chicago Tribune: WIVES OF HOCK FOUND ALL OVER.: Four More Listed by the New York Police Make Total of 37 Deluded Widows. EAST ALSO HIS PARISH. Much Married Man May Be Put on Way to Chicago This Morning on Extradition. Several Months in Landing One. Gets Her $900 and Skips. Will Demand His Punishment. May Be Still Another. Hock Again Is Remanded. Hock Flirts in Courtroom. Chicago Tribune: THIS HOCK WIFE OF HIS OWN KIND.: Mrs. Ranken, His Spouse in 1895, Said to Have Too Many Husbands. POLICE SEE THE RECORDS. Documents Indicate Bigamist Was Married Twice in Seven Months. Justice Shows Hock Marriages. Matrimonial Agent Is Accuser. O'Neill Informed of Warrant. Chicago Tribune: HOCK GLORIES IN MARITAL RECORD.: Thinks It Is Great Joke to Be Suspected of Murder of Many Wives, and Has a Happy Time. "WIDOWS HARD TO KEEP." Man "Explains" Sudden Deaths, Says He Is "Affectionate," and Tells of His Career, Which Began Early. Mysterious Powder in His Room. "GOt to suffer for Deserters," Sweatbox to Calin Him Down. Connoisseur of German Widows. Married Only Twice, He Says. It Is a Great Joke with Him. Angered by Talk of Poison.. "Disappointed" in Last Widow. Widows Weak, Savs Hock. Sava Police Are "Away Off." Adventurer Since Immigration. Taking Way with Widows. Chicago Headquarters for Years. Marriage "Ads" His Bait. New Wives in Quick Succession. Hopes He Can Meet the Woman. Doen Not Deny This Wife. Likes to Marry Sisters. Another One He "Can't Place." Explains Death of One More. Admits the Last Wives. Woman Sees Hock Again. Tells of Hammond Marriage. Still Kind to Her Husband. Will Get Startling Evidence. Chicago Tribune: ROMANCE IN HOCK CASE.: BLUEBEARD CAUSES JEALOUS RIVAL TO WARN WIDOW. Romance in Story. Rival Suitor Suspicious. Suspicions Result in Arrest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 53m
12/15/2025

Sixteen Inch Softball: The Malort of Sports

Alyssa and Matt Drufke from the comedy show Still Not Friday talk about 16 inch softball. Show Notes: ABC-7: 'Chicago's game': 16-inch softball, created on Near South Side, celebrates 135th anniversary Encyclopedia of Chicago:Softball, 16-Inch Loop North News: The Home Front Chicago History Museum: Indoor Baseball in Chicago: Block Club Chicago: The Mangled History Of 16-Inch Softball Hands: Mallets, Swan Necks And Jersey Fingers Chicago Tribune: Five facts about 16-inch softball Chicago Reader: Searching for lovable losers? Sixteen-inch softball is the answer Chicago Reader: Sticks and stones will break your bones, and so will 16-inch softball Chicago Reader: Here’s the Pitch Block Club Chicago: After 10 Years On The Bench, Park District Revives Co-Ed 16-Inch Softball: ‘We Got To Bring The Game Back’ New York Times: Gloveless Players Hold on to Softball Dreams Block Club Chicago: Alderpeople Vs. Chicago Cops In 16-Inch Softball: ‘This Is The Best We’ve Gotten Along All Year Axios: Kegger softball is a real thing WGN: Jammed, broken, bent: Chicago’s own 16-inch softball comes with its own badge of honor Chicago Sun-Times: Elena Kagan played Chicago-style 16-inch softball at U of Chicago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 21m
12/08/2025

The First Street Race: NASCAR was the Sequel

I am joined by Vanessa from Reel Relationships to talk about the first Motocycle (automobile) race in America which took place in Chicago. Show Notes: Smithsonian: Six Cars Raced to the Finish Line of the U.S.’s First Automobile Race—at Speeds of Seven Miles Per Hour SI: Days of Blunder: The First U.S. Car Race Was Won 125 Years Ago ... at 7 mph WGN: Second City Firsts NBC Chicago: From the first auto race to NASCAR street racing: Chicago's racing history NBC: Chicago hosted America's first auto race more than 100 years ago Library of Illinois: America's First Automobile Race Occured in Chicago, Illinois, in 1895. Chicago History Museum:H. H. Kohlsaat and the First Automotive Race in the US NASCAR: Before the Chicago Street Race, there was the race that started it all ABC-7: Aldermen meet with NASCAR over future of Chicago Street Race Chicago Tribune: Chicago made a bit of money on NASCAR race in 2024 New York Times: NASCAR’s weather-plagued Chicago debut: On the Xfinity decision and what to expect for Cup Block Club Chicago: Rain-Delayed NASCAR Chicago Street Race Wraps After Weather Cancels Morning Race And Concerts Fortune: ‘Life-threatening’ floods bring Nascar race through downtown Chicago to screeching halt Road & Track: NASCAR Needed Its Chicago Street Race to be a Success. Then Came the Flood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 13m
12/01/2025

REWIND - The Christmas Tree Ship: A Forest on the Water

Alyssa and Captain Scoot from the maritime podcast ⁠ShipWrekt⁠ go back to the early 1900’s when schooners lined the main branch of the Chicago River selling Christmas trees and boating fatalities were the norm. Show Notes: ⁠National Archives: The Christmas Tree Ship⁠ ⁠ABC 7: US Coast Guard 'Christmas Ship' makes annual tree delivery at Chicago's Navy Pier⁠ ⁠Block Club Chicago: Chicago’s Christmas Ship Docks At Navy Pier With Over 1,200 Trees For Chicago Families⁠ ⁠Christmas Tree Ship History⁠ ⁠Wisconsin Shipwrecks: The Rouse Simmons⁠ ⁠Trailer for The Christmas Schooner⁠ ⁠National Marine Sanctuary“Captain Santa” and the story of the Christmas Tree Ship Foundation:⁠ ⁠The Historic Christmas Tree Ship: A True Story of Faith, Hope And Lov⁠e ⁠PBS Wisconsin: The Christmas Tree Ship⁠ ⁠Charles Hackley⁠ Episodes Mentioned: ⁠Oh Malort! Eastland Episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 27m
11/24/2025

Brown's Chicken Massacre: DNA for the Win

I am joined by Steven Ray Morris to talk about the Brown's Chicken Massacre. Show Notes: Seattle Times: Browns Chicken Murders Changed Business Forever Chicago Tribune: Judge tosses bid for new hearing in Brown’s Chicken massacre Chicago Sun-Times: ‘Divine intervention’ helped solve Brown’s Chicken Massacre, investigator says NBC Chicago: Former Girlfriend of Murder Suspect Testifies New York Times: Illinois Mass Murderer Is Spared Execution How to Catch a Criminal: Taking a Bite out of Crime Something Big The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre, A Decade-Long Manhunt, and the Trials That Followed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 19m
11/21/2025

Midway Blitz Updates: The Lie

A lot happened today including two important written findings. Show Notes: U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes Judge Sarah Ellis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 min

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TRAILER

Welcome to Oh, Malort!

Oh Malort! is a new podcast about Chicago history brought to you by Solid Listen Network. Every Monday, Alyssa will bring a friend (and you!) through a story about her favorite city with humor and facts. From the deep cuts to the cult classics, Alyssa Dyksterhouse uses her experience as a celebrated Chicago tour guide, history fanatic and researcher extraordinaire to inform her listeners about the rich history of the Windy City. New episodes come out every Monday, or Sunday if you subscribe to SolidListen+ on Apple Podcasts or the Solid Listen Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

E1

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2 min

Two hosts, two topics, one split-down-the-middle show. On Halfsies, Molly McAleer and Rob Schulte each bring something to the table. A double feature podcast for whatever they’re obsessed with this week. Edited by Jean Marie Gibson. Halfsies is a part of the Solid Listen Network. Visit at Patreon.com/SolidListen for more.

4.1 (372)

PERSONAL JOURNALS
Mother, May I Sleep With Podcast? is the only podcast that breaks down Lifetime Original Movies, one movie per week. New episodes each Sunday. Hosted by Molly McAleer, writer and co-founder of Hello Giggles. Access bonus episodes on Patreon.com/SolidListen.

4.5 (1067)

TV & FILM
Writer and HelloGiggles.com co-founder Molly McAleer and her diverse roster of guests tear into listener voicemails, giving advice and exploring the underlying issues while laughing all the way. If you would like Molls to answer your question, call (323) 450-7408 and leave a message.

4.7 (674)

COMEDY
YouTube star and self-described “pretty girl” Caroline Ricke gives unfiltered beauty and lifestyle advice that no one asked for. Tune in weekly to hear her tangents from the back of her 1999 Ford minivan. Don't Be Ugly is a part of the Solid Listen Network. Visit at Patreon.com/SolidListen for more.

4.9 (375)

FASHION & BEAUTY
The Downtown Writers Jam is a one-hour conversation between host Brad King and some of your favorite authors. We have the kind of discussions writers have when our readers aren't around. We're talking life, current events, what shaped who we are, and why we write what we write. So, pull up a chair and pour yourself a drink. The Downtown Writers Jam is a part of the Solid Listen Network. Visit at Patreon.com/SolidListen for more.

5.0 (34)

BOOKS
Since 2009, the hosts of Hardly Focused have relentlessly made fun of pop culture, current events, and each other. Join them every Thursday as they pick apart the news and struggle to stay on-topic.

4.2 (5)

COMEDY

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4.6

out of 5

22 Ratings

One of my new favorite podcasts!

06/10/2024

Elizabeth's Health

Funny, informative and full of Chicago pride without sugar coating the truth. Would you consider doing an episode about Resurrection Mary?
A Chicago Treasure Dives Deep

03/20/2024

Pistodog

Alyssa should get a key to the city for this very informative hilarious podcast. She lays out a story with the flair of a trial attorney and reputable journalistic backup. All the while letting us laugh at the absurdity of her subjects flying too close to the sun. Thanks to Ronnie Karam for introducing me to a wonderful podcast in my own back yard.
Good topics

03/12/2024

malonerd

Great stories but a lot of dead air like the host is taking a smoke break or drinking.
Great listen. Needs a little clean up

12/15/2023

lizalace89

Loving these stories. The production needs a little clean up - there’s a little cutting in and out but still worth listening to!

Alyssa Dyksterhouse, Chicago tour guide, history lover and research extraordinaire, walks her friends through her favorite well-known and lesser-known moments in Chicago’s quirky past while exploring each story's parallels to current affairs.