Our Curious Past

Black Label

4.8 (21)
TRUE CRIME
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Our Curious Past features fascinating, mysterious and moving tales from history.

05/24/2024

30: Two Years in Isolation: The Biosphere 2 Saga

Get ready for an amazing yet totally true adventure from the 1990s, when on a warm Arizona morning, four men and four women left the earths atmosphere…and did not return for 2 years and 20 minutes. Yet their feet never left the ground. This is the incredible story of Biosphere 2, a bold and controversial American experiment to see if human beings could survive in a sealed environment. If they could, then perhaps we might be able to live on other planets some day. The project began with a wave of enthusiasm and excitement from the media and public – with ABC News declaring that Biosphere 2 was going to save the world. But…as the days turned into weeks, the cracks began to show, the eco system struggled, tensions exploded in the groups, and media relations collapsed when they heard about a mysterious duffle bag…and the ambitious endeavour began to be labelled as more like a hippy cult, than a science experiment. Then, the controversial political strategist Steve Bannon turned up. You are in for a pretty wild ride, but I hope you’ll join me for a fascinating and frustrating step into a new world…This is… Two years in isolation | The Biosphere 2 saga Don't forget to check out Magic Mind, they have a limited offer you can use now that gets you 48% off with code OURCURIOUSPAST20 at checkout. Claim it at Magicmind.com/ourcuriouspast Visit me online Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

37 min
03/15/2024

29: Tears on the Dance floor: The Tragic Love and Heartbreaking Fate of Lavinia Schulz & Walter Holdt

A unique couple meet in 1920s Germany, and fall in love. Their relationship is fiery, but they become famous dancers, dazzling audiences in Germany… Yet their commitment to their art will lead them both to a heartbreaking tragedy. I’m Peter Laws and tonight I give you ‘Tears on the Dancefloor: The Tragic Love and Heartbreaking fate of Lavinia Schulz & Walter Holdt. Episode Sponsor: Head to http://FACTORMEALS.com/Curious50 and use code Curious50 to get 50% off! Core Sources: https://janreetze.blogspot.com/2010/12/the-mask-dancers-lavinia-schulz-walter.html https://clasebcn.com/tips/lavinia-schluz-walter-holdt/ ‘Empire of Ecstasy: Nudity and Movement in German Body Culture, 1910–1935’ by Karl Toepfer UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS, 1997. Help support our show through Patreon: Peter Laws | creating podcasts, immersive audio, video and more! | Patreon Visit me online here. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

31 min
03/01/2024

28: Crashed In The Amazon Jungle: The Astonishing 40 Day Search for Four Lost Children

A plane crashes into the Amazon Jungle, on board are four terrified children who somehow survive the wreck. But their ordeal has only just begun. I’m Peter Laws and tonight on Our Curious Past we explore ‘Crashed in the Amazon Jungle: The Astonishing 40 Day Search for Four Lost Children’. Visit me online, To learn more details on this remarkable story, do check out my main source, this excellent and lengthy article by William Ralston. Help support our show through Patreon: Peter Laws | creating podcasts, immersive audio, video and more! | Patreon Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

23 min
02/02/2024

27: Guided by Spirits? The Strange Case of the Snettisham Ghosts

A woman moves into a house known to be haunted and one night encounters ghosts who tell her to visit a small village in England. When she gets there, she finds that everything the spirits have told her, comes true. Was this a hoax, or did she have an authentic encounter with the supernatural like mane researchers into the case claim. I’m Peter Laws and tonight on our Curious Past we dive into spooky supernatural encounter in Guided by Spirits? The Strange Case of the Snettisham Ghosts. Visit us online. Sources ‘Worlds Beyond' by Ian Wilson, 1986, Weidenfeld & Nicholson https://www.edp24.co.uk/lifestyle/20711644.weird-norfolk-snettisham-ghost-asked-favour/ https://jamesmdeem.com/stories.ghost.goodeve.html Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

29 min
01/12/2024

Welcome to Our Curious Past

Welcome listener, to Our Curious Past. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 min
01/06/2024

26: The Man Who Legally Killed 55 Men & Women Single Handedly

Chavoret Jaruboon was paid by the Thai prison service, to single-handedly kill 55 people. That’s 54 men, and one woman. He did this during his 19 year career at the notorious Bang Kwang Prison, aka the Bangkok Hilton. In Thailand, he was best known as ‘The Last Executioner’ before they switched over to lethal injection. But up to that point, Chavoret’s job was to carry out each killing with a submachine gun. What were the procedures for killing human beings on such a large scale? What sort of man was Chavoret, and how did he deal with such a challenging role. How did he manage to square his spirituality with killing so many people…after all, he lived in a Buddhist country, that believes heavily in karma. I’m Peter Laws, and tonight on Our Curious Past, we explore a controversial career that is rarely discussed…as we meet Chavoret Jaruboon: The Man Who Legally Killed 55 People, Single-Handedly. Please note that this episode is also available as an audio podcast - search OUR CURIOUS PAST in your apps. Episode Sponsor: Head to FACTORMEALS.com/Curios50 and use code Curious50 to get 50% off! NOTE: If you find this story interesting I do encourage you to buy a copy of Chavoret’s well written and gripping book, The Last Executioner. I used the English translation of the book as the prime source of this video. You can buy it here. Help support our show through Patreon: Peter Laws | creating podcasts, immersive audio, video and more! | Patreon Visit us online. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

32 min
12/08/2023

25: The Final Witness: Can a Murder Victims Eyeballs Reveal Their Killer?

In the late 1800s, the worlds of biology, photography and criminology came together to ask a tantalising question….might the human retina retain the final image a person sees before death…If so, with careful examination of the eyeball, surely this was a sure fire way of solving every murder…because the killers image would be imprinted in the victims eyes…if only investigators discovered the body within 24 hours. Tonight, we explore one of the most fascinating theories in police work…a notion that gripped optometrist, photographers and detectives alike. I’m Peter Laws and this is The Final Witness: Can a Murder Victims Eyeballs Reveal Their Killer? Episode Sponsor: Head to http://FACTORMEALS.com/curious50and use code curious50 to get 50% off! Sources: Retinal Optography: Fact or Fiction? Optography How Forensic Science Once Tried to "See" a Dead Person's Last Sight Optopraphy: Preserving a Dead Person's Last Sight Dead Men's Eyes: A History of Optography How to develop a picture from a corpse's eye Support the show through Patreon here! Visit us online! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

24 min
11/24/2023

24: Crop Circles, Boardgames and The KLF

In the summer of 1990, Operation Blackbird was launched, to investigate the curious (and then growing) appearances of Crop Circles across the world. These mysterious, geometric shapes would appear in crops, prompting some to claim UFOs were at work, and others to cry 'hoax'. On the second night of Operation Blackbird, researchers were excited to see a crop circle emerge…but when they examined closer, the plot thickened. They found strange circular boardgame boards, in the centre of every circle, and then the next day, one of the researchers received a letter from the notorious UK dance band…the KLF. Join me as I try to get to the bottom of this curious case, which involved me interviewing original witnesses, and gaining access to a handwritten letter supposedly by KLF front man, Bill Drummond. Visit us online at itsourcuriouspast.com Special Thank you for those that helped with this Episode: Colin Andrews played by David Stephenson George (Merlin) Vernon played by Owen Staton Help support our show through Patreon:Peter Laws | creating podcasts, immersive audio, video and more! | Patreon Find us on all podcasting platforms:Our Curious Past Thank you! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

23 min

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TRAILER

Welcome to Our Curious Past

Welcome listener, to Our Curious Past. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

01/12/2024

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1 min

The darkest true crime cases are the ones you've never heard of. Obscura investigates murders written off as accidents, disappearances dismissed as runaways, and obscure cases buried in forgotten files. Host Justin Drown delivers unflinching investigations through real archival audio, court records, and graphic forensic detail. No comedy. No sanitized narratives. Only the complete truth. New episodes every Tuesday.

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Discover forgotten stories from small-town America that never made it into history books. Hometown History is the podcast uncovering hidden American history—overlooked events, local mysteries, and untold tragedies from communities across the nation. Every week, meticulous research brings pre-2000 small-town stories to life in 20-minute episodes. From forgotten disasters to local legends, hidden chapters to pivotal moments, each episode explores a different town's overlooked history. Perfect for history enthusiasts seeking forgotten American stories, small-town history, and local history that shaped our nation. Respectful storytelling meets educational depth—history podcast content for curious minds who want to learn about America's hidden past without hour-long episodes.

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HISTORY
Join Gemma Hoskins, the beloved advocate from Netflix's The Keepers, and veteran crime podcaster Shane Waters as they revisit the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a young nun whose mysterious death in 1969 has haunted Baltimore for decades. Who Killed Sister Cathy? goes beyond the documentary, bringing you new interviews, fresh perspectives, and revelations that have never been heard before. Together, Gemma and Shane are relentless in their pursuit of the truth, unraveling secrets and untold stories that point to a conspiracy that shook a community to its core. This is not just a podcast—it's an ongoing investigation that seeks justice for Sister Cathy and comfort for those who loved her. Visit us online at itsfoulplay.com We also welcome you to Shane's main crime series podcast, with more than 34 series: Foul Play.

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Unlock the unknown with the gang on the Mystery Inc Podcast—your go-to source for real-life mysteries that defy explanation. Hop into our Mystery Machine Tesla as we hit the road, diving deep into the enigmas that leave even the skeptics questioning reality. From haunted hideaways to unsolved crimes, each episode is a riveting journey through the baffling and the bizarre. The mystery is out there; are you in?

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Welcome, my darlings, to the enchantingly sinister history podcast that weaves dark tales of humanity's most infamous characters and events. This award-winning podcast shall bewitch you with wickedly captivating stories of true crime and the shadowy corners of history, exploring the twisted desires that drive these rotten souls to the brink of infamy. Hosted by the delightfully devious queer queen, Joshua Waters.

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TRUE CRIME

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4.8

out of 5

21 Ratings

And overlooked gem

05/12/2023

Doctor Sin

I don’t know why I decided to listen to this podcast, but I’m glad that I did. The topics may be esoteric, but they are also fascinating. (I’m half way thru them all.) Great research and the production values are also very good. What is shocking is that listeners would enjoy such good content and not “bother” to give it a rating. Yeah, typing a review requires more effort but how hard is it to tap the number stars you think it deserves? There is so much crap out there, the least we can do is let others know about the good stuff. Do your bit and leave a rating. (Or better yet, tell a friend!) Let’s encourage more of this series!
GREAT! This show is going to go BIG soon

04/10/2023

P.TwoBears

So, so,so much better than most all other podcasts who try to do this genre/style. His lovely voice—perfect! * my one recommendation is no more really short shows. Less than 30 min (pref. 45 min-1.30 min is best) just irritates people more than anything else…because it just means more ads and more fiddling around with your iPod rather than being able to just flow & listen. Also! **Please record your own ads with your own voice. this will up 🆙 your viewership and put you on lists —people search for this.