Who Started the Fire?

Mark and Jen Martin
  • 5.0 (4)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Have you ever wondered what all the random, disjointed lyrics in Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' meant? We did too! Join us each week as we look at the song line by line to discover all of the interesting historical and pop culture events the singer wanted to immortalize. Maybe we'll even find an answer to who started the fire along the way.

  1. 01/13/2025

    Ep. 22 Starkweather Homicide, Children of Thalidomide

    Two teens shock the US with a multi state crime spree, and a pharmaceutical company's "wonder drug" hits the market, only to ruin thousands of lives. Come along with us to two of the darker parts of 1958. (We may sound a little off in this one, Jen was recovering from a cold) *Content warning: this episode discuses violence, abuse, and unethical medical practices* Sources: detroitnews.com history.com “Last Podcast on the Left - Charles Starkweather Part 1” “Last Podcast on the Left - Charles Starkeather Part 2” wowt.com (Omaha news channel) nbcnews.com plainshumanities.unl.edu murderpedia.org wyohistory.org “Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine - Thalidomide” thalidomidetrust.org grunenthal.com “Stuff You Missed in History Class - A Brief History of Thalidomide Part 1” “Stuff You Missed in History Class - A Brief History of Thalidomide Part 2”

    1h 28m

  2. 08/14/2023

    Ep. 21 Lebanon, Charles de Gaulle, California baseball

    The year is 1958, and there's a lot going on! This episode we'll look at a potential global crisis, a prominent historical figure, and, most shocking of all, Jen actually talks about baseball! Sources: britannica.com history.com Mlb.com

    1h 7m

  3. 07/09/2023

    Ep. 20 Sputnik, Chou En-Lai, “Bridge on the Kwai”

    This week we will cover some important topics from 1957. We discuss a Russian Rocket, a Chinese Premier, and one of the most well received war movies of it's time! Come and learn much about these topics... that is until our dog Bailey has some thoughts of his own! 🙄 Sources: britannica.com imdb.com oscars.org bbc.com history.nasa.gov engineering.purdue.edu nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov astronomy.com pbs.org history.state.gov bbc.com nasa.gov

    1 hr

  4. 06/30/2023

    Ep. 15 Davy Crockett, Peter Pan, Elvis Presley, Disneyland

    This episode we take a look at four very recognizable figures that all have important ties to 1955. We'll explore the pop culture, and real history of a prominent figure from American folk lore, a brief overview of a much loved character, the surprising origins and sparkling friendship of the King of Rock n Roll, and finally the rocky beginnings of the "Happiest Place on Earth"! Want to watch the NBC broadcast we discussed in the show? You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VusJd4x3tl8 If you'd like to drop us a line, send an email to whostartedthefirepod@gmail.com, or leave a comment on our socials @whostartedthefirepod on Instagram and Facebook! Sources: imdb.com mtishows.com biography.com musicals101.com Latimes.com history.com adayinlatours.com memphistravel.com entertainment.howstuffworks.com graceland.com britannica.com history.howstuffworks.com time.com Palmspringslife.com

    1h 16m

  5. 03/19/2023

    EP. 19 Little Rock, Pasternak, Mickey Mantle, Kerouac

    We're back (again)! In this episode we talk about nine brave students, one expensive rookie card, the complicated lives of two Russian men, and four friends who had a lasting impact on American culture. Come along as we talk about 1957ish, the good, the bad, and the perplexing. history.com britannica.com nobelprize.org sparknotes.com seattletimes.com sites.bu.edu biography.com goodreads.com penguinrandomhouse.com beatdom.com washingtonpost.com uscourts.gov baseballhall.org blackpast.org learningforjustice.org mlb.com sportscardsrock.com

    1h 10m

  6. 10/29/2022 ·  BONUS

    EP. 18 Chorus Break Bonus #2

    We made it to the second chorus break!! Join us as we look back at some memorable topics from the last several episodes and discuss the highs, the lows, and all the (sometimes spooky) in betweens!  We'll also take a look at a man made fire that was so devastating, it actually changed the way forest services workers handled large blazes.  As a special Halloween trick/treat, we'll even reveal Mark's terrible joke that got cut from the previous episode. Want to reach out to us? Drop a line to whostartedthefirepod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook and Instagram at @whostartedthefirepod, or write us a review wherever you listen! Sources: cdnc.ucr.edu wildfirelessons.net news.google.com csusb.edu coloradofirecamp.com sandiegouniontribune.com nfsl.contentdm.oclc.org voicesofsandiego.org

    54 min

  7. 09/30/2022

    Ep. 17 Princess Grace, Peyton Place, Trouble in the Suez

    In this episode we talk about a real life fairytale, a sensational debut novel that outraged the nation, and the complex history of one of the world's most important shipping routes.   Want to reach out to us? You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @whostartedthefirepod, or send an email to whostartedthefirepod@gmail.com! Sources: “Peyton Place” by Grace Metalious encyclopedia.com unhmagazine.unh.edu pgrusa.org people.com hellomonaco.com britannica.com beyondgracekelly.com history.com cde.state.co.us

    1h 10m

  8. 09/10/2022

    Ep. 16 Bardot, Budapest, Alabama, Khrushchev

    We're back from our unintentional hiatus! In this episode we look at some decidedly somber topics that have far reaching effects.  We'll talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of one of the world's most recognizable faces, the speech that changed the (Communist) world, the shocking response to student protests, and the real story behind the myth of a tired woman who altered the course of history. *Disclaimer: this episode was recorded before the passing of Queen Elizabeth II Want to reach out to us? You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @whostartedthefirepod or drop a line to whostartedthefirepod@gmail.com. Sources: imdb.com history.com nbcnews.com vanityfair.com francetoday.com britannica.com fondationbrigittebardot.fr digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org history.com isaacnewtonacademy.org dailyhistory.org soviethistory.msu.edu billofrightsinstitute.org womenshistory.org kinginstitute.stanford.edu aljazeera.com

    1h 16m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Have you ever wondered what all the random, disjointed lyrics in Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' meant? We did too! Join us each week as we look at the song line by line to discover all of the interesting historical and pop culture events the singer wanted to immortalize. Maybe we'll even find an answer to who started the fire along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark and Jen Martin
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mark and Jen Martin
  • Show Website
    Who Started the Fire?

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