Dark History

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 a whacker, grab a cracker.

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.

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.

Did you know that fewer people know the recipe for 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.