Distorted History Podcast
History
About
I'm a history teacher and musician and every other week I cover a topic from American history ranging from the important to the cultural to the weird and unusual. Also once a month I produce a bonus episode focusing on the creation on a piece of music be it a modern rock album to classical music or the lore of video game.
Episodes
- The First Klan Part 2 Reign of Terror
Part 2 of The First Klan explores the expansion of the organization across the former Confederacy, detailing its reign of terror against those who opposed it.
- Sound Stories Black Sabbath Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die
The podcast episode discusses the final two albums released by Black Sabbath with their original lineup, Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die.
- The First Klan Part 1 Birth and Reconstruction
This episode examines the history and motivations of the Ku Klux Klan, described as one of the most violent and influential organizations in American history. Part 1 focuses on its birth during the Reconstruction era.
- William Walker the man who would conquer Nicaragua Part 5 The End
This episode covers the conclusion of William Walker's story, detailing his "villain arc" and his refusal to surrender despite facing opposition from the people of Central America.
- Sound Stories Black Sabbath Sabotage
This episode of Distorted History Podcast covers the betrayal and sabotage Black Sabbath experienced from their management after completing an album, detailing the legal issues that affected the band.
- William Walker the man who would conquer Nicaragua Part 4 Vanderbilt
Following William Walker's seizure of his contracts and property, Cornelius Vanderbilt dedicated himself to destroying Walker and his operations in Nicaragua. This episode details that conflict.
- William Walker the man who would conquer Nicaragua Part 3 Winning Nicaragua
This episode details William Walker's attempt to conquer Nicaragua, following his earlier failure in Mexico. He is invited to join a Nicaraguan civil war as the leader of a filibuster force.
- Sound Stories Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
This episode of Distorted History Podcast covers Black Sabbath's challenges with writer's block and unusual occurrences in an English castle during the creation of their album.
- William Walker The Man who would Conquer Nicaragua Part 2 Mexico
This episode covers William Walker's second attempt to gain notoriety by invading the Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora. His goal was to create his own republic and offer protection from Apache raids.
- William Walker The Man who would Conquer Nicaragua Part 1 Filibusters
This episode covers the early life of William Walker, who aimed to conquer Nicaragua, and discusses filibusters, individuals who led private military campaigns to take over foreign nations.
- Sound Stories Black Sabbath Vol. 4
This episode details the story behind Black Sabbath's fourth album, Vol. 4, examining how its creation contributed to the eventual breakup of the band's original lineup. The information is indexed from public RSS feeds.
- Tulsa Race Massacre Part 2 The Burning of Greenwood
Part 2 of the Tulsa Race Massacre episode details how a white mob targeted the prosperous African American district of Greenwood, often called Black Wall Street, during the violent race riot.
- Tulsa Race Massacre Part 1 Black Wall Street
Part 1 of the Tulsa Race Massacre focuses on the Greenwood district, a prosperous Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, nicknamed 'Black Wall Street'. In 1921, this community was destroyed during an event often referred to as the worst race…
- Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 11 Goin to Chicago (Finale)
This episode discusses the impact of investigations into Red Cross relief camps following the 1927 Mississippi Flood. It also covers the subsequent migration of African Americans, who took their culture and music with them, including blues…
- The Ill Fated Journey of Conquistador Cabeza de Vaca Part 3 Spiritual Healers (Finale)
This episode covers the finale of Cabeza de Vaca's journey, detailing his escape from being a castaway and slave, and his transition into a healer as he travels towards Spanish-controlled Mexico.
- The Ill Fated Journey of Conquistador Cabeza de Vaca Part 2 Shipwrecked in Texas
This episode covers the second part of Conquistador Cabeza de Vaca's journey. After a failed attempt to conquer Florida, survivors set sail on rafts for Mexico, encountering an unexpected situation upon arrival in Texas.
- Blues and The Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 10 Greenville Exposed
This episode of Distorted History Podcast discusses the Mississippi Flood of 1927, specifically focusing on the Greenville area. It details the poor conditions and mistreatment of African American refugees in Red Cross relief camps, descri…
- The Ill Fated Journey of Conquistador Cabeza de Vaca Part 1 Florida
This episode details the initial stages of Conquistador Cabeza de Vaca's journey, beginning in Florida. The expedition aimed to conquer lands along the Gulf Coast but resulted from a series of mishaps.
- The Tragedy of the Donner Party Episode 5 Rescue and Relief
The arrival of the Forlorn Hope expedition survivors brought news of the Donner Party's dire circumstances. Despite subsequent rescue attempts, many could not be saved from their fate.
- The Tragedy of the Donner Party Episode 4 The Forlorn Hope
The Donner Party
- Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 9 Charley Patton and the Klan comes to Greenville
This episode delves into the grim reality of Greenville, Mississippi, during the 1927 flood, contrasting it with positive media coverage of Herbert Hoover's relief efforts. It explores Greenville's history to contextualize the surprising y…
- The Tragedy of the Donner Party Episode 3 Trapped in the Mountains
This episode covers the Donner Party's struggle to cross the Sierra Nevadas after a failed shortcut, leading to them becoming trapped in the mountains as winter approaches.
- The Tragedy of the Donner Party Episode 2 The Hastings Cutoff
This episode of Distorted History Podcast covers the Donner Party's journey and their choice to follow the Hastings Cutoff, a route intended to shorten their travel to California. The description suggests this decision had negative consequ…
- Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 8 Barbecue Bob and the Trouble with New Orleans
This episode covers blues musician Robert Hicks, also known as BBQ Bob. It also examines the actions of New Orleans bankers and businessmen during the 1927 Mississippi Flood, who allegedly sought to destroy a levee, leading to the flooding…
- The Tragedy of the Donner Party Episode 1 Manifest Destiny
This episode details the early stages of the Donner Party
- Christiana Riot Episode 3 Flights and Trials
Episode 3 of the Distorted History Podcast covers the aftermath of the Christiana resistance, detailing how national press labeled the event a riot, the escape of some involved, and the subsequent arrests and trials of others.
- Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 7 Bessie Smith
Part 7 of Distorted History Podcast covers Bessie Smith's song 'Back Water Blues' during the 1927 Mississippi flood. The song became a soundtrack for the disaster, and performers raised money for flood victims.
- Christiana Riot Episode 2 Fight for Freedom
In Christiana, Pennsylvania, the Gorsuch posse discovers the local population resists enslavement and is prepared to defend their freedom. This episode of Distorted History Podcast covers the events surrounding the Christiana Riot.
- Christiana Riot Episode 1 Fugitive Slave Act
Episode 1 of Distorted History Podcast covers the Christiana Riot, a clash between slaveholder Edward Gorsuch and escaped individuals stemming from the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which heightened pre-Civil War tensions.
- 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks Part 3
This episode covers the continuation of the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks, focusing on a shark that entered Matawan Creek. Despite warnings, a young boy was attacked and killed by the shark.
- Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 6 The Nation Takes Note
This episode of Distorted History Podcast discusses the nation taking notice of the Mississippi Flood of 1927 disaster after the levee collapse at Mounds Landing. It also explores the life of blues musician Big Bill Broonzy and his song "S…
- 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks Part 2
Episode 1916 of Distorted History Podcast covers the second part of the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks. Despite the first recorded attack, people continued to visit the Jersey shore, leading to more victims and widespread panic due to the '…
- 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks Part 1
This episode discusses the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks, detailing how these events unfolded at a time when sharks were not considered a threat to humans. The attacks resulted in five victims over a 12-day period.
- Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 5 Mounds Landing
Part 5 of the series on Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 focuses on the events at the Mounds Landing levee on April 21, 1927. The failure of federal levees, including at Mounds Landing, marked a point where the unfolding disaster co…
- The Labor Uprising of 1877 Part 4
Part 4 of The Labor Uprising of 1877 details the spread of the strike into the mid-west, focusing on demonstrations in St. Louis and Chicago that aimed to halt railroads, industries, and businesses.
- The Labor Uprising of 1877 Part 3
This episode covers the continuation of the Great Strike of 1877, detailing how the labor uprising spread to New York and Ohio following violent suppression in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The description notes that government soldiers shed w…
- Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 4 Lonnie Johnson
This episode discusses the Mississippi Flood of 1927, highlighting the efforts to hold back the rising waters and featuring bluesman Lonnie Johnson, who wrote two songs about the event.
- The Labor Uprising of 1877 Part 2
Part 2 of The Labor Uprising of 1877 details the spread of inspiration among railroad workers nationwide, following events in Martinsburg, West Virginia. It covers the violent reactions from railroad corporations and government allies.
- The Labor Uprising of 1877 Part 1
Part one of The Labor Uprising of 1877 discusses the widespread strikes that occurred across the nation in 1877, marking a significant moment of worker defiance.
- Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 3 Backwater Rising
This episode of Distorted History Podcast, "Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 3: Backwater Rising," covers the severe flooding in the Mississippi valley starting in the summer of 1926. The podcast explores how this displacement…
- Fossil Wars Part 4 The Feud Goes Public (Finale)
Fossil Wars Part 4 covers the public eruption of the long-standing feud between paleontologists Edward Drinker Cope and OC Marsh, which made headlines in a major national newspaper.
- Fossil Wars Part 3 Dinosaurs
This episode covers the third part of the Fossil Wars, focusing on the intense competition between paleontologists OC Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. Their rivalry escalated as they vied for newly discovered, massive dinosaur fossils.
- Sound Stories: Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 2 Levees Only
This episode of Distorted History Podcast, titled 'Sound Stories: Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 2 Levees Only,' explores how a dispute over control of the Mississippi River contributed to decisions that made the 1927 flood h…
- Fossil Wars Part 2 The feud heats up in the west
The podcast episode "Fossil Wars Part 2" details the increasingly acrimonious rivalry between paleontologists Edward Drinker Cope and OC Marsh as they journeyed west to discover fossils.
- Fossil Wars Part 1 Friends?
This episode of Distorted History Podcast covers the early relationship between paleontologists O.C. Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. It explores how their initial friendship evolved into intense rivalry as they ventured into a new field of…
- Sound Stories: Blues and the Mississippi Flood of 1927 Part 1 Causes
The Distorted History Podcast explores the causes of the 1927 Mississippi Flood. The episode notes the disaster
- Nat Turner's Revolt Part 3 Backlash and Conspiracies
Part 3 of the Nat Turner's Revolt series details the aftermath of the rebellion, including backlash and conspiracies, as Turner attempted to dismantle slavery.
- Nat Turner's Revolt Part 2 Uprising
This episode covers the second part of Nat Turner's Revolt, detailing the progression of the uprising where Nat Turner and his co-conspirators sought to increase their numbers and eliminate slaveholders to abolish slavery.
- Sound Stories Slipknot (Debut Album)
This episode of Sound Stories revisits the nu-metal era by focusing on Slipknot and their debut album. The podcast is available on Spotify and via RSS feeds.
- Nat Turner's Revolt Part 1 Prophecies
This episode of Distorted History Podcast discusses Nat Turner, an enslaved individual who led a significant slave revolt in the United States, believing he was divinely inspired. The episode details the events of this revolt.