Our Fake History

A wild retelling of a man who shipped himself to freedom and the cramped 27-hour journey inside a packing crate. The rise from escapee to flashy performer who used panoramas, music, and stage magic. Tensions between spectacle and sober abolitionism, scandals over partners and family claims, and later turns into mesmerism and endurance stunts.

In this bonus episode Sebastian takes questions about the recent series on the Viking voyages to North America. In it he reckons with the history of slavery in the Norse world, guesses at why the southern Vinland of settlement of Hóp remains undiscovered, and muses about doppelgängers. Tune-in and find out how controversial episode art, tidal lagoons, and absurdist saga writers all play a role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A deep dive into the Vinland tales and how 19th-century scholars reshaped American beliefs about Norse arrival. The story of the Kensington Runestone and a rash of runic forgeries that muddied real history. Archaeological breakthroughs at L'Anse aux Meadows and clues like butternuts that suggest how far Norse sailors traveled. The episode traces how myth, identity, and pseudo-history intertwined.

A lively look at the Vinland sagas, where supernatural oddities sit beside plausible Viking voyages. Stories range from reanimated corpses and giant-eyed visitors to a Viking child born in the west. Tensions over trade, a terrifying bull used in battle, and a notorious axe-wielding woman all drive questions about what is history and what is legend.

A dive into Norse voyages across the North Atlantic and the mystery of Vinland. Short tales of rocky coastlines, wild grapes, and supposed frostless winters. Discussion of saga storytelling, magic-suffused sleep episodes, and violent encounters with indigenous peoples. Archaeology, ship tech, and climate factors that shaped medieval exploration also get spotlighted.

Listener questions spark tales of cheeky bank ads and when 'Ponzi' became shorthand for fraud. The origins of 'rob Peter to pay Paul' get traced through medieval stories. Skin graft claims and historical evidence around a famed con man's wound are explored. The idea that empires can work like Ponzi schemes is examined using Attila, Rome, and Napoleon as examples.

A fast-paced retelling of Charles Ponzi’s rise from debt to dazzling wealth and the impossible coupon scheme that fueled it. The story follows his lavish spending, business purchases, and the bank takeover used to mask the fraud. Media scrutiny, frozen accounts, and a devastating audit accelerate the collapse. The aftermath traces convictions, deportation, and the scam’s lasting legacy.

Explore the thrilling rise and fall of Charles Ponzi, a man who turned financial fraud into an art form. Discover his revolutionary scheme utilizing postal coupons and how he charmed Bostonians before everything collapsed. Delve into his intriguing past as a two-time ex-convict with a knack for deception. Uncover parallels to modern scams and his own claims of misunderstood genius. Plus, learn about his unique charisma and the convoluted origins of the infamous Ponzi scheme.

In this bonus discussion, the host dives into Buffalo Bill's surprising impact on the cowboy hero image. He unpacks the contentious history of scalping and its evolution from Indigenous practice to colonial bounty. The showman’s influence is compared to P.T. Barnum, revealing intriguing business connections. Historical reenactors are examined, highlighting the balance between authenticity and myth-making. Fun facts about Bill's legacy in Belgium and the origins of questionable mascots add a quirky twist to this captivating exploration.

Explore the extravagant world of Buffalo Bill's Wild West spectacle. This podcast delves into how it transformed from a circus to an educational showcase of American history. Discover the fabricated history behind thrilling reenactments and how Indigenous performers were used while often reduced to stereotypes. Learn about Sitting Bull's surprising role in the show, and how Buffalo Bill, though flawed, advocated for Native rights. The captivating mix of myth, nostalgia, and entertainment presents a unique lens on America's frontier narrative.