The Biographers

In part four of our series on Croatian inventor Nikola Tesla, we explore some of the highest highs and lowest lows of the genius’s life. Success was coming his way, including a center-stage appearance at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and his inventions were being implemented across the United States (and many other parts of the world). However, he was not immune to tragedy. He was forced to work in the laboratory of Thomas Edison after his own personal lab burned to the ground, and received no compensation from his investors for the loss. However, Tesla would also experience a high point in his work as a scientist, seeing some of his inventions implemented on a scale he had only dreamed of, and harnessing the awe-inspiring power of Niagara Falls. Tune in for part four of Nikola Tesla to learn more! (Ep. 049)

In part three of our series on the master of AC electricity, Nikola Tesla, we finally get to see the invention of the Tesla Coil! When introducing his new invention to shoot electricity wirelessly through the air, Nikola shocks the crowd (not actually) by illuminating a lightbulb held in one hand, while a bolt of electricity connects to his other hand. However, competition is fierce, and swaths of other so-called inventors steal his designs and try to claim them as their own. It's also around this time that Nikola's bad habit of not sleeping for days on end begins to catch up with him. After a fateful night spent chatting with a believer in the supernatural, he starts to think there might just be some connections between electricity and magic. Tune in for part three of Nikola Tesla as we dive even deeper into the mind of the brilliant inventor! (Ep. 048)

In part two of our series on electrical genius Nikola Tesla, we examine the early stages of his rise to success, along with the hardships that accompanied it. The road to success for young Nikola was anything but smooth, with obstacles such as a mutiny on his voyage to America, bad-faith investors he became entangled with upon arrival, and his subsequent exploitation while employed by the infamous Thomas Edison. However, Nikola’s true genius couldn’t be extinguished by any mutiny or crappy boss. His knack for innovation was relentless, and he would soon take the world of electricity by storm. Tune in for part two of Nikola Tesla to learn more about his earliest years of success as an inventor. (Ep. 047)

To kick off 2025 right, we're starting with one of the greatest titans of invention ever known to walk the earth: Nikola Tesla. Born to humble beginnings in what is now Croatia, Tesla's childhood was often carefree, but not without its fair share of trauma. Despite his father's strong push for young Nikola to follow in his footsteps and become a priest, Nikola's heart was drawn to engineering. More specifically, he soon discovered that his true passion was the study of electricity, which rapidly became his obsession. From childhood, Tesla suffered from random spells of intense, often debilitating visual hallucinations. However, in his early 20s, one of these visions would inspire an idea for a new type of electrical engine that would change the world forever. Tune in for part one of Nikola Tesla's story as we explore the earliest parts of the young genius's life! (Ep. 046)

It's time for another laid back episode of office hours! No set agenda, but we do talk about a few questions and corrections from our Marilyn Monroe series, as well as some conspiracy theories surrounding her death. This will be Akiva and Daniel's final episode of 2024, as they both need a bit of a break for the holidays, and some extra time to prepare for their next biographies. Have a happy holiday season, and we will see you 2025!

In the final episode of our series on Marilyn Monroe, we take a look at her last years, her final movies, and what led up to her untimely death. Like much of her life, her final years weren't easy. Although she had the opportunity to co-star with her childhood hero, Clark Gable, in her final completed movie, she was deeply distressed when she learned that the press was falsely implying that she was somehow partly to blame for his death. Her addiction to prescription pills and thoughts of taking her own life grew over time, eventually landing her in a mental institution before being placed in the care of a new therapist, whose experimental methods did nothing to alleviate her depression. Join us for the concluding episode on the life of Marilyn Monroe as we say goodbye to one of the most iconic humans to ever live. (Ep. 045)

In part four of our series on Marilyn Monroe, we take a look at what life was like as the biggest star in the world. For Marilyn, it was definitely a case of "be careful what you wish for", as her life would be constantly invaded by members of the press and die-hard fans. The stress from both her public and private life would also kickstart an unhealthy relationship with drugs and alcohol that she would battle for the remainder of her life. Despite all the stresses, however, it was during this period of her life that Marilyn would star in several of her most famous films, including The Seven Year Itch and Some Like It Hot. Tune in for part four of Marilyn Monroe as we go through the most famous part of her life yet! (Ep. 044)

In the third installment of our series on Marilyn Monroe, we take a look at the early days of her rise to superstardom, and what movies helped catapult her career. After crossing paths with other stars like Groucho Marx and Cary Grant, Marilyn would catch her proverbial "big break" in one of the best pieces of cinema (possibly) of all time. Through her continued modeling career, she would also catch the attention of a certain New York Yankee, prompting a blind date that eventually lead to her second marriage. But it wasn't all glitz and glamour, as things in her personal life would cause emotional turmoil, never truly allowing her fully catch her breath. Tune in for part three of Marilyn Monroe to learn more! (Ep. 043) 

In part two of our series on blonde-bombshell, Marilyn Monroe, we get a glimpse of what life was like as she struggled to make a name for herself as a model, and eventually an actor. Contrary to what you might think, Hollywood did not welcome Marilyn with open arms, and the first five or so years of her pursuit of acting was riddled with uncertainty and struggle. In her private life, she also struggled with her first marriage, and before long began contemplating divorce. We'll also learn about what it cost both physically and mentally for Marilyn to accomplish her dreams of becoming an actor after being contract by 20th Century Fox to adhere to a set of guidelines called "The Star System".  Tune in for part two of our series on Marilyn Monroe to learn more! (Ep. 042)

It's new series time, and we're covering our most modern biography to date as we take a closer look at one of the most iconic humans to ever walk the earth: Marilyn Monroe. Long before she would ever be known as Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeane Mortensen was born to extremely humble beginnings in Los Angeles, California, and much of her adolescence was riddled with trauma and abuse. She would bounce between foster homes, live in an orphanage, and develop a life-long stutter from the trauma she endured. Though the first chapter of her life was rocky, life would ultimately improve for little Norma Jeane, laying the bricks that would one day lead her down the path of transforming into one of the most beloved actors and celebrities of all time. Tune on for part one as we begin our most emotionally compelling biography yet! (Ep. 041)