Fast Food, The Occult and Other Bad Ideas

A nostalgic Chad Bowers, weaves tales of misguided inventions, ill-fated fast food ventures, and personal misadventures. From Thomas Midgley's toxic legacy with leaded gasoline and Freon to the quirky failures of purple ketchup and Howard Johnson’s restaurant empire, the show explores infamous bad ideas that shaped the 20th century. Interspersed with colorful anecdotes—like kissing a hot skillet or snorting salt from McDonald’s fries—the host reflects on local Mobile, Alabama institutions like Checkers and Colonel Dixie, while touching on broader themes of societal missteps, from Woodrow Wilson’s war decisions to the occult’s quirky influence. With humor and introspection, the show blends history, culture, and personal confessionals, musing on human folly, reality, and the fluid nature of time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit williamchadbowers.substack.com