History Defeats Itself

It's the HDI 2024 Holiday Extravaganza! Kevin discusses the outrage some have over people saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Greg educates us on the history of Krampus. And John talks about the Underwear Bomber. Spike your eggnog, get cozy, and celebrate the season with your three favorite knuckleheads. 

In this episode of HDI, Greg discusses the FBI man turned Russian spy, Robert Hanssen, Kevin wonders why Hollywood continues to remake movies despite their lack of success, and John discusses minimum wage, and how it's not a livable wage in the slightest sense. 

In this episode the crew discusses gratitude, how OnlyFans is dominating the porn industry, and we debate whether there is still a place for professional critics in today's society.

In this episode, Greg wonders what circumstances warrant telling someone to go F themselves. John discusses how good habits can be developed, how to break bad ones, and why Kevin should make his bed every day. And Kevin expresses his concerns about the budding bromance between Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

The boys are back! In this episode, Kevin talks about Louisiana forcing public schools to display the ten commandments in every classroom, as well as Oklahoma forcing public schools to teach the Bible as part of its curriculum. John talks about the pros and cons of splitting the atom - nuclear war is bad but medical advances are good. And Greg, who clearly didn't put any effort in, talks about procrastination.

Today we're talking about Wernher von Braun, a Nazi who was recruited by NASA after World War 2 to help develop the space program.   https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

Dive into the captivating story of the Poyais Scheme, the ultimate historical scam by Gregor MacGregor, who sold dreams of a nonexistent paradise to hundreds. Explore how this 19th-century con artist created Poyais, duping settlers and investors alike, and the stark reality that awaited them. From MacGregor's early exploits to the scheme's fallout and its place in the annals of financial frauds, this episode uncovers the allure of utopian dreams and the timeless lessons of history's audacious scams.  https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

Have you or someone you know been affected by music snobbery? Have you fallen victim to ridicule from elitists who think their supposed deeper understanding of music makes you look inferior? You've come to the right place. Because Greg is talking about being a music snob. Kevin is on the same page. John thinks they're just dicks.https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

Join us as we embark on a journey through the complex web of drug trafficking from Mexico. We'll discuss the smugglers' innovations and the unintended consequences that ripple through societies. Laugh and learn with us as we unpack the serious topic of drug trafficking with our usual dose of comedy and historical insight. A must-listen for those who enjoy a giggle with their gritty realities! https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

Join us in this intriguing episode as we delve into the humorous tale of the Mount Edgecumbe volcano hoax – a masterful April Fools' prank pulled off by Oliver 'Porky' Bickar in 1974. Discover how a sleepy Alaskan town was stirred by billowing smoke from a dormant volcano, leading to a mix of panic, confusion, and, ultimately, laughter. We unravel the planning, execution, and aftermath of one of history's most audacious pranks.https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself 

Dive into the dark legend of Sawney Bean as we explore the grisly tale of Scotland's most infamous clan leader and cannibal. Was Bean a real figure or just folklore? We dissect this macabre story, blending historical facts with our humorous take. Perfect for fans of true crime and quirky history. Subscribe for more episodes where humor meets the bizarre corners of the past.Discover More - linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

We're back! After a holiday break in which there was much yuletide cheer and a successful stint as a mall Santa by John, despite there being no malls anymore, we're back in action. John leads the first episode of 2024 on the topic of Nikola Tesla. An inventor, pioneer, and borscht fan (probably) Tesla changed the world as much as anyone ever has. We're here to talk about. Plus, Greg is on location from his bathroom.   https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

On a very special episode of History Defeats Itself, John and Kevin record in the same room. And it is very special. Also, we discuss the Elf on the Shelf. Adorable Christmas tradition? Or Big Brother-esque spy tool designed to prepare kids for a lifetime of surveillance. You decide.https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

If you need a reason to hate mosquitos, outside of the annoyance, itchiness, and intense smell of deet-infused repellent products, you can also get dengue fever. Fun! Tune in to learn more.   https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

If you often find yourself wondering, "What is the historical and cultural impact of felines," you've come to the right place. On this episode, John enlightens his co-hosts, and the world, about all things cats. Also, we discuss chlamydia and The Shawshank Redemption.https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

In honor of Halloween (or All Hallow's Eve for those of you from the old country), Kevin leads the crew in a vibrant discussion about Monsters. Don't worry, John only gets scared a few times.https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitself

One of the toughest things a family can go through is watching a loved one battle dementia. It's also something people don't talk enough about. In this episode, we discuss this illness's ins and outs and even tell some jokes along the way.  https://bio.site/historydefeatsitself

Have you ever sat down and really thought about how much better the world would be if we replaced stop signs with roundabouts? No, of course, you haven't. That would be insane. But John did. So join us as he leads the classic debate about what method of managing small intersections is best.  https://bio.site/historydefeatsitself

After being needlessly ridiculed by John and Greg simply for having an opinion too advanced for them to understand, Kevin decided to lead his own philosophical episode, this time discussing free will. Do we have as much control over our lives as we'd like to think we do? We'll answer that question definitively, with no room for ambiguity or debate, once and for all. https://bio.site/historydefeatsitself 

Not to be outdone by last episode's foray into philosophy by John, Greg is leading the charge this time on another philosophical-ish topic: people's difficulty changing their opinions. At least, I think that's what it was about.

In this episode John goes literal and leads a discussion on how history has defeated itself for generations and even provides data points as to why we keep doing this. If we're not careful, it could be end of times. Come for the data, stay for the apocalypse.

Imagine walking down the street, turning the corner, and you're suddenly looking at hundreds of people dancing like crazy for no apparent reason whatsoever. That's what happened in 1518. Learn along with John and Greg as Kevin gives the deets on the Dancing Plague. Also, John records from the road, and Greg's newborn granddaughter makes an appearance. She's already better at this than us.  https://bio.site/historydefeatsitself 

In our first foray into true crime Greg discusses notorious serial killer, H. H. Holmes and how he used the Chicago Worlds Fair as a hunting ground. Move over, Eric Larson, Greg is the new historical fiction authority now.https://bio.site/historydefeatsitself

Brad Pitt once asked Edward Norton, "How much can you know about yourself if you've never been in a duel?" Or something like that. In this episode, John talks to Greg about dueling. It's the first episode where one of us wasn't able to be there, as Kevin was fighting off some sort of plague.

Exploding cars are never good. But they're worse when auto execs know they could happen but choose profits over people. Yay, Capitalism! In this episode, the crew talks about the legendary Ford Pinto in all its fiery glory.https://bio.site/historydefeatsitself

Dean Karnazes, known as the Ultramarathon Man, does some crazy things. How crazy? In 2005 he ran 350 miles in 80 hours and 44 minutes without sleep. Why, you ask? Hell if we know. But we have plenty to say about it in the latest episode.  

There was a time when #journalists were thought of as trustworthy thought leaders who enlightened us with #facts and #insights. They were people who cared about #humanity, had empathy, and wanted what was best for everyone. Then there is #TuckerCarlson, who so eloquently said that "women are primitive" and need to "do what they're told." And people say chivalry is dead. In this episode, John leads a discussion about the "journalist" that was recently let go by Fox News, Tucker Carlson. Or, as he (probably) likes to be called, T-Bone.

How can one of the world’s most iconic #brands suddenly decide to change its #recipe ? It’s a good question. But #Coke did it back in the #80s. What prompted this change? Was it the #colawars with #Pepsi? Was it arrogance? Was it #Schlitz? We look at every angle. Please subscribe and share! Greg has crippling gambling debts he needs to pay off. Follow us at https://bio.site/historydefeatsitselfSend us love letters at [email protected]#Podcast #Comedy #ComedyPodcast #History #HistoryPodcast #HistoricalFails #FunnyHistory #HistoryHumor

Greg wants you to be safe. It’s one of his missions in doing this podcast. That’s why this episode is dedicated to the history and innovation of the seatbelt. Join us as we discuss the origins of the simple yet vital apparatus that saves lives all the time. Plus, we ponder whether New Hampshire has cities or if it’s just woodlands. Man, we’re just not very bright.

In this episode, Kevin, John, and Greg take you on a wild ride through the absurd world of Saparmurat Niyazov, Turkmenistan's most eccentric dictator.  Prepare to be amazed as John leads us through the quirkiest moments of Niyazov's rule, from renaming months after his family members to making Melon Day a priority. Find out how this outlandish leader exemplifies the folly of history and what we can learn from his peculiar reign.  Laugh, learn, and shake your head in disbelief with your favorite comedy trio as we dissect Niyazov's legacy and its place in the annals of history. Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more hilarious takes on historical events! 

Fasten your seatbelts and put on your cheekiest grin as we dive into the scandalously amusing life of Albert Spaggiari, the cunning French #bankrobber who slipped through the fingers of the law like a well-oiled baguette. Grab some cheese and a croissant and holy shit, I must be hungry. 

In the third and final installment of our series on cheating, Greg tackles infidelity. Why do people feel the need to step out of their marriage? We're here to unpack. Or, pack...if we get caught cheating on each other.

For part two on our series about cheating, John discusses the idea of cheating death. Many want to, some have tried, all have failed. Could that change? Kevin discusses how he feels it would suck to live forever, and Greg is tired.

How far would you go in order to win. Would you cheat? Would you cheat using sex toys? For the next three episodes we're doing a theme: cheating. For the first episode Kevin enlightens his co-hosts on the story of Hans Niemann, the 19 year old American chess player who some believe is not on the up and up, but IS playing with something up something. Join us to learn more about chess than you did binging The Queens Gambit

Did you know that 1 out of every 3 people will spontaneously combust? Wait...maybe it was 1 out of every 300? Or 1 every 300 years? I can't remember. No one listens to Greg. Join us as we welcome a very special guest and chat about spontaneous human combustion. Or. SHC, as the hip, young people call it.

It's our 100th episode! Join along as we pull back the curtain and reminisce about how we started, the speedbumps along the way, and how much we've enjoyed ourselves. It's our most self indulgent episode yet. Come celebrate with us!

Liam Neeson and Tom Cruise have no problem surviving plane crashes. Others who can do it with ease are Schwarzenegger, Stallone and on a good day, Nicolas Cage. But topping them all, is Vesna Vulovic. She actually survived a 33,000 foot fall, without a #parachute, after the plane she was on was bombed. And she survived. And lived an actual life. How, you ask? Fuck if we know. But it's a crazy story and worth a listen.

It's almost one of those "stranger than fiction" kind of things but in 1919, 2.3 million gallons of molasses flowed throw the streets of north Boston after a tank burst. Why was there a tank holding 12,000 tons of molasses? Christmas cookies, obv. Molasses cookies are delicious.

In 1976 Gerald Ford and his administration fast tracked a swine flu #vaccine hoping to avoid another #globalpandemic like the one in 1918. It went pretty poorly. We're here to chat about it.

On the latest episode of History Defeats Itself John continues his theme of shitting on NASA as he leads the crew in a discussion about the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. Man, he really is upset about not being able to go to Space Camp when he was a kid.

The crew discusses ASMR, which is basically how people get oddly pleasurable feelings from mundane sounds like shispering or listening to someone eat sushi. Hey, whatever floats your boat.

In honor of Halloween, Kevin conjures up a spooky tale of vampires and a town gone mad. Also, Greg drinks a White Claw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John discusses a NASA math blunder that took out a satellite. (Hint: they forgot to carry the one.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They say war is hell. And no one knows that better than the Australians. In 1932 they waged war against a fighting force that is still undefeated to this day. The force? Emus. On this episode Greg discusses the great Australian Emu War of 1932. Come for the knowledge...stay for the accents.Sources:https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/australia/great-emu-war-how-australia-started-a-war-against-flightless-birds-and-lost.html____________________Dig our show? Subscribe to HDI at Podcast Guru, Google, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HDI is back! On an early fall day in Arkansas, 1980 the sky was blue, the birds were chirping, school was just back in session, and a three megaton nuclear bomb nearly decimated a chunk of the state. How could this happen? We'll talk about that and Kevin's high level safe word on our latest episode.Sources:https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/1980-titan-ii-disaster-fallen-socket-wrench-triggers-explosion-of-armed-nuclear-missilehttps://ualrexhibits.org/zerohour/titan-ii/____________________Dig our show? Subscribe to HDI at Podcast Guru, Google, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Mistorians! We are taking a much needed summer break. We are also going to do some retooling of the show. We are confident that it will be bigger than 10 Super Bowls. But let's not oversell it. We're on hiatus for the month of August, returning in September. Have a wonderful summer and go out and make some history! Or babies. Or elotes. Or bathtub gin. We don't care what you do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Guns don't kill people. People kill people." But as the great Eddie Izzard once said...the gun helps. On the latest episode of HDI John talks guns. And holy shit he knows a lot about them for a pacifist! You'll laugh...you'll cry...you'll learn...then you'll probably cry some more because America's gun problem shows no signs of getting better. <sigh> at lease we're on a Canadian podcast network. Keep those couches warm for us, Sonar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As most of us know five conservative judges from the US Supreme Court recently took it upon themselves to drop their collective pants and shit all over women's rights by making it so that abortion is no longer a guaranteed right. This is, of course, after some judges said they wouldn't do that in their confirmation hearings. Yes, even judges can be lying pieces of shit hellbent on promoting their personal, religious agenda. On the latest episode of HDI we get fiery over this and other human rights the court may try to take away. Because if there's one thing we know about people in power, they rarely give a shit about the rest of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of us have some experience coaching and/or being coached. Sometimes your coach was a mentor...a teacher...a friend...someone to confide in. And other times your coach was just a giant piece of shit. On this episode Greg talks about coaching and what it means to him to mold the young people of America. And John and Kevin wonder how he passed the background check. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The idea of American isolationism has a long and complicated past. From George Washington to Trump and his minions people have clamored for an America first approach to diplomacy throughout our history. On the latest episode John leads the charge in a discussion about our role as a world leader. Plus, Kevin has a suggestion for John and Greg on how to fix their combative relationship. (Hint: it's sex.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices