On January 4, 1975, early computer systems reached a hidden limit and quietly broke when they could no longer count forward in time. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the bizarre true story of one of the earliest time rollover failures — how outdated assumptions caused modern machines to stumble, why engineers never expected their systems to last this long, and how this forgotten incident foreshadowed Y2K and future digital disasters. A strange reminder that even computers are at the mercy of time.

On January 3, 1961, an experimental nuclear reactor in Idaho suffered a catastrophic accident so powerful it caused the reactor vessel to jump nearly nine feet into the air. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy tells the haunting true story of the SL-1 nuclear disaster — the routine maintenance task that went tragically wrong, the rescue that exposed responders to deadly radiation, and the Cold War secrecy that kept this event largely forgotten. A chilling reminder of how small mistakes can lead to enormous consequences.

On January 2, 1959, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 1 launched toward the Moon — and missed it entirely, drifting off into deep space and becoming the first human-made object to orbit the Sun. In this Strange History Podcast episode, Amy reveals the chaotic rush behind the mission, the guidance error that changed space exploration, and the strange true stories behind this so-called “successful failure.” From Cold War pressure to glowing sodium clouds trailing across the night sky, this is the bizarre tale of the Moon mission that became an accident-turned-milestone.

Dive into the unbelievable true story of Aimo Koivunen, the Finnish soldier who survived a Soviet ambush, consumed an entire bottle of military-issued methamphetamine, skied more than 250 miles through Arctic wilderness, survived a landmine explosion, hallucinations, starvation, and freezing temperatures, and somehow lived to tell the tale. In this hilarious and deeply detailed episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore one of the most extreme survival stories in military history. Blending humor, true accounts, and the cultural backbone of Finnish “sisu,” this episode reveals how one man accidentally became a real-life super soldier in one of history’s strangest wartime moments.

On January 1, 1818, a mysterious anonymous novel quietly entered the world — and changed history forever. In today’s episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy dives into the bizarre and fascinating true story behind Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: the nightmare that inspired it, the real scientific experiments that fueled its horror, and the strange reception that followed when readers assumed a woman couldn’t possibly have written something so dark and brilliant. From volcanic winters to Victorian stage shocks, discover how a teenage writer created the first true science-fiction masterpiece and unleashed one of the most famous monsters in history.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

In this powerful New Year episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy explores the quiet but world-changing opening of Ellis Island on January 1, 1892. As the first immigrants stepped onto American soil, lives were reshaped in minutes through inspections, paperwork, and life-altering decisions. From Annie Moore’s historic arrival to the myths, fears, and hopes that filled the great hall, this episode dives into the strange, emotional, and often overlooked New Year’s moment that helped create modern America — blending rich history, human stories, and dark humor.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

In this eerie and surprisingly funny New Year episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy explores the widespread fear that the world would end on January 1, 1000. As medieval Europe faced famine, disease, and religious anxiety, rumors of Judgment Day spread rapidly. From mass confessions and abandoned farms to the deeply awkward sunrise that followed, this episode dives into one of history’s earliest doomsday panics — revealing how humans have always feared calendar flips and cosmic deadlines, even when nothing actually happens.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Discover the unbelievable true story of Jānis Pīnups, the Latvian man who disappeared into the forest in 1944 to avoid Soviet conscription and remained hidden for fifty years. In this gripping and humorous episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore how Pīnups survived decades of Soviet occupation, built secret bunkers, evaded patrols, and became a living legend known only in whispers. Blending history, dark comedy, and emotional storytelling, this episode brings to life one of Latvia’s most extraordinary figures — a man who returned to society only when his country regained its independence. This is the ultimate tale of endurance, isolation, and quiet rebellion.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

In this bizarre New Year episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy explores the unbelievable day it snowed in Miami during the Orange Bowl of 1961. As Florida experienced near-freezing temperatures, snow flurries, and icy rain, college football fans and players were forced to endure a winter storm in a city built for sunshine. From palm trees dusted with snow to bundled cheerleaders and stunned locals, this episode dives into one of the strangest weather events in American history — a New Year’s Day that turned Miami into a cold-weather anomaly filled with confusion, humor, and historic disbelief.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

In this chilling episode of The Strange History Podcast, host Amy dives into the Great Freeze of 1962–63 — the brutal New Year winter that brought London to a standstill. From the River Thames partially freezing to coal-smog fog, burst pipes, stalled trains, and a city unprepared for Arctic temperatures, this episode explores one of Britain’s coldest and deadliest winters. Packed with dark humor, bizarre historical details, and strange-but-true moments, this mega episode reveals how one New Year’s cold snap reshaped modern Britain and proved that history doesn’t need monsters — just bad weather and bad infrastructure.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Explore the unbelievable true story of Jan Baalsrud, the Norwegian resistance fighter who survived a failed WWII mission, escaped Nazi capture, endured Arctic blizzards, amputated his own toes, and trekked across Norway to freedom. In this gripping and humorous episode of The Strange History Podcast, we dive deep into Baalsrud’s legendary escape, the brave villagers who hid him, the Sámi guides who saved him, and the sheer Norwegian stubbornness that kept him alive for two brutal months in the freezing wilderness. Blending historical detail, dark humor, and dramatic storytelling, this is the definitive account of one of Norway’s most extraordinary wartime heroes.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Radishes… but make them art. Amy uncovers how a vegetable market prank became a nationally celebrated Christmas competition drawing thousands every year.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

In Norway, Christmas Eve belongs to the living — and the dead. Amy explores ancestral reverence, graveyard traditions, and why some still leave food for unexpected spiritual visitors.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

A dessert worth setting aflame — intentionally. Amy shares how this dense, boozy pudding survived Victorian scandals and continues to ignite British tables today (sometimes literally).

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Step inside the extraordinary story of Christmas 1945, the first holiday season after World War II ended. In this deeply emotional and richly detailed Strange History Podcast episode, Amy explores a world breathing again for the first time in six years. From desperate toy shortages to bittersweet homecomings, ration-era Christmas dinners, soldiers reuniting with their families, and the fragile hope woven through every decorated tree, this is a cinematic journey into one of the most poignant holidays in modern history. Filled with humor, true accounts, and warm storytelling, this episode brings the past to life one candlelit moment at a time.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Part pagan, part Christian — 100% symbolic. Amy unpacks Serbia’s burning of the Badnjak, where sparks predict blessings, and ashes become protective charms.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Travel across the globe to witness Christmas 1945 as the world emerged from the shadow of World War II. From Britain’s ration-tight celebrations to Germany’s Christmas in the ruins, France’s liberation feasts, Italy’s rebuilding joy, the Pacific’s tropical soldier holidays, and the quiet resilience of refugee and displaced persons camps, this Strange History Podcast episode reveals how nations—and people—found light in the darkest winter. Filled with vivid storytelling, true historical accounts, and a deep emotional arc, this is the gripping second chapter of our Christmas 1945 special.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Discover the unbelievable true story of Calum MacLeod, the Scottish postman who single-handedly built a 1.75-mile road on the Isle of Raasay after the government refused to do it. This humorous and deeply detailed episode of The Strange History Podcast explores how one man’s determination, stubbornness, and pure Highland grit transformed an isolated community and created one of the most inspiring feats of DIY engineering in modern history. Packed with historical context, true accounts, and comedic storytelling, this is the definitive tale of Calum’s Road—Scotland’s most legendary road built by a single man armed only with a shovel, a wheelbarrow, and unstoppable willpower.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Millions of letters addressed to Santa travel to one special code: H0H 0H0. Amy follows how postal workers became official Christmas elves responding in dozens of languages.

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.

Early Victorian Christmas music = slow, haunting, minor key.
Think: “What if Christmas but with Gothic cathedral acoustics?”

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This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.