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Today I talk to Simon J. James, host and producer of the up and coming podcast Achtung History. We talk about his favorite history, Berlin, and some of the lesser known aspects of this vibrant city's past. Simon J. James also known as the Berlin Tour Guide, loves Berlin so much he moved there from Yorkshire England and started a tour guide business. His tours are not your run of the mill though, Simon dives deep into the research to curate his one of a kind history tours of Berlin. Simon has guided entrepreneurs, celebrities and royalty around Berlin since 2014. According to his website theberlintourguide.com Simon goes beyond shallow history taking you on a storytelling journey through the secrets of Berlin’s history, inside stories of drama and intrigue, alongside the largest historic events in Berlin’s history. An approach that is apparent in his podcast.How to find Simon J. James:website: https://theberlintourguide.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/AchtungHistoryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/achtunghistoryFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/achtunghistorypodcastTo Support Armchair Historians:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistoriansKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions

Today Ruth Rosenfeld shares her personal account of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, a history that literally shook her world.Ruth Rosenfeld is an author, blogger, photographer and world traveler. She has been to all but one of the world's continents, lived in four countries and visited over fifty!  Her yet to be released travel memoir, Go Wherever You Want, is an account of her unique experiences living abroad in three different countries over an eight year period. Always looking for a new challenge, she has had many careers. Most recently she has been an international teacher, tutor for at-risk youth, and chair of a cultural arts center. Ruth Rosenfeld website: https://ruthrosenfeld.com Ruth on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rrontheroad Twitter: https://twitter.com/rrontheroadInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthrontheroad/ Resources:Tsunami Stones: https://bit.ly/32KORul Shibuya Crossing: https://bit.ly/3eYHDaOShōji Hamada: https://bit.ly/38HlBboFuchu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchū,_TokyoSendai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SendaiPop Culture:Unsolved Mysteries: https://bit.ly/3lF52jZA Tale for the Time Being, Ruth Ozeki: https://bit.ly/3lF52jZ

Today I talk to the makers of the soon-to-be-released Amazon series, Trails to the Unknown which follows three paranormal investigators as they explore mysterious locations in hopes of uncovering clues to some of today’s most interesting myths & legends.In part four of our Halloween 2020 series we hear from not one, not two but three different guests involved in the making of Trails to the Unknown.Filmmaker, Alan Megargle known for his work in the documentaries, The Back 80, Ghosts in Ghost Towns: Haunting the Wild West and Minerva Monster. Alan the “true believer” of this trio of investigators.Jesse Morgan, who also worked on The Back 80 and Minerva Monster is known as the skeptic of to the Trails to the Unknown crewAnd Anna Meyer-Evans Director of Ghosts in Ghost Towns: Haunting the Wild West and children’s fantasy author is  considered the “sensitive” of the group.Not only do Alan, Jesse and Anna share their adventures in making Trails to the Unknown, they also share some of their scariest ghost stories. Trails to the Unknown YoutubeTrails to the Unknown on Social Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterPlaces mentioned in this episode:Squire CastleMoonville TunnelHelltown, OhioWhat Really Happened in Helltown, OhioThe Mysterious Legends Surrounding Helltown, OhioHotel de Paris MuseumUFO Watch TowerGlen Isle ResortMansfield Penitentiary Neil Zurker's One Tank TripGhosts in Ghost TownsMinerva MonsterBack 80To Support Armchair Historians:PatreonKo-fi

What's your favorite history? each interview on this podcast begins with this one question. Our guests are people who like history and get really excited about a particular time, place, or person from our distant or not so distant past. The jumping off point is the place where they become curious. Then enter the rabbit hole into discovery through their own research. Fueled by this need to know more, we look at history through the filter of other people's eyes.Stay up to date on the latest armchair historians news at armchairhistoirans.com or you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. What's your favorite history

In episode 3 of our special 2020 Halloween series Anne Marie talks to Mystery History Podcast's brother and sister cohosts Allison Blankenship and Jordan Walters about their favorite history, the Radium Girls, female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with self-luminous paint back in the early 1900's Mystery History Podcast is a weekly podcast that explores true crime, conspiracy theories, the supernatural, and all of the mysteries in history.  This brother and sister duo lighten the heavy topics with humor and enjoyable banter. Artwork, Jordan WaltersMystery History Links:Website: https://mysteryhistorypodcast.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysteryhistorypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysteryhistorypodcast/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MysteryHistoryPodcastEmail: mysteryhistorypod@gmail.com Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/MysteryHistoryPodcast Mystery History Podcast episode we talked aboutEpisode 6: Radium GirlsEpisode 19: Pennhurst AsylumEpisode 16: Scary Movie DiscussionMore on Radium Girls:Radium Girls movie trailerRadium Girls on WikipediaThe Orbweavers song "Radium Girls"Radioactive movie trailer

In this special Halloween edition minisode, Anne Marie talks to Eric Walter about the making of his award winning documentary, My Amityville Horror. In the film Daniel Lutz recounts his version of the infamous Amityville haunting that terrified his family in 1975.In the film Daniel Lutz recounts his version of the infamous Amityville Haunting that terrified his family in 1975. We also talk about the paranormal.George and Kathleen Lutz's story went on to inspire a best-selling novel and the subsequent films have continued to fascinate audiences today. This documentary reveals the horror behind growing up as part of a world famous haunting and while Daniel's facts may be other's fiction, the psychological scars he carries are indisputable.Documentary filmmaker, Eric Walter, has combined years of independent research into the Amityville case along with the perspectives of past investigative reporters and eyewitnesses, giving way to the most personal testimony of the subject to date.Eric Walter WebsiteMy Amityville Horror WebsiteTo Support Armchair Historians:PatreonKo-fi

Today we talk to Eric Walter about the mysterious disappearance of Keith Reinhard in Silver Plume, Colorado.Eric Walter is an award-winning director, editor, and documentary filmmaker in Los Angeles, known for producing investigative nonfiction films that explore bizarre cold cases, unexplained phenomena, and the dark side of human psychology.His directorial debut, My Amityville Horror, was named one of the top 10 festival genre films of 2012. The film was distributed theatrically by IFC Films and is currently available on streaming services. As a lead editor for feature films, docuseries, and commercial advertising campaigns, Eric’s work has spanned across a variety of platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, FX, AMC, Disney+ and many others.He also frequently serves as an expert on the Amityville Horror case, having recently been profiled by networks such as ABC, A&E, and Travel Channel.Eric’s second documentary feature, Dark Side of the Mountain, is slated for release in 2021.

My guest today is Paulus The Cabaret Geek. Known for his 2018 and 2019 appearances as one of the judges on the BBC talent show "All Together Now," Paulus is (at his core) a cabaret performer, working in the world of variety entertainment for 30 years. He has performed in musicals, plays and on television, but his passion for cabaret, vaudeville, review and music hall has dominated his career, whether it be as a performer, promoter, agent or producer. Drag has been a recurring theme in Paulus's workmen's cutting his teeth at the world famous Madam Jojo's in 1999 as Trinity Million. He made his New York debut in 2005 at both Don't Tell Mama and Birdland. He has performed at venues throughout the world.In this episode Paulus talks about his favorite history, Cabaret.Today in part 2 of my interview with Paulus The Cabaret Geek we go deep into the bigger implications of cabaret, historically and today. If you haven't done so already, we strongly recommend you go back and listen to part 1 of this interview. Be sure to stick around to the end for the big reveal of Paulus singing "Tribe" from the forthcoming "Making of Paulus," You won't want to miss it!Paulus's YoutubePaulus websiteUp Yer Arts podcastPaulus on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterResources:Le Chat NoirRudolphe SalisThe Cabaret by Lisa AppignanesiJohn MajorMy Old Man: A Personal History of Music HallSpace Oddity, David BowieOtto DixPirate Jenny, 5 versions:Lotte LenyaB. ArthurNina SimoneAmanda PalmerSasha VelourPop Culture:Cabaret, 1972 film starring Liza MinelliMovies/Series that Break the 4th WallMichaela Coel, Chewing GumDeadpoolPhoebe Waller-Bridge, FleabagTo Support Armchair Historians:PatreonKo-fi

My guest today is Paulus The Cabaret Geek. Known for his 2018 and 2019 appearances as one of the judges on the BBC talent show "All Together Now," Paulus is (at his core) a cabaret performer, working in the world of variety entertainment for 30 years. He has performed in musicals, plays and on television, but his passion for cabaret, vaudeville, review and music hall has dominated his career, whether it be as a performer, promoter, agent or producer. Drag has been a recurring theme in Paulus's workmen's cutting his teeth at the world famous Madam Jojo's in 1999 as Trinity Million. He made his New York debut in 2005 at both Don't Tell Mama and Birdland. He has performed at venues throughout the world.In this episode Paulus talks about his favorite history, Cabaret.Paulus's YoutubePaulus websiteUp Yer Arts podcastPaulus on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterResources:Le Chat NoirRudolphe SalisThe Cabaret by Lisa AppignanesiCabaret, 1972 film starring Liza MinelliTo Support Armchair Historians:PatreonKo-fi

In part 2 of Anne Marie's interview with Tom Carradine, the genius behind Carradine's Cockney Sing-a-Long, Tom shares his personal journey from science major at university to dapper sing-a-long entertainer who has truly embraced his inner vintage dandy. Since its inception in 2014, Tom's old fashioned music hall style sing-a-long has become a fixture on the UK's thriving vintage scene. He has played sellout dates at London's historic Wilton's Music Hall, Hoxton Hall and he brings his act along with his affectionately named piano, Ol' Joanna, weekly to Mr. Fogg's Tavern where he leads the patron's in a good old fashioned "knees up". During COVID social distancing restrictions, Tom has brought his act "Carradine's Self-Isolation Singalong" to the internet every Thursday where anyone in the world with an internet connection and Facebook can tune in live. More on Tom Carradine:WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitterJoolz GuidesSome of the performers and songwriters Tom mentions Max BygravesDandy WellingtonChas & DaveLonnie DoneganThe Sherman BrothersPop culture mentioned in this episodeHerman Hermits cover of "I'm Henery the Eighth, I am"2001: A Space OdysseyMisc.Your Baby has Gone Down the Plug HoleNick and Gillian Perry Vintage Shop in Salem, MA

In this episode Anne Marie talks to Tom Carradine, the genius behind Carradine's Cockney Sing-a-Long. Since its inception in 2014, Tom's old fashioned music hall style sing-a-long has become a fixture on the UK's thriving vintage scene. He has played sellout dates at London's historic Wilton's Music Hall, Hoxton Hall and he brings his act along with his affectionately named piano, Ol' Joanna, weekly to Mr. Fogg's Tavern where he leads the patron's in a good old fashioned "knees up". During COVID social distancing restrictions, Tom has brought his act "Tom Carradine's Self-Isolation Singalong" to the internet every Thursday where anyone in the world with an internet connection and Facebook can tune in live. More on Tom Carradine:WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitterJoolz GuidesJoolz Guides on Armchair Historians, Part 1Joolz Guides on Armchair Historians, Part 2Resources on Victorian Music Hall and some of the musician's Tom references in interviewV&A, Music Hall and Variety TheaterPalaces of Pleasure, Lee JacksonCanterbury HallThe Eagle Tavern and Pop Goes the WeaselWilton's Music HallHoxton Music HallBritannia PanopticonLeeds City VarietiesLondon PalladiumLondon ColiseumHackney EmpireFrank MatchamSome of the musicians Tom mentionsVesta TilleyGus ElanMary LloydChampagne Charlie, George LeybourneHetty KingWinifred AtwellMrs MillsHarry ChampionPop culture mentioned in this episodeGood Old DaysPenny DreadfulTo Support Armchair Historians:PatreonKo-fi

In part 2 of our Homesteading series we talk to Colorado licensed dentist and rancher, Les Maes. As a follow up to our interview with Frank Young, who took us back to the American frontier and the 1862 Homestead Act. If you haven't done so already, I suggest you listen to the series in order so as to get the bigger historical context of part 2. Les shares his personal account of growing up on the family ranch, the history of which is rooted in the early days of the Homestead Act. The ancestral roots of the Maes family are fixed in New Mexico history. An area originally Inhabited by members of the Clovis culture of Paleo-Indians. Later inhabitants included American Indians of the Mogollon and Ancestral Pueblo peoples cultures. Then, under Spanish colonization, the area became known as Nuevo México (1598–1848), then New Mexico Territory (1850–1912) and finally it was admitted to the Union January 6, 1912.Les's direct ancestor Juan Anastacio Maes (1863-1937) staked a claim in the second half of the nineteenth century in what is now, Bueyeros, New Mexico. The 3,000 acre Maes Ranch is still owned and run by the descendants of Juan.The Maes Ranch Photo GalleryNational Archives: Homestead ActWikipedia: Bueyeros, New MexicoRoadside Thoughts: Bueyeros, New MexicoHomesteading in Pop CultureIMBD: City SlickersIMBD: The West, Ken Burns 9 part series on the American WestYellowstone

In this episode, Anne Marie talks to Frank Young. Frank is from Bangor, Maine, but currently lives in Silver Plume, Colorado. He has dedicated his career as a steward of the land with the US Bureau of Land Management, Dept. of the Interior in the American West (BLM for short). In Part 1 of our Homesteading the American West series, Frank explains the history of the great experiment of homesteading the American West.ResourcesBureau of Land ManagementHomestead ActMoviesFar and Away (1992) TrailerThe Westerner (1940) TrailerCimarron (1960) TrailerSupport the show:Become a patron on PatreonBuy us a cup of coffee on Ko-fi

In this episode Anne Marie talks to writer Kristyn J. Miller about her most unusual and hardly known favorite history, the Schleswig-Holstein problem. The most succinct explanation of this can be found on Wikipedia:The Schleswig-Holstein Question was the name given to the whole complex of diplomatic and other issues arising in the 19th century out of the relations of the two duchies, Schleswig and Holstein, to the Danish crown on one side and the German Confederation on the other.Kristyn is a writer and casual literary critic with a passion for the intersection of Germanic language, cultural history, and literature. She graduated magna cum laude from University of Redlands with departmental honors for her critical essay on Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian epic literature. Since then, she founded a blog focused on linguistics, literature and cultural history, which updates on Tuesdays.Blog: Kristyn J. MillerKristyn on Social Media:FacebookTwitterInstagramResources: Schleswig-Holstein Question, Wikipedia PageSecond Schleswig-Holstein WarDanish Series1864, Series Trailer186, Series Wikipedia Page Support the show:Become a patron on PatreonBuy us a cup of coffee on Ko-fi

Our guest today is author Laurie Marr Wasmund. Laurie loves the American West and has written five novels having ties to it including My Heart Lies Here, A Novel of the Ludlow Massacre; Clean Cut, A Romance of the Western Heart; and three books in the White Winter Trilogy, To Do Justice, To Love Kindness and To Walk Humbly, which chronicle America's involvement in the First World War and the aftermath in the 1920’s.Today Laurie talks about her favorite history which is anchored in turn of the century Colorado, WWI and the taking down of the infamous Denver Bunco Ring by Philip Van Cise who, it is believed, the award winning 1970's movie The Sting, starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman is based on.For more on Laurie:https://lauriemarrwasmund.com/https://lauriemarrwasmund.com/white-winter-trilogy-to-do-justice/https://lauriemarrwasmund.com/white-winter-trilogy-to-love-kindness/https://lauriemarrwasmund.com/white-winter-to-walk-humbly/For more on Philip Van Cise and the KKK in Colorado in the 1920s:https://www.westword.com/news/phil-van-cise-scourge-of-denvers-underworld-5097432https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/photos-ku-klux-klan-in-colorado-in-the-1920s#id9http://www.blongerbros.com/VanCise/bio.asp

Part 2: Savor & Yore's Melanie Hamilton tells us about the harrowing story of American investigative journalist, educator, and early leader in the civil rights movement Ida B. Wells. Melanie, a native Texan and writer by trade, lives with her husband, Brett, and "dog-child" in Tbilisi, Georgia (the country not to be confused with the state) where she writes about history, food and culture.In part 2 of this interview, Melanie shares the journey that led her to Tbilisi, Georgia, becoming a freelance writer and much more!The story of Ida B. Wells is timely as we are in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests throughout the US, and indeed the world, in the wake of the George Floyd murder at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin while other officers looked on. In the 1890's Well's documented the lynching of African American men throughout the South and exposed the unjust barbaric practice by whites for what it was.Savor & Yore Melanie's InstagramMelanie's FacebookSouthern Horrors: Lynch Law in all its PhasesSupport the show:Become a patron on PatreonBuy us a cup of coffee on Ko-fi

Savor & Yore's Melanie Hamilton tells us about the harrowing story of American investigative journalist, educator, and early leader in the civil rights movement Ida B. Wells. Melanie, a native Texan and writer by trade, lives with her husband, Brett, and "dog-child" in Tbilisi, Georgia (the country not to be confused with the state) where she writes about history, food and culture.The story of Ida B. Wells is timely as we are in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests throughout the US, and indeed the world, in the wake of the George Floyd murder at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin while other officers looked on. In the 1890's Well's documented the lynching of African American men throughout the South and exposed the unjust barbaric practice by whites for what it was.Savor & Yore Melanie's InstagramMelanie's FacebookSouthern Horrors: Lynch Law in all its PhasesSupport the show:Become a patron on PatreonBuy us a cup of coffee on Ko-fi

In this powerful episode Anne Marie talks to 13-year-old Emerald from Idaho Springs, Colorado. Emerald shares a history that has weighed heavily on her mind for a long time, a history she finds fascinating, WWII. Find out about some of Emerald’s conclusions about this history and why, she believes, It’s important to shine the light on for today.Resources:The Twins of Auschwitz Between Shades of Gray, by Ruta SepetysJojo RabbitSupport the show:Support us on Ko-fiBecome a patron on Patreon

Part 2 of Anne Marie's interview with podcaster, writer, and New Yorker 4 ever, Anik Gee. Her comedy interviews podcast, The Chillary, is a place to chill and talk about adulting which "is like folding a fitted sheet and nobody talks anymore. We post, we tweet, we text. Come "pull up" with me, one adult to another as we explore, review, analyze and just simply chat about all things adult."Anik is mother of three and author of two children's books, Sophia the Sensational and The Perfectly Perfect First Grader: The Day My Classroom Stood Still. She writes under the pseudonym Gee Williker. Anik finds inspiration for her stories easily in the normal day to day routines as a New Yorker and mother of three. With a spirit of joy and as a lover of life, Gee's purpose and goal for these children books is to help children cope and celebrate life. In this interview we talk about her favorite history, first African American female millionaire Madam C. J. Walker, former first lady Michelle Obama, the podcaster's life, big families and much more.The Chillary PodcastThe Chillary YouTube channelAnik Gee InstagramBooks:Sophia the SensationalThe Perfectly Perfect 1st GraderMore on Madam C.J. Walker:Two Dollars and a Dream: The True Story of Madam C.J. Walker: I love the personal stories in this documentary! Worth the watch!WikipediaSelf Made, Netflix SeriesMadam Walker, the First Black American Woman to Be a Self-Made Millionaire, PBS website Podcast Anik Gee is listening to right now:The Kirk Minihane Show Barstool SportsSupport Armchair Historians: Become a patron of Armchair Historians

This week we talk to podcaster, writer, and New Yorker 4 ever, Anik Gee. Her comedy interviews podcast, The Chillary, is a place to chill and talk about adulting which "is like folding a fitted sheet and nobody talks anymore. We post, we tweet, we text. Come "pull up" with me, one adult to another as we explore, review, analyze and just simply chat about all things adult."Anik is also author of two children's books, Sophia the Sensational and The Perfectly Perfect First Grader: The Day My Classroom Stood Still. She writes under the pseudonym Gee Williker. Anik finds inspiration for her stories easily in the normal day to day routines as a New Yorker and mother of three. With a spirit of joy and as a lover of life, Gee's purpose and goal for these children books is to help children cope and celebrate life. In this interview we talk about her favorite history, first African American female millionaire Madam C. J. Walker.The Chillary PodcastThe Chillary YouTube channelAnik Gee InstagramBooks:Sophia the SensationalThe Perfectly Perfect 1st GraderMore on Madam C.J. Walker:Two Dollars and a Dream: The True Story of Madam C.J. Walker: I love the personal stories in this documentary! Worth the watch!WikipediaSelf Made, Netflix SeriesMadam Walker, the First Black American Woman to Be a Self-Made Millionaire, PBS website