Notorious Narratives

No one is perfect, but many religions believe that through confession, one's sins can be absolved. That absolution will allow you to spend their afterlife in glory and to move on to "the good place" (just depends on who you talk to). But for many Europeans and people of Great Britain they wanted extra insurance and that came in the form of a man willing to sell his soul. In this episode Jen delves into the morbid, historic funeral practice of sin-eating, history's loneliest profession. For ad free and additional content join The Society of The Torch and Glass!!

At the end of WWI tensions were high as returning veterans competed for jobs raged throughout the United States. In 1921, racial tensions, the reintroduction of the Ku Klux Klan and Jim Crow segregation laws led to massive racial divide that made Tulsa a hotbed ready to catch flame. In this episode, Jen will tell us the story of how one misstep led to the worst incident of racial violence in America.

In late June 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio caught fire — a river so polluted with oily wastes, chemicals, and debris that the spark from a passing train caused it to ignite. But this was not the first time this river was ablaze, but in fact, it was at least the 13th time. However the 1969 fire came at a time of emerging national concern over pollution, made big news and became something of a famous disaster. In this episode, Robin tells us how a little river in Cleveland spawned the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Southern summer heat is truly unbearable and it was the heat that started all the trouble for the Dunbar family. In this episode Jen will tell you the story of how one mother's white lie changed the future for an entire family.

WANTED: Child to remain a virgin for the next 30 years, to be taken from family and devote all of daily life to the job, failure to succeed will lead to death by being buried alive. If this was a job advertisement today people would be horrified but this was essentially the job of the vestal virgins. In this episode Jen will tell you the story of one of the worst jobs in history. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon,com.

There are few among us that are unaware of the atrocities that took place during World War II. But amongst the atomic bombs and death trains there lingers another story. This is the story of a small German town, not unlike others, but as the Soviet Red Army advanced the citizens were so fearful that they turned to desperate acts. In this episode Robin tells us the heart wrenching tale of Demmin, Germany. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon.com.

In the raucous days of the America's Wild West tall tales were like booze and both flowed freely. These tall tales often mask the tragic and harsh realities of the American frontier. One woman made a legend of herself, she was Calamity Jane. In her male dominated environment she held her own. She could shoot, drink and fight with the best of them. In this episode Jen tells introduces us the the woman behind the tall tale. For ad free and additional content become a Patron at Patreon.com.

Perhaps the inspiration for the mythical city of Atlantis, the ancient civilization that existed on Crete was far more advanced than their neighbors. In this episode Robin delves into the history, culture and myth surrounding the Minoan civilization. Warning, there is a lot of mythical beast sex in this one. For ad free and additional content become a Patron at Patreon.com.

Lyudmila Pavlichenko was a intelligent and competitive young woman, a woman who would not take no for an answer. So when she showed up at the Russian military's recruitment offices demanding to be an infantry soldier she proved to be different than the average woman. In this episode, Jen tells us the story of Lady Death, a woman who was feared by every Nazi soldier. Get ad free and exclusive content by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com.

New Orleans is full of legends, dark and mysterious stories surrounding it's colorful history. The tale of the casket girls is no exception. New Orleans was founded by trappers, explorers and traders....in a word: men. In this episode Robin tells us the tale of how women came to New Orleans and the nightmarish stories that surrounded them.

In this episode, Jen will tell you the harrowing tale of The Endurance and its prolific captain, Sir Ernest Shackleton. This is a tale that seems to wild to believe. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon.com.

In this episode, Robin explains the not so distant history of using elephants as executioners. Totally cringeworthy. For exclusive and ad free content become a Patron at Patreon.com.

In every old movie there is the brash, bold and ballsy female journalist, did you ever wonder why? Well, meet Agnes Underwood, the First Lady of Hollywood Crime Reporting! Want ad free and exclusive content? Become a Patron at Patreon.com.

Surrounded by rocky coast and hungry sharks, accessible only by cable car we introduce you to the island prison colony known as Devil's Island. Open for nearly a century, closing in 1953, this island is known as one of the deadliest prisons in history. In this episode Robin tells us the tale of the nearly inescapable prison.  Get ad free and exclusive content by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com.

This is the story of a beautiful hotel that has see more than its fair share of change and tragedy. The Crescent Hotel and Spa was opened in the late 19th century, a health spa for the wealthy. But as time passed the building was used for a multitude of purposes, including a cancer treatment center. The man behind this center was Norman Baker, a narcissist and con man who touted a cure for cancer, allowing his patients to slowly die in the building. This because he had no medical training and his cure was a quack. In this episode Jen will introduce you to America's Most Haunted Hotel.  For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron at Patreon.com.

On April 16, 1947, in the Port of Texas City, Texas, at Galveston Bay there was a series of massive explosions. This industrial accident is the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history, and one of history's largest non-nuclear explosions. In this episode Robin will tell you the story of how this accident devastated the area and changed the way combustible materials are regulated. Get ad free and exclusive Notorious Narratives content by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com.

In the early 20th century there were very few regulations on adoption and that left the door open for Georgia Tann to swoop in and exploit the system. Over the course of 20 years Georgia Tann used an extensive network of healthcare workers, judges, police and politicians to steal over 5,000 children and sold them to families throughout the United States. In this episode you will hear the tale of how one woman amassed a fortune selling children. Get ad free and exclusive content by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com

Imagine never feeling full, never, not after eating enough to feed fifteen men, that was the fate of the strange case of Terrare. Terrare was a was a French showman and soldier, noted for his unusual eating habits. His tastes ranged from huge volumes of meat to putrid rotting trash. This is a truly horrifying human medical mystery that 18th century medicine could not solve. Warning, this one is not for the faint of heart. Get ad free and exclusive content by becoming a Patron

A fortune-teller, spiritualist, stockbroker, and presidential candidate, Victoria Woodhull was a woman ahead of her time. When you think of the first female presidential candidate you probably think of Hilary Clinton, and while she may have been the most successful she was certainly not the first. In the 19th century, long before women had the right to vote Victoria Woodhull was the presidential candidate for the Equal Rights Party. While her candidacy was certainly controversial that was just one of her endeavors that raised eyebrows. In this episode, Jen will introduce you to a woman who ate controversy for breakfast, Victoria Woodhull. For ad free and exclusive content become a Patron.

If you live in a heavily populated are you may have had this thought...what do we do when the graveyard is full? Well, it is happening in London and other cities whose history is vast, but whose land is not. In this episode Robin will discuss what we do with our dead when there is no room at the inn. Get ready for some surprises. Get ad free and EXCLUSIVE content by becoming a Patron.