Best Historynerd Podcasts (2025)

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HILF 92 - Catherine the Great with Kelly Vrooman 1:14:55

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2d ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Join Dawn and the hilarious, Kelly Vrooman, as they saddle up with Catherine the Great. Hear how a young German girl in middle-nobility finds herself the Last Empress of Russia. You'll love the torrid story of Catherine's rise, you'll fall for at least one of her many lovers, and find out why she is well-remembered as one of the HILF-iest HILFs of …

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HILF 91 - Frankenstein with Helen Shephard [ RE-RELEASE ] 1:24:41

16d ago1:24:41

1:24:41

Mary Shelley began writing her novel, Frankenstein, in 1816 when she was only 17 years old. Today it remains one of the most-assigned books of all time, finding it's way into classes ranging from Law to Scientific Ethics to Fashion to Politics. As a new film by Guillermo del Toro is set to debut on Netflix, re-join Dawn for the episode that started…

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HILF 90 - The Black Dahlia Murder with Kaycee Conlee 1:23:37

30d ago1:23:37

1:23:37

On a chilly January morning in 1947, officers arrived to what they were told was "a broken mannequin" lying in a field. They discovered instead, the body of a woman cut completely in half at the waist. She lay naked and drained of blood, her two halves a foot apart, arms draped almost elegantly over her head. Yikes, right? Nearly 80 years later, th…

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HILF 89 - George Washington with Ryan Keeley [HILF Public School - RECORDED LIVE] 1:26:01

1M ago1:26:01

1:26:01

It's July 3rd, 2025 and Dawn can hardly contain herself as she invites the audience at Flappers Comedy Club to fall down the rabbit hole of history along with her, LIVE! She is joined in this HILF-ing by two special guests: comedian Lauren Harding, who get's down with King George III; and then by America's favorite step-mom Ryan Keeley who helps Da…

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HILF 88 - Karl Marx VS Adam Smith with Mary Gallagher 1:03:18

2M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

If you get into a heated conversation on any subject these days (and who isn’t?) it often ends with someone being called a “F*cking Marxist” or “Capitalist PIG". Join Dawn and comedian, Mary Gallagher, to find out which one YOU might be... and if it's a bad thing. Mary Gallagher on Instagram Mary's upcoming events --- 🎟️ HILF Public School - the li…

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HILF 87 - Billy the Kid with Kerstin Porter 1:28:32

2M ago1:28:32

1:28:32

Billy the Kid - like Black Beard and Al Capone - is one of those real historical characters whose life was so colorful and dramatic that the facts sound like fiction. Dawn is joined by actress and comedian, Kerstin Porter, for a ride with one of the most famous figures of the old west. Get to know William H Bonney, aka: William Antrim, aka: Henry M…

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BONE-US EP86 - Religion in America with Ryan Ripple 36:27

3M ago36:27

36:27

Hear the story of the so-called Scopes Money Trial from 1925, during which Americans debated if evolution should be taught in schools... a debate that continues now, 100 years later. Dawn also answers some of Ryan’s questions which run the gamut from her personal faith to pop-star divas. 🎧 HILF EP86 - Religion in America with Ryan Ripple --- In Los…

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HILF 86 - Religion in America with Ryan Ripple 1:42:56

3M ago1:42:56

1:42:56

Dawn and bestie, Ryan Ripple, take on the easy, non-controversial subject of Protestant Christianity in America. As your history books have told you, the earliest colonial settlers came seeking religious freedom, what few discuss is why these denominations were considered 'fringe' back in Europe. Walk with Dawn and Ryan down the holy road from the …

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HILF PUBLIC SCHOOL - Alcatraz and Lizzie Borden [RECORDED LIVE] 1:12:59

4M ago1:12:59

1:12:59

"...education is in trouble, but they can't defund me - I work for beer!" - Dawn Brodey The first Thursday of every month, fans of comedy and history unite at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, California whence we drink, laugh and learn stuff in the class you always wished you had! This episode was recorded live on Thursday, June 5th, 2025 and inclu…

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HILF 85 - The Manson Family Murders, Part Two with Lisa and Ellie Dehner 1:16:42

5M ago1:16:42

1:16:42

In Part One of the Manson Family Murders, you went through the law-and-order portion of the history. Now settle in for some of Dawn's favorite mysteries, conspiracies and so much more. 🔔 This is the last episode before HILF Summer Break! Watch social media for updates and events throughout June/July and look forward to the next NEW EPISODE to come …

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HILF 84 - The Manson Family Murders with Lisa and Ellie Dehner 57:48

5M ago57:48

57:48

Dawn is joined by her sister, Lisa; and niece, Ellie for the HILF-ing of Los Angeles’s most famous true-crime tragedy. Hear about Charles Manson and how the world learned about his sinister cult. As Dawn is a resident of LA, you'll ride shot-gun briefly as they leave the studio and visit a crime scene in order to better understand this dark page fr…

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HILF 83 - Rosemary Kennedy with Molly McAleer 1:25:42

6M ago1:25:42

1:25:42

Hear the story of Rosemary Kennedy, sister to John F Kennedy, who goes from being the media-darling of a royal ball, to the the victim of a botched lobotomy at the age of 23. To thank for this sad and fascinating HILF is Molly McAleer who is a comedy writer, and behind the mic of a few hit podcasts including Trend Lightly, and Mother May I Sleep Wi…

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HILF 82 - The Lewis & Clark Expedition, Part 2 with Alex Malt 55:24

6M ago55:24

55:24

Welcome back! When last we met Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and their Corps of Discovery, our heroes had navigated over 2,000 miles. Up and down rivers, across the Continental Divide, and all way to the Northern Pacific Coast. They saw a dead whale, it was nuts. In the conclusion, learn why those who first saw present-day Yellowstone Park thoug…

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HILF 81 - The Lewis & Clark Expedition with Alex Malt 1:14:00

7M ago1:14:00

1:14:00

Lewis & Clark were more than just two white guys in buckskins! Join Dawn and the “Corps of Discovery” as they venture into the wildest of the wild West. Meet Sacegawea, fight a grizzly, and find out what it takes to cross the Rocky Mountains in 1805. Along with Dawn on this historic journey, is comedian Alex Malt, whose first comedy album debuts th…

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HILF 80 - The King of Spies with Blaine Harden 1:28:59

7M ago1:28:59

1:28:59

It’s the wild, true story of Donald Nichols, a seventh-grade drop-out who rises from Army Mechanic to Black Ops Phenomenon during the Korean War. Hear the whole twisted tale - from his unlikely rise, to his fall, to the weeks of electroshock therapy - and from Blaine Harden, the world’s leading expert on the subject. —- SILF's (Sources I'd Like to …

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HILF 79 - Waterloo with Jackie Kashian 1:08:38

8M ago1:08:38

1:08:38

Joining Napoleon on his journey to his now-famous defeat at Waterloo, is comedian, Jackie Kashian. She has several comedy albums, performs across the country, and on all your screens: Netflix, late show, Conan and so much more. You can also hear her on two great podcasts, The Dork Forest, which invites folks from a variety of backgrounds to come an…

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BONE-US EP79 - Waterloo with Jackie Kashian 9:44

8M ago9:44

9:44

Re-join Dawn and her guest, comedian, Jackie Kashian (Netflix, late show, Comedy Central) for a few more tasty morsels from the history of Napoleon's doomed last stand. Listen to Jackie's two great podcasts: The Dork Forest, which invites folks from a variety of backgrounds to come and share the stuff on which they are “dorks”, and the comedy podca…

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HILF 78 - The Morale Corps with Robert B. O'Connor 1:04:33

8M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

“Entertainment Specialist” was the technical designation of what would later be known as The Morale Corps. This intrepid group of enlisted soldiers were responsible for finding joy in life’s darkest and most dangerous corners. To tell the story, Dawn is joined by author Robert B. O’Connor who wrote Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. H…

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BONE-US EP78 - The Morale Corps with Robert B O'Connor 17:08

8M ago17:08

17:08

In HILF EP78, you got to know the Jeep Show, a real-life WW2 unit of enlisted soldiers (including Mickey Rooney) who were on the front lines with nothing but an accordion, a Jeep full of wigs, and ORDERS to boost morale. Continue the conversation with Dawn and author Robert B. O’Connor who wrote Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. See …

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HILF 77 - The Grand Canyon with Andrew Melby 1:17:43

9M ago1:17:43

1:17:43

It’s a family affair as Dawn is joined by her husband, director Andrew Melby, to HILF this awe-inspiring natural wonder of the world. On a recent road-trip to Los Angeles from Minnesota, Dawn and Andrew stopped in the Grand Canyon. The beauty, wonder and mystery of the place inspired Dawn to take a deep dive into the history. …and who better to go …

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HILF 76 - Jack Parsons with Cristina Van Epps 1:22:35

9M ago1:22:35

1:22:35

Join Dawn and guest, Cristina Van Epps, as they follow the dark and fascinating path of Jack Parsons - the rocket-loving occultist who helped man get to the moon. Cristina works as an engineer at The Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is also a self-professed ‘sci-fi nerd’. Hear the incredible story of Jack Parsons whose fascination with science and out…

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HILF 75 - How to Steal a Fighter Jet with Andy Rider 1:27:57

9M ago1:27:57

1:27:57

Dawn's guest is comedian, Andy Rider, whose hit comedy album The Get Together has topped itunes and earned him increasing acclaim. Together they discuss the history of North Korea, the incredible story of No Kum Sok, and so much more! Learn more about HILF's new podcast family, The Big Comedy Network. Find Andy's podcast Fingering the Page SILF's (…

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The Donner Party, Part One with Andy Kraft [RE-RELEASE] 1:04:10

10M ago1:04:10

1:04:10

This was no party... They were the group who got hopelessly stranded over a particularly harsh winter in the Sierra Nevadas - many of them starve to death and several of those who don’t starve to death, survived by resorting to cannibalism. Dawn's guest is actor and writer, Andy Kraft. He is a longtime friend and colleague - together they've done e…

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The Donner Party, Part Two with Andy Kraft [RE-RELEASE] 1:15:46

10M ago1:15:46

1:15:46

When last we met, Dawn and guest Andy Kraft were taking a shot of whiskey to prepare for the dark path ahead. Hear how it all ends up in the dark pages of history and why your high school teachers probably never told you the whole story. --- SILF's (Sources I'd Like to F*ck) See the map of the journey. Read the book - The History of The Donner Part…

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HILF 74 - The Christmas Miracle of WWI (Recorded LIVE) 42:06

11M ago42:06

42:06

Dawn has the benefit of a live audience and visual aides as she tells the story of the remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914. From the streets of Sarajevo to the trenches of France, it's a story of humanity and joy in the darkest of times. Recorded LIVE in Burbank, California - December 11th, 2024 at Flappers Comedy Club. Watch the full video of the s…

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HILF 73 - The Toast with Jules and Uncle Brad 1:15:57

11M ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Dawn's guests are two connoisseurs of drinking, Juliana McIntosh and Brad Sutton - the neice-and-uncle-team behind the hit podcast, The Art of Drinking. Jules is an influencer in the craft cocktail space (what?); and her real-life uncle Brad serves up classic cocktail recipes and history. Swoon! GET JULE'S BOOK - Pretty Simple Cocktails **During th…

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HILF 72 - The Black Death, Part 2 with Mary Ramos 1:08:43

12M ago1:08:43

1:08:43

Hear about the places that managed to avoid the plague, at least for a little while, and what a medieval haz-mat suit looked like. Also, continue to roll the 'Death Dice' along with celebrated music supervisor, Mary Ramos, to see if any of the characters we meet along the way manage to avoid the sickness and death that overcame half of the global p…

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HILF 71 - The Black Death with Mary Ramos 59:56

1y ago59:56

59:56

Dawn is joined by celebrated Music Supervisor, Mary Ramos, who has worked on some of the most incredible film scores in movie history! A close collaborator with Quentin Tarantino, she’s had a hand in everything from Pulp Fiction to Django Unchained - and a slew of other favorites in-between. Join us as we discuss the very beginning of The Black Dea…

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HILF 70 - Vampires with Macy Issacs 1:10:44

1y ago1:10:44

1:10:44

Dawn is joined by comedian, Macy Issacs, to talk about the origin of Vampire folklore and what - from the many stories about them - is actually real! We’ll go around the world and see how vampires in Japan and Alaska differ from the ones in Transylvania. Take notes, because we also discuss the most effective ways to fight them off… unless you chose…

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Horror Movies with Jose Barrientos [RE-RELEASE] 1:20:14

1y ago1:20:14

1:20:14

Originally released in October of 2022, revisit Dawn and her guest, Jose Barrientos, for a rundown of the history of horror movies! From silent dancing skeletons, to The Wolfman, and all the way past The Walking Dead - we're here to tell you what has scared us collectively the most... and why! Find Jose on Youtube! Find Jose on Instagram! --- SILF'…

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HILF 69 - Benjamin Franklin with Bryan Austin 1:04:47

1y ago1:04:47

1:04:47

To help tell the story of the man behind our 100-dollar bill, Dawn is joined by Benjamin Franklin expert, Bryan Austin. He portrays James Madison and Ben Franklin in Colonial Williamsburg and has walked much more than a mile in their shoes... Pull up a chair and hear the stories of Benjamin Franklin’s wild childhood, his multitude of lovers, and th…

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HILF 68 - Mozart's Sister with LAZOU 1:14:18

1y ago1:14:18

1:14:18

Nannerl Mozart, Wolfgang Amadaeus's intriguing older sister, is the HILF of Dawn's guest, LAZOU. She is an award-winning podcast host and composer with work featured in film, television and a gazillion other places! Hear about her childhood growing up on the tiny island of Mauritius (the only place the Dodo bird ever lived) and how moving to Canada…

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HILF 67 - The Lost Island of Lemuria with Justin McHenry 1:08:28

1y ago1:08:28

1:08:28

Dawn's guest literally wrote the book on this mysterious and mythic place known by some as 'the Atlantis of the Pacific Ocean'. Historian and writer Justin McHenry joins her from his office in West Virginia to help tell this absolutely bananas tale of Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place. --- SILF’s (Sources I’d Like to F*ck) Justin's Book: Lemuri…

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HILF 66 - Mount Rushmore with Christine Blackburn 1:12:31

1y ago1:12:31

1:12:31

While many of us can easily picture Mount Rushmore in our heads, few of us know much about it beyond the heads. Even if you CAN name all four presidents featured (and only 30% of Americans can) the story of how and why this enormous feat of engineering - and total fuck-job on the Native Americans - came to pass. Guest, Christine Blackburn, is a com…

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HILF 65 - The Constitution with AJ Jacobs 1:18:44

1y ago1:18:44

1:18:44

AJ Jacobs is a writer and humorist known for his immersive dedication to a variety of subjects. He spent a year attempting to follow EVERY rule in the Bible and wrote a NY TIMES best-seller, The Year of Living Biblically; and his latest book The Year of Living Constitutionally follows his journey through the lens of the 18th century. Join Dawn and …

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The Whiskey Rebellion with Rashid Green [RE-RELEASE] 1:00:00

1+ y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Originally recorded recorded in April, 2022 - over 50 episodes ago - Dawn revisits The Whiskey Rebellion with bartender, Rashid Green. Learn how to make some of the best 18th Century cocktails AND get a dose of some founding daddy realness. --- Get Rashid's recipe for THE SHERRY FLIP Get Rashid's recipe for CLARET'S PUNCH --- LILF's (Link's I'd Lik…

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HILF 64 - Doc Holliday with Brandon Gibson 1:14:37

1+ y ago1:14:37

1:14:37

Dawn is joined by actor and writer, Brandon Gibson (Black-ish, Fresh Off the Boat, Spilled Paint) who has long been fascinated by the the consumptive, former-dentist, with a southern drawl and a propensity for prostitutes… who isn't? SILF’s (Sources I’d Like to F*ck) Doc Holiday The Life and Legend by Gary L Roberts - Biography (2019) Tombstone, Th…

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HILF 63 - HILF YOU Audience Request Show 31:09

1+ y ago31:09

31:09

Join Dawn as she strips down YOUR HILF's in the first-ever audience-request show. [00:01:13] The Great Emu War of 1932 which pitted a bunch of WWI veterans against a mob of flightless birds. [00:08:37] The Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory. Was she the first documented serial killer AND an inspiration for Dracula? [00:19:42] Hedy Lamarr who went fr…

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HILF 62 - How to Start a War with Michael Trapani 1:22:30

1+ y ago1:22:30

1:22:30

Maybe you think WW2 started when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor... but that was just when America got involved. Maybe you think WW2 started when Germany invaded Poland... but that was just when England and France had finally had enough. To really understand how WW2 started, historian Michael Trapani has written and produced an audio-book - HOW TO…

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HILF 61 - Jesse James with Ryan Keely 1:20:40

1+ y ago1:20:40

1:20:40

Dawn's guest is adult-film actress, Ryan Keely who takes no offense to the term 'porn star'. Ryan is also a book-worm and one of the cast of the sensational new Dungeons and Dragons podcast, I Seduce The Dragon. @ISTD Join Dawn and Ryan as two professional 'fuckers' in hot pursuit of history's hottest outlaw. Dawn's Sources Book - SHOT ALL TO HELL …

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HILF 60 - Amelia Earhart with Fallon Morey 1:22:26

1+ y ago1:22:26

1:22:26

Climbing into the cockpit with Amelia and Dawn is guest, Fallon Morey of That's So Fucked Up. Fallon's knowledge of history and love of bad-ass women makes her a perfect navigator for this incredible story. Dawn's Sources Book - Amelia Earhart A Biography by Doris L. Rich. (1989) Article - Read more about her surprise landing in Derry. BBC Maps - M…

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HILF 59 - Josephine Baker with Katy Hearne-Church 1:22:14

1+ y ago1:22:14

1:22:14

Dawn is joined by guest, Katy Hearne-Church one of the hosts of The Queens Podcast. Katy is not only a big fan of Josephine Baker, but she is whip-smart and enjoys a cocktail in the afternoon. Dawn's Sources Book - AGENT JOSEPHINE by Damien Lewis Podcast - YOU'RE DEAD TO ME Video - See her dance in 1927, some of the faces that made her famous Hear …

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HILF 58 - The Freedom Rides with Dave Reinitz 1:40:50

1+ y ago1:40:50

1:40:50

Dawn's Guest, Dave Reinitz is a stand-up comedian and stain-glass artist whose personal connection to this slice of History brings it alive for all of us. Hear about how his mother, Janet Braun-Reinitz, joined with the Freedom Riders in 1961 and endured and enlightened one of the darkest chapters of American History. --- Dawn's Sources Book - The F…

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HILF 57 - The Conch Republic with Forrest Shaw 1:06:27

1+ y ago1:06:27

1:06:27

Joining Dawn for the HILF-ing of the Conch Republic is Florida native, comedian, and former Marine Biologist, Forrest Shaw. He currently performs stand-up around the world, and is the co-host of the podcast, I don’t Know About That with Jim Jeffries. You can also catch him on The Mermen Podcast with Dave Williamson. --- Dawn's Sources Book - The Tw…

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HILF 56 - Mutiny on the Bounty, Part 2 with Scott Edwin Williams 1:02:36

1+ y ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Welcome back aboard the ill-fated Bounty with Dawn and guest, Scott Edwin Williams, school-teacher and author of the fantastic book series, LIGHTBULB MOMENTS IN HUMAN HISTORY. Part one left the mutineers singing and dancing as they pushed Captain Bligh into the horizon. Rejoin them as they go in search of a new future among hostile territory, and w…

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HILF 55 - Mutiny on the Bounty with Scott Edwin Williams 1:09:05

1+ y ago1:09:05

1:09:05

Come aboard the ill-fated Bounty with Dawn and guest, Scott Edwin Williams. Scott is a school-teacher and author of the fantastic book series, LIGHTBULB MOMENTS IN HUMAN HISTORY which looks at history with a nod to both humor, and a hope for the future. Together they trace the origins and outcomes of not only the infamous Captain Bligh, but the mut…

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HILF 54 - Aleister Crowley with Hilah Johnson 1:33:38

1+ y ago1:33:38

1:33:38

Aleister Crowley is a sado-machoistic cult leader that Dawn frankly hates... but since when has hate ever made anyone less fuckable? Joining her on this journey into the darker pages of history, is celebrated chef, Hilah Johnson. She has hosted several cooking shows on Youtube and The Travel Channel and is also the author of several cookbooks. Dawn…

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HILF 53 - The Boston Massacre with Sarah Retalic & Dave Houghton 1:23:00

2y ago1:23:00

1:23:00

Dawn's guests are sports podcasters (and native Bostonians) Sarah Retalic and Dave Houghton of IN A PICKLE RADIO. Find out how much they know regarding one of their city's defining events, and keep score along with Dawn all the way to the surprise ending. Dawn's Sources Book - THE BOSTON MASSACRE, A Family History by Serena Zabin Book - REPORTING T…

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HILF 52 - The Montreal Screwjob with Bacon is my Podcast (BIMP) 1:22:11

2y ago1:22:11

1:22:11

Dawn's guests are Jimmy G and Mike Wehmann who love the world of wrestling - and the world of rock bands, and whiskey, and podcasting, and bacon. They are the co-hosts of the hit podcast ‘Bacon is my Podcast’ and that makes this episode a three-way, baby. Hear Dawn on BIMP - Part 1 and Part 2 are available now! Dawn's Sources The Comic Book Story o…

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HOLIDAY BONE-US - The Holiday Breakdown with Leah Bonnema 49:29

2y ago49:29

49:29

Love 'em or hate 'em, rom coms have been an established genre for centuries and Holiday Rom-Coms are their modern-day beating heart. Dawn is something of a convert, having spent most of her life considering them thin, uninteresting trash... which they are sometimes. BUT THAT'S WHY THEY'RE GREAT! Leah Bonnema is not only a longtime fan of the genre,…