Best Matt And Mckinley Breen Podcasts (2025)

1
Billy Possum 26:15

Play Pause

24m ago26:15

26:15

In 1909, wealthy Georgia widow Susie Wright Allgood saw a business opportunity. She wanted to create a new stuffed toy that would usurp the popular Teddy Bear. Her new toy was Billy Possum - inspired by President William Howard Taft. For this episode, we are joined by Howard Dorre from the podcast Plodding Through the Presidents. Sources "How a Stu…

1
St. Valentine’s Day Massacre 21:48

1h ago21:48

21:48

On Feb. 14, 1929, seven members and associates of Chicago's North Side Gang were lured into a garage at Lincoln Park - lined up - and killed in a hail of machine gun fire. The killings were believed to have been orchestrated by Al Capone - and exposed the mob violence that was gripping many of the nation’s big cities. No one would ever be charged i…

1
History of the Lobotomy 14:25

1h ago14:25

14:25

In 1935, the first lobotomy was preformed, ushering in the era of one of history's worst medical practices. Over the next 30 years, tens of thousands of them would be preformed, earning its inventor a Nobel Prize. This is the history of the lobotomy. Sources https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4291941/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC…

1
Abraham Lincoln Brigade 17:30

3d ago17:30

17:30

In the late 1930s, nearly 3000 Americans traveled to Spain to fight in a civil war that would leave upwards of half a million dead. Many of these Americans were socialists and communists - but more than that - virtually all of them were united for the hatred of fascism. This is the story of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Sources https://en.wikipedia.…

1
Magawa: The Hero Rat 11:45

4d ago11:45

11:45

In 60 countries across six continents, millions of people live in constant fear of landmines. There are many tactics to remove these explosives, but the most fascinating is using mine sniffing rats. And one of the greatest of those rats is Magawa. Sources https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59951255 https://apopo.org/latest/in-loving-memory-of-maga…

1
Book of Kells 17:45

5d ago17:45

17:45

Around 800 AD, monks in Scotland and Ireland created a book containing the four gospels. But the book was more than just the religious texts. It was filled with intricate artwork, including full page illustrations, vivid colors, and elaborate Celtic knotwork. Today it is recognized as a masterpiece of Insular illumination and script. This is the st…

1
Disco Demolition Night 15:26

6d ago15:26

15:26

In the summer of 1979, Major League Baseball's Chicago White Sox had a fantastically dumb idea. Sell cheap tickets if fans brought a disco record. The vinyl would then be all blow up. While it sounds dumb, it got far worse as this publicity stunt turned into a riot. Sources https://www.chicagohistory.org/disco-demolition-night/; https://www.bbc.com…

1
Charles Gordon and the Siege of Khartoum 21:48

7d ago21:48

21:48

From March 13, 1884, to January 26, 1885, the city of Khartoum, Sudan, was surrounded by insurgents bent on establishing an Islamic state. For 10 months, 7,000 Egyptian troops and 30,000 civilians - under the command of Major General Charles Gordon - an Englishman - held out - hoping for relief troops to arrive. This is the story of Charles Gordon …

1
Great Molasses Flood 11:39

10d ago11:39

11:39

In January of 1919, a tank containing millions of gallons of molasses burst in the north end neighborhood of Boston. The resulting flood claimed over 20 lives, millions of dollars in damage, and took months to clean up. This is the story of the Great Molasses Flood of Boston. Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Molasses_Flood https://www.bo…

1
Iron Brigade 15:13

11d ago15:13

15:13

The Iron Brigade is the story of one of the finest fighting forces in United States history. Made up of 'western men' from Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan, the brigade would sustain the highest casualty rate of any unit in the American Civil War. Sources "The Iron Brigade, A Military History" by Alan T. Nolan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Brig…

1
When the Creator of Sherlock Holmes Saved a Man from Prison 13:45

15d ago13:45

13:45

In 1903, George Edalji was falsely accused of maiming several animals, and sentenced to seven years in prison. However, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, would take up the case, and exonerate an innocent man. Sources "The Man Who Would Be Sherlock: The Real Life Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle" by Christopher Sandford Image: …

1
The Goat Who Sailed Around the World - Twice 11:11

13d ago11:11

11:11

In July of 1771, famed naval explorer Captain James Cook returned to England after circumnavigating the world. And he had great praise and admiration for one of his crew - who had completed a second circling of the world. That crew member was a goat - who is only known to history as the Well-Traveled Goat. This is her story. Sources https://en.wiki…

1
Sicilian Expedition 27:18

14d ago27:18

27:18

In 415 BC, the city state of Athens would embark on a campaign to conquer the island of Sicily. However, a series of decisions would turn this idea from bad, to worse, to one of the worst disasters in military history. This is the story of the Sicilian Expedition. Sources "The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition" By Donald Kagan https://en.…

1
Doctor Samuel Mudd 19:51

17d ago19:51

19:51

In the early morning hours of April 15, 1865, Dr. Samuel Mudd had a man come to his home with a fractured fibula. Mudd set the man’s injury. That man was John Wilkes Booth - the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Mudd would claim not to have known Booth - or have been a part of the assassination plot. He said he was just a doctor doing his job.…

1
Kemper Rebellion of 1804 14:04

18d ago14:04

14:04

In 1804, in the bayous of modern day Louisiana, three brothers would embark on a campaign of burning and pillaging against the Spanish government. They did this out of spite - and the desire to declare a republic. Sources "Republic of Scoundrels" by Jane Plummer, the chapter 'The Troubled Trio' History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Networ…

1
Heist of the Stone of Scone 26:32

19d ago26:32

26:32

On December 25, 1950, in the early morning hours, four Scottish students from the University of Glasgow broke into Westminster Abbey in London and removed the Stone of Scone - a symbol of Scottish nationhood and independence - which had been taken by England’s King Edward 650 years earlier. This is the story of the Heist of the Stone of Scone. Sour…

1
Stone of Scone 13:24

22d ago13:24

13:24

From the mid 800s until 1296, a 300 pound block of sandstone would be where every Scottish monarch was crowned. But after it was stolen by the British, this nondescript piece of rock would go on to have a remarkable journey. This is the story of the Stone of Scone. Sources https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stone-of-Scone https://en.wikipedia.org/wik…

1
Great Smog of London 15:19

21d ago15:19

15:19

On Dec. 5, 1952, a thick layer of smog settled over the city of London - which was not an unusual thing. But due to cold weather, windless conditions and collected airborne pollutants - this fog remained until Dec. 9. The result was England’s worst Air Pollution disaster ever - with more than 10,000 people dying from respiratory issues. This is the…

1
Battle of Karánsebes: When the Austrian Army Attacked Itself 10:19

27d ago10:19

10:19

In late 1788, an Austrian army on the march came across some people selling large quantities of alcohol. When the cavalry started buying the liquor, the infantry wanted in on the action. But some people don’t like to share, and when shots were fired, the melee descended into one of the worst friendly fire incidents in history. This is the story of …

1
The Teddy Bear 17:17

25d ago17:17

17:17

Teddy bears are cute and cuddly. Children cling to them for comfort. They have inspired countless books and stories and songs. They are the backbone of a $12 billion industry. Most of us probably know the Teddy Bear is named after a beloved US President - but beyond that - what do we really know? This is the story of the Teddy Bear. Sources https:/…

1
The Denver Spiderman 24:33

26d ago24:33

24:33

Steve Silverman from the Useless Information Podcast joins us to tell the story of a gruesome and unusual murder. In Denver, Colorado, 1941, a man was found murdered in his own home. The weird part - all the doors and windows were locked from the inside. The question - how was the killer able to make his getaway. This is the story of the Denver Spi…

1
Halifax Explosion 16:59

27d ago16:59

16:59

On Dec. 6, 1917, the French cargo ship SS Mont-Blanc collided with a Norwegian vessel in the harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Mont-Blanc, loaded with high explosives, caught fire and exploded, devastating the Richmond district of Halifax. Nearly 1800 people were killed, and 9,000 injured. The blast was the largest human-made explosion at…

1
The Liberty Bell 14:41

28d ago14:41

14:41

The Liberty Bell is one of the most iconic pieces of American symbolism. Despite a crack that has rendered it useless for over a century, it still represents American liberty and freedom. But why? This is the story of the Liberty Bell. Sources National Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/stories-libertybell.htm US History.o…

1
Robert Emmet and the Speech from the Dock 18:10

1M ago18:10

18:10

On September 19, 1803, Irishman Robert Emmet was convicted of treason for his role in a failed uprising earlier that year. Accordingly, Emmet was executed - another in a long line of Irish rebels. Except Robert Emmet did one thing that would bring him lasting fame. At his trial, he gave an impassioned speech - one of the finest - that would inspire…

1
Theft of the Mona Lisa 15:17

1M ago15:17

15:17

In 1911, a man disguised as a maintenance worked walked into the Louvre right before it opened. He proceeded to steal the Mona Lisa, and go uncaught for two years. The theft turned the painting from well-known, to the most famous work of art in history. This is the story of the theft of the Mona Lisa. Sources "The Thefts of the Mona Lisa" by Noah C…

1
Sinking of the USS Indianapolis 18:34

1M ago18:34

18:34

On June 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was returning from a secret mission - the delivery of the nuclear bomb that would ultimately be dropped on Hiroshima. In the early morning hours the cruiser was struck by two torpedoes. The ship sank in 12 minutes. Nearly 1200 men went into the ocean. Only 316 came out alive. This is the story of the sinking o…

1
Pony Express 14:50

1M ago14:50

14:50

Before 1860 to send a letter from the east to west coast would take months. However, in April of 1860 the Pony Express was created, and riders on horseback could cross the American frontier in just 10 days. This extreme feat would become ever enshrined in the American West. This is the story of the Pony Express. Sources "The Saga of the Pony Expres…

1
Ark of the Covenant 13:42

1M ago13:42

13:42

The Ark of the Covenant was one of the most sacred objects to the Israelites. It represented God's presence on Earth. Yet most people’s knowledge of the ark comes from a movie - Raiders of the Lost Ark. So what exactly was the fabled Ark of the Covenant? Sources "What is the Ark of the Covenant? - https://www.livescience.com/64932-the-ark-of-the-co…

1
Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist 20:20

1M ago20:20

20:20

In 2011-2012, a gang of thieves orchestrated the theft of 3000 tons of maple syrup - valued at nearly $19m Canadian dollars - from a storage facility in Quebec. Adjusted for inflation, it is the biggest theft in Canadian history. This is the story of the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist. Sources The Sweetest Heist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=…

1
Divorce of Catherine of Aragon 17:30

1M ago17:30

17:30

Catherine of Aragon and Henry the VIII have one of the most important marriages, and divorces in history. But why did it take Henry separating England from the Catholic Church to do something as simple as a divorce? Turns out Cathrine was a shrewd and feisty woman that did everything to protect her position. This is the story of the divorce of Cath…

1
Moctezuma's Gold 22:23

1M ago22:23

22:23

On the night of June 30, 1520, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his troops attempted to escape from Tenochtitlan. The Spanish loaded themselves down with eight tons of treasure. However, their escape didn't go well. The result was what the Spanish called La Noche Triste - the Night of Sorrows. At least half of Cortes’ men were killed - and al…

1
The Peshtigo Fire - History's Deadliest Wildfire 15:26

1M ago15:26

15:26

October 8, 1871, the same night as the Chicago Fire, a massive blaze was spreading a few hundred miles north. It would level millions of acres, and claim more than 1200 lives, making it history's deadliest wildfire. This is the story of the Peshtigo Fire. Sources "The Great Peshtigo Fire; An Eyewitness Account" by Peter Pernin Wikipedia: https://en…

1
Great Chicago Fire 16:12

1M ago16:12

16:12

On October 8, 1871, the city of Chicago was mired in a drought with only one inch of rain over the past three months. And it was in these dry, parched and windy conditions that a fire started. It would rage for two full days, killing more than 300 people, consuming 17,500 buildings and homes, and cause more than $220 million in damage. This is the …

1
Thrasybulus - the man who saved Athenian democracy 20:03

2M ago20:03

20:03

In 404 BC, democracy was in tatters. Athens was under the control of tyrants and hope was draining. But one man, Thrasybulus, would defy the odds, return from exile, and restore democracy to Athens. Sources "Thrasybulus and the Athenian Democracy: the Life of an Athenian Statesman" by R J Buck Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrasybulus Im…

1
The Death of Glenn Miller 20:24

2M ago20:24

20:24

From 1938-1942, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra had 16 number one records and 69 top 10 hits. He was one of the most popular musicians of the era. And then, in December of 1944, Miller boarded a plane in England bound for Paris. He was never seen again. This is the story of the death of band leader Glenn Miller. Sources National Museum of the United…

1
Zheng Yi Sao - the Pirate Queen of Southeast Asia 19:49

2M ago19:49

19:49

In the first decade of the 1800s the South China Sea became a hotbed for piracy, with the largest pirate fleet ever assembled defeating the Chinese and Portuguese navy. This fleet was led by an unlikely admiral - the prostitute turned pirate queen Zheng Yi Sao. Sources "Pirates of the South China Coast, 1790–1810", by Dian Murray Image: https://com…

1
1883 Eruption of Krakatoa 17:38

2M ago17:38

17:38

On August 27, 1883, the volcanic island of Krakatoa exploded. It was a blast heard more than 3,000 miles away. 70% of the island and its surrounding archipelago were destroyed. More than 36,000 people died. It is one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history. This is the 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa. Sources The Atlanti…

1
The Pleasant Valley War - America's Bloodiest Family Feud 17:08

2M ago17:08

17:08

In 1887, Pleasant Valley, Arizona, became the battlefield for the bloodiest feud in American history. It would leave dozens dead, and slaughter two entire families. This is the Pleasant Valley War. Sources "Pleasant Valley War" by Jinx Pyle Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Valley_War#/media/File:Grabill_-_The_Cow_Boy.jpg The Explorers …

1
Wu Zetian - China's Only Female Emperor 15:28

2M ago15:28

15:28

Throughout history there has only been one woman to rule the Chinese empire. This was Wu Zetian - who rose from the rank of imperial concubine - to that of emperor of China. Her rise to power was a very bloody trip. Sources "Empress Wu Zetian: the only woman to rule China, and who would be hated for it" - https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieva…

1
Joshua Glover: Freedom Found 17:45

2M ago17:45

17:45

In the mid-1850's a young man named Joshua Glover was a slave in Missouri. He would escape, and settle in Wisconsin - only to be recaptured, freed by an abolitionist mob, and escape again to Canada once and for all. His story caused a clash between federal and state courts, and helped spark the establishment of the Republican Party - who main goal …

1
The Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior 22:31

2M ago22:31

22:31

On July 10, 1985, in the harbor of Auckland, New Zealand, a bomb planted on the Greenpeace ship - the Rainbow Warrior - went off - opening a hole in her hull. A few minutes later, another bomb exploded. The ship sank within minutes - and one person was dead. So who was behind the bombing? Extremists of some kind? Political enemies? The answer would…

1
Jan Žižka - the one-eyed general who never lost a battle 20:05

2M ago20:05

20:05

In 1419, Jan Žižka would help lead the Hussite Revolution. He led armies of peasants against professional knights using amazing tactics, and gunpowder, cementing himself as one of history's greatest military commanders. Sources "Warrior of God: Jan Zizka and the Hussite Revolution" by Victor Verney Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_%C5%BDi%C…

1
The Kyūjō Incident - the coup that almost extended World War II 19:34

2M ago19:34

19:34

In August, 1945, the Japanese government was on the verge of surrendering to Allied forces - and ending WWII. But on the night of August 14-15, a group of Japanese officers went into action. Their plan was to take the emperor hostage, and scuttle peace talks - and thus continue the war - which would have likely cost the Allies hundreds of thousands…

1
The Cod Wars - The battle for fishing rights in the North Atlantic 17:30

2M ago17:30

17:30

From the 1950s through the 1970s, a David and Goliath story would play out across the North Atlantic. The United Kingdom and Iceland engaged in a viscous dispute over fishing rights. And the winner may surprise you. This is the story of the Cod Wars. Sources "How Iceland Beat the British in the Four Cod Wars" - https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles…

1
Bobbi Gibb - the First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

On an April morning in Boston in 1966, despite being told she was physically incapable of running 20+ miles, Bobbi Gibb slipped into the crowd of 500 runners. Three hours and 21 minutes later, she became the first woman to ever run the fabled Boston Marathon. Sources Bobbi Gibb Marathon Pioneer: https://www.sportsmuseum.org/curators-corner/bobbi-gi…

1
The Zimmerman Telegram - the note that brought America into World War I 15:48

2M ago15:48

15:48

In 1917, Germany was desperate to keep the United States out of World War I - even as they prepared to launch unrestricted submarine warfare on all shipping in the European theater. To that end, German officials sent a telegram to the Mexican government, proposing they declare war of the United States - tying up American resources. The only problem…

1
William Walker and the Filibuster War 20:55

2M ago20:55

20:55

In 1855, an American newspaperman, lawyer and doctor, William Walker, led a small, private army to Central America, and within a year, was recognized as the President of Nicaragua. Walker’s actions would unite people from five nations to rise up against him. This is the story of the Filibuster War. Sources "William Walker's Wars" by Scott Martelle …

1
Enheduanna: History's First Author 8:12

2M ago8:12

8:12

Over 4,000 years ago, the high priestess Enheduanna put pen to clay and wrote the Exaltation of Inanna, making her the earliest known named author in world history. Sources "Documents that changed the way we live" by Joseph Janes Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enheduanna Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Disk_of_Enheduanna.JP…

1
Captain Vernice Armour: The first African American female combat pilot 13:45

2M ago13:45

13:45

In the early 2000's, Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour took to the skies piloting a Cobra heliocopter, defying the odds of everyone saying she can't. This is the story of Captain Vernice Armour, the first African-American female combat pilot. Sources https://www.unsungheroeseducation.com/Transcripts/Vernice%20Armour%20Interviews.pdf Image (cropped from orig…

1
1527 Sack of Rome 23:35

2M ago23:35

23:35

In May of 1527, 20,000 mutinous soldiers of Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire descended on Rome. What would follow was the absolute devastation of the city and its population, the gutting of the power of the Papacy, and the end of the High Renaissance era. Sources Medievalists.net: https://www.medievalists.net/2022/06/sack-rome-1527/ Smart History…