Enjoyable History

It began with a tweet: “EVERY DAY IS IGNAZ SEMMELWEIS DAY.” Carl Zimmer — tweet author, acclaimed science writer and friend of the show — tells the story of a mysterious, deadly illness that struck 19th century Vienna, and the ill-fated hero who uncovered its cure … and gave us our best weapon (so far) against the current global pandemic. This episode was reported and produced with help from Bethel Habte and Latif Nasser. Support Radiolab today at Radiolab.org/donate. 

On the 75th anniversary of the battle of Okinawa, historian Saul David revisits one of the bloodiest clashes of the Pacific War and explains how it played a crucial part in the United States’ decision to use atomic weapons against Japan. Historyextra.com/podcast For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Sure, we talk about mythology all the time, but what if we talked about mythology AND architecture AND science? So we’re diving deep on gargoyles to find out how they went from architectural necessities to living creatures in folklore! Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of age-inappropriate crushes, religious influence, murder, fire/burning, sexual assault, and incarceration.   Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends Rebecca Solnit’s Recollections of My Nonexistence! Buy a copy and see our new lists of previous recommendations, guest books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books - Multitude: Join the MultiCrew at multicrew.club, and check out Next Stop in your podcast player or nextstopshow.com!   Sponsors - Skillshare is an online learning community where you can learn—and teach—just about anything. Visit skillshare.com/spirits2 to get two months of Skillshare Premium for free! This week Amanda recommends “Making Your First Zine: From Idea to Illustration” by Kate Bingaman-Burt. - Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that finds and delivers clothes, shoes, and accessories to fit your body, budget, and lifestyle. Get started at stitchfix.com/spirits for 25% off when you keep your whole box! - ThirdLove is on a mission to find a perfect bra for everyone. Get 15% off your first order at thirdlove.com/spirits.   Find Us Online If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at spiritspodcast.com/books. Transcripts are available at spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to SpiritsPodcast.com.   About Us Spirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0....moreCopy Link

Workers at Amazon, Instacart, and Whole Foods have gone on strike demanding safe work conditions. Amazon has already fired one organizer and continues to pump out misinformation and propaganda as Jeff Bezos continues to rake in billions of dollars. We hear from the fired Amazon manager Christian Smalls and talk to Jacobin magazine reporter Meagan Day about her reporting on the conditions of some essential workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Joe Biden’s campaign against Medicare for All, and the shortage of supplies in hospitals.Emergency Room nurse John Pearson, from Highland Hospital in Oakland, explains why his colleagues had to start a GoFundMe campaign for vital medical equipment. He talks about the lack of supplies to deal with the coming surge of coronavirus cases and why he believes that this crisis demands the implementation of a single-payer healthcare system. He also talks about the California health care workers petition to Governor Gavin Newsom.Intercepted listeners share their stories of struggle during the pandemic — we hear from people losing jobs, facing mounting debt, working in unsafe conditions, and worrying about what the future holds for the most vulnerable people.As Congress pats itself on the back for the bipartisan $2.2 trillion “stimulus” package Trump signed into law, journalist David Dayen, executive editor of The American Prospect, breaks down the corporate interests and powerful people who stand to gain the most from the looting of taxpayer funds. Dayen analyzes the portions of the bill aimed at bailing out struggling families, workers, small business owners, and explains why he believes Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders were wrong to vote in favor of the bailout.And if you or someone you know needs emotional support or is contemplating suicide, resources include the Crisis Text Line, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Trevor Project, or the International Association for Suicide Prevention. ...moreCopy Link

A former governor of Punjab, Sir Michael O'Dwyer, was killed by an Indian immigrant in London in 1940. The assassin, Udham Singh, said he was avenging the deaths of hundreds of civilians who had been fired on by colonial troops in Amritsar in India in April 1919. When he was put on trial at the Old Bailey, he gave a defiant speech against colonial rule. Sajid Iqbal has been speaking to Avtar Singh Jouhal who campaigned to have Udham Singh's courtroom speech made public. Photo:An Indian man takes a photograph of a painting depicting the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar. The Amritsar massacre, also known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, took place on April 13, 1919 when British Indian Army soldiers on the direct orders of their British officers opened fire on an unarmed gathering killing at least 379 men, women and children, according to official records. (Credit: NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images)...moreCopy Link

The Lyon sends Regan down to get a potential client to sign a contract. The client falls dead at Regan’s feet before he can sign it. Original Air Date: August 28, 1948 Support the show monthly at... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

You've probably heard Christians ask the question, "Are you saved?" But what exactly are we saved from? Tune in to find out how average Christian pastors answered this question (originally aired 04-23-06).   To receive our free INNtro kit which includes the current issue of Modern Reformation magazine and our most recent set of extended length White Horse Inn broadcasts, go to whitehorseinn.org/inntro-kit   For a gift of any size receive our digital download collection, Know What Your Neighbor Believes - whitehorseinn.org/neighbor...moreCopy Link

Achilles is back and it's god vs. god, Greek vs. Trojan, Achilles vs. Hector in the most epic battle of the Trojan War. The creature this week, the Seto taishō, will absolutely come after you with a sharpened spoon. His weakness? Light kicks. Episode post: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14155/177c-trojan-war-when-i-am-gone/ -- Sponsor: Talk to a therapist online and get help at http://betterhelp.com/legends -- Music: “Watercool Quiet” by Blue Dot Sessions “Thunder Comes” by Will Van De Crommert “Gilroy Solo” by Blue Dot Sessions “Feel the Tension” by Bobby Cole “Order of Entrance” by Blue Dot Sessions “War Action Orchestra” by Denis Kotenko “Battle on the Beach” by Bobby Cole “Lady Lupine” by Blue Dot Sessions “Broken” by Michael Vignola “Places” by Michael Vignola...moreCopy Link

How good is your Latin? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols defines five Latin terms that have been used by Christians through the ages to describe key theological truths. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/5-latin-words/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

In recent years the increasing number of books and programs on television discussing the mysteries of ancient Japan, reflect a renewed interest in this area, highlighting the many unanswered questions which still hover over the pages of Japan’s history books. Many theories and hypothesis have been put forward over the years, and while conflicting at times, they all insist on one common point – somewhere in the pages of Japan’s ancient history certain crucial chapters are missing. With new discoveries of ancient ruins both on land and underwater are being brought to light, the possibility of an advanced civilization which existed during the Jomon Period ( approx.10,000 BC – 300 BC) or earlier, is gaining creasing credibility. As extraordinary as this sounds on first hearing, until any other official explanation can be offered about the many unidentified ruins existing across all of Japan, the startling and exciting possibility of a lost civilization cannot be ruled out.Join us as we discover Japan ancient super-cultures and the megaliths and sacred sites.Kara Yumaguich is an Australian with Japanese/American roots and has nearly 20 years of experience living and working in Japan as a teacher, artist, tour guide, writer, researcher and translator. She is currently the only person in the world researching Japan’s lost super-civilization and bringing this crucial information about what is possibly the world’s oldest civilization to the rest of the world in English! Kara is the author of Spirit of Mu, which highlights the megalithic cultures of Japan.http://sacredgateways.blogspot.jp/p/japans-lost-super-civilization.html...moreCopy Link

Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds examine the West Virginia Textbook WarSourcesTour DatesRedbubble Merch

This week in the first of a two part program we hear from Jefferson Hour listeners from around the country about how the coronavirus is affecting them and their communities. Included are reports from Clay’s daughter Catherine who finds herself somewhat stranded in Britain and Pat Brodowski, the head gardener at Monticello. Ask President Jefferson a question! You can send your written questions at jeffersonhour.com/ask or by calling in to the TJH Hotline: (701) 575-0727 Find this episode, along with recommended reading, on the blog. Support the show by joining the 1776 Club or by donating to the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Inc. You can learn more about Clay's cultural tours & retreats at jeffersonhour.com/tours. Check out our new merch. You can find Clay's publications on our website, along with a list of his favorite books on Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, and other topics. Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by Clay S. Jenkinson....moreCopy Link

How can we protect ourselves from coronavirus? How long will the current situation last? Why has the death rate been so high in Italy? And why have some other countries apparently been more successful at reducing the spread of the virus?This episode is from a live online event that we staged on Friday March 27, and it features science broadcaster Xand Van Tulleken, epidemiologist David Heymann, economist Linda Yueh and disease control expert Bharat Pankhania.Stay tuned for more information about online Intelligence Squared events. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy...moreCopy Link

Mike was the keynote speaker at the last large gathering in the United States before the country officially closed for business. His job? Shaking hands--with over a hundred thousand people. Now, after three weeks of self-isolation, he'd like to tell you about it. And then, read a very funny story from his mom's new book.

Executive Director Chris Costa sits down with Washington Post journalist, Jason Rezaian to talk about his book and experiences being taken hostage in Iran.

In the year 2000, D'Angelo released Voodoo—with some help from Questlove, Angie Stone, Raphael Saadiq, and a band of jazz veterans—an album that has cast a long shadow with its unique sound of stripped-down soul, Faith Pennick, who literally wrote the book on the record, joins to break how D'Angelo broke the "shiny suit" regime of R&B, explore how he conjured the spirits of J Dilla, Prince, and Roberta Flack, and consider how one video almost derailed his career.Check out D'Angelo's Voodoo by Faith Pennick, from Bloomsbury's 33 1/3 SeriesSongs discussed: D'Angelo - The Line, The Root, Spanish Joint, Chicken Grease, Untitled (How Does it Feel) Rev JC Burnett - Amazing Grace Prince - Kiss Justin Timberlake - Damn Girl Thundercat - Them Changes Slum Village - CB4 Charlie Hunter and Scott Amendola - There Used to be a Nightclub There Roy Hargrove - Strasbourg / St. Denis Solange - Cranes in the Sky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...moreCopy Link

A look at some of the ancient artworks and artifacts that the show Ancient Aliens gets totally wrong.

A serial killer targets women who live on the fringes of society - with little to no connection to the mainstream world. As victims, this makes them incredibly difficult to investigate. That is... until the killer inadvertently hands investigators a map. Love your cat? Make the switch to PrettyLitter! Go to www.PrettyLitter.com and use promo code "COLDCASE" for 20% off your first order!

Steven Soderbergh’s viral thriller CONTAGION may have come out in 2011, but it’s never felt more timely than in the midst of the world’s current coronavirus crisis, which makes it a natural stand-in for the “current film” half of our pairing with Elia Kazan’s 1950 plague noir PANIC IN THE STREETS. Watched today, Soderbergh’s film, a kaleidoscopic treatment of an illness called MEV-1 with a startling 25 percent mortality rate, is both alarming in its prescience and comforting in its diversions from our current reality, a dichotomy we dig into on the way to debating whether it holds together as a film vs. as a scare tactic. Then we bring in PANIC IN THE STREETS to compare the two films’ depictions of the media, their use of time to foster a sense of urgency, and the untold stories playing out in the backgrounds of their high-stakes narratives. Plus, Your Next Picture Show, where we share recent filmgoing experiences in hopes of putting something new on your cinematic radar.Please share your comments, thoughts, and questions about PANIC IN THE STREETS, CONTAGION, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email to comments@nextpictureshow.net, or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730.Your Next Picture Show• Tasha: Andrea Arnold’s AMERICAN HONEY• Keith: Takashi Nomura’s A COLT IS MY PASSPORT• Scott: Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy’s BLOW THE MAN DOWN• Genevieve: Autumn DeWilde’s EMMA and Amy Heckerling’s CLUELESSOutro music: The Police, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...moreCopy Link

Sometimes a person can accomplish a great deal over the span of his or her lifetime but is forever defined by one thing that took just a brief moment while they were still young. Harry Morse was one of those men. Also learn about the first Beatles song banned by the BBC, someone who woke up beside a dead man, a wife whose first husband was found alive, and the Send-A-Dame chain letter. Retrosponsor: Feen-A-Mint Chewing Gum Laxative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices