We often think of dictators as one-dimensional monsters, but history tells a stranger story. In this episode, we explore the shocking artistic and intellectual pursuits of four of the world's most ruthless leaders.

Kim Jong Il's Musical Hit: How the North Korean leader composed operas that became surprisingly popular in China and even wrote a book titled The Art of Opera.

Mao Zedong's Poetry: The man responsible for millions of deaths was also a sensitive poet whose works are still read today.

Francisco Franco's Canvas: The "Hitler of Spain" had a hidden talent as a painter, leaving behind works retrieved from his private chambers.

Pol Pot's Classroom: Before the Killing Fields, this brutal revolutionary was a soft-spoken, beloved high school teacher who spoke constantly of kindness.

Note: This podcast is an exercise in holding two opposing thoughts at once. While we discuss specific positive policies, we strictly condemn the evil these figures committed. The good does not excuse the bad.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History is rarely black and white.

In this debut episode, we explore the uncomfortable and bizarre "good deeds" performed by four of history's most notorious figures.

We dig into the archives to uncover:

• Adolf Hitler’s Health Kick: How the man responsible for the Holocaust also launched a pioneering public campaign to ban smoking completely.

• Saddam Hussein’s Soft Side: Beyond the genocide and human rights abuses, Saddam was a champion of education who achieved 100% primary school enrollment in Iraq and free hospital visits.

• Napoleon’s Equality: A look at how a ruthless dictator created the laws that became the basis for modern equality and forbade titles acquired at birth.

• The Scientist Emperor: How Emperor Hirohito, despite Japan’s WWII atrocities, spent his spare time discovering new species of marine life as a respected botanist.

Join us as we navigate the moral gray areas of history.

Note: This podcast is an exercise in holding two opposing thoughts at once. While we discuss specific positive policies, we strictly condemn the evil these figures committed. The good does not excuse the bad.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.