This week we continue the story of Ted Kennedy, Mary Jo Kopechne, and the tragedy at Chappaquiddick. We are talking about what actually happened that night and the beginning of Teds schemes to avoid accountability.

The main Kennedy family finally gets notified of the accident and their political machine begins powering up to help Ted. Meanwhile Ted is doing everything he can to muddy the waters but ends up making things worse.

Next week we will talk about the actual coverup and the leadup to the court case.

Sources: Chappaquiddick: Power, Privilege, and the Ted Kennedy Coverup by Leo Damore

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/the-kennedy-family-in-tragedy-and-triumph-a-brief-guide?srsltid=AfmBOor1kvUb07x6rdYgEQmT9v2F5ho_N4E0u1_hcCx7hFUSCqHBxrx7

https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKkopechne.htm

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This week we get into the story of Ted Kennedy, Mary Jo Kopechne, and the tragedy at Chappaquiddick. Ted Kennedy, the 9th of the Kennedy siblings, was able to be a senator for forty seven years after being responsible for the death of Mary Jo, in one of the most flagrant examples of rich white guys getting away with stuff.

These week we discuss the actual accident, how Ted left the scene, and the initial reactions. Next week we'll get into how he tried to make sure he wasn't held responsible in any way shape or form.

Sources: Chappaquiddick: Power, Privilege, and the Ted Kennedy Coverup by Leo Damore

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/the-kennedy-family-in-tragedy-and-triumph-a-brief-guide?srsltid=AfmBOor1kvUb07x6rdYgEQmT9v2F5ho_N4E0u1_hcCx7hFUSCqHBxrx7

https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKkopechne.htm

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The Final installment of the P.T. Barnum Story!!! This week we are Finally talking about the Circus! Which means we are also talking about some very sad and abused elephants. Turns out American Elephant training was pretty horrible! Some trainers eventually learned that kindness was the key all along. But definitely too little too late.

We also get into Barnum's brief stint as Mayor of Bridgeport, CT. And the sad passing of his wife charity followed by an uncomfortably fast marriage to a much younger woman!

Prepare your self for heartbreak, carnies, and way too many taxidermy elephants!

Sources:

“Barnum: An American Life” by Robert Wilson(2020)

“Topsy: The Startling Story of the Crooked Tailed Elephant, PT Barnum, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison” By Michael Daly(2013)

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Week Three of the P.T. Barnum saga. This week we talk about Barnum's attempts to rehabilitate his relationship with his family and his reputation with the world.

Though it seems like he did some real work on his marriage it seems like his reputation as a dishonest humbug man would be set in stone.

We talk about the real relationship between him and Jenny Lind "The Swedish Nightingale" and Barnum's failed attempt to rebrand himself as a purveyor of high brow entertainment.

Then we get into Barnum as an investor with a spotty track record and a shady real-estate deal that would eventually lead to his complete bankruptcy.

Eventually Barnum drags himself back out of debt and tries his hand at Politics becoming a representative to the Connecticut State Legislature. Serving for two terms, promoting his abolitionist and temperance beliefs.

Then his life is riddled with fires from the destruction of Iranistan to the American Museum Burning down twice within a couple years.

Barnum would never own a major museum again but this may have given him the push to create his famous circus which we will talk about next week.

Enjoy!

Sources:

“Barnum: An American Life” by Robert Wilson(2020)

“Topsy: The Startling Story of the Crooked Tailed Elephant, PT Barnum, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison” By Michael Daly(2013)

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Week two of The P. T. Barnum Story and we get into some more racist shenanigans. We talk about more of Barnum's early acts and the use of blackface in his shows.

Then we get into the purchasing of The American Museum and some of the wild exhibits Barnum Put into it. Including one of Barnum's most famous living wonders "General Tom Thumb".

We talk about how Barnum met 5 year old Charles S. Stratton and worked with the boy to create the character of Tom Thumb. Tom Thumb quickly becomes one of Barnum's most successful acts eventually touring with him around England and Europe performing for nobles and Royalty including Queen Victoria.

We will also talk about Barnum's strained relationship with his wife Charity and his inability to just be home with his family.

And we will finish the episode with the construction of a massive home and estate that Barnum called "Iranastan"

Hope you enjoy!

(Photos for the episode will be on our Instagram and our website time codes below.)

Sources:

“Barnum: An American Life” by Robert Wilson(2020)

“Topsy: The Startling Story of the Crooked Tailed Elephant, PT Barnum, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison” By Michael Daly(2013)

Photos:

Pic 1- The American Museum (36:45)

Pic 2- Fiji Mermaid (41:40)

Pic 3+4- Tom Thumb +Barnum (49:10)

Pic 5- Tom Thumb as Napoleon (54:55)

Pic 6+7- Tom Thumb's Carriage (1:15:34)

Pic 8, 9, 10- Iranastan (1:26:18)

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This week we are beginning the story of P.T. Barnum aka "The Greatest Showman". He was a showman, museum owner, international celebrity, Politician, and of course co-owner of the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

There is so much to get into in this story he was both a Con artist and a beloved entertainer, he maybe owned a slave woman for a short time but also became a big advocate for the abolitionist movement. He was a naturalist but also led to the deaths of SOOOO many elephants.

We will talk about his childhood and his wily grandfather who loved playing practical jokes including one particularly cruel joke played on Young PT Barnum that lasted for over 10 years. Then we get into some of Barnum's early schemes, hoaxes, and humbugs.

Then we will finish the episode with a very old blind slave woman named Joyce Heth who became Barnum's first major exhibition.

So much to get into and we hope you enjoy it!

Sources:

“Barnum: An American Life” by Robert Wilson(2020)

“Topsy: The Startling Story of the Crooked Tailed Elephant, PT Barnum, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison” By Michael Daly(2013)

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Hey Yall We are doing another silly Movie Night Mess around for the week of thanksgiving. This episode we are going ALLLL the way back to the beginning with the Dupont Teflon Scandal with a movie called Dark Waters.

Dark Waters was actually a pretty good movie and very informative and relatively accurate to life so its definitely worth a watch, If you want to be in on all our nonsense check it out.

We had some fun with this one hope you Enjoy!

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This week we wrap up the story of Aimee McPherson and the Four Square Church. She's not going to jail, and now shes back in the church and shes ready to spend more money.

Aimee continues to build her congregation as well as build her own castle, while also remarrying and traveling the world on tour. This episode is full of financial issues, fistfights, and facials! Get into it!

Sources: Sister, Sinner The Miraculous, Scandalous Story of Aimee Semple McPherson by Claire Hoffman

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