Backyard Philosophy Podcast

Mary Ann Cotton ... The Arsenic Serial Killer

We have all heard about spouses killing one another for insurance money, of black widows killing their husbands out of resentment, of deranged parents ending their own children’s lives. But perhaps there is no woman as prolific at doing all this than Mary Ann Cotton. One of… if not England’s first serial killer. A woman who killed around 21 people, all for greed and enjoyment. This is the Arsenic Killer Mary Ann Cotton.

The Werewolf Panic That Swept Europe

Monsters have always plagued humanities mind, some of them real some of them nothing more than our figure of imagination. Either way, monsters induce fear, and perhaps there is nothing as infections to others as fear. So, what do you do when you have an era of war, plague and famine well you look for an escape goat or in this case an escape wolf. Across most of Europe during the 16th, 17th, 18th centuries a werewolf hunt ensued, prosecuting hundreds if not thousands of people on the crime of being in league with the devil. Join us this episode as we investigate the werewolf panic and stories about werewolves in Europe.

The Black Shuck ... A Hell Hound

In the dark there is always something, something lurking, stalking, hunting. And with a flash of lightning in this tale a certain creature would appear and come for souls. There are many creatures of the night but if rumors are true this creature comes from the bowels of hell itself. Satan’s own pet, a beast that plagued English countryside’s for centuries. A hellhound. And not just any hell hound, oh no this one has its own name… The Black Shuck. A devil dog, a beast, a hell hound that has no limitations in its capacity and fears nothing. In this story we weather the storm of creature who plagued the English countryside and took lives along the way.

Phantom Phone Vibrations Are Real !?!?

No that wasn’t your phone, but there is a high chance you thought it was or even felt a vibration in your pocket. And you are not alone. Millions if not billions of people all around the world hear and feel their phone go off, even though it never actually did. A phantom vibration. Is it the phone companies toying with you? Is it that you are going mad? Is it the clothes we wear, giving us a false sensation? Well in this week episode we dive into the strange yet common sensation… Phantom Phone Vibrations.

The Longest Boxing Match In History

Boxing has been an evolving sport ever since its creation. In the early days … it was crude, raw and the rules were not really formed yet. Gloves were considered dishonorable, canvases were wood and dirt and the fight wouldn’t be over, till there was only one man left standing. But what happens when you have two men refusing to go down, refusing to give up, giving every inch of their body to stay in the fight. Well you get the longest boxing match that has ever happened and more than likely will ever will be. You get the brawl between Andy Bowen and Jack Burke.

Hot Air Balloons In War

The history of balloons in warfare is long and complicated. And until researching this didn’t know how crazy it actually was. Filled with a lot of drama, drama on who invented balloons first, drama of balloons being used to devastate cities and drama of an arms race with balloons being a hidden key player on multiple continents. But in this episode we are focusing on hot air balloons in war. Mainly when people got in balloons. Not just balloons in general. Which may be a future episode, because oh my god has humanity been using balloons in war in many different ways for a very long time. But this is the history of hot air balloons in warfare.

Noise Pollution ... More Devastating Than You Think

Noise pollution... a phenomenon that has slowly crept up on humanity and the world and is now having a devastating effect. From bird migrations, marine life to maybe even causing death. Noise pollution is here and it is growing. Join Nick and Mike as they discuss science, research and possible solutions for solving an issue that impacts all of our lives ... noise pollution. 

The Year Of 4 Emperors In Rome

When we think of ancient Rome, we tend to think of Caeser, Gladiators, a vast empire that stretches over enormous amounts of land. But Rome has a had a long history and has done things at times that roman people themselves and people in modern times think “what the hell are yall doing?”  One of these times would be an end of an era, caused by deprecatory leading to a year of war that would stretch across continents. A time when all of Rome was up for grabs for any who had the power to lay claim… this is the Year of the 4 Emperors.

How Think Tanks Change Our Everyday Lives

Sometimes you make a decision to peak behind the curtain only to find that you wish you didn’t. And that is what happened to me when I investigated think tanks. I was naive and thought they were just researchers and academics studying specific topics, boy was I wrong. As I explain what think tanks are and how they change the very world around us you will see too behind the curtain and see the power that they hold. This is what think tanks are.

Frank Hayes The Impossible Horse Racer

Mankind has always had the hunger the need to push, to race, to challenge not only others but ourselves. For many of us we crave this feeling and sadly for many of us the opportunity never comes. But occasionally the fates listen and grant a chance to a weary soul. A chance to do something one has always dreamed of. But as the saying goes everything has a cost and be careful what you wish for. This is the tale of Frank Hayes a man dreamed to race horses.