Podcast Summary: Cabinet of Curiosities – “Typope”

Host: Aaron Mahnke
Date: March 10, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

Overview

In this episode titled “Typope,” Aaron Mahnke delves into the strange and unpredictable ways legacies are formed and remembered throughout history. Through two captivating stories, he explores how honest mistakes and unexpected circumstances can immortalize both fictional and real people—sometimes for reasons that defy logic.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Curious Case of Pope Donus II

[00:08–06:00]

• Exploring Legacies:
  Aaron sets the stage by asking what makes a truly lasting legacy. Is it wealth, fame, or the way we are remembered?

  “You don’t have to be a king or a head of state to have this kind of thought... we all hope that some part of us can live on, if not through our family or our work, then through the ways in which we are remembered by our communities.” (00:40)

• The Vatican’s Mosaic Portraits:
  Mahnke recounts the impressive ring of mosaic portraits of the Popes at St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome, directing attention to the mysterious Pope Donus II.

• Anti-Popes and Historical Errors:
  The tale unfolds during a tumultuous period for the papacy in the 970s, rife with “anti-popes” like Boniface VII. These figures, while not officially recognized, still left their mark on the records.

• The Mix-up of Donus II:
  Donus II, listed as Pope for only three months, was later discovered to have never existed. A 1947 Vatican audit, led by archivist Monsignor Angelo Mercati, revealed that an honorific—“Domnus de Sutri”—had been mistakenly recorded as a papal name by early record keepers.

  “His predecessor, Pope Benedict VI, was listed with a title, Domnus de Sutri, after his name in the year 974. Early record keepers appear to have mistaken Domnus for another pope rather than an honorific title.” (05:00)

• Consequences of a Clerical Typo:
  Despite the error, Donus II’s portrait remains in the Basilica—an inadvertent monument to a man who never was.

  “The portrait of Pope Donus II, entirely fictionalized, stands alongside real men who lived at the same time. Due to an honest mistake, an imaginary man was memorialized in his own place of honor, like giving a tombstone to a typo.” (06:00)

• Reflection on History and Memory:
  Mahnke uses this story to reflect on the nature of history:

  “If someone who never existed can have such a robust legacy, who’s to say that ordinary people like you and I can’t? … That’s all history is. Stories we’ve agreed to tell each other for so many centuries that they’ve practically become true. Or at least until someone who’s curious enough bothers to check your sources.” (06:14)

2. Princess Alexandra: From Attic Waitress to Fashion Icon

[06:20–10:47]

• Royalty from Humble Beginnings:
  Mahnke introduces Alexandra, later Princess of Wales, born in 1844 to a modest branch of Danish royalty. Her family’s complicated ties—her father was both son and cousin to the king—placed them low on the royal hierarchy.

  “Alexandra lived in the attic with her sister Dagmar, and both of the girls waited tables at a local restaurant...” (07:36)

• Physical Challenges:
  Alexandra was partially deaf and bore a visible scar on her neck, making her self-conscious. She and her sister received an English education from their tutor, Hans Christian Andersen.

• Ascendance to Royal Power:
  Through a twist of fate, Alexandra’s father was chosen as the new Prince of Denmark, and later king, propelling Alexandra onto the world stage.

• Marriage to Prince Edward:
  Alexandra’s upbringing and royal connections led Queen Victoria to select her as a bride for her son, the heir to the British throne. Her marriage in 1863 made her Princess of Wales.

• The Weight of Royal Life:
  Life in the British royal family was no fairytale. Edward was known for extravagance and infidelities; Alexandra bore the stress quietly, focused on her family, and suffered health challenges (a permanent limp due to fever).

  “She had six of them between 1864 and 1871, almost one per year. This was incredibly taxing on her body, and it led her to catching a fever, which in turn resulted in her having a permanent stiffness in her right leg. She limped from there on out.” (09:02)

• Unintentional Trendsetter:
  Despite (or because of) her disabilities and insecurities, Alexandra’s style—choker necklaces, cigarette holders, even her limp—inspired a wave of imitation among young women in England.

  “Young women in England began to take up the same habit. They also wore choker necklaces and some of them even wore mismatched shoes and used a cane to imitate her limp... But in actuality, when interviewed, many of the young women imitating Alexandra's style and limp admired her.” (09:55)

• Legacy of Influence:
  Alexandra was often overshadowed by more famous royals, but her resilience, personal growth, and ability to inspire were recognized by her beloved childhood tutor—Hans Christian Andersen.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Like giving a tombstone to a typo.” (06:07)
• “That’s all history is. Stories we’ve agreed to tell each other for so many centuries that they’ve practically become true.” (06:14)
• “She seemed like a kind and down to earth leader compared to her husband. It was a rare case of a disability giving rise to a fashion trend.” (10:12)
• “[Hans Christian Andersen] recognized the power of her story and her personal growth. And he would know because he made his own mark on history as a lover of classic tales. The man who gave us The Little Mermaid.” (10:35)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | Summary | |------------------------------------|-------------|------------------------------------------------| | Pope Donus II & the Papal Typo | 00:08–06:14 | An imaginary pope earns a place in history. | | Alexandra’s Unlikely Rise | 06:20–08:15 | From attic life to European royalty. | | Alexandra’s Struggles & Adaptations| 08:16–09:40 | Her insecurities, limp, and resilience. | | Fashion Trend Origins | 09:40–10:20 | Alexandra’s style—and limp—inspires England. | | Hans Christian Andersen Link | 10:35 | Her tutor’s literary legacy. |

Tone and Final Reflection

Aaron Mahnke weaves these tales with his characteristic warmth, curiosity, and wry humor—inviting the listener to question what truly lasts. A clerical error or a personal hardship may seem small, but the echoes can outlast even the grandest intentions.

“If someone who never existed can have such a robust legacy, who’s to say that ordinary people like you and I can’t?” (06:13)

For more stories of wonder, error, and unexpected influence, listen to the full episode or visit grimandmild.com/curiosities.