Podcast
Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged
Hosted by Rainy Day Rabbit Holes · EN
Rainy Day Rabbit Holes explores unhinged history, wild scandals, and politicians behaving badly - those moments when history went completely off the rails. Funny, curious, and unapologetic, hosts Shea and Jody break down the past like a late-night hang with your besties who just happen to love history.
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36episodes
Episodes
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Japan's Oldest UFO Mystery
1w ago00:33:49Tap to summarizeIn 1803, Japanese fishermen spotted something strange bobbing in the Pacific Ocean—a round, sealed vessel unlike any boat they’d ever seen. Inside was a woman with red hair, pale skin, unfamiliar clothing, and a mysterious box she refused to let go.This episode dives into the legend of the Utsuro-bune, often called Japan’s earliest “UFO” story. Recorded decades after the alleged event in Edo‑period collections of strange tales, the story has been cited by everyone from folklorists to modern UFO enthusiasts. But what really happened on that beach in Hitachi Province?Was it an alien encounter? A castaway from a distant land? Or a piece of folklore shaped by fear, curiosity, and isolation during Japan’s sakoku era?Join Shea and Jason as they explore:The original Edo‑period sources that describe the Utsuro-buneWhy the vessel looks suspiciously like a flying saucerHow Japan’s isolation policy shaped stories about outsidersWhy historians and folklorists are deeply skeptical of the alien explanationAnd why sometimes the most human response to the unknown… is paperwork avoidanceHistory is messy, weird, and full of rabbit holes. This one just happens to float.Find sources, images, and more episode notes at👉 https://rainydayrabbitholes.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Hold My Sake: Japan Made Alcohol Out of Moth Poop 5 Minute Friday
2w ago00:15:54Tap to summarizeSPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Join us Wednesday, June 3rd at the McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma (Spanish Ballroom) for a live Rainy Day Rabbit Holes event exploring Tacoma’s own overlooked UFO story—the Maury Island Incident. Weeks before Roswell made headlines in 1947, Tacoma was already grappling with reports of flying saucers, mysterious Men in Black, and a federal investigation that raised more questions than answers. This special History Pub presentation features storytelling from Shea Drury and Jody Shaw, historical context from Chris Staudinger of Pretty Gritty Tours, and an in-depth look at the case from filmmaker Steve Edmiston, creator of The Maury Island Incident and founder of the Men in Black Birthday Bash. Join us for a meet and greet from 4:30–6pm before doors open at 6pm, with the show starting at 7. Patreon supporters—or anyone who signs up before the event—can stop by for a free thank-you gift (including some very adorable dog bandanas), and we’ll also have tote bags and t-shirts available. Find the show link at https://rainydayrabbitholes.com, and get your Men in Black Birthday Bash tickets at https://mibbbfest.squarespace.com.Now onto the show!Secret Spring & Questionable ChoicesFor more than 2,500 years, sake brewing in Japan has been treated as a near-sacred craft—steeped in patience, restraint, and tradition. And then… moth poop entered the chat.In this Five Minute Friday episode, Shea and Jason tumble headfirst into one of Japan’s most eyebrow‑raising modern sake experiments: a sake brewed using tea made from moth larvae droppings. Yes, actual insect poop. Developed using a tea created from moths that consumed cherry blossom leaves, this sake comes from a craft brewery in Fukushima, Japan, and somehow—against all odds—people say it tastes good.Along the way, the conversation veers into civet coffee, fermented minnows, shrimp digestive tracts, natto trauma, and the philosophical question of how far curiosity should be allowed to roam without adult supervision.Is this innovation? Is it madness? Or is it just Japan doing what Japan does best—calmly perfecting something no one asked for?Japan’s Moth Poop Sake: The Strangest Alcohol Experiment You’ve Never Heard OfA Fukushima brewery in Japan created sake using tea made from moth larvae droppings. Yes, really. Here’s how it happened—and why.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Come See Us Live in Tacoma Washington June 3rd!
3w ago00:02:04Tap to summarizeJoin us Wednesday, June 3rd at the McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma Washington (Spanish Ballroom) for a live Rainy Day Rabbit Holes event exploring Tacoma’s own overlooked UFO story—the Maury Island Incident. Weeks before Roswell made headlines in 1947, Tacoma was already grappling with reports of flying saucers, mysterious Men in Black, and a federal investigation that raised more questions than answers.This special History Pub presentation features storytelling from Shea Drury and Jody Shaw, historical context from Chris Staudinger of Pretty Gritty Tours, and an in-depth look at the case from filmmaker Steve Edmiston, creator of The Maury Island Incident and founder of the Men in Black Birthday Bash.Join us for a meet and greet from 4:30–6pm before doors open at 6pm, with the show starting at 7.Patreon supporters—or anyone who signs up before the event—can stop by for a free thank-you gift (including some very adorable dog bandanas), and we’ll also have tote bags and t-shirts available.Find the show link at https://rainydayrabbitholes.com, and get your Men in Black Birthday Bash tickets at https://mibbbfest.squarespace.com.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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The Deadly Glow: America’s Radium Craze
3w ago01:21:41Tap to summarizeAt the dawn of the 20th century, radium was not feared. It was celebrated. Marketed as a miracle of modern science, this newly discovered element promised vitality, beauty, and better health. Companies sold radioactive clocks, cosmetics, medical devices, and even drinking water, all proudly glowing with progress.In this episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, Shea sits down with the creator behind Radiant Radium, a collector and historian who specializes in household and beauty products from the radium craze of the 1910s through the 1930s. Drawing from his extensive personal collection, Radiant Radium walks us through a period when radiation was a selling point and the long term dangers were barely understood.We discuss how these objects escaped the laboratory and ended up in kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms across America. From glow in the dark clocks and uranium glass to radium water crocks, radioactive cones, cosmetics, medical quackery, and infamous patent medicines like Radithor, this episode traces the rise and fall of one of the strangest health fads in American history.Along the way, we explore the Radium Girls, the tragic death of Eben Byers, the collapse of public trust in radium, and why belief in the health benefits of radiation still persists today. We also talk about the legality and safety of collecting radioactive antiques, how to identify them, and what to do if you find one in an antique store or a relative’s home.History, curiosity, and caution collide in this deep dive into a time when the future looked bright, and sometimes literally glowed.Find Radiant RadiumTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@radiantradiumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiantradium/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radiant.radiumVisit UsRainy Day Rabbit Holes: www.rainydayrabbitholes.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Glowing From The Inside: Radium Beauty-5 Minute Friday
4w ago00:13:42Tap to summarize“Here are the first toilet preparations to embody actual radium, an astonishing new force for betterment, applied as an aid to beauty.”The early 20th century was a strange and optimistic time. In the years following Marie and Pierre Curie’s discovery of radium, the world became obsessed with this mysterious, glowing element—and before long, that obsession made its way into everyday life.During the height of the Radium Craze, companies sold beauty products that claimed to contain real radium, promising smoother skin, renewed vitality, and a healthy glow—sometimes quite literally. Creams, powders, and cosmetics were marketed as cutting‑edge science, long before the dangers of radiation were understood.This 5‑Minute Friday episode offers a quick glimpse into that bizarre moment in history and serves as a teaser for next week’s full‑length episode. Shea will be joined by the creator behind the Radiant Radium social media channels, a collector and historian who specializes in household and beauty products from the radium era.Next week, we’ll go far beyond cosmetics—into glowing clocks, radioactive water, dangerous health fads, and the long shadow these products left behind.Subscribe now so you don’t miss it.Find Radiant Radium online:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radiant.radiumTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@radiantradiumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiantradium/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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America’s Only Emperor: The Strange, True Story of Emperor Norton
May 601:00:11Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a city decides kindness is better than cruelty?In this special crossover episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, we’re joined by the incredible gals from PNW Haunts & Homicides to explore one of the strangest—and most unexpectedly heartwarming—stories in American history: Joshua Abraham Norton, the self‑declared Emperor of the United States.Born into loss, fortune, ruin, and obscurity, Norton reemerged in 1859 with a bold declaration that could have ended very badly… except San Francisco leaned in. What followed was a twenty‑year “reign” filled with proclamations, public appearances, political commentary, and a city that collectively decided to play along.Along the way, we explore:A Gold Rush city bursting with chaos, ambition, and opportunityA man who issued decrees abolishing Congress and the Supreme CourtA public arrest that backfired spectacularlyAn Emperor who defended immigrants, challenged racist violence, and promoted civil rights long before it was fashionableA city that fed him, clothed him, saluted him… and mourned himWas Emperor Norton mad? Satirical? Visionary? Or something else entirely?And why did San Francisco—of all places—embrace him instead of locking him away?You’ll have to fall down the rabbit hole with us to find out.👻 Crossover LoveHuge thanks to PNW Haunts & Homicides, where ghosts, murder, and Pacific Northwest weirdness all hang out together.👉 Follow and listen at: https://www.pnwhauntsandhomicides.com/🌧️ More Rabbit HolesFind sources, photos, episode notes, and more at our website:👉 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/🎟️ LIVE EVENT ALERTLove strange history in person?Join us June 3rd in Tacoma, WA for a live event at McMenamins Spanish Ballroom at the Elks Temple:History Pub: Tacoma’s UFO Story — The Maury Island IncidentPresented by Steve Edmiston, Shea Drury, and Chris Staudinger🎫 Tickets here:👉 https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/41193663/history-pubtacomas-ufo-story-the-maury-island-incident-presented-by-steve-edmistonshea-druryand-chris-staudinger-tacoma-mcmenamins-spanish-ballroom-elks-templeSometimes the strangest stories are the most human.Stay curious—and we’ll see you down the rabbit hole.🐇👑Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Snake Oil Never Died (It Just Went Online): Featuring Dark History
Apr 2900:46:51Tap to summarizeToday’s episode is a special feature from Dark History: Where the Darkness Sees the Light, a podcast that’s part of our Umbrella Podcast Collective.Hosted by Rob Bradley, Dark History explores the uncomfortable, often unsettling stories we like to believe are safely buried in the past—and then shows how they still shape the world we live in.In this episode, Rob takes a deep dive into the history of snake oil: the miracle cures, the confident sales pitches, and the long tradition of selling certainty to people who are scared, sick, or searching for answers. What begins in the 19th century quickly becomes something much more familiar, as the same patterns of deception reappear in modern forms—polished, optimized, and online.This is one of our favorite episodes Rob has done. Not just because of the history, but because of how clearly it reveals a hard truth: the scams didn’t disappear. They adapted.Listen closely. The bottles may be gone, but the promises remain.🔗 Listen to Dark History🎙️ Dark History: Where the Darkness Sees the Light👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s5-e4-snake-oil-never-died-it-just-went-online/id1603599807?i=1000751583276☔ Rainy Day Rabbit Holes🌧️ Explore more episodes and rabbit holes at:👉 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com☔ Umbrella Podcast CollectiveRainy Day Rabbit Holes is proud to be part of the Umbrella Podcast Collective, a group of independent podcasts exploring strange history, dark stories, and the things that refuse to stay buried.🌐 Learn more about the collective:👉 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella-collectiveSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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The Fenn Treasure: A Deadly Riddle in the Rockies
Apr 2200:45:33Tap to summarizeIn this collaborative episode, Rainy Day Rabbit Holes joins forces with Caitlyn and Cassie from PNW Haunts and Homicides to explore one of the strangest modern treasure hunts in history: Forrest Fenn’s hidden chest.Presented by Caitlyn, the story follows art dealer and Vietnam veteran Forrest Fenn, who in 2010 announced that he had hidden a bronze treasure chest somewhere in the Rocky Mountains—worth millions—and released a cryptic poem meant to lead seekers to it. What began as a whimsical riddle quickly spiraled into a decade-long obsession involving online sleuths, wilderness expeditions, lawsuits, environmental damage, and tragic deaths.Along the way, we unpack the poem’s clues, popular interpretations (including the infamous “home of Brown”), the massive online communities that formed around the hunt, and the ethical questions raised when adventure turns dangerous. The episode closes with a tarot reading that eerily mirrors the story’s ultimate lesson: knowing when to walk away.Equal parts mystery, cautionary tale, and cultural phenomenon, this episode asks: when does the thrill of the chase stop being worth the cost?Follow PNW Haunts and Homicides on all the platforms! https://www.pnwhauntsandhomicides.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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5 Minute Friday: When Pigs Fly
Apr 1700:12:21Tap to summarizeThis week on 5 Minute Friday, we’re still joined by Caitlyn and Cassie from PNW Haunts and Homicides, but this time the chaos is airborne.Shea reads a truly unbelievable—but very real—news story out of China, where a farmer attempted to transport a pig using a drone… and accidentally knocked out power to an entire village. The pig became tangled in high‑voltage power lines, leaving it suspended midair and thousands of residents without electricity for roughly 10 hours.We break down how the incident happened, why drone use has become common in mountainous rural regions, and how a headline that sounds like a metaphor (“when pigs fly”) briefly became an infrastructure problem. It’s absurd, it’s oddly fascinating, and it’s a perfect reminder that technology doesn’t care how good your idea sounded at 5 a.m.Short, strange, and straight from the “you can’t make this up” file.Source ArticleAshley Fike, “A Flying Pig Knocked Out Power to an Entire Village in China,” VICE, February 15, 2026https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-flying-pig-knocked-out-power-to-an-entire-village-in-china/ [vice.com] Check out PNW Haunts and Homicides! https://www.pnwhauntsandhomicides.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Claudette Colvin: The Girl History Forgot
Apr 800:34:31Tap to summarizeClaudette Colvin: The Teenager Who Refused to MoveBefore Rosa Parks became a household name, a 15‑year‑old girl in Montgomery, Alabama, made a decision that helped crack the foundation of Jim Crow segregation.In this episode, Jody dives into the story of Claudette Colvin, a courageous teenager who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in March of 1955—nine months before Rosa Parks’ more widely recognized protest. Colvin’s arrest, trial, and testimony became a crucial part of the legal battle that ultimately ended bus segregation in the United States.We explore why Colvin’s story was sidelined for decades, how age, respectability politics, and racism shaped whose stories were told, and why her role in Browder v. Gayle was so vital to the Civil Rights Movement. This episode is about bravery, memory, and the uncomfortable truth that history doesn’t always spotlight the people who deserve it most.In This Episode:Who Claudette Colvin was and why her protest matteredWhat happened on that Montgomery bus in 1955Why civil rights leaders chose not to center her story at the timeHow her testimony helped bring down segregation lawsThe long road to recognition—and justice—for Claudette ColvinSupport the ShowIf you enjoy going down historical rabbit holes with us, consider supporting Rainy Day Rabbit Holes on Patreon. You’ll find bonus content, behind‑the‑scenes extras, and more ways to keep the show going.👉 Visit www.rainydayrabbitholes.com to find our Patreon and explore the show.A Special ThanksHuge thanks to Letha Davis, who designed our website and helped bring Rainy Day Rabbit Holes to life online.Check out her work at www.easybrzy.com.As always, thank you for listening—and for remembering the stories history almost forgot.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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