Podcast
Retropod
Hosted by The Washington Post · EN
Retropod is a show for history-lovers, featuring stories about the past, rediscovered. Host Mike Rosenwald introduces you to history’s most colorful characters - forgotten heroes, overlooked villains, dreamers, explorers, world changers.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The presidential inauguration that made everyone sick
Jan 18, 202500:11:57Tap to summarizeThe Post's new Retropolis columnist, Petula Dvorak, introduces herself and reintroduces you to what can be uncovered with a good look at history. Petula shares her Retropolis column "The presidential inauguration that made everyone sick" about the aftermath of James Buchanan’s inauguration. America became obsessed: Was the fatal illness called the “Buchanan Grip” an assassination attempt? Or just a disease-ridden hotel?
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Earthrise
Dec 31, 201900:05:21Tap to summarizeOn Christmas Eve in 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts captured an image that symbolizes hope and inspired environmentalism.
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Hair peace. Bed peace.
Dec 30, 201900:05:54Tap to summarizeOn March 25, 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were a few days into their marriage when they invited the press to join them at their honeymoon suite at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel.
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The jazz queen who chose home over fame
Dec 27, 201900:06:34Tap to summarizeJazz singer Ethel Ennis’s voice wowed audiences and won praise from critics. But when she was faced with the opportunity to become a superstar, Ennis chose a different path.
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Clara Barton, America's most famous nurse, broke boundaries to treat Civil War victims
Dec 26, 201900:07:08Tap to summarizeThe nurse who founded the American Red Cross had no formal training in medicine. She tended to countless wounded soldiers.
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The military's famous Santa Tracker began with a wrong number
Dec 25, 201900:06:27Tap to summarizeIn the 1950s, a child trying to call Santa Claus accidentally called NORAD and changed Christmas Eve forever.
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The 'Toy King' who never aspired to the throne.
Dec 23, 201900:06:21Tap to summarizeToys R Us founder Charles Lazarus had no idea how big the toy industry would become.
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Last Seen Ads
Dec 20, 201900:06:53Tap to summarizeAfter the Civil War, formerly enslaved people placed notices in black-owned newspapers across the country to find their loved ones.
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How 'Broadway Joe' redefined the NFL
Dec 19, 201900:06:33Tap to summarizeA few days before his team took the field as huge underdogs in Super Bowl III, New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath made what was seen as an insane prediction at the time: "The Jets will win Sunday," he said. "I guarantee it."
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The game show contestant who cheated his way to fame
Dec 18, 201900:06:48Tap to summarizeIn the 1950s, Charles Van Doren, a quiet professor in New York City, became wrapped up in one of the biggest television quiz show scandals in history.
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