145. Curtis Howe Springer

Curtis Howe Springer

So your mud can cure tuberculosis but it can’t cure that hair?

We’re back! And we’re talking the “King of the Quacks” Curtis Howe Springer with special guest Miriam Moreno! Zach figures out the ideal number of podcasts someone should have, Miriam diagnoses an MTV legend, and Brian is a little sleepy boy.

This episode was turned around quickly and therefore has pretty minimal editing, so you may hear more vocal filler than you’re used to. Sorry about that!

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144. Kaspar Hauser

A painting of Kaspar Hauser holding a note

Kaspar Hauser, wondering where his heart is.

It’s taken 144 episodes, but Brian finally did it: the biggest blooper in Revisionists history! Thankfully, we had the hilarious Sammy Anzer on hand to help weather the storm as we discuss the life of con artist and horse boy Kaspar Hauser! Zach teaches us a lesson about friendship, Sammy rolls with the punches, and Brian gives an incisive movie review.

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143. Natwarlal

Natwarlal as a young man and an old man

Natwarlal: little scamp

We’re back, and we got a special one for you! Friend of the show, the always great Byron Graham returns to help us discuss India’s most famous con artist: Natwarlal! Zach tries to broaden the show’s horizons, Byron is forced to bury the lede, and Brian reads Chicago’s Wikipedia page.

We love to hear from you! Write us here or reach out via Twitter or Instagram, and take your support further by pledging as little as $1 a month on Patreon.

142. Victor Lustig

Mugshot of con artist Victor Lustig

Victor Lustig: the nerd who swindled Al Capone

This episode has it all: audacious con artists, genuine heartbreak, and more Animorphs than you can handle! We’re talking about the life and career of Victor Lustig with little firecracker Jordan Doll (Better Than Heroes, among many others). Normally here I write up a highlight for each person on the show, but I can’t even chose with this one. Beam it into space and let the aliens choose, it was too much fun for me.

We love hearing from you! You can reach us via our website, Twitter, or Instagram. Take your support to the next level by pledging as little as $1 a month on Patreon and check out our rewards while you’re at it!

141. Jeanne de la Motte

Portrait of Jeanne de Valois Saint Remy, Comtesse de la Motte

Jeanne, necklace-less.

We’re back from our sickness-enforced break, and we’ve got a spicy tale for you! We’re talking about Jeanne de Valois Saint Remy, Comtesse de la Motte and the affair of the diamond necklace with the help of the brilliant Shannon Campe (Little Women: A Modern Audio Drama). Zach plays coy with a certain disease, Shannon provides a crucial translation, and Brian recalls a cinema classic.

Let us know your thoughts, questions, favorite recipes, or suggestions! Reach us via our website, Instagram, or Twitter. Make your support go even further by pledging as little as $1 a month on Patreon.

NOTE: Because we had a tight turnaround, I couldn’t trim some verbal tics and pauses that I usually would, sorry about the increased amount of “umms.”

CLASSIC: Ronald Ross

Portrait of Ronald Ross

Ronald Ross, little poem boy.

Welp, we got the COVID. Fortunately, your hosts are vaccinated and boosted so our symptoms are comparatively mild but they’re still kicking our beautiful butts. So we’re posting this classic episode from our Medical History miniseries. Enjoy, and we’ll be back soon!

It’s bloodsuckers and bad poetry this episode as we discuss Malaria researcher and semi-toolbag Ronald Ross with returning favorite Kate Strobel! Zach sings the pop-punk hits of 1888, Kate asks you to support public broadcasting, and Brian reads off his browser history.

Become part of our community by following us on social media and pledging your support on Patreon with just $1 a month!

140. William Chaloner

Counterfeiter William Chaloner

Look at this man. Would you buy a dildo from this man?

We’re back with part two in our miniseries on con artists, and this one is a doozy: William Chaloner, counterfeiter, snitch, and reputable dildo manufacturer! Thankfully, we got the hilarious Wes Williams to help us talk about this absolutely ridiculous man. Meanwhile, Zach takes us to the cutting edge of sex toy research, Wes finds the true villain of the story, and Brian pitches a fresh new take on the Christmas movie.

We love hearing from you! Write us through our website and make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Twitter and pledge on Patreon to take your support to the next level!

CLASSIC: Werner Von Braun

Werner von Braun in his metaphor room.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating! We took the week off to be with family and hit our cranberry quota for the year. We reached back into the archives for this favorite episode from our miniseries on the Space Race: Werner Von Braun, feat. Nate Earl!

Thanks to everyone whose donated to the show in the last week! You’ll still be thanked on air, but we’re gonna wait until a new episode so we can do it right!

****************************************************************

Part one of our 1600 part series on Nazi scientists working in America: this episode we discuss Wernher Von Braun and the early days of NASA! The hilarious Nate Earl returns and Clippy’s in there too. Meanwhile, Zach reveals what’s behind the kimono, Nate packs for his ocean voyage, and Brian finally uses his BA.

Become part of our community by following us on Instagram and Twitter, and donating on our Patreon page!

139. Gregor MacGregor

Gregor MacGregor in military dress

Gregor MacGregor and his trustworthy sideburns.

We kick off our miniseries on con artists with Jo Lee (Where the F*k are my Shoes?) making her debut to help us discuss Gregor MacGregor! Zach upholds a storied podcast tradition, Jo adds to the body count, and Brian breaks out a new accent.

We love hearing from you! Reach out to us through our website, Twitter, or Instagram and take your support even further by pledging as little as $1 a month on Patreon, which helps us pay for the show and gives you the right to vote (on the show, not America)!

138. The New England Vampire Panic

A contemporary article from the Boston Globe about the New England Vampire Panic.

“Billy, if you didn’t drain 13 townspeople of their blood, who did?” “Not me!”

Happy Halloween! We send off our annual Spooktacular by talking about the New England Vampire Panic with returning favorite Michael Jeffries! Zach pitches a gritty Multiplicity sequel, Michael literally* scares the pants off us, and Brian’s month-long quest to come up with a Halloween name bears fruit.

(We ended up having to use the Zoom audio of this call, so the audio quality is not where we want it to be. Hopefully this won’t be an issue going forward once we choose new recording software).

We love hearing from you! Reach out via our website, Instagram, or Twitter, or really go wild and pledge your support on our Patreon for as little as $1 a month!

137. The Bell Witch

The Bell Witch getting into some weird-ass shit

Halloween draws nearer and here at the Revisionists, the spooks are far from finished as we are haunted by the tale of the Bell Witch! To help us divine the truth, we are joined by Gabby Gutierrez-Reed! Brian takes another look at Dax Shepard, Zach teaches you the difference between dungeons, Gabby has insight into Santa’s preferences.

We love hearing from you! Reach out via our (spooky) website, (spooky) Twitter, or (spooky) Instagram, and take your support further by pledging as little as $1/ (spooky) month on (spooky) Patreon. 

136. The Tsavo Man Eaters

One of the creatures in this photo ate people!

One of the creatures in this photo ate people!

Good MOANing, BOILS and GHOULS! It’s part one of our three-part annual Halloween Spooktacular! DJINN KILLic (Jen Kolic) helps us kick things off by discussing The Ghost and The Darkness: The Tsavo Man Eaters! BOOrian contemplates spooky nicknames, Zach spies a famous video game character hiding in the alternate, and Jen shows us animals from around the globe.

(Apologies for a SCARILY quick edit and FIENDISHLY below average audio, we had some technical difficulties recording this one and there’s a baby in the background early on. Also sorry for the Halloween puns. I’m not gonna stop, but I’m still sorry.)

We love hearing from you! SCREECH out via our SPIDERwebsite, TwitTERROR, or Instagram (owned by FACEBOOK), and take your support further (BEYOND THE GRAVE) by pledging as little as $1/month on Patreon (SOMETHING ABOUT POLTERGEISTS IDK I HAVEN’T WORKED IT OUT YET).

135. Witold Pilecki

Witold Pilecki, who chose to be here

Witold Pilecki, who chose to be here

One more spy story before the Halloween season, and this time we’re looking at bona fide hero Witold Pilecki. Joining us to discuss this sensitive topic is returning guest, Denver comedy’s own Jose McCall. Zach reacquaints himself with an early 2000s director, Jose discusses when it’s appropriate to be a square and a snitch, and Brian is tasked with possibly the trickiest alternate history yet.

We love hearing from you! Reach out via our website, Twitter, or Instagram, and take your support further by pledging as little as $1/month on Patreon. 

134. Sir Francis Walsingham

Our series on spying takes a vacation from the 20th century to examine Sir Francis Walsingham! Helping us turn back the clocks to the Elizabethan era is Malcolm Nygard of the MCUniversity podcast! Zach reexamines the Trolley Problem, Brian attempts to conceive of outdoor labor, and Malcolm envisions a true comedy of errors.

(Note: Early in the episode there is some mild distortion on Brian’s audio. Our apologies, the issue mostly resolves partway into the episode)

We love hearing from you! Reach out via our website, Twitter, or Instagram, and take your support further by pledging as little as $1/month on Patreon. 

Sir Francis Walsingham and a l’il secret note

Sir Francis Walsingham and a l’il secret note

133. Mata Hari

Mata Hari, totally casual

Mata Hari, totally casual

As we near the end of our spy miniseries, we de-mystify the often misunderstood story of Mata Hari! To help tackle this tough tale, we’re joined by the brilliant John McCoy of the Sophomore Lit podcast! John finally takes the Book of Lists to task, Brian reviews Eurovision, and Zach disengages from the premise of his own podcast.

We love hearing from you! Reach out via our contact form, Twitter, or Instagram and take your support further by pledging as little as $1 a month on our Patreon.

132. Operation Fortitude

Nazis thought this was real, proving again how dumb Nazis are

Nazis thought this was real, proving again how dumb Nazis are

We’re back with more thrilling tales of espionage! This week, we’re examining the trickery of Operation Fortitude. To help distinguish between truth and deception, we’re joined by Patrick Hamilton of the Kill by Kill podcast! Patrick explores how fascism changes, Zach thanks an unlikely ally in the fight against Nazis, and Brian gives a nuanced critique of Wile E. Coyote.

We love hearing from you! Reach out via our website, Twitter, or Instagram, or take it to the next level (platonically) by pledging as little as $1 a month on our Patreon.

131. Lionel Crabb

Lionel Crabb, not exactly the picture of health.

Lionel Crabb, not exactly the picture of health.

Our miniseries on spies continues! This week, we look at disappeared British frogman Lionel Crabb! To help us clear up these murky waters, we welcome back Mitch Jones (of the Broadcast Geeks podcast). Mitch gets a celebrity VO, Brian shows his love for 90’s pop-punk, and Zach sets a trap.

*We recorded this episode using Zoom audio, so apologies for the occasional hiccup.

**Also, sorry for the delayed release! We had a scheduling issue due to family matters (actual events, not the TV show).

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