App Store

Google Play

DK - Details page - Device banner - 894x1036

Nyd den ubegrænsede adgang til tusindvis af spændende e- og lydbøger - helt gratis

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst 

PodcastOne

A podcast about myths we think are history and history that might be hidden in myths! Awesome stories that really (maybe) happened!

Our Fake History

The beloved children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of OZ has been celebrated as the quintessential American fairytale. But, many believe that the book is more than just a pleasing adventure story for kids. It's been argued that hidden in the text is a subtle allegory that satirizes the politics of late 19th century America. Some believe that the author L. Frank Baum used his fantasy story to make a point about the election of 1896 and the candidates William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley. However, many Baum biographers have disputed this claim. Was L. Frank Baum writing a populist parable or does that idea stem from a deep misunderstanding of his politics? Tune-in and find out how dorm-room bonding rituals, the Great Gig in the Sky, and Sebastian's greatest moment of synchronicity all play a role in the story.

Class starts soon, so enroll today! For a limited time, IDEO U is offering my listeners 15% OFF SITEWIDE! Go to ideou.com/OFH.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #233 - Is The Wizard of Oz Secretly About American History?

In this Bonus Episode Sebastian answers questions from listeners about the recent series on President McKinley. He discusses the challenges associated with using a book written by Karl Rove, conspiracy theories around the destruction of the USS Maine, and the complicated political legacies of Theodore Roosevelt and Marc Hanna. One listeners also provides some fun 19th century political slander-rhymes! 

Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fakehistory #rulapod

 Our Fake History listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF! That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Visit rosettastone.com/HISTORY to get started and claim your 50% off TODAY! Don’t miss out—go to Rosettastone.com/HISTORY and start learning today! 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonus Episode - Cuban Conspiracies and Schoolyard Chants

It's impossible to assess the historical reputation of President William McKinley without tangling with the Spanish-American War. In this final part of the William McKinley trilogy Sebastian gets into the debate around what actually lead to the war. Could a war with Spain have been avoided? Was McKinley pushed into it by a manipulative American press? How did the outcome of the "splendid little war" change America, McKinley, and the world? Tune-in and find out how jingoes, yellow journalism, and the worst-timed naval accident in history all play a role in the story.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #232 - Why President McKinley? (Part III)

The 1896 election of William McKinley has been noted as an inflection point in American politics. But, historians are often conflicted about what story they want to tell. It could be seen as moment when Americans rejected a populist firebrand, critical of the wealthy and appealing to working class consciousness. It could also be seen as the moment when American industrialists, bankers, and other monied interests took an activist role in American politics. Was William McKinley simply a puppet of "big money" or is there more to this story? Tune-in and find out how king-makers, front porch campaigns, and crucifixion on a cross of gold all play a role in the story.

Visit Rosettastone.com/HISTORY to get started and claim your 50% off TODAY!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #231 - Why President McKinley? (Part II)

The 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, has recently been in the news. In the 2025 inaugural address it was announced that Alaska's highest peak would once again be known as Mt. McKinley to honour the former President, who was apparently a "great businessman" who made America "very rich." Like many, Sebastian found this newfound interest in president McKinley rather curious. For most of the 20th century he was overshadowed by his successor Theodore Roosevelt, who once claimed that McKinley had the "backbone of a chocolate éclair." Why had this particular President been plucked from history and held up as worthy of emulation? It turns out a growing number of American conservatives, including Republican strategist Karl Rove, have been attempting to revive McKinley's reputation for years. What do they see in this turn-of-the-century politician? Tune-in and find out how threats to annex Canada, civil war stories, and boom-bust capitalism all play a role in the story. 

Our Fake History listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF! That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Visit Rosettastone.com/HISTORY to get started and claim your 50% off TODAY!

New members can try Audible now free for 30 days and dive into a world of new thrills. Visit Audible.com/OFH or text OFH to 500-500 that’s Audible.com/OFH or text OFH to 500-500.

Check out progressive.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #230 - Why President McKinley? (Part I)

In this Bonus Episode Sebastian takes questions about his recent exploration of mermaid mythology. He gets into the difference between Selkies and Mermaids, and wades into the murky waters of Scottish oral tradition. There is also some discussion of the 2012 hoax documentary Mermaids: The Body Found. Tune in and find out how aquatic apes, near sighted sailors, and good looking seals all play a role in the story.

F*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean

15% off with the code Fakehistory15 at theperfectjean.nyc/Fakehistory15 #theperfectjeanpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonus Episode - Selkies, Spectacles, and Satire

Mermaids are part of countless mythological traditions found the world over. Almost ever culture has a belief in some form of human-fish hybrid. In the west the modern mermaid evolved as combination of the sirens in Homer's Odyssey and water spirits described by Pliny the Elder. In medieval times they became symbols of sin: temptresses leading lustful men astray. In 16th century, just as belief in other mythological creatures started to fade, mermaids were suddenly taken seriously as real exotic animals. As European ships started stared exploring more distant waters, tales of mermaid encounters became increasingly common. By the 1700's the scientific community was taking the question of mermaid reality quite seriously. What is it about mermaids that made them seem so real? Tune-in and find out how stolen scales, Starbucks's secretly perverse logo, and a fish-woman from Newfoundland all play role in the story.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #229 - Real Mermaids?

In this interview episode Sebastian speaks with podcaster, author, and host of Let's Talk About Myths, Baby Liv Albert. Liv has spent the last 8 years and 700 episodes of her podcast exploring the nuances of Greek and Roman mythology. Sebastian and Liv dive deep into the world of classical myth and talk about the myriad ways that the ancients understood their legendary tradition. In this free flowing conversation the podcasters get into their thoughts on mythical characters like Medea, Oedipus, Medusa, and Helen of Troy. Tune-in and find out how dragon chariots, ghost Helen's, and smack-talkin' playwrights all play a role in the story.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #228 - You Talkin' About Myths, Baby? (ft. Liv Albert)

In this bonus episode Sebastian responds to listener questions and comments about the Spartan series. He gets a chance to give some more details about the Helots and Spartan women. He also muses at length about the role of historical fiction. If you want to be part of the next bonus feel free to send an email to ourfakehistory@gmail.com.

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FAKEHISTORY at the link below and get 60% off an

annual plan: http://incogni.com/fakehistory

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonus Episode - Helots, Spartan Women, and Historical Fiction

The famous Battle of Thermopylae forms the centerpiece of the Spartan Mirage. Legend has it that a tiny force of 300 Spartans took on over two million Persians and managed to hold them off for a remarkable four days. The Spartan sacrifice has been credited with saving Greece and paving the way to the ultimate Greek victory over the invaders. While it's true that the Spartans made a stand at Thermopylae, so too did thousands of other Greeks whose contributions have been edited out of the story. Almost everything about this famous showdown has been exaggerated and distorted. Who were the real heroes of Thermopylae? Tune-in and find out how playing possum, 700 Thespians, and something called the Battle of Champions all play a role in the story.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #227 - What is the Spartan Mirage? (Part III)

There are three main culprits in the alleged burning of the Great Library of Alexandria. But weirdly they all lived roughly 300 years apart from one another. How is that even possible? It’s weird anomalies like this that complicate the history of the Great Library. Many have written poetically about the dramatic burning of this ancient institution, but is this cataclysm just an elaborate myth? Tune-in and find out how past life regression, The Great Gatsby, the Sandy Koufax of Roman Emperors all play a role in the story.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #140- What Became of the Great Library of Alexandria? (Part II)

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

Other podcasts you might like ...