The Legend of Rasputin

The Legend of Rasputin

Podcast Transcript In the early 20th century, the Russian Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, the Tsarina Alexandra, welcomed a homeless monk into their home.  As this scruff, unkempt-looking man became closer to the royal family, he seemingly performed miracles, predicted the future, and cured illnesses.  He starts to gain influence over the Imperial Family…a …

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The Spanish Inquisition

The Spanish Inquisition

Podcast Transcript At the end of the 15th century, Spain had almost completed the Reconquista and the removal of the Caliphate in the Iberian Peninsula, ending centuries of Islamic rule. One of the first things they did was usher in an attempt to unify and purify the country as a Catholic one, rather than a …

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European Exclaves

European Exclaves

Podcast Transcript We have all looked at a map and seen all of the different countries represented by different colors. A country has some sort of border, and everything inside that border is what makes up the country.  However, there are some exceptions. There are exclaves, which are bits of a country that are separated …

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Emperor Nero

Emperor Nero

Podcast Transcript In the year 54, the Roman Emperor Claudius died, and his adopted son Nero became the Emperor of Rome at the age of 16.  His reign was one of the most infamous in history, and over 2000 years after he came to power, his name is still used to invoke the image of …

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The Knuckleball

The Knuckleball

Podcast Transcript In the game of baseball, it might not seem at first glance that there is much strategy involved in the game.  However, there is an enormous amount of strategy that goes into every pitch in the game.  Pitchers have different pitches in their repertoire, which can rise, fall, and curve on their way …

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Mass Extinction Events

Mass Extinction Events

Podcast Transcript We like to think of the Earth as a very stable place. While there might be seasonal variation in the weather, things don’t really change that much within our lifetimes.  However, if you take a longer perspective, a much longer perspective, things can change a lot.  In fact, there have been five times …

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A History of Pasta

A History of Pasta

Podcast Transcript There is a very good chance that many of you listening have had pasta, maybe within the last week.  Pasta is a simple, affordable food that comes in a wide variety of forms. It can be served with almost anything and in a wide variety of styles.  Despite its current global nature, pasta …

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The Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror

Podcast Transcript For a 10-month period from September 1793 to July 1794, the nation of France went through a period which could only be called insanity.  In the aftermath of the French Revolution, a small group of radicals took control of the Revolutionary French government and began eliminating all enemies of the revolution, both real …

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The Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud

The Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud

Podcast Transcript The Solar System is a pretty big place. When most people think of our Solar System, they probably think of the Sun, the planets, and all their moons. However, the solar system is much larger than most people realize. In fact, it is vastly larger than the model they have in their heads. …

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