Dirt Nap City - The Most Interesting Dead People In History
Dirt Nap City is the podcast about the most interesting dead people in history. In each episode, Alex and Kelly dive into the life of a famous person that you have heard of, but probably don't know much about. Our stories are about actors, entrepreneurs, politicians, musicians, inventors, explorers and more! We also cover things that used to be popular but have fallen out of favor. Things like pet rocks, drive in theaters, Jolt Cola, and many other trends of yesterday make up our "dead ends". But whether we are talking about interesting historical figures or past trends, the show is funny, light-hearted, entertaining, informative and educational. You will definitely learn something new and probably have some laughs along the way. Everyone will eventually move to Dirt Nap City, so why not go ahead and meet the neighbors?
If you love hearing stories from Dirt Nap City, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Here's the link: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcast
If you have comments about the show or suggestions on who we should cover, please email us at not@dirtnapcity.com - we really appreciate you listening!
Episodes
124 episodes
The Curious Case of the Flea Circus - Talent, Trickery, and an Itch to Entertain
On this episode of Dirt Nap City, Kelly and Alex dive into the tiny, bizarre, and surprisingly complex world of the flea circus. Before the age of digital distractions, these minuscule sideshows were a popular—and genuine—form of entertainment ...
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Season 4
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Episode 122
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23:48
Step Right Up! The Surprisingly Tragic History of Kinney Shoes
Dust off your dusty old high-tops and prepare to lace up for a journey back in time, all the way to the glory days of suburban malls and affordable footwear. On this week's episode of Dirt Nap City, your hosts, Alex and Kelly, are tackling a to...
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19:25
John Wooden - The Greatest Coach of All Time?
In this episode of Dirt Nap City, we're diving into the mind of a coaching legend, John Wooden. Affectionately known as "The Wizard of Westwood," Wooden built an unparalleled dynasty at UCLA, winning 10 NCAA men's basketball championships
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Season 4
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Episode 120
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1:03:22
The Garden Weasel - Small, Spiky, and Only $9.99 If You Order Now!
This week's Dirt Nap City Dead End digs into the curious case of the Garden Weasel, a tool that promised to revolutionize your backyard but often ended up tangled in a web of its own absurdity. Was it a gardening marvel or a glorified, metal-pr...
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Season 4
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Episode 119
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18:56
But Wait, There's More - Ron Popeil The Pioneering Infomercial Pitchman
Before the era of viral TikToks and unboxing videos on Youtube, there was one man who dominated the airwaves with his charismatic salesmanship: Ron Popeil. Join us as we explore the life and legacy of this legendary television pitchman a...
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Season 4
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Episode 118
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1:20:02
The Fax & The Furious - Transmitting Text Over Paper Was The Original DM
The idea of a machine that transmits a piece of paper over a telephone line seems almost comically antiquated. But for decades, the fax machine was a technological titan—a ubiquitous and indispensable tool that revolutionized how we do business...
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Season 4
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Episode 117
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18:06
Aleister Crowley - The Wickedest Man In The World?
From mountaineer and poet to occultist and self-proclaimed "Great Beast 666," the life of Aleister Crowley is a labyrinth of contradictions. This podcast delves deep into the man dubbed "The Wickedest Man in the World" by the tabloids, separati...
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Season 4
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Episode 116
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48:33
Candy Cigarettes - Sweet, Smokey, and Suspiciously Chalky
This week on "Dirt Nap City Dead Ends," join hosts Alex and Kelly as they take a drag down memory lane to discuss the most controversial confectionery of all time: candy cigarettes! Remember those little sticks of sugary chalk, packaged to look...
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Season 4
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Episode 115
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17:55
Olive Oatman - Pioneer Woman Kidnapped Then Adopted By Native Americans
In the annals of the American West, few images are as haunting as the portrait of a Victorian-era woman staring blankly, her chin etched with a striking blue tattoo. This is the face of Olive Oatman, whose life became one of the 19th century’s ...
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Season 4
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Episode 114
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37:52
Finger Math - The (Brief) History of Chisanbop
Remember the kid in your class who looked like they were playing Mozart on the piano while doing long division? They weren’t. They were a Chisanbop master! This "finger-math" system, invented by Korean mathematician Hang Young Pai, promised to ...
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Season 4
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Episode 113
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18:11
Grimmly Ever After - The Story of The Brothers Grimm
When we think of the Brothers Grimm, images of whimsical princesses, charming princes, and talking animals often spring to mind, thanks in large part to the sanitized versions we’ve grown up with. But delve deeper into the origins of these belo...
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Season 4
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Episode 112
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56:21
CODs - Venmo Before Venmo Was Venmo
Remember a time before one-click checkouts and digital wallets? A mythical era when buying something online involved a real-life, human interaction and a wad of crumpled bills? In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the history of Ca...
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Season 4
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Episode 111
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15:18
Charles Schulz - Peanuts Creator, Comic Strip Legend
Good Grief! Today, we're talking about a man whose creations are so ingrained in our culture, you probably think he was born with a beagle on his head and a football perpetually being pulled away.In this episode of Dirt Nap City, we're d...
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Season 4
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Episode 110
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52:26
Dairy Tales - History of the Milkman
Longing for simpler times when fresh milk magically appeared on your doorstep? Join us on "Dairy Tales: The Hilarious History of the American Milkman," a brand-new episode of Dirt Nap City that delivers a hearty laugh along with a ...
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Season 4
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Episode 109
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23:34
Rudolf Diesel - Father of the Diesel Engine
Today, we're exploring the remarkable, yet ultimately tragic, life of Rudolf Diesel, the man whose name became synonymous with a revolutionary engine that powered a new era of industry and transportation.Diesel's story begins in Paris in...
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Season 4
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Episode 107
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44:35
The US Bicentennial and Semiquincentennial Explained
Join us for a special episode as we rewind to 1976 and the United States Bicentennial! Remember the patriotic fervor, the tall ships sailing into New York Harbor, the Bicentennial quarters, and the widespread sense of national pride? We'll delv...
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Season 4
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Episode 107
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22:31
Mood Rings - 1970's Fashion That Put Your Feelings On Your Finger
Remember those groovy rings that promised to reveal your deepest emotions with a simple shift in color? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating, and often misunderstood, world of mood rings! Join us as we explore why these whimsical piece...
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Season 4
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Episode 106
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16:17
Carl Sagan - Scientist and Astronomer Who Dared To Dream Big
In this episode of Dirt Nap City, we journey back to the golden age of space exploration to celebrate a man who ignited a passion for the universe in millions: Carl Sagan. More than just an astronomer, Sagan was a cosmic poet, a scientific evan...
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Season 4
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Episode 105
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52:41
ABC After School Specials - Awkward 80's TV At Its Best!
Welcome back, Afterschool Gang! Get ready to travel back in time to an era when homework was still a distant threat and the TV was our most trusted tutor. This week, we're dusting off our Trapper Keepers and taking a joyous, lighthearted stroll...
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Season 4
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Episode 104
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19:39
George Foreman - Heavyweight Boxer, Entrepreneur and Houston Royalty
From Olympic gold to heavyweight championships, and from the George Foreman Grill to the pulpit, the life of George Foreman is a knockout. Join us as we delve deep into the extraordinary journey of "Big George" Foreman.We'll explore diff...
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35:19
Mel Blanc - Man of A Thousand Voices
Voice. Maestro. Legend. Step into the incredible world of voice actor Mel Blanc, the man who brought hundreds of iconic characters to life, from the mischievous Bugs Bunny to the curmudgeonly Yosemite Sam, the lisping Sylvester the Cat, and the...
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Season 4
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Episode 102
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50:04
Atari 2600 - The Home Gaming Revolution Explained
Explore the legacy of the Atari 2600, the console that ignited the home gaming revolution.Get ready to blow into those cartridges and dust off your joysticks! In this episode, we're taking a nostalgic deep dive into the iconic A...
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Season 4
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Episode 101
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33:47
Celebrating 100 Episodes of Dirt Nap City: Our Favorite Dead People
Join us for a special recap of our top 100 fascinating individuals featured in Dirt Nap CityThis episode of Dirt Nap City is a countdown recap of our first 100 episodes - the interesting people and things that we love to talk about on Di...
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Season 4
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Episode 100
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1:34:14
Enzo Ferrari: The Driving Force Behind Ferrari Motorsports
Dive into the life of Enzo Ferrari, the visionary behind the Ferrari racing legacy, and the Ferrari brand. In this episode, we explore Ferrari's ambition and passion for motorsport. We peel back the layers of the man behind the iconic prancing ...
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Season 4
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Episode 99
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49:10
Jolt Cola - The OG Energy Drink
Rewind to the 1980s: big hair, neon, and a burgeoning appetite for all things… energetic. In this episode, we plug into the electric history of Jolt Cola, the unapologetically caffeinated soda that dared to be different. Forget your grandfather...
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Season 4
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Episode 98
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27:07
