Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged

Join us Wednesday, June 3rd at the McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma Washington (Spanish Ballroom) for a live Rainy Day Rabbit Holes event exploring Tacoma’s own overlooked UFO story—the Maury Island Incident. Weeks before Roswell made headlines in 1947, Tacoma was already grappling with reports of flying saucers, mysterious Men in Black, and a federal investigation that raised more questions than answers.This special History Pub presentation features storytelling from Shea Drury and Jody Shaw, historical context from Chris Staudinger of Pretty Gritty Tours, and an in-depth look at the case from filmmaker Steve Edmiston, creator of The Maury Island Incident and founder of the Men in Black Birthday Bash.Join us for a meet and greet from 4:30–6pm before doors open at 6pm, with the show starting at 7.Patreon supporters—or anyone who signs up before the event—can stop by for a free thank-you gift (including some very adorable dog bandanas), and we’ll also have tote bags and t-shirts available.Find the show link at https://rainydayrabbitholes.com, and get your Men in Black Birthday Bash tickets at https://mibbbfest.squarespace.com.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the early 1900s, radium wasn’t feared—it was fashionable. Beauty products claiming to contain actual radium promised glowing skin and better health, all in the name of modern science. This short episode explores the strange beginnings of the Radium Craze and sets the stage for a deeper dive next week into the radioactive household products that once seemed perfectly normal. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A Japanese town used COVID relief funds to build a giant squid statue—and became global news. In this 5 Minute Friday episode, we follow that BBC headline into a remote corner of Japan and the strange, resilient story behind the Squid King. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

n 1934, a decorated U.S. Marine general testified that powerful businessmen tried to recruit him to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This episode dives into the shocking and largely forgotten story of The Business Plot—a real, congressional-confirmed scheme in which wealthy elites allegedly planned to mobilize hundreds of thousands of veterans, intimidate FDR, and install a fascist-style government in the United States during the Great Depression. We explore the economic collapse of the 1930s, the rise of global fascism, and why Marine Corps hero Smedley Butler became the most unlikely obstacle to an American coup. Congress confirmed the plot was discussed. The media dismissed it. No one was punished. And history quietly moved on. Until now. This is a story about power, money, propaganda, and how close the United States came to losing its democracy—and why so few people know it ever happened. History is messy. And sometimes it’s buried on purpose. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Arizona is a desert. So why did it have a navy? In 1934, a bitter fight over the Colorado River pushed Arizona to the brink—and straight into one of the strangest standoffs in American history. When California began construction on Parker Dam, Arizona responded with troops, martial law, and a pair of commandeered ferry boats, creating a navy in a state with no coastline and no patience left. This episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes explores the absurd, high-stakes water war that pitted Arizona against California, complete with armed guards, newspaper mockery, and a 48-hour naval force led by an unexpected admiral. It’s a true story where political stubbornness, bad math, and the desperate need for water collided in spectacular fashion. Unhinged, underreported, and somehow still relevant today—this is the Arizona Navy, and it really happened. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A truly crappy way to go.Today, enjoy this bonus sample from our most recent Patreon bonus episode about the Erfurt Latrine Disaster-a high‑stakes medieval gathering goes disastrously wrong in one of the most infamous mishaps you’ve probably never heard of. This bonus episode unpacks the political tensions, the crowded venue, and the chain of decisions that set the stage for a catastrophe so bizarre it’s echoed through history.If you are dying to hear the rest of the episode, head on over to our website at rainydayrabbitholes.com and join our Patreon! For just $5 per month you get bonus episodes, ad-free and early episodes, and more!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A deep dive into one of the wildest political corruption stories you’ve never heard: massive land fraud in the late 1800s timber boom. With special guest Allison Gill (The Daily Beans, MSW Media), we unravel bribery, fake homesteads, railroad schemes, and a scandal so big it led to over 1,000 indictments. Plus: Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is now part of the MSW Media network! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy