
A Very Cold Case
From Sidedoor by Smithsonian Institution
December 24, 2025 · 33 min · Season 12 · Episode 3
About this episode
The episode explores the mysterious life and death of Arctic explorer Charles Francis Hall, featuring insights from experts.
American newspaper publisher and all-around eccentric, Charles Francis Hall, was an unlikely candidate to become an Arctic explorer. Nevertheless, he made three trips to the frozen north, until he died there under suspicious circumstances. Sharpen your powers of deduction and join us on Sidedoor for an epic frozen whodunit, featuring shipwreck, romance, and a social media darling with a dark secret. We’re resharing this longtime favorite from 2021 to bring you some wintry vibes. Guests: Stephen Loring , anthropologist and archeologist at the Arctic Studies Center of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History Heidi Moses , volunteer with the Smithsonian Transcription Center Emily Niekrasz , social media manager, Smithsonian Institution
People in this episode
Guests: Stephen Loring, Heidi Moses, Emily Niekrasz
Topics covered
- Arctic exploration
- mystery
- history
- suspicious deaths
- social media
Keywords
- Charles Francis Hall
- Arctic explorer
- mystery
- shipwreck
- romance
- social media
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Transcription Center, Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History
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