The Internet Says it’s True

A symbol of freedom standing atop the United States Capitol seems like the perfect representation of American ideals. But what if one of the people most responsible for bringing that symbol to life was himself enslaved? This week, Michael explores the remarkable true story of Philip Reid, the skilled craftsman whose expertise helped make the Statue of Freedom possible, and the extraordinary irony of a monument to liberty being completed during the Civil War by a man who gained his own freedom before it was finished. Then we play the Yap Yap Quiz with Comedian Glen Tickle! Did you know The Internet Says It’s True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals

Originally released September 15, 2025. During the Civil War, hundreds of people assigned female at birth served in male disguise. Some did it out of patriotism, some for love, and for others, it was about living as the gender they knew themselves to be. In this episode, we uncover the stories of Albert D.J. Cashier, Lyons Wakeman, Frank Thompson, Samuel Blalock, Mollie “Melvin” Bean, and Mary “John” Burns — individuals who challenged 19th-century gender norms and risked everything to serve as the men they truly were. Then we chat with Comedian, Kitty Long. Did you know The Internet Says It’s True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals