Horrifying History

The act of deliberately inflicting severe physical or mental suffering on people as a form or punishment, fulfilling a twisted desire, or to force action from the victim has been done from the beginning of time, and it still occurs today.  It has been carried out by or sanctioned by individuals, groups, and states for many reasons like punishment or revenge, extortion or persuasion, political action or coercion, or to get a confession whether the victim is guilty or not.

Although torture is sanctioned in some areas of the world today, it is prohibited under international law and domestic law of most countries.  It is widely illegal, and is an incredible violation of human rights which makes it unacceptable under Article 5 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Even so, as we said it can still happen today just like it has in the past. 

Before we get started, I do want to give you a heads up…today we will be talking about torture and torture devices.  Listener discretion is advised.

Welcome to Episode 40…Getting Medieval on Your Ass.

Horrifying History would like to thank the podcast Choose Your Struggle for sponsoring this podcast.  You can find this amazing podcast on any major podcast provider.

We also would like to thank HempVita for supporting this episode. Take charge of your health naturally at www.hempvita.com.  For a limited time, HempVita is offering my listeners 20% off their order using the promo code HISTORY.

Statistics are collected for everything, including death.  Mortality data answers questions like how long can we expect to live, or are we gaining any ground against our most life threatening public health crises. This data is relied on by researchers, physicians, policy makers, and many others to identify problems, find solutions, and save lives.  Sometimes though, these statistics show us things that no one would expect.

Welcome to Bonus Episode 9…Top Ten Bizarre Death Statistics.

Horrifying History would like to thank the podcast Choose Your Struggle for sponsoring this podcast.  You can find this amazing podcast on any major podcast provider.  

We would also like to thank Thousand Fell for sponsoring this episode.  You can find their amazing sneakers at www.thousandfell.com.

The word “Occult” is difficult to define, and because of this many have different understandings to what it means.  To some it is a fascinating world of paranormal and mystery.  To others it represents sorcery and darkness.  Historically, the ideology of Occultism has been thought of with fear, bias, or that people use it for unscrupulous reasons.  But historically, this was not necessarily the case.  In decades past, the word occult dealt with anything outside what was considered natural thinking, and many times thinking outside the box is something that people in power had to do.  Would it be surprising to you then to hear that Occultism is been part of politics throughout history?

Welcome to Episode 39…Occultism in Politics.

We would  like to thank Podcorn for supporting this episode.  Monetize your podcast with those who best fit your podcast at www.podcorn.com. 

In late 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the King Tutankhamun who died at the age of approximately 18 years old in 1323 BC.  This discovery created folklore that flew around the world about curses that befall anyone who intruded on a sealed Egyptian tomb.  The press further sensationalized this by releasing stories like The Times in London and New York World Magazine that speculated that…and I quote…”the most dire punishment follows any rash intruder into a sealed tomb.”

As the years passed, the curse of the Pharaohs has become deeply embedded into our culture through numerous books, movies, and tv shows.  But is it real?  Is there an actual curse of the pharaohs? 

Welcome to episode 38…Curse of the Pharaohs.

Horrifying History would like to thank Envirogrip for sponsoring this episode.  If sweaty hands are limiting your work out, go to www.envirogrip.com where you will find a liquid chalk that will take the limitations off your performance.

We would also like to thank Podcorn for supporting this episode.  Monetize your podcast with those who best fit your podcast at www.podcorn.com. 

One of my favourite quotes about prophecies was said by a man named Peter Drucker who stated; “Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window.  But according to some, this is about as far from the truth than you can get.  

In Episode eight, we heard all about the life and times of Edgar Cayce who was one of the most famous mediums in the world, but there has been others.  Probably the most well known was a man who was born in 1503 who published prophecies that people still refer to today.  People have credited him from predicting everything from the French Revolution to the rise of Adolf Hitler. 

Welcome to Bonus Episode 8…Who was Nostradamus

Horrifying History would like to thank Envirogrip for sponsoring this episode.  If sweaty hands are limiting your work out, go to www.envirogrip.com where you will find a liquid chalk that will take the limitations off your performance.

We also want to thank Podcorn for supporting this episode.  Monetize your podcast with the best advertisers who fit your vision at www.podcorn.com.  

Every year, countless people are reported missing.  It is estimated that world wide eight million children go missing, and if you were to add the number of adults - the total tally is staggering.  Of those who go missing most are eventually found, but for some, they simply vanish without a trace.  Sadly, many of these cases are forgotten about, but some are just so unusual that they are remembered for years.

Welcome to Episode 37…Strange Unsolved Disappearances.

Horrifying History would like to thank Envirogrip for sponsoring this episode.  If sweaty hands are limiting your work out, go to www.envirogrip.com where you will find a liquid chalk that will take the limitations off your performance.

We would also like to thank Podcorn for supporting this episode.  Monetize your podcast with those who best fit your podcast at www.podcorn.com. 

When I was a kid, my mom told me about something she experienced as a young child.  She grew up in a French Canadian Catholic family, and attended a school where she was taught by nuns.  As you can imagine, religion was an important part of my mother’s childhood.  When she was in grade one, she was assigned a part in her school’s play due to she was the youngest in the school.  She was to partake in one scene which was as follows:

Mom was a young girl that was playing when the devil approaches her.  She was supposed to be scared and run away.  She told me she was clear on what she was supposed to do, but at no time before the play did she see the person who was in the role of the devil in costume.  On the day of the play, she played her part as she was told - that was until the devil came out on the stage.  Mom lost it.  She was terrified and hysterical which looked great on stage, but after she ran off stage she could not be calmed.  The devil came to get her!  Do you want to know what finally did the trick?  The nuns gave her a necklace, a tiny Virgin Mary statue, and a candy bar.  

Now considering the time and the culture, I can completely understand how my mom believed that the devil came for her, but it was a teenager in a costume.  Today, you will hear stories about where it is said that the devil did come to capture human souls.

Welcome to Episode 35…When the Devil Comes to Visit.

Horrifying History would like to thank Envirogrip for sponsoring this episode.  If sweaty hands are limiting your work out, go to www.envirogrip.com where you will find a liquid chalk that will take the limitations off your performance.

Also...at the end of the episode you will get a bit of a spoiler for a great new podcast we discovered called Invisible Ships.  Check them out by searching for them wherever you listen to your podcasts.

A Lady in White or White Lady is a type of female ghost that is usually seen in rural areas, and are usually associated with local legends of tragedy.  They are typically wearing a white dress or gown, and are commonly part of legends concerning accidental death, murder, and suicide.  This ladies are part of lore from around the world, and are usually connected to unrequited love.  They are deeply embedded into popular culture in books, movies, and tv shows, but are they real or just stories…

Welcome to Episode 35…Ladies In White.

Horrifying History would like to thank Envirogrip for sponsoring this episode.  If sweaty hands are limiting your work out, go to www.envirogrip.com where you will find a liquid chalk that will take the limitations off your performance.

We would also like to thank The Podcast Discovery Show for also sponsoring this episode.  With this show...there is always more to discover.  You can find them wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

About 30 miles or about 43 kilometres outside New York City is the Long Island town called Amityville.  In this town there is one house that is known around the world.  It is said that this house was the location of multiple deaths which were caused by the actions of evil.  In fact, this house is said to be the epicentre of evil…but is it?  What actually happened in Amityville?  Is it what everyone says it is, or is it actually something else?

Welcome to Episode 34…Amityville, Is it Horror or Clever Marketing?

Horrifying History would like to thank Envirogrip for sponsoring this episode.  If sweaty hands are limiting your work out, go to www.envirogrip.com where you will find a liquid chalk that will take the limitations off your performance.

We would also like to thank the podcast Sword and Scale for sponsoring this episode.  Find them at www.swordandscale.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

References to mental illness and disabilities can be found throughout history.  In current times, people see the connection between mental health and overall well-being, but it wasn’t always this way.  In fact, many individuals of disability were abused, or believed to be possessed, a witch, or that their condition was payback from god.  

Now imagine if you were in a well known family.  Imagine if you were royalty…with ultimate power up for grabs.

Welcome to Episode 33…Royal Mental Illness, Madness, and Abnormalities.

Horrifying History would like to thank Envirogrip for sponsoring this episode.  If sweaty hands are limiting your work out, go to www.envirogrip.com where you will find a liquid chalk that will take the limitations off your performance.

We would also like to thank the podcast Sword and Scale for sponsoring this episode.  Find them at www.swordandscale.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.