American Esoterica

Episode 47 - Hamilton 2: Burr Boogaloo

The duel may have been the end of Alexander Hamilton's story, but it was only the beginning of Aaron Burr's descent into treasonous lunacy and at least a little karma.

Episode 46 - Self, Made

Get ready to build your multimillion-dollar international business empire - here's a dollar and fifteen years. Can't do it? Sarah Breedlove did - this is her story.

Episode 45 - No Small Feat

A fierce love, a bold plan, and a desperate need - but will it be enough for Robert Smalls to rescue his family and escape the Confederacy?

Episode 44 - Amplified

They tried to keep her silent, but instead gave her something to sing about, along with the most incredible stage in the world from which to sing it.

Episode 43 - The Swim

If it were a work of fiction, you wouldn't believe it. This is the story of an epic feat of strength, bravery, and compassion.

Episode 42 - As Amended

Our First was their third - the Bill of Rights that Congress sent to the states for ratification had twelve amendments, not ten, so what happened to those extra two? 

Episode 41 - Better Watch Out

The story of how one man during the Cold War accidentally wound up tracking the wrong kind of red airspace invader. And if you've heard the story before, you probably heard it wrong.

Episode 40 - It’s a Wonderful Filler

A beloved Christmas classic may not have always been so beloved, which is what directly led to it becoming beloved. Beloved.

Episode 39 - Mac & Cheese

Our national obsession with a cheezy pasta dish began in the kitchens of Monticello, but it isn't Jefferson to whom we owe the credit. 

Episode 38 - In Extravagantly Plain Sight

This is the story of the world's greatest heist - the time the CIA stole a Soviet submarine in full view of the entire world with the help of an eccentric billionaire.