Human anomalies, Spiritualists, quack scientists, and other odd characters and stories from the weirdest pages of history. All brought to you by author Marc Hartzman.
Weird Historian
Claim This Podcastby Marc Hartzman
5.0(8 reviews)
20 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Human anomalies, Spiritualists, quack scientists, and other odd characters and stories from the weirdest pages of history. All brought to you by author Marc Hartzman.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/3/2019
1 verified contact email on file for Weird Historian
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Recent Episodes
March 10, 2026
Why We Love Being Scared: A Conversation with Psychologist and Author Coltan Scrivner
<p>We humans have always been fascinated by the things that frighten us. In this episode of Weird Historian, Marc Hartzman speaks with psychologist Coltan Scrivner, author of Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can’t Look Away (Penguin Books), about why we are drawn to horror films, haunted houses, and true crime, what our fascination with the macabre reveals about human nature, and much more.</p><p> Learn more and order the book at <a href="https://www.coltanscrivner.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">ColtanScrivner.com</a></p><p>Sign up for Coltan Scrivner’s <a href="https://www.morbidlycuriousthoughts.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Morbidly Curious Thoughts</a> Substack .</p><p>Visit <a href="https://www.weirdhistorian.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">WeirdHistorian.com</a> for more of the weird and wonderful.</p>
September 15, 2025
Freaky Things and Live Shows: George the Giant’s Strange Museum of Oddities and Wonders
<p>Meet George “The Giant” McArthur, a sideshow performer who swallows swords, eats fire, pounds nails into his nose—and collects oddities. Oh, and he was also in Tim Burton’s wonderful film, Big Fish. </p><p>We first met more than 20 years ago at showman Bobby Reynold’s home while I was writing American Sideshow. As Halloween nears, he’s opening <strong>George the Giant’s Strange Museum of Oddities and Wonders</strong> for the 7th year in Bakersfield, California. Among those oddities and wonders are two-headed animals, breast milk soap, a killer bat, paintings made in human blood, true crime objects, and as you’ll hear from George, much more<strong>. </strong></p><p>If you’d like to hear about how George got started in the world of sideshow, please check out my other podcast, co-hosted with sword swallower Dan Meyer, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5f4uImjpm6TOicpyadvL1J" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">To The Hilt</a>.</p><p><strong>Find George the Giant online:</strong></p><p><a href="https://giantsoddities.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">GiantsOddities.com</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/162feEZXXu/?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/therealgeorgethegiant?igsh=Y21ieW01eG1tNmM3" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a></p><p><br /></p>
August 22, 2025
The Martians Are Coming! Author David Baron Speaks About His New Book, "The Martians"
<p>Is there life outside of Earth? More than a hundred years ago, there was widespread belief that intelligent Martians were an advanced civilization and contact with our interplanetary neighbors was inevitable. </p><p>Science journalist and author David Baron explores this early fascination with Martians in his new book, <strong>THE MARTIANS: </strong><strong>The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America</strong> (Liveright: Aug. 26, 2025), and discusses the many strange and amazing extraterrestrial tales with Weird Historian. </p>
20 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Weird Historian?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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