Our Fake History

• Episode #230- Why President McKinley? (Part I)

  The 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, has recently been in the news. In the 2025 inaugural address it was announced that Alaska's highest peak would once again be known as Mt. McKinley to honour the former President, who was apparently a "great businessman" who made America "very rich." Like many, Sebastian found this newfound interest in president McKinley rather curious. For most of the 20th century he was overshadowed by his successor Theodore Roosevelt, who once claimed that McKinley had the "backbone of a chocolate éclair." Why had this particular President been plucked from history and held up as worthy of emulation? It turns out a growing number of American conservatives, including Republican strategist Karl Rove, have been attempting to revive McKinley's reputation for years. What do they see in this turn-of-the-century politician? Tune-in and find out how threats to annex Canada, civil war stories, and boom-bust capitalism all play a role in the story. Our Fake History listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF! That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Visit Rosettastone.com/HISTORY to get started and claim your 50% off TODAY!New members can try Audible now free for 30 days and dive into a world of new thrills. Visit Audible.com/OFH or text OFH to 500-500 that’s Audible.com/OFH or text OFH to 500-500.Check out progressive.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Bonus Episode- Selkies, Spectacles, and Satire

  In this Bonus Episode Sebastian takes questions about his recent exploration of mermaid mythology. He gets into the difference between Selkies and Mermaids, and wades into the murky waters of Scottish oral tradition. There is also some discussion of the 2012 hoax documentary Mermaids: The Body Found. Tune in and find out how aquatic apes, near sighted sailors, and good looking seals all play a role in the story.F*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean15% off with the code Fakehistory15 at theperfectjean.nyc/Fakehistory15 #theperfectjeanpodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Episode #229- Real Mermaids?

  Mermaids are part of countless mythological traditions found the world over. Almost ever culture has a belief in some form of human-fish hybrid. In the west the modern mermaid evolved as combination of the sirens in Homer's Odyssey and water spirits described by Pliny the Elder. In medieval times they became symbols of sin: temptresses leading lustful men astray. In 16th century, just as belief in other mythological creatures started to fade, mermaids were suddenly taken seriously as real exotic animals. As European ships started stared exploring more distant waters, tales of mermaid encounters became increasingly common. By the 1700's the scientific community was taking the question of mermaid reality quite seriously. What is it about mermaids that made them seem so real? Tune-in and find out how stolen scales, Starbucks's secretly perverse logo, and a fish-woman from Newfoundland all play role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Episode #228- You Talkin' About Myths, Baby? (ft. Liv Albert)

  In this interview episode Sebastian speaks with podcaster, author, and host of Let's Talk About Myths, Baby Liv Albert. Liv has spent the last 8 years and 700 episodes of her podcast exploring the nuances of Greek and Roman mythology. Sebastian and Liv dive deep into the world of classical myth and talk about the myriad ways that the ancients understood their legendary tradition. In this free flowing conversation the podcasters get into their thoughts on mythical characters like Medea, Oedipus, Medusa, and Helen of Troy. Tune-in and find out how dragon chariots, ghost Helen's, and smack-talkin' playwrights all play a role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Bonus Episode- Helots, Spartan Women, and Historical Fiction

  In this bonus episode Sebastian responds to listener questions and comments about the Spartan series. He gets a chance to give some more details about the Helots and Spartan women. He also muses at length about the role of historical fiction. If you want to be part of the next bonus feel free to send an email to [email protected] your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FAKEHISTORY at the link below and get 60% off anannual plan: http://incogni.com/fakehistorySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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