What Happened to Sandra Birchmore: Part 2

Massachusetts State police interview the man Sandra was seeing, married Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell. During a non-recorded conversation in a school parking lot, Farwell refers to Sandra as a casual fling. But her friends tell the police a very different story. And Sandra’s death cert…

My Sister the Rockefeller [from Very Special Episodes]

Wherever Sioux singer D.Z. Ironwing performed in New York, the same woman was waiting afterward to say she loved his voice. Seven years later, his phone rang in a freezing South Dakota trailer. It was her — the first of countless calls that began an unlikely bond with one of America’s richest famil…

Introducing — What Happened to Sandra Birchmore

In February 2021, 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore is found dead in her apartment in eastern Massachusetts. Officers quickly label the death a suicide. This news confounds her family, because Sandra was pregnant and planning for her future. And they worry about the mystery man she was dating—an older, …

Founding Son: Episode 6 - The Last of Earth

John Quincy Adams finally defeats the Gag rule, but his feud with Andrew Jackson lasts until the bitter end.  And Congressman Abraham Lincoln witnesses from the House floor the dramatic final hours of Adams' life. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeartPodcasts and Sch…

Revolts, Religious Chaos, and A New World

As the end of The Middle Ages nears, peasants revolt after being blamed for the Black Death, and the Catholic Church endures a wave of turmoil. But Chris points out moments of hope as the world opens up for exploration.  Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart…

Black Death

The Black Death was a medical catastrophe, with the majority of deaths occurring in children under 16. It took 300 years for the population to recover.  But the plague also impacted social, economic, political, and religious aspects of life. Chris explains how the Black Death struck an already weak…

The Crusades

Jerusalem is a critical pilgrimage site and scholarly center, especially during the Middle Ages. Chris explains why it’s holy land for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and he chronicles the several crusades during these years. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iH…

Knights And Legends

Chris dives into some of the most popular topics from this era, including the rules of engagement for knights, the castle-building economy, chivalry, and the legend of King Arthur. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. It is a …

Spiritual Awakening

In the 12th century, there was an intellectual revolution that included a pursuit of questions, an evangelical awakening, and the church decrying the dangers of heresy. Chris explains this pivotal time of the Renaissance and what led to the Spanish Inquisition.  Half-Hour History: Secrets of the M…

Medieval Nation-Building

Chris gives a status update on France, England, Germany, and Spain during this critical Medieval period. He talks about why the King of France is above the law and how the Magna Carta relates to modern-day due process. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart P…