When we think of the mob today, most Americans think of New York City -- and why not? After all, films, books and TV shows often depict New York as the heart of mob country. Yet, as the guys discover in today's episode, the story of the Italian-American mafia has a surprisingly different (and often forgotten) origin point.

 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

When we think of the mob today, most Americans think of New York City -- and why not? After all, films, books and TV shows often depict New York as the heart of mob country. Yet, as the guys discover in today's episode, the story of the Italian-American mafia has a surprisingly different (and often forgotten) origin point. Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

Ridiculous History

Did the US Mafia actually start in New Orleans?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/27e3f095-eb20-4ce0-b604-ae31001b7a5a/transcript

Fellow Ridiculous Historians, we just returned from the beautiful Baha Mar resort, and we're going through a pirate phase. So, naturally, we have to share an hilarious Classic episode: the so-called Golden Age of Piracy was a time of lawless, terrifying, at-times amazing and objectively ridiculous history. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore a fascinating claim: Did some anti-authoritarian pirates really form their own government?

Fellow Ridiculous Historians, we just returned from the beautiful Baha Mar resort, and we're going through a pirate phase. So, naturally, we have to share an hilarious Classic episode: the so-called Golden Age of Piracy was a time of lawless, terrifying, at-times amazing and objectively ridiculous history. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore a fascinating claim: Did some anti-authoritarian pirates really form their own government?

CLASSIC: New Providence: That Time Pirates Had A Government

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5998b77c-5ce4-4750-be09-b436013feace/transcript

Live from the beautiful Baha Mar resort, Ben, Noel, Max and returning guest Matt dive into popular misconceptions about pirates. First, piracy was by no means restricted to the Caribbean. Second, not all successful pirates were dudes. In fact, as the guys discover in the second-part of this two-part series, history's wealthiest pirate was a Chinese woman named Zheng Yi Sao, or Chin Shih. As they arrive closer to the modern day, the guys discover another notorious Chinese pirate smack-dab in the middle of the Sino-Japanese war: a double, triple, maybe even quadruple maritime bandit known as Huang “Two Guns” Bamei.

Live from the beautiful Baha Mar resort, Ben, Noel, Max and returning guest Matt dive into popular misconceptions about pirates. First, piracy was by no means restricted to the Caribbean. Second, not all successful pirates were dudes. In fact, as the guys discover in the second-part of this two-part series, history's wealthiest pirate was a Chinese woman named Zheng Yi Sao, or Chin Shih. As they arrive closer to the modern day, the guys discover another notorious Chinese pirate smack-dab in the middle of the Sino-Japanese war: a double, triple, maybe even quadruple maritime bandit known as Huang &ldquo;Two Guns&rdquo; Bamei.

The Ridiculous Truth About Pirates, Chapter Two: History's Most Successful Pirate Was A Woman

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7f18f31b-b9f0-417b-9f32-b43401676b1b/transcript

Fellow Ridiculous Historians, Ben, Noel and Max are back on their pirate obsession. In this special two-part series live from the legendary Baha Mar, the guys welcome returning guest Matt Frederick for a fascinating exploration of some of history's most ridiculous pirates. Stay tuned for the second part of the series later this week. No spoilers, but... there are some pirates you might not expect.

Fellow Ridiculous Historians, Ben, Noel and Max are back on their pirate obsession. In this special two-part series live from the legendary Baha Mar, the guys welcome returning guest Matt Frederick for a fascinating exploration of some of history's most ridiculous pirates. Stay tuned for the second part of the series later this week. No spoilers, but... there are some pirates you might not expect.

The Ridiculous Truth About Pirates, Chapter One: The Caribbean

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/22481c5b-275e-4e5c-b69e-b432014ede14/transcript

Did the US Mafia actually start in New Orleans?

In 1 playlist(s)

Ridiculous History

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips