It's often been said that "the art of losing isn't hard to master", and humanity overall seems to have a knack for losing everything from car keys to entire civilizations. Join Ben and Noel as they travel (vicariously) to South America and delve into the story of two nations who, eventually, lost an entire waterfall in this week's Classic episode.

It's often been said that "the art of losing isn't hard to master", and humanity overall seems to have a knack for losing everything from car keys to entire civilizations. Join Ben and Noel as they travel (vicariously) to South America and delve into the story of two nations who, eventually, lost an entire waterfall in this week's Classic episode.

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

CLASSIC: That Time We Erased a (HUGE) Waterfall

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/81c75d3a-e905-4ca5-8fd1-b1e201156ed0/transcript

Most people never get the chance to travel to Bhutan. Nestled high in the Himalayan mountains, this ancient kingdom is unique on multiple levels. It's the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation on the planet -- and it's also the only nation that measures its success in terms of happiness rather than money. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the history of Bhutan and the inspiring idea of GNH - Gross National Happiness.

Most people never get the chance to travel to Bhutan. Nestled high in the Himalayan mountains, this ancient kingdom is unique on multiple levels. It's the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation on the planet -- and it's also the only nation that measures its success in terms of happiness rather than money. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the history of Bhutan and the inspiring idea of GNH - Gross National Happiness.

Bhutan Grades Itself On Happiness

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ce8b0f99-fb0f-41a2-8a7d-b1e600d2226f/transcript

California was admitted to the United States as the 31st state in 1850, but it acquired its unique name much, much earlier. Join Ben and Noel as they trace the strange story behind California's name, from the fiction that inspired it to the loss and rediscovery of the story and, of course, adventures on a legendary Amazonian island. Tune in to learn more in this week's Classic episode.

California was admitted to the United States as the 31st state in 1850, but it acquired its unique name much, much earlier. Join Ben and Noel as they trace the strange story behind California's name, from the fiction that inspired it to the loss and rediscovery of the story and, of course, adventures on a legendary Amazonian island. Tune in to learn more in this week's Classic episode.

CLASSIC: California Was Named for a Fictional Island Ruled by a Black Amazon Queen

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fb20b70d-a9d3-4647-9ff1-b222010a4370/transcript

OK, imagine this: you've been captured by a neighboring civilization, hauled off to an unfamiliar city, and your captors tell you: "Hold up, we're not going to kill you yet. In fact, if you can win this game in front of our audience, we will let you live." In part two of our continuing series the world's weirdest sports, Ben, Noel and Max explore the brutal, bloody, and often lethal Mesoamerican sport loosely known as "the Ball Game," a religious event wherein losing the match often meant losing your life.

OK, imagine this: you've been captured by a neighboring civilization, hauled off to an unfamiliar city, and your captors tell you: "Hold up, we're not going to kill you yet. In fact, if you can win this game in front of our audience, we will let you live." In part two of our continuing series the world's weirdest sports, Ben, Noel and Max explore the brutal, bloody, and often lethal Mesoamerican sport loosely known as "the Ball Game," a religious event wherein losing the match often meant losing your life.

The World's Weirdest Sports, Part Two: Literal Murderball

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4e9962f1-c893-49d9-aab8-b221014c6e81/transcript

CLASSIC: That Time We Erased a (HUGE) Waterfall

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