The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex -- but how did it get here? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they welcome Lizzie Peabody, host of Sidedoor, the Smithsonian Institution's own official podcast, to learn the stunning origin story of their favorite museums. In part one of this special two-part episode, we meet a young man named James Smithson.

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex -- but how did it get here? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they welcome Lizzie Peabody, host of Sidedoor, the Smithsonian Institution's own official podcast, to learn the stunning origin story of their favorite museums. In part one of this special two-part episode, we meet a young man named James Smithson.

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

The Founding of the Smithsonian, Part One: The Remains of the James

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9bcbdb64-5f07-402e-a7ab-b1bc0122f462/transcript

Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola -- for reasons the public still can't agree on -- rolled out a controversial new formulation of their legendary, still-secret cola recipe. Public backlash in the south (and, weirdly enough, Monaco of all places) prompted a quick retraction, and a load of conspiracy theories. Tune in for the second sip of this special two-liter episode on the saga of New Coke, as Ben, Noel and Max unravel the rise and fall of 'New Coke', along with the various conspiracies that haunt this bizarre tale in the modern day.

Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola -- for reasons the public still can't agree on -- rolled out a controversial new formulation of their legendary, still-secret cola recipe. Public backlash in the south (and, weirdly enough, Monaco of all places) prompted a quick retraction, and a load of conspiracy theories. Tune in for the second sip of this special two-liter episode on the saga of New Coke, as Ben, Noel and Max unravel the rise and fall of 'New Coke', along with the various conspiracies that haunt this bizarre tale in the modern day.

The Bizarre Parable of New Coke, Chapter Two: A Rise. A Fall. A Conspiracy?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/04c65d66-e7ea-4ee9-87e5-b45600eb9f95/transcript

In this week's Classic episode: It's no secret that hospitals can be intimidating, scary places -- but the medical operations of the modern day can't hold a candle to the grisly procedures of the 1800s. Back then, even some of the best surgeons still had about a one in ten chance of their patients dying during or shortly after a procedure. And Robert Liston was no exception. Listen in to learn how this otherwise top-notch surgeon managed to kill not only his patient, but also his assistant and some guy just standing nearby all in the course of one procedure gone horribly wrong.

In this week's Classic episode: It's no secret that hospitals can be intimidating, scary places -- but the medical operations of the modern day can't hold a candle to the grisly procedures of the 1800s. Back then, even some of the best surgeons still had about a one in ten chance of their patients dying during or shortly after a procedure. And Robert Liston was no exception. Listen in to learn how this otherwise top-notch surgeon managed to kill not only his patient, but also his assistant and some guy just standing nearby all in the course of one procedure gone horribly wrong.

CLASSIC: How Robert "The Fastest Knife In The West End" Liston Conducted A Surgery With A 300% Mortality Rate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5be7d526-05d5-4efd-abba-b45200f90e74/transcript

Heads-up! We are extremely biased on this one. Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola was terrified of losing the Great Soda War to Pepsi. In the depths of desperation, they futzed with the golden goose — the secret formula for one of the most popular sodas on the planet. In the first spicy sip of this two-liter series, Ben, Noel, and Max discover a grand conspiracy to boost sales… and a genuine culture war looming on the horizon.

Heads-up! We are extremely biased on this one. Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola was terrified of losing the Great Soda War to Pepsi. In the depths of desperation, they futzed with the golden goose &mdash; the secret formula for one of the most popular sodas on the planet. In the first spicy sip of this two-liter series, Ben, Noel, and Max discover a grand conspiracy to boost sales&hellip; and a genuine culture war looming on the horizon.

The Bizarre Parable of New Coke, Chapter One: Sweeter, Stranger, Strange

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/830126db-a14f-457c-806c-b45001487c55/transcript

The Founding of the Smithsonian, Part One: The Remains of the James

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