Welcome to the end of the year, fellow Ridiculous Historians! As Ben, Noel and Max look back on the events of 2025, they discovered historians do, in fact, have one year singled out as "the worst year in human history." But... why? Join the guys as they explore how DXXXVI absolutely wrecked Europe, the Middle East and Asia -- with consequences that reverberate in the modern day.

Welcome to the end of the year, fellow Ridiculous Historians! As Ben, Noel and Max look back on the events of 2025, they discovered historians do, in fact, have one year singled out as "the worst year in human history." But... why? Join the guys as they explore how DXXXVI absolutely wrecked Europe, the Middle East and Asia -- with consequences that reverberate in the modern day.

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

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts. 

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts.&nbsp;

Podcasts from iHeartRadio

Was 536 Really the Worst Year in History?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f218e9af-2f33-4f14-a8bb-b3bb01572049/transcript

For centuries most people in Europe thought of rhinos as another form of mythical creature, like unicorns or griffins. However, this all changed when an enterprising sea captain brought a young, orphaned rhino named Clara back to his home country after his travels abroad. It's often said that fame can have a powerful effect on the average human being, but how does it affect rhinos? Join the guys and special guest Katie Goldin, host of the podcast Creature Feature, as they unravel the mystery.

For centuries most people in Europe thought of rhinos as another form of mythical creature, like unicorns or griffins. However, this all changed when an enterprising sea captain brought a young, orphaned rhino named Clara back to his home country after his travels abroad. It's often said that fame can have a powerful effect on the average human being, but how does it affect rhinos? Join the guys and special guest Katie Goldin, host of the podcast Creature Feature, as they unravel the mystery.

CLASSIC: Clara, The World's Most Famous Rhinoceros

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ed6e3042-8542-42f4-8c97-b3bb0157893f/transcript

What's the strangest Christmas tradition you practice? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max ring in the end of the year with an exploration of Christmas celebrations across the world -- and speculate on inventing a few of their own.

What's the strangest Christmas tradition you practice? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max ring in the end of the year with an exploration of Christmas celebrations across the world -- and speculate on inventing a few of their own.

Christmas Traditions Are So Incredibly Weird!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/104303ef-8e77-4e5f-a723-b3b5015b3cd0/transcript

While the career of rhythm-and-blues vocalist Johnny Ace was short, he left a huge mark on the music world. Up until Christmas Day of 1954, Ace seemed set to reach genuine crossover success in pop music -- until, that is, he met his untimely end during an ill-fated game of Russian Roulette. At least, that's the legend. Yet as special guest Jake Brennan, the creator of the hit podcast Disgraceland, reveals: there's much more to the story. Tune in as Jake and the gang explore a strange, disturbing Christmas mystery.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disgraceland/id1275172907
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HeA7PGBai6TQrZLOLzcEi?si=6362c868e1da4ad6

While the career of rhythm-and-blues vocalist Johnny Ace was short, he left a huge mark on the music world. Up until Christmas Day of 1954, Ace seemed set to reach genuine crossover success in pop music -- until, that is, he met his untimely end during an ill-fated game of Russian Roulette. At least, that's the legend. Yet as special guest Jake Brennan, the creator of the hit podcast Disgraceland, reveals: there's much more to the story. Tune in as Jake and the gang explore a strange, disturbing Christmas mystery.
Apple: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disgraceland/id1275172907">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disgraceland/id1275172907</a> Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2HeA7PGBai6TQrZLOLzcEi?si=6362c868e1da4ad6">https://open.spotify.com/show/2HeA7PGBai6TQrZLOLzcEi?si=6362c868e1da4ad6</a>

The Grim Christmas Folklore of Johnny Ace, with Jake Brennan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/92b56caf-1b6a-487d-9fd3-b3b1011309b3/transcript

Was 536 Really the Worst Year in History?

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