The HEX Files

Most history books will tell you that the Maori were the firsts inhabitants of New Zealand, first settling the islands between 1280-1350 CE but Maori tradition tells of a different people nestled deep in New Zealand's foggy mountains where they could hide from sunlight which was deadly to them

When I say that, what comes to mind? The Tuskegee airmen, who were unknowingly subjected to sexually transmitted diseases? The experiments done to those in concentration camps Dachau and Auschwitz? The tuberculosis inoculation tests done on indigenous children in Saskatchewan?

I think we're overdue, by a few years, for a tale of another strange creature. Though this one may not be as chatty as our Gef the Mongoose from way back in the early days of this podcast.

A few miles north of Bristol in Southwest England is the small town of Almondsbury. It's the sleepy kind of English town where not a whole lot happens but on Apr 3 1817 something did happen

Folk Metal

08/02/2024

As much of our topics tend to do, the origins of Heavy Metal and its sub-genres have connections with the Satanic Panic of yesteryear. But while the Satanic panic is fun to poke and prod at, Nathan gives us some fun information on the birth of Folk Metal. A sub-genre that deviates from the traditional anti-Christian themes, but still...

Coprophagy

08/02/2024

"Eat shit" It's a phrase we've all heard, but have ever truly thought about it? Courtney tells us about coprophagy and why so many animals do it and where this phrase originally came from

Trasmoz, Spain

07/19/2024

In the 13th century, the entire village of Trasmoz, Spain, was excommunicated for witchcraft and in 1511, Pope Julius II ordered the village to be cursed and it is said to still be cursed today. That's the story anyways

Food! It's a thing we don't talk about enough on here, but we all love food so much. Nathan's recent thing has been learning about spices and his favorite foods locally. This time, it's about Nashville Hot chicken, which isn't really local at all, but the popularity of the dish has influenced many restaurants to try and imitate the dish,...

Binturongs

07/12/2024

Given my track record with weird animals (the kakapo, the tree kangaroo), and the fact that I tend to do topics that are very heavy and, quite frankly, fucking depressing, I decided it was time to go back to animals!