Bonus Episode - Ponzi Empires, Thieving Saints, and Skin Grafts

Bonus Episode - Ponzi Empires, Thieving Saints, and Skin Grafts

Author: PodcastOne February 4, 2026 Duration: 35:41
In this Bonus Episode Sebastian takes questions from listeners about the series on the original Ponzi Scheme. The host investigates the history of the expression "robbing Peter to pay Paul", locates early usages of the phrase "getting Ponzied", and muses about whether all expansionist empires are actually just big Ponzi Schemes. Sebastian also throws out a possible replacement for "Watergate" as the go-to synonym for a scandal. Tune-in and find out how cheeky bank ads, skin grafts, and Atilla the Hun all play role in the story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A podcast about myths we think are history and history that might be hidden in myths! Awesome stories that really (maybe) happened!
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Our Fake History
Podcast Episodes
Episode #232 - Why President McKinley? (Part III) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:06
It's impossible to assess the historical reputation of President William McKinley without tangling with the Spanish-American War. In this final part of the William McKinley trilogy Sebastian gets into the debate around w…
Episode #231 - Why President McKinley? (Part II) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:56
The 1896 election of William McKinley has been noted as an inflection point in American politics. But, historians are often conflicted about what story they want to tell.
Episode #230 - Why President McKinley? (Part I) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:42
It turns out a growing number of American conservatives, including Republican strategist Karl Rove, have been attempting to revive McKinley's reputation for years. What do they see in this turn-of-the-century politician?
Episode #229 - Real Mermaids? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:47
As European ships started stared exploring more distant waters, tales of mermaid encounters became increasingly common.