History's Greatest Idiots
History's Greatest Idiots is a weekly comedy history podcast about the socio-political disasters, poor decisions, and failures that shaped the modern world. Each episode, host Lev examines how things got this bad and who let it happen. Topics range from the housing crisis and falling living standards to the history of public outrage and politicians who refuse to leave. It offers blunt, humorous history. New episodes are released weekly.
Episodes
A Brief History Of Utopias (Season 7 Finale, Episode 25)
Utopia was written as a joke. Bishops, billionaires and Henry Ford tried to build it anyway. Here’s how that went.In the Season 7 finale of History’s Greatest Idiots, we trace 500 years of people trying to build paradise. Thomas More’s Utopia was a joke about an island on a river with no water, so why did so many people treat it as a blueprint? We visit the Mexican towns a bishop built from its pa
Why Are Billionaires So Out Of Touch? (Season 7 Episode 24)
Peter Thiel thinks evil is underrated, Elon Musk thinks empathy is a weakness, and Zuckerberg wants to sell you friends. Why are billionaires so out of touch? In this episode of History’s Greatest Idiots, we dig into the strangest things the world’s richest people have said lately, from Thiel’s Ferrari theory of good and evil and his lectures naming Greta Thunberg as a modern Antichrist, to Sam Al
Real Mad Scientists From History (Season 7 Episode 23)
Two mad scientists: one transplanted goat glands into prisoners, the other may have eaten a king's heart. These men discarded the rules of society in pursuit of their own insane goals.In this Greatest Hits episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we revisit two of the strangest careers in the history of science.Dr Leo Stanley spent nearly four decades as chief surgeon at San Quentin State Pri
A Brief History of the End of the World (Season 7 Episode 22)
Every generation since the turn of the 20th Century has believed the world was ending due to all-out war. This one's no different.Danish intelligence says Russia could attack NATO within months. Drones keep turning up over airbases in Poland. Putin talks peace while calling Ukraine's own defense "state terrorism." It's easy to feel like we're on the brink, so this episode
The Real AI Problem Nobody's Talking About: The Three Clock Differential (Season 7 Episode 21)
While headlines about economic collapse, environmental destruction, and the end of humanity are grabbing attention around the world, a much more immediate issue is set to stop AI in its tracks.Aspects of the development of the AI industry are so misaligned that they can't possible be put right in their current form. And the speed with which they are pulling away from each other should be one of th
A Brief History Of Strongman Politics (Season 7 Episode 20)
Every generation gets its own strongman politician. Every generation gets to watch them fail. Here's why Strongman Politics never works.From Julius Caesar and Mussolini meeting their demise in the Roman Senate and the gates of a lakeside house respectively, to Berlusconi losing power three times and still dying a senator, Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence for an attempted coup, and Nigel
Wales' Greatest Idiots (Season 7 Episode 19)
A dancing marquess who blew through approximately £70 million in today's money in six years, and a miner's grandson who took cash from a Harrods billionaire to ask questions in Parliament. Wales has produced some characters.This Greatest Hits special revisits Henry Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey (the Dancing Marquess who converted his family chapel into a theatre, spent everything he
Andy Warhol: Art, Fame, And Tragedy (Season 7 Episode 18)
Andy Warhol said there was nothing behind the surface. The CIA, Valerie Solanas, and John Lennon all disagreed.Born in a two-room shack in Pittsburgh to Slovakian immigrants, Andy Warhol became the most famous and influential artist of the twentieth century. He invented Pop Art, redefined celebrity, predicted social media before the internet existed, and coined the phrase "fifteen minutes of fame"
Every Economic Bubble Ever (Almost) - Season 7 Episode 17
Every generation finds something new to bet everything on. Then they act surprised when it stops working.From Dutch tulip mania and England's South Sea Bubble to Spain's silver empire, the Amazon rubber barons, Nauru mining its entire island into a moonscape for fossilised bird poo, Iceland's banks collapsing within a week in 2008, and the $725 billion being spent on AI infrastructure
The Worst Presidents Ever? (Season 7 Episode 16)
A man who sleep-walked America into the Civil War, a president whose administration was so corrupt his own Attorney General went to prison, and the commander-in-chief who escalated Vietnam while privately admitting it was unwinnable. History's Greatest Idiots is taking a well-earned break, and leaving you with three of the worst presidents America ever produced to keep you company.This 3.5-hou
Can Social Media Be Saved? (Season 7 Episode 15)
The platforms that were supposed to connect us have spent twenty years getting progressively worse at it. Something has to give.From X (Twitter) losing half its advertising revenue since Elon Musk's takeover, to Facebook becoming irrelevant to anyone under 35, TikTok being sold to a Trump donor, and governments across the world finally moving to regulate social media, this is the complete pict
The People Who Built Our Dystopia (Vacation Special) - Season 7 Episode 14
A futurist who designed the car-dependent world we're all trapped in, an economist who deregulated Wall Street and helped cause the 2008 crash, and the CEO of Spotify who pays artists $0.003 per stream. Meet the people who built our dystopia.This five-hour vacation special revisits Norman Bel Geddes (the industrial designer whose 1939 World's Fair vision of highways and suburbs became real
A Brief History Of Masculinity (Season 7 Episode 13)
Alexander the Great conquered the known world. Rock Hudson was Hollywood's perfect leading man. The manosphere would have disowned both of them.From Alexander's relationship with Hephaestion and Rock Hudson's closeted double life, to the Tate brothers' arrest in Miami and the alt-right pipeline connecting the manosphere to Christian nationalism, this is the brief history of masculi
A Brief History Of War As A Distraction (Season 7 Episode 12)
Leaders have been starting wars to distract from scandals since ancient Rome. The only thing that's changed is the technology.From Juvenal's bread and circuses and Napoleon III's catastrophic Franco-Prussian gamble, to the USS Maine, Thatcher and the Falklands, Clinton's "Wag the Dog" moment in 1998, and Trump striking Iran four days after impeachment, this is the complet
A Brief History of Clinging to Power (Season 7 Episode 11)
Mitch McConnell has been in hospital for three weeks. His office hasn't said why. This has happened before. Many times.From ancient Rome and Churchill's secret stroke in 1953, to Biden's very public deterioration on live television in 2024, this is the complete history of politicians who refused to leave, and the systems that helped them hide it. We also look at Robert Byrd, the West Virginia sena
Why Can't Anyone Find A Job? (Season 7 Episode 10)
The job market is broken. Here are all the things that broke it.From the post-Covid wage squeeze and AI replacing entry-level workers to the white collar recession nobody officially declared, LinkedIn's 11,000 applications per minute, and the applicant tracking systems quietly binning your CV before a human ever reads it, this is the complete history of why nobody can find a job.We cover gradu
Heatwave Compilation Special (Season 7 Episode 9)
Due to the extreme heat the UK is currently experiencing (topping out at around 102 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 90 degrees at night, and 95% humidity), the lack of air-conditioning, my house being built to retain heat, and my pre-existing health condition (Crohn's Disease), I have decided to create a special compilation episode this week.I will be back to my normal schedule next week wi
A Brief History Of FIFA Scandals (Season 7 Episode 8)
FIFA has been corrupt since before colour television. And the World Cup is proof.From the ISL bribery scandal and Sepp Blatter's seven arrested executives to Qatar's migrant worker nightmare and Gianni Infantino's increasingly bizarre relationship with Donald Trump, this is the complete history of football's governing body and the corruption that has defined it for over a century.
The Slow Death Of Quality (Season 7 Episode 7)
Your chocolate bar got smaller. Your streaming service started showing adverts. Your phone slowly turned itself into something worse. There's a word for this now.This episode traces the history of Enshittification, from medieval bakers shaving weight off loaves to Toblerone quietly widening the gaps between its peaks in 2016, and the Kraft Heinz boss who told the world to get used to paying mo
A Brief History Of Lying (Season 7 Episode 6)
Trust in institutions is at a historic low. Turns out there are about sixty years of very good reasons for that.From Watergate and Thatcher decimating mining communities, through the cash for questions scandals of the 1990s, Iran-Contra, the fabricated case for the Iraq War, and a British Post Office scandal that ruined the lives of hundreds of people, this is a brief history of how governments, p
Every Housing Crisis Ever (Almost) (Season 7 Episode 5)
Rents in Rome were unaffordable in 164 BCE. We've had 2,000 years to fix the housing crisis. Here's why we haven't.From ancient Roman insulae and the Great Fire of London to Hoovervilles, Margaret Thatcher's Right to Buy scheme, the 2008 financial crash, and BlackRock, this is the complete history of the housing crisis.We cover the Welsh second homes scandal, Barcelona's touris
A Brief History Of Outrage (Season 7 Episode 4)
Your outrage is worth a fortune. Just not to you.From a 3,800-year-old complaint tablet in ancient Mesopotamia to cancel culture, Tommy Robinson and Donald Trump, this is the full history of outrage: who manufactures it, who profits from it, and who is laughing all the way to the bank.We cover Roman emperors, the medieval pillory, the tabloid press, Jon Ronson's "So You've Been Public
The Internet Is Hell (Season 7 Episode 3)
The internet was built by scientists who wanted to share research. Then surveillance capitalism, social media and Big Tech got involved, and ruined it.From Tim Berners-Lee and the World Wide Web to Cambridge Analytica, Elon Musk buying Twitter, and AI rewriting the rules all over again, this is the full history of the internet: how it began, how it was hijacked, and how to take some of it back. We
History vs The Gig Economy (Season 7 Episode 2)
Uber, Amazon, Deliveroo. Strip away the apps and the branding and you're left with a system of exploitation as old as civilisation itself.From ancient civilisations exploiting their populations and medieval serfdom to zero-hours contracts and unpaid internships, this episode traces the full history of work designed to extract everything from you while giving back as little as possible. We cover th
Why The Last 10 Years Have Sucked (Season 7 Episode 1)
Brexit. Trump. A pandemic. A housing crisis. A culture war nobody asked for. The last ten years didn't break by accident.From the celebrity deaths of 2016 to Trump's Iran brinkmanship in 2026, this episode charts exactly how a decade of austerity, algorithmic outrage, gig economy exploitation, rising inequality, and the collapse of community life ground down an entire generation.We cover t
This Is Why You're Exhausted (Season 6 Episode 25)
Burned out, broke, and scrolling at midnight wondering why everything feels impossible? You're not imagining it. This episode breaks down the real reasons modern life is exhausting: the housing crisis, AI killing the job market, social media algorithms built on outrage, subscriptions bleeding your account dry, and why working from home turned millions into sedentary, overstretched husks, all backe
The Cult Of Personality (Season 6 Episode 24)
Alexander The Great called himself a god, Henry VIII airbrushed his portrait, and Nixon lost a TV debate because he was sweaty. The Cult of Personality is older and more complex than you think.This episode traces the ancient, ridiculous, and terrifyingly effective history of leader worship. We start with Lysander of Sparta getting a festival named after him, swing through Alexander the Great's
Robert Byrd: The Ultimate Redemption Story (Season 6 Episode 23)
From West Virginia coalfields to the longest Senate career in American history, Robert C. Byrd went from political villain to unlikely conscience of a nation. This week we trace a 51-year journey of power, shame, redemption and one absolutely legendary anti-war speech. Complicated people make the best episodes. Trust us on this one. Featuring the legend that is Jeremy Wellman.https://www.patreon
Rumi: The Poet Who Changed The World (Season 6 Episode 22)
In 1244, a theologian met a wandering dervish in Konya and vanished from public life. What emerged was poetry so universal it outlasted empires. Jalal ad-Din Rumi fled Mongols as a child, became a scholar, then transformed after meeting Shams al-Din of Tabriz. His Masnavi and Divan-e Shams became foundational Sufi texts, and some of the greatest poetry ever written. Eight centuries later, this Sun
Hulk Hogan's Lifetime of Lies: Metallica, Andre the Giant, and Wrestling 400 Days a Year (Season 6 Episode 21)
Hulk Hogan could slam a giant but couldn't tell the truth. From denying steroids on Arsenio Hall to claiming he auditioned for Metallica, this is wrestling's most prolific liar. Hogan lied about Andre the Giant's weight (697 lbs), wrestling 400 days yearly, Elvis being his fan (Elvis died before Hogan debuted), and the George Foreman Grill. Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield both denied ev
Trad Wives: What History Actually Tells Us
The trad wife trend claims women have always stayed home and deferred to men. History disagrees, loudly. From Assyrian businesswomen on clay tablets to the woman who invented Monopoly before women could vote, this is four thousand years of evidence they'd rather you didn't find.
The Burglar, The Fraudster, and The Prime Minister (Season 6 Episode 20)
A Watergate burglar, a congressman who faked his entire life, and the Iron Lady who divided a nation. This Greatest Hits episode of History's Greatest Idiots revisits G Gordon Liddy (Nixon's unrepentant operative who went to prison for conspiracy and burglary), George Santos (expelled from Congress shortly before a wire fraud conviction), and Margaret Thatcher (Britain's first female P
Chernobyl: How a Safety Test Destroyed the Soviet Union (Season 6 Episode 19)
This week on History's Greatest Idiots (featuring Patreon member Ben Markwart), we explore the Chernobyl nuclear disaster: the catastrophic 1986 explosion that killed dozens, displaced 350,000 people, cost 700 billion dollars, and helped collapse the Soviet Union.The Safety Test That Wasn't Very SafeOn 26th April 1986 at 1:23 AM, Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat,
The Millars Episode: Redemption and Controversy in Cycling and Comics (Season 6 Episode 18)
This week on History's Greatest Idiots (Featuring Peter of In The Wheels), we explore two Scottish success stories: cyclist David Millar's fall from grace and redemption, and comic writer Mark Millar's controversial rise to Hollywood riches.Born 4th January 1977 in Malta, David Millar burst onto cycling's scene in 2000, winning the Tour de France prologue and wearing the yellow jersey. He won four
Gallagher - Comedy's Melon Smashing Outcast (Season 6 episode 17)
This week on History's Greatest Idiots, we're trying a slightly different mini-documentary format to explore one of the most bizarre success stories in American comedy: Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr., the man who proved you could become a millionaire by hitting produce with a mallet.From Science to SledgehammersBorn 24th July 1946 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Leo suffered severe asthma. His f
J. Paul Getty - The Miserable Billionaire (Season 6 Episode 16)
Billions, miserliness, and a severed ear! This episode of History's Greatest Idiots (featuring The Hungry Historian) explores the extraordinary life of Jean Paul Getty, the oil tycoon who became the richest man in the world, installed a payphone in his mansion for guests, and refused to pay ransom whilst his kidnapped grandson's ear was being cut off.The Golden Child Who Disappointed Daddy
Tech's Biggest Mistakes (Season 6 Episode 15)
Scams, spectacular failures, and billions burned! This special greatest hits episode of History's Greatest Idiots explores three tech disasters that prove innovation and incompetence make the perfect recipe for catastrophe.First up: Ruja Ignatova, the "Crypto Queen" who convinced investors OneCoin was the next Bitcoin whilst running one of history's largest Ponzi schemes. She van
Special Announcement
We're sad to announce that Derek will no longer be continuing with the podcast. We've had 5 wonderful years producing this show together, and I couldn't have wished for a better friend and co-host than the person that made me laugh more than anyone I've ever known.This isn't the end of the show though, History's Greatest Idiots will continue, and Derek and I remain close fr
Bunny Roger: The War Hero Who Fought in Blush and a Silk Scarf (Season 6 Episode 14)
War heroes, haute couture, and outrageous parties! This episode of History's Greatest Idiots, featuring The Fit Historian (https://www.youtube.com/@fithistorian), explores the extraordinary life of Neil Munro "Bunny" Roger, the openly gay fashion designer who became a decorated World War II hero, invented Capri pants, and threw London's most legendary parties whilst maintaining a
ChatGPT and the $500 Billion House of Cards (Season 6 Episode 13)
How does a Stanford dropout convince the world he's building God, burn through billions whilst destroying the planet, get fired for lying, come back more powerful than ever, and still somehow convince investors to hand over even more money? And how is it all about to come crashing down?In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore the spectacular rise and looming collapse of Sam
History's Worst Cults (Season 6 Episode 12)
Messiahs, madness, and mass delusion! This special greatest hits episode of History's Greatest Idiots explores three cult leaders who proved that charisma and megalomania make the perfect recipe for disaster.First up: David Koresh, the guitar-playing prophet who transformed a quiet religious community into the Branch Davidians, stockpiling weapons in Waco, Texas whilst claiming divine authorit
Larry Summers: The One Scandal That Ended Everything - Part Two (Season 6 Episode 11)
After causing the 2008 financial crisis through reckless deregulation, Larry Summers got hired by Barack Obama to fix the disaster he helped create. Then in November 2025, emails revealed he'd been using Jeffrey Epstein as his wingman.Welcome to part two. Last episode covered his arrogant rise. Now we cover his spectacular fall.The 2008 Financial CrisisSummers made $5 million at D.E. Shaw in 2
Larry Summers: The Man Who Crashed the World Economy...Then Got Hired to Fix It - Part One (Season 6 Episode 10)
How did one economist cause the 2008 financial crisis, get hired to fix it, protect his corrupt mate whilst Harvard paid millions in settlements, suggest women might be genetically inferior at science, and still remain one of the most powerful figures in American economics for decades?In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore the spectacular career of Lawrence Henry Summers, the
Y2K: The Apocalypse That Wasn't (Season 6 Episode 8)
Panic, paranoia, and spectacularly stupid predictions! This episode of History's Greatest Idiots (featuring Mandy Gardner from the History Obscura Podcast) explores Y2K, the millennium bug that convinced the entire world that civilization would collapse at midnight on January 1st, 2000, leading to the most expensive non-event in human history.The Technical Problem: Back in the 1960s and 70s, w
History's Worst Monarchs (Season 6 Episode 7)
Abdications, gluttony, world wars, and child tantrums! This special greatest hits episode of History's Greatest Idiots celebrates the season with four legendary monarchs who proved that unlimited power and terrible judgment make the perfect recipe for spectacular failure.First up: King Adolf Frederick of Sweden, the 18th-century monarch who literally ate himself to death at a royal feast, prov
Crime's Greatest Idiots (Season 6 Episode 6)
Schemes, scams, and spectacularly stupid greed! This special greatest hits episode of History's Greatest Idiots celebrates the season with four legendary criminals who proved that audacity and terrible judgment make the perfect con artist cocktail.First up: Charles Ponzi, the Italian immigrant whose name became synonymous with financial fraud, promising impossible returns while building a hous
Lord Palmerston: Britain's Most Scandalous Statesman - Part Two (Season 6 Episode 5)
Welcome to Part Two! If you thought decades-long affairs were wild, wait until you hear what Palmerston did with actual power. In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore his most spectacular diplomatic overreactions: sending 14 warships to collect £150, fighting two wars over opium trafficking, allegedly assaulting Queen Victoria's lady-in-waiting in her own palace, becoming
Lord Palmerston: Britain's Most Scandalous Statesman - Part One (Season 6 Episode 4)
How did an 18-year-old aristocrat become one of Britain's longest-serving politicians, spending 20 years in the same boring job before discovering his true calling at age 46? In the latest episode of History's Greatest Idiots, featuring Emily Jackson, one third of the Trauma Agora Podcast, we explore Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, the man known as "Lord Cupid" who su
William Buckland: The Man Who Ate A King's Heart and Discovered Dinosaurs - Part Two (Season 6 Episode 3)
Welcome to Part Two of the William Buckland saga, featuring Laurel Rockall of the High Tales of History podcast.If you thought licking cathedral floors and revolutionizing palaeontology through fossilized poop was weird, wait until you hear about his lifelong mission to eat every animal on Earth. In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we dive deep into Buckland's practice of "z
William Buckland: The Man Who Ate Everything...including a King's Heart. Part One (Season 6 Episode 2)
How did a Victorian priest become the first person to scientifically describe a dinosaur, revolutionize paleontology through the study of fossilized poop, and terrify students by shoving hyena skulls in their faces while screaming about stomachs? In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, featuring Laurel Rockall of the High Tales of History podcast, we explore the spectacular life of Willi
The Controversial Rise of Daniel Ek and Spotify - Part Two (Season 6 Episode 1)
Welcome to Season 6! In Part Two of our Spotify saga, things get MUCH darker. If you thought underpaying musicians and overpaying Joe Rogan was bad, wait until you hear about the military drones, ICE recruitment ads, and the AI-generated music flooding the platform. This is the story of how a music streaming company became a weapons investor, government propagandist, and AI content farm, all while
Spotify: The Controversial Rise Of A Music Empire - Part One (Season 5 Episode 25)
How did a Swedish teenager turn $1 million into a $26 billion music empire while simultaneously pissing off every musician on Earth? In the Season 5 Finale of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore the spectacular rise of Daniel Ek and Spotify, from teenage web design hustler to billionaire streaming mogul (and all the questionable decisions along the way).This is the story of how to revolution
The Vanderbilts Part Two: The Remnants of a Fortune
How did America's richest family, once worth the equivalent of $200 billion, lose everything in just three generations? In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore the spectacular rise and catastrophic fall of the Vanderbilt dynasty, from the ruthless Commodore who built a fortune through steamships and railroads, to his descendants who spent it all on mansions, parties, and d
The Vanderbilts: The Aristocratic Guide to Burning Money - Part One (Season 5 Episode 23)
Were the Vanderbilts visionary aristocrats building a lasting legacy, or history's most spectacular example of how to lose an unfathomable fortune in three generations? In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore the family that controlled 10% of all money in circulation in America and turned it into absolutely nothing through the revolutionary strategy of building 250-room houses nob
Pets.com: The $300M Dot-Com Disaster That Predicted The AI Bubble (Season 5 Episode 22)
Was Julie Wainwright a visionary CEO caught in impossible circumstances, or did she preside over one of the most spectacularly stupid business models in internet history? In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore the woman who sold dog food for one-third of what it cost, shipped it for free, spent $1.2 million on a Super Bowl ad, and somehow convinced Jeff Bezos this was a good
The $30 Million Ponzi Scheme That Shocked Australia - Melissa Caddick (Season 5 Episode 21)
Was Melissa Caddick a financial genius who cracked the code to guaranteed returns, or Australia's most expensive morning jogger who turned fraud into an art form?In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore the spectacular rise and mysterious fall of the Sydney socialite who stole $30 million from friends and family, lived like royalty for eight years, and then vanished into th
The Man Who Designed Dystopia: Norman Bel Geddes (Season 5 Episode 20)
Was Norman Bel Geddes a brilliant visionary who shaped modern America, or just a master showman who sold us a dystopian future wrapped in chrome and streamlined curves?In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we delve into the fascinating and troubling life of the man who promised us flying cars, designed the Interstate Highway System, and convinced an entire generation that the future wo
David Hahn - The Radioactive Boy Scout Who Built a Nuclear Reactor in His Backyard (Season 5 Episode 19)
When most teenagers are worried about getting their driver's license, David Hahn was busy building a nuclear reactor in his mom's backyard shed using smoke detectors, camping lanterns, and an alarming amount of duct tape. Meet the "Radioactive Boy Scout" who turned earning a merit badge into a federal nuclear incident.In this episode of History's Greatest Idiots, we explore t
Hollywood's Greatest Idiots: Randy Quaid, Errol Flynn, and John Belushi (Season 5 Episode 18)
Lights, camera, CHAOS! This special greatest hits episode dives into Hollywood's most spectacular celebrity meltdowns and scandals, featuring three legendary movie stars who proved that fame, fortune, and fundamental stupidity make for blockbuster disasters.RANDY QUAID - From Christmas Vacation to Conspiracy Theories: The talented character actor who went from beloved comedic roles in National Lam
Music's Greatest Idiots: Rick James, Keith Moon, Malcolm McLaren, and Morrissey (Season 5 Episode 17)
Sex, drugs, and spectacularly stupid decisions! This special greatest hits episode of History's Greatest Idiots rocks through the most legendary bad choices in music history, featuring four icons who proved that talent and terrible judgment make the perfect rock and roll cocktail.First up: Rick James, the funk superstar who turned "Super Freak" into a lifestyle philosophy, complete with kidnapping
Karl Marx - World's Greatest Philosopher and Revolutionary, or Lazy Hypocrite? (Season 5 Episode 16)
When you're born into wealth, attend the best schools, and still manage to get kicked out of half of Europe, you might be Karl Marx, the bearded chaos merchant who thought capitalism sucked and spent most of his life borrowing rent money from his contemporary/co-writer/patron Friedrich Engels.In this episode of History’s Greatest Idiots, we take a cold, sobering plunge into the life of the man
Tim Lambesis - Metal's Biggest A**hole! (Season 5 Episode 15)
When the world is your oyster, sometimes you think, "f*ck that oyster, I want canned tuna instead!" That's the point of view of today's subject, Tim Lambesis: from world conquering album launches with and tours with As I Lay Dying, to critical praise and millions of dollars, everything seemed to be going well for this rock star...then he threw it all away...multiple times.Join us
Harvey Milk: LGBTQIA+ Icon and Political Genius (Season 5 Episode 14)
In this Pride Month special, the History’s Greatest Idiots team dives into the nuanced, lesser-told story of Harvey Milk. Yes, he was a pioneering political figure during a time of widespread discrimination and upheaval in 1970s America — but he was also a deeply complex character with a flair for publicity, a relentless political drive, and a ruthless streak that left real collateral damage.From
Keith Moon - The Out Of Control Rock Legend (Season 5 Episode 13)
What happens when you give someone with ADHD, violent tendencies, and poor impulse control as much fame and money as humanly possible? Predictably, absolute chaos!Keith Moon is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers and most iconic rock stars of all time. As part of The Who, he toured the world, lit up every arena he performed in, and created some of the most iconic music of the 20th cent
Hetty Green - America’s Richest Woman (Season 5 Episode 12)
There's a lot of focus and attention on billionaires nowadays (both good and bad), but one name from The Gilded Age often gets overlooked: Hetty Green.Called "The Queen of Wall Street" to her face, and "The Witch of Wall Street" behind her back, Hetty built a fortune at a time when investing in stocks and shares was not something women were encouraged to do.Her ability to g
Blockbuster - How To Ruin The Perfect Business! (Season 5 Episode 11)
There is one company that is so synonymous with the 1990s that it has been used as a visual cue for the era in virtually every nostalgia-tinged movie and TV show since it went out of business: Blockbuster Video.But, despite being a titan of industry and THE go-to store in its niche, the company's demise was as rapid and embarrassing as the brand was iconic.Wasteful spending, a reluctance to in
Season 5 Episode 10: George Santos - The Most Notorious Liar In Washington
This week, we cover someone whose entire (short) career in politics was built on a seemingly never-ending stream of lies. Who could it possibly be?!Join Lev and Derek for Season 5 Episode 10 of History's Greatest Idiots as they cover the life and career of one of the biggest and most infamous fibbers in the history of U.S. Politics: George Santos. From his various financial dealings, to his ti
Season 5 Episode 9: G Gordon Liddy - The Watergate Burglar
What could possess one man to come up with the idea to break into an enormous building in one of the most secure and carefully monitored cities on the planet? Greed, ambition, arrogance, and utter stupidity, that's what!G Gordon Liddy spent a lot of his career in the Nixon Administration coming up with insane schemes to discredit Democrats, but breaking into their offices in the Watergate was defi
Season 5 Episode 8: Dr Dozy Mmobousi - The Billionaire Conman Who Fooled Everyone (Almost)
In another, more recent story of human stupidity, we look into the fascinating story of "Dr" Dozy Mmobuosi, whose alleged lies, fraud, and manipulation are so staggeringly obvious that they don't hold up to even basic scrutiny. From selling 30 million mobile phones to farmers in Nigeria to trying to buy Sheffield United football club, Dozy Mmobuosi claims to have been behind some of the most succe
Season 5 Episode 7: Wesley Weber - Canada's Most Infamous Counterfeiter
Ever wanted more money? Why not just make some of your own? That's precisely what Wesley Weber did! From his early adolescence, Wesley became obsessed with perfecting the art of counterfeiting one of the most complex and secure currencies in the world: the Canadian Dollar.Follow Wesley's journey from low-level high school prankster, to someone so good at counterfeiting he would probably still be d
Season 5 Episode 6: A Re-telling of the MacGregor Tale and Who’s John Darwin
In this episode you'll hear Derek go rogue and re-tell the story of The Scottish Conman (Gregor MacGregor), and we revisit Lev and Derek asthey look into The Canoeing Fraudster (John Darwin). Nowin Video Podcast formatSupportus on PatreonVisitour InstagramHosts: Lev & Derekhttps://linktr.ee/Lev_Myskinhttps://linktr.ee/ThatEffnGuyArtist: Sarah Cheyhttps://www.fiverr.com/sarahcheyCi
Episode Delayed By 24 Hrs (apologies)!
Hi! We've hit a snag and had to delay the podcast by 24 hours. It's nothing contagious (like zombies or anything), we just need some time, so check back here in 24 hours time and there should be more delicious stupid history content for you to devour!
Season 5 Episode 5: Adrian Carton De Wiart - The Unkillable Soldier
There are a lot of people that have become famous as a result of their time in wars, but none were as singularly determined to be at the front of every single war quite as much as 'The Unkillable Soldier'.Adrian Carton De Wiart fought in 3 major wars, was injured dozens of times, and lost limbs, appendages, and even an eye. Despite his numerous injuries, he maintained an unquenchable desir
Season 5 Episode 4: "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig - Wrestling's Greatest Prankster
One of the greatest performers of all time, "Mr Perfect" Curt Hennig was known for three things: being an incredible in-ring performer, being a loving and devoted friend, father, and husband, and being one of the greatest pranksters in human history!
No matter what he did, Curt usually found himself at the centre of some of the biggest (and most infamous) moments in wrestling history. Re
Season 5 Episode 3: John "Jake The Barber" Factor - The Greatest Con-Man and Mobster you’ve never heard of!
A con artist AND a mobster? Why yes! Infamous Swindler? Yes! Person with a much more famous sibling? Yep! John Factor was all of those things and so much more!
Born into a hardworking family that featured a Rabbi and internationally famous Cosmetics mogul (Max Factor) John "Jake The Barber" Factor was determined to make a name for himself...just not the same way the rest of his family took.
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Season 5 Episode 2: Akhenaten - The 'Heretic' Pharaoh
Imagine the leader of a dynastic family takes as much power as he can away from the only other people with any power in a country and then creates a cult of personality around himself. It could only happen in ancient Egypt...right?
Akhenaten ripped an entire culture apart in his quest to assert his authority over it, while simultaneously ignoring external threats to his power. He is without doubt
Holiday Special: The Never Ending Tangent!
As a bonus episode for the festive season, here's the most recent Patreon Exclusive Recording of The Never Ending Tangent!
To support us on Patreon, visit us here: https://www.patreon.com/HistorysGreatestIdiots
Season 5 Episode 1: No Cults Please, We're British!
In the first episode of Season 5 Lev and Derek look into a British cult...or maybe Lighthouse Global isn't a cult. Honestly, how could anyone think that? It's not like they displayed any coercive behaviour, made hollow promises, stole money from people and used it to fund extravagant lifestyles, and threatened anyone that looked into them or anything...
Paul Waugh, Lighthouse's leader, describes
Episode 100: Margaret Thatcher!
In season 4 Episode 25 (episode 100) of History's Greatest Idiots, Lev and Derek cover one of the most notorious and influential (for both bad and good) politicians in History: former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.
Loved by the financial and Neo-Liberal establishment, and hated by (many) others, Margaret Thatcher left several indelible marks on society that have shaped our world. Her
Season 4 Episode 24: John Belushi - SNL's Most Insane Cast Member!
In the penultimate episode of season 4 (episode 99) Lev and Derek look back on the life and career of one of the most iconic comedy actors of the last 50 years: John Belushi.
Funny, intense, and incredibly talented, John Belushi's journey from fringe improv comic to world-conquering multi-hyphenate is the stuff of legend. His untimely demise, however, is the stuff of nightmares.
https://www.p
