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American Shadows

American Shadows is a bi-weekly podcast from iHeartRadio and Aaron Mahnke’s Grim & Mild. The show focuses on the darker stories from American history: the people, places, and things that are hidden and forgotten in the shadows. From better-known tales like the conspiracy to steal Lincoln’s body, to less-known stories, like the rainmaker who flooded San Diego. Join host Lauren Vogelbaum as she spans two centuries of omitted lore from our country’s history books.

Homeland

American Shadows

  • 2.6K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 36:43

Italian immigrant George Sodder was living the American Dream. When his home caught fire on Christmas Eve 1945, that dream became a nightmare.

Under the Weather

American Shadows

  • 2K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 34:18

In 1900, one man controlled the weather bureau. When he ignored the experts about the path of a monster hurricane, the people of Galveston Texas paid with their lives. 

Courage

American Shadows

  • 1.9K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 33:13

How Robert Smalls went from stealing a Confederate ship to gain his freedom, to owning the very mansion he'd been enslaved in.  

Insurrection

American Shadows

  • 2.2K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 35:15

Though there have been several attempted coup d'états on American soil, this is the story of the only successful one to date.

On the Trail

American Shadows

  • 2.3K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 34:45

Believing they'd found peace on land no one else wanted, the Osage soon became more hunted than ever.

Dead Ends

American Shadows

  • 2.2K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 34:07

George Parrott claimed to have ridden with Butch Cassidy and Jesse James, but his legendary status has nothing to do with being an outlaw.

Containment

American Shadows

  • 2.2K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 34:18

An inoculation for smallpox should have been something to celebrate. Instead, it caused outrage and violence.

Unsung

American Shadows

  • 2.1K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 30:13

Life on British Prison Ships during the Revolutionary War, and the horrifying tale of a man who spent time aboard the most notorious of them all: the HMS Jersey. 

In the Flesh

American Shadows

  • 2.1K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 30:50

The story about how stolen corpses played a crucial role in the development of Western medicine -- and how one man made a living at the center of the trade. Sterile white coats, antiseptic hallways, bedside manner: these are the things we hope for when we get sick. But next time you go to the doctor, it's worth remembering: if it weren't for all of the corpses who were dug up and stolen in the days of early Western medicine, you too might already by six feet under.

Durable

American Shadows

  • 2.2K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 30:17

A life insurance scheme involving murder, fraud, and a whole lot of alcohol. But some things just don't go the way they're planned.

Prophets Over People

American Shadows

  • 1.8K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 34:47

How one woman found God, murder, and the Anti Christ -- multiple times -- in 1850s Connecticut. The things that people do in the name of salvation can teeter on the edge of fanatical -- and sometimes plunge into the realm of murderous. This is a story of a time that American was hungry for answers -- and the people at the helm counting down to the end-of-days.

Seeds of Change

American Shadows

  • 2.2K views
  • about 4 years ago
  • 37:11

One man's quest to control the weather in Southern California -- with disastrous results that would change a city forever. Weather control has always been a vestige of the gods -- or so we've always thought. But there way one man at the turn of the century who convinced people otherwise -- with disastrous results. 

Body of Truth

American Shadows

  • 2.2K views
  • about 4 years ago
  • 36:50

It was a long time before President Abraham Lincoln would finally rest in peace -- his corpse would have to survive counter fitters and grave robbers, first. After President Lincoln was assassinated, his corpse went on a cross-country tour -- but his burial wasn't the end of the story. After death, Lincoln's body took on a life of its own -- and it would be a long time before he would finally rest in peace.

Misguided

American Shadows

  • 2.3K views
  • about 4 years ago
  • 32:07

Political intrigue and murder in the aftermath of an American invasion of Canada in 1866.

Unbridled

American Shadows

  • 2.1K views
  • about 4 years ago
  • 32:47

The darker side of American horse racing, and the shadows cast by some of the tragedies along the way.

Dark Hearts

American Shadows

  • 2.6K views
  • about 4 years ago
  • 28:26

One man's obsession with lonely hearts ads of a century ago, and his abuse of the false trust they engendered.

Glow

American Shadows

  • 3.5K views
  • about 4 years ago
  • 27:29

At the intersection of scientific advancement and tragedy is the story of US Radium and the young women who stood up to them.