Don't Look Now

Mankind has been practicing many forms of body modification for tens of thousands of years.  Most are aware of things like piercings and tattoos, but there are some more extreme forms that have been used across the globe at different times by different societies.  One of these, is intentional cranial deformation, or skull shaping.  Many groups have bound the heads of their children to create a particular skull shape that was considered aesthetically pleasing or a sign of high social standing.  Listen in and find out all about the art of shaping one's head. 

One of the most enduring myths from the time of Spanish conquest of the New World is the take of El Dorado, the city of gold.  We discuss the actual historical roots of the myth and how the Spanish and other colonial powers began to dream of cities full of gold.

This week's podcast details two tales of missing persons who were assumed dead in strange circumstances and were eventually found years later.  Always good when a disappearance has a happy (ish) ending.

This week we discuss the Unification Church, more commonly known as The Moonies.  The church was founded by Sun Myung Moon and began to grow in the years after World War II.  Moon claimed to be the second coming of Jesus Christ, sent to complete his mission on earth and bring about The Kingdom of God.  The church is widely considered to by a cult and is mostly known for it's huge mass marriage ceremonies, marrying thousands of couples at once.  Interestingly the church has branched in to politics and business, with forays into seafood and world politics.  Come take a listen and learn more.

The fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was the deadliest industrial disaster in US history.  146 workers lost their lives when a fire started in the factory, located on the 8th - 10th floors of the Asch Building near Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village.   The owners of the building kept the doors of the factory locked during working hours to prevent the workers from taking unauthorized breaks and lead to the great loss of life.  Come learn about the fire, and the effect it had on worker safety in America.