Historical Blindness

Jan 14 2025 206 ep. 43 mins 12.1k
Historical Blindness Podcast artwork

Historical Blindness is a podcast about history’s myths, mysteries, and misconceptions. By examining cases of outrageous hoaxes, pernicious conspiracy theory, mass delusion, baffling mysteries and unreliable historiography, host Nathaniel Lloyd searches for insights into modern religious belief and political culture. 

  History  News  Religion & Spirituality
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The Lincoln Legends - Part One: Larger Than Life

Jan 14 2025 46 mins  
In the 2025 season premiere, I kick off a series about the myths and conspiracy theories surrounding Abraham Lincoln's assassination with a look at the misconceptions and legends that surround this much mythologized figure. Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Fi

The Roots of the Christmas Tree (Another Very Historically Blind Xmas!)

Dec 23 2024 48 mins  
In this year's annual holiday special, I examine the roots of the Christmas tree custom to determine its origins and whether it is indeed a pagan survival, as many claim. Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations

Patreon Release: A Very Shroomy Xmas!

Dec 17 2024 22 mins  
In this holiday special minisode from last year, I tackle the claims of entheogen theorists who suggest, falsely, that almost all Christmas traditions really derive from Siberian cultures' use of hallucinogenic mushrooms! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! And check out the show merch, which makes a great

Special Presentation: Plodding Through the Presidents - Conspiracy Theories and the Corrupt Bargain with Mark Cheathem

Dec 03 2024 70 mins  
In this special presentation, I share an episode of the wonderful podcast Plodding Through the Presidents, in which hosts Howard and Jessica Dorre discuss the many myths, mysteries, and scandals surrounding the early presidents who shaped our country. In this episode from their archives, they explore the role of the Illuminati in the Election of 1800 between John Adams and Thomas J

The Thanksgiving Union (Holiday Bonus Minisode)

Nov 26 2024 14 mins  
This holiday bonus minisode presents my personal thoughts on the upcoming holiday, in the wake of the election, reflecting on the establishment of the national holiday during the Civil War. Music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Tracks include "September," "Tumult," "Harbor," and "Seeker." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic

Jack the Ripper - Part Two: Ripperology

Nov 19 2024 55 mins  
In the conclusion of my series on Jack the Ripper, I look the many claims and theories purporting to solve the crimes, their weaknesses and how far Ripperologists go to sell books. Direct all advertising inquiries to [email protected]. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related image

Jack the Ripper - Part One: The Canonical Five

Nov 05 2024 50 mins  
In the first part of a 2-parter, I look closely at a genuine historical mystery, THE true crime case, which launched an entire genre of non-fiction research: Jack the Ripper. In part one, I look at the actual murders. Listener discretion is advised. Direct all advertising inquiries to [email protected]. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find

Devil Books and Murder Ballads: The Myth of the Arch-Killer

Oct 22 2024 49 mins  
In my last episode of October, I consider the legends of 16th-century arch-killers, or what we might consider serial killers today, cave-dwelling highway robbers who were also said to be cannibals and sorcerers, like Sawney Bean and Christman Genipperteinga, whose kill count reached the thousands according to the cheap and lurid chapbooks and ballads that spread their tales to terr

Special Presentation: Southern Gothic--The Forbidden Love of Annabel Lee

Oct 14 2024 51 mins  
In this special presentation, I introduce a spooky podcast for your October listening pleasure, and present a full episode for you to enjoy. Step into the world of the unknown and unravel the dark history and infamous legends of the American South. Join host Brandon Schexnayder as he journeys into the heart of this rich and fascinating region, uncovering its ghostly stories, haunte

Anthropophagi: The Myth of Cannibalism

Oct 08 2024 50 mins  
As we start off October, let's consider the appalling act that is foundational to much monster folklore and horror literature: cannibalism, which some anthropologists have revealed to be, in most cases, a total myth. Direct all advertising inquiries to [email protected]. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode wit