Who Started the Fire?

Jan 12 2025 22 ep. 62 mins 3
Who Started the Fire? Podcast artwork

Have you ever wondered what all the random, disjointed lyrics in Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' meant? We did too! Join us each week as we look at the song line by line to discover all of the interesting historical and pop culture events the singer wanted to immortalize. Maybe we'll even find an answer to who started the fire along the way.

  History
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Ep. 22 Starkweather Homicide, Children of Thalidomide

Jan 12 2025 87 mins  
Two teens shock the US with a multi state crime spree, and a pharmaceutical company's "wonder drug" hits the market, only to ruin thousands of lives. Come along with us to two of the darker parts of 1958. (We may sound a little off in this one, Jen was recovering from a cold) *Content warning: this episode discuses violence, abuse, and unethical medical practices* S

Ep. 21 Lebanon, Charles de Gaulle, California baseball

Aug 14 2023 67 mins  
The year is 1958, and there's a lot going on! This episode we'll look at a potential global crisis, a prominent historical figure, and, most shocking of all, Jen actually talks about baseball! Sources: britannica.com history.com Mlb.com

Ep. 20 Sputnik, Chou En-Lai, “Bridge on the Kwai”

Jul 09 2023 59 mins  
This week we will cover some important topics from 1957. We discuss a Russian Rocket, a Chinese Premier, and one of the most well received war movies of it's time! Come and learn much about these topics... that is until our dog Bailey has some thoughts of his own! 🙄 Sources: britannica.com imdb.com oscars.org bbc.com history.nasa.gov engineering.purdue.edu nssdc.gsfc.nasa.go

Ep. 15 Davy Crockett, Peter Pan, Elvis Presley, Disneyland

Jun 30 2023 75 mins  
This episode we take a look at four very recognizable figures that all have important ties to 1955. We'll explore the pop culture, and real history of a prominent figure from American folk lore, a brief overview of a much loved character, the surprising origins and sparkling friendship of the King of Rock n Roll, and finally the rocky beginnings of the "Happiest Place on E

EP. 19 Little Rock, Pasternak, Mickey Mantle, Kerouac

Mar 18 2023 70 mins  
We're back (again)! In this episode we talk about nine brave students, one expensive rookie card, the complicated lives of two Russian men, and four friends who had a lasting impact on American culture. Come along as we talk about 1957ish, the good, the bad, and the perplexing. history.com britannica.com nobelprize.org sparknotes.com seattletimes.com sites.bu.edu biography.com

EP. 18 Chorus Break Bonus #2

Oct 28 2022 53 mins  
We made it to the second chorus break!! Join us as we look back at some memorable topics from the last several episodes and discuss the highs, the lows, and all the (sometimes spooky) in betweens!  We'll also take a look at a man made fire that was so devastating, it actually changed the way forest services workers handled large blazes.  As a special Halloween trick/treat

Ep. 17 Princess Grace, Peyton Place, Trouble in the Suez

Sep 29 2022 70 mins  
In this episode we talk about a real life fairytale, a sensational debut novel that outraged the nation, and the complex history of one of the world's most important shipping routes.   Want to reach out to us? You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @whostartedthefirepod, or send an email to [email protected]! Sources: “Peyton Place” by Grace Metalious encyc

Ep. 16 Bardot, Budapest, Alabama, Khrushchev

Sep 09 2022 75 mins  
We're back from our unintentional hiatus! In this episode we look at some decidedly somber topics that have far reaching effects.  We'll talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of one of the world's most recognizable faces, the speech that changed the (Communist) world, the shocking response to student protests, and the real story behind the myth of a tired woman who altere

Ep. 14 Einstein, James Dean, Brooklyn’s got a winning team

Jul 24 2022 68 mins  
From lost daughters to eerie warnings, join us for some surprising history and dad jokes on this week's episode as we look at 1955. Sources: history.com jamesdean.com imdb.com brittanica.com legacy.com chicagotribune.com legacy.com baseballhall.org Lamag.com

Ep. 13 Dien Bien Phu falls, Rock Around the Clock

Jul 13 2022 53 mins  
Only two topics this week?! Don't worry, we take this rare opportunity to dive a little deeper than normal into the end of French Indochina, and the beginnings of rock 'n roll, or should we say novelty foxtrot? Want to reach out to us? Drop a line to [email protected] or you can find us on Instagram and Facebook @whostartedthefirepod! Sources: history.com britannica.co