The Box of Oddities
The Webby Award-winning “Box of Oddities" is a podcast that delves into the strange and mysterious aspects of our world, exploring topics ranging from bizarre medical conditions to unsolved mysteries, and from paranormal phenomena to strange cultural practices from around the world. With a focus on oddities, curiosities, and the macabre, each episode is a journey into the unknown, where hosts Kat and Jethro Gilligan Toth share their love for unusual stories and inject their humor and commentary. From the strange history of medical practices to chilling true crime stories, to natural (and unnatural) events, "The Box of Oddities" satisfies your thirst for the weird and the unusual, offering an informative and entertaining look into the dark and mysterious corners of our world.
JIMMY KIMMEL, ABC-TV says, "Should you be the type who has an interest in weird stuff, this is a fun thing to allow in your head!"
“Truth is stranger than fiction, and the Box of Oddities is the strangest of all!” -SLUGGO, SIRIUS XM LITHIUM
“Kat & Jethro wring humor from bizarre, macabre and perplexing places.” -BOSTON MAGAZINE
526
BOX354: Aquatic Vampires
Today we explore how little Kat knows about cocaine and how much JG appreciates seaman superstition. Ridiculous facts about Pablo Escobar and the meanings behind early western sailor tattoos in BOX354. Take with food.
31 min
527
BOX352: Revolutionary War Era Rapper
He was a strange man who was considered by most to be an "idiot". He made horrible business decisions yet they always seemed to work out. Along the way, he became one of the wealthiest businessmen of his time. No, not Forrest Gump. His Name was Timothy Dexter. Then, We learn that Popeye The Sailor Man was based on a real guy named Frank "Rocky" Fiegel. With one major difference. Instead of finding his super-human strength in a can of spinach, Rocky found his in a bottle of bourbon. It's BOX353. For comfortable and safe use, please read the Safety & Comfort Guide.
34 min
528
BOX352: Zip Lock Body Bags
DNA solves a 1,000-year-old mystery involving a Viking warrior in a skirt. And then we learn about a man who woke up on the embalming table in a morgue. Do not use BOX352 orally after using it rectally.
30 min
529
BOX351: Spiritual Painting Murder
Can a painting actually be cursed? Many say "The Crying Boy" painting has been the cause of dozens of house fires. And then Kat tells us the story of two men who could quite possibly be the luckiest people to ever hit the high-seas. Warning! The little part which suffocates when the sharp part which gets hurt is swallowed is contained generously.
32 min
530
BOX350: Crab Claw Urinal
They were the rock gods of the 18th century. They played to packed venues filled with screaming fans. But they were the ones who should have been screaming. Then, would you trust a restroom made of outward-looking one-way mirrors? The painful price that 18th-century opera stars paid and the world's most bizarre restroom facilities. Box350 has salt, MSG, artificial color, or flavoring added.
43 min
531
BOX349: The Patron Saint of Buzzard Picnics
Both beloved and reviled, he was one of the most bizarre saints in history. And then the story of the man who was President of The United States... for one day. The lives of Saint Simeon and Senator David Rice Atchison, both neatly packed inside Box349 and vacuum-sealed for freshness. Taste the rainbow.
28 min
532
BOX348: Not In My Sandwich
JG talks about what past us thought the future was going to look like. And Kat shares the story of an obsession and a triple murder. Retro-futurism and the deeply upsetting story of Daniel LaPlante in BOX348. Alternate toy available for children under 3.
34 min
533
BOX347: Reptilian Slight Of Hand
A Lazarus lizard or a courthouse con? And then a tale of cowboy revenge. Ol Rip the Horned Toad and Pistol Pete in BOX-whateverthisis. It’s not wet, like gravy, but does taste like paradise.
27 min
534
BOX346: Trampled By Warthogs
This serial killer duo will shake you to your very sole. And the beautiful corpse-turning ceremony of Madagascar. The Marrakesh Arch-Killer and Famidihana in BOX346. It’s blown to hell, crash. I’m the last splash.
29 min
535
BOX345: The Mole Man's Torture Chamber
Kat tells us about a fella who delighted in the art of the pointless and JG talks about a guy who we were both shocked we’ve not covered. The Mole Man of Hackney and Howard Hughes in BOX345. Can you dig it?
31 min
536
BOX344: Patriotic Pie Crimpers
She disappeared for over a decade and reappeared with amnesia. And then, she may have been the first woman to take a bullet for the US. The mystery of Jody Roberts and the masquerading Deborah Sampson in BOX344. It's better than a kick to the shin.
29 min
537
BOX343: Dice And An Old Horse Pistol
JG shares the story of the leader of the Southcottian movement and Kat talks about the last free place in America. Joanna Southcott and Slab City in BOX343. Buff until shiny.
30 min
538
BOX342: Drawn On Nipples
She had how many vaginas?! Also, a most unusual paleontological discovery in Brazil.
The unexpected true-life story of Blanche Dumas and the recent unearthing of a dinosaur with fur. Kind of. No transfers issued until BOX342 comes to a complete stop.
27 min
539
BOX341: The Con Man and The Hat Man
Trouble at the nudist colony? And what’s going on with those tall, dark figures in the mountains? The Sunny Sands con-man and the Dark Watchers in BOX341. It’s got calcium for growing bones!
33 min
540
BOX340: Urine Soaked Porcupines
Get your tickets for our "You Choose Our Tattoos" Live Looped show! What could possibly go wrong?
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It was built in the early 1700s, is valued at over $330,000,000, and went missing 70 years ago. Until now? Also, bees do what after they mate? Nazi treasure and the missing Amber Room plus strange and unusual mating rituals of animals. Do not attempt to put BOX340 in pants unless supervised by an expert.
27 min
541
BOX339: Overrun By WigMakers
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First, how a laboratory coffee pot changed the internet. Then, why was this man hounded by salesmen, doctors, orphanages, and divorce lawyers? We’ll discuss XCoffee and the tale of Morgan Dix’s dilemma in BOX339. It’s not your grandma’s oatmeal.
28 min
542
BOX338: Fighting An Imaginary Wolverine
Get your tickets for our "You Choose Our Tattoos" Live Looped show! What could possibly go wrong?
https://www.events.loopedlive.com/boxofoddities
Is the FBI pretending not to have found a long-lost treasure? And the amazing survival of a WW2 soldier all kinds of jacked up in the Russian wilderness. The disappearance of civil war gold and Aimo Koivunen in BOX338. Clever girl.
30 min
543
BOX337: Exit Through The Sewer Gift Shop
Shall we plan a family outing to the sewer? And what’s the skinny on those frozen explorers? The Paris Sewer Museum and Franklin Expedition updates in BOX337. It’s wafer thin.
28 min
544
BOX336: Liquid Plague Breakfast
A murder ship and pee drinking. Oh, it’s a rough one. The tale of the Mary Russell and medieval “cures” for the bubonic plague in BOX336. Do not iron while wearing.
37 min
545
BOX335: Dungeon Dudes And Dungeon Dames
One of Denmark’s oldest castles has stood for more than 800 years and it’s said some of its earliest residents still occupy the historic hallways. Also farts. It’s BOX335 and it’s grrrrreat!
32 min
546
BOX334: Bananas And Reindeer Piss
An ominous epitaph leads to satan speculation. And measurements can be fun! Lilly Grey’s tombstone and units you may not have heard of in BOX334. How you turn my world, you precious thing.
34 min
547
BOX333: Villain, I Have Done Thy Mother
JG blesses us with some random interesting facts and Kat shares the tragic story of Joseph Merrick. Tidbits for your summer gatherings and the Elephant Man in BOX333. Hey, remember Friendster?
34 min
548
BOX332: An Average Sized Eagle's Beak
Kat covers one of the worst school mass murders in US history and JG shares the nutty things some people will bid on. The Bath School Disaster and bizarre auction items in BOX332. Do not feed after midnight.
28 min
549
BOX331: Wielding The Whalebone
JG dishes on the guy who was, possibly, our oddest founding father. And Kat shares the story of a medieval septic tank that changed history. Gouverneur Morris and the Erfurt latrine disaster in BOX331. This ish is bananas. B-a-n-a-n-a-s.
33 min
550
BOX330: Mummy Mommy
Would you wear pants made of milk? And what’s unique about this mummy? JG talks about some interesting inventions and Kat shares the details of the first mummy mommy in BOX330. Can ya dig it?
27 min