Advertise on podcast: Circus Stories: A Circus History Podcast

Buzz Buzz - today's episode we discover the mysteries behind the famed sideshow exhibition of "The Tattooed Lady". How much were they paid? Who actually gave them their tattoos? How long did their tattoos take? And why did they actually decide to cover their whole bodies in tattoos? All this and so much more awaits you !  Check out our IG for images we discuss during the episode Thank you to Amelia Osterud + Stories&Ink Magazine Amelia Osterud Lecture on Tattooed Women via The Ringling  More info on Olive Oatman - Amelia Osterud publications (including the new The 388 Tattoos of Captain George, and the 389 Tales of How He Got Them and The Tattooed Lady: A History) - Find Amelia Osterud on IG Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

Come join us as we "tip toe through the tulips" and discuss whom some have described as the "original goth" and all around quirky dude, Tiny Tim! The singer - not the other one -- and what is his connection with the circus!? We also share some VERY interesting circus lingo and stories from the vault! Two audio versions of “Tip Toe Through The Tulips With Me” shared in this episode use the original public domain sheet music and were created by Andy Rinaldi of tasker-morris sounds. Thank you so much, Andy!  Spotify playlist (featuring two versions of "Tip Toe):  Full first appearance on Johnny CarsonTiny Tim’s entire wedding to Miss Vicky on The Tonight Show with Johnny CarsonTiny Tim in Diet Pepsi commercial (1991) “Tiptoe Thru The Tulips” in Insidious (first time it plays - NOTE: SPOILERS)Tiny Tim on The Howard Stern Show (1995)Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

We are talking strong women today! Katharina Brumbach, more commonly known as Katie Sandwina or Lady Hercules was, for a time, a headlining act at the famed Barnum and Bailey's circus and considered the "perfect" female specimen. We dive deep into her life, career, family and of course amazing feats of strength which will blow your socks off! +Check out our IG for images we discuss during the episode!! images and photos sourced from Stark Center.org ++View videos of Sandwina + Son Teddy Brumbach (link above)  Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

We are SO Back! And boy this is a deep cut my friends... A wild ride where lore, exile and circus collide.  While Mark takes a family sabbatical; Callie B is joined by circus "scholar" Aíne Norris and together the two explore Maria Rasputin's, daughter of infamous mystic and alleged healer Grigori Rasputin (friend to the last imperial family of Russia- ever heard of 'em!) I don't want to spoil the ending so just have a listen... { This episode contains explicit language that may not be suitable for young children } Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

THIS is what Circus Stories is all about folks! Tall tales and circus lore. Strap in and hold on while I interview Billy B (my dad) who dishes all the tea about his early days visiting Jungle Land, traveling with Circus Vargas in its 'heyday', storm blow downs, epic Hey Rubes and a run in with the real Rocky Dennis. I mean this episode literally has it all! Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

Hair Hang - Dang a lang! This episode is full of secrets, stories and all the juicy details of life on the road as a present day hair hang circus performer. Join us as we ask all the questions and get all the info from famed generational circus performer Christopher Williams, best known for his hair hang act but he is so much more!! {This episode contains explicit language and content} Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

Often billed as the "Half Boy" but more accurately dubbed "The Most Remarkable Man Alive" by Robert Ripley (of Ripley's Believe It or Not), Johnny Eck was a born performer, as well as showman, magician, movie star, wood worker, fine art painter and above all - a true artist in every sense. Join us as we explore his incredible life journey. {This episode contains explicit language and content} **Check out our IG for images we discuss during the episode!** Johnny Eck clip Jeffrey Pratt Gordon (Eck collector/curator) - Interview Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

Step right up ... Step right up! feast your ears on the real life account of a present day carnival worker and entreprenuer. Learn some wild new 'carnie' lingo, carnival superstitions, and the nitty gritty ins and outs of what its like to be a career carnival worker. It isn't quite circus but we all know carnivals are the wily cousin of circus so lets get into it! {This episode contains explicit language} **CHECK YOUR BOILERS** Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

We explore the life and career of fascinating and worldly sideshow performer Francesco "Frank" Lentini aka The Great Lentini, born with three legs, four feet and two functional sets of genitalia! Join us on our deep dive into his early life, varied show skills and interesting perspectives proclaimed by this famed exhibitor. {This episode contains explicit language} LENTINI'S "PITCHBOOK": https://www.missioncreep.com/mundie/gallery/gallery11.htm MORE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iDqmwuKiWk **Check out our IG for images we discuss during the episode!** Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

We discuss the unique and incredibletown of Gibsonton Fl - a small town just miles away form Sarasota that was (and still is) a haven for performing circus, sideshow and carnival folk alike.  With its unique permit and zoning laws, accommodating amenities to those of all shapes and sizes and of course all the colorful characters that make its splendid community - its is magical oasis created for and by showfolk. {This episode contains explicit language} Check out our IG for images we discuss during the episode!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPKyYHe6y3s Support the show  || CHECK YOUR BOILERS! Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

We talk ALL things clown with the fantastical Cait the Clown who just recently became apart of the illustrious Clown Egg Registry, a huge figure in the Wooster clown community and a successful working clown - performing in so many different forums in would make your head spin! Join us for a super deep dive about all things CLOWN! Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

Enjoy a plunging deep dive into the incredible life and career of the Great Blondin who broke countless performative barriers as one of the most famous tight wire walkers of his day and still credited in so much of the artform's evolution in circus. Check out IG for images we discuss during the episode!   This episode contains explicit language. Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

OK OK! This is dense - we know!! But we love details - So dive right into this spooky but INFORMATIVE episode about why circus is so heavily affiliated with all things spooky- namely  "scary clowns". We will explore some more spooky circus hauntings, circus depicted in the media, reasons for circus having such a "dangerous" reputation, and a heavy helping of the science behind the clown phobia - officially known as "coulrophobia". It is beefy and spooky and very chaotic - just like we like it. Check our Instagram @circus.stories to view images we discuss during the episode! *This podcast contains explicit language that may not be suitable for young children Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

Enjoy this deep dive into the history of circus tents - how they are set up, torn down, and all the the bonkers man power that it all requires and intricate logistics involved . We also discuss the history of Ringling's TOP tent maker, tent design and its evolution from the Golden age of circus to present. VIDEO LINKS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg5JuVFxljc https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ejO1yOeZOjk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t02mTJbh1HI Check our Instagram @circus.stories to view images we discuss during the episode! *This podcast contains explicit language that may not be suitable for young children Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!

We explore Disney's love affair with the circus and also uncover the history of the Mickey Mouse Club Circus . OH Yeah - thats right ...Walt Disney + Disneyland tried their hand at running their very own circus within the confines of the Disneyland park during its first year in business. It was very elaborate + VERY short lived.  Hop on this wild ride with us - No height requirement! VIDEO LINKS +1987 Celebrity Circus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPhr1Eg7iiM + 1994 Circus of the Stars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNH_qDP0e7Y +"Drawn to Life" Cirque du Soleil via Jim O Rear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbjjXacbwrk Check our Instagram @circus.stories to view images we discuss during the episode! *This podcast contains explicit language that may not be suitable for young children Support the show +Follow Us on IG @circus.stories +Email us: [email protected] Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen! Thanks for Listening + Check those Boilers !!