Advertise on podcast: Carter's Condensed History the Podcast

It’s all scary Americana in this Independence Day episode! First, Carter takes us to Mount Vernon for some presidential overkill when George Washington dies a violent death and nearly becomes the first President to turn into a zombie. Then, Marissa takes us on a romantic getaway where a rowboat, a tennis racket, and a pregnant mistress try to find “A Place in the Sun” but end with the tragic murder of Grace Brown. 

Say gay! It’s a special episode in honor of Pride month! First, Carter takes us on the Sayville Ferry to explore every nook and cranny of Fire Island. Watch out for pirates as we wander through the Meat Rack, before we spill some tea about The Tea Dance. Then, Marissa introduces us to a “Strange Sisterhood of lady sculptors” as we meet Emma Stebbins and her lesbian lover in the heart of Central Park. There’s lots of pride (and a little prejudice). 

For better or for worse, it’s wedding season! Grab a plus-one and RSVP to the most opulent weddings in history. First, it’s a destination wedding in Monaco! Carter opts for fish when Hollywood Princess Grace Kelly ties the knot. Then, Marissa goes for beef, attending the White House wedding of Presidential Princess, Alice Roosevelt. 

As a summery treat, this episode is all outtakes! The stories that were cut for time, the historical tangents that were just too tangential, and all the asides that a true fan would love. The history is sweet and condensed, with stories picked up and dusted off from the cutting room floor.

Carter and Marissa ruin your Memorial Day weekend with some spooky stories! First, Marissa opens up the lake house and finds skeletons in the closet at the Summerwind mansion. Then, Carter goes to the beaches of Australia with the mysteriously well-dressed Somerton Man.

This episode is a real hatchet job! To start, Carter tells us the story of murderess Martha Place, the first woman sent to the electric chair. Then, Marissa unfolds the tale of the Villisca axe murders and the terrible fate of the Moore family and Stillinger girls.

Spinning out from a brief recap of the Met Gala, Carter and Marissa go from Kardashian to Kennedy! First, Marissa gives us the history of Marilyn’s birthday suit by Jean Louis (and Bob Mackie!) and her rumored relationship with a president. Then, Carter lays out the homoerotic friendship of JFK and Lem Billings, and how a secret prep school love note started a lifelong intimate friendship.

First, Carter takes us to the Hollywood Canteen and picks up a hitchhiker on the way to the mysterious murder of Georgette Bauerdorf. Then, Marissa heads to Paris for an appointment with Dr. Marcel Petiot, but discovers that many of his patients ended up floating in the Seine. 

It finally happened! Carter and Marissa chose the same subject: the intoxicating Queen Victoria. First, Marissa gets the party started with Victoria’s coked up coronation. Then, Carter hooks us up with the Queen’s dealer and shows us laudanum is a cure all.

First, Marissa takes us to Pennsylvania Dutch country where home renovations uncover creepy surprises in the walls. Then, Carter tells us the story of accused witch, Hannah Cranna, who leveraged her witchy reputation to extort her neighbors.

Take a terrifying roadtrip with Carter and Marissa. First stop? Fairfax County, Virginia, where Carter tries to catch a glimpse of the Bunny Man. Then it's off to High Point, North Carolina, where Marissa picks up a pale hitchhiker in the rain. 

Which came first, the rabbit or the egg? We begin with Marissa explaining how a Christian celebration got mixed up with farm animals. Then, Carter walks us through the grand history of the Fifth Avenue Easter Parade—how it changed fashion forever, and why it remains one of New York’s signature sartorial social events.