Circus Stories: A Circus History Podcast

What do you think of when I say Circus Church? Or Clown church service?  Not many people associate religion with the circus folk - but you might be mistaken. How do religion and circus collide ? Enjoy our LENGTHY episode as we explore how religion infiltrated circus and the history and genesis behind it. 

This podcast contains explicit languange.
Visit our IG for images.

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The WHEEL of Death also known as the Space Wheel. We are barreling into the new year with a chonky episode that is equally as dangerous. Please enjoy the ins and outs of the daredevil performance - the Wheel of Death (seriously like how and why do people do this!) We discuss the early to current iterations, the mechanics, and the perils involved! We also speak to current circus artist and generational circus performer Jansen Grant, who shares his first hand knowledge with 23 years of the Wheel under his belt. 

Below are some videos we watch during the episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=hX9V9_a9VCY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD4Kr4SLF-U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=DkBKhYIrrx4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD4Kr4SLF-U

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A very spooky episode where we explore a few ghost stories, sightings, and alleged hauntings that surround the circus and circus folk from the past. 
Are these strange occurences the real deal or simply legend? Listen and find out .. IF YOU DARE!

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 We revisit the over 100 year old tragedy of the 1918 Hagenbeck Wallace circus trainwreck in Hammond Indiana. We uncover those presumably responsible for the incident,  the subsequent causes, as well as the lore, conspiracies and ghost stories that still loom around the resting place of the deceased

This podcast contains explicit languange.
Visit our IG for images.

+Follow Us on IG @circus.stories
+Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com
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Please join me on a journey back to the 1970's where things were ...well very 1970's. Mama B shares some radical travel stories from her time working concessions with Circus Vargas. HOT DOGS baby!  Another rad Patreon episode unlocked!

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ANOTHER CLOWN EPISODE!
Today's episode we deep dive into the experience of former Cole Bros Circus clown, Meatball. Join Callie B as she picks Meatball's clown brain for all the juicy details of how he got into clowning, how he got his first circus gig, how he pieced his clown persona together, what is was like to travel with one of the longest running tent circuses in the U.S. at the time, and so much more!

 "How to Be a Clown": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbSn5mKFWps

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Iron jaw is an aerial act where the performer is quite literally hanging only by their teeth. Enjoy learning about this centuries old act, and trust me we leave no stone unturned. Get into this episode with some serious TEETH TALK!

To hear the unedited interview with Iron Jaw performer Nikki, please join our Patreon - link  found below
Main Source for the episode : Bandwagon; Vol 65. No 3

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We explore the fascinating history of world renowned escape artist and magician Harry Houdini.  Uncover some of his best kept secrets and how he performed his most famous feats.  Discover details of his lavish lifestyle and of course, mine the cavernous mystery that haunts his early demise which fell on Halloween.

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Much like every office that partakes in a company sports team... the Circus, namely Ringling Bros, was no different. OH and they were like REALLY good. Enjoy this unlocked Patreon episode all about Circus Soccer teams.
also who knew??

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We unpack and analyze (maybe too much) a series of infamous sideshow attractions,  the back stories that made them SOOO convincing, different iterations and of course... the secrets behind the illusions.  Definitely check our IG for the visuals on this one!

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Honk Honk! ANOTHER CLOWN EPISODE!

Enjoy this delightful tale about the incredibly innovative master clown who paved the way for many a clown after him. Creator of the tiny clown car and so many more beloved clown gags! Master clown... more like Genius Clown.


https://youtu.be/IZKT_2WonPI - Jacobs + PeeWee

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We explore these two very famous faces from Barnum's illustrious sideshow and the condition the two share known as "werewolf syndrome" . JoJo the Dog Faced boy and Lionel the Lion Faced man were much more than performers and though often mistaken for the other, these two men lived and performed very differently. We discuss each of them separately, their specific condition, and what made them unique and impactful, resonating through circus history and pop culture still to this day.

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Would you believe one man is responsible for the innovation of both the Flying Trapeze AND the well known garment, the Leotard! Well its true! Listen to hear how this very well built dude dared to soar through the air before anyone else, creating the aerial art form we know as the Trapeze, and the famous outfit he dawned to do it,  that really SHOWED it all, if you catch my drift! 

"The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze" (1867) - George Leybourne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDhG_4N_r6w

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Join us on a wild journey as we track the very early beginnings of the 5 Ringling Brothers and their incredible rags to riches success story.   An origin story that truly has   everything.  All the tenacity of the Little Rascals and the business sense of Barnum, without the humbug.

For all things Ringling:
https://www.ringling.org/

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A truly high flying episode all about incredible aerialist and circus hall of famer, Lillian Leitzel. A star from the jump, standing a mere 4'9", less than 100 lbs in weight, yet performing  aerial feats of Herculean proportion. Leitzel WAS an international superstar, complete with a juicy love life, lavish traveling demands and a bit of a diva streak. 

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 FINALLY am I right! We embark on a very thrilling episode as we dive head first  (maybe on fire) into the past and uncover the history behind fallen amusement park CIRCUS WORLD, with plans that included a 19 story Elephant shaped hotel,  just 10 miles down the road from Disney World. 

And the mouse perhaps was not into it.

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Today's episode we explore all the origins and history behind the genius of famous "hobo clown" Emmett Kelly who created the world famous and beloved character clown Weary Willie.

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We speed into this episode and explore all that surrounds the Globe of Death; over a century old dare devil act known world wide. Join us as we discuss its history, inner workings, the wild affects this act has on its riders ( G- force!) and the physics that make it a reality. 

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 Throwing pies as a form of political protest? What are the repercussions for pie crimes? We deep dive into pie politics and activist groups of past and present that utilize pies for public protest as well as the ramifications linked with these non consensual pie throwing. This is serious!!??

Rupert Murdoch pie : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY-dyz_iW1s

FAST COMPANY 2017, Baking Brigade : https://www.fastcompany.com/40467645/how-pie-became-a-powerful-punchline-in-political-provocation

Bill Gates gets a pie:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niZJMOKsiCI

Pie Any Means Necessary:  https://www.amazon.com/Pie-Any-Means-Necessary-Brigade/dp/190259388X

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Measuring a staggering 3.2 meters high at the shoulder, and weighing  6000 kgs; we explore this massively influential and incredible elephant Jumbo, the sordid history behind his life and what  animal experts and researchers can learn from revisiting his remains. 

We dive deep into Jumbo's  affect on advertising, creating a new word for "BIG" and  the alleged conspiracy and mystery that swirls around his untimely death in 1885.

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