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Circus Stories: A Circus History Podcast
The good, the bad, the unbelievable stories of circus history spanning centuries and all the way to present day marvels. Each month we deep dive into topics like, "How and WHY do Clowns paint their faces", "Who was the first ever Human Cannonball act", "What are common Circus Superstitions" and so much more! Join host and generational circus photographer Callie B, as she shares various stories from circus history with her pal / co-host Mark. Complete with decoded circus lingo, fun circus facts, and circus stories from Callie B's own family. Theme song by The Cooties.
Episodes
58 episodes
The Great Blondin
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 ci...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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2:46:39
Spooky Circus; Media, Clowns, History - OH MY!
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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3:12:20
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Circus Tents - A Deep Dive
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 des...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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2:32:49
The Mickey Mouse Club Circus at Disneyland
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 Disney...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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2:22:08
Le Pétomane: The Fartiste of the Moulin Rouge
Today's episode is a rootin tootin ride as we transport back to the high brow performances of 19th century Paris and the world famous Moulin Rouge - strap your booties in ( are you getting the posterior references here...) We are discussing Jos...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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1:45:56
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Sideshow Secrets: Acts meant to Shock + Awe
We do a deep dive (all the way down the gullet) exploring and dissecting sideshow performances meant to SHOCK and AWE. We chat about acts like the Human Blockhead, Sword Swallowing and more; get a glimpse on how these acts work, affect the huma...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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2:41:56
Religion + Circus: The Traveling Circus Ministry
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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2:54:41
Wheel of Death!
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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2:41:19
HAUNTED Circus Stories
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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2:01:33
Hagenbeck - Wallace Circus Trainwreck of 1918
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 ghos...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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2:10:34
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1970's Circus Vargas with Mama B
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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Season 2
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Episode 17
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1:06:02
Clown Talk with MEATBALL the Clown
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 firs...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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1:50:58
Iron Jaw: Past + Present
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 he...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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2:51:00
Houdini + Halloween - PATREON (Unlocked)
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,...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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57:11
Circus Soccer Teams - PATREON (unlocked)
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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Season 2
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Episode 14
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42:25
Sideshow Secrets: Lady Illusions
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:44:42
Lou Jacobs: The King of Clowns
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... mor...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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2:43:43
JoJo + Lionel; The Dog Faced Boy & The Lion Faced Man
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 mistak...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:52:06
Jules Leotard; Father of the Flying Trapeze...and the Leotard
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, creati...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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2:01:50
The 5 Brothers of Ringling; an Origin Story
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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2:49:37
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Lillian Leitzel: The Queen of the Air
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 WA...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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2:11:42
Circus World Theme Park
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 hot...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:53:48
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Emmett Kelly: The World's Favorite Sad Clown
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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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:53:19
