Unexplained History

In this gripping episode of Unexplained History, host Tom McKenzie explores one of the CIA's most bizarre and ethically questionable experiments called Operation Midnight Climax. Part of the infamous MK-Ultra program, this covert operation saw unsuspecting individuals lured to CIA-run safe houses and secretly dosed with LSD, all under the watchful eyes of agents hidden behind two-way mirrors.

Tom unravels the unsettling details of these experiments, including the use of sex workers to recruit participants and the agency's goal to crack the code of mind control. With a backdrop of Cold War paranoia and a desire to outmatch perceived Soviet psychological advancements, the operation pushed the boundaries of morality in the name of national security.

Listeners will hear the startling claims of deeper conspiracies, unaccounted victims, and government cover-ups, followed by a hard look at the evidence that separates fact from fiction. Was Operation Midnight Climax a misguided attempt at scientific progress, or does it hide a more sinister agenda? Tune in as Tom examines the historical, ethical, and conspiratorial dimensions of this chilling chapter in U.S. history.

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In this chilling episode of Unexplained History, host Tom McKenzie delves into the enigmatic world of the Montauk Project, a conspiracy theory that blurs the lines between science fiction and unsettling reality.

What began as whispers of secret military experiments in Montauk, New York, has spiraled into tales of mind control, time travel, and interdimensional portals. Tom unpacks the origins of these claims, tracing them back to Preston Nichols’ controversial book The Montauk Project: Experiments in Time.

Along the way, he examines the alleged connections to the infamous Philadelphia Experiment and interviews experts who discuss the plausibility of the wild technologies described. Listeners will also hear eerie firsthand accounts from locals, conspiracy theorists, and skeptics alike.

As the episode unfolds, Tom explores whether the Montauk Project is a reflection of Cold War paranoia, a web of fabricated stories, or perhaps, just perhaps, the remnants of a truth too bizarre to fully comprehend. Prepare to question the boundaries of reality as Tom McKenzie takes you on a journey into one of history's most compelling and controversial conspiracy theories.

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In this chilling installment of Unexplained History, host Tom McKenzie delves into the sinister depths of folklore to explore the stories that have haunted humanity for generations.

From the unnerving modern legend of the Black-Eyed Children, whose void-like gaze and polite pleas mask an otherworldly menace, to the sorrowful and vengeful Rusalka, a water spirit born from betrayal and tragedy, and finally to the terrifying Wendigo, a creature of insatiable hunger born from desperation and greed, this episode examines the cultural origins and universal fears behind these legends.

What do these tales tell us about our darkest instincts, societal anxieties, and the moral boundaries we dare not cross? Join us as we unravel the eerie truths hidden within these timeless myths, revealing not only the monsters in our stories but also the shadows within ourselves.

Prepare to question what you know about the world—and what might be waiting just beyond the veil.

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In this riveting episode of Unexplained History, host Tom McKenzie takes listeners deep into the mysteries of Hidden Civilizations—enigmatic societies said to have thrived before disappearing from the annals of history. From whispered legends to modern conspiracies, this episode explores the possibility of entire civilizations lost beneath the sands, submerged under oceans, or erased from memory.

The journey begins with the controversial Tartarian Empire, a supposed advanced society wiped from history, and the intriguing Mud Flood theory, which suggests a catastrophic event buried ancient cities under layers of earth. Are these anomalies evidence of forgotten worlds, or simply the product of natural erosion and urban evolution? The exploration then turns to the enduring legends of Atlantis and Lemuria.

Plato’s tale of Atlantis speaks to the heights of human achievement and the dangers of hubris, while Lemuria embodies the dream of a harmonious utopia, lost to time yet alive in myth. Do these stories hold echoes of real events, or are they allegories born from humanity’s imagination and longing for a golden age?

Throughout the episode, McKenzie examines why these myths captivate us, questioning what they reveal about our collective psyche and our unyielding desire to uncover hidden truths. Whether rooted in fact or fantasy, these tales remind us of the fragility of progress, the allure of the unknown, and the deep-seated human need to search for meaning in our history.

Join us for Hidden Civilizations, a thought-provoking journey into the blurred lines between legend and reality, as we unravel the mysteries of lost worlds and what they say about our own.

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Join host Tom McKenzie on Unexplained History for a festive yet eye-opening journey into the mysterious origins of Christmas. In this episode, we unravel the ancient roots of this beloved holiday, tracing its evolution from pagan midwinter celebrations like Saturnalia and Yule to the global celebration of joy and giving we know today.

Discover the fascinating stories behind figures like St. Nicholas, Odin, and Krampus, and uncover how Christian traditions intertwined with older customs to create enduring symbols such as the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, and twinkling lights. With captivating insights into global Christmas traditions—from Mexico's Las Posadas to Sweden's Gävle Goat—this episode explores how Christmas reflects humanity’s universal desire for hope, connection, and light amidst the darkest days of the year.

Tune in for an enchanting mix of history, mythology, and cultural storytelling that will deepen your appreciation for the holiday season. Whether you’re sipping hot cocoa or braving the holiday hustle, The Secret History of Christmas is the perfect companion for your festive celebrations.

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In this chilling episode of Unexplained History, host Tom McKenzie takes you on a journey through the eerie and mysterious world of cursed objects. From glittering treasures to everyday items, these artifacts are said to carry dark forces and tragic legacies.

Explore the glittering yet sinister history of the Hope Diamond, a gem rumored to bring misfortune to all who possess it. Delve into the haunting tale of the Dybbuk Box, a modern artifact linked to documented paranormal activity. Uncover the mysteries of the Pharaoh’s Curse, which plagued the discoverers of Tutankhamun’s tomb, and learn about lesser-known cursed items like the Conjured Chest and the Myrtles Plantation Mirror. Each story reveals a mix of historical fact, personal tragedy, and supernatural intrigue.

Whether these curses are real or the product of human superstition, one thing is certain: the chilling stories behind these objects will leave you questioning the unseen forces that shape our world. Tune in to Unexplained History for a spellbinding exploration of cursed objects through the ages.

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In this episode of Unexplained History, we conclude our exploration of the Fourth Turning, tying together the key events of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s to uncover the repeating cycles that shape our history.

Host Tom McKenzie takes you on a journey from the exuberance and moral reckoning of the Roaring Twenties to the economic despair of the Great Depression, the rise of fascism, and the outbreak of World War II.We connect these transformative decades to the present, revealing how the challenges we face today echo the crises of the past.

From economic instability and social upheaval to rising authoritarianism, Tom explores how our current world bears striking similarities to the past cycles of history—and what we can learn from them as we navigate our own Fourth Turning.This episode is not just about the events of the past, but about understanding their relevance to the present and our collective future.

Tune in as we unravel the lessons of resilience, crisis, and renewal that continue to echo through time, and consider how we can rise to meet the challenges of today. Remember to subscribe for more insights into the cycles that shape our world, and visit Unexplained.co for additional content.

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Step into the shadows of the 1920s as Unexplained History delves into the scandals, secrets, and societal shifts that defined the Roaring Twenties.

In this episode, we begin with the scandalous tales of Hollywood, from the tragic downfall of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle to the unsolved murder of director William Desmond Taylor.

Explore the rise of organized crime with figures like Al Capone, and the subversive lives of Hollywood elites at Alla Nazimova’s "Garden of Alla."We then broaden our view to connect these tumultuous times to the Strauss and Howe generational theory in "The Fourth Turning."

Discover how the 1920s marked an unraveling phase, setting the stage for the crises and transformations that would define America in the coming decades.

Lastly, meet the dreamers, innovators, and rebels of the 1920s—the flappers, jazz icons, Charles Lindbergh, Marcus Garvey, and the writers of the Lost Generation—who pushed boundaries and reshaped culture during one of history's most fascinating decades.

From scandalous Hollywood stories to societal transformations, this episode of Unexplained History brings you face to face with the personalities and events that made the 1920s an unforgettable chapter of history.

Join us each week as we unravel the unexplained moments of our past. New episodes drop every Tuesday, exclusively from The Unexplained Company.

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