Circus Stories: A Circus History Podcast

Circus Stories: A Circus History Podcast

The good, the bad, the unbelievable stories of circus history spanning centuries 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

May 30, 2025 144 mins

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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...

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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:...

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March 30, 2025 139 mins

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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...

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February 20, 2025 125 mins

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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!

Head to www.magicmind.com/circus20 and enter the code CIRCUS20  

20% off your fir...

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December 20, 2024 166 mins

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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.


Head to www.magicmind.com/circus20 and enter the co...

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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 - of...

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September 6, 2024 152 mins

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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=ejO1yO...

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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!


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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 Joseph Pujol the most famous and most well paid "Fartiste" that had graced the stage.  This episode is a gut buster, so get ready for a stupid and silly journey back...

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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 human body and the sincere dangers involved. DISCLAIMER: DO NOT TRY THESE AT HOME!

Check our Instagram @circus.stories to view images we discuss during the episode.!

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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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February 1, 2024 161 mins

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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...

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October 19, 2023 121 mins

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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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+Follow Us on IG @circus.stories
+Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com
Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen!
Tha...

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September 21, 2023 130 mins

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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.

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+Follow Us on IG @ci...

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August 16, 2023 66 mins

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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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+Follow Us on IG @circus.stories
+Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com
Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen!
Tha...

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July 3, 2023 110 mins

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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 ...

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May 25, 2023 171 mins

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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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+Follow Us on IG @circus.stories
+Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com
Ra...

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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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+Follow Us on IG @circus.stories
+Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com
Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen!
Thanks for Listening + Ch...

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March 16, 2023 104 mins

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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!

Support the show


+Follow Us on IG @circus.stories
+Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com
Rate, Review and Subscribe where ever you Listen!<...

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