Circus Stories: A Circus History Podcast

Circus Stories: A Circus History Podcast

A circus history podcast deep diving 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 your host and circus expert (sorta) 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

July 25, 2024 142 mins

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!


VIDEO LINKS
+1987 Celebri...

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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 in time as we...

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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.!

*This podca...

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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

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,...

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October 19, 2023 121 mins

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
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Thanks for Liste...

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September 21, 2023 130 mins

 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.

Support the Show.


+Follow Us on IG @circus.stories<...

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August 16, 2023 66 mins

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!
Thanks for Liste...

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July 3, 2023 110 mins

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!

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May 25, 2023 171 mins

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
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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 + Check those Boi...

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March 16, 2023 104 mins

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

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February 9, 2023 163 mins

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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+Email us: circusstoriespodcast@gmail.com
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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, res...

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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 ...

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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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+Follow Us on IG @circus.stories
+Email us: circusstoriespodca...

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July 7, 2022 131 mins

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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June 9, 2022 113 mins

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

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