Time Machine Diaries

A lot of my material doesn’t come from just dusty old books—though those matter too. I’m a long-haul trucker. That means I’ve got hours, and I mean hours, to listen, absorb, and overthink. Audiobooks? Essential. Historical podcasts? Daily bread. YouTube documentaries? Background noise with fire insights. I dive into it all: lectures, debates, independent history channels, weird little academic corners of the internet.

I also dig thr...

They stand like monuments to violence and loyalty, cloaked in the twilight of empires.

The Varangian Guard — not just warriors, but omens carved from northern frost and forged in imperial fire. Their armor, a haunting blend of Norse brutality and Byzantine decadence, glints under the flicker of palace torchlight like the scales of old gods. Each axe they hold is not just a weapon — it’s a memory, a vow, a promise that betrayal ends ...

This is not a lecture. This is a war cry.
In this scorched-earth episode to Time Machine Diaries: Mongol Nightmare, we rip the mask off one of history’s most over-sanitized legacies. No, the Mongols weren’t just some badass horse lords who gave us trade routes and dumplings. They were the mother of all extinction events—steamrolling civilizations, incinerating entire knowledge systems, and breaking human spirits from Samarkand t...

In this episode, we dismantle the glorified myths of Spartan society, revealing the brutal realities behind the legend. From the harrowing experiences of the agoge—Sparta's rigorous education and training system—to the oppressive treatment of the helots, we explore how a society built on discipline and warfare concealed a foundation of systemic violence and control. Through historical accounts and critical analysis, we uncover ...

History is messy. Brutal. Manipulated. And weaponized.
This episode rips the veil off the sanitized myths around Mongol “mercy” and the bullshit idea that empires destroy to heal. If you’re gonna spit truth, you better bring receipts.

Below is a curated list of books, journals, firsthand accounts, investigative journalism, and academic heavyweights that informed this episode. These sources aren’t here to polish history—they’re here t...

He inherited a vast empire, but his reign was marked by conquest and unsettling tales. Delve into the psychology and actions of King Cambyses II of Persia. Did the weight of his father's legacy and the challenges of ruling a diverse empire lead to his alleged erratic behavior? We examine the evidence and try to understand the man behind the myths of this controversial ancient ruler.

Primary Sources

Herodotus. The Histories. Translate...

This episode journeys through the brutal legacy of the Mongol Empire, drawing chilling parallels to modern atrocities like My Lai, Srebrenica, Nanjing, and Mahmudiyah. By examining these events, we uncover the recurring patterns of imperial violence and the mechanisms of mass atrocity that have persisted through centuries. The goal is to inform and, hopefully, prevent future horrors by understanding the past

The Mongol Empire & ...

1. Calhoun, John B. “Population Density and Social Pathology.” Scientific American, vol. 206, no. 2, 1962, pp. 139–148.

2. Ramsden, Edmund G. “Carving Up Population Science: Eugenics, Demography and the Controversy over the ‘Population Problem’ in the 1960s.” Social Studies of Science, vol. 38, no. 5, 2008, pp. 825–846.

3. “Universe 25 Experiment.” The Scientist, 2022, https://www.the-scientist.com/universe-25-experiment-69941.

4. “Mouse ...

Before they conquered half the known world, the Mongols were just ruthless survivors scraping through the brutal chaos of the Central Asian steppe. In Part 1 of our series, we dive deep into the raw, violent birth of the Mongol Empire — and draw some uncomfortable parallels to America’s genocide of Native peoples and the theft of their land. Different players, same bloody game.
History doesn’t repeat — it mutates, and it sure as hel...

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Cullen is back with a triple dose of truth and sarcasm, dragging some of the U.S. government's darkest medical sins into the daylight. First up: Tuskegee, where Black men were told they were being treated for “bad blood” while they were being watched die of syphilis for 40 years—just to see what would happen.

Then we slide into the cells of Holmesburg Prison, where mostly Black inmates were lathered in chemical...

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Embark on a captivating journey through the history of vaccines in this episode of Time Machine Diaries . From the groundbreaking work of Edward Jenner in the 18th century to the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines in the 21st century, we explore the scientific milestones that have transformed public health.

Discover personal narratives that highlight the human side of vaccination, including sto...

On a sweltering January day, the echoes of a hard-won democracy seemed to falter. Explore the unprecedented events that unfolded at its seat of power, examining the tensions that boiled over and the fragile threads of unity that were tested. What does this day reveal about the challenges facing a young republic striving for lasting stability?

Official Reports and Government Documents:

1. Final Report of the Select Committee to Inves...

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Dive deep into the harrowing saga of the Black Death, the 14th-century pandemic that decimated Europe's population and reshaped the course of history. We'll explore its debated origins, from the steppes of Central Asia to the heart of Europe, and unravel the societal upheavals it triggered. Drawing parallels to contemporary global challenges, this episode offers a raw, unfiltered examin...

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Join us as we embark on a journey through the complex and often tragic history of the War on Drugs. We'll trace its roots back to the Opium Wars of the 19th century, exploring how global power dynamics and racial biases have shaped drug policy and its devastating consequences. We'll examine the failed policies of prohibition, the rise of mass incarceration, and the ongoing s...

In 6025 AD, the world is a toxic wasteland. Join me as I navigate this treacherous future, uncovering the secrets of a poisoned planet and searching for hope amidst the ruins.

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They were separated by centuries, but united by a shared fate. This episode explores the lives of Camille Claudel, the brilliant sculptor silenced by a patriarchal society, and the women of Salem, accused and condemned in a frenzy of fear. We delve into the societal pressures that led to their persecution, examining how fear, misunderstanding, and the suppression of female expression can have devastating consequences. Join us as we...

Strap in as Cullen tears apart the bullshit myths about Vikings. Forget what you’ve seen on TV—these guys weren’t just horned-helmet-wearing, axe-swinging maniacs. In fact, they didn’t even wear those fucking helmets. We’re diving into who the Vikings really were: farmers, traders, and yeah, sometimes raiders, but definitely not the macho badasses today’s wannabe tough guys think they are. Plus, we’re unpacking how the Vikings ende...

Step back in time with the Jubalaires, a legendary gospel quartet that brought joy and harmony to audiences worldwide. Their soulful voices and infectious energy created a unique sound that captivated hearts and inspired generations. This episode delves into the rich history of the Jubalaires, exploring their musical legacy and the impact they had on gospel music.

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n 1862, a brief but devastating conflict unfolded in Minnesota—the U.S.-Dakota War. Lasting only six weeks, its repercussions have echoed through generations, profoundly affecting both the Dakota people and settler descendants. Families were torn apart, lives were lost, and communities were forever changed. Today, the pain and memories of that time still linger, reminding us of the deep scars left by this tragedy.

Join us as we hon...