The Ides of April: A Christmas Assassination

THE IDES OF APRIL A Christmas Assassination: The Death of Rasputin Christmas 1916. Russia is starving. The First World War is grinding the empire into dust. Faith, monarchy, and legitimacy are collapsing in real time. And inside a candlelit palace, a small group of aristocrats convinces itself that killing one man might still save the nation. In this stand-alone holiday episode of The Ides of April, we examine the assassination of Grigori Rasputin—a murder born of fear, myth, and desperation, carried out just days before Christmas, and destined to change nothing. 🎄 IN THIS EPISODE Cold Open — “They Killed Him Once” A story that refuses to end quietly. Poison. Bullets. Ice. And the unsettling question of why Rasputin’s death had to be so absolute. Chapter One — Russia in December: War, Winter, and the Need for a Devil World War I has hollowed out the Russian Empire. Soldiers freeze at the front. Cities starve. The Tsar is absent. And Rasputin—mystic, peasant, outsider—becomes the human symbol of everything the ruling class can no longer control. Christmas approaches as faith collides with collapse. Chapter Two — The Night at the Moika Palace Inside a palace dressed for the holidays, a plan unravels. Poison fails. Gunshots follow. Panic replaces precision. Rasputin’s murder becomes legend not because it was supernatural—but because it was chaotic, amateur, and fueled by fear rather than certainty. Chapter Three — The Assassination That Saved NothingRasputin’s death does not stabilize Russia. It accelerates its collapse. This chapter examines why political assassinations so often fail to deliver the futures they promise—and how killing a symbol can reveal the moment an empire stops believing in itself. ❄ CLOSING THOUGHT The murder of Rasputin was not an act of strength. It was an admission of panic. Violence did not save imperial Russia. It only revealed how desperate its guardians had become. 🎁 HOLIDAY GREETING As the year closes and the season asks us to reflect on endings and beginnings, we wish you peace, safety, and perspective. History rarely offers clean endings. Be gentle with yourselves—and with each other. 🔮 NEXT WEEK ON THE IDES OF APRIL Another assassination. Another belief that history could be redirected by a single act of violence. It couldn’t. 🎧 THE USUAL EVIO CREATIVE CTAs LISTEN & FOLLOW Follow The Ides of April and the entire Evio Creative lineup wherever you get your podcasts. ⭐ RATE & REVIEW If this episode stayed with you, leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps independent shows survive—and we read every one.📺 WATCH & SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE Watch full episodes, clips, and exclusives from all Evio Creative shows. 👉 Subscribe to Evio Creative on YouTube and turn on notifications. 🌐 VISIT THE NETWORK Explore all shows and upcoming projects at ⁠eviocreative.com⁠ ✉ GET IN TOUCH Have a story, tip, or correction? Email ⁠[e-mail]⁠ 🔁 SHARE THE SHOW If this episode felt worth sitting with, share it. Word of mouth keeps this network alive. QUINCELuxury essentials at affordable prices.Free shipping + 365-day returns: www.QUINCE.com/MISCHIEF 📱 MINTMOBILEPremium wireless for just $15/month.Switch and get free shipping: www.mintmobil.com/DEVILWITHIN 🛰 EXPRESSVPNProtect your data anywhere.Get up to 4 months free: www.ExpressVPN.com/DEVILWITHIN 🌿 MOOD CBD and THC gummies shipped nationwide. 20% off: www.mood.com/DEVILWITHIN 🐶 OLLIE DOG FOODReal, fresh, human-grade meals for your dog. 60% off your first box: www.ollie.com/IDES 🔥 MONARCH The only finance app you’ll ever need.For 50% off your first year: www.monarch.com/IDES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices