The Digressor

When people talk about the birth of movie sound, one title always gets the spotlight. But history has a twist, because another film beat it there first.

We often think certain moments began with the age of modern media. But the truth reaches much further back. In this episode, we uncover the earliest known assassination ever captured on film, a moment recorded decades before most people realize such a thing was even possible.

One broadcasted tragedy became an entire generation’s defining memory. But decades before that, another moment quietly reshaped the future of news.

Soft drinks feel timeless, but their origin story is anything but simple. This episode explores where that story truly begins.

Before competition and confessionals took over television, one show quietly captured real life as it was. And what it revealed changed everything.

Before Hollywood learned how to handle a scandal, one case shocked the nation and nearly ended a star’s career. But the real story began much earlier than anyone remembers.

Before air travel became routine, one flight turned the impossible into reality. But every legend begins somewhere, and this one began not where you thought.

The moment sound was captured, everything changed. At least, that’s how the story usually goes.

It started with a broadcast on the radio. The panic that followed would change how the world trusted what it heard.

We're going to be doing things a little differently this season.

On the season five finale, I am joined by my old friend, Vicki from Scotland, as we discuss the real Braveheart, as well as Scotland in general.

"Robert the Bruce was the Real Life 'Braveheart'" by Weird History

Anne Frank was just a teenager, but her diary revealed a world of fear, hope, and extraordinary insight. In this episode, we explore her life, the hidden annex, and the enduring power of her words.

In 1919, a wave of molasses tore through Boston’s North End, killing 21 people and leveling buildings. This episode dives into how it happened—and why no one stopped it.

The Star Wars prequels were once mocked and misunderstood, but beneath the awkward lines and galactic politics lies a story of power, fear, and one of the darkest tragedies in sci-fi. In this episode, we revisit the prequel trilogy with fresh eyes, explore how Revenge of the Sith channels Shakespearean drama, and look at how The Clone Wars helped us finally see these films in a new light.

Elisa Lam was not a mystery—she was a person. In this episode, we look beyond the viral elevator footage and explore who Elisa really was, while examining the media portrayals that turned her life and death into spectacle. It’s time to remember her with empathy.

Elisa Lam's Tumblr

Before the blast, there were warnings. This is the story of how a series of stand-offs led to an unforgettable tragedy.

Darby Crash was the founder of the punk band, Germs, in the late 1970s.

The fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe covers the aftermath of the Snap. It was the introduction of Disney+ MCU shows.