Two teens shock the US with a multi state crime spree, and a pharmaceutical company's "wonder drug" hits the market, only to ruin thousands of lives. Come along with us to two of the darker parts of 1958. (We may sound a little off in this one, Jen was recovering from a cold) *Content warning: this episode discuses violence, abuse, and unethical medical practices* Sources: detroitnews.com history.com “Last Podcast on the Left - Charles Starkweather Part 1” “Last Podcast on the Left - Charles Starkeather Part 2” wowt.com (Omaha news channel) nbcnews.com plainshumanities.unl.edu murderpedia.org wyohistory.org “Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine - Thalidomide” thalidomidetrust.org grunenthal.com “Stuff You Missed in History Class - A Brief History of Thalidomide Part 1” “Stuff You Missed in History Class - A Brief History of Thalidomide Part 2”

The year is 1958, and there's a lot going on! This episode we'll look at a potential global crisis, a prominent historical figure, and, most shocking of all, Jen actually talks about baseball! Sources: britannica.com history.com Mlb.com

This week we will cover some important topics from 1957. We discuss a Russian Rocket, a Chinese Premier, and one of the most well received war movies of it's time! Come and learn much about these topics... that is until our dog Bailey has some thoughts of his own! 🙄 Sources: britannica.com imdb.com oscars.org bbc.com history.nasa.gov engineering.purdue.edu nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov astronomy.com pbs.org history.state.gov bbc.com nasa.gov

This episode we take a look at four very recognizable figures that all have important ties to 1955. We'll explore the pop culture, and real history of a prominent figure from American folk lore, a brief overview of a much loved character, the surprising origins and sparkling friendship of the King of Rock n Roll, and finally the rocky beginnings of the "Happiest Place on Earth"! Want to watch the NBC broadcast we discussed in the show? You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VusJd4x3tl8 If you'd like to drop us a line, send an email to [email protected], or leave a comment on our socials @whostartedthefirepod on Instagram and Facebook! Sources: imdb.com mtishows.com biography.com musicals101.com Latimes.com history.com adayinlatours.com memphistravel.com entertainment.howstuffworks.com graceland.com britannica.com history.howstuffworks.com time.com Palmspringslife.com

We're back (again)! In this episode we talk about nine brave students, one expensive rookie card, the complicated lives of two Russian men, and four friends who had a lasting impact on American culture. Come along as we talk about 1957ish, the good, the bad, and the perplexing. history.com britannica.com nobelprize.org sparknotes.com seattletimes.com sites.bu.edu biography.com goodreads.com penguinrandomhouse.com beatdom.com washingtonpost.com uscourts.gov baseballhall.org blackpast.org learningforjustice.org mlb.com sportscardsrock.com

We made it to the second chorus break!! Join us as we look back at some memorable topics from the last several episodes and discuss the highs, the lows, and all the (sometimes spooky) in betweens!  We'll also take a look at a man made fire that was so devastating, it actually changed the way forest services workers handled large blazes.  As a special Halloween trick/treat, we'll even reveal Mark's terrible joke that got cut from the previous episode. Want to reach out to us? Drop a line to [email protected], find us on Facebook and Instagram at @whostartedthefirepod, or write us a review wherever you listen! Sources: cdnc.ucr.edu wildfirelessons.net news.google.com csusb.edu coloradofirecamp.com sandiegouniontribune.com nfsl.contentdm.oclc.org voicesofsandiego.org

In this episode we talk about a real life fairytale, a sensational debut novel that outraged the nation, and the complex history of one of the world's most important shipping routes.   Want to reach out to us? You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @whostartedthefirepod, or send an email to [email protected]! Sources: “Peyton Place” by Grace Metalious encyclopedia.com unhmagazine.unh.edu pgrusa.org people.com hellomonaco.com britannica.com beyondgracekelly.com history.com cde.state.co.us

We're back from our unintentional hiatus! In this episode we look at some decidedly somber topics that have far reaching effects.  We'll talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of one of the world's most recognizable faces, the speech that changed the (Communist) world, the shocking response to student protests, and the real story behind the myth of a tired woman who altered the course of history. *Disclaimer: this episode was recorded before the passing of Queen Elizabeth II Want to reach out to us? You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @whostartedthefirepod or drop a line to [email protected]. Sources: imdb.com history.com nbcnews.com vanityfair.com francetoday.com britannica.com fondationbrigittebardot.fr digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org history.com isaacnewtonacademy.org dailyhistory.org soviethistory.msu.edu billofrightsinstitute.org womenshistory.org kinginstitute.stanford.edu aljazeera.com

From lost daughters to eerie warnings, join us for some surprising history and dad jokes on this week's episode as we look at 1955.   Sources: history.com jamesdean.com imdb.com brittanica.com legacy.com chicagotribune.com legacy.com baseballhall.org Lamag.com

Only two topics this week?! Don't worry, we take this rare opportunity to dive a little deeper than normal into the end of French Indochina, and the beginnings of rock 'n roll, or should we say novelty foxtrot? Want to reach out to us? Drop a line to [email protected] or you can find us on Instagram and Facebook @whostartedthefirepod! Sources: history.com britannica.com songfacts.com npr.com billhaley.com