Fascinating People, Fascinating Places

By June 1944, the winds of war had changed. The German High Command was bracing for an invasion of mainland Europe by a liberating multi-national force. Kansas native, Dwight D Eisenhower was the Supreme Allied Commander of Operation Neptune (D-Day). The successful operation was a turning point in the war, and in Eisenhower’s life. Less than a decade later he made the switch from civilian to military leadership when he was sworn in as the 34th President of the United States. In this episode I speak with two experts on Eisenhower’s life and legacy. Dawn Hammatt is the Director at Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, KS. The campus includes a vast repository of documents and artifacts, including the table he used while planning D-Day. Professor Benjamin P Greene (PhD Stanford) teaches history at Bowling Green University in Ohio. He is also the author of Science Advice, and the Nuclear Test-Ban Debate, 1945-1963 With special thanks to Samantha Prior of the Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood home. Sounds: Pixabay Audio: Eisenhower D-day speech, final speech in office both public domain

On 8 August 1974, US President Richard Nixon announced his intention to resign from office. This signaled the end of a scandal-plagued period in office. The release of the so-called “smoking gun” audio recording had implicated Nixon in attempts to cover-up his surrogate’s illegal break-in at the DNC national headquarters two years earlier. But why did Nixon do what he did? What was the role, if any of the FBI and CIA in the crime or the cover-up? Were Nixon’s “dirty tricks” anything unusual in US politics? And, what is the legacy of Watergate? In this episode, I discuss these topics with Professor Bruce Schulman the William E. Huntington Professor of History at Boston University. He is the author of three books and editor of six others: From Cotton Belt to Sunbelt (N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 1991); Lyndon B. Johnson and American Liberalism (Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press, 1994); and The Seventies: The Great Shift in American Culture, Politics, and Society (N.Y.: Free Press, 2001). Audio: Nixon resignation, Nixon speech & watergate audio. Public domain. Music from Pixabay

Boko Haram (Arabic: جماعة أهل السنة للدعوة والجهاد) is a Nigerian-based Islamic militant group founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002. The group seeks to impose its strict version of Islam across a swathe of Africa. Primarily active in the border area around Lake Chad, its violent insurgency has led to millions being displaced and the deaths of over 300,000 children. More recently, the failure of central governments in both Mali and Burkina Faso to tackle the threat led to military coups in both those nations. The group previously pledged allegiance to ISIS although it has now split into factions, one of which opposes ISIS (Arabic: دولة إسلامية) although their violent methods and ideology remain very similar. Boko Haram also has connections with In this episode, I speak to Vincent Foucher Consulting Senior Analyst for West Africa of Crisis Group International about Boko Haram. We discuss their ideology, growth, and the threat they pose to multiple nations in West and Central Africa. Expert Guest: Vincent Foucher Music: Pixabay Sound: U.S. Presidents Reagan, Nixon, Bush, Trump, Nigerian President Jonathan Goodluck, (Public Domain) Photo: Abubakar Shekau (Free Use)

Kenneth Dukofsky is an exorcist. Raised in the Jewish faith, his experiences with the seemingly supernatural led him to adopt a scientific approach to the supernatural. He also became ordained in the Universal Life Church though he no longer participates in what he refers to as “man-made religions.” In this episode, I talk to Kenneth about his work as an exorcist. I also speak with Father Vincent Lampert a Vatican-ordained exorcist and Roman Catholic Priest about his ecnounters with the demonic. Additionally, I hear from Shirley Phelps-Roper, a Christian fundamentalist from the controversial Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church on her views about demons and exorcism. This episode features some topics and brief language that may be unsuitable for younger listeners. Sound Effect: Pixabay Kenneth Dukofsky Youtube Channel Image: Satan Before The Lord, Corrado Giaquinto. Creative Commons

Friday 13th …. A few years ago, the Barna Group – a market research firm specializing in religious beliefs conducted a survey in which it emerged that more Americans believe Satan is real than believe in God. On a superficial level, the results seem counterintuitive. In a nominally Christian society, God and Satan seem to go hand in hand. But it’s important to remember that the Satan figure of the Bible appears in Islam and Judaism, and that demons whether real or imagined pre-date the Abrahamic religions and can be found in ancient cultures around the world. But whatever his origins, Satan and his demons have inspired countless movies and TV shows and there are numerous instances of people arguing that these demons can and do possess people even today. In this episode, I speak with four people, an academic, a Vatican Exorcist, a fundamentalist Christian, and a man who believes demons can be tackled through science rather than religion. Music: Pixabay Images: Canva Guests: Father Vincent Lampert Shirley Phelps-Roper (Westboro Baptist Church) Kenneth Dukofsky Ljubo Rubic Film footage: Les Tresors De Satan (1902) Public domain The Devil in a Covent (1899) Links: Links: Kennth Dukofsky Youtube Channel Discover More Podcast Presented by Fascinating People, Fascinating Places podcast is available wherever you get your podcast.

In 1945, the Allied powers prepared to hold the Nazi leaders accountable for the crimes committed during world war II. Richard Sonnenfeldt sat down with a man whose name was as synonymous with Nazism as Hitler or Himmler. The subject of the interview, Göring, denied any culpability for the holocaust or the war. Sonnenfeldt dismissed him as a hand wringing witness who was trying to whitewash his past. But Göring continued with his denials even producing a list of Jews he had helped escape the Nazis. The story seemed ridiculous to captors until a new interrogator arrived: Victor Paschkes. His aunt had been smuggled out of Germany and he had little trouble remembering the famous name of the man who assisted her. It was Goring. But this wasn’t Hermann, Hitler’s number two, Paschkes and Sonnenfeldt were sitting with his younger brother Albert. A man wrongly accused of being a Nazi when in fact – despite his brother’s role in the regime had spent years battling against the Nazis. In this episode, I explore the story of The Göring brothers, Albert and Hermann. Sound: Pixabay Sentencing of Nazi Leaders at Nuremberg Public domain Music: Mahler Symphony No. 5, IV. Adagietto The Peabody orchestra through Creative Commons Gustav Malher, interprété par Bruno Walter et le Vienna Philhamornic Orchestra. Public Domain

Of the many Fascinating Places around the world, only the most extraordinary make the Unesco World Heritage site list. Gary Arndt — blogger, businessman, and podcaster — has visited over 400 of these sites since 2007 while visiting every continent and over 200 countries or territories whilst establishing himself as a well-renowned travel writer. But what happens when Covid shuts down the travel industry? Gary reinvented himself as the host of the hugely successful podcast Everything Everywhere Daily and found even greater success than he had as a travel writer. In this episode I speak to the Fascinating man, about his remarkable success. Gary’s website: Everything Everywhere Daily Music: Pixabay

Precisely 200 years ago, Prince Pedro declared independence for the Portuguese colony of Brazil. The first country in the world to officially acknowledge the vast nation’s independence was a tiny African Kingdom that had developed relations with the South American country over the prior 70 years. Dahomey, a Kingdom that once existed in what today we call Benin, made its mark in the history books of South America. But seven decades later, Dahomey disappeared from the maps having been swallowed up as part of the French Empire during the so-called scramble for Africa. While chasing new territory and resources, the European powers claimed that they were motivated by a desire to bring Christianity to the supposedly undeveloped continent. The Western visitors often described Dahomey in unflattering terms as a pagan nation where human sacrifice was practiced and where slavery (which had recently been outlawed in Europe) was central to the economy. It was also a land where an all-powerful monarch was kept in power with the support of 6,000 ferocious female Agojie warriors the Europeans dubbed “Amazons.” The reality was much more nuanced. While horrific acts most certainly occurred in Dahomey, –western chroniclers were inclined to focus on the kingdom in isolation and failed to draw parallels with horrors happening elsewhere in the world. In this episode, I explore the story of Dahomey.  Expert Guest: Dr. Lynne Larsen (University of Arkansas) Sound Effects: Pixabay

In North West Africa, the vast wilderness of the Sahara runs into the tropical rainforests of Benin and Burkina Faso. And it is in this region, that some of Africa’s greatest empires flourished. Among them was the Songhai Empire, as well as the earlier Mali Empire, whose rulers included Mansa Musa –  who flushed with gold – was reportedly the wealthiest man in history. By the early 19th century, the Bambara Empire controlled much of the territory that is in today’s Mali. But from the Southwest, a new force emerged, a man named Ahmad Lobbu who forged not just a new empire but what came to be known as the Caliphate of Hamdullahi. An Islamic and jihadist state, it was one of the last powerful empires in the region before the scramble for Africa beginning in 1881 saw almost the entire continent fall under colonial rule. It’s an area of the world and era of history that is often overlooked in the West. But Professor Mauro Nobili author of Sultan, Caliph, and the Renewer of the Faith: Aḥmad Lobbo, the Tārīkh al-Fattāsh and the Making of an Islamic State in 19th-Century West Africa is a subject matter expert on this period of history. I recently spoke to him about the caliphate and began by picking up from our discussion in a previous episode about the Songhai Empire. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

In North West Africa, the vast wilderness of the Sahara runs into the tropical rainforests of Benin and Burkina Faso. And it is in this region, that some of Africa’s greatest empires flourished. Among them was the Songhai Empire, as well as the earlier Mali Empire, whose rulers included Mansa Musa –  who flushed with gold – was reportedly the wealthiest man in history. By the early 19th century, the Bambara Empire controlled much of the territory that is in today’s Mali. But from the Southwest, a new force emerged, a man named Ahmad Lobbu who forged not just a new empire but what came to be known as the Caliphate of Hamdullahi. An Islamic and jihadist state, it was one of the last powerful empires in the region before the scramble for Africa beginning in 1881 saw almost the entire continent fall under colonial rule. It’s an area of the world and era of history that is often overlooked in the West. But Professor Mauro Nobili author of Sultan, Caliph, and the Renewer of the Faith: Aḥmad Lobbo, the Tārīkh al-Fattāsh and the Making of an Islamic State in 19th-Century West Africa is a subject matter expert on this period of history. I recently spoke to him about the caliphate and began by picking up from our discussion in a previous episode about the Songhai Empire.

Mauritania, one of Africa’s largest yet least talked about countries holds a dark secret: slavery. While slavery in various forms continues to exist around the world, in Mauritania its on a massive scale having been woven into the very fabric of society. In fact, the loathsome practice was only criminalized 15 years ago. But whereas the emancipation proclamation and subsequent events in the US eventually led to the visible liberation of milions of people, the new law in Mauritania had no such effect. Indeed, the government quickly moved on from criminalizing the trade to claiming there were no slaves in the country. Those suggesting otherwise risked harassment and arrest while the practitioners of the trade were largely undisturbed. But the situation is starting to improve in part because of the work of organizations such as anti slavery international. An entity founded in 1837 and designed to bring an end to the Atlantic slave trade. Almost two hundreds years later, despite much success, the groups work is not done, as  Emma Cain Programme Quality and Impact Manager explained to me. Learn more at and help fight slavery today by going to AntiSlavery.org Music: Pixabay --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

Mauritania, one of Africa’s largest yet least talked about countries holds a dark secret: slavery. While slavery in various forms continues to exist around the world, in Mauritania its on a massive scale having been woven into the very fabric of society. In fact, the loathsome practice was only criminalized 15 years ago. But whereas the emancipation proclamation and subsequent events in the US eventually led to the visible liberation of milions of people, the new law in Mauritania had no such effect. Indeed, the government quickly moved on from criminalizing the trade to claiming there were no slaves in the country. Those suggesting otherwise risked harassment and arrest while the practitioners of the trade were largely undisturbed. But the situation is starting to improve in part because of the work of organizations such as anti slavery international. An entity founded in 1837 and designed to bring an end to the Atlantic slave trade. Almost two hundreds years later, despite much success, the groups work is not done, as  Emma Cain Programme Quality and Impact Manager explained to me. Learn more at and help fight slavery today by going to AntiSlavery.org Music: Pixabay — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

In May 1930, a young English woman from Yorkshire arrived in Sydney, Australia she received a welcome fit for a Queen. Amy Johnson had become the first female pilot to fly from the United Kingdom to Australia. It was a remarkable feat for the 26 year old aviator who was born the same year the Wright brothers launched the first flight. It was also a notable achievement for a British woman considering that just two years earlier most women (Johnson included) weren’t even allowed to vote. In this episode I explore the life of the extraordinary aviator, from her childhood through her greatest triumphs up until her tragic and still controversial death. Music: Pixabay Film: Amy Johnson speaks with Jim Mollison, her husband, before her departure on solo flight to the Cape.  On this day in 1930, Amy Johnson became the 1st woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Big City down under gives courageous girl flyer big reception. Amy Johnson makes a lovely speech. Amy Johnson discusses plans for her tour British Movietone. Public Domain Polygoon Hollands Nieuws (producent) / Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid (beheerder) Public Domain --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

In May 1930, a young English woman from Yorkshire arrived in Sydney, Australia she received a welcome fit for a Queen. Amy Johnson had become the first female pilot to fly from the United Kingdom to Australia. It was a remarkable feat for the 26 year old aviator who was born the same year the Wright brothers launched the first flight. It was also a notable achievement for a British woman considering that just two years earlier most women (Johnson included) weren’t even allowed to vote. In this episode I explore the life of the extraordinary aviator, from her childhood through her greatest triumphs up until her tragic and still controversial death. Music: Pixabay Film: Amy Johnson speaks with Jim Mollison, her husband, before her departure on solo flight to the Cape.  On this day in 1930, Amy Johnson became the 1st woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Big City down under gives courageous girl flyer big reception. Amy Johnson makes a lovely speech. Amy Johnson discusses plans for her tour British Movietone. Public Domain Polygoon Hollands Nieuws (producent) / Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid (beheerder) Public Domain — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

On 6 May 1937, four camera crews were on hand as the German Zeppelin airship the Hindenburg burst into flames. Separately, radio journalist Herbert Morrison was on the scene and his commentary of the event is forever associated with the tragedy. In this episode, I explore the Hindenburg disaster. What went wrong? What did it mean for Nazi Germany? And what was the dark past of one of its victims Ernest Lehman. Sound & Music Richard Wagner Ride of the Valkyries Conductor: James Allen Gähres Ensemble: Ulm Philharmonic Location: CCU Einsteinsaal, Ulm EFF Open Audio License - version 1 June 2014 Richard Wagner Ride of the Valkyries Public Domain Richard Straus "Wiener Blut", a waltz by Johann Strauss II Public Domain Mahler Symphony No. 5, IV. Adagietto.ogg Peabody Symphonyt Orchestra Public Domain November 19 2006 Pixabay Herbert Morrison WLS-AM Radio in Chicago (19:25, 6 May 1937, EST) Public Domain Photo: By Murray Becker/Associated Press - eBayfrontback, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27765273 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

On 6 May 1937, four camera crews were on hand as the German Zeppelin airship the Hindenburg burst into flames. Separately, radio journalist Herbert Morrison was on the scene and his commentary of the event is forever associated with the tragedy. In this e

Having been lost to history for 3,000 years, Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun became a household name in 1922 when British Archaeologist Howard Carter excavated his tomb. But who was the man behind the iconic golden mask? What treasures were found in his tomb? and what is the truth behind the curse of Tutankhamun? Music by Pixabay --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

Having been lost to history for 3,000 years, Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun became a household name in 1922 when British Archaeologist Howard Carter excavated his tomb. But who was the man behind the iconic golden mask? What treasures were found in his tomb? and what is the truth behind the curse of Tutankhamun? Music by Pixabay — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

Some 1500 years after Alaric led the Visigoths in the sacking of Rome, the eternal city was braced for another invasion. There was talk of as many as a million supporters of fascist politician Benito Mussolini, seizing power by force. What followed was simultaneously anti climactic and yet profoundly significant. In this episode I recount the 1922 March on Rome. Music from Pixabay --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

Some 1500 years after Alaric led the Visigoths in the sacking of Rome, the eternal city was braced for another invasion. There was talk of as many as a million supporters of fascist politician Benito Mussolini, seizing power by force. What followed was si