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PODCAST

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most Questionable Figures

Jamie Poljanac, Erin Poljanac, & Matt H

Just like history isn’t all black and white, neither are the people who lived it. So who are the ones living in the grey?Welcome to Ambivalent Offenders— where we dig into the lives of people who’ve been called a lot of things: villains, scoundrels, monsters, misfits, or just plain morally messy. But were they really as bad as history says… or have they gotten an unfair rap?In each episode, we unpack the stories, facts, and cultural myths surrounding some of the most questionable (and sometimes

history

All Episodes

98:47

Mark Antony: Part 2

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2025/03/03

Join Erin and guest co-host, Matt, as we continue on in the life of Mark Antony, as he navigates life as Julius Caesar's faithful deputy, the horrific aftermath of the Ides of March, and feuding with a teen. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) ...

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87:19

Mark Antony: Part 1

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2025/02/24

Mark Antony--Shakespearean hero, Roman bad boy, lieutenant to Julius Caesar, and a man whose death often overshadows his life. With guest co-host, Matt, we begin our series with discussions of the very egalitarian Roman Senate (just kidding!), the Roman Republic, Antony's debauched early life (man loved a short tunic), and his time at Caesar's side. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time sup...

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40:16

Dueling Villains Judgement Episode

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2025/02/12

We conclude our first Dueling Villains series with the judgement on John Brown and Aaron Burr. Matt fills in for Jamie and helps us break down the flaws and the greatness of two of history's most enigmatic (and frustrating!) figures. Brown or Burr, who is the greater villain in our history? Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figure...

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24:33

Alice Perrers (20 minute Preview from Patreon Episode!)

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2025/02/03

NOTE: We always have a 7 day free trial for our Patreon memberships so this could be the perfect time to check that out! Hello listeners! We've been dealing with illness, job changes, issues with our editing program, and the usual chaos of life that has pushed us behind schedule. We just wrapped a full episode for our Patrons on Patreon to make up for January's mini-episodes there and thought we'd give you a little preview in case you want to join us! This is about Alice Perrers, King Edward...

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92:21

Aaron Burr: Dueling Villains (Part 2)

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2025/01/09

Follow the rest of Aaron Burr's story, as he vies for the presidency in the Election of 1800, enters that infamous duel with longtime rival/future musical star Alexander Hamilton, and finds himself dabbling in some *light* treason. Emperor Aaron I has a nice ring to it, does it not?Sources: The Great American Rascal: the Turbulent Life of Aaron Burr by Noel GersonTell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time sup...

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78:18

Aaron Burr: Dueling Villains (Part 1)

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/12/18

We are covering Aaron Burr (SIR!) as the second half of our "Dueling Villains" series. In this episode, we cover Burr's early life, the American Revolution and his role in it, as well as his political life up until the election of 1800. There's babies attending college, cougars, and absolutely insane attempts at staying neutral in between! We also pitch Timothee Chalamet the role of a lifetime. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram ...

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47:56

BONUS: Bleeding Kansas (with Erin & Matt!)

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/12/11

We spoke about Bleeding Kansas briefly in the previous episode on John Brown, but we have invited back Husband of the Pod, Erin's husband, Matt, to explain more of what was happening in Kansas during the lead up to the Civil War. St. Louis baseball supremacy and Chicago Deep Dish references abound! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of...

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70:29

John Brown: Dueling Villains

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/12/10

Listen to our first installment of our new Dueling Villains series! We will be covering John Brown, an American enigma. Terrorist, martyr, mad man--or a little bit of each? We will talk about Brown's early life, his move to Bleeding Kansas, and the raid at Harper's Ferry that would lead to his demise. Next time, in our second part of the series, we will cover Aaron Burr (of "Hamilton" fame!) and judge the two against each other. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share yo...

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67:02

Wolf Hall Episode 1 Discussion

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/11/22

With the new season of Wolf Hall airing in the U.K. now and coming to the United States in March, we have begun our own rewatch series of the first season. Follow along with us as we continue through the first season and sharing our comments/historical analysis/eternal love for Mark Rylance. You can join our Patreon for free to join the chats that we will have after each episode!Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a...

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62:20

Female Villains v.s. Male Villains

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/11/19

FYI I (Jamie) had to re-record a few lines so apologies if they stand out too much! Before we jump into our dueling offenders series, we wanted to do something a little different and discuss how questionable female historical figures are viewed and treated versus their male counterparts. Listen as we have an informal conversation on this very important topic about historical discourse and why we should even care today. As always, feel free to share your opinions as well!Tell us your thou...

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83:05

Caterina Sforza: Part 3

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/11/08

In our final episode on the Tigress of Forli, Caterina Sforza, we will conclude the rest of Caterina's exciting life--more assassinations, more himbos, the first appearance of syphilis, and plenty of female rage follows! Oh, and Cesare Borgia makes his long awaited appearance like a horror movie villain. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on...

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126:06

Caterina Sforza: Part 2

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/10/29

We pick up Caterina Sforza's story as she finally launches into action, taking castles and fortresses, outwitting cardinals and bishops, and earning that nickname of the Tigress of Forli. Expect assasinations, daring deeds, more pregnancies than we care to think about, and pulp (unfortunately, not orange juice pulp)...it is a wild ride!Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website ...

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61:53

Caterina Sforza: Part 1

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/10/16

Caterina Sforza is often overshadowed by the men who she came into contact with as they comprised some of the Italy's most infamous dynasties: the Medicis and the Borgias. While there is much to commend her on being a real warrior female leader in the Italian renaissance, a female powerhouse -- after all her nickname is the Tigress of Forli -- Caterina's legacy is marred by instances of violence that shocked even her contemporaries. Listen to the first part of Caterina's story as we explore h...

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98:17

John Lennon

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/10/10

Another week and another ambivalent offender...this time Jamie tackles another one from the music world (thanks to our Patreon fans & their votes!) and from one of the most recognizable bands of all time--John Lennon. From his traumatic childhood to his battles with mental health to his tumultuous relationships with romantic partners (as well as his son Julian), follow along to hear our examination of John's life---from early losses, to Beatlemania, domestic abuse (trigger warning is ment...

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91:05

Emperor Claudius

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/10/01

The Roman Emperor Claudius was as unlikely an emperor as they come (from inside the imperial family that is). Learn about his unexpected rise, his...complicated...marital history, and if we can truly call him one of the "good" Emperors.Remember, you can access FREE content on our Patreon this month by going to our patreon page linked below and joining as a free member!Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one tim...

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41:49

🔒 Patreon Only: Casting Attractive Men as...

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/09/27

Subscriber-only episodeErin and I have a little more informal discussion about the recent trend of casting attractive men (looking at you Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron) to play questionable figures, as well as the worst of the worst, serial killers. We also touch upon true crime media in general.Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website

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62:18

P.T. Barnum

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/09/23

Come one, come all, to learn about the man who has been nicknamed the Greatest Showman and created the Greatest Show on Earth. In this one-parter, you'll learn about P.T. Barnum's dark start (understatement) in show business and his journey from museum owner to starting a circus.Stick around at the end to hear a trailer for "Door Key" history podcast! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) T...

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111:06

Wernher Von Braun: Part 2

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/09/18

Listen to the conclusion of Wernher Von Braun's story as he arrives in America, works for NASA, launches the first manned mission to the moon, and does something with Spice Flight (you will need to listen to get the reference there!). Hear our judgements on the man sometimes called history's most controversial figure. Main Source: Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of WarTell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coff...

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32:10

Operation Paperclip Mini-sode

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/09/08

We have a very special guest joining the pod today to discuss Operation Paperclip. Erin's husband, Matt, history teacher extraordinaire, gives us the basics on Operation Paperclip, why it was called that, and its long-lasting legacy. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website

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78:59

Wernher Von Braun: Part 1

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most... ·

2024/09/06

"Gather 'round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun,A man whose allegianceIs ruled by expedience." Finally, we are covering the man who is sometimes called the most controversial figure in history (those are fighting words!).This first episode on Wernher Von Braun explores Von Braun's early life and his wartime activities during WWII. V-2 rockets, German mustaches, at least three Space Camp references, and, of course, an always unwelcome Hitler cameo.For more on Von Braun, check out Eri...

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