x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Oh, Malort!

Alyssa Dyksterhouse, Chicago tour guide, history lover and research extraordinaire, walks her friends through her favorite well-known and lesser-known moments in Chicago’s quirky past while exploring each story"s parallels to current affairs.

history places & travel

All Episodes

79:46

The Berghoff: Weathering the Changes

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/05/19

In this episode Alyssa tells Vanessa from Reel Relationships about the legacy of The Berghoff. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: CNN: Gloria Steinem, In Her Own Words Chicago Tribune: Historic Berghoff to closeNPR: The Berghoff, A Chicago Institution, to Close JStore: “No Unescorted Ladies Will Be Served” Chicago Tribune: Historic Berghoff to close Chicago Tribune: Berghoff, beer and Chicago The Berghoff

en

65:11

Obama Presidential Center: Fact from Fiction

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/05/12

Earlier in the week, before the hot debate was does the Pope prefer the Cubs or the Sox, Trump took time in the Oval Office to talk about the Obama Presidential Center. After months of seeing weirdos on the internet spreading theories about what is happening with this project I thought I would tell Hugh about the history and dispel some...inaccuracies. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, InstagramSHOW NOTES:Politico: ‘It’s Been Hard Opposing

en

80:31

Abraham Bolden: The Conspiracy Continues

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/05/05

Alyssa finishes telling Morgan Stringer about the plight of Abraham Bolden. Related topics include: the JFK assassination, possible weaponization of the government, people being sent to facilities with possibly no release date. Additionally, we're gonna discuss some recurring characters from the Fred Hampton trial.Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, InstagramShow Notes:New York Times: Edward Hanrahan, Prosecutor Tied to ’69 Panthers Raid, Dies

en

93:34

Abraham Bolden Part One: They are Going to Kill us All

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/04/28

Alyssa tells Morgan Stringer about Abraham the first Black Secret Service Agent to serve in the White House. Related topics include: the JFK assassination, possible weaponization of the government, people being sent to facilities with possibly no release date. Additionally, we're gonna discuss some recurring characters from the Fred Hampton trial.Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, InstagramShow Notes:New York Times: Edward Hanrahan,

en

75:44

Beer in Chicago: We are a Drinking City

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/04/21

Alyssa tells Ken Guy the history of breweries in Chicago. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials: Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Episodes mentioned: Block 37 1855 Lager Beer Riots. Show Notes: Serious Eats: A Brief History of Beer in Chicago Provi: Chicago Beer History: A Timeline The New Chicagoan: History: Old Style is Not Chicago's Beer and Other Chicago Beer Factoids University of Chicago: Beer in Chicago Chicago Public Library:Beer, 1900-2014:

en

64:38

James Caesar Petrillo: An Idiot

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/04/14

In this episode Alyssa tells Pat about James Caesar Petrillo. He has a bandshell named after him in Grant Park but what do we really know about the man? Answer, he is an idiot. Listen to learn all the ways this becomes evident. We also talk about tube socks and Van Halen. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials: Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: Lea Act New York Times: THE PETRILLO LAW DECISION New York Times: JAMES PETRILLO DEAD; LED MUSICIANS James

en

87:59

The Musical Chicago: We have lost the plot.

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/04/07

Alyssa tells David Baxter the real life story behind the musical Chicago. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials: Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Check out Other Episodes: Grease: The OG Broadway Transfer William Hale "Big Bill" Thompson: Illinois Most Corrupt Politician Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Silent 1927 'Chicago' to make a musical comeback Chicagology: Maurine Dallas Watkins Chicago Tribune: A Tribune reporter wrote the hit play ‘Chicago’ after covering

en

64:10

Zion, Illinois: *Almost* Paradise

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/03/31

After they reminisce about workplace email hijinks, Alyssa gives John an update on the Mike Madigan trial, the closing of the Hard Rock Cafe, and the takeover of the Kennedy Center then they take a trip to Zion, Illinois which was founded as a theocracy. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials: Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: AP: The Earth is Flat Cracked: 1920s Illinois Lived In Fear Of The Priest-King Of The Flat Earth New York Times: SURE EARTH IS

en

60:54

Oak Park Nazi: Everyone thought they were Right.

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/03/24

Alyssa tells Pat all about the time Oak Park, a Chicago suburb, was torn apart after discovering an ACTUAL Nazi was a part of their community. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends. Socials: Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Check out Other Episodes: It's Okay to Punch a Nazi Fascism Frenzy KKK in Chikago: It's a Okay to Dox a Racist Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: The Nazi of Oak Park Chicago Magazine: The Nazi Hunter Chicago Tribune: REMEMBERING NAZI CAMPS Chicago Tribune:

en

63:55

St. Patrick's Day in Chicago: Epicenter of Nonsense

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/03/17

Alyssa is joined by Risen to tell her the history of St. Patrick' Day celebrations in Chicago. Socials: Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: WTTW: Labor of Love: A St. Patrick’s Day Special Chicago Tribune: Vintage Chicago Tribune: The city’s St. Patrick’s Day traditions Smithsonian: The Origins of Chicago’s Green River, Shamrock Shakes and Other Surprising Trivia About St. Patrick’s Day TimeOut: 10 things you might not have known about St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago Chicago Tribune: Politics

en

67:54

Daylight Saving Time: Dante's Third Ring

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/03/10

Alyssa tells Vannesa from Reel Relationships about Chicago's crazy and chaotic relationship with Daylight Saving Time. We also dispel a few widely believed myths on the subject. SHOW NOTES: Country Living: The History of Daylight Saving Time—and 11 Weird Facts to Know About It The History Channel: 8 Things You May Not Know About Daylight Saving Time Washington Post: Why people hated permanent daylight saving time when the U.S. last tried it Chicago Tribune: Daylight saving time 2023: Why it

en

105:23

Fascism Frenzy

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/03/03

In this episode, Alyssa and Scoot talk about how fascism became a bit of a fad in the 1930's. Show Notes: WTTW: The American Nazi-Sympathizing Group That Drew Tens of Thousands of Members Before World War II WTTW: Fascism in Chicago Chicago Reader: In 1939 Nazis rallied in Chicago to make Germany great again NYU: Home-Grown Nazis- John C. Metcalfe and James J. Metcalfe - Chicago Daily Times Time: CONGRESS: Hitler’s Shadow Chicago Sun-Times: Fighting fascism is in our bones Bund Camp opens Time:

en

77:24

Jussie Smollett: The Never Ending Story

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/02/24

Alyssa tells Molly McAleer about the STILL ONGOING Jussie Smollett saga. Show Notes: Northwestern: Breaking Down Kim Foxx’s Win in the 2020 Primary Ballotpedia: Kim Foxx WTTW: Former Top Cop Was Drunk When Officers Allowed Him to Drive Home: Watchdog Chicago Tribune: Ex-FOP leader, suspecting politics at play, gets 3-year suspension from Chicago police union for use of camera in rival’s office WTTW: Federal Judge Refuses to Toss Out Chicago's Lawsuit ... Fox Nation: After the Hoax Axelrod

en

57:59

Madigan Trial Updates: And Scene

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/02/17

This week Alyssa dropped everything to tell John all about the verdict and the subsequent reactions. It truly is Shakespearean. We also have some hot takes on opportunities for Blago. SHOW NOTE: Chicago Tribune: ‘Wow, we were part of something really big’: Madigan jurors on how they reached their verdict WTTW: Michael Madigan Found Guilty of Bribery Conspiracy, Other Charges as Jury Deadlocked on Racketeering DOJ: Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan Convicted on Federal

en

51:07

Madigan Trial Updates: Arts and Crafts

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/02/10

In this informal episode, Alyssa updates John on the Madigan trial. We also talk about Burke, Blago, and Trump's vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.SHOW NOTES: Chicago Tribune: A disappearing witness, an odd choice of hold music and the Fighting Irish: 5 strange things you might not know about the Madigan trial Chicago Sun-Times: USA v. Michael Madigan Chicago Tribune: On 8th day of deliberations, Madigan jury gets deep in the legal weeds but returns no verdict ABC 7: Madigan Trial Live

en

80:03

Fred Walcher and Dr. Emil Bronner: History Rhymes.

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/02/03

In this episode Alyssa tells Ben Panko about a guy found crucified in Chicago which led her into the crazy story about a guy named Dr. Emil Bronner. It is a wild ride. San Diego Reader: Dr. Bronner invented the peppermint oil soap for soiled diapers Emanuel Bronner Label Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox Digital Research Library of Illinois History: The Shocking Story of Chicago's first and only Crucifixion. CaseText: City of Chicago v. Walcher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

en

98:52

Fred Hampton Trial Part Two: A Saga

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/01/27

Alyssa tells Morgan all about the Fred Hampton Trial. Show Notes: History Channel: The 1969 Raid That Killed Black Panther Leader Fred Hampton Biography: Fred Hampton Chicago Tribune: In 1969, charismatic Black Panthers leader Fred Hampton was killed in a hail of gunfire. 50 years later, the fight against police brutality continue Southside Weekly: Fifty Years of Fred Hampton’s Rainbow Coalition Chicago Reader: The Neutralization of Fred Hampton BuzzFeed: You Can't Kill A Revolution: The FBI's

en

81:14

Fred Hampton Trial Part One: Weaponization of Government

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/01/27

Alyssa tell Morgan Stringer about the legal aftermath of the Fred Hampton murder Show Notes: History Channel: The 1969 Raid That Killed Black Panther Leader Fred Hampton Biography: Fred Hampton Chicago Tribune: In 1969, charismatic Black Panthers leader Fred Hampton was killed in a hail of gunfire. 50 years later, the fight against police brutality continue Southside Weekly: Fifty Years of Fred Hampton’s Rainbow Coalition Chicago Reader: The Neutralization of Fred Hampton BuzzFeed: You Can't Kill

en

104:47

History of Improv: It's a Chicago Thing

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/01/20

In this episode Alyssa tells Hugh Yemen about Second City and its lasting impact on improv. SHOW NOTES: Chicago Tribune: More improvised exits at Second City in management shake-up Playbill: Hate Speech in the Audience Causes Chicago Cast Member to Call It Quits League of Chicago Theatres U of News: Improv Explained Chicago Tribune: When Abbie Hoffman took the Second City stage during Chicago Seven trial Chicago Tribune: Discontent all around at Second City in ‘The Winner … of Our

en

67:19

Madigan Testifies: Act Five Plot Twist

Oh, Malort! ·

2025/01/13

Anyone who watched Law and Order know it isn't a good idea to let a defendant take the stand; yet, that happened last week in the never-ending Mike Madigan corruption trial. Alyssa texted John and told him to ignore all media so they can discuss it. She also explains the history of the recurring character of "The Old Post Office." We learn more about his upbringing and Lisa's dad. Show Notes: Niagara Foundation Chicago Sun-Times: Madigan’s testimony changes ‘rules of the game,’ and jurors may

en

152 results

Similar Podcasts

The Old Front Line

Paul Reed

Today In History with The Retrospectors

The Retrospectors

جنود خلدهم التاريخ

ALSUMOOD PODCAST

Film History - Daily

Inception Point Ai

Madonna - Audio Biography

Inception Point Ai