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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

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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73:10

Bonnie Parker: Part 3 (Final)

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

2024/08/23

The conclusion to the Bonnie Parker saga...To quote Bonnie from her most famous poem:"They don’t think they’re tough or desperateThey know the law always winsThey’ve been shot at before, but they do not ignoreThat death is the wages of sin.Some day they’ll go down togetherAnd they’ll bury them side by sideTo few it’ll be grief, to the law a reliefBut it’s death for Bonnie and Clyde."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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119:55

Jane Boleyn: Part 2 (Final)

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

2024/08/21

Welcome back to part 2 of Jane Boleyn's story! The dust settles after Anne Boleyn and George Boleyn's executions...now Jane must figure out what the next part of her life will look like. Follow us as we chart Jane's unlikely return to court serving more of Henry VIII's queens (along with some asides, such as a "Queer Eye" style Thomas Cromwell fixer type reality show), and, more importantly...her inevitable downfall.Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support th...

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118:23

Bonnie Parker: Part 2

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

2024/08/19

We pick up with Part 2 of Bonnie Parker’s story! Bonnie has decided on a life of crime with her boyfriend, Clyde Barrow, and becomes a part of the Barrow Gang! Murder, more murder, poetry, and (eeeek) a mention of J. Edgar Hoover all make their appearance. Things are heating up for our star-crossed lovers as the authorities close in…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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60:29

Bonnie Parker: Part 1

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

2024/08/12

Bonnie Parker was one half of one of America’s most infamous duos…but behind the lore and the pop culture moments, who was the real Bonnie Parker? Learn how a girl who grew up poor in Texas and longed for adventure found herself at a crossroads between crime and a mundane life with a chance introduction to Clyde Barrow. 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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91:14

Jane Boleyn: Part 1

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

2024/08/11

NOTE: We apologize for the extra delay but between weather and then audio not lining up, we both spent hours trying to get this to work! The infamous Lady Rochford is portrayed as the sister-in-law from hell--but what's the reality behind the portrayals? Learn more about Jane's time at court with her husband, George Boleyn, and of course, the one, the only Anne Boleyn. Come for the Tudors, stay for the Spice Girls references (Joey Fatone, you got out of this one--but no promises on the n...

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94:55

Elvis Presley

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

2024/07/29

This episode is a one parter! We are out of Europe for now and covering someone who pretty much everyone at least recognizes---The King himself, Elvis! So join us to look at his life--the good, the problematic, and of course, come to a conclusion on where he falls on our scale!Correction: Elvis' performance of "Hound Dog" is from his second appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, not the first.Link to videos/photos mentioned in episode (and sources)Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our tak...

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64:05

Isabella of France: Part 2

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

2024/07/24

We pick up the podcast after Isabella’s invasion of her husband’s kingdom. Dogs, beheadings, and fiscal irresponsibility follow…and at least one semi-believable conspiracy theory. 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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77:56

Isabella of France: Part 1

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

2024/07/22

Isabella of France: married at 12, sidelined by her husband's boyfriends, naked tent rescues, and eventually known as the she-wolf. Oh, and there's beheadings too! Plus our first "listener judgement!" Come along for the ride! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the Show.

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92:26

Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova: Part 3 (Final)

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

2024/07/18

Finally, it's the end of the series on Czarina Alexandra--WWI, more Rasputin, and of course the end of the Romanovs. How did Erin and I ultimately judge Alexandra? Listen to find out!Source:The Last Empress: The Life and Times of Alexandra Feodorovna, Tsarina of Russia by Greg KingTell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the Show.

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2:37

Preview of Patreon Mini Episode!

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

2024/07/16

Want to know what a mini episode is like on Patreon? We give a short start of one on Czarina Alexandra's sister Ella. Ella's life is filled with tragedies just as much as her sister's. Want to finish the episode? Join over on Patreon!Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the Show.

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102:45

Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova: Part 2

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

2024/07/15

This is where things get even more interesting for Alexandra. There are minor conflicts, the 1905 revolution, Bloody Sunday, and the introduction of everyone's favorite wandering peasant with some amazing facial hair--Rasputin!Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!Support the Show.

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87:20

Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova

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

2024/07/09

Tsar Nicholas II...Rasputin...Anastasia. So many of us know these stories, but what about the mother at the center of it all? This week we focus on Empress/Tsarina Alexandra's early life. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!

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72:01

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy: Part 2

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

2024/07/03

NOTE: if you downloaded within the hour we uploaded, we had a nice little cough drop moment that accidentally got left in. Sorry! It should be fixed :) We left off a few days ago with Part 1 ending with Carolyn and JFK Jr's wedding. What happens to Carolyn between that and the infamous plane crash? Does she deserve the vilification she gets from the press and a large amount of the public, even this many years later? Hear our opinions and share yours!Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree wi...

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103:31

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy: Part 1

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

2024/06/30

Maybe you've seen the tabloid photos or remember the hysteria around JFK Jr's bride. Or maybe you only know her from her fashion resurgence in the era of Tik Tok. But who is the real Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy? Part 1 covers her early years up until her wedding to JFK Jr. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!

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66:52

Typhoid Mary

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

2024/06/23

Typhoid Mary is one of those ominous figures of the early 1900s, often seen as this devious woman almost purposefully infecting others in NYC. But Mary Mallon's story is more than just that. In the era of COVID, Typhoid Mary's story seems even more relevant. The question is...how does her public image compare to the reality? Is she the villain everyone makes her out to be?Sourceshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959940/https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Folklife-Coll...

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75:26

John of Gaunt

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

2024/06/18

NOTE: Gah, we know the audio is not great in this one! We’ve upgraded for future shows. But Erin is amazing at telling the story so still listen!Our show is back, hopefully from good from our hiatus with another fascinating figure from history, John of Gaunt. From peasant uprisings to men sleeping with the nannies (how original!), join Jamie as Erin fights for her historical crush. Will Jamie agree (most likely not)?Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!

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86:49

Richard Nixon

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

2023/04/21

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