Episodes

From stories of unruly dictators and undercover agents, to eerie urban legends and the occasional super niche historical episode, this podcast explores how dark, creepy, and strange this world really is. Join our hosts every week as they crack into The Dark Archive.

  • Denver International Airport: Home to the Illuminati and a Big Blue Horse - Season 1 Episode 12

    Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving millions of travelers each year. However, since its opening in 1995, the airport has been shrouded in controversy and conspiracy theories. In the season finale of The Dark Archive, we will explore the various theories surrounding the airport and try to separate fact from fiction.

  • Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: Outlaws of the Wild West - Season 1 Episode 11

    In this episode, we delve into the iconic Wild West showdown known as the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Taking place on October 26, 1881 in Tombstone, Arizona, this event has become one of the most enduring legends of the American frontier.

  • Church of Scientology: Cult, Business, or New Religious Movement? - Season 1 Episode 10

    In this episode, we delve into the controversial world of the Church of Scientology, one of the most secretive and mysterious religious organizations in the world. The Church of Scientology has long been the subject of intense scrutiny and controversy, with critics arguing that it is a dangerous cult that exploits its members, while supporters maintain that it is a legitimate religion with a unique set of beliefs and practices. We explore the origins of Scientology, its beliefs and practices, as well as its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. We also examine the criticisms leveled against Scientology, including claims of abuse, brainwashing, financial exploitation of its members, as well as its history of legal battles and controversies.

  • Toxic Workplaces: Radium Girls, Mad Hatters, and Breaker Boys - Season 1 Episode 9

    In this episode, we’ll be exploring infamous cases of (literal) toxic workplaces. First, we will examine the tragic story of the radium girls, who worked in factories painting watch dials with radioactive paint in the early 20th century. Despite being assured that the paint was safe, the women ingested dangerous levels of radium, which led to cancer and other illnesses. Next, we will explore the origins of the phrase “mad as a hatter” and its connection to the hat-making industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. Hat makers used a chemical called mercury nitrate in the production of felt hats, which led to mercury poisoning among workers. Finally, we delve into the world of breaker boys, young boys who worked in coal mines in the 19th and early 20th centuries, sorting coal from debris using their bare hands. These boys were exposed to dangerous levels of coal dust, which led to chronic respiratory diseases and other health problems.

  • The June 1962 Alcatraz Escape: History’s Most Daring Prison Break - Season 1 Episode 8

    In this episode, we’ll be exploring one of the most notorious prison escapes in American history, the June 1962 Alcatraz Escape. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, located on a rocky island off the coast of San Francisco, was considered to be one of the most secure prisons in the world, housing some of the most dangerous criminals of the time. We’ll delve into the events surrounding the Alcatraz escape, including the planning and execution of the escape itself, as well as the aftermath and investigation. We’ll examine the methods used by the escapees, including their intricate plan to dig out of their cells and create lifelike dummy heads to fool the guards during their escape.

  • The Real Peaky Blinders: The Bloody Gangs of Birmingham - Season 1 Episode 7

    In this episode, we’ll be exploring the real-life Peaky Blinders gang. Originally a street gang in late 19th and early 20th century Birmingham, England, the Peaky Blinders have since become a pop culture phenomenon, thanks in large part to the hit television series of the same name. We’ll delve into the history of the Peaky Blinders, including their origins, their rise to power, and their eventual decline.

  • Joan of Arc: Maid of Orleans, Defender of the French Nation - Season 1 Episode 6

    In this episode, we delve into one of the most iconic and inspiring figures of medieval Europe, Joan of Arc. We discuss her life story, from her humble beginnings in the French countryside, to her visions of saints and angels that inspired her to lead the French army to victory against the English at the Siege of Orleans. We discuss the political and religious climate of France during Joan’s lifetime, and how her story reflects the tensions between France and England at the time.

  • Cryogenics: Futurists Hoping for Immortality - Season 1 Episode 5

    In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge field of cryogenics, which involves the freezing and preservation of living tissue at ultra-low temperatures. We begin by examining the science of cryogenics, including the technology used to freeze tissue and the challenges of preserving it over long periods of time. We also delve into the ethical considerations surrounding cryogenics and discuss the complex issues of consent, personal autonomy, and the rights of the deceased, as well as the broader implications of using cryogenics to extend human life. We even take a look at some current “patients” who have been frozen, and some celebrities who have expressed interest in the field.

  • Satanic Panic: Speak of the Devil - Season 1 Episode 4

    The following installment of The Dark Archive contains descriptions of child abuse of both a physical and sexual nature. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

  • D. B. Cooper: The Hijacker That Truly Disappeared - Season 1 Episode 3

    In this episode, we delve into one of the most fascinating unsolved mysteries in American history: the case of D.B. Cooper. In 1971, a man calling himself Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient Airlines flight and demanded $200,000 in ransom money, then jumped out of the plane with a parachute and vanished without a trace. Despite an extensive manhunt and numerous leads over the years, Cooper has never been found, and the case remains a tantalizing enigma.

  • The Night Witches: Female Aviators Who Bombed Nazis by Night - Season 1 Episode 2

    In our second episode, we explore the little-known but inspiring story of the Night Witches, a group of Soviet Union’s all-female bomber pilots who flew daring nighttime missions during World War II. These women faced incredible challenges and danger as they bombed German targets on the Eastern Front, earning the respect and admiration of their fellow soldiers and striking fear into their enemies.

  • Valley of the Kings: The Curse of King Tut - Season 1 Episode 1

    Welcome to The Dark Archive! In our debut episode, we dive into one of the most enduring mysteries of ancient Egypt: The Curse of King Tut. When British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, he sparked a worldwide fascination with the young pharaoh and his legendary curse. According to the myth, anyone who disturbed the tomb would suffer a terrible fate, and several people associated with the excavation died under mysterious circumstances.

  • Introducing The Dark Archive - Season 1 Episode 0

    From stories of unruly dictators and undercover agents, to eerie urban legends and the occasional super niche historical episode, this podcast explores how dark, creepy, and strange this world really is. Join our hosts every week as they crack into The Dark Archive.