Badass of the Week

iHeart Podcast Network

Throughout the course of human civilization certain individuals have stood out as being completely f***ing awesome. From ninjas and gunfighters to pirates and Vikings, to explorers, scientists and great leaders, these people - true badasses - completely obliterated anything that stood in their path, routinely overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and ultimately altered the course of history through their actions. Be it glory, conquest, or survival, these hardcore men and women all had one specific goal in life - and they didn't let anything stand between themselves and their mission. They refused to back down even when the odds seemed hopelessly stacked against them, they came back from the brink of failure to achieve ultimate success, and they beat the fucking hell out of anyone stupid enough to have stood in their way. Badass of the Week is a weekly (duh) podcast, that dives into new stories of badasses every week.

Location:

United States

Genres:

History Podcasts

Networks:

iHeart Podcast Network

Description:

Throughout the course of human civilization certain individuals have stood out as being completely f***ing awesome. From ninjas and gunfighters to pirates and Vikings, to explorers, scientists and great leaders, these people - true badasses - completely obliterated anything that stood in their path, routinely overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and ultimately altered the course of history through their actions. Be it glory, conquest, or survival, these hardcore men and women all had one specific goal in life - and they didn't let anything stand between themselves and their mission. They refused to back down even when the odds seemed hopelessly stacked against them, they came back from the brink of failure to achieve ultimate success, and they beat the fucking hell out of anyone stupid enough to have stood in their way. Badass of the Week is a weekly (duh) podcast, that dives into new stories of badasses every week.

Language:

English

Website:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-badass-of-the-week-112757322/

Episodes

Ten Tsewang: The Sherpa Who Raced to Tell the World Everest Had Been Climbed

5/14/2024

On today's episode Ben Thompson is joined by journalist and host of Outside Podcast Peter Frick-Wright to tell the story of Ten Tswewang who ran a grueling 200 mile race from Everest to Kathmandu to tell the world that Everest had finally been summited. Along the way they'll chat about Sherpas and Everest and how gnarly it really gets up there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:01:06:21

Ridiculous History: Ben joins Noel and Ben of Ridiculous History

5/7/2024

Badass listeners: This week we're sharing Ben's recent appearance on the Ridiculous History Podcast where they chat about Le Maupin. We'll resume our regular scheduled programming next week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:59:25

REPLAY: La Maupin and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Swordfighting Adventurerers of the French Revolution

5/1/2024

Hello regular listeners and new listeners - here's a replay of Le Maupin for those joining us from Ridiculous History. If you are in to badass swordfights, debauchery, classical music, big fancy hats, and a couple unlikely heroes face-stabbing their way to success against seemingly-impossible odds, then this is the episode for you. Julie D'Aubigny and Joseph Boulogne -- better known as La Maupin and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges to the adoring hordes of onlookers cheering them on in battle and on the musical stage -- were two of the most badass swordfighters in the history of Early Modern France. Pat and Ben discuss both of these colorful heroes and detail their adventures kicking-ass and taking names across 18th century Europe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:59:10

Ignacio Zaragoza: The Hero of Cinco de Mayo

4/30/2024

With Cinco De Mayo coming up this weekend, Ben and producer Andrew Jacobs talk about Ignacio Zaragoza who led Mexican forces to victory over French Invaders way back in 1862, leading to the holiday so many of us love to celebrate with chips, guac and a cerveza! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:42:47

Benvenuto Cellini: Maestro of Mischief - with guest Daniele Bolleli

4/23/2024

Known for his masterful sculptures and fiery temper, Benvenuto Cellini’s escapades ranged from dueling in the streets to making audacious escapes from papal prisons. Join Ben and Daniele as they unfurl Cellini's wild stories and scandalous life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:50:39

King Kamehameha: The Hawaiian Hero

4/16/2024

King Kamehameha was the original Hawaiian superhero—legend says he was born with a comet lighting up the sky, hinting at his future badassery. He turned his warrior’s spirit into action, unifying Hawaii with clever tactics and serious muscle, like literally pushing his enemies off cliffs. He didn’t just fight with spears; he was all about upgrading to the latest tech—hello, Western firearms! His epic victory at the Battle of Nuʻuanu was the stuff of legends, making him the undisputed boss of the Hawaiian Islands. Kamehameha wasn’t just a king; he was a legend who built a kingdom to last. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:01:10:22

Anita Garibaldi - Part II: Brazilian Boogaloo

4/9/2024

Here comes part II (that's 2 in roman numerals for you animals out there!) of the Anita Garibaldi story! Tune in. Tell your friends. Tell your enemies. Leave us a review. Stay Badass. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:41:40

The Badass Brazilian Anita Garibaldi - Part 1

4/2/2024

In this episode Ben and Pat dive into the story of Anita Garibaldi the Badass Brazilian revolutionary who, alongside with her husband Giuseppe Garibaldi AKA "The George Washington of Italy", fought through the jungles and mountains and more for equality and independence of the Brazilian people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:56:09

Bonus Episode: Damnatio Memoria

3/30/2024

Back with another fun bonus episode, Ben and Pat dive into the original cancel culture. Except this was way more extreme, and maybe even a bit worthwhile, as complete d**kwads would be completely erased from history, ensuring that they couldn't even be remember, hatefully. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:36:46

Medea: The Mythological Maddest Sorceress Queen

3/26/2024

There are few characters quite as angry and dangerous in greek mythology as Medea. Over the course, Medea's life she dismembered her own brother, murdered her sons, and burned her husband's lover alive. Basically, don't F with her... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:58:25

Australia: Land of Hugh Jackman and Huge-a** crocodiles.

3/19/2024

Way down under at the bottom of the globe is a deadly land named AUSTRALIA, where the entire the place is designed to kill you. It's a legit thunderdome, full snakes, spiders, crocs, jellyfish, trees, ants and people descended from criminals. And that's what makes it so badass! Tune in this week as Ben is joined by guest host (and Badass of the Week producer) Andrew Jacobs talk about how to survive a trip to Sydney. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:52:15

Bishnu Shrestha and Gurkhas Gone Wild

3/12/2024

Bishnu Shrestha wasn't looking for a fight on the evening of 2 September 2010, but a fight found him. Unfortunately for his opponents, Shrestha was a Gurkha, a soldier hailing from an elite Nepalese unit of the British Army. Their motto: "It is better to die, than be a coward." Join Pat and Ben as they dive into the history of the Gurkhas and Shrestha's serious badassitude on todays episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:44:08

Bonus Episode: Medieval Tinder + Civil War Linkedin

3/5/2024

Ben has been marooned in Brazil without a working computer this week so we're delivering a bonus episode! Our regularly scheduled programming will return next week! But first - a couple stories about finding love and jobs way back when... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:44

Heinrich Schliemann: The Man Who Discovered Troy

2/27/2024

This week, Ben and Pat discuss the fantastical life of Heinrich Schliemann. His life was full of far travels, great riches, bold lies, and even bolder thievery. What was real about the man and what was his own imagination? Perhaps one of the founding father's of archeology, he discovered the ancient city of Troy, and then sort of blew it up. A badass at the time, in retrospect, a bit of a mixed bag! Take a listen... And if you're digging our episodes, tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell you uncle that you see once a year on Thanksgiving. And please rate and review, it helps us keep these episodes coming! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:58:13

Ramesses II: Ramses Harder

2/20/2024

Every now and then, the sequel is better than the original. In today's episode, Ben and Pat discuss just one of those rare occasions. In fact, Ramesses II was so badass, they made Ramesses III through X. Tune in to find out why! And if you're enjoying the podcast, be sure to tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell the weird dude at work who looks like he's up to something shady. And be sure to rate and leave comment for us! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:01:05:41

Henry Johnson and The Harlem Hellfighters

2/13/2024

Today Ben and Pat tell the story of the 396th Infantry Regiment - an all African American unit that spent 191 days in combat in WWI, more than any other unit, they fought so ferociously, the Germans called them the "Hollenkampfer" aka Hellfighters. Tune in to find to hear more... And if you're enjoying the show, tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell your mom and leave us a rating and a comment! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:52:02

Marie Curie: Radioactive and totally rad.

2/6/2024

This week Ben and Pat dive into the story behind the scientist - Marie Curie - the first woman to win the Nobel prize. From the battlefield to the laboratory, she put herself in harm's way (dodging bullets and not really dodging gamma rays) to make the world a better place. Her work led to chemotherapy and also nuclear weapons. Listen now! And if you're enjoying the show, rate us, leave a comment, and grab your neighbor's phone to make them subscribe! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:53:33

Toussaint L'Ouverture: The Haitian Hero

1/29/2024

In today's ep, Ben and Pat discuss Toussaint L'Ouverture, the Haitian Hero. Born a slave, L'Ouverture eventually turned into rebel and later a leader, in the Haitian Revolution before eventually becoming the Govenor-General of the whole island. He beat the French, the Spanish and even British, while liberating his people. Not too shabby. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:57:09

SKULD: Viking Zombies vs Bear Berserkers

1/23/2024

In today's episode Ben and Pat pull from the world of Norse legend a vengeful, pitiless necromancer sorceress. We're talking bear massacres, viking zombies (hell yeah!) and general epic bloody battles. Even her name is awesome: Skuld! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:48:26

King Naresuan and the Elephant Duel

1/16/2024

King Naresuan was a badass warlord who, while he was the reigning King of Thailand, won freedom for his people and fought off a foreign invasion by battling a tyrannical enemy king in a swordfight fought on the back of two rampaging elephants. That's right, an elephant duel with swords. And if you liked this and or previous episodes, tell your friends, tell your enemies, give us a rating and definitely give us a comment! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:54:23