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Almost Famous: Lost Heros & Forgotten Legends

Almost Famous: Lost Heros & Forgotten Legends

By: Five59 Studios
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About this listen

Dive into the captivating, untold stories of individuals who stood on the brink of changing the world but whose immense contributions were, for too long, lost to time.


This podcast is dedicated to unearthing these hidden gems of history. Unlike other history channels, we go beyond the widely celebrated names to reveal the untold stories of people who almost made it into history books. Join us as we explore the lives of unknown scientists who died before publishing groundbreaking research, lost explorers who found something incredible but never got credit, forgotten inventors whose work was stolen, and overlooked artists whose genius was recognized too late.


Our mission is to satisfy your intellectual curiosity and desire to see justice done, correcting historical oversights by celebrating these overlooked contributions. We blend rigorous research with compelling, narrative-driven storytelling, providing explanations, details, and insights that go beyond mere summary to deepen your understanding of history. Each episode is a journey into what might have been if their brilliance had been recognized, and how their individual choices could have altered the trajectory of human progress. If you're fascinated by mystery, driven by a desire for recognition, and value evidence-based, engaging narratives, then this podcast is for you. We cater to those who believe that remarkable people exist in every era—sometimes they just need someone to tell their story properly.


Subscribe now to "Almost Famous: Lost Heroes & Forgotten Legends" wherever you listen to podcasts, and join our community! We encourage community engagement and want to hear from you: What "almost famous" figure do you think deserves more recognition? Prepare to challenge conventional narratives and give voice to the Almost Famous!

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2025 Five59 Labs LLC Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Harriet Burns: Disney's First Lady

    Harriet Burns: Disney's First Lady
    Dec 12 2025
    Harriet Burns (1928-2008) was the first woman hired by Walt Disney Imagineering in a creative capacity—and she did it while wearing high heels and a skirt to operate band saws and drill presses. Starting as a set painter for The Mickey Mouse Club in 1955, Burns joined WED Enterprises alongside just two other employees—Fred Joerger and Wathel Rogers—forming the original model shop. She built miniature prototypes for Sleeping Beauty Castle, designed and fabricated every miniature scene in Storybook Land Canal Boats, and created all the singing birds for the Enchanted Tiki Room—Disney's first Audio-Animatronic attraction. When the birds' breathing mechanism failed, she solved it by observing Walt's cashmere sweater. Despite breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated industry and contributing to dozens of attractions, Burns remained modest about her achievements, always emphasizing teamwork. She was named a Disney Legend in 2000 and died in 2008, having paved the way for generations of female Imagineers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    14 mins
  • Pontiac’s Vision for a Native American Confederacy

    Pontiac’s Vision for a Native American Confederacy
    Sep 10 2025

    Discover the hidden history of North America's fiercest Indigenous resistance! This week on "Almost Famous," we're diving into the untold story of Pontiac's War (1763-1766) and the visionary Odawa war chief Pontiac. Explore his audacious dream of an "Unbroken Circle" – a powerful Native American confederacy united against British expansion and encroachment on ancestral lands.


    Uncover how Pontiac, inspired by the Lenape prophet Neolin, rallied tribes to protect their sovereignty and cultural identity against exploitative British policies under General Jeffrey Amherst, including restricting vital gunpowder supplies and cutting traditional gifts. Witness the dramatic sieges of British forts, including Fort Detroit and Fort Pitt. Confront the chilling historical evidence of biological warfare attempts by British leadership, including discussions and documented use of smallpox-infected blankets at Fort Pitt.


    This isn't just a battle; it's a profound narrative of courage, resistance, and a pivotal moment that shaped the continent, directly prompting the British Crown to issue the Royal Proclamation of 1763 to establish a boundary and protect Native lands. If you crave meticulously researched, evidence-based history that corrects historical oversights and gives voice to forgotten legends, tune in and help us restore Pontiac's rightful place in the annals of history!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    17 mins
  • Sylvia Rivera: The Trans Latina Revolutionary Fighting for Queer Youth and Trans Inclusion in the Gay Rights Movement

    Sylvia Rivera: The Trans Latina Revolutionary Fighting for Queer Youth and Trans Inclusion in the Gay Rights Movement
    Sep 3 2025

    CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode discusses childhood trauma, suicide, physical and sexual violence, substance abuse, survival sex work, discrimination, and systemic oppression. Please take care while listening.


    Episode Summary


    Explore the life of Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002), the fierce trans Latina activist who co-founded STAR and fought for transgender inclusion in the early gay rights movement. Despite being marginalized by mainstream LGBTQ+ organizations, Rivera's unwavering advocacy for homeless queer youth and transgender rights helped shape modern liberation movements.


    Featured Speech


    Watch Sylvia's historic "Y'all Better Quiet Down" speech from 1973: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mprUOGBWCvY - Original 16mm footage rediscovered by the Lesbian Herstory Archives.


    Crisis Resources
    • Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (24/7)
    • The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 (24/7)
    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (24/7)
    • Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741


    Learn More About Sylvia Rivera


    • Sylvia Rivera Law Project: https://srlp.org
    • Digital Transgender Archive: https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/col/j96020977
    • Women's History Museum: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sylvia-rivera
    • Making Gay History Podcast: https://makinggayhistory.org/podcast/sylvia-rivera-part-2/
    • Library of Congress LGBTQ+ Resources: https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/resources/


    This episode honors Rivera's legacy while acknowledging the historical complexity of early LGBTQ+ movements. Her intersectional activism reminds us that revolutionary change often comes from the most marginalized voices.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    17 mins
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