In the second of two episodes on Houdini and the Spiritualists, we discuss Houdini's multi-front war against fraudulent mediums. It was an all-consuming undertaking, waged from the stage, in print, on lecture tours, and in the halls of congress. Along the way we discuss a handful of colorful figures and the strange, mysterious circumstances surrounding Houdini's death.

The Official Houdini Séance next year could be the year!

Further Reading:

The Life & Afterlife of Harry Houdini by Joe Posnanski

Calling the Spirits by Lisa Norton

In Search of White Crows by Robert Moore

The Secret Life of Houdini by Kalush & Sloman

A Magician Among the Sprits by Harry Houdini

The Man who

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Just in time for Halloween! In the first of two parts, we will weave a kind of dual biography: Harry Houdini and the spiritualist movement. While Houdini is perfecting his craft to become the world's most famous illusionist, scores of Americans and Europeans are being drawn into darkened rooms with mediums who can talk to the dead. Eventually, maybe inevitably, these two, the magician and the movement, will intersect and then clash.

As usual, here is a possible reading list for your enjoyment:

The Spiritualists by Ruth Brandon

The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher

Houdini! by Kenneth Silverman

Ghost Hunters by Deborah Blum

Talking to the Dead by Barbara Weisberg

Calling the S

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In our second and final episode on the life and music of Dolly Parton, we pick up in the 1980s. Dolly makes a splash into Hollywood, endures some dark times in her personal life, gets dropped by her long-time record label, and roars back under new management. Then Jason makes his pitch for Dolly being among the top 5 American women in history and we reflect on how profiling a pop culture figure differs from the other subjects we've tackled.

If you're interested in listening to any of the songs we've discussed, here's a list of titles to try out:

Mule Skinner Blues

Jolene

Silver Dagger

Wildflowers

My Tennessee Mountain Home

Just Because I'm a Woman

I Will Always Love You

If I had Wings

The Bargain Store

Shine (Austin City Limits)

PMS Blues

Backwoods Barbie

If you hadn't been there I wouldn't be here

9 to 5

Rockstar

Travelin Prayer

Blue Smoke

Cash on the Barrelhead

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