Meet Simeon Stylites, history's most extreme hermit who took social distancing to unprecedented levels. In 5th-century Syria, this Christian ascetic climbed atop a stone pillar and refused to come down for nearly four decades, creating one of the strangest religious movements in human history.

Discover how a simple monk's quest for spiritual purity turned into a medieval spectacle that attracted thousands of pilgrims, inspired countless imitators, and left historians scratching their heads for centuries. From his death-defying daily routines 60 feet in the air to the bizarre logistics of eating, sleeping, and surviving on a platform smaller than most bathrooms, Simeon's story defies belief.

This episode of Weird History explores the psychology behind extreme religious devotion, the medieval pilgrimage industry that grew around living saints, and how one man's radical lifestyle choice influenced Christianity for generations. We'll uncover the surprising political power wielded by this pillar-dwelling hermit and examine the archaeological evidence that proves this incredible tale actually happened.

In 1933, five men took out life insurance policies on homeless alcoholic Michael Malloy, figuring he'd be dead within weeks. What followed was the most incompetent murder plot in criminal history. They served him antifreeze instead of liquor - he asked for more. They fed him sandwiches filled with carpet tacks and broken glass - he said they were delicious. They left him unconscious in a snowbank in sub-zero weather - he showed up the next day asking for drinks. They ran him over with a car at 45 mph - he recovered in the hospital and returned to the bar. For months, the increasingly desperate "Murder Trust" tried poison gas, more car accidents, and elaborate schemes while Malloy cheerfully survived every attempt on his life. Discover the darkly comic true story of the toughest man who ever lived, the bungling killers who couldn't finish the job, and how their hilariously failed murder conspiracy finally came to an end.

Step inside the twisting corridors and staircases that lead to nowhere in one of America's most bizarre architectural wonders—the Winchester Mystery House. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the strange story of Sarah Winchester, the reclusive heiress to the rifle fortune who spent nearly four decades building a sprawling, ghost-riddled mansion. Was it grief, guilt, or something more supernatural that drove her to construct rooms without reason? Join us as we explore the chilling legends, historical facts, and the haunting legacy of the woman who tried to outrun the spirits of her past.

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