History. Rated R.
Let's be honest. History is full of f*cked up sh*t. But what are we gonna do, pretend like it never happened? Have a drink with your host, actor and writer Will Sterling, and his more qualified former Presidential Speechwriting co-host, Dr. Craig Smith. They unpack the silly, salacious, scandalous, and serious stuff in history. If we don't learn from the past, we're doomed to repeat it. So let's at least try to do it with honesty and, wherever possible, a laugh.
Episodes
133 episodes
Happy Holidays from Craig and Santa! (And Bill what's his name)
Well hello, you!
The Final Firstination - First Ladies Concludes and So Does History. Rated R.
Well friends, it's here.
License to First - First Ladies Part 16
Laura Bush and Michelle Obama, two first ladies of very different parties (who would go on to be great friends) takes us to the penultimate part of both our
Terror of Mechafirstzilla - First Ladies Part 15 (And a BIG announcement!)
Hillary Clinton gets her OWN episode! And rightfully so, from famous first lady to almost President herself, she continues to be history (rated r?)
The Muppets First Wanted - First Ladies Part 14
Craig remains in his "Salad Days" as we take a look at Barbara Bush! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Firstzilla vs. Megalon - First Ladies Part 13
Rosalind Carter gives way to dame Nancy Reagan as we barrell down toward our...FINAL COUNTDOWN! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For First Eyes Only - First Ladies Part 12
We're back in Craig's "salad (tossing) days" focusing on the First Lady he knew well, considering he wrote speeches for her husband, Betty Ford! Plus!
Firstastic Beasts: The Secrets of Firstledore - First Ladies Part 11
Ladybird Johnson and Pat Nixon are our ladies in the limelight! After Will's GENEROUS birthday gift to Craig of a book about Mrs.
Kingdom of the Planet of the First Ladies - First Ladies Part 10
We're well into the 20th Century! Mamie Eisenhower and Jackie Kennedy (aka Jackie O.
The Woman with the Golden Gun - First Ladies Part 9
Two ladies today but monumental and historic democrats in the White House, a bi-sexual legend and buttoned up Bessie, Eleanore Roosevelt and Bess Truman.
First Day the 13th Part VIII: Ladies Take Manhattan - First Ladies Part 8
That's right, Will finally gets to name an episode after the greatest Friday the 13th Sequel there is!
Lady Wars Episode VII: The First Awakens - First Ladies Part 7
The shenangians with America's favorite femme fatales aka the First Ladies of the United States including Edith Roosevelt, Helen Taft, and wife Ellen, daughter
First Academy 6: Ladies Under Siege - First Ladies Part 6
We're back!! And also...because this was recorded in October 2024...we're coming to you from the past.
History. Rated R. in the making!...Now. Rated R?
Well, the 2024 election in the US is certainly history in the making. But in which direction?
First Five - First Ladies Part 5
Julia Grant, Lucy Hayes, and Lucretia Garfield! What do they all have in common besides being First Ladies? They love lasagna and hate Mondays!
Live First or Die Hard - First Ladies Part 4
We continue our long running history of America's First Ladies with Abigail Fillmore, Jane Pierce, and Harriet Lane! Learn more about your ad choices.
The First, The Bad, and the Ugly - First Ladies Part 3
Our journey into the history of the First Ladies of America...and Will's obsession with ridiculous franchise movie title puns (of questionable quality and
2 First 2 Furious - First Ladies Part 2
Not only do we continue our long running series on America's first ladies, Will continues his favorite tradition of fidnging film franchise names to title the
The First Ladies - Part 1
It's here! Our long awaited series on the first ladies. Where at once we thought we'd do a handful, fuck it, we're gonna do em all!
A History of Free Speech Suppression
The 1st Amendment isn't as wide open as incels on the internet want you to believe. You can't just say whatever you want because you have "freedom." But also...
Sigmund Freud
We're back! After a decent hiatus and Will's move to NYC, HRR returns with the life of Sigmund Freud! See how many Freudian slips we make in an hour.
Lana Turner
From soda shop discovery to biggest star in the world, Lana Turner's road to fame is full of ups and downs and maybe even more husbands than Liz Taylor!
The Panama Canal
This week! An even bigger ditch than before! Some would say it was a real sonuvab*tch! Here the chaotic story of creating the Panama Canal.
The Suez Canal
Bet you didn't know cutting a big ditch could be so exciting, did you?
Making History with Congressman Robert Garcia
Craig and Will are joined by former Mayor of Long Beach and Congressman representing California's 42nd District in the House of Representatives, Robert Garcia.
History of the Mormons Part 2
They're back and better than ever, this time with some hot gos and controversty. Brigham Young was one scintilating guy...who liked his ladies...and his money.
History of the Mormons Part 1
You may know them from their hit Broadway Musical...or as a major world religions...it's the Mormons!
Cole Porter
One of the great American songwriters and contributors to, "The Great American Songbook," Cole Porter was an incredibly prolific composer and musician.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Queer Cinema History Movie Club
Let's do the time warp again! It's everyone's favorite cult hit, The Rocky Horror Picture Show!
#BookTok aka Book Talk: Fame by Misadventure and Professor Gregg
Will and Craig spend a special episode chatting about their recently released novels, Will's "Fame by Misadventure" and Craig's "Professor Gregg."
Bach and Beethoven
Two of the three classical music B's (Brahms being the third), today we deep dive Bach and Beethoven, of which Craig DEFINITELY has a favorite.
Rebel Without a Cause and Sal Mineo - Queer Cinema History Movie Club
Rebel Without a Cause is arguably one of the most famous gay films of the 1950's. But did people really know what they were seeing?
History. Rated R. Turns 100 and Ends the Hapsburgs
We made it to the big centennial! Look at us go.
Habs Trek IV: The Voyage Burgs
Unlike this episode's title, the Habsburgs didn't need whales to help them get home. Although that would make for intersting history.
Habsburg Potter and The Prisoner of Habskaban
The title says it all. We continue with History's longest running power hungry and militaristic family!
Rock Hudson and Giant - Queer Cinema History Movie Club
It's long overdue...today Will takes the reins the talk about icon and monumentally important Hollywood history gay, Rock Hudson. Was he in the closet?
Habsburg 2: Cruise Control
Freeze! Pop quiz, Habsburg. They're back and better than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Habsburgs Part 1
When you're a fan of HRR, and make a request, Craig goes all out. Walk down the long and involved path of the Habsburgs with us on our first installment.
Aristotle and the History of Public Speaking
Student of Plato yes. Founder of modern rhetoric, double yes.
Marlene Dietrich's Bisexuality and The Blue Angel - Queer Cinema History Movie Club
We alreay have a fantastic episode on the woman herself, but let's now go on a journey to explore her bisexuality.
The Peloponnesian War
By listener request, this episode focuses on Greece and the very long Peloponnesian War that lasted 30 years.
Greek Mythology 101
Professor Craig brings you the history of...or tales of...Greek Mythology as we build up to our history on the Peloponessian War.
The History of Existentialism
Have you ever heard the term, "existential threat?" Do you ACTUALLY know what that means? Probably not. Will doesn't. Then again, he doesn't know anything.
The Bride of Frankenstein - Queer Cinema History Movie Club
We're kicking off our Queer Cinema History Movie Club in spooky style (and apparently reovlving around the only thing Will knows how to talk about) with Bride
Marlene Dietrich
No, it's not "Mar-Len-uh" it's "Mar-Lean!" Now you know.
The Evolution of Israel
It's Craig's surprise for Will, and it starts with the bible! But...it doesn't end with the bible, it ends with a conflict still going on today.
Adolf Hitler (Blegh)
He who must not be named is finally covered, even though we said we wouldn't...sadly his role is history is tied to many events we'll be covering in the future.
Napoleon Bonaparte
The second most biographed (sp?)
Joan of Arc
With all those Catholics out of the way, it's time for a lady! Enter the legend...Joan of Arc.
A Nightmare on Papacy Street 5: The Dream Pope
We're here. We made it. The end of the Popes! Well...not the end, but the end of their history up til now. 1, 2, the Pope is coming for you.
Papacy Wars: Episode IV - A New Pope
Luke Skywalker assumes his rightful throne as Master of the Popes.
Papacy III: Season of the Witch
In this chapter of the Popes...the Crusades! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Book of Shadows: Blair Papacy 2
THERE'S A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER FOLKS, LET'S CONTINUE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The History of the Papacy Pt. 1
The Pope. Icon, figurehead, male model (not really), person of controversy.
Winston Churchill
It's everyone's favorite person in history that actors like to play, Winston Churchill!
Rasputin and Stalin, 'Nuff Said
Two of the most legendary evil men in History, but one was a LOT worse than the other. Do we compare evil? They both were.
The Rise and Fall of the German Empire
Germany hasn't always exactly been "Germany."
Queen Victoria (We're Back!)
We're back! It's been a nice little month long Summer break but we're ready to dive back in to stories connected to Will's vacation.
Ava Gardner
We're going back to Hollywood to talk about the life and career of the great Ava Gardner.
The Rise of Communism in China
Times are currently tense between the US and China and have been for some time, but it hasn't always been that way.