Freaks, Feathers, and Yellow Fever
Summary
The hosts preview their upcoming Halloween episode and share a listener’s story about a comforting skeletal presence. They then profile Minnie Woolley, “Cuckoo the Bird Girl,” a sideshow performer featured in the 1932 film *Freaks*, discussing her life and the ethics of exploitation. The episode also covers bizarre traditions like cow muffin bingo and details Dr. Stubbins Firth’s gruesome 1802 experiments where he ingested yellow fever vomit to prove it wasn’t contagious.
Topics discussed
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Halloween intro and listener ghost story
Minnie Woolley: Cuckoo the Bird Girl in Freaks
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Weird Labor Day traditions around the US
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Dr. Stubbins Firth's yellow fever experiments
Outro and Patreon thanks
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