HILF: History I'd Like to F**k

Dawn's Guest, Dave Reinitz is a stand-up comedian and stain-glass artist whose personal connection to this slice of History brings it alive for all of us. Hear about how his mother, Janet Braun-Reinitz, joined with the Freedom Riders in 1961 and endured and enlightened one of the darkest chapters of American History. 

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The 'Father of Philosophy' and the teacher of Plato, Socrates was arguably the most important intellectual in human history. He was also a war veteran, a bad dad, and never wrote anything himself. So why did Athens kill him; and why do you and I still talk about him?  Buckle up for a hell of a HILF along with guest, comedian Nat Baimel.  

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✅ Keep up with Nat Baimel on Instagram

🎟️ Get tickets to HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy Club - Burbank, CA

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Get into the ring with Spartacus! An enslaved gladiator turned rebel general who led the largest, most destructive assault against the Roman Empire EVER. Dawn is joined by comedian, JB Ball, who also happens to be the biggest Spartacus nerd of all time, as they trade facts and laugh... a lot!

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✅ Keep up with JB Ball on Instagram 

🎟️ Get tickets to HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy Club - Burbank, CA

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SILF's (Source's I'd Like to F*ck) 

Join Dawn and a LIVE audience to get the true story you probably heard first in Jaws. It's the USS Indianapolis a doomed ship from World War 2 which endured one of the worst shark attacks in human history. On the anniversary of both the release of the movie and the sinking of the real-life ship, you'll learn along with guest, Mark Decarlo, TV. host, VO actor, and hell of a trivia player. 

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JOIN US AT THE NEXT SHOW!

🎟️ HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy...

2026 is going to be a big year for HILF!  Find out what annals Dawn will be exploring next, and what it means for you!

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🎟️ Get tickets to HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy Club - Burbank, CA

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Before it was a modern language-learning program,  the Rosetta Stone was the ancient world’s ultimate decoder ring—a 2,200-year-old decree carved in stone that finally unlocked Egyptian hieroglyphics. Without it, your favorite stories and lives from ancient Egypt might’ve stayed silent forever! Join Dawn and guest, her sister-in-law Maggie, who is a former linguistics major and maker of fine martinis. 

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🎟️ Get tickets to HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy Club - Burbank, CA

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SILF's (Source's I'd Like to F*ck) 

Return with Dawn and guest, improvisor Kelly Vrooman, as they follow Catherine the Great from the dramatic coup that brought her power, through her rein as The Last Empress of Russia. Forbidden pregnancies, secret letters, and of course... that whole thing with the horse that allegedly fucked her death. 

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✅ Listen to Catherine the Great, Part One

✅ Follow Kelly Vrooman on Instagram.

🎟️ Get tickets to HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy Club - Burbank, CA

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Join Dawn and the hilarious, Kelly Vrooman, as they saddle up with Catherine the Great.  Hear how a young German girl in middle-nobility finds herself the Last Empress of Russia. You'll love the torrid story of Catherine's rise, you'll fall for at least one of her many lovers, and find out why she is well-remembered as one of the HILF-iest HILFs of all time.

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✅ Follow Kelly Vrooman on Instagram.

🎟️ Get tickets to HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy Club - Burbank, CA

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Mary Shelley began writing her novel, Frankenstein, in 1816 when she was only 17 years old. Today it remains one of the most-assigned books of all time, finding it's way into classes ranging from Law to Scientific Ethics to Fashion to Politics. As a new film by Guillermo del Toro is set to debut on Netflix, re-join Dawn for the episode that started the podcast! 

Guest, Helen Shephard, is a British TV Host, model and comedian, who has no recollection of ever reading the book - and only cursory memory of the early film versions. However, as the original r...

On a chilly January morning in 1947, officers arrived to what they were told was "a broken mannequin" lying in a field.  They discovered instead, the body of a woman cut completely in half at the waist. She lay naked and drained of blood, her two halves a foot apart, arms draped almost elegantly over her head.

Yikes, right?

Nearly 80 years later, the case remains both unforgotten and unsolved. 

Join Dawn and guest, Kaycee Conlee, as they explore the crime scene and sort through the suspects. 

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It's July 3rd, 2025 and Dawn can hardly contain herself as she invites the audience at Flappers Comedy Club to fall down the rabbit hole of history along with her, LIVE! She is joined in this HILF-ing by two special guests: comedian Lauren Harding, who get's down with King George III; and then by America's favorite step-mom Ryan Keeley who helps Dawn undress George Washington. 

JOIN US AT THE NEXT SHOW!

🎟️ HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy Club - Burbank, CA

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If you get into a heated conversation on any subject these days (and who isn’t?) it often ends with someone being called a “F*cking Marxist” or “Capitalist PIG".  Join Dawn and comedian, Mary Gallagher, to find out which one YOU might be... and if it's a bad thing. 

Mary Gallagher on Instagram

Mary's upcoming events

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🎟️ HILF Public School - the live, interactive version of HILF: First Thursdays at Flappers Comedy Club - Burbank, CA

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Billy the Kid - like Black Beard and Al Capone - is one of those real historical characters whose life was so colorful and dramatic that the facts sound like fiction.  Dawn is joined by actress and comedian, Kerstin Porter, for a ride with one of the most famous figures of the old west. Get to know William H Bonney, aka: William Antrim, aka: Henry McCarty who would forever be remembered as Billy the Kid. 

KERSTIN PORTER on Instagram:

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Hear the story of the so-called Scopes Money Trial from 1925, during which Americans debated if evolution should be taught in schools... a debate that continues now, 100 years later. Dawn also answers some of Ryan’s questions which run the gamut from her personal faith to pop-star divas. 

🎧 HILF EP86 - Religion in America with Ryan Ripple 

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In Los Angeles? Join Dawn LIVE for HILF Public School - 1st Thursdays of the month at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank.

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Dawn and bestie, Ryan Ripple, take on the easy, non-controversial subject of Protestant Christianity in America. 

As your history books have told you, the earliest colonial settlers came seeking religious freedom, what few discuss is why these denominations were considered 'fringe' back in Europe. Walk with Dawn and Ryan down the holy road from the Shakers of the Revolutionary War, to the Prosperity Gospel of MAGA - and find yourself falling in love with Amish all over again. 

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"...education is in trouble, but they can't defund me - I work for beer!" - Dawn Brodey

The first Thursday of every month, fans of comedy and history unite at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, California whence we drink, laugh and learn stuff in the class you always wished you had!

This episode was recorded live on Thursday, June 5th, 2025 and includes a full 10 minute stand-up comedy set by comedian/historian, Jason Horton - after which he and I HILF Alcatraz.

Then you’ll meet the endlessly lovable, LA Radio and...

In Part One of the Manson Family Murders, you went through the law-and-order portion of the history. Now settle in for some of Dawn's favorite mysteries, conspiracies and so much more.

🔔 This is the last episode before HILF Summer Break! Watch social media for updates and events throughout June/July and look forward to the next NEW EPISODE to come out August 6th.         

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Dawn is joined by her sister, Lisa; and niece, Ellie for the HILF-ing of Los Angeles’s most famous true-crime tragedy. Hear about Charles Manson and how the world learned about his sinister cult.

As Dawn is a resident of LA, you'll ride shot-gun briefly as they leave the studio and visit a crime scene in order to better understand this dark page from LA’s past.   Buckle up!

SILF's (Sources I'd Like to F*ck)

Hear the story of Rosemary Kennedy, sister to John F Kennedy, who goes from being the media-darling of a royal ball, to the the victim of a botched lobotomy at the age of 23. 

To thank for this sad and fascinating HILF is Molly McAleer who is a comedy writer, and behind the mic of a few hit podcasts including Trend Lightly, and Mother May I Sleep With - which is devoted to Lifetime movies!

Catch Molly's LIVE SHOW Friends Only Live! (June 25th, 2025 - BOSTON) 

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Welcome back! When last we met Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and their Corps of Discovery, our heroes had navigated over 2,000 miles. Up and down rivers, across the Continental Divide, and all way to the Northern Pacific Coast. They saw a dead whale, it was nuts. 

In the conclusion, learn why those who first saw present-day Yellowstone Park thought it was literal hell on earth; hear how Sacegewea’s son finds himself in the royal court of Germany; and so much more!

Along with Dawn on this historic journey, is comedian Alex Malt, whose first comedy alb...

Lewis & Clark were more than just two white guys in buckskins! Join Dawn and the “Corps of Discovery” as they venture into the wildest of the wild West. Meet Sacegawea, fight a grizzly, and find out what it takes to cross the Rocky Mountains in 1805.
 

Along with Dawn on this historic journey, is comedian Alex Malt, whose first comedy album debuts this summer!

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It’s the wild, true story of Donald Nichols, a seventh-grade drop-out who rises from Army Mechanic to Black Ops Phenomenon during the Korean War. Hear the whole twisted tale - from his unlikely rise, to his fall, to the weeks of electroshock therapy - and from Blaine Harden, the world’s leading expert on the subject.

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Joining Napoleon on his journey to his now-famous defeat at Waterloo, is comedian, Jackie Kashian. She has several comedy albums, performs across the country, and on all your screens: Netflix, late show, Conan and so much more.

You can also hear her on two great podcasts, The Dork Forest, which invites folks from a variety of backgrounds to come and share the stuff on which they are “dorks”, and the comedy podcast The Jackie and Laurie Show which pairs her with another great comedian, Laurie Kilmartin.

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Re-join Dawn and her guest, comedian, Jackie Kashian (Netflix, late show, Comedy Central) for a few more tasty morsels from the history of Napoleon's doomed last stand. 

Listen to Jackie's two great podcasts: The Dork Forest, which invites folks from a variety of backgrounds to come and share the stuff on which they are “dorks”, and the comedy podcast The Jackie and Laurie Show which pairs her with another great comedian, Laurie Kilmartin.

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“Entertainment Specialist” was the technical designation of what would later be known as The Morale Corps. This intrepid group of enlisted soldiers were responsible for finding joy in life’s darkest and most dangerous corners.

To tell the story, Dawn is joined by author Robert B. O’Connor who wrote Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. Hear how his novel weaves a lovely fiction among real history and makes the case for why we should all learn to play the spoons.

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In HILF EP78, you got to know the Jeep Show, a real-life WW2 unit of enlisted soldiers (including Mickey Rooney) who were on the front lines with nothing but an accordion, a Jeep full of wigs, and ORDERS to boost morale. 

Continue the conversation with Dawn and author Robert B. O’Connor who wrote Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. 

See video of the real Electro - The Westinghouse Robot that captured Robert's heart.  

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It’s a family affair as Dawn is joined by her husband, director Andrew Melby, to HILF this awe-inspiring natural wonder of the world. On a recent road-trip to Los Angeles from Minnesota, Dawn and Andrew stopped in the Grand Canyon. The beauty, wonder and mystery of the place inspired Dawn to take a deep dive into the history.

…and who better to go down with?

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Join Dawn and guest, Cristina Van Epps, as they follow the dark and fascinating path of Jack Parsons - the rocket-loving occultist who helped man get to the moon. Cristina works as an engineer at The Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is also a self-professed ‘sci-fi nerd’.

Hear the incredible story of Jack Parsons whose fascination with science and outer space led him on a journey to the stars… and huge piles of drugs.

Listen to Cristina’s Dungeon and Dragons podcast: I Seduce the Dragon

Listen to Cristina’s...

Dawn's guest is comedian, Andy Rider, whose hit comedy album The Get Together has topped itunes and earned him increasing acclaim. Together they discuss the history of North Korea, the incredible story of No Kum Sok, and so much more!

Learn more about HILF's new podcast family, The Big Comedy Network.

Find Andy's podcast Fingering the Page

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When last we met, Dawn and guest Andy Kraft were taking a shot of whiskey to prepare for the dark path ahead. Hear how it all ends up in the dark pages of history and why your high school teachers probably never told you the whole story. 

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This was no party...

They were the group who got hopelessly stranded over a particularly harsh winter in the Sierra Nevadas - many of them starve to death and several of those who don’t starve to death, survived by resorting to cannibalism.

Dawn's guest is actor and writer, Andy Kraft. He is a longtime friend and colleague - together they've done everything from romantic comedies on screen, to portraying water droplets on stage. Andy can be seen in countless commercials, episodes of television (including the final episode of Brooklyn nine-nine) and is the hand up...

Dawn has the benefit of a live audience and visual aides as she tells the story of the remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914. From the streets of Sarajevo to the trenches of France, it's a story of humanity and joy in the darkest of times.  Recorded LIVE in Burbank, California - December 11th, 2024 at Flappers Comedy Club. 

Watch the full video of the show when you subscribe on Patreon! 

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Dawn's guests are two connoisseurs of drinking, Juliana McIntosh and Brad Sutton - the neice-and-uncle-team behind the hit podcast, The Art of Drinking.  Jules is an influencer in the craft cocktail space (what?); and her real-life uncle Brad serves up classic cocktail recipes and history. Swoon!

GET JULE'S BOOK - Pretty Simple Cocktails

**During the episode, we make and drink 2 cocktails! 

Recipes and approximate time-code in the episode when we start making ours is below so you can toast along with us!

COCKTAIL #1 - The View Carre. [00:13:00]

Hear about the places that managed to avoid the plague, at least for a little while, and what a medieval haz-mat suit looked like. Also, continue to roll the 'Death Dice' along with celebrated music supervisor, Mary Ramos, to see if any of the characters we meet along the way manage to avoid the sickness and death that overcame half of the global population. 

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Join us for HILF LIVE - Wednesday, Dec. 11th @8PM - Flappers Comedy Club. Burbank, CA

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Dawn is joined by celebrated Music Supervisor, Mary Ramos, who has worked on some of the most incredible film scores in movie history! A close collaborator with Quentin Tarantino, she’s had a hand in everything from Pulp Fiction to Django Unchained - and a slew of other favorites in-between.

Join us as we discuss the very beginning of The Black Death, starting with Patient Zero in Italy and then follow us… and the rats, and the fleas… around the world and right to our own back door.

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Join us for HILF LIVE...

Dawn is joined by comedian, Macy Issacs, to talk about the origin of Vampire folklore and what - from the many stories about them - is actually real! We’ll go around the world and see how vampires in Japan and Alaska differ from the ones in Transylvania. 

Take notes, because we also discuss the most effective ways to fight them off… unless you chose to invite them in.

Find Macy on Instagram

Hear Macy's Podcast, SSRI'M OK

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Originally released in October of 2022, revisit Dawn and her guest, Jose Barrientos, for a rundown of the history of horror movies! From silent dancing skeletons, to The Wolfman, and all the way past The Walking Dead - we're here to tell you what has scared us collectively the most... and why! 

Find Jose on Youtube!

Find Jose on Instagram!

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To help tell the story of the man behind our 100-dollar bill, Dawn is joined by Benjamin Franklin expert, Bryan Austin. He portrays James Madison and Ben Franklin in Colonial Williamsburg and has walked much more than a mile in their shoes...

Pull up a chair and hear the stories of Benjamin Franklin’s wild childhood, his multitude of lovers, and the parties that were so good, they saved America.

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LEARN MORE about Benjamin Franklin!

Nannerl Mozart, Wolfgang Amadaeus's intriguing older sister, is the HILF of Dawn's guest, LAZOU. She is an award-winning podcast host and composer with work featured in film, television and a gazillion other places!  Hear about her childhood growing up on the tiny island of Mauritius (the only place the Dodo bird ever lived) and how moving to Canada and then the US shaped both her perspective and her music. 

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Dawn's guest literally wrote the book on this mysterious and mythic place known by some as 'the Atlantis of the Pacific Ocean'. Historian and writer Justin McHenry joins her from his office in West Virginia to help tell this absolutely bananas tale of Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place. 

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