In this episode, we pick up where we left off with P.T. Barnum. We’ll talk about how he turned Scudder’s American Museum into a New York sensation, why General Tom Thumb became a global star, and the controversy around Joice Heth. There’s also the devastating fire that destroyed the museum(s), Barnum’s first steps into the circus world, and the personal losses he endured, including the death of his wife, Charity. It’s all about setbacks, scandals, and spectacle as Barnum’s story keeps surprising us.

P.T. Barnum, Scudder’s American Museum, Barnum’s American Museum, General Tom Thumb, Joice Heth, Feejee Mermaid, museum fire, Charity Hallett, Nancy Fish, traveling circus, Greatest Show on Earth, 19th-century entertainment, spectacle, scandal, personal loss, innovation, resilience

In this episode, we begin our deep dive into the fascinating and controversial life of P.T. Barnum, the man who revolutionized entertainment and gave the world The Greatest Show on Earth. But before we can fully understand Barnum’s impact, we need to explore the history that paved the way for his success: the origins of freak shows.

We trace the roots of these spectacles back to ancient and medieval times, when human oddities were displayed at royal courts, religious festivals, and marketplaces. Over time, these traditions evolved into cabinets of curiosities and traveling fairs, where both artifacts and unique individuals were presented to entertain and educate the public. By the 19th century, freak shows became commercialized, especially with the rise of permanent attractions and traveling circuses.

We also take a hard look at the more troubling aspects of this history, like human zoos and ethnological exhibitions, which exploited colonized peoples and perpetuated harmful stereotypes under the guise of science and education.

With this context, we turn our focus to Barnum, who used his talent for promotion and storytelling to capitalize on the public’s curiosity. From hoaxes like the Feejee Mermaid to genuine stars like General Tom Thumb, Barnum’s American Museum became a landmark of 19th-century entertainment. And while he was a master showman, his career also raises questions about exploitation and ethics that resonate even today.

We round out the episode with a glimpse into Barnum’s personal life, including his marriage to Charity Hallett, the woman who stood by him during his early years as he built his empire.

P.T. Barnum, freak shows, history of freak shows, cabinets of curiosities, traveling fairs, human zoos, ethnological exhibitions, Feejee Mermaid, General Tom Thumb, American Museum, exploitation, showmanship, Charity Hallett, 19th-century entertainment, spectacle, public fascination, Barnum’s personal life

freshhellpodcast.com

Welcome, true-crime lovers, to New Year, New Binge 2025 Edition! What you’ll find included is your guide to an exciting lineup of podcasts that will make 2025 your best year for listening yet. New Years is a time for resolutions, and mine is simple: to share with you the most captivating, chilling, and downright binge-worthy true-crime podcasts. Whether you’re looking to uncover unsolved mysteries or dive into deep investigative storytelling, I’ve got you covered.

Be sure to follow all of the podcasts you enjoyed so you never miss a new episode. Podcasts are listed below in the order in which you will be introduced to them:

Coffee and Cases Podcast https://linktr.ee/coffeeandcases

Heart Starts Pounding https://www.heartstartspounding.com/

Mortal Musings Podcast https://linktr.ee/mortalmusingspodcast

True Crime Creepers https://linktr.ee/TrueCrimeCreepers

Private Dicks Podcast https://linktr.ee/privatedicksTwisted Travel and True Crime https://linktr.ee/twistedtraveltruecrimepodcast