Weird Island Podcast
1) FOOD: The Newport Man Who Ate… Tomatoes?
While today, tomatoes are one of the most commonly consumed vegetables in the United States, that wasn’t always the case. For much of history, tomatoes were not only ignored, but feared. So, what chan...Show More
2) 72. DAREDEVILS: Sam Patch
The first famous American daredevil got his start leaping from Pawtucket Falls.
3) 71. HOUSES: Octagon Houses
In 1848, a man named Orson Squire Fowler ignited a homebuilding fad when he dreamed up a bold new home design, one that might be cheaper, more efficient and even make you happier. Inventory of Octa...Show More
4) 70. IDA LEWIS: The Keeper of Lime Rock
This week, we’ll meet Ida Lewis, the fearless lighthouse keeper of Newport, Rhode Island, who became a national hero for her daring rescues at sea.
5) 69. GYMS: The Providence Ladies’ Sanitary Gymnasium
Weird Island is back! In the first episode in over a year and a half, we’ll uncover the story of a gym for women in 1880s Providence, begun by feminist philosopher, lecturer and writer Charlotte Perki...Show More
6) 68. ANIMALS: Oscar, the Cat Who Could Predict Death
Oscar seemed like an ordinary kitten when he was adopted by Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation center in Providence, RI. But the staff and residents at Steere House quickly suspected Oscar had a ...Show More
7) WEIRD ISLAND CHECK IN: Taking a (Little) Pause
Hey all! I’m taking a tiny pause on new episodes for a little while to work on some other things that inspire me. I’ll be back before you know it! And, in the meantime, I still have a couple of episod...Show More
8) 67. MILLS: From Cotton Cloth to Space Age Textiles
While researching RI mills, I came across this one little snippet about the Ashton Mill in Cumberland, and had to know more: “Owens-Corning Fiberglas Company bought the mill... They operated in the mi...Show More
9) 66. MEET ME AT THE BILTMORE: Dutee Wilcox Flint
This week, I’m joined by Amanda Quay Blount, who just released her new book Meet Me at the Biltmore this October. She brought me a story I’d never heard before about this Rhode Island based Ford deale...Show More
10) 65. THANKSGIVING: Revisiting the Origin Story
This week, as many get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, I wanted to revisit the story of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving that many of us learned as kids. Because, I found out as an adult that ...Show More