Plausibly Live! - The Official Podcast Of The Dave Bowman Show

Florida: land of beaches, gators, and the occasional headline that makes you wonder if reality is just a suggestion. But beyond the theme parks and retirees, Florida has one of the wildest, weirdest, and most fascinating histories in the United States. From Spanish conquistadors and pirate hideouts to NASA rocket launches and Florida Man headlines, this state has seen it all. Today, on Dave Does History, we’re diving into the fun, bizarre, and unexpected moments that have shaped Florida—from the myth of the Fountain of Youth to a city that once tried to secede from the U.S.. We’ll uncover forgotten stories, strange laws, and legendary figures who helped turn Florida into the unpredictable powerhouse it is today. So grab your sunscreen, watch out for gators, and join us as we explore the history that makes Florida as unique as its headlines!

On today’s episode of *Dave Does History*, we’re diving into the extraordinary life of Elisabeth Abegg, a woman who defied the Nazis with nothing more than her conscience, courage, and a quiet determination to do what was right. A history teacher by trade and a Quaker by conviction, Abegg refused to bow to Nazi tyranny, instead dedicating herself to saving Jewish lives. Forced out of her job for opposing Hitler’s regime, she turned her Berlin apartment into a sanctuary, personally sheltering Jews and coordinating an underground rescue network that helped around 80 people escape certain death. She risked everything—lying to the Gestapo, forging documents, even selling her own belongings to fund escapes. Miraculously, she was never caught. After the war, her heroism was recognized by Yad Vashem as one of the *Righteous Among the Nations*. Today, we remember her quiet defiance and ask: What would we have done in her place?

In this episode of What The Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod pull on some serious Holmesian strings, unraveling everything from ancient biblical mysteries to modern media madness. Did Adam and Eve really last only nine hours in the Garden of Eden? And was it even an apple? The guys dive into how easily misinformation spreads—whether it’s Joy Behar calling Elon Musk “pro-apartheid” or the bafflingly vague Epstein files release. They also dissect Ukrainian President Zelensky’s disastrous White House visit, where his tracksuit diplomacy backfired spectacularly. Plus, Major League Baseball’s Robo Ump is here—is this the future of the game, or just another way to ruin a good argument? With a mix of humor, history, and hard-hitting skepticism, this episode is all about questioning everything. If you’re tired of taking headlines at face value, What The Frock? is the podcast for you. Tune in and start pulling those threads!

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we’re diving into the life of one of the most legendary figures in American history—Sam Houston. Born on March 2, 1793, the same day Texas would later declare its independence, Houston's story is packed with adventure, war, politics, and a whole lot of Texas grit. From his time living with the Cherokee to his stunning victory at San Jacinto, his fight to bring Texas into the Union, and his bold stand against secession, Houston never backed down. Join us as we unravel the life of the man who helped shape the Lone Star State!

Ever wondered how the chainsaw went from a gruesome medical tool to the go-to gadget for lumberjacks and DIY warriors? In this episode of Dave Does History, we uncover the bizarre origins of the chainsaw—spoiler alert: it wasn’t invented for cutting trees. From 18th-century surgeons wielding hand-cranked saws in childbirth (yes, really) to modern forestry and backyard projects, this tale is equal parts horrifying and hilarious. Join Dave as he explores the evolution of this powerful tool, its unexpected beginnings, and why he's relieved his own chainsaw experience involved fence posts and not obstetrics.

On this episode of Dave Does History, we take you to the final days of the Aztec Empire and the tragic end of its last emperor, Cuauhtémoc. The Spanish conquest of Mexico wasn’t just a battle of swords and muskets—it was a brutal clash of civilizations, betrayal, and survival against impossible odds. Cuauhtémoc, a young and fearless ruler, stood as the last line of defense against Hernán Cortés and his army of conquistadors. He fought with every ounce of strength he had, but the fall of Tenochtitlán in 1521 was only the beginning of his suffering. Captured, tortured, and ultimately executed on February 28, 1525, Cuauhtémoc's story is one of resilience, defiance, and sacrifice. But his legacy didn’t end there. Tune in as we uncover the gripping details of his final stand and what his memory means to Mexico today. Listen now on Spotify and iTunes!

Buffalo Bill Cody was more than just a showman—he was a bridge between the untamed frontier and the modern world, a man who lived through the transformation of the West and ensured that its stories would not be forgotten. As a child growing up in Denver, I often visited his final resting place on Lookout Mountain, where he overlooks the land he once roamed. He was my hero, a towering figure of the American West, and those visits only deepened my admiration for him. Though I have not lived in Denver since the late 1970s, my childhood memories of standing at his grave, reflecting on his incredible life, remain vivid. He was, and remains, one of America’s great frontier figures, a man who embodied the spirit of adventure, resilience, and reinvention that defined the West.

In this episode of Dave Does History on ⁠Bill Mick Live⁠, we take a hard look at one of the most important Supreme Court cases in American history—Marbury v. Madison. You might remember our recent discussion about the Election of 1800 and John Adams’ infamous “Midnight Judges.” Well, this is the moment when that political showdown reached its explosive conclusion, and the Supreme Court emerged with a new, game-changing power: judicial review. Chief Justice John Marshall didn’t just decide whether William Marbury got his job—he redefined the power of the Supreme Court itself. With a legal sleight of hand, Marshall ruled that a part of the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional, marking the first time the Court struck down a law passed by Congress. This decision set the precedent that allows the Supreme Court to determine what laws stand and what laws fall. Fast forward to today, and judicial review remains one of the most debated aspects of American government. From Dred Scott to Brown v. Board of Educatio

In early 1917, a single intercepted message changed the course of history. The Zimmermann Telegram, a secret German proposal to Mexico, promised lost U.S. territories in exchange for an alliance—an audacious gamble that backfired spectacularly. When Britain exposed it, American outrage erupted, pushing the U.S. into World War I. In this episode, we unravel the intrigue, deception, and unintended consequences of Germany’s diplomatic blunder that sealed its fate and reshaped the world.

Welcome to another irreverent, thought-provoking, and occasionally eyebrow-raising episode of What the Frock?, where Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod take a chainsaw to the sacred trees of modern absurdity. This week, our fearless hosts dive into a smorgasbord of political and cultural insanity, with a special focus on the mind-boggling use of taxpayer money for, shall we say, unique purposes... and that's just the beginning...

In February of 1942, a Japanese submarine shelled the California coast, triggering panic and fueling wartime paranoia. The Ellwood Bombardment led to wild invasion fears, the infamous "Battle of Los Angeles," and even played a role in Japanese American internment. Hear the true story!

History meets the future here. Using cutting-edge AI alongside deep historical research, we uncover the stories that shaped our world—bringing forgotten figures, pivotal battles, and game-changing events to life. AI helps streamline research, refine narratives, and enhance storytelling, but make no mistake—this is still *me*, crafting each episode with analysis, wit, and passion. Whether it's ancient wars, modern revolutions, or the strange twists of fate, we blend technology with tradition to make history more accessible than ever. Hit play, subscribe, and explore the past—powered by AI, but driven by human curiosity.

The Battle of Iwo Jima was a desperate clash in the final months of the Pacific War, an engagement that tested the endurance and strategy of both American and Japanese forces. Located in the Volcano Islands, Iwo Jima was a crucial waypoint between the Mariana Islands and the Japanese home islands. It was small—just eight square miles of volcanic rock—but its strategic value was enormous. Capturing Iwo Jima would provide the U.S. with airfields for fighter escorts to protect B-29 bombers on their missions over Japan. It would also serve as an emergency landing site for crippled bombers returning from those raids. The Japanese knew this, and they turned the island into a fortress.

Luther Martin was one of the most vocal and controversial figures of America’s founding—a brilliant but cantankerous lawyer who fought tooth and nail against the Constitution’s centralization of power. A fierce defender of state sovereignty, he clashed with giants like Madison and Hamilton, delivering fiery speeches that shaped the ratification debate. Though history often overlooks him, Martin’s legacy as an Anti-Federalist, legal powerhouse, and defender of the accused deserves a closer look. This is his story.

In 1600, the Peruvian volcano Huaynaputina erupted with cataclysmic force, unleashing one of the most powerful eruptions in recorded history. Its devastating impact reshaped the Andean landscape, buried villages in ash, and triggered a global climate crisis. From famine in Russia to freezing summers in Europe and Asia, the world felt its wrath. Join us as we explore the eruption, its eyewitness accounts, and its far-reaching consequences that still echo through history.

In 1878 Lincoln County, New Mexico, power wasn’t held by elected officials—it was owned by The House, a corrupt monopoly that controlled everything from cattle sales to banking. When John Tunstall arrived to challenge their grip, he paid with his life, sparking the Lincoln County War. Outlaws, lawmen, and gunfighters clashed in a brutal cycle of revenge, with Billy the Kid rising as both an avenger and a fugitive. Join Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live as we uncover the corruption, shootouts, and legendary figures that shaped this violent chapter of the Old West. Was Billy the Kid a hero or a criminal? Did those who fought back against injustice break the law—or save their people? It’s history as it really happened, not the Hollywood version. Tune in and decide for yourself!

Giordano Bruno, born in 1548, was a radical thinker and heretic whose ideas challenged the Catholic Church's doctrines. Embracing a boundless universe with countless worlds, he defied traditional views and even rejected core Christian teachings. After fleeing from the Dominican Order, Bruno became a controversial figure across Europe, ultimately leading to his arrest by the Inquisition. He refused to recant his beliefs, resulting in his execution by burning in 1600—a martyr for the cause of free thought whose legacy endures today.

Welcome back to What The Frock?, where the podcast dives deep into the absurdity of the world, offering humor, sharp observations, and sometimes… critical reflections. In this episode, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod provide an energetic, somewhat tangential, yet insightful exploration of everything from geopolitics to hockey brawls—and, of course, the state of critical thinking in the modern world.

The Fairbank Train Robbery of February 15, 1900, was a chaotic clash between Old West outlaws and a determined lawman. Orchestrated by corrupt deputies-turned-criminals Burt Alvord and Billy Stiles, the robbery aimed to loot a Wells Fargo express car at the Fairbank station. Their gang expected an easy score but instead faced Jeff Milton, a hardened express messenger who, despite being shot, fought back with deadly force. What unfolded was one of Arizona’s last great train heists.

The fall of the Purépecha Empire in 1530 was a brutal chapter in the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica. Unlike the Aztecs, who fought fiercely, the Purépecha under Tangáxuan II initially sought peace, only to be betrayed. After submitting to Hernán Cortés, Tangáxuan found himself at the mercy of Nuño de Guzmán, a ruthless conquistador with a thirst for power. Accused of rebellion, Tangáxuan was tortured and executed, marking the violent end of his empire and the rise of Spanish rule.