That's Wild Podcast

Episode 10: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s Forgotten Pharaoh

Jenn dives into the incredible story of Hatshepsut, the pharaoh who ruled Egypt like a king. From bold political moves to stunning architectural achievements, her legacy was nearly erased from history. So why was ancient Egypt so determined to forget her? Join us as we uncover the rise, reign, and mysterious disappearance of one of history’s most powerful women. Sources:Cooney, Kara. The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut’s Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt. Crown Publishing, 2014.

Episode 9: Operation Midnight Climax

In this episode, Lauren takes a closer look at one of the most disturbing and bizarre government experiments in U.S. history—Operation Midnight Climax. During the 1950s, as the Cold War raged on, the CIA launched MKUltra, a top-secret program aimed at developing mind control techniques. Among the most shocking aspects? Secret brothels in San Francisco and New York, where unsuspecting men were dosed with LSD, all while CIA agents watched from behind two-way mirrors. The episode dives into the twisted details of the operation, from George Hunter White’s disturbing role in carrying out the experiments to the tragic story of Frank Olson, a CIA employee whose death raised questions about the program. Listeners will also hear about the fallout as whistleblowers and journalists exposed the terrifying truth behind MKUltra, leading to a nationwide scandal. Sources: Brown, Noel. "Operation Midnight Climax." iHeartPodcasts, iHeartRadio, 5 Mar. 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-midnight-climax/id1554151171 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-midnight-climax/id1554151171]. Olson, Eric. "The Truth Behind Frank Olson's Death." The Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/longform/2017/04/10/frank-olson-death/. Gosch, Max. The CIA's Mind Control Experiments: MKUltra and the Cold War. Penguin Books, 2019. Church Committee. Final Report of the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976. West, Dr. Louis Jolyon. "The Manchurian Candidate Experiment." Journal of Mind Control Studies, vol. 34, no. 2, 1975, pp. 155-174.

Episode 8: Catacombs of Paris

Jenn shares the chilling history of the Catacombs beneath the streets of Paris, uncovering the dark and fascinating stories behind this infamous underground world. This eerie underground labyrinth, housing the remains of over six million Parisians, holds a dark and fascinating history. From its origins as a solution to overcrowded cemeteries to its transformation into a haunting tourist attraction, Jenn uncovers the secrets and stories that make the Catacombs one of the most macabre locations in the world. Sources: • Rivers, C. (n.d.). The catacombs of Paris: The history of the city’s underground ossuaries and burial network. Charles River Editors. • The History Channel. (2007, November 5). Cities of the underworld: Season 1, Episode 4 - Catacombs of death [TV series episode].

Episode 7: The Survival Story of Juliane Diller Koepcke

In this episode, Lauren tells the incredible survival story of Juliane Diller Koepcke. In 1971, LANSA Flight 508 crashed over the Peruvian Amazon, and 17-year-old Juliane found herself stranded in a dense jungle, facing a huge challenge. Lauren talks about the calm yet determined actions Juliane took—from the shock of falling into the jungle to carefully navigating through trees, streams, and trails toward safety. Listeners will hear how Juliane used her quick thinking and resourcefulness to treat minor injuries, find water, and follow simple clues in nature that led her to a river. This story shows not only her physical journey but also the inner strength that helped her survive this overwhelming ordeal. Sources: Koepcke, J. (1998). When I Fell from the Sky: The True Story of My Survival. New York: St. Martin’s Press. BBC. (2012). The Plane Crash That Left One Survivor. BBC News. National Geographic. (2011). The Survival of Juliane Koepcke: A True Story of Courage in the Amazon. National Geographic Magazine. Werner Herzog’s 1999 documentary: Wings of Hope. The Morbid Podcast: Episode 419: The Unbelievable Survival Tale of Juliane Koepcke.

Episode 6: Aviation's Fly Girls

In this episode, Jenn takes us on a high flying journey through the stories of five extraordinary women who didn’t just break barriers in aviation—they redefined the industry itself. From the fearless female pilots who flew before they even had the right to vote, to the groundbreaking engineers who reshaped the way we fly today, these women battled discrimination, defied expectations, and risked everything to claim their place in the skies. Jenn unpacks the thrilling and sometimes dangerous missions of these aviation pioneers, sharing the near-misses, record-breaking achievements, and behind-the-scenes struggles they faced. Tune in to hear about the Fly Girls, namely Ruth Nichols, Louise Thaden, Ruth Nichols, Florence Klingensmith, and Amelia Earhart. Sources: O'Brien, Keith. Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History. 2020. Earhart, Amelia. The Fun of It. Harper & Brothers, 1932.