Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most Questionable Figures

Power Rankings of the American Revolutionary War Founding Fathers (PATREON CLIP)

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this month on Patreon, we did our own official power ranking of the American Revolutionary War Founding Fathers (and Mothers! Don't worry, Abby Adams, we did not forget the ladies!). We are sharing a clip of us discussing George Washington's contributions, but if you want to hear more, please follow the links to get access to the entire episode where we also discuss Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton (sadly, we do not sing this entire section).  Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176114/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ambivalent_offenders_podcast?igsh=MWt1b2E4eHh4MnFmdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] * Patreon [https://patreon.com/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] * Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) [https://buymeacoffee.com/ambivalent.offenders] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ambivalent.offend?_t=8oINFYSuMFb&_r=1] * Show website  [https://ambivalentoffender.wixsite.com/ambivalent-offenders] If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!

Anatomy of a Crash: Full Episode

Erin and I (Jamie) return to the story of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in this special episode. This time we focus on the final hours leading up to the 1999 plane crash that killed John F. Kennedy Jr., Carolyn, and her sister Lauren. Drawing directly from the official NTSB accident report and other primary sources, Erin breaks down the chain of events—weather conditions, pilot experience, aircraft details, and widespread misconceptions—to offer a clear, factual “anatomy” of what happened that night.  Along the way, we address persistent myths, discuss how public perception of the Kennedys has shifted, and reflect on the cultural moment in which the tragedy occurred. Our hope is a respectful and hopefully illuminating look at a story often clouded by rumor. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176114/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ambivalent_offenders_podcast?igsh=MWt1b2E4eHh4MnFmdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] * Patreon [https://patreon.com/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] * Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) [https://buymeacoffee.com/ambivalent.offenders] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ambivalent.offend?_t=8oINFYSuMFb&_r=1] * Show website  [https://ambivalentoffender.wixsite.com/ambivalent-offenders] If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!

PREVIEW OF EARLY ACCESS: "Anatomy of a Crash"

NOTE: The entirety of this episode will be published in a week to our main feed. But to access it early, just join our Patreon at ANY tier! Link is in the show notes or if you search "Patreon Ambivalent Offenders." Erin and I (Jamie) return to the story of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in this special episode. This time we focus on the final hours leading up to the 1999 plane crash that killed John F. Kennedy Jr., Carolyn, and her sister Lauren. Drawing directly from the official NTSB accident report and other primary sources, Erin breaks down the chain of events—weather conditions, pilot experience, aircraft details, and widespread misconceptions—to offer a clear, factual “anatomy” of what happened that night.  Along the way, we address persistent myths, discuss how public perception of the Kennedys has shifted, and reflect on the cultural moment in which the tragedy occurred. Our hope is a respectful and hopefully illuminating look at a story often clouded by rumor. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176114/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ambivalent_offenders_podcast?igsh=MWt1b2E4eHh4MnFmdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] * Patreon [https://patreon.com/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] * Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) [https://buymeacoffee.com/ambivalent.offenders] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ambivalent.offend?_t=8oINFYSuMFb&_r=1] * Show website  [https://ambivalentoffender.wixsite.com/ambivalent-offenders] If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!

PATREON PREVIEW: Carolyn Bessette & A Look at FX's "Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette"

We return to Ambivalent Offenders in 2026 with a fresh look at Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy—now back in the cultural spotlight thanks to FX and Hulu’s Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. In this special 20 minute segment from our full Patreon episode, we revisit our original two‑part deep dive, unpack how the new series reshapes Carolyn’s legacy, and explore why she remains such an enigmatic figure decades after her death. From the mystique surrounding her public image to the long‑standing narratives shaped by JFK Jr.’s inner circle, we dig into what the show gets right, what it smooths over, and why Carolyn’s real story is far more complex than the “ice queen” trope she’s often saddled with. If you want to listen to the entire 1.5 hour episode and our follow-up series on the episodes of Love Story itself, click here [https://www.patreon.com/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast] or search for "Ambivalent Offenders" on Patreon! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176114/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ambivalent_offenders_podcast?igsh=MWt1b2E4eHh4MnFmdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] * Patreon [https://patreon.com/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] * Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) [https://buymeacoffee.com/ambivalent.offenders] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ambivalent.offend?_t=8oINFYSuMFb&_r=1] * Show website  [https://ambivalentoffender.wixsite.com/ambivalent-offenders] If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!

William the Conqueror: Part 1

In this first episode of the series, we are diving deep into the often messy and violent early life of William the Conqueror. From his tumultuous childhood in 11th-century Normandy to gaining his infamous title of conqueror, we explore the turbulent road that saw a young bastard son of a duke become one of history's most controversial figures. It is a wild ride of political maneuvering, violent power plays, and, there at the heart of it, a man to be both feared and loathed.  Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176114/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ambivalent_offenders_podcast?igsh=MWt1b2E4eHh4MnFmdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] * Patreon [https://patreon.com/AmbivalentOffendersHistoryPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] * Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) [https://buymeacoffee.com/ambivalent.offenders] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ambivalent.offend?_t=8oINFYSuMFb&_r=1] * Show website  [https://ambivalentoffender.wixsite.com/ambivalent-offenders] If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!