Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged

🎙️ LIVE SHOW – SEPTEMBER 16TH IN TACOMA!
Join Shea Drury and Jody Shaw of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes for a special live podcast recording at the historic McMenamins Spanish Ballroom inside the Elks Temple in Tacoma, Washington.
Long before Tacoma's Pantages Theater lit up Broadway Avenue, a woman known as Klondike Kate ruled the dance halls of the Yukon. She was the "Queen of the Gold Rush," a vaudeville performer, businesswoman, and according to some accounts, a key figure behind the early rise of theater mogul Alexander Pantages.
Follow Kate's story from the chaos of the Klondike Gold Rush to the bright lights of Tacoma as we trace a tale of ambition, money, love, betrayal, and the origins of one of Tacoma's most iconic theaters.
🎟️ Tickets: McMenamins Live Show Event Page
In the 1920s, Americans were told radioactivity was healthy.
Radium appeared in beauty products, toothpaste, drinking water systems, and even medical treatments. But one product stood apart from all the rest. Unlike many "radioactive" products of the era, Radithor actually contained measurable amounts of radium—and people were encouraged to drink it.
This week, Shea welcomes back Radiant Radium to uncover the unbelievable story of Radithor, the radioactive patent medicine that became one of history's most infamous health disasters.
☢️ The Rise of Radithor
Created by self-styled medical entrepreneur William J.A. Bailey, Radithor was marketed as a cure-all capable of restoring energy, improving vitality, stimulating the endocrine system, and even enhancing sexual performance.
Doctors prescribed it.
Patients trusted it.
And many consumers reported feeling better—at least initially.
But beneath the promises of "perpetual sunshine" and scientific progress lurked a far darker reality.
In this episode:
The radium craze that swept America in the 1910s and 1920s
How William J.A. Bailey built a radioactive wellness empire
The bizarre history of irradiated medical devices and "radiation therapy" products
Why consumers believed radioactive products improved health
How actual radium differs from many other so-called radioactive products of the era
💀 The Tragic Story of Eben Byers
One of Radithor's most devoted customers was wealthy socialite and champion golfer Eben Byers.
After suffering an injury, he began taking Radithor on his physician's recommendation.
At first, he felt fantastic.
Over time he consumed an estimated 1,400 bottles.
Then the symptoms began.
What happened next became one of the most famous medical tragedies of the twentieth century and helped expose the dangers of radioactive patent medicines to the public.
Fact: Byers' highly publicized death became a turning point in public attitudes toward radium health products.
🔬 Did Radium Really Make People Feel Better?
The answer is more complicated than you might think.
Shea and Radiant Radium discuss why some users believed Radithor worked, how radium interacts with the body, the placebo effect, and why dangerous health trends can persist long after evidence shows they're harmful.
They also explore surprising modern parallels with today's wellness industry and examine why extraordinary health claims continue to attract believers.
📺 Follow Radiant Radium
Want to see original Radithor bottles, radioactive antiques, Geiger counter demonstrations, and the strange artifacts of the Radium Age?
📺 YouTube: Radiant Radium
🎧 Related Episodes
☢️ The Deadly Glow: America's Radium Craze
https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/the-deadly-glow-americas-radium-craze
💄 Glowing From the Inside: Radium Beauty | 5 Minute Friday
https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/glowing-from-the-inside-radium-beauty-5-minute-friday
🐍 Snake Oil Never Died, It Just Went Online (Featuring Dark History)
https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/snake-oil-never-died-it-just-went-online-featuring-dark-history

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Hey, it's Shea, popping in for a quick update about what's coming up on the show, and some exciting events!
Come see us LIVE! Wednesday September 16th at the McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma Washington.
https://www.mcmenamins.com/events/274791-klondike-kate-and-the-pantages-theater
Check out the Bootleggers Ball! Friday, October 16th in Seattle, Washington.
https://www.strangertickets.com/events/185904773/bootleggers-ball

Want to get in touch? Email me at shea@rainydayrabbitholes.com or reach out on Instagram @rainydayrabbitholespod

Thank you to all of the listeners and historians who have been supporting us!

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🎤 LIVE SHOW ALERT: KLONDIKE KATE IN TACOMA
Before we get into this week's episode...
Join us on September 16 for a special presentation of Klondike Kate and the Pantages Theater at McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma.
Klondike Kate was one of the most colorful figures of the Yukon Gold Rush era, and this live event explores her remarkable story and connection to Pacific Northwest history.
🎟️ Tickets and event details:
Klondike Kate and the Pantages Theater

🚨 NSFW Warning: This episode contains discussion of an adults-only event and mature themes. Listener discretion is advised.
This week on Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, Jody takes us down a rabbit hole that starts with a local noise complaint and quickly spirals into one of the strangest headlines you'll read all year.
A large swingers convention called Swingathon became the subject of widespread attention after neighbors reportedly complained about the sounds coming from the event. The story quickly spread across social media and news outlets, creating one of those rare moments where everyone collectively stops and says, "There's no way that's a real headline."
Rather than focus on the lifestyle itself, we're interested in how unusual stories become cultural phenomena, how media outlets frame bizarre events, and why some headlines are simply impossible to ignore.
Along the way, Jody delivers plenty of laughs, observations, and commentary on a story that somehow gets weirder the deeper you go.
Featured Article
Swingathon Draws Noise Complaints Over Loud Moaning From 1,000 Swingers
Read the article on Vice:
View Article
In This Episode
The Swingathon story
The noise complaint that made international news
How weird headlines spread online
Public reaction to unusual events
Media coverage and sensationalism
Jody's hilarious commentary
The strange intersection of privacy and publicity
Support Rainy Day Rabbit Holes
If you enjoy the show, visit our website for episodes, show archives, updates, merchandise, and more.
🌧️ Rainy Day Rabbit Holes
www.rainydayrabbitholes.com
Want to help support the podcast?
You can become a patron through Patreon, which is linked directly from our website. Your support helps us continue researching strange stories, weird history, forgotten legends, and fascinating rabbit holes from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
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Learn more about BrzySend through the links available on our website and support the businesses that help make Rainy Day Rabbit Holes possible. https://brzysend.com/
Thanks for listening to Rainy Day Rabbit Holes.
The world is full of strange stories. We're just here to dig them up. 🌧️🐇🕳️

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Blade Runner: Humanity, Memory, and Replicants in the Rain

This week on Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, we're turning the tables a bit. Instead of our usual deep dive, we're featuring a special crossover appearance from the Midday Movies podcast, where Shea and her brother Jason joined hosts Laura and Stephen to discuss Ridley Scott's groundbreaking 1982 sci-fi masterpiece, Blade Runner.
Set in a rain-soaked, neon-lit Los Angeles of the future, Blade Runner is far more than a detective story. It's a philosophical exploration of what it means to be human, how memories shape identity, and whether artificial life deserves the same rights and dignity as its creators. Nearly 45 years after its release, the film remains one of the most influential works in science fiction history.
In this conversation, Laura, Stephen, Shea, and Jason share their personal experiences with the film and unpack the themes that have made Blade Runner a lasting cultural touchstone. From the tragic journey of Roy Batty to the mystery surrounding Rick Deckard, the discussion explores why audiences continue to wrestle with the film's biggest questions decades later.
The group also examines the movie's stunning visual style, its impact on the cyberpunk genre, and the ways its vision of the future feels surprisingly relevant today. Along the way, they dive into themes of memory, empathy, mortality, consumerism, and the ethical implications of creating artificial life.
Whether you're a longtime fan who can quote the "tears in rain" monologue by heart or someone experiencing Blade Runner for the first time, this episode offers an engaging and thought-provoking look at one of cinema's most enduring achievements.
In This Episode
First impressions and evolving perspectives on Blade Runner
The replicants' search for identity and purpose
Memory, empathy, and what defines humanity
The visual design that helped define cyberpunk
Roy Batty as one of science fiction's greatest characters
The film's influence on modern movies, television, and gaming
The enduring mystery of Deckard's true nature
Why Blade Runner remains relevant more than four decades later
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Blade Runner
02:45 — Personal experiences with the film
10:30 — Themes of identity and humanity
18:00 — The film's visual style and influence
25:15 — Memory and the replicants' struggle for meaning
35:00 — Character dynamics and moral complexity
45:20 — The ambiguous ending and its implications
50:00 — Final thoughts on the film's legacy
For more Laura and Stephen, follow them at ⁠⁠@middaymoviespod⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@umbrellapodcastcollective⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠@facehuggersandfriendspod⁠⁠
🎭 Live Show Announcement!
Join us for Klondike Kate: Queen of the Yukon, a special live edition of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes at McMenamins on September 16th. We'll explore the fascinating life, legends, and larger-than-life legacy of one of the most famous figures from the Klondike Gold Rush.
🎟️ Tickets are available now at RainyDayRabbitHoles.com.
Connect with Rainy Day Rabbit Holes
🌧️ Website: RainyDayRabbitHoles.com
🎟️ Live Show Tickets: RainyDayRabbitHoles.com
🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts
📱 Follow us on social media for upcoming episodes, live events, and behind-the-scenes content
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review—it helps more curious minds find the rabbit hole.

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🚨 NSFW WARNING 🚨
This episode contains discussion of a legendary rock-and-roll wardrobe malfunction, adult language, and way more giggling than is medically recommended. If you're listening at work, around children, or while giving a serious presentation, maybe save this one for later. Consider yourself warned.
Sometimes the world is a lot. Sometimes you need a break from the news, your responsibilities, and the relentless march of reality.
This is one of those times.
On this week's 5-Minute Friday, Shea reads Jody an absolutely ridiculous article from Vice celebrating the anniversary of one of the most infamous wardrobe malfunctions in rock history: the moment Lenny Kravitz's leather pants gave up the fight during a concert and revealed far more than anyone expected.
What starts as a simple reading of a bizarre article quickly spirals into complete chaos. To be fair, Jody and Shea were working their way through their second bottle of wine, so maintaining professionalism was never really an option.
The result? A short episode packed with laughter, derailed conversations, questionable observations, and a healthy appreciation for the strange moments that unite humanity.
Is it educational? Not particularly.
Is it important? Probably not.
Is it a welcome distraction from reality? Absolutely.
So thank you, Lenny Kravitz. Your sacrifice has brought joy to generations.
🍷 In This Episode
The infamous Lenny Kravitz pants incident
A Vice article that somehow gets funnier with age
What happens when podcast hosts reach bottle number two
Uncontrolled laughter and total derailment
The healing power of absurd internet history
📖 Source Article
Read the Vice article that inspired this episode:
👉 "Happy Anniversary to Lenny Kravitz's Dick Flopping Out of His Pants (NSFW)"
https://www.vice.com/en/article/happy-anniversary-to-lenny-kravitzs-dick-flopping-out-of-his-pants-nsfw/
🐇 Explore More Rabbit Holes
Visit our website for more weird, hilarious, and fascinating stories:
🌧️🐇 Rainy Day Rabbit Holes
www.rainydayrabbitholes.com
🎉 Join Our Patreon
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Support the show on Patreon and get:
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If you enjoy the chaos, Patreon is where we keep even more of it.
🎧 Related Episodes
🌲 Did the FBI Actually Investigate Bigfoot?
https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/did-the-fbi-actually-investigate-bigfoot
☕ Why Are People Putting Coffee There?
https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/why-are-people-putting-coffee-there
🍶 Hold My Sake: Japan Made Alcohol Out of Moth Poop | 5-Minute Friday
https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/hold-my-sake-japan-made-alcohol-out-of-moth-poop-5-minute-friday
5-Minute Friday is where we embrace the weird, celebrate the absurd, and occasionally discover that the internet never forgets. This week: leather pants lose, comedy wins. 🎸🍷😂

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