Badass of the Week

Before he was the sharp-tongued, quick-drawing legend of Tombstone, John Henry “Doc” Holliday was a Southern aristocrat, a brilliant dentist, and a man marked by tragedy. In today's episode Ben and Producer Andrew trace the surprising early life of the West’s most infamous gambler-gunslinger—from his genteel Georgia upbringing to a tuberculosis diagnosis that sent him spiraling into saloons, showdowns, and the seedier...

The surface of Venus is a nightmare: 900 degrees Fahrenheit, 90 times Earth’s atmospheric pressure, and rain made of acid. It’s the most hostile place in the solar system—and the Soviet Union was insane enough to send probes there. Again. And again. And again. In this episode, Ben and guest Erik Slader (Epik Fails of History) dive into the Soviet Venera Program: a two-decade war against a planet that melts metal, crus...

AUDIO FIXED! As Europe increasingly freaks out about the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, a ragtag crew of guys who ordinarily hate each other band together for common cause and GUESS WHAT -- it goes cartoonishly wrong. In the second part of this two-part series, Ben hangs with the Ridiculous History guys and  breaks down the most ridiculous friendly-fire incident in all of human history. (Also, side note: Ben recorded this on hi...

It's April Fools day which means we want to talk about one of the dumbest battles in World History... 

War has always been a chaotic, messy endeavor -- and, sometimes, it's downright ridiculous. In this week's special two-part series Ben joins the badass dudes from Ridiculous History to talk about the bizarre turn of events that led to the Battle of Karánsebes. In part one, Ben introduces the gang to the legendary 'enlightened desp...

Some soldiers fight wars. Leo Major won them—single-handedly—while rocking a Canadian flag.

This one-eyed, French-Canadian unstoppable force of nature took on the Nazis solo, liberated an entire Dutch city by himself, and casually shrugged off wounds that would’ve ended lesser men. Whether it was sneaking through occupied territory like a moose in stealth mode, capturing dozens of enemy soldiers alone, o...

100 episodes. Hundreds of badass stories. Countless questionable pronunciation attempts.

This week, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of Badass of the Week with a look back at the wildest, craziest, and most ridiculous moments from our journey so far. From legendary warriors to historical madmen, unsung heroes to absolute lunatics, we’ve covered it all—and we’re not stopping anytime soon. Join us for a vict...

You know Mickey Rooney as a Hollywood legend, but did you know he also served in World War II? At the height of his fame, Rooney traded red carpets for the Army, entertaining the troops and boosting morale across war zones. While he wasn’t storming beaches, he was on the front lines of entertainment, giving performances to soldiers who needed a reason to laugh in the middle of chaos. In this episode Ben is joined by writer Robert O...

Step into the smoke-filled temple of Apollo and meet the Oracle of Delphi, the most mysterious and feared fortune-teller in the ancient world. Kings, generals, and philosophers all climbed Mount Parnassus to hear her cryptic prophecies—some of which shaped the course of history. But was the Oracle really channeling the gods, or just really high on volcanic fumes? In today's episode Ben and Pat unravel the truth behind ancient Greec...

Robert Smalls wasn’t just a man—he was a one-man revolution. Smalls was slave who stole a Confederate warship, sailed his way to freedom, and then went back to kick the Confederacy’s ass. Born into slavery, Smalls pulled off one of the greatest heists in American history, disguising himself as a Confederate captain and delivering a stolen ship to the Union. But he didn’t stop there—he went on to become a Union naval officer, a U.S....

Before the Vikings had maps, they had Erik the Red—a hot-tempered, ax-swinging explorer who turned exile into empire. In this episode, Ben and Pat follow the fiery outlaw who got kicked out of Norway, then Iceland, and instead of learning his lesson, discovered Greenland and made it his own. With a reputation for both brutality and brilliance, Erik carved his way into history as the ultimate Viking troublemaker. Get ready for a tal...

In this episode Ben and Brandon set sail for a high-seas adventure with Zheng Yi Sao, the most powerful pirate you've never heard of. This legendary Chinese pirate queen commanded a fleet of over 70,000 ruthless outlaws, outmaneuvered imperial navies, and built a criminal empire that made the British and Portuguese think twice before messing with her. We'll dive into how she rose from a life in the shadows to ruling the South China...

Get ready for the thunder of hooves and the clash of steel as Ben and Pat charge into the epic saga of the Winged Hussars, the cavalry that didn’t just ride into battle—they exploded onto the scene. In this episode, we’ll uncover how these armored juggernauts, with wings strapped to their backs and lances aimed for glory, shattered enemy lines and rewrote the rules of warfare. From the Siege of Vienna to battles where they turned t...

Meet Nancy Wake, the WWII spy, saboteur, and all-around badass who became one of the Allies’ most decorated agents. In this episode, Ben and Pat dive into her fearless exploits: smuggling resistance fighters, outsmarting the Gestapo, and leading guerrilla raids deep behind enemy lines. Known as "The White Mouse" for her uncanny ability to evade capture, Nancy Wake didn’t just fight Nazis—she made it look stylish. Get ready for a wi...

Step into the arena with Milo of Croton, the ancient Greek strongman whose feats of strength turned him into a living legend. In this episode, Ben and Pat explore how Milo went from an Olympic champion to a battlefield hero, carrying entire armies on his back—literally. From wrestling lions to tearing trees apart with his bare hands, Milo’s life was a nonstop display of raw power and unmatched swagger. Join us as we uncover the epi...

Meet Saladin, the crusader-crushing legend who outsmarted Europe’s toughest knights while keeping his cool. In this episode, Ben and Mike break down how this unstoppable tactician reclaimed Jerusalem, united rival factions, and earned respect from both allies and enemies. With brains, brawn, and a surprising dose of chivalry, Saladin proved that being a badass doesn’t mean you can’t also be a class act. Get ready for the epic tale ...

This Christmastime, we’re diving into the frosty, ferocious legend of Odin and the Wild Hunt, the ghostly procession that storms through winter skies. In this episode Ben and Pat uncover how the all-father of Norse mythology became the centerpiece of this eerie Yuletide tradition, leading a spectral pack of warriors, wolves, and spirits in a hunt that blurs the lines between the living and the dead. From its ties to Viking lore to ...

When the Nazi blitz came roaring into Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, 22-year-old Lyle Bouck and his tiny unit of 18 men decided they weren’t moving an inch. Outnumbered by a German force 500 times their size, Bouck and his squad held their ground at Lanzerath Ridge, turning the Nazi blitzkrieg into a slow crawl. In this episode Ben and producer Andrew Jacobs unpack the grit, ingenuity, and sheer defiance of one of WWII’s m...

This week, Ben and producer Andrew Jacobs are diving into the wild world of Steve Irwin, the legendary “Crocodile Hunter” who turned animal conservation into an action-packed adventure. From wrestling crocs to cuddling snakes, Steve’s fearless love for wildlife inspired millions while breaking down the barriers between humans and nature. In this episode, we’ll celebrate his incredible legacy, his passion for protecting endangered s...