Dirt Nap City - The Most Interesting Dead People In History

When it comes to titans of industry, it is difficult to imagine someone more influential than John D Rockefeller. At one point he was the richest man in the world and held almost 3% of the American GDP. From a humble beginning, John was a hard worker who happened to be in the right place when oil was discovered in western Pennsylvania. His company, Standard Oil, became the predecessor to many famous oil and gasoline companies that are still going strong today.
A deeply religious man, John D Rockefeller was conflicted between his will to win at business and his desire to do good in the world. He was often criticized for his hard-ball business tactics, but did that mean he was an evil monopolist?
In this episode, we take a look at an American icon - from his youth as the son of a con man - to his life as the richest man in the world - to his pioneering techniques in the world of philanthropy.
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Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.
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Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the longest-serving First Lady throughout her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms in office (1933-1945). She was an American politician, diplomat, and activist who later served as a United Nations spokeswoman. But she was not without her detractors. After a traumatic childhood, she married her 5th cousin and ended up changing the job of First Lady in a way no one had imagined before. She was also rumored to have had affairs outside of her marriage and had controversial views for a woman of her time.
She was a pioneer in the use of radio as well as the press.
In this episode we explore this remarkable woman and the legacy that she left behind, both during her tenure as First Lady and after.
If you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcast

Or, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.

Drop us a quick text and we’ll reply in the next episode!

Support the show

Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.
Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.
Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Explore the legacy of the Atari 2600, the console that ignited the home gaming revolution.

Get ready to blow into those cartridges and dust off your joysticks! In this episode, we're taking a nostalgic deep dive into the iconic Atari 2600, the console that arguably sparked the home video game revolution. From its humble beginnings in the late 1970s to its explosion in popularity in the early 80s, we explore the fascinating history and cultural impact of this legendary machine.

Join us as we trace the Atari 2600's journey from a niche novelty to a household name. We'll uncover the stories behind its creation, the visionaries who brought it to life, and the marketing genius that made it a must-have for families across the globe. Relive the excitement of unwrapping that sleek black console and the satisfying thunk of inserting a new game cartridge.

But it wasn't just about the hardware. We'll be diving deep into the games that defined a generation. From the pixelated thrills of Pac-Man and Space Invaders to the joystick-waggling action of Pitfall! and the competitive spirit of Combat, we'll revisit the classics that captivated millions. We'll discuss the limitations and the surprising creativity that emerged from the console's relatively simple technology, showcasing how developers pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible with limited processing power and memory.

Beyond the games themselves, we'll explore the cultural phenomenon that was the Atari 2600. How did it change the way we entertained ourselves? What was it like to experience the dawn of interactive digital entertainment? We'll also touch upon the infamous video game crash of 1983, examining the factors that led to Atari's decline and the lessons learned by the industry.

Whether you were a joystick warrior in the Atari era or are simply curious about the roots of modern gaming, this episode is a must-listen. Prepare for a wave of nostalgia as we celebrate the enduring legacy of the Atari 2600 – a console that truly changed the game. So grab your favorite snack, settle in, and let's press start on this retro adventure!

Drop us a quick text and we’ll reply in the next episode!

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Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.
Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.
Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

At the peak of her fame, Julia Child was one of the most famous television celebrities in the United States. She was the first cooking show super star, but she didn't learn to appreciate cuisine until later in life when she volunteered for the war effort during World War II. She met her husband Paul when she was in Sri Lanka and he really taught her to appreciate fine food, art and culture.
Julia Child fell in love with French cooking and attended the famous Cordon Bleu in Paris. This was during a time when professional cooking was dominated by men. From there she began teaching friends the French way of cooking and teamed up with some partners to write a French cookbook for Americans. Her big break came when she was invited to be a guest on WGBH, the Boston PBS affiliate. She broke the mold by cooking an omelet on the show and the phones at the station lit up. That was the start of her career on television.
If you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcast

Or, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.

Drop us a quick text and we’ll reply in the next episode!

Support the show

Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.
Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.
Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

From Olympic gold to heavyweight championships, and from the George Foreman Grill to the pulpit, the life of George Foreman is a knockout. Join us as we delve deep into the extraordinary journey of "Big George" Foreman.

We'll explore different rounds of Foreman's life. We'll relive the thunderous punches of his first reign, the shocking defeat in the "Rumble in the Jungle," and his improbable comeback that defied age and expectations. Beyond the ring, we'll examine his spiritual awakening, his role as a devoted father, and his surprising success as an entrepreneur.

Whether you're a lifelong boxing fan, a business enthusiast, or simply fascinated by a life lived to the fullest, "The Big George Breakdown" promises a captivating and insightful look at a true American original. Get ready to rumble... through history!

Drop us a quick text and we’ll reply in the next episode!

Support the show

Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.
Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.
Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!