The Devil’s Dirtstar

Episode 9: The Akō Vendetta - The True Story Behind 47 Ronin

Re-released on September 6th!! No, we didn’t just release a new episode, Ellsworth just accidentally republished an old one.. We let her out of her cage for two seconds and this is what happens. Don’t worry, we’re getting a better padlock.
Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.
It's story time Dirtlings! Today, Big Spoon is going to tell you three epic tales of vengeance in Japan: the Soga Brothers, the Igagoe Vendetta at Iga Pass and to top it all off the Akō Vendetta aka the tale of the 47 Ronin. After story time, our cine-file friend Ellsworth will discuss how the tale of the 47 Ronin completely took over Japanese theater just days after the vendetta was over. Known as Chushingura, the tale lives on through Japanese classical theater such as Kabuki, Bunraku (puppeteering at its finest), period dramas and hell, the story has even been retold on the big screen with a legendary man that the internet just won't leave alone, Keanu Reeves. Note: Big Spoon can't pronounce the letter 'r' in Japanese but Ellsworth totally slays in this episode! 
Check out pictures, our sources, and any other goodies we may have found on our website.This episode is sponsored by strangeadornments.com Give Michelle a follow @strangeadornments and check out her uniquely empowering jewelry; all pieces are ethically sourced and made with the wearer in mind and at heart. No Ronin or puppets were harmed during the making of this jewelry… allegedly.
Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!

Episode 10: The Fall of the Watchers

Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.
That’s right Dirtlings, we’re rewinding time all the way back to the hot mess that caused everyone except Noah and his Ark to be wiped off the face of the Earth! Join Ellsworth and Big Spoon as we fall from grace down the Dirtstar, discovering how two hundred rebellious angels became the catalyst for the Great Flood. We’ll discuss several key Watchers who decided chillin' with mortals and gifting them forbidden knowledge sounded way cooler than their actual jobs, the awesome secrets bestowed unto humanity that we totally still use today, angel-human hybrid babies called the Nephilim and of course the one angel who ended up being the scapegoat, taking all of the blame for such abominable angel behavior: AZAZEL! (see Episode 1: Azazel to learn more about this desert dwelling demon).
Check out pictures, our sources, and any other goodies we may have found on our website.
This episode is sponsored by strangeadornments.com
Give Michelle a follow @strangeadornments and check out her uniquely empowering jewelry; all pieces are ethically sourced and made with the wearer in mind and at heart. No Nephilim were harmed in the making of this episode… Psst, Michelle! Let us know if you find any of their bones!
Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!

Episode 8: Homage to William Friedkin: Cult Classic Cursed Films and B-Movies

Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.
WARNING: Many movie spoilers in this episode! Dirtlings, this episode is a special early release to celebrate the life of hardcore film director William Friedkin, Golden Globe winner for Best Director of the motion picture: The Exorcist. As Big Spoon and Ellsworth discuss one of the greatest supernatural horror films of all time, we uncover the tragedies that befell the cast and crew during production and the many reasons why The Exorcist may indeed be cursed. Big Spoon also covers a film that suffered misfortune but was never made... anyone that was offered the lead role DIED before filming ever began! Ellsworth takes us deeper into the Devil’s Dirtstar to examine some of the most excellent B-Movies of our time while giving the lowdown on what exactly makes these low budget masterpieces so spectacular.
To keep things spoiler free, let's just say Ellsworth will name drop some heavy hitters and may or may not mention some invasive Klowns, a sentient tire with superpowers, a pastor that arguably has reptilian rabies and oh god, there’s way more! It’s a palette cleanser, we swear. Note: there are totally some good "Pauls" in this world (we’re lookin’ at you Paul Holes).  
Check out pictures, our sources, and any other goodies we may have found on our website.
Today’s episode is brought to you by www.strangeadornments.com Give Michelle a follow @strangeadornments and check out her uniquely empowering jewelry. All pieces are ethically sourced and made with the wearer in mind and at heart. No demons, vampires or velociraptors were harmed during the making of Michelle’s jewelry (we think).
Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!

Episode 7: You Are Not You When You Are Hungry: The Wendigo

Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.
Get ready, Dirtlings. Follow Ellsworth and Big Spoon as we dive even further into the Dirtstar to learn about the lore of Wendigos, the shaman Jack Fiddler who tried to save his people from these evil forest dwelling spirits and hear the tragic and true story of Swift Runner; a man claiming to be possessed by a Wendigo that ultimately drove him to madness.  We also take a detour back up to Side-Bar Summit to discuss cannibalism, the perfect recipe to compel someone to eat their loved ones, a phantom smell in our local bookstore basement and some oddball voyeur that loves to attend public executions. 
Check out pictures, our sources, and any other goodies we may have found on our website.
This episode is brought to you by www.strangeadornments.com
Give Michelle a follow @strangeadornments and check out her uniquely empowering jewelry; all pieces are ethically sourced and made with the wearer in mind and at heart… Just not icy Wendigo hearts because that would be unethical? Honorable mention: check out The Last Podcast on the Left on Spotify and listen to Episode 345: Hangmen and Headsmen to learn more about the executioners Big Spoon referenced!
Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!

Episode 6: The Father of Gynecology Part 2

Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.
For the conclusion of our Dark History of Medicine two-part series on Dr. James Marion Sims, Ellsworth and Big Spoon further discuss experimentation on enslaved black people in history for the "sake" of medicine. We also recount awful experiences happening to black women in modern times who were desperately seeking medical treatment and the overall racial bias still plaguing our healthcare system to this day.   To Betsy, Lucy, Anarcha and all of the other unnamed women that have suffered, this one is for you: The Mothers of Gynecology.
Check out pictures, our sources, and any other goodies we may have found on our website.
This episode is brought to you by www.strangeadornments.com
Give Michelle a follow @strangeadornments and check out her uniquely empowering jewelry; all pieces are ethically sourced and made with the wearer in mind and at heart. There's no bones about it.
Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!

Episode 5: Apocalypse-Go-Bags

Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.
Here we go Dirtling's! Join your hosts Ellsworth and Big Spoon as we dump out our Apocalypse-Go-Bags and see what we both thought would be a good idea to bring along the journey (plus a few items that will be sorely missed or used up real quick). Whether the End of the World comes from a nuclear disaster or caused by straight up cordycep spores a la The Last of Us style, you won't want to miss Ellie's tips and tricks for prepping during this long hard road into post apocalypse bliss. Our side bars located in the Quarantine Zone are fairly topical such as date nights during the apocalypse, what is the perfect bathroom situation when cohabitating and can you really cook the virus out of zombie meat if it comes down to it? Survivalists, let us know.
Check out pictures, our sources, and any other goodies we may have found on our website.
This episode is brought to you by www.strangeadornments.com
Give Michelle a follow @strangeadornments and check out her uniquely empowering jewelry; all pieces are ethically sourced and made with the wearer in mind and at heart. There's no bones about it! 
Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!

Episode 4: The Father of Gynecology Part I

Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.
It's a dark one Dirtlings. Join your hosts Ellsworth and Big Spoon as we take a detour into the Dark History of Medicine. Today we discuss Dr. James Marion Sims and the major part he played in women's health during the mid 1800's, his surgical experimentation on enslaved black women and the incredible mental fortitude of the Mothers of Gynecology: Betsy, Lucy and Anarcha (along with another dozen or so unnamed women).
Check out pictures, our sources, and any other goodies we may have found on our website.
Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!

UAPs, ADHD and Menstrual Cups: The Lost After Hours Episode

Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.
Hello Dirtlings! Join your hosts Ellsworth and Big Spoon as we dive deep in the Devil's Dirtstar to learn about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, The Fermi Paradox, The Dark Forest Theory and a smattering of declassified FBI documents. Ya know, topics for polite family dinner conversation. As always, we take a sharp turn into Side Bar City to discuss the beautiful and destructive nature of Artificial Intelligence, ADHD tendencies and our menstrual cup mishaps... the struggle is real. This episode is brought to you by The Man Upstairs, who swiftly recovered the file as fast as Big Spoon lost it.
Check out pictures, our sources, and any other goodies we may have found on our website.
Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!