Before music apps curated personalized playlists for us, the MTV VJ was our trusted guide in the world of new tunes. In this episode, Linda takes the hosting reins from Chris and interviews real-life former MTV VJ, Dave Holmes. They cover every

Master of the Revels: "Party Like It’s 1673"

Feb 27th, 2023 39m 39s

Bear wrestling. Horse dancing. Women on stilts. If you’re throwing a party for the King of England, these are a must. Chris speaks with a 1600s Master of the Revels who exposes all the theatrics, drama, and back-door deals that go into throwing

Phone Booth Repair Woman: “Last Call”

Feb 20th, 2023 35m 57s

Before there was a cell phone in every pocket, there was a pay phone on every corner. And someone had to repair every coin jam and faulty wire, but who? Enter the Phone Booth Repair person. Chris’ guest today hails from 1970s New York and share

Alchemist: “All That Glitters”

Feb 13th, 2023 37m 55s

Secret societies. Forbidden experiments. For thousands of years, Alchemists have tinkered in the shadows to crack the code to immortality. In today’s episode, Chris demystifies this dark science and gains insight into a surprising 17th century

WW2 Pigeoneer: “Waiting in the Wings”

Feb 6th, 2023 37m 31s

Messenger pigeons carried crucial communications that saved untold lives during World War 2. But before they soared into battle, these winged warriors needed to be trained. In today’s episode, Chris learns about these unsung heroes and faces a

Resurrectionist: "Grave Mistakes"

1 Jan 30th, 2023 37m 4s

Grave robbing. Body snatching. Call it what you want but selling corpses for cash was a lucrative business in 19th century England. Chris struggles to keep it together as he learns the morbid details of what it takes to be the very best in the

Telegraph Operator: “Woman on a Wire”

Jan 23rd, 2023 36m 44s

Before eggplant emojis and cat gifs, the Telegraph Operator decoded DM’s one letter at a time. It’s old west meets new tech as Chris and his guest cover everything from call signs to heartbreak and all that happens “on the wire.Please support u

Milkman: “Udder Tragedy”

Jan 16th, 2023 36m 56s

Milk. Eggs. Cheese. It’s all in a day’s delivery for the 1950’s milkman. But most people don’t know this sunny occupation had a dark side. In today’s episode, Chris uncovers the truth about the “Milk Mafia” and owns up to a secret he’s harbored

Barber Surgeon: “Men of the Clot”

Dec 19th, 2022 38m 1s

A shave, haircut, and an amputation. That’s all in a day’s work if you’re a 1690s Barber Surgeon. Chris struggles not to squirm as today’s guest covers everything from battlefield hack-jobs, whiskey as a painkiller, and of course – the secret t

Factory Lector: “Read The Room”

Dec 12th, 2022 39m 8s

How did factory workers in the 1920s pass the time while rolling cigars? Chris is on a mission to prove his creative genius as he interviews a man from 1925 Florida who proves that the key to making the perfect Cuban cigar isn’t in the tobacco

Garden Hermit: “Only the Lonely”

Dec 5th, 2022 31m 56s

What looks like a hermit, talks like a hermit, but is actually a salaried employee of the rich? A 1700s Garden Hermit, of course. In this episode, Chris gains real wisdom from a fake hermit whose job is to act like an all-knowing mystical sage

Sin Eater: “Sin-cerely Yours”

Nov 28th, 2022 35m 26s

Wrath. Envy. Pride. For some, these are cardinal sins. For a professional Sin Eater in 1700s England, it’s what’s for dinner. Chris interviews a woman whose job it is to gobble down evil deeds so people may find safe passage into heaven. Talk a

VHS Clerk: “VH-YES!”

Nov 21st, 2022 32m 40s

Before algorithms told us what movies to watch, the local video store clerk served as our 80s and 90s cinema sommelier. Chris interviews a favorite icon of the Spice World Age. They’ll talk about everything from Speed to Speed 2: Cruise Control

Funeral Clown: “To Die Laughing”

Nov 14th, 2022 34m 5s

What is it like to tell jokes at a Roman emperor’s funeral? Chris Parnell interviews a real Funeral Clown from 82 CE, a job that sometimes captured the hearts of funeral goers… and sometimes ended in certain death. And Chris wonders if this is

Trailer

Introducing: This Job is History

Nov 6th, 2022 1m 26s

Where the oddest jobs from the past meet a comedian from the present… and it’s awkward! On this weekly show, Chris Parnell (SNL, Rick and Morty) welcomes guests who have held some of human history’s most unexpected and downright bizarre jobs: f