Ben Franklin Was a Freak

The Box of Oddities

John Elliott and Kat Walls

True Crime, Society & Culture, Comedy

4.9 • 2.9K Ratings

🗓️ 20 June 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this edition of Freak Family Favorites, Kat and Jethro peel back the powdered wig to reveal Ben Franklin’s freakier side—lightning rods and diplomacy were just the beginning. Then, it's off to Arizona, where a bizarre cryptid roams the cactus-laced landscapes, defying explanation and probably sunscreen. Finally, a fiery detour into the past with St. Anthony’s Fire: a hallucinogenic medieval nightmare served with a side of rye bread and screaming. Expect the weird, the wild, and the medically inadvisable. It’s history, mystery, and grotesque biology all rolled into one electrifying episode. If you would like to advertise on The Box of Oddities, contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Exclusively on Disney Plus.
0:02.0	It's hard and it's brutal and that's what makes it special.
0:06.0	The multi-award winning series, FX's The Bear, is back for a brand new season.
0:11.0	Upon my signal, unleash hell.
0:15.0	And every second counts.
0:17.0	When that shows zero, this restaurant ceases operations.
0:21.8	FX is the bear.
0:22.8	New season streaming June 26 exclusively on Disney Plus.
0:27.3	18 plus subscription required, Teas and C's Apply.
0:30.1	Here they are, racing lovers of the UK, phones in hand, ready to play Coral's reward shaker.
0:34.9	And what's this? It's turned gold.
0:36.6	That means even bigger rewards!
0:38.3	We've got the tweeters shaking their phones! They've won a free bet! The ladies in the big hat?
0:43.3	Oh, that's a big cash prize! Everyone's a guaranteed winner! This Royal Ascot with Coral's golden reward shaker.
0:49.3	Play for free today! Coral! We're here for it!
0:52.3	18 plus UK, golden shaker on selected days, max one reward or offer per player per day.
0:56.8	Reward restrictions, requirements and teas and sees apply. Gambleaware.org.
1:00.3	What follows may not be suitable for all audiences.
1:03.1	Listener discretion is advised.
1:05.9	The world is full of stories.
1:10.1	Stories of mysteries. Stories of mysteries.
1:12.8	Of curiosities.
	...

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