12 JAN 2024 · Welcome listener, to Our Curious Past.

6 JAN 2024 · Chavoret Jaruboon was paid by the Thai prison service, to single-handedly kill 55 people. That’s 54 men, and one woman. He did this during his 19 year career at the notorious Bang Kwang Prison, aka the Bangkok Hilton. In Thailand, he was best known as ‘The Last Executioner’ before they switched over to lethal injection. But up to that point, Chavoret’s job was to carry out each killing with a submachine gun. What were the procedures for killing human beings on such a large scale? What sort of man was Chavoret, and how did he deal with such a challenging role. How did he manage to square his spirituality with killing so many people…after all, he lived in a Buddhist country, that believes heavily in karma. I’m Peter Laws, and tonight on Our Curious Past, we explore a controversial career that is rarely discussed…as we meet Chavoret Jaruboon: The Man Who Legally Killed 55 People, Single-Handedly. Please note that this episode is also available as an audio podcast - search OUR CURIOUS PAST in your apps. Episode Sponsor: - Head to http://factormeals.com/Curios50 and use code Curious50 to get 50% off! NOTE: If you find this story interesting I do encourage you to buy a copy of Chavoret’s well written and gripping book, The Last Executioner. I used the English translation of the book as the prime source of this video. You can buy it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Executioner-Memoirs-Thailands-executioner-ebook/dp/B005BSZ8SK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NTM29S2IN2QL&keywords=the+last+executioner&qid=1704454534&sprefix=the+last+exec%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1 Help support our show through Patreon: http://patreon.com/peterlaws Visit us https://www.blacklabelpodcasting.com/show/ourcuriouspast/.

8 DEC 2023 · In the late 1800s, the worlds of biology, photography and criminology came together to ask a tantalising question….might the human retina retain the final image a person sees before death…If so, with careful examination of the eyeball, surely this was a sure fire way of solving every murder…because the killers image would be imprinted in the victims eyes…if only investigators discovered the body within 24 hours. Tonight, we explore one of the most fascinating theories in police work…a notion that gripped optometrist, photographers and detectives alike. I’m Peter Laws and this is The Final Witness: Can a Murder Victims Eyeballs Reveal Their Killer? Episode Sponsor: - Head to http://factormeals.com/curious50and use code curious50 to get 50% off! Sources: - https://www.aao.org/museum-blog/detail/retinal-optography-fact-fiction - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optography#:~:text=of%20the%20Retina%22.-,Forensic%20optography,investigative%20technique%20in%20murder%20cases - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-forensic-scientists-once-tried-see-dead-persons-last-sight-180959157/ - https://www.amusingplanet.com/2023/09/optography-preserving-dead-persons-last.html - https://drlindseyfitzharris.com/dead-mens-eyes-a-history-of-optography/ - https://strangeremains.com/2016/05/14/how-to-develop-pictures-from-a-corpses-eyes/ http://patreon.com/peterlaws https://www.blacklabelpodcasting.com/show/ourcuriouspast/

24 NOV 2023 · In the summer of 1990, Operation Blackbird was launched, to investigate the curious (and then growing) appearances of Crop Circles across the world. These mysterious, geometric shapes would appear in crops, prompting some to claim UFOs were at work, and others to cry 'hoax'. On the second night of Operation Blackbird, researchers were excited to see a crop circle emerge…but when they examined closer, the plot thickened. They found strange circular boardgame boards, in the centre of every circle, and then the next day, one of the researchers received a letter from the notorious UK dance band…the KLF. Join me as I try to get to the bottom of this curious case, which involved me interviewing original witnesses, and gaining access to a handwritten letter supposedly by KLF front man, Bill Drummond. Visit us online at https://itsourcuriouspast.com Special Thank you for those that helped with this Episode: Colin Andrews played by https://twitter.com/Dave_The_Fave George (Merlin) Vernon played by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM0PRp6HiIo Help support our show through Patreon:http://patreon.com/peterlaws Find us on all podcasting platforms:https://link.chtbl.com/HHE Thank you!

27 OCT 2023 · ...1 eerie corn maze... ...9 haunting figures... ...9 spine-tingling tales... ...Will YOU find your way out? This holiday season, step into a labyrinth of shadows and suspense with Shane Waters as your guide. In this chilling collaboration, you'll encounter the hosts of 9 acclaimed true crime podcasts, each offering a dark tale and a life lesson to send shivers down your spine. This is not just a special episode; it's an immersive journey through a maze of twisted paths and unsolved mysteries. So, lift your lantern high and venture into 'Maze of Secrets'...  ...but be warned...  ...not everyone makes it to the end… Prepare to get lost in the stories, but find yourself in their lessons. It's an odyssey of crime, mystery, and eerie life lessons that you won't soon forget. This is Shane’s 5th holiday collaboration. If you dare to walk this twisted path with us, you're in for a night you'll never forget. Are you ready? Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: - https://www.itsfrightful.org/ - https://visitmarooned.com/ - https://www.itsrottentothecore.com/ - https://www.murdershetold.com/ - https://www.itsobscura.com/ - https://linktr.ee/crimelines - https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/ - https://www.trailwentcold.com/ - https://www.itsfoulplay.com/ Listen to the other https://www.itsfoulplay.com/p/collaborations/

29 SEP 2023 · On January 20th, 1994, the congregation in The Toronto Airport Vineyard Church stood to pray…then all 120 of them fell to the floor, convulsing with tears of joy and uncontrollable laughter. It happened again the next night and the next. It carried on almost every night…for twelve years. Word spread across the world that God was at work, yet critics were horrified to see believers rolling in the aisles and roaring like animals. Was it a genuine miracle or group hysteria? I’m Peter Laws, and I’d like to invite you to church. Because tonight on Our Curious Past we explore ‘The Strange Story of The Toronto Blessing.’ Sources: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/43175162.pdf https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Main_Street_Mystics/JuokG3nJmAYC?hl=en&gbpv=0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCuFc0wpO2w https://www.patheos.com/blogs/adrianwarnock/2005/05/toronto-blessing-11-years-ago-this/ https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/2072/fo-statement-the-toronto-blessing-1996.pdf Help support our show through Patreon: http://patreon.com/peterlaws Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/HHE Thank you!

18 AUG 2023 · I made a Ouija board in woodwork at school. Some of my friends said I was messing with evil but my teacher didn’t seem that bothered. Who had the right approach? Join me as I explore the life story of the ‘talking board’, which was wildly popular in the early 1900s, until something happened that would tarnish it’s reputation for good. This is the Curious History of the Ouija Board. Note: This episode has three bonus sections at the end.. Firstly, I’ve included an extra section on Ouija Board rivals. Secondly, I noticed some strange laughter in the background of my microphone track during the main episode - a sound that I didn’t notice at the time. I’ve included it so you can listen. What do you think? Finally, I needed some music that sounded like the Tubular Bells theme from The Exorcist movie. Since I don’t own the copyright for that, I grabbed my guitar and keyboard and came up with an improvised piece which evokes that film’s music. I’ve included it in this episode as a final bonus. Do find me on social media, and share your thoughts on the episode and Ouija boards in general. Find my links here: https://www.peterlaws.co.uk/linktree Help support our show through Patreon: http://patreon.com/peterlaws Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/HHE Episode Sponsor: - Go to http://hellofresh.com/50curious and use code 50curious for 50% off plus free shipping

21 JUL 2023 · Albert Einstein was one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century. This Nobel Prize winning scientist famously developed the ground-breaking theory of relativity, and helped reshape our understanding of modern physics. He was such an advanced thinker that the world was in awe of his mind. Tonight, we will learn that this obsession would not stop with his death…far from it. Because for one doctor, it would become the obsession that would define, and then ruin, his life. I’m Peter Laws, and tonight on Our Curious Past, we hear the extraordinary story…Dr Thomas Harvey…The Man Who Stole Albert Einstein’s Brain. Episode Sponsor: - Go to http://hellofresh.com/curious50 and and use code curious50 for 50% off plus free shipping! Help support our show through Patreon: http://patreon.com/peterlaws Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/HHE

8 JUN 2023 · One of the most controversial topics in our culture today…is gender identity. In that debate people often say that ‘gender confusion’ is a modern phenomena, and that up until recently, it’s always been very clear a person can only ever be male or female There are, however, intriguing examples from history of people whose gender has caused confusion to others, and even lead to a court case. We see this in the fascinating and sad account we will look at tonight. I’m Peter Laws, and tonight on Our Curious Past, we explore the remarkable life story of ‘Thomas(in) Hall – An Intersex Person in 17th Century Virginia’. Help support our show through Patreon: http://patreon.com/peterlaws Episode Sponsor: “Go to https://www.hellofresh.com/curious16 and use code curious16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping!” Sources: https://uncommonwealth.virginiamemory.com/blog/2023/04/17/thomas-in-hall-subverting-the-gender-binary-in-colonial-virginia/ https://wams.nyhistory.org/early-encounters/english-colonies/thomas-ine-hall/ https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/magazine/features/rights-of-intersex-children/ https://isna.org/faq/hermaphrodite/

10 MAY 2023 · [Part 2] This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows.  It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: - https://www.itsfoulplay.com/ - https://musiccity911.com/ - https://tinyurl.com/37sx22bt  - https://www.cultscrimescabernet.com/  - https://tinyurl.com/y5nuezs5  - https://linktr.ee/crimelines  - https://tinyurl.com/5n8nv6ay Part 2: - https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/ - https://www.pnwhauntsandhomicides.com/ - https://www.trailwentcold.com/  - https://tinyurl.com/pc25pzzs - https://www.alreadygonepodcast.com/  - https://www.twistedanduncorked.com/  - https://www.itsmysteryinc.com/  If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: https://tinyurl.com/3a9d7yrf, https://tinyurl.com/e6ynmzpr, and https://tinyurl.com/52jeh66d . Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.