PONTIFACTS Podcasts

John, the beautiful gem, the brilliant jewel, genuinely attempted to end factionalism in Rome. In his episode, we discuss sort-of antipopes, establishing rules he couldn't believe he had to write down, and... assassinations by gout?By Pontifacts

After the abrupt deposition of Pope Romanus, Theodore comes to the papal throne... briefly. In his episode, we discuss the most official papal undoing, potential assassination tours, and when you should not be a generous lover.By Pontifacts

Happy birthday to Pierre Curie! In celebration, we're taking a look at his fascinating life and untimely death. This part one of our 3(?) part series on the Curies. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook and Twitter: @NobelessePod Mastodon: @NobelessePod@historians.social Patreon: h…

Romanus comes to the papacy after the catastrophe of the Cadaver Synod. How is he going to turn this situation around? In his episode, we discuss the aftermath, the anger of Bartolomeo Platina, and who is the hottest pope?By Pontifacts

As one of the most famous and bizarre moments in papal history, we had to spend some extra time digging through the Cadaver Synod! In this special bonus episode, we are joined by Gregg of the Popeular History podcast, to explore and review many things that this event inspired. We'll discuss sources, paintings, music, musicals, and more! Images: Jea…

We've finally made it to the mad Stephen!! Are you ready!? In his episode, we discuss the moment that changed papal history for hundreds of years. Welcome to the Cadaver Synod!!By Pontifacts

We promise this isn't an April Fool's Joke, it's Henri Becquerel! Not only did he discover radioactivity, he also... uhhh... oh, who are we kidding, this is a prelude for the Curies. Stick around until the end, though. We have some important announcements. Henri Becquerel Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseobl…

What, were you expecting someone else?! In his episode, we discuss potential viciousness, deprivation of clerical orders, and the hottest 90 year old man ever.By Pontifacts

The Zeeman episode is finally here! Does the second Physics Laureate for 1902 have Nobelesse Oblige, or is he just a guy? Pieter Zeeman Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook and Twitter: @NobelessePod Mastodon: @NobelessePod@historians.social Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Nobele…

We're back!!! (Note: this episode was recorded BEFORE our hiatus) Formosus is one of the most famous popes in history, though not for anything he actually did in life. But this episode will be about his life anyways! In his episode, we'll have a look at his dramatic pre-pope career, the state of the Eastern Church and Holy Roman Empire, and the sum…

Pontifacts is coming back. Get ready for Formosus!By Pontifacts

Quinn was invited to help Matt from Ranking '76 redeem himself in this trivia gameshow, alongside some other lovely Rexy folks. Let's see how that worked out for them... Check out our amazing sister Rexy Pods: Pontifacts Ranking '76 Tsar Power Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook …

What happens when a physics professor who is interested in the intersection of physics, religion and philosophy starts saving a bunch of papers? We brought Elspeth Olson on to discuss some of them. Thank you to the University of Nevada, Reno for sharing these resources with us. Contact UNR Special Collections Twitter: @unrSpC Facebook: @UNRSpecialC…

Eric, host of Ranking '76 invite Bry and Fry to join several of the Rexypod family pods for some trivia fun! Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX3yPYsy-mY&ab_channel=Ranking76Podcast Check out Ranking '76: https://ranking76podcast.podbean.com/ Check out Tsar Power: https://open.spotify.com/show/49JyFkdWvSy0sKv37W8YX6 Check …

Today, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died. In this episode, we provide a short obituary and what we know about the upcoming funeral, and discuss the future of PontifactsBy Pontifacts

We're sneaking it in at the end of the year, but here is our episode on Hendrik Lorentz. The leading figure of Dutch physics at the turn of the century had a hand in many of the developments in physics at that time, but is it enough to earn him Nobelesse Oblige? Examples of atomic spectral lines Hendrik Lorentz Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901…

Appropriately, this episode is being released on the 127th anniversary of Wilhelm Röntgen's Nobel winning research Find out the wild story of his big discovery and whether it was enough to get him Nobelesse Oblige. Bertha's hand Wilhelm and Bertha Röntgen Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.co…

It turns out covering millennia of physics history in less than 2 hours is a herculean task, but we did it anyway! We go through a fast and dirty overview of the development of physics up to 1900 and cover some of the basics that we'll need to understand the Physics Nobel Prizes. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobe…

We're back into the TTRPG world! With Kyle DMing the amazing new TTRPG that he designed, Under the Neighborhood, Ari from Quest Friends! and Rob from Totalus Rankium, Bry plays through the mysterious and strange "Historia Lane", where all Pontifacts and Totalus Rankium jokes are literal and real! Listen for zombies, birds, elections, betrayal, hear…

This year's Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics was awarded to Ben Bernanke, Douglas Diamond, and Philip Dybvig. Learn how their work shaped the response to the 2008 financial crisis. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook and Twitter: @NobelessePod Mastodon: @NobelessePod@historians.…

This year's Nobel Peace laureates are Ales Bialiatski, Memorial, and the Center for Civil Liberties. Each has done incredible work to protect human rights and hold accountable those who disregard the inherent worth of human life. To donate to any of the three organizations mentioned, follow these links: Viasna, Memorial, Center for Civil Liberties.…

Today, the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Annie Ernaux. Learn how her piercing writing style and fearless exploration of her own past helps illuminate the human experience. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook and Twitter: @NobelessePod Mastodon: @NobelessePod@histo…

Who is going to be the next pope? This is a question that seems to have more and more traction every day, and many sources speculate on the possibility of each cardinal to come out on top of the next conclave. But what should we be looking at to determine papal potential? Introducing Gabe, the creator of the Papability Index, an algorithm that dete…

Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and K. Barry Sharpless were awarded the 2022 Chemistry Nobel Prize for developing the fields of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry. We explain how these relatively simple concepts have huge implications for the future of chemistry. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseob…

The 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser, and Anton Zeilinger for their groundbreaking work that solidified the foundations of quantum mechanics and launched the field of quantum information technology. Find out more about how they each contributed. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https:/…

Today, October 3, 2022, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Svante Pääbo. Find out about his revolutionary work in evolutionary genetics. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook and Twitter: @NobelessePod Mastodon: @NobelessePod@historians.social Patreon: https:/…

Though the Vatican has been the literal 'old boys club', women have still made their mark on its history! Join Bry and James of The Other Half Podcast, as they discuss two medieval women who made waves in the church - Pope Joan, and Marozia of the Pornocracy. James will be periodically joining us to discuss other significant women figures as we mov…

The 32nd First Annual IgNobel Prize Ceremony took place on Sep. 15, 2022. We take a quick look at the history of the IgNobel Prizes, then dive into the fun and funny research that was honored this year. List of all IgNobel laureates. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook and Twitte…

Important Note: One week after this interview, Pope Michael suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died on August 2nd, 2022. We are releasing this episode because he was excited for us to do so, but we have left the content untouched. On July 16th, 1990, 6 people gathered in a General Store in Belvue, Kansas, and elected a Pope. And that Pope has spoke…

In this episode, find out how covert smuggling and three Russian horses became integral to the creation of the Nobel Prizes. Also, Quinn and Maggie express skepticism about an entire field of academia. Note: Quinn is apparently incapable of figure out dates. The Nobel Prize announcements start on Oct. 3 and end on Oct. 10. Please forgive him, he is…

It's time to meet the man himself, Alfred Nobel! Will his dynamite really make the impact he wanted it to, or will the pitfalls of 19th century industry blow up in his face? Picture of Alfred Nobel Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook and Twitter: @NobelessePod Mastodon: @Nobeless…

In our very first episode, we introduce ourselves and explain the categories we will be using to rank our Nobel laureates. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com Website: https://nobelesseoblige.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook and Twitter: @NobelessePod Mastodon: @NobelessePod@historians.social Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NobelessePod Ko-fi:…

Greetings! Nobelesse Oblige is a podcast ranking all of the Nobel laureates from 1901 until we run out of people. Cohosts Quinn and Maggie go through the biography of each laureate, then rate them on a series of definitely objective categories and determine if they have that sense of Nobelesse Oblige. Contact Us Email: nobelesseoblige1901@gmail.com…

Although we've been on hiatus, Pope Francis has been busy! Tune in for an update on the show, and coverage of Pope Francis, delegations to the Vatican, Apostolic Visits, his health and mobility issues, and the new consistory. Tickets for Intelligent Speech: https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/ Use code Pope for a discount…

Given that Pontifacts remains in unexpected hiatus, Bry was invited by Gregg of the Popeular History Podcast to discuss his favourite (and Bry's LEAST favourite) theory about Pope Francis! In this episode, Gregg and Bry discuss Francis's attitude and commentary about retirement, the Apostolic Constitution, the College of Cardinals, and the one thin…