Unobscured

7,654
History #70

Each season of Unobscured digs deep into one of history's darkest and most misunderstood moments, and sheds light on the true story beneath the myth. 

Explore the Salem witch trials (S1), the Spiritualist Movement (S2), Jack the Ripper (S3), and Grigori Rasputin (S4) through the narrative storytelling of Aaron Mahnke, along with prominent historian interviews.

 

 

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Recent Reviews
  • The7walkers
    You can’t just listen to the first episode
    My son and I visited Salem this week. After visiting some of the local museums, we decided we wanted a little more context and information about the Salem witch trials. So as we continued driving along the Massachusetts coast, we listened to this amazing season. So well researched, the author has collected a lot of resources and takes the time to explain the context of each event. I am so glad we took the time to listen to this. Brilliant work!
  • Hellmom
    So interesting
    As a historian myself I just appreciated the heck out of this work. Loved the narrative and learned so many things I had never heard before. Remember the match girls !!!!
  • Dark_knight_06071980
    Great stories
    Aaron is an excellent storyteller. These stories are meticulously researched and well written. I learned a lot listening to this podcast. I can’t wait for the new season!
  • Dohberg
    Stumbled upon and couldn’t stop listening
    I have always had an interest in the Salem Witch Trials. I stumbled upon Unobscured after listening to other podcasts in the Grim & Mild family. When I realized season 1 was nothing but information on the trials I had to listen immediately. I love the level of detail provided in Unobscured and consider this the best podcast I’ve listened to regarding this topic. It’s an interesting, deep dive and I’ve learned so much from it.
  • CanisDufus
    Unobscured Whitechapel
    True to form but blossoming in this extended format, AMand G&M deliver fresh perspective. Events you may think you know well; reexamined and fleshed out. The show provides an unexpected history instead of a tired rehash. The storytelling, pacing and narrational are engaging in its unexpectedness, challenging the listeners assumptions. Unobscured delivers past events in a binge worthy format. And to Mr. Mahnke, « Hi »
  • Crime Junkie Addict
    excellent storytelling & historical context
    I am a huge history buff. Aaron mahnke’s storytelling is exceptionally well done and so interesting with so many nuggets of great information on the history of Massachusetts & the formation of new england against the backdrop of very intense religion. All of which gave way to dark days in Massachusetts history & America. I’ve enjoyed all season of Unobsecured but none as much as season 1. it would be beneficial for an even wider audience to listen to season one in particular. Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.
  • mhaas1988
    Love the show! (Hate the ads!)
    I absolutely LOVE this show! If the author offered a subscription to remove the ads it’d give it a perfect 5 stars!
  • NurseMari77
    Great info
    Came across this podcast via an IG post on the salen witch trials . We weren’t taught this information in public schools - but rather told idiocies. Love the deep dives and now interviews. Hope season 2 holds up to season 1 🙂
  • Avampirebyday
    Unobscured for sure…
    Just regurgitating the story like a thousand others have done with his own unobscured liberal opinion. Why can’t anyone tell a historical factual story without going off topic with their opinion?
  • Tfayter
    Meh
    The writing on the last two seasons is not great. I don’t know if there’s a new writer or what, but there’s quite a bit of awkward phrasing, and it’s also irritating that rather than take a more objective historical tone, there’s this penchant for overdramatizing certain moments in the stories. Some of the interviewees are tough to listen to, as well.
  • KingstonKM
    Fascinating tour!
    Just finished season 4. I listened to nothing else till it was completed. I love history and have some knowledge about the Romanovs but this travel through that time period in Russia was fantastic. Thank you so much!!
  • ChelsTheSmels
    Cadence struggles
    Podcast is great, very informative! But I am STRUGGLING with the narrator’s cadence. He pauses at the weirdest times. He inflects the ends of his sentences that aren’t questions (which is weird to do in America, but I recognize that depends on where you’re at). He’s great, and the podcast is great, just personally something I’m noticing.
  • Swagler1
    So informative!
    I loved all the stories on this podcast. Aaron’s voice is soothing and easy to listen to. So much detail & information was presented but not enough to overwhelm.
  • Traecat6
    Powerful
    I love this podcast. As a direct descendant of the Salem Bishop’s that were accused and jailed for witchcraft, this history helps me understand what occurred thru more realistic researched knowledge. Thanks
  • qazplmmlpzaq
    Brilliant Podcast
    This is an amazing podcast. It is well researched and produced and I look forward to the in-depth details of the events and figures that we think we know. The podcast never treats the listener with kid gloves—they expect the listener to know the basics and then takes you right down the the very depths of the story. I love it and am recommending it to all my friends.
  • USN-SAR
    Incredible podcast !
    If you like lore, but long for more depth this is your show !! The production value of this show is Unrivalled, the music is serene and so relaxing. Curl up by the fire , get a cup of tee and dim the lights for Magical experience !
  • Boombloom74
    Hi =)
    One of the best Lore like podcasts I’m listening to. If you like Lore, you’ll love Unobscured. He takes the big subjects for the whole season. For example season 3 is all about Jack the Ripper.
  • Zavalae1
    Amazing!
    I started with season 4, and I devoured it. So well done, and I absolutely loved the full length interviews at the end. Cannot recommend this podcast enough!
  • amanda-healthbehaviorllc
    Bring it back!
    Absolutely love this show. Sticks to the history and love the interviews. Love witches and Jack the Ripper the best and hearing the history of women and their struggles...we’ve come so far. Have read all the interviewees books from season one. Stacy Shiff’s was the absolute best. Disappointed it has ended. My fave from Aaron.
  • sandyquill
    Season One - OUTSTANDING
    Aaron Mahnke does amazing research for the Unobscured series, and my favorite of these is this first season. There was so much more to the Salem Witch Trials than what "we all know" and learning about the politics and socioeconomic realities of that time and place made that clear to me. I highly recommend anyone who is even remotely intrigued by this time or subject matter to settle in and listen to the entire first season. It’s extraordinary.
  • ThisGirl76
    Informative but insufferable to listen to
    Trying to listed to this podcast for like the fifth time because it is very interesting and informative but the narrator is not something I can tolerate for more than a couple minutes. It is such a flat narration and sounds like a robot or computer with no emotion or any enthusiasm, This was the same case with the Lore series for me. Very well researched , interesting and would be a fantastic podcast if the delivery was better/different narrator.
  • DDt ach
    In love
    With history again! More - I need more!
  • Swytek30
    Remember the Match Girls
    What refreshing perspective on the Ripper. LOVED the focus on humanizing the marginalized and removing the sense of “other”. We owe the liberties and rights we share today to all the marginalized who stood up, raised their voices and fought for them!
  • KitsaO
    Magnificent
    What a gem I’ve found in Unobscured! So refreshing-not only discusses Real Crime but puts it into historical context Loving it & looking forward to catching up with all seasons!
  • Alexandra_Rae
    Obsessed
    Aaron has done it once again! Nothing but praise for this man and his podcasts. I am never not riveted by his work.
  • EB1983o
    So great!
    Such a great podcast; I started Season 1-The Salem Witch Trials. The series itself is excellent but the interviews add so much more. Hearing about the same event from different expert points of view is fascinating. Can’t wait to listen to the other seasons!
  • CrazyKGM
    In depth and fascinating
    Wow. Sad it’s over but thanks for the interviews. So much context provided it puts ripper in a new light - society, gender, class, labor, policing, empire … all inform so much. Fascinating!
  • Kas3mira
    Fantastic!
    I came for season 3 based off of the recommendation of Alaina (Morbid Podcast) but I’ve listened to Aaron in other Podcasts. He never eases to amaze.
  • not a nutter
    Romanovs and Rasputin
    This narrative in history is one of my personal favorites. It’s so interesting. Great job covering it… great interviews with the historians!
  • Person 3!9'u
    All Aaron!
    Lore is my favorite all time podcast. These deep dives are the kind you didn’t know you need but you do! Informative, enjoyable and so intriguing. Even a topic I didn’t think I really cared about, the ripper, wow as always I can not stop listening. Thank you!
  • dancinglight555
    Amazing!
    I just discovered this podcast and loved it! I loved all the research and historians. So sad there will not be more to follow. Thank you for your other awesome shows. I wish you taught classes in history and research.
  • LeoFlash
    It’s Aaron Mahnke:
    It’s going to be good. Seriously, I have yet to hear (or watch, on Amazon) anything done by him that isn’t fascinating and informative. And as someone who grew up on puns, those are always appreciated when they’re included! (Although they’re usually saved for “Cabinet of Curiosities.”)
  • Phantom Gypsy
    I Love Deep Dives in Topics
    Even if I wasn’t initially interested in the topic of each season, by the end, I am wanting to hear more, which I believe is the main goal of the podcast. The way the stories are told are well-thought out, full of information, and even correcting the myths that get tossed around in popular culture. Although there won’t be more episodes of the future, I’m glad that this has led to more podcasts that can go even deeper into many more topics. Thank you Aaron Mahnke for this podcast and these stories! Keep up the good work!
  • sweepallyear
    Aaron Mahnke is a wonderful storyteller!
    I love Lore and finished all the episodes so I was looking for another podcast to binge. I am so glad I tried Unobscured. It’s fascinating and very well researched. I love the historian interviews woven in as well. I could listen to Aaron Mahnke all day!
  • Garfman72
    Boring
    Total snoozefest
  • Lowell Dan Fine
    History
    Some very powerful stories about the pass that takes you beyond history books
  • otomelover133
    Research & History
    It is nice to actually learn more about these topics, events, in history that had occurred. It is good to know that historians and those with the actual knowledge about this topics/events were interviewed. Get to know more than is taught in history classes in schools. It is good to know and learn about the history all around. People need to know, acknowledge it, learn from it, and try to do better and prevent disastrous events from happening. I love Grim & Mild. Lore to Bridgewater to Unobscured and more. Well done. 👍
  • NAStwins
    Immersive
    I feel like I stepped into a time machine, and visited these people and locations. You always paint the full picture and provide well rounded facts and information, thanks for the hard work.
  • Mamamama112
    Love grim and Mild
    Every single thing is amazing it does not let you down
  • Girlbrain101
    Beyond Incredible!
    Historically riveting, with personal favorite seasons being 1, 3, and 4. Season 2 was a bit dull at times, but seasons 1, 3, and 4 more than made up for any temporary dullness. Absolutely amazing podcast overall!
  • miss cgh
    Great details
    As a history fan, I love how much research goes into the show. Occasionally episodes feel over long and the interviews don’t appeal much to me. But how amazing to get the real story behind topics so often shrouded in mystery and rumors!
  • Marcellus_atl
    1st Season is great - the rest, eh - 4th is a problem
    Generally love Aaron and his shows but the fourth season of this show is such an obnoxious apologetic for The Romanoffs and monarchy that it was embarrassing. If you’re gonna do history remember more than just the people on top. Even though the topic is clearly about them, the minimizing of Romanoff tyranny is startling.
  • Libusen
    Big fan of show
    Love all the Grim and Mild shows, but man, the beginning into music gets me more on edge than any of the show content lol
  • halsey fan 1111111
    Great
    Great podcast, I like learning about Russian history and this is a great start about learning about the sex crazy Rasputin
  • Pioneer Cindy
    History, what you think you know, you don’t!
    Just finished Season One. Blown Away! I have been to Salem and sat in the Meeting House. My mind was there as the stories unfolded. Those poor souls, victims of the time they lived in. Aaron tells the tales of these people using information from several learned experts to inform you of what was real as compared to what has been handed to us in movies and stories. If you love History, this Podcast is a must. I have already referred it to several people. Ready to see what Season 2 has to teach me.
  • yvdjxisnsia
    Aaron is great!
    Everything this man has a hand in is amazing!
  • sweetcountry girl
    Totally Amazing!!
    Anything that Aaron Mahnke is narrating is absolutely worth listening to. If you’re wondering if you should listen to it, please consider this a sign to at least give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
  • tMichaelr
    Great show
    Perfect for listening while working. Well thought out and researched
  • Brynnster Meister
    Fantastically Consuming
    Aaron Mahnke’s voice and stories, across all of his expanding platforms, have been a constant companion to me for years now. Being a professional creative myself, working in the music and film industries, I know first hand how much work goes into creating content to this degree; particularly in the research and writing department. When the episodes end, there’s always a small twinge of sadness; similar to a caretaker telling you it’s time to go to sleep after story time. I want to sincerely thank the creators involved for consistently giving me something to look forward to, especially during the past few years. I’ve given up checking for “likes” on social media. My high comes from seeing one of these new episodes go up!
  • Solel
    Fun & professional
    Fun, informative and professional, Aaron has done his homework on these topics. I love his interviews with respected historians and the way he connects these distant events with modern problems and other political questions. Great for any history lover or casual learner. It’s like college but cheaper.;)
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