DISCLAIMER:

Hi everybody, this is Angel. A quick reminder, Death and Friends is not a podcast for the light of heart. Dark and serious subjects may come up. Listener discretion is advised.

This episode, we talk about a different kind of death. If you read the title and thought, "oh i like The Ramones," clearly this will be light hearted. It is not. Not even a little bit. Attempts at jokes will be made, but quite frankly considering how much mental health treatment still has to go. This one is a downright bummer.

We are a comedy podcast and if you've stuck around from the start, you know that we are committed to providing space to learning about death in a context that doesn’t feel as scary as the world does sometimes. Today’s episode, like all the past and future ones, is no different, and we will continue to use our collective space to examine these explorations even in the face of the worst humanity has to offer.

As a reminder, death can be tricky to talk about. So remember: you are loved, you matter, and we will always be happy to be your friend.

Description:

What if a Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for a procedure that ended up causing more harm than good? Join us as we uncover the dark and often bizarre history of early brain surgery, particularly the infamous lobotomy. We dig into the strange and unsettling world of António Egas Moniz, the so-called father of psychosurgery, whose methods have left a controversial legacy. You'll also hear about the misguided experiments conducted by Yale neuroscientist John Fulton on chimpanzees, which influenced human mental health treatments in unexpected ways. Don't worry, we'll navigate this grim terrain with our signature humor to keep things approachable.

In another fascinating chapter, we explore how a seemingly promising medical procedure backfired, worsening the patient's condition, yet bizarrely led to its originator receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. We also delve into the quirks and peculiarities of this famous figure's life, sharing amusing anecdotes and creative metaphors that shed light on his personality. To wrap up, we reflect on the procedure's impact and the intriguing character behind it, ensuring a mix of thought-provoking insights and light-hearted moments. Don't miss this engaging and thought-provoking episode!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Now with Beyond the Grave, a relaxed talk series with the crew!

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Have you seen our NEWER and GAYER website? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deathandfriends.gay/⁠

Topics:

Brain Surgery, Lobotomy, Mental Illness, Medical History, Psychosurgery, Nobel Peace Prize, John Fulton, Yale, Neuroscientist, Mental Health Care, Historical Figure, Unintended Consequences, Pseudoscience, Humor, Dark History, Early 20th Century, Frontal Lobes, António Egas Moniz, Controversial Methods, Quirky Anecdotes, Walter Freeman

Join us as we unravel the extraordinary life of Jessica Mitford, starting from her birth in 1917 Oxfordshire, England, amidst a family infamous for their fascist leanings and Nazi sympathies. Listen in as we recount the unsettling history of the Mitford family, including her father's fascist tendencies, her sister Diana's marriage to British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosley, and the disturbing ambition of another sister, Unity, who sought to marry Hitler. Through a mix of humor and horror, we navigate Jessica's defiance against her family's ideologies, painting a vivid picture of her early years.

In this episode, we also explore Jessica Mitford's adventurous and rebellious spirit, which led her to flee to Spain with Winston Churchill's nephew, Esmond Romilly, to fight fascism. Their marriage, move to the U.S., and the birth of their daughter Constancia, nicknamed Dinky, set the stage for a life filled with resilience and activism. We delve into her significant contributions to civil rights, her staunch stance before the House Committee of Un-American Activities, and her eventual disillusionment with the Communist Party, all of which highlight her relentless pursuit of justice.

Finally, we turn our attention to Jessica's groundbreaking exposé on the funeral industry with her book "The American Way of Death." We discuss her and her husband Robert's uncovering of manipulative practices within the industry, the resulting public outrage, and the impact of federal regulations in 1975. The episode wraps up with practical advice on funeral planning and reflections on the ongoing issues in the funeral business, emphasizing Jessica Mitford's legacy as a fearless critic of capitalist exploitation. Tune in for an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of Jessica Mitford's life and work.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Now with Beyond the Grave, a relaxed talk series with the crew!

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Angel Luna @GuerrillaJokes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on TikTok @deathapodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This is a KnaveryInk podcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you seen our NEWER and GAYER website? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deathandfriends.gay/⁠

Happy Pride Month!

Topics:

Jessica Mitford, Fascist Family, Nazi Sympathizers, Civil Rights Activism, Funeral Industry, Funeral Planning, Capitalist Greed, Federal Regulations, Cremations, Green Alternatives, American Way of Death, Winston Churchill, Esmond Romilly, House Committee of Un-American Activities, Cold War, National Funeral Directors Association, Catholic Views, Monopolies, MI5, Ethan Hunt, Sleep Paralysis Demon

On the back door of the flat, chalk graffiti says “JACK RIPPER IS AT THE BACK OF THIS DOOR” and no one is mentioning that at all in the police headquarters. Join Nash and Angel as they try to parse out the most confusingly planned crime of the century, and decide for yourself whether Jack the Ripper abandoned cheery old East End London for small-town Scotland to murder his own wife.

Okay, if he were Jack the Ripper, though, wouldn’t it have been easier to murder her in Whitechapel and frame the notorious serial killer? Even if he was Jack the Ripper?? But if he wasn’t Jack the Ripper, then why did he basically admit he was?? This, this right here - exactly why we hate true crime.

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Now with Beyond the Grave, a relaxed talk series with the crew!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on instagram(@deathandfriendspodcast)! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Nash Flynn @itsnashflynn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Angel Luna @GuerrillaJokes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on TikTok @deathapodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This is a KnaveryInk podcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you seen our NEWER and GAYER website? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deathandfriends.gay/⁠