How the Aztec empire fell, hospital haunts, and more stories from our favourite podcasts
It was in 1521 that Hernán Cortés and his small army of soldiers conquered the Aztec empire, 500 years ago. Even though they were heavily outnumbered, the Spanish won thanks to their superior weapons and technology. At least, that's what Cortés wanted you to believe. The truth is a lot more complicated… We'll hear the real story from NPR's Throughline.
On this week's episode, these classic podcasts will have you thinking twice about what you think you know.
Antonio Stradivari was the master of hand-crafting string instruments, making Stradivarius one of the most famous names in music. It's a legacy that dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. But are they really that good? Hear as Planet Money gets professional musicians do a blind test between a Stradivarius and a modern violin to see if they can really hear the difference.
Then, a slice of musical history. It's 1972 and singer Nobuko Miyamoto and her partner Chris Ijima get their big break: Yoko Ono and John Lennon invite them to sing on national TV. Only, it doesn't go quite as they expect.
Plus, we'll hear how one nurse handled a few unexpected appearances from a certain visitor. She had never seen him face-to-face, but all her patients certainly had. And before they died, they always had this to say: "The tall man in the hat doesn't like you." You'll want to keep the lights on for this story.
Podcasts featured this week:
Planet Money: In the music world, it's widely accepted that antique Stradivarius instruments are unsurpassed in quality and tone. But what happens when professional violinists take a blind "taste test" comparing a Stradivarius to a modern instrument?
Throughline: Five hundred years ago, Hernán Cortés and his conquistadors easily conquered the Aztec empire with their superior technology, despite being heavily outnumbered. Or at least, that's the popular narrative. But more recently, historians have deduced a much more nuanced story about the conquest — and about how Cortés himself shaped the false narrative that persisted for centuries.
Snap Judgment: It's 1972 and Singer Nobuko "JoAnne" Miyamoto and her partner Chris Ijima get "the call." It's Yoko Ono and John Lennon inviting them to sing on national TV. What happens next is musical history.
Invisibilia: Romantic relationships typically end in one of two ways: death or breakup. But with friendships, a formal breakup conversation is almost unheard of. Is it time to consider normalizing the "friend breakup"?
Spooked: "Amy" is a nurse's assistant in a progressive care unit. One day, one of Amy's patients says to her: "The tall man in the hat doesn't like you." Later that day, the woman passes away. Then, a few months later, the exact same thing happens. And then it happens again… and again… and again…
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