Catastrophe Chronicles

Damn That Dam: The Johnstown Flood Disaster

Join Katie and Arin Babbick as they delve into the chaos and devastation of the infamous Johnstown Flood of 1889. This episode of Catastrophe Chronicles uncovers the harrowing details of how a peaceful valley town was swept away by a catastrophic dam failure, turning an ordinary day into an unmatched disaster. With fascinating insights and heart-stopping survival stories, the duo navigates through one of America's deadliest floods, where a torrent of water met fire, and the responsible faced no consequences. Listen to this gripping account and explore the astonishing aftermath that left a deep mark on history.

When the Mountain That Moves Moved: The Frank Slide of 1903

In this gripping episode of Catastrophe Chronicles, Katie and Arin Babbick venture into the heart of Canada to unravel the truth behind the nation's most devastating rock slide. Discover the geological and historical context of the Frank Slide, as we explore the chaotic event that left a section of Turtle Mountain scattered across the valley floor and changed the town of Frank, Alberta, forever.
Join us for a narrative that weaves together the geological, historical, and personal stories of survival and tragedy, providing insights into the 1903 disaster that killed scores of residents and reshaped the landscape. From the warning signs ignored to the miraculous tales of survival, this episode promises an avalanche of information and reflection on one of history's most dramatic natural disasters.
 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6

Hartford Circus Fire: Tragedy Under the Big Top

Step right up to a tale of tragedy and transformation on this episode of Catastrophe Chronicles. Join hosts Katie and Arin Babbick as they delve into the harrowing story of the Hartford Circus Fire of 1944, a day marked by devastation and change. Explore the circumstances that turned a joyful afternoon under the big top into a deadly inferno, remembered as the day the clowns cried. Discover how the disaster unfolded, the heroism and chaos that ensued, and the lasting impact on safety standards and public perception of the circus. With a blend of historical insights and heartfelt storytelling, this episode offers a comprehensive look at one of circus history's darkest days.
 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6

Children’s Blizzard 1888: The Snow Day from Hell

Join Katie and Arin Babbick on an evocative journey into the ferocious heart of the Children's Blizzard of 1888. This episode of Catastrophe Chronicles vividly recounts the brutal surprise of a winter storm that transformed a seemingly innocent school day across the Great Plains into a desperate scramble for survival. As temperatures plunged and merciless winds carried a blinding wall of snow, the episode sheds light on the impact of this historic blizzard that left settlers—especially schoolchildren—battling nature's fierce indifference. Dive into stories of resilience, tragic decisions, and humanity standing on the edge of survival amidst one of history's deadliest storms.
 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6

Columbia Disaster: It’s just foam until it’s not, Space Disasters Part 4

Join Katie and Arin Babbick in the latest episode of Catastrophe Chronicles as they delve into the tragic final flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. In the concluding chapter of their space disaster series, explore how NASA's repeated oversight and failure to act upon known safety issues led to a preventable tragedy. Drawing parallels with the Challenger disaster, this episode examines the ignored warnings, critical decisions, and somber aftermath of Columbia's ill-fated mission. With historical insights, emotional recounts, and a critical look at NASA's organizational culture, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of one of history's most poignant space disasters. Don't miss this final frontier of exploration into human error and resilience.
 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6

Challenger Disaster: Obviously A Major Malfunction, Space Disasters Part 3

In this riveting episode, Katie and Arin Babbick take us back to January 28, 1986, as they delve into the horrifying final moments of the Challenger space shuttle disaster. Despite engineers' desperate warnings, NASA management proceeded with the launch, leading to a tragic outcome that shook the world.
Explore the cold realities of the fated mission, uncover the infamous O-ring failure, and dissect the myths surrounding the explosion. With detailed recounts, the episode reveals the harrowing truth about the crew's final moments and the importance of learning from history to prevent future disasters.
Join Catastrophe Chronicles for a compelling exploration of one of NASA's most tragic events, honoring the astronauts lost and understanding the systemic failures that led to this catastrophe.
 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6

Challenger Disaster: The Road to 73 Seconds - Space Disasters Part 2

In this gripping episode of Catastrophe Chronicles, hosts Katie and Arin Babbick delve into the overlooked warnings and ignored red flags that led up to NASA's Challenger disaster. With a rare look behind the curtain, we explore the arrogance, corporate mishaps, and pressure that made this tragedy almost inevitable. As we set the stage for understanding NASA's catastrophic 'uh-oh' moment, you'll discover harrowing parallels with common workplace dilemmas that put human lives at risk. Join us as we dissect the layers of decisions that defied physics in favor of public relations and funding. Prepare for a detailed unraveling of one of NASA’s most infamous disasters, paving the way for future episodes on space tragedies.
 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6

Houston, We Have a Problem: The Apollo 13 Disaster - Space Disasters Part 1

In this gripping episode of Catastrophe Chronicles, join Katie and Arin Babbick as they revisit the harrowing journey of Apollo 13, NASA's third planned moon landing mission that became an epic survival story in space history. Discover the nerve-wracking sequence of events after an oxygen tank explosion jeopardized the mission, leaving astronauts and ground control in a desperate race against time to bring the crew back to Earth safely.
With ingenious solutions, teamwork, and sheer determination, find out how these spacefarers turned an impending tragedy into a testament to human spirit and technical prowess. Learn about the tensions, challenges, and heartfelt moments both in space and on the ground.
Join us as we dive into history's thrilling tale of survival against all odds in space exploration, highlighting Apollo 13's lasting impact on future missions. Blast off into this episode and experience why failure was never an option.
 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6

Coal, Guns, and Dynamite: The West Virginian Mine Wars

Welcome back to Catastrophe Chronicles. Join Katie and Arin Babbick as they delve into the gripping tale of the West Virginia Mine Wars, an era marked by power struggles, protests, and the miners' fight for justice. Explore the tumultuous events that transformed the Appalachian Hills into a battlefield, culminating in the largest armed uprising in U.S. history since the Civil War, the Battle of Blair Mountain.
Witness the miners' relentless pursuit for a fair wage and their determination to secure their families' futures amidst dire conditions. From machine gun shootouts to the miners' audacious marches, this episode unravels the complex narrative of rebellion that shaped labor history and laid the groundwork for future reforms.
Tune in to learn about the formidable figures like Sid Hatfield and Mother Jones, who became symbols of resistance, and explore how their legacy continues to influence labor rights today. This episode promises more drama than a company town, with tales of adversity, bravery, and the enduring fight for dignity and justice.
 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6

Sabotage in the Sky: Continental Airlines Flight 11 (1962)

Welcome to Catastrophe Chronicles, where hosts Katie and Arin Babbick delve into stories within disaster history. In this episode, they uncover the largely forgotten tragedy of Continental Airlines Flight 11, which occurred in 1962, years before the more infamous Flight 11 of 2001.
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the burgeoning jet age, the episode discusses the intricate and tragic details surrounding the sabotage that doomed Flight 11. With first-hand accounts and meticulous research from various authors, Katie and Arin explore the flight's ill-fated journey from Chicago to Kansas City, the subsequent crash, and the heartbreaking aftermath.
This compelling episode reveals the chaotic search and rescue efforts, the emergence of a mysterious dog as the lone survivor, and the subsequent investigation that pointed towards an alleged suicide-bombing for life insurance. Tune in for an engaging historical exploration of a disaster that reshaped aviation insurance and safety protocols, despite being largely forgotten today.
 
NOTE: Early on in the episode Katie said flight 11 on 9/11 crashed into the pentagon. Dunno how I messed that up, but I did - twice! It crashed into the World Trade Center NOT the pentagon. My apologies! 
Email: catastrophechroniclespod@gmail.com
Website (show notes and sources under podblog): www.catastrophe-chronicles.com 
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UB5K49QVKZPS6