OUR RATING:
Like you, I’ve often wondered: Did Victorian-era doctors had any business handling actual medicine? Yes, I like weirdness, and humans are, if not anything, but weird. And that’s what the Cabinet of Curiosities podcast is all about.
Host Aaron Mahnke has carved out a delightfully niche corner of the audio landscape by dedicating himself to resurrecting the strangest, most unsettling, and occasionally downright disturbing moments from history. He approaches these tales with a great deal of enthusiasm of for stories that are often deeply uncomfortable and will leave you questioning what our ancestors were thinking.
What makes the Cabinet exceptional is Mahnke’s talent for narrative delivery. Rather than simply reciting facts in a monotone, he treats each episode like an invitation into a museum of human peculiarity, and he’s genuinely thrilled to show you around. His dry, understated humor acts as a palliative for the often grotesque subject matter, whether he’s discussing autopsy techniques that would make modern forensicists weep or explaining why people were once convinced that consuming ground mummies would cure their ailments. You’ll find yourself laughing at the absurdity of history even as you’re slightly nauseated by what you’re learning.
One episode might explore the Victorian obsession with death photography and mourning jewelry, while the next takes you on a tour of historical medical disasters or explores the bizarre world of carnival oddities and traveling freak shows. Mahnke never runs out of material because, let’s face it, humans have always been bizarre. He simply has the good taste and research skills to find the weirdest moments and present them in a way that’s educational and deeply entertaining.
Mahnke’s approach to research is another highlight, there’s genuine scholarship underlying each episode, with careful attention paid to primary sources and historical context. He’s careful to distinguish between what’s verified and what’s rumour or legend, which is much needed in an era when many podcasters just present wild claims as fact if they sound sufficiently salacious.
The podcast also succeeds because Mahnke clearly respects his subject matter, even when it’s objectively ridiculous. He’s not mocking historical figures for being less enlightened than we are today, a cheap and easy approach. Instead, he examines the cultural contexts that produced these oddities, treating them as windows into how different eras understood the world. There’s an inherent empathy in his storytelling that prevents the Cabinet from becoming mere exploitation, even when discussing genuinely exploitative practices from history.
However, if you’re seeking a cheerful, uplifting podcast about the best of human achievement, this is categorically not it. Mahnke’s beat is the macabre, the uncomfortable, and the outright disturbing. If you find yourself squeamish at descriptions of historical medical procedures or ancient burial customs, you might want to keep your headphones to yourself. But that’s not a flaw in the podcast, it’s simply a matter of knowing what you’re getting into. The Cabinet is exactly what it advertises itself to be.
One minor observation: the episodes can occasionally feel slightly rushed, as if Mahnke is cramming a fascinating deep-dive into a relatively short timeframe. A few topics could have benefited from additional exploration, and occasionally you’ll find yourself wanting more context or deeper investigation into a particularly compelling historical thread. But this is a small quibble with a program that consistently delivers engaging content.
Ultimately, Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosities occupies a rare space in podcast land. It’s consistently educational while remaining prolifically entertaining, thoughtfully researched while being funny, and respectful to history while gleefully highlighting its copiously ridiculous moments. If you have even a passing interest in history, the strange, or just understanding how absolutely unhinged people have always been, this is essential listening. Mahnke has essentially created a museum experience for your ears, and it’s one that rewards repeat visits.
Where to listen to Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosities Podcast
Pod.link | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Pocket Casts | Castro