Who is to blame for history's greatest tragedies? The Plague. The sinking of The Titanic. The break-up of the Beatles. Writer/Comedian Rebecca Delgado-Smith, along with a special guest, scrutinizes history’s greatest disasters to figure out what went wrong, and most importantly, who’s to blame. This comedy podcast is the perfect remedy to our everyday anxiety! They say history repeats itself, not on The Alarmist's watch!Thrillist called The Alarmist one of the best new podcasts of 2019 say...
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Episode List

REWIND - BALLOONFEST '86: WHO IS TO BLAME?

Jan 6th, 2026 8:00 AM

Who’s to blame for Balloonfest ‘86?On this week's REWIND, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) speaks with fellow podcasters Arielle Nissenblatt and Lauren Passell about the 1986 Balloonfest fail in Cleveland. Hosts of Podcast Therapy and self-avowed members of The Alarmy, Arielle and Lauren are the perfect duo to get to the bottom of this spectacular fiasco. They’re joined by Fact Checker Alex Paul and Producer Clayton Early. On the board: The Cleveland Rebrand, Guinness Book of World Records, The 1980’s. Join our Patreon!Tell us who you think is to blame at http://thealarmistpodcast.comEmail us at thealarmistpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thealarmistpodcastSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/alarmist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Aftermath: Die Hard (1988 film)

Dec 30th, 2025 8:00 AM

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Professor Moyara Ruehsen about the nature of the crimes committed in the 1988 film Die Hard. Beyond that, she discusses the plausibility of the attempted heist and what modern day equivalents are taking place in the world of financial crime. Professor Ruehsen is a Certified Specialist in Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board from the live show with Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Not on Patreon yet?! Click the link below and join us!Join our Patreon!Tell us who you think is to blame at http://thealarmistpodcast.comEmail us at thealarmistpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thealarmistpodcastSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/alarmist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DIE HARD (1988 FILM): WHO IS TO BLAME?

Dec 23rd, 2025 8:00 AM

Who’s to blame for the criminal mayhem in the 1988 film Die Hard?This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) is coming to you LIVE from the Elysian Theater in Los Angeles with special guests Mary Grill, Dan Klein and Cass Buggé to discuss the 1988 Christmas classic Die Hard. She’s joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Don’t miss this extra special LIVE episode with audience participation and plenty of spontaneous Die Hard cheer. Up on the board: Cocaine Courage, Carpeted Bathrooms and Terrorists with a Flair! Join our Patreon!Tell us who you think is to blame at http://thealarmistpodcast.comEmail us at thealarmistpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thealarmistpodcastSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/alarmist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Aftermath: The Black Hole of Calcutta

Dec 16th, 2025 8:00 AM

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Professor of Sociology at Yale University, Emily Erikson, about The Black Hole of Calcutta and the legacy that emerged in its wake. Emily's work has focused on the emergence of early multi-national firms and the structure of early modern global trade and reflects on the events that led to what we now know as British Imperial Rule. Afterward, Patreon Subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Not part of the Alamy? Join us at the link below.Join our Patreon!Tell us who you think is to blame at http://thealarmistpodcast.comEmail us at thealarmistpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thealarmistpodcastSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/alarmist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THE BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA: WHO IS TO BLAME?

Dec 9th, 2025 8:00 AM

Who’s to blame for The Black Hole of Calcutta?This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) discusses the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta and the controversy that followed. Set in Fort William owned by the British East India Company circa 1756, an atrocity occurred that would go on to shape history as we know it. Speculations about the event live on, but the fallout is undeniable. Was a lack of humanity to blame? Is poor communication the culprit? Or was this another symptom of rampant colonialism? Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early join the conversation. Join our Patreon!Tell us who you think is to blame at http://thealarmistpodcast.comEmail us at thealarmistpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thealarmistpodcastSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/alarmist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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