What happens when a prison becomes more famous after it closes? The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield was once a state-of-the-art facility meant to rehabilitate young offenders. But over time, its towering gothic architecture became a symbol of overcrowding, violence, and ghost stories — until it finally shut its doors in 1990.

Today, it’s a hotspot for filmmakers, tourists, and ghost hunters alike — best known as the filming location for The Shawshank Redemption. In this episode, we explore the strange life of the reformatory, from its progressive 19th-century roots to the brutal scandals that defined its later years. You’ll discover how it became both a cinematic icon and one of America’s most haunted places.

Rockefeller Center is one of New York’s most iconic landmarks—but it was never supposed to exist. Originally planned as a new home for the Metropolitan Opera, the project collapsed before it even began. The stock market crashed, investors fled, and John D. Rockefeller Jr. was left alone with a six-million-square-foot lease and no clear plan.

But instead of walking away, he built something bigger. In the depths of the Great Depression, Rockefeller Center rose from nothing—an audacious mix of office towers, broadcast studios, and underground infrastructure that would reshape Midtown Manhattan. In this episode, we uncover the improbable story of how one man’s gamble became a new blueprint for urban America.

I had an amazing time in Slovakia, and I’d like to sincerely thank everyone I met on the journey — your hospitality, history, and humor truly made this trip unforgettable. I even tried bryndzové halušky (and yes, I loved it). Hope to return soon to explore some of your incredible castles — there’s so much more to share from this beautiful country. Ďakujem! 🇸🇰

What looks like a flying saucer perched above the Danube River is actually one of Slovakia’s most iconic structures — but its origins are steeped in controversy. Built during the Cold War, Bratislava’s UFO Bridge (officially called the SNP Bridge) came at a devastating cost: the destruction of part of the city’s ancient old town.

In this episode, we travel to Slovakia’s capital to uncover why the government gambled its history on futuristic architecture, how they engineered a bridge that leans but still stands strong, and why a secretive, elite-only restaurant once operated inside the UFO itself. Discover the hidden layers behind one of Europe’s strangest landmarks — a story of ambition, loss, and unexpected pride.