Brought to You by the LetterExplicit

by Kelsey Perkins & Carly Rumpf

Welcome to your (in)formal education! Brought to You by the Letter is hosted by long-time BFFs who want to learn more...about everything! Join co-hosts Kelsey and Carly as they teach each other about everything from A-Z. Follow along alphabetically or skip around—we don’t judge! Tune in every other Thursday to get more knowledge (without going to college).

Podcast episodes

  • Season 2

  • 212 — Karma

    Explicit

    212 — Karma

    Explicit

    Kelsey wades through the concept of Karma in Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, but not before Carly and Kelsey discuss the latest 'fits, ditching social media (it's a tumultuous relationship), prioritizing your values, and Dr. Pimple Popper. Karma can take on many forms and we chat about it all! We talk about personal beliefs, karmic dirt, enlightenment, free will versus fate, reincarnation, where intention matters and where it doesn't, the controversial figure Madame Helena Blavatsky, and the Western interpretation of Karma. ----- Sources: Karma by Buddham Sharanam Gachchhami | originalbuddhas.com Karma by Richard Gombrich | soas.ac.uk What is Karma? by Ven. Thubten Chodron | tricycle.org What is Karma, Really? by ​​Wolf Terry | yogajournal.com Buddhism | nationalgeographic.org How Karma Works by Sarah Dowdey | howstuffworks.com

  • 211 — Jekyll and Hyde

    Explicit

    211 — Jekyll and Hyde

    Explicit

    Carly teaches Kelsey all about The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, one of the most famous pieces of English Victorian era literature and the most prolific books in the gothic horror genre. We learn about the author and his inspiration behind the story. We chat about how this gothic novella has influenced tv, theatre, film, and pop culture (and obviously, Arthur); we discover various themes throughout the story; have an extra-fun Jack The Ripper crossover; and even learn the truth behind the REAL-LIFE Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This story isn't as you remember it so buckle up! ----- Sources: Wikipedia The Bizarre Truth Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde by Grunge | youtube.com The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Vicky Lebeau | britannica.com Jekyll & Hyde | tvtropes.org

  • 210 — Ice Cream

    Explicit

    210 — Ice Cream

    Explicit

    Kelsey and Carly dive face-first into a gallon of America's (and the world's) favorite frozen dessert; ICE CREAM! We talk about the first accounts of frozen sweet treats; the President's ice cream budget; some boss queens who invented the ice cream maker #FancyIces; the Father of Ice Cream: Augustus Jackson; the Pioneer of Ice Cream Manufacturing: Jack Fussell; the amount of ice cream Americans ate in 1854 versus now (holy moly, we weren't ready for it). We talk about popular flavors from around the world; crazy flavor combos; even a quiz mixed in...Carly's favorite...whoopee... And of course, where do we stand on the most controversial ice cream topic to hit Dairy's stage? Pull up a pint. We're goin' in. ----- Sources: The History of Ice Cream | idfa.org The History of Ice Cream, One of the World’s Oldest Desserts by Elizabeth Yuko | rd.com THANK A BLACK PERSON: Augustus Jackson, the Father of Modern Ice Cream Making by Janice R Littlejohn | medium.com 31 Surprising Food Facts You’ll Want to Know by Jonna Gallo Weppler | rd.com Would You Try the Craziest Ice Cream Flavors in the Country? by Emma B. Kumer | tasteofhome.com

  • 209 — H. H. Holmes

    Explicit

    209 — H. H. Holmes

    Explicit

    Carly and Kelsey welcome the hilarious Anna Campion from her hit podcast Oh No! with Anna Campion. This week, we're talkin' murder! The ladies chat about the early years of H.H. Holmes life, from the time he was bullied and blamed his issues on everyone else to his stint in med school that would encourage his morbid fascination with the dead. We talk about the infamous murder castle full of chutes and mazes, we choose our preferred way to die, scream at the absurdity of MULTIPLE wives and mistresses, and ponder the possibilities of how H.H. Holmes scammed and most likely murdered his right-hand man, Benjamin Pitezel. ----- Sources: H. H. Holmes Series | Last Podcast on the Left H. H. Holmes | britannica.com H. H. Holmes | crimemuseum.org Murder Castle | history.com H. H. Holmes’ victims: Benjamin Pitezel | rebeccafrostwrites.com Wikipedia… do we even have to mention it!? Yes, yes we do. Pay them $5 if you can!

  • 208 — Guillotine

    Explicit

    208 — Guillotine

    Explicit

    HEADS BE ROLLIN' THIS EP. Kelsey teaches Carly about the history of the guillotine! From its starring role in the French Revolution to the cutest earrings, the guillotine makes a statement. Learn about the executioners who were viewed as celebrities, inspiring everything from fashion to tattoos. We discuss the use of the guillotine in Nazi Germany and the amazing story of Sophie Scholl, Hans Scholl, and Christoph Probst and their role in the student-led resistance group known as The White Rose. We also chat about what the heck happens when your head gets chopped off. All this and more are what's in store for this episode! You better believe your head will be rollin' after all this. ----- Sources: A History of the Guillotine in Europe by Robert Wilde | thoughtco.com 8 Things You May Not Know About the Guillotine by Evan Andrews | history.com Guillotine by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica | britannica.com A Condemned Man Tried To Keep Blinking After His Head Was Cut Off by unreal | unrealfacts.com 10 Insane (but true) Facts about the French Guillotine by Eve | discoverwalks.com Wikipedia4eva