Listen to the episode
Episode Summary
Shay sets the scene with a nod to the many strange stories that emerge from the world of emergency nursing, where the line between comedy and tragedy often blurs. In this episode, listeners get a front-row seat to the chaos that ensued when the unnamed man entered the hospital, leading to the evacuation of the facility as the bomb squad was called in to assess the situation. The hosts paint a vivid picture of the frantic atmosphere: medical staff and patients alike scrambling to safety while the man, ironically, was just looking for something a little more adventurous than the mundane.
As the episode unfolds, Shay and Jodi explore the absurdity and social implications of the incident. They ask the tough questions—how did a World War I shell find its way into someone’s personal exploration? Was this a solitary adventure or part of an underground subculture of similar escapades? They speculate humorously about the man's thought process as he navigated the decision to use an artillery shell as a prop in his intimate life, and whether he was aware of the potential consequences of his actions.
Listeners will be treated to a treasure trove of anecdotes about other medical mishaps, from light bulbs in unexpected places to the infamous coffee cup incident, showcasing the weird and wild side of human behavior. The conversations are punctuated by laughter and disbelief at the lengths some individuals will go to seek pleasure or simply entertain themselves—often with rather explosive results.
In the end, this episode doesn't just share a shocking story; it delves into the broader themes of curiosity, risk, and the sometimes surreal intersection of history and modern life. With a delightful blend of humor and historical context, Shay and Jodi remind us that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction, and that perhaps—just perhaps—some items are best left off the list of things to explore.
Join the hosts as they navigate this peculiar rabbit hole, where emergency room tales meet history's weirdest relics. You’ll find yourself laughing, cringing, and perhaps even questioning your own choices in this unforgettable episode of "Rainy Day Rabbit Holes." Don't miss out on this wild ride through the unexpected corners of life, history, and the human experience!
⚠️ Not Safe for Work / Adult Content Warning ⚠️
Sometimes history refuses to stay in the past. And sometimes… it shows up in an emergency room.
This Five Minute Friday dives into a truly unbelievable modern news story involving a World War I artillery shell, one very bad decision, and a French hospital that suddenly had to take explosive history very seriously. It’s a reminder that just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s safe—and that curiosity without common sense is how you end up evacuating a building.
We ask the important questions:
- How does something like this even happen?
- Why are WWI explosives still turning up?
- And what life choices lead to this particular outcome?
Spoiler: History is wild, humans are weirder, and museums exist for a reason.
What We Talk About
- A real Vice news story involving a live WWI artillery shell and a hospital evacuation
- Why unexploded ordnance from World War I is still being discovered today
- The difference between “historical artifact” and “active explosive”
- How history occasionally re-enters the present in the most unhinged way possible
Read the Article
- Vice: A Man Turned Up at Hospital With a Live WWI Artillery Shell in His Butt
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-man-turned-up-at-hospital-with-a-live-wwi-artillery-shell-in-his-butt/ [vice.com]
About the Show
Rainy Day Rabbit Holes explores strange history, baffling decisions, forgotten stories, and the moments when the past collides violently—or hilariously—with the present.
New episodes and show info at:
👉www.rainydayrabbitholes.com
⚠️ Not Safe for Work / Adult Content Warning ⚠️
This episode discusses an explicit real‑world news story involving adult bodily injury, medical emergency, and crude subject matter. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Do not listen at work, around children, or polite society.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Episode Gallery

5 Minute Friday: Rectum? Damn Near Evacuated ’Em episode image
Sources and Links
Episode Location
Franceville, Haut-Ogooué, Gabon
Loading map...
