The Poisoners’ Cabinet, a unique podcast that combines historical true crime, comedy, and expertly crafted cocktails, has hit a significant milestone—one million downloads. Hosted by Nick Gordon and Sinead Hanna, the podcast serves up a weekly dose of twisted tales, intriguing criminals, and deliciously dark drinks. As the podcast enters its fifth season, the show’s creators are taking a moment to reflect on their journey and look ahead to what’s next.
A Unique Podcasting Recipe: True Crime, Comedy, and Cocktails
Since its launch in 2020, The Poisoners’ Cabinet has set itself apart in the crowded podcasting space by offering a distinctive blend of content. The show dives deep into history’s most infamous poisoners, dissecting their lives and crimes with a dash of humor and a splash of expertly mixed cocktails. With each episode, listeners are transported to a time when poisoning was not just a crime, but an art form—one that often went undetected for years.
What Makes The Poisoners’ Cabinet Stand Out?
- Unique Format: Each episode pairs a historical crime story with a themed cocktail, blending education with entertainment.
- Expert Research: The hosts’ commitment to thorough research ensures that every story is not only entertaining but also historically accurate.
- Engaging Hosts: Nick and Sinead’s chemistry and shared love for both history and drinks make for an engaging listening experience.
- Interactive Elements: Listeners are encouraged to mix along with the cocktail recipes, adding an interactive component to the podcast.
Season Five Highlights: Diving Deeper into the Darker Corners of History
The recently launched fifth season of The Poisoners’ Cabinet has already delivered some captivating episodes. These include the mysterious and controversial death of famed playwright Christopher Marlowe and the life of Elizabethan polymath John Dee, who dabbled in the occult while serving as an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. The season also explores the Zodiac Killer, one of America’s most infamous unsolved mysteries, and the numerous assassination attempts faced by Queen Victoria throughout her reign.
Featured Episodes in Season Five
- The Mystery of Christopher Marlowe’s Death: A look into the shadowy world of Elizabethan politics and espionage.
- John Dee and the Occult: Exploring the life of the man who tried to communicate with angels.
- The Zodiac Killer: Unraveling the enigmatic case that has baffled law enforcement for decades.
- Assassination Attempts on Queen Victoria: A queen’s resilience in the face of danger.
Global Popularity: A True Crime Podcast with International Appeal
Since its inception, The Poisoners’ Cabinet has grown a global audience, with over 1,090,855 downloads. The podcast has found particular success in the United States, which accounts for 45% of its audience, and the United Kingdom, which makes up 30%. However, the show’s reach extends far beyond these two countries, with dedicated listeners in Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
A Snapshot of the Audience
- USA: 45% of listeners
- UK: 30% of listeners
- Europe, Australia, and South Africa: A growing base of loyal fans
The Hosts Reflect on Their Success
Speaking on the series’ success, host Sinead Hanna expressed her gratitude to the podcast’s ever-growing fan base. “As an independent podcast, we are blown away by the response the show has received and by our incredible fan base,” she said. Sinead attributes much of the podcast’s appeal to its exploration of fascinating historical figures and the societal shifts that surrounded them.
Sinead Hanna’s Thoughts on the Show’s Evolution
- The Fascination with Poisoners: “We were fascinated by the lives of the so-called great poisoners—Guila Tofana, Mary Ann Cotton, Adelaide Bartlett, William Palmer, Dr. Crippen—but also the laws and societal shifts around them.”
- Victorian Era Curiosities: “Why was poison so prevalent in the Victorian era, and why were we literally putting it all over our houses? It’s such a rich and varied piece of history that we never get tired of exploring.”
- Expanding Horizons: “The show naturally expanded over the seasons to include all manner of strange crimes from across the centuries, from Romans and Tudors to a few modern-day cases. And this format has brought us even more listeners from around the world.”
Nick Gordon: The Journey from Theatre to Podcasting
Nick Gordon, who co-hosts the podcast with Sinead, also shared his thoughts on the show’s evolution. Reflecting on the origins of The Poisoners’ Cabinet, Nick explained how their shared love of theatre and “lovely drinks” laid the foundation for the podcast. The idea for the show was born after an evening of daiquiris and a deep dive into Google, searching for “fun uses for arsenic around the home.”
Nick Gordon on the Podcast’s Origins and Philosophy
- The Beginnings: “The show started after we had a fair few daiquiris one evening and started Googling fun uses for arsenic around the home, and uncovered a treasure trove of little-known poisoning stories throughout history.”
- Balancing Fun and Research: “While we have tremendous fun creating the episodes, we always wanted to put maximum effort into the research and format so people would get the best mix of weird history, true crime, and comedy.”
- Quality Cocktails: “The quality extends to the cocktails too! We include classic and new recipes from some of the best mixologists of all time.”
The Secret Sauce: Comedy, Chemistry, and Cocktails
One of the show’s defining features is the chemistry between Nick and Sinead. Their witty banter and shared enthusiasm for the subject matter keep listeners coming back week after week. However, it’s not just the stories that make The Poisoners’ Cabinet a hit—it’s also the cocktails. Each episode features a cocktail recipe that ties into the theme of the story, often with hilarious results during live taste tests.
The Role of Cocktails in The Poisoners’ Cabinet
- Themed Drinks: Each episode features a cocktail recipe that ties into the story being told.
- Live Taste Tests: The hosts’ reactions during live taste tests add an extra layer of entertainment.
- Memorable Moments: One of the most infamous cocktail incidents on the show involved the “Golden Cadillac” (episode 29).
Challenges and Rewards: Balancing Friendship and Podcasting
Podcasting is not without its challenges, especially when it involves working with a close friend. Nick and Sinead have managed to maintain their friendship despite the pressures of producing weekly episodes and the inevitable creative differences that arise. They credit their success to their commitment to delivering high-quality content and their shared passion for history, true crime, and cocktails.
Balancing Friendship and Professionalism
- Friendship on Air: “It can be a big risk to put your friendship out on air for people to consume every week.”
- Creative Collaboration: “We knew we had to deliver great stories as well as great drinks to keep people hooked.”
- Surviving the Cocktails: “Luckily, our friendship has survived more than 200 very strong cocktails on the show!”
What’s Next for The Poisoners’ Cabinet?
As The Poisoners’ Cabinet celebrates one million downloads, the hosts are already looking ahead to the future. With season five in full swing, Nick and Sinead are excited to continue exploring the darker corners of history, uncovering more twisted tales, and, of course, mixing more cocktails. They also hint at the possibility of live shows and special events in the future, allowing fans to experience the podcast in a whole new way.
Future Plans for the Podcast
- More Twisted Tales: The hosts plan to continue exploring lesser-known stories from history’s dark side.
- Live Shows: There’s potential for live shows and special events in the future.
- Interactive Elements: Fans can expect even more opportunities to engage with the show through social media and live events.
Conclusion: The Poisoners’ Cabinet’s Deadly Recipe for Success
The Poisoners’ Cabinet has proven that there’s a significant audience for a podcast that combines historical true crime, comedy, and cocktails. With one million downloads and a dedicated global fan base, Nick and Sinead have created something truly special. As they continue to explore history’s darkest corners, fans can look forward to more intriguing stories, more laughs, and, of course, more cocktails.
Where to Listen to The Poisoners’ Cabinet
The Poisoners’ Cabinet is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone who enjoys a good cocktail, this podcast offers something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the latest episodes—subscribe today and join Nick and Sinead as they uncover history’s most twisted tales, one cocktail at a time.
