Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Phineas Gage: The Man Who Survived a Railroad Spike Through His Brain
Episode 1
Published 11 months ago
Description
In 1848, railroad foreman Phineas Gage survived one of the most unbelievable accidents in medical history — a three-foot iron rod blasted straight through his skull and out the top of his head. Against every odd, he lived.
But survival was only the beginning.
Friends said Gage changed after the accident — his personality, his behavior, even the way he interacted with the world around him. Was this a medical miracle, a tragedy, or the moment neuroscience truly began?
In this episode, Kat explores the real story behind Phineas Gage, what actually happened that day, and the decades of science his accident inspired. It’s a mix of bizarre history, psychology, and the mystery of what really makes us… us.
⸻
About the show
Kat Has Questions is a curiosity-driven podcast about real stories that sound made up — from strange history and true crime to the quietly weird corners of human behavior.
New episodes every week.
⸻
Sources
– VeryWellMind: https://www.verywellmind.com/phineas-gage-2795244– Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Phineas-Gage
🎵 Music: “Scrunchy” by Night DriftLicensed by UppbeatLicense code: CAHWZR9T33BFXDNY
⸻
Contact
📩 kathasquestionspod@gmail.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kat-has-questions-true-crime-and-unsolved-mysteries--7346258/support.
⸻
About the Show
Kat Has Questions is a curiosity-driven podcast about real stories that sound unreal — from unsolved crimes and strange history to the quietly weird corners of human behavior.
New episodes every week.
⸻
Support the Show
Follow the podcast, leave a review, or send in a weird historical mystery you want me to dig into next.
Want to support Kat Has Questions and listen ad-free? Join the Supporters Club for $2.99/month.
⸻
Contact
📩 kathasquestionspod@gmail.com
Instagram: @KatHasQuestions
kathasquestions.com
⸻
🎵 Music: “Scrunchy” by Night Drift
Licensed by Uppbeat
License code: CAHWZR9T33BFXDNY
But survival was only the beginning.
Friends said Gage changed after the accident — his personality, his behavior, even the way he interacted with the world around him. Was this a medical miracle, a tragedy, or the moment neuroscience truly began?
In this episode, Kat explores the real story behind Phineas Gage, what actually happened that day, and the decades of science his accident inspired. It’s a mix of bizarre history, psychology, and the mystery of what really makes us… us.
⸻
About the show
Kat Has Questions is a curiosity-driven podcast about real stories that sound made up — from strange history and true crime to the quietly weird corners of human behavior.
New episodes every week.
⸻
Sources
– VeryWellMind: https://www.verywellmind.com/phineas-gage-2795244– Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Phineas-Gage
🎵 Music: “Scrunchy” by Night DriftLicensed by UppbeatLicense code: CAHWZR9T33BFXDNY
⸻
Contact
📩 kathasquestionspod@gmail.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kat-has-questions-true-crime-and-unsolved-mysteries--7346258/support.
⸻
About the Show
Kat Has Questions is a curiosity-driven podcast about real stories that sound unreal — from unsolved crimes and strange history to the quietly weird corners of human behavior.
New episodes every week.
⸻
Support the Show
Follow the podcast, leave a review, or send in a weird historical mystery you want me to dig into next.
Want to support Kat Has Questions and listen ad-free? Join the Supporters Club for $2.99/month.
⸻
Contact
📩 kathasquestionspod@gmail.com
Instagram: @KatHasQuestions
kathasquestions.com
⸻
🎵 Music: “Scrunchy” by Night Drift
Licensed by Uppbeat
License code: CAHWZR9T33BFXDNY