Part 1 of 5. BDSM Church of the Sacred Whip. The name Rasputin stirs often images of a dark evil wizard; a gothic monk in black with powers of necromancy and the devil. Or more often; a mystic—stabbed, shot, beat, poisoned, and drowned—who could not be killed. The wandering holy man captivated the last tsars of Russia. Led a sex-cult of sorts. Woman adored him. Most hated him. Journalists, assassins, and the secret police followed him, everywhere, he went. This is the comprehensive 5-part story of the illiterate stinky peasant who defied every odd to become one of the most powerful, revered, ultra-sexy, and hated figures in late imperial Russia. Of the socio-political backdrop of World War One, the Russian Revolution, and myths and truths of the complexities of the period. And of the man: Grigory Rasputin, and his enduring mark on the Romanov Dynasty; on Russia; and on history. Historians Britnee Smith, Ted Sisco, and Joe Wojie are joined by Historians Cassie Coxon (Penn State University) and Morgan Haller (Villanova University). Support the show on patreon.com/grimphilly Live event information at grimphilly.com