The Box of Oddities - podcast cover

The Box of Oddities

Kat & Jethro Gilligan Tothwww.theboxofoddities.com
The Webby Award-winning “Box of Oddities" is a podcast that delves into the strange and mysterious aspects of our world, exploring topics ranging from bizarre medical conditions to unsolved mysteries, and from paranormal phenomena to strange cultural practices from around the world. With a focus on oddities, curiosities, and the macabre, each episode is a journey into the unknown, where hosts Kat and Jethro Gilligan Toth share their love for unusual stories and inject their humor and commentary. From the strange history of medical practices to chilling true crime stories, to natural (and unnatural) events, "The Box of Oddities" satisfies your thirst for the weird and the unusual, offering an informative and entertaining look into the dark and mysterious corners of our world. JIMMY KIMMEL, ABC-TV says, "Should you be the type who has an interest in weird stuff, this is a fun thing to allow in your head!"  “Truth is stranger than fiction, and the Box of Oddities is the strangest of all!” -SLUGGO, SIRIUS XM LITHIUM “Kat & Jethro wring humor from bizarre, macabre and perplexing places.” -BOSTON MAGAZINE
Last refreshed:
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

A Warlord’s Curse & Ghosts of the Savannah

Doom Unleashed – Timur’s Cursed Tomb & the Man-Eating Lions of Tsavo Some legends are just old stories… and then some prove themselves terrifyingly real. In this episode of The Box of Oddities, Jethro and Kat unravel the eerie curse of Timur’s Tomb, a chilling prophecy that may have ignited one of the deadliest conflicts in history. Did disturbing the warlord’s grave actually unleash a catastrophe—or was it just a spine-tingling coincidence? Then, we journey to the dark heart of Africa for t...

Feb 19, 202535 minEp. 675

Death by Winter, Theft by Haircut

The Starlight Tours, aka The Saskatoon Freezing Deaths and The Phantom Barber In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we unravel the haunting case of the Saskatoon freezing deaths, where Indigenous men were abandoned in subzero temperatures by local police—an unsettling true crime story that’s both horrifying and heartbreakingly real. Then, we tiptoe into the baffling and bizarre tale of the Phantom Barber, a sneaky criminal who broke into homes—not to steal valuables but to give haircuts to uns...

Feb 17, 202541 minEp. 674

Inbox Of Oddities #037

The Inbox of Oddities is a delightful bonus episode where Kat and Jethro dive into the treasure trove of listener emails, comments, and messages sent by you—the ever-curious Freak Family. From spine-tingling personal encounters with the paranormal to bizarre trivia, mysterious coincidences, and even a touch of the hilariously strange, this episode is a wild ride of oddities shared by the ones who make this community so unique. Tune in for heartfelt stories, jaw-dropping revelations, and the twis...

Feb 14, 202532 min

Your Brain Wants to Travel & Your Face Wants to Betray You

Mad Travelers Syndrome & The Science of Blushing Ever woken up convinced you're supposed to be somewhere else—like, on another continent? In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we unravel the baffling Mad Travelers’ Phenomenon, where people suddenly believe they must embark on an urgent, often nonsensical journey and don't remember any of it. Passport not required—just a healthy disregard for logic. Then, we dive face-first into the science of blushing. Why do humans alone turn into tomatoe...

Feb 12, 202542 minEp. 673

A Serial Killer Mystery & The Worst Medical Advice Ever

A Serial Killer & Tobacco Where?! – Box of Oddities What do an elusive serial killer and some genuinely questionable medical practices have in common? Nothing—except that they’re both unbelievably weird, unsettling, and featured in this episode! First, Kat unpacks the chilling case of the Connecticut River Valley Killer, an unidentified predator who terrorized New England with a string of brutal attacks. Who was behind these unsolved crimes, and could they still be out there? (Spoiler: Proba...

Feb 10, 202543 minEp. 672

Tripping Cavemen, Turnip Attacks, and Everest’s Ghostly Hikers

In this episode of Freak Family Favorites, we ask, Did Magic Mushrooms Make Us Human? And Why Is That Guy Getting Pelted with Turnips? In this mind-bending episode of The Box of Oddities, we dive into the Stoned Ape Theory—the wild idea that psychedelics might have turbocharged human evolution. Did our ancestors owe their intelligence to a little fungal inspiration? Then, we journey to Spain’s Jarramplas Festival, where a man willingly gets pelted with turnips for reasons that remain as mysterio...

Feb 07, 202553 min

Time Travel & Gangster Hideouts

What if time travel wasn’t just science fiction? In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we unravel the mind-bending concept of the Tipler Cylinder. This theoretical object could, in theory, send you spiraling through time like a cosmic waterslide. Could it actually work? Is it working now? And if so… where do we sign up? Then, we shift gears (and centuries) With guest host Nan McNamara to uncover why St. Paul, Minnesota, became the go-to gangster paradise in the early 1900s. Spoiler: It wasn’t ...

Feb 05, 202547 minEp. 671

Patient X & The Apollo 11 Doomsday Speech

In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we explore two mind-boggling tales: the eerie case of Patient X, a medical mystery so bizarre it left doctors questioning everything they knew about the human body. Was it science? Was it sorcery? Or was it just a really weird Tuesday? Then, we unearth a long-forgotten, top-secret speech—written just in case the Apollo 11 astronauts didn’t make it back from the moon. Because nothing says “historic achievement” like also planning for catastrophic space doom...

Feb 03, 202547 minEp. 670

Inbox & Favorites: A Freaky Fusion of the Bizarre and Beloved

In this special hybrid episode, we’re combining the best of both worlds—The Inbox of Oddities and Freak Family Favorites! This episode kicks off with some of your wildest listener emails—because who doesn’t love a good strange coincidence or paranormal encounter? You shared your weirdest moments with us, and we’re ready to unpack them, from haunted keychains to mysterious disappearances. After that, we’re turning up the heat with one of our favorite freaky tales: spontaneous human combustion! It...

Jan 31, 202541 min

Inside The Wall

What if the universe had a plan… or at least a wicked sense of humor? In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we unravel a jaw-dropping tale of a life-changing event that defies logic. Was it random chance? A cosmic wink? Or something far more miraculous? You decide. Then, Nan McNamara fills in for Kat and steps into the shadowy halls of Glensheen Mansion, the site of one of America’s most infamous murders. With a setting straight out of a gothic novel and enough intrigue to make your spine ting...

Jan 29, 202548 minEp. 669

Chatting Up The Dead

What do AI, augmented reality, and an antique telegraph inside a casket have in common? They’re all part of humanity’s centuries-old obsession with chatting up the dearly departed! In this episode of The Box of Oddities, Kat and Jethro explore the eerie evolution of using technology to interact with the dead—from Victorian gadgets to cutting-edge AI that might just make "ghosting" a whole new thing. But that’s not all—brace yourself as they dive into the unintended (and deeply uncomfortable) sou...

Jan 27, 202543 minEp. 668

Inbox Of Oddities #036

The Inbox of Oddities is a delightful bonus episode where Kat and Jethro dive into the treasure trove of listener emails, comments, and messages sent by you—the ever-curious Freak Family. From spine-tingling personal encounters with the paranormal to bizarre trivia, mysterious coincidences, and even a touch of the hilariously strange, this episode is a rollercoaster of oddities shared by the ones who make this community so special. Tune in for heartfelt stories, jaw-dropping revelations, and the...

Jan 24, 202533 min

Sniff The Moon

What prowls the dark Wisconsin backroads, leaving behind tales of terror and… maybe a little fur? In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we sink our teeth into the chilling legend of the Bray Road Beast—a creature so mysterious it makes Bigfoot look like an open book. Is it a werewolf, a cryptid, or just the world's angriest raccoon? Then, we sniff out answers to the ultimate question: What does the Moon smell like? Or space? Or even a diamond when it’s burned (yes, diamonds burn—it’s a thing)?...

Jan 22, 202538 minEp. 667

The Devil’s in the Details

Prepare to clutch your pearls and adjust your tinfoil hats as The Box of Oddities dives into the dark, dramatic, and downright bizarre! In this devilishly delightful episode, we explore the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, a moral hysteria that had suburban parents convinced their neighbors were secret Satan-worshiping cultists. From heavy metal album burnings to questionable daycare accusations, it’s a cautionary tale of how fear, misinformation, and a little too much daytime TV can send society spi...

Jan 20, 202548 minEp. 666

Inbox Of Oddities #035

The inbox of Oddities is a delightful bonus episode where Kat and Jethro dive into the treasure trove of listener emails, comments, and messages sent by you—the ever-curious Freak Family. From spine-tingling personal encounters with the paranormal to bizarre trivia, mysterious coincidences, and even a touch of the hilariously strange, this episode is a rollercoaster of oddities shared by the ones who make this community so special. Tune in for heartfelt stories, jaw-dropping revelations, and the...

Jan 17, 202530 min

Aimlessly Chasing Firetrucks

What do a wildly beloved school cat and a baseball player with a firetruck obsession have in common? They’re both delightfully odd and waiting for you in this episode of The Box of Oddities! First, unravel the purr-fectly peculiar story of Room 8, the stray cat who became a permanent resident of a California classroom, winning hearts and raising eyebrows along the way. How does a feline end up on yearbook pages and immortalized in local lore? Then, step up to the plate with Rube Waddell, the ecc...

Jan 15, 202539 minEp. 665

Jobling’s Tarred Corpse

What do a grisly public execution and a pack of socially conscious canines have in common? They’re both waiting for you in this delightfully strange The Box of Oddities episode! First, explore the gruesome tale of William Jobling, a miner whose horrifying punishment—being gibbeted and left to rot in a metal cage—made him an eerie symbol of injustice in 19th-century England. What did Jobling do to deserve such a fate? And why does the word "gibbet" sound like it belongs in a pirate movie? Then, b...

Jan 13, 202537 minEp. 664

Inbox Of Oddities #034

The Inbox of Oddities is a delightful bonus episode where Kat and Jethro dive into the treasure trove of listener emails, comments, and messages sent by you—the ever-curious Freak Family. From spine-tingling personal encounters with the paranormal to bizarre trivia, mysterious coincidences, and even a touch of the hilariously strange, this episode is a wild ride of oddities shared by the ones who make this community so special. Tune in for heartfelt stories, jaw-dropping revelations, and the sig...

Jan 10, 202527 min

Mutant Amphibians with Sparklers

Ever felt like tossing a message in a bottle was a hopeless romantic gesture? It could happen. In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we dive into the most jaw-dropping, fate-defying, and downright fascinating messages ever plucked from the sea. One note delivered a message from the sinking Titanic, while another saved the lives of a family in the most bizarre way. 🐠✨ Then, grab your flashlight and a skeptical friend—we’re heading to Loveland, Ohio, where the legendary Frogman has been leaping...

Jan 08, 202536 minEp. 663

Mothman's Fine Booty

What if that familiar face isn’t so familiar after all? In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we delve into the eerie world of mimics—ghostly or demonic entities that not only haunt objects but impersonate the people you trust most. Could your best friend’s doppelgänger be lurking in plain sight? You might never look at your loved ones the same way again. Then, prepare for your brain to shatter (unlike this glass) as we unravel the mystery of Prince Rupert’s Drop, a seemingly fragile glass cre...

Jan 06, 202547 minEp. 662

Inbox Of Oddities #033

The Inbox of Oddities is a special bonus episode of The Box of Oddities podcast, where we delve into the treasure trove of our listeners' emails, messages, and audio submissions. In this unique episode, we share our audience's weird and wonderful stories, bringing their remarkable experiences and odd encounters to the forefront. Join us as we read your emails and messages and play audio recordings you've sent in, allowing you to become an integral part of our show. It's a captivating journey thr...

Jan 02, 202525 min

A New Year Celebration of the Bizarre

Join Kat and Jethro in this special New Year episode of The Box of Oddities, where they revisit some of the most intriguing topics from past New Year celebrations. This episode is a delightful blend of history, humor, and the bizarre, perfect for kicking off the new year with a fresh perspective. -The Bizarre History of the Calendar: Discover how various cultures have marked the passage of time, including the quirky Roman calendar and the radical French Republican calendar, which attempted to re...

Dec 30, 20241 hr 14 minEp. 661

Inbox Of Oddities #032

The Inbox of Oddities is a special bonus episode of The Box of Oddities podcast, where we delve into the treasure trove of our listeners' emails, messages, and audio submissions. In this unique episode, we share our audience's weird and wonderful stories, bringing their remarkable experiences and odd encounters to the forefront. Join us as we read your emails and messages and play audio recordings you've sent in, allowing you to become an integral part of our show. If you would like to advertise...

Dec 26, 202426 min

Twas the Fright Before Christmas: Haunted Toys Unwrapped

Get ready for a holiday treat that’s anything but merry and bright! In this special Christmas episode of The Box of Oddities, we unwrap a chilling assortment of haunted toy stories just in time for the festive season. Revisit the spine-tingling tales of infamous cursed playthings like Robert the Doll and Annabelle as we delve deeper into their eerie histories and the unsettling mysteries they carry. Hear firsthand accounts from people who claim to have encountered malevolent toy terrors lurking ...

Dec 23, 20241 hr 9 minEp. 660

Inbox Of Oddities #031

The Inbox of Oddities is a special bonus episode of The Box of Oddities podcast, where we delve into the treasure trove of our listeners' emails, messages, and audio submissions. In this unique episode, we share our audience's weird and wonderful stories, bringing their remarkable experiences and odd encounters to the forefront. Join us as we read your emails and messages and play audio recordings you've sent in, allowing you to become an integral part of our show. It's a captivating journey thr...

Dec 19, 202423 min

Sad Macaroni

Prepare to jump head-first into a collection of fascinating and downright peculiar stories in this The Box of Oddities episode. First, we unravel the bizarre tale of a woman who holds the record for the most births in a lifetime. How many children does it take to make history? You’ll be shocked. Next, we explore the invention of Zero and the curious way our modern numeric system came to life—a tale that’s both ancient and strangely modern. Then, we turn our attention to cutting-edge technology w...

Dec 16, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 659

Freak Family Favorites #018

In this episode of Freak Family Favorites, Kat tells us about some very unusual holiday traditions from around the world (it includes carving out the stomachs of children). Jethro shares stories from history when folks were not garbage people to each other. Freak Family Favorites: it’s better than having your ears boxed. If you would like to advertise on The Box of Oddities, contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 12, 202434 min

A Wolf With A Scalpel

The Box of Oddities: The Disappearance of Yara Gambirasio, Trophic Cascades, Witold Pilecki & Notre Dame Secrets In this episode of The Box of Oddities, we explore four extraordinary and mysterious stories. First, we investigate the chilling, bizarre, and puzzling disappearance of Yara Gambirasio, whose case continues to haunt investigators. Then, we uncover how a simple shift in an ecosystem—known as a trophic cascade—can have massive and unpredictable effects on the planet. Next, we journe...

Dec 09, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 658

Inbox Of Oddities #030

The Inbox of Oddities is a special bonus episode of The Box of Oddities podcast, where we delve into the treasure trove of our listeners' emails, messages, and audio submissions. In this unique episode, we share our audience's weird and wonderful stories, bringing their remarkable experiences and odd encounters to the forefront. Join us as we read your emails and messages and play audio recordings you've sent in, allowing you to become an integral part of our show. It's a captivating journey thr...

Dec 05, 202428 min

Bengay For Horses

Join Kat and Jethro as they dive into four bizarre stories that will leave you questioning reality. First, meet Michael Malloy, the man who survived multiple attempts on his life during the Great Depression—his resilience will astound you. Then, journey back to 1838 to discover Henriette d'Angeville, the first woman to successfully climb Mont Blanc, defying the odds and the expectations of her time. Next, hear the chilling story of Jane Stewart, who dreamed of the 9/11 attacks one day before the...

Dec 02, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 657
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast