Web Crawlers - podcast cover

Web Crawlers

Web Crawlers www.instagram.com

Ali Segel and Melissa Stetten discuss pop culture, TV, viral stories, unsolved mysteries, creepy cults, scammers, and everything unsettling in between. “They maintain a loose, upbeat dynamic as they fall down rabbit holes, which means listeners can comfortably dip their toes into the deeply unsettling and unexplained, but won’t walk away feeling, well, haunted.” (Vanity Fair, 2020)

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic Exploration

In 1914, explorer Ernest Shackleton embarked on a dangerous journey to Antarctica on his ship named Endurance, where his crew was abandoned on the ice for over a year. They had to sail treacherous seas in tiny lifeboats, hike through uncharted terrain, and eat penguin and seal meat. It’s a remarkable story of survival and determination. [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast....

Mar 15, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 329

MAILBAG: I Don't Have Raisins In My Nose

EMAIL: I don’t have raisins in my nose. VOICEMAILS: Nurse confirms crazy shit happens during a full moon. Haunted doll cliffhanger. Bat bites are painless. Male gynecologists. Teacher question for Ali. Ending of Titanic. It’s I, Producer Maria. Birthday messages to Ali.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 10, 202232 minSeason 1Ep. 328

Katherine Knight

The first Australian woman to be sentenced to life in prison, Katherine Knight was convicted of murdering her husband in 2000. She also skinned him, decapitated him, and boiled his head in a stew. This story is WILD. ALSO: Sherri Papini update: She was finally arrested for lying to the FBI. [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 08, 202237 minSeason 1Ep. 327

MAILBAG: Code Brown

EMAILS: Daycare used to be a morgue. Starting a fire during sex. VOICEMAILS: The blowjob bandit. Getting swindled. A dentist performing unnecessary procedures to make money. Yes, we believe women should be doctors. A horrible smell coming from a kid’s nose. Getting a grape stuck up your nose. Jeb says hi. Shooting star & white rabbit. Dan wants Maria’s Millions. Listener’s sister was on Sex Sent Me to the ER. Full moon def makes people go crazy.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Di...

Mar 03, 202237 minSeason 1Ep. 326

Keddie Cabin Murders

On the morning of April 12, 1981, Sheila Sharp returned home to find her mother, brother, and friend were brutally murdered in Cabin 28 of the Keddie Resorts in California. The case remains unsolved but new investigators may have discovered a cover-up by law enforcement.    Source: https://allthatsinteresting.com/keddie-cabin-murders              [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreo...

Mar 01, 202234 minSeason 1Ep. 325

MAILBAG: Peak Podcasting

EMAILS: Concern for the bats in a listener’s house. Birds crashing into the ground. Fortune telling lawyer. Princess Di Beanie Baby at goodwill.  VOICEMAILS: Secret bomb shelter found underneath a house. Amy from Ohio’s mom’s curse is at it again. Joren congratulates us for reaching peak podcasting. Does Rose really die at the end of Titanic? A listener was scammed by an Anna. Bridget from Girls Next Door should be on our show. Anna Delvey was in rehab cuz she couldn’t be deported. Almost g...

Feb 24, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 324

Crazy ER Stories w/ EMT Alex Burnett

Today we’re talking about crazy emergency room stories. EMT Alex Burnett joins us to talk about the most insane things he’s witnessed, from a plastic cornucopia being stuck up someone’s butt, to a penis being cut off, and an unknown pregnancy.                        [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.ac...

Feb 22, 202252 minSeason 1Ep. 323

MAILBAG: Bats!

EMAILS: Connection to the Dating Game Killer VOICEMAILS: Bat synchronicity. Correct terminology discussion. Listener’s BF used to work for a shady holistic medicine clinic in Florida called LifeWorks. A recommendation to not fall asleep to podcasts. Australian wellness scammer.                            [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / I...

Feb 17, 202231 minSeason 1Ep. 322

NYC Socialite Scammer Anna Delvey

Anna Delvey is a Russian-born scam queen who posed as a wealthy German heiress in New York to con rich people, hotels, and even banks out of money. [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 15, 202241 minSeason 1Ep. 321

MAILBAG: All Pizza Hits

VOICEMAILS: Listener’s dad was almost a victim of the real Candyman Dan Corll. Being falsely diagnosed with Lyme disease by a scammer. Die Antwoord is up to no good. A skeleton wearing a tie holding a clipboard. Tom Cruise went a little nutty after Eyes Wide Shut. A listener having terrible luck. All pizza hits. Edgewood Arsenal Human Experiments. Maria explains how Drunk History works. California tourist videos for the UK. [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Pa...

Feb 10, 202245 minSeason 1Ep. 320

The Tinder Swindler

31 year old Israeli fraudster Shimon Hayut pretended to be a billionaire diamond mogul named Simon Leviev and scammed women he met on Tinder out of millions of dollars.  SOURCE: Netflix’s Tinder Swindler [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 08, 202252 minSeason 1Ep. 319

MAILBAG: We Love Pretzels

EMAILS: Krugersdorp murders in South Africa. VOICEMAILS: Dead body in a garage. A disappointing experience at a Bigfoot conference. A very very bad roommate. Amish pretzels. Our accents are terrible. Portos in Australia. Insane visit to the dentist. Portland tourism video. Dog shit synchronicity. Strongbad! Correct terms to use for Autistic people. Imo’s pizza is an acquired taste.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http:...

Feb 03, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 318

Korean War Soldiers Attacked By 'Jack-O-Lantern' UFO

In May 1951, one year into the Korean War, a bunch of American soldiers stationed 60 miles north of Seoul claimed they saw a UFO shaped like a jack-o-lantern. No one believed them until a few days later when they started to feel sick. Theories range from high-tech Soviet death rays to aliens studying how we engage in battle, to combat related stress induced hallucinations. Sources: https://www.history.com/news/korean-war-us-army-ufo-attack-illness [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / ...

Feb 01, 202235 minSeason 1Ep. 317

MAILBAG: Women Be Apologizing

EMAILS: The case of the missing hot dogs.  VOICEMAILS: Fong’s pizza in Iowa & a question for Josh Groban. Stanley Kubrick Eyes Wide Shut conspiracy. Mary Todd Lincoln’s mental health. Dream about being a bubble. Imo’s pizza debate continues. Aussies call shrimp prawns. It’s normal for kids with fevers to hallucinate. A great joke to end on. [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hos...

Jan 27, 202230 minSeason 1Ep. 316

Artificial Intelligence Relationships

We explore the disturbing new trend of men abusing their artificial intelligent girlfriends on an app called Replika. Do AIs deserve rights? We all downloaded Replika to see what it’s about and Melissa’s AI boyfriend wanted to trap her in a sex dungeon, Maria’s AI told her Chris Pratt was an author, and Ali’s told her John Cena is his favorite actor.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawler...

Jan 25, 202242 minSeason 1Ep. 315

MAILBAG: Maria Answers the Phone

We get a call while recording and Maria answers it! A very disturbing dream involving all 3 of us. Missing 411. A couple calls from Australia. Rachel calls with a VERY controversial pizza opinion. Roommate murder. AOL cybersexing. Friendly ghost encounter. Amish & light up sneakers. Being watched while going #2.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Jan 20, 202248 minSeason 1Ep. 314

Takedown of the Dating App Killer

This week’s episode is about serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver being taken down by a bunch of bad-ass women in New Jersey, using the same dating app that he used to hunt for victims. This is the story of Robin West, Joanne Brown, Sarah Butler, and the miraculous survival of Tiffany Taylor. For this episode we’re donating to the following charities: BlackAndMissingInc.com Blacksexworkercollective.org [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support t...

Jan 18, 202241 minSeason 1Ep. 313

MAILBAG: Amish Mountain Dew

VOICEMAILS: Golden Girls synchronicity. Why are Amish people obsessed with Mountain Dew? A connection to Ghislaine. Getting high and listening to Ali’s Bane impression. The Milgram experiment & Peter Gabriel. Pregnant at a haunted house. Imaginary friends are ghosts. Making $1700 on Beanie Babies. Being saved by a psychic. St. Louis style thin crust pizza. You can’t ride a motorcycle with two people in Columbia because of drive-bys. Someone from NASA listens to our show! Webcrawlerspod@gmail...

Jan 13, 202237 minSeason 1Ep. 312

Unsolved Murder of Denise Pflum w/ Gianna Toboni

Denise Diane Pflum vanished under suspicious circumstances on March 28, 1986 in Connersville, Indiana. The case went unsolved until 2020 when her ex-boyfriend confessed to her murder and was charged with voluntary manslaughter, but was his confession genuine? Two more men confessed to the murder, including a serial killer. We interview Gianna Toboni , producer and correspondent for VICE News, and director of the upcoming Vice documentary series Small Town Secrets that chronicles what happened to...

Jan 11, 202248 minSeason 1Ep. 311

MAILBAG: My Mom Hexed A Trampoline

VOICEMAILS: Columbian hot dogs ARE delicious. Teresa Giudice’s last name pronunciation. I work so much work. Getting drunk and sleeping in the wrong bed. A baby witch. Christmas pickle tradition. Tinder date was a bank robber. Death premonition. Caller’s mom put a hex on the neighbor’s trampoline. Aldous Bunting’s children’s book about the Christmas Pickle. Tuskegee Syphilis study. Seeing View From The Top in the theater. Sneaking into the World Series and getting roofied. Canonized.  Webcr...

Jan 06, 202235 minSeason 1Ep. 310

McDonald's Phone Call Strip Search Scam

From 1992 to 2004, managers at fast-food restaurants across the U.S. were scammed into performing strip searches on their employees by a phone caller claiming to be a police officer. This incident occurred over 70 times, sometimes with employees performing sexual acts. One incident at McDonald’s lasted three hours and escalated further than you could ever imagine.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast....

Jan 04, 202243 minSeason 1Ep. 309

MAILBAG: Hot Toddies

VOICEMAILS: Okay seriously this is the end of the Austin Powers View from the Top conversation. An appreciation message. A Discovery+ recommendation. Putting a heart in a metal box. Erika Jayne has gotten so weird this season. Request for international UFO stories. Figure with glowing green eyes in Chihuahua, Mexico. An apology for tagging Ali in multiple Dolly Parton posts.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://suppo...

Dec 30, 202127 minSeason 1Ep. 308

The Beanie Babies Bubble

In the 90s, Beanie Babies were bought and traded like stocks and became serious long-term investments for some. Unfortunately, behind these lovable cuddly creatures was also theft, fraud, and violence. The man behind this craze, Ty Warner, has a shady history of crime and deception. We dive into one of the weirdest manias of all time. Also, Ali's mom paid an obscene amount of money for the Princess Diana Beanie Baby. [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon /...

Dec 28, 202141 minSeason 1Ep. 307

MAILBAG: Season of the Witch

Request for a Ram Dass episode. Typhoid Mary or Chlamydia Mary? Jeb is not Ali’s brother. Titanic synchronicity. The origin of La La Laa. Order number 69. Season of the Witch. Rent-a-hitman guy worked at Long John Silvers. Kimmy Schmidt theme song. The 12 Days of Web Crawlers.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 23, 202129 minSeason 1Ep. 306

Santa Claus Bank Robbery

In 1927 a bank was robbed in Cisco, Texas by a man wearing a Santa Claus suit and his three accomplices. Many people were wounded during an intense gun battle, and a week-long manhunt ensued. The locals themselves made sure Santa aka Marshall Ratliff was punished for his crime. [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 21, 202139 minSeason 1Ep. 305

MAILBAG: Ghost Munchausen's

Five more people call in about that “wrong emphasis on the wrong syllable” quote. John Tenney doesn’t bring his iPhone into his bathroom. Seeing a little girl at the foot of your bed before a house fire. Telling an inappropriate joke as a kid. Trying to find a house from your dream. Columbian hot dogs. Men are asymptomatic carriers of HPV. Meeting a vampire at camp.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http:/...

Dec 16, 202135 minSeason 1Ep. 304

Krampus & Frau Perchta

Ali explains the legend of Krampus: the half man/half goat creature who comes around every Christmas to chase naughty children and drag them to hell. What’s his deal? We discuss another evil Xmas legend Frau Perchta, who is even more terrifying than Krampus. [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 14, 202131 minSeason 1Ep. 303

MAILBAG: This Bitch is in My Bed

VOICEMAILS: Getting drunk and going into someone else’s apartment. Clown laying in the back of a truck. Listener’s dad showering in a stranger’s house. Saved from falling down the stairs. People showing up in your life at strange times. We’ve been pronouncing Ed Gein wrong. A patch of woods with a strange light in a dream. Throwing up in your car while driving. DC Sniper is more of a serial killer. Being left on a school bus.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instag...

Dec 09, 202140 minSeason 1Ep. 302

Sodder Family Christmas Fire

On December 24, 1945 the Sodder family went to bed and woke up to a fire in their house. Five of their nine children were presumed to be caught in the fire. However, the investigation showed no signs of human remains. Decades later, a mysterious photograph was sent to the Sodders. Were the five children actually in the house when the fire broke out?  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers...

Dec 07, 202131 minSeason 1Ep. 301

MAILBAG: Odd Fellows

VOICEMAILS: A visit to The Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Intense story about peeing on the side of the road. The different ring pattern when someone declines your call. Scary story about going to see a man about a llama. Lady Gaga’s dogs and the no questions asked thing. Wyman’s frozen yogurt cups. Mysterious text in Latin.  [email protected] 626-604-6262 Discord / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon / Merch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers . Hosted on Acast. Se...

Dec 03, 202135 minSeason 1Ep. 300
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