This week, we're celebrating our teachers, past and present. We appreciate you! Of course we have to make it weird by talking about some creepy, haunted schools. Kicking it off with El Paso High School, home of Friday Night Lights and a ghost girl who makes herself known quite often. She's been seen as an apparition and in several photos which we'll post on our social media accounts for you to check out! Next up is Fallsvalle Elementary School in Forest Falls, California. Spectral beings...or ar...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 12 min
Today we're talking about a sad and unfortunate case of the first woman to be executed by lethal injection in the United States. Her life story involves one tragedy and hardship after the other, and culminates in the untimely deaths of four people at her hands. We discuss the history of the death penalty in the US and the story of how Velma's past and actions led her to death row. Domestic abuse, violence, alcoholism and drug addiction are all discussed in this episode. If you or someone you kno...
Sep 28, 2023•1 hr 18 min
We get a little tipsy as we reminisce about Stef's wedding 10 years ago! Stef and her husband took their honeymoon in Jamaica, so obviously we had to talk about the most infamously haunted spot in Montego Bay, Jamaica! Rose Hall is most famous for the legend of one of its mistresses, Annie Palmer, aka The White Witch of Rose Hall. The stories retold of Annie's torturous, controlling, abusive and violent ways have continued on for over one hundred years. Her use of voodoo practices and relentless...
Sep 21, 2023•51 min
In the summer of 1995, beautiful local celebrity news anchor, Jodi Huisentruit, went missing from the parking lot of her apartment complex. The town of Mason City, Iowa was shocked and saddened by the disappearance of their beloved local TV star. All the police had to go on was a sign of a struggle, a partial palm print, one hair and a lot of stories. For 28 years, police have been following potential leads to no avail. Many people have their theories about what happened to Jodi, but no one has ...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Come on down to the rootin' tootin' booty scootinest place in Skagway, Alaska! First, we'll talk about the history of the s*x work industry and brothels in the United States beginning with the first Gold Rush in 1799. No matter what your moral stance may be on the matter, there's no denying the s*x work industry played a huge role in the economics and culture of the budding pioneer towns of the Wild West and beyond. The ladies of the Red Onion Saloon worked hard to service their clients who were...
Sep 07, 2023•1 hr 14 min
It all began with Adam Lemp, who came to St. Louis from Germany with a German Lager recipe that people couldn't get enough of! His beer brewing empire grew, along with his large family. Success, wealth, fame, love...it was all a dream...until it wasn't. In the following decades, the Lemp family would experience death, heartbreak and tragedy upon tragedy. Some say the Lemp family was cursed to repeat a sad fate. Today, visitors to the Lemp mansion report various hauntings and paranormal happening...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 12 min
Something horrible happened in the beautiful, sacred grounds of Gitchie Manitou preserve on the border of Iowa and South Dakota in November of 1973. Three monsters decided to end the lives of four teenage boys, senselessly. Had it not been for the story of the lone survivor of the horrendous attack, we may never truly know what happened in the woods. Sandra Cheskey tells her survivor story in the book, Gitchie Girl, and it's truly beyond belief. Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalep...
Aug 25, 2023•1 hr 2 min
This week we're exploring the bizarre stories of towns that have mysteriously disappeared into thin air (?) Urkhammer, a town that existed in Iowa before 1932 slowly faded into transparency, then disappeared completely without a trace. Did Doveland, Wisconsin really exist? Most Wisconsinites say no, but others insist they have souvenirs from Doveland before it vanished in the 1990's. Then there's Ashley, Kansas that very dramatically fell into a fissure after a major earthquake in 1952?!? Are th...
Aug 17, 2023•1 hr 7 min
They've been living among us since 5,000 BCE? That's what Charles James Hall claims. Charles tells of his time meeting and working with the Tall White aliens during his time on Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1960's. This story is as wild and outrageous as they come. Even Charles thought he was hallucinating the beings for months. Chalk-white skin, very thin, bright white hair and wide-set blue eyes. The Tall Whites only want to learn about humans but, are they still here on ...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 18 min
In the final part of our discussion on Alexander Pichushkin, aka The Chessboard Killer, aka the Bitsa Park Maniac, we cover his descent into egotistical chaos and finally, his arrest and conviction. This story is so unbelievable, it almost reads like a movie script. But, this nightmare was occurring in real life for the citizens of Moscow for years before any real effort was put towards finding him. Join us for this maddening, frustrating, horrifying and inconceivable story. Send us a text Follo...
Aug 04, 2023•1 hr 7 min
We needed to do another 2 parter for this piece of work. Alexander Pichushkin, dubbed the Chessboard Killer, or The Bitsa Park Maniac somehow went undetected for years as he murdered and dumped mostly men in Bitsa Park located in Moscow, Russia. Pichushkin had a sinister plan that involved the board of his favorite game, chess. In part 1, we cover his childhood and background, and an incident in his childhood that may have had a detrimental impact to his mental health. We also discuss his victim...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Built right at the beginning of the Civil War in Weston, West Virginia, Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is the largest hand-cut masonry building in the US. Meant to hold 250 patients, it ended up holding 3,600 patients at its peak in the 1950's! Staff shortages and cramped quarters led to dangerous situations for patients. It's believed thousands of people died here including both patients and staff. While this building is full of some sad and tragic stories, there were moments of positivity and ...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 12 min
We're back! This week we discuss the case of the double homicide in Newton, Iowa on Copper Dollar Ranch in 1983. Steven Fisher and Melisa Gregory were found bludgeoned to death on the morning of March 3rd, 1983. The scene was horrific and a complete shock to the town and the victim's families. Who would have a reason to do this? The police have two different paths they need to investigate to find the answers. The twists this case takes more than 30 years later, is crazy! Does it lead to finding ...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 14 min
They show up when you least expect it. Knocking on your front door, or maybe your car door, innocently asking for a ride or to use your telephone. You feel an overwhelming sense of fear and dread but they're just kids, right?! You can't quite put your finger on what's making you feel so uneasy. That's when you notice it...their eyes are nothing but completely black orbs staring into your soul! Whatever you do, don't let the Black Eyed Children in! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdal...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 5 min
We've been waiting months to get this one to you! We're so proud to introduce you to our home state cryptid. After Vannie (or maybe the 1903 Van Meter Business Owner's Association?) cursed our previous two recordings, we finally appeased her (them?) by assuring Vannie that we will tell the story respectfully. It worked! This mysterious cryptid, who now goes by the name of The Van Meter Visitor, flew into the small Iowan town of Van Meter in September of 1903. Vannie's appearance was quite fright...
Jun 22, 2023•51 min
On Christmas Even 1978, 35 year old Kaye Turner went for a run in Camp Sherman, Oregon and never returned home. After an agonizing 8-month search, some clues were brought to light by someone who would soon become the prime suspect in her disappearance and murder. After her case went cold, a break in the case comes when another person goes missing under similarly suspicious circumstances. This case has so many turns that all lead back to one evil man. Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirds...
Jun 15, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Galena, Illinois is known for its long history of Civil War heroes and lead mines, but did you know it's also home to a ton of ghosts? The DeSoto House hotel in Galena is famous for its mysterious Lady in Black spirit who floats down the stairs and disappears into walls. Guests experience paranormal disturbances in their rooms and out on the town! The Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport is another hotel with a celebrity ghost story and sightings to validate his presence. Stef's new kitten also eats her...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 5 min
This week, we're bringing you a crime case from our own Weirdster home town in Iowa! Medical staff at Blank Children's Hospital started to become suspicious when Tanya began bringing her two year old son in for repeated apneic episodes and seizures. She was then accused of inducing the terrifying symptoms herself in what professionals believed to be a case of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. But, what they didn't realize at first is that Tanya had been keeping from them a dark secret that would cem...
Jun 02, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Is it a cryptid, a ghost, a demon, a criminal? Maybe all of the above? We're not sure how to classify this other than WEIRD. The Spring Heeled Jack was a being that reigned terror on the United Kingdom beginning in 1837. A heinous face, horns, sometimes wings, and most shocking was his tendency to leap over tall walls and fences as if he had springs for feet! Come on over and listen to decide for yourself if it's truly something paranormal, or maybe just a slick group of criminal pranksters! Sen...
May 25, 2023•58 min
Between the years of 1983 - 1989, a group of four women led by Waltraud Wagner, took it upon themselves to kill possibly hundreds of innocent victims under the guise of "mercy". At the time, it was the largest and most upsetting murder trial in Vienna, Austria since World War 2. We had to bust out the Sunny D hard seltzer for a little bit of sunshine during this dark case! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @Weird...
May 18, 2023•1 hr 11 min
....I am still just a rotating cage! What happens when you put a bunch of prisoners in a lazy Susan with only one opening to the outside? Well, a lot, and it's not great. The Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs, Iowa, (better known as the Squirrel Cage jail) is a uniquely designed rotary jail, built with high hopes. But, things...took a turn (get it?) Now staff and visitors have ample stories of the paranormal happenings behind the beautiful exterior and behind the bars of this historic ...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 8 min
It's National Firefighters Day! To celebrate, we're thanking all you firefighters out there by making it weird and asking, why are so many fire stations haunted? We're discussing the many paranormal claims at the Denver Firefighters Museum and the Milwaukee Engine House #35. Are these stations haunted by former firefighters, or did the ghosts come with the land? Either way they want to stick around to see all of the action! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Fa...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 6 min
The 2nd and final part of the H.H. Holmes saga! In this episode we discuss more of H's crimes, his unraveling, his capture, trial and eventual demise. Come listen to the story of the most famous and infamous criminal of the late 1800's! We're all mad at our husbands because of him, so we're choking down tequila seltzer too! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @WeirdsdalePod Email - [email protected]...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 12 min
Ever wondered where 4:20 (4/20) comes from? Melissa explains the history of the Waldos and 4:20. Also, how the case of Victor Licata and the murders of the Licata family had an impact on marijuana laws in the US even still today. Get your Jay and Silent Bob's Cherry Kush hard cider (and/or your muggle?) and join us for some dope history! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @WeirdsdalePod Email - weirdsdalepod@gmail...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 3 min
He's known by several names and for many things...schemer, fraudster, bigamist, liar, thief, adulterer, murderer! You've gotta get your drink and listen to the story of this man who has inspired many creative literary and cinematic works. Busiest man in America in the late 1800's? We think so, and his crimes are diabolical. Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @WeirdsdalePod Email - [email protected]...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 16 min
It's Stef's birthday episode! We're talking strange historical birthday facts and astrological birth charts! Zodiacs, planets and stars, oh my! Get your favorite drank, your birth chart, and come have some pseudoscience-y fun! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @WeirdsdalePod Email - [email protected]...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 1 min
If you don't believe in visitors from other planets, their story might just make you believe! The most famous UFO and alien abduction claim in the world happened in 1961. Grab your mystery flavor beverage and binoculars! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @WeirdsdalePod Email - [email protected]...
Mar 23, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In honor of Women's History Month and St. Patrick's day since we're apparently 19% Irish, we're talking about the first woman to be accused of witchcraft in Ireland, Alice Kyteler and her "coven". Her story is dramatic, with some unforeseen twists. Come celebrate women in history with us! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @WeirdsdalePod Email - [email protected]...
Mar 16, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 12
We're inspired by the spirit of Spring Break and are taking a paranormal road trip! We're talking about the haunted Camp Helen near Panama City Beach and the ghosts of the Cuban Club in Ybor City. Spring Break '23!! Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @WeirdsdalePod Email - [email protected]
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Melissa and Stef discuss the tragic first homicide on the University of Iowa campus. Highly publicized and polarizing. It remains unsolved, but is it really? Send us a text Follow us on Instagram @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on Facebook @Weirdsdalepodcast Follow us on TikTok @WeirdsdalePod Email - [email protected]
Mar 02, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 10
