103: Identity Theft pt.1: Poisonous Postage

Revenge is a dish best served cold, or sometimes through the mail. This week, Maia covers something we can only describe as "a story like Tiger King". Full of outlandish characters and incredible quotes. How could someone like Paul Kevin Curtis poison you through the mail? How does one make ricin? And how far will someone like James Everett Dutschke go to get back at an online bully? Join us as we uncover the world of Elvis Impersonators, Conspiracy Theories, and Southern Charm.

In this wildly unpredictable episode, Grant and Maia trace the slippery journey from castor oil’s squeaky-clean reputation to its deadly counterpart, ricin—a toxin 6,000 times more lethal than cyanide. After exploring castor oil’s ancient uses and ricin’s sinister history (umbrella assassinations and poisoned pen letters, anyone?), things take a truly bizarre turn with the story of Paul Kevin Curtis, a Mississippi janitor and Elvis tribute act who spirals from organ-harvesting conspiracy theorist to the prime suspect in a 2013 ricin mail scare that rocked D.C. Packed with Cold War drama, FBI raids, public meltdowns, and a seriously unhinged detour through small-town politics. This episode blends science, scandal, and Southern Gothic chaos into one unforgettable tale. Check out "Kings of Tupelo", the 3-part docuseries covered in this episode.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:18:54 Poisonous Postage

00:40:10 The Letter

00:54:20 Let's Go Back

00:56:19 Kings of Tupelo

01:12:11 The Trigger

01:19:54 Dial Up Vigilante

01:42:54 Big Moves

01:47:27 J. Everett Dutschke

02:26:48 HBR 6631 and Steve Holland

02:34:07 Between the Lines

02:51:48 Red Stringing

03:01:32 The Crime

03:22:43 Feuding Fire Ants

03:34:43 True Identity

03:50:33 The Conspiracy Lives On

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