The Weirdest Thing

Happy Turkey Day from The Weirdest Thing! This week Amelia explains where our Thanksgiving menu comes from, and Scotty talks about the myth of the Wendigo and the dubious history of "Wendigo psychosis." Plus we have a short, mostly spoiler-free discussion of the excellent new Showtime series "Yellowjackets." CONTENT WARNING: Scotty's story discusses cannibalism and family annihilation. This podcas...

This week Scotty journeys back to the Old West to meet New Mexico's very first serial killer, and Amelia talks about some of the deadliest fashion statements in human history. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

Grab your s'mores and gather 'round the campfire, kiddies! Our good friends Chad Brummett and Abe Jallad join us this week to share some good old-fashioned personal ghost stories. Happy Halloween! Links: "That's Some Scary Sh!t!": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpzhE8PreAnJBt7ZrhePbjA Be sure to come see the premiere of the newest episode about The Painted Lady! Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10:30 p.m....

Welcome to Spooky Season! This week Amelia tells the story of the murder of Grace Brown and the subsequent haunting of Big Moose Lake, and Scotty talks about the enduring mysteries surrounding the deadly Dyatlov Pass Incident of 1959.

This week Scotty talks about the idea of open-air drug markets, including Zurich's infamous Platzspitz Park, and Amelia guides us through the fascinating world of "dark tourism." SPOILER ALERT: Scotty roundly spoils season three of HBO's "The Wire." CONTENT WARNING: In this episode we talk about drug addiction, violence, suicide, and genocide. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

This week Amelia takes us on a journey through the history of some of the most iconic photos of all time, and Scotty talks about a few of the most "haunted" paintings in recent years. CONTENT WARNING: This episode mentions suicide and the aftermath of 9/11. To learn more about "The Most Beautiful Suicide," go to http://www.codex99.com/photography/43.html To visit Bill Stoneham's website, go to htt...

This week Scotty talks about the bizarre and tragic death of scientist Frank Olson and his connection to the CIA's infamous Project MKUltra, while Amelia discusses the court case Madrigal v. Quilligan and California's shameful history of forced sterilizations. Plus a bonus, mostly spoiler-free discussion of Nia DaCosta's new "Candyman" movie. CONTENT WARNING: this week's episode includes mentions...

This week Amelia takes us through some of the most fascinating and bizarre "locked-room" murder mysteries in history, and Scotty dives into the terrifying (just ask Amelia) urban legend of the "black-eyed children." CONTENT WARNING: There are some moderately graphic descriptions of wounds, as well as a few mentions of infanticide. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

On this week's episode Scotty takes us into the terrifying true story that inspired "The Exorcist," and Amelia talks about the infamous murders(?) at Greystone Mansion in Los Angeles. CONTENT WARNING: This week's episode talks about suicide. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

This week Amelia discusses the various tragedies and absurdities surrounding the Curse of the Hope Diamond, and Scotty finishes off his series on baseball by talking about the Negro Leagues and the life and career of legendary pitcher Satchel Paige. Plus a quick discussion of the Cleveland Indians' name change to the Cleveland Guardians. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

This week Scotty talks about Shoeless Joe Jackson and the “Black Sox” scandal of 1919, and Amelia takes us deep inside Yellowstone National Park’s “Zone of Death.” Plus a brief discussion of Peacock’s new—and incredibly disturbing—limited series “Dr. Death.”

Take me out to the ballgame! This week Amelia tells the story of the Battle of Chavez Ravine and the controversy surrounding the construction of LA's Dodger Stadium, and Scotty takes us through the ridiculous history of baseball's most famous curses. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

This week Scotty takes us through the wild tale of the infamous Philadelphia Experiment, and Amelia explores the fascinating–and disturbing–world of serial-killer groupies. (CONTENT WARNING: This week's episode touches on issues of sexual abuse and violence.) This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

This week Amelia talks about the surprising reason behind a three-decade rise in violent crime, and Scotty discusses the disastrous Halifax explosion of 1917.

Happy Pride, everybody! In honor of this month's celebration, Scotty talks about heavy metal god/gay icon Rob Halford of Judas Priest, while Amelia takes us through the fraught but inspiring history of ball culture. (CONTENT WARNING: This week's episode touches briefly on issues of sexual abuse.) This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

This week Amelia tells the haunting and heartbreaking story of Japan's "tsunami ghosts," and Scotty introduces us to "the first artist to walk on the moon," Alan Bean. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

This week Scotty explains how author/artist/filmmaker Clive Barker completely redefined the horror genre at the end of the 20th century, and Amelia talks about the shameful legacy of "yellowface" in both American film and theatre. Also, be sure to listen all the way to the end to hear Scotty get fact-checked in real time! (CONTENT WARNING: This episode deals with themes of racism, as well as some...

Another biographical episode! This week Amelia takes you through the incredible life and even more incredible deeds of the unstoppable Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung, and Scotty wrestles with the troubled life and complicated legacy of one of his literary heroes, horror author H.P. Lovecraft. (CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of racism and suicide.) This podcast is powered by Pinecast...

We've got another musical episode for you! Scotty talks about blues legend Robert Johnson and whether or not he sold his soul to the Devil, and Amelia discusses Ludwig van Beethoven and the mystery woman behind his legendary "Immortal Beloved" letter. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

This week on The Weirdest Thing Amelia explains how concerns about female "hysteria" lead to one of the greatest inventions in human history, and Scotty talks about the bizarre life and even more bizarre death of "the Mad Monk" Grigori Rasputin. For information on PMDD, go to https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd This podcast is pow...

Ahoy, mateys! Welcome to The Weirdest Thing's maritime episode. Scotty talks about the Bermuda Triangle and the mysterious case of the Carroll A. Deering, and Amelia introduces us to badass lady pirate Anne Bonny! This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

Welcome back! This week Amelia takes us deep into the history of lowrider culture, and Scotty tells the story of the infamous -- and deadly -- "demon core." This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

Welcome to our second "odds and ends" episode of The Weirdest Thing! We've got six more stories for you this week, including a badass movie executive, one of the most dubious "paranormal" tales you could imagine, some freaky little kids, and a longish discussion of criticism and art. Quick show note: We'll be taking a short hiatus for the next few weeks, but we will be back around the first of Apr...

This week we have our very first special guest on The Weirdest Thing! In a followup to our "Brains!!" episode, Weirdest Thing theme song composer/performer Kane Distler joins us to talk about the nuances of trans identity, TERFs, "transmedicalism," online bullying, and the concept of "gender euphoria." CONTENT WARNING: In this episode we discuss transphobia, sexual abuse, mental health, and suicid...

Welcome to our NON-Murdery Musical Extravaganza! Scotty gets all choked up about Carl Sagan and the Voyager Golden Record, and Amelia introduces you to the Most Mysterious Song on the Internet. To learn more about the Golden Record and its contents, go to https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/golden-record/ To hear the Golden Record Playlist on Spotify, go to https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6pcuzwZSIw7Og...