The Absurd

We just can’t let go of Hallowe’en. So we’re doing another episode with a scary bent starting off with the terrifying abduction, confinement and torture of Colleen Stan. Next, Mel will tell us about a strange mystery out of New Hamburg, New York where three mannequins began appearing in the early 2000’s and continued until 2016. The mannequins were dressed in clothing from the 1870’s and were ofte...

Guess whose back in time for Hallowe’en. It’s Mel! And she’s starting off this spooky episode with a look at the origin and basis for Freddy Kruger, the knife-fingered terror from Nightmare On Elm Street. Then Rod will tell us about a real-life Hallowe’en villain who became known as “The Candy Man”. Then Mel will tell us about the basis and origin of many of the things we associate with Hallowe’en...

Starting off this Rod solo episode with a look into the terrifying case of Mary Bell. A girl who was convicted of murdering two children while at the young age of 11. Ever think about what your final meal would be if you could choose from anything? We’ll take a look at some last meals requested by people on death row. Lastly, a bizarre contest initiated by Toronto lawyer Charles Vance Millar. Mill...

Starting off this Rod solo show with an infuriating account of the way unwed mothers and their children were treated in Ireland during much of the 20th century. Next, an inspirational conflict between the students of Notre Dame University and the Ku Klux Klan. Last, the bizarre tale of Barbara Baekeland and her son Antony, and the means she employed to “fix” him of his homosexuality.

Mel is away for work so it’s another Rod Solo show. Starting off this week with a shocking story out of Africa where over 80 people have been killed as a result of a superstition fueled by social media that men are having their genitals stolen simply by being touched on the shoulder. Next, probably the saddest story I’ve ever done on this show. The cull of over 750,000 pets in the United Kingdom o...

Starting off this week with a story that was huge international news back in 1961. The disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, son of the wildly wealthy John D. Rockefeller, while exploring New Guinea. Next, the truly amazing survival story of Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, an Icelandic fisherman who defied insurmountable odds after this boat capsized. In our third story of the show, we will look at a Texas...

Starting off with a very sad and bizarre story of a 6-year-old girl who died as a result of a defective badminton racquet. Next, what is considered to be the first incident of a school shooting of an elementary school, and the basis for a very popular 1979 song. Mel will then tell us about the fascinating life of journalist and adventurer Nellie Bly. Lastly, we’ll look at the ridiculously sad case...

Mel is Back! And we’re starting off this week with a look at a truly terrifying Canadian doomsday cult whose leader committed and directed some truly horrific acts against his followers. Next, we’ll learn about a truly gruesome case of obsession in which a man did … well you’ll have to listen to believe it. Next, we’re off to Thailand where a Nigerian influencer paid the ultimate price for a bigge...

This week we’re starting off another Rod Solo show by looking at a murder case in Texas where a man shot his own daughter after an argument about politics, The local court refused to indict him. Next, a story that is very dear to Rod, and one several listeners have asked for. The deeply strange and as yet unexplained deaths of nine Soviet hikers in 1959 in the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Lastly, rats u...

In this week’s Rod Solo episode, we’ll start off with a look at the bizarre underground fire beneath the near ghost town of Centralia, Pennsylvania. A fire that has been burning for decades. Next, we’ll look at the truly shocking and singularity strange life and career of musician GG Allin. Lastly, let’s look at one of the strangest, yet most peaceful wars in the history of the world.

Starting off this week with a big one. The Satanic Panic gripped and infiltrated so much of the public eye that whole criminal trials and social purges resulted. Next, who knew that a misplaced underscore in ones username could result in prison. One Canadian man found out. Lastly, we’ll go back to 1928 and the disappearance of 9-year-old Walter Collins, and the police claims that the boy had been...

It’s a Rod Solo show. Starting off with the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas back in 2022 in which 19 children and two adults were killed while the Uvalde police force stood by and refused to intervene. This story is about a mother who entered the school and rescued her two sons along with other children and was subsequently harassed by the same police force following the incident. Next,...

Starting off this week we will look at two Irish boys who made an incredible and nearly unbelievable trip to see Mr T. Mel will then tell us about the sad and diabolical tale of Blanche Monnier. Mental illness is not funny, even when someone such as the man in this story does something as … life-changing as this. Lastly, we’ll look at the case of Aurora Phelps, a woman who used dating apps to lure...

We start off this week with a trip down-under to look at the case of a woman who recently passed away as a result of voluntary assisted death. This is such a thought-provoking topic with an opportunity for much discussion. Next, we will look at the bizarre death of Ellen Greenberg and the truly bizarre ruling by the medical examiner who ruled her death a suicide. Mel will then take us back to the...

Starting off this week with a harrowing tale out of Argentina where a flight-instructor decided to bail out on his student pilot. Permanently. Next, Mel will tell us about a bit of technology that sounds right out of a science fiction story. Rod will then tell us about an 18-month-old boy who was pronounced dead but found alive five hours later ... in the morgue. Lastly, we’re off to India where a...

We start off this week with a related story to one we did earlier. The man who may hold the world’s record for the smallest penis has started a GoFundMe to improve his situation. Next, we’ll look at the absurd case of “influencer” Connor Murphy, who believed injecting gold gave him “super powers”. Listen to how it worked out for him. Next, a bizarre and macabre story of a man in Hungary who raided...

Starting off this week with an absurd case of medical malpractice that very nearly cost a 12-year-old girl her life. Then Mel will tell us about a Russian woman who learned that cosmetic surgery can go very wrong. Next, Rod gives us a story about a man who was fired from his job with Ford for stealing a cookie. And last, we will learn about the incredible story of a 5-year-old boy who became lost,...

A recent story involving the sad death of a 7-year-old boy who died from obesity related issues. He weighed 255 pounds! Next we’ll learn about the bizarre case of a woman brought into ER which caused several staff to pass out and suffer medical issues. Then we’ll look at the brutal unsolved murder of Swedish au pair Karina Holmer. Lastly, we’ll learn about how rats and mice in urban areas of North...

Starting off this week with a truly brutal bit of history from the Vietnam War, where a US army unit committed the most barbaric war crimes in US history. Then we’ll look at a woman in Brazil who gave birth to twins … from different fathers. Next, we’ll learn about a woman from the UK with a very bizarre addiction. Lastly, we’ll learn about the bizarre and unsolved disappearance of three women in...

Starting off this week with the harrowing tale of Ricky Magee, a man who was waylaid in the Australian outback and faced a truly terrifying ordeal. Next we’ll learn of a truly astounding case in which magic mushrooms were given to a woman with advanced Alzheimer’s. The results are cause for much hope. Mel will then tell us about the sad story of experienced hiker Geraldine Largay, who became lost...

Starting off today with a truly absurd legal case brought by a British man against Virgin Airlines after he claims was so badly burned by a hot drink, that he can no longer help conceive a child. Next, we’ll learn about a truly bizarre, but highly effective way to expand the numbers of the Peregrine Falcon. Everyone knows of the Kennedy family. JFK, RFK, and Ted Kennedy, but few know the sad and t...

Starting off this week with a man who gets drunk without having consumed any alcohol. Next, we’ll look at the bizarre story of Benjamin Kyle, a man found naked and unconscious behind a Burger King. Then we’re off to Portugal where we’ll learn about a truly despicable mom who left her two boys in the forest. Lastly, we’ll meet Krista and Tatiana Hogan, conjoined craniopagus twins, who actually expe...

We’re starting out today’s episode with a bit of Canadian history. Denis Lortie stormed the Quebec legislature, killing and wounding a number of government officers. Next, we’re off to Belgium where we will learn about a competition to choose the best mullet. We will then look at the truly monstrous case of Diane Downs. Lastly, Mel will tell us about a truly frightening yet awesome development in...

Mel is back! And she’s starting off with a strange one. The body of an MI6 employee was found naked and locked inside a large luggage bag. Why, and how? Next we’ll learn about a public awareness campaign in Nigeria to dissuade women from putting tobacco in their genitals. Then we’ll meet Gareth Williams, who’s incredible determination to survive was truly spectacular. Last, we will look at a South...

Something a little different this episode, it’s Rod doing a solo show while Mel is on “special assignment”. Rod will tell us about the Norwegian Black Metal bank Mayhem, who had a very tumultuous time early in their career. And that’s putting it very mildly. Next, we’ll meet Tonda Dickerson. An Alabama woman who won $10 million in a lottery. Think that made her life easier? Not even close!