The Grim Curriculum

From the latest Titanic documentaries to the science behind bringing extinct animals back to life (yep, we’re talking about the dire wolf!). We also get into some more intense true crime stories, including a heartbreaking murder committed by a 13-year-old girl in the UK. Things take a really cool turn when we talk about legendary forensic artist Lois Gibson, who’s helped crack over 1,266 cases. An...

We told you we had BIG plans for episode 150. To kick off, we’re diving into the early life of Edmund Emil Kemper III. Long before the headlines and the horrifying crimes, there was a kid growing up in a deeply dysfunctional home. From a rocky relationship with his overbearing mother to some seriously disturbing behavior as a child, Kemper’s story raises big questions about what really shapes a ki...

This week, we’re taking a break from our usual gruesome true crime tales to explore the weirder side of the unexplained! We've talked about many well known cryptids before but what about some of the lesser-known (and seriously bizarre) creatures out there, like the Underwater Abominable Snowman, the Dover Demon, the Snallygaster, and the Pope Lick Monster? From spooky sightings to downright st...

It’s our 50th episode of Extra Credit and it's also our THIRD birthday! Not to mention we are just a couple of episodes away from 150 of The Grim Curriculum regular show. To celebrate, we’re diving into a mix of the strange, the shocking, and the downright bizarre (Let's be honest, this is really nothing new). We chat about Yolanda Saldívar’s denied parole (yep, she’s still behind bars for...

In this final part of our Ed Gein series, we dive into the disturbing discoveries made inside his "home of horrors" and follow the investigation that ultimately led to his arrest. We break down the details of his trial and explore the eerie legacy he left behind. We examine the impact Gein’s crimes had on society and still have, which is why his story continues to grip the public decades...

Things are unraveling fast for Ed Gein. With his entire family gone, most notably his domineering mother, Augusta, there’s no one left to rein in his descent into madness. And descend he does. In this episode, we explore the dark path Ed takes without his mother’s oppressive presence to keep him “on the straight and narrow.” His mental and physical state deteriorate rapidly, and before long, the q...

This week Dina dives into the recent story of a man’s harrowing escape from allegedly horrific conditions at the hands of his stepmother. Plus, South Carolina has carried out its first firing squad execution in 15 years, reigniting debate around capital punishment. But don't worry, it’s not all heavy. We’re lightening things up with some fascinating bird-related language trivia (Charlotte says...

This episode kicks off our series on American murderer and grave robber Ed Gein. We delve into his troubled childhood and disturbing family life, discussing how his strict, overbearing mother, a deeply religious woman obsessed with sin and punishment, shaped his warped perception of the world. Isolation and an upbringing in an extremely dysfunctional household proved to be a toxic combination. Tel...

We love ghosts around here and we especially love a haunted house but what about an entire haunted town? Well as it turns out the globe is riddled with haunted towns, cities and even islands. So today we ask you to join with us (mentally) on a trip to travel all over the planet to some of our favourite haunted destinations. Poveglia Close Up of Hospital (Youtube Thumbnail) By Chris 73 / Wikimedia...

Dina kicks things off this episode with her account of a truly eerie experience at a sketchy "estate sale" that felt ripped straight from a horror movie. We also break down the latest updates in the Menendez brothers’ case and how a newly appointed Los Angeles County DA is likely going to make their fight for freedom a lot harder. The seemingly suspicious death of legendary actor Gene Hackman, and...

We are delving into one of history’s most bizarre and chilling true crime cases—the story of Carl Tanzler, a man whose creepy fixation led to a shocking crime. When 22 year old Maria Elena Milagro de Hoyos succumbed to tuberculosis in 1931, Tanzler’s obsession took an even more disturbing turn. What followed was a ghastly tale of a crime so unsettling it defied comprehension. Tell YOUR stories on...

In this episode, we dive into the complex phenomenon of Hybristophilia—the attraction to criminals, particularly those who have committed heinous acts. Through case studies of infamous figures like Ted Bundy and Richard Ramirez, we explore the psychological motivations behind this fascination, the allure of danger, and the often tragic consequences of such relationships. We also examine the blurre...

We've got ancient Roman tax fraud and why it's significant, A tragic story involving a very bad trip that ended in violence. Worry not though because we will bring you back up with the heartwarming story of Pelorus Jack. Tell YOUR stories on the next episode of Grim Encounters! Email us your strange, unusual or hair-raising experience to ⁠thegrimcurriculum@gmail.com⁠ For the video of this...

We have another Old Timey Hollywood case for you today. In 1922, Clara Phillips, known as the 'Tiger Woman,' was convicted of a shocking crime fueled by jealousy. Believing her husband was unfaithful, she lured and attacked 19 year old widow, Alberta Meadows. Her case became one of the most infamous true crime stories of the era, often being compared to other prolific Hollywood cases, The...

It was about time we flipped the script again and told your stories on the show! We have some potential paranormal encounters, a near miss with a mountain lion and an unexpected run in with a car jacker and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Enjoy! (and remember you're a Womble) Tell YOUR stories on the next episode of Grim Encounters! Email us your strange, unusual or hair-raising experience...

This edition of Extra credit includes a Florida woman caught with a very ironic tote bag, the disturbing courtroom behavior of convicted murderer, David Nish, and concludes with the tragic tale of a monkey named Jocko. Enjoy! We are hoping to do another Grim Encounters episode where we tell YOUR stories, very soon! Email us your strange, unusual or hair-raising experience to ⁠thegrimcurriculum@gma...

The Ariel School UFO incident occurred on September 16, 1994, near Ruwa, Zimbabwe, when 62 schoolchildren at the Ariel School reported seeing a UFO and strange beings. The children, aged 6 to 12, claimed a disc-shaped craft landed in a field near their school during morning break. They described humanoid figures with large eyes and black clothing who allegedly communicated telepathically, conveyin...

In Episodes 124 and 125, we delved into the story of Slenderman, and now Dina brings us an update on the infamous Slenderman Stabbing case. Can you imagine someone declining to have their death sentence commuted? Believe it or not, two individuals have opted to remain on Death Row—at least for now. We also explore the chilling tale of the Malm Whale, a gruesome example of old-time taxidermy that’s...

Topsy the Elephant is one of the more tragic figures in history, remembered for her death in 1903, which involved an early and controversial use of electricity. Topsy was executed on January 4, 1903. Her execution was part of a highly publicized event that was attended by spectators and filmed by the Edison Manufacturing Company. The short film, Electrocuting an Elephant, became one of the earlies...

Over the years, numerous individuals have been suspected of committing this horrendous crime—some backed by compelling evidence, others even confessing to the act. Yet, the mystery of who is truly responsible for the death of JonBenét Ramsey remains unsolved. In this episode, we delve into the most popular theories surrounding this case, examining the suspects, the evidence, and the lingering ques...

Happy New Year Everyone! In this episode, we bring you a true crime update with the sentencing of Richard Allen. Don't worry—we’ve kept things fairly lighthearted for most of the show! We share some New Year’s reflections, talk about the games we’ve been enjoying over the holiday season, and dive into a couple of bizarre animal stories—one involving murderous ground squirrels. Plus, our Strange an...

We've been wanting to cover this case for a long time. In part one we dive into the chilling and unsolved murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey, whose body was discovered in her family’s Boulder, Colorado home on December 26, 1996. Her death sparked national intrigue and outrage. A suspicious ransom note, mishandled evidence, and conflicting theories has led to decades of speculation: Was it an i...

We go from shocking, to funny and then onto tragic in this episode. Starting out with a semi-recent true crime case from South Korea. We also take a closer look at the controversial proposal to turn Jonestown into a tourist destination, share some lighthearted Christmas mishaps, and highlight the remarkable and wholesome story of the world’s oldest known wild bird. To close as always, we examine a...

This week we are hopping into the Old Timey Crimey Machine to explore the bizarre and darkly humorous story of Michael Malloy, a man who survived numerous attempts on his life by a group of desperate men during the Great Depression. Despite the conspirators' relentless efforts to kill him, by poisoning, hypothermia and running him over, they would ultimately make him into a legend and get very lit...

In this very special episode of The Grim Curriculum, we interview filmmaker Billie Mintz and Manson historian James Dawson about the documentary 'Making Manson.' We explore the complexities of Charles Manson's narrative, the impact of mental health on his actions, and the differing perspectives of those involved in the case. We highly recommend watching the documentary if you have the chance! http...