Curious Cousins OK Podcast

Are you ready for one of our kookiest (and honestly, spookiest) stories ever? Eugenics is the study aimed at improving human populations by controlling reproduction to enhance desirable heritable traits. Defined by Merriam-Webster as the practice of selective breeding, it gained prominence through Sir Francis Galton's efforts but faced significant criticism, particularly after its adoption by the...

Today's episode presents a complex and sensitive case involving former police officer Daniel Ken Holtzclaw, who was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against African American women while on duty. This case, suggested by listener Nicole Smith, highlights the troubling dynamics of power, race, and gender within the justice system. Holtzclaw, who had a promising athletic career and gradu...

EPISODE 100!!!!! 🎉 FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU! Thank you to all our listeners and fans! You all are simply the best! We wouldn’t be here without you! You have truly allowed us to grow and share what we love…the kooky and spooky of our home state!  With that being said, join you favorite cousins as Jess gets into this week’s spooky tales…one in OKC and one in Tulsa; The Hatchet and Hex Houses. ...

James Brown Miller, also known as Deacon Jim or Killin' Jim or Killer Miller, was born in 1861 in Arkansas. As a child, he was accused of murdering his grandparents but was never convicted. He later killed his brother-in-law and was charged but the conviction was overturned. Over the years, Miller gained a reputation as a violent outlaw, working as a deputy sheriff, city marshal, and hired assassi...

One of Oklahoma’s favorite pastimes is spending those hot, summer days at any of our beautiful Oklahoma lakes. Pair that with holiday weekend, and you got yourself summer time gold! The July 4th weekend in 1999 had the markings of just that. However, at some point during that weekend, 14-year-old Bobbie Wofford left  her friends to hang out with a newer, rougher crowd…never to be seen alive again....

Who’s ready for a cryptid to kick off spooky season? Still riding the high of our season premier, Tiff dives into the most famous (or infamous?) cryptid of them all…BIGFOOT!!!  Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a legendary creature described as a large, hairy, human-like being said to live in North America's forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Featured heavily in American and Ca...

YOO-WHO! WE’RE BAAAAACCCCCKKKKK!! Welcome, cousins, to SEASON 3, of Oklahoma’s kookiest and spookiest podcast!  Blame it all on our roots…Jess is starting this season with an outlaw episode! Marlow, Ok, derives its name from the Marlow family, particularly the notorious Marlow brothers who became infamous after the town's establishment. Located in the northwestern quarter of Stephens County, M...

BONUS EPISODE! Your favorite cousins were thrilled to ask author Janie Nesbitt Jones some questions regarding Red Hall’s infamous tale. This week, listen to the questions Tiff and Jess asked Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Jones’ answers. If you have any questions for the author, feel free to reach out on her facebook page!!  Just a reminder…this is our last new episode until September when Season 3 will sta...

The end is here! This week, Tiff wraps up our season finale's deep dive! Now that the prosecution has spoken their piece, it’s time for the defense to attempt to clear Red’s “good name”... Last week, we listened to Tiff describe how the prosecution could barely get two words in before the defense had some cockamamie objection in response. THIS WEEK, Tiff walks us through the defense’s side, ta...

Time for Arkansas’ trial of the 40s! James Waybern Hall, aka Red, was going to be tried for his crime against his wife Fayrene. The state felt this was the strongest case they had in placing and keeping Red behind bars.  This week, Tiff will walk us through the State’s case against Red. And of course, Red’s attorney will pull every string he can in an attempt to get his client off with an insanity...

This week, Jess takes us into part 4 of our season finale James Waybern “Red” Hall…the Arkansas Hitchhike Killer.  The investigation into the murders connected to Red Hall revealed disturbing details about his actions and mindset. He provided law enforcement with detailed descriptions of his crimes, even taking them to the site where he left his wife, Fay. The identification of Fay was made possib...

When it comes to serial killers, there are some things that many have in common; childhood abuse, head injuries, discipline and strictness in the name of religion, submissive parent while the other is domineering…Red Hall seemed to check many, if not all these boxes. Narcissism is also a characteristic of these types of people. Red loved to talk…and talking about his crimes was no exception!   Whe...

This week Tiff takes talks us through part 2, the crimes portion, of our deep dive into the life of serial killer James Waybern Hall.  James Waybern Hall, also known as Red, was involved in a series of crimes spanning various states in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He was suspected of multiple murders and was known to hitchhike and commit violent acts. His first victim was believed to be his own...

Well cousins, it’s that time again! Time for our season finale shows! What a season we have had! But don’t fret…it isn’t over yet! You still have a few more weeks before we take our August break! This Season 2 final deep dive was requested to us by listener Janie Nesbitt Jones! We traveled to Arkansas in May of 2023 to Crime Con. There is where we met Ms. Jones. This is where we learned about a ma...

John Stink, a legendary Osage figure, also known as the Osage Ghost,  was surrounded by myths and tales of his ability to come back from the dead (maybe they should have called him the Osage Zombie?). He lived a simple life close to nature, rejecting material wealth and preferring the company of his beloved dogs. Despite various versions of his supposed "deaths" and returns, John Stink r...

While traveling last week, Tiff was introduced to someone, or rather, a group of someones, that she had never heard of…the Bald Knobbers of the Ozark region of southwest Missouri.  This group of vigilantes reigned from 1885 to 1889. They wore black horned hoods with white faces painted on them, derived their name from the nearby Ozark Mountains' bald knob summits. The group aimed to protect li...

Bill Tilghman, born on July 4, 1854, had an intriguing life as a quintessential Old West Cowboy and Lawman. Tilghman started his journey as a buffalo hunter at the age of 16, becoming known for his exceptional shooting skills with a Sharps rifle. Throughout his time as a buffalo hunter, he befriended notable figures like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, but also engaged in illegal activities such as...

Two of Oklahoma’s most notable and earliest theaters are The Constantine Theater and The Poncan Theatre. Both were early halls for entertainment in Oklahoma. As we return from our 2 weeks off, Tiff dives right into the spooky tales of these historic theaters.   The Constantine is found in Pawhuska, and is the second oldest theater in Oklahoma. It traces its history to pre-statehood, as well as, pa...

The Battle of Honey Springs, fought on July 17, 1863, was a significant event during the American Civil War in Indian Territory, now present-day Oklahoma. Jess takes a look at this historic battle in this week’s history episode. The battle took place on a rural countryside near Checotah and was the largest and most decisive conflict in the region during the war. It marked a key moment in the confl...

This week Tiff wraps up the gruesome and horrific life of crime of one Franklin Delano Floyd. Last week, we left off where Franklin was awaiting trial on a burglary and assault case out of OKC. But what Franklin does while released is the true stuff of nightmares. September 12, 1994 would be a day many students at Indian Meridian Elementary School in Choctaw remember to this day. That is the day t...

If you’ve watched Netflix's documentary “Girl in the Picture” (2022), you will be familiar with this week’s true crime dive. But do you really know the Oklahoma connections to this story? Franklin Delano Floyd may have a presidential sounding name, but he certainly didn’t have the charm and qualities to go with it. Stemming from a ROUGH childhood, Floyd made multiple life choices that were, we...

This season seems to be all about the school spooks! Jess jumps back into looking for ghosts and haunting tales, but this time, she stops in at the University of Oklahoma. From dog burials in the football field, to a rolling skating spirit in the old infirmary, OU doesn’t disappoint when it comes to keeping it kooky and spooky! As one of the three universities necessary for statehood (UCO, OSU, an...

With the recent tragedy in Baltimore, Maryland involving the Francis Scott Key Bridge, it reminded Tiff of a similar tragedy here in Oklahoma back in 2002… The morning of Sunday, May 26, 2002, started as a normal day for many, until a tragic bridge collapse on the i40 bridge over the Arkansas River in Webbers Falls, OK shocked everyone. The accident resulted in 14 fatalities, 5 injuries, and exten...

Most 21st birthdays are celebrated with fun filled evenings of pub crawls and fun times. At 21, most of us were more worried about where everyone was going Thursday night. No one plans for their 21st birthday to be their last birthday. But for one coed, that’s exactly what it was. Tracey Diane Neilson, born on January 5, 1960, was a woman known for her vibrant personality. She excelled in academic...

Are you a fan of mysterious creatures that may or may not exist? I’m talking, one in the company of wendigos, Moth Man, and BigFoot? Then Tiff has a story for you! The mysterious Pale Crawlers are mystifying entities that emerge at night. These humanoid creatures are thin, pale, and possess sharp claws, long limbs, and large black eyes, appearing fast, stealthy, and smart. They are commonly found...