Loose Units: The Podcast

Can you smother a person to death, then get water into their lungs to make it look like a drowning? And why on Earth would you WANT to? It's time for a violent, speculative and hilarious episode of Loose Ends! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A nervous, inept minister who has crossed paths with young John before nearly does something truly terrible. That’s right: the Anglican minster who flings holy water and rocks up at the Catholic masses to wreak havoc is back, and this time… there’s a body on the line. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John tells Paul about how to sort through a garbage bag full of pulverized dead person to find something you can actually fingerprint. It's time for a bloody, soupy, and very loose Father's Day episode of Loose Ends! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John walks Paul through his worst day as a funeral director. A dead child, a secret stash of holy water, and several staggering funeral mistakes add up to make this a truly unforgettable day for young John. TRIGGER WARNING: Deceased children, SIDS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John and Paul revisit a tale involving Roger Rogerson, Sallie-Ann Huckstepp and penile rigor mortis. An accident on the Sydney Harbour Bridge leads to an unlikely meeting, and John's secret passion takes centre stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finally, John goes supernatural. From a mysterious stranger who appears under the Verhoeven's house, to a dead person spontaneously sitting upright and making a horrifying sound, this is the first time Loose Units has gone paranormal. Its about to get seriously spooky, folks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's launch week for Electric Blue, so John and Paul discuss the release and the impending Zoom launch party! John talks the qualifications needed to join forensics, but he also tells Paul about what is involved putting make-up on dead people (and shaving them, too). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate today's release of Electric Blue, Paul's new book based on John's real cases, John revisits a case which didn't make it into the book. A body has been found under deeply suspicious and odd circumstances, and John is sent in to figure out what happened. Strange fluid on the ceiling, sex toys everywhere, and something that just doesn't add up. All the various outlets selling Electric Bl...

What happens when John's Dad helps him carry a coffin at a potential mafia funeral? Can you cook popcorn inside a body being cremated? And what is the single strangest story from John's childhood, one which will haunt Paul FOREVER? It's time for Loose Ends! Also, get ready for the Electric Blue online launch party, 22nd of August! Tickets go on sale next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...

What does embalming involve? Making the dead look alive, and keeping them preserved, seems like a subtle art. But as John learned one very odd day at the funeral home, it was a lot stranger, more complex and more visceral than he'd ever have suspected. It's time for an in-depth look at embalming, people. Strap in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Loose Ends, John ends up in court embroiled in an art forgery case. No, seriously. He and Paul also discuss whether you'll be ending up with other people mixed in with your ashes after cremations, and there's some pretty odd talk about elves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sure, John is an emergency services jack-of-all-trades. But what happened the first time he was trusted to conduct a funeral? The wheels fell off, that's what. Paul pries from his Dad an embarrasing tale of funerary woe, and then he and John discuss National Missing Persons Week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you scatter the wrong ashes? Do teddy bears get cremated with their owners? And what's it like to carry your Dad's ashes around with you? It's time for another episode of Loose Ends! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of a familiar character from Loose Units (the book) sees John fast-tracked from cleaning hearses to actively helping. But what was it like to be an ex-cop working at a cop's funeral? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Loose Ends, John and Paul discuss live-streaming funerals, how double plots work, and how sports fans might want their ashes used after they pass away. John also tells Paul what is apparently one of his finest jokes. Does it land? You be the judge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, John and Paul discuss the funeral of John's Dad, Henk Verhoeven. What is it actually like to deal with a death in the family when you're the one helping organise it? They also discuss how to talk (or not talk) to people who've just lost someone. You can pre-order Electric Blue, the sequel to Loose Units, right now at Booktopia: https://t.co/YygJeGMVWB?amp=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

On this week's Loose Ends, John and Paul discuss the passing of Henk, John's father. They then burrow into a treasure trove of brilliant and hilarious funeral stories from their wonderful listeners, before weighing up whether or not Costco coffins and caskets are a bargain or a bust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, there's an actual death in the family, which John and Paul discuss on the show. Then, John tells Paul about hearses, Paul makes some truly dumb jokes about his or hearse, and we begin our journey into John's time running a funeral home in the nineties. It's a fascinating, weird and heartbreaking episode of Loose Units: Dead Serious. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

This episode of Loose Ends, John and Paul tease the coming season, hear a chilling tale from a listener’s first encounter with a dead body, and discuss the perils of minimalism. Then, John tells the legitimately horrifying story of his worst injury ever, and Paul and John announce a donation to a truly wonderful charity.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A brand new season of Loose Units is here. This season, John talks to Paul about his time running a funeral home, and in our first episode, you'll hear about the very first time John saw a dead body. You'll also hear about a funeral that almost goes very, very wrong. If you want to ask John and Paul any questions, you can head to facebook.com/looseunits and send a message. Hosted on Acast. See aca...

This week on Loose Ends, John and Paul discuss volunteer work, mental health care for emergency service workers, cops who won't take their helmets off... and John is finally forced to say The V Word. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Loose Units, John and Paul continue their look at bullying and suicide in the Emergency Services. If you're feeling vulnerable or triggered, or like you need to talk to someone, call Lifeline on 131114, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. You can also get in touch with the folks over at standbysupport.com.au. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: SUICIDE. This week, we have a long overdue talk about bullying and suicide. John brings several very personal stories to the table, and Paul talks about his experiences being bullied. Part two will air next week. If you're feeling vulnerable or triggered, or like you need to talk to someone, call Lifeline on 131114, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

This week on Loose Units: Hot Stuff Coming Through, we talk flaming rats, listener questions, using acid to get rid of bodies, and even what happens when a beloved brand of doll gets stuck where the sun doesn't shine. Prepare for a very odd, very special chat between Paul and John. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's bonus Loose Ends, John tells Paul that his grandma taught the Crossbow Killer, and they discuss whether there may have been any early warning signs. They also answer a fiery listener question, and delve into the difference between a synthetic and an ivory snooker ball, specifically ones stuck into bodily orifices! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.