Strangest Species

Send a text Join us as we delve into the captivating tale of Phineas Gage, the man whose life took a dramatic turn after a tragic accident with a tamping iron. Explore the fascinating details of how this incident revolutionized our understanding of the brain and human behavior. From the shocking survival to the profound impact on neuroscience, this episode uncovers the layers of Gage's story...

Send a text Join us today as we dive into the strange story of Tarrare, a young man from France in the 1770s who literally wasn't able to stop eating. Ever! Join us as we discuss his life, including being a street performing eating freak, a spy in the French army with a unique skill set, and his later life stealing any and everything he could to fill his insatiable appetite.  

Send a text Dive deep into the chilling events of the Chowchilla kidnaps with our latest podcast episode. Join us as we unravel the mystery surrounding the infamous 1976 school bus abduction in Chowchilla, California. Explore the shocking details, the investigation, and the aftermath of this harrowing crime that captured the nation's attention. From the heart-stopping moments to the relentles...

Send a text On a cold February night in 1978, five friends go missing after watching a college basketball game. Their car is found in perfect working order 70 miles in the wrong direction, with no signs of the men, on an isolated, snowy, mountain road. Where did they go? What prompted them to leave the warmth of their car to head into the woods in the winter?  The story of the Yuba County Five is...

Send a text  Dive deep into the enigmatic tale of Ursula and Sabina Eriksson, the identical twins whose bizarre and tragic journey left the world in disbelief. From their sudden appearance on the media radar to the fateful events that unfolded on the M6 motorway, join us as we explore the psychological complexities, unanswered questions, and the lasting impact of their story. We weigh in on the my...

Send a text Dive deep into the visionary project that is shaping the future of urban living - NEOM. Join us on as we unravel the mysteries behind the world's most ambitious megacity. From sustainable technologies to cutting-edge innovations, discover how NEOM is redefining the boundaries of possibility and paving the way for a sustainable, futuristic urban landscape. If you're curious ab...

Send a text Join us in this gripping episode as we delve deep into the mysterious disappearance of Steven Kubacki. In 1978, Steven vanished without a trace, leaving behind perplexing clues that have baffled investigators for decades. We explore the theories, potential leads, and the enduring enigma surrounding this unsolved case while providing unique insights and shedding light on the twists and...

Send a text Uncover the gripping tale of Stéphane Breitwieser, the notorious art thief whose audacious heists left the art world astounded. Join us as we delve into the mysterious world of stolen masterpieces, exploring Breitwieser's effective yet mundane schemes and the priceless treasures he managed to pilfer. This podcast unravels the captivating story of a modern-day art thief and the art...

Send a text Embark on an extraordinary journey through the frozen landscapes of Peter Freuchen's life, a Danish explorer who defied the odds and left an indelible mark on Arctic exploration. Join us as we unravel the bizarre tales of survival, unconventional love, and the enigmatic legacy of a man who amputated his own toes to endure the Arctic chill. From Thule Expeditions to Hollywood light...

Send a text Dive into the heart of the redwoods as we unravel the mysteries behind Bohemian Grove. Join us for an in-depth discussion and historical exploration, shedding light on the secretive gatherings of the world's elite. From the iconic Owl Shrine to exclusive insights, this podcast is your key to understanding the enigma that is Bohemian Grove. 

Send a text  Step into the shadows of history as we explore the enigma that shrouds the Flannan Islands. Join us on a gripping journey to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mor in 1900. Delve deep into the mysteries of the North Atlantic as we unravel tales of superstition, eerie occurrences, and unexplained events that have left an indelible mark on t...

Send a text  Hisashi Ouchi was your typical middle-aged Japanese working-class man, making a living for his family at the Tokiamura Nuclear Plant.  In 1999, the company was behind on an order of fuel rods, and to get them produced, Ouchi and two other workers cut some corners, ultimately leading to a miniature nuclear blast hitting Ouchi directly in the face. What followed was a medical mystery an...

Send a text In the spring of 1945, World War II saw one of its most unusual and bizarre battles. A ragtag group of men, comprising  American, French, and German soldiers, along with a three-time Wimbledon champ, squared off against a well-armed unit of SS soldiers in defense of Itter Castle in a story full of hilarious twists and turns. If you're looking for the link to the Sapien Youtube Cha...

Send a text In this Halloween episode, we use the story of Christopher Case, a Seattle music executive who was cursed by a witch, as a springboard to discuss various topics, including Ethney and I's personal experiences living in what some would say was a haunted house. 

Send a text Carl Tanzler had a unique vision as a child. At age twelve, an ancestor appeared to him and showed him a beautiful, dark-featured woman who would one day be his wife.  Well, Carl grew old, and life came and went without ever meeting his promised love for almost 50 years until a tuberculosis-ridden young woman strolled into his hospital.  Where the story goes from there is beyond belief...

Send a text in 1972, a group of parapsychological researchers developed and conducted an experiment to see if they could both create and conjure a ghost into existence.  You might be surprised with the results they got. 

Send a text What is Death? When is the actual moment when one can no longer be revived? These are tough questions, and throughout much of history many people have been buried who were pronounced "dead" when in reality, they were very not dead. Today we discuss both horrifying and hilarious tales from those who were buried alive and the crazy stories that arise from such situations. 

Send a text 2016 was an insane year in the United States with the Trump vs. Clinton Campaign in full swing. But in the late summer of that year, and into the fall, another unbelievable meme worthy event took place, and that was the Great Clown Invasion that swept across the country, and eventually, the world.  Menacing clowns began popping up in both rural and highly urban areas. Some were harmles...

Send a text Las Vegas is a strange place, to say the least. If you ever want to see the strangest species on full display, then the bright lights of the Vegas strip are just the spot.  We just got back from a conference there all week so this episode is devoted to some of the strange customs of Vegas, as well as a brief story of a bizarre coincidence at the Hoover Dam. 

Send a text Take a man from the swamp, give him a camera, an abandoned theme park, and some wild conspiracy theories, and you have the makings of a great disaster.  In this episode, we discuss the somewhat successful attempt of Richard McGuire sneaking onto the abandoned Discovery Island in Bay Lake in Walt Disney World and the hilarious shenanigans that come with his flawless plan.  

Send a text In February 1959, high in the remote backcountry of the Ural Mountains, nine experienced hikers were found dead in what has become known as the Dyatlov Pass Incident.  Their tent had been cut from inside, as the team fled in a hurry into the -30 degree weather. They left all of their gear, and some even were barefoot. What could have possibly scared them so terribly?  The injuries to t...

Send a text If you've ever seen the movie The Revenant, then you've seen the over-stuffed Hollywood version of the life of Hugh Glass. But Hollywood messed it up, not by overselling his life, but by only telling a small portion.  Hugh Glass was the definition of a manly man, living parts of his life as a pirate in the Caribbean,  being adopted into the Pawnee Tribe, surviving a grizzly a...

Send a text Life was extremely routine and calculated for the prisoners like Al Capone incarcerated at the infamous Alcatraz Island Prison. But what about the other few hundred people who shared the small island with them, namely, the wives and children of the prison guards who also lived on the island? That's right, at any given moment there were 60-70 families that lived full time on the is...

Send a text Donald Crowhurst dreamed of being the first man to sail around the world non-stop alone and win almost $100,000 in the process. But from the start of his dream, he was bombarded with challenges.  He lacked the sailing prowess and experience of the other contestants in the race. He literally built his boat himself. And most importantly, he mortgaged everything he owned to make it all ha...

Send a text If you're looking for a big break to fame and fortune in the movie business, maybe all you need to do is sneak into North Korea. In this episode, we examine a few US soldiers who did that exact thing in the 1960s only to find themselves on quite an extraordinary path for the rest of their lives.