The Absurd

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!

First, a preventable environmental tragedy which took place in Niagara Falls, New York in which hundreds of families were evacuated, and their houses boarded up as a result of an irresponsible chemical company. A man in India was refused money from his sister’s account because she was deceased. What he did in order to prove her situation, was … absurd. Next, we’ll take a dive in some deep physics...

Starting off this week with a truly fascinating story about a 19-year-old French woman who had triplets while in a coma. But not in the way you think. Next we’ll look at the growing conspiracy theory in which a number of scientists in the US nuclear and aerospace research have either disappeared, or died under often suspicious circumstances. Mel will then tell us how a Florida father reacted to ca...

Rod was very happy to do this story on internet streamer and general pain in the keester, Johnny Somali, who last week was sentenced in South Korea. Mel will then tell us about a bizarre story in which a hickey proved deadly. Neerja Branot was a purser with Pan Am airlines when in 1986, the flight she was working was hijacked. Her acts of selflessness were truly admirable. Last, while we’re certai...

A Texas woman has received the Guinness World Record for being the woman with the widest tongue in the world. Next , we’ll talk about the horrific case of Madame LaLaurie who, at her New Orleans home in early 19th century tortured and killed many of her slaves. We then answer some listener submitted questions about the show, about us, and what our favourite podcasts are.

It’s our 100th episode! We’re starting off this landmark episode with a trip to Uganda, where we will learn that humans are not the only species to engage in civil war. Next, Mel will tell us a shocking tale of a woman who had constant nosebleeds after a trip to Vietnam. Want to know why? Really? Then Rod will tell us about a man in Kentucky that won a $167 million lottery and was recently charged...

We’re starting off this week with a bizarre story of La Pascualita, a famous, highly realistic mannequin displayed since 1930 in the window of a bridal shop in Chihuahua, Mexico, known as "La Casa de Moda Bridal" Next, science has shown that over 90% of all humans are infected with the John Cunningham Virus. Most of us will never even know we have it, but for the 10% who have the virus activated …...

We start this week’s episode with the heartbreaking story of Noelia Castillo. A 25-year-old Spanish woman who finally got her wish last week to be euthanized. Next, we’re off to Dijon, France, where a recent discovery of skeletons in a school playground led to an interesting archeological find. To follow up a story in episode 57, we now take a look at illegal baby names. Lastly, Mel will tell us a...

We’re starting off this week with a bizarre tale of what a convicted murderer did to try to get out of his prison sentence. Next we’ll look at the perilous voyage of the Newfoundland based Neptune II, in which the ship was battered by storms and went horribly off course. Mel will then tell us about a Chinese man who swallowed a steel chopstick and was in his throat for eight years. Lastly, we’ll t...

First and foremost, that ultra-annoying background hiss is gone! Now, this week we’re starting off with a story out of Kenya where a Chinese man was arrested trying to smuggle 2,000 ants in his luggage. Then Mel will take us to Malta where we’ll learn about a very bizarre case in which a German teen went missing, but was then found under strange circumstances. Next, Rod will tell us about the sad...

No one likes a colonoscopy, but they are an important procedure in the early detection of cancer. Sometimes though, other things are found. Next, we’ll learn about the deadliest blizzard in known history, in which 4,000 people were killed. Mel will then tell us about a Japanese man who was so determined to solve the murder of his wife, that he continued to rent the unaltered apartment in which she...

Michael Phillips is looking to secure a title that most me would eschew as he seeks to prove that he does in fact have the smallest penis on earth. We’ll then learn about Felix Gretarsson who suffered a terrible accident in which he had to have both arms amputated. But this story has a happy ending though. The human body is truly amazing. We’ll take a little look at some various absurd facts about...

Starting off this episode with the harrowing tale of 4-year-old Karina Chikitova who was lost in the Siberian wilderness with her dog Naida. Then we’ll learn about a family in Australia who received a $6,258 (AUD) fine for not wearing a seatbelt. Thing is, this happened after their car was stolen. Mel will then tell us about an unlicensed hypnotherapist who may well be behind the unexpected deaths...

This week, we’ll start off in Indonesia, where a rather macabre holiday to celebrate the local people’s ancestors. Next, we’ll learn about a Welsh woman tho took a rather … gassy revenge. There are many types of mushrooms. Some are delicious, and some are deadly. The type in this story causes a very specific type of hallucination. Lastly, we’ll go to Argentina where dozens of people were bitten by...

Mel will start us off this week with a crazy party drink that turned out to be incredibly dangerous. Next, Rod will tell us about a truly horrifying case of suicide at a Pennsylvania Olive Garden. Then we’ll learn about a woman who broke into people homes … to clean them. Lastly, we’ll go to Afghanistan to learn about some absurd laws that have been enacted against women and girls.

Today we’ll start with a trip to Texas where a man was shot to death for not sharing his fries. Then a somewhat local story from back in the 90’s where six teenage boys disappeared without a trace. Next, we’ll meet Helen Hulick, a genuine champion of women’s rights who stood up for women who didn’t want to wear dresses all the time. Lastly, we’ll learn about a man in France who went to the hospita...

In 2011 Steve Carter found out he was a missing child. He found an age-progression image through missing children. We will then meet a woman in Thailand who has double-downed on love. Next, we’ll learn the truly harrowing tale of 11-year-old, Terry Jo Duperrault, who found herself adrift in the Atlantic after a terrifying night on her family's boat. Lastly, we will look at a new study which says t...