It’s been almost a year since Static was released — and Ashley King and Meg Wilcox are back to share some exciting updates on the series.

It will also soon be the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of six tourists in Laos — all killed by methanol poisoning from a happy hour event at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vientiane. Bethany Clarke survived being poisoned that night; her best friend, Simone White, did not.

In this episode, Bethany tells her own very personal story with methanol poisoning. Hear how she and Ashley have since become friends — despite living on opposite sides of the globe — and all about their advocacy work to spread awareness on methanol poisoning.

Guest interview: Bethany Clarke

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.

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Show notes:

(00:00) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guest

(12:30) Ashley interviews Bethany Clarke

(52:23) Reflections and episode wrap-up

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

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Sign the Change.org petition:

For the U.K. and Australia: https://www.change.org/p/put-methanol-safety-warnings-in-airports-and-schools

For Canada: https://www.change.org/p/educate-travelers-on-the-dangers-of-methanol-poisoning-in-airports-schools

Other resources:

https://www.methanolpoisoningawareness.org/

BBC: Hostel linked to methanol deaths of six tourists set to reopen (June 12, 2025): https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg7x4x1lk5o

BBC: Alcohol safety lessons after holiday poisoning (July 22, 2025: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceq74xlrj80o

U.K. curricular changes (set to begin September 2026): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b8499e11b4ded2da19fd92/Relationships_education__relationships_and_sex_education_and_health_education_-_statutory_guidance.pdf

Australia’s Partying Safely Overseas website, with resources on methanol poisoning: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/safety/partying/partying-safely-hub

Find Bethany online:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonewhitemethanolawareness/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonewhitemethanolaware

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Simone-methanol-awareness-61575554820271/

Find Ashley online:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashkng 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashkng

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Royalty-free music:

Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve