First we look to the stars and then we study the earth's most geologically sound prison. Brenton brings a few highlights from the year on UFO happenings including a new Pentagon task force and the potential number of contactable aliens in our galaxy. Then Emily covers all things Alcatraz going from escape attempts to the strange geology of the area.

UFO Articles: https://www.vice.com/en/article/ep4z7p/the-milky-way-contains-36-contactable-alien-civilizations-scientists-estimate
https://www.vice.com/en/article/z3e8pw/pentagon-announces-task-force-to-study-ufos
https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dpm45/this-guy-says-he-was-the-source-of-the-pentagons-ufo-videos 

With the election in the rear view, we take a sigh of relief and discuss some politics related subjects. Emily details the plethora of animals that graced the White House including bears, opossums, and donkeys. Then Brenton talks about the myth of voter fraud, explanations for allegations of fraud, and the political motivation for blaming fraud.

Voter Fraud Study: https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/2019-08/Report_Truth-About-Voter-Fraud.pdf 

With the everything around us and election going on this week, we decided to take it easy and discuss some things that are bringing us joy. Join us in something comfy as we talk about everything from comfort tv to video games to books to ambient ASMR videos.

Discussed: Paradise Killer, Gilmore Girls, Great British Bake Off, Jeopardy!, Venture Bros., Harry Potter, Matilda, Harry Potter ambient room sound videos, anime, Space Runaway Ideon

Happy Halloween everyone! We have the history behind pumpkin carving and Halloween traditions on a special holiday themed episode. Find out all the origins of weird traditions and learn that unsurprisingly they're mostly Celtic!

Jack-o'-Lantern Reference: https://www.history.com/news/history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-irish-origins 

Halloween Reference: https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween 

Ever wondered where the idea of werewolves came from? Black cats being bad luck? We've got the background on both this week! We dig through the myths, stories and misconceptions creating these popular legends.

Werewolf references: https://theconversation.com/the-ancient-origins-of-werewolves-104775#:~:text=In%20reality%2C%20the%20werewolf%20is,ethnographic%2C%20poetic%20and%20philosophical%20texts.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lycaon-Greek-mythology
https://www.ancient.eu/gilgamesh/
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/werewolves-and-other-spooky-moon-lore-14440#:~:text=Among%20the%20Norse%20people%2C%20who,under%20the%20full%20Moon%20on
https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-the-werewolf-legend

Black Cat references: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/why-are-black-cats-considered-unlucky.htm

We kick off spooky season with a few ghost stories. Emily details the background on the classic story, Sleepy Hollow, and its real-world inspirations. Then Brenton pulls in a variety of stories related to Turnbull Canyon which has a number of sightings and reported psychic activity.

Sleepy Hollow References: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/41/41-h/41-h.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7WM4wCrP_w 

Turnbull Canyon References: https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/creepiest-urban-legend-in-every-state-american-folklore
http://hauntedlosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/08/turnbull-canyon-whittierhacienda.html
https://backpackerverse.com/turnbull-canyon-haunted/
http://www.weirdus.com/states/california/local_legends/turnbull_canyon/index.php
http://www.weirdca.com/location.php?location=218
https://theweirdandtheodd.com/tag/ufo-sightings/ 

White male rage with a dash of haunted mysteries for you! First Brenton discusses the outpouring of anti-disco rage that exploded at a racist & homophobic stunt in 1979. Then Emily extensively details the Winchester Mystery House and it's many, many, many distinct architectural features.

Disco Demolition References: https://www.vice.com/en/article/8xzke5/disco-demolition-night-was-a-disgrace-and-celebrating-it-is-worse
https://deadspin.com/the-white-soxs-disco-demolition-riot-was-even-more-insa-1783162273
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/19/disco-demolition-the-night-they-tried-to-crush-black-music
http://www.today.com/id/31832616/site/todayshow/ns/today-entertainment/t/when-disco-sucks-echoed-around-world/#.X3s8o2hKiUk 

Winchester Mystery House References: https://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Padm4JItZPw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1qzEsVpwPg

Content Warning: Descriptions of violence & lynching

A bit of a heavy one this week as we discuss two people whose lives were cut short by violence. Emily discusses Alberta Jones, all of the barriers she broke, her connection with Muhammad Ali, and her still unsolved mystery. Then Brenton discusses the murder of Emmett Till who's killers were acquitted on the same day as Brionna Taylor's.

BLM Ways to Help: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#

Alberta Jones reference: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/us/alberta-jones-murder-louisville.html

Emmett Till references: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-death-of-emmett-till
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/25/emmett-till-long-wait-for-justice 

This week we bring tales of broadcast signal hacks and the business of children correctional facilities. Brenton discusses the Max Headroom broadcast hijacking in 1987, what methods the hackers used, and some possible theories on the culprit. Then Emily digs deep into the abusive world of teen correctional camps and background on their violent operations.

Max Headroom Reference: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pgay3n/headroom-hacker

Teen Camps References: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2007/08/cult-spawned-tough-love-teen-industry/
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/jm5ng4/the-legal-industry-for-kidnapping-teens
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/08/30/inside-utahs-troubled/

We invite you into the secret society of learning about secret societies. Emily's taken an interest in the Order of the Eastern Star, an offshoot of the Free Masons designed to let women join. Then Brenton journeys deep into Lovecraft Country and it's roots in racist American practices.

Order of the Eastern Star References: https://www.easternstar.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Eastern_Star#:~:text=The%20Order%20of%20the%20Eastern,the%20Masonic%20Fraternity%20in%201873.

Lovecraft Country Article: https://www.theroot.com/where-white-people-are-scarier-than-monsters-the-hidde-1845000536