Cemetery Row

The Titanic sank 111 years ago this month. In this episode, the girls share stories from the "unsinkable" ship. Sheena covers writer, geographer, feminist and Titanic survivor Helen Candee. Lori covers shipwreck-surviving expert Violet Jessop, who was known as the "Queen of Sinking Ships." Hannah gives us a round-up of notable Chicagoans who were aboard the Titanic - some survived, and some did not.

On this bonus episode of Cemetery Row, the girls chat with Memphis artist Stacey Williams-Ng about her upcoming oracle deck based on cemetery symbolism. Learn about the difference between tarot and oracle decks, Stacey’s creative process and her favorite cemeteries.

Support your local drag queens and kings! This week the Cemetery Row girls share the stories of incredible and influential drag stars. Sheena covers drag king Stormé DeLarverie, who fought for LGBTQ+ rights at Stonewall, and Hannah covers the influential and historic House of Xtravaganza, including members Angie and Venus. Lori covers the Grease Sisters: Kitty Litter, Lily White and Alvina Laverne.

The tallest, the oldest, the most haunted... this week, the Cemetery Row ladies cover people, chickens and islands that hold or broke world records. Topics include the world's tallest man, Robert Wadlow; Herb Kent, a Chicago DJ with a seven-decade career; the Island of the Dolls, which holds the world's largest collection of haunted dolls; and Matilda, the world's oldest chicken.

Happy Black History Month! This week the girls cover Black trailblazers. Lori shares the story of Absalom Boston, the first African-American captain to sail a whaleship with an all-Black crew. Hannah covers Charles Young, the first African-American National Park Superintendent (as well as the first Black military attaché and the first Black man to achieve the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army). Sheena tells the story of Sister Thea Bowman, a Black Catholic religious sister, teacher, musician, liturgist and scholar who is currently being considered for canonization.

Feel the love with this Valentine's Day-themed episode! Lori shares the sweet love stories of couples who died within minutes of each other. Hannah tells the story of Saint Olga of Kiev, known for her subjugation of the Drevlians, the tribe that killed her husband. Sheena covers the story of Walter Samples, a Memphis bachelor at the heart of a murder mystery involving love, secrets, and milk.

The Cemetery Row girls honor awesome animals on this week's episode. Lori shares the story of Smoky the Yorkie, who served in World War II. Hannah covers Morris the Cat, the mascot for 9Lives cat food, and Gef the Talking Mongoose. Sheena covers movie star Jimmy the Raven and the real Smokey Bear.

It’s the 50th episode of Cemetery Row! In celebration, the girls cover anything related to gold. Hannah uncovers the Varna Necropolis, which contains the world’s oldest gold treasure and jewelry. Lori shares the story of Anna DeGraf, who was a part of the Yukon Gold Rush while searching for her son. Sheena covers the “first gold-digger” Peggy Hopkins Joyce, known for marrying and divorcing millionaires.

Happy Holidays from Cemetery Row! In this holiday-themed episode, Sheena covers the deadly Santa Claus bank robbery, Lori shares the story of the "Christmas Tree Lady" Jane Doe, and Hannah covers Ronald Gene Simmons' Christmas week murder spree.

This week, the girls cover funeral homes and funeral directors who made a difference in their communities. Hannah tells us about Peter Stefan, director and owner of a Massachusetts funeral home that promises to take in every body, including one of the Boston bombers. Lori covers Jim Sullivan, whose California funeral home became one of the first to accept victims of the AIDS epidemic. Sheena covers historic Memphis funeral home R.S. Lewis & Sons, which prepared Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s body for burial.