Deadtime Storiez

Did we mention we have a LIVE SHOW IN A WEEK!!??!!! We're not freaking out.....

But in the meantime we'll continue with your regularly scheduled 2-star content.

Sarah ran all the way from the Poconos, PA to tell Stephanie what she just experienced. Literally. Her story is about her experience and the history of The Candle Shoppe of the Poconos (and The Haunted). This house, now turned candle shopp(e), was originally home to a family of 6. Including a Doctor who conducted medical and biological experiments in the basement - on monkeys. The house is said to be haunted by the ghosts of monkeys past, and Dr. Fisher who remains behind because someone else took credit for his work. This entire attraction (?) and store is an experience you don't want to miss. If you find yourself up in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania be sure to check it out!

Stephanie wraps up with the Liquid Matthew Murder Case. Who's Matthew? Who's Liquid? And who was murdered? We promise you....you'll never be able to guess. Credit for Stephanie's research goes to the Casual Criminologist - check them out on YouTube!

Have you heard the big news?!? We're having our first ever LIVE SHOW this month, in honor of our 200th episode!! Feb. 23, 8pm EST at Franky Bradley's in Philadelphia, PA - we'll be live and in the flesh - and recording or 200th episode!! All event information can be found on our website and social media pages.

And, now for something completely different...

Except not.

Sarah starts out this week with a story that can be summed up in one phrase "F**k him, and good for her". Susan Kuhnhausen came home to find an intruder waiting to strike, and only one would walk away from this attack. Can you guess which one?

Stephanie ends the episode across the pond in Scotland, specifically at the Overtoun Bridge. This story can also be summed up in a phrase, "Put your dog on a leash". There's a ghost story attached to this bridge, and some bloody history, BUT that's not the main reason the Overtoun Bridge is infamous.

We've got HUGE news!!

*drumroll please*

After 2 years, and 100 episodes, we are so excited to announce that we will be finally doing our LIVE SHOW!! For the 200th episode we will be performing LIVE at Franky Bradley's in Philadelphia. Check out our social media pages for more information.

And now back to the show!

This week Stephanie tells us the incredibly peculiar story of the Tromp Family, who seemingly dropped everything in their lives and loaded up in the family car for a weird road trip. But they forgot their phones, and their passports, and their credit cards, and...basically everything. But the even weirder part is that every single family member made it back home unharmed. What happened, and why? We might never know.

Sarah wraps up with ghost stories from Indiana State University's campus. There are many haunts on this one college campus, but the main one is Barbara. And when you hear her tale...you'll understand why.

We're feeling a little cult-y (can you tell?)

This week is a major deep dive into a cult we've covered in the past: NXIVM [pronounced: nex-ee-um]. Stephanie first brought the cult to the show in Episode 129, but that was just the tip of this insane iceberg.

The leader, Keith [Elizabeth] Raniere was convicted and sentenced to 120 years in prison. And after you listen to this episode, we think you'll agree that it's not enough time.

Maybe it's the unprecedented times we're currently in that keeps drawing us to cults, maybe it's the fact that cults are always portrayed as something in the past when they are very much something in the present, maybe it's a combo of all of the above with some schadenfreude mixed in - who knows. Stay tuned to the end of the episode where Stephanie lines out the "Signs YOU Might Be In A Cult".

Previously on Deadtime Storiez......

Stephanie told us about the Unification Church (aka The Moonies). But what she was saving for this episode was the completely insane sect that branched off from the Moonies: the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary Church - also known as - the Rod of Iron Ministries. And that is because they not only worship God in their church, but also...the AR-15 assault rifle. This church has bullet crowns, gun blessing ceremonies, and openly encourage you to bring your personal AR-15 to service.....I mean, what could be more 'Merican than that?

Sarah follows up this cult-filled episode with the leader of the Remnant Fellowship church: Gwen Shamblin Lara. The woman who personifies "the higher the hair, the closer to God", Gwen started her journey as a dietician creating the "Weigh Down Workshop", a faith-based weightloss program (because that won't turn unhealthy fast...)

Check out the recently released HBO Documentary "The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin".

Both of these cult leaders are quite the personalities, both in what they preach and in their outward appearance. We'll be posting pictures of both on all out social media accounts.

*We know that the USA is the "land of the free", and was built on the freedom of religion. BUT, that doesn't mean that all religions are good, or healthy, and some are straight up cults - which is why we talk about them here. We also know that the USA is the land of free speech, so if you have any issues with the topics or opinions raised in this episode please send us an email and we'll be happy to address your concerns*

It might be a new year, but it certainly has a feeling of DejaVu - because we're still recording remotely! So, please forgive our audio quality as we try to re-learn remote recording.

Are ya'll ready to talk about some ghosts?? Because Sarah is! This week is the tale of the Ancient Ram Inn

"Ghosts-Pagans-Succubus OH MY" The Ancient Ram Inn is almost 1000 years old and has the spooky history to prove it. Built upon a Pagan burial ground, this home boasts over 90 resident ghosts. With an open grave in the kitchen, no running water, and a multitude of paranormal activity: what more could you ask for in a haunted inn?

Stephanie ends the episode talking about a new (to us) cult: The Unification Church. Also known in the U.S. as "The Moonies", this church came to the Americas from Korea and has some dangerous ideologies. After the original leader died, some of his children broke off to form their own sects - one of which will be covered in next week's episode. And that sect seems to be the most dangerous of all...

Happy New Year!! It's a new year, but it feels like deja vu because we're recording remotely (again)! Forgive us for the audio hiccups, much like the American school system, we've been spoiled to our in-person recording. However, all recording bumps aside, we're very excited to start the year off with one of our dearest guests: Mariangela!!

Mariangela is here to tell us the real story behind one of our favorite childhood animated movies. Much darker than the film portrays (even though the movie is quick macabre) is the true tale of Anastasia, Grand Duchess of Russia. But, in true Mariangela fashion, there is more to this story than just the facts. Mariangela has a personal tie to the lost princess story... but you'll have to listen to learn more.

*News! Spotify now lets you review podcasts! You know what to do: please pop over to spotify, search for us, and tap that 5-star button!*

Happy New Year!!......idiots <3

It's the last episode of 2021 and it's the final chapter of the Donner Party Episode. Remember, the Donners weren't dead yet...to begin with. They had just found themselves stuck on the mountain with snow on the horizon after already enduring more than the normal traveler on the Oregon trail...and the cannibalism hadn't even started.

In this final installment Stephanie will cover the events of that snowy winter and what led to their rescue....and what led them to eating each other.

As we wrap up 2021 we can't say THANK YOU enough; but we'll try again -- THANK YOU. From the bottom of our hearts. We never thought when we started this show that it would still be going over 3 years later, much less almost to 200 episodes!! And we never would have done it without YOU. So thank you, for listening, for participating, for rating & reviewing, telling your friends, and most of all for just being you. We love you all.

It's Christmas-Eve-Eve!! And don't worry, we aren't going anywhere this holiday season. We'll still be bringing you episodes per our usual schedule (and this is the 2nd to last before the new year!!). Let's get ready because Stephanie is wrapping up our 2021 with a 2-parter!

But first, as the warm-up, Stephanie tells us all about the Shen Yun Dance Company. You know, the Chinese dancers who have billboards everywhere, leave flyers everywhere, and LOOK OUT there's one right behind you! Not really...but maybe? But did you know there's far more to this 'dance company' than meets their unlimited marketing budget?

And, the first of a 2-part series is quite the mouthful of a story: The Donner Party

--I'm so sorry, the pun was just too delicious--

There's far more to this piece of history than the infamous cannibalism. Part 1 covers the events that led up to this group finding theirselves at the base of a mountain with winter coming and nowhere to go but up. Part 2 will cover the events of being trapped, and subsequently what happened (hint: this is where the cannibalism starts).

So wrap up 2021 with us and let's start 2022 on an even better note!!

**Thank you all so much for your support this year. We can't wait to see what 2022 holds, and we cannot do it without all of you. So, THANK YOU**

Hey Idiots!

*just kidding, we love ya'll!!

We're back and in a chaotic mood this week, so buckle up. Stephanie is continuing her Witchy-series with a focus on the Tarot cards themselves. What does each card represent, and how could that possibly be applied to your life? Tune in to find out!

Sarah wraps up with another weird-world, odd history tale. We're calling this "The Fiasco That Was The Marathon at The 1904 Olympics". And fiasco could be an understatement: Between your 1st place winner not technically winning, the 2nd place winner on a cocktail of drugs, and runners dropping out due to extreme heat and lack of hydration, this race is certainly one for the history books. Though, not in the way anyone would have intended.

The holidays are coming up and you can give us the greatest gift of all without spending a penny: please jump over on whatever platform you prefer and leave us a 5-star review. Every little bit really does go a long way.