In the early '90s, small-town Indiana found itself swept up in the Satanic Panic as chilling events unfolded at a traveling carnival. When Mark Goodwin and the Lawrence brothers crossed paths with a darkly committed carnival worker, Jimmie Penick, their fascination with Satanism took a violent turn. What started as a disturbing initiation for new cult member Tony Alt soon spiraled into an unspeakable crime that would leave the town haunted for years to come.

This is the chilling case of Stephen Port, infamously known as the "Grindr Killer." Between 2014 and 2015, Port used the dating app Grindr to lure young men to his London flat, where he drugged, raped, and murdered them using GHB. His horrifying spree claimed the lives of four men, leaving their bodies near his home. Shockingly, Port evaded capture for months due to police missteps, until his arrest and eventual life sentence. In this episode, we will unpack the details of this disturbing case and examine the failures of the police that allowed it to continue.

Today’s episode discusses what is more of a conspiracy surrounding the disappearance and reappearance of a man who was potentially captured by… something. Steven Kubacki's story is one of history's most intriguing and mysterious disappearances. In February 1978, Steven Kubacki, a 23-year-old student at Hope College in Michigan, vanished while on a solo cross-country skiing trip near the shore of Lake Michigan. His tracks led to the lake's edge, but there were no signs of what happened next. Kubacki's skis, backpack, and poles were found abandoned, but he was nowhere to be seen. However, 14 months later, Kubacki reappeared in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, over 700 miles from where he had disappeared, with no memory of the intervening time. His sudden reappearance and the complete amnesia regarding his whereabouts during those 14 months have left both investigators and the public baffled, making his case one of the most famous unexplained and unsolved mysteries. But before we get into his case, let’s talk about this coffee and give some updates.

In 2024, Carly Madison Gregg made national headlines after committing a shocking crime in Mississippi. She was accused of brutally murdering her mother and attempting to kill her stepfather in a calculated attack. The crime took place in their family home, where authorities found evidence suggesting that Carly had meticulously planned the murder. The motive appeared to be tied to long-standing family tensions and financial disputes. Carly’s stepfather survived the attack, providing key testimony that helped piece together the harrowing events. The case quickly garnered widespread attention due to the disturbing nature of the crime, leaving many wondering what could have driven Carly to such a dark and violent act. Denying a plea deal of 40 years, Carly took her case to trial also in 2024. Only less than one hour of deliberating, the jury found Carly guilty and sentenced her to life in prison without the possibility of parole at just 15 years old.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Church of Scientology, examining its controversial reputation and the claims that it operates more like a cult than a religion. We'll explore its origins under L. Ron Hubbard, and how his teachings evolved into a secretive, highly controlled organization. We’ll look at the church’s practices, such as auditing and the complex hierarchy members must navigate, often at great personal and financial cost. The episode also delves into allegations of manipulation, abuse, and coercive tactics used to control members and silence critics. Through shocking testimonies from former members and investigative reports, we’ll uncover how the Church of Scientology has maintained its power while being accused of operating like a dangerous cult... I mean church.

In April 2017, Cassandra Bjorge, a 17-year-old girl from Gwinnett County, Georgia, shocked the community when she, along with her boyfriend, brutally murdered her grandparents, Randall and Wendy Bjorge. Cassandra, who had been living with her grandparents, meticulously planned the crime, using a tire iron, hammer, and knives to end their lives. After the murders, she and her boyfriend stayed in the house with the bodies for days, even inviting friends over, all while concealing the gruesome truth.

The case took a darker turn as authorities uncovered the couple's elaborate plans to continue their killing spree. Eventually cornered by the police, Cassandra and her boyfriend attempted suicide but were captured and brought to justice. The shocking crime left many questioning what could drive a young girl to commit such a horrific act against the very people who raised her.

In the chilling winter of February 2010, the quiet town of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, became the scene of an unimaginable horror. Jennifer Daugherty, a 30-year-old woman with mental disabilities, fell into the clutches of the so-called Greensburg 6—Angela Marinucci, Ricky Smyrnes, Melvin Knight, Amber Meidinger, Peggy Miller, and Robert Masters. Lured to an apartment under the guise of friendship, Jennifer was subjected to two days of relentless and sadistic torture. The group humiliated her, beat her, and forced her to ingest vile mixtures of bodily fluids and cleaning supplies. As their cruel game escalated, they shaved her head, painted her face with nail polish, and bound her with Christmas lights. The ordeal culminated in a savage murder, with Jennifer being stabbed repeatedly before her lifeless body was stuffed into a garbage can and discarded in a school parking lot. This heinous crime, perpetrated by six conspirators against a 30-year-old victim with the mind of a 14-year-old, will go down as one of the most infamous cases in true crime history.

In this episode, we are diving deep into the societal issues that demand our attention regarding the Troubled Teen Industry. Imagine that you are a teenager. You are already trying to figure out the challenges of adolescence, dealing with developing mental problems, only to find yourself entrapped in a system that claims to help you but instead subjects you to abuse, neglect, and trauma. This is the reality for far too many young people who are placed in these so-called “troubled teen” programs.

These programs are often marketed as therapeutic-styled boarding schools, wilderness camps, or residential treatment centers and claim to provide troubled youth with the structure and support they need to overcome their issues. Behind the glossy brochures and promises of transformation lies a highly disturbing truth. Some countless reports and testimonials have exposed the rampant abuse and exploitation that occurs within these facilities. From physical and emotional abuse to forced labor and isolation, the experiences that these unsuspecting vulnerable teenagers face are absolutely horrifying. Many of the programs employ coercive and manipulative tactics that strip young people of their autonomy and dignity. Instead of receiving the help they need, they are subjected to further trauma which leaves lasting scars on their mental health.

The effects of this industry extend far beyond the individual level, perpetuating cycles of abuse and trauma that ripple through families and communities. It is a multi-million dollar industry that was built on the suffering of vulnerable youth, and it is time to be held accountable. Later in the episode, I am joined by someone whom I personally know who was a victim of the troubled teen industry. We will hear her survival story and discuss why shutting down these abusive facilities is not just necessary but morally imperative.

Today’s episode will discuss a harmless conspiracy theory that took over the world to a much darker and uncomedic theory. The "Birds Aren't Real" conspiracy is a satirical movement claiming that government surveillance drones replaced all birds in the U.S. between 1959 and 1971. Created by Peter McIndoe in 2017, it mocks real conspiracy theories using humor and absurdity. The movement critiques gullibility and extremism, emphasizing the need for critical thinking in the face of widespread misinformation. However, did Peter take it too far, even faking his own death to prove how gullible people are? What the hell is going on with his Instagram?

In this episode, we explore the tragic case of Sarah Boone who murdered her boyfriend, Jorge Torres. The Florida couple's relationship ended in a horrifying incident in February 2020. What began as a night of drinking and a supposed game of hide-and-seek turned deadly when Sarah Boone locked Jorge Torres in a suitcase. Initially reported as an accident, disturbing video evidence revealed Jorge's desperate pleas for help while Sarah taunted him. We delve into the timeline of events, the evidence, and the legal proceedings that followed, shedding light on the complexities and tragic consequences of this case.