“I hadn’t left the plane… the plane had left me.”

This is the situation that 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke faced on December 24, 1971. Hit by lightning, the plane in which Juliane and her mother were traveling had broken up, and the teen– who was still strapped into her bench seat– found herself free-falling to the earth from the height of approximately 2 miles. 

Miraculously, Juliane survived, only to realize that she was alone in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, injured, nearly blind due to broken capillaries and her lost glasses, and wearing only a torn minidress and a single sandal. 

Be sure to join us for the fascinating story of how Juliane Koepcke survived not only a plane crash, but also 11 days alone in the Amazon jungle.

Thank you to Aletta for her shout-out at the top of the episode! Be sure to check out the podcast Scamanda, available everywhere podcasts are found, along with the docuseries of the same name, exclusively on Hulu. Our coverage of the case is in Episodes 198, 199, 205, and 206! (September & November 2025). 

How to support Scandal Water:

#SurvivorStories #ScandalWaterPodcast #JulianeKoepcke #PlaneCrash #AmazonRainforest #Scamanda #Survivors

“Kevinnnn!”

If that simple quote immediately floods you with feelings of nostalgia, the holiday spirit, and memories of an 8-year-old boy outwitting the bumbling Wet Bandits, this episode is for you!

The Christmas classic “Home Alone”  turns 35 this year, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with this fun podcast.

How did John Hughes come up with the idea for “Home Alone”? What unpleasant experience with a popular actor led Chris Columbus to his role as director? How was the town of Winnetka transformed into the film’s setting, and what memories have been shared by the daughter who lived in the famous McCallister home? How did Daniel Stern almost lose his role as the dimwitted Marv? And what are a few of Macauley Culkins’ recollections from filming? 

We discuss all this and more! So join the fun… and keep the change, ya filthy animal!

How to support Scandal Water:

Looking for your own small-town, Hallmark Christmas experience? Look no further than historic Frankfort, Kentucky’s state capital!

That’s where Candy and Ashley headed for an impromptu field trip last month, and they share their adventures in this fun episode. 

The visit started with a delicious lunch at the 50s-themed Main Street Diner and a word from co-owner Megan Allan. Then after a little guidance from Suzy Hosley, Executive Director for Downtown Frankfort, Inc., Ashley and Candy headed to Poor Richard’s Books, a charming independent bookstore. There, owner Liz Bernoskiei spoke briefly about the history of the business and the building in which it resides, as well as her role in helping to establish Frankfort’s popular Candlelight Weekend. After a stop at the Capital City Museum, where staff members Roger Barlow and Eva Napier offered some insights about the subject of this year’s exclusive Christmas ornament, the Lovely Miss Elizabeth, Candy and Ashley concluded their visit with a tour of the Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory. On top of the bourbon balls, the two hosts were given an additional treat– the opportunity to speak with Charles Booe himself, business owner and grandson of co-founder Ruth Booe!

This episode will not only put you in a holiday mood, it will also give you ideas for your next day trip! 

How to support Scandal Water:

#ChristmasattheCapital #VisitFrankfortKY #MainStreetDiner #PoorRichardsBooks #CapitalCityMuseum #RebeccaRuthCandyFactory #Kentucky #Tourism #Christmas #FieldTrip

Good grief! It’s hard to believe it’s been 60 years since “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first aired. 

Yet the story of a round-headed young boy disheartened by the commercialization of Christmas remains a beloved holiday classic to this day. 

How did the Coke vs. Pepsi advertising wars help prompt “A Charlie Brown Christmas”? What challenges did the team face in translating Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” from comic strip to animated film for the first time? In what ways did this Christmas special differ from the typical TV shows of the 1960s? And why did the TV execs– and even some of the production team– fear “A Charlie Brown Christmas” would flop? We discuss all this and more!

If picturing Linus’s monologue and Charlie Brown with his humble tree still adds a little meaning to YOUR Christmas, this is the episode for you! 

Thank you to Sara Taylor for her top-of-the-episode shout-out! 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Famous for their ‘eye-high’ kicks, the Rockettes have performed in every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1957, and more than 72 million people have attended their annual Christmas Spectacular that first debuted in 1933.

As if that weren’t impressive enough, this year the iconic precision dance troupe also celebrates its 100th anniversary!

How did the group evolve from the 1925 “Missouri Rockets,” whose primary purpose was performing before and after movies, to today’s world-renowned dance company? What does it take to become a Rockette? How does math play a role in the complicated process of choreographing their routines? What are some highlights from the troupe’s history? And how DO they pull off some of those moves, like the famous toy soldier fall?  We discuss all this and more!

Be sure to join us as we celebrate the Radio City Rockettes’ 100-year legacy of talent, dedication, and sisterhood. 

Thank you to Grace McKeel for her top-of-the-episode shout-out!

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Note: Due to mature content, this episode is not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.

And that was just the beginning of the couple’s horrific ordeal, which was detailed in the highly-rated Netflix docuseries “American Nightmare” as well as several news programs. 

In this fascinating podcast we tell the story of Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, who found that after surviving a home invasion and kidnapping/ransom plot, they then had to survive a police investigation and the media…

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

If you’re familiar with “Scamanda,” you know the real heroes of the story:

And in this compelling group interview, we have the privilege of speaking to all 3 amazing women!

How are Aletta and her daughters, Jaymie and Jessa, doing today? What happened after Lisa’s famous “I thought you were dying” confrontation with Amanda? Was Cory aware of the scam, in their opinions? What were a few behind-the-scenes details that did not come out in the podcast or docuseries? And who exactly was Ruby Begonia? 

We discuss all this and more! 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Amanda C. Riley– better known as “Scamanda”–is the woman who faked terminal cancer for 9 years, swindling countless kind-hearted supporters out of money and services. 

Nancy Moscatiello is the TV producer and journalist whose dogged investigation ultimately led to Amanda’s arrest and conviction. 

And Nancy tells us all about it in this fascinating interview!

What circumstances led Nancy to create the hit podcast “Scamanda”? How did Nancy come into contact with Cory’s mother, and what did she learn from those communications? What were some behind-the-scenes details that did not emerge in the podcast or docuseries? And what has Nancy discovered about Amanda’s activities in prison?

We discuss all this and more with “Scamanda” creator and TV producer Nancy Moscatiello. 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Hey, you guys! In honor of its 40th anniversary, we’re revisiting the beloved 80s adventure classic “The Goonies!”

What experience from Steven Spielberg’s own life inspired the idea for “The Goonies? Where are the cast members now? What elaborate prank did Steven Spielberg and the child actors play on director Chris Columbus? And how do the original cast members feel about the rumored sequel? We discuss all this and more!

If the phrase “Goonies never say die!” still brings a lump to your throat, this podcast is for you. 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Known as America’s first ghost story, Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” has been adapted by the likes of Disney, Tim Burton, and Scooby Doo.

And just in time for Halloween, we too revisit the timeless classic that turned the Headless Horseman into an American legend.

How did a pandemic play a role in Washington Irving’s creation of the creepy tale? On what real-life men was the character of Ichabod Crane based? Which landmarks mentioned in the ghost story are still standing in Sleepy Hollow today? And was Ichabod really done in by the terrifying Headless Horseman, or was he run off by the jealous Brom Bones? We discuss all this and more!

Off the top of our heads, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate Spooky Season than with this fun podcast on “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow!” 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!