Elle, Micaela, and their Googler Jerbil are back to geek out on poison — this time, the sneaky, silent assassin: arsenic. In this final chapter of their Poisoning Series, they uncover what arsenic actually is, where it’s hiding, and share some wild stories of accidental and intentional poisonings. From Napoleon’s rumored demise to Giulia Tofana’s deadly cosmetics and Scheele Green’s toxic legacy in the 19th century, it’s a dark and hilarious tour through history’s most notorious poisonings. Because who says death can’t be hilarious when it’s laced with science and a little bit of snark?

Featuring the original song "Optimistic Misanthrope" by Micaela Superstar

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References:

Arsenic Poisoning

Arsenic Wiki

National Institute of Health: Arsenic Toxicity

Scheele’s Green: Why This Toxic Pigment Became Popular

Paris Review: Scheele’s Green, the Color of Fake Foliage and Death

Giulia Tofana: poisoner, murderer, saviour?

Lewisite Wiki

In the second installment of The Blunt Letters Poisoning Series, Elle and Micaela dive into the strange and terrifying history of ergot poisoning. From contaminated rye bread in the Middle Ages to its possible connection with the Salem Witch Trials, ergot has been haunting humanity for centuries. We explore the science of the fungus Claviceps purpurea, how it causes convulsions, hallucinations, and gangrene, and why it earned the nickname “St. Anthony’s Fire.” Plus, we discuss ergot’s surprising role in the discovery of LSD and its lasting impact on medicine, mysticism, and culture. Join us for a mix of history, toxicology, and true crime science in this deep dive into one of the world’s most notorious natural poisons.

Featuring Original Song "Who Farted?" by Micaela Superstar

References:

Ergot ErgotismLSDHow Rye Bread May Have Caused the Salem Witch Trials

Ergotism Today

Ergot: from witchcraft to biotechnology 

Were They Bitten? Or is it Ergot Poisoning?

CIA sued over 1950s 'murder' of government scientist plied with LSD

MK ultra wiki

We’re kicking off our brand-new Poisoning Series with one of humanity’s oldest toxic troublemakers: lead! From ancient Roman plumbing to 20th-century paint and gas, Elle and Micaela trace the wild history of lead poisoning and how it shaped the world around us. Along the way, we dive into The Young Poisoner’s Handbook and the work of forensic science pioneer Alexander Gettler, who helped crack some of the first big poison cases. It’s part history, part true crime science, and all the weird, fascinating stuff you love. Join us as we start this series with a bang (but hopefully not a headache).

Featuring Original Song Factotum by Micaela Superstar

Aroma Tea Shop in San Francisco

The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum

Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers by Caroline Fraser

Musicophelia by Oliver Sacks

What is lead?

From University of Chicago:Lead Poisoning and Rome

The Rise and Fall of Lead in the Workplace

Loony Gas and Lead Poisoning story

Lead Poisoning according to the Mayo Clinic

Do Stanley cups contain lead? What to know about the lawsuit and potential exposure risk

This week, the Blunt Letters crew dives into the funky, fizzy world of fermentation! From kombucha to kimchi, we explore how this ancient process transforms food, boosts gut health, and maybe even sharpens your mind. Along the way, we share strange facts, personal experiments, and why your microbes might just be your best friends. Tune in for laughs, learning, and a taste of the weird science behind fermented goodness.

Featuring the Original Song "Would U Eat Me Up?" by Micaela Superstar

References:

Harvard Nutrition Source

Therapeutic effects of vinegar: a review

Daily Vinegar Ingestion Improves Depression Scores and Alters the Metabolome in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Should There Be a Recommended Daily Intake of Microbes?

Physiology of Acetic Acid Bacteria and Their Role in Vinegar and Fermented Beverages

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on fermented foods

Sarah Bartell is back on The Blunt Letters Podcast! After making her mark as a rugged Naked and Afraid survivalist and off-grid homesteader, she’s returned to share eerie tales of unexplained encounters and give an inside look at her wolfdog rescue efforts. Get ready for a wild, haunting, and heartwarming episode with one of the most authentic voices in survival.

*We will be updating the show notes with the organizations that Sarah works with when the information becomes available. Please check back soon!

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Featuring the original song “Cat Madness” by Micaela Superstar

References:

S3 Ep 11: Getting wild and spooky with Sarah Bartell of Naked and Afraid 

S3 ep 12:Part 2! Getting wild and spooky with Sarah Bartell of Naked and Afraid Blue Zones

Monsters Among Us Podcast

Yellowjackets (TV Series 2021)

Naked and Afraid Last One Standing Season 1

Can cats actually predict death?

Meateater (TV Series 2012)

This week on The Blunt Letters, Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil dive headfirst into the surprisingly fascinating world of submarines! What starts as a look at the tragic OceanGate disaster and the new Netflix documentary quickly turns into a deep-sea rabbit hole of science, history, and a whole lot of “Wait, submarines do what now?” From how these underwater beasts actually work to the wild ways humans have tried (and failed) to explore the ocean, the crew uncovers just how strange and incredible this technology really is.

Become a Patron on our Patreon

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Featuring the original song “Jon B” by Micaela Superstar

References:

Titan: The OceanGate Disaster

BL S3 Ep 24 Adventures on the Alimentary Canal with Scientist Sarah (Gulp Episode)Submarine Balancing

Submarine Wiki

Dive deep with The Blunt Letters as Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil explore the strange and slippery secrets of the deep! From the eerie legends of Lake Baikal, the world’s largest (and weirdest) lake, to brine pools that act like underwater death traps, the crew takes you on a wild ride through Earth’s most mysterious waters. They chat about ancient sea monsters, underwater UFO sightings, and vanishing land masses that have baffled scientists for decades.

Is the truth really down there? Grab your snorkel and join the expedition into the weirdest parts of the planet you’ll never see from land.

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thebluntletters.com, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Depop

Featuring original song “Who farted (it wasn’t me) by Micaela Superstar

References

A freshwater lake in Russia with 6 creatures with helmets or domed heads

 Air Force Pilot Discovers UFORichard French, Ex-Air Force Lt. Colonel, 'It Was A UFO And . . . There Were Aliens Aboard It' 

Mysterious “UFO Base” off Malibu Vanishes from Google Earth 

Sea monsters and their inspiration: serpents, mermaids, the kraken and more

Mermaid Wiki

Check out the images of the prehistoric creatures we talk about: Terrifying prehistoric sea monsters: 10 menacing ocean creatures that you'll be glad aren't alive today

This week on The Blunt Letters, Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil blast off into a science discovery roundup that’s as bizarre as it is brilliant! From the newly identified cat color dubbed "salty licorice" to invisible solar panels that turn windows into clean energy sources, the hosts explore cutting-edge discoveries that are changing how we see the world—literally. They marvel at scallops and their 200 eyes, uncover how trees sync their magnetic fields during eclipses, and share even more strange facts that sound made up (but totally aren’t).

Get ready for laughs, gasps, and the kind of science you actually want to hear about.

Featuring Original Song "The Science Shuffle" by Micaela Superstar

References:

Trends in Plant Science Magazine

Stiff by Mary Roach

The Happening (2008)

Rant by Chuck Palahniuk

Common Side Effects (TV Series)

In this mind-bending episode of The Blunt Letters, Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil dive deep into the dystopian, daring, and sometimes darkly funny science fiction world of director Bong Joon Ho. From the grimy class warfare aboard Snowpiercer to the genetically engineered heartbreak of Okja, the monstrous consequences of The Host, and the speculative intrigue of Mickey 17, the gang dissects how Bong’s films tackle pollution, capitalism, and what it means to be human.

Expect sexy tangents, sharp insights, and laughs as they explore how one director can make monsters out of sludge—and still make you cry about a super pig.

Featuring the original song "Cat Madness" by Micaela Superstar

References:

Bong Joon Ho

Okja (2017)

Snowpiercer (2013)

Snowpiercer - Graphic Novel

The Host (2006)

Mickey 17 (2025)

In this episode of The Blunt Letters Podcast, hosts Elle Lectrick and Micaela Superstar dive deep into Season 3 of Showtime’s Yellowjackets. They unravel the latest twists, share their wildest fan theories, and debate what’s real, what’s imagined, and who’s definitely not making it to the finale. With their signature blend of humor and insight, they predict what’s in store for the final two seasons. Will the past ever stay buried? Tune in for buzzworthy speculation, shocking revelations, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Featuring the original song "Would u eat me up?" by Micaela Superstar

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References:

Yellowjackets (TV Show)