Hello spooky people! Ready for a literal deep dive? This week, we’re tackling two topics that will make you rethink your next trip to the lake and that dream Italian vacation.

First, we dive into the murky waters of the Smiley Face Killer Theory, where a supposed serial killer (or killers?) left a creepy smiley face as a calling card. Sounds like something out of a horror movie, right? Everything we cover on the show sounds like it's straight out of a horror movie. We’ll explore the evidence, the skepticism, and whether this theory holds water—or if it’s just a lot of grimacing over graffiti.

Then, we’re off to Italy, where we’ll visit the Haunted Island of Poveglia. Known as one of the most haunted places on Earth (not like the others), this little slice of Venice is more likely to give you chills than memories of gondola rides. From plague pits to ghostly encounters, we’ll unravel why this island is a no-go zone for even the bravest of travelers.

I want to hear from YOU! What’s the most haunted place in Alabama? We’re gearing up for a spooky mini-sode this Wednesday, and your suggestion could make the cut. Drop me a line, and let’s make it terrifying.

And hey, don’t forget to keep an eye on our TikTok—I’ve got a creative surprise lined up that ties into today’s topics. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it! Cheers!

Send Me a Story! @ [email protected]

Get Shaker & Spoon: https://shaker-and-spoon.sjv.io/y2EBQG

Sources: ⁠https://allthatsinteresting.com/smiley-face-killer⁠

⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_face_murder_theory⁠

⁠https://homicidecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Research-Brief-on-Smiley-Face-Murder-Theory-FINAL.pdf⁠

⁠https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/smiley-face-murder-serial-killer-drowning-death-882042/⁠

⁠https://positivelypittsburgh.com/smiley-face-killer-fact-or-fiction/⁠

⁠https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/art-culture/poveglia-island⁠

⁠https://www.thetravel.com/poveglia-island-creepy-things-didnt-know/⁠

⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poveglia⁠

Clowns—some people love them, most people fear them, and after this episode, you might just hate them too! This week, we’re diving face-first into the twisted world of Phantom Clown sightings and the terrifying case of John Wayne Gacy, the real-life killer clown who haunted the 1970s.

First up, we’re chasing down those creepy clowns that kept popping up in the strangest places. Are they pranksters, something supernatural, or just a bunch of kids with too much time on their hands? Phantom Clown sightings have been causing chaos for decades, and we’re here to sift through the greasepaint and see what’s behind those sinister grins.

Then, we dive into the dark and chilling story of John Wayne Gacy, the killer with a clown persona who lured his victims to their deaths. We’ll unravel the twisted mind behind the makeup and explore how he managed to terrify an entire nation. And don’t worry, we’ll have a cocktail on hand to help us all cope with the creepiness!

But hey, I also want to hear from you too! What’s the most haunted place in Alabama? I'm cooking up a spooky minisode for the last Wednesday of August, and I need your haunted hotspots to make it extra eerie. Drop me a line, and your suggestion might just make it into the show! Comment on the episode to leave your suggestions!

Grab your drink, and let’s dive into this creepy world of clowns- Cheers!

Sources: https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/execution/the-last-meal/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wayne_Gacy

https://www.cookcountysheriffil.gov/departments/c-c-s-p-d/unidentified-victims-john-wayne-gacy/

https://slate.com/culture/2016/10/evil-clowns-have-been-sighted-all-over-america-since-1981.html

https://www.kjrh.com/newsy/creepy-clown-sightings-actually-started-in-the-80s_

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/oct/31/the-great-clown-panic-of-2016-a-volatile-mix-of-fear-and-contagion

https://ifpo.org/preview-creepy-clowns-panic-2016/

Get fired up and settle in, because this week’s episode is serving up two spine-tingling tales that are sure to make you question everything—maybe even your choice of home décor.

First, we’re diving into the baffling case of the Sodder Children Disappearance. Five kids vanished from their home on Christmas Eve, and the only thing more mysterious than their disappearance is the number of theories surrounding it. Was it a kidnapping? A conspiracy? Or just the world’s most baffling game of hide and seek? We’re digging into the clues and the rumors of what might have happened.

Then, we move to a tale that might make you rethink hanging any artwork on your walls. The Crying Boy Painting—an artwork that’s been accused of arson. Homes have gone up in flames, but the painting? Untouched. Is it cursed, or just really, really fireproof? Tune in to find out!

Finally, I want to hear from you! What do you think is the most haunted place in Alabama? Send me your spookiest suggestions, and I might just feature them in the upcoming minisode at the end of the month. So, hit play, get cozy, and let’s get to the bottom of these mysteries—Cheers!

Sources: https://www.foodandwine.com/what-is-chartreuse-7554898#:~:text=While%20the%20monks%20initially%20produced,the%20Last%20Word%2C%20the%20Irish

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/spirits/flaming-cocktail-history/

https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-set-cocktails-on-fire-7970016

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodder_children_disappearance

https://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvrcbiog/WhatReallyHappenedToChildrena.html

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5067563

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-children-who-went-up-in-smoke-172429802/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crying_Boy

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/crying-boy-painting-fires

In this week's episode, join me as I navigate the humble surroundings of a public apartment conference room to bring you two thrilling tales that will send shivers down your spine.

First, I dive into the terrifying legend of the Beast of Gévaudan, a monstrous creature that prowled the French countryside in the 18th century, leaving a trail of fear and carnage. Was it a wolf, a man, or something far more sinister?

Then, we shift gears to the eerie and puzzling case of the Mad Gasser of Mattoon, a mysterious figure who allegedly gassed unsuspecting residents in a small Illinois town during the 1940s. Are both topics just a case of mass hysteria and public imagination? They do seem straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairytale- so grab your favorite glass, and let's get into it. Cheers!

Send Me a Story! @ [email protected]

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe

https://makemeacocktail.com/cocktail/5926/what-was-that

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_of_G%C3%A9vaudan

https://www.history.com/news/beast-gevaudan-france-theories

https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/the-beast-of-gevaudan-1764-1767/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Gasser_of_Mattoon

https://www.library.illinois.edu/hpnl/blog/the-mad-gasser-of-mattoon/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/column-mad-gasser-of-mattoon

Hop on over to this week’s episode where we dive into some truly froggy mysteries! Is anyone tired of the frog jokes yet?

First, I delve into the chilling and tragic case of South Korea’s Frog Boys, whose disappearance has haunted the nation for years. If this case doesn't bring tears to your eyes- You. Are. A. Monster. I don't make the rules. Then, I unravel the legend of the Loveland Frogman—a cryptid that's been walkin' around like a toddler for decades.

Send Me a Story! @ [email protected]

Sources: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cnainsider/intrigue-scandal-heartbreak-case-south-korea-missing-frog-boys-774406

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2003/01/06/socialAffairs/Bodies-of-5-frog-boys-missing-since-1991-found-on-mountain/1909041.html?

https://www.donga.com/en/List/article/all/20020927/224989/1

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1843628/south-korea-removes-statute-limitations-murder

https://web.archive.org/web/20120910053015/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2006/03/24/2006032461036.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loveland_frog

https://lovelandoh.gov/491/City-Mascot

Hello spooky people! Welcome to Episode 75!

Today, we are blasting off into the unknown with a classic conspiracy- the moon landing hoax. Pair that with the creepy conspiracy of the Russian cosmonaut recordings, and you've got a full-blown lunar tale. Put on your tinfoil hats because we discuss the basis of this theory, and all the explanations NASA prepared in response. Spoiler alert: the moon might not be made of cheese, but these theories are definitely cheesy!

In this episode, we also dive into the strange and baffling Lead Masks case in Brazil, where two men were found wearing lead masks with a cryptic note. We're definitely in a classic Alien movie now! Did the unknowingly participate in a secret experiment, or were they victims of an otherworldly encounter?

Join me in this cosmic journey with your SpaceFace cocktail creations, and let's get lost in space. Cheers!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing_conspiracy_theories

https://www.history.com/news/moon-landing-fake-conspiracy-theories

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/moon-landing-conspiracy-theories-debunked

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judica-Cordiglia_brothers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Cosmonauts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_masks_case

https://thejohntravolta.medium.com/the-lead-mask-case-db5dd332a78e

Hello spooky people! Ready to keep the 4th of July festivities rolling with some explosive true crime and ghostly tales of the battlefield?

First up today, we’re unwrapping the mystery of the Colonial Parkway murders. Picture this: scenic views, historic charm, and a (suspected) serial killer on the loose! We’ll explore the unsolved (?) cases that turned this picturesque parkway into a perilous path of peril. Then, we’re heading to Gettysburg, where ghostly soldiers haunt visitors with their violent pasts. Cheers!

https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/cold-cases/colonial-parkway-murders/

https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/why-the-fbi-wants-help-to-learn-more-about-the-man-accused-of-one-of-the-colonial-parkway-murders/291-78226bb8-88fd-4715-8730-cfa575144670

https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/01/08/pair-of-decades-old-cold-cases-including-1-often-connected-to-colonial-parkway-killings-solved-authorities-say/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alan-wilmer-suspect-3-cold-cases-colonial-parkway-murders-virginia-police/

https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/how-haunted-is-gettysburg/

https://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/the-ghosts-of-gettysburg/#:~:text=The%20Haunted%20Battlefield&text=These%20ghosts%20are%20said%20to,soldiers%20have%20been%20frequently%20reported.

Hello, spooky people! Ready to take a wild ride through the woods of New Jersey?

https://cocktailpartyapp.com/drinks/jack-rose/

https://visitnj.org/city/pine-barrens

https://medium.com/@yasminscherrer/folklore-and-murder-new-jersey-pine-barrens-dark-history-9af46040f121

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Durst

https://www.greenmatters.com/community/are-the-pine-barrens-dangerous

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legends_and_tales_of_the_New_Jersey_Pine_Barrens

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Devil

Annndd it's back! Join me in catching up on the June shenanigans and hear what's coming next for or spooky little mini-sode series.

As always, email [email protected] to share your stories or suggest a fun idea for the show! Cheers & let's have some fun!