The Absurd

Starting off this Rod solo episode with a look into the terrifying case of Mary Bell. A girl who was convicted of murdering two children while at the young age of 11. Ever think about what your final meal would be if you could choose from anything? We’ll take a look at some last meals requested by people on death row. Lastly, a bizarre contest initiated by Toronto lawyer Charles Vance Millar. Millar was an eccentric and a practical joker who launched the 10-year contest in 1926. Wondering what kind of contest? Grab a seat and have a listen.

Starting off this Rod solo show with an infuriating account of the way unwed mothers and their children were treated in Ireland during much of the 20th century. Next, an inspirational conflict between the students of Notre Dame University and the Ku Klux Klan. Last, the bizarre tale of Barbara Baekeland and her son Antony, and the means she employed to “fix” him of his homosexuality.

Mel is away for work so it’s another Rod Solo show. Starting off this week with a shocking story out of Africa where over 80 people have been killed as a result of a superstition fueled by social media that men are having their genitals stolen simply by being touched on the shoulder. Next, probably the saddest story I’ve ever done on this show. The cull of over 750,000 pets in the United Kingdom on the eve of the Second World War. Lastly, we’ll look at a feud between two men which led to one of them stealing a tractor and ramming it into a house owned by the other man. But that’s not all.

Starting off this week with a story that was huge international news back in 1961. The disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, son of the wildly wealthy John D. Rockefeller, while exploring New Guinea. Next, the truly amazing survival story of Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, an Icelandic fisherman who defied insurmountable odds after this boat capsized. In our third story of the show, we will look at a Texas police department that was dissolved after “failing to prove it provided any benefit to the community”. But it’s even worse that that. And lastly … well … take it up with Mel! J

Starting off with a very sad and bizarre story of a 6-year-old girl who died as a result of a defective badminton racquet. Next, what is considered to be the first incident of a school shooting of an elementary school, and the basis for a very popular 1979 song. Mel will then tell us about the fascinating life of journalist and adventurer Nellie Bly. Lastly, we’ll look at the ridiculously sad case of four very young children who were sold by their mother.

Mel is Back! And we’re starting off this week with a look at a truly terrifying Canadian doomsday cult whose leader committed and directed some truly horrific acts against his followers. Next, we’ll learn about a truly gruesome case of obsession in which a man did … well you’ll have to listen to believe it. Next, we’re off to Thailand where a Nigerian influencer paid the ultimate price for a bigger penis. Lastly, a feel-good story about a father’s efforts to find an identical replacement for his autistic son’s cherished sippy cup.

This week we’re starting off another Rod Solo show by looking at a murder case in Texas where a man shot his own daughter after an argument about politics, The local court refused to indict him. Next, a story that is very dear to Rod, and one several listeners have asked for. The deeply strange and as yet unexplained deaths of nine Soviet hikers in 1959 in the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Lastly, rats usually elicit fear and disgust for most people. We view them as pests causing destruction and even spreading disease. However, some rats are doing great work to save human lives. And no, not in a laboratory.

In this week’s Rod Solo episode, we’ll start off with a look at the bizarre underground fire beneath the near ghost town of Centralia, Pennsylvania. A fire that has been burning for decades. Next, we’ll look at the truly shocking and singularity strange life and career of musician GG Allin. Lastly, let’s look at one of the strangest, yet most peaceful wars in the history of the world.

Starting off this week with a big one. The Satanic Panic gripped and infiltrated so much of the public eye that whole criminal trials and social purges resulted. Next, who knew that a misplaced underscore in ones username could result in prison. One Canadian man found out. Lastly, we’ll go back to 1928 and the disappearance of 9-year-old Walter Collins, and the police claims that the boy had been found and returned to his mother. But was it Walter?

It’s a Rod Solo show. Starting off with the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas back in 2022 in which 19 children and two adults were killed while the Uvalde police force stood by and refused to intervene. This story is about a mother who entered the school and rescued her two sons along with other children and was subsequently harassed by the same police force following the incident. Next, we’re off to Hollywood, Florida, the last known whereabouts of Mel who was sent to investigate the story of a restaurant who provides a dinner in which all customers are naked. Lastly, we’ll take a look at the controversial and intriguing practice of cryonics. That is, people being frozen post-death in the hopes they will someday be revived.