In this B Side, Patrice, Marleah, and Courtney talk about "evangelist" Bob Larson.of Spiritual Freedom Church. And they take his online quiz from boblarson.org to find out whether they themselves are demons! Are they? Listen to find out!

In this episode of The Strange South, co-hosts Patrice, Marleah, & Courtney dive into three fascinating stories about demonic possession and exorcism in the American South, inspired by the television show "Evil." The episode begins with the hosts enjoying a unique "posh parmatini" - a sophisticated cocktail featuring parmesan-infused vodka, courtesy of their friend Mary.

The first story centers around the Archive of the Afterlife Museum in Moundsville, West Virginia, where owner Steve Hummel houses various allegedly haunted objects. One particular item, a well-worn copy of Dr. Seuss's "The Foot Book," was claimed to be haunted after being connected to a quadruple homicide. However, when skeptical investigator Kenny Biddle looked into the case, he tracked down the book's original owner - a man named Kyle who had simply enjoyed the book as a child before his father sold it at a yard sale. While the book was indeed from near the location of a tragic murder, its direct connection to the crime was debunked.

The second story profiles Greg Locke, a controversial fundamentalist preacher from Mount Joliet, Tennessee, who has branded himself as a "demon slayer." Through his Global Vision Bible Church, Locke conducts mass "deliverances," claiming to cast out demons of everything from video games to lactose intolerance. His 2023 movie "Come Out in Jesus Name" grossed $2.5 million in just three days. The hosts discuss how his tent revival-style events, complete with sawdust floors and no air conditioning, create an environment where mass hysteria and spiritual experiences flourish.

The final and most compelling story follows Amy Stamatis, a med flight nurse in Little Rock, Arkansas, who experienced a sudden and inexplicable mental breakdown in 2006. After treating a burn victim, she began experiencing severe cognitive issues, hearing voices, and exhibiting erratic behavior. Despite numerous medical evaluations, no physical cause was found. The situation culminated in a tragic incident where she fell from a second-story window, leaving her paralyzed. The story takes an unexpected turn when a Pentecostal evangelist named Cindy Lawson performed an exorcism in her hospital room, after which Stamatis reportedly returned to mental wellness, though she remained physically paralyzed.

The hosts frame these stories through the lens of the three main characters from "Evil" - the scientist, the psychologist, and the priest - offering different perspectives on how such events might be interpreted through various lenses of understanding.

The Strange South podcast continues to explore the unusual, unexplained, and unconventional stories of the American South, blending humor, skepticism, and open-minded curiosity in their storytelling approach.

00:00 Introduction to The Strange South

00:32 Casual Conversations and Catching Up

01:40 The Posh Parmatini Recipe

06:46 Book Discussion: Blackwater by Michael McDowell

13:33 Exploring the Show 'Evil'

17:13 Exorcisms and Southern Evangelicalism

21:11 Story Time: Archive of the Afterlife Museum

22:46 The Haunted Children's Book

23:43 Investigating the Book's History

24:27 Debunking the Haunted Book Myth

28:50 The Serial Killer Sod Collection

30:25 The Demon Slayer Preacher

40:58 The Exorcism of Amy Stamatis

49:36 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

The TSS Crew is live from Romarin et Corbeaux in Anniston, AL for our annual Halloween show!

Our friend Jason comes by to share some ghost stories and, of course, to sing!!!!

In this episode of The Strange South B-Side, Patrice, Marleah, and Courtney dive into everything from discovering our ancestral roots to barefoot adventures at the local Piggly Wiggly! This time, we’re back with a B-Side, filled with all the randomness you’d expect from a chill Southern gathering.

In this episode of The Strange South, hosts Marleah, Patrice, and Courtney catch up with each other, sharing experiences from a recent Alanis Morissette concert and discussing their preferences for intimate, singer-songwriter events over big, choreographed performances. Patrice then dives into a detailed and tragic story from southern gothic history, recounting the tumultuous life of the Orchard family, marked by domestic abuse, parental kidnapping, and mental health struggles. This story details the harrowing experiences of Lucy Orchard, her battle for custody of her children, and the eventual turn of events that lead to the family's descent into seclusion and infamy. The hosts also give a shout-out to local spots they enjoyed during their travels.

Patrice, Marleah, and Courtney discuss the eerie history of the Orchard Family's haunted house in the Lakeview area of New Orleans. Thanks, Charlotte!

In this episode of The Strange South B-Side, Patrice, Marleah, and Courtney talk about a speakeasy bar in Oxford (Alabama), debunk rumors of Dollywood's closure, and share stories of bear attacks, including a family legend and a man's survival from a brutal mauling.

In this episode of The Strange South, Marleah, Patrice, and Courtney discuss their favorite frozen drinks, summer plans, and a plethora of bear encounters in Southern Appalachia, specifically around Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Highlighting the dangers of human-bear interactions, they share stories of recent bear attacks, including a harrowing account of a hiker's close call with a black bear on the Appalachian Trail. The hosts emphasize the importance of proper food storage and safety measures when hiking or camping in bear territory. Additionally, they touch on personal anecdotes, the challenges of wildlife coexisting with human activities, and the community's reaction to these frequent bear sightings.

In this light-hearted episode, the hosts discuss their plans for a vampire-themed trip to New Orleans and delve into unique home remedies from the Foxfire book. Topics range from casual chit-chat to old Appalachian cures for ailments like stomach trouble, cramps, colds, and arthritis. The conversation includes humorous anecdotes and nostalgic stories, making for an entertaining and informative session on folk medicine and future travel plans.