The Morbid Curiosity Podcast

Hello listeners,

This week, The MCP would like to showcase another history podcast. Fresh Hell Podcast, hosted by Annie and Johanna, is an amazing deep dive history podcast focusing on the macabre. Like the MCP they focus on research and human stories, taking time to explore the historical context behind every topic they cover. They often focus on lesser-known stories, tangents of larger topics that also deserve to be explored. They release a new episode every Friday, diving into stories of murder, mystery, and the macabre.

The episode of Fresh Hell that I chose to share with you all is called This is The Saddest Show. I chose this one because we've covered Freak Shows on the MCP, but didn't have time to really dive into the lives of some of the people who were displayed in this way. This episode talks about Chang and Eng Bunker, the conjoined twins, who were eventually able to take control of their display, and Julia Pastrana, known as 'the Bear Woman,' whom even after her death couldn't escape the exploitation that ruled her life. Annie and Johanna tell their stories in detail, remaining sensitive and non-exploitative when dealing with the complicated issues that wove throughout their lives.

So, please give this episode a listen, and if you like it, you can find part 2 on the Fresh Hell Podcast feed where ever podcasts are found.

Thank you, and I'll be back next time with another episode of the MCP.

Glowing plants and mushrooms are a staple of science fiction and fantasy environments, but did you know these fantastical elements are based on real organisms? This episode should be called glowing non-animal organisms but that doesn't really roll off the tongue. We discuss fungi, moss, algae and plants that glow, using bioluminescence and other unique mechanisms.

CW: Discussions of Religious persecution, and brief descriptions of torture, execution, and abduction. This episode also discusses an area that is currently experiencing violent political strife.

During the Spanish Inquisition, an era of intense persecution of the Jewish communities of Europe, one woman was able to provide shelter and escape to hundreds of Jewish people fleeing persecution. Her name was Doña Gracia Mendes Nasi. Using her vast fortune, intelligence and cunning, she was able to make her own escape, and then assist others in the Jewish community fleeing from the Inquisition.

Water demands respect - it's life-giving, but also extremely dangerous. It's no wonder that tales of dangerous water creatures exist in cultures all over the world and throughout time. One such creature is the Bunyip, whose origins lie with multiple ancient oral traditions of Australian First Peoples. In this episode, we'll discuss these origins, the way the bunyip changed with the arrival of Europeans and after, and the many sightings of this elusive creature.

CW: Discossions of death, crime scenes, and decompostion

Human Taphonomy Facilities, nicknamed Body Farms, are locations where donated human corpses are left to decay in order to study the process of decomposition. This research aids crime scene investigators and forensic anthropologists in determining cause and time of death, both of which can make or break a criminal case. Let's discuss how these facilities came to be and what goes on behind the razor wire fences.

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The Myrtles Plantation is known as the most haunted hotel in America, hosting a very prominent ghost of an enslaved woman named Chloe. Does the history hold any truth to the stories? Let's discuss!

CW: Enslavement, violence, racism and murder.

Mushrooms. So cute. So tasty. So very toxic.

Humans have loved and feared mushrooms since before written history. In this episode, Hallie discusses the tumultuous history of this relationship, and a few of the most deadly mushrooms in the world.

For patrons of the MCP, this episode is ad-free and extended.

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Originally posted in Dec. 2022, lets dive back into Krampus.

Without much effort, the layers of the Christian holiday of Christmas can be peeled away to reveal its origins in more ancient pagan traditions from across Europe. One of the ancient folkloric characters that has managed to survive by tooth and claw is Krampus. Lets talk about Krampus, the Christmas demon.

The Nahanni region in Canada's Northwest Territories has a nickname - The Valley of Headless Men - because several decapitated bodies have been discovered over the years. Most of these were found during the goldrush and while some suggest foul play, there is also talk of strange beasts and spirits in the valley. Let's explore these legends.

Originally published for patrons on Jun 28, 2023.

Let's take a casual dip into the world of medical terminology: its history, how diseases are named, colloquial names and out of date terms for disease, and fancy words for mundane conditions.

Vampire folklore is ancient, but with the publishing of Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1897, that lore changed forever. The terrifying, grotesque creature became suave and charming, then continued to evolve into the seductive creature of the night we know today. In this episode we examine that transition, as well as the origin and evolution of Dracula's vampiric powers.

Originally published on Patreon on April 9th, 2025

'Baba Yaga is a powerful witch who terrorizes all who enter the deep forest from her hut on bird's legs, it's fences strung with human bones. In this episode, Hallie discusses her origins, the strange duality of her character, and shares several Baba Yaga folktales.'

Did you know that disease has been used to help people? In this episode we're going to discuss several cases in which disease, or disease research, was utilized to protect people from great harm. All of these cases occurred during World War 2, and were carried out by physicians doing their best to protect those targeted by The Third Reich, also known as the Nazis.

Originally published for MCP Patrons of Feb 15, 2025.

'In this episode, Hallie explores the physiological and psychological aspects of fear, how these reactions may have developed in our human past, and how they both benefit and burden us today.'

In November of 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter discovered an ancient Egyptian royal tomb, the first ever to be found in tact. It belonged to a little known pharaoh named Tutankhamun. This discovery stands as one of the most amazing archaeological finds of all time. But who was Tutankhamun and why was his richly furnished tomb so hidden and so small?

Originally released in Apr 24, 2017 with the title 'Getting Ahead in Life'

Modern medicine seeks to find ways to ease the struggle for those affected by disease and disability. One of these that went from science fiction to actual scientific possibility is head transplantation, transplanting the head of one individual onto the body of another.

This remaster includes more research, better music and higher quality vocals.

Originally released for Patrons on Sep 26, 2024

In this episode, Hallie dives into the web of social factors that likely drove the Salem Witch trials. The bewitched girls, called the afflicted, were from one faction in town, while the accused were from another. Is this a coincidence? Probably not.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes seizures, but throughout history, it was thought to be caused by demonic possession, angry gods and evil spirits. In this episode we discuss what Epilepsy is, and its medical and social history.

Originally released for Patrons on Feb 13, 2023.

"Highgate cemetery was one of the first large garden cemeteries built during the industrialization of London. Over the years it's had its ups and downs, from being a sought-after luxury cemetery to an abandoned, overgrown haunt of tramps and adolescents. It was even the scene of a possible vampire sighting. In this episode we discuss the history of Highgate."

Between the late 18th and early 20th century, the fear of premature burial was intense. This fear was spurred by both real incidents and magnification of the issue by newspapers and public interest groups. Many inventive ideas arose to deal with the issue, one of which was the security coffin. In this episode we discuss where this fear came from and the many devices created to aid the mistakenly buried.

This episode is part 2 of a 3-part series, originally published on May 18th 2023.

"In this episode, we discuss the evidence from the Jack the Ripper case, including, letters, photos, and personal accounts from the Metropolitan and City of London police. We also dive into the many suspects that have been proposed over the years, which range from escaped asylum inmates to royalty."

When you need a glimpse of hope in the most dire circumstances, there is Anna Essinger, a school teacher who was able to pull her whole school full of Jewish pupils out of Germany. Essinger taught and cared for hundreds of Jewish refugees, quietly and peacefully resisting the Nazi party throughout World War II.

Originally posted on Patreon on July 14, 2023.

"In this episode, we discuss the archaeological and scientific work that has been done at the RMS Titanic wreck site, from its discovery in 1985 to the more recent and unfortunate expedition undertaken by OceanGate. We strive to remain sensitive and respectful, while also giving the most up-to-date and factual information about these expeditions."

Bone-setting was the strength-based art of resetting broken bones, dislocations, and bad backs. In the 1730s, one of the most prolific and effective bonesetters was Sarah Mapp, also known as Crazy Sally.

Originally published as 'Lost' on Nov 14, 2016, this remastered episode was published on Patreon on June 18th, 2024.

"Before the colony of Jamestown, another colony attempt was made on Roanoke Island. After several years and many unfortunate events, the people and the village seemingly disappeared. The Colony of Roanoke is known as the Lost Colony, and it's not as lost as you might think."

Alchemy is an ancient practice combining mysticism with scientific observation in order to explain and manipulate the natural world. Secrecy was a large part of alchemy and the use of codes and ciphers was common. Several substances were especially important to Alchemists, and in this episode, we dive into these legendary ingredients.

The Dybbuk is a malevolent possessing spirit that originates in 16th century Jewish folklore. How does this concept end up part of modern paranormal belief? In this episode, Hallie discusses the origins of dybbuk, how to exorcise one from a human, and if the original being could even possess a box.

Originally published on Patreon on Oct. 11, 2023

'In this episode, we discuss spirit possession from a multitude of angles. What it is, the variations that occur, the history of reports, and the possible scientific explanations for it. We also touch on why its so hard to test any of these theories.'

CW: Death of humans and animals

During the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, Robert Falcon Scott made two attempts to reach the South Pole. His second attempt was his last. In this episode, Hallie tells the story of the 1911 race to the South Pole, the adventure and the tragedy.

Originally posted on Patreon on Jan 11, 2024.

In this episode, Hallie explores the many aspects of Dark Tourism - visiting places with macabre and haunting histories - as well as the types of locations this practice encompasses.

CW: Discussions of enslavement, genocide, incarceration, suicide, and exploitation.

A disease associated with pirates and explorers, scurvy was a constant threat to humans without access to fresh fruit and vegetables. In this episode we discuss the symptoms, the long quest to discover the cause, and tales of disasters and recoveries of those who suffered from scurvy.

Originally posted on Patreon on March 11, 2024.

As we're exploring tools used by ghost hunters and mediums, let's take a look at the Ouija board, a mass produced version of the talking board, which was born out of the impatience of Spiritualists attending seances in the late 1800s.

Happy Halloween! In celebration, Hallie is proud to present Perfect Skin, a short horror story, written exclusively for the MCP by author L.J. Stanton.

This audiobook will be free for everyone for two weeks. After that, it will only be accessible to patrons of the MCP.

CW: Body horror, pregnancy horror, birth horror

In the beginning of 1692, young women in Salem village began experiencing strange symptoms, which were soon blamed on witchcraft. The girls began accusing neighbours of bewitching them, escalating the situation. More and more young women became afflicted and more townsfolk were accused. 19 people were eventually executed.

In this second instalment, Hallie discusses the criminal trials, the executions, and the rise and fall of the power of the afflicted.

In the beginning of 1692, young women in Salem village began experiencing strange symptoms, which were soon blamed on witchcraft. The girls accused three women of bewitching them, but instead of resolving the case, the matter only escalated. More young women were afflicted and more townsfolk were accused, and 19 people were eventually executed.

In this first instalment, Hallie discusses what was going on in Salem when accusations began to fly, who was afflicted, who was accused, and who was hearing the cases.

In this special spooky season episode, Hallie interviews Ryan Matthew Cohn (Oddities) and Regina Marie Rossi (Oddities Flea Market) about their upcoming book The Witch's Door. They talk exploded skulls, provenance, ethical collecting and more! The book is part personal history and part examination of specific objects from their massive oddity and curiosity collection.

MCP host Hallie sites down with John and Rob Donkin, also known as Bad Viking Games, to discuss thier cozy mystery game Strange Horticulture. You are the owner of horticultural shop in the bleak town of Undermere. Many of the plants you stock can heal or harm. When murder strikes, you are dragged into a web of intreague involving witches, cults, and many toxic plants.

CW: Detailed descriptions of execution methods and corpse desecration

Before 1868, executions in England were held in designated public spaces. One of these was famous due to its long history as a place of death and for the large number of criminals that could be executed at once. That place was Tyburn and its infamous execution apparatus was known as the Tyburn Tree.

"Lizzie Borden took an axe

and gave her mother 40 whacks.

When she saw what she had done

she gave her father 41."

Or did she?

In this epic remaster of the MCP's very first episode, we go over the details of the murder case against Lizzie Borden, and discuss what might have happened in Fall River on Aug 4th, 1892.

The original epiosde was released on July 31, 2016 and was titled 'An Axe to Grind.'

Please enjoy this remasterd and updated version!

During the Victorian era, the display of differently abled humans, termed the Freak Show, was a hugely popular form of entertainment. Today this form of entertainment is nearly taboo, but the morbid fascination with disability and physical differences remains. Let's discuss why.

It may come as a surprise, but most plants aren't very friendly. Like most creatures, they survive by defending themselves against predators, parasites, and pathogens. Some have developed quite extreme defence mechanisms, and they are subject of this episode.

CW: animal experimentation, mental illness, suicide, non-consensual surgical procedures, malpractice and abuse in mental health facilities.

One of the most infamous procedures from the era of psychosurgery is the Lobotomy. From the beginning there was criticism that lobotomy was too unpredictable and invasive to treat mental illness. Despite this, the procedure was marketed as a miracle cure and thousands of vulnerable people were subjected to it, with and without their consent.

The 1870s were a rough time in Kansas. Travelers and settlers on the frontier struggled against the odds to make even a modest living. The Bender family had a unique method of survival: murder.

CW: forced relocation, murder of adults and children, suicide

CW: Torture, Rape, Execution, Racism, Self-Harm, and Suicide

Colonial Australia was used by the British to house prisoners in the late 1800s. Pentridge Prison began as a stockade in 1851 and grew into one of the most infamous prisons in Victoria, both for its size and the brutality of the punishments suffered by its inmates.

Have you ever wondered why paranormal investigators use certain devices to detect ghosts? It all has to do with theories about what ghosts are. In this episode, we explore theories about ghosts throughout history. Is there room for the possibility that they exist? Maybe.

Often called the Dyatlov Pass Incident of the 70s, the Chivruay Pass Tragedy has similar elements: 10 students go hiking in the snowy Russian mountains and are later found frozen to death. They also share a cloud of mystery and intrigue that may or may not be true.

For this winter holiday special, Hallie dives into the folklore of Iceland to talk about the terrifying creatures of midwinter. Who are they, what are their origins , and what has become of them in the modern era?

In this 4th instalment of the MCP's plants series, we discuss carnivorous plants: their traps, their habitats, and how to care for your own meat-eating plant.

CW: Belief in the supernatural, mental illness, religious doctrine, refute of religious doctrine, ritual abuse, suicide, and religious persecution.

For Halloween this year, Hallie dives into the supernatural world to explore the practice of exorcism. From the early mesopotamian demons of the desert to modern day demons, famous exorcists and infamous exorcisms.

CW: Mass accidental death including women and children, mention of suicide.

In this epiosde, we discuss the sinking of the HMS Titanic, one of the most devastating maritime tragedies of its age. The construction, the safety features, the voyage, the aftermath and the psychological affects of the sinking are all discussed.

In this final part of episode 100, we explore the histories of the women whose lives were ended in 1888 by the Ripper. Each woman lived a different experience, leading them for better or worse to the East End. While the details are incomplete, and in some cases very sparse, we can at least get an idea of what life was like for the women of Whitechapel.

CW: murder, physcial and sexual violence against women, sex work, detailed descriptions of bodily mutilation.

In 1888, a string of brutal murders shocked the residents of London. Just as shocking, the police were unable to find the killer, nicknamed Jack the Ripper.

For the 100th epiosde of the Morbid Curiosity Podcast, we present a 3-part episode on Jack the Ripper. In this, part 1, we go over the details of the murders. In part 2, which is for Patrons of the MCP only, we'll discuss the suspects and the thoeries about who the Ripper was. In Part 3, we'll discuss the women who died, and how they might have been connected.

During the Golden Age of Piracy, many small islands became havens for pirates, places they went to divide and enjoy thier loot. While some of these are legendary, such as the pirate Utopia Libertatia, others were real places. In this episode, Hallie discusses pirate havens, focusing on those in Madagascar.

TW: Enslaved peoples, Trade in Enslaved Peoples.

It's Halloween! Let's celebrate with a creepy ghost story. The MCP presents, 'The Corpse Light,' by D. Donovan, originally published in 1899.

In this episode, we discuss the folklore surrounding the three most popular supernatural creatures: vampires, werewolves and zombies. All three can transmit (or infect) humans with thier condition through a single bite, but what other similarities exists in thier origins and lore, and why are these creatures still popular today?

Happy Halloween!

In the final part of this series, we discuss the tombs of ancient Egypt, from plain burials to monumental pyramids. We also talk about how they changed over time and who built these monuments.

How did mummification begin? Were only the pharaohs mummified? Who made mummies? In part 2 of this 3 part series, we answer all these questions and more as we explore the evolution of mummification in ancient Egypt. In the next part of this series, we'll talk about burials, tombs and pyramids.

We know the ancient Egyptians built tombs and made mummies, but why? In part 1 of this 3 part series, we explore the ideology, religion, and funerary rituals surrounding death in ancient Egypt. In the next episode, we'll dive into the process of making a mummy, and in part three, we'll discuss tombs and pyramids.

TW: Colonialism, Big Game Hunting, Animal Attacks

In 1898, two lions began systematically killing and eating Indian workers building a British train line over the River Tsavo in Kenya. Their stealth and cunning made them incredibly difficult to stop. In this episode, Hallie discusses the 9-month incident, the downfall of the lions at the hands of Lt. Col. Patterson, and why the lions may have gone after humans in the first place.

Tarrare was 18th century man who could eat almost anything, and did so in large quantities. That included live animals, wooden boxes, and feasts meant for 15 men. In this episode we discuss his life, and what might have been the cause of his condition.

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In 1518, the city of Strasbourg was consumed by a strange epidemic: hundreds were struck by the irresistible urge to dance until they died. This incident of Dancing Mania was not the first, and no one knew the cause of such strange behaviour. In this episode, we discuss several incidents of dancing mania, as well as the theories - past and present - about its origin.

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In this episode, we discuss a biological phenomenon that has been mistaken for a supernatural experience for hundreds of years. People of the past believed demons, witches, or spirits were sitting on their chests while they slept, crushing them, but today this experience is known as sleep paralysis, and it's far more common than previously thought.

TW: Sexual Assault

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Bloodletting is an ancient treatment that persisted until the 18th century. One of the techniques used to let blood were leeches, blood-sucking worms. In this episode, we discuss both the history of bloodletting and these fascinating yet creepy creatures.

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One of the most common types of magic in the ancient Graeco-Roman world were curses. These binding spells were placed on special tablets & figurines that have since been unearthed by archaeologists. In this episode, we discuss these curse tablets, & how they were made & used.

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On March 31, 1922, an entire family and their maid were murdered in their home, an isolated farmstead in Bavaria, Germany, known as Hinterkaifeck. The killer has never been discovered, and a web of mystery has been woven around the incident since it occurred. In this episode we discuss the case, the suspects, and try to separate fact from fiction.

TW: Sexual Abuse, Violence Toward Children

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In the past, tsantsas, or shrunken heads, were made by the Shuar people of Ecuador and Peru. These ritual items were part of a complex system of power among the Shuar, but were later traded to fascinated Westerners for guns and other metal goods. In this episode, we discuss the Shuar, how tsantsas were made, and how trade in tsantsas impacted the Western perception of the Shuar.

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After travelling west by covered wagon in 1846, the Donner Party became marooned in the snows of the Sierra Mountains. Even though a small group had made it out to find help, they were running out of food and strength. In this third part of this episode, we discuss the relief efforts as well as the aftermath of their ordeal.

TW: Cannibalism

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Recommended reading:

The Best Land Under Heaven - https://amzn.to/2YwP3Li

Desperate Passage - https://amzn.to/2EhLYrW

The History of the Donner Party - https://amzn.to/3htCjwt

The Donner Party travelled by covered wagon in 1846 toward California, but became marooned in the snows of Sierra Mountains. In the second part of this episode, we discuss the first half of their winter ordeal, including the struggle to survive and a desperate attempt to strike out in search of help.

TW: Cannibalism

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NEW!

Further Reading: The MCP now has affiliate links to all the books we recommend. When you use these links to buy the books, a small percentage of that purchase goes back to the MCP.

The Best Land Under Heaven - https://amzn.to/2YwP3Li

Desperate Passage - https://amzn.to/2EhLYrW

The History of the Donner Party - https://amzn.to/3htCjwt

The Donner Party left Illinois in April 1846. Hoping to reach California by covered wagon before winter, they decided to take a brand new short cut. This short cut proved disastrous, and led to much hardship and horror when the group was snowed in for the winter in the Sierra mountains. In this first part of the episode, we discuss the journey leading up to that short cut and the trials they faced while taking it.

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South of Egypt lies Nubia, the ancient home of of the Kushite Kingdom. The Kushites built their own pyramids and even rose to rule Egypt at one point. In this episode we discuss the history of Kush and the many pyramid tombs they built in the red sands of Sudan.

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The practice of footbinding - binding the feet tightly in order to change their shape - appeared sometime before the 10th century in Imperial China among noble women. As time passed, it became popular among women of all classes, despite the pain and debility it caused. In this episode, we discuss the process and the reasons why women continued this practice into the 20th century.

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Nine women and two men were tried and executed for witchcraft in 1612 near Pendle in Lancashire. This was an unprecedented death toll for a single witch trial at the time. In this episode, we discuss witchcraft in England, and why these trials may have resulted in so many executions.

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While hundreds of urban legends surround Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky, there is also plenty of documented history. Some of the rumours may hold a grain of truth to them. In this episode, we shine a light on the history of Waverly Hills, a grim history tied to the disease tuberculosis.

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*Information provided by Kentucky Historical Institutions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Back by popular request, Hallie discusses more toxic plants! Poisonous plants have been used throughout history for many purposes, including hunting, medicine, cosmetics, and of course, murder. In this episode we discuss several of the most poisonous plants with emphasis on those associated with murder and medicine.

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The Doppelgänger, or supernatural double, has been featured in almost every modern media genre, from romance to science fiction. However, the roots of this folkloric creature are ancient, and the concept of the double and what it represents has been the subject of deep professional curiosity since the 19th century.

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1918 saw the end of World War One but also a pandemic that killed more soldiers than the fighting. It wasn't until 1997 that the lethal disease, sometimes called the Spanish Flu, was identified as Influenza. In this episode, we discuss the spread of the pandemic, the effects it caused and the virus itself.

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During the night on June 20th, 1756, a large number of prisoners were crowded into a single cell at Fort William, Calcutta, and died due to suffocation. This incident was later used to legitimize British rule in India, as well as fight against it. In this episode, we discuss the validity of this story and the context in which it occurred.

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In the finale of this three part episode, we discuss the last of the three Great Plague Pandemics, known as the Plague of Bombay and the Third Pandemic, which began in 1855.

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In this now three part episode, we discuss the three Great Plague Pandemics. In Part Two, we discuss the Black Death, Plague Doctors, and the Great Plague of London

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In this two part episode, we discuss the three Great Plague Pandemics. In part one, we discuss the bacterium behind the plague, Yersinia pestis, and the Plague of Justinian, which occurred in the 6th century CE. In part two, we will discuss the Black Death and the Third Pandemic.

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In 1937, Amelia Earhart, a pioneer of aviation, attempted to fly around the world. Near the end of this journey, she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. In this episode we discuss Earhart's rise to fame, her world flight, her mysterious disappearance, and the theories about what might have happened to her.

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During the Victorian era, the practice of capturing photographs of the dead was part of a complicated etiquette surrounding death and mourning. In this episode, we examine that etiquette and how post-mortem photography developed, its processes and how it aided in the mourning process.

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In 1845, Sir John Franklin and 129 men sailed into the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in search of the Northwest Passage. They were never seen again, and what happened on that expedition has remained a mystery. In this episode, we explore the 19th century attempts to find them, and the more recent information gleaned from what's been found, including artifacts and human remains.

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In 1845, Sir John Franklin and 129 men sailed into the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in search of the Northwest Passage. They were never seen again, and what happened on that expedition has remained a mystery. In this episode, we explore the man, the mission, and one of the early attempts at rescue.

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In the year 79 CE, Mt. Vesuvius erupted, burying the Roman city of Pompeii. The ruins were only rediscovered in the the late 1700s, and have been under excavation ever since. In this episode we discuss written references and the archaeology of Pompeii, Vesuvius and the day the volcano destroyed the city.

TW Detailed discussion of traumatic death by natural disaster

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Women in White, or White Ladies, are female ghosts, spirits, or apparitions that are dressed in white. They are also one of the most commonly told ghosts stories in the world. In this episode, we discuss the many variations of this legend and its possible origins.

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There is a moment in the history of New Orleans that has lived on in infamy since it occurred. That moment was a raging fire that broke out at 1140 Royal Street on April 10th, 1834, and revealed seven enslaved people who had been brutally tortured. The number one suspect in this crime was Madame Delphine Lalaurie.

TW: Torture, Enslavement

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Rats have a reputation for being disgusting plague carriers, but they're also thought of as integral to the scientific process and loving pets. In this episode we explore the three versions of the rat, their place in human history, and the ways in which they are more like humans than most people think.

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High in the Himalaya Mountains sits a tiny lake surrounded by hundreds of shattered human skeletons. Known as 'Skeleton Lake' in the media, its true name is Roopkund and it seems determined to keep its secrets. In this episode, we try to shed some light on this shroud of mystery.

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Corpse medicine, or medicinal cannibalism, is the practice of eating human flesh as medicine. During the European Renaissance, it became incredibly popular for all kinds of ailments. In this episode we discuss why and which body parts were most often used to treat different medical conditions.

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One of the most baffling Australian cold cases is the 1948 death of an unidentified man at Somerton Beach. To this day, the man's identity and the cause of his death remains cloaked in mystery, the only clues being a suitcase full of clothing and a scrap of paper with the words 'Tamam Shud' typed on it. There are many theories as to who the man was and what may have occurred to cause his death. In this episode, we summarize the details of the Tamam Shud Case and discuss several of the most prevalent theories.

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Claude Tozer was a doctor and a rising Australian cricket star in 1920, but his career was cut short when he was shot by Mrs. Dorothy Mort, a woman with whom he was having an affair and also treating for mental illness. In this episode we discuss this intriguing and very tragic case.

TW: War and Suicide discussed

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