HYPERFOCUS: A Podcast for Chaotic Minds

Season 1, We've Just Begun...

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

It's been a wild ride, but don't worry...it's not over yet!

We can't wait to see you for season 2 ;) In the meantime, check us out on our socials and keep up with all the other awesome HYPERFOCUS stuff: linktr.ee/hyperfocuspod

Until next time: stay chaotic, babes.

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Episode 33: Monkey Poop and Unethical Experiments...The Rachel Extravaganza Q&A!

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Why do monkeys throw their poop? What are the most interesting unethical experiments? What is the HYPERFOCUS origin story? How do I know what to do with my life? Join Rachel for a fun and chaotic (duh) Q&A to find out the answers to these questions and more!

if ur reading this i love you

<3 Rachel

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Vacation Days? Never Heard of Them...

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

We don't know how to take time off, but we love learning, so we're giving it a shot. But make sure you listen to the whole "episode" for your chance to be featured on the pod!

We love you all and this wouldn't be possible without you. We're so thankful for your support and look forward to seeing you next week!

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Episode 32: The Cock Lane Ghost

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Everybody loves a good ghost story. But on today's episode, Maddie talks about a ghost story with a hauntingly surprising twist! Oh, and not to mention the absolutely hilarious names...

Sign the David Spade Bachelor Petition: https://chng.it/9vrwMrFR

Sources:

https://digpodcast.org/2017/11/05/cock-lane-ghost-london/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2082797/The-Cock-Lane-ghost-How-tale-sex-death-loan-sharking-gripped-London-250-years-ago-thanks-Scratching-Fanny.html

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/rise-of-supernatural-fiction-17621800/case-of-the-cock-lane-ghost/690E8ECABBD9B4D3DD9F1475D9A05E99

https://burialsandbeyond.com/2020/03/28/scratching-fanny-the-ghost-of-cock-lane/

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG144925

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Episode 31: The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

It's time for some mystery! Do you think you could solve a murder? What about a murder committed in a dollhouse? Today we're talking about Frances Glessner Lee and her incredibly creative--and groundbreaking--contributions to forensic investigation.

This story flips the good ole "whodunnit" on its head!

Sources:

https://www.npr.org/2017/11/18/564791775/the-tiny-murderous-world-of-frances-glessner-lee

http://deathindiorama.com/francesglessnerlee.html

https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/nutshells

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/10/arts/design/frances-glessner-lee-forensic-science-renwick-museum.html

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2005/09/frances-glessner-lee-html

https://slate.com/technology/2014/06/nutshell-dioramas-of-death-frances-glessner-lee-forensic-science-and-training-crime-scene-investigators.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._Glessner_House#John_J._Glessner

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

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/home-where-corpse-frances-glessner-lees-miniature-dollhouse-crime-scenes-180965204/

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Episode 30: Nor Loch - The Lost Lake of Edinburgh

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Before there was the Princess Street Gardens gracing the city of Edinburgh, there was a much more disgusting and foul smelling lake - Nor Loch. Today's show tells the tale of Nor Loch and its haunting history which is still a deeply significant piece of Edinburgh's legacy and haunted reputation.

Sources:

https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/lost-edinburgh-nor-loch-1546742

http://www.royal-mile.com/history/nor-loch.html

https://mysteriesrunsolved.com/2020/06/the-nor-loch-edinburgh-castle.html

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/articles/the-haunting-story-behind-the-witches-well-in-edinburgh/

https://www.digitscotland.com/the-archaeology-of-edinburghs-nor-loch/

http://edinburghlore.co.uk/the-skeletons-of-princes-st-gardens/

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Episode 29: The Mothman

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Rachel is either crazy or in love...maybe both. Today, Rachel tells the story, origin, major sightings, and cultural relevance of her favorite cryptid: Mothman. From a massive wingspan tacked onto a man-like body to disappearing dogs and shining red eyes, this creepy boy lives rent free in our minds, and he is welcome to stay. We love him. Except for the fact that he tends to be a bad omen of tragedies to come...

Petitions:

https://www.change.org/p/the-president-replace-every-statue-of-a-confederate-figure-with-one-of-mothman

https://www.change.org/p/west-virginia-state-senate-change-every-confederate-statue-to-a-mothman-statue

Sources:

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LG0mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Rf8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=620,2790721&dq=point+pleasant+roger+scarberry&hl=en

https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2012/01/23/145334460/welcome-to-the-tnt-area-home-of-the-mothman

https://wchstv.com/news/local/man-photographs-creature-that-resembles-legendary-mothman-of-point-pleasant

https://www.wired.com/2014/03/joshua-dudley-greer-tnt-storage/

https://themothman.fandom.com/wiki/Men_In_Black

https://themothman.fandom.com/wiki/The_Mothman_Museum#The_Men_In_Black_Exhibit

https://web.archive.org/web/20071011230219/http://www.westva.net/mothman/1966-11-16.htm

https://themothman.fandom.com/wiki/Eight_People_Say_They_Saw_%27Creature%27?file=Moth293.PNG

https://nerdist.com/article/mothman-why-we-are-so-obsessed/

https://www.mothmanfestival.com/events.html

https://www.mothmanmuseum.com

https://www.history.com/news/men-in-black-real-origins

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

https://www.southernliving.com/culture/the-mothman-legend-west-virginia

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Episode 28: Famous Feuds

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Some of the greatest discoveries, inventions, and moments in history come from feuds. So today, Maddie is walking us through three famous feuds - one about a sports brand, another about Scottish clans, and a final one about fossils.

Sources:

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Episode 27: The Mary's Room Thought Experiment

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0000

What do color vision, philosophy, One Direction, artificial intelligence, and Howie Mandel have in common? Well...Rachel talks about them in this episode.

In all seriousness, join us this week on a deep dive into the human brain and the human condition as Rachel and Maddie discuss the Mary's Room thought experiment and the limits of science and intelligence.

Sources:

https://www.sfu.ca/~jillmc/JacksonfromJStore.pdf

https://medium.com/psy-lens/marys-room-thought-experiment-a01d8f4cadb3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_argument#Refutation_of_physicalism

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qualia-knowledge/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGYmiQkah4o

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Episode 26: The Not-So-Saintly St. Olga of Kiev

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Today's heroine has a bit of a temper and is most likely a Scorpio for her revenge gene. St. Olga of Kiev is one of medieval history's craziest revenge stories, and to make things all the more ironic, she somehow makes her way to saint-dom in not one but two church traditions!

Maddie's in charge on today's episode, and she's taking us back to medieval Russia.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rus

https://www.history.com/news/vikings-in-russia-kiev-rus-varangians-prince-oleg

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2015/02/06/the-worst-leaders-in-history-igor-i-of-kiev/

https://www.worldhistory.org/Kievan_Rus/

https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/history-of-war/why-were-samurai-swords-so-strong/

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/igor-of-kiev.html

https://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/meet-the-murderous-viking-princess-who-brought-the-faith-to-eastern-europe/83251/

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Episode 25: The Centralia Fire & Ghost Town

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000

How long can a fire burn? How long can you live in a town built on top of an underground fire? Why would you want to stay in here? Well, I'm gonna be honest...we don't answer all of these questions, but we do ask them.

Today, Rachel takes us through the story and history of how Centralia, Pennsylvania became a real-life, modern ghost town.

Sources:

https://www.history.com/news/mine-fire-burning-more-50-years-ghost-town

http://www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura/2014/06/04/centralia_a_town_in_pennsylvania_destroyed_by_a_mine_fire.html

https://www.britannica.com/video/187023/coal-mine-fire-Pennsylvania-Centralia

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/centralia-pennsylvania/

https://www.cracked.com/personal-experiences-2537-i-live-in-centralia-pa-its-americas-creepiest-ghost-town.html

http://www.dark-tourism.com/index.php/india/15-countries/individual-chapters/738-centralia#s

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-graffiti-highway-buried

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Episode 24: The Mysterious History of the Cecil Hotel

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000

If you've seen American Horror Story: Hotel or watched the documentary on Elisa Lam, you know about how unsettling and creepy the Cecil Hotel is. On today's episode, Maddie is diving deep into the disturbing and cruel history of one of America's most infamous hotels.

TW: This episode contains descriptions of suicide, death, murder, hauntings and conspiracy theories that may be upsetting to the listener.

Sources:

https://allthatsinteresting.com/cecil-hotel-los-angeles

https://nypost.com/2020/02/18/the-moral-crisis-of-skid-row-las-most-notorious-neighborhood/

https://medium.com/crimebeat/the-dark-history-of-hotel-cecil-a778d6c3d9e7

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a35458616/the-cecil-hotel-history-timeline-true-story/

https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-murderous-cecil-hotel-has-been-claiming-lives-since-the-1920s-677af33f17b7

https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DS19621013.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1

https://medium.com/the-true-crime-edition/the-tragedy-of-pigeon-goldie-fdc2061c0960

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/572113/the-black-dahlia-murder-facts

https://medium.com/@jddean/the-serial-killers-who-haunted-the-cecil-hotel-5586e6f7d2d1

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a35461475/elisa-lam-true-story-death-elevator-crime-scene-netflix/

Link to Elisa Lam Video: https://youtu.be/_rfLSVIA0L0

Link to Night Stalker Netflix Documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/81025701

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Episode 23: The Chaotic and Scandalous Life of Mary Shelley

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000

We all know that she wrote Frankenstein at a very young age, but what else do you know about the life of Mary Shelley? There's just. so. much. From death to affairs to weird things happening at graves (do we maybe see her inspiration for the story here?), Shelley's life was riddled with a difficult mix of trauma and success.

Sources:

https://www.biography.com/writer/mary-shelley

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/f/frankenstein/mary-shelley-biography-2

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65624/mary-shelleys-favorite-keepsake-her-dead-husbands-heart

https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/letters-concerning-the-relationship-between-p-b-shelley-and-mary-godwin#

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Episode 22: Mary Colter, Little-known Architect of the Grand Canyon National Park

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000

I'm sure you've heard of the Grand Canyon... you know the canyon by which all other canyon must objectively be compared to? Well tune in to today's episode to hear more about the architect who built up the national park in the early 1900s - as a woman - in a male-dominated field - without even the right to vote.

Sources:

https://pioneeringwomen.bwaf.org/mary-elizabeth-jane-colter/

https://www.mygrandcanyonpark.com/park/history/history-of-the-grand-canyon/

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-contributor/2016/08/09/what-remains-fred-harvey-legacy-arizona/88434080/

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/colter_hopih_photos.htm

https://www.nps.gov/articles/marycolter.htm

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Episode 21: Aimo Koivunen's Meth-Fueled Frenzy

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

What do you do when you're sleep deprived and the Russian army is chasing you? You take a TON of drugs...or at least that's what Aimo Koivunen did.

This man has seen it ALL. Although, to be fair, not all of it was real. Join us on today's episode to go on Aimo's journey together!

SOURCES:

https://medium.com/exploring-history/the-crazy-crystal-meth-adventure-of-a-finnish-soldier-1cae54a1238f

https://www.history.com/news/inside-the-drug-use-that-fueled-nazi-germany

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHm26fKKb8

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/high-on-speed-and-delirious.html

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

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BONUS Minisode: Mistakes Were Made...Also Fun Facts!

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

We are very tired. And very giggly. And very tired. Did I mention that we're tired? We still have no idea what happened to the file but look out for the full episode tomorrow! Sorry for the delay! We are doing our very best!

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Episode 20: The Life & Death of Rasputin

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

I'm sure you know the song and the TikTok trend... but do you know the man behind it? On today's deep-dive, Maddie takes the lead to share the mysterious stories about one of Russia's most legendary figures.

Sources:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/murder-rasputin-100-years-later-180961572/

https://www.history.co.uk/biographies/who-was-rasputin

Rasputin, Maria. My Father. New Hyde Park, New York: University Books, 1970.

Smith, Douglas. Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016.

Tosh, John. The Pursuit of History. Harlow, England: Pearson Education Limited, 2010.

Wilson, Colin. Rasputin and the Fall of the Romanovs. New York: Farrar, Straus and Company, 1964.

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Episode 19b: The Stanford Prison Experiment Part 2

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

How and why did the Stanford Prison Experiment end? Does it need to be debunked? Why do we care about it so much? Listen to our first ever "part two" to find out! Fair warning: Rachel gets really into it and tells people why they're wrong. But what else is new...?

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Episode 19: The Stanford Prison Experiment Part 1

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

It's our first two-parter! Rachel just can't keep it short, can she? Today we head down to the depths of a Stanford University basement where Dr. Zimbardo created a mock prison experiment that has lived on in infamy. Why? Listen to find out!

Sources:

https://www.prisonexp.org

https://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/the-real-lesson-of-the-stanford-prison-experiment

https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/08/archives/a-pirandellian-prison-the-mind-is-a-formidable-jailer.html

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167206292689

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Episode 18: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS)

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

If you've heard of Alice in Wonderland, you're going to want to check this one out! Maddie deep-dives into Alice In Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) and the fairy-tale-esque symptoms associated with this rare syndrome. Just like Alice found herself growing larger or smaller, seeing other things grow big or small, or even losing perception of time, those who suffer from AIWS can experience a wide variety of similar symptoms.

Sources:

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65763/12-absurd-facts-about-alice-wonderland

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alices-Adventures-in-Wonderland

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.00473/full

https://www.excedrin.com/migraines/causes/what-is-alice-in-wonderland-syndrome/

https://www.healthline.com/health/alice-in-wonderland-syndrome#causes

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1826192/pdf/canmedaj00720-0006.pdf

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/23/alice-in-wonderland-syndrome/

https://n.neurology.org/content/80/13/1262.short

https://journals.lww.com/rca/fulltext/2018/06000/alice_in_wonderland_syndrome__aiws___a_reflection.9.aspx

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/aiws

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Episode 17: The Denver International Airport Conspiracy

Mon, 31 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Rachel's the pilot on today's episode breaking down the Denver International Airport conspiracy. From reptilians to the Freemasons to the New World Order, the DIA is full of creepy art, weird symbolism, and swastika-shaped runways. Tune in to see whether or not you buy this conspiracy!

Sources:

https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/31/definitive-guide-to-denver-international-airport-conspiracy-theories/

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_Order_(conspiracy_theory)

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/61740/5-weird-conspiracy-theories-surrounding-denver-international-airport

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Denver_Airport_conspiracy_theories

https://aviationoiloutlet.com/blog/denver-international-airport-conspiracies/

https://www.uncovercolorado.com/denver-airport-murals-painting-location/

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Episode 16: Billy Hull's Abandoned Playboy Mansion

Mon, 24 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

It's Maddie's first episode! In her first episode, Maddie tells Rachel all about Billy Hull and his (now abandoned) wannabe Playboy mansion in Tennessee. It's a wild cocktail of greed, sex, opulence, and crime...and lots of mirrored glass and wood paneling. It is the 70's after all.

Sources:

https://abandonedsoutheast.com/2016/03/27/swingers-palace/

https://1075theriver.iheart.com/featured/battle/content/2018-09-10-an-abandoned-playboy-mansion-is-hiding-in-tennessee/

https://www.loveproperty.com/gallerylist/91968/explore-this-decadent-abandoned-mansion-with-a-very-dark-secret

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/2480394/the-swingers-tiki-palace-was-the-peak-of-party-desinations

https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/court-of-criminal-appeals/1977/553-s-w-2d-90-1.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i12KgMDxydw

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BONUS EPISODE: New Co-Host Interview

Fri, 21 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

It's our first ever bonus episode!!! Today, Rachel interviews a (possible) new co-host. Will Maddie make the cut? Listen to find out!

Don't forget to send in your farewell wishes for Lauren or give us your feedback on how Maddie did in this interview! And don't forget to stay chaotic, babes ;)

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Episode 15: Coffin Birth, Chicken Poop Prison, Packing Peanuts, and Cooping...Goodbye, Lauren!

Mon, 17 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

It's Lauren's VERY LAST episode, so Rachel went all out. Today, we cover a total of 4 topics in one episode: Coffin Birth (Postmortem Fetal Extrusion), The Chicken Poop Prison (Khuk Khi Kai), Edible Packing Peanuts, and Cooping (and perhaps Edgar Allan Poe's experience with cooping). We also name our own old-timey gangs. Just in case.

TW: Death, Talk of Dead Bodies, Prison & Torture, Old Timey Gang Violence (so all the usual warnings)

Sources:

https://allthatsinteresting.com/coffin-births

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-case-coffin-birth-seen-medieval-grave-180968612/

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

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2019/12/khuk-khi-kai-chicken-poop-prison.html

https://www.allure.com/story/lush-edible-packing-peanuts

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

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/still-mysterious-death-edgar-allan-poe-180952936/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/election-fraud-in-the-1800s-involved-kidnapping-and-forced-drinking

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Episode 14: The Walkie-Talkie "Death Ray" Skyscraper

Mon, 10 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Also known as "the fryscraper," this building is known for some wild (and dangerous!) occurrences. It's Lauren's last turn to choose the topic, and she's going out with a bang!...or a burn.

Sources:

Lauren is on her honeymoon at the moment and I do not have her sources. 😅 They will be posted as soon as we get those links from her!

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Episode 13: Elizabeth Bathory, The Blood Countess

Mon, 03 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

It's an old timey crimey today, folks! In episode 13, Rachel tells Lauren all about Elizabeth Bathory (Erzsébet Báthory), also known as The Blood Countess: the world's most prolific serial killer. It's a wild story with a wild family and a wild love story with lots of wild crimes.

TW: Death, murder, torture, executions, suicide

Sources:

https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/elizabeth-bathory

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

https://www.medicalbag.com/home/features/grey-matter/the-legend-of-elizabeth-bathory-the-blood-countess/

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/months-past/death-countess-elizabeth-bathory

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-prolific-female-murderer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N3TSPZoY1o

https://www.historyhit.com/the-blood-countess-facts-about-elizabeth-bathory/

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bathorys-torturous-escapades-are-exposed

Morbid's Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1WfScqYFpenEUthdXh5Ift?si=MuqDtxb_SzCxibU3m9DLRg

Categories: True Crime, Education, Entertainment, Comedy

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Episode 12: Pepsi “Number Fever”

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0000

What’s the worst marketing downfall you can imagine? If you are picturing bombs, riots, unfulfilled promises, and drawn out court cases, you would be right. Join Rachel and Lauren as they talk about the fiasco that Pepsi Co. caused when a marketing scheme in the Philippines went wrong.

Sources:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-08-04/the-inside-story-of-pepsi-s-philippines-bottle-contest-fiasco

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1993/07/29/a-pepsi-giveaway-gone-wrong/1a6af4b1-2b6f-4e5a-9b1d-5dc6799ac2af/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/558202/pepsi-number-fever-promotion-failure-philippines

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-07-27-1993208127-story.html

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Episode 11: Feral Children

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Feral people, in my national parks?? It's more likely than you think.

Well, not really. But Rachel can't ever resist putting memes in her show descriptions. In today's episode, Rachel discusses the TikTok about the feral, cannibalistic people in America's national parks. Tune in to hear what we *really* know about feral children such as Genie Wiley and Peter the Wild Boy, as well as exploring the truth behind the TikTok about feral cannibals.

Happy National Park Week!

TW: Abuse, neglect, death, suicide, murder, cannibalism

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/feral-children

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/14/genie-feral-child-los-angeles-researchers

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151012-feral-the-children-raised-by-wolves

https://www.history.com/news/6-famous-wild-children-from-history

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

https://www.reddit.com/r/NationalPark/comments/lbfea9/cannibals_in_national_parks/

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Episode 10: Oscar the Therapy Cat

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Angel of Death or Furry Grim Reaper? In today's episode, Lauren tells the story of Oscar, a therapy cat who is able to predict death even more accurately than the medical staff who work with him, providing comfort and cuddles to people as they pass. Join Lauren and Rachel as they discuss his life, work, and theories about where he gets his special powers.

Sources:

https://www.steerehouse.org/shoscar_landing

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp078108

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5624465/

https://www.crossroadshospice.com/hospice-palliative-care-blog/2016/april/11/meet-oscar-the-cat-that-predicts-death-and-provides-comfort/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/furry-angel-of-death-meet-oscar-the-cat/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cat-death/doctor-casts-new-light-on-cat-that-can-predict-death-idUSTRE6115QB20100202

https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/oscar-nursing-home-therapy-cat-predicts-death

https://www.browndailyherald.com/2010/02/10/david-sheffield-11-a-skeptics-response-to-oscar-the-cat/

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Episode 9: Project Pigeon (Project ORCON)

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0000

BIRDS AREN'T REAL! Okay but actually...birds are government drones. Or, at least, they almost were at one point in history. This week, Rachel tells Lauren about how psychologist B.F. Skinner worked to make pigeons into bomb pilots during World War II.

2 things to remember:

(1) Write a review of HYPERFOCUS and get a free sticker! AND

(2) The birds work for the bourgeoisie.

Sources:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/bf-skinners-pigeon-guided-rocket-53443995/

https://www.bfskinner.org/project-pigeon/

https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/10/24/238466/pigeon-pilots/

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A Very Special Easter Message

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 01:44:55 +0000

Happy Easter, babes! We love ya! But will Rachel and Lauren ever make up? Will they ever make more episodes after this devastating fight? Only time will tell...

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Episode 8: Transient Global Amnesia (TGA)

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

This one goes out to all our psych nerds with a deep appreciation for Dr. Elizabeth Loftus and memory research! In today’s episode, Lauren and Rachel host a discussion about TGA (Transient Global Amnesia), a state of amnesia that lasts up to 24 hours.

Sources:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1941874420953323

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/magazine/transient-global-amnesia.html

https://connect.uclahealth.org/2021/02/24/transient-global-amnesia-is-scary-usually-not-dangerous/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory/disorders-memory

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33675214/

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/brain-dysfunction/transient-global-amnesia

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-ooze/201902/my-experience-transient-global-amnesia-tga

https://journals.lww.com/neurotodayonline/fulltext/2020/10080/recurrent_transient_global_amnesia_is_more_common.4.aspx

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/studying-amnesia-helps-researchers-understand-memory/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210310150347.htm

https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/memory-manipulated

https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-humanities-and-sciences/professor-finds-emotion-makes-memory-unreliable

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Episode 7: The Dancing Plague of 1518

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

In episode 7, we take a look at the people who danced themselves to death in the 16th century. There are so many weird details and horrible government decisions in this story, and Rachel (for some reason) claims that this is one of her favorite historical events. It shows.

Sources:

The awesome book! https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Plague-Strange-Extraordinary-Illness-ebook/dp/B003L203L0/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=John+waller&qid=1616118599&s=digital-text&sr=1-2

Strasbourg History - French Momentsfrenchmoments.eu › ... › Grand Est › Alsace

https://www.britannica.com/event/dancing-plague-of-1518

https://www.history.com/news/what-was-the-dancing-plague-of-1518

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20161028-the-town-the-nearly-danced-itself-to-death

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_plague_of_1518

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/jul/05/bizarre-dance-epidemic-of-summer-1518-strasbourg

https://youtu.be/2MZZrDA-I4M

History of Strasbourg - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org › wiki › History_of_Strasbourg

Timeline of Strasbourg - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org › wiki › Timeline_of_Strasbourg

https://medium.com/@jessicasecmezsoyurquhart/unbelievable-history-the-1518-dance-plague-3aaef198eddb

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Episode 6: Murder, Suicide, or Suspicious Death? The Marilyn Monroe Conspiracies

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Join Lauren and Rachel as they discuss the facts, theories, and opinions regarding Marilyn Monroe’s suspicious death. Her involvement with the Kennedy’s and connection to many other notable people make the circumstances surrounding her suspicious death even more specific, although it was ruled a suicide… so what really happened?

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaP5MN9DthM

https://www.rd.com/article/marilyn-monroe/

https://www.newsweek.com/why-conspiracies-theories-about-marilyn-monroe-are-resurfacing-1452610

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marilyn-monroe-is-found-dead

https://www.biography.com/news/marilyn-monroe-final-days

https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2017/07/24/4-conspiracy-theories-about-death-marilyn-monroe

https://www.businessinsider.com/bobby-kennedy-marilyn-monroe-jfk-files-fbi-warned-affair-book-2017-10

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/10/28/jfk-files-fbi-warns-robert-kennedy-book-alleging-affair-marilyn-monroe/809992001/

https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/docid-32423593.pdf

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7868835/Campaign-Marilyn-Monroes-death-certificate-changed-probably-suicide-murder.html

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Episode 5: Ma'Nene, the Bizarre & Beautiful Funerals of the Torajan People

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Let's talk about death, baby! This week, Rachel takes Lauren on a journey through the funeral traditions of the Torajan people, including extravagant funerals and living with corpses. Spooky! But maybe also beautiful...? Listen and let us know what you think!

TW: Death, Animal Slaughter

Sources:

https://allthatsinteresting.com/toraja-death-ritual

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

https://random-times.com/2019/03/27/the-manene-festival-in-indonesia-the-mummies-of-the-dead-return-to-visit-their-loved-ones/

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Episode 4: The Unsinkable Woman, Violet Jessop

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Lucky or unlucky? Violet Jessop lived an incredible life, surviving the Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic shipwrecks! We are so excited to tell you her beautiful and inspirational story of bravery, danger, and a bit of luck.

Sources:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/titanic/stories/violet-constance-jessop.htm

https://thecatholicspirit.com/commentary/twenty-something/how-to-be-a-survivor-the-faith-of-violet-jessop/

https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/04/13/violet-jessop-the-nurse-who-survived-all-three-disasters-aboard-the-sister-ships-the-titanic-britannic-and-olympic/

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-immigrants-survived-titanic-britannic-olympic-disasters

https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/violet-constance-jessop.html

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-57409-035-2

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/61663/unsinkable-violet-jessop

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/archive/irish-nurse-violet-jessop-survived-both-titanic-and-britannic-sinking-35231252.html

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Episode 3: Dark Empaths

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 12:00:00 +0000

If you like psychology, personality tests, science, or Criminal Minds, then this episode is for you!! This week, Rachel explains the new psychological idea of a Dark Empath. It's deep, it's cutting-edge, it's a little bit dark, and a big bit interesting.

Dr. Brenner's Article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/experimentations/202008/introducing-the-dark-empath-0

The Dark Empath Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886920303615?via%3Dihub

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Episode 2: Viking Wedding Traditions

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Tune in this week as Lauren leads a discussion of viking marriage traditions, including their rights for women, beautiful vows, and grave robbing! We are excited to take you back to the 12th century with us.

Sources:

https://www.ancient.eu/Saga/

https://www.vikingsbrand.co/blogs/norse-news/viking-wedding-history

https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-viking-age/the-people/women/

https://historycollection.com/eight-facts-love-marriage-viking-style/6/

https://www.history.com/news/what-was-life-like-for-women-in-the-viking-age

https://www.alehorn.com/blogs/blog/5-beautiful-viking-wedding-ceremony-scripts

https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/viking-wedding-0010657

https://www.ranker.com/list/viking-wedding-traditions-and-rituals/lyra-radford

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Episode 1: Wojtek: The Bear Who Served in World War II

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 12:00:00 +0000

In our first episode, Rachel tells Lauren all about the story of Wojtek, the bear who served in World War II alongside Polish soldiers (she also roasts Lauren quite a bit, but that's not the point). We LOVE Wojtek and are sure that you will too.

Sources:

https://time.com/4731787/wojtek-the-bear-history/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-15736812

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/wojtek-bear-named-second-world-war-film-polish-soldiers-monte-cassino-snowman-private-army-carried-shells-a8553001.html

Aileen Orr's Book, Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero:

https://www.amazon.com/Wojtek-Bear-Polish-War-Hero/dp/1843410656

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HYPERFOCUS Trailer

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 01:25:00 +0000

Welcome to Hyperfocus! Meet the hosts and learn what this podcast is all about!

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