Jenn dives into the incredible story of Hatshepsut, the pharaoh who ruled Egypt like a king. From bold political moves to stunning architectural achievements, her legacy was nearly erased from history. So why was ancient Egypt so determined to forget her? Join us as we uncover the rise, reign, and mysterious disappearance of one of history’s most powerful women.

Sources:Cooney, Kara. The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut’s Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt. Crown Publishing, 2014.

In this episode, Lauren takes a closer look at one of the most disturbing and bizarre government experiments in U.S. history—Operation Midnight Climax. During the 1950s, as the Cold War raged on, the CIA launched MKUltra, a top-secret program aimed at developing mind control techniques. Among the most shocking aspects? Secret brothels in San Francisco and New York, where unsuspecting men were dosed with LSD, all while CIA agents watched from behind two-way mirrors.

The episode dives into the twisted details of the operation, from George Hunter White’s disturbing role in carrying out the experiments to the tragic story of Frank Olson, a CIA employee whose death raised questions about the program. Listeners will also hear about the fallout as whistleblowers and journalists exposed the terrifying truth behind MKUltra, leading to a nationwide scandal.

Sources:

Brown, Noel. "Operation Midnight Climax." iHeartPodcasts, iHeartRadio, 5 Mar. 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-midnight-climax/id1554151171.

Olson, Eric. "The Truth Behind Frank Olson's Death." The Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/longform/2017/04/10/frank-olson-death/.

Gosch, Max. The CIA's Mind Control Experiments: MKUltra and the Cold War. Penguin Books, 2019.

Church Committee. Final Report of the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976.

West, Dr. Louis Jolyon. "The Manchurian Candidate Experiment." Journal of Mind Control Studies, vol. 34, no. 2, 1975, pp. 155-174.

Jenn shares the chilling history of the Catacombs beneath the streets of Paris, uncovering the dark and fascinating stories behind this infamous underground world. This eerie underground labyrinth, housing the remains of over six million Parisians, holds a dark and fascinating history. From its origins as a solution to overcrowded cemeteries to its transformation into a haunting tourist attraction, Jenn uncovers the secrets and stories that make the Catacombs one of the most macabre locations in the world.

Sources:

• Rivers, C. (n.d.). The catacombs of Paris: The history of the city’s underground ossuaries and burial network. Charles River Editors.

• The History Channel. (2007, November 5). Cities of the underworld: Season 1, Episode 4 - Catacombs of death [TV series episode].

In this episode, Lauren tells the incredible survival story of Juliane Diller Koepcke. In 1971, LANSA Flight 508 crashed over the Peruvian Amazon, and 17-year-old Juliane found herself stranded in a dense jungle, facing a huge challenge. Lauren talks about the calm yet determined actions Juliane took—from the shock of falling into the jungle to carefully navigating through trees, streams, and trails toward safety. Listeners will hear how Juliane used her quick thinking and resourcefulness to treat minor injuries, find water, and follow simple clues in nature that led her to a river. This story shows not only her physical journey but also the inner strength that helped her survive this overwhelming ordeal.

Sources:

Koepcke, J. (1998). When I Fell from the Sky: The True Story of My Survival. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

BBC. (2012). The Plane Crash That Left One Survivor. BBC News.

National Geographic. (2011). The Survival of Juliane Koepcke: A True Story of Courage in the Amazon. National Geographic Magazine.

Werner Herzog’s 1999 documentary: Wings of Hope.

The Morbid Podcast: Episode 419: The Unbelievable Survival Tale of Juliane Koepcke.

In this episode, Jenn takes us on a high flying journey through the stories of five extraordinary women who didn’t just break barriers in aviation—they redefined the industry itself.

From the fearless female pilots who flew before they even had the right to vote, to the groundbreaking engineers who reshaped the way we fly today, these women battled discrimination, defied expectations, and risked everything to claim their place in the skies.

Jenn unpacks the thrilling and sometimes dangerous missions of these aviation pioneers, sharing the near-misses, record-breaking achievements, and behind-the-scenes struggles they faced. Tune in to hear about the Fly Girls, namely Ruth Nichols, Louise Thaden, Ruth Nichols, Florence Klingensmith, and Amelia Earhart.

Sources:

O'Brien, Keith. Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History. 2020.

Earhart, Amelia. The Fun of It. Harper & Brothers, 1932.

In this episode, Lauren takes us on a thrilling ride through the life of the infamous bank robber, John Dillinger. Known as the "Jackrabbit" of the Depression-era criminal world, Dillinger's daring heists, flashy personality, and audacious escapes made him one of the most notorious criminals of the 1930s.

Lauren chats about his early years, his criminal rise, and his run-ins with the law—while uncovering the real stories behind his legendary robberies. From prison breaks to his ultimate showdown with the FBI, Dillinger's life was nothing short of wild. But was he a hardened criminal or a man out of place in desperate times? Join us for a closer look at the outlaw who became a symbol of rebellion—and who ultimately met a tragic end on the streets of Chicago.

Sources:

Burrough, Bryan. Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34. Penguin Books, 2004.

Gorn, Elliott J. Dillinger's Wild Ride: The Year That Made America's Public Enemy Number One. Oxford University Press, 2009.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. "John Dillinger: FBI Case Records." https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/john-dillinger

Helmer, William J., and Rick Mattix. Dillinger: The Untold Story. Indiana University Press, 1994.

Toland, John. The Dillinger Days. Random House, 1963. Chicago Tribune archives, various articles on Dillinger’s life and crimes.

In this episode, Jenn dives into the toxic mess—literally—that was the Love Canal disaster. What started as an abandoned canal in Niagara Falls, New York, became a dumping ground for thousands of tons of hazardous waste, poisoning an entire community. But here’s where it gets really wild—the ones who fought back weren’t politicians or corporate bigwigs. It was the badass moms, housewives, and everyday residents who refused to let their families suffer in silence.

From organizing protests to demanding action from the U.S. government, these women sparked an environmental movement that changed history. How did an entire neighborhood become a toxic time bomb? And how did a group of determined mothers take on powerful corporations and win? Jenn breaks down the shocking story of Love Canal, the fight for justice, and how these fierce women set the stage for environmental activism as we know it today.

Sources:

• Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal – A documentary that explores the environmental disaster, corporate negligence, and the community’s fight for justice.
• Paradise Falls: The True Story of an Environmental Catastrophe by Keith O'Brien – A deeply researched book detailing the full history of Love Canal, the families affected, and the activists who fought to expose the truth.

In this episode, Lauren takes us through the twisted tale of NXIVM, the self-help group that turned into a full-blown cult. From its beginnings as a so-called leadership program to its shocking descent into manipulation, branding, and blackmail, Lauren unravels the rise of Keith Raniere and the loyal followers who helped build—and ultimately destroy—his empire.

It’s a story of power, control, and the dark side of human behavior, with plenty of WTF moments along the way. Tune in for a wild ride through one of the most infamous modern cults and the legal takedown that shook the nation.

Sources

• Department of Justice: "Founder of NXIVM and Five Others Charged in Superseding Indictment" https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/founder-nxivm-purported-self-help-organization-and-five-others-charged-superseding
• CNN: "NXIVM Sex Cult Key Players: What to Know About the Trial" https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/23/us/nxivm-sex-cult-key-players/index.html
• Courthouse News Service: "Former Slave Master Describes NXIVM Branding Ritual" https://www.courthousenews.com/former-slave-master-describes-sex-cult-branding-ritual/
• Department of Justice: "Jury Finds NXIVM Leader Keith Raniere Guilty on All Counts" https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/jury-finds-nxivm-leader-keith-raniere-guilty-all-counts
• A&E Real Crime: "How Keith Raniere Built NXIVM: A Timeline of Manipulation and Control" https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/nxivm-cult
• ABC News: "NXIVM Member Speaks Out About Being Branded in Secret Sorority" https://abcnews.go.com/US/nxivm-member-invited-secret-sorority-branded/story?id=51617201
• Audiobook: Don't Call It a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM by Sarah Berman
• HBO: The Vow Documentary series detailing the rise and fall of NXIVM, featuring interviews with former members and exclusive footage.