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Did the Netflix series Stranger Things take over your life this holiday season? Do you like conspiracy theories, government secrets, magic and monsters? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear Holly struggle to explain quantum physics? Then boy do we have a good news for you! This episode is the first in a series of the true, and not true stories that inspired the world of Stranger Things.  In this episode we'll cover: The Montauk Monster, Camp Hero, The Philadelphia Experiment/ Project Rainbow, The Montauk Project, and Nina Kulagina the Russian Woman with telekinetic powers. FYI: If you didn't watch the show, don't worry. The stories we are going to explore in this series exist on their own, you don't need to have seen the show to understand or appreciate them. We just love a theme! If you are curious though, any images we think may be relevant, or are interesting points of comparison, will be included in the corresponding week's photo suite.    Click to learn more (sources) https://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/29/montauk.monster/ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/montauk-monster-dead-racco_b_116550 https://nypost.com/2008/07/29/montauk-monster/ https://www.livescience.com/2772-montauk-monster-likely-raccoon.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-happens-when-a-body-decomposes-in-water-180963994/ https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/06/06/history-plum-island-animal-disease-center https://parks.ny.gov/parks/fortterry/details.aspx https://www.usace.army.mil/About/History/HistoricalVignettes/Fort-Terry/ https://www.archives.gov/research/foreign-policy/related-records/paperclip https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/operation-paperclip-167222690/ https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/gsa-properties/plum-island https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Kulagina https://www.cia.gov/readingroom https://web.randi.org https://archive.org/details/archive-search-report-camp-hero-2000/page/n75/mode/2up https://www.flickr.com/photos/sparetimeradio/2587438677 https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/camp-hero-montauk-conspiracy-theories/ https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects-Topics/Camp-Hero-FUDS-Montauk-New-York/ https://patch.com/new-york/easthampton/bp--the-story-of-camp-hero-in-montauk https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/p/philadelphia-experiment.html https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7984451/ https://www.amazon.com/Montauk-Project-Experiments-Time-ebook/dp/B004OEKH5Q Episode Credits: Hosts/writers: Holly Knapp and Leslie Weidel Editor/Composer/Producer: Jon Katity WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation        

In late July 2023 Erin Patterson invited her former in-laws to lunch at her home in Leongatha, Australia. This gesture of hospitality was framed as a chance for them all to reconnect. Instead, it became the center of a case that shocked the world. Over night all 4 lunch guests became desperately ill. Rumors began to fly immediately, and investigators began piecing together a chain of events that no one in this small community could have imagined.  In this installment we will examine how this horrible event was able to occur and what lead up to it.  Click to learn more (sources) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-28/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-wednesday-may-28/105348612   https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Ferin-patterson-trial-death-cap-mushrooms-seen-near-accuseds-home-months-before-fatal-lunch%2Fnews-story%2Fb9a4b965adbe1070edcf03b430484abc&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE&V21spcbehaviour=append   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-08/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-jury-evidence/105476940   https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-guilty-the-timeline-of-events-that-led-to-the-verdicts/8af7134e-ea24-41e2-a55c-46d114949195   https://www.nbcnews.com/world/australia/australia-mushroom-murderer-left-half-alive-lone-surviving-victim-says-rcna226920   https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74zwevy181o   https://www.sgst.com.au/news/timeline-of-erin-pattersons-mushroom-murders https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/07/erin-patterson-hospital-visit-beef-wellingtons-mushroom-exhibits-revealed-ntwnfb   https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g8zr16y21o   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-06/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-evidence-timeline/105245152   https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce82lj7g1g7o   https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0m8glx2zleo   https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/28/erin-patterson-computer-text-messages-mushroom-lunch-trial-australia-ntwnfb   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-08/mushroom-murder-erin-patterson-legacy-analysis/105745284?fbclid=IwY2xjawOIi_VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyCGNhbGxzaXRlAjMwAAEe9mUhuPckO6bqE0lX5CHydZajfAcGS0emygIXlUEj-mt_T8EXhBsQEtEnNIc_aem_hIds4nARmeVO7kJnq5fBLQ Episode Credits: Hosts/writers: Holly Knapp and Leslie Weidel Editor/Composer/Producer: Jon Katity WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation        

In late July 2023 Erin Patterson invited her former in-laws to lunch at her home in Leongatha, Australia. This gesture of hospitality was framed as a chance for them all to reconnect. Instead, it became the center of a case that shocked the world. Over night all 4 lunch guests became desperately ill. Rumors began to fly immediately, and investigators began piecing together a chain of events that no one in this small community could have imagined.  In part one we'll examine the "who", "what" and "where" of this case, but you'll have to wait until part 2 for the "how" and "why"! Click to learn more (sources) All sources will be provided in the show notes for Part 2 of this case. We don't want to give anything away! Episode Credits: Hosts/writers: Holly Knapp and Leslie Weidel Editor/Composer/Producer: Jon Katity WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation        

When the darkness reaches its Zenith And the moon floats high and white When the spirits scream And knife blades gleam It’s…. Shortly After Midnight Hello fiends, and welcome to the darkest time of day.  In this week's original story, we bring you, Engulfed, a dark, slow-burn story about a glance that turns into an obsession. What starts as a spark of connection becomes something dangerous, something that smolders beneath the surface until it can't be contained. Desire, loneliness, and fire. They all have one thing in common: once they start they're hard to control.    Engulfed is a We Would Be Dead Production, written by Leslie Weidel and read by Jon Katity.  Sound and score by Jon Katity, and sparkling prologue / epilogue commentary by cohosts Holly Knapp and Leslie Weidel.   WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

Happy Halloween Fiends! Join us for a deep dive into the world of Victor Frankenstein, his monstrous creations, and all the tortured poets and mad scientists who inspired OG goth girl Mary Shelley to write this torrid tale.   Click to learn more (sources) https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history-quirky-science-science-science-everywhere/professor-aldinis-strange-antics https://www.grahamhenderson.ca/percy-bysshe-shelley-blog/shelleys-mighty-heart https://www.britannica.com/biography/Luigi-Galvani https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alessandro-Volta https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/things-to-do-gernsheim-frankenstein-castle     WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation        

When the darkness reaches its Zenith And the moon floats high and white When the spirits scream And knife blades gleam It’s…. Shortly After Midnight Hello fiends, and welcome to the darkest time of day.  This week's original story, Polly Pocket, is a spellbinding blend of nostalgia and nightmares told through the eyes of the scariest creatures known to man, Middle school girls. Set In the not so distant past, this terrifying tale takes us on a trip to a charming little hideaway deep in the woods, filled with dappled sunlight, singing birds and terrifying secrets.     Polly Pocket is a We Would Be Dead Production, written and read by Holly Knapp, with sound and score by Jon Katity, and sparkling prologue / epilogue commentary by cohosts Holly Knapp and Leslie Weidel.   WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

In late 2021, successful journalist and podcaster Chico Felitti relocated to a quiet, old money neighborhood of the mega city of Sáo Paulo Brazil called Higienópolis. One day while on a walk with his dogs he stumbled on an abandoned old manor house, a ghostly figure, and an unbelievable secret hidden right in plain sight.  In part 2 we will learn more about Margarida Bonetti's terrible secret. We'll uncover the details of her strange life in America, examine the circumstances that would let her keep such a monumental secret, and ultimately tell the story of the woman she kept in modern day slavery for 19 years: Hilda Rosa Dos Santos. Click to learn more The Fugitive Heiress Next Door (WAPO Article) Abandoned: The Woman in the Decaying House Documentary Rene's Appeal Documents Original WAPO article Hilda reunites with the detective on her case 35 Potluck Ideas (just in case)               WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

In late 2021, while the waves of deadly corona virus were still cresting and falling, Sao Paulo Brazil, one of the most densely populated cities in the world was a pretty stressful place to be. Desperate to escape the frighteningly close quarters, successful journalist and podcaster Chico Felitti relocated to a quiet, old money neighborhood called Higienópolis. One day while on a walk with his dogs he stumbled on an abandoned old manor house, a ghostly figure, and an unbelievable secret hidden right in plain sight. This story is so shocking an unpredictable that it took me several hours of research to be convinced that it wasn't fiction. At the end of this episode, you may be tempted to think that you've heard everything this case could possibly entail, but hang in there, because remember, there's a part 2.  Click to learn more *No peeking! Sources will be listed in full in the show notes of part 2.     WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

 On Friday May 30th 2025 9 year old Paityn, 8 year old Evelyn, and 5 year old Olivia Decker left their home on what should have been a short outing and never returned. Three days later the girl's bodies were found just outside a local campground. What followed was one of the most chilling and emotionally charged manhunts in recent memory. In this episode, we unravel the tragic story of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker—and the man the world is still searching for: their father, Travis Decker.  If you see Travis Decker, or anyone matching his description—do not approach him, he is considered armed and dangerous. Call 911 immediately or call the US Marshals Service Tip Line (Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force) at  1‑800‑336‑0102. You can also submit tips and details via the USMS Tips portal at usmarshals.gov/tips. Washington State locals can report tips to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line: 509‑667‑6845 Click to learn more Websleuths feed / timeline NY Post article Fox 13 coverage ABC News Timeline People News article     WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

When darkness has reached its Zenith And the moon floats high and white When the spirits scream And knife blades gleam It’s Shortly After Midnight. Welcome Fiends, to the darkest time of day!  Today's terrifying tale takes us to the sleepy little town of Marrow Hill. Nestled in cornfields of middle America, Marrow Hill was the kind of town that songs were written about. In fact, it was often said that Marrow Hill must have had the greenest grass in the country because no one ever wanted to leave...That is until a tragic accident occurred, and the town's residents began slowly and inexplicably killing each other, one by one.  What caused this idyllic little community to fall into a sudden and violent trance, and what, if anything, can break it? Click to learn more     WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

They were called “The Lethal Lovers” — two nurse’s aides, Cathy Wood (25) and Gwendolyn Graham (34), whose twisted relationship would leave a trail of death behind the quiet walls of a Michigan nursing home. When Cathy’s ex-husband walked into a police station in 1988 with a chilling confession, investigators uncovered a string of suspicious deaths among Alpine Manor’s most vulnerable residents. What emerged was a story of obsession, manipulation, and murder — and one of the most disturbing cases of female serial killers in U.S. history.  Click to learn more Medium Article Forever and 5 days on Amazon, Also Available to borrow on internet archives for free, and in most libraries. Oxygen original article  People Magazine update article Oxygen update article. Original New York Times article   WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

Happy Pride Month Fiends! This week we are going to rebroadcast some of our previous pride month episodes before releasing a brand new episode. If you are all caught up with WWBD, please take the time to relisten to this tragic episode on kitty Genovese and historical significance of her case.  ----------------- On March 27th 1964, the headline: "37 Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police; Apathy at Stabbing of Queens Woman Shocks Inspector" was splashed across the cover of the New York times. The story behind it was the horrific rape and murder of a young woman named Kitty Genovese. But the story doesn't focus on Kitty, or even her murderer, it focuses on her neighbors, who allegedly saw the murder in real time and did nothing. This story stirred an enormous reaction to a phenomenon that was dubbed Urban Apathy. This case also inspired all the research that lead to a psychosocial theory called "the Bystander Effect". There's just one problem, the New York Times lied.  Most of you will know this case, but there is so much about it that has been hidden from the public for so long that we felt it deserves re-examining. Kitty, her devoted family and long time girlfriend Mary Ann lived their lives for a great many years believing that Kitty was the girl no one cared about, but she wasn't. She isn't. We decided to take a fresh look at this classic morality tale and find the truth behind the lessons.   Click to learn more Original New York Times Article LA Times article on Sophia Ferrar Winston Moseley's NYT Editorial *The Witness - Documentary on Amazon Prime *Affiliate Link WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

  We've all heard the sinister stories of mental healthcare's terrifying past. The Snake Pits, the cages, the overmedication, but nothing is cloaked in more mystery and dread than the ice pick lobotomy. Whether it's that terrifying scene in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or the heartbreaking story of Rosemary Kennedy, we all can conjure up a horrifying image of this barbaric procedure with little effort. The Man in the white lab coat and cap, his sunglasses gleaming, ice pick in hand. The patients with black eyes and blood mottled tears. That's gold standard nightmare fuel, and it's hard to believe any of it was real, but it was. So how did the mental health care industry end up taking a dip in the darkest of places? Well, hang on because we're going to tell you. In this week's episode we explore the history of the lobotomy, begininning with mankind's earliest attempts to sooth a savage brain, and culminating in the story of the ice pick lobotomist himself, Walter Freeman Jr.  Click To Learn More     WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

In the summer of 1726, In the little Village of Godalming, a 25 year old servant woman claimed to give birth to rabbits. Surgeons, nobles, and even the King believed her at first, but the truth, or a version of it that the public can embrace, always has a way of coming out. For years, history thought they had solved the mystery of "The Rabbit Breeder", but beneath the hoax lies a darker tale of pain, power, and control.This is the true story of monstrous birth — and the woman behind it. This is the story of Mary Toft.   Click To Learn More Mary Toft, Monster and Mason By Karen Harvey University of Glasgow Library — The Curious Case of Mary Toft A digital exhibition exploring the archival material and cultural impact of the Toft hoax. The Public Domain Review — Mary Toft and Her Extraordinary Delivery of Rabbits History Extra — Who Was Mary Toft & How Did Her Rabbit Hoax Capture Georgian Society? Nathaniel St. André — A Short Narrative of an Extraordinary Delivery of Rabbets (1726) The original pamphlet published by one of the royal physicians who believed Mary Toft. 📖 Available via digitized archives or referenced through secondary sources like PDR and Harvey’s article.   WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation       

She was smart, athletic, and full of life — until one summer night in 2015 when 18-year-old Tiffany Valiante vanished from her family’s New Jersey home. Just hours later, her body was found miles away on train tracks under suspicious circumstances. Was it suicide, as authorities claimed — or something far more sinister? In this, our second most requested episode, we dig into the tangled timeline, mysterious evidence, and the burning questions that still haunt this case. What really happened to Tiffany Valiante?   Click To Learn More Tiffany's episode of Unsolved Mysteries Casefile Initial medical examiners report         WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation