PODCAST · society
The Absurd
by Rod and Mel
Welcome friends to The Absurd. A podcast about things absurd. News, histories, mysteries, and strange goings-on. Our stories are freaky, funny, and sometimes frightening. So sit back, get comfy, and get ready for The Absurd.
Episodes
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Mother & Baby Homes, Notre Dame Vs The Klan & Bizarre Brain Of Barbara Baekeland
Starting off this Rod solo show with an infuriating account of the way unwed mothers and their children were treated in Ireland during much of the 20th century. Next, an inspirational conflict between the students of Notre Dame University and the Ku Klux Klan. Last, the bizarre tale of Barbara...
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African Genital Theft, British Pet Massacre Of 1939 & Tractor Attacker
Mel is away for work so it’s another Rod Solo show. Starting off this week with a shocking story out of Africa where over 80 people have been killed as a result of a superstition fueled by social media that men are having their genitals stolen simply by being touched on the shoulder. Next…
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Oysters Rockefeller, Icelandic Insulation, No Mo PoPo
Starting off this week with a story that was huge international news back in 1961. The disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, son of the wildly wealthy John D. Rockefeller, while exploring New Guinea. Next, the truly amazing survival story of Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, an Icelandic fisherman who…
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Death By Badminton, I Don’t Like Mondays, Nellie Bly & Children For Sale
Starting off with a very sad and bizarre story of a 6-year-old girl who died as a result of a defective badminton racquet. Next, what is considered to be the first incident of a school shooting of an elementary school, and the basis for a very popular 1979 song. Mel will then tell us about the...
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Ep 121 – The Ant Hill Kids, Obsessive Repulsive, Big Trouble For Tiny & For The Want Of A Blue Cup
Mel is Back! And we’re starting off this week with a look at a truly terrifying Canadian doomsday cult whose leader committed and directed some truly horrific acts against his followers. Next, we’ll learn about a truly gruesome case of obsession in which a man did … well you’ll have to listen to...
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Ep 120 – Texas Style Injustice, Dyatlov Pass Incident & Heroic Rats
This week we’re starting off another Rod Solo show by looking at a murder case in Texas where a man shot his own daughter after an argument about politics, The local court refused to indict him. Next, a story that is very dear to Rod, and one several listeners have asked for. The deeply strange…
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Fire In The Hole, GG Allin & Whisky War
In this week’s Rod Solo episode, we’ll start off with a look at the bizarre underground fire beneath the near ghost town of Centralia, Pennsylvania. A fire that has been burning for decades. Next, we’ll look at the truly shocking and singularity strange life and career of musician GG Allin.…
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Satanic Panic, What’s In A Username & The Wrong Boy
Starting off this week with a big one. The Satanic Panic gripped and infiltrated so much of the public eye that whole criminal trials and social purges resulted. Next, who knew that a misplaced underscore in ones username could result in prison. One Canadian man found out. Lastly, we’ll go back…
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Cowardly Coppers, Naked Lunch & Freezer Geezers
It’s a Rod Solo show. Starting off with the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas back in 2022 in which 19 children and two adults were killed while the Uvalde police force stood by and refused to intervene. This story is about a mother who entered the school and rescued her two sons along…
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From Dublin To Mr T, Flower In The Attic, Burning Sensation & Bumble Black Widow
Starting off this week we will look at two Irish boys who made an incredible and nearly unbelievable trip to see Mr T. Mel will then tell us about the sad and diabolical tale of Blanche Monnier. Mental illness is not funny, even when someone such as the man in this story does something as …...
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Down Under Self-Checkout, Ellen Greenberg, Half Hangit Maggie & “Bring A Gun!”
We start off this week with a trip down-under to look at the case of a woman who recently passed away as a result of voluntary assisted death. This is such a thought-provoking topic with an opportunity for much discussion. Next, we will look at the bizarre death of Ellen Greenberg and the truly...
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Mid-Air Check Out, Cyborg Beetle, Alive In The Morgue & 12 Years A-Standing
Starting off this week with a harrowing tale out of Argentina where a flight-instructor decided to bail out on his student pilot. Permanently. Next, Mel will tell us about a bit of technology that sounds right out of a science fiction story. Rod will then tell us about an 18-month-old boy who was...
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Micromanaging, Golden Boy, Hungry In Hungary & Nut Shot
We start off this week with a related story to one we did earlier. The man who may hold the world’s record for the smallest penis has started a GoFundMe to improve his situation. Next, we’ll look at the absurd case of “influencer” Connor Murphy, who believed injecting gold gave him “super…
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Open Heart Botchery, Cosmetic Roulette, Cookie Crumble & Saroo’s Incredible Journey
Starting off this week with an absurd case of medical malpractice that very nearly cost a 12-year-old girl her life. Then Mel will tell us about a Russian woman who learned that cosmetic surgery can go very wrong. Next, Rod gives us a story about a man who was fired from his job with Ford for...
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255 At Seven, “Toxic Lady”, The Unsolved Murder Of Karina Holmer & Mutant Rodents
A recent story involving the sad death of a 7-year-old boy who died from obesity related issues. He weighed 255 pounds! Next we’ll learn about the bizarre case of a woman brought into ER which caused several staff to pass out and suffer medical issues. Then we’ll look at the brutal unsolved…
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My Lai Massacre, Twin Dads, Powderfinger & Springfield Three
Starting off this week with a truly brutal bit of history from the Vietnam War, where a US army unit committed the most barbaric war crimes in US history. Then we’ll look at a woman in Brazil who gave birth to twins … from different fathers. Next, we’ll learn about a woman from the UK with a very...
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Out In The Outback, Mushroom Magic, Hiking Horror & Crow Bro
Starting off this week with the harrowing tale of Ricky Magee, a man who was waylaid in the Australian outback and faced a truly terrifying ordeal. Next we’ll learn of a truly astounding case in which magic mushrooms were given to a woman with advanced Alzheimer’s. The results are cause for much...
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Burnt Snake On A Plane, Falcon Sex Hat, Rosemary Kennedy & Project Graham
Starting off today with a truly absurd legal case brought by a British man against Virgin Airlines after he claims was so badly burned by a hot drink, that he can no longer help conceive a child. Next, we’ll learn about a truly bizarre, but highly effective way to expand the numbers of the...
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Boozy Belly, Burger King Doe, Lost In The Woods & Two Of A Kind
Starting off this week with a man who gets drunk without having consumed any alcohol. Next, we’ll look at the bizarre story of Benjamin Kyle, a man found naked and unconscious behind a Burger King. Then we’re off to Portugal where we’ll learn about a truly despicable mom who left her two boys in...
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Denis Lortie, Mullet Mania, Monster Mom & Robot Wolf
We’re starting out today’s episode with a bit of Canadian history. Denis Lortie stormed the Quebec legislature, killing and wounding a number of government officers. Next, we’re off to Belgium where we will learn about a competition to choose the best mullet. We will then look at the truly...
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Mystery Bag, Smokin’ Vag, Disarmed Survivor & Unit 684
Mel is back! And she’s starting off with a strange one. The body of an MI6 employee was found naked and locked inside a large luggage bag. Why, and how? Next we’ll learn about a public awareness campaign in Nigeria to dissuade women from putting tobacco in their genitals. Then we’ll meet Gareth...
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Mayhem’s Mayhem & Lottery Misfortune
Something a little different this episode, it’s Rod doing a solo show while Mel is on “special assignment”. Rod will tell us about the Norwegian Black Metal bank Mayhem, who had a very tumultuous time early in their career. And that’s putting it very mildly. Next, we’ll meet Tonda Dickerson. An...
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Love Canal, Bring In Your Dead, What If We Never Die & Don’t Mess With Mama Bear
First, a preventable environmental tragedy which took place in Niagara Falls, New York in which hundreds of families were evacuated, and their houses boarded up as a result of an irresponsible chemical company. A man in India was refused money from his sister’s account because she was deceased....
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Seven Years In Three Weeks, Missing Scientists, A Father’s Anger & Mortuary Monsters
Starting off this week with a truly fascinating story about a 19-year-old French woman who had triplets while in a coma. But not in the way you think. Next we’ll look at the growing conspiracy theory in which a number of scientists in the US nuclear and aerospace research have either disappeared,...
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It Was Just A Prank, Hickey Of Death, Sky Heroine & An Eel-Conceived Plan
Rod was very happy to do this story on internet streamer and general pain in the keester, Johnny Somali, who last week was sentenced in South Korea. Mel will then tell us about a bizarre story in which a hickey proved deadly. Neerja Branot was a purser with Pan Am airlines when in 1986, the…
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Bonus Ep 10: Woman With The World’s Widest Tongue, Madame LaLaurie & Listener Q&A
A Texas woman has received the Guinness World Record for being the woman with the widest tongue in the world.Next, we’ll talk about the horrific case of Madame LaLaurie who, at her New Orleans home in early 19th century tortured and killed many of her slaves. We then answer some listener…
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Chimp Wars, Bloody Nose Nightmare, Lottery Loser & Cat Flap
It’s our 100th episode! We’re starting off this landmark episode with a trip to Uganda, where we will learn that humans are not the only species to engage in civil war. Next, Mel will tell us a shocking tale of a woman who had constant nosebleeds after a trip to Vietnam. Want to know why? Really?...
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Mexican Corpse Bride, Are We All Infected?, Lobster Boy & Jonestown
We’re starting off this week with a bizarre story of La Pascualita, a famous, highly realistic mannequin displayed since 1930 in the window of a bridal shop in Chihuahua, Mexico, known as "La Casa de Moda Bridal" Next, science has shown that over 90% of all humans are infected with the John...
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The Life and Death of Noelia Castillo, Skeletons In Dijon, Illegal Baby Names & Four Finger Discount
We start this week’s episode with the heartbreaking story of Noelia Castillo. A 25-year-old Spanish woman who finally got her wish last week to be euthanized. Next, we’re off to Dijon, France, where a recent discovery of skeletons in a school playground led to an interesting archeological find.…
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Eyes Out Tongue Off, Adrift For 48 Days, Swallowed A Chopstick & Doggy Suicide Bridge
We’re starting off this week with a bizarre tale of what a convicted murderer did to try to get out of his prison sentence. Next we’ll look at the perilous voyage of the Newfoundland based Neptune II, in which the ship was battered by storms and went horribly off course. Mel will then tell us…
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Ant Smuggling, Maltese Mystery, Sad Case of Rahma Haruna & Veni, Veni, Veni
First and foremost, that ultra-annoying background hiss is gone! Now, this week we’re starting off with a story out of Kenya where a Chinese man was arrested trying to smuggle 2,000 ants in his luggage. Then Mel will take us to Malta where we’ll learn about a very bizarre case in which a German...
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Bug In The Butt, Deadliest Blizzard, Rent-To-Solve & My Lovely Camel Hump
No one likes a colonoscopy, but they are an important procedure in the early detection of cancer. Sometimes though, other things are found. Next, we’ll learn about the deadliest blizzard in known history, in which 4,000 people were killed. Mel will then tell us about a Japanese man who was so...
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Smallest Man In The World?, Double Arm Transplant, Bodily Absurdities & Sand Trap
Michael Phillips is looking to secure a title that most me would eschew as he seeks to prove that he does in fact have the smallest penis on earth. We’ll then learn about Felix Gretarsson who suffered a terrible accident in which he had to have both arms amputated. But this story has a happy…
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Little Girl Lost, Seatbelt Stupidity, Hypnosis Horror & In The Deep End
Starting off this episode with the harrowing tale of 4-year-old Karina Chikitova who was lost in the Siberian wilderness with her dog Naida. Then we’ll learn about a family in Australia who received a $6,258 (AUD) fine for not wearing a seatbelt. Thing is, this happened after their car was…
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Dead Holiday, Fart You!, Mushroom People & No Swimming
This week, we’ll start off in Indonesia, where a rather macabre holiday to celebrate the local people’s ancestors. Next, we’ll learn about a Welsh woman tho took a rather … gassy revenge. There are many types of mushrooms. Some are delicious, and some are deadly. The type in this story causes a...
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Four Loko Loco, Head Cook, Maid Disorder & Afghan Absurdities
Mel will start us off this week with a crazy party drink that turned out to be incredibly dangerous. Next, Rod will tell us about a truly horrifying case of suicide at a Pennsylvania Olive Garden. Then we’ll learn about a woman who broke into people homes … to clean them. Lastly, we’ll go to...
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Felony Fries, Pickering Lost Boys, Anti-Slackism & Bum Bomb
Today we’ll start with a trip to Texas where a man was shot to death for not sharing his fries. Then a somewhat local story from back in the 90’s where six teenage boys disappeared without a trace. Next, we’ll meet Helen Hulick, a genuine champion of women’s rights who stood up for women who…
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The Discovery Of Steve Carter, Love In Stereo, Orphaned On The Ocean & Brain Fart
In 2011 Steve Carter found out he was a missing child. He found an age-progression image through missing children. We will then meet a woman in Thailand who has double-downed on love. Next, we’ll learn the truly harrowing tale of 11-year-old, Terry Jo Duperrault, who found herself adrift in the...
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Bonus Ep 9: The Amazing Mary Vincent, Chimney Horror, Physician Heals Himself & Felt Presences
Starting off with the brutal and amazing survival story of 15-year-old Mary Vincent who, after being attacked and mutilated, survived through sheer will. Next, Mel will tell us about the bizarre disappearance and unsolved death of Josh Maddux. Rod will then take us down to Antarctica where a…
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Rat Pack, Brave Boy, Chip Wreck & Homer’s Homage
In this episode, we start off looking at an incident where a man in New York City fell into a sinkhole when the sidewalk he was standing on collapsed. But that isn’t the most terrifying part. Next, Mel will tell us about a 9-year-old boy in France who was left to live by himself after his mother...
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Skeletons In The Closet, Fifth Of Five, Swill Milk & Whack Job
A recent story out of Pennsylvania about a man found with over 100 skulls and other various remains in his house. And that’s just the beginning. Next, the last of five sisters who made Canadian history and were exploited by the provincial government has passed away. Mel will then tell us about a...
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Best of 2025 - “Mel Has A Cold” Edition.
This is a reposting of Episode 64: “Ed Gein, 18 Years At The Airport, On All Four Legs, Worst Traffic Jam Ever” which was first aired on July 23rd, 2025. We will be back next week and we will then do our draw for the swag contest. We do apologise.
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Best of 2025 - Party Like It’s 1694, Hedviga Golik, Flight Unattendant & Absurd Baby Names
Hey Absurdians. Due to some truly absurd weather snow, ice storms, and even flooding, we are unable to record this week as the roads are just too dang treacherous. So we are bringing you a replay of one of our favourite episodes, this one aired on June 4th. Also, we will postpone our contest draw...
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National Lampoon’s Christmas Squirrel, Mel’s Christmas Q&A, Jólakötturinn & The Mistletoe Bride
Starting things off with a look at one of the underappreciated stars of one of the most popular Christmas movies. Next, Mel will regale us with some interesting modern Christmas facts. Then Rod will take us to Iceland where we look at Jólakötturinn, also known as the Yule Cat. This is not a kitty...
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Whale Of An Explosion, One Woman Town, Frasier The Lion & For The Want Of A Snake
When a whale washed up on an Oregon beach in 1970, local authorities decided that, given the horrible smell, they had to get rid of it. Their plan didn’t go brilliantly. Then we’re off to meet Elsie Eiler, the sole resident (and mayor) of the town of Monowi, Nebraska. Mel will then tell us about...
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A Bit Of Absurd, Sniper Safaris, Giggling Granny, The Girl Who Sneezed & Hellooo Dolly!
We’re starting off with a teeny tiny bit of something absurd. Then, Rod will tell us a truly jaw-dropping example of mans inhumanity to man, and perhaps not surprisingly, it’s about the rich. Then Mel talks about a murderous woman who giggled as she confessed. Next we’ll meet Katelyn Thornley, a...
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Banco Rio Breakout, Lois Gibson: Forensic Artist, Nightmare Fuel & Exam Day In Korea
Mel kicks off this week’s episode with an incredible bank robbery in Buenos Aires, Argentina that was brilliantly planned and elaborate in its detailing. Yet it was brought down by something so simple. Next, Rod will tell us about Lois Gibson, a woman who is in the Guinness World Records for Most...
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Thirteen Years Found, Elementary Car Thief, Dirty Teddy & Haiti The Hard Way
Starting off this episode with the story of Julian Hernandez. A 5-year-old boy who went missing in 2002 only to be found 13 years later. Thing is, Julian didn’t know he was missing. Next we’ll learn about a situation that can make any parent freak out. A mother’s car disappeared from a school...
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Religious Nut Jobs, Crying Boy Curse, Corgi Cop & Dead In A Dinosaur
We’ll start off this week in India, where a guru commanded his follows to offer a lot more than some change in the collection plate. Then Mel will tell us about several bizarre incidents surrounding a painting known as The Crying Boy. We will then meet a corgi named Fu Zai who is an explosives...
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Larry Flynt, Greatest Web Designers, Zippity Sting Sting & Circleville Letters
We’re going to start off this week with a look at Larry Flynt, a true hustler. While reviled by many, he was actually a rather moral person who set out to expose hypocrisy. Then we’re off to the border of Albania and Greece where researches have discovered the largest spider web ever. Next, Mel...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Absurd have?
The Absurd currently has 136 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Absurd about?
Welcome friends to The Absurd. A podcast about things absurd. News, histories, mysteries, and strange goings-on. Our stories are freaky, funny, and sometimes frightening. So sit back, get comfy, and get ready for The Absurd.
How often does The Absurd release new episodes?
The Absurd publishes regularly with 136 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Absurd?
You can listen to The Absurd on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Absurd?
The Absurd is created and hosted by Rod and Mel.
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