The Poison Tea Party

On the morning of August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife Abby were found brutally murdered in their home, both crushed by the blows of a hatchet. The prime suspect was none other than Andrew's own daughter, Lizzie. Join us for a very special LIVE RECORDED episode as we try to survive our poisons and untangle the web of mystery that surrounds the Lizzie Borden case. 

Between 1871 and 1872, the Midwest was a scary, lawless region filled with hordes of people from all different walks of life. Families trying to find a place to grow roots, merchants and holy men looking to sell their products, and robbers and gunslingers trying to figure out a way to steal it all. But in the midst of the chaos, one family managed to carry out one of the worst murder sprees ever committed in the Wild West and, on top of that, they would escape and disappear mysteriously. Join us for this grizzly tale of the Bloody Benders. 

Join Janet for a short EXTRA Poison tea party as she helps us brush up on a classic story lost to time that still has a couple of unexpected ties to our world today.  Gather around with your shots of poison lovelies! This is the story of Lady Godiva.

Pull up a chair to another one of our tiny EXTRA Poison tea parties while Trass introduces us to a sort of forgotten figure with some old school culinary connections. Grab your granny's tea cup ditches, and let's chat about John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. 

Join Kailie on this solo adventure into the unknown while she tells us a personal tale of an entity that's haunted her since the very beginning. This is the true story of Kailie's Witch.

You'd be amazed to learn that just about every state in America has at least a couple laws on its books that are either old fashioned reminants of the past or just plain ridiculous regulations. Join us as we sort through some of the weirdest and wackiest laws in the United States. Have you been Breakin' the Law?

Every now and then, when searching through the archives of history, you come across a legend lost to time. Sometimes these legends are so far-fetched, there's no way they could be real, and other times, it's hard to tell. Join us as we dive into one of these fables that comes straight from late 12th-century England. Decide for yourself, is it true, or is it just another story passed down through generations? This is the legend of the Green Children of Woolpit.   

Located in the channels of Xochimilco, near the center of Mexico City, Mexico, sits a chinampa that seems to come straight out of a nightmare. This tiny island is covered in creepy, disintegrating DOLLS! But behind every nightmare is an origin story. Join Janet on this solo adventure as she attempts to unpack the real story behind The Island of the Dolls.   

Are you terrified of birds? If so, you are not alone. Over half the population expresses this fear. To the other half, birds are nature's beautiful feathered friends capable of love and companionship. But if history is any indication, those who fear our flying friends might be on to something. Birds can be moody and, in some cases, they have done things that seem to come straight out of a horror movie. Join us for a discussion all about BIRDS!! It's sure to be A Fowl Affair!!  

We've got a healthy dose of Slavic folklore for you on this short, solo-hosted episode. Baba Yaga has been both celebrated and feared throughout history. Viewed as a helpful grandmother figure to some, or a cannibalistic witch to others. Decide for yourself. This is a rundown on the legend of Baba Yaga. 

Get ready for a short, solo-hosted episode of an epic cannibalistic tale lost to time. Chances are, you haven't heard this one before. This is the unbelievable story of Alexander Pearce. 

On December 4th, 1972, seven-year-old Steven Stayner was abducted in Merced, California by a man named Kenneth Parnell. Parnell would hold the child captive for a torturous 7 years until, one day, Steven had had enough. But no one could guess how it all would end. Gather around The Poison Tea Party table as we discuss the unbelievable case of Steven Stayner. 

In early November 1872, a ship was discovered completely abandoned approximately 400 nautical miles off the shore of the Azores, Portugal. The ship was completely intact; the cargo was safe and secure, but there was no sign of Captain Briggs, his family, or his crew. Join us for this famous maritime mystery as we try to get to the bottom of what really happened aboard the cursed Mary Celeste. 

On November 17th, 1978, four teenagers, who were working the closing shift at the local Burger Chef, mysteriously went missing. When it was discovered that money was missing from the till, the Police believed the teens had stolen the money for themselves and abandoned the restaurant. Two days later, all four missing teens were found in the woods of the neighboring county, murdered, leaving officials scrambling for answers. With no shortage of suspects and despite many promising leads, this case has never been solved. Grab your favorite poison and have a seat at the table. See if you can solve the infamous Burger Chef Murders.

Between the years of 1817 and 1821, in Red River, Tennessee, the Bell family experienced something so remarkable that even a future president went on record to say he couldn't explain it. It is said that the Bell family was cursed by a witch. It seemed there were no lengths the unseen entity wouldn't go to torture the family's patriarch, John Bell, and his oldest daughter, Betsy. Over time, word got out about the unusual happenings on the Bell farm, and people came from far and wide to try to solve the case of the Bell witch. Was it all just a hoax, or was there really an evil spirit hellbent on creating chaos for the Bell family? Join us as we investigate the true legend of the Bell Witch. 

Since the time of the Vikings, humans have passed down stories of a mysterious, half-man, half-beast figure with an insatiable, bloodthirsty hunger for flesh. And even in modern times, some have claimed to have been attacked or to have seen the beast with their very own eyes. Is the werewolf truly just a supernatural character that makes a great scary story, or is there something deeper hiding in the darkest part of our own consciousness, a savage beast that can not be tamed? Pull up a chair to the Poison Tea Party and join us as we chat about werewolves!!

In 1840, the freak show was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in America. And it only grew from there when prominent businessman P.T. Barnum created a way to capitalize on individuals born with disabilities by including their acts in his traveling circus. For the next hundred years, the freak show flourished, creating wonder, curiosity, and fear in the general public. In 1944, one of the most successful acts, known as Lobster Boy, took the stage for the very first time at the age of seven. No one could have ever known that this deformed child would someday grow into a real-life monster. Join us as we talk about the incredible life and death of Grady Stiles Jr., Lobster Boy. 

The leaves are turning, there's a chill in the air, and that can only mean one thing: it's time for football!!!! But before the first kickoff of the official season, we wanted to explore some of the darkest parts of football and the crimes and violence committed by the sport's biggest stars. Why are some of these players, who seem to have everything, so prone to fits of rage? Why are they so commonly defined by acts of violence, abuse, and murder? And why are these alarming and recurring behaviors so easily dismissed? Join us while we discuss this blood sport and the brutality in the NFL.

In 1976, Mary Gillispie of Circleville, Ohio, began receiving disturbing, anonymous letters accusing her of having an affair with the local school superintendent. What Mary didn't know was that choosing to ignore those letters would set off an incredible series of events that would span two terrifying decades. This case is a twisting spiderweb full of lies, conspiracy, and murder that has captivated the entire nation, even all these years later. Pull up a comfy chair and pour yourself a cup of your strongest poison; you're going to need it if you think you're going to uncover the true author of the Circleville letters.   

You know we are HUGE suckers for witty animated television shows, and there is no series more popular than The Simpsons. But aside from the incredible, raunchy humor, there is something else about this show that has left fans and haters alike completely perplexed: its ability to predict the future. That's right!! For decades, the creators of The Simpsons have been forecasting major world events, from sports scandals to futuristic technologies, to the Trump presidency. The Simpsons, somehow, seem to know it all! But how? This week, we take a look at some of the wildest predictions that have come to pass and explore how they do it.   

On June 23rd, 1993, Lorena Bobbitt made headlines worldwide when she infamously used a kitchen knife to teach her husband a bloody lesson. The woman claimed instances of brutal rape and abuse in the marriage led her to commit the savage crime but as the intimate details of their life were plastered across the tabloids, some weren't so sure. The 90s were a time of sensational courtroom dramas, but nothing could have prepared America for this. Pull up a chair & pour your favorite poison as we discuss a case for the ages; De-Dicked: The John & Lorena Bobbitt Story. 

In 1927, the Cecil Hotel was constructed as a million-dollar modern marvel in the heart of Los Angeles, California. It was meant to appeal to the middle-class business traveler, but soon after it opened its doors to the public, something sinister began to take hold. The Great Depression, brought on by the stock market collapse, sent the area into a tailspin, and the Cecil Hotel paid the ultimate price. Plagued by rapes, murders and suicides, and surrounded by one of Americas most notorious neighborhoods gifted the Cecil Hotel with a rough reputation. Grab your poisons and join us as we discuss the dark history of one of our nation's most vile hot spots, the Cecil Hotel.

Why are moms so amazing? This week, we get a little personal and share stories of our moms while exploring the science behind what makes a mother tick. Grab your poison tea party guests and prepare to take a walk down memory lane as we all think back to our childhoods and attempt to understand why our moms let us live. This is our honorary episode to mothers everywhere, Honor Thy Mother. 

On January 23rd, 1897, a beautiful young woman, Zona Hester Shue, was found dead in her home at the bottom of the staircase. All signs pointed to it being a terrible accident as the result of a miscarriage. Her loved ones were distraught, especially her mother, Mary Jane. But Mary Jane's suspicions grew and before this case was all said and done, she would tell the story of how she came to know the truth about what really happened to her daughter in a West Virginia courtroom, and **SPOILER ALERT**, it involves the ghost of her dead daughter Zona coming back from the grave to tell her the story. Join us as we pick apart the story of the Greenbrier Ghost. 

Throughout history twins have been both worshiped and feared by cultures across the globe. They are known for their identical features and unbreakable bonds, but is being a twin really all it's cracked up to be? Join us as we throw a birthday party for Trass and Kailie AND weigh in on the popular case of June and Jennifer Gibbons, known as the Silent Twins. You are going to need EXTRA poison for this episode that will leave you seeing double. 

Government coverups, mysterious murders, secret societies, clones and....LIZARD PEOPLE!! Get your tinfoil hats and grab some extra poison because you are going to need it as Kailie tells us about some of the most insane conspiracies of all time. Are you a believer? Find out now on this uncomfy episode of The Poison Tea Party Podcast.  

Have you ever had a memory so vivid you can recall it like it happened yesterday only to find out it never really happened at all? Have you ever shared that memory with friends or family only to find out they have the exact same recollection? The Mandela Effect is a social phenomenon where large groups of people believe an event occurred when it did not. Join us on this journey through the dimensions of the mind as we discuss the Mandela Effect.  

William and Ellen were born into slavery in Macon, Georgia in the early 1800's. After years of enduring slave treatment and dreaming of a life of freedom, they come up with a plan to escape. And it was a plan unlike anything you've ever heard before. Join us at the Poison Tea Party as we talk about the crafty escape of William and Ellen Craft.  

In the late 18th and early 19th century, people on the American East Coast were in the grips of a panic. Their loved ones were dying in waves from symptoms like loss of appetite, coughing up blood, and difficulty breathing. They were wasting away before their eyes and there was no known cure. The illness was rampant and people would do anything to keep the sickness from spreading, including dismembering suspected vampires. Join us as we dissect the truth about the Vampire Panic.

Come one, come all, and gather around as we do some digging on one of the most infamous poisons of all time. It's known throughout history as 'the king of poison and the poison of kings'. Arsenic has had many uses since as far back as the 5th century, from coloring wallpaper and treating skin conditions to murder.  

In early February of 1959, 5 hikers bodies were discovered in Russia's frigid Ural Mountains. Investigators chalked it up to a severe case of hypothermia. But 2 months later when the remaining 4 hikers' bodies were uncovered, the investigators could no longer claim hypothermia to be the reason for their demise. Pour yourself a cup and join us as we try to uncover the mind-blowing mystery of The Dyatlov Pass Incident.  

Ho Ho Ho!! Merry Christmas!? Happy Haunaka!? -How about Happy Holidays? ....or is it? Grab a teacup and take a seat. We are pulling Christmas apart and taking a real hard look at all the classic traditions, that, at first glance, look innocent enough, but if you dig into the depths of history, it turns out these traditions are a whole lot darker than you ever realized. Janet hosts this jolly old festive episode! Join us for 'A Very Poisoned Christmas'. 

Join us on a boisterous countdown to chaos as Trass navigates through the histories of New Year's past.

Nothing compares to the magic of the movies. Think about your favorite film as a child and you're instantly taken back to a world of wonder. But did you know that some Hollywood movies harbor hidden secrets? There are even some films that are so evil, they are known by those who worked on the sets to be CURSED. Join us as we dissect some of the disturbing theories behind Hollywood's Cursed Films. 

Join us as Trass takes us on an unsettling adventure into the dark history of some of the most strange and terrifying creatures of Native American Folklore.

On June 10th 1912 in the small town of Villisca, Iowa, a gruesome crime took place. 8 people were savagely bludgeoned to death with an ax as they slept. Join us as we try to uncover the killer in the infamous case of The Villisca Ax Murders. 

This is an episode that's near and dear to our cold black hearts. It's the LISTENER SUBMISSION episode. Come join us at the Poison Tea Party as we tell you a collection of spine-chilling tales submitted by our audience that are sure to keep you up at night. 

Dolls are meant to be companions for children as a way to ignite imagination and teach them how to care for family. But what happens when that doll suddenly takes on a mind of it's own? And even worse, what happens if the doll is EVIL? Come along as we attempt to discover what makes us so creeped out by dolls. Is it all in our head or is there really something lurking behind that plastic smile?  

Trick or Treating is a Halloween tradition going back hundreds of years and it's reason and meaning has evolved over time. Come with us on a troubling journey as we dive deep into this long standing tradition and discover all the dark reasons Trick or Treating gets a bad wrap. Don't forget to check your kids candy this Halloween season. This is the real history behind Trick or Treating. 

In Bernard's Township, New Jersey sits a diabolic oak tree called the Devil Tree. And in Port St. Lucie, Florida, there's another. What is it about these trees that give them their wicked nicknames? Are they truly demonic or are they just cursed by the local folklore that gave them their devilish names? Join us as we have a little chat about The Devil Tree.  

Originating as a Creepypasta internet meme, Slenderman is a fictional, supernatural character- or is he? Join us as we dive into the mythology and folklore surrounding this viral phenomenon and take a closer look at how it inspired fear and real-life violence. Is Slenderman just an imaginary tale to scare the kids, or is there something more to this story? 

Nestled in the heart of the Deep South is a man made lake with a checkered past. It's a lake that has claimed almost 700 lives in it's short existence. Is there an explanation for the astronomical death rate, or is this lake truly haunted by it's own history? This is the story of Georgia's Lake Lanier.

On March 26th, 2011 the body of 24 year-old mother was discovered after being hit by a train on the train tracks near the home she had been living in with her young daughter. But what seemed like an accident quickly unfolded into a gruesome case full of manipulation and severe abuse spanning generations. This is the tragic story of Vera Jo Reigle.

America's National Parks are home to some of the world's most breathtakingly beautiful wilderness. Protected by the federal government, many acres of these parks remain wild, extremely remote and virtually untouched by humans. Sounds heavenly right? With over 400 National Park sites across America spanning more than 84 million acres, its easy to see how there could be room for something evil and undiscovered lurking deep within the forests. Mysterious disappearances, terrifying cryptid sightings and possible alien encounters are just the beginning. Because as beautiful as they are, National Parks are creepy AF!

In the early 1900's, Mary Mallon emigrated from post-famine Ireland to the United States in hopes of a chance at a better life and quickly found employment as a cook. But everywhere that Mary worked, sickness seemed to follow. Mary was on the run from typhoid fever, but would it catch up with her? Or would she be the one who would get away?  

In 1726 in Godalming, England, a poor peasant woman would turn the entire medical community on its head when she gave birth to 18 different rabbits. This is the incredible and TRUE story of Mary Toft, the woman who gave birth to rabbits. 

This case takes place in Hong Kong in the explosive 90's. The tragically true story of Fan Man Yee, a young mother who's gruesome murder became forever entwined with an endearing children's icon. This is the story of the Hello Kitty murder.    

Clowns have been around for a very long time. They were created as a way to entertain us and make us laugh, but throughout history they have slowly become something we fear. Join us as we take a trip through the terrifying history of clowns.

Nestled in the heart of America sits a small town with a terrifying history. Join us as we uncover the murderous and mysterious secrets of Skidmore, Missouri. If you have any information on any of the unsolved crimes we talked about in this episode please call the Nodaway County Sheriff's Office at 660-582-7451 or visit their website at: http://www.nodawaycountysheriff.com/contact.html Oh My Dog Rescue: https://ohmydogrescue.org/