Happy Halloween! This is the perfect time of year to talk about the curse surrounding the Poltergeist movies. There is an inordinate amount of tragedy and death that surround these movies. All 3 movies lost members of the cast between the time of filming and the release of the movies. Let's take a look at this theory for the spookiest day of the year and you decide, Is it cursed?
Source Notes:
Poltergeist (franchise) - Wikipedia
The Poltergeist Curse: Here's the Real Story Behind the Movie Myth (yahoo.com)
The 'Poltergeist' Curse: Inside the Mysterious Cast Deaths and Oddities On Set - Biography
And That’s Why We Drink Podcast: episode 163 The Valedictorian of space camo and an alien princess release 3/15/2020
Today I'm going to tell you about the Von Erich's, a wrestling family that was full of success but warped by tremendous tragedy. The father of the family was Fritz and he began his wrestling career in the early 50s an evil nazi villian. When he was ready to retire and raise his family he began work as a promoter with the WCCW. Fritz would have 6 sons and all but 1 passed away tragically early. Join for me as I tell about the sons, their lives, accomplishments, and tragic fates. It's described as a story of incredible success or a cautionary tale depending on who you talk too.
Source notes:
Dark side of the ring: season 1 episode 4 aired 05/01/2019
Von Erich Wrestling Family Tragedy And Curse, Explained | True Crime Buzz (oxygen.com)
The Von Erich Family: Wrestling's Most Unheralded Megastars (thesportster.com)
Robert Rozier was an incredible athlete in his youth with nothing but fame and fortune in his future. Down on his luck he runs into the leader of a black supremacist cult whose way of dealing with conflict is through murder. He falls under the spell of Yahweh ben Yahweh the leader of the Nation of Yahweh and commits 7 murders. His story doesn't end there though, he gets a second chance that is blown when his old habits come back to bite him in the butt. Join me in this intertwining tail of football, cults, murder, and... check fraud.
Source notes:
People magazine investigates: Cults season 1 episode 4 Yahweh Nation released June 25th 2018
Yahweh ben Yahweh | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
Welcome to the final episode about Marvin Gaye's life. We have already talke about his childhood and rise to fame so this time it's about the fall from grace leading up to his murder. In the last few years of his life his drug use had taken over not only his life but his personality. He lived in a drug fueled paranoia that was incredibly difficult for those around him to bear witness to. Oddly enough he would predict how he would die the year before but just couldn't predict by whom. If only that foresight was all encompassing, he could've prevented the event that he was trying to protect himself from. He was an incredible musical talent that wrote from his soul. He wanted to share his life in the only way he knew how. Unfortunately, there was so much pain and suffering that he held within. Just a warning that this episode does contain discussions about suicide, drug use, sex, and violence so please keep that in mind if you choose to listen. I hope you enjoy the conclusion to this 3-part series on Marvin Gaye's life.
Source notes:
Divided Soul: the life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz published in 1985
Today we are picking up where we left off in our last episode, Marvin had just gotten married and was beginning to see some success with his music. During this episode his career really takes off but with that so does his battles within. As his music becomes more successful, he becomes more reclusive after an on-stage incident with his duet partner Tammi Terrell. He manages to keep his tulmutous marriage together until a 16 year old walks into the Motown recording studio and catches his eye. Once this happens it seems he is in a gentle balance of bliss and chaos. We will end this episode in the year 1978 with just 10 years left in his too short life that will be discussed in part 3.
Just a warning this does include mentions of suicide, mental health, and sex so please be aware if this is something you aren't interesting in listening to.
Source notes:
Divided Soul: the life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz published in 1985
Who was Marvin Gaye? We all know he was an incredible singer songwriter who rose to fame during the time of Motown. We all know he was killed by his father as well. But who was he and what was he like? I read the biography Divided Soul: the life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz and I got some powerful insight. his childhood was terrible, he was always fighting his inner demons, and always hungry for more success. The first part of his multi episode story starts with his childhood and ends at his initial success in Motown and first marriage. Let's discover together what created the legend that is Marvin Gaye.
Source notes:
Divided Soul: the life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz published in 1985
Today I bring you 3 stories of young people who were on popular content creation platforms whose personal lives were taking a turn for the murderous. Jared Loughner spiraled after a high school break up and targeted his local representative to take out his disillusioned hatred for the government on. He took many lives that day except his actual target. Pekka eric Auvinen brought his legally purchased gun to school to take out what we can only assume was his revenge for being bullied. The attempts to prevent this tragedy by his parents were never taken as seriously as they should have. Lastly Claire Miller took the life of her disabled sister for reasons only she knows and that we can assume. They could’ve used their platforms for good but instead they are now an example of warning signs to look out for.
Source notes:
Jared Loughner
(2451) The Sinister Story Of Jared Lee Loughner - YouTube
Jared Loughner | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
Jared Lee Loughner - Wikipedia
Pekka Eric Auvinen
Jokela school shooting - Wikipedia
Pekka-Eric Auvinen | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
Claire Miller
(2451) The 14-Year-Old TikTok Murderer: Claire Miller - YouTube
Teen TikToker allegedly murdered sister day after going viral (nypost.com)
What do you think about when you hear bodybuilder? For me it’s people like Lou Ferrigno who became the embodiment of the hulk. Arnold Schwarzenegger who became an action star and the governor of California. Oh, and you can’t forget muscles on muscles and dark fake tans to show them off. For this couple of bodybuilders, they had it all from incredible physiques, fame and fortune, and each other. They were looking to start a business which prompted them to hire an assistant, but little did they know this decision would eventually destroy the future they were planning when they brutally murdered her. Today I want to tell you about Craig Titus and Kelly Ann Ryan who murdered their assistant Melissa James and set her on fire. The fall from the top sure hits hard once you reach the bottom.
Source notes:
Craig Titus Steroid Cycle – Evolutionary.org
Craig Michael Titus | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
Bodybuilders Kelly Ryan And Craig Titus Taser Assistant, Torch Body | Crime News (oxygen.com)
Kelly Ryan | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
Killer Couples: Kelly Ryan & Craig Titus Season 10 ep 1 aired 10/7/2018
Today we are going to talk about how one man went from the top of his game straight to prison. What makes you destroy everything you worked so hard for? As a child we all dream of being something big, an astronaut, a ballerina, or a professional football player. Very few of us reach those dreams in adulthood but what if you did and then it all went wrong? Who am I talking about you ask? Well, I’m going to discuss Rae Carruth’s fall from grace. He was considered a rookie stand out in the NFL and his girlfriend Cherica Adams was pregnant with his baby. That should’ve been an exciting time for the young couple, but Rae had other plans. He didn't want another child and was willing to go as far as murder to make sure this child didn't make it.
Source notes:
The Boy They Couldn't Kill: How Rae Carruth's son survived and thrives - Sports Illustrated
Rae Carruth, Ex NFL Star Gives New Details On Cherica Adams' Murder | Crime News (oxygen.com)
Rae Carruth | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
We're going to pick up where we left off in 1942 to finish the last part of Tallulah's life. She acted up until the last few years of her life making friends and enemies along the way. The adoration for her was what gave her life meaning in the end. Tallulah packed so much into her 66 years of life and you have to admire her for being unapologetically herself. She is considered an icon of the flapper era, crude, prone to tantrum, passionate, caring, trouble, and scandalous. Maybe they just weren't ready for a women like her. Join me for the rest of her story and decide for yourself, was she a menace or an emboldened women before her time?
Source Notes:
Tallulah, Darling : A biography of Tallulah Bankhead by Dennis Brian
Tallulah Bankhead is a woman ahead of her time and whose life was filled with endless success, lovers of all genders, drugs, and a lot of nudity. She might not be considered too scandalous by 2022 standards but in the early 1900s she definitely was. As the daughter of the speaker of the house of representatives she cared about what got back to her father but not enough to keep her private life pg. She was a fascinating woman who strived for attention anyway she could but cared deeply for people that she saw were being mistreated. Tallulah was a personality that could only be described as Tallulah since no one else could compare. Join me for part 1 of her life story as I walk through the first 40 years of her incredible life.
Tallulah, Darling : A biography of Tallulah Bankhead by Dennis Brian
Who doesn't want to go see their favorite bands on stage to perform? You get go out with friends or family and create a memory of a lifetime. The excitement is palpable, the crowd is full of energy, and the drinks are flowing. Afterward you go home and happily tell anyone who listens what a great time you had. What if you didn't get to go home? What if it ended in tragedy and you were a witness to the disaster that ensued? I have 3 stories for you today on just that. Join me while I tell you about the Station Night Club fire, the Indiana State Fair stage collapse, and the Love Parade. 3 shows that should've left guests leaving with a smile that instead left them with nightmares.
Source Notes:
The Station nightclub fire - Wikipedia
Indiana State Fair stage collapse - Wikipedia
$50M settlement in Indiana State Fair stage collapse | CNN
Love Parade disaster: German court ends trial over 2010 stampede deaths - BBC News
There isn't much about Brandon Lee out there to find out except that he followed in the footsteps of his father. He loved martial arts, wanted to be an actor, and would die tragically early. Their lives and deaths are forever linked together not just in unfortunate coincidence but conspiracy theory. Was this family just cursed? Was the chinese mafia involved? What do you choose to believe?
source notes:
Polly, Matthew (2018). Bruce Lee: A Life. New York: Simon & Schuster
Welcome to the 3rd and final installment about Bruce Lee's fascinating life. This episode I'll tell you about his launch to superstardom through his resurgence in Hong Kong movies and his Hollywood break out role in Longstreet. The last few years of his life he strived to write and produce a martial arts masterpiece and every movie he starred in hit box office gold. His sudden death was once a mystery but now thanks to modern medicine we may have the answers to his true cause of death. He spent his life paving the way for so many people he knew in life and so many yet to come without even realizing it. Bruce is the man, the myth, the legend and someone who's life and story will always be unmatched.
Source Notes:
Polly, Matthew (2018). Bruce Lee: A Life. New York: Simon & Schuster
Today we resume with Bruce's life in America where he was forced to restart. He begins to explore new forms of martial arts to begin the journey of creating his own super martial arts form. After a performance at a karate championship, he is discovered by Hollywood but the way in isn't as easy as he had hoped. He will face many ups and downs but he doesn't let it get him down. After all he now has a family to support. We end this installment after his first tv role and he becomes sifu to the stars. There is so much more to his story of struggle and perseverance than we ever really knew.
Polly, Matthew (2018). Bruce Lee: A Life. New York: Simon & Schuster
Bruce Lee was a martial arts icon in and out of the movie industry. He wanted to master every form and had a thirst for it unlike anything we have seen since. He even created his own form of martial arts as he merged techniques together. He was born during World War 2 when China was hit hard during the Japanese invasion. His family was able to thrive due his father's opera career and he would follow in his footsteps to start acting at 6 years old. He quickly became a handful and became the wild child constantly fighting and getting into trouble. So how did he go from the wild child to the philosopher? In today's episode we'll take a deep dive into his childhood and discuss events leading up to his return to America at 18 years old. I'll tell you about his acting career and the beginning of his passion for martial arts. His life was truly fascinating, and his legacy will live on forever.
source notes:
Polly, Matthew (2018). Bruce Lee: A Life. New York: Simon & Schuster
There is some appeal to the instant fame caused by reality television but just because you're marketable doesn't mean you are good. Today i'll tell you about a few reality stars from the star of a show to a challenge show winner who have ended up behind bars. I'll discuss the tragic side of that fame when the public full of judgement spews their hate at a stranger. You never know how ending up on tv can change your life but one thing is for sure... you'll have a target on your back and your name in the headlines. It's up to you to decide what the headlines will read.
source notes:
'Sons of Guns' star Will Hayden often posted about young daughter online | Fox News
Buckwild: Where Are They Now? Update on the Cast Today (thecinemaholic.com)
Buckwild (TV series) - Wikipedia
Shain Gandee Cause of Death Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | PEOPLE.com
I want to take you back in time to the early and mid 1900s and tell you about the infamous Jamaican cricket player, Leslie Hylton. He was hanged to death for murder in 1955. So how does he go from a successful West Indies cricketer to the gallows? If you want to know than join me as I tell you how his life changed from impoverished orphan, to international fame, and ultimately a death sentence. It's a tale as old time, will this be the cautionary tale that you learn from?
Source notes:
A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Cricket - HowTheyPlay published mar 27 2020
Leslie Hylton: Only Test cricketer to be hanged | Cricket Country
Leslie Hylton profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos (espncricinfo.com)
Chyna knew she was always different, she was bigger, she was stronger, and she was destined for greatness. In the dawn of the attitude era she was able to break into professional wrestling and rock their world. She destroyed all the ideas that people had in mind of what was then a female wrestler. She paved the way for many women who wrestle today and showed little girls everyone that it was ok to be different. She spiraled after wrestling dropped her and she was left to pick up the pieces of her fame and what she thought was her family. She tried to start a new in Japan and was doing well until she was approached for a documentary where she would rise from the ashes as a phoenix renewed. Unfortunately, it would destroy her and she would overdose before it's completion. Join me as I tell you how Joanie became Chyna, discuss in depth and vented frustration the failed documentary, and how those who should've looked out for her failed to do so. The last 10 minutes I discuss the documentary and give some personal opinions. If that isn't for you there is a warning and you can stop listening after her story is completed. Otherwise briefly dive into the controversial final footage from her life with me and see if we come to the same conclusions.
I experienced some issues with audio and once sorted out I will work on recording and rereleasing this episode. Thank you for listening even in its not so perfect state.
Source notes:
Vice Versa : Chyna air date June 16 2021
Chyna the 9th wonder of the world: If they only knew by Joanie Laurer with Michael Angeli 2001
Degeneration x confidential released 2014 viewed on Peacock 4/16/2022
What do you know about the KPop industry? I can say I didn't know anything until I looked into Jonghyun's suicide. He was an incredible singer songwriter with a passion for music that started in his youth. He was groomed into the perfect performer but at what cost. Join me while I discuss his career, suicide, and KPop training camps. He was on top of his career when he took his life and now we are left to wonder what could've been.
Source notes:
K-pop trainee rules: no dating, no phones, weekly weight checks – Blackpink, Twice and BTS members reveal what Korea’s entertainment agencies really demand of their idols | South China Morning Post (scmp.com) published nov 18 2020 retrieved March 27 2022
SHINee Singer Jonghyun Dead: K-Pop Star's Possible Suicide - Rolling Stone
Jonghyun's secret love life and his battle for perfection: SHINee fans reveal private struggles of talented singer - Mirror Online published dec 19 2017 retrieved march 27 2022
Jonghyun: Fans mourn death of SHINee K-pop star | CNN published dec 19 2017 retrieved march 27 2022
K-Pop Singer Jonghyun Struggled with Depression Before His Death | PEOPLE.com published dec 19 2017 retrieved march 27 2022
SHINee's Jonghyun death explained; Here's details about the K-Pop star's sudden demise (republicworld.com)published march 4th 2021 retrieved march 27 2022
The punishing pressures behind K-pop perfection | CBC News published feb 24 2018 retrieved march 27 2022