Netflix may be shining a new spotlight on one of America’s most disturbing figures with Monster: The Ed Gein Story, but Pod Candy was there first. In this chilling mashup episode, hosts Stacey and Dr. John Mayer revisit their most fascinating and unnerving conversations about the real-life “Butcher of Plainfield.” With commentary from Dori, filmmaker Alex Flaster (who produced the A&E Biography on Ed Gein), and horror expert Adam Rockoff, they explore how Gein’s twisted legacy gave birth to icons like Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill, and Leatherface.
From Gein’s psychologically stunted upbringing under a fanatical mother to the macabre crimes that redefined horror, this episode dives deep into what made him both a monster and a myth. Plus, Adam returns to give his brutally honest take on Netflix’s new dramatization — what it got right, what it got wrong, and why fiction can’t compete with the horrifying truth.
Warning: Graphic discussion of real crimes and disturbing behavior.
Source Material: "A&E Biography: Ed Gein" (on A&E) & "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" (on Netflix)
In 1998, 23-year-old Amy Lynn Bradley vanished without a trace from a Caribbean cruise ship — and her story has haunted the world ever since. In this episode, Stacey, Dori, and Dr. John unpack one of the most chilling disappearances in modern history: Was Amy the victim of foul play, suicide, or something even darker like human trafficking?
From the baffling eyewitness sightings to the disturbing photos that surfaced years later, the hosts dive deep into every theory — mixing compassion, shock, and their trademark dark humor. Join the Pod Candy crew as they sift through the evidence, question the cruise line’s actions, and confront the eerie possibility that Amy Bradley might still be alive.
Stacey and Dori turn their attention to Teal Swan, a spiritual influencer whose teachings on healing and suicide have made her both magnetic and deeply controversial. Drawing from the docuseries The Deep End, the hosts unpack how Swan shapes her image, the unsettling dynamics within her inner circle, and why so many vulnerable people are drawn into her orbit. With Dr. John weighing in, the conversation digs into the psychology of manipulation, the ethics of self-proclaimed healers, and what this story reveals about belief, control, and the human need for answers.
Source Documentary: "The Deep End" on Prime Video
In this episode of Pod Candy, Stacey and Dori dive into Betting on Zero and expose the dark underbelly of Herbalife—a company accused of preying on vulnerable communities under the guise of opportunity. Joined by Dr. John, they peel back the layers of manipulation, exploitation, and broken promises that define multi-level marketing. In a groundbreaking moment, the hosts identify a new cult category—the “MLM Cult”—where recruitment replaces retail and loyalty is leveraged like currency. Is it a business, a scam, or something far more sinister? Tune in as they unpack the psychology, the players, and the real-world impact of this modern-day money cult.
Source Documentary: "Betting on Zero" on YouTube TV
In this powerful episode of Pod Candy, Stacey and Dori dive into Surviving Ohio State, the documentary exposing one of the largest sexual abuse scandals in U.S. history. They discuss the decades of abuse committed by Dr. Richard Strauss, the silence of Ohio State University, and the devastating toll on more than 300 male athletes whose voices went unheard for far too long.
Joined by Dr. John Mayer, the conversation unpacks the systemic failures that protected power over people, the stigma male survivors face, and the long shadows abuse casts over a life. From whistleblowers and cover-ups to the lasting trauma carried by survivors, this episode asks hard questions about accountability, justice, and the courage it takes to speak the truth.
Source Documentary: Surviving Ohio State on HBO Max.
If you’re a survivor or supporting one, resources are linked in the show notes. You are not alone.
This week on PodCandy, Stacey and Dori dive into the disturbing case of Keith Hunter Jespersen—infamously known as the Happy Face Killer. A seemingly average long-haul trucker turned serial murderer, Jespersen left a trail of victims across the country while signing his confessions with a chilling smiley face.
Dr. John helps to dissect Jespersen’s psychology, exploring his need for control, lack of remorse, and what might have triggered his violent outbursts. They discuss the challenges of catching a killer who operated in plain sight, the tragic misidentification of suspects, and the devastating impact on victims’ families—including Jespersen’s own daughter.
As always, Stacey and Dori bring their signature mix of dark curiosity and unexpected humor, asking the big questions: What makes someone snap? Why do some killers crave attention, while others lurk in the shadows? And is it ever okay to say a serial killer was… kind of cute?
In this powerful and disturbing episode, Stacey, Dori, and Dr. John take a deep dive into Shiny Happy People, the chilling docuseries exposing the Duggar family and their ties to the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), a fundamentalist Christian organization led by the controversial Bill Gothard. What lies beneath the surface of big smiles and modesty? Abuse, control, and a dangerous culture of silence.
The hosts dissect the teachings and tactics of IBLP, including blanket training, purity culture, and the cult-like authoritarian system that robbed countless women and children of agency and safety. With raw honesty and expert insight, they explore how this toxic ideology went mainstream—fueled by TLC’s reality TV empire—and how survivors are now bravely breaking their silence.
In this powerful and emotional episode of PodCandy, Stacey, Dori and Dr. John dive deep into the harrowing yet inspiring story of Chavie Weisberger, a brave woman who escaped the confines of an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish sect—led by her own grandfather. From forced marriage and suppressed sexuality to a traumatic custody battle, Chavie’s journey reveals the dark side of religious extremism and the systemic control of women. With insight from psychologist Dr. John Mayer, the hosts explore themes of gender oppression, cult dynamics, and the resilience it takes to break free and reclaim your identity. Listener discretion advised—this episode includes discussions of sexual abuse and other sensitive topics.
Based on the original interview featured on "Cults to Consciousness" hosted by Shalise Ann Sola.
In this riveting and deeply personal episode of Pod Candy, your hosts Stacey, Dori, and Dr. John Mayer flip the script and share their own brushes with the dark world of manipulation, fraud, and deception. From Dr. Mayer's jaw-dropping story of identity theft and near ruin, to Dori’s financially and emotionally devastating entanglement with a predatory “tax loophole” scheme, to Stacey’s close call with a shady pyramid organization masked as personal development—this episode proves the scariest stories aren’t always on the news.
Together, they unpack how smart, self-aware people can fall victim to cons, cult-like mentalities, and emotional manipulation—and how they fought their way out. Raw, honest, and at times hilarious, this episode is a powerful reminder that anyone can be targeted, and healing starts with speaking up.
In this episode, Stacey, Dori, and Dr. John examine one of the most elaborate catfishing schemes in recent history. The gang picks apart the Netflix Documentary; Sweet Bobby My Catfish Nightmare. It's a wild story about a London based radio host who endured a nearly ten year relationship with a handsome cardiologist named Bobby, only to find out it was all a fictitious web of cruel deception. Stacey, Dori and Dr. John discuss the psychology behind both catfisher and catfishee, and what causes someone to go to such great lengths to deceive another person.
In this episode Stacey, Dori and Dr. John dive deeper into the madness of Ed Gein through the eyes of two of the industry's leading experts. Alex Flaster is the writer and producer of Biography's "Ed Gein" documentary. Adam Rockoff is an industry expert on slasher films, and author of the critically acclaimed books; The Horror of It All: One Moviegoer's Love Affair with Masked Maniacs, Frightened Virgins and the Living Dead, and Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film. Together the group discusses details of this gruesome case, and the reasons Ed Gein inspired some of Hollywood's most horrifying characters.
In this episode of Pod Candy, we're stepping into the rotting farmhouse of one of the most terrifying figures in American true crime history, Ed Gein. His crimes shocked the nation and inspired some of the most infamous monsters in pop culture. But the real Ed Gein was far more terrifying than any movie villain. Join Stacey, Dori, and Dr. John as they unravel this heinous story and get to the bottom of what psychological traumas could cause a person to make furniture out of human skin, and soup bowls out of skulls.
Gwen Shamblin rose to fame in the 1990's with the Weigh Down Workshop, a Christian weight-loss program that promised spiritual freedom through self denial. But behind the glossy sermons and the big hair was something darker. Gwen didn't just want followers, she wanted absolute obedience. Her Remnant Fellowship Church became a world of strict rules, public shaming and total control over its members' bodies, families, and souls. Then came the scandals, the abuse allegations, the manipulation and finally the shocking plane crash in 2021 that killed Gwen, her husband Joe Lara, and other tip leaders leaving behind a trail of trauma and unanswered questions. Stacey, Dori, and Dr. John analyze Gwen and her followers to dive into how one woman with an idea can manufacture a huge cult following.