The Weight Loss Cult - Part 1

The Weight Loss Cult - Part 1

In the early 90s, Gwen Shamblin created the Weigh Down Workshop, a faith-based weightloss program. Her “revolutionary” idea was to eat less and pray more. This spread like wildfire. Gwen was putting out curriculum nonstop and churches all over the world were buying into this idea and hosting their own Weigh Down Workshops. This was relatively harmless…at first. Eventually, Gwen created her own church called Remnant Fellowship and claimed that hers was the “true church” and all others were “false churches.” Members sometimes relocated their entire families in order to be able to attend Remnant in person.  Gwen and Remnant Fellowship directed members in every aspect of their lives including parenting. Unfortunately, this would prove to be deadly.  Come along with Hannah and Jessica as they discuss the importance of having a special interest, crows, and diet culture in the 90s.  CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of child abuse, child death, homicide, and eating disorders. Listener discretion is advised. — Please subscribe, rate, and review. Follow us on Instagram @spookybitchwalk and Facebook at Spooky Btch Walk for all the updates. Email us at spookybtchwalk@gmail.com [spookybtchwalk@gmail.com] to share all your spooky stories and case suggestions.   Sources: Adams, L. (2025, July 21). Gwen Shamblin Lara plane crash led to reckoning over Remnant church: Notorious Nashville. Yahoo. https://www.yahoo.com/news/gwen-shamblin-lara-plane-crash-100035861.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJx3N20R-hSNLLZ_7GG41ltn6GDOo9rjB2OmvOxMHINMm6m_joO1FIliFDTrVyNkDUrelIxYDSsXKDPmdEtFXJ5gBnTbky2yb_s4dlV9vnWOoK0tALdRRESAFyEz5IlV3Gjm94S5emIiHR7oSrEKpW2LPXs33B_O-XA-CjOz-tyk [https://www.yahoo.com/news/gwen-shamblin-lara-plane-crash-100035861.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJx3N20R-hSNLLZ_7GG41ltn6GDOo9rjB2OmvOxMHINMm6m_joO1FIliFDTrVyNkDUrelIxYDSsXKDPmdEtFXJ5gBnTbky2yb_s4dlV9vnWOoK0tALdRRESAFyEz5IlV3Gjm94S5emIiHR7oSrEKpW2LPXs33B_O-XA-CjOz-tyk] Capello, N., Dinerstein, R., Evans, R., Girard, R., Morgan, P.G., Teigen, C., Zenovich, M., & Dillon, L. (Executive Producers). (2021-2022). The way down: God, greed, and the cult of Gwen Shamblin [TV series]. HBOMax.  CBS News. (2021, May 31). Remains of 7 people aboard small plane that crashed in Tennessee found. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tennessee-plane-crash-gwen-shamblin-lara-joe-lara/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tennessee-plane-crash-gwen-shamblin-lara-joe-lara/] In memory of Gwen Shamblin. (n.d.). About Gwen. In memory of Gwen Shamblin. https://www.gwenshamblinlara.com/about/ [https://www.gwenshamblinlara.com/about/] Morris, C. & Finley, J. (2023, March 22). NTSB determines cause of crash that killed Gwen Shamblin, Brentwood church members. WHSV3. https://www.whsv.com/2023/03/22/ntsb-determines-cause-crash-that-killed-gwen-shamblin-brentwood-church-members/ [https://www.whsv.com/2023/03/22/ntsb-determines-cause-crash-that-killed-gwen-shamblin-brentwood-church-members/] Remnant Fellowship. (n.d.). Elizabeth Kaufmann. Remnant Fellowship. https://www.remnantfellowship.org/about-remnant-fellowship/leadership-team/elizabeth-kaufmann/ [https://www.remnantfellowship.org/about-remnant-fellowship/leadership-team/elizabeth-kaufmann/] Shoup, C. & Adams, L. (2023, March 23). Plane crash that killed Gwen Shamblin could have been avoided, NTSB report says. The Tennessean. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2023/03/23/report-plane-crash-that-killed-gwen-shamblin-could-have-been-avoided/70039686007/ [https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2023/03/23/report-plane-crash-that-killed-gwen-shamblin-could-have-been-avoided/70039686007/]

The Gainesville Ripper

In August 1990, five college students were brutally murdered in their apartments in Gainesville, Florida. They had been sexually assaulted, stabbed, and then their bodies were posed in ways to shock whoever discovered them. Investigators in Shreveport, Louisiana, heard about these murders and thought they sounded awfully similar to an unsolved triple homicide in Shreveport. They found that the perpetrator of the Shreveport murders and the Gainesville murders had the same blood type which was more evidence that the killings were connected.  A few months later, police received a tip from a woman in Louisiana who suggested they look into a man she had met at her church: Danny Rolling. Danny had a history of sexual assault, robbery, and voyeurism. They were able to compare his DNA to the killers’ DNA, and it was a match.   Come along with Hannah and Lainey as they discuss littering, the importance of putting a stick in your sliding glass door, and hair catching on fire during a candlelight church service.  CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, violence, homicide, child abuse, and animal abuse. Listener discretion is advised. — Please subscribe, rate, and review. Follow us on Instagram @spookybitchwalk and Facebook at Spooky Btch Walk for all the updates. Email us at spookybtchwalk@gmail.com [spookybtchwalk@gmail.com] to share all your spooky stories and case suggestions.   Sources: Barcella, L. (2025, October 24). How serial killer Danny Rolling influenced ‘Scream’ with his 1990 slayings. A&E. https://www.aetv.com/articles/how-serial-killer-danny-rolling-inspired-scream-with-his-1990-slayings [https://www.aetv.com/articles/how-serial-killer-danny-rolling-inspired-scream-with-his-1990-slayings] Crime library. (n.d.). Danny Rolling, the Gainesville ripper. Crime Library. https://crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/predators/rolling/ [https://crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/predators/rolling/] Helligar, J. (2025, July 5). The serial killer who inspired ‘Scream’ terrorized my college town 35 years ago (exclusive). People. https://people.com/serial-killer-gainesville-ripper-danny-rolling-exclusive-11763591 [https://people.com/serial-killer-gainesville-ripper-danny-rolling-exclusive-11763591] Mehrotra, K. (2021, April 8). Who were Daniel “Danny” Rolling’s victims? TheCinemaholic. https://thecinemaholic.com/who-were-daniel-danny-rollings-victims/ [https://thecinemaholic.com/who-were-daniel-danny-rollings-victims/] Ott, T. (2020, October 14). Danny Rolling: The true story behind the killer who inspired ‘Scream’. Biography. https://www.biography.com/crime/danny-rolling-scream-killer-gainesville [https://www.biography.com/crime/danny-rolling-scream-killer-gainesville] Robbert, A. (2025, July 31). Impacts of 1990 Gainesville murders remain strong, especially for college-aged women. The Independent Florida Alligator. https://www.alligator.org/article/2025/07/impacts-of-1990-gainesville-murders-remain-strong-especially-for-college-aged-women [https://www.alligator.org/article/2025/07/impacts-of-1990-gainesville-murders-remain-strong-especially-for-college-aged-women] Ruppel, G., Dooley, S., & Rivas, A. (2021, April 8). How a woman in Louisiana helped break the case of 5 student murders in Florida. ABCNews. https://abcnews.com/US/woman-louisiana-helped-break-case-student-murders-florida/story?id=76900692 [https://abcnews.com/US/woman-louisiana-helped-break-case-student-murders-florida/story?id=76900692] Wikipedia. (n.d.). Danny Rolling. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Rolling [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Rolling]

The Most Haunted House in Ireland: Loftus Hall

In this episode, we’re going to Hannah and Bob’s favorite place: the Hook Peninsula. The Hook Peninsula is located in County Wexford, Ireland, and is home to the oldest working lighthouse in the whole world and the most haunted house in the whole country. The Hook Lighthouse was built in the 13th century and that lighthouse is the same one that operates today.  Loftus Hall is said to be the most haunted house in Ireland. Legend has it the Devil himself visited Loftus Hall hundreds of years ago and left a young woman in ruins. This woman would be locked away by her family to live the rest of her days looking out the same window in the same room until her death…but many believe her spirit is still there. Come along with Hannah and Bob as they discuss the greatest knight that ever lived, Bob’s skepticism of the paranormal, and Theodosia Burr.   CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of the paranormal and infant death. Listener discretion is advised. — Please subscribe, rate, and review. Follow us on Instagram @spookybitchwalk and Facebook at Spooky Btch Walk for all the updates. Email us at spookybtchwalk@gmail.com [spookybtchwalk@gmail.com] to share all your spooky stories and case suggestions.   Sources: Commissioners of Irish Lights. (n.d.). Hook Head Lighthouse. https://www.irishlights.ie/tourism/our-lighthouses/hook-head.aspx [https://www.irishlights.ie/tourism/our-lighthouses/hook-head.aspx] Haunted Halls Ireland. (n.d.). Loftus Hall - Exploring Ireland’s haunted history. https://www.loftushall.ie/loftus-hall-set-to-reawaken-665-years-of-history [https://www.loftushall.ie/loftus-hall-set-to-reawaken-665-years-of-history] Hook Lighthouse. (n.d.). About Hook Lighthouse. https://hookheritage.ie/about-us/about-hook-lighthouse/ [https://hookheritage.ie/about-us/about-hook-lighthouse/] Middleton, I. (n.d.). The story of Loftus Hall, the most haunted house in Ireland. Ian Middleton. https://ianmiddleton.co.uk/story-of-loftus-hall/ [https://ianmiddleton.co.uk/story-of-loftus-hall/] Murphy, C. (2011, June 21). Lighthouse tops guide book list as world’s flashiest. Irish Examiner. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20158411.html [https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20158411.html] O’Hara, K. (2026, January 9). The story behind Loftus Hall: The most haunted house in Ireland. The Irish Road Trip. https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/loftus-hall-haunted-ireland/ [https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/loftus-hall-haunted-ireland/] Spirited Isle: True Irish Ghost Stories. (n.d.). Hook Lighthouse. https://spiritedisle.ie/explore/listing/hook-lighthouse/ [https://spiritedisle.ie/explore/listing/hook-lighthouse/] The Little House of Horrors. (n.d.). Loftus Hall. https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/loftus-hall/ [https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/loftus-hall/] Treacys Enniscorthy. (n.d.). Loftus Hall. https://www.treacyshotel.com/things-to-do/loftus-hall/ [https://www.treacyshotel.com/things-to-do/loftus-hall/]

Fraudster: Belle Gibson

In 2009, a young woman in Perth, Australia, was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and told she had 4 months to live. She started doing conventional treatment which made her very sick. During this time, she found out she was pregnant. She stopped all treatments at this time and completely changed her diet. Three years later, she was still alive and thriving. She created an Instagram account where she documented her healthy lifestyle and claimed this lifestyle had cured her cancer.  She quickly grew a massive social media following which led to a health and wellness app, The Whole Pantry, and a book deal of the same name. Her followers were inspired by her and thought her story was amazing. And it would be…if any of it were true.  Come along with Hannah and Bob as they discuss Hannah’s dust phobia, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Dr. Phil.     CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of fraud and cancer. Listener discretion is advised. — Please subscribe, rate, and review. Follow us on Instagram @spookybitchwalk and Facebook at Spooky Btch Walk for all the updates. Email us at spookybtchwalk@gmail.com [spookybtchwalk@gmail.com] to share all your spooky stories and case suggestions.   Sources: 60 Minutes Australia. (2025, February 17). Unmasking Belle Gibson: The real story of the infamous wellness scammer [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fahOX8VBXCc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fahOX8VBXCc] 60 Minutes Australia. (2018, December 11). Confronting Belle Gibson: The health advocate who faked cancer [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCN2Uvyz72k [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCN2Uvyz72k] Arman, E. & Boseley, B. (Executive Producers). (2023). The search for Instagram’s worst con artist [TV series]. Netflix. Davey, M. (2015, June 28). Belle Gibson on 60 Minutes: No remorse and the lies kept coming. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jun/29/belle-gibson-tells-60-minutes-she-was-the-victim-after-her-lies-were-exposed [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jun/29/belle-gibson-tells-60-minutes-she-was-the-victim-after-her-lies-were-exposed] Kinsella, E. (2020, January 23). Fraudster Belle Gibson says she has been ‘adopted’ by Melbourne’s Ethiopian community. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-23/belle-gibson-says-she-has-been-adopted-by-ethiopian-community/11895252 [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-23/belle-gibson-says-she-has-been-adopted-by-ethiopian-community/11895252] Lusher, A. (2015, March 18). The Whole Pantry withdrawn: Holistic recipe book taken off shelves as Belle Gibson’s cancer claims are disputed. The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/food-and-drink/news/the-whole-pantry-withdrawn-holistic-recipe-book-taken-off-shelves-as-author-s-cancer-claims-are-disputed-10114642.html [https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/food-and-drink/news/the-whole-pantry-withdrawn-holistic-recipe-book-taken-off-shelves-as-author-s-cancer-claims-are-disputed-10114642.html] Smith, R. (2020, January 24). Belle Gibson has been adopted by Ethiopian community in Melbourne. news.com.au https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/belle-gibson-has-been-adopted-by-ethiopian-community-in-melbourne/news-story/faef622ee9d2b5bee4e4a9518420c315 [https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/belle-gibson-has-been-adopted-by-ethiopian-community-in-melbourne/news-story/faef622ee9d2b5bee4e4a9518420c315] The New Daily. (2020, January 23). Cancer fraudster Belle Gibson ‘adopted’ by Ethiopian community. The New Daily. https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/people-entertainment/2020/01/23/belle-gibson-ethiopian-oromo [https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/people-entertainment/2020/01/23/belle-gibson-ethiopian-oromo]

Serial Arsonist: Paul Keller

Over a 6 month period of 1992 in Seattle, WA, a serial arsonist was on the loose. He started by burning down churches and then moved on to businesses and homes. He was quick and sneaky, and police couldn’t catch him. Eventually, with the help of a forensic hypnotist and sketch artist, police received a tip from a man who believed his son, Paul Keller, was the arsonist. After surveilling Paul for ten days, he was arrested and confessed to setting over 75 fires, one of which led to the death of three elderly women.   Come along with Hannah and Lainey as they discuss bringing a friend on walks, hypnosis, and do taller people walk faster?  CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of arson and homicide. Listener discretion is advised. — Please subscribe, rate, and review. Follow us on Instagram @spookybitchwalk and Facebook at Spooky Btch Walk for all the updates. Email us at spookybtchwalk@gmail.com [spookybtchwalk@gmail.com] to share all your spooky stories and case suggestions.   Sources: Court TV. (2003, May 31). Fire proof [TV broadcast]. Forensic files. Houtz, J. (1993, May 4). The two sides of arsonist Paul Keller. The Seattle Times. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19930504/1699416/the-two-sides-of-arsonist-paul-keller [https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19930504/1699416/the-two-sides-of-arsonist-paul-keller] Investigation Discovery. (2017, January 2). Not my boy [TV broadcast]. Evil lives here.  Malhotra, N. (2020, September 19). Paul Keller: Where is the serial arsonist today? The Cinemaholic. https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-paul-keller-now/ [https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-paul-keller-now/] Norton, D. & Houtz, J. (1993, December 23). Keller confesses in fatal arson. The Seattle Times. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19931223/1738502/keller-confesses-in-fatal-arson [https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19931223/1738502/keller-confesses-in-fatal-arson] UPI Archives. (1993, May 7). Northwest serial arsonist gets 75 years in prison. UPI. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/05/07/Northwest-serial-arsonist-gets-75-years-in-prison/3153736747200/ [https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/05/07/Northwest-serial-arsonist-gets-75-years-in-prison/3153736747200/]