Not Quite Normal

16: Ashes of Betrayal & a Vagabond Criminal

This week, Kailee opens with the real-life story of Holley Lynn James, a young Army nurse whose sudden disappearance in 2008 sent shockwaves through her community. What began as a simple missed shift quickly unraveled into a disturbing investigation involving a burned apartment, hidden motives, and a tragic truth that pointed back to someone close to her. Kailee traces the emotional and investigative journey that followed, highlighting both Holley’s dedication to her work and the betrayal at the center of her case. Michael then shifts gears with the almost unbelievable exploits of Victor Lustig, the infamous con artist best known for “selling” the Eiffel Tower. With charm, audacity, and meticulous planning, Lustig pulled off some of the boldest scams of the early 20th century — leaving behind a legend that still feels surreal today. Sources & Mentions: * YouTube: 48 Hours Full Episode [https://youtu.be/9NtbQfywLkU?si=1Fm7ZsGlsALoBWel] * SmithsonianMag.com [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/man-who-sold-eiffel-tower-twice-180958370/] * Medium.com [https://andzwa.medium.com/lessons-in-influence-from-the-greatest-con-artist-who-ever-lived-5cf013676a5f] * Wikipedia: Victor Lustig [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Lustig] Follow us: 📸 Instagram: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/notquitenormalpodcast?igsh=MTU3eTB4NGgybnltNw%253D%253D&utm_source=qr] 🕒 TikTok: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@notquitenormalpodcast] 📘 Facebook: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/p/Not-Quite-Normal-Podcast-61579199607839/] 📧 Email us: NotQuiteNormalPodcast@gmail.com

15: Ol' Sparky Unplugged & A Bottlecap Grudge

In this week's episode, Kailee takes listeners through the unsettling world of botched executions, revealing disturbing moments in the justice system. Then, Michael shifts gears to the unbelievable tale of Pepsi Number Fever; the marketing promotion that ignited national outrage after one winning number—349—sparked chaos. From grim missteps in capital punishment to corporate miscalculations, this episode uncovers how small mistakes can lead to massive consequences. Sources & Mentions: * DeathPenaltyInfo.org [https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/botched-executions] * SmithsonianMag.com [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/weird-story-man-they-couldnt-hang-180962210/] * History Today [https://www.historytoday.com/archive/months-past/oxford-resurrection] * Wikipedia: Pepsi Number Fever [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepsi_Number_Fever] * Mental Floss [https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/558202/pepsi-number-fever-promotion-failure-philippines] Follow us: 📸 Instagram: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/notquitenormalpodcast?igsh=MTU3eTB4NGgybnltNw%253D%253D&utm_source=qr] 🕒 TikTok: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@notquitenormalpodcast] 📘 Facebook: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/p/Not-Quite-Normal-Podcast-61579199607839/] 📧 Email us: NotQuiteNormalPodcast@gmail.com

14: Lauren Giddings & Two Sentence Horror Stories

In this week's episode, Kailee walks listeners through the heartbreaking and unsettling case of Lauren Giddings, unraveling the events leading up to her disappearance and the shocking discovery that followed. With a mix of intrigue and suspense, Kailee unpacks the details of the case, exploring the investigation, and the unsettling twists that followed. Meanwhile, Michael lightens the format but not the mood, delivering a curated batch of eerie two-sentence horror stories circulating the web that will leave you looking over your shoulder. *Please be advised, multiple stories have trigger warnings. It’s a blend of true crime and micro-terror that’s sure to give you chills. Sources & Mentions: * Oxygen.com [https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-the-smoking-gun/crime-news/stephen-mcdaniel-kills-dismembers-lauren-giddings-georgia] * Article [https://media.macon.com/static/media/projects/McDaniel/sinclair.jquery/McDaniel/] * News Interview [https://youtu.be/VSK47WlZ6Ac?si=99z07eEnVu7vJJKn] * Buzzfeed [https://www.buzzfeed.com/racj1325/20-two-sentence-horror-stories-b3h8223rs2] * Bored Panda [https://www.boredpanda.com/short-scary-two-sentence-horror-stories/] * JJ Pryor Substack [https://jjpryor.substack.com/p/these-two-sentence-horror-stories] * Reddit: r/TwoSentenceHorror [https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoSentenceHorror/] Follow us: 📸 Instagram: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/notquitenormalpodcast?igsh=MTU3eTB4NGgybnltNw%253D%253D&utm_source=qr] 🕒 TikTok: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@notquitenormalpodcast] 📘 Facebook: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/p/Not-Quite-Normal-Podcast-61579199607839/] 📧 Email us: NotQuiteNormalPodcast@gmail.com

13: Freak Fridays & A Pizza Planchette

It’s episode 13! Join us as Kailee explores the origins of this long-standing superstition and how it shows up in today’s world — from the bible to buildings that skip the 13th floor, and even some stories of people having a not-so-great Friday the 13th. Meanwhile, Michael takes us back to the 1950s game show scandal that shocked America — the Twenty-One controversy. He unpacks how producers rigged the show, the fallout that changed television forever, and what it revealed about fame, greed, and trust in the media. Tune in for a blend of history, scandal, and a little superstition — it’s an episode you won’t want to skip (even if it’s number 13). Mentioned in this episode: * Britannica: Andes Mountains [https://www.britannica.com/place/Andes-Mountains] * Britannica: Costa Concordia Disaster [https://www.britannica.com/event/Costa-Concordia-disaster] * Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub [https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/bushfire-black-friday-victoria-1939/] * K-State.edu [https://www.k-state.edu/care/old/law-and-crime/bystander-intervention/kitty-genovese.html] * Library of Congress Blogs [https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2018/10/the-last-leap-of-sam-patch/] * Aviation Safety Network [https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/330358] * Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-One_(game_show)] * Britannica: Quiz Show Broadcasting [https://www.britannica.com/topic/quiz-show-broadcasting#ref1048368] * U.S. House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce hearings (1959) [https://archive.org/details/investigationoft02unit] * Federal Communications Commission (FCC) records [https://www.fcc.gov/media/television/quiz-show-scandals] Follow us: 📸 Instagram: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/notquitenormalpodcast?igsh=MTU3eTB4NGgybnltNw%253D%253D&utm_source=qr] 🕒 TikTok: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@notquitenormalpodcast] 📘 Facebook: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/p/Not-Quite-Normal-Podcast-61579199607839/] 📧 Email us: NotQuiteNormalPodcast@gmail.com

12: HALLOWEEN EPISODE!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL YOU COOL BATS & CATS! In this episode, Kailee digs into the real-life horror behind some of your favorite scary movies — the ones inspired by actual serial killers, and the disturbing stories of killers who claim the movies inspired THEM. Then, Michael switches things up with a world tour of Halloween traditions. From spooky festivals to unexpected celebrations, you’ll find out how other countries get into the Halloween spirit. Grab your pumpkin spice latte, turn down the lights, and hang out with us for some chills, laughs, and the perfect episode to get you in a spooky mood! Mentioned in this episode: * Crime+Investigation [https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/articles/6-killers-who-were-inspired-horror-films] * History.com [https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween#:~:text=Friday%252C%2520October%252031.-,What%2520is%2520the%2520History%2520of%2520Halloween?,the%2520dead%2520returned%2520to%2520earth.] * FriedrichJones.com [https://www.friedrichjones.com/blog/our-blog/the-origins-of-halloween-and-its-evolution-in-the-united-states] * 24/7 Wall St [https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/10/21/cool-creepy-halloween-traditions-around-world] * CN Traveller [https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/halloween-traditions-around-the-world] * Dekalist [https://dekalist.com/entertainment/events-and-festivals/10-bizarre-halloween-traditions-from-around-the-world] * Destination Tips [https://www.destinationtips.com/inspiration/10-unusual-halloween-traditions-around-the-world/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Follow us: 📸 Instagram: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/notquitenormalpodcast?igsh=MTU3eTB4NGgybnltNw%253D%253D&utm_source=qr] 🕒 TikTok: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@notquitenormalpodcast] 📘 Facebook: @NotQuiteNormalPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/p/Not-Quite-Normal-Podcast-61579199607839/] 📧 Email us: NotQuiteNormalPodcast@gmail.com