Best Stories by Christopher Smith Podcasts (2025)

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Yepoka Yeebo: Anansi’s Gold 45:00

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10h ago45:00

45:00

The popular former president of Ghana was once accused of hiding gold from the West African country’s government. But it turns out that he was targeted by an audacious con artist who pulled off one of the 20th century's longest running and most spectacular frauds. Author Yepoka Yeebo tells me the story in her book: Anansi's Gold. Support this podca…

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Battery Boilers, Net Zero & the Tech Changing the Trade 1:04:29

12h ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Send us a text Discover the next big shift in UK heating and the plumbing industry. In this episode, the Off The Job Podcast teams up with Luthmore co-founder and former Dyson engineer Craig Wilkinson, alongside Al Benton-Jones from Duck Plumbing, to break down a genuinely groundbreaking product: the Luthmore battery-powered electric combi boiler. …

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754 Christopher Marlowe (with Stephen Greenblatt) | My Last Book with Eric White 55:43

13h ago55:43

55:43

Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was born into relative obscurity and died in mysterious circumstances at the age of 29. And yet, somehow this ambitious cobbler's son brought about a spectacular explosion of English literature, language, and culture. In this episode, Jacke talks to Stephen Greenblatt about his book Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Ti…

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608 // Barbara Newhall Follett 36:05

21h ago36:05

36:05

In this new episode, Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna speak about the mysterious disappearance of Barbara Newhall Follett from Brookline, Massachusetts on December 7th, 1939. This episode was researched by Kathleen Studer. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Newhall_Follett. https://farksolia.org/about-barbara-follett…

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Self Esteem (A Complicated Woman / Prima Face / Prioritise Pleasure) • Friday Rewind 59:26

4d ago59:26

59:26

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Self Esteem, originally episode 455 from 2022-06-01. Original writeup below: A huge episode right here, spraypaint-style in content in that it contains so much more than the runtime might suggest. The mag…

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607 // Brandon Lawson - Search & Recovery w/ Jason Watts & Ryan Lawhon 1:04:21

4d ago1:04:21

1:04:21

In this new episode, Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna speak with Jason Watts and Ryan Lawhon about the disappearance and recovery efforts of Brandon Lawson. Brandon went missing on August 9th, 2013 between Bronte and San Angelo, Texas. His remains were located in 2022 and later recovered. Follow the Help Find Brandon Lawson Face…

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How Do Gas Engineers Stay Organised? 30:10

4d ago30:10

30:10

Send us a text In this Off The Job: Overtime episode, Pete and Keiran give listeners a raw and hilarious glimpse into the everyday highs and lows of life as a working gas engineer. All supported with the use of Gas Certificate App! Watch for more info on the upcoming Black Friday Sale for Gas Certificate App and Electrical Certificate App! Get the …

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Charles Morris, Ruth Smith & Sarah Bardwell and the Legacy of Handel’s Messiah 42:37

20h ago42:37

42:37

It was written in just three remarkable weeks, yet Handel’s Messiah continues to inspire people more than 250 years later. What gives this masterpiece its enduring power and how can it point us to Jesus this Christmas season? This week on The Great Stories Podcast, David Wollen revisits a special recording from Charles Morris’s visit to Handel’s ho…

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753 Tenth-Anniversary Special (with Mike Palindrome and Laurie Frankel) | Giving Thanks | My Last Book with Eve Dunbar 1:17:22

6d ago1:17:22

1:17:22

When Jacke started the podcast in 2015, he decided to privilege books that were at least fifty years old. (Longtime listeners will know he's made a few exceptions, but for the most part, that's been the policy.) Last month, the History of Literature Podcast celebrated its tenth anniversary - which means there are ten years' worth of books that are …

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Ben Foster: the quest to find the character vibration (Christy out 28th Nov) #646 38:02

1h ago38:02

38:02

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the fabulous actor BEN FOSTER! Ben's been making a huge amount of power moves out there on the big screen, and carries an unmistakeable presence which makes each role totally unique. Whether you started off on the marvelous Hell Or High Water,…

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Rod Sadler: Depraved Obsession 55:58

7d ago55:58

55:58

For more than a decade, a serial killer stalked teenage boys in Michigan. Ronald Lloyd Bailey was eventually caught. But the story becomes more complicated because of Bailey’s experience at one of the state’s most respected psychiatric hospitals. Author Rod Sadler tells me the story in his book: Depraved Obsession. Support this podcast by shopping …

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606 // Lonene Rogers w/ Daughter Alison 1:03:04

1d ago1:03:04

1:03:04

In this replay, ⁠Crawlspace Media⁠'s Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna discuss the disappearance of Lonene Rogers with Lonene's daughter Alison Duiker. Lonene disappeared from Hayfield Township, Pennsylvania on January 7th, 1981. If you have any information please call the Pennsylvania State Police at 814-332-6911. This episode was originally publi…

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Damp & Mould Law Explained: Testo’s John + CP Utility Solutions’ Talk Awaab’s Law, Boilers & New Rules 51:51

7d ago51:51

51:51

Send us a text In this episode of Off The Job: A Tradesman Podcast, we sit down with John from Testo UK and Chirag Panchal from CP Utility Solutions to break down one of the biggest changes hitting UK housing and the trades industry: Awaab’s Law. From damp & mould regulations to how landlords, social housing providers and engineers will be affected…

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752 The Brontes' Sibling Rivalry (with Catherine Rayner) | My Last Book with Keith Cooper 1:01:28

8d ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Charlotte Brontë wasn't born the eldest child, but she was thrust into a leadership role at the age of ten, as the Brontë children dealt with the tragic deaths of their mother and two eldest sisters. How did this affect their family dynamic? And when the younger two sisters, Emily and Anne, had their novels accepted while Charlotte's alone was reje…

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Benjamin Zephaniah (writer / poet / actor / 1958-2023) • Friday Rewind 1:03:07

14h ago1:03:07

1:03:07

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Benjamin Zephaniah, originally episode 353 from 2020-11-11. Original writeup below: Pure enjoyment from the Birmingham legend as he and Pip catch up and talk about all things poetry but so much more… Begi…

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605 // Bennington Triangle - Part 6 - Vermont Mysteries & Folkore w/ Joseph Citro & Ross Griffiths 1:04:41

11d ago1:04:41

1:04:41

In today's new episode, Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna speak with Worcester State University archives librarian Ross Griffiths and Vermont folklorist and author Joseph Citro. Joe coined the term Bennington Triangle, and we discuss that as well as Joe's writing, etc. Follow Joe on FB: https://www.facebook.com/joseph.citro.9/. J…

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751 Covering Iran's Women-Led Uprising (with Nilo Tabrizy) | My Last Book with Sharmila Sen 1:02:37

12d ago1:02:37

1:02:37

In September 2022, a young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Jîna Amini, died after being beaten by police officers who arrested her for not adhering to the Islamic Republic’s dress code. Her death galvanized thousands of Iranians—mostly women—who took to the streets in one of the country’s largest uprisings in decades: the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. In thi…

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Dave & Sally Gobbett—Behind the Music of Handel’s Messiah 58:00

8d ago58:00

58:00

Handel composed Messiah in just three remarkable weeks—yet more than 250 years later, it continues to stir hearts around the world. What has given this masterpiece such lasting power, and how might it draw us closer to Jesus this Christmas season? Join David Wollen with guests Dave and Sally Gobbett on a new episode of the Great Stories Podcast: Da…

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Alex Winter: a lifelong excellent adventure (Bill from Bill & Ted / Lost Boys / Adulthood) #645 45:22

7d ago45:22

45:22

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the legendary actor and director ALEX WINTER! As you will of course know, Alex was Keanu's co-star in the Bill & Ted series which is something he does not shy away from, but there is a whole lifetime of being a fully rounded person since then.…

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From Dropout to Gas Engineer: Christopher Gomez on Graft, Growth & Getting Real 53:17

13d ago53:17

53:17

Send us a text In this raw and honest episode of Off The Job: A Tradesman Podcast, we sit down with gas engineer and plumbing content creator Christopher Gomez (@c5gom_plumbing) to unpack his real-life journey into the trade. From dropping out of college and failing his first apprenticeship to learning everything the hard way on-site, Chris opens u…

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Ceri Jackson: The Boy from Tiger Bay 59:25

14d ago59:25

59:25

Almost 40 years ago, a brutal murder on Valentine’s Day shook the country of Wales. When a 20-year-old is murdered in a dark corner of Cardiff’s infamous Tiger Bay area, the police launch an investigation. But did they arrest the wrong people because they were desperate to close the case? Author Ceri Jackson tells me the story from her book: The Bo…

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604 // Uncovering the Boston Stranglers w/ Casey Sherman 57:15

14d ago57:15

57:15

In this episode, Tim Pilleri & Lance Reenstierna are joined once again by the great investigative journalist, author and documentarian, Casey Sherman. For this conversation, Casey delivers a deeply personal story as he depicts his decades long journey to bring justice to his aunt, Mary Sullivan, the last known victim of the infamous Boston Strangle…

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750 A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (with Mark Cirino) | Joyce Carol Oates vs the Trillionaire | My Last Book with Ken Krimstein 1:28:09

15d ago1:28:09

1:28:09

It's the 750th episode of the History of Literature, and what better way to celebrate than to talk some Hemingway with repeat guest Mark Cirino? In this episode, Jacke talks to Mark about Hemingway's classic love-and-war novel A Farewell to Arms, including the recent Norton Library edition of the book, which Mark edited. PLUS Jacke takes a look at …

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Liam Howlett (The Prodigy) • Friday Rewind 1:43:12

16d ago1:43:12

1:43:12

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Liam Howlett, originally episode 237 (a 2 parter) from 2018-10-31. Original writeup below: “…I like tension in music… and I think the stage is where it manifests itself…” A rare one right here folks, as L…

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603 // Alice Corbett - 100 Years - w/ Ross Griffiths 57:03

12d ago57:03

57:03

In this new episode, Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna speak with Worcester State archives librarian Ross Griffiths about the mysterious disappearance of Alice Corbett from Northampton, Massachusetts on November 13th, 1925. Today marks the 100 year anniversary of Alice's mysterious disappearance. Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wi…

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749 Willing and Will-Making in the English Renaissance (with Douglas Clark) | #7 Greatest Book of All Time 1:06:00

19d ago1:06:00

1:06:00

When Hamlet, in his famous soliloquy, pondered the "dread of something after death, / the undiscovered country," he noted that such thoughts "puzzles the will." (Earlier editions of the play had this as a "hope of something after death" that "puzzles the brain." What's the significance for an Elizabethan writer (and audience) of the change from hop…

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Bob Hartman and the Stories that Point to Jesus 24:45

19d ago24:45

24:45

All throughout Scripture, one great story unfolds—the story of a King and His Kingdom. Within it, the stories of many earthly kings rise and fall, yet each one ultimately points to the King of Kings. Join David Wollen and storyteller Bob Hartman on The Great Stories Podcast for a new episode called Bob Hartman and the Stories that Point to Jesus.…

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Edgar Wright: the man behind The Running Man returns! (The Running Man / Baby Driver / Scott Pilgrim) #644 1:04:48

7d ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined once more by the phenomenal director and true film lover EDGAR WRIGHT! Edgar is what we call a friend of the podcast. He can come and sleep on the couch at a moment's notice, we'll help him move house, drive him to the airport, whatever he wants.…

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Dane Huckelbridge: Queen of All Mayhem 1:07:53

21d ago1:07:53

1:07:53

We hear a lot about gunslingers and outlaws in the American West, and those stories are mostly about men. But there were female outlaws, too—like Belle Starr, probably the most famous of them all. Her murder was a mystery. But her life was extraordinary. Author Dane Huckelbridge tells me about Belle and his book: Queen of All Mayhem. Support this p…

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602 // Elizabeth Short & Leila Welsh - Live w/ Eli Frankel 1:19:13

21d ago1:19:13

1:19:13

In this new episode, Tim Pilleri & Lance Reenstierna are joined by author Eli Frankel to discuss his new book, "Sisters In Death: The Black Dahlia, The Prairie Heiress, and Their Killer." This is a groundbreaking account of the gruesome 1941 murder of Leila Welsh and the equally horrific 1947 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murder of Elizabeth Short. Eli believes the murders…

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Finding Freedom In The Trades: Heating Engineer Shane Raffaele 43:35

21d ago43:35

43:35

Send us a text In this episode of the Off The Job Podcast, Pete and Keiran sit down with Shane Raffaele — a heating engineer who’s just taken the leap (again) into self-employment after 14 months of working for a company. Shane opens up about the reality of being self-employed in the trades, from managing finances and tax bills to finding the right…

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748 Katherine Mansfield (with Gerri Kimber) | The Poet and the Sex Worker Who Burgled Him | My Last Book with Emerson Expert Kenneth Sacks 55:47

22d ago55:47

55:47

Katherine Mansfield's writing, said Virginia Woolf, "was the only writing I was ever jealous of." In this episode, Jacke talks to author Gerri Kimber about Katherine Mansfield: A Hidden Life, which explores the life and work of one of literary modernism's most significant writers. PLUS Jacke takes a look at the unusual friendship between poet W.H. …

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Helen Chamberlain (Soccer AM / animal rescue hero) • Friday Rewind 1:13:39

23d ago1:13:39

1:13:39

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Helen Chamberlain, originally episode 171 from 2017-10-04. Original writeup below: A real lovely one this week as Pip properly catches up with his old mate and TV presenting legend Helen Chamberlain! "No-…

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601 // Shelton Sanders - Part 2 - Sister Wilveria 1:05:33

25d ago1:05:33

1:05:33

In this new episode Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna speak with Wilveria about the disappearance of her brother Shelton Sanders from Columbia, South Carolina on June 19th, 2001. Part 1 was released as episode 584. Shelton Sanders was 25 years old and going places. He was responsible, driven, and a dedicated systems manager well …

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747 Graphomaniac - The Story of a Horrible Russian Poet (with Ilya Vinitsky and James H. McGavran III | My Last Book with Stephanie Sandler | #8 Greatest Book of All Time 1:11:57

26d ago1:11:57

1:11:57

Dmitry Ivanovich Khvostov (1757-1835) might be the worst poet who ever lived. Pathologically prolific and delusional dedicated to a craft for which he had no talent, he continued to write and publish his poetry despite the pleadings of friends, loved ones, critics, and the public. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Ilya Vinitsky and translator …

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Bob Hartman and the Kingdom of Christ 46:37

26d ago46:37

46:37

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells the true story of a King and His Kingdom. Throughout history, many earthly kings rose and fell—but in their triumphs and failures, each one ultimately points to the King of Kings. Join David Wollen and storyteller Bob Hartman this week on The Great Stories Podcast for a new episode called Bob Hartman and …

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Harry Baker: your poet best friend! (pre-order the new book 'Tender' now / Something Borrowed podcast) #643 1:11:08

27d ago1:11:08

1:11:08

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the absolute whirlwind of joy and good vibes, the poet HARRY BAKER! A meeting which is also a reunificiation, as Pip and Harry go back a good many years in the scene. Admittedly their time has been separated over the years, but that's the beau…

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Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee: Shadow of the Bridge 1:04:18

28d ago1:04:18

1:04:18

The murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams in Delphi, Indiana shook the country. But the impact of the attention, the speculation and the fear is still felt in the community. Now podcasters Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee have written a book about the case, but it feels different from other investigations. Their book does focus on the case, bu…

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600 // Live w/ Paul Jack Fronczak & Tracey Hastings of The Fronczak Files 1:07:09

28d ago1:07:09

1:07:09

In this new episode, Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna host a live Youtube show with Paul Jack Fronczak and Tracey Hastings of The Fronczak Files podcast. Jack has an absolutely wild story about being found abandoned at about 2 years old. He was given to the Fronczak family after the FBI made a connection between the abandoned ba…

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From Car Mechanic to Gas Engineer | Tony Smith’s Journey into the Trade 57:44

28d ago57:44

57:44

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Off The Job: A Tradesman Podcast, Pete and Keiran sit down with Tony Smith — a former car mechanic and train signal engineer who rebuilt his life to become a Gas Safe engineer. Tom shares his journey from working underground with TFL to starting a building firm, facing personal tragedy, and finding a secon…

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746 Wild Jane Austen (with Devoney Looser) | #9 Greatest Book of All Time 1:04:37

29d ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Author Devoney Looser may be a mild-mannered English professor to most people, but roller derby fans know her as Stone Cold Jane Austen, her smashmouth alter ego. In this episode, Devoney tells Jacke about her new book Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane, which suggests we also rethink the commonly held view of "spinster Jan…

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599 // Christopher Abeyta - Part 2 of 2 50:05

1M ago50:05

50:05

In this new episode, Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna speak with Denise Alves about the disappearance of her baby brother Christopher Abeyta from Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 15th, 1986 from their family home. This is part 2 of 2. If you have any information in the disappearance of Christopher Abeyta, please call the Color…

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Akala (rapper / poet / activist / author) • Friday Rewind 1:44:23

1M ago1:44:23

1:44:23

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Akala, originally episode 65 from 2015-10-28. Original writeup below: Pip and Akala cover lots in this in depth and honest chat, including the history of racism throughout Shakespearean text, the developm…

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Trade Horror Stories & Haunted Job Sites: Halloween Special | Off The Job Podcast Overtime 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Send us a text This Halloween, Off The Job Podcast Overtime gets spooky! Hosts Pete Withers and Keiran Yates swap their funniest and freakiest on-the-job horror stories — from near disasters and dodgy customers to hoarder houses, haunted bathrooms, and ghost sightings. Expect plenty of laughs, plumbing nightmares, and some serious trade talk mixed …

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598 // Christopher Abeyta - Part 1 of 2 55:01

1M ago55:01

55:01

In this new episode, Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna speak with Denise Alves about the disappearance of her baby brother Christopher Abeyta from Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 15th, 1986 from their family home. This is part 1 of 2. If you have any information in the disappearance of Christopher Abeyta, please call the Color…

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745 Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti (Halloween Fun-Size Edition) 2:14:14

1M ago2:14:14

2:14:14

In the spring of 2022, Jacke dropped everything to plummet into one of the strangest poems he had ever read, "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). The result was a two-part episode that never quite found its home. In this special Halloween episode, we've combined the best parts of both of those episodes to bring you the full story of a…

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Danny Rojas on Shining Light in Cuba 32:28

1M ago32:28

32:28

Cubans are no strangers to storms and daily struggles linger. Beyond empty shelves and scarce food lies an even deeper need: a hunger for the Gospel. What Cuba truly needs is a Haven—the lasting hope and refuge found only in Jesus Christ. Join David Wollen, El Faro’s Director and Host Danny Rojas, along with pastors José Prado, Jonathan Palaci, and…

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Craig Mazin: delivering script notes and dropping science on the small and big screen (Chernobyl / The Last Of Us / Scriptnotes Podcast) #642 1:14:56

1M ago1:14:56

1:14:56

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the incredible screenwriter, showrunner, producer and dungeon master CRAIG MAZIN! Craig is a self proclaimed Pipster! Which bodes incredibly well as an opening gambit right there... This is such a treat of an episode which anyone possessing an…

1
Rich Cohen: Murder in the Dollhouse 56:27

1M ago56:27

56:27

The disappearance in 2019 of Jennifer Dulos is one of the most chilling stories I’ve ever read about. When the mother of five vanished from her wealthy Connecticut suburb, her estranged husband became the prime suspect. But when Fotis Dulos ended his own life, the mystery deepened. Author Rich Cohen has the inside story in his book, Murder in the D…

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597 // Bennington Triangle - Part 5 - Frieda Langer 55:46

1M ago55:46

55:46

In this new episode, Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna speak with ⁠Worcester State University archives librarian Ross Griffiths about the mysterious Bennington Triangle disappearances of Vermont. Today we speak about the disappearance of 53 year old Frieda Langer from Bennington, Vermont on October 28th, 1950. Sources: ⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wi…

Stories By Christopher Smith Podcasts