Why on Earth would anyone use beaver butt juice to flavor food? In this eye-opening and humorously bizarre episode, we uncover the strange and surprisingly pleasant world of castoreum, an extract from a beaver's castor sacs. Buckle up as we embark on a historical adventure that traces the Astor family's rise from beaver fur traders to Manhattan real estate moguls, with a few entertaining detours like John Jacob Astor's Titanic voyage. Also, discover the unexpected roles beavers play in our culture, from beloved "Winnie the Pooh" characters to the quaint Swedish schnapps known as Bäverhojt.

But that's not all—we lift the veil on the FDA's shocking standards for food contamination. Prepare to be both disgusted and fascinated as we reveal the unsettling amounts of pus in milk, insect fragments in pepper, and rodent hairs in peanut butter that are deemed acceptable. We'll make you question every bite you take as we explore the hidden impurities in your favorite foods, like apple butter and tomato juice. By the end of this episode, you'll have a newfound appreciation for the complexities of food flavorings and a cautious eye towards FDA regulations.

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What if everything you believed about someone turned out to be a web of lies? Join us as we unravel the enigmatic life of Jeffrey Allen Lash, a self-proclaimed hybrid alien spy who managed to manipulate and control his followers with bizarre claims and an arsenal of firearms. From his mysterious death in an SUV to the extreme measures his victims took under his influence, this episode promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. Hosted by Noah and Jeanette, we dive deep into the dark and twisted world of Lash, revealing how he convinced educated individuals to support his fabricated tales of national security emergencies.

Prepare to be astonished as we explore Lash's disturbing influence over people like Michelle Lyons, Catherine Nebrun, and Phil Gorin. Discover how Lash turned their lives upside down, isolating them from the outside world and extracting financial support while creating a labyrinth inside their condo. His manipulative tactics reached shocking extremes, showing the terrifying extent of his control and the fear he instilled in his victims. We'll also delve into the peculiar practices and beliefs he imposed on his followers, from eating raw meat to claims of shapeshifting, painting a chilling picture of his cult-like dominance.

Finally, we uncover the aftermath of Lash's death, investigating the mysterious disappearances of his associates and the legal battles over his $5 million estate. With reports of blackout helicopters and speculations about his possible ex-military background, this story leaves us questioning the boundaries of gullibility and the bizarre nature of Lash's life. Join us for a riveting analysis as we piece together this strange puzzle, and don't miss our call for listener thoughts and engagement on social media for more intriguing stories in future episodes.

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Picture this: You're enjoying a peaceful day at home when you catch a glimpse of a porch pirate in a garbage bag disguise—pink sandals and all—scurrying away with your latest online order. That's just the tip of the iceberg in the curious world of package theft we're unpacking for you. Join us, Noah and Jeanette, as we regale you with tales of these modern-day buccaneers and their wacky methods, including our own wild experiences that'll have you both guarding your parcels and giggling uncontrollably.

Craving some juicy stats and strategies to keep your doorstep bounty safe? We've got that covered too. From the craft of the thieving Grinch to the surprising cities topping the package pilfering charts, we pull back the curtain on the unexpected trends in porch piracy. And if you're wondering how to outsmart these crafty criminals, we share ingenious prevention tips that go beyond your standard lockbox. So cozy up and prepare for an episode that's bound to captivate, entertain, and enlighten you on the peculiar saga of stolen packages!

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Ever wondered what goes through someone's mind when they decide to toss an alligator through a Wendy's drive-thru window? Well, buckle up as we recount the wild story of a Florida man who did just that and the pandemonium that ensued. Our lively discussion takes you behind the scenes of this peculiar crime, shedding light on the consequences and the fine line between a practical joke and a felony. The cashier’s testimony, the perpetrator’s mother’s defense, and the notable legal repercussions – it’s all on the table in this episode.

But it doesn’t end there; we also sink our teeth into the fascinating world of alligators and crocodiles. With a sprinkle of pop culture references and a dash of humor, we debunk common myths and lay down the facts about these ancient creatures. We'll take you through their distinctive features, habitats, and the incredible conservation efforts that saved these scaly beings from the brink. Oh, and if you've ever seen an alligator on a golf course, you'll find out why they might just be scouting for birdies.

Finally, we chat about alligator behavior and the best safety practices for living in harmony with these reptilian neighbors. We tackle the myths head-on, providing you with the know-how to stay safe during alligator mating season and beyond. And because we can't resist a good laugh, we muse over whether alligators would enjoy a screening of "Lyle Lyle Crocodile". Join us for this episode full of quirky facts and ecological enlightenment, and walk away with a newfound respect for these prehistoric pals.

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Step right up and marvel at the audacious tale of the 13 Club, where superstitions tremble in their spooked-out boots! Noah and I chuckle our way through history, sharing the story of Captain William Fowler and his cheeky cohorts. They dined on a menu fit for Dracula, with 13 courses, beneath ladders and amidst shattered mirrors – all to thumb their noses at the fear of the number 13. We'll whisk you back to a time when the Victorian era was rife with irrational fears, and introduce you to the club that expanded across oceans and embraced the notion that Fridays and 13s could mean good fortune after all.

Have you ever hesitated to walk under a ladder or wondered why the 13th floor is often missing in hotels? We've got the scoop on how the 13 Club's hilariously peculiar traditions, from coffin-shaped dessert containers to grand gatherings, made a mockery of such superstitions. Discover how their influence reached the highest echelons of society, even convincing Theodore Roosevelt to join as an honorary member. And the kicker? Their antics may have played a hand in making Saturdays the coveted half-holiday we cherish today. We'll regale you with the evolution of their defiant dinners, the inclusion of women, and the lasting legacy they left on our cultural norms.

To wrap up, we share the musings of Arthur Lehman, the club's last chief ruler, who led a life blissfully free from superstitious shackles. We reflect on the enduring charm of age-old superstitions, from avoiding black cats to the peculiar "three on a match" belief. Join Noah and me as we muse over our own brushes with luck and fortune, and entertain the thought of resurrecting this bold assembly in today's world. Could the 13 Club make a comeback, or are superstitions just too enticing to ignore? Tune in and be part of the conversation, as we explore these timeless beliefs that still send a shiver down our collective spine.

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Ever wondered how a solar eclipse can turn a regular day into a spine-tingling adventure? Noah and Jeanette are here to whisk you away to the eerie yet awe-inspiring moment when daylight dims and Bailey's Beads dance along the sun's edge. We're packing our bags for Indiana, chasing the best seat in the house for the great American solar eclipse of April 8th, 2024. With a mix of excitement and caution, we'll guide you through the essentials of eclipse viewing, from the science behind the beads to the necessity of keeping your eyes shielded from the sun's deceptive allure. And as the temperature drops with the sun's retreat, we'll share why this cosmic event might have you reaching for a sweater amidst the daytime chill.

But hold on—our journey takes a sharp turn from celestial wonders to the shadowy corners of the human psyche. Without a single clown nose in sight, we bravely step into the chilling world of serial killers, from Jeffrey Dahmer to John Wayne Gacy. Jeanette recounts a personal story that's more hair-raising than hilarious, while I insist that my interests lie strictly in the stars, not the macabre makeup of Gacy's Pogo. As we emerge from the true crime depths, we return to gaze upward, pondering the patterns of solar and lunar eclipses with the humble admission that we're navigating the night sky as enthusiastic novices. Join us for a rollercoaster ride through the odd and the extraordinary, where we blend a touch of humor with the profound and peculiar.

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Have you ever heard of an octopus-induced traffic accident? Buckle up for an oceanic odyssey where we don't just stick to the current—we ride the waves of the outright bizarre, from a cephalopod supposedly causing a car crash in the UK, to the mind-bending notion of octopuses as otherworldly beings. We're Noah and Jeanette, and we'll take you through our love affair with the sea's enigmatic giants, from a cherished plush colossal squid to the formidable, real-life behemoths lurking beneath the waves. We'll crack a few octopus puns, reminisce about a certain video game character's tentacled antics, and even wrestle with the grammatical tentacles of 'octopus' plurals.

Dive deeper still, and we'll surface tales of camouflage artists and oceanic oddballs that rival any deep-space alien. Ever pondered how an octopus ended up atop England's loftiest peak? Or marveled at the bioluminescent ballet of abyssal creatures? We'll explore these questions and more as we voyage through the ocean's stratified layers on a virtual tour, mingling with the likes of the blue-ringed octopus and its mimic cousin, and even paying homage to the luminous dwellers of the Challenger Deep. Prepare to be submerged in the wonders, the dangers, and the outright marvels of the deep sea—no scuba gear required.

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