Best Justin Schaefer Podcasts (2025)

1
391: Civil War Era & Gilded Age Con Artist Charles Cowlam w/ Frank W. Garmon Jr. 1:01:11

1d ago1:01:11

1:01:11

Charles Cowlam stands out as one of the most remarkable con artists of nineteenth-century America. He talked his way into receiving pardons from both President Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. Through deception, he secured a role investigating Lincoln’s assassination. He preyed on lonely widows, attempted to manipulate a Florida election, and c…

1
Tales to Terrify 695 Folklore & Fairytale Flash Contest 39:39

5d ago39:39

39:39

Welcome to episode 694. This week, we share the winners of our Folklore & Fairytale Flash Fiction contest, about a changeling, the call of the forest, a hunt for the Pied Piper, and an ancient god resurrected. COMING UP Good Evening: Locus Magazine Fundraising: 00:01:06 [Trigger] Runner-Up: Mylo Brehm’s The Cuckoo as read by Georgia Cook: 00:04:42 …

1
Separating from Your Past - Episode 46 29:48

9d ago29:48

29:48

Separation from the Past: Embracing Your Present and Future in Christ "Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new!" In this episode, hosts Justin Olbrantz and Don Schaefer explore the theme of separating from one's past to embrace the present and future that God has in store. They discuss how Jesus provides an opportunity to di…

1
390: Abingdon's Boardinghouse Murder w/ Greg Lilly 1:11:01

8d ago1:11:01

1:11:01

In November 1945, James Newton, a young World War II veteran, was shot four times—twice in the back—in his room at an Abingdon, Virginia boardinghouse owned by Helen Clark. She would soon stand trial for his murder, as speculation swirled about the true nature of their relationship. Was she a protective, motherly figure trying to prevent Jimmy from…

1
Tales to Terrify 694 Flashageddon 1:02:05

12d ago1:02:05

1:02:05

Welcome to episode 694. We have five bite-sized tales of terror for you this week. About avoidant home renovations, a plan for the zombie apocalypse, a siren’s awakening, an evil fingernail, and a family of squatters defending their home. COMING UP Good Evening: Author Interview Series – Rami Ungar: 00:01:06 A. V. Greene’s Home Maintenance as read …

1
389: A History of Axe Murder w/ Rachel McCarthy James 1:08:41

16d ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Much like the wheel, the boat, and the telephone, the axe is a transformative piece of technology―one that has been with us since prehistory. And just as early humans used the axe to chop down trees, hunt for food, and whittle tools, they also used it to murder. Over time, this particular use has endured: as the axe evolved over centuries to fit th…

1
Walking in the Spirit - Episode 45 31:36

19d ago31:36

31:36

Unlocking the Spiritual Realm Through the Guidance of the Spirit This episode aims to introduce viewers to the spiritual realm, offering insights for those beginning their spiritual journey or for those looking to deepen their walk. The conversation covers how to decipher the spiritual realm, the importance of spiritual rebirth, the role of the Hol…

1
Tales to Terrify 693 Matt Hollingsworth 52:53

19d ago52:53

52:53

Welcome to episode 693. We have one tale for you this week, about a jaded man burdened with a terrible responsibility who seeks solace in a new friend. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 [Trigger] Matt Hollingsworth’s The Sin Eater’s Chrysalis as read by Rish Outfield: 00:03:16 TRIGGER WARNINGS The Sin Eater’s Chrysalis contains scenes of Animal Deat…

1
Spiritual Weirdness and Shadow Work, with Mary Shutan 1:01:26

22d ago1:01:26

1:01:26

Today I sit down with Mary Shutan, a spiritual teacher specializing in awakening and shadow work. Our conversation focuses on the weirdness, emotional volatility, darkness, and other challenges that inevitably accompany serious spiritual practice. Along the way, we talk about the diverse range of awakenings, the difficulties of managing kundalini e…

1
388: The Adriatic Affair w/ Jennifer Sellitti 1:13:52

24d ago1:13:52

1:13:52

The American sailing vessel Adriatic collided with the French steamship Le Lyonnais on November 2, 1856, off the coast of Nantucket in what can best be described as a maritime hit-and-run. Adriatic’s captain, Jonathan Durham, rendered no aid and left the passenger steamship to fend for herself. 114 people died in the collision and in the days that …

1
Tales to Terrify 692 F. Marion Crawford 38:59

26d ago38:59

38:59

Welcome to episode 692. We one tale for you this week, about a man who enlists the help of a broken doll to help find his missing daughter. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 F. Marion Crawford’s The Doll’s Ghost as read by Douglas Gwilym: 00:03:24 PERTINENT LINKS Support us on Patreon! Spread the darkness. Shop Tales to Terrify Merch Original Score …

1
Introducing the Slaycation Podcast 24:55

26d ago24:55

24:55

Just in time for summer! This is an introduction and excerpt from the Slaycation Podcast, hosted by Kim and Adam "Tex" Davis and Jerry Kolber. Pack your body bags for a darkly comic, true crime podcast that looks at murders, mysterious deaths and whodunits that happened while people were on vacation. More here! https://www.slaycation.wtf/ Spotify l…

1
Developing the Perfect Character - Episode 44 29:48

27d ago29:48

29:48

Character isn’t just about morals; it’s about preparing for the eternal journey. In this episode, the two explore the topic of developing the perfect character. They begin by defining character through the lens of moral excellence and firmness. The discussion touches on the challenges of striving for perfection and the biblical concept of being per…

1
MoNo Encore: The Murders of Stringbean and Estelle Akeman w/ Taylor Hagood 1:49:35

30d ago1:49:35

1:49:35

(original pub date 7/19/23) David "Stringbean" Akeman was a singer, clawhammer banjo player and an early Grand Ole Opry star, known for his lanky build and comedic personality. And as a cast member of the nationwide television show Hee-Haw, he was at the height of his popularity when he and his wife Estelle were murdered in their rural Tennessee ho…

1
387: The Beatle Bandit w/ Nate Hendley 57:55

1M ago57:55

57:55

On July 24, 1964, twenty-four-year-old Matthew Kerry Smith disguised himself with a mask and a Beatle wig, hoisted a semi-automatic rifle, then held up a bank in North York, Ontario. The intelligent but troubled son of a businessman and mentally ill mother, Smith was a navy veteran with a young Indigenous wife and a hazy plan for violent revolution…

1
Tales to Terrify 691 Sammy Krouse & Dan Rafter 50:32

1M ago50:32

50:32

Welcome to episode 691. We have two tales for you this week. First, a lawyer tries to help a man craft a wish that won’t backfire. Then, a woman decides to help her neighbour… for not entirely selfless reasons. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 Sammy Krouse’s Golden Lamp Contracting and Litigation Services as read by Anthony Babington: 00:03:06 Dan …

1
386: America's Nazi POW Murders w/ William Geroux 1:13:51

1M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

The American government was faced with an unprecedented challenge: where to house the nearly 400,000 German prisoners of war plucked from the battlefield and shipped across the Atlantic. On orders from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Department of War hastily built hundreds of POW camps in the United States. Today, traces of those camps—which …

1
Tales to Terrify 690 Thony Mintz & S. W. Pisciotta 49:02

1M ago49:02

49:02

Welcome to episode 690. We have two tales for you this week. First, a very special book requires the talents of a very special book repairman. Then, a man finds himself on the trail of his missing son… or so he thinks. COMING UP Good Evening: This is Horror Awards Nomination: 00:01:06 Thony Mintz’s Grim Prognosis as read by Colin Duncan: 00:03:35 S…

1
Waiting On God for An Answer - Episode 43 32:08

1M ago32:08

32:08

The Art of Waiting on God: Faith, Trust, and Persistence In this episode, hosts Justin Olbrantz and Dr. Don Schaefer tap into the intricate and sometimes exhausting process of waiting on God for answers. They discuss the importance of faith, persistence, and trust in God's perfect timing. Through biblical examples such as Daniel and personal anecdo…

1
385: The 1870 Murder of A.P. Crittenden w/ Gary Krist 1:09:33

2M ago1:09:33

1:09:33

Shortly before dusk on November 3, 1870, just as the ferryboat El Capitan was pulling away from its slip into San Francisco Bay, a woman clad in black emerged from the shadows and strode across the crowded deck. Reaching under her veil, she drew a small pistol and aimed it directly at a well-dressed man sitting quietly with his wife and children. T…

1
Tales to Terrify 689 Warren Benedetto, Derek Alan Jones & Samir Sirk Morató 58:10

2M ago58:10

58:10

Welcome to episode 689. We have three tales for you this week, about a baby in the womb who realizes she’s not alone, how a warm fire and a cup of tea can make almost anything palatable, and a lost child in need of a helping hand. COMING UP Good Evening: [HOUSEKEEPING]: 00:01:06 Warren Benedetto’s Before as read by S. H. Cooper: 00:02:36 Derek Alan…

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384: The 1943 Murders of Dr. Roy & Mae Hunt w/ Christena Stephens 56:26

2M ago56:26

56:26

On a nearly moonless night in October 1943, a single gunshot rang out in Littlefield, Texas. A prominent Texas doctor and his wife were found bound, shot, beaten, and murdered. The only witness: their five-year-old daughter, who was bound to silence and refused to speak about what happened for 70 years. Christena Stephens is my guest, and her book …

1
Tales to Terrify 688 Jason Sabbagh 1:11:42

2M ago1:11:42

1:11:42

Welcome to episode 688. We have one tale for you this week, about a company with ancient roots who serves some very thirsty clients. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 Jason Sabbagh’s The Last Fare to Essex as read by Graeme Dunlop: 00:02:40 PERTINENT LINKS Support us on Patreon! Spread the darkness. Shop Tales to Terrify Merch Graeme Dunlop | Podcas…

1
Meditation Side-Effects and Other Altered States, with Miguel Farias 1:09:39

2M ago1:09:39

1:09:39

Today I sit down with Miguel Farias, an experimental psychologist and researcher of religion, spirituality, and cognition. Together we try to get to the bottom of whether meditation is actually good for you through a comparison of Miguel's research on the adverse effects of meditation with my research on Asian notions of meditation sickness. Along …

1
MoNo Encore: The Murder of Carol Thompson w/ Bill Swanson 1:04:21

2M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

(Original pub date: 3/11/20) While the Coen brothers refuse to confirm it, many believe that their movie "Fargo" was inspired by the Carol Thompson murder case. She was viciously killed in her comfortable Saint Paul home by a hitman hired by her eccentric husband, T. Eugene Thompson, in March of 1963, leaving behind four small children. It was an a…

1
Tales to Terrify 687 Kathleen Palm & Hall Jameson 46:49

2M ago46:49

46:49

Welcome to episode 687 and the final week of Women in Horror Month. We have two tales for you this week, about forgotten dreams that refuse to die and two sisters’ desperate fight to survive in the face of a deadly outbreak. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 WiHM featuring Mariah Darling: 00:01:23 Kathleen Palm’s Rotted Dreams as read by Nancy Bober…

1
383: The Mysterious Disappearance of Molly Zelko w/ Rod Kackley 57:54

2M ago57:54

57:54

Molly Zelko was the crusading editor and publisher of the Spectator, a newspaper devoted to battling local gangsters operating slot machines and other rackets in Joliet, Illinois. In the late night hours of September 25, 1957 she vanished, with only her shoes and signs of a struggle left as evidence that something sinister had likely happened to he…

1
Tales to Terrify 686 Darlene Eliot, L. D. Colter & Toshiya Kamei 54:52

2M ago54:52

54:52

Welcome to episode 676 and week three of Women in Horror Month. We have three tales this week, about a long haul trucker on a harrowing late night assignment, a ghost searching for her missing family, and an awkward teenage girl with terrifying powers. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 WiHM featuring Keira Reynolds: 00:01:54 Darlene Eliot’s How Clos…

1
382: The Notorious Nancy Clem & the Cold Spring Murders w/ Wendy Gamber 1:19:31

2M ago1:19:31

1:19:31

On September 13, 1868, the bodies of Jacob and Nancy Young were discovered brutally murdered along the bank of the White River in Cold Spring, Indiana. Police would eventually set their sights on a charming and fascinating confidence woman named Nancy Clem, who happened to be involved in some extremely shady business dealings with Jacob Young at th…

1
Tales to Terrify 685 Jessica Lévai 1:00:19

3M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Welcome to episode 685 and week two of Women in Horror Month. We have one tale for you this week, about a priest who befriends a woman with a devilishly good voice. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 WiHM featuring Sapphire Lazuli: 00:01:44 Jessica Lévai’s The Blessing of St. Blaise as read by Brian Rollins: 00:05:47 PERTINENT LINKS Support us on Pat…

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381: Alabama's Kilpatrick Shooting w/ Lesa Carnes Shaul 1:27:48

3M ago1:27:48

1:27:48

Close to midnight on May 17, 1951, four north Alabama lawmen drove to a bootlegger’s home to serve an arrest warrant. Before the clock struck twelve, the bootlegger lay dead in front of the house he shared with his wife and eight children, and three of the four officers were also dead. Afterward, a sixteen-year-old boy would face a series of trials…

1
Tales to Terrify 684 Addison Smith & Lisa Papademetriou 51:36

3M ago51:36

51:36

Welcome to episode 684 and our first episode of Women in Horror Month, with special guest, Fiction Editor Meredith Morgenstern. We have two tales for you this week: about a woman’s love for her new parasite, and an encounter with a black cat that leads to thrilling (and frightening) changes. COMING UP Good Evening: Women in Horror Month: 00:01:06 W…

1
Daemons, Tantra, and Cultural Exchange, with David Gordon White 55:54

3M ago55:54

55:54

Today I sit down with David Gordon White, a distinguished indologist and scholar of Tantra. Our conversation focuses on David’s most recent project tracing the transregional histories of spirits, gods, demons, and their associated rituals across Eurasia. Along the way, we dive into an intellectual conversation about dog-headed men, angry goddesses,…

1
Your Hardship Has A Purpose - Episode 42 31:28

3M ago31:28

31:28

From Hardship to Relationship In this episode, Dr. Don and Justin discuss the profound topic of how hardships serve a divine purpose in our lives. They emphasize that while going through tough times can be incredibly challenging, these moments are crucial for personal and spiritual growth. Don and Justin demonstrate the importance of perspective, s…

1
380: Murder in Blackout London w/ Amy Helen Bell 59:27

3M ago59:27

59:27

My guest today is Dr. Amy Helen Bell, author of "Under Cover of Darkness: Murders in Blackout London". She shares accounts of the terror, tragedy and crime experienced by Londoners during the blackout and the blitz in 1940s wartime Britain. More about the author here: https://amyhelenbell.com/ Interested in revisiting the serial killers mentioned i…

1
Tales to Terrify 683 Samuel Marzioli 54:54

3M ago54:54

54:54

Welcome to episode 683. We have one tales for you this week, about a man who reunites with his high school girlfriend… but rekindles more than just romance. COMING UP Good Evening: Flash Contest: 00:01:06 [Trigger] Samuel Marzioli’s Sleeping Cupid Awakes as read by Spencer DiSparti: 00:03:23 TRIGGER WARNINGS Sleeping Cupid Awakes contains scenes of…

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379: The Pan Am Flight 7 Seven Crash w/ Ken Fortenberry 1:24:07

3M ago1:24:07

1:24:07

My guest this week is award-winning journalist Ken Fortenberry, author of "Flight 7 Is Missing: The Search for My Father's Killer". He walks us through the ill-fated flight of Pan Am's luxurious "Romance of the Skies", a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser that mysteriously crashed into the Pacific Ocean in November of 1957. Forty-four people were killed, inc…

1
Tales to Terrify 682 Dannye Chase 52:19

3M ago52:19

52:19

Welcome to episode 682. We have one tale for you this week, about an attempted train robbery that brings a man face to face with his own personal ghosts. COMING UP Good Evening: Flash Contest: 00:01:06 Dannye Chase’s The Train Ticket as read by Andrew Gibson: 00:03:19 PERTINENT LINKS Support us on Patreon! Spread the darkness. Shop Tales to Terrify…

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MoNo Encore: The Villisca Axe Murders - The Reverend Lyn George Kelly w/ Edgar Epperly 1:18:58

3M ago1:18:58

1:18:58

(Original publish date: 6/7/22) In this third and final part of my interview with Dr. Edgar Epperly, the "little minister" Lyn George Jacklin Kelly is examined as a primary suspect in the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders. Although Kelly spoke obsessively about the case and even confessed to the murders, many believed that the confession was the result of …

1
MoNo Encore: The Villisca Axe Murders: Wilkerson Vs. Jones w/ Edgar Epperly 1:18:07

3M ago1:18:07

1:18:07

(Original Publish Date: 5/31/22) Frank Fernando (F.F.) Jones seemed to be one of the most obvious suspects in the aftermath of the horrific 1912 Villisca Axe murders. He had a contentious business rivalry with the patriarch of the slain Moore family, Josiah (Joe) Moore, intensified further because Moore was having an affair with his daughter-in-law…

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MoNo Encore: The Villisca Axe Murders: Crime Scene w/ Edgar Epperly 1:16:30

3M ago1:16:30

1:16:30

One of my absolute favorites! This is the first of a three part interview I did with Dr. Ed Epperly about the notorious 1912 Villisca Axe Murders. (Original publish date 5/23/2022) This episode is sponsored by Strawberry .me. Get a $50 credit when you use our link: https://strawberry.me/notorious On June 9th (or) 10th, 1912, America experienced of …

1
Tales to Terrify 681 Frank Oreto & Kathleen Schaefer 55:32

3M ago55:32

55:32

Welcome to episode 681. We have two tales for you this week, about an artist whose work has universal impact, and the caretaker of a very unique hotel who has trouble leaving her work at work. COMING UP Good Evening: Flash Fiction Contest: 00:01:06 [Trigger] Frank Oreto’s The Perceptual Inconstancy of Enid Wozniak as read by Colin Duncan: 00:03:48 …

1
Tales to Terrify 680 Stetson Ray & Patrick Barb 50:02

4M ago50:02

50:02

Welcome to episode 680. We have two tales for you this week: about a young couple struggling to escape the city they once called home, and a final girl willing to do whatever it takes to retain her status. COMING UP Good Evening: Flash Fiction Content is Open: 00:01:06 Stetson Ray’s For Whom the (Taco) Bell Tolls as read by Curtis Michael Holland: …

1
Magic, Death, and Necromancy in Thai Buddhism, with Justin McDaniel 52:17

4M ago52:17

52:17

💀💀 Warning: This episode contains potentially disturbing content! 💀💀 Today I sit down with Justin McDaniel, a scholar of Theravada Buddhist literature and art. Together we explore the darker side of Thai Buddhism, including meditation on decomposing bodies, fetus spirits, corpse oil, and the spectrum of white and black magic. We discuss the logics …

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378: The Murder of "Elvis Girl" Jenny Maxwell w/ Buddy Moorehouse 1:16:57

4M ago1:16:57

1:16:57

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Jenny Maxwell was one of Hollywood's "it girls", appearing in countless television shows and films. Arguably her most memorable role was that of Ellie Corbett in Elvis Presley's 1961 movie "Blue Hawaii", where she stole every scene she was in. But despite her professional success, her personal life was a mess, muc…

1
Tales to Terrify 679 Edith Wharton 55:01

4M ago55:01

55:01

Welcome to episode 679. We have one tale for you tonight, about a farmer in rural England who finds himself entangled in a supernatural web of desire, obsession, guilt and jealousy. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 Edith Wharton’s Bewitched as read by Aven Shore: 00:03:15 PERTINENT LINKS Support us on Patreon! Spread the darkness. Shop Tales to Ter…

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377: The Murder of Anna Wilkens & The Birth of the Lie Detector w/ Amit Katwala 58:01

4M ago58:01

58:01

Late one evening in the summer of 1922, Henry Wilkens burst through the doors of the emergency room covered in his wife's blood. But was he a grieving husband or a ruthless killer who conspired with bandits to have her murdered? To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology and a new machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a…

1
Coming Out of Darkness - Episode 41 42:50

4M ago42:50

42:50

It is time for you to walk in the Light. Dr. Don and Justin discuss the concept of coming out of a dark period - both historically and personally in one's life. They explore the idea that many people live in a state of spiritual darkness, comparing it to the Dark Ages in history, where people were disconnected from the Word of God. They emphasize t…

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376: Erie's Mausoleum Mystery w/ Justin Dombrowski 56:34

4M ago56:34

56:34

On February 8, 1911, the Scott Mausoleum, a symbol of wealth for the Scott and Strong families in Erie, Pennsylvania, was desecrated by unknown vandals, coined by nationwide papers as ghouls. With the inside of the mausoleum heavily damaged - and a body missing - the crime set off shockwaves throughout the country during a time in which grave robbe…

1
Tales to Terrify 678 L. T. Williams 40:09

4M ago40:09

40:09

Welcome to episode 678. We have one tale for you this week, about the navigator of a pirate ship, struggling to stay afloat against a tide of madness. COMING UP Good Evening: 00:01:06 L. T. Williams’ The Navigator’s Journal as read by Alex Weinle: 00:03:22 PERTINENT LINKS Support us on Patreon! Spread the darkness. Shop Tales to Terrify Merch L. T.…

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