Keep It Weird

Welcome to our first (and hopefully not last) Keep It Weird Special Edition True Crime Investigation! In June of 2018, Ashley was introduced to the story of the unsolved murder of John William Shakespeare in 1975 in her hometown of Centralia, Illinois.  What happened from there was months of research alongside her childhood best friend and high school English teacher Stephen Garland. This episode presents to you the very first time we were able to sit down together with all of the evidence that we had gathered and try to put it all together to solve the puzzle.  The crime was insidious.  The people involved were atrocious.  The twists and turns were astounding.   What you are about to hear is a collection of evidence and accounts gathered from police reports, newspaper publications, local's accounts, and our own personal experiences whilst researching this case.  There have been no arrests in this case and all evidence is circumstantial.  The opinions and theories expressed in this episode are speculative and

Ever get so mad that you punch a wall or throw your phone?  What about black out and murder your husband?  No? This week Lauren and Ashley are chatting about CRIMES OF PASSION.  What happens when murder happens out of the blue?  No premeditation, no planning; just good old fashioned killin'. We share some of the most famous cases and several cases that you may not have heard of.  We talk about the people who committed these crimes, whether or not they were convicted, and what defense was used in their trial. Warning: This episode is very dark and some of the crimes are extremely graphic.  We are a comedy podcast, so as usual we discuss these crimes with a disconnection.  We are not making fun of the deceased and nothing we say should be taken with any amount of sincerity basically ever. Facebook: www.facebook.com/keepitweirdcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/keepitweirdcast Twitter: www.twitter.com/keepitweirdcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/keepitweirdpodcast    

Happy Halloween, my boo-tiful weirdos! Welcome to our special spooktacular All Hallows Eve LISTENER GHOST STORIES!! If this is your first-- LGS is where we take stories either sent in by listeners or found in the wild and we retell them for your listening pleasure. This week we compiled some of our CRAZIEST stories yet to celebrate our favorite day of the year.  From possible Satan sightings to being skinned alive, former dead mobsters to parallel dimensions, cryptids, serial killer close encounters, and MORE FREAKIN' BATHROOM GHOSTS!! Throw on a pair of headphones and lets creep it real! **Warning: This episode contains sometimes jarring, always spooky, sound effects.  Listen at your own risk** Patreon: www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/keepitweirdpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/keepitweirdcast Twitter: www.twitter.com/keepitweirdcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/keepitweirdcast  

Muahahaha, weirdos! Welcome to our first reunion episode!  This week Lauren and Ashley are joined by Matt Roberts (Episode 12: EMP: Electronic Matt Phenomena) James Heisner (Episode 16: 90's Spooktacular, Spectacular) and Laura Lareau (Episode 64: You Got a Little Buddha in Ya) and we are chatting about HORROR MOVIES.  We decided to each pick a horror flick that we hold near and dear to our heart and tell you some of the crazy things that went into making that film!  Did Tony Todd ever get stung on the set of Candyman?  How much did that cheap Halloween mask cost?  WHAT attacked Sam Raimi when he was making Evil Dead?!  Learn about Stephen King and Stanley Kubrik and what they had to say about each other's work on The Shining and find out exactly what inspired Ti West to write and direct The Innkeepers. There are MINOR spoilers in this episode-- we tried really hard to stray away from any major spoilers just in case you were holding out a couple more years to watch the movies that came out in the 70's.   PATR

Hi Weirdos! This week we're taking a break away from the zany, funny episodes you're used to and allowing our recurring guest Joe Ochs to give an exclusive report on the relationship between Iran Contra, Ronald Reagan, the crack epidemic, and modern day systematic racism and the oppression of black Americans all across the country. This episode is very short on jokes, because frankly, theres just not very much to laugh about.  This is absolutely one of our darkest episodes yet and we want to give a very serious trigger warning to anyone who may feel emotional while hearing about the many ways our country has set up people of color to not only fail-- but to suffer. You may have been confused recently while hearing Kanye West reference "abolishing the 13th Amendment."  Take a listen to this piece to understand a little more about what he was talking about.   Instagram & Twitter: @keepitweirdcast Facebook: Keep It Weird Patreon: www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/keepitweirdpodcast

Come together, weirdos! Welcome to our BEATLES conspiracy episode!! This week Lauren is telling Ashley and Joe all about the ENDLESS conspiracies surrounding one of the most prolific bands in human history. Did they write any of their own songs?  Were they clones? Are they ALL DEAD?  Did they ever even exist at all?  We take a *very serious* (sarcasm) look into these possibilities and Joe just about loses his Beatle-loving mind. Some conspiracies are blatant truths expertly covered up, some are sprinkled with truths here and there, and some are completely wack-a-doo... or maybe that's just what they want you to think...   Instagram & Twitter: @keepitweirdcast Facebook: Keep It Weird Patreon: www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/keepitweirdpodcast  

It's that time weirdos.  The episode you've all been asking for.  Welcome to CONSPIRACY THEORIES PART TWO!! Ashley and Lauren are once again joined by Handsome Joe and this time around we all took it to the next level.  We did so much research on our given topics that we have our very first THREE PART episode! Part one features Ashley's in depth examination of the inner workings of the largest infiltration in the history of the United States government.  It was called Operation Snow White and it was carried out by your favorite alien worshipping maniacs-- the church of Scientology. We dive into how it all went down and the thetans involved, we discuss the ways that the "church" is still getting away with crazy-town shenanigans, and we might actually respect the shit out of Scientologists now?? Join us next week when Lauren takes us on a trip through a field of strawberries.  All Hail Xenu. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook Page KEEP IT WEIRD.   Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/keepit

Hi Weirdos! It's not all fun and games when it comes to past lives.  This is Part Two of our Reincarnation episode!  This week Lauren and Ashley are joined again by the hilarious Laura Lareau and we're talking about the darker side of life after death. Lauren starts by teaching us ways that past lives has been adapted into therapy and some of the revelations that therapy has provided us.  We discuss ways that our different reincarnations can have negative effects on our current day to day lives.  And Laura and Ashley share some of the CRAZIEST transmigration of memory and consciousness that we've ever heard. What does LL Cool J have to do with it?  You'll have to listen to find out. Leave us a review on iTunes and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook page KEEP IT WEIRD.

Oh, hello there!  Don't I know you?  Have we met? Welcome to part one of our REINCARNATION episode!  This week Ashley and Lauren are joined by the fabulous Laura Lareau! And we are discussing the religious implications, the scientific studies and findings, and sharing some absolutely jaw-dropping stories of possible past lives!  Ashley teaches us about Buddhism and Hinduism and also what Christians, Catholics, and even the church of Islam believe about reincarnation and Laura brings in the science!  How are cases of suggestive reincarnation studied?  Can it be proved?  And what does it all mean about life on earth?  Ready to hear some crazy-town stories? Tune in next week for part two where we chat about past life therapy and transmigration of consciousness! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook page KEEP IT WEIRD and while you're here; subscribe and rate our show!

This episode is basically Creepshow II... Welcome to the second half of our Urban Legends episode!! Joining Ashley again this week is Peter Lozano and Scott Youngbauer!!  In Part One, Pete told us all about the urban legends of sunny yet spooky Los Angeles!  This week Scott takes us through the haunted tales of his home state of Montana! He tells the tale of the Crazy Mountains, the Flathead Lake Monster, and even some hitchhiking ghosts. Ashley teaches us the origins of the Dog Man of Arkansas and the sad story of a famous violin playing ghost in her hometown of Centralia, Illinois. We discuss what Urban Legends have evolved into in our high-tech society and DON'T WORRY OF COURSE WE TALK ABOUT THE MOVIE URBAN LEGEND WITH JARED LETO. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook page KEEP IT WEIRD!   Visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast to get bonus episodes, newsletters, and more! 

Rah Rah, Sis Boom Bah Weirdos! Are you ready for some Urban Legends?  This week Ashley is joined by Scott Youngbauer and Pete Lozano (from Very Special Television) to talk about some crazy, lesser known Urban Legends from right here in Los Angeles!! We chat about a spooky high school built on top of an ACTUAL graveyard, a bridge that's popular for an extremely macabre reason, a furnished house left empty for over 50 years, a hill that defies gravity, and a rumored village full of tiny homes. We explore where urban legends come from and OF COURSE we talk about Jared Leto.  I mean, did you even have to ask? Follow us on Instagram & Twitter @keepitweirdcast and check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast for BONUS material!

Hi Weirdos! You are now entering PART TWO of our Unsolved Mysteries episode!! (You do not have to have listened to part one necessarily but we do have some recurring themes so it might be wise to do so) This week Lauren and Ashley are joined once again by Amy Hanselmann all the way from Denver, Colorado and she is bringing an extraordinary story of conspiracy, mayhem, and ethical dilemmas!  Her story is about KEN MCELROY of Skidmore Missouri and a murder that took place over 40 years ago with DOZENS of witnesses that remains unsolved.. to.. this.. day.  How? Ashley brings a story very close to her heart that took place in a building she's dying to investigate-- she attempts to unravel the mystery of ELISA LAM who was found in the water tower on top of the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles in 2013. Help us solve some mysteries!

Are you ready to solve a mystery?  Join us for our first edition of our UNSOLVED MYSTERIES series with special guest AMY HANSELMANN!  This week Ashley talks about an unsolved Jane Doe from her hometown in 1993 and Lauren tells us all about the extremely mysterious deaths of 9 ski hikers that took place in Russia in 1959 known as the Dyatlov Pass Incident.  We discuss what is known about the event, several different theories, and we even make up some new ones. Was it a horror movie soundtrack? Was it Bruce Banner?  We may never know..... You do not want to miss this episode-- this is one of the CRAZIEST unsolved mysteries of all time.  Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook page KEEP IT WEIRD!

Hi Weirdos! Como Estas? Welcome to PART TWO of our Hometown Haunts: IOWA episode!  This week we are joined again by the beautiful and hilarious small town farm-turned-city girl KARI DIRKSEN (Episode 4: Diary of a Female Serial Kari!) This week gets pretty dark and gruesome and it's not for the faint of heart, so if you are easily spooked, grossed out, or offended by the devil himself-- maybe take a knee on this one. This week we are discussing the most thoroughly documented and massively witnessed exorcism performed on United States soil.  In 1928 the Catholic Church granted permission to expel multiple demons from a forty year old woman in Earling, Iowa.  This exorcism was recounted by the exorcist himself and turned into an article in Germany, then a pamphlet for the Catholic Church worldwide, and eventually became the inspiration for the demonic possession in the 1973 film "The Exorcist." Get your barf bags ready, weirdos.  You're in for a bumpy bed.. I mean ride.   Follow us on instagram and twitter @keep

Hi Weirdos! Welcome to our first ever LIVE performance!  This week we performed at a popup event downtown for an up and coming tea & book shop called "The Swallows Flight."   We had the pleasure of performing along with the podcast "Your Angry Neighborhood Feminist."  Three female produced, hosted, owned, and operated businesses working together for a day full of tea, books, murder, mayhem, and girl power. Lauren and Ashley presented some extra HOLLYWEIRD stories (to go along with Episodes 40 & 41.) Haunted Los Angeles hotels with long-dead starlets roaming the halls as well as a Tinseltown MURDER wrapped up in a conspiracy!  It. Gets. Real. Stay tuned for a promo for "Your Angry Neighborhood Feminist" at the end of the episode and follow us on Instagram & Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook page KEEP IT WEIRD! Check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast to find out how you can get a couple extra MINISODES every month!    

Howdy Weirdos! Do they say "howdy" in Iowa?  Are there hills in Iowa?  Find out this week as Ashley & Lauren welcome returning guest KARI DIRKSEN (Episode 4: Diary of a Female Serial Kari) to come and talk about her HOMETOWN HAUNTS in IOWA!! This is part one of our Iowa 'sode and Lauren is going to be teaching us about the spookiest haunted locations (take a wild and crazy guess as to whether or not there is an abandoned asylum involved.  Those pesky abandoned asylums...) and Kari will be telling us about some gruesome Iowa murders (Although she assures us that they've REALLY cleaned up their act over there.) Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast to find ways you can donate to the show and get BONUS episodes and even a biweekly newsletter filled with horror movie news and other spooky things you should check out!

HI WEIRDOS! SORRY FOR YELLING!  Welcome to another spooooopy edition of LISTENER GHOST STORIES!! LGS is where we take scary, gross, creepy, sticky, smelly, and weird stories sent in by YOU and share them with the world. This week we get scared by ghosts, demons, aliens, children, and even teeth.  We meet a vampire (?), take a mental trip to the greatest theme park in the midwest, say the Lord's prayer, and even have a close encounter. If YOU have a story that you want read on an episode send it in!  You can write us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or even send us an email at keepitweirder@gmail.com.   WARNING: Listener Ghost Stories episodes are mixed with music and sound effects.  Some sound effects may be jarring and some music may cause stress & anxiety.

Good day Weirdos!!  Welcome to PART TWO of our WEIRD HISTORY episode!  That's right, this episode is a continuation of episode 54 so if you haven't listened to that one YOU MUST GO BACK.  BACK IN TIME. Last week we talked about ancient Egypt and their bonkers advanced technology and the origins of Nikola Tesla and his amazing career.  This week our returning guest, Bret Correll, teaches us all about Teslas... crazier side.  As you all know, geniuses usually go a little coo coo for coco puffs and Mr. Tesla does not disappoint.   We also get to learn about the creation of the INTERNET from the lovely Lauren.  Who made it? Why did they make it?  And how quickly did it grow to rule our everyday lives? Stay tuned to the end to hear about some of the silliest inventions ever created and make sure to subscribe and rate our show, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook page KEEP IT WEIRD. Check out our YouTube Channel for some creepy/weird news stories and visit our Patreon at www.patreon

Hi Weirdos! Get ready to be history'd!  This week Ashley and Lauren sit down with Bret Correll and we're taking a look at crazy technological advancements throughout history. Starting with the ancient Egyptians and how they set the stage for our entire modern world, the knowledge they gave us AND the vast amount of knowledge we may have lost from them and moving into the 1800's when a man named Nikola Tesla took some of the theories from the Ancient Egyptians and applied it to his study of harnessing electricity. The insanity of pyramids, the invention of RAMPS, two-thousand year old power plants, coils, x-rays, famous feuds, the first robots, OCD, and general madness.     Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook page KEEP IT WEIRD!  Check out our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast to find ways to listen to MINISODES and read newsletters. Subscribe to our show and rate us five stars!

Hi Weirdos!  Welcome to week two of our Robo-discussion.  This week we are focusing on Artificial Intelligence-- Lauren teaches Ashley and her cousin Rachel all about where we are at today and where we are swiftly heading.  We learn about self driving cars, cross country super trains, Sophia the robot, sex-bots, and so much more.  We even finish our discussion from last week about digitizing consciousness and what repercussions uploading our "soul" could have. Boy, oh boy, is there anything a robo can't do?  Check out our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/keepitweirdpodcast for a newsletter and bonus episodes. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @keepitweirdcast and our Facebook page KEEP IT WEIRD. And while you're hear don't forget to subscribe and rate us five stars pretty please!