Restless Spirits

This week, we're talking all about Boulder, Colorado, and there's a little something for everybody. Taylor is talking about one of the most famous haunted locations in the U.S.: The Stanley Hotel. While Vin mixes up a drink that may or may not be the signature cocktail of Colorado (spoiler: it's not): The Snowball. And for our true crime fans out there, Taylor and Vin also have a brief discussion about the JonBenét Ramsey case. So, make yourself a Snowball and join us for our latest episode!

While we love a good ghost story on this podcast, it was time to change things up a little bit this week. We're talking about Phoenix, Arizona this week. And when presented with one of the most famous mass UFO sightings in history, Taylor couldn't pass up the chance to dig a little deeper into the Phoenix Lights. Meanwhile, Vin is serving up a Tequila Sunrise and giving us the drink's rather musical history. So, get your tin foil hats ready as we explore Phoenix.

If you're suddenly feeling the urge to drink craft cocktails and head to you local indie bookstore, don't be alarmed. This week, we're talking all about Portland, OR. But it isn't all bike rides and hipsters, as Taylor takes us underground to talk about the darker side of the city and the Shanghai Tunnels. Vin gives us THREE different cocktail options for this episode. We also digress a little to talk about vinyl records, but that's very on-brand for Portland, so we hope you'll forgive us. Now, grab your flannel shirt and a drink and join us as we explore Portland.

What's that blowing into town? Why it's another episode of Restless Spirits! This week, we're in the Windy City: Chicago, IL. Home to Oprah, Barack Obama, and a lot of ghosts. To get us in the right mood for our journey around Chicago, Vin teaches us how to make a Chicago Fizz, as he and Taylor discuss the finer points of port. Then, we get ready for a stay in one of the city's most haunted hotels, The Congress Plaza Hotel. So haunted, in fact, it's said to have inspired Stephen King. So, get ready for a wild ride through Chicago. (Vin and Taylor also talk a little bit about their furry friends, Iris and Perry Como.)

If you learn nothing else from this episode, it's that Taylor has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the T.V. show Full House. We're talking about San Francisco this week, y'all! Vin mixes up the most classic cocktail of them all, the Martini. While Taylor gives you an in-depth look at the Winchester Mystery House and all of its oddities. So, join on us on our rather hilly ride through San Francisco.

Bienvenidos a Miami! We're bringing the heat this week with a trip to a city known for its beaches and parties, but less known for its ghosts, as we discovered. This week Vin brings us the Cuba Libre, which might be the easiest cocktail we've ever made on the show (though, somehow, Taylor still managed to get injured while attempting it). And Taylor tells us about two unique haunts - The Deering Estate and The Coral Castle. We're not saying aliens are involved in this episode...but aliens are definitely involved in this episode.

We can't be contained to just one city, so this week, we're expanding out and covering the Research Triangle in North Carolina. There's some debate between your hosts about what actually makes up the Triangle, but we're pretty sure it's Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill (possibly also Cary?). We've also got a guest with us who actually used to live in the Triangle: Britnae Purdy. Vin gets to drink his favorite spirit (gin) with this week's cocktail, The Blue Devil. Go Duke, I guess? Meanwhile, Britnae shares some spine-chilling stories about the Cabelands Cemetery. Taylor explores the history behind the Kress Building in Durham and the Mordecai House in Raleigh. So, pull up a chair and make yourself a Blue Devil as we go in-depth in the Research Triangle. If you'd like to learn more about our guest, and her amazing candle company, you can follow her on Instagram at @shopheartandhustle and you can check out her Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopHeartandHustle

Since everything is bigger in Texas, we thought we'd take a look at another city. This week, Taylor and Vin are exploring San Antonio. Vin crafts the perfect drink for the hot summers there, the Paloma. Meanwhile, Taylor goes on a rant about Ghost Adventures while revealing the spooky past of the Victoria Black Swan Inn. She also goes into the origins of the myth of La Llorona and gets a little nerdy about Joseph Campbell and archetypes. So, join us for this wild ride. (Disclaimer: Vin's opinions about Tucson, AZ are his and his alone.)

This week, we're keeping it spooky, and keeping it weird, as we explore Austin, TX! Vin shows us how to make a "Bat-tini," and is inspired by the annual Bat Festival in Austin. Meanwhile, everything is bigger in Texas, including the ghosts! Taylor tells us about the many spirits that still linger at the Driskill Hotel and the Paramount Theater. 

We're back in New Orleans! Or maybe we never left? And while our stories are a little darker this go-round, our hosts are significantly sillier. That's probably due in large part to our virtual bartender, Vin, who walks us through making the French 75, a delightful champagne-based cocktail. Meanwhile, things get gruesome as Taylor tells the tale of the cruel Madame LaLaurie and the horrors of the LaLaurie Mansion. And our guest host, Angie, sticks with the darker theme, as we try to separate fact from fiction about the Carter Brothers and several other supposed vampires still roaming the Big Easy.  Again, if you'd like to learn more about this week's guest, and her book Strawberries for Chloe, you can follow her on Instagram at @AngieJudsonAuthor or head to her website: https://www.angiejudsonauthor.ink. 

After a bit of a break, Taylor and Vin are back to share more spooky cities and delicious cocktails with you! And we're starting in the Big Easy! Here's the first part of our deep-dive into New Orleans, LA. And we're bringing a guest, Richmond author, Angie Judson, along for the ride. In this episode, Taylor gives us a little more history on Voodoo and it's place in New Orleans' culture. She also explains why Marie Laveau was more of a badass than any of us realized. Vin tells us how to make the classic New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac. If you'd like to learn more about this week's guest, you can follow on Instagram at @Angiejudsonauthor or head to her website: https://www.angiejudsonauthor.ink/

In true L.A. style, we're bringing you a sequel! This is the second part of our exploration into the City of Angels, or maybe more accurately, the City of Ghosts! This week, we're enjoying a classic cocktail in a copper cup, the Moscow Mule. And Vin gives us a little more history into this vodka based drink. Meanwhile, Taylor takes us out to sea on a ship that is full of paranormal activity, The RMS Queen Mary.

We're exploring the City of Angels this week: Los Angeles! But there's a lot more to LA than just the glitz and the glamour of Hollywood. In the first part of our exploration of this city, Taylor takes a look at the unsettling story of Elisa Lam, who died mysteriously at the Cecil Hotel (now Stay on Main) back in 2013. Meanwhile, Vin gets us in the spirit of LA with a drink named after a famous eatery, The Brown Derby.

As Jimmy Buffett would say, "that's why we wander and follow la vie dansante." But here at Restless Spirits, we prefer "La Vie Hantée," the haunted life. And this week, your hosts are kicking back in the islands, telling the tales of Key West, Florida. Taylor takes a closer look at Captain Tony's Saloon and the ghosts that may remain, but barely even begins to scratch the surface of the terrifying tale of Robert the Doll. Meanwhile, Vin gives us a boat drink to enjoy, the Hurricane.

We're back from our holiday break and ready to talk about Vin's hometown, Charlottesville, Virginia! We talk an awful lot about Thomas Jefferson, and Taylor may or may not know how to pronounce the names of her haunted locations, Monticello and Michie Tavern. And Vin makes us our first tequila cocktail, The Cavalier! Plus, we discuss some strange audio we picked up in one of our previous episodes.

It's the holiday season, and, here at Restless Spirits, we're celebrating with all the legends folks used to tell their children to keep them behaving all year round. We've got appearances from Krampus, Belsnickel, and other terrifying figures, like Gryla from Iceland and her Yule Lads. Of course, we also have an appearance from a woman who was just trying to keep her house clean until the Magi got in the way, La Befana! Plus, Vin gives us a drink worthy of the holidays, Hot Buttered Rum. Happy Holidays from Restless Spirits!

This week, Taylor and Vin explore Fredericksburg, Virginia. As the hometown of George Washington and the site of a major Civil War battle, it's a city steeped in history, and your hosts learn a little something about the nation's first president along the way. It's also home to Taylor's alma mater, the University of Mary Washington, which has its own set of urban legends. Plus, Vin gives us a recipe straight from the 19th Century! So, join us as we take a closer look at Fredericksburg!

Howdy, y'all. This week we're covering Music City: Nashville, TN. And some of those country music greats might still be hanging around Broadway. Taylor takes a closer look at the Ryman Auditorium and tells the tale of the Bell Witch. Meanwhile, Vin tells us how to make up a drink to satisfy any thirsty cowboy, the Tennessee Gold (a.k.a. The Gold Rush). So, grab your boots and cowboy hat, and join us as we explore the spookier side of Nashville.

Savannah, Georgia, known for its Southern charm and hospitality, but also for its many, many ghosts. Seriously. A lot of ghosts. Taylor explores just two of its haunted buildings (and gives a rather spirited review of Ghost Adventures): The Moon River Brewing Company and The Mercer-Williams House. Meanwhile, Vin has whipped up his own drink creation that's perfect for sipping on a front porch. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the spooky tales of Savannah.

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with the Puritans! This week we're exploring Salem, Massachusetts. Taylor is, of course, talking to us about the Salem Witch Trials, breaking down what happened and what might have caused the panic throughout the town. She's also giving us a glimpse into the scariest haunted house she's covered so far: the Joshua Ward House. Meanwhile, Vin is getting into the spirit with a drink appropriately named The Salem Witch.

We're headed down South this week, with an episode dedicated to Charleston, SC. Vin whips up a drink that looks and tastes fit for sipping on a porch in the Holy City. the Charleston Fizz. Meanwhile, Taylor tells you all about some of the city's famous haunts, including the Angel Oak, the Unitarian Church Cemetery, and the Powder Magazine. So, pull up a chair and make yourself a drink and enjoy the latest episode of Restless Spirits.

Washington, D.C., our Nation's Capital, is apparently haunted AF. This week Taylor takes you through the haunted rooms (and staircase) of the Octagon House and gives you a glimpse of the spirits (and demon cat) that still roam the U.S. Capitol. Meanwhile, Vin teaches us all how to make the official cocktail of D.C., the Rickey! So, buckle up, and join us as take on Washington!

Well, dead men may not tell tales, but your hosts, Taylor and Vin, certainly do! This week we're exploring the mysteries of the Outer Banks! From the death of the world's most famous pirate, Blackbeard, to the still unexplained disappearance of the Lost Colony of Roanoke, we're taking you on a trip through the islands. Of course, Vin is giving us another appropriate drink for the journey. It's what your host Taylor would call a "Boat Drink," called the Rum Runner. So, sit back, relax, and join us on a trip to the Outer Banks.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! The ghouls and ghosts are out, but that doesn't bother your hosts! It's still our favorite night of the year, so we thought we'd treat you to a special BONUS episode. Listen as Vin and Taylor talk about all things Halloween, from costumes to candy, even to what music you should play at your own Halloween Bash. And, of course, they have drinks on hand to make the night complete. So, sit back and enjoy the Restless Spirits Halloween Spooktacular!

This week, Vin and Taylor are going colonial and exploring the history and haunts of Williamsburg, Virginia. In honor of one of the city's famous residents and lovers of all French, Thomas Jefferson, Vin tells us all how to make the appropriately named Francophile. And while she enjoys this wine based cocktail, Taylor goes into the long and storied past of the Peyton Randolph House and its many resident ghosts, some of whom can be quite violent.

This week, Taylor and Vin take a closer look at their own city, Richmond, Virginia. Vin whips up a delightful drink, with a name that invokes a famous Richmond thoroughfare,  The Boulevardier. Meanwhile, Taylor sheds a little more light on the spooky history of two spots in the city: The Byrd Theater and the Byrd Park Pump House. 

Welcome to Restless Spirits! In this episode, your hosts, Vin and Taylor, give you a little introduction into what you can expect every week on this podcast. You'll learn why Vin is still willing to hear ghost stories every week, even though he considers himself a skeptic. And Taylor tells a very spooky tale about the radiators in her old apartment. All while they enjoy a bottle of wine!