The Freak Show

Sad news, freaks: this will be the last episode for a while from The Freak Show! We'll be back at some point, but maybe slow this one down a bit and really soak it up.First up, Lauren highlights a therapist she will NOT be emulating in her new career: Chris Bathum aka The Rehab Mogul aka a very bad man. Then Megan keeps the man-are-terrible train going with the wild story of Victoria Cilliers surviving her husband's MULTIPLE murder attempts.Men are terrible.That's it from us for a few months. In the meantime, send topics and love notes to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.Miss you already, freaks!

Another day, another opportunity to freak. Megan kicks things off with the story of Bart Whitaker, a not-so-smart wannabe criminal mastermind. Then Lauren lightens things up, as she does, with a bunch of weird and obscure sports featured at the Olympics' younger brother, The World Games. Got a freaky topic for us? Email it to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

We're back in the basement, freaks! First up, Lauren adds to her long list of "rich people are weird" topics with the details of the world's most expensive wedding. Then Megan goes deep into the world of video games and conspiracy theories. Should we be worried about her? Maybe! Got a freaky topic? Send it over to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

It's the summer of soccer so you know what that means, freaks! It's time to ruin soccer! Lauren shares some wild tales about soccer hooligans from around the world who take their love of the beautiful game a bit too far.Then Megan goes back to her home state of Wisconsin to tell the very tragic, very twisty, very turny story of the Kunz family.Enjoy the holiday week, eat a hotdog for us and send us all your freaky topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

What's up, freaks! This week, Lauren disappoints Megan with stories that DO NOT involve ghosts, but DO involve children remembering past lives.Then Megan continues our sports streak with the wild tale of Ryan Schultz... or shall we say Becca Schultz?? Share your freaky topics and high notes with us at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

We've got a fun one for ya, freaks! First up, Megan takes us on a journey of some of the weirder reality TV shows every made - and quickly canceled. Then Lauren talks about one of the wildest nights in baseball: 10 cent beer night in Cleveland. Got a freaky topic for us? Send it over to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

It's Lauren's birthday episode and to celebrate she's freaking out about her accomplishments! Fun! Lauren takes Megan on a journey into her annual freak out about what she's done with her life so far by talking about people who have done so much more at far younger ages. Then Megan dives into Truman Show Delusion, which is exactly what it sounds like unless you haven't seen the iconic 1998 Jim Carrey film. Forgot to get a gift for Lauren? Consider emailing her a topic suggestion at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

This week, because Megan needed an excuse to drink aperol spritzes, we're heading to Italy to learn about the dark history of the Castrati, a generation of young boys who may or may not have become wide-bottomed opera stars.Then Lauren takes us on the high seas to learn about the fearsome life of Captain Blackbeard, legendary pirate and apparently the star of Megan's favorite show.Enjoy, stay freaky and send us topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

Unintentional themed episode alert! This week, both Lauren and Megan showed up with topics featuring violent and fucked up men. What are the chances! First up, Lauren attempts to tell the twisted and twisty tale of the Snowtown murders in Australia.Then Megan dives deep into the world of incels, where no one should ever go. Got a freaky topic for us? Email it to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

Two super rare medical conditions for the price of one! (FREE!)First Megan goes into the specific - and horrific - kind of amnesia that inspired everyone's favorite romcom, 50 First Dates.Then Lauren uncovers the most Freak Show disease of all time, auto brewery syndrome. How has it taken seven seasons to get here??Know a freaky disease (or a freaky anything else)? Email topic suggestions to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

It's another freaky one for ya! This week, Megan keeps it local with the tragic death of Kenneka Jenkins and the series of things that went wrong for her and her family at a Chicago hotel.Then Lauren shares the disturbing story underneath Netflix's hit new show Three Body Problem and it's creator Lin Qi. Got some freaky topics to share? Email us at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

We're back with a fun one this week! First up, Lauren atones for her overly dark season opener with a real light romp into the world of plastic surgery. Forget boobs and butts, this stuff is NICHE.Then Megan brings us our favorite annual tradition - emergency room reports about things stuck in orifices. What a delight. As always, send your freaky topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

Welcome to Season 7, freaks! We're back after a long hiatus (sorry about that) with an extra freaky, pretty dark, definitely messed up episode for you. First up, Megan shares a new and worse definitely of "hot pot" along with the stories of many miserable deaths in our nation's greatest park.Then Lauren uncharacteristically goes dark with Group 764, truly the worst of the internet. Which is saying a lot. If you're like, whoa, where's the fun freaky shit we're used to? Feel free to send topic suggestions to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

Happy Season 6 finale, freaks! Thanks for sticking with us for another freaky season. Hopefully this especially fucked up episode will tide you over until we return in 2024.First up, Megan reveals the inspiration behind one of the greatest villains in all of cinema – Buffalo Bill. Buckle up for the horrifying story that is Gary Heidnik and his pit of despair.Then Lauren "lightens things up" (she doesn't) with the book that singlehandedly started the Satanic Panic of the 80s and 90s, Michelle Remembers. In this case, "remembers" is used in place of "makes shit up". Enjoy, try not to miss us too much and while we're gone, email topic suggestions to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

This week, Megan gets silly with it and tell us all about the Penis Panics all around the world. The penises may be fine, but the panic is real, freaks! Then Lauren takes us to her home state where a well-meaning scientist did a pretty fucked up experiment during World War II. His findings? Starvation is bad for you! See you next week for the season 6 finale! If you've got a doozy of a topic, now's your chance to send it to us at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com

We've got an extra freaky one for you today! First, Lauren explores the strange and fucked up world of homeschooling. Sharpen your pencils, freaks, it's worse than you think.Then Megan takes us through the worst six hours of Ryan Waller's life in a twisty, turny story that is borderline unbelievable.Enjoy, cozy up with a gross cup of hot cocoa and send us topics at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com

Happy Halloween you spooky freaks! First, Megan tells us all about Marvin Heemeyer and the very scary "killdozer" he built to exact his revenge on his small town in Colorado. Then Lauren ruins flying for everyone with some sobering facts about the current state of air traffic control in the US. Air travel? More like, no thank you! Do some tricks, eat some treats and as always, send topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

We're knee deep in spooky season and bringing an episode unintentionally full of exorcisms for you freaks! First up, Lauren tells the story of Bridget Cleary, a woman unfortunate enough to live in Ireland at the time of the fairy. Then Megan tells the epic tale of Margy Palm and her straight up miracle in Texas. Enjoy, dig into the Halloween stash early and send us topics at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

Lauren starts us off on a very yucky note with stories from teachers about the grossest days of their careers, and the lesson is clear: give teachers all the money.Then Megan goes back to her roots and tells the story of a massacre at one of Wisconsin's most popular Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Who knew!?Enjoy, stay freaky and send topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

It's a story-filled episode, freaks! First Megan teaches us that with mo' money comes mo' problems with the story of Tonda Lynn Dickerson, the most unlucky lotto winner there ever was.Then Lauren takes us to Germany where it's not so fun to find your doppelgänger – in fact, it can be lethal. Enjoy, say hello to the PSL and send us topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com 

Heads up, moms! Skip to minute 22 if you ever want to look your daughters in the eye again.For the rest of you freaks... Megan gets things going (in more ways than one) with some very niche fetishes before going all in on the spookiest one of all. Then Lauren gets herself going with some of the weirder parts of Norse mythology before she embarks on her trip to the motherland.Enjoy! And send us some topics that freak you out at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

It's our last episode for a few weeks, so soak it all up you absolute freaks! First up, Lauren has the most epic scoop in Freak Show history, edging Megan out of a TikTok topic by mere hours. Also, spoiler alert, they're both freaked out by TikTok.Then Megan takes us on a disgusting tour of America with eating challenges from restaurants all across the country. Hard pass! Enjoy some time off and when you miss us, send topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

Woof, you guys. Woof.As you'll soon know, Lauren and Megan deal with a very vocal dog during the filming of this podcast. Don't worry, it gets better.In between barks and sneezes, Megan tells the epic tale of the severed foot found in a meat smoker. It's weird but also uplifting? Then Lauren goes deep into method acting and some of our favorite stars taking it too far. Enjoy, send us your dogs and also your topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

Things are heating up around here, and not just because the earth is hotter than ever! Lauren delves into Capgras syndrome, a terrifying delusion for all involved. Then Megan goes back to her roots and talks about a messed up celebrity. This time, it's Dr. Phil.Enjoy, stay freaky and send us some topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

We've got a real one-two punch for you freaks today: a rare neurological disorder and a cursed serial killer! First up, Lauren discovers while researching her topic - face blindness - that it is actually real and actually pretty devastating. Then Megan takes us across the pond to Italy, where we meet the very unfortunate and very murderous Leonarda Cianciulli.As always, send us some gosh dang topics at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

Happy 4th of July, Freaks! To celebrate our nation's birthday, we've got a freaky lil episode for you.Megan tells the shockingly sad and fucked up story of Michael Malloy who does NOT have many friends at his local speakeasy.Then Lauren sheds light on the dark side of fireworks. Be careful out there, y'all! Enjoy, eat a hotdog and send us topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

We're back with a real mismatch of an episode.First up, Megan shares some of the more surprising design features of Barbra Streisand's house. (Plus a few truly infuriating details from other rich people's homes.)Then Lauren grosses us all out with memories from America's favorite game show, Fear Factor. Enjoy, try not to vom and send us topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

We're back, freaks, and you guessed it – we had quite a few drinks before recording this one!Megan kicks things off with the one of the longest topics of all time, with a minute-by-minute replay of Elton Stephens' kidnapping.Then Lauren shares highlights from Matthew Mcconaughey's Art of Livin livestream extravaganza. Spoiler alert: it's shorter than Matthew's 90 minute highlight reel! Enjoy, share with a pal and send topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com 

Pro tip: This episode pairs well with a shot of Malort.(JK nothing does)First up Megan takes us back to the greatest moment in music history – Woodstock '99. By greatest, we mean the exact opposite.Then Lauren gets heated talking about the hate-filled family of Westboro Baptist Church. We'll be gone for a few weeks, so while we're out, send us lots and lots of topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. Later, freaks! 

Apologies in advance – this one's nasty! Lauren one ups Megan's famous "Stuff up Butts" topic with stuff in your organs that shouldn't be there. It's gross and weird! Megan, meanwhile, makes us listen to the truly upsetting consequences of eating a whole thing of Olestra Pringles. The takeaway? Just accept who you are and eat the whole thing of Regular Pringles! Let us know if you make it through the whole episode, and send us topics that don't make us barf, at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

For two very traumatic topics, this turned out to be a real fun episode! First up, Megan storytells the shit out of the short but harrowing journey of Aloha Airlines Flight 243. Then Lauren faces her deepest fears (literally) with the tale of the Essex, the whaling ship that inspired the story of Moby Dick.Don't forget to leave us a review and send us some freaky shit at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

This week, Megan takes us to new heights with facts and stories from Mount Everest, including the very morbid stretch known as Rainbow Valley. Trust us, it's darker than it sounds.Then Lauren gets us all heated with stories about unexpected and unreasonable hospital bills. It gets so bad we almost become Bernie Bros.Enjoy, get freaky and send us topics at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com 

It's Megan's birthday episode, freaks! To celebrate, Lauren tells her the story of small boy abducted from a Louisiana swamp... or at least that's what the official narrative wants you to believe.Then Megan gives herself the worst gift of all time: a never-ending series of horrific sports injuries! Send Megan birthday wishes and all your freaky topics this week to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

This week covers two classic freaky topics in brand news freaky ways.First up, Lauren freaks herself out with stories (and price tags) for ultra wealthy travel. Listen closely and you'll hear just a skosh of jealousy.Then Megan revisits pregnancy, this time through the record setting and deeply unsettling story of Nadya Suleman, aka Octomom.Enjoy and don't forget to send us topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com

Another week, another opportunity to freak you out. We're so grateful.First up, Megan does some of the best storytelling of her life with the Dutch murder of Nicole van den Hurk and the decades-long search for her killer. Then Lauren gives us all the willies with horror stories from pest control experts. As always, if you have topics you want covered, email thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

Happy love day, freaks! To celebrate, we got you this episode. We can only assume you got us fresh topics and emailed them to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. Thank you in advance.Megan gives us what we all want – the stuff we put in all our orifices last year. Then Lauren shares freaky stories about robots and AI. Enjoy, give someone a smooch, and keep being freaky.  

If you're a parent, you might think the title of today's episode is redundant – and you might be right.This week, Lauren highlights one of Prague's biggest tourist destinations: an old ass castle built over a deep ass hole! We've heard it's lovely in the spring. Then Megan pours one out for all our viewers with small children and dives deep into the world of Blippi. Enjoy, freaks! And as always, you can send topic suggestions to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

We're back for another season, freaks! To kick things off, Megan gets into all the juicy and messed up details of America's favorite reality show from the early 2000s: To Catch a Predator. And boy did they catch some predators! And some regulars! Then Lauren tells a story that shows us what true love really looks like: refusing to marry for money so hard that your mom locks you in an attic for 25 years. If only we could all be so romantic.It's a whole new season, so help us out with topic and opener suggestions at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.Love ya, freaks! 

It's the season finale, freaks! To cap off Season 5, Megan and Lauren pull out all the stops. We're talking haunted houses, red-eyed demon women, cults and poisoned punch.First up, Megan frustrates Lauren to the point of violence with the Haunted Tallman House in Wisconsin. Then Lauren goes into the details you hate to hear about the Peoples Temple cult and the famous tragedy of Jonestown. Thanks for listening, enjoy a break from all the freaks, and send us topics for next season at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

New month, new you, new episode.Megan kicks off November with all the things you didn't know about epilepsy, ghost written by one of our favorite freaks. Then Lauren highlights some of the worst criminals of all time. Trust us, these aren't the ones they're making heist movies about.See you next week for the Season 5 FINALE EPISODE! 

This episode's got all the makings of a classic Freak Show: creepy crawlers arriving in unmarked packages, rich people being the worst, and terrifying natural phenomena.First, Lauren tells the story of Ina and David Steiner, who for some reason really got under the skin of a powerful tech CEO. Then Megan dives into sinkholes (but only figuratively).Enjoy, eat some candy and send topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com

WARNING: The second half of this episode is not designed for our moms' ears. If you happen to be the mother of Lauren or Megan, please stop listening at 19:46. For everyone else, what a fun episode! First up, Lauren sounds out some of the rarest and most specific recognized phobias, such as the fear of string and having your eyes gouged out by a stranger.Then Megan reads some of the best Bad Sex in Literature entries from years past and really expands our vocabulary for how to describe sex stuff. Your sexts will be forever improved.As always, enjoy, share with a friend and email topic suggestions to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

With this episode, Megan and Lauren officially broke the Guinness Book of World Records record for best podcast ever!!!Just kidding, it's not official yet.Before Megan tells us about the man who holds the world record for most world records, Lauren goes into the very disturbing details of medical cannibalism. It's as gross as it sounds! Enjoy, let us know if you own a Guinness world record, and email us some freaky topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

Megan finally does a topic that's been on her list from the very beginning - epidermolysis bullosa, aka the butterfly disease, aka the worst disease you've never heard of. Buckle up, freaks, it's awful! Then Lauren does a 15 minute promo for TLC's hottest new show, Extreme Sisters, introducing us to three set of sisters who honestly just really love each other. But maybe just a tad too much?Enjoy, happy September, and send us some dang topics at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com! 

Look alive, freaks! It's another episode full of things that will keep you awake all week long.Lauren discovers a rare form of amnesia caused by orgasms, a medical condition specifically designed for this very podcast.And Megan tells us about the worst thing to ever come out of a Taco Bell: a serial killer. Jokes on you for thinking I was going to say the Mexican Pizza.Enjoy and send us topics at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.

We've got a good (read: terrible) one for you today, freaks! Megan dives into the world of voyeurism and introduces us to some real sickos. Then Lauren tells the story of the world's most radiated man and his very painful final days. As always, tell us what freaks you out at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com!

We're back from summer break with an all new freak fest! First up, Lauren fills us in on why America is obsessed with shark attacks. Hint - it involves an 11-year-old basket maker named Lester in the early 1900s. Then Megan goes back to her roots with a Hollywood horror story, this time about the stalking and murder of Rebecca Schaeffer. It's a real bummer! As always, send your freaky thoughts and topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com.Later, freaks! 

Apologies for making you see the words "rat" and "lung" and "worm" all strung together like that, but don't worry - it gets worse after you press play. Megan makes you listen to a whole 15 minutes about it! But first, Lauren tells the story of a soldier in the Japanese army so committed to his country that he fights World War II for a few extra decades.We'll be off for a few weeks, but if you get bored, you can always brainstorm topics for us and send them to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. Later, freaks!

We've got another freaky one for ya, freaks! First up, Megan gets Lauren's blood boiling with the Ernie Awards, an Australian tradition of "celebrating" the gross shit men say and do each year.Then Lauren ignores the true horrors of the Cold War era and focuses instead on some of the kookier stories. You're welcome!Enjoy, happy Pride, and send us some gd topics to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com! 

Happy summer, freaks! Hope you're staying as hot as a marathon runner in the early 1900s. This week, Megan brings us a truly horrifying holiday in the woods, complete with murder, snow mobiles and everyone's favorite uncle Randy. Then Lauren tells the ridiculous story of the 1904 Olympic Games and a very ill-fated marathon. Sorry about the audio, but if you want us to do better, you can help by sending us topic suggestions at thefreakshowpod@gmail.com. 

We're getting deep this week, freaks! First up, Lauren keeps it light with some of her favorite gems from @DepthsOfWikipedia. Then Megan makes Lauren want to die with far too much information about the bottom of the ocean. Got a freaky topic for us? Email it to thefreakshowpod@gmail.com