The Strange Sessions

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 12:40. In this episode, Krista and Kurt look into stories of haunted hospitals, spooky nursing homes, and the things that people report seeing, hearing, and feeling shortly before they die.  And, as always, a taste-test and more trivia questions for the contest!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 14:30 In this My Favorite Mini-Mystery episode, Krista looks at the mysterious (and beautiful) Voynich Manuscript, and Kurt looks at the phenomena of "Streetlight Interference" and "SLIders", people who believe that they can cause streetlights to go out just by walking past them.  And, as usual, a taste-test and more trivia questions for the contest!!!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 13:10. In 2016, workers at the U.S. embassy in Cuba began to experience strange and debilitating symptoms, and soon, other people around the world began to experience the same symptoms. Was it a weapon of some kind? Was it a by-product of espionage? Or was it a simple case of mass hysteria? In this episode, Krista and Kurt look into “Havana Syndrome”! And, as always, a taste- test and trivia questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 12:50. In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at a few strange stories about television!  Mysterious signals, strange broadcast intrusions, spooky figures, and more from that device that is in all of our houses.  And, as always, a taste-test and trivia questions!!!

In this, the long-awaited Season 9 premiere, you guys voted for the topic!   In this episode, Krista and Kurt will be looking at the drone sightings of 2024! What were they, and have the sightings stopped?    Also, a taste-test and the start of a season-long Strange Sessions trivia contest!    

In this special Side Sessions preview, two previously-released episodes for our subscribers will be featured! In the first half of the episode, Krista and Kurt look at the scents that are the most nostalgic to them. And in the second half, they look at the fascinating history of Colonel Sanders and KFC. New episodes will be coming at the end of this month!

Surprise, Strangers! ☺️ *NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 26:14. In this Skype-recorded update episode, Krista and Kurt discuss how their holidays went, talk about some life changes going on, and address a few changes to the podcast in the new season (nothing scary!) And a short topic...was James Dean's car cursed? We will see you soon! Happy 2025!!!

Merry Christmas Eve, Strangers!! In this special holiday episode, we are once again joined by guest co-host Kory Konecny!!! This time around, we had you, the listeners, email questions to Kory for him to ask us this episode! Thank you SO much for all the awesome questions you guys sent in! And, we finally open the Hákarl (rotten shark meat) that was sent to us for a taste-test. Are any of us brave enough to try it once we get a whiff of it?  We hope each and every one of you has a wonderful holiday season!! Be safe, be strange, and we will see you in February for Season 9! 

Well, we made it through another season!!!  In this episode, the Season 8 finale, Krista and Kurt are once again joined by popular guest co-host Kory Konecny to look into three musical mysteries! Kory looks at the story of Paul McCartney being dead, Krista looks at the story of Elvis Presley being alive, and Kurt looks at the musical story of the unsolved Dorabella Cipher. And, as always, a taste-test!!!  Thank you SO much for listening and for supporting us! We will see everyone in February for Season 9!  

Due to some issues (aka my stupid car), this episode is recorded on Skype, rather than together in person. In this episode, Krista and Kurt look into some strange stories about caves, from haunted caves to stories about missing spelunkers! No taste-test OR listener questions this week, but in this episode, we will give you the email address to send questions to for our Christmas episode!!!

It's another Missing 411 Spotlight episode! In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at the tragic stories of Patric McCarthy and Todd Sees, two cases where there might be way more going on than meets the eye. And, as always, a taste-test and we answer listener questions!

With Halloween right around the corner and Spooky Season in full-swing, Krista and Kurt look at one of the phenomena that spooks them the most…Mimics! Whether it's voices across the dark house from family members who aren't there, or friend's voices luring you into the woods, just what are these things? Are they ghosts? Are they Jinn? Are they just our imagination? And, as always, a taste-test!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 15:17.  It's time for another Listener Stories episode! In this episode, Krista and Kurt read and listen to some spooky stories sent in by you guys, our awesome Strangers! Lots of "Nopes" in these stories, too! And a few Reddit stories at the end.  And, as always, a taste-test!

*NOTE 1* - THIS IS THE 2ND PART OF A 2-PART EPISODE, SO PLEASE LISTEN TO PART 1 FIRST!!! *NOTE 2* - The topic discussion starts at 11:20. After the launch of Sputnik in 1957, the United States realized that it needed to step up education so the U.S. didn't fall behind the rest of the world. This eventually led to programs like GATE (Gifted and Talented Education), where students were tested, and those that were deemed advanced were pulled from class for separate programs.  In the years since, stories began to circulate online about GATE students who said that the program wasn't entirely what it was made out to be. Stories of strange tests, missing time, and sinister scenarios began to show up. And what does all of this have to do with The Mandela Effect, remote viewing, and a place called The Tavistock Institute? In this two-part episode, Krista and Kurt look at the GATE program and school weirdness! And, as always, a taste-test!

*NOTE 1* - THIS IS THE 1ST PART OF A 2-PART EPISODE!  *NOTE 2* - The topic discussion starts at 16:30. After the launch of Sputnik in 1957, the United States realized that it needed to step up education so the U.S. didn't fall behind the rest of the world. This eventually led to programs like GATE (Gifted and Talented Education), where students were tested, and those that were deemed advanced were pulled from class for separate programs.  In the years since, stories began to circulate online about GATE students who said that the program wasn't entirely what it was made out to be. Stories of strange tests, missing time, and sinister scenarios began to show up. And what does all of this have to do with The Mandela Effect, remote viewing, and a place called The Tavistock Institute? In this two-part episode, Krista and Kurt look at the GATE program and school weirdness! And, as always, a taste-test!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 17:50. It's another Strange States episode! This time, we are looking at our neighbor across the lake, The Wolverine State, Michigan! From haunted hotels to spooky lighthouses to canine-like creatures, we will be looking at all things strange in The Mitten State! And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

In this Listener Suggestions episode, Krista and Kurt look at three stories suggested by Strangers! The stories include a bizarre situation that happened in Platteville, Wisconsin in the late 1800s, the creepy decade-long harassment of an elderly couple in Ohio, and the story of a haunted Toys R Us store in Sunnyvale, California! And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 12:00. In this episode, Krista and Kurt discuss the town of Whitewater, Wisconsin (and their recent road-trip there!) Known as “Second Salem”, this small college town has a fascinating history of witchcraft, occultism, and plenty of hauntings.  Then in the second half of the episode, Krista and Kurt look into stories of people who wake up to find a mysterious, shadowy, figure in their room, always wearing a flannel shirt. Stories of “The Flannel Man” and sightings of this strange figure have persisted for years. And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!   

The Fae Folk, also known as Faries, have enchanted human imagination for centuries. Stories of these mischievous creatures have come down through the ages from almost every country, and to this day, stories about strange creatures, periods of missing time in the woods, and disappearing objects are tied in with these beings. In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at the strange world of The Fae.  And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

It's another Strange Creatures episode! In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at stories of two creepy creatures. Sometimes outdoors, sometimes indoors, people have reported hearing strange whistling coming from places it shouldn't be, seemingly trying to get the person's attention. And other people have reported running across strange creatures and humans only to discover that these things have no faces and sometimes appear to be living mannequins. In this episode, Krista and Kurt dive into creepy tales of Whistlers and The Faceless. And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

Krista and Kurt are on vacation, probably hunting Bigfoot or something, so this episode will be a preview of a Side Sessions episode that our Ko-Fi subscribers heard last year. In July of 1973, high school couple Mitch Weiser and Bonnie Bickwit left a campground to hitchhike to The Summer Jam Festival held outside Watkins Glen, New York. In the days after the festival, as both families waited anxiously, Bonnie and Mitch did not return home. To date, no trace of Bonnie or Mitch has ever been found, and they are the oldest unsolved missing teenager case on record. In this episode, Krista and Kurt look into the tragic disappearance of Mitch Weiser and Bonnie Beckett.

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 11:15. It's another episode about the strange nature of reality! In this episode Krista and Kurt once again dive into the weird world of parallel universes, time travel, The Mandela Effect, and a few reality-glitch stories from Reddit!  And, as usual, a taste-test and listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 12:15. It's another Strange States episode!! This time, Krista and Kurt will be looking into the creatures, urban legends, and haunted places of the Keystone State, Pennsylvania!! And, as usual, a taste-test (not a Philly cheesesteak, sadly), but no listener question. We need questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 15:00.  In this My Favorite Mini-Mystery episode, Krista looks at the Third Man Factor, where people in life-or-death situations feel another presence with them, helping them survive. And Kurt looks at the case of Ghost Writer, a haunting where the ghost was said to communicate by writing messages on Polaroid pictures. And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 12:33. It's another awesome Listener Stories episode!! We put out the call for your stories, and wow, once again you guys REALLY came through with some amazing (and creepy) stories!!!! Not to mention that there's a spooky common theme to a lot of the stories… And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!! Thank you SO much to everyone who contributed stories. You are the best!!   

In this episode, Krista and Kurt are joined by friend and fellow paranormal investigator Blaine Rezach to talk about ghost hunting, the paranormal, and all things strange!!! You can check out Blaine's podcast “Ghosts & Us” on YouTube, Spotify, and all the usual podcasty places! And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

On November 28, 1953, a government employee named Frank Olson plummeted to his death from a window in New York City's Statler Hotel. Decades later, a new investigation into his death revealed one of the government's most secretive and disturbing projects, involving LSD, brainwashed assassins, and mind control. In this episode, Krista and Kurt look into the truly frightening history of Project MKUltra. And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 21:55. It's another Strange States episode!  In this episode, Krista and Kurt are once again staying close to home and looking at 6 more weird stories from their home state of Wisconsin, including aliens, weird troll things, ghostly snowmobilers, and more!!  And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions! 

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 20:45. It's another Listener Suggestions episode!!!  In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at four different stories that were suggested by the amazing, lovely listeners...the bizarre story of Don Decker, the creepy Houska Castle, the fun mystery of the Capitol Hill Vending Machine, and strange stories of Sunblinks.  And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions! 

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 18:25. In this episode, Krista and Kurt discuss their December paranormal investigation at The Old Glenbeulah School, play some possible EVPs they caught, and talk about The Estes Method. They also play the Estes Method sessions that Kurt, Krista, and Coleman did on the investigation. And, as usual, a taste-test and listener questions!!

It's FINALLY the Season 8 premiere!!!  This episode features the topic that won the poll on The Strangers Facebook page…tunnels!! There is FAR more going on below our feet than anyone realizes. What's all down there? What are they used for? What are some of the conspiracy theories around them? And are they haunted? In this episode, Krista and Kurt gear up and head down the topic of tunnels! And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!!

We know it's been a while since you folks heard from us, so here is a special Skype end-of-season wrap-up episode for you! We are looking back at the past season and looking ahead to things we would like to do in the next season. Also, Kurt looks into whether or not The Simpsons are predicting the future, and Krista looks into the story of who the mysterious biggest purchaser of glitter is.  See you in a few weeks for Season 8!!!

In this Christmas episode, Krista and Kurt are once again joined by special guest co-host Kory Konecny! In this episode, Krista looks at the pagan origins of Christmas, Kory looks into the fascinating story of The Oakville Blobs, and Kurt looks into the story of the haunted Raynham Hall and its famous ghost photograph. And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions! After the end music, stick around to hear a 20-minute podcast that Kurt and fellow ghost hunter Barry recorded way back in 2007!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 26:10. In the Season 7 finale, Krista and Kurt are once again joined by special guest co-host Kory Konecny!   Kory and Kurt tackle the bizarre internet mystery of Lake City Quiet Pills and its rabbit hole of sketchy websites, mercenaries, hidden messages, and possible assassinations. And Krista looks at the Khamar Daban Incident, the mysterious deaths of a group of Russian hikers. And, as always, a taste-test and we answer listener questions!  Thank you SO much for listening and being a part of this!! We will see you in 2024 for Season 8! :)

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 24:15. In September of 2014, 38-year-old Aaron Hedges went hunting with two friends in the Crazy Mountains of Montana. Aaron became separated from his friends, and despite having a cell phone and a radio for communication, no word was heard from Aaron. Two years later, his remains were found in a location close to a ranch. In this “Missing 411 Spotlight” episode, Krista and Kurt look into the bizarre case of Aaron Hedges. And, as usual, a taste test and listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 19:00. It's another Listener Suggestions episode!  In this one, we look at the strange tales of the Nahanni Valley of Canada (better known as The Valley of Headless Men), weirdness around Huntland, Tennessee, and the series of bizarre phone calls placed to Gary Sudbrink in the 90's.  And, as always, a taste-test and we answer listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 24:50. Throughout their long history, dolls have been perpetually linked with the paranormal and magic. In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at dolls and their attachment to the paranormal, and dive into the stories of some of the most famous haunted dolls from around the world. And, as always, a taste test and listener questions!

NOTE - The topic discussion starts at 16:45. In the conclusion of last week's episode, Krista, Kurt, and guest co-hosts Mark and Rhonda Zahn discuss their 2005 investigation at JFK Prep and talk about their evidence, including over 20 possible EVPs that were captured.  There *may* have also been an EVP captured while we were recording this episode! See if you can hear it. Also, a taste-test and we answer an intriguing listener question. 

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 14:53. Nestled inland a few miles from the western coast of Lake Michigan lies the small, quaint village of St. Nazianz, Wisconsin.  Passing through the small community, a person might not even know that they are in what is said to be one of the most haunted towns in the Midwest!  Stories abound of the town being founded by a mystical cult, of the curse that supposedly follows the town, and of the hauntings that plague JFK Prep, an abandoned former high school/seminary.  And our group was one of the few that were allowed to do an official paranormal investigation there!  In this episode, the first of two parts, Krista, Kurt, and their fellow ghosthunting team members Mark and Rhonda Zahn look at the history of St. Nazianz and JFK Prep and separate fact from fiction.  Coming NEXT weekend will be part 2, where we discuss our investigation there and go over our evidence, including over 20 EVPs!  And, as always, a taste-test and we answer listener questions!

*NOTE* - This is a Side Sessions preview! It was recorded last year and was previously only available for our Ko-Fi subscribers. Krista and Kurt will be back in two weeks with a new episode!   One of the biggest movie hits of 1981 was a star-studded action/adventure/comedy called "The Cannonball Run", about an illegal road race from New York to California for a million dollar prize. What some people don't know is that the movie was based on a real-life series of crazy cross-country races that were held in the 1970's. And people today are still at it, trying to break the records for the fastest time. In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at the awesome story of the “Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash”!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 15:15. It's another Strange Stories episode! In this episode, Krista and Kurt read tons of spooky/weird true stories from Reddit and other sites! Are they 100% true? Who knows. But they're awesome. And there are a lot of “Nopes”. And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions! 

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 18:30 On June 30, 1908, something exploded over the forests near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in Siberia, flattening an estimated 80 million trees over an area of 830 square miles. And in August of 1590, John White sailed back from England to the family and friends he had left behind at Roanoke, only to find no trace of the colony or its inhabitants.  In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at The Tunguska Event and The Lost Colony of Roanoke! And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 22:55. It's another Listener Suggestions episode, looking at three stories that listeners have asked about. This time we are looking at the strange tale of Doveland, Wisconsin, a town that supposedly vanished, the mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Joanna Lopez in Chicago in the 1980s, and the bizarre tale of Arizona's Stardust Ranch! And, as always, a taste-test and we answer listener questions!

It's this season's Listener Stories episode! Holy cow, you guys really came through! We have 13 stories and 6 voicemails full of ghosts, creatures, synchronicities, premonitions, and all sorts of strangeness. And as always, there's a taste-test and we answer listener questions.

It's another My Favorite Mini-Mystery! In this episode, Krista and Kurt are joined by first-time guest co-host Aaron. Kurt and Aaron discuss and play on-site audio from their visit to Holy Hill, Wisconsin! Ghosts, Goatman, Bear-Wolves, haunted cemeteries, and a haunted pub…it's all here! And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!

It's another Missing 411 spotlight episode! On November 15, 2015, 82-year old Tom Messick went out hunting with some friends and family. When the time came for the group to meet up and head home, Tom never showed up. Despite numerous searches, and Tom having an extensive background in survival and hunter safety, not a single trace of Tom or his equipment has ever been found. Also, a deep-dive into the bizarre tale of a lost boy and his story about being taken into a cave by what he claimed was a robotic version of his grandmother. And, as always, taste-tests and listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 20:52 Throughout history, there have been reports of people who see their surroundings change for a brief moment into that of the past or the future, and there have been reports of people who stop at a diner or gas station, only to go back to the location and discover that it never existed.  In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at the fascinating topic of time slips and phantom diners!  And, as always, taste-tests and listener questions!

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 16:27. It's grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, it's all over the news right now, and people can't decide whether it's going to save the world or destroy it.  In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at artificial intelligence, it's history, it's problems, and A.I.'s place in the paranormal world. 

*NOTE* - The topic discussion starts at 19:23 It's another My Favorite Mini-Mystery episode!! In this episode, Krista and Kurt look at some cool local hauntings. Krista looks at Milwaukee's Pfister Hotel, and Kurt looks at a few locations around Fond du Lac.  Also, a fun Strange Sessions first!!!!  And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions!!! 

It's another Strange States episode!  This time, Krista and Kurt are looking at creatures and hauntings from The Lone Star State, Texas! It's all here, from weird donkey-ladies to ghostly pep rallies to eyeball-forking caramel killers.  And, as always, a taste-test and listener questions! 

Since the days when humans first polished obsidian to be able to see their reflection in it, mirrors and the paranormal have been tied together. From scrying to stories of haunted mirrors to childhood games like Bloody Mary, there's always been something unsettling and spooky about mirrors. In this episode, Krista and Kurt reflect on mirrors and the paranormal! And, as always, a taste-test (no listener questions this time)!