TwistedPhilly

Episode 94 This week I'm joined by Alexandra Hunt, a public health researcher, a girls' soccer coach, an advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and an organizer. She's also running for Philadelphia City Controller. The City Controller is the chief auditor of the city of Philadelphia's budget; they're a watch dog, making sure … Continue reading "Alexandra Hunt – Candidate for City Controller" The post Alexandra Hunt – Candidate for City Controller appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 93 In 1892, architect Willis G. Hale began construction on a lavish apartment building on Broad Street in north Philadelphia. What began as a turn of the century residential multi family structure evolved over the last 120 years into something so much more – the Divine Lorraine. This is the story of that evolution, … Continue reading "The Divine Lorraine" The post The Divine Lorraine appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 92 Ona Maria Judge – better known as Oney – was born into slavery in 1774 at a familiar location in Virginia: Mount Vernon. Oney's mother Betty was brought to Mount Vernon after George Washington married Martha in 1759. Betty, and her descendants, were considered the “property” of Martha Washington's first husband, Daniel Custis, … Continue reading "The Story of Oney Judge" The post The Story of Oney Judge appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 91 – Originally released February 2020 Women in white, midnight Mary, lonely roads all over the US and other parts of the world have their own legends of a young woman in a pale dress, wandering in the middle of the night searching for someone to give them a ride. Sometimes they're searching for … Continue reading "The Women in White" The post The Women in White appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 90 – Originally released January 2020 Content warning: this episode contains discussions about sexual assault and murder. Listener discretion is advised. Between the summer of 1997 and August 1999, six women in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, were raped by a man known only as the Center City Rapist. One woman, … Continue reading "The Center City Rapist: Part 2" The post The Center City Rapist: Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

 Episode 89 – Originally released January 2020 Content warning: this episode contains discussions about sexual assault and murder. Listener discretion is advised. Between the summer of 1997 and August 1999, six women in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, were raped by a man known only as the Center City Rapist. One woman, … Continue reading "The Center City Rapist: Part 1" The post The Center City Rapist: Part 1 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 88 – Originally released December 2019 Last weekend I took the family to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a town about 90 minutes north of Philadelphia and known all over the country as Christmas Town (or Christmas City depending on with whom you speak!) Even Travel and Leisure magazine called Bethlehem the “most festive city in the … Continue reading "Christmas Town: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania" The post Christmas Town: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 86 – Originally released November 2019 Content warning: this episode contains discussions about serial murder, family annihilators, and death of children.  Listener discretion is advised. Can we apply today's true crime labels to centuries old murders?  Can a woman be considered a family annihilator?  Does murdering your family make you a serial killer?  How … Continue reading "Sarah Whiteling – the “Unnatural Mother”" The post Sarah Whiteling – the “Unnatural Mother” appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 85 – Originally released November 2019 In West Philadelphia's Fairmount Park sit several historic homes, some dating back to the late 1700s. Long ago this section of the city was nothing but farmland and forests, an area where Philadelphians built country homes far from the noise and congestion of the city. These properties are … Continue reading "Fairmount Charms: Strawberry Mansion and Lemon Hill" The post Fairmount Charms: Strawberry Mansion and Lemon Hill appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 84 – Originally Released October 2019 Pennsylvania is filled with folklore and ghost stories from all over the state: ghost stories, cryptids, haunted houses, and abandoned towns with misty forms wandering the forest.  These legends aren't enough for me.  I always want to know the history behind the hauntings, what's the real story that … Continue reading "The History Behind the Hauntings" The post The History Behind the Hauntings appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 83 – Originally Released August 2019 Incorporated in 1855, Mount Moriah Cemetery sat high up on a hill next to Cobbs Creek at the edge of Southwest Philadelphia. Like Laurel Hill Cemetery in the 1830s, the location of Mount Moriah was chosen for it's distance from the busy city, the pastoral setting and beautiful … Continue reading "Mount Moriah Cemetery" The post Mount Moriah Cemetery appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 82 – Originally Published August 2019 with special guest co-host Margo D., cohost of the Book vs. Movie podcast, Dorking Out and What a Creep podcasts Content warning: this episode includes discussions about addiction, assault, and death. Listener discretion is advised. Her faced graced the cover of vogue and cosmopolitan dozens of times.  She … Continue reading "The Story of Supermodel Gia Marie Carangi" The post The Story of Supermodel Gia Marie Carangi appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 81 – Originally Released July 2019 Content warning: this episode includes discussions about emotional and physical abuse of children, unlawful incarceration, and death because of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. NOTE: If you have not yet listened to part 1, pause this episode and listen to part 1 first. Judge Mark Ciavarella sent thousands … Continue reading "The Luzerne County “Kids for Cash” Scandal: Part 2" The post The Luzerne County “Kids for Cash” Scandal: Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 81 – Originally Released July 2019 Content warning: this episode includes discussions about emotional and physical abuse of children, unlawful incarceration, and death because of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. NOTE: If you have not yet listened to part 1, pause this episode and listen to part 1 first. Judge Mark Ciavarella sent thousands … Continue reading "The Luzerne County “Kids for Cash” Scandal: Part 2" The post The Luzerne County “Kids for Cash” Scandal: Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 80 – Originally Released July 2019 Content warning: this episode includes discussions about emotional and physical abuse of children, unlawful incarceration, and death because of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. In January 1996, attorney Mark Ciavarella was appointed a Luzerne County judge in Wilkes Barre, PA.  Less than a year later he was made … Continue reading "The Luzerne County “Kids for Cash” Scandal: Part 1" The post The Luzerne County “Kids for Cash” Scandal: Part 1 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 79 – Originally Released June 2019 On Sunday, June 9, 2019, the city of Philadelphia celebrated pride month with our annual Pride Parade and Festival hosted by Philly Pride Presents. If you follow me on social media, you've seen some of the photos of that amazing event. This annual celebration takes considerable effort on … Continue reading "PRIDE in the City of Brotherly Love" The post PRIDE in the City of Brotherly Love appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 78 – Originally Released May 2019 The Germantown section of Philadelphia is filled with historic homes, many dating back to the 1700s, and the homestead of one is even older.  If you wander a little further along Germantown Avenue, past Grumblethorpe, you'll come to rather imposing Georgian home called Cliveden Mansion, built by Pennsylvania … Continue reading "Cliveden: Germantown Haunted History Part 2" The post Cliveden: Germantown Haunted History Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 77 – Originally Published May 2019 Germantown is a section of Philadelphia bordering the northwest suburbs of the city. Within Germantown is tiny little area called Wister.  That's a name you'll hear quite a bit as we spend our time together today because of a very famous old house along Germantown Avenue, built by … Continue reading "Grumblethorpe: Germantown Haunted History Part 1" The post Grumblethorpe: Germantown Haunted History Part 1 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 78 – Originally Published May 2019 The Germantown section of Philadelphia is filled with historic homes, many dating back to the 1700s, and the homestead of one is even older.  If you wander a little further along Germantown Avenue, past Grumblethorpe, you'll come to rather imposing Georgian home called Cliveden Mansion, built by Pennsylvania … Continue reading "Cliveden: Germantown Haunted History Part 2" The post Cliveden: Germantown Haunted History Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 77 – Originally Published May 2019 Germantown is a section of Philadelphia bordering the northwest suburbs of the city. Within Germantown is tiny little area called Wister.  That's a name you'll hear quite a bit as we spend our time together today because of a very famous old house along Germantown Avenue, built by … Continue reading "Grumblethorpe: Germantown Haunted History Part 1" The post Grumblethorpe: Germantown Haunted History Part 1 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 76 – Originally Published April 2019 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including the brutal beating and subsequent death of a child. Listener discretion is advised. On Friday night, November 11, 1994, 16 year old Eddie Polec and his younger brother Billy planned on spending a typical evening with their friends in the … Continue reading "The Story of Eddie Polec" The post The Story of Eddie Polec appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 75 – Originally Published April 2019 On April 13, 2019, I had the opportunity to visit Pennhurst State School and Hospital to interview the Operations Manager, Jim. Jim and I walked the grounds for a time before sitting down to record together. During our tour Jim shared his thoughts with me about Pennhurst's history, … Continue reading "Preservation at Pennhurst – Interview with Pennhurst Operations Manager: Part 3" The post Preservation at Pennhurst – Interview with Pennhurst Operations Manager: Part 3 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 74 – Originally Published March 2019 In Part 2 of our series about Pennhurst State School and Hospital I'm joined by Jerry and Tracy Paulley, hosts of the Hillbilly Horror Stories podcast, to discuss paranormal activity at Pennhurst. Jerry and Tracy listen as I share tales of paranormal investigations at Pennhurst, my visit to … Continue reading "Paranormal Stories from Pennhurst State School and Hospital: Part 2" The post Paranormal Stories from Pennhurst State School and Hospital: Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 73 – Originally Published March 2019 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions about physical and intellectual disabilities, patient abuse, and eugenics.  Listener discretion is advised. Pennhurst State School and Hospital was once called the Shame of Pennsylvania.  It sat only about 25 miles outside of Philadelphia, yet it may have … Continue reading "“The Shame of Pennsylvania” – Pennhurst State School and Hospital: Part 1" The post “The Shame of Pennsylvania” – Pennhurst State School and Hospital: Part 1 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 72 – Originally Published February 2019 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions about missing persons, and murder, which may be upsetting to some listeners.  Listener discretion is advised. Between the summer of 1985 and fall 1990, eight women were brutally murdered in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.  Police already had … Continue reading "The Frankford Slasher" The post The Frankford Slasher appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 71 – Originally Published January 2019 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions about missing persons, sexual assault, and murder, which may be upsetting to some listeners.  Listener discretion is advised. In September 2017, I shared a story on Patreon about Temple University student Jenna Burleigh.  Jenna was a transfer student … Continue reading "The Story of Jenna Burleigh" The post The Story of Jenna Burleigh appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 70 – Originally Published January 2019 Content warning: this episode contains discussions about drug use and addiction. Listener discretion is advised. One night in October 2017, a young woman from New Jersey drove along route 95, a major highway on the east coast.   Her story went something like this: she was on her way … Continue reading "“Go Fund Me Scammers” – The Best and Worst in Philly: Part 2" The post “Go Fund Me Scammers” – The Best and Worst in Philly: Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 69 – Originally Published January 2019 As we turn the page on another year, many of us take time to reflect on events of the past 12 months.  We look at events in our own lives, our families, our friends, and we look at the world around us, considering the good, the bad and … Continue reading "The Best and Worst in Philly: Part 1" The post The Best and Worst in Philly: Part 1 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 68 – Originally Published in December 2018 Content warning: this episode includes adult subject matter including discussions about domestic violence and murder.  Listener discretion is advised. Do you know the moment a relationship goes bad?  Is it one moment or thousands of little moments, or big ones, that add up over time?  Do 5 … Continue reading "The Story of Ellen Gregory" The post The Story of Ellen Gregory appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 67 – Originally Published in December 2018 It's hard to believe the last time Irene Levy Baker was a guest on TwistedPhilly was almost two years ago!  When we first sat down, Irene  just released her book 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia Before You Die.  Since then Irene has been hard at work … Continue reading "Unique Eats and Eateries of Philadelphia with Irene Levy Baker" The post Unique Eats and Eateries of Philadelphia with Irene Levy Baker appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 66 – Originally Published in November 2018 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions about mass shooting. Additional content warnings are contained within the episode.  Listener discretion is advised. On the morning of September 6, 1949, 28 year old East Camden resident Howard Unruh shot 16 people in 15 minutes, killing … Continue reading "“Walk of Death” – America's First Mass Shooter" The post “Walk of Death” – America's First Mass Shooter appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 65 – Originally Published in October 2018 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions child abduction, child sexual abuse and murder. Listener discretion is advised. On Friday morning, October 30, 1992, the battered body of eleven year old Shauna Howe was found in a shallow creek bed a few miles outside … Continue reading "The Town that Cancelled Halloween" The post The Town that Cancelled Halloween appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 64 – Originally Published October 2018 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions about domestic violence and murder.  Listener discretion is advised. When the Blair Witch Project hit the big screens, many independent filmmakers had aspirations of creating the next big found footage horror movie.  That was especially true for 25-year-old … Continue reading "The Story of Randi Trimble" The post The Story of Randi Trimble appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 63 – Originally Published September 2018 At the very bottom of New Jersey is a tiny Victorian town called Cape May.  This is my home away from home.  Filled with historic charm, and “painted ladies” – what we affectionately call the vibrant Victorian homes – you feel as if you're transported back in time … Continue reading "Emlen Physick and the Physick Estate" The post Emlen Physick and the Physick Estate appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 62 – Originally Published September 2018 with Special Guest Cohost Margo D, cohost of Book vs. Movie podcast, Dorking Out Podcast and the What a Creep Podcast Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions about abduction, missing persons including missing children and murder.  Listener discretion is advised. Susan Reinert was an … Continue reading "The “Mainline Murders”" The post The “Mainline Murders” appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 61 – Originally Published September 2018 It's back to school for many students across the country and in this episode we're going to Kutztown, PA, where we'll visit Old Main, one of the oldest and most recognizable buildings on Kutztown University campus.  We'll talk about the history of the university, including the haunted history … Continue reading "Ghosts of Kutztown: Old Main and Crystal Cave" The post Ghosts of Kutztown: Old Main and Crystal Cave appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 60 – Originally Published August 2018 I love the idea of sneaking away unexpectedly for a few days, dropping off the grid, turning off the phone, and shutting out the world. Provided you don't fake your own kidnapping to do it. That's what happened on Tuesday, May 26, 2009, when Bucks County Pennsylvania resident … Continue reading "Faking It – The Story of Bonnie Sweeten" The post Faking It – The Story of Bonnie Sweeten appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 59 – Originally Published August 2018 There is nothing I love more than being a tourist in my own city.  You hear me talk about that in so many episodes.  I wander City Hall every chance I get.  I stop at every blue and yellow historical marker, I know the obvious history and tourist … Continue reading "Beyond the Bell" The post Beyond the Bell appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 58 – Originally Published July 2018 There is a house in Northeast Pennsylvania, on a quiet residential street, with one of the worst haunted histories in our country.  It's been compared to the Amityville Horror House.  This two story brick home with  three small windows on the second floor, what was once a charming … Continue reading "The Pennsylvania Amityville House" The post The Pennsylvania Amityville House appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 57 – Originally Published July 2017 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions about death as a result of suicide.  Listener discretion is advised. On Sunday, July 1, 2018, I had the pleasure of participating in the 6th Annual Philly Podcast Festival.  This was my second year in the festival and … Continue reading "Joey Coyle – The South Philly Robinhood from TwistedPhilly Live at Philly Pod Fest" The post Joey Coyle – The South Philly Robinhood from TwistedPhilly Live at Philly Pod Fest appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 56 – Originally Published June 2018 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including sexual assault and murder, which may be upsetting to some listeners.  Listener discretion is advised. On November 21, 2014, 33-year-old Jessica Padgett from Northampton County, Pennsylvania, ran an errand on her lunch break.  Her coworkers at Duck Duck Goose … Continue reading "The Story of Jessica Padgett" The post The Story of Jessica Padgett appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 55 – Originally Published May 2018 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions of traumatic accidents resulting in death, which may be upsetting to some listeners.  Listener discretion is advised. Ride the Ducks landed in Philly in 2003.  The company had been around for over 30 years, primarily operating on land … Continue reading "Collision on the Delaware River" The post Collision on the Delaware River appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 54 – Originally Published May 2018 In this episode we get a little spooky, a little scary, and certainly twisted.  Twisted Legends features two Pennsylvania legends: The Green Man from our “west coast” outside of Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia's Bus to Nowhere, a Philly legend that scares me to my core.  These stories were part … Continue reading "Twisted Legends: The Green Man and the Bus to Nowhere" The post Twisted Legends: The Green Man and the Bus to Nowhere appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Originally Published May 2018 Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter, including the death of a young mother, which may be upsetting to some listeners.  Listener discretion is advised. On Tuesday, April 29, 1997, 29-year-old Stefanie Rabinowitz and her husband Craig went out to dinner with her parents to celebrate the end of Passover.  … Continue reading "The Story of Stephanie Rabinowitz" The post The Story of Stephanie Rabinowitz appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 52 – Originally Published April 2018 In Old City, Philadelphia, there's a tiny little street that can't even be called a street.  It's an alley, barely wide enough for a small cart to pass through; Elfreth's Alley. Elfreth's Alley is the oldest continuously inhabited street in America.  Other cites like to boast they have … Continue reading "Elfreth's Alley" The post Elfreth's Alley appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 51 – Originally Published April 2018 Content Warning: This episode contains adult subject matter, including discussions about addiction, relapse and overdose, as well as murder, which may be upsetting to some listeners.  Listener discretion is advised. During my research about the Kensington Strangler I found a case I'd never heard of before; the death … Continue reading "The Story of Allison Edwards" The post The Story of Allison Edwards appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 50 – Originally Published April 2018 Content Warning: This episode contains adult subject matter, including discussions about addiction, sexual assault and murder, which may be upsetting to some listeners.  Listener discretion is advised. On December 9, 2010, a headline in the Philadelphia daily news read “For Hookers, fear of attack is a constant companion.” … Continue reading "The Kensington Strangler" The post The Kensington Strangler appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 49 – Originally Published March 2018 On Thursday, December 9, 1965, a strange object was sighted over Canada.  This object passed into the United States, creating sonic booms as it moved.  Witnesses reported seeing fire in the sky, trailing behind a bell shaped craft moving eastward across the US until it crossed into Pennsylvania … Continue reading "Kecksburg – The East Coast Roswell" The post Kecksburg – The East Coast Roswell appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 48 – Originally Published February 2018 There are so many elements that contribute to the legend of Groundhog Day and n this episode we'll travel a circuitous route over a few hundred years of Pennsylvania history mixed with pagan traditions, Christian celebrations and Indigenous folklore. Groundhog Day is the one day each year when … Continue reading "Punxsutawney Phil" The post Punxsutawney Phil appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 47 – Originally Published January 2018 Content waring – discussions of depression, mental health struggles, murder and suicide In the early morning hours on Saturday, May 11, 2007, a teenage boy made his way through the dark, across back yards in Manheim, PA, located in Lancaster County.  He wasn't on his way home from … Continue reading "The Lone Survivor: Part 2" The post The Lone Survivor: Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 46 – Originally Published January 2018 Content warning – discussions about depression, mental health struggles and murder In the early morning hours on Saturday, May 11, 2007, a teenage boy made his way through the dark, across back yards in Manheim, PA, located in Lancaster County.  He wasn't on his way home from a … Continue reading "The Lone Survivor: Part 1" The post The Lone Survivor: Part 1 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.