Strange Country Episode 143: Sidney Gottlieb

Is this a giant CIA experiment where we've all been dosed with a substance to make us think there's a pandemic? Sadly no, but in the 1950s, in an attempt to stay ahead of the Soviets, the CIA led mind-control experiments to see if we could break someone's brain. Who knew that only a coronavirus and a reality-tv-host-turned-presidential-nightmare were the keys to bringing this country to its knees. Join Beth and Kelly as they talk about the man behind MK-ULTRA, Sidney Gottlieb. Oh--and avoid Georgia.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Baker, Russ. “Acid, Americans and the Agency.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 14 Feb. 1999, www.theguardian.com/theobserver/1999/feb/14/life1.lifemagazine.

“Cardinal Mindszenty of Hungary Sentenced.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 13 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cardinal-mindszenty-of-hungary-sentenced.

Coll, Steve. “Remote Control.” The New Yorker, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/05/06/remote-control.

Dellios, Hugh. “VICTIMS DESCRIBE MOBUTU'S LONG REIGN OF TORTURE.” Chicagotribune.com, 30 Aug. 2018, www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-04-29-9704290128-story.html.

Eschner, Kat. “What We Know About the CIA's Midcentury Mind-Control Project.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 13 Apr. 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-we-know-about-cias-midcentury-mind-control-project-180962836/.

Gup, Ted. “The Coldest.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 16 Dec. 2001, www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/2001/12/16/the-coldest/83f56312-8cca-481f-af17-5d8eb0356612/.

Kinzer, Stephen. “From Mind Control to Murder? How a Deadly Fall Revealed the CIA's Darkest Secrets.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 6 Sept. 2019, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/06/from-mind-control-to-murder-how-a-deadly-fall-revealed-the-cias-darkest-secrets.

KINZER, STEPHEN. POISONER IN CHIEF: Sidney Gottlieb and the Cia Search for Mind Control. GRIFFIN, 2020.

Kinzer, Stephen, et al. “The Secret History of Fort Detrick, the CIA's Base for Mind Control Experiments.” POLITICO Magazine, 15 Sept. 2019, www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/09/15/cia-fort-detrick-stephen-kinzer-228109.

McCrummen, Stephanie. “'This Feels Great': A Preview from Georgia about How America Might Reemerge from the Coronavirus.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 17 May 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/17/coronavirus-reopening-shopping-mall-georgia/?arc404=true&fbclid=IwAR2s9pGCvDlX_ZdpUkkzrPkLyf4-cpyQv7TdUEUMpr200OW1sPp7QkQofPQ.

Mongilio, Heather. “Fort Detrick Laboratory Restored to Full Operations after Being Shut down by CDC.” The Frederick News Post, 30 Mar. 2020, www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/military/fort-detrick-laboratory-restored-to-full-operations-after-being-shut-down-by-cdc/article_fcee204f-1493-52fb-ba9b-f80cb00da727.html.

“Shiro Ishii.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/weapon-biography-shiro-ishii/.

Smith, Craig S. “Albert Hofmann, the Father of LSD, Dies at 102.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 Apr. 2008, www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/world/europe/30hofmann.html.

Vidich, Paul. “Did the CIA's Dr. Frank Olson Jump to His Death or Was He Pushed?” The Daily Beast, The Daily Beast Company, 17 Feb. 2020, www.thedailybeast.com/did-the-cias-dr-frank-olson-jump-to-his-death-or-was-he-pushed.

Strange Country Episode 142: The Cutter Incident

This week we will scare the shit out of you. Ah Dash Hounds, if our stories of strange, ghostly things never made your shoulder hair stand up, how about the idea that vaccines can take a really long time to get right. We will dive into the polio vaccine of 1955 and learn that sometimes problems can arise when doling out the new promising vaccine. Our intention is not to make you fearful, but to bring intelligence and insight and skepticism to anything that looks like it may be good. But you already do that Dash Hounds because you are special like Beth and Kelly. More often these times are mirroring old times more than we could have imagined. Be safe, stay healthy and Happy Listening.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Bovian, Jason. Wiping Out POlio, How the US Snuffed Out a Killer. Oct. 15, 2012. NPR

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/10/16/162670836/wiping-out-polio-how-the-u-s-snuffed-out-a-killer

Polio Global Eradication Initiative

Offit, Paul. The Cutter Incident.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/04/politics/operation-warp-speed-coronavirus-vaccines/index.html

Bogel Burroughs, Nicholas. Antivaccination Activists a Growing Force at Protest. May 2,2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/us/anti-vaxxers-coronavirus-protests.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbTNPsbAThk

Strange Country Episode 141: Don't Drink Bleach

Don't drink bleach. That seems obvious like along the lines of don't go swimming when there's lightning or run for president when you have no interest in governing. But yet countless cleaning products had to take to social media discouraging users from drinking them because Donald Trump said it could knock out coronavirus. Where did he get this "tremendous" idea? Co-hosts Beth and Kelly talk about the possible origins of Dr. Trump's most recent batshittery in today's episode. And please, don't drink bleach.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Bernard, Dr. “Man Drinks a Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol for COVID-19.” The Miami Times, 24 Apr. 2020, www.miamitimesonline.com/covid-19_hub/man-drinks-a-bottle-of-rubbing-alcohol-for-covid-19/article_0a2a9cfa-8626-11ea-a76a-07f198b5e75f.html.

Bult, Laura. “Church That Peddles Bleach as 'Miracle Cure' for Autism Continues to Be Scrutinized by Authorities, at Least One Person Prosecuted  .” Nydailynews.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2018, www.nydailynews.com/news/national/feds-monitor-church-sells-bleach-cure-autism-article-1.2846245.

Dickson, EJ. “QAnon YouTubers Are Telling People to Drink Bleach to Ward Off Coronavirus.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2020, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/qanon-conspiracy-theorists-coronavirus-mms-bleach-youtube-twitter-944878/.

“Doctor Turned Minister Prescribed Cancer Patients Herbs And Prayer, Charging Them Thousands - Oxygen.” Parkinson FIT, 27 May 2013, parkinson.fit/feed-items/doctor-turned-minister-prescribed-cancer-patients-herbs-and-prayer-charging-them-thousands-oxygen/.

“Former Chicagoan Touts Coronavirus 'Rescue' Previously Barred in Illinois.” NBC Chicago, NBC Chicago, 28 Apr. 2020, www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/former-chicagoan-touts-coronavirus-rescue-previously-barred-in-illinois/2262617/.

Galli, Cindy, et al. “Shameless: The High Priests of Snake Oil Offer Miracle Cures.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 28 Oct. 2016, abcnews.go.com/US/shameless-high-priests-snake-oil-offer-miracle-cures/story?id=43111532.

“Genesis 2 Church - 606459 - 04/08/2020.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 8 Apr. 2020, www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/genesis-2-church-606459-04082020.

Hamblin, James. “Why It's Important Not to Drink Bleach.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 25 Apr. 2020, www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/04/trump-bleach-coronavirus/610690/.

Humble, Jim. “A Word from Jim Humble.” Jim Humble's Website, jimhumble.co/.

Kang, Lydia, and Nate Pedersen. Quackery: a Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything. Workman Publishing, 2017.

Kunzelman, Michaeld. “'QAnon' Conspiracy Theory Creeps into Mainstream Politics.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 9 Feb. 2020, abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/qanon-conspiracy-theory-creeps-mainstream-politics-68860270.

LaMotte, Sandee. “'Inoculate Yourself with the Word of God': Religion and Medical Treatment.” CNN, Cable News Network, 7 Feb. 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/02/07/health/religion-medical-treatment/index.html.

Ono, David, and Lisa Bartley. “Group of SoCal Parents Secretly Try to Cure Kids with Autism Using Bleach.” ABC7 San Francisco, 29 Oct. 2016, abc7news.com/news/group-of-socal-parents-secretly-try-to-cure-kids-with-autism-using-bleach/1578833/.

Pasulka, Nicole. “When Women Used Lysol as Birth Control.” Mother Jones, 24 Apr. 2020, www.motherjones.com/media/2012/03/when-women-used-lysol-birth-control/.

Pilkington, Ed. “Revealed: Leader of Group Peddling Bleach as Coronavirus 'Cure' Wrote to Trump This Week.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 24 Apr. 2020, www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/revealed-leader-group-peddling-bleach-cure-lobbied-trump-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2PTe07Nm5c8MoilNQJTZBHkRXfT8yINJhCbDB7jsJbJiNLLIwteG283Bc.

Robbins, Martin. “The Man Who Encourages the Sick and Dying to Drink Industrial Bleach | Martin Robbins.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 15 Sept. 2010, www.theguardian.com/science/2010/sep/15/miracle-mineral-solutions-mms-bleach.

Shorman, Jonathan, and Francesca Chambers. “Kansas Official Says Man Drank Cleaner after Trump Floated Dangerous Disinfectant Remedy.” Kansas, The Wichita Eagle, 27 Apr. 2020, www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article242326966.html.

Smith, Benjamin H. “Doctor Turned Minister Prescribed Cancer Patients Herbs And Prayer, Charging Them Thousands.” Oxygen Official Site, 10 July 2019, www.oxygen.com/license-to-kill/crime-time/dr-christine-daniel-herbs-prayer-fraud-cancer-sonrise.

Sirucek, Stefan. “The Parents Who Give Their Children Bleach Enemas to 'Cure' Them ofAutism.” Vice, 12 Mar. 2015, www.vice.com/en_uk/article/kwxq3w/parents-are-giving-their-children-bleach-enemas-to-cure-them-of-autism-311.

“Undeserved Aspersion Against Church of Scientology.” Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination (STAND), 31 Jan. 2018, www.standleague.org/news/media-watch/20180131-unwarranted-aspersion-against-church-of-scientology.html.

Strange Country Episode 140: Quacks

America's "doctors" don't seem to be dispensing the best advice during the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Oz says opening up schools is appetizing. Dr. Phil says more people die crashing cars into swimming pools yet we don't close the country for that. And Dr. Drew downplayed the virus for weeks. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly talk about these purveyors of quackery disguised as medical expertise, and Beth gets very real about her feelings.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Allen, Evan, and David Armstrong. “Dr. Phil Says He Rescues People from Addiction. Others Say His Show Puts Guests’ Health at Risk.” The Boston Globe, 28 Dec. 2018, https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2017/12/28/phil-says-rescues-people-from-addiction-others-say-his-show-puts-some-guests-health-risk/QJKZaxpyYU4TI25MFmNu5N/story.html.

Arnold, Catharine. “Eat More Onions!: Desperate and Massively Debatable Medical Advice from 1918.” Lapham's Quarterly, 13 Sept. 2018, www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/eat-more-onions.

Barbash, Fred. “'Dr. Drew' Show Canceled Days after Host's Negative Speculation about Hillary Clinton's Health.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 26 Aug. 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/08/26/dr-drew-show-canceled-days-after-his-negative-speculation-about-hillary-clintons-health/.

Belluz, Julia, and Steven J. Hoffman. “Dr. Oz's Miracle Diet Advice Is Malarkey.” Slate Magazine, 1 Jan. 2013, www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/01/can_you_trust_dr_oz_his_medical_advice_often_conflicts_with_the_best_science.single.html.

Bercovici, Jeff. “Dr. Oz's Five Wackiest Medical Beliefs.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 28 Jan. 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2013/01/28/dr-ozs-five-wackiest-medical-beliefs/#211d8d211162.

Carlson, Erin. “Dr. Drew: No More 'Celebrity Rehab' After Cast Member Deaths.” The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2013, www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dr-drew-no-more-celebrity-451576.

Celizic, Mike. “Spears' Parents Say Dr. Phil Violated Their Trust.” TODAY.com, 9 Jan. 2008, www.today.com/popculture/spears-parents-say-dr-phil-violated-their-trust-wbna22570295.

Cramer, Maria. “Dr. Oz Faces Backlash After Saying Schools Could Reopen.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/business/media/dr-oz-apology-coronavirus.html.

Dell, Steven J. “What's Wrong with Dr. Oz?” Missouri Medicine, Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6167233/.

De Moraes, Lisa. The Washington Post, WP Company, 1 Oct. 2004, www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63905-2004Sep30.html.

Eakin, Marah. “Adam Carolla Doesn't Think Women Are Funny.” AV Club, 23 Aug. 2017, news.avclub.com/adam-carolla-doesn-t-think-women-are-funny-1798231845.

Ehrenreich, Barbara. Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. Picador, 2010.

Ember, Sydney. “Dr. Oz to Respond on Show to Criticism by Physicians.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Apr. 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/business/media/dr-oz-to-respond-on-show-to-criticism-by-physicians.html.

Essig, Laurie. “Dr. Phil's Very Bad Advice.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 10 Feb. 2011, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-inc/201102/dr-phils-very-bad-advice.

Gandhi, Lakshmi. “A History Of 'Snake Oil Salesmen'.” NPR, NPR, 26 Aug. 2013, www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/08/26/215761377/a-history-of-snake-oil-salesmen.

Goldschmidt, Debra. “Doctors Want Mehmet Oz to Resign Position at Columbia.” CNN, Cable News Network, 23 Apr. 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/04/17/health/dr-oz-columbia-letter/.

“'Grease' Actor Jeff Conaway's Death Ruled Accidental.” CNN, Cable News Network, 3 Oct. 2011, www.cnn.com/2011/10/03/showbiz/ent-jeff-conaway-dead/index.html.

Hamblin, James. “Senators Told Dr. Oz to Stop Claiming That Diet Pills Are Miracles.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 18 June 2014, www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/06/magic-weight-loss-pills-may-not-exist/372958/.

Herper, Matthew. “Feds Say Dr. Drew Was Paid By Glaxo To Talk Up Antidepressant.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 17 Dec. 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2012/07/02/feds-say-dr-drew-was-paid-by-glaxo-to-talk-up-antidepressant/#504684bb51ec.

Kang, Lydia, and Nate Pedersen. Quackery: a Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything. Workman Publishing, 2017.

Milsten, Andrew. “1918 Influenza Pandemic: A United States Timeline.” ACEP // Home Page, www.acep.org/how-we-serve/sections/disaster-medicine/news/april-2018/1918-influenza-pandemic-a-united-states-timeline/.

Pan, J.C. “The Pandemic's Shameless Profiteers.” The New Republic, 3 Apr. 2020, newrepublic.com/article/157150/coronavirus-pandemic-hucksters-alex-jones-big-pharma.

Parton, Jon. “Dr. Phil Guest Claims He Exploited Her Mental Illness for Profit.” CNS, 11 Feb. 2019, www.courthousenews.com/dr-phil-guest-claims-he-exploited-her-mental-illness-for-profit/.

Paul Farhi, Elahe Izadi. “Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz Aren't Coronavirus Experts. So Why Are They Talking about It on TV News?” The Washington Post, WP Company, 18 Apr. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/dr-phil-and-dr-oz-arent-coronavirus-experts-so-why-are-they-talking-about-it-on-tv-news/2020/04/17/09c2c410-80bb-11ea-a3ee-13e1ae0a3571_story.html.

Poniewozik, James. “On 'Dr. Oz,' Trump Offers Placebo Transparency.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 15 Sept. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/09/16/arts/television/on-dr-oz-trump-offers-placebo-transparency.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

Romano, Tricia. “Dr. Phil McGraw: Six Lawsuits and Scandals, Natalee Holloway, Ted Williams & More.” The Daily Beast, The Daily Beast Company, 17 Mar. 2011, www.thedailybeast.com/dr-phil-mcgraw-six-lawsuits-and-scandals-natalee-holloway-ted-williams-and-more.

Ryan, Andrew. "Hooked on junk: an addictive TV prescription." Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada], 21 Dec. 2010, p. R3. Gale OneFile: News, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A244928038/STND?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=STND&xid=371667a8. Accessed 21 Apr. 2020.

“Sen McCaskill Questions Dr. Oz on 'Flowery' Language on His Show.” CSPAN, 17 June 2014, www.c-span.org/video/?c4501095/sen-mccaskill-questions-dr-oz-flowery-language-show.

Siese, April. "It's Time to Turn Off TV Doctors: From Shady Business Deals to the Lust for Fame, Television Doctors are among the Last People we should Trust when it Comes to Health Advice." The Daily Beast, Jun 23, 2014. ProQuest, https://search-proquest-cay.orc.scoolaid.net/docview/1648993128?accountid=34664.

Slisco, Aila. “Coronavirus Quack Cures like Cow Urine, Fasting and Cognac Are Being Promoted by Authority Figures around the World.” Newsweek, Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2020, www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-quack-cures-like-cow-urine-fasting-cognac-are-being-promoted-authority-figures-1498441?fbclid=IwAR2M2skuimc5AHZX65kemaEKe-PbI28NZkZv7cPsOqrQffLOS1lNaepP-aU.

Specter, Michael. “The Operator.” The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2013, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/02/04/the-operator.

Wingert, Pat, and Aram Roston. "All in the family." Newsweek, vol. 159, no. 16, 18 Apr. 2012, p. 28. Gale OneFile: Popular Magazines, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A285874058/PPPM?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=PPPM&xid=e05eee7b. Accessed 20 Apr. 2020.

Yahr, Emily. “The Long and Winding Evolution of Dr. Drew, Back in the Spotlight after a Coronavirus Controversy.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 13 Apr. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/04/13/dr-drew-pinsky-coronavirus-loveline/.

Strange Country Episode 139: Circleville Letters

In 1977, Mary Gillespie received an anonymous letter that would throw her life into a tailspin. She wasn't the only Circleville, OH resident to get one. For nearly two decades, an anonymous scribe unsettled the minds of residents of that town with his or her poison pen. Join Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly as they take on this murky tale and test theories about who the anonymous writer could have been.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Almazan, Stephanie. “The Sinister Mystery of the Circleville Letter Writer.” The Lineup, 1 July 2015, the-line-up.com/circleville-letter-writer.

Baragona, Justin. “Kellyanne Attacks WHO's Command of 'Facts and Figures' With Nonsensical 'COVID-1' Dig.” The Daily Beast, The Daily Beast Company, 15 Apr. 2020, www.thedailybeast.com/kellyanne-conway-attacks-whos-command-of-facts-and-figures-with-nonsensical-covid-1-dig.

Bridges, Tony. “Where Did 'Poison Pen' Come From?” Pen Vibe, 28 Feb. 2020, blog.penvibe.com/where-did-poison-pen-come-from/.

“Circleville Writer.” Unsolved Mysteries Wiki, unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Circleville_Writer.

Hewitt, Les. “Terrifying Letters: The Watcher House of Westfield, NJ.” Historic Mysteries, 7 Mar. 2020, www.historicmysteries.com/watcher-of-westfield/.

Kim, Allen. “'The Watcher' House Is Sold Years after a Family Was Terrorized with Creepy Letters.” CNN, Cable News Network, 13 Aug. 2019, www.cnn.com/2019/08/12/us/the-watcher-house-stalker-trnd/index.html.

“The Poison Pen: Who Wrote the Circleville Letters?” Medium, Medium, 26 Feb. 2020, medium.com/@truecrimetimesblog/the-poison-pen-who-wrote-the-circleville-letters-440a302d09ad.

Rees, Kieran. “Case File #0038: The Circleville Writer.” The True Crime Database - Case File, 2020, thetruecrimedatabase.com/case_file/the-circleville-writer.

Rupar, Aaron. “Trump Is Facing a Coronavirus Threat. Let's Look Back at How He Talked about Ebola.” Vox, Vox, 26 Feb. 2020, www.vox.com/2020/2/26/21154253/trump-ebola-tweets-coronavirus.

Silverman, Stephen M. “Candy Spelling Writes Poison-Pen Note to Tori.” PEOPLE.com, 27 July 2009, people.com/celebrity/candy-spelling-writes-poison-pen-note-to-tori/.

Wax, Alyse. “The Mysterious and Unexplained Incident of Ohio's Circleville Letters.” The 13th Floor, 21 Dec. 2017, www.the13thfloor.tv/2017/01/04/the-mysterious-and-unexplained-incident-of-ohios-circleville-letters/.

Williams, Patrick. “Why People Hide behind Angry, Anonymous Letters to Their Neighbours.” ABC News, 3 Mar. 2018, www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-03/why-people-hide-behind-angry-anonymous-letters-to-neighbours/9488764.

Strange Country Episode 138: Ted Williams

It’s true baseball and pandemics do not mix well. But that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about strange baseball stories- like that of the Kid, Mr. Wonderful, Ted Williams. But people are complicated and not just wonderful- there is always a little more to the story. And Ted Williams is like everyone; complicated. And his head is frozen in a Cryogenic Lab in Arizona- so there is that. Listen as Beth and Kelly show the world how to podcast using social distancing, and remind you: no cruises. Be well Readers. Stay home, stay safe and always Happy Listening.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite Your Sources Dude

Chambala, Bryan. Interview in our kitchen, 2020. 

Updike, John. Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu. Baseball A Literary Anthology. 2002 Library of America. 

Redeker, Bill, GMA Former Exec: Ted Wiliamms' Corpse Beheaded. Jan. 6, 2006 (2003 original dateline) https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=124808&page=1

Thompson, Wright. The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived On. ESPN, http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/12799493/ted-williams-legacy-preserved-daughter-claudia-williams.

Thomsen, Helen. Exclusive: Humans PLaced in Suspended Animation for the first Time. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2224004-exclusive-humans-placed-in-suspended-animation-for-the-first-time/

Strange Country Episode 137: Leper Colony

While in quarantine, enjoy another story about a forced quarantine, this time on the island of Molokai in Hawaii. In 1866, leprosy was labeled a crime and those who had it shipped off to die in exile. Join Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly as they discuss the deplorable conditions and the irrationality of fear.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Adams, Cecil. “What Was the Deal with Jimmy Carter and the Killer Rabbit?” The Straight Dope, The Straight Dope, 23 Jan. 2019, www.straightdope.com/columns/read/950/what-was-the-deal-with-jimmy-carter-and-the-killer-rabbit/.

DeStafano, Lorenzo. “PBS Hawai'i.” Kalaupapa | PBS Hawai'i, 9 Oct. 2019, www.pbshawaii.org/tag/kalaupapa/.

“Father Damien.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/kala/learn/historyculture/damien.htm.

“History of Scientific Women.” Alice BALL, scientificwomen.net/women/ball-alice-121.

“Kalaupapa National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/kala/index.htm.

Khazan, Olga. “The Psychology of Irrational Fear.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 31 Oct. 2014, www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/10/the-psychology-of-irrational-fear/382080/.

“Leprosy's Tragic Past Recalled in NIH Exhibit - Fogarty International Center @ NIH.” Fogarty International Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.fic.nih.gov/News/GlobalHealthMatters/may-june-2012/Pages/leprosy-nlm-exhibit.aspx.

Tayman, John. The Colony: the Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai. Scribner, 2006.

Turner-Neal, Chris. “An Indefinite Sentence.” Country Roads Magazine, 26 Sept. 2017, countryroadsmagazine.com/art-and-culture/people-places/an-indefinite-sentence/.

“What Is Leprosy?” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 16 Sept. 2016, www.who.int/lep/disease/en/.

Wong, Alia. “People With Leprosy Were Exiled There-Should It Be a Tourist Destination?” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 2 Oct. 2015, www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/05/when-the-last-patient-dies/394163/.

“World Leprosy Day: Bust the Myths, Learn the Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Jan. 2018, www.cdc.gov/features/world-leprosy-day/index.html.

Strange Country Episode 136: Christian Longo

To get our minds off the mass murder some Republicans are willing to commit to boost the stock market, Strange Country will focus on another mass murderer who killed his entire family before flying to Cancun to impersonate a New York Times reporter. Join Beth and Kelly on the strange topic of Christian Longo who murdered his wife and three young children in 2001.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Epps, Garrett. “The Real Christian Longo Is Far More Depraved Than James Franco's Character in True Story.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 24 Apr. 2015, www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2015/04/the-real-story-behind-true-story/391376/.

Finkel, Michael. “THE JOURNALIST AND THE MURDERER: Vanity Fair: June 2005.” Vanity Fair | The Complete Archive, Vanity Fair, 1 June 2005, archive.vanityfair.com/article/2005/6/the-journalist-and-the-murderer.

Finkel, Michael. True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa. HarperPerennial, 2015.

“Oregon Man Guilty Of Killing His Family Gets Death Sentence.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Apr. 2003, www.nytimes.com/2003/04/17/us/oregon-man-guilty-of-killing-his-family-gets-death-sentence.html.

“The Pretender: The Case of Christian Longo.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, www.cbsnews.com/news/the-pretender-christian-longo-and-michael-finkel/.

Smith, Carlton. Love, Daddy. St. Martins Paperbacks, 2003.

Strange Country Episode 135: Covid-19

If there's anything that makes this a strange country, it's a pandemic. Strange Country co-hosts discuss the one topic that is affecting all of us--improper use of toilet paper. Oh and COVID-19. Beth rails against the Trump Administration's incompetent response (SHOCKER!) and Kelly puts her optimistic spin on things. We are all in this together, dash hounds. Stay safe and stay in.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Achenbach, Joel, et al. “Trump Budget Cuts Funding for Health, Science, Environment Agencies.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 10 Feb. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/science/trump-budget-cuts-funding-for-health-science-environment-agencies/2020/02/10/9c8dd784-4c2d-11ea-b721-9f4cdc90bc1c_story.html

Baker, Peter. “For Trump, Coronavirus Proves to Be an Enemy He Can't Tweet Away.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Mar. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/03/08/us/politics/trump-coronavirus.html.

Baker, Sam. “The Problems with Our Coronavirus Testing Are Worse than You Think.” Axios, 16 Mar. 2020, www.axios.com/coronavirus-outbreak-testing-delays-60a25ce6-f08d-438f-b294-358e0c300d95.html.

Bump, Philip. “Analysis | Which Is Trump More Worried about: Coronavirus Numbers or Coronavirus Patients?” The Washington Post, WP Company, 7 Mar. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/07/which-is-trump-more-worried-about-coronavirus-numbers-or-coronavirus-patients/.

Chait, Jonathan. “Donald Trump Turns to Always-Wrong Pseudo-Economist Lawrence Kudlow.” Intelligencer, Intelligencer, 19 Dec. 2016, nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/12/trump-turns-to-always-wrong-pseudo-economist-lawrence-kudlow.html.

Chen, Caroline, et al. “Key Missteps at the CDC Have Set Back Its Ability to Detect the Potential Spread of Coronavirus.” ProPublica, 4 Mar. 2020, www.propublica.org/article/cdc-coronavirus-covid-19-test.

Choi, Mattew. “Trump Puts Pence in Charge of Coronavirus Response.” POLITICO, 26 Feb. 2020, www.politico.com/news/2020/02/26/trump-puts-pence-in-charge-of-coronavirus-response-117790.

Coppins, McKay. “Trump's Dangerously Effective Coronavirus Propaganda.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 16 Mar. 2020, www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/03/trump-coronavirus-threat/607825/.

“Coronavirus Live Updates: Trump Says to Limit Gatherings to 10 People.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 16 Mar. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/world/live-coronavirus-news-updates.html.

Cuomo, Andrew. “Andrew Cuomo to President Trump: Mobilize the Military to Help Fight Coronavirus.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 15 Mar. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/opinion/andrew-cuomo-coronavirus-trump.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage.

Derek Hawkins, Hannah Natanson. “Coronavirus Screening Causes Massive Bottlenecks at O'Hare and Other U.S. Airports.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 15 Mar. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2020/03/14/europe-travel-ban-airport-delays/.

Diamond, Dan. “Trump's Mismanagement Helped Fuel Coronavirus Crisis.” POLITICO, www.politico.com/news/2020/03/07/trump-coronavirus-management-style-123465.

“'Don't Believe the Numbers You See': Johns Hopkins Professor Says up to 500,000 Americans Have Coronavirus.” Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo!, 13 Mar. 2020, finance.yahoo.com/news/marty-makary-on-coronavirus-in-the-us-183558545.html.

Drucker, Jesse, and Jessica Silver-greenberg. “Trump Administration Is Relaxing Oversight of Nursing Homes.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 14 Mar. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/business/trump-administration-nursing-homes.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage.

Engelberg, Stephen, et al. “How South Korea Scaled Coronavirus Testing While the U.S. Fell Dangerously Behind.” ProPublica, 15 Mar. 2020, www.propublica.org/article/how-south-korea-scaled-coronavirus-testing-while-the-us-fell-dangerously-behind.

“Fact Check: A List of 28 Ways President Trump and His Team Have Been Dishonest about the Coronavirus.” The Mercury News, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2020, www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/11/fact-check-a-list-of-28-ways-trump-and-his-team-have-been-dishonest-about-the-coronavirus/.

Glenn Kessler, Meg Kelly. “Analysis | Tracking Trump's False or Misleading Coronavirus Claims.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 14 Mar. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/14/tracking-trumps-false-or-misleading-coronavirus-claims/.

Holshue, Michelle L., et al. “First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States: NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, 5 Mar. 2020, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2001191.

Johnson, Carolyn Y., and Laura McGinley. “What Went Wrong with the Coronavirus Tests in the U.S.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 7 Mar. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/health/what-went-wrong-with-the-coronavirus-tests/2020/03/07/915f5dea-5d82-11ea-b29b-9db42f7803a7_story.html.

Jon Swaine, Maria Sacchetti. “As Washington Nursing Home Assumed It Faced Influenza Outbreak, Opportunities to Control Coronavirus Exposure Passed.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 16 Mar. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/nursing-home-with-the-biggest-cluster-of-covid-19-deaths-to-date-in-the-us-thought-it-was-facing-an-influenza-outbreak-a-spokesman-says/2020/03/16/c256b0ee-6460-11ea-845d-e35b0234b136_story.html.

Lutz, Eric. “Trump Reportedly Afraid Coronavirus Testing Could Hurt Reelection Chances.” Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 13 Mar. 2020, www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/03/trump-reportedly-afraid-coronavirus-testing-could-hurt-reelection-chances.

Mindock, Clark. “Coronavirus Death Toll Could Reach up to 1.7million in US.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 15 Mar. 2020, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-death-toll-worst-case-scenario-millions-dead-in-us-a9402276.html?fbclid=IwAR32r0_urkE9HK7Z57aiJzVtMxaKK4f71XW-dQ870xxUw3DWalKAowxl8g4.

Scarr, Simon, et al. “2019 Coronavirus: The Korean Clusters.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 3 Mar. 2020, graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-SOUTHKOREA-CLUSTERS/0100B5G33SB/index.html.

Sorkin, Amy Davidson. “Mike Pence and the Farce of Trusting Donald Trump on the Coronavirus.” The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2020, www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/mike-pence-and-the-farce-of-trusting-donald-trump-on-the-coronavirus.

Stevens, Harry. “These Simulations Show How to Flatten the Coronavirus Growth Curve.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 14 Mar. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/?fbclid=IwAR0W8W20H5tjuBnIIeIUuOQNrPbe52YwzrvmRF5HK0y0wUzeD9JbkXCpvZc.

Strange Country Episode 134: Brittany Smith

Yes it ain’t. That is Kelly and Beth’s stance on womanhood fun these days. Listen in as we discuss the sad but true tale of Brittany Smith of Alabama. We read this article "How Far Can Abused Women Go to Protect Themselves" in The New Yorker and got damn angry. But you Dash Hounds know it doesn’t take much to get us riled up. Thank you always for listening and we hope this short and angry episode is a small distraction from the germ-filled world around us.

Theme music: To Be A Woman by A Cast of Thousands

Strange Country Episode 133: Sarah Bennett redux

Well Dear Readers, if you don't need another refill of Beth's Nexium prescription, stick with us this week for a new topic. Sarah Bennett was one of our early Strange Country topics (episode 18 if you are working as one of our personal historians). And her story was right up our alley, with bizarre over-mothering, wild woman of the woods ways, and a finale of life in and insane asylum. But sadly, Kelly was not on her A-game during the writing and research of this story, and missed a lot of clues that kept the story stuck with the white male journalist of the 1900's narrative. Thanks to Dr. Eliza Darling, Hamilton County Historian, our empathetic side will shine once again and we will present to you this week the true story of Sarah Bennett. Thanks always for listening.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Strange Country Episode 132: NXIVM: Part IV

We have reached the zenith or the nadir of our look into NXIVM, the self-help sex slave cult in Albany. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly slog through to the bitter end and test their acting chops with some outstanding readers' theater. What do you make it mean, dash hounds?

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Barnes, Steve. “NXIVM Doctor Facing State Charges.” Times Union, Times Union, 7 May 2018, www.timesunion.com/nxivm/article/NXIVM-doctor-facing-state-charges-12890993.php.

Dickson, EJ. “Former Slave Describes Allison Mack's Alleged Abusive, Terrifying Behavior in Detail.” Rolling Stone, 11 June 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/nxivm-trial-allison-mack-sex-slave-nicole-abuse-keith-raniere-845830/.

Dickson, EJ. “How NXIVM Was the Ultimate Wellness Scam.” Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/nxivm-keith-raniere-wellness-scam-sex-cult-848439/.

Edmondson, Sarah, and Kristine Gasbarre. Scarred: the True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life. Chronicle Prism, 2019.

“Full-Text of Raniere Affidavit.”  NXIVM Corporation vs The Ross Institute. United States District Court Northern District of NY. https://frankreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2003-full-text-of-_raniere-affidavit-ross-case_.pdf.

Gavin, Robert. “Feds Call Raniere 'Crime Boss' at Opening of NXIVM Leader's Trial.” Times Union, Times Union, 8 May 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Feds-call-Raniere-crime-boss-at-opening-of-13825446.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM Founder Raniere Guilty on All Counts.” Times Union, Times Union, 20 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-founder-Raniere-guilty-on-all-counts-14018002.php#photo-17476102.

Gavin, Robert. “Messages Suggest Girl Was 15 When Raniere Relationship Began.” Times Union, Times Union, 6 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Messages-suggest-Raniere-s-relationship-with-13939595.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM's Neighborhood Shocked Anew by Trial Revelations.” Times Union, Times Union, 5 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Knox-Woods-suburban-development-and-unofficial-13925699.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM Trial: 'Complete Meltdown' for Ex-Lover.” Times Union, Times Union, 18 May 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Purchase-of-bondage-devices-brought-up-at-NXIVM-13853726.php.

Gavin, Robert. “Raniere Wanted Branding Ceremony to Resemble Ritual Sacrifice.” Times Union, Times Union, 23 May 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Raniere-wanted-branding-ceremony-to-resemble-13872965.php.

Gavin, Robert. “Salzman Describes Raniere's Arrest in Mexico.” Times Union, Times Union, 21 May 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Salzman-describes-Raniere-s-arrest-in-Mexico-13866891.php.

Grigoriadis, Vanessa. “Inside Nxivm, the 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 May 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/magazine/sex-cult-empowerment-nxivm-keith-raniere.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

Hughes, Steve. “NXIVM President Nancy Salzman Pleads Guilty as Raniere Faces New Charges.” Times Union, Times Union, 14 Mar. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-President-Nancy-Salzman-pleads-guilty-in-13685799.php.

Lipson, Dianne. “Dani's Incredible, Horrifying, Emotional Story of Being Confined in a Room for Two Years.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 31 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/30/danis-incredible-horrifying-emotional-story-of-being-confined-in-a-room-for-two-years/.

Lipson, Dianne. “Dani: Jealous Keith Locked Himself in Bathroom When He Learned About Her Affair With Ben Myers.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 30 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/28/dani-jealous-keith-locked-himself-in-bathroom-when-he-learned-about-her-affair-with-ben-myers/.

Lipson, Dianne. “Dani: Raniere's Insane Jealousy and Obsessive Behavior Over Ben Myers Touching Her.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 29 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/29/dani-ranieres-insane-jealousy-and-obsessive-behavior-over-ben-myers-touching-her/.

Lipson, Dianne. “Dani's Testimony Part 1 – How She Got Into Nxivm and How Keith 'Helped Her.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 25 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/24/danis-testimony-part-1-how-she-got-into-nxivm-and-how-keith-helped-her/.

Lipson, Dianne. “Lauren Salzman's Sensational and Damning Testimony.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 24 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/18/lauren-salzmans-sensational-and-damning-testimony/.

Lyons, Brendan J. “2018 In Review: NXIVM Leaders Indicted.” Times Union, Times Union, 12 Mar. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/2018-in-review-NXIVM-leaders-indicted-13493886.php.

Lyons, Brendan J. “Allison Mack Pleads Guilty in NXIVM Case.” Times Union, Times Union, 9 Apr. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Allison-Mack-to-plead-guilty-in-NXIVM-case-13750027.php.

Lyons, Brendan J., and Abigail Rubel. “Bronfman, Russell Plead Guilty in NXIVM Case.” Times Union, Times Union, 20 Apr. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Bronfman-Russell-to-plead-guilty-in-NXIVM-case-13780718.php.

Lyons, Brendan J. “Bronfman, Salzman and Two More Charged with Federal Crimes in NXIVM Probe.” Times Union, Times Union, 25 July 2018, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Bronfman-Salzman-and-two-more-charged-with-13100041.php.

Lyons, Brendan J. “Guilty Plea Ends Salzman's Long Allegiance to Raniere.” Times Union, Times Union, 21 Mar. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Guilty-plea-of-Salzman-ends-her-long-allegiance-13691433.php.

Lyons, Brendan J. “Law Enforcement Has Fielded NXIVM Complaints for Years.” Times Union, Times Union, 13 Nov. 2017, www.timesunion.com/local/article/Law-enforcement-has-fielded-NXIVM-complaints-for-12348611.php.

Lyons, Brendan J. “Lawsuit Targets Keith Raniere and NXIVM Associates.” Times Union, Times Union, 29 Jan. 2020, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Federal-lawsuit-accuses-Raniere-and-his-NXIVM-15007930.php.

Lyons, Brendan J. “NXIVM Founder Keith Raniere Seeks Bail, Calls Justice Department 'Morality Police'.” Times Union, Times Union, 6 June 2018, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-founder-Keith-Raniere-seeks-bail-calls-12971610.php.

Lyons, Brendan J. “NXIVM President Nancy Salzman to Plead Guilty.” Times Union, Times Union, 12 Mar. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-President-Nancy-Salzman-to-plead-guilty-13682707.php

Lyons, Brendan J. “Raniere Stands Alone.” Times Union, Times Union, 5 Feb. 2020, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Raniere-stands-alone-13795442.php.

Meier, Barry. “Once Idolized, Guru of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' to Stand Trial Alone.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/nyregion/nxivm-keith-raniere-trial.html.

Moynihan, Colin, and Michael Gold. “Allison Mack of 'Smallville' Pleads Guilty in Case of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Where Women Were Branded.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Apr. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/nyregion/nxivm-allison-mack.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

Moynihan, Colin. “Former Sex Cult Official Describes Its 'Evil' Inner Workings.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “Life as a Nxivm 'Slave': Branding, Whippings and Cold Showers.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html?searchResultPosition=5.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Branding Was Scripted by Sex Cult Leader to Be 'Like a Sacrifice'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/26/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial-branding.html.

Moynihan, Colin, and Emily Palmer. “Nxivm Trial: Allison Mack Lured Woman Into Sex Cult, She Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/07/nyregion/nxivm-trial-keith-raniere.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Trial: Sex Cult Was Like 'Horror Movie' Prosecutor Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/17/nyregion/nxivm-trial-sex-cult-raniere.html?searchResultPosition=6.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Trial: Sex Cult Leader Confined Woman in a Room for 2 Years in Jealous Rage.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/nyregion/nxivm-sex-cult.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “In Nxivm Trial, a Woman Lured Into Sex With Cult Leader Describes His Harem.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html?searchResultPosition=10.

“NXIVM Judge Delays Sentencing of Seagram's Heiress Clare Bronfman.” Times Union, Times Union, 19 Dec. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-judge-delays-sentencing-of-Seagram-s-14919236.php.

Odato, James M., and Jennifer Gish. “In Raniere's Shadows.” Times Union, Times Union, 24 Apr. 2019, www.timesunion.com/local/article/In-Raniere-s-shadows-3341644.php.

Ottaway, Amanda. “NXIVM 'Sex Lair' Sought in Forfeiture Action.” NXIVM 'Sex Lair' Sought in Forfeiture Action, 23 May 2018, www.courthousenews.com/ncivm-sex-lair-sought-in-us-forfeiture-action/.

Oxenberg, Catherine, and Natasha Stoynoff. Captive: a Mothers Crusade to Save Her Daughter from a Terrifying Cult. Gallery Books, 2018.

Parlato, Frank. “How Lauren Salzman Described Her Branding Session.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 15 Dec. 2019, frankreport.com/2019/12/12/how-lauren-salzman-described-her-branding-session/.

Parlato, Frank. “Lauren Salzman Finds Out Keith Is a Coward – Tells Gripping Story of His Arrest.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 5 Feb. 2020, frankreport.com/2020/02/05/lauren-salzman-finds-out-keith-is-a-coward-and-tells-gripping-story-of-his-arrest/.

Parlato, Frank. “Lauren Salzman Recruited Sarah Edmondson by Lying and Agreed Sarah Should Cuckold Her Husband If Raniere Commanded.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 13 Dec. 2019, frankreport.com/2019/12/13/lauren-salzman-recruited-sarah-edmondson-by-lying-and-agreed-sarah-should-cuckold-her-husband-if-raniere-commanded/.

Parlato, Frank. “Lauren Salzman Sent to Mind-F–k Gay Woman Who Did Not Want Keith as a Sperm Donor.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 23 Dec. 2019, frankreport.com/2019/12/23/lauren-salzman-sent-to-mind-f-k-gay-woman-who-did-not-want-keith-as-a-sperm-donor/.

Parlato, Frank. “Mad Lauren Salzman: We Looked for a Virgin Successor for Keith Who Could Live for Him and Through Him When He Died.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 7 Feb. 2020, frankreport.com/2020/02/06/mad-lauren-salzman-we-looked-for-a-virgin-successor-for-keith-who-could-live-for-him-and-through-him-when-he-died/.

Parlato, Frank. “Part 3: In-Depth: Dani's Testimony: Raniere Grooms the Virgin for Sex for Her 18th Birthday.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 25 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/25/part-3-in-depth-danis-testimony-raniere-grooms-the-virgin-for-sex-for-her-18th-birthday/.

Parlato, Frank. “Part 4: In-Depth: Dani's Testimony: She Loses Her Virginity – or Does She?” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 25 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/25/part-4-in-depth-danis-testimony-she-loses-her-virginity-or-does-she/.

Parlato, Frank. “Part 6: In Depth: Dani's Testimony: Threesomes With Kathy Russell and Naked Pictures.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 26 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/26/part-6-in-depth-danis-testimony-threesomes-with-kathy-russell-and-naked-pictures/.

Reuters. “Seagram Heiress Clare Bronfman Pleads Guilty in Alleged Sex Cult Case.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 Apr. 2019, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/19/nxivm-cult-seagram-heiress-clare-bronfman-pleads-guilty.

Saul, Emily, and Lia Eustachewich. “'Slave Master' Recounts Horrifying Details of Relationship with Nxivm Leader.” New York Post, New York Post, 17 May 2019, nypost.com/2019/05/17/slave-master-recounts-horrifying-details-of-relationship-with-nxivm-leader/.

Voytko, Lisette. “Nxivm Leader’s Text Messages With Sex ‘Slave.’” Forbes, 6 June 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2019/06/06/nxivm-leaders-text-messages-with-sex-slave/#26c431f8b6b0.

Yakowicz, Will. “From Heiress To Felon: How Clare Bronfman Wound Up In 'Cult-Like' Group Nxivm.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 1 Feb. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/31/from-heiress-to-felon-how-clare-bronfman-wound-up-in-cult-like-group-nxivm/#3e27acc93ecf.

Yacowicz, Will. “When We Exposed Keith Raniere, The Leader Of The Nxivm ‘Sex Cult.’” Forbes, 15 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/15/keith-raniere-the-leader-of-the-nxivm-sex-cult/#2268d70435a9.

Yacowicz, Will. “Nxivm Trial Witness: We Hacked Billionaire Edgar Bronfman Sr.’s Email.” Forbes, 29 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/29/nxivm-trial-witness-we-hacked-billionaire-edgar-bronfman-srs-email/#105aa469156e.

Strange Country Episode 131: NXIVM: Part III

Welcome back, cultees! We can call you that, right? Well if it feels wrong then it must be right according to NXIVM. We're now in Part III and things are getting darker and more horrible. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly delve into DOS, a master/slave group billed as super empowering. Get ready for branding, readiness drills and puppy plugs!

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

"Abrams wants 'buying club' shut down." UPI Archive: Domestic News, 19 Apr. 1993. Gale OneFile: News, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A441989770/STND?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=STND&xid=f0b0f545. Accessed 26 Jan. 2020.

Aron, Nina Renata. “What Does Misogyny Look Like?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Mar. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/style/misogyny-women-history-photographs.html.

Berman, Sarah. “How NXIVM Ripped Through This Group of Canadian Actors.” Vice, 12 Sept. 2018, www.vice.com/en_us/article/a38dzj/how-nxivm-ripped-through-this-group-of-canadian-actors.

Berman, Sarah. “The NXIVM 'Sex Cult' Story Keeps Getting More Disturbing.” Vice, 20 May 2019, www.vice.com/en_ca/article/evyb5j/the-nxivm-sex-cult-story-keeps-getting-more-disturbing.

Berman, Sarah. “What It's Like to Be Surveilled and Sued by NXIVM.” Vice, 13 June 2019, www.vice.com/en_ca/article/j5wk88/what-its-like-to-be-surveilled-and-sued-by-nxivm.

Bryant, Kenzie. “How NXIVM Used a Simple Tool to Build Its ‘Sex Cult.’” Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 27 June 2018, www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/06/keith-raniere-nxivm-patents-luciferian.

Dickson, EJ. “Former Slave Describes Allison Mack's Alleged Abusive, Terrifying Behavior in Detail.” Rolling Stone, 11 June 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/nxivm-trial-allison-mack-sex-slave-nicole-abuse-keith-raniere-845830/.

Dickson, EJ. “How NXIVM Was the Ultimate Wellness Scam.” Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/nxivm-keith-raniere-wellness-scam-sex-cult-848439/.

Dickson, EJ. “Keith Raniere's Alleged Sex Cult Was Extreme -- But His Misogynistic Views Were Horrifyingly Normal.” Rolling Stone, 10 May 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/keith-raniere-nxivm-misogyny-833427/.

Edmondson, Sarah, and Kristine Gasbarre. Scarred: the True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life. Chronicle Prism, 2019.

“Full-Text of Raniere Affidavit.”  NXIVM Corporation vs The Ross Institute. United States District Court Northern District of NY. https://frankreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2003-full-text-of-_raniere-affidavit-ross-case_.pdf.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM Founder Raniere Guilty on All Counts.” Times Union, Times Union, 20 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-founder-Raniere-guilty-on-all-counts-14018002.php#photo-17476102.

Gavin, Robert. “Messages Suggest Girl Was 15 When Raniere Relationship Began.” Times Union, Times Union, 6 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Messages-suggest-Raniere-s-relationship-with-13939595.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM's Neighborhood Shocked Anew by Trial Revelations.” Times Union, Times Union, 5 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Knox-Woods-suburban-development-and-unofficial-13925699.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM Trial: 'Complete Meltdown' for Ex-Lover.” Times Union, Times Union, 18 May 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Purchase-of-bondage-devices-brought-up-at-NXIVM-13853726.php.

Grigoriadis, Vanessa. “Inside Nxivm, the 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 May 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/magazine/sex-cult-empowerment-nxivm-keith-raniere.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

“Guinness Book IQ.” Hmolpedia, www.eoht.info/page/Guinness Book IQ

Hughes, Steve. “NXIVM President Nancy Salzman Pleads Guilty as Raniere Faces New Charges.” Times Union, Times Union, 14 Mar. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-President-Nancy-Salzman-pleads-guilty-in-13685799.php.

Iannelli, Jerry. “State Closes Midtown Miami School Tied to NXIVM ‘Sex Cult’ Leader.” Miami New Times, 4, 22 Feb. 2019, www.miaminewtimes.com/news/alejandro-sanzs-wifes-miami-school-closed-by-state-tied-to-nxivm-sex-cult-founder-10295903.

Levine, Jon. “New TV Special Links Nxivm Leader Keith Raniere to Deaths of Four Women.” New York Post, New York Post, 7 Dec. 2019, nypost.com/2019/12/07/new-tv-special-links-nxivm-leader-keith-raniere-to-deaths-of-four-women/.

Lipson, Dianne. “Lauren Salzman's Sensational and Damning Testimony.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 24 May 2019, frankreport.com/2019/05/18/lauren-salzmans-sensational-and-damning-testimony/.

Lyons, Brendan J. “Lawsuit Targets Keith Raniere and NXIVM Associates.” Times Union, Times Union, 29 Jan. 2020, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Federal-lawsuit-accuses-Raniere-and-his-NXIVM-15007930.php.

MacIntosh, Jeane. ”NXIVM’S VEXING EFFECT ON BELIEVERS." New York Post [New York, NY], 1 Oct. 2007, p. 09. SPN.SP01, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A169330334/SPN.SP01?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=SPN.SP01&xid=0f5e0de2. Accessed 26 Jan. 2020.

Meier, Barry. “Once Idolized, Guru of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' to Stand Trial Alone.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/nyregion/nxivm-keith-raniere-trial.html.

Moynihan, Colin, and Michael Gold. “Allison Mack of 'Smallville' Pleads Guilty in Case of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Where Women Were Branded.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Apr. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/nyregion/nxivm-allison-mack.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

Moynihan, Colin. “Former Sex Cult Official Describes Its 'Evil' Inner Workings.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “Life as a Nxivm 'Slave': Branding, Whippings and Cold Showers.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html?searchResultPosition=5.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Branding Was Scripted by Sex Cult Leader to Be 'Like a Sacrifice'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/26/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial-branding.html.

Moynihan, Colin, and Emily Palmer. “Nxivm Trial: Allison Mack Lured Woman Into Sex Cult, She Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/07/nyregion/nxivm-trial-keith-raniere.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Trial: Sex Cult Was Like 'Horror Movie' Prosecutor Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/17/nyregion/nxivm-trial-sex-cult-raniere.html?searchResultPosition=6.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Trial: Sex Cult Leader Confined Woman in a Room for 2 Years in Jealous Rage.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/nyregion/nxivm-sex-cult.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “In Nxivm Trial, a Woman Lured Into Sex With Cult Leader Describes His Harem.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html?searchResultPosition=10.

Natalie, Toni, and Chet Hardin. The Program: inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM. Grand Central Publishing, 2019.

“NXIVM.” Cult Education Institute :: Group Information Archives, culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm.html.

“NXIVM Judge Delays Sentencing of Seagram's Heiress Clare Bronfman.” Times Union, Times Union, 19 Dec. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-judge-delays-sentencing-of-Seagram-s-14919236.php.

Odato, James M., and Jennifer Gish. “In Raniere's Shadows.” Times Union, Times Union, 24 Apr. 2019, www.timesunion.com/local/article/In-Raniere-s-shadows-3341644.php.

Ottaway, Amanda. “NXIVM 'Sex Lair' Sought in Forfeiture Action.” NXIVM 'Sex Lair' Sought in Forfeiture Action, 23 May 2018, www.courthousenews.com/ncivm-sex-lair-sought-in-us-forfeiture-action/.

Oxenberg, Catherine, and Natasha Stoynoff. Captive: a Mothers Crusade to Save Her Daughter from a Terrifying Cult. Gallery Books, 2018.

Parlato, Frank. “Did Raniere Poison Pam Cafrtiz, Barbara Jeske, Kristin Keeffe and Karen Unterreiner?” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 29 Nov. 2019, frankreport.com/2019/11/29/did-raniere-poison-pam-cafrtiz-barbara-jeske-kristin-keeffe-and-karen-unterreiner/.

Parlato, Frank. FBI Should Investigate Bronfmans and Cult Leader Keith Raniere, 19 Nov. 2015, www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2015/NOV19/fbis.html.

Parlato, Frank. “Lauren Salzman Manages Her Slaves – With Cruelty and Insanity.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 22 Dec. 2019, frankreport.com/2019/12/17/lauren-salzman-manages-her-slaves-with-cruelty-and-insanity/.

Parlato, Frank. “How Lauren Salzman Described Her Branding Session.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 15 Dec. 2019, frankreport.com/2019/12/12/how-lauren-salzman-described-her-branding-session/.

Parlato, Frank. “Lauren Salzman Recruited Sarah Edmondson by Lying and Agreed Sarah Should Cuckold Her Husband If Raniere Commanded.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 13 Dec. 2019, frankreport.com/2019/12/13/lauren-salzman-recruited-sarah-edmondson-by-lying-and-agreed-sarah-should-cuckold-her-husband-if-raniere-commanded/.

Parlato, Frank. “Lauren Salzman Sent to Mind-F–k Gay Woman Who Did Not Want Keith as a Sperm Donor.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 23 Dec. 2019, frankreport.com/2019/12/23/lauren-salzman-sent-to-mind-f-k-gay-woman-who-did-not-want-keith-as-a-sperm-donor/.

Parlato, Frank. “Mad Lauren Salzman: We Looked for a Virgin Successor for Keith Who Could Live for Him and Through Him When He Died.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 7 Feb. 2020, frankreport.com/2020/02/06/mad-lauren-salzman-we-looked-for-a-virgin-successor-for-keith-who-could-live-for-him-and-through-him-when-he-died/.

Parry, Emma. “Leader of Sex Cult Nxivm May Have Poisoned Four Female Followers, Killing Two, Bombshell Investigation Claims.” The US Sun, The Sun, 8 Dec. 2019, www.the-sun.com/news/132334/leader-of-sex-cult-nxivm-may-have-poisoned-four-female-followers-killing-two-bombshell-investigation-claims/.

Reuters. “Seagram Heiress Clare Bronfman Pleads Guilty in Alleged Sex Cult Case.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 Apr. 2019, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/19/nxivm-cult-seagram-heiress-clare-bronfman-pleads-guilty.

Ross, Rick. “What Makes a Cult? | Rick Ross.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 27 May 2009, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/may/27/cults-definition-religion.

Saul, Emily, and Lia Eustachewich. “'Slave Master' Recounts Horrifying Details of Relationship with Nxivm Leader.” New York Post, New York Post, 17 May 2019, nypost.com/2019/05/17/slave-master-recounts-horrifying-details-of-relationship-with-nxivm-leader/.

Solomon, Deborah. “The Science of Second-Guessing.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 Dec. 2004, www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/magazine/the-science-of-secondguessing.html.

Voytko, Lisette. “Nxivm Leader’s Text Messages With Sex ‘Slave.’” Forbes, 6 June 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2019/06/06/nxivm-leaders-text-messages-with-sex-slave/#26c431f8b6b0.

Yakowicz, Will. “From Heiress To Felon: How Clare Bronfman Wound Up In 'Cult-Like' Group Nxivm.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 1 Feb. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/31/from-heiress-to-felon-how-clare-bronfman-wound-up-in-cult-like-group-nxivm/#3e27acc93ecf.

Yacowicz, Will. “When We Exposed Keith Raniere, The Leader Of The Nxivm ‘Sex Cult.’” Forbes, 15 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/15/keith-raniere-the-leader-of-the-nxivm-sex-cult/#2268d70435a9.

Yacowicz, Will. “Nxivm Trial Witness: We Hacked Billionaire Edgar Bronfman Sr.’s Email.” Forbes, 29 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/29/nxivm-trial-witness-we-hacked-billionaire-edgar-bronfman-srs-email/#105aa469156e.

Yusko, Dennis. “An Espian's Brief Life.” Cult Education Institute, The Albany New Times, 1 Feb. 2004, www.culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm/6048-an-espians-brief-life-.html.

Yusko, Dennis. “Lawsuit Claims Group Was Portrayed as a Cult.” Cult Education Institute, The Albany New Times, 30 Aug. 2003, culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm/6025-lawsuit-claims-group-was-portrayed-as-a-cult-.html

Strange Country Episode 130: NXIVM: Part II

Greetings Espians! Welcome to Part II of NXIVM, the Albany-based self-help program, that will improve your life through indebtedness and slavery. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly continue their hero-journey quest into explaining how Keith Raniere roped so many people into believing he had all the answers. Spoiler alert: He doesn't.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

"Abrams wants 'buying club' shut down." UPI Archive: Domestic News, 19 Apr. 1993. Gale OneFile: News, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A441989770/STND?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=STND&xid=f0b0f545. Accessed 26 Jan. 2020.

Aron, Nina Renata. “What Does Misogyny Look Like?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Mar. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/style/misogyny-women-history-photographs.html.

Berman, Sarah. “How NXIVM Ripped Through This Group of Canadian Actors.” Vice, 12 Sept. 2018, www.vice.com/en_us/article/a38dzj/how-nxivm-ripped-through-this-group-of-canadian-actors.

Berman, Sarah. “The NXIVM 'Sex Cult' Story Keeps Getting More Disturbing.” Vice, 20 May 2019, www.vice.com/en_ca/article/evyb5j/the-nxivm-sex-cult-story-keeps-getting-more-disturbing.

Berman, Sarah. “What It's Like to Be Surveilled and Sued by NXIVM.” Vice, 13 June 2019, www.vice.com/en_ca/article/j5wk88/what-its-like-to-be-surveilled-and-sued-by-nxivm.

Bryant, Kenzie. “How NXIVM Used a Simple Tool to Build Its ‘Sex Cult.’” Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 27 June 2018, www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/06/keith-raniere-nxivm-patents-luciferian.

Dickson, EJ. “How NXIVM Was the Ultimate Wellness Scam.” Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/nxivm-keith-raniere-wellness-scam-sex-cult-848439/.

Dickson, EJ. “Keith Raniere's Alleged Sex Cult Was Extreme -- But His Misogynistic Views Were Horrifyingly Normal.” Rolling Stone, 10 May 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/keith-raniere-nxivm-misogyny-833427/.

Edmondson, Sarah, and Kristine Gasbarre. Scarred: the True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life. Chronicle Prism, 2019.

“Full-Text of Raniere Affidavit.”  NXIVM Corporation vs The Ross Institute. United States District Court Northern District of NY. https://frankreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2003-full-text-of-_raniere-affidavit-ross-case_.pdf.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM Founder Raniere Guilty on All Counts.” Times Union, Times Union, 20 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-founder-Raniere-guilty-on-all-counts-14018002.php#photo-17476102.

Gavin, Robert. “Messages Suggest Girl Was 15 When Raniere Relationship Began.” Times Union, Times Union, 6 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Messages-suggest-Raniere-s-relationship-with-13939595.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM's Neighborhood Shocked Anew by Trial Revelations.” Times Union, Times Union, 5 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Knox-Woods-suburban-development-and-unofficial-13925699.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM Trial: 'Complete Meltdown' for Ex-Lover.” Times Union, Times Union, 18 May 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Purchase-of-bondage-devices-brought-up-at-NXIVM-13853726.php.

Grigoriadis, Vanessa. “Inside Nxivm, the 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 May 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/magazine/sex-cult-empowerment-nxivm-keith-raniere.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

“Guinness Book IQ.” Hmolpedia, www.eoht.info/page/Guinness Book IQ

Hughes, Steve. “NXIVM President Nancy Salzman Pleads Guilty as Raniere Faces New Charges.” Times Union, Times Union, 14 Mar. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-President-Nancy-Salzman-pleads-guilty-in-13685799.php.

Iannelli, Jerry. “State Closes Midtown Miami School Tied to NXIVM ‘Sex Cult’ Leader.” Miami New Times, 4, 22 Feb. 2019, www.miaminewtimes.com/news/alejandro-sanzs-wifes-miami-school-closed-by-state-tied-to-nxivm-sex-cult-founder-10295903.

Levine, Jon. “New TV Special Links Nxivm Leader Keith Raniere to Deaths of Four Women.” New York Post, New York Post, 7 Dec. 2019, nypost.com/2019/12/07/new-tv-special-links-nxivm-leader-keith-raniere-to-deaths-of-four-women/.

Lyons, Brendan J. “Lawsuit Targets Keith Raniere and NXIVM Associates.” Times Union, Times Union, 29 Jan. 2020, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Federal-lawsuit-accuses-Raniere-and-his-NXIVM-15007930.php.

MacIntosh, Jeane. ”NXIVM’S VEXING EFFECT ON BELIEVERS." New York Post [New York, NY], 1 Oct. 2007, p. 09. SPN.SP01, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A169330334/SPN.SP01?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=SPN.SP01&xid=0f5e0de2. Accessed 26 Jan. 2020.

Meier, Barry. “Once Idolized, Guru of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' to Stand Trial Alone.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/nyregion/nxivm-keith-raniere-trial.html.

Moynihan, Colin, and Michael Gold. “Allison Mack of 'Smallville' Pleads Guilty in Case of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Where Women Were Branded.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Apr. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/nyregion/nxivm-allison-mack.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

Moynihan, Colin. “Former Sex Cult Official Describes Its 'Evil' Inner Workings.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “Life as a Nxivm 'Slave': Branding, Whippings and Cold Showers.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html?searchResultPosition=5.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Branding Was Scripted by Sex Cult Leader to Be 'Like a Sacrifice'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/26/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial-branding.html.

Moynihan, Colin, and Emily Palmer. “Nxivm Trial: Allison Mack Lured Woman Into Sex Cult, She Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/07/nyregion/nxivm-trial-keith-raniere.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Trial: Sex Cult Was Like 'Horror Movie' Prosecutor Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/17/nyregion/nxivm-trial-sex-cult-raniere.html?searchResultPosition=6.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Trial: Sex Cult Leader Confined Woman in a Room for 2 Years in Jealous Rage.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/nyregion/nxivm-sex-cult.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “In Nxivm Trial, a Woman Lured Into Sex With Cult Leader Describes His Harem.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html?searchResultPosition=10.

Natalie, Toni, and Chet Hardin. The Program: inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM. Grand Central Publishing, 2019.

“NXIVM.” Cult Education Institute :: Group Information Archives, culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm.html.

“NXIVM Judge Delays Sentencing of Seagram's Heiress Clare Bronfman.” Times Union, Times Union, 19 Dec. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-judge-delays-sentencing-of-Seagram-s-14919236.php.

Odato, James M., and Jennifer Gish. “In Raniere's Shadows.” Times Union, Times Union, 24 Apr. 2019, www.timesunion.com/local/article/In-Raniere-s-shadows-3341644.php.

Ottaway, Amanda. “NXIVM 'Sex Lair' Sought in Forfeiture Action.” NXIVM 'Sex Lair' Sought in Forfeiture Action, 23 May 2018, www.courthousenews.com/ncivm-sex-lair-sought-in-us-forfeiture-action/.

Oxenberg, Catherine, and Natasha Stoynoff. Captive: a Mothers Crusade to Save Her Daughter from a Terrifying Cult. Gallery Books, 2018.

Parlato, Frank. “Mad Lauren Salzman: We Looked for a Virgin Successor for Keith Who Could Live for Him and Through Him When He Died.” Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato, 7 Feb. 2020, frankreport.com/2020/02/06/mad-lauren-salzman-we-looked-for-a-virgin-successor-for-keith-who-could-live-for-him-and-through-him-when-he-died/.

Reuters. “Seagram Heiress Clare Bronfman Pleads Guilty in Alleged Sex Cult Case.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 Apr. 2019, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/19/nxivm-cult-seagram-heiress-clare-bronfman-pleads-guilty.

Ross, Rick. “What Makes a Cult? | Rick Ross.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 27 May 2009, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/may/27/cults-definition-religion.

Saul, Emily, and Lia Eustachewich. “'Slave Master' Recounts Horrifying Details of Relationship with Nxivm Leader.” New York Post, New York Post, 17 May 2019, nypost.com/2019/05/17/slave-master-recounts-horrifying-details-of-relationship-with-nxivm-leader/.

Solomon, Deborah. “The Science of Second-Guessing.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 Dec. 2004, www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/magazine/the-science-of-secondguessing.html.

Voytko, Lisette. “Nxivm Leader’s Text Messages With Sex ‘Slave.’” Forbes, 6 June 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2019/06/06/nxivm-leaders-text-messages-with-sex-slave/#26c431f8b6b0.

Yacowicz, Will. “When We Exposed Keith Raniere, The Leader Of The Nxivm ‘Sex Cult.’” Forbes, 15 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/15/keith-raniere-the-leader-of-the-nxivm-sex-cult/#2268d70435a9.

Yacowicz, Will. “Nxivm Trial Witness: We Hacked Billionaire Edgar Bronfman Sr.’s Email.” Forbes, 29 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/29/nxivm-trial-witness-we-hacked-billionaire-edgar-bronfman-srs-email/#105aa469156e.

Yusko, Dennis. “An Espian's Brief Life.” Cult Education Institute, The Albany New Times, 1 Feb. 2004, www.culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm/6048-an-espians-brief-life-.html.

Yusko, Dennis. “Lawsuit Claims Group Was Portrayed as a Cult.” Cult Education Institute, The Albany New Times, 30 Aug. 2003, culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm/6025-lawsuit-claims-group-was-portrayed-as-a-cult-.html

Strange Country Episode 129: NXIVM: Part 1

In a three-episode arc, Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly delve into NXIVM, a self-help seminar/cult set in Albany NY. Part I explores the history of NXIVM founder Keith Raniere, the self-proclaimed smartest, most ethical, best volleyballer, top Vanguard player in the whole, wide world. Dive deep with us dashhounds and get ready to transform your life and you can too! Send checks!

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

"Abrams wants 'buying club' shut down." UPI Archive: Domestic News, 19 Apr. 1993. Gale OneFile: News, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A441989770/STND?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=STND&xid=f0b0f545. Accessed 26 Jan. 2020.

Aron, Nina Renata. “What Does Misogyny Look Like?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Mar. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/style/misogyny-women-history-photographs.html.

Berman, Sarah. “How NXIVM Ripped Through This Group of Canadian Actors.” Vice, 12 Sept. 2018, www.vice.com/en_us/article/a38dzj/how-nxivm-ripped-through-this-group-of-canadian-actors.

Berman, Sarah. “The NXIVM 'Sex Cult' Story Keeps Getting More Disturbing.” Vice, 20 May 2019, www.vice.com/en_ca/article/evyb5j/the-nxivm-sex-cult-story-keeps-getting-more-disturbing.

Berman, Sarah. “What It's Like to Be Surveilled and Sued by NXIVM.” Vice, 13 June 2019, www.vice.com/en_ca/article/j5wk88/what-its-like-to-be-surveilled-and-sued-by-nxivm.

Bryant, Kenzie. “How NXIVM Used a Simple Tool to Build Its ‘Sex Cult.’” Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 27 June 2018, www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/06/keith-raniere-nxivm-patents-luciferian.

Dickson, EJ. “How NXIVM Was the Ultimate Wellness Scam.” Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/nxivm-keith-raniere-wellness-scam-sex-cult-848439/.

Dickson, EJ. “Keith Raniere's Alleged Sex Cult Was Extreme -- But His Misogynistic Views Were Horrifyingly Normal.” Rolling Stone, 10 May 2019, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/keith-raniere-nxivm-misogyny-833427/.

Edmondson, Sarah, and Kristine Gasbarre. Scarred: the True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life. Chronicle Prism, 2019.

“Full-Text of Raniere Affidavit.”  NXIVM Corporation vs The Ross Institute. United States District Court Northern District of NY. https://frankreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2003-full-text-of-_raniere-affidavit-ross-case_.pdf.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM Founder Raniere Guilty on All Counts.” Times Union, Times Union, 20 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-founder-Raniere-guilty-on-all-counts-14018002.php#photo-17476102.

Gavin, Robert. “Messages Suggest Girl Was 15 When Raniere Relationship Began.” Times Union, Times Union, 6 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Messages-suggest-Raniere-s-relationship-with-13939595.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM's Neighborhood Shocked Anew by Trial Revelations.” Times Union, Times Union, 5 June 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Knox-Woods-suburban-development-and-unofficial-13925699.php.

Gavin, Robert. “NXIVM Trial: 'Complete Meltdown' for Ex-Lover.” Times Union, Times Union, 18 May 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Purchase-of-bondage-devices-brought-up-at-NXIVM-13853726.php.

Grigoriadis, Vanessa. “Inside Nxivm, the 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 May 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/magazine/sex-cult-empowerment-nxivm-keith-raniere.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

“Guinness Book IQ.” Hmolpedia, www.eoht.info/page/Guinness Book IQ

Hughes, Steve. “NXIVM President Nancy Salzman Pleads Guilty as Raniere Faces New Charges.” Times Union, Times Union, 14 Mar. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-President-Nancy-Salzman-pleads-guilty-in-13685799.php.

Iannelli, Jerry. “State Closes Midtown Miami School Tied to NXIVM ‘Sex Cult’ Leader.” Miami New Times, 4, 22 Feb. 2019, www.miaminewtimes.com/news/alejandro-sanzs-wifes-miami-school-closed-by-state-tied-to-nxivm-sex-cult-founder-10295903.

Levine, Jon. “New TV Special Links Nxivm Leader Keith Raniere to Deaths of Four Women.” New York Post, New York Post, 7 Dec. 2019, nypost.com/2019/12/07/new-tv-special-links-nxivm-leader-keith-raniere-to-deaths-of-four-women/.

Lyons, Brendan J. “Lawsuit Targets Keith Raniere and NXIVM Associates.” Times Union, Times Union, 29 Jan. 2020, www.timesunion.com/news/article/Federal-lawsuit-accuses-Raniere-and-his-NXIVM-15007930.php.

MacIntosh, Jeane. ”NXIVM’S VEXING EFFECT ON BELIEVERS." New York Post [New York, NY], 1 Oct. 2007, p. 09. SPN.SP01, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A169330334/SPN.SP01?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=SPN.SP01&xid=0f5e0de2. Accessed 26 Jan. 2020.

Meier, Barry. “Once Idolized, Guru of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' to Stand Trial Alone.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/nyregion/nxivm-keith-raniere-trial.html.

Moynihan, Colin, and Michael Gold. “Allison Mack of 'Smallville' Pleads Guilty in Case of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Where Women Were Branded.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Apr. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/nyregion/nxivm-allison-mack.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.

Moynihan, Colin. “Former Sex Cult Official Describes Its 'Evil' Inner Workings.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “Life as a Nxivm 'Slave': Branding, Whippings and Cold Showers.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html?searchResultPosition=5.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Branding Was Scripted by Sex Cult Leader to Be 'Like a Sacrifice'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/26/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial-branding.html.

Moynihan, Colin, and Emily Palmer. “Nxivm Trial: Allison Mack Lured Woman Into Sex Cult, She Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/07/nyregion/nxivm-trial-keith-raniere.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Trial: Sex Cult Was Like 'Horror Movie' Prosecutor Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/17/nyregion/nxivm-trial-sex-cult-raniere.html?searchResultPosition=6.

Moynihan, Colin. “Nxivm Trial: Sex Cult Leader Confined Woman in a Room for 2 Years in Jealous Rage.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/nyregion/nxivm-sex-cult.html.

Moynihan, Colin. “In Nxivm Trial, a Woman Lured Into Sex With Cult Leader Describes His Harem.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/nyregion/nxivm-cult-trial.html?searchResultPosition=10.

Natalie, Toni, and Chet Hardin. The Program: inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM. Grand Central Publishing, 2019.

“NXIVM.” Cult Education Institute :: Group Information Archives, culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm.html.

“NXIVM Judge Delays Sentencing of Seagram's Heiress Clare Bronfman.” Times Union, Times Union, 19 Dec. 2019, www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-judge-delays-sentencing-of-Seagram-s-14919236.php.

Odato, James M., and Jennifer Gish. “In Raniere's Shadows.” Times Union, Times Union, 24 Apr. 2019, www.timesunion.com/local/article/In-Raniere-s-shadows-3341644.php.

Oxenberg, Catherine, and Natasha Stoynoff. Captive: a Mothers Crusade to Save Her Daughter from a Terrifying Cult. Gallery Books, 2018.

Reuters. “Seagram Heiress Clare Bronfman Pleads Guilty in Alleged Sex Cult Case.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 Apr. 2019, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/19/nxivm-cult-seagram-heiress-clare-bronfman-pleads-guilty.

Saul, Emily, and Lia Eustachewich. “'Slave Master' Recounts Horrifying Details of Relationship with Nxivm Leader.” New York Post, New York Post, 17 May 2019, nypost.com/2019/05/17/slave-master-recounts-horrifying-details-of-relationship-with-nxivm-leader/.

Solomon, Deborah. “The Science of Second-Guessing.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 Dec. 2004, www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/magazine/the-science-of-secondguessing.html.

Voytko, Lisette. “Nxivm Leader’s Text Messages With Sex ‘Slave.’” Forbes, 6 June 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2019/06/06/nxivm-leaders-text-messages-with-sex-slave/#26c431f8b6b0.

Yacowicz, Will. “When We Exposed Keith Raniere, The Leader Of The Nxivm ‘Sex Cult.’” Forbes, 15 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/15/keith-raniere-the-leader-of-the-nxivm-sex-cult/#2268d70435a9.

Yacowicz, Will. “Nxivm Trial Witness: We Hacked Billionaire Edgar Bronfman Sr.’s Email.” Forbes, 29 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2019/05/29/nxivm-trial-witness-we-hacked-billionaire-edgar-bronfman-srs-email/#105aa469156e.

Yusko, Dennis. “An Espian's Brief Life.” Cult Education Institute, The Albany New Times, 1 Feb. 2004, www.culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm/6048-an-espians-brief-life-.html.

Yusko, Dennis. “Lawsuit Claims Group Was Portrayed as a Cult.” Cult Education Institute, The Albany New Times, 30 Aug. 2003, culteducation.com/group/907-nxivm/6025-lawsuit-claims-group-was-portrayed-as-a-cult-.html

Strange Country Episode 128: Refrigerator Moms

It's fun to be a woman, y'all. Strange Country features a brand-new installment: the mini-episode about one particular joy of womanhood. It features a new song and a new challenge to Kelly and Beth to try to keep this to a tight 20 minutes. In our inaugural episode, moms get all the glory when they get blamed for causing autism in their children by being cold, withholding iceboxes.

Theme music: To Be A Woman by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources

“Bernard Rimland.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 17 Sept. 2011, www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/bernard-rimland-5544714.html.

Bernstein, Richard. “Ideas & Trends; Accusations of Abuse Haunt the Legacy of Dr. Bruno Bettelheim.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Nov. 1990, www.nytimes.com/1990/11/04/weekinreview/ideas-trends-accusations-of-abuse-haunt-the-legacy-of-dr-bruno-bettelheim.html?searchResultPosition=3.

Bird, David. “DR. LEO KANNER, 86, CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Apr. 1981, www.nytimes.com/1981/04/07/obituaries/dr-leo-kanner-86-child-psychologist.html?searchResultPosition=1.

Gottlieb, Robert. “The Strange Case of Dr. B.” The New York Review of Books, www.nybooks.com/articles/2003/02/27/the-strange-case-of-dr-b/.

Rudy, Lisa Jo. “Could Cold Parenting Cause Autism? (Hint: The Answer Is No!).” Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 24 June 2019, www.verywellhealth.com/why-refrigerator-mothers-were-blamed-for-autism-260135.

Willingham, Emily. “Is Autism an ‘Epidemic’ or Are We Just Noticing More People Who Have It?” Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2019, www.discovermagazine.com/health/is-autism-an-epidemic-or-are-we-just-noticing-more-people-who-have-it.

Strange Country Episode 127: John du Pont

The fine line between eccentric and mentally ill is actually a gigantic pile of money. John du Pont used his piles of money to buy Olympic glory and in his quest ends up murdering a Olympic star Dave Schultz. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly talk about this sad tale and pontificate about America's obsession with the filthy rich.

Theme Music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Bever, Lindsey. “The Twisted Saga of John Du Pont, the Scion Played by Steve Carell in 'Foxcatcher'.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 3 May 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/14/the-twisted-saga-of-john-du-pont-the-scion-played-by-steve-carell-in-foxcatcher/.

Blakeley, Kiri. “Americans Don't Resent Super-Rich Because They Think They Are Super-Rich.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 13 Sept. 2011, www.forbes.com/sites/kiriblakeley/2011/08/16/americans-dont-resent-super-rich-because-they-think-they-are-super-rich/#1ab9364a522c.

“Bulgarian Wrestler Inherits Du Pont Estate, Relatives Cry Foul.” Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency, 16 June 2011, www.novinite.com/articles/129357/Bulgarian Wrestler Inherits Du Pont Estate, Relatives Cry Foul.

“Du Pont Was Insane or Scheming, Lawyers Say.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 28 Jan. 1997, www.nytimes.com/1997/01/28/us/du-pont-was-insane-or-scheming-lawyers-say.html.

Everett, Burgess. “Supreme Court Orders DuPont to Divest Itself of GM Stock, June 3, 1957.” POLITICO, 3 June 2018, www.politico.com/story/2018/06/03/supreme-court-order-du-pont-divest-itself-of-gm-stock-june-3-1957-615544.

Falzone, Diana. “'Team Foxcatcher': Dave Schultz' Widow Says John Du Pont Stalked Family Even from Jail.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 19 Apr. 2016, www.foxnews.com/entertainment/team-foxcatcher-dave-schultz-widow-says-john-du-pont-stalked-family-even-from-jail.

Farmelant, Scott. “Not Giving His Du.” My City Paper, 30 Jan. 1997, mycitypaper.com/articles/013097/article020.shtml.

Goddard, Jacqui. “Foxcatcher: the True Story.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 4 Jan. 2015, www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/11322341/Foxcatcher-the-true-story.html.

Greenhalgh, Jon, director. Team Foxcatcher. Netflix, 18 Apr. 2016.

Huddleston, Tim. Wrestling with Madness: John Eleuthère Du Pont and the Foxcatcher Farm Murder. Absolute Crime Books, 2013.

“John Du Pont.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 16 Apr. 2019, www.biography.com/crime-figure/john-du-pont.

Longman, Jeré. “John E. Du Pont, Heir Who Killed an Olympian, Dies at 72.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Dec. 2010, www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/sports/olympics/10dupont.html.

Longman, Jere, et.al. “A LIFE IN PIECES;For Du Pont Heir, Question Was Control.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Feb. 1996, www.nytimes.com/1996/02/04/us/a-life-in-pieces-for-du-pont-heir-question-was-control.html.

Schultz, Mark. Foxcatcher: the True Story of My Brothers Murder, John Du Ponts Madness, and the Quest for Olympic Gold. Thorndike Press, 2014.

Strange Country Episode 126: Pamela Smart

Strange Country tackles another trial of the century. This time it's the trial of Pamela Smart, a woman accused of bewitching a teen and his friends into murdering her husband. Co-hosts Beth and Kelly take about the impact of the media's glare. Smart's trial was the first to be broadcast live as it was happening and many of the participants acted more than a little starstruck. Also Beth does a spectacularly poor job of trying to explain a principle of quantum physics.

Theme Music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Cronin, Patrick. “Pam Smart Settles Suit over Racy Jail Photos.” Seacoastonline.com, Seacoastonline.com, 5 Nov. 2009, https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20091105/NEWS/911050442.

Dimond, Diane. “Petition, TV Special Revive Pamela Smart Case.” Boston Herald, Boston Herald, 17 Nov. 2018, https://www.bostonherald.com/2018/08/19/petition-tv-special-revive-pamela-smart-case/.

Finn, Natalie. “Pamela Smart's Tangled Web Only Started With Her Husband's Murder.” E! Online, E! News, 20 Apr. 2019, https://www.eonline.com/news/1034158/still-to-die-for-inside-the-tangled-web-around-pamela-smart-that-started-with-the-murder-of-her-husband.

Juceam, Robert E. “PETITION FORM AND MATERIALS IN SUPPORT OF PAMELA SMART’S PETITION FOR COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE,” PDF. https://www.nhpr.org/sites/nhpr/files/201904/complete_petition_pdf.pdf

Ramer, Holly. “Pamela Smart Denied Chance at Freedom in Husband's Death.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 15 May 2019, https://apnews.com/d121271723964f9ba2a7a1edc8102248.

Stern, Marlow. “Did Sexpot Schoolteacher Pamela Smart Hire Teens to Kill Her Husband?” The Daily Beast, The Daily Beast Company, 19 Jan. 2014, https://www.thedailybeast.com/did-sexpot-schoolteacher-pamela-smart-hire-teens-to-kill-her-husband.

Thomas, Karen M. “SEDUCTION AND MURDER CASE ENDS IN CONVICTION.” Chicagotribune.com, 2 Sept. 2018, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-03-23-9101260413-story.html.

“A Violation behind Prison Walls?” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 13 Feb. 2006, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11325793/ns/msnbc-rita_cosby_specials/t/violation-behind-prison-walls/?hasFlash=true&#.Xh5sEhlKhmC.

Williams, Justin. “Pam Smart Points to Randall as Triggerman in Husband's Death.” Seacoastonline.com, Seacoastonline.com, 8 Apr. 2015, https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20150408/NEWS/150409235.

Zagar, Jeremiah, director. Captivated: The Trials of Pamela Smart. Passion Pictures.

Strange Country Episode 125: Louisa May Alcott

Let’s face it, it just ain’t easy being a woman. Wait, who wrote that? A man or a woman? What is the narrative of our fragile little lives in the books we grew up reading? if a woman dared to write the story of a strong woman who lived a life without getting married in the end, would it ever make it to print in the 1800’s? If a tree falls in the woods does it make a sound? This week on Strange Country, Kelly and Beth explore the stories of women in the publishing world. From Louisa May Alcott of Little Women fame to Ursula Nordstrom who helped to publish every amazing kids book that dared to show the true and messy side of childhood. Enjoy listening to Kelly meander through her thoughts and Beth try to get to the damn point. Always Readers, thanks for listening through all of our womanly distractions and occasional blips of intelligent thought. And thanks to the world of podcasting in which The Big White Lie hasn’t found a way to edit our stories.

Theme Music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Strange Country Episode 124: The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

It's the start of a new decade and impeachment is in the air. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly talk about the very first time the Congress tried to get rid of a very unfit president in 1868. Andrew Johnson, a virulent racist, wanted to pretend the Southern states didn't actually secede and Radical Republicans weren't keen on a prez playing king.

Theme Music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Gordon-Reed, Annette. “The Fight Over Andrew Johnson's Impeachment Was a Fight for the Future of the United States.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Jan. 2018, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/fight-andrew-johnson-impeachment-fight-future-united-states-180967502/.

Lyons, Patrick J. “Trump Wants to Abolish Birthright Citizenship. Can He Do That?” The New York Times, 23 Aug. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/22/us/birthright-citizenship-14th-amendment-trump.html.

“The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson (1868) President of the United States.” U.S. Senate: The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson (1868) President of the United States, 18 Dec. 2019, https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Impeachment_Johnson.htm.

Wineapple, Brenda. The Impeachers: the Trial of Andrew Johnson and the Dream of a Just Nation. Random House, 2019.