Sam shares the chilling story of H. H. Holmes, one of America’s earliest and most infamous serial killers.

Operating during the late 1800s in Chicago, Holmes became notorious during the time of the 1893 World’s Fair. Behind his charming demeanor and successful business ventures was a dark and calculated killer whose crimes would become the stuff of legend.

Holmes is most remembered for his so-called “Murder Castle,” a building allegedly designed with hidden rooms, secret passages, and deadly traps. While some details surrounding the case have become exaggerated over time, the horrifying reality of his fraud, manipulation, and murders remains deeply disturbing.

This episode explores the myth, the man, and the terrifying legacy Holmes left behind in turn-of-the-century America.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

• Encyclopaedia Britannica – H.H. Holmes
  https://www.britannica.com/biography/H-H-Holmes
• Library of Congress – Chronicling America: H.H. Holmes
  https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-h-h-holmes
• EBSCO Research Starter – H.H. Holmes
  https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/h-h-holmes
• Forensic Scholars Today – Academic article on H.H. Holmes
  https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/forensic_scholars_today/vol1/iss2/4/
• Larson, Erik. The Devil in the White City
• Schechter, Harold. Depraved – The Definitive True Story of H.H. Holmes, Whose Grotesque Crimes Shattered Turn-of-the-Century Chicago

Jeff covers the story of the Kent State shootings, a pivotal and tragic moment in American history that took place on May 4, 1970.

During a period of intense national unrest over the Vietnam War, students at Kent State University gathered to protest the expansion of the conflict into Cambodia. What began as a demonstration escalated into chaos when members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed students.

In just 13 seconds, four students were killed and nine others were wounded. The event shocked the nation, ignited further protests across college campuses, and became a defining moment in the conversation around war, civil rights, and the role of government force against its own citizens.

This episode explores not only what happened that day, but the lasting impact it left on American society.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

• Kent State University Libraries – May 4 Memorial Collection
  https://www.library.kent.edu/special-collections-and-archives/may-4-memorial-kent-state-university
• Kent State Today – Students Guiding History
  https://www.kent.edu/today/news/students-guiding-history-kent-state
• Wikipedia – Kent State Shootings
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_State_shootings
• Kent State University – May 4 Historical Accuracy
  https://www.kent.edu/may-4-historical-accuracy
• History.com – Nixon’s Response to Kent State
  https://www.history.com/articles/richard-nixon-kent-state-shootings-response
• History.com – Kent State Shooting Overview
  https://www.history.com/articles/kent-state-shooting
• Darkest Hours: The Kent State Shootings (Podcast)
  https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/darkest-hours-the-kent-state-shootings/id1638918169?i=1000749601765

Jeff tells the incredible true story of Apollo 13, the near-disastrous NASA mission that became one of the greatest survival stories in space exploration history.

What was meant to be a routine lunar mission quickly turned into a life-or-death crisis when an onboard explosion crippled the spacecraft. Astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert were left stranded in space, relying on ingenuity, teamwork, and ground support to make it home alive. Jeff also connects the lessons learned from Apollo 13 to the future of space exploration, including Artemis II, NASA’s upcoming mission aimed at returning humans to the Moon.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

• NASA – Apollo 13 Review Board Report (50 Years Later)
  https://www.nasa.gov/history/50-years-ago-apollo-13-review-board-report/
• Wikipedia – Apollo 13
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13
• YouTube – Apollo 13 overview
  https://youtu.be/69LDSL-9--g?si=-6O0okO2ecYx9uXp
• Wikipedia – Katherine Johnson
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Johnson
• Wikipedia – Fred Haise
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Haise
• Wikipedia – Jim Lovell
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell
• Wikipedia – Jack Swigert
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swigert
• Wikipedia – Ken Mattingly
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Mattingly
• NASA – Apollo 13 Mission Overview
  https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-13/
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Apollo 13 Story
  https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/apollo-missions/apollo-13
• NASA – Katherine Johnson
  https://www.nasa.gov/katherine-johnson/

This week is a special one.

Jeff and Sam step away from the usual format to share stories from their unforgettable trip to Egypt. From standing in awe of the ancient Great Pyramid of Giza to navigating the energy of bustling streets and historic sites, this episode is packed with personal moments, unexpected experiences, and plenty of laughs along the way.

It’s a mix of wonder, chaos, history, and perspective -- told the only way Jeff and Sam can tell it.

No scripts. No research. Just stories.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

This week Jeff and Sam share some stories from their trip to Egypt. From the pyramids to Karnak Temple. Enjoy

Sam shares the chilling story of Ted Bundy, one of the most infamous serial killers in American history.

Operating during the 1970s, Bundy was responsible for the abduction and murder of numerous young women across multiple states. Known for his intelligence, charm, and ability to blend in, he used manipulation and deception to gain the trust of his victims—making his crimes all the more disturbing.

This episode explores not only the timeline of Bundy’s murders, but also the psychology behind them. Drawing from criminal analysis and mental health research, Sam dives into how Bundy’s behavior challenged assumptions about what a killer “looks like,” and how investigators—including those who would later pursue other serial killers—learned from his case.

From courtroom theatrics to shocking confessions, Bundy’s story remains one of the most studied and haunting in true crime history.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

• Seattle Times – Obituary of Bob Keppel
  https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/bob-keppel-the-cop-who-spent-his-life-chasing-serial-killers-including-ted-bundy-dies-at-76/
• HistoryLink.org
  https://historylink.org/File/23480
• Wikipedia – Ted Bundy
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Bundy
• The Last Podcast on the Left – Episodes 99 & 100 (Bundy Parts 1 & 2)
• University of Kentucky – Psychology Research on Ted Bundy
  https://psychology.as.uky.edu/psychology-researcher-unravels-serial-killer-ted-bundys-mental-health
• Encyclopaedia Britannica – Ted Bundy
  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ted-Bundy
• Crime Museum – Ted Bundy
  https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/serial-killers/ted-bundy/
• EBSCO Research Starter – Ted Bundy
  https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/ted-bundy
• Florida Sheriffs Association – Chi Omega Murders
  https://flsheriffs.org/blog/entry/remembering-ted-bundy-and-the-chi-omega-murders/
• All That’s Interesting – Ted Bundy
  https://allthatsinteresting.com/ted-bundy
• Biography.com – Ted Bundy and the Green River Killer Investigation
  https://www.biography.com/crime/a65603336/ted-bundy-green-river-killer-investigation
• Netflix – Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

This week Jeff shares the story of Dell Burke, a legendary figure of Wyoming’s frontier history.

Dell Burke operated the iconic Yellow Hotel in Lusk for nearly six decades, running a brothel and speakeasy that became both infamous and respected in the region. Known for her sharp business sense and commanding presence, she built a lasting enterprise in a time and place where survival required grit, strategy, and resilience.

But her legacy goes beyond notoriety. Dell was also known for her generosity and philanthropic contributions to the local community, creating a complex and fascinating story of a woman who thrived outside societal norms while quietly giving back.

This is a story of power, contradiction, and carving your own place in history.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources
Read, June Willson. Frontier Madam: The Life of Dell Burke, Lady of Lusk. Twodot
Prairie Public – Dell Berke and the Yellow Hotel
https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/dakota-datebook/2021-11-04/dell-berke-and-the-yellow-hotel
Niobrara County Library – Obituary Records
https://www.niobraracountylibrary.org/obituaries/obituary-details/?id=872
Ranchers.net – Little Wyoming History discussion
https://www.ranchers.net/threads/little-wyoming-history.58154/
My Favorite Murder – Episode “Cow Women”

Sam shares the devastating and deeply unsettling case of Murder of Shanda Sharer, a crime that shocked the nation and exposed the darkest edges of youth violence.

In 1992, 12-year-old Shanda Sharer was abducted, tortured, and ultimately murdered by a group of teenage girls in Indiana. What makes this case especially disturbing isn’t just the brutality—it’s the psychology behind it. Drawing from research on adolescent violence, group dynamics, and behavioral development, this story explores how peer influence, identity formation, and unchecked aggression can spiral into unimaginable tragedy.

Sam breaks down not only what happened that night, but why—digging into studies on youth violence, gang-like behavior, and the role of environment and psychology in shaping extreme actions. It’s a case that forces a hard question: are monsters born… or are they made?

This one is heavy. And it stays with you.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9512271/
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-27055-009
https://www.catch-22.org.uk/resources/understanding-violence-in-young-people/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2023.1142241/full
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Shanda_Sharer
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-31-mn-1053-story.html
https://people.com/shanda-sharer-inside-killing-indiana-girl-burned-alive-11764118
https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/what-gang-definitions
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5215800/