Twisted and Mysterious

Twisted and Mysterious

di Sarah and Faren Bearowitz
Crimini reali

The Pendle Witches and Vibes-Based Justice

Esplicito
In 1612 England, you could be accused of witchcraft for being poor, annoying, related to the wrong people—or, in one unfortunate case, simply having a wonky eye. This week on Twisted & Mysterious, Faren tells the story of the Pendle Witches, one of the most infamous and absurd witch trials in English history. What started as a minor encounter quickly spiraled into full-blown hysteria, dragging two rival families into a mess of accusations, superstition, and “evidence” that would not survive even five minutes in a modern courtroom. We break down the trials, the wildly unreliable testimony (including a disturbingly enthusiastic child witness), and how fear, politics, and paranoia combined to sentence ten people to death. Were these accused witches actually practicing dark magic—or were they simply unlucky enough to exist at the wrong time, with the wrong neighbors, and the wrong eye? Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E55
21 gen 2026
56:14

A Quiet Descent: The Murder of Brenda Powell

Esplicito
This week on Twisted & Mysterious, we cover the murder of Brenda Powell—killed by her daughter, Sydney—in a case where nothing outwardly seemed wrong until it was. We walk through Sydney’s quiet descent into unreality, the secrets she kept, and the investigation that revealed just how disconnected her inner world had become from everyone around her. Also… yes. It’s late. Time blindness is undefeated. The case is devastating all the same. Listener discretion advised. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E54
12 gen 2026
59:42

The Watcher House: Stalker, Prank, or Socially Awkward Menace?

Esplicito
Buying your dream home usually involves paint swatches and Pinterest boards—not anonymous letters signed “The Watcher.” But that’s exactly what happened to one family in Westfield, New Jersey. In this episode of Twisted & Mysterious, we dive into the bizarre true story of the Watcher House. Before the family ever spent a night in their new home, they began receiving unsettling letters from someone obsessively focused on the house, the renovations, and—most alarmingly—their children. Was it a neighbor with a disturbing fixation? A prank that went way too far? Or, as briefly but earnestly considered, someone who was just socially awkward and somehow thought this was a normal way to say hello? With no arrests, no clear suspect, and a family driven out of their own home, the Watcher was never identified. No break-ins. No violence. Just the lingering fear that someone nearby thought this was normal behavior—and still might. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E53
1 gen 2026
1:05:27

Five Kids, One Fire, No Bodies: The Sodder Children

Esplicito
On Christmas Eve 1945, a house fire in Fayetteville, West Virginia destroyed the Sodder family home. By morning, five of the ten Sodder children were missing — and no bodies were ever found. Officials ruled that the children died in the fire, but almost nothing about the investigation made sense. No remains were recovered from the ashes. A ladder vanished. The family’s trucks mysteriously wouldn’t start. And in one of the strangest moments of the case, the local fire chief secretly buried a beef liver at the scene and later presented it to the family as the supposed heart of one of their children. As years passed, the Sodders received unsettling sightings, warnings, and even a photograph that suggested at least one child may have survived. Their parents spent more than four decades searching for answers — and never stopped believing their children were alive. In this episode of Twisted & Mysterious, we explore the baffling disappearance of Maurice, Martha, Louis, Jennie, and Betty Sodder, the deeply flawed investigation, and the theories that continue to haunt this case nearly 80 years later. Audio note: This episode contains occasional background noise. Was it a tragic accident… or something far more sinister? Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E52
25 dic 2025
1:03:20

Too Young to Cook, Old Enough to Have a Husband and Three Kids: The Shanti Devi Story

This week on Twisted & Mysterious, Faren tells the unforgettable reincarnation story of Shanti Devi, a young girl in 1930s India who insisted she was not a child at all—but a grown, married woman with three children, a past life, and some very strong opinions about how things used to be done in the kitchen. Her claims were so detailed and consistent that they eventually caught the attention of the Indian government, leading to a formal investigation into her alleged past life. While officials took the case seriously, we’re left asking the practical questions: is it fair to criticize your mother’s cooking when you can’t reach the stove, aren’t allowed near knives, and still need to hold someone's hand when crossing the street? And how exactly do you ground a 30-year-old mother of three who is currently eight years old? Add in historical documentation, existential whiplash, and a chaotic cold open featuring a kitten who clearly wants a producer credit, and you’ve got an episode that’s equal parts fascinating and ridiculous. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E51
17 dic 2025
33:26

The Murder of Molly McLaren: When Stalking Turns Deadly

Esplicito
In this week’s episode, Sarah tells the heartbreaking story of Molly McLaren—a bright, driven 23-year-old whose life was stolen by a man who refused to take “no” for an answer. What began as an online romance quickly spiraled into obsessive control, violent threats, and stalking so severe that Molly did everything she could to protect herself… yet the system failed to protect her in return. We dive into Molly’s life, her bravery in speaking up, the escalating red flags, and the tragic final moments that should have been prevented. This case has stuck with us for years because it underscores a devastating truth: violence is not always a warning sign before homicide. Stalking itself is violence—and legislation must reflect that reality. We also include resources for listeners who might need help or know someone who does. If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse: U.S.: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) — The National Domestic Violence Hotline. U.K.: Contact Women’s Aid via the freephone 24/7 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.org.uk to access live chat support. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger: call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). We hope this episode honors Molly’s memory — and maybe helps someone in a dark place find a path to safety. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E50
3 dic 2025
1:09:11

A Podiversary Rager & the Case That Made Us Rage: Bryce Laspisa

It’s our 1-year podiversary, so naturally we threw a full-on rager… and by “rager,” we mean we raged nonstop about the infuriating disappearance of Bryce Laspisa. In true Twisted & Mysterious fashion, we celebrate twelve months of chaos by diving into a case that feels like it could have — should have — been prevented. Bryce’s strange behavior, the endless red flags, the baffling choices made along the way… we unpack all of it while yelling into our microphones like caffeinated gremlins. If you’ve ever listened to this case and felt your blood pressure rising, congratulations — you’re invited to the podiversary party. We break down the timeline, the theories, and every “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!” moment that still haunts this story. Happy 1 year of being Twisted & Mysterious with us. 💙🖤 Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E49
26 nov 2025
51:18

The Slender Man Stabbing: Spooky Noodles, Scary Kids, and a 300-Mile Bad Idea

In this week’s episode, Sarah unpacks the infamous Waukesha, Wisconsin Slender Man stabbing—a case where internet horror, childhood delusion, and the absolute chaos of being 12 all merged into one of the most bizarre true crime stories of the last decade. We break down the origins of Slender Man, how he crawled out of the “spooky noodles” world of creepypasta, and why two middle-schoolers genuinely believed they had to sacrifice their friend and then walk 300 miles to the Nicolet National Forest to live with him. For the record, the only people on Earth who want to walk 300 miles are The Proclaimers. This episode also dives into the impossible task of trying to protect kids from the endless parade of creepy images and viral monsters online. Instead of bubble-wrapping them, we talk about the real solution: helping kids tell the difference between real vs. fake, scary-but-fun vs. scary-and-dangerous, and reassuring them that liking spooky stuff is totally normal. (Sarah has been reading Stephen King since age 10 and somehow watched Cujo at age 3, so clearly some of us turned out mostly fine… mostly.) Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E48
19 nov 2025
49:16

The Murder of Grace Jennings: A Killer Split Personality?

This week on Twisted and Mysterious, Faren takes us to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the shocking murder of Grace Jennings — a young woman whose story spirals into chaos the moment her killers start talking. Between the bizarre interviews, unbelievable text messages, and outrageous claims of “multiple personalities,” this case is as frustrating as it is disturbing. Sarah and Faren talk through the evidence, the excuses, and how dangerous it is when people fake Dissociative Identity Disorder to dodge responsibility for their crimes. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E47
12 nov 2025
49:48

The Lead Masks Mystery: Don’t Panic (But Bring a Towel)

Two Brazilian technicians climb a hill wearing suits, raincoats, and lead eye masks. They carry towels, a cryptic note, and possibly… big cult energy? In this episode of Twisted & Mysterious, Sarah and Faren try to decode one of Brazil’s strangest unsolved cases — the 1966 Lead Masks Mystery — while somehow turning it into a low-budget Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy crossover. Sarah absolutely butchers every Portuguese word she attempts, and together they debate whether these guys were conducting a spiritual experiment, waiting for aliens, or accidentally joining a sci-fi-flavored cult. Grab your towel, remember the answer is 42, and tune in for a bizarre blend of mystery, metaphysics, and mispronunciation. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at twistedandmysteriouspodcast@gmail.com.
E46
5 nov 2025
34:11
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