Podcast Summary: And That's Why We Drink - Episode E404: A Spider Problem and a Grumpy Toad

Release Date: November 3, 2024
Hosts: Christine Schiefer & Em Schulz

Halloween Preparations and Personal Updates

The episode kicks off with Christine and Em diving into their Halloween preparations, sharing personal anecdotes and the challenges of decorating amidst a busy schedule.

• [01:27] Christine Schiefer: "I finally got my Halloween decoration set up. It took me a while this year, but now I'm set."
• [02:21] Em Morales: "Allison really nailed the Halloween decorations this time because we've been traveling so much."

They discuss the transformative effect of Halloween decorations on their new home and how their neighbor Allison has excelled in creating an impressive spooky ambiance.

Old Faithful Inn: Ghost Stories and Legends

Transitioning into the heart of the episode, Christine and Em delve into the eerie tales surrounding the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park, blending history with paranormal lore.

• [27:00] Em Morales: "In this very tall lobby up in the rafters, there is a floating platform near the ceiling called the Crow's Nest. We'll remember this Crow's Nest because it's important later."
• [30:03] Em Morales: "Here are the ghost things, though. First, I'm just going to say they're obviously the usuals in this hotel. Lights turning on and off, doors opening and closing, footsteps running down the hall, but nobody's there."

Key Ghost Stories Discussed:

1. The Inspectress and the Creaky Fire Extinguisher:

   • [31:17] Em Morales: "She saw a fire extinguisher on the wall, lift off of its handle very slowly, turn itself 90 degrees and then turn itself back and hang on the handle."

2. The Little Boy Apparition:

   • A recurring sighting of a little boy asking where his family is, only to vanish mysteriously.

3. Male Apparitions:

   • [32:00] Em Morales: "There's a man in a merchant marine uniform. There's a few male apparitions."
   • Potential identities include the inn’s architect Robert Reamer, Ranger Phillips who died of hemlock poisoning, and L.R. Piper who vanished in 1900—possibly falling into a geyser.

4. Mrs. Culver's Haunting:

   • [35:00] Em Morales: "She was put in these barrels until a good thaw. And she was just someone who randomly died nearby."

5. The Headless Bride of Room 127:

   • [39:24] Em Morales: "The story goes that in 1914, she was a New York socialite who fell in love with a servant her family disapproved of."

Christine and Em explore the tragic history of the headless bride, her untimely death during a tumultuous honeymoon, and her lingering spirit seeking her lost head or her groom.

• [42:35] Christine Schiefer: "She's walking around. Guests and staff alike have claimed to see her."
• [44:37] Christine Schiefer: "George claims that he made up the headless bride story when he worked there."

They discuss the ambiguity surrounding George’s confession and the possibility of the legend being a creation fueled by truth and embellishment.

Main Story: Victoria and Emil Silliers – Attempted Murder

The episode shifts to a gripping, serialized true crime narrative about Victoria Silliers and her abusive husband Emil.

Part One Recap: Victoria survives a parachuting accident only to discover that Emil may have sabotaged her parachutes and caused a gas leak in their home, leading to her hospitalization and eventual suspicion of Emil’s involvement in attempted murder.

Detailed Summary:

1. The Accident:

   • [52:26] Christine Schiefer: "Victoria has survived this tremendous crash from thousands of feet in the air with no parachute."
   • Victoria wakes up in the ER, confused and in excruciating pain, with Emil exhibiting neglectful and abusive behavior.

2. Discovery of Emil's Infidelity and Sabotage:

   • Detectives uncover Emil's numerous affairs and financial troubles.
   • Text messages reveal Emil’s intentions to leave Victoria and their children for his Austrian girlfriend, Stephanie Goler.
   • [72:36] Christine Schiefer: "He left all the... Someone had tampered with the gas piping."

3. Legal Proceedings:

   • [73:54] Christine Schiefer: "He was charged with these two counts of attempted murder."
   • Emil is arrested for attempting to murder Victoria via two methods: sabotaging her parachutes and causing a gas leak.

4. Victoria’s Testimony and Mistrial:

   • [77:11] Em Morales: "We were really hoping you'd come through here on this."
   • Victoria’s conflicted testimony, defending Emil out of denial, leads to a mistrial due to jury indecision.

5. Prosecution’s Strategy for Retrial:

   • The prosecution presents tens of thousands of Emil's text messages revealing his deceit and abusive behavior.
   • [80:20] Christine Schiefer: "He frequented sex clubs, but his behavior was unwelcome. In other words, he started to become banned from sex clubs."

6. Final Verdict and Aftermath:

   • [81:00] Em Morales: "Emile Silliers was found guilty of all three charges against him."
   • Victoria divorces Emil, finding strength to overcome the trauma and continuing her life, including writing a memoir and reclaiming her passion for skydiving.

• [86:04] Christine Schiefer: "She went skydiving one more time... She felt pure joy and freedom."

Epilogue: Reflections and Urging to Vote

Towards the episode's close, Christine and Em share their anxieties about upcoming elections, urging listeners to participate in the democratic process.

• [89:31] Christine Schiefer: "Please, please, we've... Go vote."
• [90:19] Em Morales: "We've been struggling without you. And now that it's your turn, it's."

They emphasize the importance of every single vote, especially from younger generations, to influence the outcome of the elections.

Notable Quotes:

• Christine Schiefer [14:05]: "Listening can lead to positive change in your mood, your habits, and ultimately your overall well being."
• Em Morales [44:14]: "He was like, oh, you gotta put your name in there."
• Christine Schiefer [74:50]: "How could I. How could this. I can't, like, let this slip past."
• Em Morales [75:08]: "It's like an acme anvil should come from the sky and fall on her."

Conclusion:

In this episode of "And That's Why We Drink," Christine and Em blend chilling ghost stories with a compelling true crime narrative, all while sharing their personal Halloween experiences. The hosts skillfully interweave historical lore with modern-day horror, keeping listeners engaged with relatable anecdotes and suspenseful storytelling. As always, the episode wraps up with a heartfelt plea for civic participation, urging voters to make their voices heard in the upcoming elections.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments for sponsors such as Squarespace, Allstate, and Funlove.com have been excluded from this summary to focus on the core content.