Podcast Summary: And That's Why We Drink – Episode E405: Halloween Hangovers and Top Tier Candy Handers

Release Date: November 10, 2024

1. Embracing Parenthood and Halloween Traditions [01:00 – 10:00]

In this episode, hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz share their experiences as parents during Halloween night. Em humorously admits feeling unusually sleepy the morning after trick-or-treating, likening his experience to making an "adult mistake" akin to a "teenager mistake" (01:00). Christine adds levity by questioning this perspective, suggesting it was more of a "little kid mistake" (01:18), reflecting the playful dynamic between the hosts.

They recount their first year handing out candy, estimating they distributed about 15 pounds of candy to approximately 150 children (01:59). Em expresses surprise at the difference in neighborhood participation, noting that while some areas received over 500 trick-or-treaters, their immediate vicinity only saw around 150 kids (03:55). This discrepancy highlights the varying levels of community engagement during Halloween festivities.

Notable Quote:

"When we last recorded, I was saying I was nervous I didn't have enough candy. How'd it go? I guesstimated the exact right amount, which was 15 pounds of candy." – Em Schulz (01:59)

2. Memorable Encounters and Unique Costumes [10:00 – 30:00]

Christine and Em reminisce about the unique and sometimes quirky costumes their children encountered. They describe interactions with children dressed as well-known characters, handmade outfits, and imaginative creations. A standout moment involves a child in a homemade robot costume who humorously "scans" for candy, leading to a lighthearted exchange about categorizing shapes with their child, Leona (13:05 – 16:09).

Another memorable interaction includes a seven-year-old child comparing Christine to his principal, resulting in an awkward but amusing confrontation (27:55 – 29:01). These anecdotes underscore the variety and creativity that children bring to Halloween, making the night both challenging and entertaining for parents.

Notable Quote:

"She's wearing that grumpy toad like four days in a row. So we just put her in the ghost spider outfit. And they were like, we like your costume." – Christine Schiefer (15:08)

3. The Great Candy Dilemma and Social Experiments [30:00 – 50:00]

The hosts discuss their strategy for handing out candy, emphasizing generosity by allowing kids to take more than one piece if they wished. Em reveals a playful experiment where they offered children a choice between candy and potatoes, surprising Christine by distributing several bags of potatoes due to unexpected high demand (95:00 – 96:56). This unconventional approach led to mixed reactions, with some children preferring the novelty of a potato over traditional treats.

Christine shares a particularly memorable moment where a group of teenage girls eagerly chose the potatoes, creating a humorous and confusing situation for the hosts (95:57 – 96:56). The experiment highlights children's unpredictable choices and adds a unique twist to their Halloween narrative.

Notable Quote:

"Honestly, nine out of 10 kids took the potato every time." – Em Schulz (95:14)

4. Dildo Town Humor and Ongoing Jokes [50:00 – 70:00]

A recurring comedic element in the episode involves playful banter about a fictional or humorously portrayed town named "Dildo." The hosts engage in witty exchanges, imagining scenarios and creating fictional lore around this peculiar town. They joke about traditions like “Screech In” ceremonies and the infamous “Dildo Monster,” blending humor with dark themes.

The conversation takes a creative turn as they invent elaborate stories about the town’s history, local festivals, and mythical creatures, all while maintaining a lighthearted and humorous tone. This segment showcases the hosts' ability to balance humor with storytelling, keeping the audience entertained.

Notable Quote:

"He’s going to crossbreed Dildo Monster." – Em Schulz (90:50)

5. True Crime Segment: The Kidnapping of Jacob Wetterling [70:00 – 140:00]

Shifting gears from Halloween antics, Christine and Em delve into a true crime story—the abduction of Jacob Wetterling. They provide a detailed account of the events:

• The Crime: In January 1989, 12-year-old Jared Shirel was abducted and raped but managed to escape. Later that year, Jacob Wetterling, an 11-year-old from St. Joseph, Minnesota, was kidnapped on Halloween night (75:00 – 116:53).

• The Investigation: For decades, the case remained unsolved until advancements in DNA profiling in 2012 linked the crimes of Jared and Jacob to Daniel Heinrich. Despite being a person of interest, Heinrich evaded conviction until a breakthrough DNA match led to his confession (117:30 – 132:10).

• Impact on Families and Community: The hosts discuss the profound impact on Jacob’s family, particularly his parents Patty and Jerry, who became advocates for child protection and founded the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. They also touch upon the wrongful harassment of Dan Rassier, another individual initially suspected but later exonerated (132:10 – 140:10).

• Closure and Legacy: Jacob's remains were found thanks to Heinrich's confession, bringing closure to a heartbreaking case. Christine and Em reflect on the resilience of Jacob's family and the importance of advocacy and advancements in forensic science in solving cold cases (140:10 – 140:10).

Notable Quotes:

"Jacob became a household name throughout the country." – Christine Schiefer (116:18)

"He was on the brink of solving something that completely destroyed a life." – Em Schulz (132:32)

"Jacob has taught us all how to live, how to love, how to be fair, how to be kind." – Patty Wetterling (136:18)

6. Reflections and Future Plans [140:00 – End]

As the episode concludes, the hosts reflect on the emotional weight of discussing such a tragic true crime story juxtaposed with their earlier Halloween tales. They express both sorrow and admiration for Jacob's family and the communities affected by these events. Additionally, they tease upcoming plans, including recorded segments from Texas, and encourage listeners to join their Patreon for more interactive content like monthly live streams and Yappy Hours.

Notable Quote:

"We're waiting for the printer to work again, so we can... We're not leaving without our certificate." – Christine Schiefer (56:07)

Conclusion

Episode E405 of "And That's Why We Drink" masterfully blends lighthearted Halloween stories with the gravity of true crime, showcasing the hosts' versatility in handling diverse topics. From playful exchanges about trick-or-treating and fictional towns to the somber recounting of Jacob Wetterling's abduction, Christine and Em provide a comprehensive and engaging narrative that captivates listeners.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments interspersed within the transcript have been omitted to maintain focus on the episode's primary content.