Podcast Summary: And That's Why We Drink - Episode E414: Flying Foopengerkles and The Art of Yapping

Release Date: January 12, 2025
Hosts: Christine Schiefer & Em Schulz
Title: Flying Foopengerkles and The Art of Yapping

1. Personal Updates Amidst Local Fires

Timeframe: [02:35] - [05:42]

Before delving into the main topics, Christine and Em address their listeners with heartfelt updates concerning the ongoing fires in Los Angeles. Both hosts express gratitude for the community's support and share their current safety statuses:

• Em: "We are currently fine. I'm still in Virginia, it seems like forever. Allison has evacuated just in case."
• Christine: "Fortunately, we are pretty much dead center in a bunch of fires and we're just hoping it doesn't spread to us."

They encourage listeners to assist those affected by providing resources through their Instagram bio link bit.ly/ATwwDFireHelp, highlighting the importance of community support during crises.

2. Lighthearted Banter and Personal Health Updates

Timeframe: [05:42] - [10:27]

Christine and Em engage in playful conversation about their attire and personal well-being:

• Christine: "We're in shades of green today. Our rooms and our shirts, they are the same."
• Em: "Let us be glad. Let us be greenpo."

Em shares her recent battle with a prolonged illness, detailing how it affected her and those around her:

• Em: "I've been here for almost an entire month now. And it was the first week where I feel like a human being again since I got here."
• Christine: "I'm in need of like a reset, so I'm very glad it's a new year."

3. Introducing Sinkhole Sam: A Cryptid Tale

Timeframe: [27:18] - [75:04]

Em presents the focal story of the episode: Sinkhole Sam, a legendary cryptid from Lake Inman. The narrative unfolds with historical sightings and escalating local hysteria:

• Em: "Sinkhole Sam is his name, and it is Samuel, not Samantha, in case we're wondering."
• Christine: "He’s a goddamn fooping gurgle. How did we not see that?"
• Em: "A fupkin gurgle is a subterranean animal that often burrows into the ground. So that would make sense why sometimes we're not finding him."

Key Points:

• Early Sightings:

  • 1920s Fishermen: Witnessed a large, snake-like creature slithering into a sinkhole.
    • "They saw something large allegedly hiss at them, and then it kind of slithered away into the sinkhole." [34:06]
  • 1950s Hunters/Fishermen: Encountered Sinkhole Sam, described as 20-25 feet long with no eyes, ears, or nose but a big mouth.
    • "It had no eyes, ears, or nose." [36:25]

• Media Influence:

  • Ernest Alva Dewey: A satirical journalist from a circus background, he sensationalized Sinkhole Sam's existence, blending satire with local lore.
    • Em: "He wrote in the paper that he came himself to the area to study the Sinkhole Sam."
    • Christine: "He created this whole situation. He should have been out there with a T-shirt."

• Public Reaction:

  • Mass panic ensued with locals fearing for their safety and attributing livestock attacks to Sinkhole Sam.
    • "Panic rose during these sightings, especially when there were also livestock attacks in the area." [65:03]

• Theories and Debunking:

  • Various theories emerged, including natural phenomena, misidentification of native snakes like gopher snakes, and even extraterrestrial origins.
    • Em: "Lauren Coleman thought it sounded a lot like a Mongolian death worm." [43:15]

• Current Status:

  • By the late 1950s, sightings dwindled, leaving Sinkhole Sam a legendary figure shrouded in mystery.
    • Em: "Sinkhole Sam is not here anymore." [62:52]
  • Conclusion by Hosts:
    • Christine: "Take a look in the mirror, people." [75:01]
    • They humorously speculate on the cryptid's continued existence and its role in local folklore.

4. True Crime Spotlight: The Story of Allison Bota

Timeframe: [75:04] - [100:47]

The hosts transition to a harrowing true crime narrative detailing the traumatic ordeal of Allison Bota, a survivor of a violent attack:

Narrative Overview:

• Background: Allison, born in South Africa, leads a fulfilling life as an insurance broker and devoted mother.

• The Attack: In December 1994, after a peaceful evening with friends, Allison is abducted by two men, Clinton (later revealed as Franz) and Theans, who subject her to a brutal rape and multiple stabbings.

  • Em: "He then said, 'Franz and Theans were the ones.'" [89:07]
  • Christine: "She thought then that her attacker was an insane individual lacking remorse." [95:21]

• Miraculous Survival: Despite severe abdominal and throat wounds, Allison experiences an out-of-body moment where she consciously chooses to return to her body to survive.

  • Christine: "She made a very deliberate effort to return to her body. Damn, this is just fascinating." [95:34]

• Recovery and Advocacy: Battling chronic health issues and depression, Allison transforms her trauma into advocacy, authoring a memoir and speaking at events to inspire other survivors.

  • Em: "She finally found her purpose in life, to tell her story and help others."
  • Christine: "She found tremendous healing through telling her story." [99:07]

• Confronting Her Attackers: Decades later, both Franz and Theans are released from prison, rekindling fear and prompting an official inquiry. Allison remains resilient, focusing on her advocacy despite the resurfacing of past horrors.

  • Em: "They were arrested. Franz and Theans were both sentenced to life in prison." [103:15]
  • Christine: "She remained focused on her advocacy work, receiving awards for her efforts." [113:27]

Notable Quotes:

• Allison's Determination: "For 30 years, my goal has been to share my story, to encourage others." [116:43]
• Final Reflection: "Facing this life-threatening event, I've felt your encouragement and care flooding back from you." [117:06]

5. Conclusion and Reflections

Timeframe: [100:47] - [120:29]

Christine and Em wrap up the episode by reflecting on the stories shared:

• Christine: "What a badass. That's a fighter." [119:15]
• Em: "This is one of my least favorite stories you've told, but it was one of my favorite." [119:31]

They invite listeners to engage further through their Patreon and social media platforms, emphasizing the blend of chilling tales and true crime narratives that define their podcast.

Key Takeaways:

• Intersection of Paranormal and True Crime: The episode effectively merges supernatural folklore with real-life trauma, offering listeners a diverse range of chilling content.
• Resilience and Advocacy: Allison Bota's story serves as a powerful testament to human resilience and the transformative power of sharing personal trauma.
• Media Influence on Mythmaking: The legend of Sinkhole Sam highlights how media sensationalism can foster enduring local myths and collective fears.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Em on Healing: "She found tremendous healing through telling her story." [99:07]
• Christine on Purpose: "I finally feel like I have purpose." [116:14]
• Em on Surveillance: "He knew which apartment Allison lived in, as if he'd been watching her for a while." [89:05]
• Christine on Personal Struggles: "I'm very glad it's a new year." [08:05]

This episode of "And That's Why We Drink" juxtaposes mythical cryptids with the stark realities of true crime, inviting listeners to explore the depths of human fear, resilience, and the stories that bind communities together.