Podcast Summary: E419 – "The Salty Spitoon Sauna and the Bookworm Protocol"

And That's Why We Drink Hosts: Christine Schiefer & Em Schulz Release Date: February 16, 2025

1. Host Banter and Personal Reflections (00:00 – 36:57)

In the opening segments, Christine and Em engage in their characteristic witty banter, showcasing their chemistry and setting a casual, conversational tone for the episode. They discuss personal experiences, such as unexpected interruptions during recording sessions and the nuances of hearing their own voices unexpectedly.

Key Discussions:

• Handling Unexpected Interruptions: Em recounts a night where she experienced eerie occurrences while taking notes for the podcast, leading to suspicions of paranormal activity.

  Em (04:07): "But within goodies with things to lure me out of my home with fun little treats."

• Dealing with Listener Feedback: Christine opens up about her recent foray into reading listener comments on Reddit, expressing vulnerability and emotional responses to both positive and negative feedback.

  Christine (09:27): "I just want to reassure anyone that, like, don't worry, we're not going anywhere."

• Authenticity and Personal Growth: Both hosts emphasize the importance of simplicity, openness, and authenticity in their podcasting journey, discussing how they've evolved over the years and how listener relationships have deepened.

  Christine (24:34): "I just want to say, like, don't worry. We're still here. There's nothing to fear."

2. Exploring the Humpty Doo Poltergeist Case (37:00 – 74:00)

Christine and Em delve into one of their featured paranormal cases: the Humpty Doo poltergeist, located in Australia. They provide a detailed recounting of the events, blending true crime elements with supernatural phenomena.

Case Details:

• Setting and Initial Activity: In 1998, five housemates in a rental home in Humpty Doo, Australia, began experiencing unexplained phenomena after a severe storm.

  Em (45:26): "So all five of them are hanging out on the porch watching the storm."

• Escalation of Paranormal Activity: Objects began flying at the residents, including gravel from their driveway and household items, which sometimes felt soft upon impact, indicating a non-hostile intent.

  Christine (68:36): "When the rocks would hit them, apparently this is a quote. It felt like a marshmallow."

• Attempts to Seek Help: The housemates called in priests to cleanse the home, but initial attempts only intensified the activity. Eventually, different clergy members failed to quell the disturbances, leading to increased media attention.

  Em (60:27): "He said, I just can't do anything. I have to leave."

• Media Involvement: A local news team, Channel Sevens, documented the haunting, resulting in extensive footage but no resolution, leaving the housemates seeking alternative explanations and assistance.

  Christine (85:14): "It was a massive, like, flat statue, essentially, like a big design of a solid cross and a solid trident."

3. The Murder of Helene Przeszynski and Breakthrough (74:00 – 134:59)

Transitioning from supernatural stories, Christine and Em recount the tragic true crime case of Helene Przeszynski, whose murder remained unsolved for decades before a significant breakthrough in 2019.

Case Overview:

• Background: Helene Przeszynski, a promising journalism student and active member of her college's acapella group, went missing in January 1980 in Denver, Colorado.

  Em (91:05): "Helene was the youngest of three children born April 5, 1958, in New York."

• Disappearance and Discovery: After opting to wait for a bus in inclement weather, Helene never returned home. Her body was later found in Daniels Park, showing signs of a violent assault, including rape and multiple stab wounds.

  Christine (104:48): "When the news broke, you know, that Helene's killer was finally in custody, it was sort of bittersweet for everyone who had waited these 40 years."

• Investigation Challenges: Initial police efforts in 1980 hit dead ends, with DNA evidence not yielding a match in CODIS. Over the years, false leads, including confessions from known criminals, added to the complexity.

  Em (118:29): "You know, I can't imagine a bigger kick to the head of, like, oh, now we can use it."

• Renewed Efforts and Technological Advances: In 2015, a dedicated cold case unit revisited Helene's murder, leveraging advancements in DNA technology and genealogy databases. This persistence led to identifying James Curtis White, a former resident with a violent past, as the perpetrator.

  Christine (129:38): "So they gave that to the police, and they were able to run this sample. And wouldn't you know, it, it matched the DNA collected from Helene's body 39 years ago."

• Resolution and Aftermath: James Curtis White confessed to the murder after being confronted with the DNA evidence. The case closure brought mixed emotions to those involved, offering relief but also highlighting the enduring trauma of unsolved crimes.

  Em (135:08): "To those of you who have been here forever and are still here 30 minutes in, I'm so sorry, but. Love you all. And we're not going anywhere."

4. Closing Remarks and Future Directions (135:00 – End)

Christine and Em reflect on the emotional weight of solving longstanding cases and the impact on the victims' families and friends. They express gratitude towards their listeners for their unwavering support and introduce the next segment of their podcast.

Final Thoughts:

• Emotional Impact: The resolution of Helene's case serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of persistence in true crime investigations and the profound effect unsolved cases have on communities.

  Christine (133:52): "At the age of 83, Mike said in an interview that he was happy that the people who loved Helene wouldn't have to endure a trial."

• Community and Support: Em emphasizes the role of community and dedicated friends in keeping the memory of victims alive and the necessity of closure for healing.

  Em (135:27): "Kimberly said that people all have hobbies they enjoy, but her only hobby was finding Helene's killer."

• Looking Forward: The hosts tease future episodes and stories, maintaining their commitment to delivering compelling true crime and paranormal content.

  Christine (138:11): "So that was the Helene Pruszynski story. Very, very tragic. But, like, thankfully, it was solved finally."

Notable Quotes:

• Em Schulz (04:07): "But within goodies with things to lure me out of my home with fun little treats."
• Christine Schiefer (09:27): "I just want to reassure anyone that, like, don't worry, we're not going anywhere."
• Em Schulz (60:27): "He said, I just can't do anything. I have to leave."
• Christine Schiefer (104:48): "When the news broke, you know, that Helene's killer was finally in custody, it was sort of bittersweet for everyone who had waited these 40 years."

Conclusion

Episode E419 of "And That's Why We Drink" masterfully intertwines the hosts' personal experiences with in-depth explorations of both paranormal phenomena and relentless true crime investigations. Christine and Em provide listeners with a rich narrative that not only entertains but also underscores the profound human emotions associated with unresolved mysteries and their eventual resolutions.