And That's Why We Drink – Episode 422: Nostalgic 90's Tarot Cards and A Block Party of Ghosts

In Episode 422 of "And That's Why We Drink," hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz blend their signature mix of chilling ghost stories with riveting true crime narratives, all while sharing personal anecdotes and reflections that add depth to their discussions. This episode, titled "Nostalgic 90's Tarot Cards and A Block Party of Ghosts," delves into the eerie histories of haunted locations and the dark underbelly of online interactions, all set against a backdrop of nostalgic 90's references.

1. Host Banter and Personal Insights

The episode opens with Christine and Em engaging in playful banter, discussing their experiences with tarot cards, lucid dreaming, and astral projection. Their conversational chemistry sets a relaxed tone, allowing listeners to connect with them on a personal level before diving into the more intense topics of the episode.

• Lucid Dreaming Experiences

  Christine shares her unsettling experience of almost achieving astral projection during a lucid dream:

  [06:02] Christine Schiefer: "I almost astral projected last night... I got too scared."

  Em relates by recounting her own vivid dream of befriending Idina Menzel, highlighting the blurred lines between dreams and reality:

  [07:14] Em McCory: "I had a dream last night that I was friends with Idina Menzel... That feels like that shouldn't be real."

2. The Haunted Cage – A 300-Year-Old Jail's Dark History

Transitioning to their primary content, Christine and Em narrate the spine-chilling story of "The Cage," a former 300-year-old jail located in St. Ozith, England, which has since been converted into a residential home infamous for its paranormal activity.

• Historical Background

  The Cage was originally used to imprison women accused of witchcraft, with Ursula Kemp being the most notable prisoner before her execution:

  [26:28] Christine Schiefer: "Ursula Kemp stayed here before she ended up being hanged for witchcraft. And that's what it's most famous for."

• Paranormal Phenomena

  Over the decades, tenants have reported a myriad of supernatural occurrences, including unexplained footsteps, moving objects, and apparitions. The house's dark past seems to permeate every corner, creating an atmosphere of constant dread:

  [32:12] Em McCory: "She said there were literally layers of spirits here because they would range from nice to malevolent."

  Notable events include the sudden appearance of a black mask floating through doorways and the manifestation of both benevolent and malevolent spirits, making the residence one of the most haunted locations in Britain.

3. The Abduction of Alicia Kozakiewicz – A Terrifying True Crime Case

In one of the most harrowing segments of the episode, Christine and Em delve into the true crime story of Alicia Kozakiewicz, a 13-year-old girl who was abducted in 2002 through online grooming by an adult predator, Scott Tyre.

• Online Grooming and Abduction

  Alicia's introduction to the internet led her to online communities where she eventually befriended Scott Tyre, who manipulated her trust over several months:

  [95:11] Christine Schiefer: "She met him through instant messenger. He introduced himself as a boy her age."

  On New Year's Day, Alicia agreed to meet Scott, only to be violently abducted and held captive:

  [117:41] Christine Schiefer: "She was in his car, and he told her, 'If you don't stay quiet, I'll put you in the trunk.'"

• Rescue and Aftermath

  Just moments before Scott intended to harm her further, authorities intervened, rescuing Alicia and apprehending Scott thanks to an anonymous tip and advanced tracing methods enabled by the Patriot Act:

  [123:03] Em McCory: "She was rescued less than 30 minutes before Scott was due to take her for a drive."

  Although Scott was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison, early release in 2019 led to further legal complications, including additional prison time for parole violations.

• Alicia's Advocacy

  Surviving the ordeal, Alicia transformed her traumatic experience into a mission to advocate for children's online safety, earning an MA in Forensic Psychology and working with organizations like the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

  [122:49] Christine Schiefer: "Alicia became an advocate for children's online safety... She educates children and parents about the dangers of being online."

Notable Quotes and Insights

Throughout the episode, Christine and Em pepper their narrative with insightful and poignant quotes that underscore the gravity of the stories they share:

• On Trauma and Recovery:

  [95:30] Em McCory: "Trauma cannot be measured by time... It's about the impact that an experience has."

• On Paranormal Activity:

  [32:27] Em McCory: "They started hearing the sound of babies crying at night. Fire tools would move around by themselves... It was dangerous."

• On Alicia's Advocacy:

  [122:57] Em McCory: "Alicia teaches in her talks that trauma cannot be measured by time."

Conclusion

Episode 422 masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes with gripping true crime and paranormal stories, providing listeners with a blend of entertainment and sobering lessons on the dangers lurking both in the shadows of haunted houses and the depths of the internet. Christine and Em's ability to navigate these heavy topics with empathy and insight makes for a compelling and memorable episode.

Note: Advertisements, introductions, and outros were omitted from this summary to focus solely on the core content and narratives presented in the episode.