Podcast Summary: And That's Why We Drink Episode: E433 Tee Shirt Abs and Moving Fonts
Release Date: May 25, 2025
Hosts: Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz

Overview

In episode E433 of "And That's Why We Drink," hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz delve into a blend of chilling ghost stories from Ybor City, Tampa, and the ever-entertaining realm of "Florida Man" antics. Balancing eerie narratives with humorous crime tales, the hosts engage listeners with their unique mix of true crime and paranormal discussions, all while enjoying their favorite beverages.

Ybor City Ghost Stories

The episode kicks off with Christine and Em exploring the haunted locales of Ybor City, Tampa's historic district known for its rich cultural heritage and, as they reveal, a significant number of ghostly presences.

Cuban Club (Club Dead)

• Historical Background:
  Founded in 1902 as a social hub for Cuban immigrants, the Cuban Club, also known as Club Dead, has a storied past marked by tragedy and rebirth. After a fire in 1916, the club was rebuilt a year later and now serves as a venue for special events and banquets.

• Notable Deaths:

  • Jimmy, the Young Boy: An eight-year-old boy drowned in the club's pool, a tragic event that left lasting spirits. Christine humorously refers to him as "possibly Jimmy" ([13:27]).
  • Mysterious Woman: In the 1920s, a woman either fell or was pushed from an upper-floor balcony, resulting in her untimely death.
  • Actor's Suicide: An actor, overwhelmed by forgetting his lines, hanged himself on stage during a live performance ([15:17]).
  • Alberto Colby (El Fumador): The club president was fatally shot in a heated boardroom dispute, adding another layer to the club's haunted reputation ([16:02]).

• Ghostly Encounters:

  • El Fumador: Described by mediums as an intimidating presence who threatens those who approach him ([18:36]).
  • Carlita the Dancer: A 1920s-era dancer caught in an eternal affair with the local crime boss, she reveals her murder to mediums, asserting her crimes were avenged ([20:08]).
  • Jimmy's Spirit: A restless child spirit seen running around and playing tag, never settling ([20:54]).
  • Actor Vincent: Continues to rehearse his lines, unaware of his death, embodying the perpetual struggle of his unfinished performances ([21:19]).

Notable Quote:

Em ([18:36]): "So apparently when mediums have seen him, he tries to intimidate them. And one of them was even quoted saying, 'I was told to leave him alone or he would kill me.' Yawn. Like."

Don Vicente Hotel de Ybor

• Historical Background:
  Originally built in 1895, the Don Vicente Hotel has transitioned from a clinic known as El Bien Publico to the Gonzalez Clinic, and later to a boutique hotel in 1998. Throughout its history, it served as a critical medical facility during a tumultuous period marked by mafia activity in Tampa.

• Notable Deaths:

  • Dr. A and Jose: Dr. Avellano and his son Jose, who was expelled from the hospital and implicated in sinister activities involving a diploma mill and possible experimentation on animals ([30:04]).

• Ghostly Encounters:

  • Jose's Spirit: A shadowy figure unable to comprehend his death, seen moving mysteriously ([37:53]).
  • Shadow Figures and Apparitions: Visitors report seeing women in veils, shadowy figures on beds, and objects moving autonomously.
  • Sleep Paralysis Experiences: Individuals describe being pinned down by shadow figures and encountering apparitions emerging from walls ([40:28]).

Notable Quote:

Em ([36:36]): "Nobody takes me out. Nobody. But it's like someone did."

Florida Man Stories

Transitioning from the paranormal, Christine and Em dive into the quirky and bizarre world of "Florida Man" stories, highlighting some of the most outrageous headlines that have made Florida infamous for its eccentric criminals.

Introduction to Florida Man Phenomenon

Christine explains the "Florida Man" meme, where bizarre and humorous crimes are attributed to anonymous male individuals from Florida. This trend is fueled by Florida's Sunshine Law, which ensures public access to government records, making such stories more accessible and frequent ([46:57]).

Notable Stories Discussed:

1. Michael Earhart vs. Jason Laughman ([50:12]-[52:17])

   • Incident: A minor dispute over a missing can of shrimp escalates into a violent confrontation where Laughman wields a samurai sword and steak knives.
   • Outcome: Earhart escapes unharmed by calling 911, preventing further chaos.

   Notable Quote:

   Em ([51:07]): "That's too much."

2. Amanda Volens and the $10,000 Heist ([52:50]-[55:56])

   • Incident: Three teenagers steal over $10,000 worth of high-end items from Amanda Volens' home, including Swarovski crystals and expensive furniture.
   • Outcome: Volens pursues them herself, providing real-time details to the police, leading to their arrest. However, the stolen goods remain unfound.

   Notable Quote:

   Christine ([55:18]): "That's too much."

3. Mark Lesher – The Half-Orangutan CIA Director ([56:01]-[63:07])

   • Incident: Mark Lesher, claiming to be half-orangutan and the director of the CIA, is arrested for attempting to obtain "monkey blood."
   • Outcome: Charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after authorities find guns in his vehicle with no CIA connection.

   Notable Quote:

   Em ([56:55]): "It's like, this is too much information. It's making you look more suspicious."

4. Danny Leman Jelly and the Misused Bills ([60:27]-[62:05])

   • Incident: Jelly steals $150 in signed bills from the Siesta Key Oyster Bar and spends them on a sub, finding it amusingly odd that someone would use such bills to purchase food.
   • Outcome: Arrested at a local outlet store after evading capture.

   Notable Quote:

   Christine ([68:12]): "He then spent the bills on the first thing any self-respecting Florida man would do. A pub sub."

5. Additional Stories:

   • Concealed Weapons Class Gone Wrong: A deputy pawns stolen guns from a concealed weapons course, leading to arrest ([59:39]-[59:46]).
   • Jonathan Hinkle's Hooters Misadventure: Hinkle misuses a 911 call to seek a ride to Hooters, resulting in his arrest for false reporting ([66:44]-[67:00]).
   • Holiday Inn Breakfast Crusade: A man insists on eating breakfast at a hotel despite not having a reservation, claiming ownership of the USA before being asked to leave ([63:04]-[65:12]).
   • Gun in the Strip Club Bathroom: A man fires a gun in a bathroom at a strip club while attempting a selfie, leading to no injuries but a severe penalty ([67:34]-[68:12]).
   • Wine Cooler Theft: Matthew Jeanneau steals a wine cooler and torch from a garage, drinking the cooler on the spot ([68:39]-[69:10]).

Notable Quotes:

Christine ([67:18]): "I have a feeling he was trying to take a mirror selfie with a gun."
Em ([62:05]): "I'm just reporting the news. I'm just a reporter."

Conclusion

Episode E433 of "And That's Why We Drink" masterfully intertwines spine-chilling ghost stories with the absurdity of "Florida Man" crimes, showcasing Christine and Em's ability to navigate between the eerie and the humorous. Their engaging storytelling, punctuated with witty banter and relatable anecdotes, provides listeners with a captivating blend of true crime and paranormal mystery. Whether you're intrigued by haunted histories or amused by outrageous criminal tales, this episode delivers a compelling experience that underscores why, as the hosts aptly put it, "the world's a scary place. And that's why we drink!"

Notable Moments and Quotes

• Em on the Cuban Club's Haunted Atmosphere ([16:02]):

  "Basically, the Cuban Club has been listed as one of the top 10 most haunted places in the United States. Shit. And we're proud of it."

• Christine on Mother’s Gator Heritage ([02:25]):

  "I have a very special place in my Harford, Florida. My mom's family all lives here, and I'm prepared for, like, 50% of you to boo me, but my mom is a gator."

• Em’s Humorous Take on Ghost Rules ([05:03]):

  "Here’s that. Just face your drink."

• Christine on the Actor’s Eternal Struggle ([21:22]):

  "For eternity."

• Em on the Half-Orangutan Incident ([56:55]):

  "It's like, this is too much information. It's making you look more suspicious."

• Christine's Reaction to Bizarre Florida Man Headlines ([47:21]-[48:51]):

  "Oh, what the fuck? Florida. Okay."

Note: This summary excludes promotional segments, advertisements, and non-content related sections, focusing solely on the core discussions of ghost stories and Florida Man anecdotes as presented by Christine and Em.