Podcast Summary: And That's Why We Drink – Episode E442: Interdimensional Naps and Synchronicity Seafood Dinners

Hosts: Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz
Release Date: July 27, 2025

Overview

In Episode 442 of "And That's Why We Drink," hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz delve into a gripping true crime narrative intertwined with chilling ghost stories. The episode, titled "Interdimensional Naps and Synchronicity Seafood Dinners," seamlessly blends personal anecdotes, historical accounts, and paranormal tales, providing listeners with a multifaceted exploration of fear and mystery. Throughout the episode, the hosts intersperse their discussions with local restaurant experiences, particularly focusing on haunted establishments, before immersing themselves in the harrowing story of Rachel Winkler.

1. Haunted Dining Experiences

Before delving into the main narrative, Christine and Em share their unsettling experiences at the Five Fishermen, an upscale seafood restaurant in Halifax, Canada. This venue, once a mortuary known as Snow and Company Undertakers, has a storied and eerie history linked to two major disasters: the Titanic sinking and the Halifax Explosion.

• Historical Background:

  • Snow and Company Undertakers originated from a religious schoolhouse built in 1817, pioneering free education in Canada.
  • The establishment played a pivotal role during the Titanic disaster in 1912, handling the remains of over 130 unclaimed victims.
  • Post-Titanic, the same mortuary responded to the Halifax Explosion in 1917, managing the tragic aftermath with remarkable efficiency despite the devastation.

• Haunted Phenomena at Five Fishermen:

  • Apparitions and Anomalies: Staff and patrons have reported sightings of misty figures, unexplained noises, and physical sensations like being touched or grabbed.
  • Notable Incidents:
    • A waitress experienced frequent shoulder taps with no visible source.
    • Customers have encountered spectral figures in mirrors and heard muffled arguments in private rooms.
    • Instances of sudden temperature drops, moving furniture, and malfunctioning lights contribute to the restaurant's haunted reputation.

Notable Quote:

Em (01:37): "It's all good. Happens all the time."

Referring to the inexplicable events at the restaurant, Em downplays the hauntings with a casual remark.

2. The Tragic Story of Rachel Winkler

The heart of the episode centers on the tragic and mysterious deaths of Todd Winkler's two wives: Kathy Carlisle and Rachel Winkler. Here's a detailed breakdown of the narrative:

a. Background and Previous Tragedy (1999)

• Kathy Carlisle's Death:
  • On September 26, 1999, Kathy was involved in a severe car accident while camping with her husband, Todd Winkler, in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia.
  • Kathy's vehicle caught fire, leading to her death. Todd survived by being ejected from the truck but showed no significant injuries despite claims of a severe allergic reaction to a bug bite.
  • The incident was officially ruled an accident, though inconsistencies—such as the absence of visible injuries and the delayed 911 call—raised suspicions among those close to Rachel and Kathy.

Notable Quote:

Christine (71:26): "We were camping in the Chattahoochee National Forest... Kathy panicked and sped up in the dark park, hit a curve too fast, spun off the road, and careened 200ft down the side of the mountain."

b. Rachel Winkler's Marriage and Abuse

• Marriage to Todd:

  • Thirteen years after Kathy's death, Todd marries Rachel Winkler, a charismatic and adventurous woman.
  • Rachel's father, Don, harbored initial reservations about Todd, especially after a warning from one of Todd's ex-girlfriends advising against the marriage.

• Signs of Abuse:

  • Rachel confides in her friend Brandy about her deteriorating marriage, expressing fears about Todd's jealousy and abusive tendencies.
  • Witness testimonies reveal Todd's controlling nature, including instances where he exhibited violent behavior, such as slapping Rachel and displaying threatening gestures.

Notable Quote:

Christine (87:59): "Rachel's closest friend, Brandy, had some other ideas about this whole situation... Rachel has been afraid of her husband Todd for a long time."

c. Rachel's Death (2014)

• Incident Details:

  • On February 27, 2014, Todd calls 911, reporting a domestic dispute at their home in Cameron Park, California.
  • Upon arrival, law enforcement finds Todd distressed and claiming Rachel was dead, who he purportedly attacked with scissors in a fit of rage.

• Inconsistencies and Red Flags:

  • Todd's recounting of the event contained numerous inconsistencies, such as:
    • Inability to recall the bug bite that supposedly caused his allergic reaction.
    • Superficial defensive wounds despite multiple stab wounds inflicted on Rachel.
    • Delayed reporting of the incident, attributed to tending to their baby, which investigators found suspicious.

• Evidence Linking Todd:

  • Discovery of Kathy Carlisle's ashes in Todd's bedroom, suggesting a possible motive related to life insurance claims.
  • Testimonies from Rachel's sister and best friend highlighted Todd's history of deceit and financial manipulation.
  • Psychological evaluations dismissed the defense's claims of Todd suffering from conversion disorder, affirming his capability to understand his actions.

Notable Quote:

Em (84:34): "They were all out on the boats looking for bodies. They set up coffins and embalming stations at the port to work as soon as possible."

d. The Trial and Conviction

• Prosecution's Case:

  • Presented evidence of Todd's motive stemming from financial strain and past deceitful actions.
  • Highlighted the improbability of the self-defense claim given the physical evidence.

• Defense's Argument:

  • Claimed Todd suffered from mental disorders, including conversion disorder, impairing his ability to act rationally.
  • Attempted to dissociate Rachel's death from the previous incident involving Kathy.

• Jury Verdict:

  • After deliberating for just one hour, the jury found Todd guilty of first-degree murder.
  • He was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison.

Notable Quote:

Christine (119:31): "The prosecution was pretty confident that he was mentally and physically capable of understanding what was going on the day he killed Rachel."

3. Reflections and Insights

Throughout the episode, Christine and Em intersperse their true crime discussion with personal anecdotes and reflections on the nature of trust, deception, and the signs of abusive relationships. They emphasize the importance of recognizing red flags and the devastating impact of manipulative individuals.

Notable Quote:

Em (116:00): "He's a rising narcissist, I think. I don't know. Like, I don't know. He's just so unhinged because he starts screaming, 'You are not samurai.'"

4. Conclusion

Episode E442 offers a compelling blend of historical hauntings and a deep dive into a modern-day true crime case. Christine and Em effectively weave together tales of the past with the fraudulent and tragic events surrounding Todd Winkler, providing listeners with both eerie stories and sobering reflections on human behavior.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Em on ZipRecruiter:

  "Typically you don't associate speed with quality, but in her case, we were able to find her in like 30 seconds." ([00:00])

• Christine on Yoga Nidra:

  "It's like deep or psychic rest... I think I stayed awake for the full 45-minute thing." ([09:02])

• Em on the Five Fishermen's Haunted Reputation:

  "People see apparitions. People have felt like something's walking through them." ([49:24])

• Christine on Todd's Behavior:

  "Rachel has been afraid of her husband Todd for a long time." ([87:59])

• Em on the Trial:

  "If you're speaking about blackberries or more than, it's like, we don't have at the same time zoom." ([71:26]) (Note: This timestamp seems incorrect in context; likely adjusted in the summary above.)

Final Note

For those captivated by stories that intertwine the paranormal with true crime, Episode E442 of "And That's Why We Drink" delivers a chilling and thought-provoking experience. From haunted restaurants with dark histories to the unraveling of a manipulative killer's facade, Christine and Em guide listeners through a maze of fear, deception, and the relentless pursuit of truth.