Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Spooky Season, The Cecil & Absinthe Shots with Peet Montzingo
Podcast: Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz (PodcastOne)
Date: September 9, 2025
Guests: Pete Monzingo (YouTuber, musician, paranormal explorer)

Overview

This episode kicks off "Spooky Season" as Tom Schwartz and guest Peet Monzingo delve deep into the haunted history of LA's infamous Cecil Hotel and explore the lore and legend of absinthe. Together, they share chilling personal experiences, discuss the fine (and dark) art of boy bands, talk about living with difference (including dwarfism and being a "ginger"), content creation, and creativity under pressure. Amidst laughter, goosebumps, and a few absinthe shots, Schwartz and Monzingo strike a balance between reflection and mischief, setting the tone for a season of all things weird and wonderful.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spooky Season Vibes and Absinthe Lore

• The episode launches with Tom’s infectious enthusiasm for fall and spooky season, declaring September 1st as his personal Halloween kickoff.
• Absinthe lore is central to the vibe—a ritual, aesthetic, and legendary drink speculated to have hallucinogenic properties.
  • Origins & Mythology: Absinthe, aka the “Green Fairy,” originated in 18th-century Switzerland, beloved by Parisian artists and writers but infamous for rumored psychedelic effects.
  • Scientific Reality: Modern absinthe has only trace psychoactive chemicals (thujone); myth of hallucinations likely caused by very high alcohol content and imagination.
  • Schwartz’s take: “I still like to believe some of the stuff in Europe will make you trip out.” (03:02)
• Ritual described: The slow drip of cold water over a sugar cube into absinthe, creating a cloudy “louche” effect.

2. Meet Pete Monzingo – YouTuber, Musician, Haunted Hotel Neighbor

• Pete introduces himself as “here to tell Tom a little bit about paranormal because we are here across the street from the Cecil Hotel.” (05:38)
• Host describes Pete as “a singer, writer, editor, educator at large...great human being, educational, uplifting, hilarious, and spooky.” (06:09–06:22)
• Banter about their love of Halloween and boy bands sets the tone for playful but sincere conversation.
• Conversation drifts to Pete’s unique family background:
  • Pete traces his ancestry back to Queen Azinga of Angola. (07:51)
  • Discussion of growing up in a family with dwarfism; preferred terms ("little people," not "midget").
  • Monica: "That means she got my brother’s type of dwarfism and my sister-in-law’s type. Usually they die and she made it." (18:35)—celebrating survival and uniqueness.

3. Absinthe Experiences & Placebo Power

• Pete and Tom share personal absinthe tales—Pete describes a wild night in Paris with his brother:
  • “We were like floating around like fairies for the next fucking six hours.” (12:03)
  • Admits, “I’m the kind of person who also just, like, gets in my head...so kind of like a psychosomatic thing.” (13:36)
• Schwartz ties this to a broader idea: when people expect supernatural experiences (ghosts, hallucinations), they’re primed to perceive them.
  • “It’s like you expect you’re gonna hallucinate... you might manifest that.” (13:48)

4. The Haunted History of the Cecil Hotel

• Pete, living across from the hotel, is considered an unofficial expert on the Cecil.
  • Claims: “The Hotel Cecil is now 100 years old as of last December...it has 18 reported deaths. But there have been over 800 deaths total.” (20:46)
  • Shares a harrowing story of seeing someone jump from the roof—never reported anywhere. (21:29)
  • Pete has been banned from entering by hotel owners after his videos spotlighted its grim reputation, even leading to legal threats. (24:08)
  • Discussion about hotel’s recent use as low-income housing after failed attempts at luxury redevelopment.

5. True Crime and Controversy: Ramirez and Elisa Lam

• The hotel is tied to notorious serial killer Richard Ramirez (the "Night Stalker") and resides at the heart of the Elisa Lam mystery.
  • Schwartz references Ramirez’s chilling lack of remorse:

    “His crime showed, and this is a quote, cruelty, cruelty, callousness and viciousness beyond any human understanding.” (25:23)

  • Pete reveals his hairdresser’s father was Ramirez’s cellmate, and she still owns a portrait painted by the killer. (26:00)
• The Elisa Lam case is recounted:
  • Pete: “She goes missing, and…the last known footage of her was in an elevator where she was acting like she was possessed…” (29:56)
  • Schwartz describes the horror of residents drinking from water tanks tainted during Lam’s disappearance:

    “The fact that people reported strange tasting water. They were drinking it, they were bathing in it, gargling…Like that really just disturbs me. 19 days.” (31:24)

  • Pete: “I think it’s a little bit of both”—on whether Lam’s death was supernatural or foul play. (32:58)
• Both discuss the lingering energy, whether dark or just highly charged, in the hotel.

6. Personal Paranormal Encounters

• Pete describes multiple inexplicable incidents since moving near the Cecil:
  • A water bottle flies across the room with no logical explanation. (35:08–35:57)
  • After visiting other haunted locations, he hears someone call his name at night (“Pete…”) while fully awake—“If I were to turn around, I would have seen something.” (37:11)
  • Unexplained knocks on his home’s walls/door at witching hour, prompting him to soon move out. (38:13–39:53)
  • Pete openly recalls a “deliverance” (exorcism-like ritual) to rid himself of a clinging spirit. (40:44)
• Schwartz and Pete debate the dangers—and the thrill—of investigating hauntings:
  • “Would you ever come with me?” (41:41) Schwartz: “I would love to do one with you.”
  • They agree a “spiritual cleanse” would be necessary afterward.

7. Boy Band Days, Creation & Resilience

• Pete’s musical history:
  • He was in multiple boy bands (Zero Gravity, 5 West), describing the intense camaraderie and heartbreak of breakups—like “my first romantic breakup.” (51:24)
  • On the energy of touring: “I mean, I really felt like I was in my element. It was wild. I mean, it was just so special.” (55:31)
  • 5 West achieved international touring, opening for acts like Jason Derulo.
  • The pandemic derailed the momentum—pivoted Pete to content creation after a viral video.
• Viral Video & Content Success
  • Pete’s YouTube and TikTok advice:
    • “Don't have a plan B. Do what you feel like you're born for. Don't take anyone's shit. Do what you feel. And if, even if it doesn't work, just keep going.” (47:13)
    • “Since 2020…explore whatever you want to do and…delete everything else you did before that and pretend like you're just starting.”
  • His authenticity praised:
    • Schwartz: “Your authenticity shines bright when I watch your…channels. It's…not a two dimensional experience. I feel like I get the 3D you.” (48:41)

8. Mental Health, Misunderstanding, and "Isms"

• Pete opens up about neurodivergence, Adderall experiences, and his new single "Isms":
  • “It's about feeling like you're neurodivergent neurospicy. …the miscommunications are incredible with that. …It's like the whole, you know, discrepancies of communicating when you feel like you don't belong.” (56:34)
  • Treats listeners to a brief, vulnerable acapella preview. (57:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Absinthe Ritual:
  • “I love the ritual. Traditionally, you place a sugar cube on a little spoon and let it dissolve with cold water dripping down...” (02:40)
• On Absinthe and Hallucinations:
  • Pete: “I was in Europe last year and I was hallucinating...floating around like fairies for the next fucking six hours.” (12:03)
  • Schwartz: “It’s like the placebo effect... Or if we go to Hotel Cecil and you really expect to see a ghost, you might manifest that.” (13:48)
• On the Cecil Hotel’s Death Toll:
  • Pete: “It has 18 reported deaths. ...But there have been over 800 deaths total since its opening. And you don't hear about it.” (20:46)
• On Elevator Incident with Elisa Lam:
  • Schwartz: “To me, it’s such a fascinating case...the last known footage of her was in an elevator where she was acting like she was possessed or weird or something was going on.” (29:56)
• On Paranormal Encounters:
  • Pete: “There was a water bottle on top and...all of a sudden the water bottle, it looks like it got hit...” (35:43)
  • Pete: “I go to close my eyes and I hear ‘Pete.’ ...I knew if I had turned around in that moment, I would have seen something.” (37:11)
  • Pete: “I've had to have a deliverance because of that.” (40:44)
• On Boy Bands and Heartbreak:
  • Pete: “When we broke up, it was like my first romantic breakup...I’ve always been trying to find that sense.” (51:30)
  • “It was everything. …It was an arena tour.” (55:16)
• On Creating Content:
  • “Never give up. …Do what you feel like you’re born for. …Even if it doesn’t work, just keep going.” (47:13)
  • “Good content is good content. You should always just focus on making the best content.” (48:25)
• On Authenticity:
  • Schwartz to Pete: “Your authenticity shines bright...not a two dimensional experience. I feel like I get the 3D you.” (48:41)
• On New Music:
  • Pete (singing): “We’re just sharing isms.” (58:07)
  • Schwartz: “Dude, that's a banger!” (58:12)
• On Happiness & Moving Forward:
  • Pete: “It's definitely like feeling less pigeonholed... But trying to, like, you know, trying to find more of the success in that.” (60:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Spooky Season Kickoff: 00:00–04:30
• Absinthe Lore & Ritual: 01:13–04:30
• Pete’s Family, Dwarfism, and Representation: 06:30–10:00, 17:37–19:35
• Absinthe Stories & Placebo Effect: 11:54–15:35
• Cecil Hotel History & Deaths: 20:18–24:39
• Richard Ramirez & True Crime: 24:47–27:09
• Elisa Lam Mystery: 28:48–32:53
• Personal Hauntings & Supernatural Experiences: 34:36–44:21
• Boy Bands, Music, Content Creation: 47:06–56:08
• Acapella Preview of ‘Isms’: 57:55–58:14
• Reflections, Happiness, Looking Forward: 60:08–61:10

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, friendly, filled with dark humor and real talk, making complex topics accessible and deeply personal. Schwartz balances his signature goofiness and introspection with Pete’s wit and sincerity. Stories blend the mystical and the mundane, inviting listeners into the search for harmony amidst chaos.

For New Listeners

Whether you’re obsessed with true crime, paranormal lore, resilience in the face of difference, or simply fascinated by the creative hustle, this episode captures the wild, weird, and warm spirit of “Detox Retox.” Come for the ghosts, stay for the heart.