Rochester, NY has been the home of photography since George Eastman perfected the photographic process in the flower city. Eastman’s success in analog photography created a booming business that turned into an empire. This empire rose and became the economical foundation to the city, and with that came great power. A purchase of a camera meant the purchase of film, which meant potential print orders and more film . With a business model goldmine that created repeat costumers, Kodak’s power extended far beyond the world of capturing moments. Behind closed doors, Kodak was harboring a massive secret, one that still leaves locals shaking in their docs. The above ground factories and buildings are only a small portion of what at one time existed in Kodak park. Hidden deep beneath the buildings lived Kodak’s darkest and most dangerous secret, one that had the potential to obliterate an entire community. 

Note: All information presented in this episode is sourced material as noted below. All opinions of the hosts do not reflect those at Kodak, nor do the hosts have any affiliation with Kodak.

Sources:

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/local/2016/08/18/did-you-know-kodak-park-had-nuclear-reactor/88944080/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z1118xxe1118xxv000019&gca-ft=64&gca-ds=sophi

Kodak's CFX Final Survey Plan: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0816/ML081690376.pdf

https://grist.org/accountability/buoyed-by-a-retro-revival-kodaks-dark-environmental-past-is-coming-to-light/

Tails of Militant Chemistry by Alice Lovejoy: https://newbooksnetwork.com/tales-of-militant-chemistry

Maps of Kodak Park:

https://mcnygenealogy.com/maps/kodak-1.htm

https://www.orau.org/health-physics-museum/collection/nuclear-weapons/trinity/kodak-film.html

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a21382/how-kodak-accidentally-discovered-radioactive-fallout/

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/07/18/kodak-implosion/30339741/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116119e1193xxv116119d--68--b--68--&gca-ft=177&gca-ds=sophi

We are going Camping! These stories today were submitted by YOU and involve going camping out in the good old wilderness. We even have a surprise special guest right at the beginning that neither of us expected but validated my belief in synchronicities! (Shoutout to you, JAIME! )

Today is all about floating heads, daredevils, crying ghosts, and a laser gun with no business being in the forest.

Welcome to Family Lorror Stories Volume 2!

Sources:

https://www.ausablechasm.com/stories-and-legends

https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-horror-stories-2024/

https://www.mammothres.com/blog/best-mammoth/spooky-story-bodie-ghost-town

Alien Sighting around Mammoth: https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-12-13-man-living-atop-california-volcano-shares-amazing-ufo-story/

As human beings, we are both blessed and cursed to be able to experience all consuming emotions; from pure love and joy, to the immense sadness we feel when we lose someone we love.  Our emotions are powerful. Have you ever felt the piercing stare of a foe from across the room? What about the pulse of electric current you feel when you’re in the midst of a whirlwind romance? Emotions are energy, and energy is power. 

Where does our grief go when we finally decide to release it? The transmutation of pain has been a common motif across all art forms, as art has been used as the medium of healing. 

But what if all these emotions released by the artist live on in the piece, trapped until they can be released into their next form?

Today we talk about loss, coping as artists, and a painting that may still hold the suffering of the artist who created it. Do you believe in haunted paintings?

Welcome to Who R U? Curious Stories Of Family Lore

Trigger Warnings:

Death, intubation, suicide, addiction

Sources:

https://theartedge.faso.com/blog/66784/the-anguished-man-a-paranormal-painting

https://www.reddit.com/r/creepy/comments/9k4fuy/the_anguished_man/

Words can not express the whirlwind of emotions I felt at this festival. Between the overwhelming amount of people way over capacity, to the lack of PLUR from the festival staff and fellow ravers, to ending the weekend with a horrible tragedy. The Forest provided me the journey I needed for my own personal self reflection and growth. For that and the memories I made with true friends I am forever grateful. This experience truly makes me appreciate smaller festivals that are properly ran with the consideration of the public’s security coming first before the money in their pockets. The Forest provides and the Forest taketh away. Sad to say it was my first and last. My heart goes out to all those affected by the negative vibes.

This week sam takes us through her experience at Electric Forest and the horrific tragedy that occurred on Sunday.

Remember, if you're going to party, do so responsibly and with people you trust. Never mix your drugs, and always have a safe plan for getting home. When things go wrong, get help with no questions asked. If you're pregnant, always consult your doctor before going to any event with loud music and large crowds. Your safety is priority, and our hearts go out to those who lost their lives surrounding this years and years past EF.

In memory of:

Brian Alan Brockette, aged 20

Jerard R. Jackson, aged 28

Anna Melicher, aged 27

Little Baby, age unknown.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: OD, S*ICIDE, INFANT/NEONATE FATALITY, DRUG USE, MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

****DISCLAIMER: We are in no way placing blame upon Electric Forest for the deaths and tragedies discussed in this episode. Every statement made was based off of published information as sourced below. Opinions stated are that of the hosts and are opinions only. We are in no way affiliated with EF and our views and choices do not reflect those of the festival. ******

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/us/electric-forest-festival-baby-dead.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/06/30/illinois-jerard-jackson-death-electric-forest-police-body-suicide/90753808007/

https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/police-say-man-found-dead-near-electric-forest-festival-grounds-tried-to-report-crime-that-likely-didnt-happen/69-0541c382-f1cb-4cc5-a75f-71454eadfebc

https://recovery.com/resources/electric-forest-festival-death-a-result-of-molly/

This week Sam is off to Electric Forest! Before she left, we recorded this episode where she shared some of the history of that festival and her plans for her trip.

First, Sam delves into the history of Electric Forest and it's evolution over the years. She talks about the importance of community, safety, and the transformative powers of music festivals.

On the flip side, Wietze takes us down a dark road to Woodstock 99, a festival full of violence, assault, and absolutely horrific conditions. Trigger warning: the second half of this episode will contain mentions of SA, so it's totally understandable if this episode isn't for you.

When all is said and done, go into every situation with an awareness of where you are, who you are with, and where the exits are. If you see something, say something, and always do your research before every festival.

Sources:

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/woodstock-1999-ends-violence#full-article

"Trainwreck" On Netflix

https://www.reddit.com/r/LetsTalkMusic/comments/gbz1bj/woodstock_99_was_it_as_bad_as_people_say/

https://thatdrop.com/awakening-the-story-of-how-electric-forest-came-to-be/

https://www.electricforest.com/a-look-back/

https://www.edmsauce.com/what-is-electric-forest-festival/

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you are not alone. RAINN is a national hotline with services to help. Everything is completely confidential:

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

This episode is dedicated to the wonderful, amazing Liz whose birthday we recently celebrated and who inspired this topic for today's episode. Happy Birthday, Liz!

No matter where you are in the world, you will find that the celebration of birthdays can be found in various forms, connecting us all to the ancient act of honoring another year. From the ancient Egyptians celebrating the births of their gods, to the German kinderfest that inspired modern day American celebrations, birthdays represent making it through another year alive. For some of us it can be a joyous time, filled with friends and family who come together to share in celebration. But for others, birthdays can be a reminder of something lost, someone gone who cannot be replaced. for twinless twins, birthdays represent something more: the life that should’ve been. This week we are going to talk about the origins of birthdays and then introduce “The Vanished Twin Theory” and how that connects to one of our hosts. 

Today we are a little all over the place, with the central theme being the celebrations of birthdays throughout time and cultures. We also go on tangents about funerals, religion, and how everything steals from paganism (not really but, kinda).

If you have interesting birthday traditions, send them our way to add to the "Family Album", aka our future listener stories episode!

If you are a vanished twin and you'd like to share your story, please reach out to us!

Email: wrupodcast@gmail.com

TikTok: @whorupodcast

Instagram:@whorupodcast

Youtube: Who R U Podcast

Sources:

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/history-birthdays

https://innovation.umn.edu/birthdays-without-pressure/related-research

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/11/history-birthday-celebrations/620585/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563220/ (requires subscription)

Can you imagine a world before the moving image? A time where capturing reality in the form of a photograph was brand new, and the world was on fire with invention. Humans were using their critical thinking brains to stretch the bounds of science in the name of art. 

Film was born through scientific curiosity about a horse, and evolved throughout time into the world of film we know today. 

With the birth of the film festival came the birth of genre, and this week we are going to talk about the first horror film ever screened at a festival and how that changed the course of history, both imagined and real. How did fictional horror capture the real dangers lurking around us?

We end this week with a new segment, “Serial Time With Sam” where we explore yet another monster who lurked among us freely for too long and encapsulates the essence of the horror genre : horror mimics the true darkness inside us all” 

Victims of Joe Metheny:

Cathy Ann Magaziner, age 23

Kimberly Lynn Spicer, age 23

Randall Brewer, age unknown

Randy Piker, age unknown

Rita Kemper, Survived, age 37 at the time of the attack

Sources About Metheny:

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/md-court-of-appeals/1035199.html

https://allthatsinteresting.com/joe-metheny

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/convicted-serial-killer-found-dead-in-cell/11647056

The Ultimate Serial Killer Trivia Book:https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-ultimate-serial-killer-trivia-book-a-collection-of-fascinating-facts-and-disturbing-details-about-infamous-serial-killers-and-their-horrific-crime/b19e2aae4b3cb285

Buying from the above link supports small business bookstores! (not sponsored, either, we just love books!)

Sources for Film Fest History:

Boxing Cat Video By Thomas Edison: https://youtu.be/k52pLvVmmkU?si=PvliHleLZkiOw3NY

Watch the Original 1932 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbpQQuOU68w

https://www.labiennale.org/en/history-venice-film-festival

https://mondomovies.wordpress.com/2025/08/06/the-first-venice-film-festival-opened-6th-august-1932/

https://variety.com/2018/film/spotlight/venice-celebrates-its-75th-edition-with-a-look-back-at-its-history-1202916078/

This week Sam shares her story of her first ever car accident, spooky time loop theories, ghost protectors, and the most haunted road in New York. This week is a mashup of conversation, storytelling, and remembering those we love. Remember, always drive safe, and if you're ever in New York State, take a drive down Whiskey Hollow Road, but not after dark...it's ILLEGAL to drive down it at night. Find out why tonight on Who R U? Curious Stories of Family Lore.

Sources:

Sam's personal Encounter

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/11q4pr1/something_possessed_me_on_whisky_hollow_road/

https://www.newyorkhauntedhouses.com/real-haunts/roads.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/groups/238622469188761/posts/458682987182707/

After the horrific nature of the civil war, the US Government wanted to honor those fallen in battle. Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day”, named for the act of decorating the gravestones of soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War with springtime flowers. Humans have been honoring their dead with offerings since ancient times, It is in our nature to mourn those lost to us, especially whose who die in unnatural ways. We are left with the “what if’s” of a life cut short due to violence. 

When 20 year old Willard Lynn Clinch was filling out his draft card at the start of the Korean War, his fiancé knew what it could mean as she stood powerless beside him. Today we are going to talk about my great Uncle and his heroic actions that saved an entire company of men during the Korean War. Welcome to Who R U? Curious Stories Of Family Lore. 

Sources:

Ancestry.com via Subscription and Research

https://www.koreanwar.org/html/5385/korean-war-project-new-york-ra12284679-cpl-willard-lynn-clinch/

Oneida Daily Dispatch Newspaper Articles

Family Photographs

https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Memorial-Day-history.asp

A huge thank you to the Korean War Project for compiling a database of records to help remember those lost during the Korean War.

Little did you know that it would be that same creek, years later, that would wipe away all the croaking frogs and buzzing mosquitoes. The woods with the neighborhood forts would be mixed into one big mass of sludge, churning and devouring everything in it’s path. This is the story of The Great Oneida Flood of 2013.

Sources:

https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/oneidas-2013-flood-disaster-that-didnt-wipe-away-its-famous-sauce/

https://www.oneidadispatch.com/2018/06/13/despite-historic-flood-of-2013-the-oneida-flats-still-home-to-many/

https://www.syracuse.com/news/2014/07/why_oneida_suffered_a_record-breaking_flood_--_and_why_it_might_get_worse_in_the.html

If you would like to share your experience in the Oneida Flood, please reach out to us:

Youtube, Instagram, and Tiktok: WhoRUPodcast

Email: wrupodcast@gmail.com

Image of Governor Cuomo used in the cover art was taken by Jon Dunn and on Facebook.

There was so much that we didn't talk about in this episode, like what it was like for those stranded and then without homes, what it was like in the days and weeks afterwards, and the specific roles the fire department and other emergency services played in dealing with this disaster.

We spend so much time absorbed in our own lives that sometimes we may forget to scan our surroundings and be aware of danger wherever we go. 

This week Sam is talking to us about th Chameleon Killer, an absolutely disgusting excuse for a human being who used others to hide his repulsive crimes. 

Trigger warning: this week we talk about the deaths of mothers and children whose names and ages are listed below :

Pepper and Rea Reed, aged 23 and 2-4 years

Marlyse Honeychurch, aged 24

Marie Elizabeth Vaughn, aged 6

Sarah Lynn Mcwaters, aged 1

Denise Beaudin, aged 23

Lisa Beaudin, abandoned as a toddler 

Eusoon Jun, aged 44

Sources:

https://people.com/chameleon-serial-killer-children-barrels-newly-identified-victim-sick-twist-11805343

https://medium.com/@chelsealynnqueen94/the-chameleon-killer-the-crimes-and-secrets-of-terry-peder-rasmussen-1de92affe650

Disclaimer: In the episode I say episode 32, but I was WRONG :P

Sources:

Wietze, Tae, and their random experiences in Analog Photogrpahy

Wietze and Tae met while they were attending the University of Colorado Denver studying analog film photography. Combined, the two of them have over 20 years of film shooting, developing, and printing experience.

Find Tae on Instagram! @call_me_oddt

Find us on Instagam, Tiktok, and Youtube! @whorupodcast

Email us!: wrupodcast@gmail.com

Hey, Fam!

30 official episodes! WOWWWWW! Thank you for being here with us and giving us an audience to tell stories to! You all rock <3

Due to the length of time it's taking for me to edit Part 2 of the interview with my grandmother, we decided that instead of making you wait an extra week, Sam would take the lead and share a story with you that is the complete opposite of last weeks episode.

Trigger warning: this week is going to involve violent murders of young women, so if that isn't something you want to listen to, then we totally understand if you need to sit this one out. We feel that it's important to highlight stories like this so that the victims are remembered, and perhaps we can all learn something from hearing what happened to them.

The victims whose names we should never forget:

Sherry Bristol, age 14

Catherine O'Brien, age 33

Donna Sue Oglesby, age 18

Vanessa Iberri, age 12,

Kelly Cartier, age 12, Survivor

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1981/09/29/suspect-in-calif-slaying-arrested-in-college-park/50f249b3-1a2a-42e8-b7bb-62feabd571b2/

https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/editorials-death-row-futility

https://www.ocregister.com/2009/11/26/day-25-innocent-girl-shot-to-death-for-no-apparent-reason/

***Disclaimer: All information shared on this podcast is public information. All statements are made as opinions and do not represent any official party other than the opinions of us, the hosts.

Life is a series of flashes that make memories, and time is the thief that is hungry for their light. We often realize what’s important to us as we are losing it, or once it’s lost forever. For me, this week I want to talk about my amazing grandmother, mother to my mother, and matriarch of my family. Grandma has always been the lighthouse in the storm, the strong woman amongst a sea of men. A nurse who rose against the odds and raised 5 kids during a time when women were thought to be nothing more than an extension of the household. This is the story of Doris, my grandmother, and her incredible life as she nears her 98th birthday, Part 1.

Source:

An interview from 2015 with my Grandmother. Next week we will include interview audio from last summer as well.

Hey, Fam!

This week Sam is back and she's taking the lead to share with us a personal story that really shows us how sometimes 5 minutes could mean the difference between living and dying.

Have you ever had a moment in your life where you realized that everything happens for a reason? That you're in the right place at the right time for reasons unknown? This is the tragic story of Patricia Dean and the M*rder S*icide at DJ's Liquor Store.

Sources:

1. "Two Dead in Shooting At Liquor Store", Enterprize Newspaper, Dated 1 November 2002, St Mary's County, Maryland.
2. Sam's Mom
3. Sam

If you are struggling with thoughts of harming yourself or others, help is here:

https://988lifeline.org/

If you or someone you know is experiencing Domestic Violence:

https://www.thehotline.org/

https://www.domesticshelters.org/

You wrote in and we listened! We've chosen 3 of the craziest family stories submitted by you, listeners from our very new little community we are building here together.

We talk dreams. inherited memory, true crime, and wild discoveries. Thank you for being here and thank you for sharing your family tales with us!

If you'd like to share a tale, email us at wrupodcast@gmail.com

Or message us on Instagram at WhoRUPodcast

This week we dive into the history behind the man who became known as St. Patrick, and what we found was DARK. This weeks episode will have you second guessing the traditions you may be partaking in this St. Patty's Day.

Have you ever heard of the Druid people? Patrick's goal in life was to make sure you didn't, so we are here to make sure that you do.

We then take a turn to exactly 100 years ago today (3/16/1926) to the night of the St. Patrick's Day Massacre, a bloody display that scarred the Chicago Police officers who responded to the scene.

Welcome to Who R U? Curious Stories of Family Lore.

Sources:

https://www.missionary.com/biographies/patrick?missionary.com/2026&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23645531702&gbraid=0AAAAADpvDkOD5MfUd83tTo_hPdYieeiDu&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsdnNBhC4ARIsAA_3hejm4F998X6gEY-9hxeehYBPnuW7_G3z5yIIhwWtbCEPlwlbCFjW2MYaAj-_EALw_wcB

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Patrickhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Patrick

https://www.history.com/articles/st-patricks-day-myths-debunked

https://ib.frath.net/w/St._Patrick's_Day_Massacre

Explore the fascinating concepts of inherited memories, deja vu, and the collective unconscious, blending science, philosophy, and personal stories to understand how our past shapes our present and future. We talk about Freud and Jung's feud and how we all just might be the same person. This all started with me laying in bed and wondering if the memories and feelings I am having are my own, or were they handed down to me by my ancestors?

Join us for this deep dive into existential dread avoidance, let's all be Gods! Welcome to Who R U? Curious Stories of Family Lore.

Sources:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/guest-blog/genetic-memory-how-we-know-things-we-never-learned/

24 Dias BG, Ressler KJ. Parental olfactory experience influences behavior and neural structure in subsequent generations. Nat Neurosci. 2014;17(1):90-99. Accessed Feb 2026.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-018-0271-6

Further Reading with Sources:

https://seattleanxiety.com/psychiatrist/2023/6/9/inherited-memories-current-research-and-popular-misunderstandings

Submit your stories for art!: Email us @wrupodcast@gmail.com

Social Media:

Tiktok, Youtube, and Instagram: Who R U Podcast

This week we stayed up late and had a few drinks in this "after hours" recap and expansion of last week. After Mel came on the show, she unlocked some memories for each of us during our time in Mississippi, so we thought we would kick back and share some of the crazy things we learned while enjoying a few late night pours.

Don't worry, even though we this episode is more of an unedited, free-for-all reflection, we end the episode with the tragic story of Mei Rong Li, her husband Rong Cheng, and her sister Mae Jin Li. We ended up coming back to record the next morning so that we could give the proper respect to these three victims whose case remains unsolved.

If you frequented BIloxi and D'iberville in the early 2000's, you've probably heard of "Chinese Happiness" and the horrific end to such a staple to the small coastal town.

If you have any information regarding the murders, please contact the D'Iberville Police Department at (228) 396-4252 or the FBI Gulfport office at (228) 864-6131.

Sources:

https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/newss-seeking-information-in-triple-murder-case/view

https://themississippilink.com/news/8-year-old-finds-parents-and-aunt-murdered-at-home/

https://www.wlox.com/story/33328195/five-years-later-diberville-triple-murder-remains-unsolved/

https://www.facebook.com/TheVividFacesoftheVanished/posts/three-family-members-were-brutally-stabbed-to-death-in-their-own-home-and-the-ca/1178595507807929/

Follow us on Social Media!

Instagram and Tiktok: @whorupodcast

Youtube: Who R U Podcast

The celebration of Mardi Gras is more than the gold, purple, and green that you see lining the streets of New Orleans, and the diverse cultural history transcends today's modernized celebration.

Today we invite Mel Woo to the show to share with us her family lore in connection to Hoodoo, Voodoo, and energy vampires who walk among us.

Mel teaches us about colorism and how it was meant to divide, but created a subculture that thrives despite the racial repression that is as much a part of our American history as the flag itself.

So sit back while Wietze makes Pączki for Fat Tuesday as Mel shares her tales. Welcome to Who R U? Curious Stories of Family Lore.

Sources: MEL WOO :)

https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/

https://www.history.com/articles/mardi-gras

We see a vision of what used to be and we long to bring it back to its glory days. We are nostalgic for a home that was never ours, in a time we've never known. There is something magical about bringing the past back to life after it's been long forgotten.

But what if, in the middle of realizing your dream, you come across something unexpected in the construction? A doorway plastered over, hovering halfway up a wall in your attic as if trying to be hidden.

Have you ever heard of a "Disappointment Room"? This week we talk about a sad part of our American history that needs to be remenbered, and Wietze shares her own discovery and what led to this episode.

Welcome to Who R U? Curious Stories of Family Lore.

Sources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cjbzxv/historical_evidence_for_disappointment_rooms/

https://www.ricentral.com/kent_county_daily_times/local-woman-who-found-secret-room-raising-funds-awareness-for-special-needs-children/article_c9a021f6-26f4-11e8-b9da-777fececc1ca.html

https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/disappointments-room/

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/couple-find-hidden-room-childs-36188690

If you'd like to help stop human trafficing and protect our children, you can find more information here: https://www.worldwithoutexploitation.org/

Here's a list of all the US Senators (every state) and how to contact them:

https://www.senate.gov/senators/

If you need help registering to vote:

https://vote.gov/

Thanks for being here, Fam!

Don't forget, you can STILL WIN A DUTCH HEX. Submit your family lore stories to:

Gmail: wrupodcast@gmail.com

TikTok, Youtube, and Instagram: Whorupodcast

This weekend was a crazy one, and due to my visit to the ER and Sam's dad's ceiling collapsing, we've had our hands full. This was our way of compromising to make sure you all still got an episode.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! @WhoRUpodcast

Email your stories for a chance to win a Dutch Hex and be featured on a future episode: wrupodcast@gmail.com

The Adirondack mountains are a vast mountain range spanning over 10,000 square miles that runs through northern NYS and beyond. With over 100 mountain peaks made of actual moon rocks (anorthosite), and hundreds of lakes and rivers, these mountains are home to many stories of ghosts, cryptids, crimes, and much more. This week I am taking you to Paul Smith’s college to tell you a tale that just might make you believe in life after. 

Sources:

Adirondack Ghosts III by Linda Lee Macken

Scary Stories III: More Tales to Chill Your Bones By Alvin Schwartz

Paulsmiths.edu

Submit a story and win a Dutch Hex: Email us @ wrupodcast@gmail.com

Note: We say this is episode 21 in the intro but we've gotten ahead of ourselves :)

What is that feeling that creeps up on you as you walk into an unfamiliar room, the feeling where eyes are staring at you from the empty rocking chair. Your gut twists and you think, “this place is haunted”.  You feel an invisible gaze watch you as you walk around, examining relics from the past. The hair on the back of your neck stands up, you feel afraid of something but you don’t know what it is. 

Later on you find out that a horrific event took place in the very room you’d felt the eyes. Some might call this feeling a ghost. Did you feel their presence? Were they watching you? Or were you experiencing a “place memory”? Can the Stone Tape Theory be the scientific answer to some hauntings?

After all, the first law of Einsteins theory of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

Sources:

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/directory/st-clements-island-museum/

https://gis.smumn.edu/GradProjects/DanielsonL.pdf

https://sharonahill.com/the-stone-tape-theory-of-hauntings-a-geological-perspective/

Today we dive into the fascinating history of American road trips, exploring their origins and the cultural significance they hold today. We talk about the first ever cross country road trip and how it inspired the great American roadtrip we know of today. We then jump into some spooky personal anecdotes from our own road trips, including an encounter with the Ghost Light of Joplin and a white deer, to name a couple!

We hope you enjoy this mashup of personal experiences mixed with history and lore!

Submit your roadtrip stories for your chance to win your own Handmade Dutch Hex by Wietze herself!

Email us at wrupodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @whorupodcast

Tiktok: @whorupodcast

Sources:

Atlas Obscura

joplinmo.org

Personal Experiences

joplintoad.com

This week we are diving deeper into Dutch Hexes! We explore the symbolism and creation of hexes, as well as magical intentions and how to interpret hex "zones". We then turn our attention to a tale that needs to be told; The Story of Annie Buchert-Bieber and how she was murdered in cold blood.

Don't forget, if you'd like to win your very own Welcome Hex, created by me, Wietze, then all you have to do is reach out to us and share us a family tradition/story/spooky tale. Reach us on:

Instagram @ whorupodcast

TikTok @ Whorupodcast

Or email us @ wrupodcast@gmail.com

Sources continued from last week (see last week's shownotes).

Thank you for your patience as Wietze was sick, we hope this episode will be worth the wait!

This we we talk about Dutch Hexes, what they are, and who brought them over to the United States (or should we say, Colonies). Next week we will get into some of the witchcraft, magic, and superstitions that led to murder.

For all visuals, please check out:

Our Instagram @ WhoRUPodcast

Our TikTok @ WhoRUPodcast

Our Youtube @ WhoRUpodcast (shorts this week)

ENTER TO WIN YOUR OWN WILKUM HEX!

Email a family lore story to: wrupodcast@gmail.com

Topics can be about tradition, spooky family lore, or anything else you'd like us to share with our listeners on our show! Each story=1 entry to win! See instagram for giveaway details.

Sources:

"Hex Signs, Folktales, and Witchcraft of the Pennsylvania Dutch" by Hunter M. Yoder

Art and Infographs by Craig Shaffer and Eric and Johnny Claypoole

Word of Mouth Stories from Grandma

Lancasterpa.com and Their Hex Signs Page

The Designs of Jacob Zook

Glencairnmuseum.org

Finally, the two of us close the book on John Humphrey Noyes and the Oneida Community...for now!

We spend this episode diving into the "sleeping rooms", "interviews", "Sticky love", and so much more. We focus on Tierza Miller, someone who I personally believe was a victim of the system set in place by Noyes, and her story is important to tell to highlight some of the problematic occurrences at the Oneida commune.

In the future we may have a mini episode that highlights some of their other wild inventions, but this episode is all about the inner-workings of this 19th Century experiment (did we mention that the children they had in this community never signed up to be part of an experiment?!)

Sources:

Oneidacommunity.org

Ellen Waylan Smith and her book "From Freelove Utopia to the Well Set Table"

Wbur.org

tapatalk.com

wikipedia (because we there still)

Ancestry.com

We are taking a break from John and the Oneida Gang this week to get into the holiday spirit and avoid skipping a week (I have a lot more reading to do to finish out the Oneida series and I need to be in the right headspace during the holiday season, not in John Noyes land).

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this light and festive refreshment while you wait for Part 3.

Disclaimer: We are no Yule experts as we are currently learning right along with you. This is my first official Yule and I thought I would share with you all what I've learned along the way. Please feel free to message us if anything is inaccurate :)

Hold onto your dignity because this week it's going to get WEIRD, and it's going to be a 3 parter!

*If you're watching the video, enjoy my left-handed animation for your comedic relief from the uncomfortable philosophy that is John Humphrey Noyes.

Sources:

Oneidacommunity.org

Ellen Waylan Smith and her book "From Freelove Utopia to the Well Set Table"

Wbur.org

tapatalk.com

wikipedia (because we there still)

Ancestry.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Oneida Community

04:05 The Life of John Humphrey Noyes

12:25 The Second Great Awakening and Its Influence

17:31 The Concept of Complex Marriage

25:49 The Oneida Community's Legacy and Impact

28:57 Sound Quality Improvements

30:02 Introduction to the Oneida Community

31:52 Formation and Beliefs of the Oneida Community

33:19 John Noyes and Perfectionism

35:12 The Utopian Vision of Oneida

37:00 Community Structure and Practices

38:43 The Mansion House Construction

40:42 Legacy and Impact of Oneida Community

42:47 Future Discussions and Cliffhangers

What is the first word you think of when you hear the word, "Rave"? Is it Community? Safety? Unity? If not, perhaps it should be.

This week Sam takes us through her musical journey that led her to the rave scene, and she debunks some of the myths that have perpetuated throughout time. We talk everything from Warped Tour and childhood cancer, to trinkets and family meals with newfound friends who share a love of music. There's also quite a bit of history sprinkled in.

Welcome to Who R U?: Curious Stories of Family Lore.

Join us as we explore yet another branch of Wietze's family tree and discover not only healers, but also some of the oldest architects in the state of New York?!

HAPPY 10 OFFICIAL EPISODES! As a huge thank you, we are going all the way across the pond to England for this spooky collab!

This week we have a special "swap cast" with General Lee over at Subconscious Realms Podcast! Wietze sits down with General Lee to talk about family history, witches, folk horror, and Matthew Hopkins himself. Though Sam couldn't be here today, she will fill you in on all her thoughts next week!

Welcome to Who R U: Curious Stories of Family Lore.

What secrets do these walls contain? Was your Elementary School really built on ancient burial grounds? What truths hide within the rumors of murder in your high school?

Join us tonight as we each share a story revolving around the schools that gave us our educations. Tonight we talk ghosts and enter into the murky waters of True Crime.

Trigger Warnings: SA, Murder, Assault

April 30th, 1967- December 18th, 2019

Long ago, Dutch explorers were captivated by the way Buddhist fortune tellers used tea as a form of divine guidance. The way the tea was ceremoniously drank from bell shaped cups and then interpreted into meaning was profound magic to them. The ancient practice of Tasswograpjy was then introduced to the Netherlands through tea trading and Buddhist teachings. Quickly it spread all throughout Europe, flourishing throughout Victorian England. Over time, it began to fall out of practice; mothers slowly stopped teaching their daughters, society stopped openly accepting alternate forms of divination, and somewhere along the line, my grandmother’s grandma decided not to teach her how to read the tea leaves.

What if the divine guidance is inherent to who you are and the method in which you connect is just a conduit? And what if no matter what you do, it will find its way to you so that you can make those divine connections? Even if your great grandmother didn’t teach you, you may already know. This is the story of the premonition that should’ve saved my mother’s Life, but it didn’t. I miss you, mom, and I’m sorry.

Welcome to Who R U?: Curious Stories of Family Lore!

Join us as we explore the ghosts of Clinch Mountain and the family lore surrounding Richard Clinch, the explorer who may or may not have had a river and mountain named after him.

"EVP" stands for "Electronic Voice Phenomenon" and is basically when you don't hear anything in person, but upon play back a response is heard.

Well, when Sam was talking about Mimi towards the end of "Knock Knock Part 2", you can hear some responses that we would love for you to hear.

So Happy Friday! We hope you'll stay up late and spend some time listening to this chaotic, albeit interesting and fun, episode!

..Could we consider Mimi the special guest of this episode? You be the judge! (Don't worry, we try and debunk it like any good ghost hunter does).

This episode will feature 2 of the 4 stories of first hand encounters, including one from our guest, Wietze's Dad!

Please excuse the audio, dad was tinkering while being interviewed and I can only use so much of my magic before I need to recharge :P

See Instagram for images associated with this episode @ WhoRUpodcast, TikTok @WhoRUPodcast.

Email us your cool, spooky, downright crazy, or just plain amazing family stories that you would like read on the pod! GMAIL: wrupodcast@gmail.com

Guest: Lou Returns

Think of this as a breather from last episode and a thank you for being here with us! Happy Friday, Fam!

Imagine walking into a room expecting to find the person you love, only to be faced with the unthinkable; they are no longer living. What would you do? What if you tried desperately to save them, but nothing you could do would be enough? These are the stories of the survivors who witnessed death in different ways. One thing they all have in common? They were forever changed by these experiences. Welcome to Who R U? Curious Stories of Family Lore. This is Knock Knock: Part 2.

Weekly Episodes begin streaming 9/22/25!

Cheers, Fam!

Wietze and Sam