The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery
The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery is a podcast for cemetery lovers, preservationists, and even those who've never walked among the graves. Join hosts Jennie and Dianne as they explore old cemeteries and learn the stories of those buried within their walls. After all, every death had a life, and every life had a story.
Episodes
259 episodes
Episode 260 - Candlelight and Liberty
“Hanukkah is about the freedom to be true to what we believe without denying the freedom of those who believe otherwise. It’s about lighting our candle, while not being threatened by or threatening anyone else’s candle.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”...
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Episode 260
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40:16
Episode 259 - The Santa Colonel: 70 Years of Christmas Magic
This week Dianne and Jennie are getting into the holiday spirit with the heartwarming story of Colonel Harry Shoup, the Air Force officer who answered a mistaken phone call from a little girl looking for Santa. His kindness sparked a tradition ...
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Episode 259
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44:51
Episode 258 - Around the Table: Preserving Family Stories
This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne remind listeners the holidays are the perfect time to gather 'round the dinner table and record the tales of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family m...
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Episode 258
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39:47
Episode 257 - Cemeteries as Catalysts for Alternate Histories
Get ready to dig into the fascinating world of alternate histories! On this week's Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, Jennie and Dianne welcome back Research Historian Lynette Webber to explore how cemeteries can inspire and provoke our u...
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Episode 257
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57:00
Episode 256 - Death and Dying 101 with Ryan Seidemann Round 5
It's time for a new addition of Death and Dying 101. Join Jennie and Dianne, along with regular contributor Ryan Seidemann, as they dig into the dirt on some heavy hitters: the environmental impact of cremation vs. full body burial, the tricky ...
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Episode 256
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1:09:42
Episode 255 - The Stories of Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio
Jennie and Dianne are thrilled to welcome Diana Kresnye, a passionate tour guide and historical interpreter at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio to the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast. Lake View Cemetery is a treasure trove of histo...
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Episode 255
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1:05:14
Episode 254 - Beyond the Grave: The Phantom of the Opera
Join Jennie and Dianne for the 2025 "Beyond the Grave" episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, just in time to put you in a spooky mood for Halloween! Dim the lights, get cozy, and immerse yourself in Gaston Leroux's timeless masterpiec...
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Episode 254
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51:09
Episode 253 - The Veiled Lady's Tale: Paranormal Perspectives with Nicole Beauchamp
Get ready for a ghostly good time on this week's Ordinary Extraordinary podcast! Jennie and Dianne are joined by Nicole Beauchamp, author and paranormal researcher, to discuss the power of remembrance and the importance of preserving the Ordina...
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Episode 253
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44:22
Episode 252 - Cast in History: The Story of Vermont's Unique Grave Markers
On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by Miles McCallum and Nick Brown, researchers and enthusiasts passionate about uncovering the stories behind Vermont's historic cast-iron grave markers...
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Episode 252
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51:32
Episode 251 - Gaston LeRoux's Opera Phantom with Dr. Jerrold E. Hogle
Get ready for a haunting tale of love, obsession, and music that echoes beyond the grave! Join Jennie and Dianne on this week's episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they dive into the world of Gaston LeRoux's classic novel,...
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Episode 251
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1:25:41
Episode 250 - The Ordinary Extraordinary Truth About America's Deathcare
Get ready to confront the uncomfortable truths about death and dying in America, and discover how we can work towards a more equitable system for all. This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by Sta...
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Episode 250
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1:27:45
Episode 249 - Death and Dying 101 with Ryan Seidemann Part 2 - Round 4
What happens when human remains are discovered in public spaces? Can pets be buried alongside their owners? And what's the protocol for handling human remains from space? Jennie and Dianne, along with Ryan Seidemann, tackle these tough question...
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Episode 249
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46:11
Episode 248 - Death and Dying 101 with Ryan Seidemann Part 1 - Round 4
What happens when science and culture collide? Jennie and Dianne dive into the world of human remains with Ryan Seidemann in Part 1 of a new Death and Dying 101 feature. They discuss the challenges of creating inclusive public memory, the ethic...
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Episode 248
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50:22
Episode 247 - Too Poor to Die: A Conversation with Amy Shea
Join Jennie and Dianne on The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they welcome Amy Shea, author of the groundbreaking book 'Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins.' Amy's work sheds light on the often-hidden truths...
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Episode 247
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50:49
Episode 246 - Around the World in 80 Graves: A Conversation with Tui Snider
What happens when you combine travel, history, and a dash of humor? You get 'Around the World in 80 Graves: Travel, Tombstones & Transformation', the new book from Tui Snider. Join Jennie and Dianne on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery po...
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Episode 246
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53:54
Episode 245 - Beneath the Surface: A Surprising Cemetery Tale
Not every public park is as it seems, and not every cemetery is for that matter either! This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by fellow taphophile Randy Crane as he shares the story of the life, ...
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Episode 245
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50:01
Episode 244 - The Power of Storytelling: Preserving Our Histories with Stephanie Ford
What happens when we don't share our stories before we become inmates of the cemetery?? This week, The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast explores the importance of recording our histories with special guest Stephanie Ford. As a caregiver,...
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Episode 244
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56:53
Episode 243 - Haunted History: Exploring Virginia's Cemeteries with Sharon Pajka
Get ready for a chilling conversation! Join Jennie and Dianne as they chat with author Sharon Pajka, PhD, about her new book "Haunted Virginia Cemeteries". As we creep into spooky season, Sharon guides us through the Old Dominion's most haunted...
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Episode 243
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59:49
Episode 242 - Cracking the Code: The Dr. Samuel Bean Cryptogram
On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, uncover the mystery behind Dr. Samuel Bean's cryptic monument in Wellesley, Ontario, where two of his wives, Henrietta and Susanna, rest in peace. Jennie and Dianne explore the Ord...
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Episode 242
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31:54
Episode 241 - Death and Dying 101 with Ryan Seidemann - Round 3
Join the dynamic trio—Jennie, Dianne, and Ryan Seidemann—for the third chapter of the “Death and Dying 101” series! This episode dives into global memorials, uncovering cultural quirks and mysteries. Are catacombs serene sanctuaries or lively p...
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Episode 241
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1:02:07
Episode 240 - Preserving Stories: A Conversation with the Formidable Genealogist
"Every death had a life and every life had a story," but how is it that we uncover so many of the narratives we share on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast? Much of it comes from searching through genealogical archives and other record...
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Episode 240
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57:24
Episode 239 - Flowers for the Dead: A History of Mourning Blooms
Get ready to stop and smell the roses...in the cemetery! This week Jennie and Dianne explore the practical, symbolic, and cultural significance of flowers in death. From ancient Egypt and Greece to Victorian-era cemeteries, flowers have played ...
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Episode 239
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34:05
Episode 238 - Finding the Funny in the Fragile: A Chat with the Creators of Life: A Delightful Show About Fear and Grief
"Fear and grief are not just inevitable — they are sacred rites of passage. A catalyst for transformation and resilience. And they belong to all of us." On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Jennie and Dianne chat with the crea...
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Episode 238
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47:15
Episode 237 - Death and Dying 101 with Ryan Seidemann - Round 2
Join Jennie, Dianne and favorite guest Ryan Seidemann for the latest installment of Death and Dying 101: a new reoccurring feature on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast where they answer and discuss questions from Ryan's students at Ar...
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Episode 237
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1:04:42
Episode 236 - Ground- Penetrating Truth with Bone Finder Bob Perry
Join Jennie and Dianne for an Ordinary Extraordinary conversation as they dig up the truth with special guest Bob Perry, aka the Bone Finder! With his expertise in cemetery geophysics and ground-penetrating radar, Bob has uncovered secrets in h...
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Episode 236
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56:35