A Scary State
Have you ever wondered what makes your state famous? What about what makes your state infamous? Join Lauren and Kenzie as they take a look into the dark background and creepy origin stories that take place in each state. We will venture into tales of cryptids, ghosts, haunted locations, urban legends, serial killers and much more. We dig deep into what makes your state scary.
Episodes
257 episodes
Ep.257 Madness in the Mitten State (Michigan)
We’re kicking off Round 5 with the Midwest mitten itself, Michigan! Lauren starts us off with the unsolved mystery surrounding the death of a lighthouse keeper. Was it murder, an accident, or something else entirely? With so many unanswered que...
Ep.256 D.C’s Darkest Roads
Guess who’s back? Our fabulous Lauren rejoins us this week — and she brought her own story with her. This marks the first episode where we’re finally back to business as usual. First, Lauren dives into the chilling unsolved case of the Phantom ...
Ep. 255 Behavioral Profiles in North Dakota
This week, we head to the Peace Garden State—North Dakota! Special guest and longtime supporter of the show, my dad, joins me as we dive into one of the state’s most haunting and heartbreaking unsolved crimes for decades: the Swanson Motel Murd...
Ep.254 Toilet Time in Tennessee
Welcome back to the show, Kenzie’s fellow educator, Amelia! This week, we are in the Volunteer State, Tennessee! Kenzie gets creative and comes up with her own legend about the old, abandoned Pine Haven School. The legend says that a young boy ...
Ep.253 Justice for Ghosts in West Virginia
We are in the Mountain State and our close neighbor, West Virginia! This week, Kenzie’s long time friend Amanda joins the podcast to hear about the Greenbriar Ghost. Was it a mother’s intuition, or an apparition who could not rest until justice...
Ep.252 New Technology for Nebraska’s Cold Cases
We are in the land of corn in the Cornhusker State, Nebraska! Our special guest this week is another one of Kenzie’s fabulous coworkers, Nicole! In this episode, Kenzie shares the details of a cold case that was solved through advances in techn...
Ep.251 Opening South Carolina’s Third Eye
We are headed down south to the Palmetto State, South Carolina! Our lovely Lauren joins us today along with a *little* special guest! This week, Kenzie shares the haunted stories of The Third-Eye Man who lurks in the tunnels under the Universit...
Ep.250 Secrets on LaSalle Street in Indiana
This week, we head to the Hoosier State, Indiana, with one of Kenzie’s coworkers, Amelia! Kenzie dives into the chilling story of the LaSalle Street Murders, a case that took place in 1971 and where three young men were found brutally killed in...
Ep.249 Anniversaries Both Good and Bad
This is a very special week because it is the 5 year anniversary of the podcast starting! It has been an amazing 5 years and we look forward to 5 more! In sticking with the theme of “anniversary,” Kenzie talks about the Oklahoma City Bombing, w...
Ep.248 Helltown Hauntings: Secrets of Ohio’s Only National Park
This week’s special guest is a long-time listener of the show and has graced us with her presence on a past episode. Allie is our beautiful guest host and we explore the spooky stories from a national park in the Buckeye State, Ohio! Kenzie dis...
Ep.247 The Mafia in Mississippi
As we head to The Magnolia State we are blessed with another episode featuring Lauren! This week, Kenzie talks about the illicit activities of the Dixie Mafia. The name was given to an unorganized group of criminals that resemble the Mafia, but...
Ep.246 No Corners in Illinois
This week, we are headed to the Prairie State, Illinois! In this episode, Kenzie’s sister joins her as the guest host! Kenzie talks about the strange Stickney House in Bull Valley. This house was specifically built with spirits in mind and crea...
Ep.245 All of Lauren’s Favorite Things
SURPRISE! Our wonderful cohost Lauren returns for a *very* special episode. We are celebrating Lauren’s birthday (again) during this 4th round of states! For the birthday special, Kenzie decides to cover stories about topics that fascinate Laur...
Ep.244 California’s Deceiving Doctors
This week, we head to the west coast where Kenzie’s friend Ben joins us to discuss all things scary in the Golden State, California! Kenzie discusses the complicated relationship people have with doctors, modern medicine, and the quack science ...
Ep.243 Missouri’s Deadly Diagnosis
On this week’s episode, we welcome one of Kenzie’s best friends, Lindsay, as we travel to the Show-Me State, Missouri! Kenzie shares the strange and unsettling story of the prominent Swope family, whose household was rocked by a series of sudde...
Ep.242 Massachusetts Scholarly Spirits
Kenzie’s dad joins the show today as we head north to explore the Bay State, Massachusetts! Kenzie shares the eerie stories out of the esteemed Boston University. Multiple buildings on campus are said to be riddled with ghosts who haunt the hal...
Ep.241 An Alaskan Nightmare
This is the first week without our fabulous Lauren as we head towards the bitter cold of the Last Frontier State, Alaska. Kenzie’s cousin, Emily, joins her to discuss the brutal crimes of maybe-kinda-sorta serial killer, Brian Steven Smith. Pol...
Ep.240 Murder and Misery in Maryland
This week, we travel to our close neighbor, The Old Line State, Maryland! First, Lauren shares the horrific crimes of Charles William Davis and what led to his eventual capture. Next, Kenzie talks about the dark and spooky Baltimore County Alms...
Ep.239 Mysteries Across Arizona
This week, we are headed to the deserts of the Grand Canyon State - Arizona! First, Kenzie shares the tumultuous story of the disappearance and murder of DiAnne Keidel. It takes an act of bravery 30 years later that helps solve the case. Next, ...
Ep.238 Oregon’s Bandages and Stagecoaches
This week, we head to the pacific northwest to the Beaver state - Oregon! Lauren starts us off with the creepy legend of the Bandage Man. After an unfortunate accident, the Bandage Man has haunted the roads of Oregon leaving behind his bloody b...
Ep.237 Crimes on Crimes on New Year’s!
Happy New Year, everyone! This week, Kenzie dives into the horrifying crimes of Johann Jack Unterweger, one of Austria’s most infamous serial killers—who was shockingly released from prison after already committing murder. Then, Lauren lightens...
Ep.236 Christmas Creeps and “Sleigh”ing Santas
Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates, and Happy Thursday to everyone who does not! This week, we have a festive spooky special to close out this holiday season! First, Lauren tells us about the horrific murders of Anthony Michalowski and ...
Ep.235 Colorado’s Strange Skies & Shadowed Pines
This week we head to the Centennial State - Colorado to discuss some strange and spooky places! First, Kenzie talks about the bizarre sightings and occurrences from people living or visiting the San Luis Valley. People have reported feelings of...
Ep.234 Phantoms and The Phantom in Texas
This week we are down in the Lone Star state - Texas! First, Lauren takes us on a terrifying tour of the Yorktown Memorial Hospital where ghosts seem to be lurking in every room and in every corner. Then, Kenzie covers the infamous, unsolved Te...
Ep.233 Death Roads & Unsolved Sorrows in New Jersey
We’re back to our regularly scheduled programming and heading to the Garden State — New Jersey! First, Kenzie dives into the eerie legends surrounding Shades of Death Road, where countless travelers claim to have witnessed ghosts, strange mists...