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
264 episodes
Ep.253 Ghost Light & Guilty Secrets in Arkansas
We’re heading to Arkansas for two stories that blur the line between true crime and the paranormal. First, Lauren covers the shocking murder of former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins-Smith, a case filled with betrayal, hidden motives, and ...
Ep.262 The Haunted Hospitality of Nevada
This week, we’re headed to Nevada to explore two of the state's most infamous haunted hotels! First, Kenzie takes us inside the legendary El Cortez Hotel and Casino. Built in 1941, it’s one of Las Vegas’s longest-running casinos, and according ...
Ep. 261 American Traditions & Tragedies
Happy 250th Birthday America! For this year’s Fourth of July episode we decided to cover stories we felt were inherently American. Lauren kicks things off with the iconic Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. She shares the history of the competitio...
Ep.260 New Mexico’s Confessions and Conspiracies
This week, we head southwest to New Mexico! First, Kenzie shares the shocking confession of a man who admitted to murders that had remained unsolved for more than 30 years. Then, Lauren dives into the tragic murder of Girly Chew Hossencofft, an...
Ep.259 Ghosts, Markets, and Irish Spirits in Washington
We head to the Pacific Northwest for a spooky journey through Washington State! In this episode, both of our stories are connected by one iconic Seattle landmark: Pike Place Market. Lauren explores the history and hauntings of Kell’s Irish Rest...
Ep.258 Cold Clues & Ghostly Hooves in Maine
We head to the tippey-top of the U.S. to share stories from Maine! First, Kenzie talks about the story of Darien Richardson who was tragically shot and later died from her injuries. Despite years of investigation and countless leads, her case r...
Spirits Uncorked: Homegrown Horror: The Starkweather Murders
Pull up a chair, meet our grandma, and listen to our family lore behind the Starkweather murders that horrified our hometown of Lincoln Nebraska in the 1950s.Before the fear spread across Nebraska, before Charles Starkweather and Caril F...
Ep.257 Madness in the Mitten State of 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...