Good Company in the Car: The Bigfoot and Murder and Everything Else Podcast

This episode explores the 1896–1897 mystery airship wave across the United States: thousands of reported nighttime lights and dramatic accounts of airborne craft, alleged crews, and even Martian visitors. It traces the sightings from Sacramento through the Midwest, examines explanations (hoaxes, misidentifications, secret inventors, and early aviation), and looks at how newspapers and later UFO enthusiasts shaped the story.

The hosts trade stories about signing up for scuba lessons, exploring the Florida reef, beach metal-detecting, and quirky moments like naming a local shark “Bruce.” They also share everyday life updates—assembling patio furniture, a gardening mobility cart, canceled golf plans, and half-price mahi dinners. The episode focuses heavily on sleep apnea and CPAP experiences: the awkward at-home sleep study, insurance hassles, struggles to stay awake for testing, and how better sleep transformed their mornings. They close with plans to resume regular research-driven crime episodes in the new year.

Hosts Jack and Kevin recount a laid-back holiday season after moving to Florida: warm weather instead of winter, big kitchen cooking sessions with turkeys and hundreds of cookies, and a quiet Christmas and New Year. They share travel highlights (a Phoenix trip and old mining town visit), small home victories like winter tomatoes and finished pavers, and humorous moments including a raffle-winning menopause kit and a gift of a metal detector.

On the night of August 21, 1955, the Sutton and Taylor families in rural Kentucky reported being besieged for hours by small, strange humanoid figures with glowing eyes. Their vivid accounts, gunfire on the property, and the rush of law enforcement turned the incident into one of the most famous and debated UFO encounters. Theories range from extraterrestrials and mass hysteria to misidentified wildlife such as great horned owls, but no conclusive explanation has been found, leaving the Kelly–Hopkinsville case a lasting mystery.

In Grand Junction, Colorado, real estate developer Alan Helmick is found shot in his home and his car later set on fire. Investigators focus on his wife, Miriam Helmick, after a hand-delivered threatening greeting card is traced to her by surveillance footage. Additional evidence, including incriminating online searches, forged checks, and a ballistic match to a decades-old bullet, points to motive and opportunity. Prosecutors say Miriam stood to gain financially, and forensic work helped secure her conviction for first-degree murder and a lengthy prison sentence. The case shows how small pieces of physical and digital evidence can connect to form a compelling case.

Hosts banter through a day of errands in South Florida — from a frustrating post office experience about tracking versus delivery confirmation to returning purchases, grocery runs and the realities of arthritis. They share funny observations about people at the gym, braces progress, holiday plans and kitchen finds. The episode also dives into outdoor life: a booming victory garden, surf fishing adventures catching palomitas, jacks and a bonefish while waiting for pompano, mole crabs for bait, and even baby manta rays in the surf, all wrapped up with seasonal well-wishes.

We finally removed the massive banyan tree, opening the backyard to sunlight and sending the iguanas packing. The episode covers backyard cleanup, pool chemistry wins, and plans for a winter garden with tomatoes and herbs. Also: the dog’s mysterious sneezing and vet trip, a near-miss with iguanas on a walk, a fishing trip at the beach as 'season' begins, and a funny struggle to get the podcast recording setup working again.

Two friends riff about how technology has quietly taken over their lives — from convincing scam emails and scary AI videos to funny home robots like Betty (the leaf-sucking pool bot), Maurice (the pool vacuum), and Mr. Kim (the robot floor cleaner). They share stories about Alexa, iPhones, smart watches, robotic fish, movie theater etiquette, and how modern devices both help and drive them crazy, mixing humor with a touch of tech anxiety.

This episode examines the 2014 murders of a rural Kentucky family, following the police investigation that uncovered Waffle House footage, phone records, and duct tape evidence linking the suspects. Hosts unpack the inconsistent statements, the roles of Ryan, Vito, and Ann, and the legal outcomes that followed. They also weave in commentary about jury sizes, bench trials, family dynamics, and the tragic aftermath for those involved.

After a fight with her husband, Carolyn Killaby disappears from a Vancouver, Washington bar late one November night in 1995. Witness reports, a found car, and traces of blood lead investigators to suspect Dennis Smith, a man with a violent past. The investigation used early DNA testing, a manhunt and a televised tip to capture Smith, who was later convicted and sentenced to life. Carolyn's body was never recovered; the family pursued civil action against authorities and was awarded damages while the case left lasting questions about parole supervision and justice for the victim.

Hosts Jack and Kevin banter about painting, life, and an in-depth personal look at orthodontics — from ancient Egyptian techniques to modern fast braces. Kevin shares his long history with braces, recent struggles with an open bite, a failed home Invisalign kit, and his progress with new orthodontic treatment. They discuss how braces affect eating, self-image, and dental care over a lifetime, and reflect on how orthodontics has evolved from an elite procedure to a common, accessible treatment.

Hosts Jack and Kevin walk through the seven or eight invasive lizard species they commonly see in their South Florida backyard — from tame, charismatic curly-tail lizards and flashy anoles to larger threats like tegus and green iguanas. They share personal stories about encounters at the pool, pets chasing lizards, and surprising sightings around the house. The episode also touches on the ecological impact of these invasives, how local climate and microhabitats help them thrive, and community reactions to control efforts — celebrating some species while calling others a persistent nuisance.

Hosts Jack and Kevin open with a hilarious backyard tale about a giant iguana in the pool, everyday household frustrations, and a long-awaited return to the movie theater to watch Demon Slayer. They then launch into a lively countdown of history’s biggest hoaxes — from the Society for Indecency to Naked Animals and the Great Moon Hoax to crop circles, the Cottingley fairies, the Piltdown Man, and Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds — exploring why people believed them and how media fueled the myths.

Hosts Jack and Kevin trade humorous stories and pet peeves — from grocery cart etiquette to car-buying disasters — and small-town encounters like an Olive Garden sing-along. Then they dive into hoaxes, counting down selections from hoaxes.org (Fiji Mermaid, subliminal ads, Milli Vanilli, the Tassaday tribe, Hitler diaries, Nostradamus, and more), with a tease about an iguana cliffhanger for the next episode.

(I don't know what we did to offend her, but the Podbean AI recaps of our episodes have gone horribly sterile. Check out this icy summary...) Hosts trade banter before reading and dissecting the infamous 1924 account of Albert Ostman, a prospector who claimed he was abducted and held by a family of Sasquatch in British Columbia. The episode presents the full reported narrative, including vivid details of the capture, the valley camp, and Ostman’s daring escape. Jack and Kevin then discuss the story’s legacy, the skepticism around its late reporting and factual gaps, and why the tale endures in Bigfoot lore.

Hosts settle in with stories about the reopened Mai-Kai, beach life, and daily dramas before diving into Forensic Files Season 14 Episode 4. The episode examines the 1999 murder of Susan Fassett in Poughkeepsie, revealing a web of affairs, coercion, and local corruption. Investigators trace DNA and electronic records to link Dawn Silvernail and Fred Andros to the crime, uncover bribery schemes in town government, and follow the legal fallout that ends with prison sentences and a disfigured suspect.

Jack and Kevin give a lighthearted update from their first month living in Fort Lauderdale: moving in, neighborhood quirks, traffic, and their dog Reagan’s hilarious day at the beach and pool. They talk about invasive wildlife (iguanas, lizards, lionfish), the giant banyan tree and pool problems, robot pool cleaners, tropical plants and neighbors, all with a playful, conversational tone.

Join Jack and Kevin as they share the humorous and sometimes chaotic journey of their recent move from Alexandria to sunny Florida. In this episode, they navigate the complexities of packing, transporting, and unpacking a lifetime of belongings, shedding light on the challenges and unexpected joys of adjusting to a tropical environment. From dealing with an overabundance of towels to sharing nostalgic moments about cherished items, this episode offers a heartfelt and entertaining look at life changes. Listeners will enjoy a deep dive into their experiences with moving logistics, the perils of hoarding, and the humorous realization that some possessions just aren't worth the hassle. Find out how Jack and Kevin cope with the Florida heat, learn about planting in a tropical zone, and enjoy anecdotes about helpful movers. Whether you're planning a move of your own or just love a good laugh, this episode is packed with insights and entertainment.

Join Jack and Kevin as they embark on a humorous and nostalgic journey through everyday adventures, starting with an unexpectedly heartfelt company picnic. Despite initial reluctance, Jack finds himself reminiscing with former colleagues and friends, including the ever-entertaining Kilroy and a co-worker sporting a whimsical chicken costume. The episode takes us on a trip down memory lane, highlighting Jack's choir tour days with tales of impromptu performances and quirky codenames, all while rediscovering old cassette tapes filled with youthful harmonies. Through lighthearted banter and genuine camaraderie, Jack and Kevin reflect on the importance of feeling appreciated, old friendships, and the unexpected joy found in shared memories.

In this episode, take a nostalgic journey back to a time when creativity meant producing a podcast during the COVID era. This tale begins with a simple craving for lemon bars and unfolds into the dramatic recounting of a family home catching fire. Join us as we revisit the story of Kay Goddard and her legendary lemon bars, intertwined with a teenage adventure involving Cabbage Patch dolls and a fiery incident that left lasting memories. Listen in as we relive the humorous yet harrowing account of youthful misadventures, the kindness of a community, and the resilience of a family. All wrapped up in the unforgettable aroma of Kay Goddard's sweet treats.