Whatever Remains Podcast

Episode 8: The Little Black Box Aug 02, 2021

On this episode we look at the brief series of events that follow Mary's discovery of the booby trap in that little black box that will result in the arrest of her own Brother-In-Law, Paul Freshour - who says that he loved Mary and Ron like his own family.

In only a handful of days, the sheriff's office have their primary suspect, whose helpful and open behavior seems to show that Paul has nothing to hide.

Did they get the right man? And if he is guilty of trying to kill Mary, was Paul Freshour in his right mind and responsible for his actions?

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Episode 7: Stolen Treasure Apr 04, 2021

In 1982, Paul and Karen Sue Freshour ended 20 years of marriage and begun a very contentious divorce. By the time the Franklin county judge reached their verdict, Paul was in jail for attempted murder.

He claimed that not only was he innocent, he was set up by the one person that stood to gain everything, his soon to be ex-wife.

Did Karen Sue Freshour conspire to frame Paul? Is she truly our story's villain, so cold and remorseless that she would try to kill her best friend?

Or is this image of Karen Sue Freshour just another story that we're supposed to believe, repeated again and again by a very unreliable narrator?

Thank you for listening to episode 7: Stolen Treasure.

Episode has been newly remastered by Sarah Vorhees Wendel, with a special thanks to the Astonishing Legends Podcast.

Trigger Warning: on this episode there is mention of domestic abuse and physical violence.

Image used: Yearbook photo, Karen Sue Gillespie.

Episode 6: Half Gallon of Gasoline & 40 Ounces of Lighter Fluid Aug 24, 2020

In 1968, 9 guards were taken hostage during a riot at the notorious Ohio Penitentiary.

For over 30 hours, their lives were at the mercy of inmates that threatened to burn them alive if their demands were not met. One of those guards was Paul Freshour, the man who would be incarcerated for attempted murder, and accused of being the Circleville Letter Writer.

While the 9 guards were rescued, troubling questions remain. What was the real cause of the 1968 riot that ended in bloodshed? And what happened to the one man - Edward Spaulding - who revealed the truth to reporters?

Did what caused the riot at Ohio Pen come back to Circleville over a decade later?

Episode has been newly remastered by Sarah Vorhees Wendel, with a special thanks to the Astonishing Legends Podcast.

Season 3 Episode 5: Five Points Pike Mar 09, 2020

The night of August 19, 1977, Ron Gillespie gets a call from the Circleville Letter Writer.

So enraged by what he hears, he grabs his gun, kisses his daughter goodbye and leaves his home on Brookmiller Road, and is dead less than an hour later.

After that night, the Letter Writer sets themselves on a collision course with the town of CIrcleville to answer for the murder of Ron Gillespie.

That's the story, anyways, but what exactly happened that night? On this episode we look at the evidence in the case and start to piece together what happened that night on Five Points Pike.

Episode has been newly remastered by Sarah Vorhees Wendel, with a special thanks to the Astonishing Legends Podcast.

Season 3 Episode 4: Ron, Mary, Karen & Paul Feb 10, 2020

Your neighbor, co-worker or teacher. Your closest friend or family member.

People you let into your life - day after day, sharing stories, spending time, gaining trust.

The person who write hateful letters may not be some readily apparent monster.

There's a good chance that they're known to their victims.

There's an even better chance they look a lot like someone you trust.

On this episode we examine the characteristics of anonymous threateners, and then take a look at our main characters to see if it sounds like someone we know in the town of CIrcleville.

Episode has been newly remastered by Sarah Vorhees Wendel, with a special thanks to the Astonishing Legends Podcast.

Season 3 Episode 3: The known story of Circleville Dec 21, 2019

Everyone loves a good mystery...

And CIrcleville has all the elements to perk the interest of any sleuth.

Just look at Unsolved Mysteries, internet articles, reddit boards and...well... a lot of other podcasts.

But how much of what we've heard is the truth or just another story?

On this episode we lay out the known story of Circleville, the facts as we know them today.

We introduce you to the character and events that we'll be digging into in our upcoming episodes, as we start to try and unravel the mystery of this one small town in Ohio.

Welcome to Circleville. Remember - what goes around, comes around.

Episode has been newly remastered by Sarah Vorhees Wendel, with a special thanks to the Astonishing Legends Podcast.

Follow us on Twitter @WhateverRemains or online at WhateverRemainsPodcast.com

Interview with Martin Yant - First 3 Letters Oct 29, 2019

Martin Yant is a die-hard journalist, private investigator, author and human rights advocate. He's also the man who introduced the story of the Circleville letter writer to true crime fans.

Featured in 'Unsolved Mysteries,' Martin Yant has pursued answers about Circleville and whether or not law enforcement found the true identity of the notorious poison pen pal.

We're lucky to have him speak with us this season and review our research onto this mystery...Enjoy!

Episode has been newly remastered by Sarah Vorhees Wendel, with a special thanks to the Astonishing Legends Podcast.

WELCOME TO CIRCLEVILLE - Episode 1: The First 3 Letters Oct 26, 2019

Welcome to Circleville, one small town with a lot of secrets and surprises.

In this episode we walk through just the first 3 letters send on March 2 to March 4 1977. What we learn turns everything we thought we knew about this story upside-down.

And thanks only the first 2 days out of 2 decades...what else could this town have in store for us?

Theme music by Group Rhoda// 'Town Called Malice' - Vocals and Guitar by Ed Grabianowski//Voice of the Circleville letter writer: Terence Jenkins.

Episode has been newly remastered by Sarah Vorhees Wendel, with a special thanks to the Astonishing Legends Podcast.

Follow up on Twitter @Whateverremains and support us on Patreon!

Welcome to Circleville Oct 25, 2019

In 1977, a small town in Ohio became the target of the the wraith of an anonymous letter writer. This unknown author would terrorize the town of Circleville Ohio for decades, sending thousands of letters accusing the residents of some pretty ugly things, including murder.

Were these thousands of letters dark fantasies of fiction, or did the Circleville letter writer really know the town's secrets? Who were they and what did they want to prove?

How far were they willing to go to be heard?

On this season of Whatever Remains we rip open the story of the Circleville letter writer, - review decades of previously unreleased information from court cases, crime scene reports and interview Martin Yant, the one private investigator who tried to solve this ongoing mystery.

Let's figure out who was behind the Circleville letter and what caused them to mail so much malice.

Episode 1 coming 10/25/2019.

Remember - what goes around, - comes around.

Welcome to Circleville.

Featuring new season music by Ed Grabianowski

Bonus! A Love Letter to Denver International Airport Sep 26, 2019

Ah, DIA...what is it about you that drives sanity and reason far from the minds of men? Just ask Greg Ericson, the conspiracy theorist who has been bewitched by this dark puzzle. He's not stopping his quest for the truth, even if he has to go through the hordes of hell to get it.

Ok, sooooo maybe not "hordes," but just one man, the communications director of DIA, Steven Snyder. But make no mistake, Steve's armed with the most powerful weapon known to the conspiracy theorist. Snark.

So who wins this epic battle? Why - we do, dear listeners.

Enjoy this - our love letter(s) to that one maybe-not-so-strange-but-sorta- weird airport, Denver International.

XO, WR

Denver International Airport: Going Home Sep 09, 2019

The President of New World Airport Commission versus the one man who dedicated his life to uncovering DIA's secrets. The master artist whose vision foretells the Apocalypse.

You can't have a TRULY good conspiracy without a all-powerful shadowy leader hellbent on our destruction and the lone whistle blower risking everything to stop it...ask anyone. If it's not good versus evil, right versus wrong - well...then... what do you have?

Under all the conspiracy and strangeness, here's a story of some very different men and their unexpected roles in Denver International Airport.

Denver International Airport: Interview with Professor Joseph Uscinski Apr 10, 2019

Finally!!! And not a moment too soon...!

Just when the New World Airport Commission was starting to get the better of us...We have the great opportunity to speak with Joseph Uscinski, an expert on the principles of conspiracy theories and what makes them so attractive to people.

Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami, Professor Uscinski studies public opinion and mass media, with a focus on conspiracy theories. He’s the coauthor of 'American Conspiracy Theories', editor of 'Conspiracy Theories and the People Who Believe Them' and has been featured in the Washington Post, Vox, Politico and CNN

and now Whatever Remains, but try not to hold that against him.

We were very fortunate to have him join us and highly recommend his books:
American Conspiracy Theories by Joseph E. Uscinski
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0199351813/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_15wRCb7TEY628

www.joeuscinski.com/
Twitter: @Joeuscinski

Special Standalone Episode: The Last of The Irish Rover Mar 26, 2019

This bonus episode is dedicated to Mary Measom, who loved all things Irish, and never failed to remind me of my incredible luck, and to the 'magnificent' Professor Josephine Maltby who is remembered as such by her friends.

We are indeed fortunate, and grateful.
Cheers,
@WhateverRemains

Episode 3: The Brave New World of Denver International Airport Mar 12, 2019

Embedded in the floor at Denver International Airport is a simple, granite marker. A plaque to commemorate its long overdue completion and give thanks and praise to its many financial contributors.

A token that's so commonplace, you'd probably walk right by it.

But that one piece of granite, just laying on DIA's floor causes a lot of controversy. More than that, its given flight to the airport's biggest conspiracy theories.

On this episode we examine the conspiratorial mindset and DIA's capstone - and the actual history the biggest conspiracies of all - the New World Order.

Follow us on Twitter at:
@TeamGiantSquid
@WhateverRemains
whateverremainspodcast.com

Episode 2: Interview with John Wenzel - the definitive expert on all things conspiracy & DIA!: Denver International Airport Jan 02, 2019

Think I'm making all this about Denver International Airport up?!

Well I couldn't blame you if you did, - but let's get an expert's opinion - you know. To be safe.

Here's John Wenzel, Denver Post reporter to tell us the truth about the airport, its art and a bit about the people that work there.

That is... if the definitive expert isn't...in on it.

Follow him on Twitter - @johnwenzel, and us @WhateverRemains

(He's not. But enjoy anyways - and a special thanks to John for coming on to talk to us!)

https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/31/definitive-guide-to-denver-international-airport-conspiracy-theories/

Episode 1: The Sweetest Grass and Water: Denver International Airport Dec 31, 2018

No one can get REALLY excited about spending time at an airport.

Sure, granted - vacations are great, but there's not a lot of laughs to be had in shuffling through an x-ray machine, clutching your pants up, wondering how many bare feet have stepped on this floor before yours...

But you can't blame the airport itself. It's not out to make your life miserable.

In this mini-series we look at one such airport that supposedly was built to do exactly that.

Denver International Airport is host of some of the most outrageous conspiracy theories out there, all just hiding in plain sight.

We'll talk to some experts on the subject and dig into what's behind these conspiracies - with the history and art that makes up DIA.

And now, settle back and enjoy your flight. We know you have your choice of podcasts, and we thank you for choosing our, here at Whatever Remains.

COMING SOON! New Mini-series: Denver International Airport Dec 21, 2018

Coming Soon! Just in time for some holiday travel!

Episode 8: The Havana Hustle Nov 11, 2018

That one strange noise that's caused so many problem...
After Castro, JFK, The Doomsday Clock, the CIA, David Bowie and William S. Burroughs...we lay out what Whatever Remains believes caused Cuba's Sonic Attack.
And like everything with this story, its not what we thought it was.

Who's ready for our season one finale?
Let's do the Havana Hustle.

@WhateverRemains

Episode 7: Meet The Doctor Sep 19, 2018

The solid one fact we have about the events that occurred in Havana in 2016 is the identity of the first doctor that the State Department rushed to examine the affected Americans.

Dr. Michael Hoffer.

His diagnosis is the foundation of pretty much everything we learned early on about the Cuban sonic attack.

For the State Department, the Department of Defense, the media, the people of America and Cuba, his name in the paper, his singular opinion and views were all we had to go on for months.

His word acted as our truth.

In this episode, we examine not just what Dr. Hoffer told us about Cuba, but his past history. Two of his medical cases that closely lead up to the 2016 events draw interest and give us pause.

Just like so many things with this story, the one solid fact that we are so sure of, that we are certain we know - turns into more questions.

Now, let’s introduce you to the good doctor and see what you think.

www.whateverremainspodcast.com

Episode 6: The Very Serious Incident Aug 13, 2018

More than 2 years later, and still no real answers to mystery of the Cuban Sonic Attacks.

No cause, no culprits, no weapons have been found - no nothing.

But the State Department has the unenviable responsibility of delivering answers, so we here at Whatever Remains decided to pitch in and help them eliminate some options for that one little noise that is causing such big problems.

Join us as we sift through the possibilities and start to cross causes off our list - because in our next episode?

Whatever remains then could explain this "Sonic Attack", no matter how weird it sounds.

And trust me. It gets weird.

The New Control Bomb Jul 11, 2018

What's does a sonic weapon even look like, anyways? We may not have an answer for that, but we know what its does, its noise effected the hear of all of 25 American diplomats.

The one consistent symptom - our only real clue to the cause of the attacks.

What noise could do this? This episode we look at one such possibility and its history as a weapon. And its here that our research takes a strange detour that I sure didn't see coming.

So dear listeners, keep your 'lectric eye on me babe, put your ray gun to my head, press your space face close to mine, love.
Let's freak out in this moonage daydream.

Episode 4: The Overt Intelligence Collectors of Havana Bay Jun 19, 2018

Early 2016, then American President Barack Obama makes a historic pledge to Cuba and its people to put aside the past. We begins to 'normalize' diplomatic relations with Cuba - starting with lifting the decades-old embargo. Our diplomats return to the American embassy in Havana, and the countries are seemingly on their way to a new future, together.

Why are embassies and those who work within them such a vital key to this relationship? These new American diplomats, now living and working in Cuba - what role do they play in 2016 to re-build the countries' trust? Ultimately is this new commitment the same as trying to poison Castro's SCUBA suit, just under the guise of being a friend versus a foe?

Now that the embassy is open again for business, what makes someone a diplomat or a spy?

Episode 3: Elimination by Illumination Jun 01, 2018

Just a few brief months into his presidency, John F. Kennedy would be forced to contend with a small island just 103 miles from Florida. A small island that proved it had the capability and determination to endanger both his administration and the country he served.

Attempting to control Cuba became an obsession for Kennedy, and for his younger brother, Robert. But 'neutralizing' Castro required seemingly endless and increasingly far-fetched strategies, a wide cast of characters and massive federal funding.

On this episode we look at how, in less than 3 years, what started as the young President's' obsession escalated into the closest the United States has knowingly come to a full scale nuclear war. And while that catastrophe was thankfully averted, the foreboding menace planted in these short years would bloom again, when the time was right, in 2016 Havana.

Episode 2: 638 Times May 16, 2018

Havana Cuba, 2016 - a sleeping American diplomat wakes from a deep slumber and reaches to turn off the alarm clock.
It'd be like so many other mornings on this beautiful island, but the noise ringing in their ears wasn't from a clock.

The noise was coming from everywhere.

Join me for Season One of the Whatever Remains Podcast as we delve into the mysterious and unsolved 'Sonic Attacks' in Cuba.
Episode 1: We look at some of the popular myths that surrounded Fidel Castro, and how these impossible stories may be the origin story for the noise the plagued Havana over 50 years later.

Subscribe in iTunes now, and ...keep listening, won't you?

Promo 1: Shhhhhh May 12, 2018

2016, Havana Cuba. A city on the verge of rebirth into the modern technological 21st century, untill 20 American diplomats heard a noise.

Now less than two years later, the American embassy in Havana stands empty and our foreign relations have all but ceased.

How could one noise cause this much havoc?

Let’s find out, this season of Whatever Remains: Sonic Attack.