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

Wife, Wick, and a Greeting Card: The Alan Helmick Murder

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.

Post Office Fiasco, Pompano Hopes & Florida Characters

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.

What is it with Florida and sadistic murderers? Oba Chandler.

Typically the name Chandler brings to mind that loveable character from Friends, but in Tampa it's synonymous with pure evil.

You Can‘t Win! Finally a married couple who just want to get an amicable divorce and they still end up dead!

Fred and Stacey have consciously uncoupled (thanks Gwyneth) and are living together amicably while they sort out their finances. But an encounter with an online love interest ends in the death of three people! Real 911 audio...

 

Backyard Overhaul: Banyan Gone, Iguanas Out!

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.

Welcome Our Robot Overlords: From Betty the Pool Bot to Alexa’s Antics

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.

Murder on the Family Farm: Secrets, Lies, and a Waffle House Video

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.

When you think of Alabama, do you think of killer spouses? Well you should....

Jack Wilson was a beloved ophthalmologist in Huntsville, Alabama. A twisted tale of his wife and her twin conspiring to have him killed is laid bare by circumstantial evidence that just cannot be ignored. Is inheriting a $6 million estate the same thing as collecting a ton of life insurance? We think it is! We give you Betty Wilson!

How can you get through medical school and still be this dumb?

A young and beloved Harvard educated physician is stabbed to death one night in a parking lot. At first, no one can understand why. Then the dumb starts.

Oh, and Columbia is an Ivy League school too. Just saying.

Missing Time: A Night at Omar's That Ended in Tragedy

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.

When two sisters are found murdered in Houston, it would take 30 years before a cold case detective would find the culprit!

The Kennedy sisters loved living in the bohemian section of Houston known as "The Heights." One sister, Yleen, dabbled in the apparently super dangerous world of vintage clothing. One day in 1984 a very bad person paid the sisters a visit...  

Braces Through the Ages: My Ancient-Modern Orthodontic Journey

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.

Backyard Invaders: The Wild World of Florida’s Lizards

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.

Hoaxes, Pool Wars and Iguana Drama: Backyard Chaos and Classic Cons

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.

Carts, Cars & Crazy Hoaxes: Top 20 Tall Tales

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.

Kidnapped by Sasquatch? The Albert Ostman Abduction

(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.

Tiki Nights & Tangled Lies: The Mai-Kai and a Poughkeepsie Murder

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.

 

A wakeboard salesman, an economics grad student, and manslaughter. None of this had to happen.

An innocent offer of a ride in a rainstorm results in the death of a young man. The assailant has one explanation as to what happened. Two bystanders have another. Proving which version of the events was true proved daunting. Will justice prevail?

Iguanas, Coconuts & Pool Vacuums: Life Down in Fort Lauderdale

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.

Tropical Transitions: Jack and Kevin's Big Move to Florida

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.