Summary

In this episode, author and historian John Brassard Jr. joins The Real HPG Podcast to discuss his interest in strange and dreadful things, including true crime and the paranormal. He shares intriguing stories from the Quad City region, such as the butcher's love triangle and the Valeska Axe Murder House. John emphasizes the importance of exploring the darker aspects of history and how it connects us to the past. He also discusses the line between belief and skepticism in investigating the supernatural.

Takeaways

• Exploring the darker aspects of history helps us understand the past better and appreciate our own culture and beliefs.
• Belief and skepticism can coexist in investigating the paranormal, allowing for a balanced and open-minded approach.
• True crime stories and paranormal phenomena provide insights into human nature and the motivations behind historical events.
• The unexplained phenomenon, such as the Valeska Axe Murder House, challenges our understanding of the natural world and invites further exploration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:20 Living in Eastern Iowa

03:17 True Crime Story: The Butcher's Love Triangle

07:04 True Crime Story: The Tragic Tale of Mary Schultz

08:12 Interest in True Crime and its Connection to History

09:11 Exploring the Dark Side of History

14:24 Supernatural Phenomena and its Connection to History and Culture

31:08 Unexplained Phenomenon: The Valeska Axe Murder House

40:30 Where to Find John Brassard Jr.

Listeners can find John's books on Amazon and his podcast, Strange and Dreadful Things, on various platforms. Connect with John through his website at https://johnbrassardjr.com/.

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