Fresh Hell Podcast

After being arrested and imprisoned at Küstrin, Friedrich is stripped of rank, freedom, and is forced into isolation, surveillance, and humiliation, while the fate of his closest friend, Hans Hermann von Katte, hangs over everything. Friedrich knows exactly what’s at stake. He’s seen how this ends for other crown princes. Only a few years earlier, Peter the Great had imprisoned, tortured, and executed his own son. Will he face the same fate? Friedrich der Große, Frederick the Great, Crown Prince Friedrich, Küstrin fortress, Küstrin imprisonment, Hans Hermann von Katte, Katte execution, Friedrich Wilhelm I, Prussian royal family, Prussian monarchy, 18th century Prussia, royal imprisonment, court martial Prussia, Prussian military justice, trauma of monarchy, enlightened absolutism origins, Frederick the Great childhood, Frederick the Great imprisonment, Küstrin Castle, Prussian crown prince arrest, royal punishment history, execution of Katte, Alexei Petrovich execution, Russian crown prince 1718, royal fathers and sons, authoritarian parenting history, Prussian history podcast, European monarchy trauma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friedrich II of Prussia is remembered as “the Great.”But before he became the most famous Prussian king, he tried to run! In this first part of a two-episode series, we go back to the beginning: to Friedrich II von Preußen’s childhood under the rule of his father, the so-called Soldier King. We talk about Prussia before it was shaped into a European super power, a court ruled by discipline and fear, and a father whose effectiveness as a ruler did not necessarily make him a great dad. Also: if you want the original story of the Amber Room, why it started in Prussia, why Friedrich Wilhelm gave it away, and how it became one of the most mysterious lost artworks in history, you need to listen to this episode. Friedrich II of Prussia, Frederick the Great, Friedrich Wilhelm I, Soldier King of Prussia, Hans Hermann von Katte, Wilhelmine of Prussia, Prussian royal family, Prussian court history, Prussia 18th century, Potsdam Giants, Lange Kerls, Amber Room history, Amber Room Prussia, Amber Room Peter the Great, Prussian military culture, royal abuse history, historical escape attempt, Prussian monarchy, European royal family trauma, Fresh Hell Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1920s Vienna, a woman calling herself Baroness Cadvé ran what appeared to be a private language school for children. Behind the polite advertisements and the respectable address in the city center was something much darker. This episode tells the story of Edith Kadivec, the woman at the center of the 1924 Vienna "Sadist Trial,” in which she was accused of abusing children for the sexual gratification of wealthy and powerful clients. The case exposed not just one abusive teacher, but a whole network of doctors, businessmen, artists, and aristocrats who believed their status would protect them. This episode contains discussion of child abuse and exploitation. f this episode brought up difficult feelings for you or someone you care about, you’re not alone, and support is available. Here are some trusted organizations and hotlines where you can find help, support, and information. National Child Abuse HotlineCall 1-800-4A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelp.orgAvailable 24/7 for confidential support, crisis intervention, and referrals to local services. National Human Trafficking HotlineCall 1-888-373-7888 or text BEFREE (233733)Chat and resources available at humantraffickinghotline.orgConfidential support, crisis intervention, and connections to services nationwide. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat at rainn.orgProvides support for survivors of sexual violence of any age. Rat auf Draht (Helpline for children and young people)Free, confidential support for children and teens.Tel: 147Website: rataufdrah.at B-PLAN – Hilfe für Betroffene von Menschenhandel und AusbeutungSupport and assistance for trafficking survivors in Austria.Website: b-plan.at Frauenhelpline (Women’s Helpline)Confidential support for women experiencing violence or abuse.Tel: 0800 222 555 (Free in Austria)Website: frauenhelpline.at Gewalt-Hotline (Violence hotline)Offers information and referral for people affected by violence.Tel: 0800 188 188Website: gewaltinfo.at Child Helpline InternationalConnects you to child helplines around the world.Website: childhelplineinternational.orgFind a local number in your country. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – Anti-TraffickingGlobal resources and support information.Website: unodc.org (search “human trafficking”). ECPAT InternationalWorks to end child exploitation worldwide and provides links to support services.Website: ecpat.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to watch Henry's wonderful documentary, you can find the English version here: https://www.henryhauck.de/en-us and the German version here: https://www.henryhauck.de/de In this episode we speak with filmmaker Henry Hauck, a cousin of one of the "Missing Children of Pirmasens", a series of missing person cases from the 1960s, that have never been resolved and continue to haunt the town to this day.  Decades later, Henry chose to confront this history by making a documentary, not only as a filmmaker, but as a family member living with unanswered questions. In our conversation, Henry talks about growing up in the shadow of a disappearance, the long-term impact these cases have on families and the town of Pirmasens, and about the main suspect...Günter Justus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends at Our True Crime Podcast, covering the deeply troubling murder of Michelle McNeill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back to bridge the space between the holidays and the return of brand-new episodes. This volume revisits the 1904 murder of Lucie Berlin in a rapidly modernizing Berlin, the still-unsolved killing of Peggy Andrews in Columbus, Ohio, and the controversial 1902 murder of Bertha Schippan in rural South Australia. If you want the full versions, with expanded background, investigative detail, and all the frustrating unanswered questions: they’re waiting for you in our back catalogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we take a holiday break, we’re bringing you Best Of, Vol. 3: a condensed revisit to three cases from the Fresh Hell archives. This episode features the disappearance of the three lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mòr, the chilling crimes of Viennese con man and serial killer Hugo Schenk, and the Victorian-era murder of Anna Evans Skeeters in Bermuda. If you want the full versions, with all the background, forensic detail, and inevitable side tangents, you can find them in our back catalogue. Brand-new episodes are coming soon. Until then, this is Fresh Hell, briefly condensed! Happy Holidays, Hellions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 24th 1996, in Minneapolis, a series of escalating disturbances unfolded across the city, leading to an explosion during the city’s Christmas celebrations. What began as isolated incidents at shopping centers and local businesses quickly revealed themselves to be connected, linked by the same individuals. Jingle Bells Calm by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100187   Artist: http://incompetech.com/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In November 1995, 16-year-old Ruth Wilson vanished after leaving her home in Surrey. She didn't go to school as planned though. Instead she ordered some flowers, and took a taxi to a quiet rural lane near Box Hill. Then...she disappeared without a trace. Thirty years later, her family and investigators are still searching for answers. Was Ruth planning to run away? Did she meet someone that day? And why did she choose that isolated spot? In this episode, Annie and Johanna take a closer look at Ruth’s life, the timeline of her last known movements, the witness statements, and the theories surrounding her disappearance. Ruth Wilson, Surrey, Box Hill, missing person case, 1995 disappearance, UK true crime, unsolved mystery, teenage runaway theories, Betchworth, cold case investigation, Fresh Hell Podcast, missing teenager, British cold cases, Ruth Wilson case, true crime podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final part of our Dr. Crippen series, we’re heading into the Old Bailey for one of the most sensational trials in Edwardian history. We’ll walk you through the courtroom, the personalities, the evidence, the theatrics, the “Saul Goodman–before-Saul-Goodman” defense strategy, and the moment the jury returned in just twenty-seven minutes. Part 4 brings the story to its end… or at least as close to an end as this case has ever gotten. Because more than a century later, Crippen’s guilt is still being argued, and the science is still being debated! drcrippen, hawleycrippen, belleelmore, ethelleve, crippentrial, oldbailey, edwardianlondon, pentonvilleprison, historicaltruecrime, coldcasehistory, freshhellpodcast, truecrimepodcast, truecrimehistory, forensiccontroversy, dnaforensics, londonhauntings, hauntedlondon, hilldropcrescent, crippeninnocent, crippenmystery, londoncrimehistory, crimearchives, truecrimecommunity, historicalmysteries, podcastseries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 3 of our Crippen series, we follow the case across the Atlantic and back again. After the dramatic arrest aboard the Montrose, Inspector Dew brings Crippen and Ethel to Québec, where the crowds are already waiting and the extradition machinery kicks into motion. We cover their guarded return voyage, the secrecy, and the surprisingly calm behavior of a man accused of murder. Once back in London, Crippen and Ethel are met with angry crowds, Bow Street is overrun with reporters, and the British press enters full Crippen-mania. Ethel heads to Holloway, Crippen to Pentonville, and the city prepares for one of the most anticipated trials of the Edwardian era. Next stop: the Old Bailey. Hawley Harvey Crippen, Dr. Crippen, Ethel Le Neve, Inspector Walter Dew, SS Montrose, SS Megantic, Canada extradition, Québec City, Bow Street Police Court, Pentonville Prison, Holloway Prison, Edwardian true crime, Crippen return voyage, early forensic history, London murder case, historical manhunt, Crippen trial, Fresh Hell Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2 of our Crippen series, Scotland Yard finally agrees something isn’t right with Dr Crippen. Inspector Dew talks to Crippen, listens politely, and then decides he needs another look inside the house on Hilldrop Crescent. What he finds there ends any hope that Belle simply packed up and left. At the same time, Crippen and Ethel are already gone, traveling under new names, dressed as father and son, heading for Canada. They almost make it, too. But this is the moment in history when ships begin using wireless messages, and unfortunately for them, their captain happens to be paying very close attention. Before long, newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic are breathlessly reporting the chase as it happens. This is the episode where the Crippen case stops being a missing-person story and becomes a full-blown international manhunt! Hawley Harvey Crippen, Dr. Crippen, Belle Elmore, Cora Crippen, Ethel Le Neve, Inspector Walter Dew, Scotland Yard, Hilldrop Crescent, Edwardian London, early forensic history, historical crime, true crime 1910, Crippen escape, SS Montrose, Captain Kendall, Marconi wireless, first wireless manhunt, transatlantic pursuit, London murder case, Fresh Hell Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

London, 1910: Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen and his wife, music-hall performer Belle Elmore, seem to have built the perfect Edwardian life... a tidy house in Holloway, polite manners, and a place in London’s social circle. But behind the facade of 39 Hilldrop Crescent, the marriage is falling apart. In this first part of the story, we look at who the Crippens really were: Hawley’s small-town upbringing in Michigan and his career in homeopathy, and Belle’s ambition to become a star of the London stage.When Belle disappears, and Dr. Crippen’s quiet secretary, Ethel Le Neve, suddenly takes her place, friends get suspicious. Dr Crippen, Hawley Harvey Crippen, Cora Crippen, Belle Elmore, Ethel Le Neve, Walter Dew, 39 Hilldrop Crescent, Holloway, London 1910, Edwardian era, homeopathy, Munyon’s Remedies, missing persons, true crime history, historical murder case, Fresh Hell Podcast, British true crime, Edwardian London, Music Hall Ladies Guild, P. T. Barnum comparison, Victorian morality, Crippen case part 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They’ve delivered love letters and war messages, carried microfilm across battlefields, worn tiny backpacks full of XTC, and been accused of international espionage! Yet somehow, pigeons have become one of the most hated animals in modern cities. In this episode we take a closer look at the humble pigeon...a bird that’s been by our side for thousands of years.  You’ll hear about decorated pigeon war heroes like Cher Ami and G.I. Joe, White Vision or Paddy, but also about the surprising science behind their intelligence, memory, and self-awareness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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On Halloween night, 1973, nine-year-old Lisa Ann French left her home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, dressed as a hobo and planning to trick-or-treat with a friend. She never made it back. What followed would not only shatter their community, but also forever change Halloween for American families, and spark one of the most shocking parole controversies in Wisconsin history. In this episode, Annie and Johanna tell the heartbreaking story of Lisa’s murder, the investigation that led to her neighbor, Gerald Turner, and the decades of legal battles that followed — from his 1975 conviction to the 1992 parole, and the eventual creation of Turner’s Law.  Lisa French murder, Gerald Turner, Fond du Lac Wisconsin, 1973 Halloween murder, Turner’s Law, Wisconsin Chapter 980, sexually violent person law, Waupun Correctional Institution, Racine Correctional Institution, Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center, Mauston Wisconsin, Maryann French, Halloween safety, child murder case, Wisconsin true crime, Fresh Hell Podcast, American true crime, 1970s true crime, parole controversy, Halloween killer, Wisconsin legal history, child safety law, Wisconsin justice system, crime in Fond du Lac, Lisa Ann French case, Wisconsin Department of Justice, civil commitment law, preventive detention, Turner parole, missing child 1973. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Johanna takes us back to 18th-century Austria, when terrified villagers were convinced the dead were refusing to stay buried...and the Habsburg Empire responded the only way it knew how: with paperwork! Hear all about Petar Blagojević and Arnold Paole, and how it lead to Maria Theresia’s no-nonsense vampire ban. This is the true story of Europe’s first documented vampire epidemic. We’ll talk superstition, bureaucracy, and why the Empress’s personal physician, Gerard van Swieten, might have been Bram Stoker’s real-life inspiration for Van Helsing. Of course we also try to figure out the possible medical explanations behind the legend: tuberculosis, rabies, and much more Austria, Austrian vampire panic, Habsburg Empire, Petar Blagojević, Peter Plogojovitz, Arnold Paole, Gerard van Swieten, Maria Theresia, Enlightenment, Aufklärung, vampire history, vampire epidemic, Milzbrand, anthrax, tuberculosis, rabies, porphyria, premature burial, Medvegia, Kisilova, 18th century, superstition, folklore, Bram Stoker, Van Helsing, vampire myth, Viennese history, Christian Reiter, historical medicine, grave exhumation, Visum et Repertum, Habsburg Monarchy, true crime history, Fresh Hell Podcast, Spooky Fuckery Month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our 300th episode, we’re boarding one of the most famous ships in the world: the RMS Queen Mary. Once the epitome of 1930s luxury and wartime resilience, she now sits permanently moored in Long Beach, California… and she’s said to be home to over 150ghosts. We talk about the tragic story of Door 13 and the splendor of the first-class swimming pool, as well as the anger and rage in the infamous Stateroom B340. Hear all about the elegant Woman in White who never left the dance floor, explore with us the ship’s history, hauntings, and the very thin line between legend and marketing. Join us as we celebrate 300 episodes of Fresh Hell Podcast with a deep dive into the glamour, the ghosts, and the real-life horror story of keeping the Queen Mary afloat. Queen Mary, RMS Queen Mary, Haunted Queen Mary, Queen Mary ghosts, Queen Mary Long Beach, haunted ship, haunted ocean liner, RMS Queen Mary history, Queen Mary hauntings, Stateroom B340, Queen Mary Door 13, Queen’s Salon ghost, Jackie Queen Mary, Queen Mary paranormal, Queen Mary ghost tours, Dark Harbor Queen Mary, Queen Mary Disney, Port Disney, Queen Mary corporate history, haunted ships podcast, Fresh Hell Podcast, Queen Mary haunted history, Long Beach hauntings, Queen Mary documentary, paranormal tourism, Art Deco ocean liner, Queen Mary 300th episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Fresh Hell, we’re taking you to the heart of spooky fuckery month with a deep dive into witch lore and trials in Austria and Germany. You know Salem: twenty people, one tragic year! But compared to what happened in central Europe, Salem was just a footnote. We’ll explore the folklore that fed the fear: Walpurgisnacht on the Brocken, Frau Perchta and her terrifying entourage, witches blamed for storms and nightmares, and then the very real trials in Würzburg, Bamberg, Salzburg, and beyond. Tens of thousands of people, mostly women, were executed in brutal hunts that tore entire communities apart. And yet, centuries later, witches have gone from a death sentence to Halloween costumes, protest slogans, and pop culture icons. witches, witch trials, Würzburg, Bamberg, Salzburg, Walpurgisnacht, Blocksberg, Brocken, Frau Perchta, Perchten, Druden, nightmares, weather magic, Hexe, Holy Roman Empire, Malleus Maleficarum, German folklore, Austrian folklore, spooky season, Halloween, Fresh Hell Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crikey! This week we’re taking you to meet crocodiles. The largest living reptiles on Earth, creatures that inspire both awe and terror. We’ll talk about the late, great Steve Irwin, whose passion and humor showed millions of people why crocodiles deserve our respect. We’ll also tell you the truth about the legend of the Ramree Island “crocodile massacre,” and explain the strange biological truth behind the phrase “crocodile tears.” Crocodiles may be dangerous, but they’re also extraordinary survivors, and Irwin was right: they deserve our admiration. crocodiles, saltwater crocodile, Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, Australia Zoo, crocodile tears, Ramree Island massacre, crocodile myths, man-eating crocodiles, crocodile attacks, crocodile legends, Fresh Hell Podcast, reptile facts, conservation, crikey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices