Now Fear This! with Becky & Merie

**CONTENT WARNING: RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT** In this episode Becky & Merie wade into the murky waters of Japanese hostess culture and dive into Lucie Blackman’s terrifying disappearance that led to a serial rapist who preyed on women for decades and an unexpected resolution to Carita Ridgeway’s cold case. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: Can you die from…mothball fumes? Does Becky have a verb in that sentence or does Merie have an arm growing out of her back? Which one of your hosts is destined to listen to a book on tape while checking…MapQuest? Based on evidence, is Becky or Merie your…grandma?! 👵 (could be neither!) Are your hosts heightists or tallists? (could be both!) Are YOUR give a f**ks on vacation?! Come for Becky’s country music version of the juiciest bits of “Please Please Please” from the fabulous Sabrina Carpenter. Stay for the documentary where things repeatedly get "taken" from Liam Neeson. Also, anyone who speaks Japanese want to tour your hosts around Japan? 🇯🇵🙏 See the incredible fringe-y ‘90s bangs of hostesses in an ad here. Sources for this episode include rabbit hole mag, cinemaholic, Netflix, deadline.com, heavy.com, abc.net.au, Manchester Evening News, Business Insider, Cosmopolitan, annabillersblog,

Check out Minisode 1 on cults first, 'cause part 2 drops ya right in the middle of your hosts discussing the shocking "one taste om" from the sex cult featured in "Orgasm Inc" then ramps it up with the MLM yoga pants nightmare LulaRich and caps everything off with the "go ahead & stalk people if you say you love 'em" Twin Flames. 😳  Sources include: Rolling Stone, Newsweek, thewrap.com, bigthink.com, verywellmind.com, oprahdaily, ABC News, Vox

This episode has your hosts discussing their fears of national parks and the various murders & mysteries therein, including the case of Morgan Heimer in the Grand Canyon, the Shenandoah National Park cold case double murders* of Lollie Winans & Julie Williams, and not one but TWO horrible humans who killed their wives in national parks and thus got caught for murdering their previous wife! Along the way, your hosts address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: CAN you be an a**hole without being a murderer? Why is Becky threatening to Silence-of-the-Lambs Merie? Who amongst us takes pride in our ability to…dial AAA? How big of a badass girl is serial killer survivor Kara Robinson? (hint: maybe the biggest badass ever.) Come for the hiking friends without benefits. Stay for Merie’s verrrry different rules for the guy’s side of the Korean spa. Stay to the end for the super-sexy-yet-completely-uninformed life insurance talk. #yourewelcome Follow Tourons of Yellowstone and be prepared for the 🤦🏼‍♀️😒🤦🏻‍♀️ of it all. Also, someone get Merie her own bear bell. Please. Now. *This episode was recorded waaaay back THE DAY BEFORE the murders of Lolly & Julie were announced to have been solved! Thus, a minisode will be coming up soon with all the details! Sources include almost toooooo many to count! Blue Ridge Outdoors, WaPo, Trailed by Kathrine Miles, New York Post,. East Idaho News, Sundial Press, Out, Coloradopolitics.com, westwood.com, freerangeamerican.us, trailsunblazed blog, Cleveland 5 News

In their very first minisode, Becky & Merie are fearing the sheer volume of current bat-sh*t crazy cults & cult documentaries out there, amongst them the orgasm-based cult (?!) One Taste, The Way Down, Keep Sweet Pray & Obey, The Vow, Bikram Yogi Predator, Love has Won, and MORE! Sources for this minisode include: Newsweek, thewrap.com, bigthink.com, verywellmind.com, oprahdaily, ABC News, Vox

This week’s podcast episode finds Merie & Becky diving into an online relationship’s deadly collateral damage, featuring murderer Grant Amato, where the 2 people in the “relationship” aren’t the ones who end up dead. Merie also reveals even more in-depth & terrifying info about the family annihilation of Margaret, Chad, and Cody Amato than was seen in the documentary CTRL ALT Desire. Along the way, the phrase “adolescents going to doctors for boner pills” makes an appearance, and your hosts address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: How does movie popcorn help you prevent yourself from professing that someone is your angel on earth? What’s the most cringe-y sex scene in the history of cinema…St. Elmo’s Fire or Bridgerton?! (Hint: it’s a tie!) Anybody out there know any old crabby widows in the highlands of Scotland that creepy creeper Grant could steal from next? (Merie might!) Do YOU put refrigerators in corn fields when you’re going through a hard time? (Becky does!) Come for the (wildly) inappropriate wifi names. Stay for the super-sexy grammar lesson involving propofol. Find the violence threat assessment tool Becky mentions here. Read more about childhood resilience & the importance of neuroplasticity here. And y’all go watch the hilarious and delightful Jane the Virgin. Do it now. Sources for this episode include The Cinemaholic, The Heavy, AETV, ABC News, Daily Mail, intouchweekly.com, Buzzfeed

Season 3 has begun (finally!)! Join your favorite true crime comedy podcast hosts as they revisit some of their favorite moments from the podcast thus far (including never-released clips!) and take a glimpse into the near future, including GPS-and-grizzly-bear-based disappearances resulting in prison time and a creepy & disgusting family annihilator with a prison smile so repellent it will make your skin crawl right off your body. Along the way, Becky & Merie address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: Why is Walter the Cat the face of this episode?! Will your podcast hosts judge you for NOT drinking wine while listening? Can Becky make it through one episode without telling someone to go f**k themselves? What is the most terrifyingly realistic depiction of a psychopath on television?! What ASMR Youtuber causes Merie’s snot to fly while simultaneously bringing about a premature end to Becky’s life? Will Merie EVER directly ask for 5 star reviews from you, our beloved listeners?! (Becky is, tho! Becky is asking! 🙏) Come for the spikey tennis ball that may or may not be a workplace sex toy. Stay for Becky's ongoing life-and-death struggle to get Merie to actually visit the life-changing https://www.fearthispodcast.com/ website. Sources include: Dear Felicity podcast. The book Popular Crime. The Paramount+ doc CTRL ALT Desire. Bread Face. The film A Promising Young Woman. The doc The Most Hated Man on the Internet. HBO’s Euphoria. Oh! And the Bible. 🤷‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ This episode is brought to you by Merie’s vaguely rapey cat, Walter. 

This week’s podcast episode has Becky and Merie diving into violent urban legends' origin stories, including the Hook Man and his roots in murder cases like the still-unsolved Texas Phantom Killer. Along the way, your hosts address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: Which mental institution do YOU want to tour for a college field trip? Is a pre-Facebook advice column responsible for putting an end to lovers’ lanes and its associated “necking?” Which “Dawson’s Creek” dreamboat is Becky’s boyfriend in this episode? (Hint: It’s not Dawson!) Is Thor responsible for brutally killing a couple of orderlies in a 1920’s Iowa farm town?  Come for Merie yelling the phrase, “YOU F**KING FLEE!” before Becky can even say the F word once. Stay to find out which recent Netflix movie is an unintentional horror show. Also: Did YOU pick the wrong night to pick on Stanley?!

This week’s podcast episode delves into Death by Cable Guy, featuring the lovely Texas grandma Betty Thomas murdered by Roy James Holden, Jr., who headed to WalMart with her credit cards and without changing from his murder clothes. Along the way, Becky & Merie address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: Can you cut the weight line out & cover the whirl? (Neither can Becky. Or Merie’s hairdresser.) What new TV show is so bad Becky is considering filing charges against its creators? How many of you want to hack us and find all the photos of…tooth abscesses and sleeping cats? Who amongst us deserves to be punched in the dick? Depends: Are YOU the guy running a site with illegally obtained porn? Are you a wacko massage therapist “feeling” negative energy in Merie's shoulder? Will getting murdered by the cable guy get you out of your final bill? Come for Merie’s inability to have herself at “hello. Stay for the cuteness overload of 2 cats meeting.   Sources for this episode include: lawandcrime.com. New York Post. NBC news. dailymail.com and Dallas Observer. USA TODAY.

This week’s podcast episode involves fencing-induced violence (and not the kind that gets you an Olympic medal, more like prison time) as neighborly disputes turn horrifying and murderous. Along the way, your hosts address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: How does a meal of liver & onions lead to Becky questioning Merie’s moral compass? What do you get the psychopath in your life? Try our Psychopath Gift Basket of jalapeños, black coffee, and bitter chocolates! Why is Becky threatening to give y’all an unprovoked (but sure-to-be-super-sexy) grammar lesson? How good is your Apple TV’s Black Bird serial killer voice? (Not as good as Merie’s!!! 😝)  Come for the discussion of the tragic Schloegl family massacre. Stay for Long Beach racist Lorene Mae Lake’s relentless campaign to become the worst person in the world. (Also, get off that motorcycle!) Advice for avoiding litigation, threats, and death can be found here.

This week, your podcast hosts are fearing for grown adult men, Terrence Woods and Lars Mittank, who both vanished without a trace in broad daylight and in front of witnesses, never to be seen again. Along the way, Becky & Merie address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: Is the doctor’s clinic in Bulgaria next to the Cinnabon or the Chilis 2? How much will Mark Cuban invest in our Shark Tank pitch that involves pixelated body parts? What could cause one of your pod-coasts to utter the words, “As a human being I cannot bless you!?” (Same for “sit down, little man?”) Do YOU answer the call of the void? …and is that before or after you find yourself in bar fights arguing over soccer & Star Wars? Anyone want to shop at our new boutique, Elements & Elephants? (us, either!) Come for Merie’s anti-climactic “f*ck you” to her boss. Stay for Becky’s horrible German accent that should get her arrested in Frankfurt even more so than that unfortunate international airport incident back in 2019. 😬 (Also, you better acknowledge that sneeze.) Sources for this episode include Talk Murder with me . Strange Outdoors. Forbes. All That’s Interesting. Vanished.us.

This week’s podcast episode has your hosts attempting to piece together the long and winding tale of the 1985 murder of Helen Wilson and its resulting trials, as featured in the doc series on HBO Mind Over Murder. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: How could Becky & Merie forget the name of the badass woman who got this nightmare all figured out? (BTW, it’s Special Investigator Tina Vath, thus the title of this ep!) Ya wanna see a tutorial on how to have sex in a video store? How for the loveofbabyjesusinamager can some nonexistent dirty dishes lead directly to 6 murder convictions? Is Merie a Vulcan or an elf? What phenomenon is deadly to humans but creates...giant radishes? What exactly IS a cognitive dissonance-a-palooza (and how can anyone possibly know that)? Can YOU hear Becky nodding? Come for your pod-coasts unscientific analysis of caves & volcanoes. Stay for Becky’s simple solution for living a calmer, more peaceful life.

Welcome back to the Now Fear This podcast’s coverage of the awful murder of Dallas dentist Dr. Kendra Hatcher, with discussion of the police investigation and the ensuing trials. Along the way, your hosts address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: Does drinking and taking Ambien turn you into a murder-plotting psycho? Did Becky pick the wrong week to quit huffing paint? Don’t you hate it when your car shows up on the news as a murder scene getaway vehicle? Do you use a dry erase board with $ signs on it to plan your murders just so the police will fully know your plot when they raid your house? (No? Just Becky, then? Okay.) How are Merie’s immunosuppressant drugs related to her decision to go on the lam following a murder spree? Do YOU want to choose who Becky kills on national TV in order to fulfill her Barkley list? (Email her at fearless@nowfear.com!) Why is Merie threatening Becky with turning around and showing Becky her flannel shirt collection? 🙀 Did Becky’s cat really try & kill her & make it look like a suicide? Come for Becky’s voice turning into the Wicked Witch of the West around minute 27. Stay to the very end for little preview of an upcoming Now Fear This! episode about an HBO murder documentary. Sources for this episode include Daily Mail. Texas Monthly. Dallas Observer.

This week’s podcast episode has Merie & Becky discussing the murder-for-hire of beloved children’s dentist Kendra Hatcher, which occurred in Becky’s neighborhood in 2015. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: How does a tandem bike lead directly to divorce in a parking lot in Napa? How is breast cup size related to whether or not you could…stroke out? How many of us call 911 when we can’t get the wifi to work? (No? Just Becky? 🤷‍♀️) Death by fitted sheet…or sports bra? Your choice. What sperm-based true-crime documentary makes Becky “sangry?” (And can y’all just keep your sperm inside your bodies until…invited? Thanks!) Who amongst us is capable of negotiating like a man for a murder-for-hire position? Come for Merie’s workout-related near-death experience. Stay for your pod-coasts' offensive list of “troubley” names (And forgive Becky, okay? Her name is BECKY!) Also, hey, Brenda: MOVE ON. Sources for this episode include Daily Mail. Texas Monthly. Dallas Observer. And go to Southern Decadence weekend in New Orleans. Go.

This week’s podcast dives into the curious case of “The Selfie Murderer” Amanda Taylor, and other various and sundry selfie-related deaths. Along the way, your hosts address the burning questions you didn’t even know you had, like:. Is that an alien egg or a green vagina? Who amongst us isn’t too crazy for ISIS? What behavior does Merie engage in that totally wigs out a Disney dolphin trainer? Can you forgive Becky for being super bummed about all the mass shootings? Thank you. (Also, she’s sorry for being really cleavage-y. It’s not her fault.) How come the “Wild West” had strict gun regulation back then, yet we can’t pull our shit together today? Why is Merie threatening to take Becky to a museum specifically designed for Becky’s waking nightmare (aka, selfies)? Can you leave the quote mark hanging? (Not if Merie has anything to say about it!) Come for the cross-heavy decor. Stay for Becky’s official Senate campaign slogan (against the universally loathed Ted Cruz 🤮) coined by her future campaign manager Merie. Trust me: it’s a good one. Follow Influencers in the Wild. Do it now.

Part 2 of the podcast’s exploration of the tiny town of Skidmore, MO has your pod-coasts traveling along the dusty trail of a gruesome murder and more than one potential kidnapping, taking a detour through Texas and the Ozarks, yet somehow ending up back in Missouri. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t even know you had, like: Is Skidmore really just this nice little community of people who are sitting ducks for out-of-town Chester the Molesters, murderers, and baby snatchers? Is Aaron Rodgers actually the pitcher for a Major League Baseball club (and how could anyone possibly know that!)? Does Becky really offer her ear to Merie as a birthday gift? What are the odds of Merie dreaming about cats nursing orphaned baby squirrels? (Pretty good!) What are the odds of you catching Becky watching a “body horror” movie? (Slim to none!) What are the odds of you finding Merie having sex behind a Dumpster (Less than zero - who has that kind of quad strength?!) What is the thing Merie reveals about herself that horrifies Becky so much she wishes to turn back time to before she heard it? Come for the cuss-shaming. Stay for the machete-wielding phone avenger. 

This week’s podcast episode has Merie & Becky metaphorically heading into the tiny town of Skidmore, MO, and the murders, assaults, unsolved crimes, and odd disappearances that have happened there. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: IS it the year of penises on television? (And what other penises are there?!) Is “Skidmore” a new CW show where there's hot people casting spells and doing crimes? (We hope so!🤞🏻) Is Becky in fact looking at Merie while touching her boobs? (Maybe!) Would Becky rather murder her husband than have insomnia? (Only sometimes!) Can we stop giving people the middle name Wayne? (‘Cause it’s guaranteed serial killer material!) What unknown “California drug” makes you shave all your pubic hair? Come for the Mr. & Mrs. Punkin contest. Stay for the turkey baster-based breast implants Becky is threatening to inflict on Merie. (Also, That’s some Grade A nerd shit right there.) Sources for this episode include: Medium.com. Talk Murder with Me. Oxygen.com Rolling Stone. A book called Baby be Mine by Diane Fanning. https://allthatsinteresting.com/branson-perry

This week’s continuation of season 2 of the podcast has Merie & Becky heading down the long, terrifying, and confusing crime story of the murder of Jessica Chambers. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: How does Merie start a turf war with Mississippi gangs over copyright infringement? Do you want to apply to her super-exclusive wine club, the Sip Mob? Remember when your pod-coasts used to be good at, you know, podcasting? (Us, either!) Should you learn how to surf after the age of…40? (Hint: NO!!!) Did Becky go to Cambridge or not (and how could anyone possibly know that?)?! Can you be in a small town in Mississippi and NOT be in a drug gang? (Probably not!) Would Becky convict you for murdering someone because of pimento cheese? (Never! 🤮) Should you kidnap Merie for her ATM’s PIN? (Only if you don’t want it!) What pairs well with baloney sandwiches, Entenmanns, and Chee-toes? (Maybe a nice Chablis?) Come for the book called How my Podcast ruined my Marriage and my Life. Stay for Merie’s description of how she’s going to die at the hands of…Bob. Sources for this episode include: Oxygen. People. ID Crimefeed. Clarion Ledger.

WE’RE BAAAAACK!!!! This week’s podcast episode has Merie & Becky attempting to take on the terrifying phenomenon known as house squatting (and not the potty-related kind - eww) and a Netflix show called “Worst Roommate Ever.” Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: Is “Bye Karen” the new “Bye Felicia?” 🤞🏻What fear-inducing activity is Merie doing with her husband’s phone while he’s asleep at night? DOES Merie need to see the tooth that’s all rotted out in the back of your head? Do YOU want to see Merie’s weird cat fetish stuff? (Neither does Becky!) Does Becky judge you when she peers in your windows while you’re having sex? (You’ll never know!) Can Merie…count? (Depends: Are Becky’s f-bombs in this episode numbered at 0 or 25?!?) Does Merie have stories of squatters and even strangers living in her mom’s attic? (Of course she does!) Come for the U-Haul inflicted PTSD. Stay to witness Merie becoming her mother. Also, you’re not taking Becky’s fucking cat.  Sources include: New Yorker.  D Magazine. Listverse. AppleNews.

For this year’s continuation of the 12 Fears of Christmas, join Becky & Merie as they discuss terrifying holiday shopping, sappy Hallmark movies, and some creeeeeeepy Christmastime disappearances. Along the way, they spread unconfirmed disinformation about Walmart and modern slavery. Also: What’s all this about the violence in an invented county called Clarecork in Ireland? How long do those Forever 21 dresses last before they disintegrate? Long enough for you to snag yourself a prince from Malvadeniastan? Want to join Merie in all her watching of German torture porn? How ‘bout the scary violent guy who turns out to be prince AND saves the town square? Why not Christmas at Six Flags? Becky apologizes for the horrible French accents attempted by your pod-coasts. So…grab your pepper spray and let’s go shopping!

For this year’s continuation of the 12 Fears of Christmas, join Becky & Merie as they discuss terrifying holiday shopping, sappy Hallmark movies, and some creeeeeeepy Christmastime disappearances. Along the way, they spread unconfirmed disinformation about Walmart and modern slavery. Also: What’s all this about the violence in an invented county called Clarecork in Ireland? How long do those Forever 21 dresses last before they disintegrate? Long enough for you to snag yourself a prince from Malvadeniastan? Want to join Merie in all her watching of German torture porn? How ‘bout the scary violent guy who turns out to be prince AND saves the town square? Why not Christmas at Six Flags? Becky apologizes for the horrible French accents attempted by your pod-coasts. So…grab your pepper spray and let’s go shopping!