Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged

Back in 2023, rumors of a possible serial killer in the Portland area were everywhere. At the time, investigators said they had no reason to believe a series of deaths and disappearances were connected. Today, the story looks very different. In this bonus episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, Shay revisits the case against Jesse Lee Calhoun and traces how an investigation that once seemed uncertain evolved into prosecutors alleging six victims across Oregon and Southwest Washington. From the disappearances that first raised alarm to the indictments announced between 2024 and 2026, this episode walks through the timeline, explores how public perception shifted, and examines the major developments that have emerged since we last covered the story. Please note: Jesse Lee Calhoun has pleaded not guilty. The allegations discussed in this episode have not been proven in court, and the case remains ongoing. Join us as we revisit one of the Pacific Northwest's most closely watched true-crime investigations and explore how a story that began with unanswered questions continues to unfold. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A backyard. Two countries. One unbelievable story.Most people think of the U.S.-Canada border as quiet, friendly, and uneventful. But behind a quirky bed-and-breakfast in Blaine, Washington, one of the strangest border stories in modern North American history was unfolding.This week, Shea sits down with author Reece Jones to discuss his new book Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America's Northern Border. What begins as the story of a roadside inn quickly turns into a tale involving smugglers, asylum seekers, Border Patrol agents, underground networks, and a Supreme Court case that continues to shape debates about federal law enforcement today.At the center of it all is Bob Boulay, the owner of the Smuggler's Inn, whose backyard quite literally sat on the international border.In This EpisodeThe Strangest Property in AmericaThe Smuggler's Inn wasn't just near the border. It was on it.Reece explains how Bob Boulay accidentally became a border innkeeper and found himself witnessing everything from drug trafficking operations to refugee crossings. What started as a simple real estate investment became one of the most important crossroads on the U.S.-Canada border.Why Refugees Chose CanadaA major theme of the conversation is the little-known history of asylum seekers traveling through the United States to reach Canada.Reece breaks down how changes to Canadian immigration policy unintentionally transformed the Smuggler's Inn into a destination for people fleeing persecution from places including Afghanistan and Turkey.The Supreme Court Case That Changed EverythingThe story eventually landed before the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark case Egbert v. Boule.The discussion explores how one confrontation between a Border Patrol agent and Bob Boulay evolved into a legal battle with major implications for constitutional rights, federal accountability, and border enforcement.About Our GuestReece Jones is a professor of geography and environment at the University of Hawaii and the author of multiple award-winning books on borders, migration, and immigration policy. His latest book, Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America's Northern Border, was co-written with attorney Greg Boos.Learn more about Reece and his work: 🔗 https://www.reecejonesauthor.com/More Rainy Day Rabbit HolesExplore more strange true stories and hidden history: 🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/Related episodes:🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/convergence-true-crime-and-corruption-in-the-windy-city🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/when-tylenol-turned-deadlySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jody is back! In this special update episode, Shay and Jody share major changes coming to Rainy Day Rabbit Holes in 2027, including a new seasonal format, themed story arcs, expanded Patreon benefits, more live events, and a preview of upcoming seasons focused on villains, heroes, folklore, and unexplained mysteries. It's a candid, funny conversation about podcasting, community, and building a show that's sustainable for the long haul while staying true to the curiosity and humor listeners love. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Recorded live on September 16, 2026, at the beautiful McMenamins Elks Temple Spanish Ballroom in Tacoma, Washington. Most people in the Pacific Northwest know the name Pantages. Far fewer know the woman who helped make that empire possible. In this live episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, Shea and Jody dive into the extraordinary life of Kathleen Eloisa Rockwell, better known as Klondike Kate, the Queen of the Yukon. From rebellious convent school student to Gold Rush superstar, Kate became one of the most famous women in Dawson City, earning fortunes, collecting marriage proposals, and captivating an entire generation of miners. Along the way, she crossed paths with a young Alexander Pantages, helped finance the beginnings of his theater empire, and found herself at the center of one of the most fascinating forgotten stories in Pacific Northwest history. It's a tale of gold rush madness, ambition, heartbreak, reinvention, philanthropy, and one unforgettable woman who refused to live by anyone else's rules. Plus: the Sourtoe Cocktail, disastrous romance, theater scandals, homesteading in silk slippers, a lawsuit that made headlines across North America, and the surprising Disney connection that helped keep Klondike Kate's legend alive. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What happens when a touring musician leaves rock-and-roll behind to become a homicide prosecutor in one of America's most notoriously corrupt court systems? In this episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, Shea sits down with former Cook County homicide prosecutor and author Gregg Owen to discuss his remarkable journey from opening for legendary acts like The Doors and Janis Joplin to prosecuting murder cases in Chicago during the height of courtroom corruption. Gregg shares stories from his upcoming true crime book Convergence, which follows a seemingly unwinnable double murder case involving missing evidence, witness intimidation, judicial corruption, and one of the largest corruption investigations in American history. Along the way, we explore Operation Greylord, Chicago in the 1970s, music, justice, Bigfoot, aliens, and what it takes to keep fighting when the odds are stacked against you. If you love true crime, history, organized crime, courtroom drama, and fascinating life stories, this episode is for you. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy