This week Jeff shares the story of Dell Burke, a legendary figure of Wyoming’s frontier history.

Dell Burke operated the iconic Yellow Hotel in Lusk for nearly six decades, running a brothel and speakeasy that became both infamous and respected in the region. Known for her sharp business sense and commanding presence, she built a lasting enterprise in a time and place where survival required grit, strategy, and resilience.

But her legacy goes beyond notoriety. Dell was also known for her generosity and philanthropic contributions to the local community, creating a complex and fascinating story of a woman who thrived outside societal norms while quietly giving back.

This is a story of power, contradiction, and carving your own place in history.

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Sources
Read, June Willson. Frontier Madam: The Life of Dell Burke, Lady of Lusk. Twodot
Prairie Public – Dell Berke and the Yellow Hotel
https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/dakota-datebook/2021-11-04/dell-berke-and-the-yellow-hotel
Niobrara County Library – Obituary Records
https://www.niobraracountylibrary.org/obituaries/obituary-details/?id=872
Ranchers.net – Little Wyoming History discussion
https://www.ranchers.net/threads/little-wyoming-history.58154/
My Favorite Murder – Episode “Cow Women”

Sam shares the devastating and deeply unsettling case of Murder of Shanda Sharer, a crime that shocked the nation and exposed the darkest edges of youth violence.

In 1992, 12-year-old Shanda Sharer was abducted, tortured, and ultimately murdered by a group of teenage girls in Indiana. What makes this case especially disturbing isn’t just the brutality—it’s the psychology behind it. Drawing from research on adolescent violence, group dynamics, and behavioral development, this story explores how peer influence, identity formation, and unchecked aggression can spiral into unimaginable tragedy.

Sam breaks down not only what happened that night, but why—digging into studies on youth violence, gang-like behavior, and the role of environment and psychology in shaping extreme actions. It’s a case that forces a hard question: are monsters born… or are they made?

This one is heavy. And it stays with you.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9512271/
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-27055-009
https://www.catch-22.org.uk/resources/understanding-violence-in-young-people/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2023.1142241/full
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Shanda_Sharer
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-31-mn-1053-story.html
https://people.com/shanda-sharer-inside-killing-indiana-girl-burned-alive-11764118
https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/what-gang-definitions
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5215800/

Jeff tells the tragic story of the Nutty Putty Cave Incident.

In 2009, John Edward Jones went spelunking with his brother and a group of friends inside Nutty Putty Cave in Utah. What began as an adventure quickly turned into a nightmare when John mistakenly entered a narrow, unmapped passage and became trapped upside down.

Despite an intense rescue effort that lasted for hours, the extreme conditions, positioning, and physical strain made recovery impossible. John ultimately did not survive. The cave was permanently sealed, turning it into his final resting place.

This is a heartbreaking story of exploration, risk, and the limits of rescue - and a sobering reminder of how quickly things can go wrong. Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources

• Museum Facts – Nutty Putty Cave: John Edward Jones’ Tragic Descent
  https://museumfacts.co.uk/nutty-putty-cave-john-edward-jones-tragic-descent/
• Medium – One Minute Horror Story
  https://medium.com/the-shortform/one-minute-horror-story-07ac90c802c4
• All That’s Interesting – Nutty Putty Cave
  https://allthatsinteresting.com/nutty-putty-cave
• MDLinx – Upside Down for 7 Hours: Doctors Debate Survival Possibilities https://www.mdlinx.com/article/upside-down-for-7-hours-doctors-debate-survival-possibilities/2vSrzwK1iEay4pw2PnMdUz
• HowStuffWorks – How Nutty Putty Cave Works
  https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/nutty-putty-cave.htm
• The Science Survey – Spelunking: Dangerously Enjoyable or Enjoyably Dangerous?
  https://thesciencesurvey.com/spotlight/2026/03/10/spelunking-dangerously-enjoyable-or-enjoyably-dangerous/
• Wikipedia – Nutty Putty Cave
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutty_Putty_Cave
• NBC News coverage
  https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34157005
• Brandon Kowallis – The Nutty Putty Cave Rescue: One Rescuer’s Perspective
  https://www.brandonkowallis.com/2024/02/the-nutty-putty-cave-rescue-the-death-of-john-jones-one-rescuers-perspective/
• Morbid Podcast episode (YouTube)
  https://youtu.be/Z2WgfUcSOLI?si=Gcmn_IAcx8OoZIJn

Jeff tells the disturbing story of Gary Heidnik, an American murderer whose crimes shocked Philadelphia in the late 1980s. Heidnik abducted six women and held them captive in the basement of his home, where he subjected them to horrific torture and abuse. Two of the women were murdered during the ordeal.

The case came to light in 1987 when one of the captives managed to escape and alert police, leading authorities to uncover the gruesome “house of horrors.” The investigation revealed the extent of Heidnik’s cruelty and the unimaginable suffering endured by the victims, making the case one of the most infamous in Philadelphia’s criminal history.

Sam shares the story of Olga of Kiev, the fierce 10th-century ruler of Kievan Rus' who became legendary for her ruthless vengeance. After her husband, Prince Igor, was murdered by the Drevlians, Olga launched a calculated and brutal campaign of retribution against them—burning cities, executing envoys, and securing her power as regent. Despite her violent path to authority, she later converted to Christianity and was eventually canonized as a saint, earning the title “Equal to the Apostles” in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Jeff’s Sources (Gary Heidnik):

• History.com – Torture Chamber Uncovered in Philadelphia
  https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-25/torture-chamber-uncovered-in-philadelphia
• Green, R. (2025). The Pit: The True Crime Story of Six Women, One Monster, and the Nightmare Below. Ryan Green Books.
• The Casual Criminalist episode on Gary Heidnik
  https://youtu.be/npaEJB0ciE4?si=vlDRzJ66Jsin9nN3

Sam’s Sources (Olga of Kiev):

• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Olga-of-Kiev
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olga_of_Kiev
• https://www.worldhistory.org/Olga_of_Kiev/

Jeff tells the chilling story of the murder of Reyna Marroquin. In 1999, construction workers renovating a home in Jericho made a horrifying discovery: a body sealed inside a 55-gallon drum for three decades. What followed was a forensic puzzle involving a former employer, long-buried secrets, and a case that proved the past never stays hidden forever. Sometimes justice waits quietly… and then kicks the door in.

Sam shares the story of how an unsolved 1971 murder in Howard County led to an unexpected and emotional DNA breakthrough decades later. Advances in genetic genealogy helped investigators identify a long-unknown victim, reconnect surviving family members, and finally bring answers to a case that had remained cold for over 50 years. Science doesn’t forget—and neither do the people still waiting for the truth.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Jeff’s Sources (Reyna Marroquin):

• CBS News – The Clue in the Drum
  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-clue-in-the-drum/
• Megan Ashley, Medium article
  https://medium.com/@chelsealynnqueen94/the-murder-of-reyna-ang%C3%A9lica-marroqu%C3%ADn-a-tragic-discovery-30-years-later-5c962f8757a3
• Forensic Files episode

Sam’s Sources (1971 Cold Case DNA Identification):

• Howard County Police Department
  https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/howard-county-police-identify-jane-doe-1971-homicide-reunite-surviving-children
• The Washington Post
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/02/07/cold-case-sibling-reunion-howard-county/

Jeff tells the story of Ruth Ellis, an African-American LGBTQ+ rights activist and one of the oldest surviving openly lesbian women, living to the age of 101. Though she considered herself ordinary, her quiet courage, lifelong advocacy, and support of Detroit’s queer community made her extraordinary. From operating one of the few safe gathering spaces for LGBTQ+ people in the mid-20th century to inspiring generations of activists, Ruth’s legacy is one of resilience, dignity, and unapologetic authenticity.

Sam shares the story of Project MKUltra, an illegal human experimentation program designed and carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency during the Cold War. The program sought to develop techniques and drugs that could alter human behavior, including experiments involving LSD and other substances—often conducted without the knowledge or consent of participants. Decades later, declassified documents and testimony revealed the disturbing scope of the project and its profound ethical violations.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Jeff’s Sources (Ruth Ellis):

• https://www.globalsociety.earth/post/a-century-of-courage-activism-and-legacy-ruth-c-ellis
• https://bentley.umich.edu/news-events/magazine/living-with-pride/
• https://pridesource.com/article/how-ruth-ellis-inspired-my-early-activism-helping-queer-at-risk-youth
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis_(activist)

Sam’s Sources (MKUltra):

• MKULTRA: How the CIA Used the Cold War to Commit Horrors on US Citizens by Dawson M.
• https://safe.menlosecurity.com/doc/docview/viewer/docNBFC8F817A722e7b2e98174f84e8f35b0224aae7515b4ca0358577a181726d9320a24538f2a6f
• https://research.unc.edu/human-research-ethics/resources/ccm3_019064/
• https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/dnsa-intelligence/2025-10-30/top-secret-testimony-cias-mkultra-chief-50-years-later

Jeff shares the recent and harrowing story of a French woman/warrior named Gisèle Pelicot.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Jeff's Sources

• Husband Who Let 72 Men Rape His Wife - The Case of Dominique Pelicot
• Gisele Pelicot Has Become a Feminist Hero
• Gisèle Pelicot’s Story by BBC News
• Rapes of Gisèle Pelicot - Wikipedia

Jeff tells the survival story of Sarah Brady, featured on I Survived (Season 2, Episode 10). Her story is one of resilience, instinct, and the will to live in the face of unthinkable circumstances.

Sam shares the story of Michael Peterson, who was convicted in 2003 of murdering his second wife, Kathleen Peterson, on December 9, 2001. The case, often referred to as “The Staircase,” became one of the most debated murder trials in modern true crime history.

In 2011, after eight years in prison, Peterson was granted a new trial and released when a judge ruled that a key prosecution witness had given misleading testimony. The legal twists and forensic controversies surrounding the case continue to fuel discussion to this day.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Jeff’s Source: I Survived – Season 2, Episode 10

Sam’s Sources:

• https://attorneys.media/michael-peterson-staircase-legal-analysis/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Peterson_trial
• https://people.com/where-is-michael-peterson-now-the-staircase-11864013
• https://collider.com/the-staircase-what-happened-to-real-michael-peterson/
• https://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/stories/michael-peterson-what-happened-in-that-trial-could-not-happen-today
• https://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/tv-movies/warm-tv-blog/article313559828.html
• https://www.alcatrazeast.com/crime-library/famous-murders/michael-peterson/
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2025/12/09/where-is-michael-peterson-now-the-bizarre-true-story-behind-the-staircase/