Malice in the Mitten

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Let's spatchcock!!
Music by Tracy Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston
Sound effects from uppbeat: turkey gobble

There are stories carved into the old logging camps: tales of a Thanksgiving guest who never eats, never speaks… just watches.
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt
Story researched and written by Todd Preston
Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston
Sound effects from Uppbeat:  wind-howling-low-intense-smartsound-fx-1-00-57.mp3
Sources:
Stories from the Woods— Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center, Northern Michigan University. This archive is foundational for U.P. oral traditions.
Haunted stories in the Upper Peninsula — comlists a variety of local ghost lore.
Paranormal phenomena in the Upper Peninsula — Hideaway Tiny Acres documents U.P. ghostly encounters.
Folklore and culture of the U.P. — NMU’s Upper Peninsula Studies program collects foods, stories, and cultural traditions.
Heikki Lunta — while not directly connected to the “Visitor,” this Finnish-U.P. snow-spirit figure illustrates how Finnish immigrant traditions play into U.P. seasonal folklore.

Murder, poison, and deception inside a quiet Grand Rapids home.In 1916, Stanley Peck nearly died after months of mysterious illnesses. What looked like a simple case of “gastric troubles” soon unraveled into one of Michigan’s most twisted domestic plots. Behind it: a domineering mother, her conflicted daughter, and a smooth-talking fraud who called himself a doctor.
In this episode of Malice in the Mitten, we dive deep into the shocking true story of the Peck family poison plot — a scandal involving morphine, atropine, false diagnoses, secret vials, and a slow, methodical attempt to kill a husband from the inside out.
Based on historical records and Robin T. Buhk’s Poisoning the Pecks of Grand Rapids, this episode explores how manipulation, obsession, and trust turned deadly in early 20th-century Michigan.
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Story written and researched by Tracy Preston
Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston
Original music Slow Murder by Tracy Preston
Sources: 
Buhk, Tobin T. Poisoning the Pecks of Grand Rapids: The Scandalous 1916 Murder Plot. History Press, 2020.
Grand Rapids Herald,” June–August 1916 archives.
Grand Rapids Press,” 1916 coverage of the Peck case.
Butterfield, L. C. Medical testimony, Grand Rapids Court Records, 1916.
Kendallville Police Arrest Report, Albert Sweet, 1916.
Sound effects from Uppbeat:  restuarant-ambiance-restaurant-crowd-walla-fascinatedsound-1-00-45.mp3 / train-horn-distance-fascinatedsound-1-01-22-mp3 / typewriter-keyboard-typing-bell-tomas-herudek-medium-1-00-09.mp3 / trailer-impact-heartbeat-clock-ticking-tomas-herudek-1-00-25.mp3 / transition-heartbeat-tension-fast-the-foundation-1-00-19.mp3 / kettle-whistling-steam-jeff-kaale-2-00-09.mp3 / kitchen-room-tone-ambience-gfx-sounds-3-3-01-27.mp3 / old-clock-ticking-in-museum-ivo-vicic-1-00-34.mp3 / winter.breeze-blowing-trees-in-forest-ivo-vicic-1-02-38.mp3 / fire-in-a-large-hall-gfx-sounds-3-3-02-08.mp3

Get ready for one of the funniest, quirkiest Round Robin episodes ever. Today we’re diving into 14 strange, unbelievable, and completely real facts about the world around us — the stuff you absolutely don’t need in your life but will definitely tell someone later.
Original music by Tracy Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston

Krampus is coming to Michigan . . . and he's not bringing gifts.
In this chilling episode of F-Bomb: Fables, Fiction, Folklore & Frights, we dive into the terrifying legend of Krampus - the horned winter demon who punishes the naughty and prowls the snow-covered nights of December. From European origins to Great Lakes lore, explore how this monstrous Christmas figure found his way into MIchigan storytelling, winter festivals and dark holiday tradition. 
We unravel the ancient alpine roots of Krampus.  Why he appears with chains, bells and a sack of stolen children.  How Krampushnacht and Yule traditions shaped modern fear. Michigan sightings, folklore versions & festive Krampus runs. The darker side of Christmas legends - and why we love them.  
If the jingle of bells in the dark makes your blood run cold, this episode is for you.
Listen if you dare - and remember . . . Santa rewards, but Krampus collects.
New episodes every Friday.  Follow for more legends, myths & creepy holiday tales.
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt
Story researched and written by Todd Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Original music created by Tracy Preston
Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston
Sources:
“Krampus,” Wikipedia.
“Krampus | Definition, St. Nicholas, Christmas, History, & Facts,” Britannica.
“Meet Krampus, the Christmas Devil Who Punishes Naughty Children,” com.
“The Origin of Krampus, Europe’s Evil Twist on Santa,” Smithsonian Magazine.
“Krampus festivals to check out across Michigan,” Detroit Free Press.
“Old Town Krampusnacht,” Old Town Lansing website.
“Krampus Night Detroit – A Holiday-ish Charity Extravaganza,” com.
“Krampusnacht Holiday Wine Dinner,” Bavarian Inn Restaurant, Frankenmuth, MI.
“The Story Of Krampus: Origins And Evolution …” com.

In November 2025, 22-year-old Rebecca “Becca” Park — 38 weeks pregnant — vanished from Boon Township, Michigan. Days later, volunteer searchers found her body in the woods of the Manistee National Forest. Prosecutors allege that her biological mother, Cortney Bartholomew, and Cortney’s husband, Brad, lured her into a vehicle, forced her into the forest, and brutally murdered her — allegedly removing her unborn baby from her womb.
This episode chronicles Becca’s life, the desperate community search, the gruesome discovery, and the early days of a legal case that has shaken Michigan. We speak her name, we honor her life, and we present the known facts with care and respect.
Content warning: This episode contains discussion of extreme violence, including murder of a pregnant woman and death of an unborn child. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
— Malice in the Mitten
If you have information related to the case, contact the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office tip-line. 
Tips & InformationWexford County Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency): 231-779-9211Case tip line (Rebecca Park investigation): 231-306-2072Cadillac Area Silent Observer (anonymous tips): 231-779-9215 or 1-800-528-8234
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt.
Story researched by Tracy Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston
Original music created by Tracy Preston
#RebeccaPark#BeccaPark#JusticeForBecca#TrueCrimePodcast#MaliceInTheMitten#MichiganCrime
#TrueCrime#TrueCrimeTikTok
Sources:
“Two Charged with Murder of Rebecca Park.” Michigan Attorney General, 2 Dec. 2025, michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2025/12/02/two-charged-with-murder-of-rebecca-park. Michigan.gov
Spargo, Chris. “Rebecca Park Murder: Mother Accused of Torturing Pregnant Daughter but Keeping Her Alive Until She Cut Out Baby.” PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025, people.com/rebecca-park-mother-cut-out-pregnant-daughters-baby-after-murder-da-11861411. People.com
“Mother and Stepdad Charged with Murder, Torture of Missing Pregnant Woman Rebecca Park.” WDIV ClickOnDetroit, 3 Dec. 2025, clickondetroit.com/news/local/2025/12/03/biological-mom-stepdad-accused-of-murdering-pregnant-daughter-unborn-child-in-michigan-forest. WDIV
“‘Evil’: Mom, Stepfather Charged with Murder in Death of Pregnant Woman, Her Unborn Child.” Associated Press, 3 Dec. 2025. UpperMichiganSource.com. https://www.uppermichiganssource.com+1
“Wexford County Bands Together to Support and Pay Tribute to Rebecca Park and Family.” 9&10 News, 4 Dec. 2025. 910News.com
“Michigan Couple Arraigned on Murder, Torture Charges in Death of Pregnant Manton Woman.” Big Rapids News, 3 Dec. 2025. Big Rapids Pioneer
“Mom, Stepfather Charged in Rebecca Park’s Death; Baby Dead.” Detroit Free Press, 2 Dec. 2025. Detroit Free Press
 

On this festive Round Robin, we're taking Christmas off the nice list and digging into the weirdest holiday facts you’ve probably never heard. Why do Catalonians hide a pooping figurine in their Nativity scenes? Why does Japan eat KFC for Christmas dinner? And why did Massachusetts once make Christmas illegal?
From Victorian ghost storytelling traditions to Iceland’s 13 mischievous Yuletide trolls, we’re bringing you bizarre global customs, strange history, Santa lore, and some jaw-dropping holiday trivia that’ll wow your family at dinner. Funny, weird, and unexpectedly dark — this is Christmas like you’ve never heard it before.
Perfect for holiday car rides, dinner table interventions, or just flexing your festive knowledge.
#ChristmasHistory #StrangeTraditions #ChristmasPodcast #HolidayEpisode #UnusualChristmas #FunChristmasFacts #RoundRobinShow #HolidayWeirdness
Sound effects from Uppbeat:  ba-dum-tss-drum-rimbshot-om-fx-1-00-14.mp3 / trombone-squeak-danijel-zambo-low-2-00-02.mp3
Original music created by Tracy Preston
Original artwork created by Todd Preston
Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston

Step into the frozen heart of Michigan with Michigan's Col Spirits & Yuletide Shadows an original dark-winter theme crafted for true folklore, fables and supernatural storytelling.  Inspired by icy forests, haunted legends, and bone-cold nights of the Great Lakes. 
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt
Story and Todd Preston original artwork by Todd Preston
Recorded, edited and original music by Tracy Preston
#MichiganFolklore #WinterSpirits #YuletideShadows #GreatLakesLegends #MichiganMyth #HolidayHorror #MichiganGhosts #WinterHauntings

In the late nineteenth century, illness inside the home was often indistinguishable from something far more sinister. Limited medical knowledge, common household poisons, and deeply ingrained social fears created a perfect environment for suspicion to thrive.
This episode examines the case of Euphemia Mondich, a Michigan woman whose marriages ended repeatedly in prolonged illness and death. As rumors spread and authorities became involved, Mondich was transformed in the public eye from a grieving widow into a symbol of domestic danger.
Through contemporary reporting, historical context, and careful examination of what can and cannot be known, this episode explores how accusation, uncertainty, and gendered assumptions shaped one of Michigan’s most unsettling nineteenth-century cases.
A companion research document for this episode is available for listeners who want to go deeper.
Link below:
https://tracypreston4.gumroad.com/l/vkqae 
Researched, written, recorded and edited by Tracy Preston
Music created by Tracy Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Sources:
Detroit Free Press. Trial Coverage and Crime Reports on Euphemia Mondich. 1919–1922. Detroit Free Press Archives.
Detroit News. Poisoning Investigation and Court Proceedings. 1921–1922. Detroit News Archives.
Michigan Department of Corrections. Historical Prison Records: Michigan State Prison (Jackson). State of Michigan.
Schechter, Harold. The A–Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers. Simon & Schuster, 1996.
Federal Bureau of Investigation. Behavioral Perspectives on Female Serial Offenders. FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, archival reference material.
Vronsky, Peter. Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters. Berkley Books, 2007.
#MaliceInTheMitten#SilentKillers#MichiganTrueCrime#EuphemiaMondich#ForgottenCrimes#WomenWhoKill#HistoricTrueCrime#TrueCrimePodcast

What if ancient Egypt had better city planning than modern suburbs… but worse HR policies?
In this episode of Round Robin, the table dives headfirst into the weird, funny, and wildly misunderstood truths about ancient Egypt and Cleopatra. From the fact that Cleopatra wasn’t Egyptian and lived closer to the moon landing than the pyramids, to beer for breakfast, sacred cats, and cities designed with astronomical precision, this conversation proves history is stranger—and funnier—than fiction.
This episode will change how you think about Cleopatra, pyramids, and one of the most advanced civilizations in human history.
Written, recorded and edited by Tracy Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Original music by Tracy Preston
#RoundRobinPodcast#AncientEgypt#Cleopatra#HistoryPodcast#FunnyHistory#EducationalPodcast