Timesuck with Dan Cummins

514 - Carl Tanzler: Romantic... Necrophiliac?

A delusional doctor obsessed with his deceased patient steals her body to embark on a seven-year quest for rebirth.

513 - The Dark Strangler: Serial Killer Earle Nelson

Explore the life and brutal crimes of Earle Nelson, the necrophilic serial killer known as the Gorilla Man.

Short Suck 60: The Mystery of the Yuba County Five

Five young men with disabilities vanished in 1978 after a basketball game, leading to a haunting, unsolved mystery.

512 - The Stonewall Riots

Police raids on the Stonewall Inn ignited a historic, multi-day uprising that fueled the modern gay liberation movement.

511 - The 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders

The 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders shattered a city's innocence, leaving four teenage girls dead and a mystery behind.

Short Suck 59: The Alligator Man aka The Butcher of Elmendorf

Joe Ball became a real-life horror villain by feeding the bodies of his murdered employees to his pet alligators.

510 - Black Death: The Bizarre Kidnapping of Chloe Ayling

Model Chloe Ayling was drugged, kidnapped, and threatened by a shadowy cult before public doubt fueled a viral mystery.

509 - 13 Hours of Terror: The 2020 Nova Scotia Massacre

A deranged man went on a 13-hour killing spree across Nova Scotia, exposing massive failures in Canadian law enforcement.

508 - John of God: Ghosts, Grift, and Psychic Surgery

John of God exploited faith and spiritism to run a brutal psychic surgery scam while hiding a history of abuse.

Short Suck 58: Roaring! Spinning! Winning! The Rise of the Big Wheel

Relive the nostalgic, high-speed danger of the iconic Big Wheel and the history of America's obsession with toys.

507 - Finding The Lost City of Z: Percy Fawcett's Suicide Mission

Obsessed with finding an ancient hidden city, explorer Percy Fawcett vanished into the Amazon never to return.

504 - Blizzard of Lies: The Karen Read Murder Trials

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins dives into the perplexing and highly controversial case of Karen Read and the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe. Following a snowy night in Canton, Massachusetts, O’Keefe’s body was discovered on a lawn, leading to a murder trial that has captivated the nation and sparked intense debate online. The discussion explores the prosecution's theory of a fatal, drunken encounter alongside the defense’s shocking allegations of a sophisticated police cover-up. Cummins navigates the tangled web of witness testimonies, forensic evidence, and local suspicion that has left a community divided. Listeners can expect a deep dive into the conflicting narratives surrounding the events on Fairview Road, questioning whether a tragic accident occurred or if something far more sinister was hidden behind a badge. It is a compelling look at a modern true crime mystery.

Short Suck #56: Triple Axel, Triple Chaos: The Rise and Fall of Tonya Harding

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins dives into the tumultuous life and career of figure skater Tonya Harding. Listeners are taken on a journey from Harding’s difficult upbringing to her historic achievement as the first American woman to land a triple axel in competition. The narrative quickly shifts to the bizarre and infamous 1994 attack on Nancy Kerrigan, exploring the web of dysfunctional relationships and poor decision-making that led to the scandal. Cummins dissects the chaotic events surrounding the plot, examining how immense athletic talent collided with a series of catastrophic personal choices. This episode provides an engaging, thorough look at the rise and fall of a sports icon, highlighting the tabloid frenzy that defined her legacy. It is a deep dive into one of the most unbelievable chapters in Olympic history, blending true crime elements with a complex biographical portrait.

503 - Lemurians, Lizard People, and Lies: Ramtha’s School Exposed

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins explores the bizarre and lucrative origin story of JZ Knight and her spiritual empire, Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment. The narrative begins with a truly strange claim: the manifestation of a 35,000-year-old warrior from Atlantis in a kitchen, which eventually evolved into a massive, multi-million dollar organization based in Yelm, Washington. Listeners are taken on a deep dive into the history of this New Age movement, examining how it transformed from a mysterious encounter into a highly profitable operation. Cummins challenges the legitimacy of these mystical teachings, questioning whether the path to enlightenment presented by Knight is rooted in genuine wisdom or merely confident, manufactured nonsense. It is a wild, humorous, and critical examination of a modern-day cult that invites listeners to question the reality behind the rhetoric.

502 - Help Me Before I Kill: The Chilling Story of Eddie Cole

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins explores the infuriating and tragic case of Eddie Cole, a serial killer who stands out for his unusual approach to his own dark impulses. Unlike many predators who operate in the shadows, Cole openly confessed his violent desires to authorities and repeatedly begged for professional intervention before he could harm anyone. Despite these clear warnings and his desperate pleas for help, the systemic failures of the justice system allowed him to be released back into society multiple times. Listeners are taken through the timeline of this harrowing true crime story, examining how someone who predicted their own behavior was allowed to continue on a path of destruction. It is a frustrating look at a missed opportunity for prevention and a chilling reminder of the gaps within our institutions.

Short Suck #55: Stolen History: The British Museum Debate

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins dives into the complex and controversial history surrounding the British Museum. While the institution houses over eight million artifacts representing the breadth of human civilization, its collection is inextricably linked to a legacy of imperial expansion and colonial conquest. Cummins explores the ethical dilemma faced by modern curators and governments alike: to whom do these historical treasures truly belong? Listeners are taken on a thought-provoking journey through the origins of these artifacts, examining the friction between preservation and the moral imperative of repatriation. By navigating the arguments for and against returning disputed items to their countries of origin, the episode highlights the ongoing global debate over the ownership of the past. It is an engaging deep dive into the intersection of art, power, and historical accountability.

501 - The Ant Hill Kids: Most Brutal Cult Ever?

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins explores the harrowing history of the Ant Hill Kids, a fringe group led by the manipulative Roch Theriault in the Canadian wilderness. What began as a promise of spiritual healing and purpose quickly devolved into a nightmare of absolute control and systematic abuse. Cummins examines how Theriault utilized isolation and fear to transform his followers' devotion into a mechanism for torture. Listeners can expect a deep dive into the disturbing psychological tactics used by the cult leader and the tragic consequences of his unchecked power. This episode offers a detailed look at one of the most brutal cults in modern history, shedding light on the dangerous intersection of blind faith and megalomania that ultimately led to the group's horrific collapse. It is a sobering, intense examination of how easily humanity can be twisted.

500 - Blowing Through the Mushroom Murders

In this landmark 500th episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins marks a major milestone with his signature blend of humor and deep-dive research. Deviating from his usual tone, Cummins explores the chilling 2023 Leongatha mushroom murders in Australia. The narrative centers on Erin Patterson, who prepared a fateful lunch that left three family members dead and another critically ill after they consumed meals containing lethal death cap mushrooms. This case gripped the Australian public and international audiences alike, sparking intense speculation and legal scrutiny. Listeners can expect a thorough examination of the events surrounding the poisoning, the investigation that followed, and the bizarre circumstances that turned a family gathering into a headline-grabbing crime scene. It is a compelling look at a tragic mystery that continues to raise haunting questions about motive and human nature.

Short Suck #54: Lip, Dip, and Die! The Radium Girls

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins explores the haunting and tragic history of the Radium Girls. Listeners are taken back to the early 20th century to examine the lives of young women recruited for what seemed like a glamorous, high-paying job painting luminous watch dials. Tasked with the lip, dip, and paint method, these workers were unknowingly exposed to lethal doses of radiation. The narrative uncovers how their employers deliberately concealed the dangers of radioactive paint, leading to a horrifying workplace poisoning scandal that shattered the victims' health. Cummins details the gruesome physical toll the illness took on these women and recounts their courageous legal battle against corporate negligence. This episode provides a compelling look at a pivotal moment in labor history, highlighting the fight for worker safety regulations and the lasting legacy of the women who refused to be silenced.

499 - The Cosmic Teacher: Rudolf Steiner and the Occult Roots of Waldorf Schools

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins explores the enigmatic life and controversial philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of the globally renowned Waldorf education movement. While Waldorf schools are widely celebrated for their focus on creativity and holistic learning, the episode peels back the curtain on the mystic origins of Steiner’s worldview. Listeners are taken on a journey into the occult beliefs that shaped his work, including his claims of clairvoyant insights into Atlantis, reincarnation, and the unseen cosmic entities he believed guide human evolution. The discussion examines how Steiner successfully blended spiritual mysticism with classroom instruction to create a lasting educational legacy. It is a deep dive into the strange history of a man whose esoteric theories left a surprisingly significant, often overlooked, mark on the modern educational landscape.