Malice in the Mitten

In the frozen wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, stories have endured for generations—whispers of Ice Bound Giants, massive figures said to roam the snow-choked forests during the dead of winter. In this episode of F-Bomb Friday, we explore one of the U.P.’s most chilling pieces of folklore. Lumber camps spoke of towering shapes moving through blizzards. Hunters reported impossible footprints frozen deep into the ice. Entire communities passed down warnings meant to keep people indoors after dark. Are the Ice Bound Giants a cautionary legend born from isolation and winter madness—or somet...

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...

In early 20th-century Detroit, men were dying quietly inside their own homes — and no one was asking why. In this episode of Malice in the Mitten, we examine the forgotten case of Euphemia Mondich, a woman convicted of murder after two men close to her fell mysteriously ill and died under strikingly similar circumstances. At a time when wives and caregivers were rarely suspected of violence, Mondich lived unnoticed, protected by domestic trust and social assumptions that allowed her crimes to remain hidden for years. Through period newspaper reporting, courtroom reconstruction, and modern criminological context, th...

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

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 bef...

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...

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 mod...

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

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...

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. Pa...

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

Mackinac Island. No cars. No crime. Just summer light and lake air.                Until July 1960 — when a widow went for a walk and never came back. Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt Original artwork by Todd Preston Story researchd and written by Tracy Preston Recording/editing by Tracy Preston If you have any information on the murder of Frances Lacey, please contact the Michigan State Police - Cold Case Unit Tip Line: 313-215-06785 / www.michigan.gov/msp Author Reference Rod Sadler — Grim Paradis...

In the back of a Michigan cemetery lies a black marble sphere. Legend says it moves on its own. Reflections appear. Whispers echo from the woods. This… is The Witches Ball. Theme Song written and recorded by Alan Hunt Story researched and written by Todd Preston Original artwork by Todd Preston Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston Sound effects from Uppbeat:  breathing-close-up-dan-barracuda-reverb-1-00-18.mp3 / axe-impacting-metal-weapon-smartsound-fx-1-00-01.mp3 / haunted-forest-ambience-gfx-sounds-intense-2-00-27(1).mp3 / plastic-button-switch-clicked-volo-1-00-00.mp3 Sources: Lost In Michigan – The Enigma of th...

Do you ever think about how old certain foods are?   Written by Tracy Preston Original music by Tracy Preston Original artwork by Todd Preston Sound effects uploaded from uppbeat:  censor-profanity-beep-long-om-fx-1-00-01.mp3 Sources:  https://historyfacts.com/famous-figures/article/fascinating-facts-about-every-first-lady/ https://historyfacts.com/world-history/article/5-historical-coincidences-that-blow-our-minds/?lctg=01d933ad-120b-443f-b98b-69cdfe6511ac

Fifteen years after three brothers vanished over Thanksgiving weekend in Morenci, Michigan, their father—John Skelton—has been charged with their murders. Once convicted only of unlawful imprisonment, he was days from release when prosecutors reopened the case. Malice in the Mitten revisits the evidence, the haunting scene inside his home, and a mother’s long wait for answers in one of Michigan’s most chilling cold cases. Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt. Original artwork by Todd Preston. Story researched and written by Tracy Preston. Sound effects and addition...

This night the lake turned ruthless. . .and the Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared without a trace. Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt. Story researched and written by Todd Preston. Editing and sound effects by Tracy Preston Sound effect from uppbeat:  thunder-lightning-ftus-1-00-13(1).mp3 / ocean-storm-from-ship-gfx-sounds-1-1-02-21(1).mp3 / ship-foghorn-blating-gfx-sounds-1-00-10.mp3 / strong-crashing-waves-during-storm-ivo-vicic--1-01-36.mp3 Sources: NTSB Report – SS Edmund Fitzgerald (1978) https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAR7803.pdf U.S. Coast Guard Marine Casualty Report https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Por...

Still reeling from Mondays show! Sound effects from uppbeat: robin-birdsong-in-springtime-iv-vicic-1-01-39.mp3

A senseless murder of a beloved father and mentor, a son's endless pursuit for answers. Please listen, and just maybe we can inspire that one person to finally come forward.  It was an honor and a privilege to tell Joseph's story, as well as to have had the opportunity to interview Mike Gatto.  Our interview is at the end of the show.   Theme song written and recorded Alan Hunt Original artwork by Todd Preston Story researched and written by Tracy Preston Additional mustic from uppbeat:  time-spiral-tim-schaufert-main-version-43507-02-03.mp3 If so...

November is Native American Heritage month. A time celebrate the traditions, languages and stories.   Story by Todd Preston Music by Tracy Preston

Good times and great laughter, that's what it's all about! Sound effects from Upbeat:  robin-birdsong-in-gentle-forest-ivo-vicic-1-01-35.mp3