Ripley Radio

This week on Ripley Radio, we present two unbelievable mysteries. What makes a person hiccup for seven years and is there really such a thing as spontaneous human combustion? Is there a cure and what is it like to live with continuous hiccups, and is there such a thing as spontaneous human combustion and if there isn’t, why do some people burn into a little pile of ash while nothing else around them is disturbed? Other Strange and Wonderfully Weird Stories we captured for the April 1 episode of Ripley Radio, the official radio partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! include: Jim Morris, the baseball player on which the movie, The Rookie was based, talks with Ralf about his amazing adventure and answers the question, “what ever happened to” Jim Morris?; Tim talks about his book, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Baseball Oddities and reads a few unbelievable factoids from its pages; The Defeat of Jess James Days, a festival in Minnesota, is Chad Lewis’s contribution to weird fairs and festivals this week; and British rocker Nick Lowe goes mellow and offers us Hope for Us All, this week’s musical egress.

One of the oldest cartoon characters in the world is Popeye the Sailor Man and this week we learn from Chad Lewis that Chester, Ill. lays claim as the hometown of the character and each year holds an off-beat picnic in his honor. Getting into the big leagues is tough for any player, but especially hard if you are half-blind. We hear the tale of one half-blind baseball pitcher who has a good shot at it this year – Believe It or Not! Other Strange and Wonderfully Weird Stories We Captured for the March 25 Episode include: a homeless man talks with us this week on Ripley Radio, the official radio show of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and explains how a very expensive diamond ring ended up in his possession and why he returned it, even while the devil on his shoulder was telling him to keep it; Jodi Pliszka reports on a weird medical malady known as Fregoli, a condition that causes you to see the same person, no matter who you look at; Edward Meyer, Ripley’s archivist tells us about his newest purchase, a man-eating Bengal Tiger who killed more than 40 people during its life. Not only did Ripley’s get the taxidermied tiger, but also the human jewelry found inside its stomach when it was shot during the last century; and the cast of the Broadway show, American Idiot provides us with our musical egress this week with the Green Day song, Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

Variety entertainer extraordinaire Todd Robbins drops by this week and tells us that he has eaten more than 5,000 light bulbs during his career as part of his act. It’s a learned skill and one has to be very careful, he notes. Frank DeCaro, a celebrity in his own right, shares a few favorite items from his Dead Celebrity Cookbook, including Michael Jackson’s favorite treat. The Grim Reaper Gourmet, as he calls himself, appears in the March 18 episode of Ripley Radio, the official radio broadcast partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Other Strange and Wonderfully Weird Stories We Captured for the March 18 Episode include: In her weird medical maladies segment, Jodi Pliszka tells us about periodic paralysis, a symptom that comes on quickly and goes away just as quickly; Joe Tombari and nine of his friends have been playing tag for 23 years and the game goes on! He relates a few of the more outrageous “tags” that have occurred over the years; we learn about the world’s record for the most people wearing frog masks; Ripley archivist Edward Meyer reports that one of his latest acquisitions is a 2,500 year old chunk of redwood tree; and Nashville-based Here Come the Mummies provide us with our musical egress with Aeroplane.

Lucky is the topic this week as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2013 on Ripley Radio, the official broadcast station of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Stacy Lee Goforth tells us that if you believe strongly enough, you can create your own luck and that virtually anything can be a lucky charm. Chad Lewis examines the “Luck of the Irish” and everything that goes along with it. Other Strange and Wonderfully Weird Stories We Captured for the March 11 Episode include: A last wish of an 88-year old man was that his funeral procession drive through Burger King on the way to the cemetery for one last Whopper Junior; a high school graduation class of 1948 has plans to hold its 65th reunion – in a funeral home; was there a real St. Patrick and did he truly drive the snakes out of Ireland? We hear one theory; and the Irish rock group, The Saw Doctors, present D’ya Wanna Hear My Guitar? as this week’s musical egress.

While most of us can’t imagine doing a one-armed pushup of any kind, Darryl Learie holds a world record doing them - with all of his weight balanced on a single egg! He stops by this week and explains how he does it without making omelets. Juan Panesso tells us this week on Ripley Radio, the official broadcast program of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, how he acquired and then sold a 19-foot long cigar – for $185,000. Other Strange and Wonderfully Weird Stories We Captured for the March 4 Episode include: Jodi Pliszka tells the tale of a weird medical malady of a young woman whose eyes close and she can’t open them for three days at a time; we hear of some real crazy items available for purchase on the Internet, including the ability to walk on water- sort of; Joe Kasinski of the Orlando Believe It or Not! Odditorium joins us in the studio and tells us what’s new at his busy attraction; and Maroon 5 provides our musical egress this week with Daylight.

Detroit’s Deborah Ford retired from the US Post Office in February having never missed a day of work in her 44 years. She visits this week and tells us how she did it. Also this week on Ripley Radio, the official broadcast program of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, we hear from Brian Jackson, who holds several world records – for blowing up hot water bottles. He once lifted a car with his lungs – sort of. Other Strange and Wonderfully Weird Stories We Captured for the February 25 Episode include: Chad Lewis reports on the wild men who at one time probably lived in the woods and hills around your house; Jim Kidrick of the San Diego Air and Space Museum tells us about the new Ripley exhibit that will be featured at his facility through 2013; Ripley archivist Edward Meyer calls in from the floor of that unique exhibit in San Diego; Joe Kasinski from the Orlando Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium updates us on his new exhibits and reports on the success of World Sword Swallower’s Day last week; and the group Swedish House Mafia sings their hit, Don’t Worry Child as this week’s musical egress.

This Saturday, February 23, nearly three dozen sword swallowers will gather at 20 Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, worldwide, to celebrate World Sword Swallower’s Day. Dan Meyer, the world’s preeminent sword swallower, and founder of this special day, visits with us this week on Ripley Radio, the official radio program of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Other Strange Stories We Captured for the February 18 Episode: Marc Hartzman tells us that Hans may be the smartest horse ever; Dan Diehl, an artist who “paints” with smoke describes his unique talent to us; Ripley’s new media expert, Lauren Hubbard, explains how fans of Ripley can interact with the company on the various social media platforms available; Jodi Pliszka reports on a rare, very weird medical malady; and Bruno Mars provides the musical egress this week with Locked Out of Heaven.

On this special Valentine’s episode of Ripley Radio, we take a look at the strange, unusual and non-mainstream ways to celebrate the big holiday dedicated to sweethearts. As more and more people are writing love letters, we hear from David Rees, the world’s only professional pencil sharpener, and Barbara Berg returns to explain Ring Shui, a way of predicting if a person is a romantic match based on how they wear their rings. Additional Weird and Wacky stories on the February 11 episode of Ripley Radio include: The head of an exclusive resort tells us that more and more couples, young and old, are discovering the clothing optional way to celebrate; A look at the special Valentine Day promotions found at Ripley attractions worldwide; and Chad Lewis reports on lover’s traditions of the past. In one of the greatest love songs ever recorded, Chris de Burgh provides our musical egress this week with Lady in Red.

TBelieve It or Not!, several US cities want to steal the “Icebox of the Nation” moniker from International Falls, Minn.. Chad Lewis joins us this week and tells us about the challenge from these upstarts. A person’s ashes from cremation aren’t just for urns anymore. Angela explains that all sorts of artistic uses have been created for cremains, including blown glass paper weights and vinyl records. Other Strange Stories on the February 4 Episode of Ripley Radio: George Holscher tells us about the 300-game he bowled – from his wheelchair, becoming only the second person to ever do so; award-winning TV reporter Scott Fais reports on the very off-the-beaten-path location of a private monkey island in Florida; Huffington Post editor Buck Wolf unveils the top weird stories the popular website carried during 2012; and sideshow historian James Taylor recalls the life story of sideshow performer Johnny Eck, the legless man who Robert Ripley once called, “the most amazing man in the world.” The Zombies auditory artifact from 1969, Time of the Season, is this week’s musical egress.

This week on Ripley Radio, we look at a couple of Legends. Sideshow historian James Taylor introduces us to Francesco Lentini, a man with three legs who spent his life entertaining the weird and strange-seeking masses. David Marsh of Marsh’s Free Museum in Washington State, tells us about his most popular exhibit – the remains of Jake the Alligator Man. Other Strange Stories We Captured for the January 28 Episode: UFO Researcher of the Year and Huffington Post journalist, Lee Speigel, lists the top UFO stories of 2012; a sheriff’s deputy tells of a drug bust his department made and you’ll be surprised at what they found guarding the stash; Scott Fais and Ripley archivist Edward Meyer talk about the incredible and mysterious Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida; and Angela reports on how one man is the proof that vodka can make you blind, but whiskey can make you see again! The Neon Trees provide our musical egress this week with their big 2012 hit, Everybody Talks.

This week on Ripley Radio we listen to James Papp, an expert on the Mayan culture as he tells us why the world didn’t end in December as predicted by so many. Also we hear from Brent Sicard, who went from being the janitor of a grocery store chain to become its part-owner and CEO – Believe It or Not! Other Strange Stories We Captured for the January 21 Episode: Jodi Pliszka visits us and lists the top weird medical maladies she reported on in 2012; In his segment, Jackpottin’ with James Taylor, the sideshow historian tells the strange tale of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man; Edward Meyer, Ripley’s archivist unveils the top exhibits he acquired during 2012; and TV reporter Scott Fais tells us about a train ride that takes us into the wilderness and back, all in the name of entertainment. Seven Day Week, this week’s musical egress is compliments of the Detroit-based band, JTX.

In our first show of 2013, we talk with the king of Stupid Human Tricks, Brian Pankey. He holds more than 2,000 records for doing stupid things! Gail Ruben, the doyenne of death, joins us again and talks about the brighter side of death – the unique, weird and sometimes strange funerals that follow. Other strange things discussed on the January 7 episode of Ripley Radio, the official broadcast partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! includes a discussion with Mort Banks who sold a gallon of BBQ Sauce on eBay for nearly $10,000. Tune in to see what kind of sauce brought in that kind of dough! We also hear from Star Donovan who has created an entirely new image of vampires – for grade school kids – in a series of books. Are some “urban legends” really true? We hear that some are much more than myths. Benjamin Gibbard provides our first musical egress of 2013 with Teardrop Window

We don’t sing Auld Lang Syne, but we do get the year off to a pleasurable start with an unbelievably weird, bizarre and totally fun show. We hear about a Mexican Restaurant in Los Angeles where the rock group The Doors once had a recording studio and you’ll be surprised what now occupies what was once the sound booth! We also learn that Charlie Andrews is one tough dude! He is the reigning world champion jouster and he explains that it is definitely a sport in which you WILL get hurt.Additional Bizarre, Unusual and Weird Topics discussed on the December 31 episode of Ripley Radio, the official broadcast partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, include: Pat Croce, the owner of St. Augustine’s Pirate and Treasure Museum tells us that his crew has discovered two ships that were part of Sir Francis Drake’s final expedition; we hear that ghosts were blamed for a stash of items stolen from a local police precinct that were found in one of the cop’s basement; a cupcake bakery in the UK nearly went out of business because they had TOO much business, thanks to a Groupon; and we are told by return intern Abby that an English historian was found with 20 female corpses in his house – all dressed up as if they were going to a party! Our last musical egress of the year is a rock version of the traditional New Year’s Eve song by the amazing Los Straitjackets. They call it Soul’d Lang Syne.

TV adventurer, author, actor and world traveler Piers Gibbon stops by Ripley Radio this week and tells us about his latest National Geographic Channel show, The Witch Doctor Will See You Now! , Jodi Pliszka explains what the “Alien Hands” syndrome is all about and provides a few very graphic bizarre examples of what can happen if you have this affliction.Also on the December 25 episode of Ripley Radio, the official broadcast partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Return Intern Abby reports that the 7 billionth human on Planet Earth was born on Halloween, a year ago in the Philippines; Chris Epting reports on a booth in Pete’s Tavern in Lower Manhattan where O. Henry sat while writing the Gift of the Magi in 1906; We hear that the Sugar Plum Fairy of St. Charles, Mo., was fired just before Christmas and learn of the “Save the Sugar Plum Fairy” groups that have sprung up in an attempt to get her coveted job back; and Edward the archivist relates how bizarre it was spending the day in Thailand, with three “unusual and unbelievable” people- the Scorpion Girl, the Centipede Boy, and the Wolf Child. We go traditional country this week for our holiday musical egress. Carlene Carter teams up with Daron Norwood for their version of the Working Elf Blues.

This week we feature a Florida woman who left $1,000 in cash on the kitchen counter only to be eaten by her dog! How she got it back may surprise you! We also discover that at least one pregnant woman craves roadkill, not ice cream. Also on the December 17 episode of we hear about the holiday activities at Ripley attractions across America. We talk with Michael Hirsch of the New York City Believe It or Not! museum who tells us about his month-long Ripley-style fun, which includes an opportunity to have a mini-Santa sit on YOUR lap! Kim Kiff, manager of the St. Augustine, Fla., Believe It or Not! museum describes her Santa’s Village and the city’s Nights of Lights and tells us that all Florida residents get into all the Ripley attractions state-wide for half-price in December. In addition: We learn of Christmas customs of far-away lands: burning goats in Sweden, holiday meals at KFC in Japan, and defecating dogs in Spain; We learn that a bakery refused to bake a birthday cake for a child – named Adolf Hitler; and we hear that on Thanksgiving morning, a live turkey fell out of his nest, crashed through a window and landed inside a restaurant – that was not serving turkey for dinner! Lady Antebellum provides our holiday musical egress this week with Baby, It’s Cold Outside.