Lucid Lab Podcast

Happy Halloween Lab Rats! We are spending some time in honor of the holiday to discuss Halloween Sadism, the worry and sometimes actuality that a stranger will tamper with the treats they hand out on Halloween causing harm to innocent trick or treaters. On this episode, Kendra discusses a few of the tales that fueled this fear including the main culprit, Ronald Clark O’Bryan who was convicted in the death of his own child using tainted candy and dubbed The Candyman or The Man Who Killed Halloween. 
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Send your questions, personal stories and episode ideas to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com
Please subscribe to and rate our Podcast on your favorite platform!
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Sources:
Halloween sadism: the history behind the myth of poisoned treats – Voices of Monterey Bay
Poisoned candy myths - Wikipedia
How Americans Became Convinced Their Halloween Candy was Poisoned | HISTORY
Ronald Clark O'Bryan - Wikipedia

In this episode, we discuss the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a nation rich in natural resources but plagued by war and exploitation. From diamonds and gold to coltan and cobalt, Congo’s vast wealth has become a curse, fueling battles between armed groups, corrupt officials, and international corporations. But the human cost is staggering, as civilians, particularly women and children, bear the brunt of the violence.
We explore how the pursuit of valuable minerals has led to widespread sexual violence, with rape and assault used as tools of war to displace communities and assert control over resource-rich territories. Join us as we unpack the complex relationship between natural resources, armed conflict, and the ongoing fight for justice and peace in Congo.
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Donate Today:
City of Joy - https://cityofjoycongo.org/
Focus Congo - https://www.focuscongo.com/
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Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Support Lucid Lab on Patreon! Join the Lab Rat Clan - https://www.patreon.com/LucidLabPodcast
Send your questions and episode suggestions to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com 
Have a special experience you want to share? Send us anything! True crime, paranormal, alien encounters, spiritual experiences, dreams, etc. We might read it in our Lab Reports episode!
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Sources:
“In My Village” Spoken Word by Ntumba Yvette. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlo68g9-IK4
Anna, C. (2022, June 16). EXPLAINER: Why Rwanda and Congo are sliding toward war again.https://apnews.com/article/politics-east-africa-rwanda-united-nations-49c5e58469496e272286dc5b82baa1a2
Cascais, A. (2021, November 11). Renewed fighting flares in eastern Congo. https://www.dw.com/en/renewed-fighting-flares-in-eastern-congo/a-59789397
Cordell, D. & Payanzo, N. (2024, October 21). Resources and Power. https://www.britannica.com/place/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo/Resources-and-power
Dizolele, M. (2019, January 25). Why Joseph Kabila Lost the Election. https://www.csis.org/analysis/why-joseph-kabila-lost-election
Haider, H. (2017, March 2). Modern Slavery in the DRC. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b9a541be5274a138ea54232/052_Modern_slavery_in_the_DRC.pdf
Increased Fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo Exacerbating Security Woes Threatening Regional Conflagration, Special Envoy Warns Security Council. (2024, April 24). https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15677.doc.htm
Nantulya, P. (2024, May 20). Understanding the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Push for MONUSCO’s Departure. https://africacenter.org/spotlight/understanding-drc-monusco/
Pietromarchi, V. (2024, March 29). Eastern DRC ‘at breaking point’ as security, humanitarian crises worsen. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/29/eastern-drc-at-breaking-point-as-security-humanitarian-crises-worsen
Prashad, J. (2020, May 19). Realizing Children’s Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Humanium
The harms of Glencore’s corruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. (2023, December 12). https://www.spotlightcorruption.org/glencores-corruption-drc-and-nigeria/
Q&A: Democratic Republic of Congo Conflict in North Kivu Province. Abuses by the Congolese Army, Rwandan Forces, M23, and Other Armed Groups. (2024, September 26). Q&A: Democratic Republic of Congo Conflict in North Kivu Province | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)
Vesperini, H. (2018, January). Women Displaced by Brutal Violence in the DR Congo Tell Their Harrowing Stories. https://storyteller.iom.int/stories/women-displaced-brutal-violence-dr-congo-tell-their-harrowing-stories
Why sexual violence is on the rise in Goma's displacement camps. (2023, September 18). Why sexual violence is on the rise in Goma’s displacement camps - Democratic Republic of the Congo | ReliefWeb
 

On Valentine’s Day of 2013, the world was shocked by the news coming out of South Africa. Reeva Steenkamp, an A-list model and reality show star had been killed in the middle of the night and her boyfriend, the famous double amputee Olympian, Oscar Pistorius had admitted to shooting her four times. The following year would be one of twists and turns as authorities tried to get to the bottom of what happened that fateful night. 
Oscar would claim it was a tragic accident of mistaken identity, he thought Reeva was an intruder to his home. The prosecution would bring a case against him for premeditated murder, attempting to prove that he killed her in a fit of rage after an argument. 
Listen now as Kendra brings you the details of this case, what was decided in the trial and where Oscar Pistorius is today. 
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Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!!
Follow Lucid Lab Podcasts on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @ lucidlabpodcast
Have a story you want to share? An episode suggestion? We might read it on our special Lab Reports episode. Please send any messages to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com. We love to hear from you!___________
Sources:
https://people.com/where-is-oscar-pistorius-now-former-olympic-runner-8638022
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Oscar_Pistorius
Netflix. 30 for 30: The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius. 2020. ESPN.

In this episode, Jessica brings us the heartbreaking and disturbing story of the Hart family. Sarah and Jennifer Hart adopted six Black children with the promise of providing them a loving and safe home. But beneath the surface, their seemingly perfect family facade hid a darker reality. On March 26, 2018, this tragic story took a horrific turn when Jennifer drove their SUV off a cliff in Mendocino County, California, killing themselves and the children - Markis, Hannah, Devonte, Abigail, Jeremiah, and Ciera. We explore the events leading up to this devastating act, the signs that were missed, and the questions that still linger. Join us as we examine the complexities of this case and its lasting impact on those who knew the Hart family and the birth families of the children gone too soon.
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Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Support Lucid Lab on Patreon! Join the Lab Rat Clan - https://www.patreon.com/LucidLabPodcast
Send your questions and episode suggestions to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com 
Have a special experience you want to share? Send us anything! True crime, paranormal, alien encounters, spiritual experiences, dreams, etc. We might read it in our Lab Reports episode!
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Sources:
Asgarian, R. (2023, March 14). We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Lusk, V. (2018, March 30). Women killed in California cliff crash had Aberdeen ties Women killed in California cliff crash had Aberdeen ties (aberdeennews.com)
Oregon Department of Human Services 7/18/23 Assessment Summary: 2013.07.23.cps-report_redacted[5].pdf (cnn.com)
Smiley, L. (2018, Sept 6). Two White Moms. Six Black Kids. One Unthinkable Tragedy. A Look Inside the ‘Perfect’ Hart Family. Jen and Sarah Hart: Inside the World of Two Mothers Who Drove Their Six Kids Off a California Cliff | Glamour
Turnquist, K. (2021, May 18). ‘Broken Harts’ tells the shocking story of the Hart family, whose supposedly ideal NW life ended in death. ‘Broken Harts’ tells the shocking story of the Hart family, whose supposedly ideal NW life ended in death - oregonlive.com
Young, M. (2018, April 21). Devonte Hart's mother: tracing her life from the Midwest to her drive off the California cliff. Devonte Hart's mother: tracing her life from the Midwest to her drive off the California cliff - oregonlive.com
 

We are up to #10 for our Lab Reports this week! We will be sharing two listener tales on this episode, one about a creepy camping nightmare and the other about an experience with a seemingly friendly Incan ghost. 
For our first mini-episode, Kendra talks about Macchu Picchu, the mystical city of the Incans found in the Southern mountains of Peru. 
For the 2nd mini episode, Jessica brings to light a tragic tale about what happens when a family member's obsession with conspiracies takes them down a very dark path.__________
Please send in your own stories to be featured on this special episode to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com!
Also, if you enjoy our show, please rate and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Share with a friend that loves true crime, paranormal and crazy history stories!

In this episode, Kendra delves into the mysterious phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion (SHC)—the bizarre and controversial claim that people can burst into flames without an external ignition source. We explore the history of reported cases, from the chilling accounts of individuals found mysteriously charred to the scientific explanations that attempt to explain this phenomenon.
Tune in for a captivating discussion to ignite your curiosity and pose the question on if there really is a scientific explanation for this or if it is something paranormal causing humans to burst into flames. 
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Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Support Lucid Lab on Patreon! Join the Lab Rat Clan - https://www.patreon.com/LucidLabPodcast
Send your questions and episode suggestions to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com 
Have a special experience you want to share? Send us anything! True crime, paranormal, alien encounters, spiritual experiences, dreams, etc. We might read it in our Lab Reports episode!
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Sources:
https://www.history.com/news/is-spontaneous-human-combustion-real
https://www.livescience.com/42080-spontaneous-human-combustion.html
https://www.britannica.com/story/is-spontaneous-human-combustion-real
https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2019/01/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-enlightenment.html
https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/unexplained-phenomena/shc.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/158853.stm

In this episode, we delve into the eerie past of the Whaley House, one of the most infamous haunted locations in the United States. Built in 1857, this historic San Diego home is steeped in tragedy and paranormal legend. From the tragic deaths of Thomas Whaley's family members to the house's unsettling ties to San Diego’s first public execution spot, the Whaley House has seen its share of sorrow—and perhaps, restless spirits. Join us as we explore the haunted history, the ghostly encounters reported by visitors, and the enduring mysteries of this legendary residence. Could the Whaley House really be America’s most haunted home? Tune in to find out!
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Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Support Lucid Lab on Patreon! Join the Lab Rat Clan - https://www.patreon.com/LucidLabPodcast
Send your questions and episode suggestions to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com 
Have a special experience you want to share? Send us anything! True crime, paranormal, alien encounters, spiritual experiences, dreams, etc. We might read it in our Lab Reports episode!
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Sources:
Cdnc.ucr.edu. Hanging Yankee Jim. Los Angeles Herald. Oct 7, 1873, Vol 1, Number 5, Page 4.
Wlodarski, R. (2004, January 1). The Haunted Whaley House II: A History and Paranormal Guide to America's Most Haunted House in Old Town, San Diego, California. G-Host Publishing.
Yagi, G. (2017, October 11). The Battle for San Diego. The Battle for San Diego (historynet.com)

Jessica & Kendra are on break for a couple of weeks. This week we are revisiting the DeFeo family murders and the Amityville Horror. The original has been remastered for a hopefully more enjoyable listen compared to our first attempts at editing way back when!
Amityville Horror - we’ve all heard the story, read the books, and watched the movies. But have you heard the real story of 112 Ocean Avenue? The true horror of that home is far more sinister and interesting than some spooky place with a so-called pig demon looking into the windows.
The Defeo family. Six family members were murdered on November 13, 1974. And the murderer was the only surviving family member - Ronald “Butch” Defeo, Jr. Or was he? Join in as we discuss this crazy family and try to get down to the bottom of what really happened. Jessica provides all the details and you get to decide. And yes, we will cover the Amityville Horror we all know and love as well — but we’ll challenge that too! 
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Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!! Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Email us with any questions, suggestions or lab reports (listener stories) @ lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com
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Sources:
Braden, B. (n.d.) Amityville: Inside the Case that Rattled a Seasoned Paranormal Investigator. Travel Channel. Amityville: Inside the Case that Rattled a Seasoned Paranormal Investigator | Travel Channel
Lorite, J. (2022, January 10). The brutal truth about Amityville: It wasn’t ghosts but something worse. El Pais. The brutal truth about Amityville: It wasn’t ghosts but something worse | U.S. | EL PAÍS English (elpais.com)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ronald DeFero Jr. Ronald DeFeo Jr. - Wikipedia
Osuna, R. (n.d.) The Night the Defeos Died, the story of the Amityville hoax. The Amityville murders.  The Night the Defeos Died, the story of the Amityville hoax (amityvillemurders.com)
Osuna, R. (2006, March 7). The Night the Defeos Died. Booksurge Publishing.