Watch For Deer's Alisa and Samantha!

Announcer: This is the Tri State Time Machine, brought to you by Alex R. White, pllc@suedistractedriver.com each week, your host, Vanessa Hankins and her guests share memories and stories about the past, the present, and the future of the Tri State area. That's West Virginia, Kentucky and the Ohio areas. If you used to live here or you currently live here, you're going to catch yourself saying out loud, Wow, I remember that.

Samantha: Now.

Announcer: Here's Vanessa.

Vanessa: Hey, guys, it's Vanessa. And this is Tri State Time Machine. And you're not going to believe it, but I've got some really fun guests today.

Alisa: Hey, y' all. I'm, um, Alisa.

Samantha: And I'm Samantha.

Alisa: And we're. Watch For Deer.

Vanessa: I love it. I'm so excited to have you guys on.

Alisa: I'm so excited to be on here.

Vanessa: I feel like I'm having it on. I feel like we're like a collab situation right now. Yes. It's m. So fun.

Alisa: It's so fun.

Samantha: So excited to be here.

Vanessa: So tell me a little bit about your podcast and how you ended up even starting it.

Alisa: Okay, so let's go back to Covid because that was good times.

Vanessa: Yes.

Alisa: So I had started listening to podcasts. Never was a podcast person before, ever. And started listening to Morbid Ash and Elena. Love them. Like they're my podcast heroes. Like, I would my pants to do something with them.

Vanessa: Maybe we need to do one of those really weird, like, um, sharing this TikTok every day until they notice us.

Alisa: I know. Hashtag share be like Morbid podcast.

Vanessa: We wanna. Yes, yes, yes. Do that in Crime Junkie and then my life will be made.

Alisa: I know, right? But I was like, oh. I was like, that would be so fun. It was like me and Sam could totally do that because we've been friends for over 20 some years.

Vanessa: Oh, I love that.

Alisa: And so I messaged her and I'm.

Vanessa: Like, hey, you want to do a podcast with me?

Alisa: She was like, no, ma' am.

Samantha: I was like, no, I don't want to do a podcast. I work already so much. Who wants to do a podcast? Like, right?

Vanessa: That's kind of how I felt in the beginning when WG had asked me to come on. I'm like, I am like, I'm a moron. Like, I don't know anything about any of this.

Samantha: And then too, like the setup when she. We were sitting on the couch. So she comes over that night. We always hang out together. She comes over and we're talking back and forth like friends do and, uh, she said something. I said something. I don't know what it was. And our husband started laughing like they thought it was the funniest thing.

Vanessa: I love that.

Samantha: And she started laughing, and I was like.

Alisa: And I said, why won't you do the podcast with me?

Samantha: What? I had said, yes. And Clinton, her husband, was like, that right there is the very reason you all have to do this, because Alisa, uh, is so serious. Like, not super serious, but she. She is out there. She's snake.

Vanessa: I'll just tell what she is.

Samantha: She is super little.

Vanessa: You got to be when you're a Wayne County girl.

Samantha: I'm not. And things make my face turn red and my neck turn red.

Alisa: She's such a damn prude.

Samantha: I just can't with her.

Vanessa: Like, I love it. So, yeah, we got here, so it's a great dynamic.

Alisa: It is.

Samantha: It is.

Vanessa: So you were. So. I've got to be honest with our listeners. We. We started talking as soon as we got in here, and then we were like, hold on. Wait a minute. We got to be record. It's good stuff. But we were talking a little bit, and you said that, um, you had listened to the podcast, you wanted to get it started, you wanted Samantha to be on, and she said, absolutely not to begin with. Um, so what was the defining moment? When she says, okay, let's do it.

Alisa: I really had to sell it. It was that night. I had to sell it. I was like, listen, all you have to do is show up. Yeah, just show up. I'll mic you up. I'll bring the story. I do all the research, all the producing. Her pretty little ass just shows up.

Vanessa: I love it.

Alisa: That's all she does.

Vanessa: Hey, that's the best gig.

Alisa: I mean, that's it.

Vanessa: That's the best gig.

Samantha: We've been doing it for a year and a half over. Yeah.

Alisa: Yeah. Two years in October.

Vanessa: Oh, that's exciting.

Samantha: The last one we did, and we.

Vanessa: Really like, I'd like the two truths and I lie.

Alisa: That was really fun.

Samantha: It was so much fun. Did you like my Easter egg?

Vanessa: I did. I did. I liked it a lot.

Samantha: So I'm working on another. Another one of those right now. But it takes me a while because of what I do.

Vanessa: Absolutely.

Samantha: And, you know, I'm a teacher, so it takes me a while to get, you know, to where I could do that. And we. And I know that you all know, too. Like, it's not like these stories just fall in our lap.

Vanessa: And you have to always. You have to always do, like, Even extra research, I feel like, because so many people have tried their hand in true crime storytelling, it doesn't even have to be podcasting. It can be like YouTube videos. Like, it was funny because I, um, was messing, uh, with AI yesterday. I told the ladies I use AI here and there. So. So, I mean, it's a genius tool. It really is.

Samantha: It's a genius tool.

Vanessa: Um, but I was messing around with it and I was like, oh, for shits and giggles. I'm just gonna put the frederick in here and see what happens. Because I had a few stories that I wanted to share with you guys and your listeners. But I was like, I want to see what else comes up. So I put it in and, um, the story that came up was so far fetched and it was like. And for more information, use this YouTube video. Uh, is the mom water good? So my listeners, I've talked these ladies into drinking mom water. They know that I love it. So I'm blueberry. I'm glad that you guys are liking it. It's such. It' faint taste the flavoring and there's no carbonation. That's why I like it.

Samantha: That kind of shocked me at first.

Vanessa: Like when I was yes, you're waiting for the yes for it. And I was like waiting for the bubbles. Yes, that's why I like it. To the liquor store after this, uh, oh, yes. And I, I'm drinking some cut water lime margarita. I had never had those before, but God, 12.5 alcohol content, maybe I. I might be like a white girl wasted by the time I.

Alisa: Those are always the best shows.

Samantha: The alcohol on this.

Vanessa: I'm not even sure. I just know that. 1.5, it's not bad. Yeah, it's like a beer. It's like a Michelob.

Samantha: Could you imagine if they did. Could you imagine if they made the mom water at 12.5 alcohol content?

Vanessa: I mean, we would all be wasted. Like, so we have an in ground pool. Yes. And the kids would just be running amok. So we have an ingrown pool. So I struggle with drinking water. I don't know if you girls do or not, but. Oh my God, I'm all about the dehydration. Like it's. Oh, uh, it's my. It's a life problem. I do not drink enough water. So for these I'm like, you're drinking water too. That's always my selling point. I'm like, listen, you're hydrating as you're drinking.

Alisa: Right on it.

Vanessa: So like I'll. So I'LL lay in the pool and just drink them all day, stumble back out.

Samantha: And I did bring you some Kirkwood.

Vanessa: Yes. I'm excited to try it.

Samantha: Uh, I talk about this on the podcast all the time. Yeah, I'm wanting them to. I just want Kirkwood to love me, too, because I work.

Vanessa: Because you love them so much now, where are they based out of?

Samantha: Where's West Virginia Babies?

Alisa: Oh, we're going to try to go up and do a tour.

Samantha: So the strawberry wine, it is 11% by volume. Chill this when you get home.

Vanessa: Okay.

Samantha: It is not like, if you don't like wine, you're going to love this.

Vanessa: Okay.

Samantha: It's a. I mean, it's strawberry wine.

Vanessa: I love that. Yes. I love it. Thank you for the gift so much. All right, so let's get back to talking about podcasting, because we were, like, deep in it when we decided to hit record.

Alisa: I know.

Vanessa: Yes. We get sidetracked. So, um, I told you guys a little bit about my story and how WG invited me, and, um, I ended up. After he passed away, here I am. Um, I told my listeners in my last episode, I kind of did an update episode. I don't know if you guys listened to it or not, but, um, had a lot going on, so I hadn't recorded for, like, two months. And I just. You always feel like you owe it to your listeners to give an update as opposed to just jumping in like nothing ever happened.

Alisa: And that's what we do. Because we find. Well, I mean, you know, we're moms, we work full time, so there's times where we'll go. I think we've went as long as a month. They're like, hey, we're still here.

Vanessa: Yes, we're here.

Alisa: It's just crazy busy or.

Samantha: Right.

Alisa: Or, you know, and that's hard. Family emergencies pass away.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: The winter and stuff. But, you know, I got stopped. I told her I was like, elisa, I'm buying Cheetos in the Dollar General and get stopped. And they're like, when are you putting out?

Alisa: Yeah, like, are you put out a new episode? And we're like, you know, as soon as everybody's healthy and right, it's very hard to get together, but we're trying really, really hard to be consistent with at least one a week.

Vanessa: And it's always it' to decide what the story is, because you're always worried, is this gonna be as interesting to my listeners as it is to me. That's a big thing I struggle with, like, really trying to Decide what are we gonna do in all this?

Alisa: That's me too. It takes forever to decide. But I, uh, really, um, I'm a reader. Everybody, all of our listeners know I read a lot.

Vanessa: I'm a big reader too.

Alisa: So a lot of my research comes from books. So it's not just wiki, it's not just Google. A lot of it comes from a book. And it takes me time to read all the research. Uh, and then I have to put it into my own words.

Vanessa: Absolutely.

Alisa: So I still use wiki, I still use Google, but the majority of my research comes from books. And sometimes I'll use two or three books.

Vanessa: So I have a book setting right over there called the Gate to Westmoreland, and it's the complete history of the Westmoreland part of Huntington. You'll have to borrow it because it's got some really cool stories.

Alisa: Oh, that's awesome.

Vanessa: And it's got like the graveyards and how they all started and the families that founded it.

Samantha: Yeah.

Vanessa: And a lot of those stories, um, Huntington park or Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation uses, um, a lot of the stories that are in that book for their ghost tour that they do each year at Spring Hill Cemetery. So. That's very cool. Yeah, it's pretty cool. But my, um, grandmother in law bought that for me as a Christmas gift a few years ago and it is like my go to for everything. I love it.

Alisa: So that's awesome. Yeah, I'm gonna have to check that.

Vanessa: Out because most of the people that like kind of founded Huntington, they lived in Westmoreland because Westmoreland was like the wealthy place to live because there was so much industry going on. Ye wanted to live like right outside the industry area. So they live like down north, like close to Canyon park, all that kind of stuff. So it's pretty cool. But you'll have to borrow that because you'll like it, I think.

Alisa: Yeah, that's awesome.

Vanessa: But yeah, so this is so fun. And we kind of decided, I mean, what, like two, three weeks ago? Like, hey, let's do this.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: And we made it happen.

Alisa: Like we, we should totally get together. Let's just dive in, get together, record some stuff together, see what happens.

Samantha: There's not a whole lot of women who do this.

Vanessa: There's really not. There's really not. And like the few that do that have had success. I feel like they had success because they already were in the industry. Like not so much podcasting, but like criminal tv something to that extent. So it is hard to break through. And it's hard as a woman to. I feel like sometimes to be taken seriously. Like, have you ever found that, like. Do you guys do guests often?

Alisa: Uh, we've had a couple.

Vanessa: Okay.

Samantha: We've had my friend, uh, Adam on. He's an ATF agent.

Vanessa: Oh, nice.

Samantha: Marshall. By accident. And he sent me. He sent me this package. He was like, sammy, I'm an ATF agent. And I was like, I'm so sorry, Adam. Um, you know, um, my apologies, friend. He mailed me this package. It is an ATF agent Koozie. ATF agent calendar stickers. Ah, ATF agent stickers. Stickers.

Vanessa: You'll never forget.

Samantha: No, you'll never forget. I actually don't even know if I actually apologize to him over doing that, so. Again, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

Alisa: I'm so sorry.

Vanessa: So, so sorry.

Samantha: Yeah, we've had some guests and I have some contacts too, that, like, if I. Like in certain places around here that, uh, if I need, like, some information, maybe not. It's not Huntington, but just maybe close. Not the tri state area that, you know, give me some info sometimes.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Alisa: A little inside.

Vanessa: I have found. And this may be useful to you guys if you're not already doing it. Um, so I might not be telling you anything you don't already know, but I have found for true crime, especially because I love it so much.

Alisa: Yeah, me too.

Vanessa: That the local, like, groups that do, like, ghost hunting and stuff like that. That's where so many good stories come from that you find out about the stuff that don't hit the news, you know, because there's so many things that happen around here that never make the waves of radio, tv, anything.

Samantha: Well, I do a different perspective on that.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: Because I'm a chicken. So I will say that. And I don't believe in anything. Like, I don't believe in ghost.

Alisa: Ignorance is bliss.

Samantha: I don't believe in ghosts or anything.

Vanessa: I did it until I lived in the Fredrick. I never did.

Samantha: But I, uh. I lean towards not doing any.

Alisa: She's a sketch.

Samantha: We have done stories in Huntington. If they're closed cases, we talked about Samantha Burns and. And yes, all of that and stuff.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: But if it's an open case.

Alisa: Yeah, we don't touch it.

Samantha: That's a no, man.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Alisa: And get shot or something.

Samantha: There's Samantha.

Vanessa: Well, especially. Yeah, I was gonna say especially when those killers are still out there.

Alisa: Yes, yes.

Vanessa: Yeah, I had. And I don't. I don't know if he still listens, but he. You Know how, like, when you have a guest, they'll like, catch up and, like, listen to your recent episodes, whatever. But he came on and he was a paranormal chaser, a ghost chaser or whatever, and he was really into it and he had really cool equipment and, like. And I loved hanging out with him and I loved his stories. But he was like, let's talk about that. It does. Which I'm not even going to repeat it because again, um, I'm like, you. It's a no go. It's a no go for me.

Samantha: I can almost guarantee I know exactly who you're talking.

Vanessa: Probably. Probably. Because. So he's like, yes.

Samantha: Yeah.

Vanessa: So he's like, let's do it. Let's jump right in. And we're sitting right out here outside the podcast studio talking. And I was like, I'm not doing it. And he's like, listen, I've gone to the site, I've done this, I've done that, we've done. And I was like, no, sir.

Samantha: The person I said that said to tell you hi. Yes, him and I had just talked about it a little bit back and forth and no, I'm not doing that. I'm not right. I am not right.

Vanessa: Right. It's like. And what's funny is, speaking of the one you told me to say, say hello. Um, where I run Safety Town, I work with so many cops, and I'm so thankful for it because they look out for my kids. Like, we had an incident at Vinson where the, um, principal was kind of attacked by like a grandmother and a son in law or something, which was crazy. But the school went on lockdown. But thank God, Um, the person you mentioned and the other, another gentleman both text me and they were like, hey, we've got eyes on Carl. That's my daughter. We've got eyes on Carly. Everything's fine. Don't panic. And I'm like, hold on.

Alisa: Oh, thank God.

Vanessa: Uh, well, you would think that, but I didn't know anything was going on, so I just got a text message and I'm like, what is happening? And I just happened to be passing by Vincent at the time, coming home, and there is cops everywhere, state troopers, there's an ambulance. Like, it's all this stuff. And I'm like, panicking. I'm like, what is going on? But I know enough from these guys and I'm thankful for it. I'm not gonna stop, I'm not gonna bang on the. You know what I mean? I know they've got it under control. And I trust them. But it is so nice having friends that have that ear to the community.

Samantha: Yeah, that's what I was gonna say. Isn't it awesome to be in a community too, like Huntington or where we're from, Wayne Genoa, Dunlop to where you do have people out there.

Alisa: Everybody watches your back, that watches your.

Samantha: Kids and children, like, you know, they're gonna watch mine or hers, you know, like, that's a blessing. I love living.

Vanessa: It really is. And I love like at, ah, Safetytown especially. And I hate that I keep bringing it up, but it's such a big part of my life. But like, I love getting random people's kids in. And you see them and you're like, oh, my God, you're so and so's baby. Like, you have to be. Cause you look just like them, as you can see. Yes. And they act like them. Like the whole thing.

Samantha: Like, so teacher, I'm telling you, their kids. And I can be like, oh, I know exactly who.

Vanessa: Who your brother is. I know brother mama. I know grandma. I know them all, so don't play with me. Yeah.

Alisa: I always tell my kids. I'm like, you know, I was like, that's all right. You do what you want to do. But I tell you Iare everywhere. I love it. They'll come home and I'll ask them. They're like, how did you know that? Who told you? I'm like, secret, bab. Secret.

Vanessa: Yes, absolutely. So what is. I'm gonna interview you guys a little bit, and you're more than welcome to do it to me if you like. What is probably your favorite episode that you've ever done.

Alisa: Mine is easy. It's probably gonna be Willie picked in part two. We laughed. It took us 45 minutes to get through.

Vanessa: I have to listen to this one.

Samantha: When I get Willy picked in part.

Vanessa: One, Is it long?

Samantha: Two, the part that she's talking about is within the first five minutes of really picked in part two.

Alisa: I have to pull out the time stamp on it, but okay. I said some things that. What? Uh, it was inappropriate. I didn't mean to say it though. Yeah, but yeah, it was probably my, uh. We laughed. Literally 45 minutes.

Vanessa: And that's everything, though. That's for having joy doing this. Like, is everything. It really is. It is.

Samantha: But when you're talking about. About a serial killer, it's a little inappropriate when we start busting out.

Vanessa: We're like.

Alisa: We swear we are not laughing at this situation.

Samantha: Mine, my favorite episode besides that one, which really is like, you disgusted Me when you said what you said.

Vanessa: Now I can't wait to listen.

Samantha: It is horrific what she says. And I was just like. My mouth dropped down on the ground. I was like, did you just ask me if I could smell that? And she lost it. I couldn't breathe.

Alisa: We were crying, and we think we would collect ourselves. And the moment I'd play and look at her, she'd bust out laughing again. She was like, I'm so sorry.

Vanessa: I love it. I love it.

Samantha: My favorite would be Mamie Thurman. It's one of the older ones.

Alisa: Oh, yeah, that's a good one. Sounds awful.

Vanessa: Ah.

Samantha: But she said, like, the story of Mamie Thurman is. She's up from Logan. Uh, she was kind of a trollop. And, uh, she was murdered. And they don't know who actually murdered her. Uh, there could have been, like, some guys that she was fooling around with. Maybe a woman. My wife or whatever.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: But when they found her, they found her in the middle of, like, a field or something.

Alisa: It was a berry. She was berry picking, like, in the bushes is how he felt.

Vanessa: Like, really kind of half ass. Yeah.

Samantha: She tells me that they put. How did you say it, Alicia?

Alisa: There was a guy who was. He was, I think, mute.

Samantha: You said a deaf mute.

Alisa: A deaf mute guy who stumbled upon her berry picking.

Samantha: Oh. So what I heard her say. And that's what she said.

Vanessa: You're so serious right now.

Alisa: She's dead serious.

Samantha: Yeah, I'm so serious. What I heard was he was blind and he couldn't hear. So all I can picture is Helen Keller up on the.

Vanessa: Stumbling through the.

Alisa: Through the berry patch. Yeah, she was.

Samantha: Why would they put him through the berries.

Vanessa: Like that poor guy pissed off.

Alisa: That somebody would, uh, put this kid out in a berry patch.

Vanessa: I would be, too. That's so sad.

Samantha: His hands for berries. Like, how does he even know he's supposed to be picking the berries?

Vanessa: Right.

Alisa: I just looked at her like she was a complete idiot.

Samantha: And she didn't know I was, like, talking about.

Vanessa: Right, right, right.

Samantha: I couldn't understand why she couldn't understand why I was so appalled by the situation we were in.

Alisa: I'm m. Like, can't speak. Can't, you know, can't see or whatever. And it was.

Samantha: She was like, no, Samantha. He could see. He was deaf and mute.

Alisa: And I was like, couldn't hear, couldn't talk. She's like, please cut that out. I'm like, no, ma' am.

Vanessa: This moment right here is what makes me really toy with the idea of doing, like, live recordings.

Alisa: Oh, yeah, we'd love to do a live stream.

Vanessa: I would love to do it. Um, but at the same time, I'm like, that's kind of why I love podcasting, that you don't have to get dolled up. You don't have to look decent. You can. You can come in, like, for sure. Like, you're death on death door.

Alisa: We're usually in our jammies and look really rough.

Vanessa: See, I have to come into town, so. And I say into town like, I'm far, but I'm not. Um, but where I have to come in here. And then sometimes I see family. Where family owns a building.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: Like, I have to look halfway decent. But when I record. Thank you shout out to, uh, the Hankins family for letting us use co work. So, yes.

Samantha: I mean, it's really amazing.

Alisa: Super awesome.

Vanessa: Well, so the backstory. I didn't get to tell you guys this before we started recording. Um, I meant to, but I got sidetracked because that's what I do. You know, the adhd, it's like squirrel. But this, um, studio exists because during COVID um, the. And I always say they're wrong. Their name incorrectly. It McElroy Brothers. Or I think that's how you say their names. But they have a really big podcast and.

Samantha: Oh, my daughter. Do they play Dungeons and Dragons?

Vanessa: Yes, they have.

Samantha: They all.

Vanessa: The whole family has YouTube videos, like our channels. Like, they're really into it, but they're from here, nor, like, originally.

Samantha: And they're Daddy.

Vanessa: Yes. So something like that.

Samantha: Yeah.

Vanessa: And, um, so don't quote me on that, because I could do something, but I think so. I think so. Yes.

Samantha: Well, that's when we say in our podcast, like, you're like, oh, maybe allegedly.

Vanessa: Yes, I listen. So, um, they wanted. While they were home during COVID visiting family, they wanted a place to record their podcast and had reach out to my husband's uncle, and he was like, sure, I've got the perfect place. So they built this for them and just kind of when it was over, they just kind of left their equipment, which there was, like, some other stuff here, but I didn't know how to work any of it. It could go. But, um, they left their equipment and all and donated it. So when I was like, okay, I'm doing this podcast, the family member reached out to me and he was like, you know we have a studio, right? And I was like, no, what are you talking about? Like, tell me more, you know? Yeah, tell me all about It.

Alisa: Awesome.

Samantha: Say more.

Vanessa: Yes. Yes, yes, yes. So I was really excited and I'm thankful that we have this because I have, like, these two wonderful mics cost more than probably my other four mics all together.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: And these amplifiers are, like $129 a piece.

Alisa: I think the equipment's expensive.

Vanessa: It's so expensive. And it's like one of those things where it. And I know you guys will relate because you're also married, and it's one of those things where you're like, can I justify buying this for the podcast knowing my ass is not making money? Yeah, I'm making people laugh, but I'm not making any money. So, like, just, uh, justifying putting that money back into podcasting when you love it so much.

Samantha: Yeah, I think. I think for me, really, honestly, it's almost therapeutic.

Alisa: It is very therapeutic.

Samantha: I just look forward to her coming. And, like, whenever we said, you know, we really. She shows up to my house, we may say, hey, we go straight to our studio downstairs.

Vanessa: I love that.

Samantha: We sit down, um, our hot pink chairs, and we say nothing.

Vanessa: I, um, want hot pink chairs.

Samantha: Like, we say nothing to each other. And then when we start the podcast is when we start talking, we hit record.

Vanessa: I love that. That's how WG and I were. And it worked. And again, he had a background in radio from, like, college and stuff like that, so he already kind of knew that secret. Yeah, I did not. So, like, it's not instinct for me to come in and be like, shut up. Wait until I hit record, you know?

Samantha: Well, we've been set friends for so long, it's fine for me to be like, hush.

Alisa: Yeah. We're like, shut up. Because I'd start saying something.

Samantha: She was like, yeah, that's what. When you all were sitting here talking, I was like, oh, you're killing me. She's like, no, hit the record back and forth. I'm like, shut up, girl.

Vanessa: I love it. Yeah. And like. So I was joking. I told. I think I may have mentioned this to you guys, but, um, I was joking with, ah, a guest host that I have often, um, Jason Arthur. And he was like, we have to stop hitting the end button when we think we're done with our guests. Because you get the best content after.

Alisa: The fact when you least expect it.

Vanessa: To be the best content.

Samantha: We won't say. I mean, we can say on here, I guess. Did you hear the outro of last week, what she did to me?

Vanessa: I did not. I did. Listen, I'll admit it right now. When I get to the end of stuff, I'm just done. Um, and I'll just turn the car off and go.

Samantha: Always listen to the outro. But the outro, she does, like, the first three things, and then she says something and I scream.

Alisa: She was like, oh, I have to.

Vanessa: Go back and listen now I'll have to go back and listen.

Alisa: I like to slip things in on her.

Vanessa: Yes.

Alisa: You know, I love that authentic reaction. I love that, uh, her face got red. She got really, like, embarrassed, and there's nobody around.

Samantha: So Mama listens to the podcast, too. She's such a team player for me.

Vanessa: What's up, Patty?

Samantha: Hi, Mama.

Vanessa: I have a lot of listeners that are, like, of the older generation. And that's awesome. Try so hard and shout out to you guys, because you're the. The real OGs, honestly, uh, for putting up with my nonsense. But I try so hard to not drop the F bomb, to not basically not be me, because I was raised with all boys, so I've got the worst party mouth in the world. So I try to do better.

Samantha: Like, I say a lot of. We'll go. We're bad about that. But, you know, I try. Our, uh.

Alisa: We do try to pg 13.

Samantha: Just because, like, I don't.

Alisa: She's a middle school teacher, and, you.

Samantha: Know, I don't let anything fly like that. Um, which, you know, because there is people. I don't want to offend anybody.

Vanessa: Absolutely. And that's my big thing. And I think my listeners, um, sympathize with me because they just know that I am what I am, and I try to do so much better. And, um, it was funny because. Shout out to Mark, um, really good friend of mine, Mark McNutt, he is in. God, where is he at now? I don't remember where he's at. But anyways, he's originally from Texas, so he's a Texas guy, whatever. And he's like, hey, you're doing great. Keep honing in on your skill set. Yeah. Uh, but watch that mouth. He's like, you've got listeners that don't appreciate that. And I'm like, thank you. I really do appreciate that, because sometimes I don't even realize that I've done it.

Alisa: You're just so used to being yourself that it's.

Vanessa: You really don't realize it.

Alisa: And I typically. If I do let something like that slip, then when I go back and edit the software, I'll throw a beep in.

Vanessa: Yes.

Alisa: And kind of cut that out. Just because, like I said, we try to be something that everybody can listen to.

Vanessa: And that's what I want. I want to ultimately, if I can be a better human, um, I want people to be able to turn my podcast on in the car when their kids are there and not worry about it.

Alisa: Yes.

Vanessa: But at the same time, I'm like, I can't help being who I am. This is who. This is me.

Samantha: Since we're talking about the Tri State, my most favorite thing on Friday morning is listening to the dog at 7 o' clock in the morning. Because it's their Friday. For some reason when they do that, you know that song. And at the beginning of it, they're.

Alisa: Like, it's finally Friday.

Vanessa: Yeah, yeah.

Samantha: At the beginning of that, I was listening to. Of course. I'm not offended at all. But I mean, you're driving down the road and, like, some of the stuff that they put in there, these people saying, like. Yeah, little clips and stuff.

Vanessa: Yeah, it's dirty. Yes, it is dirty.

Samantha: And it's on the. I mean, it's dirty. Lisa, have you heard?

Vanessa: And it's borderline. Yeah, it's. It's borderline. I've heard it.

Samantha: Yeah, it is dirty.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: Like, I'm not gonna try to quote it or anything. Well, and I say I'll misquote, but I'm telling this Friday morning at 7 o' clock. Listen to it. Because there's so much stuff, so much innuendos, like maybe like a woman going, oh, wow, that is so big. I mean, the first time I was like.

Vanessa: And your eyes getting big as you said it. Like. And I think. I think when you work with younger kids, too, and like, like, what you do with teaching, um, you notice it more than you would otherwise.

Samantha: I think I do.

Alisa: Especially when she was with middle schoolers, because they are the worst. Like.

Samantha: Yes, but they're the best. They're the worst males, though.

Vanessa: I think, like, sixth grade is the sweet spot. Like, I love some sixth graders. They still want you to love them. And, like, they're. They haven't really decided who they are yet. That's a sweet spot, I think, for school. What grade do you teach?

Samantha: I teach right now. I teach fifth.

Vanessa: Okay, so that's a good. That's a good one, too.

Samantha: Yeah. I did middle school for three years. Last year I did high school for, like, a hot minute. No heights school for a hot minute. Uh, my spot is upper elementary middle school, though.

Vanessa: That's.

Samantha: That's where I really like it.

Vanessa: I always tell everyone that I'm so thankful because second graders Just want to hug you and tell you you're pretty. They really do. That's all. That's all they want from you.

Samantha: They won't even say that anymore. Now you cook.

Vanessa: Yes. You cook and yes.

Samantha: Sigma.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: You stand on business.

Vanessa: Yes.

Samantha: And yeah. Don't be skippity.

Vanessa: Don't be skippity. Yeah. Bra. Yeah.

Samantha: Your alpha, like, it's very.

Alisa: I tell my son I have to.

Vanessa: Google so much things. Like, it's really crazy. You're like, uh, I've learned them.

Alisa: Be like, what's this word?

Samantha: I just like when they come, I love. Say it to me. Like I go right back and say it.

Vanessa: You have to.

Samantha: And it grosses them out, so they quit.

Alisa: Yeah.

Samantha: They're like, oh my God. I'm like, I love it. I'm like, you know what? I am alpha. You're beta. It is what it is at this moment. And they're like, save it.

Vanessa: I love it. I love it so much.

Alisa: That's great.

Vanessa: So where do you guys see yourself? You said you're coming up on two years in October.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: Which October is my birthday month. So I do like multiple episodes during October and that's when I do my true crime stuff.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: Because our podcast is not really true crime based. So I take advantage of the birthday month and it being near Halloween and I just, I go balls to the wall. And hopefully everybody appreciates that. Yes, let's do that. Let's do it. Absolutely. Absolutely. Let's do it. But what do you, what do you anticipate after the two year mark?

Alisa: So I hope, I mean, we're continuously growing even and like I said, we're not super consistent. We. We've been better lately about, you know, putting out one episode a week. That's our goal. Um, we're doing it for fun. So if that happens, that's awesome. If it doesn't, we try not to get too upset about it because again, for fun, we're not being paid.

Samantha: We see a steady growth though. Like it's never, we have never not had a week where we have not.

Alisa: Haven'T picked up followers or we haven't picked up download stream. So as long as I'm seeing those numbers move, I'm pretty happy.

Samantha: Like a few weeks ago we were at 10,000, I think 10,000 down downloads. That's awesome.

Vanessa: Ah, so what program do you. Is it the same program that you use for editing that you can see your downloads?

Alisa: Um, no. Spotify produces all of my. Like, you're going to have to show.

Vanessa: Me that Says I use another thing that I also pay for called Captivate fm. And the way I'll show you like ladies. And it really doesn't matter to you guys at home. Um, it's just a place where it gives you all of your data of um, the downloads you've had today, Yesterday, the last seven days, last 28 days, last 90 days and then all time like for that particular episode. So, um.

Alisa: Oh, that's cool.

Vanessa: But it's pretty cool. Like it goes in like, um, I'm on the Chairman, Chairman's club. Why couldn't I think of that earlier? Oh my gosh. But I'm on his. So he had 21 downloads today. Okay. And then. Which he's a new one. He's. He's like four episodes in. So he doesn't have like a crazy big. But I've got three different podcasts that I have on here because I tried to do one with my sister in law called Small Town Big Talk. Yeah, we saw that and it was. So when we started, we were actually with a business called Media Works. Um, loved working with them. It was great. We did really well. We actually video recorded it as well. And he did really good with like getting little snippets and little tiktoks and stuff like that. Um, but it just, it didn't end up working out. We couldn't make it work. So I have it on here too. But um, it just, it's so hard to find somebody that you gotta find a good dynamic. You've got a vibe with them for one. But secondly, like just finding someone that has. They're in the same life space as you, that has the time to make.

Samantha: It up and it's a commitment.

Vanessa: It really is. It is. It. Absolutely.

Samantha: It's one of those things you can't say, yeah, I'll do it and then.

Alisa: Not do it and then not do it. You have to show up.

Vanessa: Yes. You have to show up.

Samantha: Yes, show up.

Alisa: Because we'll do that. You know, we, we usually try to record usually on Sundays, but sometimes, you know, we drop on Tuesday, Tuesday mornings about 5:30. And there's been a lot of times that we have recorded Monday evening. I've come straight home.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Alisa: I've edited, produced it, listened to it in my car to make sure the audio sounds okay.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Alisa: For it to release the very next morning because um, you know, we're so busy with baseball and doing everything. It's hard.

Samantha: You gotta love it.

Vanessa: Absolutely. Like, and I, I would love to edit our own, but I. It Seems so hard to me. It seems like such a barrier that I just don't know that I could get. So like I said, I do pay a company out of, um, Ohio to do it. And they're fantastic. They are so good. Um, circle 270 media shout out to you guys. So, um, thankful for you. Um, but again, I'm having. I'm paying for them. I'm, um, then paying for Captivate fm. I'm paying. You know what I mean? So it's wonderful.

Alisa: It all adds up.

Vanessa: It does add up. So, like, for us, we try to hit once a month and I think the listeners want more than that. But for me, as a working mom, that's contributing to a household. It's hard to make that money up here out of thin air for a hobby, essentially. Yeah, it's a little rough. Oh, nice.

Samantha: My kids are.

Vanessa: I have one adult and one at home.

Samantha: I mean, my youngest is 20, so, okay, she's at home. But my oldest lives in Baltimore. M. And my other one's a registered nurse here in Huntington.

Alisa: Nice.

Vanessa: Yeah, I don't proud mom moment. Yeah.

Samantha: I don't have the kids at home that need me as much like she does. Right.

Vanessa: See, I've got. I've got a 12 year old. Yes. And then somehow I got voluntold to do volleyball. So now I'm a volleyball coach. I know nothing about volleyball. Like, I'm learning each game. Like, we won today. So shout out to my girls kicked ass. But. But yeah, like, I'm like, what else can life throw at me? Like, what else can I be doing?

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: It's like, wife's not enough. Mom's not enough work.

Alisa: There's so many different hats. We really do.

Vanessa: We really, really, really do. Um, tell me a little bit about your favorite. I know you said your favorite episode to record, but your favorite story that you got into.

Alisa: Favorite story I got into. Oh, my God.

Vanessa: Like one that just was like.

Alisa: That blew my mind. I've not covered it yet because I don't think she can handle it.

Vanessa: Okay.

Samantha: You're not doing that store. I told you I would even sit there for it, but I'm not even there.

Alisa: The toy Box Killer.

Vanessa: M. Oh, I've never even heard of them.

Alisa: No, it's a very rough one.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Alisa: Um, no, ma' am. And I've kind of talked to her a little bit about it. That's probably the most disturbing. So you're very, very intrigued by it that somebody can be that depraved.

Vanessa: Right, right, right, right.

Alisa: So I Will do it at one point. But I can't do it with her.

Samantha: Okay, here. This is fantastic. Since you're mentioning that. Because that's a no. Uh, man for me. Because that's not happening. But.

Vanessa: Right.

Samantha: But. But what if you set in and take my place?

Alisa: There we go.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: Dying to do it.

Alisa: I am. I'm gonna do it.

Vanessa: And I've never heard of this one, so I need to do some research.

Samantha: You can't do that.

Vanessa: Oh, okay. So you just gotta show up.

Samantha: Uh, all I do is show up. I don't know.

Vanessa: Okay.

Samantha: About anything.

Vanessa: All right. So I'm not researching.

Alisa: No.

Samantha: So the. The Toy Box killer. When she mentioned it a year ago, Clinton. His eye. The way his eyes were.

Alisa: I had my husband listen to it when I went to Cleveland Clinic.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Alisa: It's like a six hour drive.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Alisa: And he listened to it.

Samantha: About it and I was like, oh, that's what El. Talking about. Hell no. That. That's a hard pass for me.

Vanessa: I love it.

Samantha: To do it.

Vanessa: Yes, absolutely. I would love. I would love to do it.

Alisa: Absolutely.

Vanessa: I love True Crime. It's my go to. It's. It's on the tv, it's on my podcast.

Alisa: I'm super excited you've not heard of this one, because I will blow your damn mind so bad.

Samantha: Like, what I worry about is I think that it's so bad that I may actually lose my job over it. Like.

Vanessa: Oh, I see what you're saying. Yeah, no, no, I see what you're saying.

Alisa: But I toned down. Again. We are PG 13. Like, we did Fred and Rosemary West. Uh, and that was a very rough story. She broke out in hives, even with me kind of bringing it down a little.

Vanessa: Oh, wow. Um, so you really just don't cool with them.

Alisa: No, she doesn't. So that's the whole premise of our episode, is I do the research, you know, and I bring it to her. And she doesn't like true crime. She doesn't know what story. And that's why I want video. Is some of the things that I.

Vanessa: Some of your reaction is priceless. Yes, absolutely.

Samantha: And I say stuff too. And just like now, even though we have those mic. These microphones in front of us and stuff, I'm not actually thinking that we're recording. I'm just sitting.

Vanessa: Right. We're just sitting here talking to our girlfriends. Right? Exactly. So that's always what I tell people. I'm like, just chill. I know there's a mic in front of you. I said, but just act like, it's not even there, which is hard for people, but. But once you get used to it, it's not even there.

Alisa: When we first started, it was a little awkward, I feel like.

Samantha: But my. Yeah, it was. But not now.

Alisa: Not now. It's just natural.

Samantha: But sometimes, um. Like, I say stuff like. I mean, on the last episode, I called her a. A, uh, bad word and didn't even realize that I yelled it. Like, I.

Alisa: It rhymes, right? Chick.

Samantha: I was like, you check. So you had to.

Alisa: But it starts with a.

Vanessa: Right? But my.

Samantha: My favorite episode.

Vanessa: Well, don't be one, and you won't get called one.

Samantha: That's a. Don't be a chick.

Alisa: You won't get called a chick. No, ma' am. She was like. She. She just flushed red. She was like, no, ma' am.

Samantha: Whisper into the microphone. I couldn't even say it. I was like, we're not doing this.

Alisa: She's like, no, we're not. No, we're not doing this.

Samantha: Mine's Brian Schaefer out of Columbus.

Vanessa: I'm obsessed.

Samantha: Obsessed with it. You know the story.

Alisa: That is a good one.

Samantha: Where is he at? Where is he at? That's the one that I had the ATF agent on with me, and we were talking about it, which, up to the point, him and I had had very. A, uh, lot of conversations on the phone, like, planning it. I was talking to him about it, which he's not in that area at all.

Vanessa: Right, right, right.

Samantha: So I was just telling him the story and some of my thoughts on it, and he was going. And he was like, okay, so that could be true. But, like, we were talking about how the cell phone would ping off different towers. And I would ask him, well, how did that ping off that tower if it wasn't on? And so he. It was more of an explanation, and he was teaching me well.

Vanessa: It's nice to get that perspective.

Alisa: It was.

Vanessa: Yeah, that's really.

Alisa: With his knowledge kind of sitting in on it.

Vanessa: For sure.

Alisa: It was good.

Samantha: If you listen to that one actually, that one is on YouTube. That's actually on, um.

Alisa: Yeah, that was one of the first ones we did. Yeah.

Samantha: But if you watch it, when I got there, she was not long for this world and on this store. So the night before, we had went out with friends.

Alisa: Probably shouldn't party. The night before we recorded.

Vanessa: Well, it happens.

Samantha: I get there the next day, we have this guest come on. Which I adore, Adam, but still respect a guest. Super excited. She is laying in the fetal position.

Alisa: Dude, I'm nervous. So sick.

Vanessa: It was a rough night.

Samantha: What was great.

Alisa: And I wore a green shirt. And at one point you could just see me get up, take my headphones off, and I'm like, I'm out. Like, I just walk off.

Samantha: She puppy paws in the floor in.

Alisa: Front of me with my puke bucket.

Samantha: And a cold rag about Brian Schaefer, this missing guy.

Vanessa: Yes.

Samantha: She's vomiting so hard in front of me.

Vanessa: Oh, no.

Samantha: And I was just like, I'm so sorry.

Alisa: And I couldn't walk away and go upstairs. No. You don't know how to run this. Shoe it.

Vanessa: Right. That's what I tell Jason all the time. Um, I'm like, I can't do anything. I'm m. Like, nobody knows how to run this. No one knows. I have to stay.

Alisa: I have to stay close to make sure that it's recording and everything.

Samantha: And on the YouTube video too, if you go. Cuz she's on there for like 20 minutes.

Alisa: But I start off real strong.

Samantha: Watch it. I wore a hat that day because I happen to think that I look adorable in a hat.

Vanessa: I love a hat.

Samantha: I love a hat on the YouTube. And I had a hat on. It had American flag on it. I was like, america, yes. Gonna be here. We're representing. She looked like death.

Alisa: I did.

Samantha: Her hair, uh, was everywhere.

Alisa: I had it pulled up. I didn't have no makeup on. Like, she put.

Samantha: And you see how she put her hat on?

Alisa: On my head.

Samantha: Twisted her hair up and I was like. I grabbed her by the cheeks.

Vanessa: Let's get you presentable.

Alisa: That was probably one of the funniest ones looking back now that we recorded.

Samantha: Grabbed her by the cheeks and I was like, you got this, boo boo. Okay, I just need you to sit here and hit.

Alisa: Just hit.

Vanessa: Just.

Alisa: Just hit the button.

Vanessa: So what is Adam doing the whole time? M. Well, just like setting back.

Alisa: Like we warned him that I was, uh, not well flowing.

Samantha: Just like this. Yeah. Talking. But we're being more serious, you know.

Alisa: Because I'm really into starting to get into the story better.

Samantha: In the YouTube video, you can just see her bow out.

Alisa: Like, you can see like I'm setting up like this. And then you see my head kind of drop. And then I kind of drop like this. And then you see me take the head set off and I just get up.

Vanessa: I'm like out.

Samantha: Know is that she's laying in the.

Alisa: Fetal position in front of the camera. Yeah, it was good. Yeah.

Vanessa: See, that's so fun. That's kind of like the idea I had in my head with my sister in law, but we're like at these weird. We're at these different places in life. So she's got a really young one at home, and it's hard for her. And she. And she went through a breakup with like the child's father. So, like, like they are trying to figure out co parenting on top of her, trying to figure out, can I record? Can I do this? Yeah. So that's, that's really what I had in mind. I keep trying to, like, talk my sister into being on the podcast because I think she would be fantastic at it.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: She's like, I don't think that's for me. I don't think that's for me. And I'm like, are you kidding? We have the best dynamic.

Alisa: Um, you do. So if you can find somebody that has that good dynamic that you can just feed off each other, you're golden. It doesn't matter that you, you've, you know, not ever done this before.

Vanessa: Absolutely.

Alisa: That's all you need is just the personality.

Vanessa: And it's so fun. Like when you tell guests, I'm like, scratching my bug bites to death here. I'm so sorry, girls. Uh, I look like I have meth scabs. I need some chamomile.

Samantha: You got the hip?

Vanessa: Yeah, it looks like it. It looks like it. I like it.

Alisa: Really like scratching while she swats at Packer nats.

Vanessa: Oh, those are the worst.

Samantha: They are the worst.

Vanessa: They are the worst.

Samantha: The most feedback we've got from anything was a story.

Alisa: You said peckernat.

Samantha: There was a peckernat that landed on my microphone and I was like, yes, Peckernat.

Vanessa: Out of here. So did you guys discover that that's like a Wayne county thing or.

Samantha: I don't know. People were like, peckernat.

Alisa: You said they had no idea what we were talking about.

Vanessa: Okay, so quick quiz. What's a palette?

Alisa: A what?

Vanessa: Like if you say, uh, I was at grandma's and we made a palette in the living room. Oh, yeah. You guys know what that is?

Alisa: Yeah, it's like.

Vanessa: Sleepover gives me down the road. Because I'm always like, every time my sister has. Or my sister. Jesus Christ. My daughter, every time she has, like, a slumber party or something. He's like, where are they all gonna sleep? I'm like, on a pallet in the living room. What are you talking about? And he's like, a pallet. We're gonna go get some wood. And I'm like, shut up with your Huntington ass.

Samantha: Yeah.

Vanessa: Get out of here.

Alisa: Stop it. You know, it's so funny when you know what I mean, and you look at different regions like, I have always. Another word that totally made me think of this is you all. I, uh, don't know if you've ever heard this, so I'm gonna throw this out, is when a dog rolls in, dead animal, we always said, oh, my God, that dog is carney. It rolled in carn.

Vanessa: Yes.

Alisa: Well, the word is carrion. C, A, R, R, I, O, N as carrion. It's an actual word, but we say kyarn. It's kjarn.

Vanessa: That's always what I.

Alisa: Or smells like kjarn. So when I said that outside of our Appalachia bubble, they were like, what.

Samantha: The hell are you talking about?

Vanessa: What are you talking about? Yes, absolutely. Absolutely.

Alisa: So it's one of them Appalachia bubbles.

Vanessa: That's a funny thing. And what's. I think that's another fun thing that I've learned with podcasting is podcasting. Podcasting these braces. I tell you, I can't wait to get them off. But, um, it. People are so blown away by the words that we use.

Alisa: Yeah.

Samantha: Yeah.

Vanessa: So much so.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: I always think that's really funny. Um, another thing that people. And I've been listening to your laugh. I think you're in the same boat that I am. People love my laugh when I laugh. They're like, your laugh is the best. And I'm like, I hate it. It's the worst. Yes. I'm like, it's the worst. I was like, it's so embarrassing. It's mortifying. We recorded with the mayor the other day, and he said, why do people tune into yours? I said, I'll be honest. I said, I'm pretty sure I think it's my laugh. I was like, I think that I make people laugh with my laugh.

Alisa: Like, really? Because I hate it. And if I could change it, I would. But absolutely, it is what it is.

Vanessa: Yes. Well, thank you.

Samantha: I think they're wonderful.

Alisa: We love you.

Vanessa: Yes.

Alisa: I really like when I make her donkey laugh, but she swears and nothing that funny.

Samantha: There's. Sometimes I can't catch my breath, and it comes out.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: She's, like, awful.

Alisa: Like, it's hilarious.

Vanessa: I've gotten to the point sometimes when we're recording that, like, I think I'm gonna pee myself, and I'm over here, like, legs crossed, doing the pee dance. Doing the pee dance. And I'm like, oh, my gosh, stop making me laugh. Stop making Me laugh. So do you guys have anything that you want to share today to be kind of, uh. I know you guys do the true crime thing, so do you have a story prepared or anything? Or do you just want me to share my story?

Alisa: We just want to hear a little bit more, uh, Samantha's story that she did the Two Truths and a Lie last week.

Vanessa: Yes, absolutely.

Alisa: Honey. I don't think I was aware. I've never been in the Fredericks, so. And I wasn't aware that it was haunted, so that I never believed in.

Vanessa: Ghosts until living in the Fredrick. So. Yeah, I just don't. I just don't believe I. I never did. And like, so my grandmother was very superstitious and she. And I don't. You guys will have to share with me if you've ever had this situation before or had an old folk tell you about it. Um, my grandma would always get after us if we were leaving the. The cemetery. Do not look back because you're inviting the spirits to come home with you.

Alisa: Oh, shit.

Samantha: I heard that.

Vanessa: So that was something I've heard my whole life. Right. So. See you, gramps. So, like, I got to the point. I got to the point where I'm like, yes, exactly. So I got to the point where, like, I'm like, okay, this is just who I am. I don't look backwards when I leave cemeteries. And you know, in Appalachia, like, we. There's so many things centered around a cemetery.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: We have Sunday service once a year at the cemetery. We've got Memorial Day. We decorate for Mother's Day, Father's Day. You've got all these things that you are going to the cemetery for. And I didn't realize that there's other regions they, they go to the cemetery once, like to bury the person and they see it, they don't go back. Like, that's where I go and talk to my grandma. Like when I like, have a lot going on.

Samantha: Yeah.

Vanessa: I literally drive my happy ass all the way past the dhhr and I'm sitting out there talking to my grandma at her headstone. Just. Yeah, just carrying on, having a big conversation with myself. I probably look like a crazy person and I know she's not there, I get that.

Alisa: But it's something about it, you know what I mean? You can tell her your secrets and she's going to keep them.

. High school. So that was in: 2006

Samantha: Was it like a translucent.

Vanessa: Yeah, like water. Like water? Yeah, like so water. And you can see it. You can feel it. No girl. No girl, I'd be done.

Alisa: You got a booger.

Vanessa: You need the Jesus.

Alisa: I love it.

Vanessa: I need the Jesus. Yeah. So like I wake up my husband and at that time we. I mean we were in college. That was like when Banana Joe's was a big thing and all, you know. So we had been out. So I'm like, I'm dreaming. Like I'm making this up. So I wake him up and I'm like, what's going on? And like he's a very logical person. So he was like, there's a leak.

Alisa: That's the first thing I thought about.

Vanessa: He's like, it's a water leak. So he was the maintenance man for his grandfather's building at the time. So he's like, oh. And he gets his like big string of keys out and they're like rattling and we're throwing some clothes on to go investigate to figure out what this is on the sixth floor. And if you guys didn't know it or not, I'll backtrack a little bit. The sixth floor hasn't been in use for many, many years because there was a death that occurred up there.

Alisa: Okay.

Vanessa: And it never let me. I gotta choose my words here wisely because it's, it didn't play out the way that it should have played out legally.

Alisa: Okay.

Vanessa: Um, the wife of a lawyer was killed or died in the law firm that was on the sixth floor.

Alisa: I did read that when I was kind of recapping today about that.

Vanessa: So allegedly she was murdered on the sixth floor. And from my understanding, the husband was having an affair with his secretary and they were having their annual Christmas party down in the lobby.

Alisa: Really?

Vanessa: Right, right, right, exactly. So apparently. And allegedly wife figured it out and was mad and stormed up to the offices trying to catch them in the act red handed. And now she's dead. So do without what you will. Yeah, that happened. She definitely died. Yada yada.

Samantha: Is closed off now.

Vanessa: So the sixth floor has been closed off for years and years. It actually is being in use now, but it's the first time in many, many years.

Alisa: Actually, I read that there had been some renters that had moved in up.

Vanessa: There and moved out very quickly.

Alisa: And moved out very quickly.

Vanessa: Yeah. The space would rent because it was a disturbance. It was a great space. And the sixth floor, so the way it was set up, um, half of it was the original hotel and half of it was law office space.

Samantha: Okay.

Alisa: Okay.

Vanessa: So half of it had been renovated, half of it had not. So we get up there at the time, no one's renting it, no one been in it years. And there's this really long hallway that goes back to this little bitty door shining.

Alisa: That's exactly what I think.

Vanessa: There's this long hallway that goes back to this little bitty door that goes to the old, um, place that where the luggage was stored.

Alisa: Okay.

Vanessa: So there was like a little cubby, like little cubbies bill all along the wall and each room. Because like when you would come to the Fredrick Hotel, when you got there, your, um, aid, assistant, helper, whatever servant at the time would unpack you, put your stuff in the dresser, do all that, and then take all your luggage up to the sixth floor and store it for you so that you didn't have it in your way in your.

Alisa: Room to trip over.

Vanessa: Yeah. So we're trying to get to that point because that's above our apartment and we're trying to figure out where this water is coming from. So we get up there and as we're going down the long hallway, every light that we went under. Did not just go out. They dimmed. And as soon as we were at, uh, like, a certain amount of time, like, under it, the next one would start and that one would light back up.

Alisa: She's over here. Like, bullshit.

Vanessa: It's crazy. And I didn't know, and believe me, I did not believe in any of this stuff. So, like, I'm telling. I'm telling my husband, which was not my husband at the time. I'm like, I don't know if I'm down for this. I was like, I think I need to go back, but I'm so scared that I'm like, I'm afraid to leave.

Alisa: You leave one by yourself.

Vanessa: I'm not going by myself. Uh, so he's like, no, come on. He was like, it's just a leak. We've got to figure it out, because it's gonna get worse. It's gonna do damage. You know, he's think the maintenance man mindset, you know? So he's like, we gotta find this leak. And I'm like, no, this is not for me. And I'm, like, on almost in tears, and I'm like, this is freaking me out. So then it starts getting colder, and this is summertime. So it's getting colder and colder, and I'm like, this is not okay. None of this adds up. Like, this is not for me. Brandon, let's go back. And he's like, come on. Like, quit being a pussy, basically, and let's just go.

Alisa: Sounds like something I'd say to you, Sam. Get your ass down that arm.

Vanessa: So I. We get through this little door and we get to the old part. And this is, uh, the first time I'd ever been to the old part. Like the hotel, the original part of the thing. And we look and we search, and it's not scary. Uh, for me, it was more cool because it was so historical.

Alisa: Yes, I love, uh.

Vanessa: It was so cool. So, like, I wasn't scared once we got in there. And, like, the lights weren't dimming anymore or anything crazy, but we look everywhere. There's not a leak anywhere. So at that point, we're like, okay, like, let's go back downstairs and. And make, like, see if there's something else we're missing here. Because the blankets are wet, the wall's wet, whatever. So we get down to our apartment. Nothing's wet, nothing's wet.

Alisa: You come back and nothing's wet, nothing's.

Vanessa: Wet, nothing at all. The wall does not have the water dripping down it. Like, nothing.

Samantha: I Have questions.

Vanessa: Okay.

Alisa: She's like, I have questions.

Samantha: I have so many questions.

Vanessa: I still have questions.

Samantha: So many questions. But, um, I'm asking couple. That morning when you got up, were they soaked? Are you saying they were soaked?

Vanessa: That's what woke me up. Like, the comforter was soaked. Like, I could feel the. The water on me, on my body.

Samantha: Okay. That's all I have. Never mind.

Vanessa: Yeah, I could feel it. I could feel it like it was crazy. And, like, I never believed in any of this stuff. So we get back down to the apartment and we wake up his sister, which she's a skeptic, too. So we wake her up and she's like, um, you guys are crazy. You're just still. You've been drinking, whatever, you know, she's just ignoring us. Like we're. We're absolutely fucking nuts. And, um, we tell her all about it, and we're like, whatever. And it gets quiet. Like, we're all just kind of like standing there. Like what we do now. It's the middle of the night, and we're all awake, and, uh, we hear footsteps. Women's high heels walking on just. I mean, very distinctly. Like, you can't mistake a woman walking in heels on a wooden floor. You just can't.

Alisa: Yeah, It's a very distinct sound.

Samantha: And this is a serious question. Is she running? Is she moving fast?

Vanessa: No, she's just walking.

Samantha: Is she dragging a foot or anything?

Vanessa: She's just gracefully walking. She's just gracefully walking, and she's walking back and forth, back and forth. And so my husband, again, not husband at the time, boyfriend. So I'm thinking, you're a freaking crazy person. What am I doing here with you? Like, I should go back to my home. So, uh, he's like, we gotta go back up there. Somebody's gotten in. And I'm like, no, I'm like, I am not going to. He's like, yeah, you are. I need somebody to hold the flashlight. Blah, blah, blah. So he drags me. Yes. So he drags me back up there. And we're looking, thinking, like, kids have broken in, because that's a big thing at the Fredrick is like, people want to break in and wander around, and they really do. And people live there and that. That's what's kind of crappy about it. The same happens, like, during prom season. Everybody wants to take their pictures inside the. At the lobby and stuff like that. And people don't realize they're not being hateful by saying, like, you can't come in here and Take pictures. There's just people.

Samantha: Just be respectful.

Vanessa: Well, there's people that live there, like, they don't want to come down the lobby to come and go. And there's 80 people because, you know, every kid getting a picture has a grandma, a grandpa, an aunt, an uncle, mom, daddy. They can't just, like, come in there with three people, you know? So it becomes a thing. But, um, yeah, so we go up there, we can't find anything. We never found any doors unlocked, anything. The wall is still dry by the time they make it back to the apartment. And that was the scariest thing that ever happened to me. And that's the night that I believe, or started to believe in ghosts that.

Alisa: You were, like, legitimate.

Vanessa: And from that point on, it was like. And I never felt scared. I mean, I was scared that night just, like, in the moment, because it was my first experience of it all. But, like, after the fact, I've never been scared again. I've had things happen. And it's like, I would get to the point where I would just talk to him. I'd be like, um, can y' all just leave me the fuck alone today? Like, can we just not.

Alisa: Can we not.

Vanessa: Can we not today? Like, I had a rough day. I had college today. Like, I had class all day. Like, can we. Can we just not today? But, yeah, it was. It was my first experience of really believing in the afterlife and knowing that something exists. And that's, like, when I got really into, like, the history of the Fredrick. And, like, because for me, it was just like, oh, this is just a building that my boyfriend's family owns.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: I wasn't from Huntington. I didn't know. I didn't realize the history there. And I. I didn't. When I was living there, I did not take advantage of the situation the way I would now if I was there now. Yeah. So for sure. So hindsight, it is what it is. But, yeah, that was the moment that made me believe in the afterlife. For sure. For sure.

Samantha: So I was going to my mom, and I've. I've said this story before, uh, on the podcast, but the only thing that I've really had happen to me was I was at my mom and dad's house, and they live. They, uh, live in Wayne, but out way out way. Not just out way, but way out.

Vanessa: Way, way out way.

Samantha: Way up on a hill. Hill. And no neighbors.

Vanessa: Gotcha. And it's the ideal place to be.

Samantha: Yeah, it's a wonderful place, but unless it's dark, unless it's Dark. And I come home. Like now, if it's dark, it's a totally different scenario.

Vanessa: Absolutely.

Samantha: But I was. And you know, we have those Appalachian roots coats.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: I know things that you don't do. And if you hear somebody yell your name.

Vanessa: No, you didn't.

Samantha: No, you didn't. Well, yes, I did. Yes, I did.

Alisa: Her dumb ass does.

Samantha: Yeah. So I get out of my car, my little saddle. S. Tails.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: I love it.

car. Because, you know, it's: 1999

Vanessa: Yes.

Alisa: That's not true. But.

Vanessa: But you felt it every time you got behind the wheel of that car coming home. Yes.

Samantha: Walmart. Because that's where I worked at the time. Shut the door. Walking. And from the driveway to my mom and dad's house is not close. It's not that close. So you have to walk across the big yard. And I get out, the door shuts. And I. He here, Samantha.

Vanessa: And like, clear as day.

Samantha: Clear as day. Uh, I, uh, turned around and said, what? Oh. And immediately I was. Why'd you do that? And I took off running.

Vanessa: My heart. Yes. My heart just stopped running.

Samantha: Because I said, what? Yeah, it was pitch black. There was nothing there. And I can't explain it. My mom and dad's in the house. Nobody else lives there. Right. Mean as plain as day.

Alisa: Were you intoxicated?

Samantha: I don't believe so.

Vanessa: But I was like, I think I just got off work, but I was.

Samantha: Working at the Walmarts and sometimes those. It could have been. It could have been alcohol induced paranoia.

Alisa: So you remember seeing the thing at Waverly? We did a tour at Waverly down in. Or whatever.

Vanessa: I've never been.

Alisa: Yeah, so we did.

Vanessa: I'm such a. That, like, I'm afraid that I will see things. So that's why I haven't saw something.

Samantha: But, uh, I think there's an explanation for it. Even with me hearing my name. I think it was my brain playing tricks on you. Like, if we turn out the lights right now and it's completely 100% dark, right. Within so many minutes, you'll actually start seeing light. There's no light. Your brain will, you know, it adapts. It adapts to that stuff. So I think that my brain, you know, maybe that night. It was on the vodka. At Mom. It was on the vodka.

Vanessa: Maybe it was on the vodka.

Samantha: I don't think I was. But we're talking 20 years ago.

Vanessa: Right, Right, right.

Samantha: But at Waverly.

Alisa: Yeah, we. So we did a tour. There was probably what? 12 of us. I don't know. We took two carloads.

Vanessa: Nice.

Alisa: And on one of the floors, you know how the building's made? It's kind of like a, uh, U.

Vanessa: Yes.

Alisa: So. And it's got those big windows that they used to open and let fresh air, you know, come through for tuberculosis.

Vanessa: Tuberculosis, yes.

Alisa: Um, one of the parts of the tour is you hold your hands out, you walk down to the end of the wing, you stop and you walk back. It has to be one person.

Samantha: I'm not exaggerating.

Vanessa: I believe it because that's one. That's a big place. That's a big place.

Alisa: So the person gets down there, turns around and starts walking back.

Samantha: Well, hold on. You gotta. To set this up. Uh, there's slats of their slabs.

Alisa: Those windows.

Samantha: There's windows with the glass busted out. And it really was.

Vanessa: Gotcha.

Samantha: Full moon that night.

Alisa: Yes. Like, you could see.

Samantha: So you could see.

Vanessa: So, yeah.

Samantha: Uh, somebody was walking. And I'll let you finish. But when somebody was walking.

Vanessa: So you go through it at night for the tour?

Samantha: Yes. Yeah. It was midnight.

Vanessa: Oh, yeah, girls, y' all are way more brave than I.

Samantha: Where those moonlight was coming in and then. It wasn't. You could see them. You couldn't. You could see.

Alisa: You couldn't.

Samantha: You could see them. You couldn't. It was like stripes. Where the moonlight was coming.

Alisa: Yeah, you could see them walk in front of the window and you could see their shadow on the wall.

Samantha: And then it would be away because there was nothing.

Alisa: But as they turned around and come back.

Vanessa: So it's full blown. Not a shadow in general. Like it. You're seeing a person and their shadow.

Alisa: Yes, you can see the person. We know who it was.

Vanessa: Okay.

Alisa: You see the person walk back. You see their shadow up on the wall, but behind them, following them is a big ass black shadow. Um, that follows directly behind them. Um. And there's nothing there.

Vanessa: No. Thank you.

Samantha: And the shadow keeps getting bigger.

Alisa: Bigger as you get closer.

Vanessa: Like it's like enclosing on them. Yeah.

Samantha: And it was almost. It was like it was on their body. And their shadows started getting bigger and bigger. It scared me so bad that, like.

Vanessa: It kind of took them over because.

Samantha: They had people on this end of the. I don't even want to call it a hallway.

Vanessa: It's a quarter.

Samantha: I mean.

Vanessa: Yeah, it's. The building's huge.

Samantha: There's people here and there's people here. So they come from here. They meet in the middle.

Alisa: Meet in the middle, and then walk.

Samantha: Back to Each group.

Vanessa: Oh, okay.

Samantha: Well, we're over here at this group and I'm hunkered down like I'm like, you know, squatting kind of like.

Vanessa: Yeah.

Samantha: Cuz people behind me, they want to watch too.

Alisa: Everybody wants to see everybody popping a squat.

Vanessa: Yeah, for sure.

Samantha: It scared me so bad cuz I couldn't believe what I was seeing that I tried to get up and when I did, I kicked my foot like this. Honey, I took everybody. We were all sprout out right there and I was like, well, this is it. Jesus. I'm coming to meet you.

Vanessa: It's time. It's time.

Samantha: Um, I mean, I knocked us all down hard.

Vanessa: So funny. But like that terrifies me though because like that's a big thing that like kind of got me in the frederick was shadows and being followed. And again, I never felt, uh, threatened. Threatened. I don't think they were there to hurt me. And, and I. I've never heard of a story in the Fredrick from anyone of where they felt fearful. So I think the people who are trapped there is. If, if. If you believe in it, it's a residual haunting. I, I think they're just. They're there and they're. They don't mean anything.

Alisa: Well, I read that you could hear, you know, you could hear the footsteps. They said you can hear little kids playing in the restaurant. Um, yes. You can hear like the keys jangling. You know, like a maintenance guy.

Vanessa: Yes.

Samantha: Listen, I've eaten many.

Alisa: Running around and playing at the 21.

Samantha: At the 21.

Alisa: Okay, let me ask you a question. Have you been in there by yourself in the restaurant?

Samantha: They frown upon that, I'm sure. Well, could you imagine the cook coming in to get.

Vanessa: I did do photos inside the restaurant. I did boudoir photos in the restaurant. Yes, I did.

Alisa: Did you? That's awesome.

Vanessa: Yes. So I have been in there with us and it's creepy. It's very creepy because. Because that's all original. So.

Samantha: Yeah, I love that restaurant.

Vanessa: Oh, it's so good. And for the record, I didn't do anything questionable, so I've never been in the Fredrick. Uh, so we're gonna go. I think after we record, we're gonna go wander around a little bit and, and try to get. We need to get a real good tour. Like we need to do it around Halloween.

Alisa: Yeah, absolutely, let's do, let's do that.

Samantha: Let's plan on.

Vanessa: Yeah, but let's wander around today for sure.

Samantha: Oh, I'm totally wandering around today.

Vanessa: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Let's do It.

Samantha: All the things you're going to allow me to do.

Vanessa: We're doing it. We're doing it.

Samantha: I got my good comfy shoes on, girl. I'm ready.

Vanessa: Good, good, good. She got her runners on. I love it. I love it, love it. I love it so much. All right, well, girls, I know like, time flies when you're having fun, but we're. We're like an hour and four minutes into this thing.

Alisa: That's insane.

Vanessa: Which. It doesn't even feel that way, but we are. So I guess we need to tell our listeners goodbye and take our happy asses to the Fredrick.

Alisa: That's right.

Samantha: So do you have an outro that you do?

Vanessa: Um, I normally. Well, I used to. We had. We are out of here. And it was kind of like a play on. On the Marshall and time machine and all the things. Like the we are, you know.

Alisa: Yeah.

Vanessa: Um, but I quit doing it when WG passed. So.

Samantha: Yeah, I really.

Vanessa: I need to come up with something or I need to start doing it again. Do you guys have an outro?

Samantha: We do.

Alisa: We do.

Vanessa: We'll do your outro. That's how we'll end it.

Alisa: Y' all be safe.

Samantha: Well, you gotta do what the whole.

Vanessa: Shabil, you gotta do the whole thing.

Alisa: Oh, my gosh. So if you guys are new to watch for Reader podcast, go follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Instagram, TikTok, all of those things at Watch Freedom Podcast Podcast. Email us your stories or any questions that you may have@, uh, watchfordeerpodcastmail.com Y' all be safe and Watch For Deer.

Vanessa: Oh, I love it. Bye, guys.

Announcer: Thanks for listening to the Tri State Time Machine. Brought to you by Alex R. White, pllc@suedistractedriver.com if you have a memory you want Vanessa to talk more about, just send her an email@tstmail.com or post a comment on the Tri State Time Machine Facebook page. Did you like the episode? Be sure to share it with friends and family. It's the only way we can continue this fun work that we do. You can find a link in the show notes that you can use to share it. And be sure to let our sponsors know you like the podcast as well. Their contact information can be found in this episode's show notes.