Ripley Radio

Summer 2013 traditionally and officially begins at the grand conclusion of Coney Island’s Infamous Mermaid Parade, set to bedazzle the crowds on June 22 this year. Coney Island expert James Taylor drops by and tells us that the R-rated parade is the best thing outside of Mardis Gras and should not be missed. Jodi Pliszka explains how the once favored medical procedures using leeches are once again being used – to great success. Additional, amazing, unbelievable and bizarre stories on the May 27, Memorial Day edition of Ripley Radio, the official radio station of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! include: James Taylor provides a brief overview of what Coney Island has had to do to prepare for its 2013 Summer Season, after taking a hard hit from Superstorm Sandy last fall; Chad Lewis tells us how cool it is to sleep in a tee-pee at Wig Wam Village, those funky roadside motels created in the shape of tee-pees. He says there are only three of the original Wig Wam motels still in business; TV reporter Noah Bond repor

This week on Ripley Radio, the official radio program of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, we laugh along with Flathead Ed of Arizona as he tells us how he landed the largest catfish ever caught in that state, and Mark Ross explains the International tension that has built up around claims of The Smallest Park in the World title. He tells us hands down that Portland, Oregon holds that honor. More amazing, unbelievable and bizarre stories on the May 20 episode of Ripley Radio include: Author and adventurer Mike Oswald introduces us to General Sherman, the world’s largest organism; historian James Taylor describes the unbelievable beginnings of Brooklyn’s Coney Island and the fact that had there been no amusement parks on Coney Island, there would be no Manhattan as we know it today; and The Pretenders provide us with this week’s musical egress, Brass in Pocket.

We take a different view of Zombies this week as we look at the pop culture side of the walking dead. We hear from Tony Rossi, the manager of the Georgia Coffee Shop and Café in the Georgia town where the popular Walking Dead TV series is filmed and he relates how much fun it is when the walking dead visit his eatery. Lucy Leitner tells us why Pittsburgh, Pa. is the epicenter of the Zombie movement in the US. Additional Amazingly Strange, Weird and Unbelievable Stories we captured for the May 13 episode of Ripley Radio, the official radio partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! include: Chad Lewis explores the possibility that “real” zombies do actually exist, thanks to a Haitian process called zombification; Jodi Pliszka says the use of maggots is more common than one might believe in contemporary medical treatment; Zombie make-up artist Barry Anderson relates how funny it is to watch actors in full zombie makeup eat a sandwich during their meal break; and 1970s one-hit wonder Dean Friedman provides the mu

Believe It or Not, during the 20th century, frozen whale carcasses were big draws on the circus and carnival midways! Historian James Taylor visits this week and talks about frozen whales, live whales and exploding whales. Mark Oswald wraps up his series on natural oddities and unbelievable sights at US National Parks, by telling us about the opportunity to walk right up to the crater of an active volcano. More amazing, unbelievable and bizarre stories on the May 6 episode of Ripley Radio, the official radio program of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! include: Ryan DeSear, manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tenn., tells Ralf about the new Dinosaur exhibit that will be on display through the end of the year; Neal Thompson, the author of the new biography of Robert Ripley, “A Curious Man,” talks about his research and the amazing facts he uncovered about the curious man; and Stephen Stills provides the musical egress this week with Marianne.

Believe It or Not! there’s a perfume out there that makes you smell like a Zombie. What does a Zombie smell like? While hard to describe, Mark Crames, president of the company that manufactures it, explains why he created it and compares its smell to something that will make most of us cringe. Meanwhile, our intrepid reporter Chad Lewis tells of his search in Lake Pepin, Minn. for the famous monster named Pepie. Additional Amazingly Strange, Weird and Unbelievable Stories we captured for the April 29 episode of Ripley Radio, the official radio partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! include: Ralf talks with newspaper reporter Janelle Wetzstein who tells the tale of the Petaluma Batman, a mysterious real life superhero who lives (and is loved) in this small California town; National Park historian and chronicler Mark Oswald continues his series this week and takes us to Yellowstone, revealing the strange, natural wonders of this huge national park; Barry Anderson, the professor and founder of Ghoul School, e

We begin a series of reports this week on the unbelievable, unusual and strange aspects of our US National Parks. Author Mike Oswald kicks the series off by revealing the one park that is many things - below sea level, the hottest, driest AND largest, and is the only place where one can go to see rocks that move by themselves! Chad Lewis returns to talk about one of the wackiest of all summer festivals, the UFO Festival in New Mexico. It’s one of this road warrior’s favorites. Other Strange, Weird and Unbelievable Stories we captured for the April 22 episode of Ripley Radio, the official radio partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! include: Ralf “with an F” reports on a thief in Michigan who returned money he stole, plus interest – 30 years later; Mark Stevens of Topps Sports and Entertainment talks about the unveiling of the world’s largest baseball card in Florida; the Ghoul School’s Barry Anderson recalls the day he was nearly arrested for transporting what appeared to be a decapitated body; Actor J La

Artist Steve Casino has chosen an unusual medium for his art – peanut shells – on which he paints the famous and the infamous. He tells us how he does it and why he began this strange endeavor and what his friends really think of it (and him). Sideshow historian James Taylor relates the triumphant but somewhat tragic story of the sexiest and most talented con-joined twins of all times – the Hilton Sisters. From their mother selling them upon their birth to their nanny to their financially successful life on the vaudeville stages to their retirement jobs as dual cashiers at a Florida grocery store, James weaves their engrossing story. Other Strange and Wonderfully Weird Stories We Captured for the April 15 Episode of Ripley Radio, the official radio partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, include: Teen Ivan Barber has surgery for appendicitis only 10 hours before he takes the stage and wins a battle of the bands contest; T. Thorn Coyle explains how we can all easily “make magic” in our everyday lives; Ghoul

Actor J. Larose, star of several popular horror films, joins us this week to talk about the genre and why it is so appealing to the public and world-renown FX artist Barry Anderson describes his new adventure – Ghoul School where he teaches the precise and often macabre art of horror makeup. Other Strange and Wonderfully Weird Stories We Captured for the April 8 Episode of Ripley Radio, the official radio partner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, include: Tommy Edison, known as the Blind Movie Critic tells Ralf why he doesn’t have to have vision to judge a film; James Lowe explains how the US Post Office is going to help reduce its huge deficit – by selling apparel and accessories; We hear how a mayor of a small town was chosen by pulling his name out of a hat; In the Jackpottin’ With James Taylor segment, we learn how the world’s top expert on sideshows started in the business; and Eddie Vedder and his ukulele provide this week’s musical egress with Longing to Belong.

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 Brit

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-eati

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 m

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

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.

Believe 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 art

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.

It was a big year for the weird and strange and this week on Ripley Radio we take a look at some of the weirdest tales of 2012. Chad Lewis reveals the top roadside attractions he visited during the year and Lee Speigel unveils the top paranormal stories he covered for Huffington Post. Other Strange Stories We Captured for the January 14 Episode: Braxton Southwick of the Nat Geo TV show, The Preppers, tells us how to prepare for bad times; John McKissick, the 86 year old football coach who has won 600 games tells us how he did it; Emmy winning TV reporter Scott Fais picks the strangest stories he covered during the year in Florida; and Edward Meyer, Ripley’s archivist counts down the top five acquisitions he made on behalf of Ripley’s during the year. Rayland Baxter provides our musical egress this week with Driveway Melody.