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PODCAST

Alternative Interests

alternativeinterests

Join Crystal and Kat as they take turns each week diving into all things weird, dark, and spooky. From True Crime to Cults and Conspiracies and all things Supernatural, this show is sure to capture all of your alternative interests.

true crime

All Episodes

109:16

Episode 149: The Hillcrest Primary School Tragedy

Alternative Interests ·

2025/09/24

On December 16, 2021, what should have been a day of celebration for Hillcrest Primary School students marking the end of the school year turned to tragedy in an instant. In the wake of an unforeseen accident that is sadly not unique of its' kind, the community and families were left to pick up the pieces and mourn the losses of that fateful day.

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92:32

Bonus: Interview with Cierra Sweitzer

Alternative Interests ·

2025/09/04

In the second of two bonus episodes, Crystal speaks with Preston's mother, Cierra. She shares her experience navigating the worst day of any parent's life, her observations and surprising aspect of the way the justice system is working in her son's case, her grief in the wake of her son's death, and the foundation she created in Preston's name. For more information on the Preston's Promise Foundation, please visit https://www.prestonspromise.org/

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31:52

Bonus: Preston Sweitzer

Alternative Interests ·

2025/09/04

In the first of two bonus episodes, we discuss the tragic death of 5 month old Preston. This episode does involve discussion of his injuries and statements from his care team so please use caution when listening. It is important to note, a trial has not yet taken place. Due to this we must be very careful with the information we share about all parties involved and we ask our listeners to exercise the same caution.

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56:08

Episode 148: Mark Van Dongen

Alternative Interests ·

2025/06/18

Mark had been dating his girlfriend Berlinah for several years before he decided the relationship wasn't what he wanted; he broke things off, moved out, and started dating someone new.Berlinah could not accept Mark's decision and made repeated demands that he hear her out and talk to her about their relationship. She planned her retaliation that would assure Mark could never be with anyone else if he wouldn't be with her. The resulting months of suffering are more than anyone should ever have to

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56:46

Episode 147: Cherish Periwinkle

Alternative Interests ·

2025/05/28

Cherish was 8 years old when absolute scum from the depths of hell befriended and gained the trust of her mother, Rayne, while they were out doing some last minute shopping. This heartbreaking case is difficult to tell but is an important lesson in staying vigilant no matter how charming a stranger may be.This episode discusses the murder of a young child and while we did not share explicit details of the horrors she endured, listener discretion is still advised.

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01:01:04

Episode 146: Benjaman Kyle

Alternative Interests ·

2025/05/14

Benjaman Kyle was the assumed name of a man who was found naked and nearly unconscious behind a Burger King in 2004. For over a decade he knew nothing of his life before he was found, and despite efforts on several fronts for answers, he struggled to find his identity while also struggling to make a life for himself.The Last Unknown Man: https://newrepublic.com/article/138068/last-unknown-man Finding Benjaman: https://vimeo.com/34589969

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48:58

Episode 145: PSA - Sextortion

Alternative Interests ·

2025/04/23

Sextortion is a steadily rising form of online blackmail, primarily targeting teenaged boys. The warning signs are easy to spot if you are aware of what they look like; we are aiming to increase awareness and create the opportunity for more discussions about this dangerous scam.Please be advised, this episode discusses suicide and several cases of children who completed suicide resulting from sextortion. For more information, visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's webpage

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01:21:03

Episode 144: Ben & Melissa Oxley

Alternative Interests ·

2025/04/09

Melissa Oxley was suddenly jolted awake in the middle of the night after hearing a loud noise. She went to investigate and found the front door of the home wide open, and returned to find her husband, Ben, dead in the bed where they had just been sleeping together. The story she told dispatch, police, and detectives seemed odd and didn't make sense to investigators. After years of surveillance, investigation, and interviews, Ben's murderer was identified.

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01:00:36

Episode 143: Jailyn Candelario

Alternative Interests ·

2025/03/19

In 2023, 16 month old Jailyn suffered for 10 long days while her mother simultaneously enjoyed herself on a vacation with her friends. Content Warning: This episode is rough and involves discussion of neglect/abuse of a young child.

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01:22:06

Episode 142: Colleen Ritzer

Alternative Interests ·

2025/03/05

Colleen was one of those bright souls who worked hard daily to uplift those around her and lived her life being a positive influence to everyone lucky enough to know her. In her second year as a teacher, one of her students took her life and to this day we don't have a legitimate reason for his behavior. Colleen's friends and family live in her memory and celebrate the lasting mark she left on this world in her short time with us.

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01:19:34

Episode 141: Ryan Waller & Heather Quan

Alternative Interests ·

2025/02/19

When Ryan and Heather didn't show up on Christmas day and phone calls went unanswered, worried family went to their home to check on them. Police eventually made their way inside, and thus began one of the most grossly mishandled situations we've ever discussed.

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01:00:45

Episode 140: ABCs of Cryptids - B is for...

Alternative Interests ·

2025/02/06

Everyone knows B is for Bigfoot when we're talking Cryptids, but we're sharing a couple lesser known beasts including a Wisconsin canine, an adorable (if sensitive) Scottish friend, and a Pacific Northwest hybrid.

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52:36

Kate Webster

Alternative Interests ·

2025/01/08

Another woman of many names: born Catherine Lawler, resurfaced as Kate Webster, playing at Kate Thomas... One thing that remains consistent is that she lies.

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46:33

Episode 138: The Kunz Family Murders

Alternative Interests ·

2024/12/04

In the small rural town of Athens, Wisconsin, the Kunz family were known as strange loners at the center of decades worth of rumors. On July 4th, 1987 the entire family save for one member was murdered in their home, stirring up more rumors that still exist today. There was a conviction in relation to their deaths, but there is much speculation as to whether true justice was served.

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47:46

Episode 137: The Porco Family

Alternative Interests ·

2024/11/20

One morning Peter Porco went about his daily routine, waking up, getting dressed, making coffee and breakfast, and ultimately succumbing to devastating injuries sustained in a horrific attack on both he and his wife the night before. This highly unusual crime has a not altogether surprising culprit, though the star witness in his defense makes this story truly memorable.

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51:34

Episode 136: Elyse Pahler (Revisited)

Alternative Interests ·

2024/11/06

Elyse Pahler was a spunky 15 year old girl in 1995, enjoying all the perks of being an adventurous teenager. She had a wide variety of passions and interests and had an entire bright future ahead of her. Unfortunately, three boys she trusted and thought were her friends took it upon themselves to use her in their twisted violent scheme which they believed would bring them the success they couldn't be bothered to actually work for.

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01:00:06

Episode 135: Yorkshire's Pathetic Crossbow Killer

Alternative Interests ·

2024/10/23

Stephen Griffiths fancied himself a criminal mastermind, and a superior creature above the lowly human race. He is best known for a moniker he gave himself in the courtroom, widely believed to be a publicity stunt. Stephen targeted women struggling with addiction who were working toward getting their lives in order, and he relished the attention he got from his confession.

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01:03:15

Episode 134: Max DeVries

Alternative Interests ·

2024/10/09

Max DeVries went missing while on a family vacation in Aruba on May 12th, 2004. His mother has worked tirelessly the last 20 years searching for her son and trying to get any kind of law enforcement involvement to move the search forward. Please share his story to bring justice for Max.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ycdevries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62321359000/

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49:44

Episode 133: Hannah Upp (Revisited)

Alternative Interests ·

2024/09/25

Hannah Upp is a bright, beautiful soul missing from St. Thomas. She went missing in September of 2017 in the days between Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. Due to the chaos surrounding the island in those days, she could be anywhere. Furthermore, due to a neurological condition, she may be unaware that she is Hannah. Hannah is 5'7" with light brown hair and eyes and as of the release of this episode she would be 40 years old. Her family remains hopeful she will be found.Find Hannah Upp Facebook

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55:43

Episode 132: Appalachian Cryptids

Alternative Interests ·

2024/09/11

There is no shortage of cryptids in the Appalachian region of the United States, and guest host Jane came back to talk about a few! We discuss Bigfoot's Appalachian cousins in the north and south, as well as a reptilian cryptid famous in Ohio.

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