Unexplained America The Podcast

Unexplained America the Podcast

Unexplained America is a weekly podcast, hosted by Lisa Ponson. I discuss true crime, paranormal, cryptid, legend, and anything unexplained connected with America. Join me for episodes rich in researching the history, background and nuance of the story perhaps a bit quirky. If possible, I love to explore the places myself and discuss the story from a personal perspective. The more creepy and unexplained the better!!!

  1. 17h ago

    Peel Mansion: The Lore and The Truth

    In this episode of Unexplained America, your host Lisa brings to you the history/haunted legends and lore of the Peel Mansion (Peel Museum and Botanical Gardens in Bentonville, Arkansas). This is the first spooky episode in our month of October Spooky episodes. Imagine shadowy figures, heavy footsteps that are not connected to a human figure, chords being played on a piano when no one sits at it, the tears of a child that is not inside the home, and grueling stories of botched surgeries. All of this makes up the alleged paranormal experiences at the Peel Mansion over the past 150 years. Lisa begins with discussing Samuel West Peel and his life leading to the building of the Peel Mansion in 1875 which at that time he called "The Oaks". Colonel Peel as he was known, and his family called The Oaks their home for over a quarter of a century. In 1902, Mary Peel passes away and Colonel Peel no longer wishes to live in his beloved mansion home in Bentonville. Lisa discusses the passing of time and ownership of the Peel Mansion and then the legends attributed to the Mansion in later years. Lisa will also explain her own personal tour of the home. Listen to the entire episode and share your thoughts. References and Sources For Episode: 'Honorable Samuel W. Peel'-The Springdale News--Fri. Aug 24, 1888. 'Colonel Peel is Dead After Long Illness'--The Star Progress--Fri Dec. 26, 1924. 'Civil War Home has Its Backers'--The Sun --Fri. Nov 26, 1993. 'State Celebrates Halloween..'--Batesville Guard--Fri Oct. 15, 2010. https://mosthauntedplacesintheworld.com/is-the-peel-mansion-haunted-arkansas/ 'Peel Family Mansion'--Batesville Guard--Mon. Jul 11, 1994. 'Col. Peel Said to be Married'--Arkansas Democrat--Sun. Dec. 1, 1907. 'The Life of Samuel West Peel'--Paragould Daily Press--Tues. Dec. 13, 2022. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/peel-mansion-museum-and-heritage-gardens-1116/ 'Echoes of the Past: Haunted Peel Mansion'--Across the Ozarks written by Mark Kumming --Special to the Pea Ridge times, AR. Posted by Silver Dollar City FB page 10/22/25. Youtube Videos: Radaventures CO--The Ghost of Peel Mansion/The Haunted Story of Bentonville, Arkansas.--Dec. 26, 2025. Peel Mansion & Heritage Gardens--Peel Mansion by Arkansas Arts Academy--Posted 7 yrs ago. Crazy Person--About the Peel Mansion in Bentonville, AR--Jul. 24, 2018. Shoutout to Lydia --Tour Guide at the Peel Museum-- https://peelcompton.org/peel-museum-botanical-garden/ Episodes DID include other information via: https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/ Big Thanks go out to Gage Fears for his original music made for Unexplained Arkansas the Podcast usage--His contact below--find him on Instagram!! https://www.facebook.com/gfearsmedia?rdid=2J3DmRrwK1yzecQl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16Ws41EzTt%2F# https://www.instagram.com/i_deliver_pizza/ To connect w/ Unexplained America: unexplainedamerica2@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586477442538 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rIqbuh-TeAl_9dZNL3fUA https://www.instagram.com/unexplained_america/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unexplainedamerica Find me on all Podcasts Platforms. Xoxoxoxo, Lisa

    Peel Mansion: The Lore and The Truth
  2. Sep 28

    Crossroads: Legend and Life of Robert Johnson

    In this episode of Unexplained America, your host Lisa has Guest Host Dr. Amber Bramlett discuss the life and legend of Robert Johnson and his connection to the folklore of the Crossroads Amber begins with the legend of Robert Johnson disappearing into the Delta country and meeting a dark, mysterious stranger to "tune" his guitar. They meet at a crossroads at MIDNIGHT and once Robert meets this mystery person; he then is able to be the best blues guitarist in the Delta. People speculate that in order to gain this gift Robert must have met with the Devil himself or one of this henchmen and sold his soul for the gift. Amber goes on to outline Robert's sad tragic life, his marriage, his child, and then his youthful death at 27. She goes on to describe the three graves attributed to Robert and the mysterious death certificate. This episode has all the information on Robert Johnson and the Crossroads legend. Listen to the entire episode and share your thoughts. Works Cited below--other Works mentioned in episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossroads_(1986_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReMastered:_Devil_at_the_Crossroads Episodes DID include other information via: https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/ Big Thanks go out to Gage Fears for his original music made for Unexplained Arkansas the Podcast usage--His contact below--find him on Instagram!! https://www.facebook.com/gfearsmedia?rdid=2J3DmRrwK1yzecQl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16Ws41EzTt%2F# https://www.instagram.com/i_deliver_pizza/ To connect w/ Unexplained America: unexplainedamerica2@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586477442538 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rIqbuh-TeAl_9dZNL3fUA https://www.instagram.com/unexplained_america/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unexplainedamerica Find me on all Podcasts Platforms. Xoxoxoxo, Lisa Works Cited Anderson, Jeffrey E. Conjure in African American Society. Louisiana State UP, 2005. Chireau, Yvonne P. Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition. U of California P, 2003. Conforth, Bruce, and Gayle Dean Wardlow. Up Jumped the Devil: The Real Life of Robert Johnson. Chicago Review Press, 2019. Connell, David. “Retrospective Blues: Robert Johnson—An Open Letter to Eric Clapton.” BMJ, vol. 333, 2006, p. 489. Evans, David. Big Road Blues: Tradition and Creativity in the Folk Blues. U of California P, 1982. Hazzard-Donald, Katrina. Mojo Workin’: The Old African American Hoodoo System. U of Illinois P, 2012. Hurston, Zora Neale. “Hoodoo in America.” The Journal of American Folklore, vol. 44, no. 174, 1931, pp. 317–417. Hyatt, Harry Middleton. Hoodoo—Conjuration—Witchcraft—Rootwork. 5 vols., Memoirs of the Alma Egan Hyatt Foundation, 1970–78. Kail, Tony. A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo: Rootworkers, Conjurers & Spirituals. The History Press, 2017. Komara, Edward. The Road to Robert Johnson: The Genesis and Evolution of Blues in the Delta from the Late 1800s through 1938. Hal Leonard, 2007. Library of Congress. “The Complete Recordings—Robert Johnson (1936–1937).” National Recording Registry. Mississippi State Board of Health. Certificate of Death: Robert L. Johnson. State File No. 13704, 16 Aug. 1938. Puckett, Newbell Niles. Folk Beliefs of the Southern Negro. U of North Carolina P, 1926. Short Stuff: Robert Johnson and the Devil.” Stuff You Should Know, Spotify, open.spotify.com/episode/2d0SqaUXo8JaNceOWzpvV Wald, Elijah. Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues. Amistad, 2004.

    Crossroads: Legend and Life of Robert Johnson
  3. Sep 21

    Unexplained Spooky Listener Stories Fall 2026

    In this episode of Unexplained America, your host Lisa brings you SPOOKY Unexplained Listerner Stories from all over to scare, excite, and frighten you....and perhaps peak your curiousities. The first story is from an anonymous listener who was in the Navy. The story comes from his experience near the Bermuda Triangle. This story is spine tingling for sure and mysterious. The next experience comes from my friend Jessica--she attended a wedding at the famously haunted Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She stayed in "Michael's" Room 218. Listen and be ready to be shocked! Third story is from a listener named Harris. Harris worked security at the famous Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, between the time frames of 2020-2024. He shares several amazing and haunted stories from this very well-known paranormal hot spot. Sooo Wild! Another chilling tale comes from friend Alza--also, from Hot Springs, Arkansas. This experience was in 1981 or so--Alza was staying at The Majestic Hotel which stood -large and proud on bathhouse row from 1882-2016--when sadly it was raised due to a devestating fire. Alza's story is wildly chilling and one of my favorites. Lastly, I will discuss again Chris' ghost boy experience in Searcy, Arkansas around the time period of 1994. The boy was riding a bike striaght at Chris' truck late at night causing Chris to think he hit the boy--but it was worse when Chris realized the boy was merely a ghost. In this episode, I try to discover and discuss a boy named James Lyndell Bush--and if he is truly Chris' ghost boy??? You decide. Listen to the entire episode and share your thoughts. Shoutouts of Appreciation : To friends Jessica, Harris, and Alza--thank you very much for sharing your stories--and the anonymous friends as well!!! References for this Episode: https://www.nps.gov/places/army-and-navy-hospital.htm https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/majestic-hotel-8351/ The Daily Citizen Articles Published March 13, 1935-March 23, 1935. Episodes DID include other information via: https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/ Big Thanks go out to Gage Fears for his original music made for Unexplained Arkansas the Podcast usage--His contact below--find him on Instagram!! https://www.facebook.com/gfearsmedia?rdid=2J3DmRrwK1yzecQl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16Ws41EzTt%2F# https://www.instagram.com/i_deliver_pizza/ To connect w/ Unexplained America: unexplainedamerica2@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586477442538 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rIqbuh-TeAl_9dZNL3fUA https://www.instagram.com/unexplained_america/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unexplainedamerica Find me on all Podcasts Platforms. Xoxoxoxo, Lisa

    Unexplained Spooky Listener Stories Fall 2026
  4. Sep 14

    The Arkansas Dog Boy Legend

    In this episode of Unexplained America, your host Lisa strives to correct historical inaccuracies regarding the Arkansas Dog Boy Jarrell Bettis. The legend states that the Bettis Family allegedly purchased their beautiful Victorian home in Quitman, Arkansas, in the early 1950's. Floyd and Alline finally had their precious only child Jarrell (mistakenly listed as Gerald) in the 1950's and he turned out to be allegedly a vicious, attention seeking child that tortured animals and allegedly hurt his parents or worse as he and they got older. The legend goes on to state these torturous acts were the reason for the children of Quitman to fear the Bettis home (sometimes called the Garrett Home of Quitman)--kids feared the home because of the alleged evil spirit of the Dog Boy Gerald Bettis. In 2005, time zone an owner of the Garrett/Bettis home opened the home up to many paranormal investigators. This homeowner, Weaver, claimed to know his home was haunted by the Dog Boy and his heinous acts he conducted in the home. In the episode, there is an interview with acclaimed Arkansas Paranormal Investigator Larry Flaxman (info below)--he describes his investigation for Weaver 20 years ago. I will layout all the misconceptions and provide my research on the TRUE history of the home and Jarrell Bettis. Listen to the entire episode and share the facts. Big Shoutout to Larry Flaxman--Paranormal Investigator: https://larryflaxman.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLarryFlaxman/ https://www.instagram.com/AuthorLarryFlaxman https://www.youtube.com/c/LarryFlaxman Additional Shoutouts of Appreciation : Cleburne County Courthouse Land Deed Dept. Ladies Lakisha --Title work Queen Quitman Public Schools Yearbook Dept References for this Episode: https://www.paranormalcatalog.net/ghosts/the-arkansas-dog-boy Youtube Video 'The Dog Boy of Arkansas: A Tale..'--https://youtu.be/m4hHTeyh0lY?si=iziqhp4PehilnzTg https://truescaresandreallifenightmares.substack.com/p/the-haunting-true-story-of-deranged Dale Brumfield Article 2020--Dog Boy--An Arkansas town would probably like to kill the legend of Jarrell Bettis-- 'Quitman" --The Log Cabin Democrat--Thurs. Nov. 3, 1977 "" --The Log Cabin Demo--Thurs. Feb. 13, 1975. " "--The Log Cabin Demo--Thurs. Jun 20, 1974. Same--Same as above---Thurs May 23, 1974. Obituraries-The Log Cabin Democ--Jan, 1981. & Wed. Octobetr 4, `1995. 'The Legend of Dog Boy'--By Lisa Armstrong--2007--Arkansas Democrat Gazette--River Valley & Ozark Edition 'The Jarrell Bettis I knew'--Charlene--Ancrestry.com 'Quitman Quotations'--The Jacksonian--Thu. Oct 26, 1893-- Youtube Video--Dog Boy of Quitman/ Between Monsters & Men--May 2024. https://urbanlegend.fandom.com/wiki/Dog_Boy Episodes DID include other information via: https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/ Big Thanks go out to Gage Fears for his original music made for Unexplained Arkansas the Podcast usage--His contact below--find him on Instagram!! https://www.facebook.com/gfearsmedia?rdid=2J3DmRrwK1yzecQl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16Ws41EzTt%2F# https://www.instagram.com/i_deliver_pizza/ To connect w/ Unexplained America: unexplainedamerica2@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586477442538# https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rIqbuh-TeAl_9dZNL3fUA https://www.instagram.com/unexplained_america/ Find us on Tik Tok and Instagram and all Podcasts Platforms. Xoxoxoxo, Lisa

    The Arkansas Dog Boy Legend
  5. Aug 31

    Titantic: Tragedy Into A Curse? (Part 3)

    In this episode of Unexplained America, your host Lisa discusses the R.M.S. Titantic. This is Part 3 of a 3 Part episode. In Part 3, we begin in the year 1986 after Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the wreck site of the Titantic and actually dove to the wreck site. We discuss how Dr. Ballard did not take any artifacts from the wreckage; he considered the site a graveyard and respected the site too much to take an object. However, once the Titantic was found immediately thereafter in 1987; a group of investors dove to the Titantic and confiscated around 1800 objects. Selling the items and opening exhibitions. We will explore all the many explorations of the site from 1987 through to 1995 when James Cameron makes a series of dives to collect film for his epic movie "Titantic" that would come out in 1997; which will earn 11 Academy Awards, billions in revenue, and introduce a whole new age (myself included) of young people to the tragedy. Likewise, we will discuss all the many more dives to the Titantic and the disastrous Oceangate dive of the Titan in June 2023. After this horrific tragedy, we discuss all the many legends of curses from way back to 1912 on to today and the paranormal experiences of all the exhibits that hold Titantic artifacts. Ending with the question of "Would you purchase a Titantic artifact for your personal self?" References for this Episode: https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/series/titanic-reference-library/ https://britishtitanicsociety.com/links-research-resources/ https://titanicarchive.org/ https://guides.loc.gov/titanic/library-resources https://titanicinquiry.org/ https://worldhistoryedu.com/was-the-titanic-actually-cursed/ https://www.history.com/videos/expedition-titanic https://rmstitanicinc.com/titanic-expeditions/ https://captainstableblog.com/haunting-reminders-of-the-night-titanic-artifacts-and-the-paranormal/ https://titanicsurvivors.com/victims/titanic-bodies-recovered/ https://www.britannica.com/event/Titan-submersible-implosion "Titantic-Treasure of the Deep"--Antonio Montanez channel--https://youtu.be/fpcjDsFEQ6M?si=BDiuxErQm4j3wOje "Robert Ballard returns for first time since discovering Titantic"-The Bay City Times-Mon. Dec. 6 2004 "Survivor says leave Titantic"--Times Record--Wed. Sept. 11, 1985. "Survivor of Titantic Still Remembers How Cold it Was"-Tarddema Arar--The Sun. Sunday Apr 11, 1982. "Titantic Survivor Nellie Snyder: Interview (1980)" Titantic Archive--channel--interview excerpt from an interview conducted by Gerald Skelly for St Paul Public Schools Educational Television out of Minnesota. Episodes DID include other information via: https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/ Big Thanks go out to Gage Fears for his original music made for Unexplained Arkansas the Podcast usage--His contact below--find him on Instagram!! https://www.facebook.com/gfearsmedia?rdid=2J3DmRrwK1yzecQl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16Ws41EzTt%2F# https://www.instagram.com/i_deliver_pizza/ To connect w/ Unexplained America: unexplainedamerica2@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586477442538# https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rIqbuh-TeAl_9dZNL3fUA https://www.instagram.com/unexplained_america/ Find us on Tik Tok and Instagram and all Podcasts Platforms. Xoxoxoxo, Lisa

    Titantic: Tragedy Into A Curse? (Part 3)
  6. Aug 24

    Titantic: Tragedy Into A Curse? (Part 2)

    tIn this episode of Unexplained America, your host Lisa discusses the R.M.S. Titantic. This is Part 2 of a 3 Part episode. I originally researched this for my Patreon in 2025 but I re-recorded this for you all. In Part 2, we discuss the events of the night of the Titantic sinking. How the S.S. California was very close to the Titantic (close enough to see the flares and close enough to thus save the passengers), we discuss the herorism of the R.M.S. Carpathia. They were too far away from the Titantic to actually save the passengers; however, they were close enough to make it to the wreck site by 4 am on April 15, 1912. which allowed them to bring the survivors on board, get them warm and even send more ships out to people in the water thus saving these survivors and taking them to New York City. We discuss the recovery efforts of the bodies of those that drowned. Ultimately out of the 1500 or so drownings, 333 bodies would be recovered to be either given burial by sea, or buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia (distributed in 3 cemeteries), or returned to their family for burial. Out of the 333, there were 59 bodies that could not be identified and had to be buried by the number assigned to their body. I will also discuss the legal battles, the British Inquiry and United States Inquiries and decisions, the films made about the Titantic between 1912-1985; and ultimately the searches for the Titantic itself in that time period until Dr. Robert Ballards' team finally locates the missing ship September 1, 1985. Listen to the whole episode for all the details. References for this Episode: https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/series/titanic-reference-library/ https://britishtitanicsociety.com/links-research-resources/ https://titanicarchive.org/ https://guides.loc.gov/titanic/library-resources https://titanicinquiry.org/ Episodes DID include other information via: https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/ Big Thanks go out to Gage Fears for his original music made for Unexplained Arkansas the Podcast usage--His contact below--find him on Instagram!! https://www.facebook.com/gfearsmedia?rdid=2J3DmRrwK1yzecQl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16Ws41EzTt%2F# https://www.instagram.com/i_deliver_pizza/ To connect w/ Unexplained America: unexplainedamerica2@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586477442538# https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rIqbuh-TeAl_9dZNL3fUA https://www.instagram.com/unexplained_america/ Find us on Tik Tok and Instagram and all Podcasts Platforms. Xoxoxoxo, Lisa

    Titantic: Tragedy Into A Curse? (Part 2)
  7. Aug 11

    Cold Case Solved: The Abe Pipkin File (Part 2)

    In this episode of Unexplained America, your host Lisa discusses the 1977 crime case of Abe Pipkin of Beebe, Arkansas; this is a part 2 of a 2 part series. I covered this case for my live show in Malvern, Arkansas on July 11th--in an abbrievated for time way. In Part 2, we begin where we left off after Henry Lee Lucas proven to be a fraudster and had falsely confessed to Abe's murder. This was in the time frame of 1985/1986. After this, ASP investigator JR Howard is still working Abe's case but it is cold. Any leads coming in are looked at and the ASP tries to get help from the public by participating in TV programs like "Unsolved Mysteries" and later on some sort of cold case program, Blessedly a huge lead pops up in 1993, but it will take almost a decade for this lead to end in an arrest of a suspect who will be tried and convicted named Gary Lee Evans. Listen to all of the ups, downs and even more tragedy to the Pipkin family in this episode, References for this Episode: Arkansas State Police File: Received via Freedom Of Information Act: C33-975-77 https://katv.com/archive/father-and-son-murdered-thirty-years-apart https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/family-concerned-over-murderers-parole/91-286981188 Court documents: https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad/search?context=participants&firstName=JACLYN&lastName=DERREBERRY https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FAssembly%2FMeeting+Attachments%2F000%2FI13857%2FExhibit+H.1+-+Parole+Board+-++December+2014+Monthly+Activity+Report.pdf https://www.odmp.org/officer/10695-night-watchman-abe-issac-pipkin "Murder in Searcy" written by Mike S. Allen & Deana Hamby Hall; written 2021--not a reference but mentioned https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099FMBZ9G?lv=shuf&channelId=510&plpRedirect=mhFallback "Evans has long record" by Stan Mitchell--The Sun, Tues. Jul 16, 2002. "Evans denies killing officer" by Dale Ellis, The Sun--Tues. Jul 16, 2002. Big Shoutout to Abe's family for reaching out and information provided by Billi Pipkin--Abe's Granddaughter Episodes DID include other information via: https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/ Big Thanks go out to Gage Fears for his original music made for Unexplained Arkansas the Podcast usage--His contact below--find him on Instagram!! https://www.facebook.com/gfearsmedia?rdid=2J3DmRrwK1yzecQl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16Ws41EzTt%2F# https://www.instagram.com/i_deliver_pizza/ To connect w/ Unexplained America: unexplainedamerica2@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586477442538# https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rIqbuh-TeAl_9dZNL3fUA https://www.instagram.com/unexplained_america/ Find us on Tik Tok and Instagram and all Podcasts Platforms. Xoxoxoxo, Lisa

    Cold Case Solved: The Abe Pipkin File (Part 2)
4.6
out of 5
104 Ratings

About

Unexplained America is a weekly podcast, hosted by Lisa Ponson. I discuss true crime, paranormal, cryptid, legend, and anything unexplained connected with America. Join me for episodes rich in researching the history, background and nuance of the story perhaps a bit quirky. If possible, I love to explore the places myself and discuss the story from a personal perspective. The more creepy and unexplained the better!!!

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