Idiopathic

Daryl and Sarah
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Idiopathic, where the strange and unknown meets science, medicine, and a bit of curiosity. "Idiopathic" means a condition with no known cause—just like the stories we explore. From prophetic powers to reincarnation, hauntings to urban legends, cryptids to conspiracies, we'll explore what might really be behind the weird and unusual stories out there. Subscribe to Idiopathic for medical mysteries, haunted histories, and maybe even sharpen your eye for examining the eerie along the way!

  1. 03/25/2025

    E41.2 Gene Otto: Robert the Doll (Part 2)

    Last week we started in on the story of Gene Otto and Robert the Doll with our #1 fan-- Sarah's Mom. Some theories were thrown out there for the reasons why this doll generally eeks the heck out of people, and possibly why it might also appear to move and cause mischief at times. Today, we continue our discussion and see if we change our minds at all. So let's jump back into the nonsense on this episode idiopathic.. Co-Host Info: Dr. Sarah Kashdan is a registered naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist in Fort Collins Colorado. Dr. Kashdan practices a whole-body multisystem approach to healthcare using several modalities such as diet, lifestyle, nutrition, and herbal medicine. Dr. Kashdan also has degrees in environmental health and toxicology and is a certified mold-literate provider. Dr. Kashdan can be found at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine. Her instagram is @coloradonaturedoc⁠⁠

    45 min

  2. 03/18/2025

    E41.1 Gene Otto: Robert the Doll (Part 1)

    Gene Otto was born in 1900 in the Florida Keys, he passed away in the 1970's after a life spent making art. What he's probably best known for though, isn't his art but his childhood and lifelong companion: Robert. See, Robert was a nearly 4 foot tall stuffed doll and like many toys of this era, he's creepy as they come. Oh.. he's also cursed? Or a demon? I don't know, but when weird things started happening in Gene Otto's home, it was pretty easy for everyone to see the doll had something to do with it. Even after Gene passed, Robert has maintained a sort of reverence and respect amongst Key West folks, and even beyond. So how does a 1900's kid manage to avoid polio but wind up with a best friend who is a posessed doll? Well, here's hoping we find out on today's special episode of Idiopathic! References1. News ABC. Divers find underwater hospital, cemetery off coast of Key West. ABC News. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/US/divers-find-underwater-hospital-cemetery-off-coast-key/story?id=990119062. Luhrmann TM, Alderson-Day B, Chen A, et al. Learning to Discern the Voices of Gods, Spirits, Tulpas, and the Dead. Schizophr Bull. 2023;49(Suppl 1):S3-S12. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbac0053. Robert Eugene “Gene” Otto (1900–1974). Accessed February 14, 2025. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LH8K-CX3/robert-eugene-%22gene%22-otto-1900-19744. Robert The Doll: The Real Story Of Key West’s Haunted Toy. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://allthatsinteresting.com/robert-the-doll5. Robert the Haunted Doll. Historic Houston. April 23, 2015. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://historichouston1836.com/robert-the-haunted-doll/6. Robert’s Story | Robert the Doll. February 6, 2024. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://robertthedoll.org/story/7. Eyman S. The legend of Otto’s doll. The Palm Beach Post. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2017/10/19/the-legend-otto-s-doll/7356820007/8. The Story Behind the World’s Most Terrifying Haunted Doll - Atlas Obscura. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/story-behind-robert-the-doll9. Di Natale AF, Simonetti ME, La Rocca S, Bricolo E. Uncanny valley effect: A qualitative synthesis of empirical research to assess the suitability of using virtual faces in psychological research. Computers in Human Behavior Reports. 2023;10:100288. doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2023.10028810. Said S, Kang M. Viral Encephalitis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed February 22, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470162/11. Krubiner CB, Schwartz DA. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers in Pregnant Women and the Vaccine Landscape: Comparisons Between Yellow Fever, Ebola, and Lassa Fever. Curr Trop Med Rep. 2019;6(4):186-196. doi:10.1007/s40475-019-00194-x12. Simon LV, Hashmi MF, Torp KD. Yellow Fever. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed February 21, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470425/13. Piket C. Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1899. January 14, 2013. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.miami-history.com/p/yellow-fever-epidemic-of-1899Additional ResourcesEpisode 6: The Human Hair Version and the Worst Social And That's Why We Drink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEuKGLJpzas REMASTERED – Episode 15: Unboxed - Lore Podcast: https://www.lorepodcast.com/episodes/remastered15The Curse of Robert the Doll | Episode 105 | Sinisterhood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ZIsmDGzyE

    1h 12m

  3. 03/11/2025

    E40 Annaliese Michel: Posession on Trial (Special)

    Today, we're getting into a chilling tale that inspired the 2005 film "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." In 1976, a young German woman named Anneliese Michel faced a harrowing ordeal marked by visions, voices, and seizures. Convinced she was possessed, her family turned to the Catholic Church for an exorcism. What followed were 67 intense sessions, ultimately leading to Anneliese's tragic death at 23 due to malnourishment and dehydration. Join us as we explore the thin line between faith and tragedy in this haunting real-life story, right here on Idiopathic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moA9bhSiZRg (And That's Why We Drink)https://astonishinglegends.com/al-podcasts/tag/Anneliese+Michel (Astonishing Legends)https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-anneliese-michel/23105422/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-anneliese-michel/24221407/https://www.unilad.com/music/chilling-photos-anneliese-michel-exorcism-emily-rose-728475-20230209https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29fpnF1DWoQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN2HtbycnhU

    1h 21m

  4. 03/04/2025

    E39.2 Roland Doe: Exorcisms (Part 2)

    Last week we covered the story of Roland Doe, the account that inspired a movie that still scares the hell out of me-- the Exorcist. The exorcist movie is based on a book by the same name written by William Peter Blatty. According to him, the novel was based on the accounts recorded by a catholic priest present at the exorcisms. We once again have two questions to tackle here-- (1) what could be behind the alleged 'possession' of Roland Doe; and (2) are there any scientific reasons that would explain how an exorcism might 'work' outside of the usual explanations? In part one, we started in on some of those, so let's see if we can continue to untangle these threads on today's episode of Idiopathic... Co-Host Info: Dr. Sarah Kashdan is a registered naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist in Fort Collins Colorado. Dr. Kashdan practices a whole-body multisystem approach to healthcare using several modalities such as diet, lifestyle, nutrition, and herbal medicine. Dr. Kashdan also has degrees in environmental health and toxicology and is a certified mold-literate provider. Dr. Kashdan can be found at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine. Her instagram is @coloradonaturedoc⁠⁠ References † Archindy.org: The Criterion Online Edition—March 18, 2011. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://www.archindy.org/criterion/local/2011/03-18/devil.html Baker, A. W., Keshaviah, A., Horenstein, A., Goetter, E. M., Mauro, C., Reynolds, C., Zisook, S., Shear, M. K., & Simon, N. M. (2016). The role of avoidance in complicated grief: A detailed examination of the Grief-Related Avoidance Questionnaire (GRAQ) in a large sample of individuals with complicated grief. Journal of Loss & Trauma, 21(6), 533–547. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2016.1157412 Brodbeck, J., Berger, T., Biesold, N., Rockstroh, F., Schmidt, S. J., & Znoj, H. (2022). The Role of Emotion Regulation and Loss-Related Coping Self-efficacy in an Internet Intervention for Grief: Mediation Analysis. JMIR Mental Health, 9(5), e27707. https://doi.org/10.2196/27707 DeLong, W. (2023, August 20). The True Story Behind “The Exorcist” Is So Disturbing That The Movie Had To Leave The Worst Parts Out. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/roland-doe-the-exorcist-true-story Demoniacal Possession | Catholic Answers Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/demoniacal-possession Dimri, B. (2021, August 23). The Exorcism of Roland Doe: The Events That Inspired The Exorcist? Historic Mysteries. https://www.historicmysteries.com/unexplained-mysteries/roland-doe/21228/ Fitzgerald, C. (2022, February 17). The Terrifying Real-Life Inspiration for ‘The Exorcist.’ Thevintagenews. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2022/02/17/roland-doe-the-exorcist/ Friese, M., Binder, J., Luechinger, R., Boesiger, P., & Rasch, B. (2013). Suppressing Emotions Impairs Subsequent Stroop Performance and Reduces Prefrontal Brain Activation. PLoS ONE, 8(4), e60385. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0060385 Goldenholz, D. M., Moss, R., Scott, J., Auh, S., & Theodore, W. H. (2015). Confusing Placebo Effect with Natural History in Epilepsy: A Big Data Approach. Annals of Neurology, 78(3), 329–336. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.24470 Is “The Exorcist” based on a true story? All about Roland Doe and the cursed film. (n.d.-a). EW.Com. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://ew.com/the-exorcist-true-story-explained-8727499 Is “The Exorcist” Based on a True Story? All About the Real Events That Inspired the Horror Film. (n.d.-b). People.Com. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://people.com/is-the-exorcist-based-on-a-true-story-8638849 jlavarnway. (2021, October 25). Demoniac: Who Is Roland Doe, the Boy Who Inspired The Exorcist? | Skeptical Inquirer. https://skepticalinquirer.org/2021/10/demoniac-who-is-roland-doe-the-boy-who-inspired-the-exorcist/ Nunn, A. V. W., Guy, G. W., & Bell, J. D. (2022). Bioelectric Fields at the Beginnings of Life. Bioelectricity, 4(4), 237–247. https://doi.org/10.1089/bioe.2022.0012 O’Connor, M.-F. (2019). Grief: A Brief History of Research on How Body, Mind, and Brain Adapt. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81(8), 731–738. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000717 Peña-Vargas, C., Armaiz-Peña, G., & Castro-Figueroa, E. (2021). A Biopsychosocial Approach to Grief, Depression, and the Role of Emotional Regulation. Behavioral Sciences, 11(8), 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11080110 Pfeifer, J. H., & Allen, N. B. (2021). Puberty initiates cascading relationships between neurodevelopmental, social, and internalizing processes across adolescence. Biological Psychiatry, 89(2), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.09.002 Pophof, B., Henschenmacher, B., Kattnig, D. R., Kuhne, J., Vian, A., & Ziegelberger, G. (2023). Biological Effects of Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields from 0 to 100 MHz on Fauna and Flora: Workshop Report. Health Physics, 124(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0000000000001624 Sato, W., Kochiyama, T., Kubota, Y., Uono, S., Sawada, R., Yoshimura, S., & Toichi, M. (2016). The association between perceived social support and amygdala structure. Neuropsychologia, 85, 237–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.03.036 Sato, W., Kochiyama, T., Uono, S., Sawada, R., & Yoshikawa, S. (2020). Amygdala activity related to perceived social support. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 2951. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59758-x The Exorcism of Ronald Hunkeler (1973): The Real Story Behind The Exorcism of Emily Rose. (2023, October 23). https://exorcisms.com/the-exorcism-of-ronald-hunkeler-1973/ The Ouija Board Can’t Connect Us to Paranormal Forces—But It Can Tell Us a Lot About Psychology, Grief and Uncertainty | Smithsonian. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-ouija-board-cant-connect-us-to-paranormal-forces-but-it-can-tell-us-a-lot-about-psychology-grief-and-uncertainty-5860627/ ThisWeekInLibraries. (2024, January 24). The Exorcist True Story: The Terrifying Real-Life Events. This Week in Libraries. https://thisweekinlibraries.com/the-exorcist-true-story-the-terrifying-real-life-events/ Thomson, P., & Jaque, S. V. (2014). Unresolved mourning, supernatural beliefs and dissociation: A mediation analysis. Attachment & Human Development, 16(5), 499–514. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2014.926945 Tricoche, X., MacLeod, R., & Johnson, C. R. (2008). Visual Analysis of Bioelectric Fields. In L. Linsen, H. Hagen, & B. Hamann (Eds.), Visualization in Medicine and Life Sciences (pp. 205–220). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72630-2_12 Types of Demonic Influence in the World – AIHCP. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://aihcp.net/2023/08/17/types-of-demonic-influence-in-the-world/ Vinti, V., Dell’Isola, G. B., Tascini, G., Mencaroni, E., Cara, G. D., Striano, P., & Verrotti, A. (2021). Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Psychiatric Comorbidity. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, 775781. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.775781 Zhao, F., Kang, H., You, Li., Rastogi, P., Venkatesh, D., & Chandra, M. (2014). Neuropsychological deficits in temporal lobe epilepsy: A comprehensive review. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 17(4), 374–382. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-2327.144003 Additional Resources Stuff You Missed in History Class The Possession Case of Roland Doe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pt4B3K__Tc Episode28 | Strange & Unexplained Podcast: https://www.strangeandunexplainedpod.com/episodes/page/8 ATWWD E32 Father Beelzebub and 4000 Salutes: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5evWB8XWIDDzklYY2z9Oqu

    1 hr

  5. 02/25/2025

    E39.1 Roland Doe: Exorcisms (Part 1)

    William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist was released in 1973. Audiences all over were shocked, some even had visceral responses to it. Reports of people fleeing mid-film, fainting, or vomiting in the theaters were shared widely. The Exorcist book and subsequent film aren't just the products of a creative imagination though. They're based on the case of Roland Doe, which has become one of the most famous alleged instances of demonic possession in the United States.Among many cultures, dabbling in the occult is taboo. A 'no-no' that can lead to some serious bad juju, if you will. The Exorcist shows us exactly why that is-- play with the occult and you're gonna catch a case of the demons. And the only cure for a case of the demons is an exorcism. We already know from our past story on Annelise Michele, that tragically-- exorcisms don't always cure the posessed-- but sometimes, it appears as though they do. So now, we're going to see if we can sort out just what is going on when the possessed recover through religious intervention.. on today's episode of Idiopathic! References† Archindy.org: The Criterion Online Edition—March 18, 2011. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://www.archindy.org/criterion/local/2011/03-18/devil.htmlBaker, A. W., Keshaviah, A., Horenstein, A., Goetter, E. M., Mauro, C., Reynolds, C., Zisook, S., Shear, M. K., & Simon, N. M. (2016). The role of avoidance in complicated grief: A detailed examination of the Grief-Related Avoidance Questionnaire (GRAQ) in a large sample of individuals with complicated grief. Journal of Loss & Trauma, 21(6), 533–547. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2016.1157412Brodbeck, J., Berger, T., Biesold, N., Rockstroh, F., Schmidt, S. J., & Znoj, H. (2022). The Role of Emotion Regulation and Loss-Related Coping Self-efficacy in an Internet Intervention for Grief: Mediation Analysis. JMIR Mental Health, 9(5), e27707. https://doi.org/10.2196/27707DeLong, W. (2023, August 20). The True Story Behind “The Exorcist” Is So Disturbing That The Movie Had To Leave The Worst Parts Out. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/roland-doe-the-exorcist-true-storyDemoniacal Possession | Catholic Answers Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/demoniacal-possessionDimri, B. (2021, August 23). The Exorcism of Roland Doe: The Events That Inspired The Exorcist? Historic Mysteries. https://www.historicmysteries.com/unexplained-mysteries/roland-doe/21228/Fitzgerald, C. (2022, February 17). The Terrifying Real-Life Inspiration for ‘The Exorcist.’ Thevintagenews. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2022/02/17/roland-doe-the-exorcist/Friese, M., Binder, J., Luechinger, R., Boesiger, P., & Rasch, B. (2013). Suppressing Emotions Impairs Subsequent Stroop Performance and Reduces Prefrontal Brain Activation. PLoS ONE, 8(4), e60385. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0060385Goldenholz, D. M., Moss, R., Scott, J., Auh, S., & Theodore, W. H. (2015). Confusing Placebo Effect with Natural History in Epilepsy: A Big Data Approach. Annals of Neurology, 78(3), 329–336. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.24470Is “The Exorcist” based on a true story? All about Roland Doe and the cursed film. (n.d.-a). EW.Com. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://ew.com/the-exorcist-true-story-explained-8727499Is “The Exorcist” Based on a True Story? All About the Real Events That Inspired the Horror Film. (n.d.-b). People.Com. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://people.com/is-the-exorcist-based-on-a-true-story-8638849jlavarnway. (2021, October 25). Demoniac: Who Is Roland Doe, the Boy Who Inspired The Exorcist? | Skeptical Inquirer. https://skepticalinquirer.org/2021/10/demoniac-who-is-roland-doe-the-boy-who-inspired-the-exorcist/Nunn, A. V. W., Guy, G. W., & Bell, J. D. (2022). Bioelectric Fields at the Beginnings of Life. Bioelectricity, 4(4), 237–247. https://doi.org/10.1089/bioe.2022.0012O’Connor, M.-F. (2019). Grief: A Brief History of Research on How Body, Mind, and Brain Adapt. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81(8), 731–738. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000717Peña-Vargas, C., Armaiz-Peña, G., & Castro-Figueroa, E. (2021). A Biopsychosocial Approach to Grief, Depression, and the Role of Emotional Regulation. Behavioral Sciences, 11(8), 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11080110Pfeifer, J. H., & Allen, N. B. (2021). Puberty initiates cascading relationships between neurodevelopmental, social, and internalizing processes across adolescence. Biological Psychiatry, 89(2), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.09.002Pophof, B., Henschenmacher, B., Kattnig, D. R., Kuhne, J., Vian, A., & Ziegelberger, G. (2023). Biological Effects of Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields from 0 to 100 MHz on Fauna and Flora: Workshop Report. Health Physics, 124(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0000000000001624Sato, W., Kochiyama, T., Kubota, Y., Uono, S., Sawada, R., Yoshimura, S., & Toichi, M. (2016). The association between perceived social support and amygdala structure. Neuropsychologia, 85, 237–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.03.036Sato, W., Kochiyama, T., Uono, S., Sawada, R., & Yoshikawa, S. (2020). Amygdala activity related to perceived social support. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 2951. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59758-xThe Exorcism of Ronald Hunkeler (1973): The Real Story Behind The Exorcism of Emily Rose. (2023, October 23). https://exorcisms.com/the-exorcism-of-ronald-hunkeler-1973/The Ouija Board Can’t Connect Us to Paranormal Forces—But It Can Tell Us a Lot About Psychology, Grief and Uncertainty | Smithsonian. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-ouija-board-cant-connect-us-to-paranormal-forces-but-it-can-tell-us-a-lot-about-psychology-grief-and-uncertainty-5860627/ThisWeekInLibraries. (2024, January 24). The Exorcist True Story: The Terrifying Real-Life Events. This Week in Libraries. https://thisweekinlibraries.com/the-exorcist-true-story-the-terrifying-real-life-events/Thomson, P., & Jaque, S. V. (2014). Unresolved mourning, supernatural beliefs and dissociation: A mediation analysis. Attachment & Human Development, 16(5), 499–514. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2014.926945Tricoche, X., MacLeod, R., & Johnson, C. R. (2008). Visual Analysis of Bioelectric Fields. In L. Linsen, H. Hagen, & B. Hamann (Eds.), Visualization in Medicine and Life Sciences (pp. 205–220). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72630-2_12Types of Demonic Influence in the World – AIHCP. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://aihcp.net/2023/08/17/types-of-demonic-influence-in-the-world/Vinti, V., Dell’Isola, G. B., Tascini, G., Mencaroni, E., Cara, G. D., Striano, P., & Verrotti, A. (2021). Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Psychiatric Comorbidity. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, 775781. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.775781Zhao, F., Kang, H., You, Li., Rastogi, P., Venkatesh, D., & Chandra, M. (2014). Neuropsychological deficits in temporal lobe epilepsy: A comprehensive review. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 17(4), 374–382. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-2327.144003Additional ResourcesStuff You Missed in History Class The Possession Case of Roland Doe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pt4B3K__TcEpisode28 | Strange & Unexplained Podcast: https://www.strangeandunexplainedpod.com/episodes/page/8ATWWD E32 Father Beelzebub and 4000 Salutes: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5evWB8XWIDDzklYY2z9Oqu

    38 min

  6. 02/18/2025

    E38.2 Ronnie DeFeo: Amityville Horror (Part 2)

    Last week, we heard about the sagas occurring in Amityville NY between 1974 and 1976-- a murder so horrible that it's almost preferable to believe it's the work of demonic posession and a haunting so off the walls that it's been turned into books, movies, documentaries, and goodness only knows what else-- maybe even a musical? So we're here once more to ask ourselves, just what went on at the house on Ocean Avenue? Could there be something lurking in the air or are humans just the absolute worst? Maybe both! Well hopefully we'll shed some light on today's episode of Idiopathic.. Co-Host Info: Dr. Sarah Kashdan is a registered naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist in Fort Collins Colorado. Dr. Kashdan can be found at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine. Her instagram is @coloradonaturedoc⁠⁠ References 1. After 37 Years, The Original Amityville Horror Child Breaks The Silence About Their Experience In The Haunted Home. - Geek Slop. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.geekslop.com/life/strange/things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/2013/after-37-years-original-amityville-horror-child-breaks-silence-in-new-documentary 2. Amityville Killer Ronald DeFeo Jr. Dies In Prison - CBS New York. March 16, 2021. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/amityville-killer-ronald-defeo-jr-dies-in-prison/ 3. Amityville: Inside the Case that Rattled a Seasoned Paranormal Investigator. Travel Channel. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/haunted/articles/amityville-case-that-rattled-a-seasoned-paranormal-investigator 4. Talbott JA. Deinstitutionalization: Avoiding the Disasters of the Past. PS. 2004;55(10):1112-1115. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.55.10.1112 5. Don’t Be Scared at These 5 Most Haunted Places on Long Island. TripSavvy. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.tripsavvy.com/most-haunted-places-on-long-island-ny-4173597 6. Subramaniyan M, Manivannan S, Chelur V, Tsetsenis T, Jiang E, Dani JA. Fear conditioning potentiates the hippocampal CA1 commissural pathway in vivo and increases awake phase sleep. Hippocampus. 2021;31(10):1154-1175. doi:10.1002/hipo.23381 7. Harding CF, Pytte CL, Page KG, et al. Mold inhalation causes innate immune activation, neural, cognitive and emotional dysfunction. Brain Behav Immun. 2020;87:218-228. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2019.11.006 8. (PDF) Reconsidering evidence for psychedelic-induced psychosis: an overview of reviews, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of human studies. ResearchGate. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386161249_Reconsidering_evidence_for_psychedelic-induced_psychosis_an_overview_of_reviews_a_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis_of_human_studies 9. Chu B, Marwaha K, Sanvictores T, Awosika AO, Ayers D. Physiology, Stress Reaction. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed January 18, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541120/ 10. Ronald DeFeo - Murders, Movie & Family. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.biography.com/crime/ronald-defeo 11. Klier C, Buratto LG. Stress and long-term memory retrieval: a systematic review. Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 42(3):284-291. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2019-0077 12. Henckens MJAG, Hermans EJ, Pu Z, Joëls M, Fernández G. Stressed Memories: How Acute Stress Affects Memory Formation in Humans. J Neurosci. 2009;29(32):10111-10119. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1184-09.2009 13. ‘The Amityville Horror’ Was Inspired by a Chilling Crime and Apparently Haunted House. Biography. October 31, 2024. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.biography.com/crime/the-real-amityville-horror-facts 14. The Amityville murders | November 13, 1974 | HISTORY. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/amityville-horror-true-story-defeo-family-murders 15. The Amityville Murders: Ronald DeFeo’s Motive for Killing His Family Still Unclear - A&E True Crime. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/amityville-murders-defeo 16. The Real Life Amityville Horror: The Murder of the DeFeo Family - Crime Library on truTV.com. December 17, 2008. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20081217093007/http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/amityville/1.html 17. The Real Story Behind the “Amityville Horror House.” HowStuffWorks. October 18, 2022. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/amityville-horror-house.htm 18. The True Story of The Amityville Horror. SYFY Official Site. September 5, 2024. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-true-story-of-the-amityville-horror 19. The True Story of the Amityville Horror House Is Scarier Than Fiction. House Beautiful. October 26, 2023. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/a45618175/amityville-horror-house/ 20. James KA, Stromin JI, Steenkamp N, Combrinck MI. Understanding the relationships between physiological and psychosocial stress, cortisol and cognition. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1085950. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1085950 Additional Resources E4 Demon Pigs and a Call from - And That's Why We Drink: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e4-demon-pigs-and-a-call-from-tamara/id1204570053?i=1000381898499 HAUNTED: The Amityville House–So Supernatural: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/haunted-the-amityville-house/id1500667648?i=1000635219171

    58 min

  7. 02/11/2025

    E38.1 Ronnie DeFeo: Amityville Horror (Part 1)

    November 13th, 1974. A quiet suburban street in Amityville, Long Island. Inside the DeFeo home, six members of the DeFeo family lay lifeless, victims of a brutal massacre. The prodigal son of the DeFeos, Ronnie, is the only one left standing. This was just the beginning though as a chilling tale of familial horror unfolded before the eyes of a shocked nation. Soon after, a new family moves in – the Lutzes. They swear they experience the most terrifying things: strange noises, icy drafts, infestations of flies, and maybe even a pit to hell in the basement? The Amityville Haunting becomes a national obsession, a blend of genuine fear and media hype. We're going to explore Ronnie DeFeo, the night of the murders, and how the Amityville legend was born. So what could cause a seemingly normal young man to massacre his entire family? Was that what lead to the Lutzes haunting or were they entirely unreleated? Hopefully we can find out on today's episode of Idiopathic.. (Content Warning: This episode will discuss violence and disturbing subject matter.)References1. After 37 Years, The Original Amityville Horror Child Breaks The Silence About Their Experience In The Haunted Home. - Geek Slop. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.geekslop.com/life/strange/things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/2013/after-37-years-original-amityville-horror-child-breaks-silence-in-new-documentary2. Amityville Killer Ronald DeFeo Jr. Dies In Prison - CBS New York. March 16, 2021. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/amityville-killer-ronald-defeo-jr-dies-in-prison/3. Amityville: Inside the Case that Rattled a Seasoned Paranormal Investigator. Travel Channel. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/haunted/articles/amityville-case-that-rattled-a-seasoned-paranormal-investigator4. Talbott JA. Deinstitutionalization: Avoiding the Disasters of the Past. PS. 2004;55(10):1112-1115. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.55.10.11125. Don’t Be Scared at These 5 Most Haunted Places on Long Island. TripSavvy. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.tripsavvy.com/most-haunted-places-on-long-island-ny-41735976. Subramaniyan M, Manivannan S, Chelur V, Tsetsenis T, Jiang E, Dani JA. Fear conditioning potentiates the hippocampal CA1 commissural pathway in vivo and increases awake phase sleep. Hippocampus. 2021;31(10):1154-1175. doi:10.1002/hipo.233817. Harding CF, Pytte CL, Page KG, et al. Mold inhalation causes innate immune activation, neural, cognitive and emotional dysfunction. Brain Behav Immun. 2020;87:218-228. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2019.11.0068. (PDF) Reconsidering evidence for psychedelic-induced psychosis: an overview of reviews, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of human studies. ResearchGate. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386161249_Reconsidering_evidence_for_psychedelic-induced_psychosis_an_overview_of_reviews_a_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis_of_human_studies9. Chu B, Marwaha K, Sanvictores T, Awosika AO, Ayers D. Physiology, Stress Reaction. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed January 18, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541120/10. Ronald DeFeo - Murders, Movie & Family. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.biography.com/crime/ronald-defeo11. Klier C, Buratto LG. Stress and long-term memory retrieval: a systematic review. Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 42(3):284-291. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2019-007712. Henckens MJAG, Hermans EJ, Pu Z, Joëls M, Fernández G. Stressed Memories: How Acute Stress Affects Memory Formation in Humans. J Neurosci. 2009;29(32):10111-10119. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1184-09.200913. ‘The Amityville Horror’ Was Inspired by a Chilling Crime and Apparently Haunted House. Biography. October 31, 2024. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.biography.com/crime/the-real-amityville-horror-facts14. The Amityville murders | November 13, 1974 | HISTORY. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/amityville-horror-true-story-defeo-family-murders15. The Amityville Murders: Ronald DeFeo’s Motive for Killing His Family Still Unclear - A&E True Crime. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/amityville-murders-defeo16. The Real Life Amityville Horror: The Murder of the DeFeo Family - Crime Library on truTV.com. December 17, 2008. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20081217093007/http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/amityville/1.html17. The Real Story Behind the “Amityville Horror House.” HowStuffWorks. October 18, 2022. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/amityville-horror-house.htm18. The True Story of The Amityville Horror. SYFY Official Site. September 5, 2024. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-true-story-of-the-amityville-horror19. The True Story of the Amityville Horror House Is Scarier Than Fiction. House Beautiful. October 26, 2023. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/a45618175/amityville-horror-house/20. James KA, Stromin JI, Steenkamp N, Combrinck MI. Understanding the relationships between physiological and psychosocial stress, cortisol and cognition. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1085950. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1085950

    45 min

  8. 02/04/2025

    E37 Bridget Bishop: Salem Witch Trials (Revision Special)

    The Salem witch trials of 1692 were a series of events in colonial Massachusetts during which a wave of fear and paranoia led to the accusation, trial, and execution of 20 people (mostly women) for charges of witchcraft. The trials began when a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by witches, and the local authorities initiated a witch hunt. The accused were subjected to unfair trials that often relied on spectral evidence or hearsay from members of the community. The trials eventually ended in 1693, and they have since become a symbol of mass hysteria, religious extremism, and the dangers of unchecked authority in the pursuit of justice.Co-Host Info: Dr. Sarah Kashdan is a registered naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist in Fort Collins Colorado. Dr. Kashdan practices a whole-body multisystem approach to healthcare using several modalities such as diet, lifestyle, nutrition, and herbal medicine. Dr. Kashdan also has degrees in environmental health and toxicology and is a certified mold-literate provider. Dr. Kashdan can be found at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine. Her instagram is @coloradonaturedoc⁠⁠ Additional Resources: ATWWD EP 288: A Podcast Done via Ouija Board and a Bewitched Cow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX6HOC-Wq6oSo Supernatural: CONSPIRACY: The Salem Witch Trials: https://sosupernaturalpodcast.com/conspiracy-the-salem-witch-trials/

    1h 9m
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About

Welcome to Idiopathic, where the strange and unknown meets science, medicine, and a bit of curiosity. "Idiopathic" means a condition with no known cause—just like the stories we explore. From prophetic powers to reincarnation, hauntings to urban legends, cryptids to conspiracies, we'll explore what might really be behind the weird and unusual stories out there. Subscribe to Idiopathic for medical mysteries, haunted histories, and maybe even sharpen your eye for examining the eerie along the way!

Information

  • Creator
    Daryl and Sarah
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Daryl and Sarah
  • Show Website
    Idiopathic