Varnamtown

4.2 (937)
True Crime
Updated Weekly

Two years ago, Kyle MacLachlan, the star of Twin Peaks, called investigative journalist Joshua Davis with a strange story. Kyle had heard a rumor that Pablo Escobar did a deal in the early 1980s with a remote, coastal Southern town of 300 people. In exchange for vast wealth and limitless cocaine, Escobar would be allowed to land planes and ships in the area. Over the last 24 months, Josh and Kyle investigated the rumor, journeying to Varnamtown to knock on doors and find out what really happens when a firehose of money and cocaine is turned on a small, tight knit community. Varnamtown was created in association with PodcastOne. It is produced by Epic Magazine, Picture Perfect Federation, and Full Picture with consulting producers Nir Liberboim and Lynn Betz.

11 Episodes

Joshua Davis

Host
Kyle MacLachlan

Host

4.2

out of 5

937 Ratings

Condescending

Jul 20

Cacky 12

This podcast was very intriguing at first, but I totally agree with the previous reviews about the hosts. Kyle McLaughlin was ok, but the other guy was so condescending. Instead of for example belittling Dale Varnum, I would have liked it so much more if they could get a little deeper into why he is off by asking him questions versus just writing him off as crazy like maybe asking him questions about his childhood etc. Also the little side story that the podcaster told about his neighbor listening to the same song over and over again is very telling about his personality. Just go tell your neighbor that the music is bothering you instead of playing these condescending games.
Entertaining the whole way through!

09/24/2025

WrenKestrel

Fun podcast that’s as thorough as it is amusing. Small town drug runners get a little more than they’ve bargained for.
Utterly amazing story

08/26/2025

Mohair.Sam

Pablo Escobar, REO Speedwagon’s tour plane, massive amounts of drugs … and that’s just for starters
Disappointed Native

03/17/2025

Tabbikai

Took me a while to listen and I’m disappointed. This is a story that surrounds our family and community. A community that was raised on a beautiful coastline. Your tale is not close to the real one. Childhood memories which included heading shrimp with Grandma or driving through the gates of Fort Apache which included a beautiful home and beautiful family. Dale is a colorful character we all love. His yard birds are NOT attack birds and the compound you speak of is far from its glory days. I remember when American Pickers came to the junk yard aka Fort Apache. Where you went and saw him. Many serious stories no one will hear of because they don’t want them out. Some people didn’t come out unscathed. I love my roots, my community and our beautiful coastline. We have a large extended family and I wouldn’t change my childhood adventures for anything! Sincerely, Snortresort

Two years ago, Kyle MacLachlan, the star of Twin Peaks, called investigative journalist Joshua Davis with a strange story. Kyle had heard a rumor that Pablo Escobar did a deal in the early 1980s with a remote, coastal Southern town of 300 people. In exchange for vast wealth and limitless cocaine, Escobar would be allowed to land planes and ships in the area. Over the last 24 months, Josh and Kyle investigated the rumor, journeying to Varnamtown to knock on doors and find out what really happens when a firehose of money and cocaine is turned on a small, tight knit community. Varnamtown was created in association with PodcastOne. It is produced by Epic Magazine, Picture Perfect Federation, and Full Picture with consulting producers Nir Liberboim and Lynn Betz.