Meet Me Graveside

Francine Rios

Meet Me Graveside tells the stories of Southern California's cemeteries. Sometimes scandalous, sometimes surprising, and always enthralling, you'll get to know these graveyards like never before. You'll also hear conversations about death and cemetery-adjacent topics. If you love cemeteries, are curious about their histories, and/or are death positive, this show is for you!

Episodes

  1. S2 E4: Cemetery Side Quest: The Scary Stories of Spadra Cemetery

    May 22

    S2 E4: Cemetery Side Quest: The Scary Stories of Spadra Cemetery

    It's time for a cemetery side quest! This time, we are in our Midnight Society bag with a compilation of ghost stories from Spadra Cemetery. A spirit casually walking down the street late at night, babies laughing and crying, the feeling of evil following you home, a vampire, and even… a first date? When it comes to scary stories, Spadra Cemetery truly has it all. So, grab your emotional support snacks and get ready to get spooked. If you missed the first episode about Spadra Cemetery, check out episode 3 for all the historical tea!      Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetmegraveside/ Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music credits: Theme song by Nabeyin "Promised Ambience" by AdamKlimt on Pixabay "Scary Horror Creepy Music" by HitsLab on Pixabay "Eerie Dark Ambience for Tension and Suspense" by TrenoX8 on Pixabay "Horror Ambience" by AtlasAudio on Pixabay "End of the World (Creepy Music Box)" by Kuzu420 on Pixabay "Near Danger" by GuilhermeBernardes on Pixabay "Horror Suspense Background" by BFCMUSIC on Pixabay "Creepy Trap" by Ivantraveso on Pixabay

    21 min
  2. S2 E3: Spadra Cemetery

    May 8

    S2 E3: Spadra Cemetery

    Spadra Cemetery is one of Southern California's hidden cemeteries that not many people know about. Wedged near the 57 and 10 Freeways in Pomona, this cemetery is one of two landmarks that remain from Spadra, a once active place that became a ghost town by the turn of the twentieth century. But now, a major housing development is threatening the cemetery and its surrounding areas.  In this episode, you'll learn all about Spadra's history, and how advocates are fighting to protect the cemetery. You can help by emailing the City of Pomona, even if you're not a resident. Click here for more information.      Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetmegraveside/ Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music and sound credits: "She Wants My Guitar" by Fresh_Morning on Pixabay "Scary Creepy Horror Music" by HitsLab on Pixabay Theme song and all additional music by Nabeyin The clip of the Raging Waters commercial comes from Cow Missing on Youtube Bongo and screaming sound effects by freesound_community on Pixabay Research sources: Most of the research for this episode comes from the archives of the LA Times and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library. Additional research comes from the Historical Society of Pomona Valley and The Homestead Museum.

    52 min
  3. S2 E2: Mountain View Cemetery Part 2

    Apr 24

    S2 E2: Mountain View Cemetery Part 2

    In this episode, we are diving into part 2 of our story on Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California. This episode specifically focuses on the Eaton Fire, and how the cemetery was – and continues to be – impacted. Keith Brown, the cemetery's operations manager and 6th generation of his family to help run the cemetery, tells us all about the night the fire started, the damage the cemetery sustained, and how they are bouncing back. He also shares a poignant story about how the cemetery helped protect some neighborhoods and homes in Altadena. You can read more about this part of the story in the New York Times here. There are families who still need help recovering from the Eaton Fire. You can contribute to their donation funds below: Displaced Black Families GoFundMe Directory from Community Aid Dena Eaton Fire Collaborative Wildfire Recovery Fund from the California Community Foundation Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund on GoFundMe As you'll hear, the cemetery is also still recovering from the fire damage. So far they've only reached 7% of their $125,000 goal. You can help them meet their goal by donating here.  Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetmegraveside/ Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music credits: "Innovations" by Musinova on Pixabay "Sad Ambient" by PaulYudin on Pixabay Theme song and all additional music by Nabeyin News clip credit: ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC-TV)

    27 min
  4. S2 E1: Mountain View Cemetery Part 1

    Apr 10

    S2 E1: Mountain View Cemetery Part 1

    Welcome to season 2 of Meet Me Graveside! We are kicking things off with our first ever two-part episode. These episodes will focus on Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California. Part 1 takes us way back to the horse and buggy days of Altadena, and our tour guides will be Jay and Keith Brown. This father-son duo represents the 5th and 6th generations to run the family cemetery. Jay will get you acquainted with the cemetery's origins through the 1980s, and Keith will roam around the cemetery with us. Come back for part 2 on April 24, when Keith tells us his stories of defending the cemetery the night that the Eaton Fire broke out in January 2025, and how the cemetery has been recovering since. Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music credits: "Americana Old Country" by Tunetank on Pixabay "Homeward Bound by John Philip Sousa" by Nesrality on Pixabay "Sugar Rush" by OctoSound on Pixabay "A Hundred Windows" by Back_Drop on Pixabay Theme song and all additional music by Nabeyin Additional research sources: Mountain View Cemetery website The Giddings Family: Pasadena Digital History: Giddings First Home Pasadena Digital History: Giddings Sisters Altadena Heritage Water and Power Associates The New York Times Ohio History Connection Col. Jabez Banbury:  Wikipedia Pasadena Digital History: Col. Jabez Banbury Pasadena Star News The Woodbury Family: National Archives Catalog Christmas Tree Lane history Ellen Garrison Clark:  Altadena Library

    38 min
  5. BONUS EPISODE! A Spooky Christmas Story

    12/23/2025

    BONUS EPISODE! A Spooky Christmas Story

    It's a surprise bonus episode of Meet Me Graveside! Francine gets in the spooky holiday spirit with "The Ones He Takes," a short story written by Benjamin Percy for the Christmas and Other Horrors anthology. You'll hear the story of a boy who mysteriously disappeared last Christmas and arrived home one year later. What happened to this child? Where was he for a year? And why is Santa so scary in this story?! Listen to find out. Enjoy and happy holidays! Meet Me Graveside is produced and hosted by Francine Rios, with music by Nabeyin. Additional music for this episode comes from FreePD.com (RIP 😢). Sound for this episode comes from the following Freesound.org contributors: MaestroALF  Beerbelly38 Sinatra314 Davor 15GPanskaBokstefflove_Nicola Robinhood76 RavenWolfProds Zuggamasta Garuda1982 UdoS Lunardrive Leftovertunacasserole Soundscape_Leuphana DeVern Amarks33 Opticaillusions MathewHenry Moloch777 Vrymaa 16GPanskaSibinska_N florianreichelt Randbsoundbites greatsoundstube LamaMakesMusic khcm1157 Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/

    24 min
  6. Season 1 Reflections

    11/21/2025

    Season 1 Reflections

    Francine is back with an important announcement: season 1 of Meet Me Graveside has come to an end! But before the season wraps up, Francine shares her reflections on what it's been like to launch a podcast and why you should launch yours, as well as reflections about death and cemeteries. Meet Me Graveside will return in 2026 with a fresh set of cemetery stories! We only get one life, so let's be good to each other while we're here. Please support the causes below however you can (see a full list on the Meet Me Graveside substack): Support a free Palestine and learn about other active genocides Learn and keep talking about the genocides happening in Palestine, the Congo and Sudan. Donate to UNICEF to reach children and families on the ground in Gaza. UNICEF also has a fund set up to help children worldwide, including children in the Congo and children in Sudan. Keep fighting anti-Black racism Donate to Black Lives Matter Grassroots LA or your local BLM chapter. Support Black XMas this holiday season. You can also check out the Buy From a Black Woman Directory. F**k ICE Donate to the Los Angeles Neighbors Support Fund to help with food and cash assistance for families impacted by ICE raids.   Stop ICE Raids Network - Report ICE activity wherever you are nationwide or donate to the Stop ICE Raids Alert System. Stand in solidarity with trans people and youth Donate to the TransLatin@ Coalition, where they foster the empowerment of  Transgender, Gender Expansive, and Intersex (TGI) immigrant women in L.A. Learn and understand more about the experiences of trans people and youth with the Trevor Project's Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People. ---- Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack.

    13 min
  7. Cemetery Sidequest with Dr. Christian Seiter: Can profanity ease end of life discussions?

    10/24/2025

    Cemetery Sidequest with Dr. Christian Seiter: Can profanity ease end of life discussions?

    It's time for our first Cemetery Sidequest episode! Today, we're asking the question: Can irreverent, profane humor make end-of-life discussions easier? Dr. Christian Seiter, assistant professor in the Department of Human Communication Studies at Cal State Fullerton, has explored this exact question. He shares his surprising findings with us, and tells us more about how he became a death positive scholar, how generational differences can impact perspectives on death, and more. Learn more about Dr. Seiter's work here. Dr. Seiter also gives ghost tours with Haunted OC! Learn more here. Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack.

    38 min
  8. The Homestead Family Museum's El Campo Santo

    10/10/2025

    The Homestead Family Museum's El Campo Santo

    ***Content note*** This episode contains discussions of suicide and murder suicide. Please take care while listening. If you need help navigating your mental health, resources for support are below.  Warmlines that don't involve police intervention See the full list and additional information from Inclusive Therapists here: https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/blog/suicide-mental-health-crisis-resources-not-police (Updated 9/1/25) Blackline: 1-800-604-5841 This line centers BIPOC, LGBTQ+ people and Black femmes. Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (US) 1-877-330-6366 (Canada) By & for trans folks in English & español. Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: 1-888-407-4515  Provides trained peer support. Fireside Project: 1-623-250-7393  Provides support during & after psychedelic experiences. LGBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564  Confidential support for LGBTQIA+ folks. StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483  Provides support for Native Americans experiencing intimate partner or sexual violence. — Welcome to episode 2! Meet Me Graveside takes a tour of El Campo Santo, the family cemetery at the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in the City of Industry. This is where Francine's love for cemeteries began. You'll learn about the Workman and Temple family, how their cemetery has transformed over the years, who is buried there, and more.  Learn more about the Homestead Museum and their upcoming Tombstone Tales event on Oct. 18: homesteadmuseum.org. — Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/

    37 min
  9. Hollywood Forever Cemetery

    09/26/2025

    Hollywood Forever Cemetery

    Welcome to the first episode of Meet Me Graveside! To kick things off, we're starting with the story of L.A.'s most famous cemetery: Hollywood Forever. From scandal, to near abandonment, and finally redemption, this beloved graveyard is not just home to dead Hollywood royalty; it has an epic story all its own.  Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/

    46 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Meet Me Graveside tells the stories of Southern California's cemeteries. Sometimes scandalous, sometimes surprising, and always enthralling, you'll get to know these graveyards like never before. You'll also hear conversations about death and cemetery-adjacent topics. If you love cemeteries, are curious about their histories, and/or are death positive, this show is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Francine Rios
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Meet Me Graveside

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