The Box of Oddities

What if reality doesn’t fully exist unless you’re paying attention to it? In this episode of The Box of Oddities, Kat and Jethro tumble headfirst into some of the strangest intersections of consciousness, physics, philosophy, and fatal laughter. We explore the unsettling ideas of nuclear physicist Thomas Campbell, whose “My Big TOE (Theory of Everything)” proposes that reality itself may function more like a simulation—rendered only when observed, driven not by matter, but by consciousness itself. Is the universe a data stream? Are we avatars logged into a system designed to test our choices? And if so… who’s running the server? From the science-backed work at the Monroe Institute to concepts like entropy, intent, and consciousness as the fundamental building block of existence, this episode breaks down Campbell’s mind-bending claims in clear, conversational terms—without robes, chanting, or cosmic fluff. Then, just when things couldn’t get stranger, we pivot to a surprisingly lethal topic: can laughter actually kill you? From ancient Stoic philosopher Chrysippus allegedly laughing himself to death over a fig-eating donkey, to documented modern cases involving heart conditions triggered by uncontrollable laughter, we trace the real medical risks behind “dying laughing.” Along the way, we examine historical reports, modern diagnoses like Long QT syndrome, and why comedy may be safer in moderation (or at least while seated). Plus, we serve up a classic Thing in the Middle featuring some of the world’s most delightfully pointless “capitals,” including hubcaps, snowshoe baseball, lost luggage, jump rope, and barbed wire. It’s an episode that asks big questions, delivers strange truths, and reminds us that no matter how serious philosophy gets, sometimes a donkey can still take you out. If you enjoy thought-provoking mysteries, odd history, consciousness theories, dark humor, and the weird edges of science—this one’s for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if a haunting didn’t involve ghosts — but the lingering smell of carnival food? This episode of The Box of Oddities opens with an unsettling sensory mystery tied to a long-demolished amusement park, then plunges into one of the most stubborn and controversial archaeological puzzles of modern times: the tridactyl mummies of Peru. Discovered near the Nazca region, these small humanoid mummies feature three fingers, three toes, elongated skulls, and internal anatomy that does not appear to be the result of a simple hoax. CT scans and MRIs show articulated skeletons with no apparent signs of assembly. Carbon dating places them roughly 1,700–1,800 years old. DNA testing reveals material consistent with known Earth life — alongside a troubling percentage classified as unknown. Some specimens even appear to contain metallic implants made from rare alloys, positioned as if intentionally placed during life. One reportedly shows signs of a fetus, suggesting reproduction rather than fabrication. Scientists remain cautious. Skeptics remain vocal. And yet, after years of imaging and analysis, these bodies stubbornly resist tidy explanations. They may not be aliens — but they also may not be anything science has fully named yet. Then, in classic Box fashion, the episode pivots from the inexplicable to the unexpectedly hopeful. Meet the real-world heroes you probably didn’t expect: trained landmine-detecting rats. These remarkable animals are saving lives across former war zones by sniffing out explosives buried decades ago. One rat in particular, Ronan, has broken world records and helped return deadly land to safe use — proving that sometimes the strangest solutions are also the most effective. From phantom fairground smells to unresolved biological mysteries to rats quietly changing the world, this episode is a reminder that the universe is weird, complicated, and occasionally wonderful — whether we understand it or not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Inbox of Oddities, Kat and Jethro open the mailbag to stories that blur the line between coincidence, consciousness, and the truly unexplainable. From an apartment building where the elevator refuses to stop on one occupied floor, to a deeply moving firsthand account of near-death experience, angelic visitation, and spiritual awakening, these listener submissions linger long after the episode ends. You’ll also hear eerie workplace anomalies that feel like time slips, mysterious recurring figures appearing in years of photographs, intimate moments of human-animal connection, and reflections on how trauma, survival, and compassion can reshape a life. Along the way, Kat and Jethro explore ideas of interconnected consciousness, the illusion of separation, and what it might mean to glimpse the larger web we’re all part of. Equal parts unsettling, heartfelt, and quietly profound, this Inbox of Oddities episode delivers true listener stories of glitches in reality, unexplained encounters, and moments that forever change how we see the world—and ourselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Box of Oddities, Kat and Jethro Gilligan-Toth begin the new year by pulling apart something we all use but rarely question: the calendar. From Julius Caesar’s ego-driven timekeeping decisions to the leap year, misplaced months, and how entire civilizations quietly agreed on when the year should begin, it’s a surprisingly strange history of how humans try — and often fail — to organize time itself. But once the clock runs out, the episode takes a much darker turn. Jethro dives into the true story of the Memorial Mound in Bessemer, Alabama — an underground burial mausoleum inspired by ancient Roman catacombs and Indigenous burial traditions, designed to last for centuries. Instead, it became one of the most disturbing cases of abandonment in modern funeral history. After the site quietly closed, human remains were left behind for years. Caskets stacked like warehouse inventory. Bodies decomposing in sealed darkness. An infant among them. When urban explorers finally entered the structure in 2014, what they found triggered a federal investigation and raised troubling questions about oversight, neglect, and how easily the dead can be forgotten. Along the way, you’ll hear:• The strange origins of month names and New Year’s Day• How calendars slowly drifted out of reality• A “Thing in the Middle” packed with bizarre machine and technology facts• And a documented case of human remains abandoned inside an American mausoleum It’s a story about time, memory, and what happens when systems fail — quietly, slowly, and out of sight. Keep flying that freak flag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Box of Oddities, Kat and Jethro Gilligan-Toth open the lid on some of the strangest true stories the world has to offer — from bizarre smuggling schemes that absolutely should not have worked, to an island so dangerous Brazil made it illegal to visit. You’ll hear verified cases of smugglers hiding gold, drugs, wildlife, and even live animals in places that defy both logic and anatomy. From marijuana disguised as carrots and cocaine packed inside frozen shark carcasses, to turtles smuggled through airport security inside a fast-food sandwich, these are real criminal attempts that prove human creativity has no off switch. Then, we shift from border absurdity to genuine biological horror with Snake Island — Ilha da Queimada Grande — a real, government-restricted island off the coast of Brazil where thousands of golden lancehead vipers evolved into some of the most venomous snakes on Earth. Learn how isolation, evolution, and a diet of migratory birds created a nightmare ecosystem so lethal that even scientists need military clearance to visit. Along the way, you’ll also hear:• A true “Thing in the Middle” miracle involving a church explosion that spared every choir member• The evolutionary science behind hyper-toxic venom• Why wildlife smuggling is one of the most dangerous black markets in the world• And why, for the love of all that is holy, airports are not storage facilities It’s strange history, real science, true crime stupidity, and unsettling natural horror — all documented, all factual, and all deeply odd. Keep flying that freak flag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices