Halloween Listener Special
Summary
This "You're Wrong About" special features listener-submitted Halloween memories rather than scary stories, highlighting nostalgic trick-or-treating tales, creative costumes, and spooky encounters. Contributors share diverse experiences ranging from a first Halloween in South Africa and a haunted university campus to personal stories of queer identity and family traditions. The episode captures the holiday's mix of joy, mischief, and fear through anecdotes like a man managing a haunted cemetery and a child's first drag experience.
Topics discussed
Intro and first listener: Florida rain and candy
Divorce, double Halloweens, and the falling pants
South Africa: Pepper spray and the first local Halloween
Northern California: Neighborhood groups and elderly critics
First home trick-or-treaters and Melbourne spring vibes
Family costume making and the baby rattle prop
Queer identity: Drag debut and the unitard story
DIY costumes: The stick bow and Ziggy Stardust
Unrecognized costumes: The night sky and fogged mask
Awkward encounters: JonBenet Ramsey and the car crash
Scary houses: Bunny rabbit and the tree climber
Mischief Night: Egg throwing and the genie costume
Band crush: Scooby costume and Stooges cover
Stevie Nicks concert in Huntsville, Alabama
Suburban haunted house: Lab coats and snakes
Rural Illinois: Haunted farm and hayrack rides
Basement haunted house: Phobias and the crying girl
Scaredy cat: The scarecrow and the end of trick-or-treating
Killer clowns: Lifelong fear from framed photos
Cemetery manager: The voice in the snow and dead car
Haunted university: History of abuse and hallway encounters
Haunted brass bed: Kicking and the protective voice
Mysterious meatball in the kitchen
1972: The Godfather and the witch cackle
Adopting a stray kitten on a rainy Halloween
Halloween proposal and wedding party
Candy barter system with brothers
Episcopal priest: All Saints Day and departed loved ones
Samhain ritual: Fire and speaking names of the dead
Headless Robert Shapiro and the best friend's death
Grief and masks: Processing loss on Halloween
Memory of brother Jacob: 'Shwee, shweet'
Last Halloween: AA dance and stuffed scarecrow
Late bloomer: The special trip to the US
Halloween Horror Nights and kindness from strangers
Overwhelmed but connected: Lessons from the trip
Outro and Happy Halloween wishes
Promo for 'Where I Live' listener special
Credits and final thanks
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