Jeff tells the story of the legendary Tennessee bootlegger Popcorn Sutton, one of Appalachia's most colorful and controversial moonshiners. From his homemade stills and larger-than-life personality to his battles with the law and his complicated legacy, Popcorn Sutton became an icon of Appalachian moonshining.

Visit us on Linktree [https://linktr.ee/thejeffandsamshow]for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsam@gmail.com.

Jeff's Sources

 * Ole Smoky – Popcorn Sutton
   https://olesmoky.com/collections/popcorn-sutton
 * Wikipedia – Whiskey Rebellion
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion
 * Smoky Mountains – Popcorn Sutton: Appalachian Moonshiner
   https://cms.smokymountains.com/park/blog/popcorn-sutton-appalachian-moonshiner/
 * My Favorite Murder – Episode 376: That's a Good Bean
   https://www.myfavoritemurder.com/episodes/376-thats-a-good-bean
 * The Assembly – The Lonesome Death of Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton by Neal Hutcheson
   https://www.theassemblync.com/news/culture/lonesome-death-popcorn-sutton-moonshine/
 * Maxim – The Last Hillbilly Hero by David Kushner
   https://www.maxim.com/entertainment/last-hillbilly-hero/
 * Lowcountry Style & Living – The History of Moonshine by Blair Witkowski
   https://lowcountrystyleandliving.com/the-history-of-moonshine/
 * Appalachian History – Popcorn Sutton: The Last Moonshiner by David Tabler
   https://www.appalachianhistory.net/2014/06/popcorn-sutton-last-moonshiner.html
 * Sutton, S. (2009). Daddy Moonshine: The Story of Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton. Self-published.
 * Sutton, M. (1999). Me and My Likker. Shockwave.

112 – Popcorn Sutton

Jeff shares the incredible survival story of Elizabeth Shoaf, the South Carolina teenager who was abducted and held captive in an underground bunker for ten days before her courage and quick thinking helped lead to her rescue.

Sam tells the story of Sarah Chapman and the Matchgirls' Strike of 1888, when hundreds of women working in dangerous conditions at a London match factory stood up to their employer, helping spark the modern labor movement and improve workers' rights.

Visit us on Linktree [https://linktr.ee/thejeffandsamshow]for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Jeff's Sources

 * Elizabeth Shoaf: "Girl in the Bunker" Saves Herself with a Text – Blurred Bylines
   https://blurredbylines.com/blog/elizabeth-shoaf-girl-in-the-bunker/
 * Girl in the Bunker – Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_in_the_Bunker
 * The Elizabeth Shoaf Case – South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
   https://www.scleva.com/elizabeth-shoaf
 * KIDNAPPED AND KEPT IN A BUNKER FOR 10 DAYS – THE ABDUCTION OF ELIZABETH SHOAF! – YouTube
   https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=KIDNAPPED+AND+KEPT+IN+A+BUNKER+FOR+10+DAYS+THE+ABDUCTION+OF+ELIZABETH+SHOAF

Sam's Sources

 * The Matchgirls' Strike of 1888 – The National Archives (UK)
   https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/1888-matchgirls-strike/
 * Fabian Society – Encyclopaedia Britannica
   https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fabian-Society
 * Fantastic History Podcast – Episode 45: Sarah Chapman & the Matchgirls' Strike
 * Sarah Chapman – Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Chapman
 * Sarah Chapman – Oxford Reference
   https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199685691.001.0001/acref-9780199685691-e-3707
 * Truck Acts – Grokipedia
   https://grokipedia.com/page/truck_acts
 * A Short History of the Matchgirls' Strike – Medium
   https://medium.com/study-of-history/a-short-history-c52a80c69d5e

111 – Survival of Elizabeth Shoaf and the Matchgirls' Strike of 1888

Jeff shares the bizarre true story of The Great Molasses Flood, when a massive storage tank burst in Boston in 1919, unleashing a deadly wave of molasses through the city's North End.

Sam takes a look at the history of FIFA, from its founding in 1904 to the modern World Cup, exploring how the world's most influential sports organization grew into a global phenomenon.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Jeff's Sources

 * Wikipedia – Molasses
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molasses
 * Wikipedia – Great Molasses Flood
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Molasses_Flood
 * Boston.gov – 100 Years Ago Today: Molasses Crashes Through Boston's North End
   https://www.boston.gov/news/100-years-ago-today-molasses-crashes-through-bostons-north-end
 * Wikipedia – History of Boston
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Boston
 * HISTORY – Boston Shocked by Deadly Molasses Flood | January 15, 1919
   https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/molasses-flood-boston
 * PBS American Experience – Boston in the Early 1900s
   https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/race-underground-boston-early-1900s/
 * YouTube – America's Strangest Disaster: The Great Molasses Flood | HISTORY This Week
   https://youtu.be/iMPGm3OSvMg

Sam's Sources

 * Wikipedia – History of FIFA
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_FIFA
 * FIFA – 2026 FIFA World Cup™
   https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026
 * Encyclopaedia Britannica – Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
   https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federation-Internationale-de-Football-Association
 * World History Journal – FIFA
   https://worldhistoryjournal.com/2026/01/07/fifa/
 * NPR – World Cup Legends Near Retirement
   https://www.npr.org/2026/07/06/g-s1-132202/world-cup-retire-ronaldo-neymar-ochoa-neuer
 * FIFA – 2026 World Cup Records Broken and Set
   https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/records-broken-set

110 – The Great Molasses Flood and FIFA

Jeff and Sam take a break from the usual true crime and history to share the unforgettable adventures from their incredible trip to Norway. From breathtaking scenery and unforgettable experiences to the people they met along the way, they spend an hour reliving one of the best trips they've ever taken.

Next week, we'll be back with a "normal" episode. For now, sit back, relax, and enjoy a trip to Norway with Jeff and Sam.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources

This episode is based on Jeff and Sam's personal experiences during their 2026 trip to Norway. No external sources were used.

109 – An Unforgettable Norway 2026

am tells the story of Boudicca, the legendary Celtic queen who led a fierce rebellion against the Roman Empire after her people suffered unimaginable injustice.

Jeff shares one of his favorite stories the show has covered: Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM). During the 1984–1985 UK miners' strike, LGBTQ+ activists and mining communities formed an unlikely alliance that changed lives, inspired the film Pride, and helped shape the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Britain. Jeff also talks about visiting the iconic Gays the Word bookshop during the trip to London.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sam's Sources

 * https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boudicca
 * https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/ancient-history/boudicca/
 * https://www.britannica.com/place/Roman-Empire
 * https://www.britannica.com/place/Roman-Empire/Height-and-decline-of-imperial-Rome
 * https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/roman-empire-history-facts-map-timeline-peak-when-start-when-split-how-long-tetrarchy/
 * https://www.history.com/articles/who-was-boudica

Jeff's Sources

 * https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48324274
 * https://wvminewars.org/news/2023/7/7/pride-and-solidarity-lesbians-and-gays-support-the-miners
 *  https://phm.org.uk/blogposts/what-was-lgsm/
 * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesbians_and_Gays_Support_the_Miners
 * https://www.leftvoice.org/the-true-story-of-pride-lesbians-and-gays-support-the-miners-were-communists/
 * https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=SOLIDARITY+in+Struggle+how+the+gays+supported+the+miners+and+changed+the+world
 * https://gaystheword.co.uk [https://gaystheword.co.uk/]

108 – Boudicca and Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM)

Jeff and Sam are still getting back into the swing of things after returning to work following their spectacular trip to Norway. While they're settling back into everyday life, we thought it would be the perfect time to revisit two favorite stories from the archives.

Jeff shares the unbelievable true story of Lawn Chair Larry, the California dreamer who tied weather balloons to a lawn chair and unintentionally soared thousands of feet into the sky, becoming an aviation legend in one of history's most bizarre adventures.

Then Sam tells the remarkable story of Hedy Lamarr. Celebrated as one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Lamarr was also a brilliant inventor whose groundbreaking work on frequency-hopping technology helped lay the foundation for modern wireless communications, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

We'll be back next week with an all-new episode. Until then, enjoy this look back at two extraordinary people whose stories prove that truth really is stranger than fiction.

Visit us on Linktree [https://linktr.ee/thejeffandsamshow]for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

107 – From the Archives: Lawn Chair Larry and Hedy Lamarr

This week, Sam shares the story of Erik Gray, a survivor of human sex trafficking who has transformed his experiences into a mission of advocacy, education, and support for other victims.

Through Erik's story, this episode explores the realities of human trafficking, the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit, and the long road to recovery faced by survivors. It also highlights the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, who are disproportionately represented among trafficking victims and often face additional barriers to receiving help and support.

This is a difficult but important story about survival, resilience, and the power of turning personal tragedy into a force for change.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing human trafficking, help is available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting 233733 (BEFREE).

Visit us on Linktree [https://linktr.ee/thejeffandsamshow] for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources

 * Human Trafficking Victims: An LGBTQ+ Perspective
   https://collectiveliberty.org/human-trafficking-victims-lgbtq-perspective/
 * LGBTQ+ Human Trafficking Survivor Stories
   https://theexodusroad.com/lgbtq-human-trafficking-survivor-stories/
 * NOW Seattle Trafficking Film Series
   https://www.nowseattle.org/full-trafficking-film-series
 * YouTube Interview / Presentation
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym0oZWqgC68
 * Polaris Project – Vulnerabilities and Recruitment
   https://polarisproject.org/vulnerabilities-and-recruitment/

106 – Erik Gray: Human Sex Trafficking Survivor and Victim Advocate

Jeff tells the incredible survival story of Jan Baalsrud and the courageous efforts of the Norwegian resistance during World War II.

Visit us on Linktree [https://linktr.ee/jeffandsamshow] for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources

 * Patrick McCarthy, The WWII Survival Story of Jan Baalsrud (Recoil Off Grid)
   https://www.offgridweb.com/survival/the-wwii-survival-story-of-jan-baalsrud/
 * Preikestolen365
   https://preikestolen365.com [https://preikestolen365.com/]
 * Norwegian Civil Resistance of the Nazi Occupation, 1940–1945
   https://gns.wisc.edu/2025/08/27/norwegian-civil-resistance-of-the-nazi-occupation-1940-1945-2/
 * Sound vs. Fjord: What's the Difference?
   https://www.aurora-expeditions.com/blog/sound-vs-fjord-whats-the-difference
 * Jan Baalsrud Is the Man That Never Gave Up
   https://nordnorge.com/en/artikkel/jan-balsrud-is-the-man-that-never-gave-up/
 * Wikipedia – Sámi People
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1mi_people
 * ExplorersWeb – Great Survival Stories: Jan Baalsrud Evades Nazi Dragnet
   https://explorersweb.com/great-survival-stories-jan-baalsrud-evades-nazi-dragnet/
 * Wikipedia – Jan Baalsrud
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Baalsrud
 * Mayo Clinic – Gangrene: Symptoms and Causes
   https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gangrene/symptoms-causes/syc-20352567
 * MyHeritage – Jan Baalsrud
   https://www.myheritage.com/names/jan_baalsrud
 * Bivrost – A Tale of Courage and Resilience: The Escape of Jan Baalsrud
   https://www.bivrost.com/a-tale-of-courage-and-resilience-the-escape-of-jan-baalsrud/

105 – Jan Baalsrud and the Norwegian Resistance

Jeff tells the tragic and impactful story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old college student whose murder in 1998 became a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.

Matthew was targeted, brutally assaulted, and left for dead near Laramie because of who he was. His death shocked the nation and sparked conversations about hate crimes, discrimination, and the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals across America. The case ultimately helped inspire stronger hate crime legislation and remains a powerful reminder of the consequences of prejudice and intolerance.

This episode explores Matthew's life, the events surrounding his murder, and the lasting legacy carried on by his family and the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

If you or someone you know is an LGBTQ+ young person who needs support, consider reaching out to the The Trevor Project. Trained counselors are available 24/7 by calling 1-866-488-7386 or by visiting their website for additional support resources.

Visit us on Linktree [https://linktr.ee/thejeffandsamshow] for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources

 * Our Story – Matthew Shepard Foundation
   https://www.matthewshepard.org/our-story/
 * Pushing Forward the Legacy of Matthew Shepard
   https://open.substack.com/pub/matthewsplace1/p/pushing-forward-the-legacy-of-matthew-677
 * NPR – Matthew Shepard Laid To Rest, 20 Years After His Death
   https://www.npr.org/2018/10/26/660969035/matthew-shepard-laid-to-rest-20-years-after-his-death
 * LGBTQ+ Bar Association – LGBTQ+ "Panic" Defense
   https://lgbtqbar.org/programs/advocacy/gay-trans-panic-defense/
 * YouTube – MATTHEW SHEPARD: THE DEATH THAT CHANGED AMERICA | MIDWEEK MYSTERY
   https://youtu.be/3m0S5xkM4fM
 * RedHanded Podcast – Episode 202: The Haunting Murder of Matthew Shepard
   https://redhandedpodcast.com [https://redhandedpodcast.com/]
 * Homophobia in the Heartland (PDF)

104 – Matthew Shepard

Sam shares the haunting story of the Texas Killing Fields, a stretch of land between Houston and Galveston tied to decades of disappearances and murders of young women.

Sam also dives into the lingering fear, failures in investigations, and the devastating human toll left behind by these crimes. This is a story about victims too often forgotten—and the relentless pursuit of justice decades later.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at jeffandsamshow@gmail.com.

Sources

 * Crime + Investigation – The Murder of Krystal Jean Baker
   https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/articles/murder-krystal-jean-baker
 * Galveston Daily News – Smith Guilty in Murder of Krystal Jean Baker
   https://www.galvnews.com/news/smith-guilty-in-murder-of-krystal-jean-baker/article_5275f6ce-7305-56d1-9191-ccc83cd42de3.html
 * Rosewood, Jack. The True Crime Books Collection
 * FBI – Seeking Information in Unsolved Killing Fields Murders
   https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/seeking-information-in-unsolved-killing-fields-murders-091819
 * The Guardian – Laura Miller and the Texas Killing Fields
   https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/may/12/laura-miller-texas-killing-fields
 * FOX 26 Houston – Texas Killing Fields Suspect Facing New Charges
   https://www.fox26houston.com/news/texas-killing-fields-suspect-facing-new-charges
 * Criminology Podcast – The Texas Killing Fields Part 1
 * ABC13 – Laura Smither’s Disappearance
   https://abc13.com/post/23-years-ago-today-laura-smithers-disappearance/1272189/
 * ABC13 – William Reece Court Appearance
   https://abc13.com/post/william-reece-guilty-plea-court-appearance-texas-serial-killer/12003895/

103 – Killing Fields

A true crime, comedy and historical gem podcast. Just a conversation between two friends telling each other stories that we find interesting. 

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The Jeff and Sam Show