This week on Naturally Off Topic, we’re flipping the script with rapid-fire weirdness, wild escapes, unsettling legends, and head-scratching headlines—because some stories are too weird to share. From an escaped death row inmate whose life shaped U.S. law to ice cream trucks that doubled as drug fronts, this chaos cauldron is filled with eerie legends, ridiculous crimes, and facts that make you go, “wait… seriously?”

👁️ Eerie escapes

✈️ A missing plane

🍝 Noodles in the woods

🦷 Tooth-in-eye surgery

💄 Lemon juice invisibility

…and more.

All bite-sized. All totally off topic.

🎧 Listen now—then message us your favorite mini-mystery.

🔗 naturallyofftopic.podbean.com

🎧 New episodes drop every Thursday wherever you get your pods.

What begins as a Cold War-era experiment quickly spirals into one of the internet’s most infamous and terrifying urban legends. In this solo episode, Megan takes you deep into the chilling tale of the Russian Sleep Experiment—breaking down the viral creepypasta, the real science behind sleep deprivation, and the eerie military research that makes this legend feel just a little too plausible.

From MKUltra to real-life sleep studies, this story forces us to ask: How far can the human mind be pushed before it breaks?

Tune in for facts, fiction, and the fine line between horror and reality.

💀 Listen now… if you can stay awake.

💰 A devoted mother, loving wife, and a fighter against cancer—or so she claimed. For 8 years, Amanda Riley convinced the world she was battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, gaining sympathy, donations, and a platform in the process. But when an anonymous tip lands on an investigative reporter’s desk, Riley’s own words start to unravel her web of lies.

Join us this Thursday, 4/3, as we dive into the shocking story of Scamanda—the woman who faked cancer for money, fame, and attention. 🎙️🔍

Learn more about the story here: https://naturallyofftopic.podbean.com/p/scamanda-the-amanda-riley-cancer-hoax/

Production Note: This episode is based on extensive research and storytelling to bring you an engaging and accurate exploration of the Amanda Riley Case. If you have questions or want to dive deeper, DM us on Instagram at @naturallyofftopic.

#Scamanda #TrueCrime #Fraud #FakeCancer

Step into the shadows and unlock the secrets of one of history’s most mysterious and controversial organizations—the Illuminati. In this episode of Naturally Off Topic, Megan and Mariah explore the origins of this infamous secret society, from its founding in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt to the conspiracy theories that refuse to die.

Were the Illuminati truly disbanded, or did they retreat into the shadows, orchestrating world events from behind the scenes? Why do their symbols—like the All-Seeing Eye and the Pyramid—keep appearing in pop culture, politics, and even on our currency? And how did this short-lived Enlightenment-era group evolve into a cornerstone of modern conspiracy theories?

Join us as we separate fact from fiction, uncover the truth about the New World Order, and question why secret societies continue to fascinate us. Don’t miss this deep dive into the legend, the paranoia, and the cultural obsession with the Illuminati!

• BBC – The Birthplace of the Illuminati
• Britannica – Illuminati Overview
• Heritage Daily – The History of the Illuminati
• SpyScape – Mysteries of the Illuminati
• Discover Magazine – Why the Illuminati and Other Secret Societies Are So Intriguing
• And more—see full show notes for details!

Production Note: This episode is based on extensive research and storytelling to bring you an engaging and accurate exploration of the Illuminati. If you have questions or want to dive deeper, DM us on Instagram at @naturallyofftopic.

What happens when ordinary people are placed in positions of absolute power—or total submission? In this episode of Naturally Off Topic, we take a deep dive into the Stanford Prison Experiment, one of the most infamous psychological studies in history.

Conducted in 1971 by Dr. Philip Zimbardo, this experiment was meant to simulate prison life—but it quickly spiraled out of control. From psychological breakdowns to disturbing abuses of power, the study exposed just how easily people can conform to the roles of oppressor and victim.

We’ll break down: 🔹 The shocking events that unfolded inside Stanford’s mock prison 🔹 How quickly the guards became authoritarian—and the prisoners became submissive 🔹 Why Zimbardo ended the experiment early and how it changed psychology forever 🔹 The controversial legacy of the study and its connections to real-world prison abuse, including Abu Ghraib

Was this experiment a groundbreaking revelation or an unethical disaster? Let’s get into it.

Learn more here: https://naturallyofftopic.podbean.com/p/the-stanford-prison-experiment-%e2%80%93-a-psychological-descent-into-power-and-control/

🎙️ New episode drops Friday, March 21st! Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.

Welcome to Naturally Off Topic, where we discuss legends, theories, conspiracies, and more—and today, we’re diving into the "more" part of our podcast.

After covering the chilling case of The American Nightmare, we decided to have a few drinks, hit record, and let the conversation go off the rails. This is Drunk Topic, where we revisit past cases, share our unfiltered thoughts, and see where the chaos takes us.

Was there more to The American Nightmare than we originally thought? Do we have new theories after a few glasses of wine? And how did we even end up talking about this?

Pour yourself a drink, buckle up, and join us as we go off-topic in the best (and possibly worst) way possible.

🔗 Listen now! 🍸 Drink responsibly. 😂 Prepare for some unhinged moments.

The chilling case of American Nightmare continues. In this two-part deep dive, we break down one of the most shocking true crime stories—where the victims became suspects, and the real perpetrator lurked in the shadows.

In Part 1, we uncovered the terrifying night Denise Huskins was kidnapped and how law enforcement dismissed it as a hoax. Now, in Part 2, we reveal the truth: Who was behind the abduction? How did Denise escape? And what lasting scars did this ordeal leave behind?

Was this a case of media manipulation, police failure, or something even darker? Let’s unravel the facts.

🔍 Sources: 📺 American Nightmare – Netflix Documentary 🎙 Call Her Daddy Podcast – Interview with Denise Huskins 🎙 Serialously Podcast 🎙 Mile Higher Podcast 📌 CrimeCon Discussions & Coverage

⚠ Disclaimer: Naturally Off Topic has not conducted original reporting on this case. Our discussion is based on the sources listed above. We strive for accuracy, using multiple references to verify facts, though creative liberties may be taken in certain cases.

Have thoughts on the case? DM us on Instagram @naturallyofftopic 📩

In this two-part deep dive, we unravel the chilling case known as the American Nightmare. What started as a terrifying home invasion turned into a media-fueled spectacle, where the victims—Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn—were painted as the villains in their own story.

In Part 1 (February 27th), we break down the night of the kidnapping, the bizarre ransom note, and how law enforcement refused to believe Denise had actually been taken.

In Part 2 (March 6th), we explore the shocking truth behind the case, the real perpetrator, and the lasting impact on Denise and Aaron’s lives.

Was this a case of "the boy who cried wolf," or a failure of the justice system to protect victims? Let’s get into it.

• American Nightmare – Netflix Documentary
• Call Her Daddy Podcast – Interview with Denise Huskins
• Serialously Podcast
• Mile Higher Podcast
• CrimeCon Discussions & Coverage

Naturally Off Topic has not done original reporting on this case. The stories are based on existing material (listed above).

We work hard to ensure that everything you’re listening to is as accurate as possible, using multiple sources to verify facts. Creative liberties may be taken in certain cases during the presentation of the case.

If you have any questions or concerns, please DM us on Instagram: @naturallyofftopic