On a quiet Minnesota night in May 2008, 19-year-old Brandon Swanson vanished after his car veered into a ditch, just moments after a chilling final phone call with his parents. Despite an extensive search, no trace of him was ever found.

In this episode of Brewed and Bewildered, we explore the baffling mystery that continues to haunt investigators, from eerie cell phone pings to theories of foul play, accidental death, and possible abduction. Was Brandon lost in the dark, or was something more sinister at play?

Let's unravel one of America’s most puzzling missing persons cases and its lasting impact on the law and those left behind.

On January 15, 1947, a young woman’s severed body was discovered in a Los Angeles vacant lot—drained of blood, surgically mutilated, and eerily posed. The victim? 22-year-old Elizabeth Short. The press named her The Black Dahlia, and the mystery surrounding her death would grip America for decades.

In this episode of Brewed and Bewildered, we explore the brutal crime that became one of the most infamous unsolved murders in U.S. history. Who was Elizabeth Short, and why did her death spark such public obsession? Was the killer a doctor, a serial murderer, or someone protected by the powerful?

We examine the most chilling theories—from Dr. George Hodel and LAPD cover-ups to links with the Cleveland Torso Murders. But beyond the headlines, we remember Elizabeth not as a spectacle—but as a real person whose story deserves dignity.

On Christmas Eve, 1945, a mysterious fire destroyed the Sodder family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Five of the ten Sodder children vanished without a trace. Despite no remains being found in the ashes, authorities declared them dead, but the truth may be far more disturbing.

In this episode, we unravel one of America’s most haunting mysteries. Were the Sodder children kidnapped? What about the cut phone lines, the silent fire truck, and the strange photograph sent decades later?

Join us as we investigate this chilling true crime case that still baffles experts and haunts listeners worldwide.

Want to learn more or see the evidence for yourself? Check out these in-depth resources:

• Smithsonian Magazine – The Children Who Went Up in Smoke
• FBI Vault: The Sodder Children Disappearance

Off the coast of Denmark, beneath the icy waters of the North Sea, lies a mysterious submerged site—possibly an ancient Viking city lost to time. In this episode of Brewed and Bewildered, we dive deep into the mystery as divers uncover Viking-age tools, pottery, and structures buried beneath the seabed. But the story doesn’t end there.

Some artifacts may date back to the Mesolithic era, suggesting this site could be far older than anyone imagined. Was it a Viking fishing village? A ritual site? Or the remnants of a forgotten prehistoric civilization swallowed by the sea?

Join us as we explore the evidence, the legends, and the science behind one of Europe’s most intriguing underwater mysteries.

In 1587, over 100 English settlers vanished from Roanoke Island—leaving behind no bodies, no signs of struggle, and only a single word carved into a post: CROATOAN. What happened to the Lost Colony? In this episode of Brewed and Bewildered, we unravel one of America’s most enduring historical mysteries. Explore the real story behind Roanoke through colonial records, recent archaeological discoveries, and the leading theories—from assimilation with Native tribes to hostile encounters and deadly relocation attempts.Perfect for fans of unsolved mysteries, American history, and true crime podcasts, this episode digs deep into the roots of early colonial America—and a disappearance that still haunts the timeline.

Deep in the forests of Vermont lies the Bennington Triangle—a place where people have mysteriously vanished without a trace. Once home to the bustling town of Glastenbury, this remote area became the site of unsolved disappearances beginning in the 1940s. From hunters to hikers, the missing left behind no signs, no explanations—only eerie, unanswered questions.

If you have any information about these cases—or any missing persons in Vermont—please contact the Vermont State Police.

Submit a tip online: vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit Text a tip: Text the keyword VTIPS to 274637 (CRIMES) Call: You can also call 844-84-VTIPS to provide information.​

For direct inquiries regarding missing persons cases, you can reach out to:

Lieutenant Christopher Barber Vermont State Police – Rutland Barracks 124 State Place Rutland, VT 05701 Phone: 802-773-9101

Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project – A volunteer-run group working to reunite missing persons with loved ones and raise awareness for unresolved cases. Learn more at lightthewaymissing.com.

Families of the Missing – Supporting families through the emotional and legal challenges of long-term disappearances. Details available on their GuideStar profile.

In this chilling episode, we dive deep into the eerie legend of the SS Ourang Medan, a ghost ship shrouded in mystery. Discovered drifting in the Straits of Malacca in 1947, the ship's crew was found dead under strange and unexplained circumstances. Was it a tragic accident, or did something far more sinister take place aboard this ill-fated vessel?

Join us as we explore the facts, theories, and conspiracy theories surrounding one of the most terrifying maritime mysteries in history. Tune in for spine-tingling tales of supernatural encounters, unsolved puzzles, and the unknown history of the SS Ourang Medan.

In this episode of Brewed and Bewildered, we explore one of the most perplexing and unsettling phenomena ever to haunt a small town: the Taos Hum. Since the early '90s, Taos, New Mexico residents have been hearing a mysterious, low-frequency hum—one that only certain people can perceive. Despite years of investigation, scientists, researchers, and government officials have come up empty-handed, leaving the hum's origin shrouded in mystery. Is it a trick of the mind, a natural phenomenon, or something more sinister? Join us as we dive into the theories behind this eerie sound and uncover why this enigma still haunts Taos to this day. Grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get bewildered.