In this delightfully absurd and thought-provoking episode, we dive headfirst into the chaos of escape scenarios with a twist—each one wrapped in a “Would You Rather” dilemma that blends trauma, healing, and hilarity. From dodging donut-wielding ex-cops to navigating the foster care system on a unicycle, we explore the wild ways people might choose to flee their circumstances… if only life came with a costume budget and a flair for the dramatic.

Highlights Include:

• Choosing between cat video spam or donut-stalking ex-cops
• Escaping toxic relationships via llama farming or mime therapy
• Facing court in a clown suit vs. deliberating among pool toys
• Tackling childhood trauma recovery in rhyme or in a chicken suit
• And yes, living in a taco-shaped tiny house while wearing a sombrero

Whether you're a survivor, a supporter, or just someone who appreciates the healing power of humor, this episode invites you to laugh, reflect, and imagine your own escape—one ridiculous choice at a time.

Tune in for a ride of empathy, absurdity, and escape artistry.

Resources & Links

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?

General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live

Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live

On Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos

Booby hatch? Bughouse? Hilarious names for serious places. The Escape Pod goes inside mental institutions of the past to share the tragic tale of Genevieve Pilarski who, essentially, was committed in the 1940s for being strong-willed and desiring independence, nothing more. But others had better fates – escaping the horrors of such places and turning their experiences into advocacy. Nelli Bly, for example, was an early “under-cover” journalist who intentionally got herself committed in order to expose what was really happening behind closed doors. Join the ladies of The Escape Pod this week for this great escape from the “bughouse.”

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1 2:57 Intro to this week’s topic

Topic #2 4:43 Genevieve Pilarski

Topic #3 7:54 Evaluate this! The EP takes a detour

Topic #4 9:57 Patient expresses her concerns

Topic #5 18:14 Escape artists become advocates

Topic #6 24:05 Nelli Bly

Topic #7 35:44 Escapism, co-host-style!

Resources & Links

• Driving Her Crazy
• The Story of Gennie Pilarski
• Manteno State Hospital Blog
• Elizabeth Packard
• The Reporter Who Went Undercover at an Asylum

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?

General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live

Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live

On Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos

In this episode, The Escape Pod takes us back to 1980 and the disappearance and subsequent murder of Candace Rough Surface, an 18-year-old member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Her case highlights a broader crisis: Indigenous people account for a disproportionate share of missing persons, and Indigenous women in particular face alarming rates of violence. This. Has. To. Stop. In South Dakota, Indigenous people account for roughly 60% of missing persons cases. Today’s story is about one of the rare cases that was actually solved.

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1 4:09 Intro to this week’s episode

Topic #2 8:03 August 1980: 18yo woman goes missing near Mobridge, SD

Topic #3 16:33 15 years later: This cold case gets reopened

Topic #4 31:08 Escapism, co-host-style!

Resources & Links

• Mobridge Man Who Raped and Killed Standing Rock Woman Granted Parole
• Man Who Raped and Killed 18-Year-Old Girl Released from Prison
• Suspect Finally Pleads Guilty After 16 Years
• Crime Junkie Podcast: Candace Rough Surface
• Seattle Times Archive March 17, 1996. Candace Rough Surface
• MMIP Cases in South Dakota Remain High—New Efforts Hope to Change That
• The Epidemic of Missing Indigenous Women

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?

General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live

Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live

On Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos