As The Vatican prepares to bury Pope Francis, perhaps one of the most beloved popes in the history of the Catholic Church, in this special episode Behn and Carls dive into the untimely ends of Popes Formosus, Alexander VI and John Paul I.

Carls speaks for the 3 victims of Michelle "Shelly" Knotek, who went from terrorizing her children, to terrorizing her boarders, and eventually, murder. Huge trigger warning, discussing situations of domestic violence, starvation, and child abuse.

Between 1888 and 1891, eleven impoverished sex workers were murdered, resulting in an atmosphere of fear among residents. This palpable fear was possibly equalled only by the heightened frustration of ithe nvestigators who scoured any and all possible leads looking for the cur. Despite extensive resources and the best investigators which the London Metropolitan and Scotland Yard could offer, those responsible for the crimes would never be identified. Whether they were committed by the same perpetrator or several different ones has always been debated. However, the so called "Canonical Five" were initially linked together by police, and, continue to live on in popular culture and among, media, sofa sleuths, and historians as having been victims of "Jack the Ripper."

In this episode of Two Friends and a Coffin, Carls dives into the Whitechapel Murders of 1888, speaking for the canonical five, as well as an additional suspected victim who may have been "Saucy Jack's" first murder:

Martha Tabrum
Mary Ann Nichols
Annie Chapman
Elizabeth Stride
Catherine Eddowes
Mary Jane Kelly

Delve into the intriguing world of funeral homes and morticians as two friends share their experiences. In this episode they discuss the challenges and rewards of their roles – from transporting bodies to providing support for grieving families. The hosts touch on the changing landscape of death practices, such as green burials and hydrolysis, while debunking myths and misconceptions associated with the profession. They also explore the emotional toll that comes with working in the funeral business and share personal stories of grief, touching on the importance of self-care and support from loved ones. This episode offers a unique glimpse into the world of funeral professionals, showcasing their dedication to helping others during life's most difficult moments.

What do you get when you cross a paranoid Italian mother with nothing to lose, sprinkle on a little blood magic, and three easily manipulated neighbors? Probably one of the most sensationalized cases in Italian true crime (and one which you likely haven't heard of), Behn and Carls bring you the story of "La saponificatrice di Corregio," Leonarda Cianciulli, "the soapmaker." In this possibly delicious episode, we speak for Ermelinda Faustina Setti (a lonely spinster pensioner), Francesca Clementina Soavi (a middle aged school teacher), and Virginia Cacioppo (a once lauded soprano opera singer, pining for her faded days of glory).

To his friends, family, and colleagues, he was a warm and caring young man, filled with a vibrant Joie de Vivre. But, to the wider world, he became the facer of reckless irresponsibility, a caricature, the man who spread AIDS across the US, from California to New York. His name was Gaetan Dugas. To the rest of the world, he was simply known as "Patient Zero." In observance of World AIDS Day, Behn and Carls reexamine the controversy surrounding him. In speaking for Gaetan Dugas, they attempt to also speak for the 36 million men, women, and children, who have died from HIV related illnesses across the world since 1981.

In our first "spooky" episode, Carls gives the deets about the hauntings that surround 3 theatres: The Huntington Theatre in Boston, the Iroquois/Oriental/Nederlander in Chicago, and the New Amsterdam in New York.

In this intriguing podcast episode, hosts Josh and Carl dive into a spine-chilling story from Olala, Washington in 1911. They explore the case of the wealthy Williamson sisters who fell prey to a sinister doctor. Despite a variety of unnerving coincidences — from ghostly guest appearances to oddly connected book choices — the underlying theme revolves around a disturbingly detailed account of manipulation and mystery. The episode also addresses audience feedback, inviting listeners to contribute their thoughts on structural changes to future episodes, adding a welcoming and interactive dimension to the storytelling experience.