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

• 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

• 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

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.

• 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

• 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

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.

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

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.

• 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

• 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

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

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

• 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/

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

• 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
• 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/

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

• 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
• Homophobia in the Heartland (PDF)