Episodes

What dessert would you eat in a cemetery? This week, we're sharing some of your wild and wonderful social media responses to that very question, inspired by the authors of "To Die For A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes" and "Haunted Virginia Cemeteries"! We're unwrapping a brand new episode that also…

In this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, we're diving into a tale of wartime romance, enduring love, and a connection forged across continents. Dalhousie University, 1914. She was a music student, he was an athlete. They were just friends... until the Great War changed everything. Di…

All aboard! Join Jennie and Dianne this week as they "ride the rails" with the Pullman Porters, unsung heroes of American history! These men overcame unimaginable prejudice and racism; from being called "George" by passengers, regardless of their name, to working 400+ hours a month with little time…

Tune in this week to The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as Jennie and Dianne dive into the turbulent history of Kansas from 1854-1856, sparked by the New England Emigrant Aid Company's efforts to make Kansas a free state. What they uncover are eerie echoes of today's headlines. Don't miss …

This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast Dianne and Jennie sit down with Ryan Seidemann for our first Death and Dying 101 episode of 2026. We discuss the Victorian morals of using ground up mummies for miracle cures, the burial practices of Neanderthals, the law regarding modern-day…

New year, new memories! Tune in to this week's Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as Jennie and Dianne share heartwarming family stories from listeners who played our game "Family Tales" with us online as we closed out 2025 and ushered in 2026. It's not too late to play for yourself. Grab the …

What happens when medical progress clashes with public outrage? Body snatching, bloodletting, and a riot that shook America's founding fathers: join Jennie and Dianne on this latest episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery as they chat with writer Andy McPhee about his latest book "The Doctor…

Kick off the new year with The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery podcast! Join Jennie and Dianne for a delightful chat with Pamela McColl, author of "Wondrous Mrs. Claus: a Literary and Pictorial Review of the Christmas Character". As we bid farewell to 2025, let's take a moment to appreciate a true…

“Hanukkah is about the freedom to be true to what we believe without denying the freedom of those who believe otherwise. It’s about lighting our candle, while not being threatened by or threatening anyone else’s candle.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l -- This week Jennie and Dianne invite everyone to coz…

This week Dianne and Jennie are getting into the holiday spirit with the heartwarming story of Colonel Harry Shoup, the Air Force officer who answered a mistaken phone call from a little girl looking for Santa. His kindness sparked a tradition that's tracked Santa for 70 years! Ever wondered how NO…

This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne remind listeners the holidays are the perfect time to gather 'round the dinner table and record the tales of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members. Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just s…

Get ready to dig into the fascinating world of alternate histories! On this week's Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, Jennie and Dianne welcome back Research Historian Lynette Webber to explore how cemeteries can inspire and provoke our understanding of time and mortality. Just like George Ba…

It's time for a new addition of Death and Dying 101. Join Jennie and Dianne, along with regular contributor Ryan Seidemann, as they dig into the dirt on some heavy hitters: the environmental impact of cremation vs. full body burial, the tricky business of handling cemeteries discovered during const…

Jennie and Dianne are thrilled to welcome Diana Kresnye, a passionate tour guide and historical interpreter at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio to the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast. Lake View Cemetery is a treasure trove of history, art, and nature, featuring a Level 2 Arboretum with…

Join Jennie and Dianne for the 2025 "Beyond the Grave" episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, just in time to put you in a spooky mood for Halloween! Dim the lights, get cozy, and immerse yourself in Gaston Leroux's timeless masterpiece. With a special introduction by legendary silent film…

Get ready for a ghostly good time on this week's Ordinary Extraordinary podcast! Jennie and Dianne are joined by Nicole Beauchamp, author and paranormal researcher, to discuss the power of remembrance and the importance of preserving the Ordinary Extraordinary stories of the past. From the 'Veiled …

On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by Miles McCallum and Nick Brown, researchers and enthusiasts passionate about uncovering the stories behind Vermont's historic cast-iron grave markers.Miles, an M.A. in history student at the Universit…

Get ready for a haunting tale of love, obsession, and music that echoes beyond the grave! Join Jennie and Dianne on this week's episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they dive into the world of Gaston LeRoux's classic novel, The Phantom of the Opera, with special guest Professor…

Get ready to confront the uncomfortable truths about death and dying in America, and discover how we can work towards a more equitable system for all. This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by Staci Savattaro and Jennifer Wright-Berryman, co-authors o…

What happens when human remains are discovered in public spaces? Can pets be buried alongside their owners? And what's the protocol for handling human remains from space? Jennie and Dianne, along with Ryan Seidemann, tackle these tough questions and more on this week's Ordinary Extraordinary Cemete…

What happens when science and culture collide? Jennie and Dianne dive into the world of human remains with Ryan Seidemann in Part 1 of a new Death and Dying 101 feature. They discuss the challenges of creating inclusive public memory, the ethics of displaying mummified bodies, and the current state…

Join Jennie and Dianne on The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they welcome Amy Shea, author of the groundbreaking book 'Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins.' Amy's work sheds light on the often-hidden truths of death and dying among those experiencing chronic ho…

What happens when you combine travel, history, and a dash of humor? You get 'Around the World in 80 Graves: Travel, Tombstones & Transformation', the new book from Tui Snider. Join Jennie and Dianne on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they chat with Tui about her adventures in cemeter…

Not every public park is as it seems, and not every cemetery is for that matter either! This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by fellow taphophile Randy Crane as he shares the story of the life, death and reincarnation of side-by-side (Broadway and M…