Episodes

What happens when we don't share our stories before we become inmates of the cemetery?? This week, The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast explores the importance of recording our histories with special guest Stephanie Ford. As a caregiver, Stephanie's heard countless tales of love, loss, and life from those who've lived through it all. She emphasizes the importance of learning from our elders, whose Ordinary Extraordinary life experiences hold valuable lessons. Join Jennie and Dianne as they discuss the power of storytelling, because, as Stephanie says, "Our stories matter." Be sure to tune in!

Get ready for a chilling conversation! Join Jennie and Dianne as they chat with author Sharon Pajka, PhD, about her new book "Haunted Virginia Cemeteries". As we creep into spooky season, Sharon guides us through the Old Dominion's most haunted burial grounds, from Arlington Cemetery's eerie atmosphere to the ghostly apparitions at Monticello. But don't let the paranormal tales fool you - this book is also a deep dive into Virginia's rich history, and Sharon shares her expertise on the historical research that brings these haunted places to life. Tune in for a conversation that's equal parts spooky and scholarly!

On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, uncover the mystery behind Dr. Samuel Bean's cryptic monument in Wellesley, Ontario, where two of his wives, Henrietta and Susanna, rest in peace. Jennie and Dianne explore the Ordinary Extraordinary life of Samuel, a Civil War veteran and puzzle enthusiast, and the intricate cryptogram headstone that kept visitors guessing for 80 years. What secrets did Samuel hide in the stone, and what message did he want the world to know?

Join the dynamic trio—Jennie, Dianne, and Ryan Seidemann—for the third chapter of the “Death and Dying 101” series! This episode dives into global memorials, uncovering cultural quirks and mysteries. Are catacombs serene sanctuaries or lively public spaces? Unravel the Victorian dread of premature burial and the coffin bells that chimed in the night. Explore the collision of burial and cremation in our global village. Delve into the Ordinary Extraordinary Tibetan tradition of letting nature reclaim the body. Learn how enslavement shaped African burial customs across the Americas. All this and more on this latest episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast!

"Every death had a life and every life had a story," but how is it that we uncover so many of the narratives we share on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast? Much of it comes from searching through genealogical archives and other records. On this latest episode, Jennie and Dianne chat with Jen Shaffer, a full-time professional genealogist and owner of The Formidable Genealogist. She is passionate about short-form genealogy education and has made it her mission to help make the complex world of ancestry accessible to everyone. She engages her audience with daily social media videos, where she generously shares insightful tips, techniques, and stories from the field. Tune in to discover how Jen’s expertise helps us connect the Ordinary Extraordinary dots between lives lived, stories told, and the legacies left behind.

Get ready to stop and smell the roses...in the cemetery! This week Jennie and Dianne explore the practical, symbolic, and cultural significance of flowers in death. From ancient Egypt and Greece to Victorian-era cemeteries, flowers have played a significant role in mourning and remembrance around the globe. Sow the seeds of curiosity and tune in to this week's episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast as we dig up the dirt on floral death traditions.

"Fear and grief are not just inevitable — they are sacred rites of passage. A catalyst for transformation and resilience. And they belong to all of us." On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Jennie and Dianne chat with the creators of a live performance that blends comedy, storytelling, and poetry; Life: A Delightful Show About Fear and Grief. Special guests Andrea Sodergren, Elaina McMillan and Katie Mason share what happens when darkness meets humor, and how that unlikely pairing can lead to profound insights and healing as they all explore the messy, beautiful intersections of humor, heartache, and human connection.

Join Jennie, Dianne and favorite guest Ryan Seidemann for the latest installment of Death and Dying 101: a new reoccurring feature on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast where they answer and discuss questions from Ryan's students at Arizona State University. Some of the questions addressed in this episode include: What is the typical legal/compensational responsibility of graveyards in the event of a natural disaster?  Is there any burial insurance that covers the reinterment of bodies after natural disasters, or is it largely covered by state/federal funds? Do bones ever completely decompose? They also discuss how the military began setting provisions for the return of the dead beginning in WWI through the present. Tune in to learn the answers to all this and more!

Join Jennie and Dianne for an Ordinary Extraordinary conversation as they dig up the truth with special guest Bob Perry, aka the Bone Finder! With his expertise in cemetery geophysics and ground-penetrating radar, Bob has uncovered secrets in historic cemeteries and helped law enforcement crack cold cases. The graves are about to get a whole lot more interesting on this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast!

"Grief is forever. It doesn't go away; it becomes a part of you, step for step, breath for breath - That's just how it is. Grief and love are conjoined, you don't get one without the other." - Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere -- Grief is a universal experience, but it's unique to each individual. On this episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast Jennie and Dianne tackle the tough topic of grief, exploring different types of loss and the emotional, physical, and psychological impact of mourning. They also share ways to offer meaningful support to those who are grieving, offer some online resources and discuss how cemeteries can be places of solace, comfort and even healing.

Discover the untold stories of two Ordinary men who became Extraordinary unsung heroes. This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne share the stories of George Wasinger and John Wysowatcky Jr., two young soldiers who embodied the Army's motto: "This We'll Defend" during WWI. They defended freedom by giving their lives in return. As Memorial Day approaches, we remember the sacrifice made by all the men and women who have died in combat and acknowledge the debt we owe to those who gave everything in hopes of creating a more peaceful and prosperous tomorrow for future generations.

What's cooking in the cemetery? Jennie and Dianne are dishing up a treat with Rosie Grant, the creator behind the viral @GhostlyArchive, where gravestones become recipe cards! Rosie shares her journey of uncovering her first recipe on a tombstone at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC, and how that led to serving up not just the recipes, but the stories behind them and how food has the power to bring families, communities and history together in the most Ordinary Extraordinary ways, including from beyond the grave!

May is Cemetery Appreciation Month, and Jennie and Dianne are celebrating by sharing three Ordinary Extraordinary stories buried beneath the soil of three Colorado cemeteries. Hear the tragic tale of a young woman who lost her life to 'consumption' in a rural community, the complex and incomplete story of a woman institutionalized at the Colorado State Hospital for the Insane, and the gold prospector who left his family behind forcing his widow to seek justice on his behalf several years after his passing. Sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones buried in plain sight. As you walk through your own local cemeteries this month, look beyond the headstones and imagine the lives that once were. You might just uncover an Ordinary Extraordinary story waiting to be told.

New Podcast Episode 🪦 Springtime Reflections: Cemetery Etiquette for the Season 🪦Join Jennie and Dianne of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they kick off Cemetery Appreciation Month (May) by exploring the dos and don'ts of cemetery etiquette and safety. With spring in full bloom, cemeteries are coming alive with visitors and furry friends - but what are the unwritten rules to follow? We dive into the importance of respecting graveside services and share valuable tips on how to navigate these sacred spaces. Did we miss something crucial? Let us know - what other cemetery etiquette tips should visitors keep in mind?

"We value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat." - John Steinbeck On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne share the tragic story of a Ida Mae Hanson, a Nebraska woman who followed her heart to Colorado where she was brutally murdered and left in an abandoned prospector's pit as if she were nothing more than trash in the summer of 1933. Joining them later in the episode is actress Meredith Bolthouse who is currently portraying Curley's wife in a theatrical presentation of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men". While Ida Mae really lived and Curley's wife is fictitious, both are Ordinary Extraordinary women whose stories were taken for granted by the two men who should have loved and protected them above all others.

This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast Jennie and Dianne are joined by Father Edward Looney, a Marian theologian, author, and speaker. Father Edward has written several books, including "A Heart Like Mary's," and has been featured on EWTN, Relevant Radio, and other platforms. Currently serving as a parish priest in the Diocese of Green Bay, Father Edward shares his passion for strolling through cemeteries and honoring the dead and tells of his work with St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gardner, Wisconsin, a cemetery he's helped restore; including the remarkable discovery of 31 previously unknown burials and how an antique shrine was relocated to the grounds to honor those without markers.

Join Jennie and Dianne on The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they sit down with author Jan MacKell Collins to explore the life and legacy of Phoebe Ann Mosey, famously known as Annie Oakley! Celebrated for her sharp shooting skills and starring role in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, Annie Oakley defied Ordinary conventions and became a beloved and Extraordinary icon of the American West. But how much of what we know about her is fact, and how much is fiction?

Join Jennie and Dianne on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they tackle tough questions about death and dying with returning guest Ryan Seidemann. This week, they're answering questions from Ryan's students at Arizona State University, including: *When should the needs of the living take precedence over considerations of the dead? *How can we make death care more inclusive and flexible? *Why is modern Western culture so uncomfortable discussing death? Listen in on this thought-provoking conversation and feel free to share your ideas on these important questions in our social media comments or shoot us an email at ordinaryextraordinarycemetery@gmail.com.

Imagine visiting a cemetery where instead of sadness, you’re greeted with joy, wit, and art. In the heart of Romania, that’s exactly what you’ll find; “The graveyard that laughs at death” otherwise known as The Merry Cemetery—where the dead are remembered with a smile. On this episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne pay tribute to this delightful burial ground that has attracted thousands of tourists from across the globe. You won’t find traditional gravestones here—what you’ll encounter instead are colorful wooden crosses that tell the stories of the deceased with humor, wit, and a playful spirit.

This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, we conclude our conversation on the fascinating story of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock. From his heroic actions at Gettysburg to his passionate pursuits and personal heartbreaks, Civil War historian MJ Henion shares the human side of this celebrated war hero. Join us as we explore Hancock's politics, death, and burial, and discover why his wife is laid to rest in another state.

Step into the historic Montgomery Cemetery in Norristown, Pennsylvania, with Jennie and Dianne as they're joined by returning guest and U.S. Civil War historian MJ Henion to uncover the story of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, whose life was marked by both triumph and tragedy. Often remembered as a hero at the battle of Gettysburg, MJ covers not only the facts mentioned in the history books, but shares the stories of what made him human - his passions, his heartbreaks, and his triumphs, reminding us that even the most celebrated war heroes are more than just their exploits on the battlefield.

Known for her books 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die and 222 Cemeteries to See Before You Die, Author Loren Rhodes has spent years visiting the dead around the globe and joins Jennie and Dianne on this episode to chat about some of her serendipitous moments among the graves. In 2017 the second edition of Loren's book Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Cemetery Travel was released. Part travel memoir, part cemetery history, the book contains 35 graveyard travel essays and visits more than 50 cemeteries, churchyards, and gravesites across the globe. Now Loren is near to releasing a second book of essays entitled Still Wish You Were Here: More Adventures in Cemetery Travels. These essays are more personal as Loren shares stories of how the little moments in life and in the cemetery come to mean so much over the years. From the poignant to the peculiar, Loren's stories will inspire you to plan your next Ordinary Extraordinary cemetery adventure!

Situated on a hill overlooking the James River and the city of Richmond, Virginia is the iconic Shockoe Hill Cemetery founded in 1820. Over its rolling hills, along its winding paths and beneath the arches of its historic trees, you will find a mix of ornate mausoleums, obelisks, and headstones, reflecting various architectural styles and funerary art. On this latest episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by one of Shockoe Hill's long-time guardians, Jeffry Burden, a recently-retired attorney in Richmond, Virginia, and a longtime student of American history, particularly the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Since 2006, he has been a member of the “Friends of Shockoe Hill Cemetery”, a volunteer citizens group that helps the City of Richmond maintain, improve and interpret the cemetery. Jeffry shares some of the fascinating stories of those who made Shockoe Hill their final resting place and tells of the efforts that go into preserving and…

Passion, dedication, and a love for history! Join Jennie and Dianne on this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they welcome David and Jenny Carr, a remarkable couple who have made it their mission to preserve history. From their early days of documenting gravestones (they’ve documented over 171,000 gravestones across 348 cemeteries in three countries!) to founding Gravestone Guardians, a non-profit dedicated to cemetery restoration, meet the couple who's making a mark on history...literally!