August is coming to a close, which means Halloween is just around the corner. With the spookiest of seasons quickly approaching, you may be wondering just how to get yourself into that Halloween state-of-mind. Well, look no further because the podcast "And That's Why We Drink" is the answer to all your paranormal prayers. While there are many reasons why you should stop reading this article right now and give it a listen yourself, here are a few of my favorites. Let's crack into it.
1. It's the perfect mix of paranormal and true crime.
Each episode of the podcast covers one paranormal and one true crime story, which means it's enjoyable even if you don't quite subscribe to the paranormal side of things. The only exception to this format are the monthly "listeners' episodes", where the hosts read stories sent in by fans about their brushes with the paranormal or hometown crimes. Who knows, maybe a story you send in could be featured one day.
2. Em and Christine are best friend goals.
The podcast is hosted by Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz, two friends who met in grad school in Boston and decided to start a podcast together after reconnecting when they both moved to LA. One of my favorite parts of the podcast has been watching their friendship grow throughout the episodes. In the first few episodes, you could tell that Em and Christine were still getting to know each other, whereas now they're the best of friends. Em even planned Christine's bachelorette party and will be officiating her upcoming wedding.
3. It's hilarious.
While the subject matter itself may not seem especially funny, Em and Christine always find a way to lighten the mood and inject humor into even the scariest stories. I used to listen to the podcast while on my way to work and I'd often get weird looks from other motorists at stoplights while I was laughing my ass off at something Em or Christine said. Come for the spooks, stay for the jokes.
4. The episodes make you feel like you're chatting with your best friends.
Every episode you listen to just feels like you're telling scary stories at a sleepover with your best friends. Em and Christine really allow their listeners to get to know them as people and often discuss the events going on in their lives before they tell their stories. As a result, listeners are able to connect with them on a more personal level. This has lead to the formation of a sort of community between listeners, allowing people from all over the world to connect over their shared love of the podcast on the "And That's Why We Drink" Facebook group. There are so many inside jokes and stories that just add to the sense of connection between the hosts and the listeners.
5. Gio, of course.
Along with the stories, Em and Christine also do a fair amount of talking about the people (and pets) in their lives. Pictured above is Christine's dog (the goodest god boy ever), Gio. There's also Juniper the cat, Christine's fiance Blaise, Christine's brother Alexander, Em's girlfriend Allison and Em and Christine's lovely assistant, Eva. This cast of characters gives the podcast life beyond the stories and makes the listener feel like part of the family.
6. Em and Christine put their all into the podcast.
Em and Christine put an amazing amount of work and heart into their podcast. You can tell that they genuinely love doing it. They do super thorough research for all of their stories and are even starting to do live shows all over the United States. It's obvious that they genuinely care about their show and listeners, and it just makes the podcast feel that much more authentic. I hope that someday I'll get the chance to see one of their live shows!
You can find "And That's Why We Drink" on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, and their website. Whether you're a seasoned podcast aficionado or are looking to explore the world of podcasts, this podcast is a perfect one to try.
