The Lapse SPOOKYTELLING Podcast returns this Halloween for an exceptionally creepy special.  Remember: it happened to a friend of a friend of mine... Original story by Michael Lutz, @WarrenIsDead. Play the interactive game for yourself at www.correlatedcontents.com/misc/father. Keep the show you love in business. Support Kyle and The Lapse's extensive production at www.patreon.com/thelapse. A huge special thanks to David Gattey, David Boff, Priya Punwani, Cindy Crijns, Rob Holcomb, Matthew Gibson, Antonio DaSilva, Bren MacDonald, and Lesley Miller.

When one death gives life to another. Skip a coffee and keep The Lapse alive in your earbuds. Visit www.patreon.com/thelapse and support this little indie that could. A huge special thanks to David McCaw, David Boff, David Gattey, Haley Boros, Priya Punwani, Lorinda Green, Cindy Crijns, Rob Holcomb, Matthew Gibson, Antonio DaSilva, Jennifer Cherney, Bren MacDonald, Darrel Kane, and Lesley Miller.

Ever dream of starring in a Canadian reality TV show? Well, I sure didn't... Until I was cast in one. I rely on the support of my patrons to make The Lapse possible. If you love the show, if you'd like to see more episodes, consider a teeny-tiny donation at patreon.com/thelapse to keep this podcast running. A huge thank you to patrons Darrell Kane, Priya Punwani, Bren MacDonald, Jennifer Cherney, Lesley Miller, Rob Holcomb, Lorinda Green, Antonio DaSilva, Matthew Gibson, Cindy Crijins, David McCaw, and David Gattey. A heartfelt congratulations to David Gattey and his wife Ashley on their recent wedding!

Niki's husband was planning to kill her... Until her best friend Diane showed up at the door. Now what Diane doesn't know might kill her too. Credit for the outstanding interview used in this episode goes to The Lip, where another version of this story first aired. The Lapse lives and dies by your support. Help Kyle for as little as $1 and get access to exclusive episodes! Become a patron at patreon.com/thelapse. Thank you so, so much to patrons David Gattey, Priya Punwani, Lesley Miller, Lorinda Green, Cindy Crijins, Rob Holcomb, Jennifer Cherney, Bren MacDonald, Haley Boros, Matthew Gibson, Antonio DaSilva, David McCaw and Patrick Freebern for their ongoing, incredible support.

How do you go from the future VP of a billion dollar company to making $12 a week? Meet Marge Crawford. Help Kyle for as little as $1 a month and get exclusive access to The Lapse Storytelling Club! Become a patron at patreon.com/thelapse. A huge thank you to patrons Lesley Miller, Lorinda Green, Darrel Kane, Cindy Crijins, Jennifer Cherney, Bren MacDonald, Antonio DaSilva, David McCaw, Haley Boros, Rob Holcomb, David Gattey, Matthew Gibson, and Patrick Freebern for their amazing support.

Sarah's mother might be the world's greatest slots player. Good luck guessing how this one ends. Please, if you love The Lapse, lend Kyle a hand for as little as $1 at patreon.com/thelapse. A massive thank you to Antonio DaSilva, Lesley Miller, Haley Boros, David Gattey, Bren McDonald, Patrick Freebern, Lorinda Green, Rob Holcomb, Cindy Crijins, Matthew Gibson, Jennifer Cherney, David McCaw, and Darrel Kane for making this possible.

For seven long years, Lily Ann Fouts was missing. And it was all her little sister's idea. For more on Lily's story, visit www.lilyannfouts.com. The Lapse only subsists with your support. Help Kyle tell your stories at patreon.com/thelapse. He'd personally like to thank Darrell Kane, L.C. Greene, Cindy Crijins, Matthew Gibson, David McCaw, Bren McDonald, Haley Boros, David Gattey, Jennifer Cherney, Rob Holcomb, Patrick Freebern, and Mary Anna Gordon.

A collection of The Lapse's very best year yet. Featuring stories by Shawn Duyette, Jupiter Diego, Andrea Abbate, Joe Holmes, and Sire. A massive thank you to supporters Darrell Kane, L.C. Greene, Cindy Crijins, Matthew Gibson, David Gattey, David McCaw, Bren McDonald, Haley Boros, Jennifer Cherney, Rob Holcomb, Patrick Freebern, and Mary Anna Gordon. Your support alone keeps The Lapse running - patreon.com/thelapse.

A suicidal girl under Mark's watch goes missing in sub-zero weather. Support Kyle at patreon.com/thelapse in his quest for season 4! A huge thank you to Bren MacDonald, Mary Anna Gordon, Cindy Crijins, L.C. Green, Patrick Freebern, Rob Holcomb, David McCaw, Matthew Gibson, and Jennifer Cherney. Listen to more of Mark Redmond on his own podcast So Shines a Good Deed.

Hobbies. Values. Affectations. Signs of any lasting friendship. But when we're kids, it's proximity that makes us best buds. Our most profound friendships are made for next to no reason. The Lapse survives on listener support. Help Kyle make season 4 a reality at patreon.com/thelapse. Thank you so much to patrons Matthew Gibson, Cindy Crijns, David McCaw, Rob Holcomb, Jennifer Cherney & Patrick Freebern! I couldn't do it without you. Check out Freddie's lineup at Oxford Games including Ex Libris! Use LAPSE15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Turn out your lights. Put on your headphones. Welcome, boils and ghouls, to The Lapse SPOOKYTELLING Podcast. It happened to a friend of a friend of mine... Has The Lapse moved you, scared you, given you pause to reflect? Consider supporting Kyle Gest's work with a small monthly donation at patreon.com/thelapse. The show simply cannot run without your support. A massive thank you to patrons Patrick Freebern, Matthew Gibson, Jennifer Cherney, Haley Boros, Rob Holcomb, David McCaw & Cindy Crijns!

All Megan has to do is get that godforsaken deer to leave her backyard. Dead or alive. Consider a small monthly donation and keep The Lapse - and Kyle - in production. We're just shy of our next goal at www.patreon.com/thelapse and yet another patron-exclusive episode! Catch Megan Roberts on her choose-your-own-adventure podcast, Chaotic Neutral Adventures.

A homeless man becomes trapped in a traveling carnival that won't let go. The Lapse survives on listener support. Chat with Kyle, find exclusive content, and keep him running at patreon.com/thelapse. A massive thank you to patrons Jennifer Cherney, Matthew Gibson, 802 Studios, Anthony Cantu, Cindy Crijns, Rob Holcomb, David McCaw & Haley Boros! You can keep up with Sire's further exploits on Twitter @WorthySire.

How do two lovebirds who can't speak the same language, who barely understand one another, somehow manage to hit it off? It's something you and I and everyone you know has used at least once. In this first installment of The Lapse Presents, from former Wiretap producers Mira Burt-Wintonick and Cristal Duhaime, this is "Love Me," a podcast about the messiness of human connection.

"If you wake up and find mommy dead in the morning, you have to promise, promise, promise to take my contacts out." Parents, right? The Lapse is supported by listeners like you. Interact with Kyle and keep The Lapse running at patreon.com/thelapse. Thank you SO MUCH to patrons David McCaw, Jill Galvez, Matthew Gibson, Richard Gwirtz, Cindy Crijns, Jennifer Cherney, 802 Studios, Rob Holcomb & Anthony Cantu. If you'd like to see some images of Andrea Abbate's mother and father, you can find those on Instagram @thelapsepodcast.

While investigating a series of cryptic flyers, Joe realizes he might have joined a cult. The Lapse is supported by listeners like you. Keep Kyle fed and make this possible at patreon.com/thelapse. Thank you as always to this incredible support from Richard Gwirtz, Rob Holcomb, Jennifer Cherney, Cindy Crijns, Jill Galvez, Anthony Cantu, Matthew Gibson, & 802 Studios. You can see more of Joe Holmes's work on Instagram @mandiblejunker.

Jupiter Diego returns with a tale of one public affair's descent into madness. Love, drugs, and naughtiness abound in this one. Love The Lapse? Make a small pledge to support Kyle at patreon.com/thelapse. The show's continued existence hinges on that support. A massive thank you to this month's executive patrons: Jennifer Cherney, Cindy Crijns, Richard Gwirtz, 802 Studios, Matthew Gibson, Jill Galvez, Anthony Cantu & Rob Holcomb. Jupiter has a wealth of stories. You can find more at jupiterdiego.com.

Something is wrong. Terribly wrong. Something is wrong with Shawn's friend Steve. Love The Lapse? Kyle relies on your support at patreon.com/thelapse. Super special thanks to this month's executive patrons: Anthony Cantu, Cindy Crijns, Dan Lesser, Richard Gwirtz, Matthew Gibson, Jill Galvez, Jennifer Cherney, 802 Studios, Rob Holcomb & Haley Smith. For a further peek into Shawn's history with Steve, be sure to check out his book MotoYoga.

Was Megan being catfished? The simple answer is so rarely simple. Love The Lapse? Support Kyle in his quest for minimum wage at patreon.com/thelapse. Super special thanks to this month's executive patrons: Anthony Cantu, Cindy Crijns, Dan Lesser, Richard Gwirtz, Matthew Gibson, Jill Galvez, Jennifer Cherney, Patrick Freebern, Rob Holcomb & Haley Smith.  

Undoubtedly the best year in storytelling from The Lapse yet. As much as we could cram into one episode... With updates! If you haven't dipped into the archives, here's your reminder. You're missing out on some fantastic stories. Love The Lapse? Help me continue to make the award-winning indie you love at patreon.com/thelapse. This month's executive supporters: Rob Holcomb, Cindy Crijns, Matthew Gibson, Richard Gwirtz, Jill Galvez, Patrick Freebern, Dawn Smith, Haley Smith, Jennifer Cherney, & Dan Lesser.

Candice Fox grew up with twelve siblings, a houseful of dead birds, and her loveable trash-picking mom. One man's trash is Candice's mom's treasure. Love The Lapse? Help us continue to make the award-winning indie you love at patreon.com/thelapse. This month's executive supporters: Rob Holcomb, Cindy Crijns, Matthew Gibson, Richard Gwirtz, Jill Galvez, Patrick Freebern, Dawn Smith, Haley Smith, Jennifer Cherney, & Dan Lesser. Candice Fox's award-winning crime fiction is published by Random House and available online or through your local book store.

Childhood antics. Adulthood addicts. Jupiter Diego returns for a second story presented without narration. Like The Lapse? We're less than $100 from funding season 3. Help us continue making the show you love at patreon.com/thelapse. This month's executive supporters: Dawn Smith, Cindy Crijns, Jill Galvez, Matthew Gibson, Richard Gwirtz, & Dan Lesser. Listen to more of Jupiter's work at JupiterDiego.com

All Tom had to do was get the band to the show. Problem? It's '95, it's Insane Clown Posse, and all their fans want his head. Itching for season 3? Make it possible! Support The Lapse for as little as $1 a month at patreon.com/thelapse. This month's executive supporters: Cindy Crijns, Jill Galvez, Dan Lesser, & Richard Gwirtz. Catch more of Tom on his film review podcast, Reel Spoilers.

After witnessing the suicide of a young boy, wherever Greg goes, death seems to follow. This month's executive-level supporters, courtesy patreon.com/thelapse - Dan Lesser, Richard Gwirtz, Cindy Crijns, & Jill Galvez. Support The Lapse for as little as $1 a month and get access to hours of additional content. While this month's story deals with some markedly darker subject matter, Greg is the co-host of comedy podcast The All Seeing Guys. Insightful, funny, standup guy. Give his exploits a listen.

BOO! How better to scare your pants off than a trip to the local haunted house? Try playing one of the monsters. If you're not prepared to get punched or spat on, this may not be the job for you. It's a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween episode of The Lapse! This month's Patreon executive producers, courtesy patreon.com/thelapse - Dan Lesser, Richard Gwirtz, Cindy Crijns, & Jill Galvez. Support The Lapse for as little as $1 a month and get access to a wealth of bonus content <3.

Felisha's mother Violet went missing 22 years ago. No body was ever recovered. Could she really still be out there? How do you a tell a true story when you don't know what the truth really is? Sometimes the need for closure speaks louder. Felisha Martin's journey continues at http://www.missingviolet.com. You'll find a wealth of pictures, newspaper articles, and more. Share Violet's image. Ask a friend if they've seen her. Ask two. We'll be using the hashtag #wheresviolet to keep track. Support us for as little as $1 a month! This episodes executive producers, courtesy of Patreon.com/thelapse: Jill Galvez, Richard Gwirtz, Dan Lesser, and Cindy Crijns.

Some of our very best stories from year one of The Lapse Storytelling Podcast! This compilation stitches major fan faves with some of our personal picks up to February 2015. If you haven't listened to the archives, now's the time to learn what you're missing out on. PLUS: Win a copy of the award-winning Taking My Parents to Burning Man, the now-completed film that inspired our episode of the same name. See http://thelapse.org for details.

Flesh-eating bacteria. A loss of all four of his limbs. And then? That's when Will's story gets really wild. I could've spoken to Will Lautzenheiser for days. He's a wonderfully insightful, well-spoken guy with an experience that just fascinates on every conceivable level. If you'd like to hear the uncut (three hour!) interview, you'll find it at Patreon.com/thelapse. Huge thank you and shout out to Mara Bresnahan, without whom Will and I may never have met.

When your love for a stranger is enough to bail them out of prison... by pretending to be their bride. Sara is the perfect example of someone who had a story, but didn't quite know how to share it. After our interview, finding these little insights she never knew she had, she joked that I should offer a degree in Lapse-ology. Any takers? Support The Lapse on Patreon for as little as $1! As a solo-produced podcast, your support keeps this show alive.

Death with dignity. An angel of mercy. Assisted suicide. Jupiter Diego's father is a renowned conductor and violinist, a man used to a certain quality of life. But as he's struck terminally ill, as his body is no longer what it was, he seeks the help of his family. Shouldn't he die on his own terms? You can listen to more of Jupiter Diego's work on his website as well as on the "What if you lost a high speed chase?" episode of This is Actually Happening. I will admit, I would've loved to edit that one. Support The Lapse on Patreon for as little as $1! As a solo-produced podcast, your support goes further than you could possibly imagine.

Sub-zero temps, chest-high mud, and ravenous birds? We're going on an adventure. Jennifer Purdie is on a mission to complete a marathon across all seven continents. But to do that, she'll have to brave the most grueling trek of them all: a seven hour gauntlet across the Antarctic tundra. If you appreciate the work that I do here at The Lapse, I sure could use your support. Sharing these stories is my passion, but it ultimately comes out of my pocket. Please consider making a contribution on our Patreon campaign and be a part of keeping this something special. Follow Jennifer's ongoing adventures at jenniferpurdie.com. Download "Cool Running" NOW on iTunes, Stitcher, or stream it at the link below.

How could a hole in your sock mean the end of your life? When you don't actually find one. Natasha Porter was on vacation in Australia when she very was struck with a very unlikely illness. Not one in a hundred, but one in a hundred thousand. She still lives with its ramifications to this day. What strikes me most about Natasha's story, aside from the harrowing experience of it all, are the psychological consequences of such a rare and sudden illness. Like the universe is out to get you. That feeling, at least, is something I can relate to. Like the show? Support us! Running The Lapse does not pay the rent, but for as little as $1, you can keep it running. Plus you'll find out about that time I was on a reality show. Awesome, right? That's Patreon.com/thelapse. Download "The Hole in My Sock" NOW on iTunes, Stitcher, or stream it at the link below.

You're 13. You're gay. And you're an evangelical Christian. As a shy, slightly effeminate teen, making friends with the other lads isn't easy for Chad Michael. But when his eyes meet the big blues of another church boy, the connection is undeniable... and his secret unmentionable. Chad's known as The Video Poet. As a graduate of USC Film School, he merges filmmaking prowess with slam poetry cred. The poem that inspired him to tell this story, the personal side of this story, is Dear American Youth Pastor. Check it out. If you're a teen in the Pasadena area and you're looking for a non-judgmental place, somebody to talk to, you'll find Chad at All Saints Episcopal Church. Support The Lapse on Patreon for as little as $1! With your help, we can have more episodes, more often. Download "The Freshman" NOW on iTunes, Stitcher, or stream it at the link below.

Coming of Age. Family Legacies. The Ca-merican Dream. Ryan Uytdewilligen - go on, try and say it - ached for a change of scenery. Silver screens, big city lights, Hollywood nights. But as a third generation farm boy with an increasingly ill family to tend to, his path may have already been set. If you're among our many American listeners, settle in. We've got a true blue Canadian accent coming atcha. Support The Lapse on Patreon for as little as $1! We're a mere $22 from our goal as of this post. Download Hollywood Sugar Beets NOW on iTunes, Stitcher, or stream it at the link below.

One year of The Lapse Storytelling Podcast! What better guest than the very first storyteller I ever met? My mother. When you hear of a town named like "Maple Ridge," you might think it remote. Canadian. Peaceful. For both my mum and I, that stereotype holds true for all but the latter. This is but one of those tales: the very unusual friendship between my mother and a meth-addicted homeless man. As of this episode, we're a mere $50 shy of our Patreon goal. In order to continue at the pace we're at, ever and onward with no hiatus, the show can't live off its savings. For as little as a buck, you can keep us out of the red. Happy anniversary, you lovely people. Download "Mom" on iTunes, Stitcher, or stream it at the link below.

Jessie Kahnweiler had a tough sell: a short satirical comedy about rape. Wait, wait, wait - hear us out. Years ago, in her college years, Jessie was raped. For more than half a decade she'd been trying to tell herself she was okay. Outwardly, that's what she told people. But that creeping sensation, the kind where deep down something is dreadfully wrong, it was only a matter of time before it gurgled back up. But Jessie has kind of did the impossible. She's a talented, intelligent, filmmaker with a wicked sense of a humor. So guess what? Her film is really, really funny. This episode is the story behind the story, but if you've yet to watch Meet My Rapist, you'll find it embedded right here on thelapse.org. It was a selection at the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival. You'd be missing something special if you skipped it. Want to hear the full, unedited interview? Keep The Lapse alive on Patreon. We're a mere $65 from our goal as of this writing and we've got a whack of fun stuff if you do. Download Meet My Rapist NOW on iTunes, Stitcher, or stream it at the link below.

I, Kyle Gest, have been accused of being both very fortunate and incredibly unlucky. Truth is, without that combination, I may never have started this show. These are the origins of The Lapse Storytelling Podcast. Fair warning, they're more dramatic than you might expect. Got $1? Keep The Lapse alive on Patreon. If you're curious about the how and why of Kyle's high school experience, you can find a live version of that story on Rain City Chronicles. Download I Made This HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

How could episode 19's Monica Hamburg POSSIBLY go out with that lunatic again? Find out what happened on her very final date. Spoilers for episode 19's The Force. And if you dig this one, Minisode 2 is available RIGHT NOW at Patreon! I've been busting butts to make this a show you think is worth supporting. We don't have the crew or the budget most shows of this quality have. The Lapse is supported entirely by you, and it needs your help to keep running. We're half way to our first goal. Spare a dollar?  Download Minisode 1 HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

Ketamine is a drug largely used in veterinary clinics. Recreationally, it's used to induce an out of body experience. The oft-sought "K-Hole." But Sean Michael Hayes was looking to score for a different reason. He was trying to save his life. One in ten North Americans is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Many more live in silence, believing that what they're experiencing is normal, or convincing themselves that medication for the mind is something to be ashamed of. This is the story of Sean's quest for normalcy. Sean Michael Hayes is the author of a trilogy of books about his experience, the first of which, Five Weeks in the Amazon is available here. We just barely graze it in our episode, but the book spans the full breadth of Sean's time in Peru. Look for his second memoir, I Killed a Black Dog, coming soon. If you're not familiar with the quote, think Churchill. Patreon news! Once a month we'll be debuting extra-special bonus vignettes exclusive to our contributors. These'll be short pieces under five minutes, either original or bits we love but just couldn't fit into the program. Wondering what happened on Monica's final date? How about the mysterious black spots that afflicted Sean in Thailand? You'll find all that with a donation to our Patreon campaign. I'm trying, folks. I need your support. Download Depression Quest HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

Impersonating an officer carries up to a two year sentence. But what if you genuinely believed you were one? The wonderfully funny Monica Hamburg shares what might humbly be described as the Worst. Date. Ever.   Monica was an absolute treat to have on the show. She's the host of her very own, very dark, very funny podcast, Dazed and Convicted. If you dig weird criminals and the dregs of Craigslist, you should absolutely check her out. Heads up for this episode. We talk sexy talk. If you've got kids in the room, there's a brief reference to a job of the blowing variety. Download The Force HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

Two dudes. Two bikes. 11,357 kilometres. What could possibly go wrong? Gavin Kennedy was one of those rare people who made a mad drunken bet and actually stuck to it. He wasn't a cyclist. He hadn't trained for this. But sense be damned: he was biking from Vancouver, Canada to God Knows, Argentina. All of Gavin's adventures, including way more than we could ever possibly mention on this show, can be found on his travelogue - www.twodudesonbikes.com. If that's down when you read this, tune in shortly. It should swing online again. Download Scenic Route HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.  

Kids are beautiful, wonderful, disgusting creatures, aren't they? Dwayne really really likes to spit. He's good at it. Really good. Maybe Guinness World Records good. What does one do with such talent? Evidently, you make archenemies with this week's storyteller, Karina Sims. Karina's the author of Sinners Circle. It's about purveyor of porn, Amanda Troy. By day, she's a sex shop employee. By night? Serial killer. If you dig Karina's voice, her sweet cynicism is all over her novel. Check it out. Download Mocking Bird HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

Rosa Del Duca joined the U.S. National Guard at seventeen. She'd spend nearly half a decade trying to escape it. This is probably the longest episode we've had since the beginning, but it's bite-sized compared to Rosa's experience as a conscientious objector. If I had all the time and all the money, her story could fill a feature. Fortunately, her (excellent) memoir fills that void. Hit up Rosa's site for more on her work. I recommend it. Credit for this episode's interview goes to Jessie Brennan. Bang up job, lady. Please, if you haven't, visit Patreon.com/thelapse and help keep The Lapse is business. The clock, she's a tickin'. Don't wait till she stops. Download The War Against War HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

George De Young was framed. And the Thai Police were in on it. It's funny, despite this being one of the show's more incredible stories, George has never actually listened to The Lapse. He pitched me on a lark from a Craigslist ad. Even after our interview, he still had to ask, "what's the show called again?" Hope we did you justice, George. Major thanks to Jessie Brennan for this week's transcription! I forgot to credit you in the audio portion of the show. You're the best. If you've yet to contribute to our Patreon campaign, please consider it. There is a clock, and it is ticking. Download The Good Guy Defense HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

Ah, the pity date. When you just don't have a good enough excuse to say "no."  Marshall Whitlock returns to The Lapse with what might be the funniest story we've ever had. Tact. Some got it. Some don't. If you're the cringing type, settle in. It gets awkward. If this show brings you just the smallest bit of joy, please donate to our Patreon campaign. We've got rewards ranging from behind the scenes access to personalized lessons in storytelling, straight from me to you. You can keep The Lapse living for as little as $2.00 a month. An affordable cause, if ever there was one. Visit Patreon.com/TheLapse today. Download Awkward HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

"Where do I download The Crew Change?" You won't find it. Not unless you know someone who knows someone. Not unless you're part of the underground, the cats who ride the rails. The drifters, hobos, and punks that hitch like it's a living. And why shouldn't they? They ain't got no other livin'. You won't find a copy because The Crew Change is the stowaway's bible. It's the Anarchist's Cookbook of the rails; a complete guide to when, where, and how to catch a free ride... without getting caught. Heads up! I'm on TV. Catch me Wednesday nights on The Audience Canada at 10PM on The W Network. Tune back in to http://thelapse.org where you can catch direct links to the episodes I'm in. Download Crew Change HERE on iTunes or stream at it the link below.

I was an eleven year old Peeping Tom. I loved James Bond. I wanted to be James Bond. Which is why, naturally, I became the founder and president of Spy Club. This is a first for The Lapse, in that this story is by yours truly, Kyle Gest. We'd originally recorded guest narration (big ups to William Hopkins, accent extraordinaire), but a couple catastrophes later, we couldn't use it. The final result is our very first story without an additional narrator. This is straight from me to you! I think it's a barrel of monkeys. A reminder for my Canadian brethren: I'm on TV! You can catch me Wednesday nights on The W Network at 10PM Pacific. Check your local listings for The Audience Canada if you're keen to put a face to the voice. Download The Spy Club HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

For a while, mum and dad are perfect. Right, even when they're wrong. It's only as we get older that our parents become humanized. People with problems. Linda Feuerhelm should've been too young to have that revelation, but as you'll hear in this week's episode... there's something very wrong with Linda's mum. Major, major thanks to Jessie Brennan for this episode's transcription and to Alex Ricci for the ongoing editorial assistance. I'm so sorry, I forgot to mention them both in this episode's credits. They're absolute gems. I'll be mentioning them again the next. I'm on vacation, so it'll be an extra week before the show returns. Worry not! We'll see you in three. Download Odd Couple HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

Emily is 6"1'. If that doesn't seem like a big deal, try again. The average Canadian woman is less than 5'4". Emily is taller than 99.6% of all the world's women combined. This is the original, unaired pilot of The Lapse Storytelling Podcast. With a couple hiccups in our regular scheduled programming, I thought it'd be a treat to share just where The Lapse came from. It's funny. I didn't realize how much narration I did back then. We've all got a story to tell. A great story. Hell, multiple great stories. The trick is, while everybody's got one, it's the telling that makes the story tick. I started The Lapse with that theory in mind and I still believe it's true. I hope you dig this one. I'm still proud of it. Download Wish I Was A Little Bit Smaller HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

Gabriel Bellman has witnessed more disasters than any one person rightfully should. Volcanoes, earthquakes, riots, terrorism... Despite hopping around the U.S. from state to state, where Gabriel goes, bad news seems to follow. The strange thing about being a magnet for disaster? It begins to feel familiar. Routine. Call him unlucky, but the man lives to tell about it. Gabriel is the founder of the Frozen Film Festival in San Francisco. He's been running the thing since 2006 and it's begun to attract some seriously talented filmmakers. If you're going to be in San Fran July 17th - 20th, check it out. He's also a director himself; his latest documentary, The Bellman Equation, is available online. And if that weren't enough, Gabriel runs his own (250+ episode!) podcast Film 4 Thought. Download State of Emergency HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

This is, without question, the darkest episode The Lapse has ever aired. Try not to take what I'm about to say as reductive. Because when Wichita Sims underwent treatment for breast cancer, the ingredients were a known quantity: chemo, radiation, group counseling. It was standard practice. Routinized. Regimented. She stuck to the recipe and she lived to tell it. There's no such thing as boilerplate brain surgery. One slip, one miscalculation, and you may irreparably change a human being. When Wichita developed a brain tumor, her doctor told her not to worry. Unfortunately, that is where her story begins. For more on Wichita Sims, including her previous struggles with breast cancer, you can read her work online at www.WichitaSims.com. Download A Few Loose Screws HERE on iTunes or stream it at the link below.

Taking your conservative parents to Burning Man is one thing. Filming every moment is another. This marks a particularly special episode of The Lapse: two storytellers, one story. Speaking to co-directors Joel Ashton McCarthy and Bryant "Spry Bry" Boesen was a treat. Matthau and Lemon would be proud; they're an Odd Couple in the best sense, just mismatched enough to compliment one another. In a lot of ways, Joel has more in common with Charles and Lee, Bryant's parents. Rather than give away its namesake, aptly named Taking My Parents to Burning Man, this episode explores more of the dynamic between Joel and Bryant. I think it's a pretty fabulous companion piece. Two voices is a lot of work to edit with, so settle in for something special. It might be a while before this kind of episode again. In the meantime, you need to see this movie. Get tickets at the Soho Film Festival in New York for May 17th now because the film has sold out at every screening thus far. You can also buy tickets in Vancouver at the Rio Theatre on May 30th and May 31st. Bryant Boesen is moving on to his next Burning Man-esque venture with The Art of Expression. It's beautiful. Just incredibly gorgeous. You can also watch him breathe fire which is worth hitting up for that alone. Joel McCarthy is just about to enter production on After Film School, a delightfully black comedy that's being funded in part by Telus. The pitch video already makes me smile. After you listen to this, you can get a whole free freakin' audiobook! Visit www.audibletrial.com/TheLapse. Seriously, they're run by Amazon and their selection is amazing. They want to help hosting this show a little and give you guys free stuff in the process, but only if you hit that link. Get your free audiobook now. Listen to Episode 7: Taking My Parents to Burning Man on iTunes or stream it below.

The classic magician is a dying breed. Christopher James Schuh represents a sect of dreamers bent on keeping that tradition alive. Not a relic of vaudevillian past or some Criss Angel special still haunting Spike TV. I've seen the man float a table across the room with nary a wire in sight. He's good. Real good. If watching the illusion is fascinating, so too is getting a glimpse behind the curtain. This episode is for the kid in all of you. It's wonder. It's whimsy. It's Some Kinda Magic. For more on Christopher James Schuh, including tour info, videos, and pictures of the table trick in action, be sure to check out his site. Exciting stuff! We've recorded our very first international story with more to come. Busy, busy, busy but keep sending those pitches. Not good story will be turned away. And if you want to contribute to the show from behind the scenes, you can get details here. Looking for story curators, interviewers, and sound people, people! Download "Some Kinda Magic" on iTunes HERE!

Like strangers, like dangers, fear takes many forms. Ever wish you had an opportunity to reshape the smirk on every childhood bully? Give 'em all a good fistful of knuckles? Rob Puittinen got that opportunity in a way he never anticipated. Like Rob, I was no stranger to small town living. I grew up in the Fraser Valley, another peacefully named dung heap on the outskirts of greater Vancouver. Years from now, should I have a kid, here's the piece of advice I'll give him: "Livin' in a small town don't make you invincible, boy." With hope, my Canadian accent will have matured into a rugged southern drawl. Few announcements to make while you download.  The show's growing faster than I anticipated. We're getting a God's honest following here, and for that, I love ya. But as the workload increases, The Lapse Storytelling Podcast is Hiring Assistants. See that post for details. Number two, you might just hear The Lapse on satellite radio, XM Channel 123. That's right! PRX Remix dug us enough to license a couple episodes for broadcast. Right alongside big brothers like The Moth. The pay is peanuts for us, so don't clap too loudly, but look at that. Two months in the cockpit and we're already flying. Let's see where this baby takes us. Third, if you're the disaffected type, if you feel like your vote doesn't matter, I've got news: just a single review from you on iTunes makes us shoot up the rankings. You actually do make a difference, and you'll keep this show running. Pretty please. Leave a review on iTunes. Listen to Stranger Danger below or GET IT HERE on iTunes.

You're pregnant. 43 years old. A 1 in 3 chance your child might have Down Syndrome. Do you follow through? Whatever your belief, understand this:  when the hard and fast rules of your life are thrust in front of you, it's impossible not to question them. Broad strokes of black and white morality soon blend to grey. Cue Lee-Anne Ekland. Fair warning: she's been through a lot. This week's episode gets a little ambitious, skipping and jumping between Lee-Anne's past and present. For me, it was like putting together a really good puzzle. I think you'll dig the result. After you listen to this story, you need to check out Lee-Anne Ekland's blog. Especially if you're a mother. Her story here continues there to this day. That's a spoiler warning if you're wondering. Download the story here on iTunes or hit the stream below.  

Mann Cuevas is a #1 hit-single popstar. Between you and I? It's a secret. A visit to Manuel's work in Vancouver might net you a free cup of coffee. A step off the plane with Mann in Mexico will likely get you trampled. For everyone who wonders what it's like to be Clark Kent, this is your episode. Whether you're familiar with his work or not, you should absolutely listen to the Mann himself, including his brand new Terra EP. Even if you're not a fan of the genre, the Mexican music industry is a fascinating wild-west of a place. If you just can't get enough Mann in your life, check out his hour-long documentary, MANN:2013. To be honest, I'm excited to see the turnout for this one. Either you've not a clue who Mann Cuevas is... or you know exactly who he is and that's the only reason you're listening to this podcast. I'll update you on the stats in the weeks to come. ¡Órale! Mexico! Get it on iTunes or the link below.

When you're a virgin, sex for the first time seems impossible. The older you get, the more futile the fantasy. But as the cliche goes, be careful what you wish for. Marshall Whitlock was one virgin too lucky.     This marks the second episode of The Lapse and I couldn't be more excited to share it. Marshall and I were university buds, a combo, like ale and bitters. Strong, dark, stout. Recommended in moderation. Trust me when I say this: you know a guy well enough, you're certain to pull a good goddamned story out of him. Not the least of which is how he lost his virginity. I'll make my listeners a bet: if you've lost your virginity in a more incredible, more outlandish way, send us a message. We'll have you on the show. Check out the episode below or nab it on iTunes.

Even cancer has a silver lining, at least when you listen to TJ Kelly's story. With her, the very fist episode of The Lapse is LIVE! I met TJ on a television show, of all things, debuting at the end of March. She's a fabulous, funny lady that'll make you laugh even in spite of her circumstances. We stumbled into the story when I asked her about her blog, a site she once owned called Girl in a Van, chronicling her adventures across the U.S. She'd stopped writing for it. When I asked her why, she told me she'd need a couple more drinks first. I obliged. You don't expect the C Word after a couple drinks. Where TJ's road trip ends is where this story begins. She hopes to one day publish a memoir on her experience. Sidenote: It's my birthday! Please do me one little thing. Like The Lapse on Facebook and share it with somebody, anybody. It'd sincerely help me out. That means more content from The Lapse and the possibility of food on my table. Get the episode here on iTunes.