Now Fear This! with Becky & Merie

"The sting never fades with me!” Fearing revenge by porn, headbutting, & coconut murder

Revenge takes center stage in this week's episode, as Merie and Becky cover cases of French football (soccer) revenge, the first-degree murder revenge of Gary Plauche, and that oh-so-horrible thing known as revenge porn. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn't know you had, like:

Just how many t-shirts are there in Merie’s closet? (Hint: it’s as many shoes as Becky has in hers.) How DO you get revenge in debate using Ripley's Believe it or Not? Are adult beverages fueling this episode or not? Which of your hosts was Marie Kondo'd herself? What are the hottest sex scenes involving Oscar nominated actors? Come for the quoting of the show "Yellowstone." Stay for Becky's recommended reaction to speakerphones in public.

I’m just gonna be sexist for a second! Fearing short-term rentals are today’s H. H. Holmes murder castles

In this week’s podcast episode, Becky & Merie dive into house-share horror stories, ranging from being filmed in the bedroom to assault or even murder. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like:

Does Merie need her butler to be a personal cheerleader or fold her underpants into fourths? (Hint: both.) How did Merie end up causing a potted plant to explode? If you rent out your house, should you keep precious family heirlooms on the porch? (Hint: No. Don’t be an idiot.)  Who is it that left behind ammo and a hundred dollars in ones in Becky’s guest room in Montana? (No, really: WHO?!!!)  SHOULD you get up and leave Merie’s house when she morphs into Songbird? (Hint: YES.)

Come for Merie’s thoughts on the dangers of self-reflection. Stay for her acoustic guitar-serenading bed & breakfast. 

"Put down that cancer sandwich!" Fearing food & drink based murder & mayhem

This week’s podcast episode finds Becky & Merie “dishing” on crime and murder involving food and drink (see what we did there?!), with the Johnson family cancer murders, the Dallas poop sprinkler, and a cult out of Oregon on the list. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like:

Is a Subway sandwich technically a crime? (According to the law or according to Becky?) Is poisoning someone the “graffiti of attempted murder?” If you’re lucky, WHAT could be duck feathers? What do silly putty, breast implants, and chicken McNuggets all have in common? If you are an heiress, should you give all your inheritance to a cult guru? Hey (hint: no) ARE the mayonnaise police coming?

Come for the $11 wine mixing. Stay for the beaver anal glands. 

 Sources for this ep include: The Dallas Observer. Free RepubIic. The blog  Suzuki’s Thoughts. The Atlantic.

“No one has peed on my window in the Valley!” Fearing surveillance, pre-crime, & pre-meditated murder

This week’s podcast episode finds Becky and Merie watching creepy footage of crimes, criminals, and creepers, including the Cecil Hotel mystery case of Elisa Lam and the still-unsolved murder of Missy Bevers in Texas. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like:

Does a prenup-based candle smell like money?

D’ya’ll want to pre-order the official Now Fear This “Smells Like Our Disapproval” candle?

Did Merie get arrested for pre-crime or contemplate divorce in Oklahoma?

What IS really in Subway’s “tuna” sandwich? (And Becky is vindicated! Proof of how gross Subway is can be found here.)

If you’ve got bad credit, SHOULD you buy a GPS-car and commit a crime with it? (hint: no.)

Would you want to know if your cat's butt has been on your toothbrush?

How does a pet cam make Becky feel like an asshole? Or is it her irrational dislike of the negative tone of American Horror Story?

What behavior of Becky’s sends Merie’s brain into screensaver mode?

The video from the Missy Bevers murder can be found below.

Sources for this episode: This article from the Dallas Morning News. Wired. Huffington Post. The Star.

“Is everyone else being a furry out there?” Fearing secret lives & the people who live them

This week’s podcast episode takes us into super-secret lives. Becky and Merie talk about that police chief in Texas with a wife and TWO fiancées (!), Merie’s secret agent dad, and other various and sundry serial killers roaming the streets. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like:

Has anyone seen Becky’s wine?

Who else has a secret girlfriend in Kansas? (Who doesn’t?!)

What Texas town has the worst weather in the USA? AND the worst police chief?

Do you want to be a part of a footsie-based Harvard lab experiment? (Us, either!)

What covert activity is Merie likely engaging in when she’s alone in front of the mirror?

What is Merie’s secret life involving a boxed set of Dawson’s Creek? And which one of the ladies is still crushing hard on Pacey - er, Joshua Jackson?

Will you invite the ladies to your furry convention?

*Note: Skip over minute 12 if you plan to watch The Undoing.

Is a giant stuffed purple ape the solution? Fearing terrifying & deadly stalking

This week's episode has Becky and Merie covering some terrifying and deadly stalking situations, including Cindy James Hack, Maria Jimenez-Rodriguez, and Laura Black. They also offer expert advice on avoiding stalkers and avoiding being a stalker. Along the way, they address the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like:

Just how many stalkers have Merie and Becky had? Why does Merie advise you to always keep some COVID expansion clothes? Does she have a Marvel shirt-based case of PTSD? Where ARE all the friendly neighborhood stalkers? What word of the day does Merie ban Becky from saying ever again? And what word can always be counted on to make Becky sleepy? Just how long did Merie stalk Becky before they became friends? Just how much relationship guidance can you get from one Law & Order episode? What is Becky’s height-based superpower? Will the earth actually lose gravity for 2 seconds in May (or did it already?!!!)? And should you chain yourself to an oxygen machine in such cases?

Come for the Six Flags-based makeout sessions. Stay to learn whether obsessively standing in front of someone's workplace will prove your devotion.

Sources for this episode include the life-saving Gavin deBecker book The Gift of Fear. The Stalking Resource Center. Medium.com’s coverage of Cindy James Hack. The Ft Worth Star Telegram’s article on Maria Jimenez-Rodriguez.

“Always sit by a male stranger on a bus?!” Fearing dangerous dating advice for women

This week's episode deals with terrifying dating advice for women, from the 50’s, 90’s, and 2000’s. Along the way, your pod-coasts address burning questions you didn’t know you had, like, how many women were murdered as a result of dating advice from a ladies’ magazine? Why should you avoid looking at your dinner date AT ALL COSTS? How flattering is it when your date gets angry when you reject his sexual advances? Also:

Just how little effort does it take for Merie to lounge on the couch and end up in a romantic relationship? Why doesn’t Merie want to come to your wine and painting party? Is that a syphalytic wart or a herpee? Do you have to accept every dick pic that is sent your way?

Come for Becky’s ridiculous seductive voice that makes Merie bananas. Stay for specific advice on how to die miserable and alone.

If you want to NOT get serial murdered and would like some real advice for how to stay safe when navigating the dating world, read, “Preventing your own Murder,” parts 1, 2, and 3.

What’s the calorie count of zucchini muffins? Fearing evil ob-gyns inseminating, like, everyone

This week’s podcast episode finds Becky and Merie watching a documentary* about the (all-too-common and creepy AF phenomenon) gynecologist trying to impregnate every women in sight. 

Along the way, the girls address all the burning questions you didn’t know you had, like:

What is it about doctor appointments that turns Merie into the Incredible Hulk? Does Becky really want to see sperm swimming inside a microscope? Does Merie still believe her parents were on the up-and-up? Is anyone actually interested in a socialism vs. fascism lesson from your two favorite pod-coasts? (us, either!) What would your doctor do if you suddenly put both of your legs behind your head like a contortionist during your next ob-gyn exam? Which one of these ladies is a former Young Republican? (And WHY?!) Does Merie regret knowing the calorie count of a zucchini muffin? What is her odd connection to the Infamous Octo-mom? 

Come for the gods of our podcasts. Stay for the sperm-bragging.

Fearing that Satan is NOT a deterrent: Passion, obsession & murder in Texas high school football

This week’s podcast episode finds Merie and Becky delving into a Texas-based obsessive football parent, Bill Butterfield, and discussing the violence that ensues. Along the way, they address burning questions you didn’t know you had, like:

What exactly IS Merie’s violent past with the Texas speech and debate circuit? Why is Becky giving wholehearted encouragement for you to be an abject failure? Why is Merie trying to destroy your dreams? Whose house is filled with all the gluten? How will Merie somehow manage to be the first woman president, as predicted by her high school classmates Just how terribly inaccurate was Merie’s COVID wine bottle count? Why isn’t Merie convinced that Becky is pretty good at sports? Which is the better film: Bernie or Weekend at Bernie’s? (hint: it’s Bernie.)

Come for the shower thoughts and farm analogies. Stay for the most hilarious softball story you’ve ever heard. (Trust me.)

This episode is all based on the awesome writing of Skip Hollandsworth in Texas Monthly. Read the article here.

Further resources: National Abuse Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/ Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

Please read this book on prediction and prevention of violence. It will save your life. Watch the 30 for 30 about Aaron Hernandez.

Fearing QAnon? Try Q-a-Nope!

***NOTE: This episode was recorded 3 days BEFORE the assault on our nation’s capital on January 6, 2021. The jokes in here are intended to address the ridiculousness of these conspiracies and in NO WAY make light of their violent outcomes.***

Y’all. We gotta talk about some conspiracy sh*t.

In this week’s podcast episode, the girls dive into the mentality of conspiracy believers, honing in on the group calling itself QAnon. Along the way, they address some burning questions you didn’t know you had, like: Just how many times will Cheetoes get a shoutout on this one little show and during this one little episode? What is Becky willing to do to have a connection to a certain prime minister who lives to the north? How comfy are Memphis’s Peabody Hotel’s duck pants? Who are the 18 asshole members of Congress who voted AGAINST admonishing QAnon? Is the movie “Agents of Chaos” really a recruitment video for unemployed graphic artists? Who wants to start protesting those freedom-killing rules like “no pants/no service?” What is all this about Merie’s machete-based childhood summers? Come for the Netflix “Pedophile Patrol” series proposal. Stay for some “Q-tips” for avoiding driving yourself up into this crazytown.