Less Taken
Less Taken 'Real-Life Horror Stories from the Midwest' @lesstakenpod on fb, Bluesky, & IG lesstakenpod@gmail.com Blog, Notes & Sources: https://www.lesstakenpod.com/ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lesstakenpod Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/less-taken--5431283/support.
Episodes
June 13, 2025 • 6 mins
EARLY RELEASE! ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY 6/17/25.
In the summer of 1878, frontier farmer James Conway staggers past his barn, a flask in hand, unaware of the iron-tipped wagon tongue waiting in the dark. His death might have been foreseeable, but no one can predict what happens next.
Explore a seven-minute dive into a tragedy where simple misfortune blurs into haunting legend on the edge of Nebraska’s wild prairie.
Let us kn...
In the summer of 1878, frontier farmer James Conway staggers past his barn, a flask in hand, unaware of the iron-tipped wagon tongue waiting in the dark. His death might have been foreseeable, but no one can predict what happens next.
Explore a seven-minute dive into a tragedy where simple misfortune blurs into haunting legend on the edge of Nebraska’s wild prairie.
Let us kn...
Mark as Played
June 3, 2025 • 53 mins
In the vast Nebraska plains, a polished drifter named Stephen D. Richards hid a killer’s heart beneath his handsome exterior.
Between 1876 and 1878, Richards—later dubbed “The Nebraska Fiend”—confesses to murdering at least nine lone travelers across Nebraska and Iowa before fleeing from authorities.
In this episode, we trace his first fatal duel by the Platte River, the brutal slaying of the Harlson family, and the manhunt that ens...
Between 1876 and 1878, Richards—later dubbed “The Nebraska Fiend”—confesses to murdering at least nine lone travelers across Nebraska and Iowa before fleeing from authorities.
In this episode, we trace his first fatal duel by the Platte River, the brutal slaying of the Harlson family, and the manhunt that ens...
Mark as Played
May 27, 2025 • 9 mins
In the wide Nebraska plains, a polished drifter named Stephen D. Richards hid a killer’s heart beneath his handsome exterior.
Between 1876 and 1878, Richards—later dubbed “The Nebraska Fiend”—confesses to murdering at least nine lone travelers across Nebraska and Iowa before fleeing from authorities.
In this upcoming episode, we trace his first fatal duel by the Platte River, the brutal slaying of the Harlson family, and the manhunt...
Between 1876 and 1878, Richards—later dubbed “The Nebraska Fiend”—confesses to murdering at least nine lone travelers across Nebraska and Iowa before fleeing from authorities.
In this upcoming episode, we trace his first fatal duel by the Platte River, the brutal slaying of the Harlson family, and the manhunt...
Mark as Played
May 23, 2025 • 48 mins
Explore real-world horrors and ghostly legends as we embark on this chilling journey from the streets of Kansas City to the haunted highways of Nebraska.
Much like our Pit Stops from Season Two, these Roads Less Taken episodes cover details we couldn’t quite squeeze into our previous Story. These are often interesting tidbits that would have taken us too far off course from the main narrative.
What’s different is once we wrap up a f...
Much like our Pit Stops from Season Two, these Roads Less Taken episodes cover details we couldn’t quite squeeze into our previous Story. These are often interesting tidbits that would have taken us too far off course from the main narrative.
What’s different is once we wrap up a f...
Mark as Played
May 20, 2025 • 7 mins
They came seeking shelter on the Osage Trail—only to become whispers in Bender’s Inn.
In this tense, seven-minute edition of Less Taken, we travel back to explore the dusty frontier of the old Osage Trail, where weary travelers begin vanishing without a trace.
Every clue—discarded belongings, blood-soaked footprints, and frantic last-ditch messages—leads to one place: Bender’s Inn.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subs...
In this tense, seven-minute edition of Less Taken, we travel back to explore the dusty frontier of the old Osage Trail, where weary travelers begin vanishing without a trace.
Every clue—discarded belongings, blood-soaked footprints, and frantic last-ditch messages—leads to one place: Bender’s Inn.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subs...
Mark as Played
May 6, 2025 • 83 mins
There were no screams. Just photographs.
For years, Rob Berdella tortured and killed in near silence—his victims disappearing without a sound, their agony captured in Polaroids and handwritten logs. Neighbors heard nothing. The house stayed quiet. But behind closed doors, a methodical horror unfolded, room by room, tape by tape.
Berdella kept records like trophies: Polaroids, notes, fragments of lives erased.
This isn’t just the sto...
For years, Rob Berdella tortured and killed in near silence—his victims disappearing without a sound, their agony captured in Polaroids and handwritten logs. Neighbors heard nothing. The house stayed quiet. But behind closed doors, a methodical horror unfolded, room by room, tape by tape.
Berdella kept records like trophies: Polaroids, notes, fragments of lives erased.
This isn’t just the sto...
Mark as Played
April 29, 2025 • 8 mins
There were no screams. Just photographs.
For years, Rob Berdella tortured and killed in near silence—his victims disappearing without a sound, their agony captured in Polaroids and handwritten logs. Neighbors heard nothing. The house stayed quiet. But behind closed doors, a methodical horror unfolded, room by room, tape by tape.
Berdella kept records like trophies: Polaroids, notes, fragments of lives erased. This isn’t just a story...
For years, Rob Berdella tortured and killed in near silence—his victims disappearing without a sound, their agony captured in Polaroids and handwritten logs. Neighbors heard nothing. The house stayed quiet. But behind closed doors, a methodical horror unfolded, room by room, tape by tape.
Berdella kept records like trophies: Polaroids, notes, fragments of lives erased. This isn’t just a story...
Mark as Played
April 22, 2025 • 6 mins
What if a vanished girl’s voice slipped through your radio, years after she disappeared, and no one could explain how it got there? Tune in to the broadcast that Des Moines was never meant to hear.
In our first 7-Minute Less Taken, "Dead Air in Des Moines," we explore a spooky tale about AM stations, including whether the reported eerie sounds comes from ghosts or something else.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, sub...
In our first 7-Minute Less Taken, "Dead Air in Des Moines," we explore a spooky tale about AM stations, including whether the reported eerie sounds comes from ghosts or something else.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, sub...
Mark as Played
April 15, 2025 • 29 mins
In our first Roads Less Taken episode, we explore details excluded from 'Mary X: The Exorcism of Anna Ecklund' and embark on an eerie road trip from Earling, IA, to Kansas, the setting of our upcoming story 'The Kansas City Butcher.' And we also explore some of the local sights and haunts along the way.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a cha...
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a cha...
Mark as Played
April 1, 2025 • 67 mins
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of torment.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of s...
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of s...
Mark as Played
March 25, 2025 • 10 mins
In this upcoming Story episode...
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of torment.
Listen to the full episode Tues, April 1st, 2025!
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscri...
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of torment.
Listen to the full episode Tues, April 1st, 2025!
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscri...
Mark as Played
March 18, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode, we introduce you to what awaits in Season Four of Less Taken, and we might give you a few spoiler samples. Maybe...
ABOUT MARY X:
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of to...
ABOUT MARY X:
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of to...
Mark as Played
March 12, 2025 • 35 mins
In preparation for Season Four, we thought this replay might help get everyone in the right mood.
Re-explore the real-life horror story of Tina Resch, a woman who claims she went from a life of demonic imprisonment to an actual prison for life.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swag!
Write to us - lesstakenpod@g...
Re-explore the real-life horror story of Tina Resch, a woman who claims she went from a life of demonic imprisonment to an actual prison for life.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swag!
Write to us - lesstakenpod@g...
Mark as Played
March 5, 2025 • 47 mins
While we work on getting Season Four rolling, we thought it would be fitting to go back and revisit Lurancy Vennum. And this might hint at what the first story of Season Four will be all about.
In this episode, we explore the real-life horror story of Lurancy Vennum and the spirits that possess her.
After a series of seizures and "fits," Lurancy becomes a portal through which the dead can visit her, speak to her, and sometimes, even...
In this episode, we explore the real-life horror story of Lurancy Vennum and the spirits that possess her.
After a series of seizures and "fits," Lurancy becomes a portal through which the dead can visit her, speak to her, and sometimes, even...
Mark as Played
February 19, 2025 • 88 mins
Check out our Season Two Finale - in full - during this midseason episode.
We explore the horrific real-life story of a thief and self-proclaimed prophet Jeffrey Lundgren, his violent religious cult, and the mayhem they unleash on the small town of Kirtland, Ohio.
In Pt. I, we covered Jeffrey Lundgren’s arrival in Kirtland and the early formation of his following, as well as his plan to seek revenge on the local RLDS temple for exili...
We explore the horrific real-life story of a thief and self-proclaimed prophet Jeffrey Lundgren, his violent religious cult, and the mayhem they unleash on the small town of Kirtland, Ohio.
In Pt. I, we covered Jeffrey Lundgren’s arrival in Kirtland and the early formation of his following, as well as his plan to seek revenge on the local RLDS temple for exili...
Mark as Played
February 12, 2025 • 38 mins
Please check out The Poor Farm, Pt. I and Pt. II before continuing onto this episode...
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit h...
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit h...
Mark as Played
February 5, 2025 • 7 mins
Please check out The Poor Farm, Pt. I and Pt. II before continuing onto this episode...
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit h...
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit h...
Mark as Played
January 29, 2025 • 34 mins
Please check out The Poor Farm, Pt. I before continuing onto this episode...
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky...
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky...
Mark as Played
January 22, 2025 • 10 mins
A preview of Part Two...
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swa...
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swa...
Mark as Played
January 15, 2025 • 37 mins
Under the guise of giving the helpless a place to live and work, one woman finds her way to government wealth while carrying out acts of neglect and cruelty. Explore the story of the infamous Annie Cook Poor Farm in North Platte, Nebraska.
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swag!
WRITE TO US: lesstake...
REVIEW US:
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swag!
WRITE TO US: lesstake...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!