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
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
January 8, 2025 • 12 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. Preview 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
January 1, 2025 • 94 mins
Relive the 3 of our favorite episodes of Season Three.
One of these episodes is Sallie, Pt. I. Be sure to check out Pt. II.
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEFORE WE FOLLOW YOU:
FB & IG - @lesstakenpod
Discover more and check out our merch: www.l...
One of these episodes is Sallie, Pt. I. Be sure to check out Pt. II.
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEFORE WE FOLLOW YOU:
FB & IG - @lesstakenpod
Discover more and check out our merch: www.l...
Mark as Played
December 18, 2024 • 99 mins
Relive the 3 most popular episodes of Season Three, and the overall most popular episode of 2024.
One of these episodes is Summerwind, Pt. I. Be sure to check out the entire trilogy from Season Three.
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEFORE WE FOLLOW...
One of these episodes is Summerwind, Pt. I. Be sure to check out the entire trilogy from Season Three.
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEFORE WE FOLLOW...
Mark as Played
December 11, 2024 • 41 mins
Seven out of eight members of the Wolfe Family from Turtle Lake, ND wind up dead - their bodies scattered across their farmstead. In this episode, we explore the mysterious circumstances surrounding their deaths.
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEF...
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEF...
Mark as Played
December 4, 2024 • 6 mins
Preview a dark story from North Dakota about the mysterious deaths of an entire farm family and the man who discovers their bodies. The full episode drops next Wednesday, 12/11-24
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEFORE WE FOLLOW YOU:
FB & IG - @l...
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEFORE WE FOLLOW YOU:
FB & IG - @l...
Mark as Played
November 27, 2024 • 34 mins
Explore a horrific DWI story like you've never heard before, one that leads to the disappearances of two young adults.
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEFORE WE FOLLOW YOU:
FB & IG - @lesstakenpod
Discover more and check out our merch: www.lesst...
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: lesstakenpod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US BEFORE WE FOLLOW YOU:
FB & IG - @lesstakenpod
Discover more and check out our merch: www.lesst...
Mark as Played
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