Oh Gross!

Oh Gross! Season 3 premieres just in time for Halloween with Jennie and Kara sharing ghost stories! Then Molly and Kara ask the question everyone wants to ask a mortician: Have you ever seen a ghost???

Deathcare content creator, funeral director, and embalmer “Kari the Mortician” shares her true tales from the crypt, drawn from more than 30 years of growing up and working in a Michigan funeral home.

Known for taking the fear and mystery out of death, Kari joins Kara and Molly to kick off Season 3 with the unexplained moments she still can’t shake.

...

On Oh Gross, we explore the complicated laws of self-defense.

Gun laws, self-defense rights, and use-of-force rules vary wildly by state, and most people have no idea what applies to them. 

This week, Kara, Jennie, and Molly sit down with Kara’s dear friend, veteran crime journalist Tom Morris Jr., for a conversation everyone should hear, no matter where you stand on guns.

Kara and Tom have worked together for over two decades, on shows such as America’s Mos...

Next Thursday, veteran TV correspondent and “crime fighter” Tom Morris Jr. joins Kara Kurcz for a candid conversation on self-defense.

Reuniting as longtime colleagues from America’s Most Wanted and Live PD, the discussion brings firsthand experience from years of covering real cases. Joined by Jennie Lasater and Molly Brandenberger, the group shares behind-the-scenes stories while breaking down how self-defense laws vary by state, what people often misunderstand, and how real-world cases highlight the complexities of protecting oneself.

Full episode drops next week!

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You can vote for Oh Gross to win the People's Voice here:

⁠wbby.co/57425N

Oh Gross! is nominated a 2nd time in a row for a Webby Award (Science & Education) for our episode “Gas Station Heroin: The Kratom Crisis.”

Just click Vote, sign up (free), and confirm. You can vote once per email through April 16.

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Here is a sneak peek of our conversation with veteran crime journalist and former America's Most Wanted correspondent Tom Morris Jr.

He tackles the self-defense conversation people are uncomfortable having, but everyone needs to hear. 

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Your ears have a secret life: bugs, buildup, and the truth about Q-tips with infectious disease expert Dr. Steve Threlkeld.

On this episode of Oh Gross!, Dr. Steve Threlkeld joins Kara and Jennie to break down the secret life of your ears! It is all about earwax and why trying to get rid of it might be the worst thing you can do. And whatever you do… put down the Q-tip.

Plus, the ER story you won’t forget involves a live cockroach on a Saturday night.

In this episode:

What earw...

St. Patrick’s Day is here, using the luck of the Irish to get down and dirty with the holiday’s grossest realities. Join Kara, Molly, and Jennie for an unfiltered look at the traditions that leave a trail of questionable decisions and bacteria in their wake.

This episode highlights:

The "Urination Olympics": Discover why St. Paddy's Day causes more than a “wee” spike in public urination offenses in major cities like Chicago and New York.

Top O’ The Morning After: We talk about the massive surge in green-tinted bathroom trips

The Blarne...

AI “deepfakes,” crypto craziness, and the terrifying reality of today’s rapidly evolving technology—how do you know what’s real and what’s not? This episode cuts through the noise to tell you what you really need to know about technology, your future, and your money.

Kara sits down with best-selling author, futurist, and tech tycoon Armando Pantoja (the “Tall Guy Tycoon”) to explain the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and emerging technology in a way that even your grandma will get.

Armando explains the real forces shaping the tech landscape and what they mean f...

In the final installment of our special kratom series, Kara and Jennie speak with Emmy-nominated producer Joanne Rubino, creator of the documentary Kratom: Side Effects May Include. After a friend lost her 27-year-old son, Wyatt Wheeler, Joanne spent years investigating the growing and largely unregulated kratom industry.

Her research uncovered a complicated story—one that includes passionate supporters, heartbreaking loss stories, and serious questions about safety, addiction, and consumer protection.

In this episode we explore:

• The Regulatory “Wild West” – How kratom remains unapproved by the FDA and largely unregulated by the DEA• The Human Cost –...

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Kara and Jennie sit down with kratom researcher and University of Florida medicinal chemistry professor Dr. Chris McCurdy for a no‑BS look at how a traditional Southeast Asian leaf turned into today’s potent “gas‑station” products.

He explains where leaf‑only kratom may actually help with pain and opioid withdrawal, what changes when companies crank out 7‑OH shots and other concentrates, and why unregulated products are now tied to ER visits, deaths, and even newborns in opioid‑like withdrawal.

You’ll also hear his take on brain development, why he doesn’t want anyone using kratom...

Oh Gross! is back with a new season. This is where the questions people avoid actually get answered.

Real conversations. Real experts.

No topic is off-limits, because the things we’re most uncomfortable asking about are usually the things we need to understand the most.

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Kratom is sold as a “natural” sleep aid, mood booster, and pain reliever—sometimes right next to energy drinks at gas stations—yet there is no consistent regulation, no standard dosing, and deeply conflicting information online about how safe it really is. In part one of this two-part Oh Gross! special, Kara and Jennie unpack the fast-growing world of kratom and its synthetic offshoots like 7-OH, exploring how an herbal tree from Southeast Asia turned into an unregulated high‑concentration supplement linked to overdoses, heart issues, and breathing suppression, especially when mixed with alcohol.

You’ll hear the heartbre...

In preparation for our 2026 season premiere, we assembled a recap from the 2025 season episodes.  Also catch up on any of our amazing episodes you missed!

Stay tuned for the 2026 premiere with an amazing lineup of expert guests and investigative episodes.  As always we are your news source for weird science, taboo health topics, misinformation & crisis blunders.  We uncover the ‘gross’ truth with humor and facts by asking what others won’t.

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In the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, Oh Gross! revisits our conversation with Kerry Sanders in this replay of Behind the Lens: Stories & Tips from Reporter Kerry Sanders. As communities reflect on how quickly a crisis can unfold—and how long the impact can last—this episode explores what happens when preparation, travel, and real-time reporting collide. An Emmy and Peabody Award–winning journalist and longtime NBC News correspondent, Kerry shares practical, often-overlooked advice for staying safe when traveling or navigating unfamiliar environments, especially as natural disasters and emergencies can happen anywhere. From simple habits like screenshotting maps before...

On the one-year anniversary of the Los Angeles fires, Oh Gross! host Kara Kurcz and Molly revisits a conversation that feels just as urgent today as it did when it first aired.

For Kara, interviewing Kerry Sanders was a full-circle moment. The conversation offered rare insight into how the world’s most experienced crisis journalists prepare long before disaster strikes, and how the public can take simple, practical steps to be more prepared in everyday life.

Kerry Sanders, a veteran NBC News correspondent with more than 32 years in the field, has reported from 65 countries, all 7 continents...

In this episode of Oh Gross, Jennie plays: a rapid-fire game with Kara that takes listeners through the grossest hygiene habits in human history.

From ancient civilizations swimming in sewage, to Romans sharing communal butt sponges,—nothing is off the table. The hosts dig into why bathing was once considered dangerous, how urine became mouthwash, where June weddings really came from, and how humanity somehow got cleaner… then dirtier… then cleaner again.

If you love history and discovering just how gross “the good old days” really were, this episode is for you.

Listen on Apple Po...

It’s our favorite episode of the year...The Gross Holiday Gifts Your Kids Will Love holiday special!After surviving a cursed live-stream launch (including a demonic mic test), Kara and Jennie reveal the weirdest, grossest, and most internet-obsessed gifts of the season.

From National Geographic’s “Weird But True” facts (yes, including a flying inflatable poop sculpture) to TikTok-famous mystery dumpling stress toys that smell alarmingly like Sharpies, nothing is safe.Jennie brings Walmart’s ooey-gooey squeezy cheese fries, Kara unveils Archie the Blobfish (a stress toy with stain warnings and emotional needs), and Jennie wins the night...

If you thought your biggest lash problem was clumpy mascara… buckle up. Because today, the Oh Gross! crew uncovers the horrifying-but-also-hilarious truth that tiny microscopic spiders basically live rent-free on your face. Yes. Right now. As you read this.

Kara, Jennie, and Molly kick things off with the viral eyelash-mite headlines… but things really take a turn when Kara calls her celebrity lash artist Jayron, who drops an unforgettable story about a very famous supermodel. This mystery icon kept her eyes wide open for four straight hours—Clockwork Orange–style—scrolling Instagram while getting her lashes done. No blinking. No...

This week, we’re serving up a throwback that ruined us the first time around—and is even more necessary before Thanksgiving kitchen chaos begins. Kara, Molly, and Jennie sit down with food-safety expert Katie Defour to unpack the deli fried chicken horror story that will haunt you (and maybe save your holiday meal).

From “Poppin’ Chicken” gone wrong to raw-poultry splash zones, bacteria that refuses to die, cutting board crimes, leftover myths, and cheese-board red flags, the girls break down the real kitchen mistakes people make every holiday season.

If you’ve ever reheated turkey, boug...

Kara Kurcz reunites with Tom Morris Jr. for a live Oh Gross! episode packed with behind-the-scenes stories from America’s Most Wanted and Live PD. They break down the myths around self-defense, why the laws vary so widely state to state, and why talking openly about safety matters now more than ever. #livepd #crimetv #ohgrosspodcast

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Was it food poisoning or the stomach flu? Infectious-disease expert Dr. Steve Threlkeld returns to Oh Gross! to unpack the real difference and why the “last thing you ate” isn’t always the culprit. We dig into the invisible fecal veneer, Dr. Steve’s unforgettable “painting the room” visualization, and a new favorite phrase you’ll hear in this convo: deer veneer. Gross? Yep. Useful? Totally.

This Week on Oh Gross! — Recorded LIVE!
Nothing hit the cutting room floor—from Kara’s booger checks with Jennie to Molly’s Cologuard chat over cupcakes! The audience came ready with questions, and infectious disease expert Dr. Steve Threlkeld speaks about sickness, smell, and science.

Episode Highlights:

Losing your sense of smell: Why it happens, how to retrain your nose, and why nicotine patches are more myth than medicine.

The Tylenol debate: Does it really cause autism or neurodegenerative disorders? 

First aid myths: Nivea cream or Noxzema? Here’s what you should (and...

Missed our first Oh Gross! livestream? Catch the replay of The Viral Truth—where Kara and Jennie put infectious disease expert Dr. Steve Threlkeld on the spot to separate myth from medicine.

Ever heard these?

Butter soothes burns.

Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.

Sleeping with the window open can give you Bell’s palsy.

Whiskey kills germs.

“Starve a fever, feed a cold.”

In this jam-packed live episode, Dr. Steve reveals which viral “truths” hold up—and which are nothing more than old wives’ tales. Funny, fast, and...

0:00 — Lice Have Sex On Your Head 

8:12 — Meet Cleve Willis: Rock Guitarist & Owner of Still Hot Yoga 

13:10 — Head Lice Vs. Pubic Lice

20:04 — Can You Catch Crabs In Yoga?

28:43 — A “Flying Crab” Causes Pubic Lice In The Eye

41:23 — How to Sanitize Things to Not Get Pubic Lice

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Fleas in Los Angeles. Deadly Vibrio oysters. Valley Fever dust storms. Even armadillos carrying leprosy. Don’t panic—we’ve got infectious disease expert Dr. Steve Threlkeld back to separate fact from frenzy.

In this jam-packed conversation, Kara, Jennie, and Molly pepper Dr. Steve with the latest health scare headlines and the questions we’re all secretly Googling:

Ever tried dragging a six-year-old and an eleven-year-old 11 hours on a plane? Kara’s back from France with wild stories and a few fun lessons about traveling with kids... because they have zero filter. From shouting about stinky fromage to dramatic bee attacks, unsolicited anti-smoking PSAs, and the shock (and joy) of discovering bidets—this trip had it all.

In this episode we unpack:

Those weird little bumps or holes on your kid’s skin? They might not be chickenpox, bug bites, or an allergy—they could be Molluscum Contagiosum, nicknamed the “summer fun virus” (spoiler: there’s nothing fun about it). Kara, Jennie, and Molly break down what molluscum really is, how it loves to spread during sweaty summer activities, and why those pesky bumps hang around much longer than parents bargain for.

From swim towels to soccer fields, we’re talking about the surprising (and kinda gross) ways molluscum makes its move. And yes, we finally explain the infamous “Beetlejuice” t...

This episode explores the idea of “gross oversight” and asks whether the Coldplay Caught On Cam story that won’t die is really about owning our actions—even when we’re caught.

Hip-hop legend Pretty Ken (Ken Stokes)—known for working with artists like Outkast, Jeezy, T.I., and CeeLo—joins host Kara Kurcz and co-hosts Jennie Lasater and Molly Brandenberger to break down the viral Coldplay kiss-cam and Gwyneth Paltrow’s PR pivot.

Fun Fact: Jennie and Ken are longtime friends. As a former Billboard-charting artist, Jennie first worked with Ken when she sang the hook on Jeezy’s "Rainy Days."

Adult diapers are trending—no, seriously—they are not just for Times Square on New Year’s Eve anymore and Kara has A Story... Jennie gets the surprise of a lifetime from Kara with a birthday message from NSYNC’s Lance Bass. Then, while in Las Vegas she and Molly bump into Jenny McCarthy for some beauty confessions that belong in the Oh Gross! hall of fame.

This episode is full of surprises and favorite moments from past episodes!

Key Takeaways:

In this episode start with a summer announcement from Kara and the RE-RELEASE of this episode.

What happens on the Backstreet Boys tour bus definitely doesn’t stay on the tour bus. In this laugh-out-loud episode, Jennie and Molly dish on their pop star days, spilling the tea (and maybe some cringe-worthy truths) about a certain unexpected guest that hitched a ride: a tapeworm. Yep, you read that right—this isn’t your average behind-the-scenes story!

Jennie, Kara and Molly are also thrilled to welcome the legendary Mama Jan Smith, the Grammy-winning vocal coach behind music's bi...

Every time your little one scratches their butt, you don’t need to freak out—but you should investigate pinworms. As the most common parasitic infection in the U.S., pinworms often stay under the radar despite how easily they spread.

Kara, Jennie, and Molly get honest about how pinworms wriggle into your home (hint: nail biting is basically a worm expressway), why the classic tape test is the gold standard for pinworm diagnosis, and how racing thoughts at bedtime might be more than just too much screen time. And yes, even Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have...

This week on Oh Gross!, Kara, Jennie and Molly  explore how anger is consistently mischaracterized as a bad emotion and get real about anger management and why “losing it” isn’t the shameful glitch we’ve been sold. This week's guest. licensed therapist, author and anger-management expert Anita Avedian—one of Kara’s own teachers—leads the conversation on how to smash the stigma around this vital emotion. Topics tackled about understanding your temper include:

Mindfulness doesn’t end with Mindful May. Kara's former MBSR teacher Cassie Schindler returns to chat about how to find the version of meditation that works for you. In Part 2 of our mindfulness series, we dig into burnout, how our brain actually works, and what really happens in your nervous system when you pause—even for just 90 seconds.

Cassie walks us through a short, accessible guided meditation and shows how small “mind your moments” check-ins can reset stress before it snowballs. We also explore whole-brain living, mindful parenting, and why judgment—more than multitasking—is the sneakiest stress trigger...

At Oh Gross!, we’re all about the stuff that makes people squirm—and sometimes, that includes sitting still with our own thoughts. In this episode, the team unpacks one of the most misunderstood words in mental health and wellness: mindfulness.

Kara, Jennie, and Molly are joined by mindfulness educator and MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) expert Cassie Schindler—the very person who first taught Kara how to practice mindfulness and helped launch her journey.

Together, they break down what mindfulness actually is—and what it definitely isn’t. No incense. No chanting. No pressure to be “calm all t...

We’re continuing our Mindful May series with a deeper, more honest look at your relationship with money. Certified financial planner and Everyone’s Talkin’ Money podcast host Shannah Game is back, with powerful mindset shifts and unexpected stories.

From giving your money shame a nickname (yep, it works) to recognizing how childhood experiences still influence your spending today, Shannah helps us unpack the emotional side of money management. She explains how guilt, anxiety, and societal expectations can trigger self-sabotaging habits—and what to do instead.

You’ll learn:

Let’s face it—most of us would rather talk about bed bugs, lice, or even what’s growing on our cutting boards before we’d dare bring up…money. So why is something that is a necessity so uncomfortable to talk about or discuss?

This week on Oh Gross!, we get real about financial shame, anxiety, and the stress of just splitting a dinner bill. Our guest is Shannah Game, Certified Financial Planner™, award-winning Money Wellness expert, author, and host of the Everyone’s Talkin’ Money podcast. Shannah’s mission is to break the silence around money—and help you do...

It’s Maycember—because let’s be real, this month is a second December for moms. Field days, graduation parties, teacher gifts, final projects, and 87 unread school texts… all while pretending we still have snack duty under control. But amidst the chaos, it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month—a perfect reminder to stop and breathe.

Kara (trained in MBSR and anger management facilitation) reminds us that mindfulness isn’t about doing more. It’s about noticing more. Defined simply, mindfulness is being present without judgment.

In this episode, Jennie and Molly learn how to find calm in the...

Have you ever sensed a presence when no one was around, or heard a whisper in complete silence guiding you when you least expected it? We’ve talked a lot about healing on Oh Gross!—but never like this.

In this captivating episode of Oh Gross, we delve into the mystical and often unspoken experiences that many are hesitant to share openly. Kara’s husband Brian opens up for the first time about his battle with colon cancer—and the moment he believes saved his life. It wasn’t a treatment, a drug, or a doctor. It...

We didn’t win the Webby—but being nominated just five months in? That’s a big deal, and we’re beyond grateful. Now on to summer camp… and the chaos that comes with it. In this episode, Kara, Molly and Jennie dive into the hilarious—and sometimes horrifying—realities of sending kids off to camp.

From snacks hidden in stuffed animals to fake phones and unexpected first aid moments. The packing list alone can be dramatic, and stories you won’t hear in the brochure. BUT, Camp is still amazing and the best way for kids to do a digital de...