Written by Kayla Aranda
Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz are the co-host best friends of the hit paranormal and true-crime podcast ‘And That’s Why We Drink’. Every week, Em and Christine get together to tell some spooky and terrifying stories over a glass of wine and a milkshake. The podcast was born back in 2017 and has since been downloaded over 80 million times.
For this spooky season, I had the honour of talking with ‘And That’s Why We Drink’ about all things paranormal true crime, reflect on their success and see where they are going next.
“And That’s Why We Drink” has been über-successful in the podcast industry, what’s next on this journey? Do you have any fun projects in the works you could hint at?
Em: For Halloween we have some new merch coming out that we have been working on, and we’re hosting a virtual Halloween party on the 19th for our Patreon members! We also have our 200th episode coming up in December, and we have some fun things planned for then! For both our Halloween episode and our 200th, we also have some special cases we will be reporting on.
Christine: Part of the fun is that Em and I don’t tell each other our stories beforehand… But it’s frustrating not being able to announce our plans in advance! Just know we have some big stories planned for Halloween, as well as our 200th episode. We’ve also been trying to make the most of quarantine… We’ve done a couple virtual live shows that raised money for causes close to our heart, and we are hoping to do more!
When was the moment you both realized you had made it in the podcasting industry?
Em: I think it hit me in waves. It first happened when our download numbers and social media followers jumped pretty quickly, and then it happened again the first time I was recognized in public. I think it officially hit me at our first live show, when I saw with my own eyes how many people came out just to support us.
Christine: I still remember the first time we heard from a listener that neither of us knew. I called Em and said, “Do you know this lady?” And Em said, “No, do you?!” It was so surreal at the time! The other moment was winning the Webby Award. It was so validating!
Looking back on everything you both have achieved in the past three years, what advice would you give your past selves or someone just starting in the industry?
Em: I’d tell new podcasters to make sure they have clear audio, and to pick both a topic they love and a co-host they like being around. I think us having done all three of those is what made our show so successful.
Christine: My advice is to pick a topic you are truly passionate about. Something that you’re willing to talk about for free (because that’s most likely what you’ll do, at least for a while!) Listeners can tell when you’re not passionate about something, so find something you never want to stop talking about!
What is the most rewarding thing about having a successful podcast? What is the most challenging?
Em: The most rewarding thing is knowing that people enjoy something we have created and put out for them. It’s a great feeling that people share our interests, find us entertaining, and want to hear what we have to say. The most challenging part to me is making sure that we’re always doing enough to keep the momentum of our show going. My biggest hope is that people continue to love the podcast and that And That’s Why We Drink stays successful for a long time.
Christine: I always dreamed of working from home, in a creative role, and owning my own business. I truly didn’t think it was possible. It’s extremely hard work but I’m endlessly grateful for it. It’s also incredible to be part of such an awesome, creepy, and boozy community. I know I’m biased, but I think our listeners are the best of the best. As for challenges, there are definitely some downsides. It’s hard being in the public eye, and I still struggle with it. I’m way too sensitive!
On the podcast you both cover such a large variety of topics, is there a certain topic you would consider to be your favorite?
Em: Any time I get to report on a haunted doll, I’m thrilled. My favorite stories Christine covers are the unsolved cases. I love going back and forth on what could’ve happened and picking apart the mystery.
Christine: I love covering unsolved cases because it leaves so much room for theorizing. There’s something about a mystery that pulls me in every time.
Throughout the history of “And That’s Why We Drink” both of you have covered close to 382 stories, not including live shows and listener stories, are there any stories that have made a lasting impact on you guys, or any stories you guys’ would consider your favorites?
Em: I think my favorite stories have been the Winchester Mystery House, Project Pegasus, and any haunted doll cases. The Winchester Mystery House was the first story I ever covered on ATWWD, Project Pegasus is the story I most wanted to cover, and the haunted doll stories are the scariest ones that seem to get the biggest response from our audience.
Christine: Two stories I’ve covered that have stuck with me ever since are the disappearances of Bryce Laspisa and Maura Murray. Those stories in particular are just so unsettling. Another favorite is the Golden State Killer. It was so cool to have covered it, and then watch as the case was solved and Joseph DeAngelo was brought to justice. Doing a “follow-up” episode on the case was definitely a highlight for me! And finally, in an upcoming episode I cover a man who some call “the scariest serial killer you’ve never heard of,” Israel Keyes. Researching that story actually kept me up at night for several days. Still gives me shivers to think about.
Now, for a few fun and goofy questions!
Em, if you were able to assemble a paranormal investigation dream team, who would be on it, and why?
Definitely Christine and Eva, but also Ed and Lorraine Warren, Harry Houdini, and someone whose only job is to provide snacks.
Similarly, Christine if you were able to assemble a crime-fighting dream team, who would be on it and why?
Oh my goodness. I’m a huge fan of these “armchair detectives” who have helped solve cases like the Golden State Killer! I’d love to learn tips and tricks from those folks and develop a civilian dream team to crack cold cases that authorities have since given up on.
If each of you could choose a special guest for the podcast, who would they be?
Em: This might be an obvious answer, but I would chose Zak Bagans or Karen and Georgia from My Favorite Murder.
Christine: Not gonna lie, I kind of want to copy Em’s answers for this one. But I’d also love to collab with the Buzzfeed Unsolved guys some day! They crack me up.
With Halloween around the corner, the festivities are underway. Do you have any Halloween traditions?
Em: Christine and I actually have our friendiversary the day before Halloween, so I like to try and surprise her with something then. I think last year we celebrated by going back to the harvest festival where we first became friends. Personally, I try to go to all of the big jump-scare attractions in LA. My 4 spots I hit every year are the LA Haunted Hayride, Dark Harbor, Knott’s Scary Farm, and Universal Horror Nights.
Christine: I’m a big baby – I don’t love jump scares or horror movies! I do love candy, though. And costumes. So I’ll partake in those things. As for the podcast, Em and I try to do something special each year. This year we’re throwing a virtual Halloween party for our patrons, and we have some special releases planned for the week of Halloween!
In the spirit of Halloween, I thought it would be fun to do a Spooky “Would You Rather”:
Would you rather have a tea party with haunted dolls or spend a whole weekend in a haunted house?
Em: A whole weekend in a haunted house! No haunted dolls staring at me please!
Christine: Tea party with haunted dolls, hands down! I hate jump scares! And I love tea…
Would you rather be abducted by aliens or chased by a serial killer?
Em: If anyone is chasing me, I’m going to give up pretty quickly, so abducted by aliens.
Christine: Oh god, this is a tough one. I’m terrified of aliens… but I think serial killers are a more obvious threat? I think I’d have to risk it and go with aliens, with the hopes that the aliens were friendly…
Would you rather come face to face with: the Black Eyed Kids or Zak “Bagelbites” Bagans?
Em: 1000% I would prefer meeting Zak, but only after apologizing for all of the jokes we’ve made about his acid-wash jeans.
Christine: My biggest fear is running into ZB and having to explain myself. So that’s a big nope. My intense anxiety leads me to never answer my door anyway, so those Black Eyed Kids aren’t getting into my house no matter how hard they try. Bring it on!
Would you rather hold a seance with anyone in the world or participate in Project Pegasus and be able to time travel anywhere?
Em: I have wanted to be a part of Project Pegasus since I first heard of it. I would pick joining them over almost anything!
Christine: This is a toughie, but I think I’m going with Em on this one… Time traveling would be incredible. Maybe – just maybe! – we’d be able to help fix a few of the world’s problems…
