Dec. 3, 2024
The Fleeting Life of Myrtle Winter
The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery
The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery is a podcast for cemetery lovers, preservationists, and even those who've never walked among the graves. Join hosts Jennie and Dianne each week as they explore old cemeteries and learn the stories of those buried within their walls. After all, every death had a life, and every life had a story.
Featured Episodes
Recent Episodes
Feb. 12, 2026
Episode 267 - The Brigadier, The Bluebird, and a Lifetime of Love
In this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, we're diving into a tale of wartime romance, enduring love, and a connection forged across continents. Dalhousie University, 1914. She was a music student, he was an athlete. They were just friends... until the Great War changed everything. Di…
Feb. 5, 2026
Episode 266 - Tracks of Change: The Pullman Porters' Legacy
All aboard! Join Jennie and Dianne this week as they "ride the rails" with the Pullman Porters, unsung heroes of American history! These men overcame unimaginable prejudice and racism; from being called "George" by passengers, regardless of their name, to working 400+ hours a month with little time…
Jan. 29, 2026
Episode 265 - The Price of Freedom: Exploring Bleeding Kansas
Tune in this week to The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as Jennie and Dianne dive into the turbulent history of Kansas from 1854-1856, sparked by the New England Emigrant Aid Company's efforts to make Kansas a free state. What they uncover are eerie echoes of today's headlines. Don't miss …
Jan. 22, 2026
Episode 264 - Death and Dying 101 with Ryan Seidemann: Episode 7
This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast Dianne and Jennie sit down with Ryan Seidemann for our first Death and Dying 101 episode of 2026. We discuss the Victorian morals of using ground up mummies for miracle cures, the burial practices of Neanderthals, the law regarding modern-day…
Jan. 15, 2026
Episode 263 - Family Tales the Game
New year, new memories! Tune in to this week's Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as Jennie and Dianne share heartwarming family stories from listeners who played our game "Family Tales" with us online as we closed out 2025 and ushered in 2026. It's not too late to play for yourself. Grab the …
Jan. 8, 2026
Episode 262 - The Doctors' Riot of 1788: A Conversation with Writer Andy McPhee
What happens when medical progress clashes with public outrage? Body snatching, bloodletting, and a riot that shook America's founding fathers: join Jennie and Dianne on this latest episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery as they chat with writer Andy McPhee about his latest book "The Doctor…
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About the Hosts
Dianne Hartshorn
Co-Host
As founder and director of the Evergreen Heritage Dianne Hartshorn is capable, knowledgeable and dedicated as a custodian of Colorado Springs history and in assisting the cemetery with their pioneer heritage. Her knowledge of and dedication to Victorian history and traditions is inspiring and educational. Dianne has two grown children and lives with her husband Tom of 35 years and her awesome cat Loki. She is a 4th generation Colorado native and enjoys nothing more than sharing history especially if cemeteries are involved!
Jennie Johnson
Creator & Host
Jennie has been in love with cemeteries and their stories since she was a teenager. She has taken thousands of photographs of historic headstones and the nature that inhabits cemeteries and graveyards. While she is not a history major, she is a history buff and loves to do research on all kinds of historical people and events. She was once locked into a museum (at the curator's request. He had an urgent coffee matter to attend to) and it was a dream come true! Jennie's dad is a retired Navy Senior Chief which means she spent her childhood living in different parts of the United States and ultimately developed a love of travel. She has also been involved in theater since she was 12 years old. She enjoys being on stage, but in recent years has developed a passion for directing and script writing. She has three awesome kids who are all grown or nearly so and is married to a Radio DJ/music programer who also loves playing pinball. She adores her black cat named Salem after her favorite city in the whole world, Salem, Massachusetts.
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Caught up on Episodes of The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery? Looking for something new to listen to until next Thursday? Try one of these (or all of these) fun, informational, and historical podcasts.
🪦 Tomb with a View Podcast https://linktr.ee/tombwith_aview
🪦New England Legends Podcast https://ournewenglandlegends.com/
🪦Salem the Podcast https://www.salemthepodcast.com/
🪦 Cemetery Podcast http://www.necrotourist.com/
🪦 Historic Headlines https://historicheadlines.podbean.com/