Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The commandment from God to be the savior of mankind through orthopedics had died. Instead, God was now commanding Joseph to destroy the world he'd failed to save." — Henry Zebrowski
"My thoughts were drenched in blood, blood gushing out of human bodies, blood flooding the cities, staining rivers and oceans, blood boiling in a huge pot with muscles of sexual organs in it, that quiver while bubbles pop and splash. Oh, I want a soup." — Joseph Callinger (as quoted by Henry Zebrowski)
"It's like shutting the computer off when you have computer problems. Exactly." — Ben Kissel (referencing Callinger's inability to complete his violent acts due to his visions vanishing)
This episode continues the grim narrative of Joseph Callinger, detailing his escalating spiral into extreme violence and delusion. Following his release from psychiatric probation, Callinger's business suffered, leading him to force his children to recant their testimony, which successfully restored his reputation. However, his perceived divine mission shifted from healing to destruction. He began to believe he was commanded by God to kill every person on Earth by destroying their reproductive organs, a task he initially embarked on with his son, Michael. The episode recounts the horrific murder of Jose Colazo, a 10-year-old boy, involving extreme mutilation, highlighting Callinger's brutal interpretation of his divine instructions.
The narrative further explores Callinger's descent, including increasingly elaborate and disturbing visions that dictated his actions. These visions, often graphic and sexualized, involved figures like "Charlie" and a "Supreme Power," which he interpreted as divine guidance. The episode details multiple failed attempts to murder his own son, Joey, driven by these visions and his warped sense of divine will, before ultimately succeeding in burning him alive in a truck container. The physical and psychological toll on his family, particularly his wife Betty and other children, is implied through their involvement or proximity to his increasingly dangerous behavior.
The episode culminates with Callinger and Michael's capture after a series of increasingly brutal crimes, including home invasions and assaults, with a specific focus on a gruesome event involving four female hostages and a final murder. Despite a history of child abuse and the direct evidence, Callinger's attempts to feign insanity and his delusional state were often met with skepticism by investigators. The episode concludes with Callinger's conviction and continued violent behavior even within prison, underscoring the depth of his psychological disturbance and the catastrophic consequences of his actions.