Plot Twist Radio was never supposed to happen.
At least, not the way it did.
It certainly wasn’t supposed to begin at Disney’s Polynesian Resort after two dangerously strong Lapu-Lapus and a conversation with a stranger in public relations. But somehow, that chaotic night turned into a podcast that would eventually feature actors, musicians, athletes, bestselling authors, filmmakers, and one of my very first guests — legendary comedy director David Zucker.
And honestly?
That feels very on-brand for a show called Plot Twist Radio.
Before Plot Twist Radio
For those of you who may not know me, my name is Erin Egnatz. Some people know me through my paranormal and travel platform Hauntings Around America, where I’ve spent years traveling across the country documenting haunted locations, historic sites, and strange stories from places like Gettysburg, Salem, Tombstone, and beyond.
Others know me as author Eliza Nevius, where I write everything from romantic comedies to fantasy fiction.
Outside of writing and podcasting, I’m also a historian and university professor specializing in history, archaeology, and classical civilizations. My life has always revolved around storytelling in one form or another.
But despite all of that, there was one thing I never imagined becoming:
A podcast host.
Because the truth is, I’m actually incredibly introverted.
I know that sounds ridiculous considering what I do now, but it’s true. I’ve always been far more comfortable behind a keyboard than behind a microphone. Yet somehow, one impulsive night at Disney changed everything.
The Night Plot Twist Radio Was Born
I was in Florida for work and staying at Disney’s Polynesian Resort because — let’s be honest — if I have the opportunity to stay at Disney, I absolutely will.
One evening, I wandered into the resort bar and ordered a Lapu-Lapu.
Now, if you’ve never had a Lapu-Lapu before, let me explain something important: it comes in a pineapple and tastes deceptively harmless. What they don’t tell you is that it’s basically a tropical ambush loaded with rum.
By the second one, you start believing every idea you’ve ever had is revolutionary.
That’s where the trouble started.
At some point during the evening, I struck up a conversation with a woman in PR from California. We started talking about media, storytelling, creative work, and eventually she looked at me and said something along the lines of:
“You should start a podcast.”
Normal Erin would have laughed that off immediately.
Rum-infused Disney Erin?
She apparently decided this was the greatest idea in human history.
Somewhere between those drinks and a complete lack of self-preservation, I started outlining a podcast concept right there in the bar. Not just another interview show — I wanted conversations about the moments that change people’s lives. The unexpected turns. The pivots. The chaos. The moments where everything suddenly becomes something entirely different.
The plot twist.
And then I made the mistake of saying it out loud.
Because once you say something out loud, your brain immediately realizes:
“Oh no. Now we actually have to do this.”
The Morning Everything Became Real
Still riding the confidence of tropical rum and questionable decision-making, I went back to my hotel room and posted a call for podcast pitches.
To this day, I genuinely do not remember exactly what I wrote.
What I do remember is waking up the next morning with a pounding headache, opening my inbox, and discovering dozens of responses from authors, musicians, screenwriters, and publicists.
Suddenly, this wasn’t just a random vacation idea anymore.
It was real.
Then things escalated even faster.
One of the pitches sitting in my inbox was for David Zucker.
Yes, that David Zucker.
The legendary filmmaker behind Airplane!, The Naked Gun, Scary Movie 3 & 4, and some of the most iconic parody comedies ever made.
And somehow, his team wanted to book him on my show.
My nonexistent-at-the-time show.
No pressure, right?
(In case you wanted to see me grappling with the consequence of my spontaneity, here is an update I gave just a few minutes after realizing I was in the thick of it.)
My First Guest Was David Zucker
There’s something deeply terrifying about interviewing a comedy legend as your very first guest when you’ve never hosted a podcast before in your life.
I remember thinking:
“What have I done?”
But to David Zucker’s credit, he was incredibly gracious, funny, insightful, and honestly the perfect first guest for Plot Twist Radio.
We talked about filmmaking, comedy, satire, Hollywood, creative risks, and the evolution of parody films in modern entertainment. It was surreal hearing behind-the-scenes stories from the mind responsible for films that shaped comedy for an entire generation.
And somewhere during that interview, something clicked for me.
I realized I actually loved doing this.
Not because I suddenly stopped being introverted.
Not because I magically became fearless.
But because storytelling has always been the thing connecting every chapter of my life — whether through history, writing, paranormal research, or now, conversations with fascinating people from every corner of entertainment and culture.
Why Plot Twist Radio Exists
What started as a slightly chaotic Disney-fueled idea has grown into something I’m unbelievably proud of.
Since that first David Zucker interview, Plot Twist Radio has expanded far beyond what I originally imagined. The show now features conversations with musicians, athletes, actors, comedians, bestselling authors, filmmakers, spiritual leaders, and public figures — all centered around the moments that changed their lives and careers forever.
Because everyone has a plot twist.
Some are funny.
Some are painful.
Some are unexpected.
But those moments are often where the real story begins.
And apparently, mine started with a pineapple full of rum at Disney World.
Honestly?
That feels about right.
Listen to My Interview with David Zucker
If you’d like to hear the episode that accidentally launched this entire journey, you can watch/listen below.
The Art of The Spoof with David Zucker
Follow Plot Twist Radio
You can listen to Plot Twist Radio on:
And trust me — there are many more plot twists coming.