The Strange and Unusual Podcast
The unknown. It lies at the root of all fear, and has inspired legends, superstition, folklore, customs, hysteria, and even murder throughout history. Still today we feel the shadowy presence of our ancestors' struggles to explain the mysterious in almost every facet of our lives. Whether it be in the form of religion, urban legends, pop culture, ghost stories, superstitious rituals, and so much more we are still just fighting to keep our monsters in the dark. Welcome to The Strange and Unusual Podcast.
Episodes
Back To School Nightmares
In this episode, we head back to school, but not the way you remember it. From abandoned high schools and haunted classrooms to urban legends whispered in bathrooms and tragedies that linger in lecture halls, autumn brings with it eerie cam…
Whispers In The Corn: Harvest Watchers and Field Spirits
For this episode we're exploring harvest folklore throughout the world, and how it connects to the genre of folk horror. From the sunlit dread of Lady Midday stalking the fields of Eastern Europe to the vengeful rice paddy ghosts of Japan, …
Goodnight, Sleep Tight: The Sandman and Other Creatures of the Night
In this episode, we'll explore the folklore of the night, from the Sandman to Sleep Paralysis demons, and more. We'll get into the history of the lore, the scientific studies, and how these creatures manifest around the world.
Urban Legends Come to Life
In this episode, we dig into the topic of urban legends come to life, These are legends that either others have actually brought to life and urban legends that are surprisingly based on fact. These legends include: The Bunny Man, Cropsey, H…
Listen Now: Flesh and Code
Travis never thought he’d meet someone like Lily Rose. She was kind, passionate, beautiful. The woman of his dreams. There was just one small detail: she wasn’t human.Lily Rose is an AI companion. A digital soulmate designed to be everythin…
When the Midway Goes Dark: Strange Tales of Abandoned Amusement Parks
Join me on this summer road trip to some of the world's creepiest abandoned amusement parks. Our stops include: Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, Pripyat, Ukraine, Land of Oz, Gulliver’s Kingdom. And Honorable Mentions: Berlin’s Spreepark, Diver…
Haunted Waters, Pt. 4: Ghosts Adrift
In this episode in the Haunted Waters series, we explore ghost ships from around the world, which include The Carroll A. Deering, The Mary Celeste, The Flying Dutchman, El Caleuche, S.S. Valencia, The Baychimo, Eliza Battle, and MV Joyita
Haunted Waters, Pt. 3, Monsters of the Deep
In this episode of the Haunted Waters series, we explore sea monsters of myth from around the world. These frightening creatures include the Lusca, Umibōzu, Akhlu, Morgawr, and Ningen, as well as the 1734 account of a sea monster off the co…
Haunted Waters, Pt. 2: A Beacon In The Dark
On this episode in the Haunted Waters series, I cover lighthouses with haunted reputations, as well as the history of lighthouses. We explore Smalls lighthouse in Wales, Pharos of Alexandria, Tower of Hercules, Big Bay Point in Michigan, So…
Haunted Waters, Pt 1: Still Waters Run Deep
Join me for a new 'Haunted Waters' series. In this first episode I explore lakes, marshes, and ponds and their legendary ghosts. Our stops in this episode include Bell Island in Canada, Haunted Lake in New Hampshire, White Rock Lake in Texa…
Valley of the Headless Men
In this episode, I explore the Nahanni Valley of the Northwest Territories in Canada, which has been given the nickname Valley of the Headless Men. This due to a series of deaths of goldhunters and fur trappers after they entered the valley…
Listen Now: Scam Factory
You know those messages that you get all the time, the ones that pop up out of nowhere? They could be real, but something about them seems fishy. You likely dismiss these texts and emails as mere annoyances, thinking you’ve stopped some ran…
The Cursing of Russian Hill, Pt 3: The Happenings at 1000 Lombard St
In the conclusion to this series on Russian Hill, I delve into the events which affected Pat Montandon and her friends and family at 1000 Lombard Street, as well as the occult resurgence in the 1960s, including the role of Anton LeVay.
The Cursing of Russian Hill, Pt 2
In the second episode of this series, I tell the story of a young, widowed migrant during California's Gold Rush, and the horror of what she found in her new home on Russian Hill.
The Cursing of Russian Hill, Pt 1
In this episode we explore some of the strange goings-on in the earlier days of Russian Hill in San Francisco, including the ill-fated union of a Russian count and Spainish maiden, the first legal execution in California history, seances, t…
Introduction of The Cursing of Russian Hill
A short series coming to the strange and unusual podcast
Legally Haunted
In 1991, the New York State Supreme Court decided on a case that would set a legal precedent for house haunting in the state for years.
Listen Now: Kill List
In the depths of the dark net, tech journalist Carl Miller makes a disturbing discovery: a secret Kill List targeting hundreds of innocent people on a murder for hire website. When the police decide not to investigate, Carl is thrown into a…
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Part 11 The Conclusion
We reach finally the conclusion of Frankenstein, where we discover the fates of Frankenstein and the Creature
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, PT 10
In this episode, we follow Victor Frankenstein to his wedding day, which ends in tragedy, and the dominos really begin to fall.Though I thought I could cover the remaining chapters of Frankenstein in this episode, that was before I realized…
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, PT 9
In this episode, we cover chapters 20-21, in which Victor struggles with whether or not he will create a mate for the creature, and is confronted and threatened by the creature as well. Victor is then faced with an unexpected shock.
Strange & Unusual Headlines | The Buried Alive
This week's headline comes from The Inter Ocean, published on December 21, 1890. This article covers the "buried alive" convent of nuns in Naples, Italy. The convent is raided when strange rumors spread of this order of nuns, and things are…
Scared To Death
In this week's episode, Alyson explores the phenomenon of being scared to death through real life examples, folklore, pop culture, and medical mysteries.
Listen Now: Hysterical
Hysterical investigates a mysterious illness that spreads among a group of high school girls in upstate New York. What is causing their sudden, often violent symptoms? Is there something in the water or inside the school? Or is it “all in t…
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, PT 8
In this episode, we cover chapters 17 through 19, when the creature confronts and begs his maker to build him a new companion. Victor then goes on a journey to perform his dreaded task.
The Evil Eye and Witchcraft Murder in Kalamazoo
On this week's episode we delve into the superstition of the evil eye and a case of witchcraft murder in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1929
RE-RELEASE: Strange and Unusual Headlines | Kept Dead Child In Their Home
This week's headline comes from St. Louis Post Dispatch, published on December 23, 1900
Nymph of the Woods, The Vanishing of a Child Prodigy
Barbara Newhall Follett was considered a child prodigy when her first novel "The House Without Windows" was published at age 12 in 1927, and then she had vanished forever when she was 25 in 1939. What happened to Barbara? And what does her …
Strange & Unusual Headlines |Catch Jersey Devil
This week's headline was published by Escanaba Morning Press on July 6, 1911. In this episode, we get into Jersey Devil lore, a trolling Benjamin Franklin, a mysterious Irish creature, frozen hoof prints, a Philadelphia Dime Museum, a docto…
Invasion of the Flying Saucers
Beginning in June, 1947, when a news article reached millions about a UFO sighting over Mt Rainier, flying saucer mania began, and lasted through the 1950s. Intensified by an alleged invasion of saucers over Washington DC, nuclear war, and …
The Manananggals of the Philippines and other Female Vampires of Southeast Asia
In this week's episode, listen to learn more about the fascinating female vampires of Southeast Asia
RE-RELEASE: Strange & Unusual Headlines | Constant use of Ouija Board Drives Seven People Insane
This week I'm away on a birthday trip, so I'm re-releasing one of my favorite headline episodes.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Pt 7
For this installment, we cover chapter 12-16, when things really get dark
Through The Looking Glass
In this week's episode, we explore the history of mirrors, and their place in our superstitions, legends, and folk beliefs.
Listen Now: Dr. Death: Bad Magic
When a charismatic young doctor announces revolutionary treatments for cancer and HIV, patients from around the world turn to him for their last chance. As medical experts praise Serhat Gumrukcu’s genius, the company he co-founded rockets i…
Holiday Monsters
For this week's episode, we are exploring the monstrous entities that emerge during the winter holidays.
What's Behind The Door?
Doors, thresholds, doorways, portals, and gates have always been powerful symbols throughout all of history and across all cultures. They’ve been used in rituals and religious rites since antiquity. And they have always been part of humanit…
RE-PLAY: A Haunting Winter
This week I'm down with a cold, so please enjoy this re-release of one of my favorite episodes ever 'A Haunting Winter'. Next week I'll be back with a whole new episode!
Strange & Unusual Headlines| Scientist Proves Ghosts Real! Haunted Houses? Lots of Them!
This week's headline comes from The Toronto Star Weekly, April 5, 1924
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Pt 6
Join Alyson for chapters 10-11 of 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. In this episode, Victor Frankenstein is forced to face his creation, and he, in turn, tells Victor all about the first days of his life.