Crypts and Corks

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This week on Crypts and Corks, we rise from the ashes to explore one of the most powerful and enduring mythical creatures in human history: the phoenix. Across ancient Egypt, Greece, China, and beyond, this legendary firebird has symbolized rebirth, immortality, and the endless cycle of destruction and renewal. But where did the myth truly begin—and why does it keep returning in moments of cultural crisis and change?

We trace the phoenix’s fiery origins, unpack its symbolism, and explore how a creature that dies in flames only to be reborn has come to represent hope, resilience, and transformation. From sacred texts and folklore to modern stories and pop culture, the phoenix proves that even in myth, endings are rarely the end.

So settle in as we crack open the crypt on a creature that reminds us: sometimes, you have to burn before you can rise.

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This Christmas, Crypts and Corks uncorks a chilling holiday mystery that refuses to fade with time. On Christmas Eve 1945, a fire consumed the Sodder family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia—but when the ashes settled, five of the Sodder children were simply… gone.

In this episode, we raise a glass to the strange and unsettling details surrounding the Sodder Children disappearance: missing remains, unexplained clues, suspicious visitors, and the haunting possibility that the fire was never meant to be an accident. Was it a tragic misunderstanding, a cover-up, or something far more sinister?

As holiday lights glow and the wine flows, we explore how a season meant for togetherness became a lifelong nightmare for one family—and why, nearly 80 years later, the Sodder mystery still casts a long shadow over Christmas night

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Say her name three times—if you dare. In this episode of Crypts and Corks, we raise a glass to one of the most infamous urban legends of all time: Bloody Mary. From candlelit bathrooms and trembling sleepovers to centuries-old folklore, we explore the many origins of the woman said to lurk behind the mirror.

Is Bloody Mary a vengeful spirit, a distorted historical figure, or a psychological trick born from fear and reflection? We trace the legend through history, examine its possible real-life inspirations, and unpack why this ritual has terrified generations. Along the way, we sip our cocktails and discuss the power of mirrors, belief, and why some legends refuse to stay buried.

So lock the bathroom door, dim the lights, and pour yourself a drink—just maybe don’t look too closely at your reflection. 🍷🪞

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On this haunting installment of Crypts and Corks, your hosts uncork a bottle and journey deep into the quiet hills of West Virginia to explore the site of the Monongah Mining Disaster—America’s deadliest mining accident and a tragedy that still lingers beneath the soil.

Walking through the remnants of the old coal town, they reflect on the December morning in 1907 when a series of explosions shattered the earth and claimed the lives of hundreds of miners. With a mix of field recordings, local folklore, and historical accounts, the hosts piece together how the disaster unfolded, why its true death toll remains disputed, and the stories of the families and communities forever changed by it.

As the wind moves through abandoned structures and memorial markers, Crypts and Corks ponders how memory, loss, and labor struggles weave into the landscape—and how the ghosts of Monongah still speak to us today. All paired, of course, with a thoughtfully chosen bottle to lighten the mood without losing the reverence the site deserves.

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In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most enduring and bizarre legends in rock history: the claim that Paul McCartney secretly died in 1966 and was replaced by a look-alike. From backward messages hidden in vinyl grooves to cryptic album covers and lyrical “clues,” we explore how a college-campus rumor spiraled into a global conspiracy theory that still fascinates Beatles fans today.

Join us as we unpack where the myth began, why it spread so quickly, and what it reveals about fame, grief, symbolism, and the human desire to find meaning in the mysterious. Is it all just a clever hoax, an early form of fandom puzzle-solving—or something stranger?

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Sub bros! This week we're joined by a very special guest: David from Paranormal in Pennsylvania! Turns out we were all in fraternities in our college days! In honor of this bond of brotherhood Paul takes us on a tour of haunted frat houses across America. From sites of gruesome crimes to bizarre lawn decor to a very personal haunting, this episode covers it all. This is one you won't want to miss! And be sure to go check out Paranormal in Pennsylvania and our collab with them on their episode on the Seven Gates of Hell!

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A house of mythic proportions located in a town racked with accusations and death. A sea captain using his ill gotten wealth to build a status symbol. A judge out for blood to steal his neighbors’ land. An heiress who in a time of war finds new wealth and freedom. A writer wracked with guilt and suffering. A curse uttered on the way to the gallows by an innocent accused of witchcraft. All of this sounds like a gothic novel. And while all of this inspired of America’s great gothic romances it is all part of the history of the home which inspired it. Today we cover Salem’s House of the Seven Gables

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This week we're covering one of our favorite crytids: the Chupacabra! This feistly creature can suck an entire goat of its blood--giving whole new meaning to the term Throat Goat. But what are the origins of this strange creature? Where did it come from? Where is it going? Did one of them really win Best In Show at the Westminster Dog Show? Find out all of the answers to these questions in this week's episode!

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You've been begging for it and now we're giving it to you! The recording of our very first live show: Amityville LIVE! We're definitely releasing this because you all have been begging for it and not all all because October was a VERY long month, and we're VERY tired, and we decided to take a weekend off for ourselves and go touch grass and visit friends. Not that at all. Really guys, this show was so much fun. If you think we've covered the whole story in Episode 2 then you need to think again. In this live show we break new ground with all new information, all new theories, and all new jokes. This is one you'll love watching over and over again. So sit back, relax, and watch us do our thing LIVE (at time of recording), IN PERSON (at time of recording), and FUNNIER THAN EVER (before, during, and after time of recording).

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What do you look for when choosing a hotel? A luxury spa experience? Included continental breakfast? Ghosts? Well if you answered yes to the ghost have we got a hotel recommendation for you! The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado! This luxury hotel started out as the brain child of F.O. Stanley after he fell in love with the area following a bout of tuberculosis. But, over the years a number of guests have seemed to linger. Well why wouldn't they when this hotel can boast a vortex, a portal to hell, two different ghost cowboys, and being the inspiration for Stephen King's the Shining! Listen in about the ghoulish guests and why you should check out the Stanley!

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DJ: @therealdeejpowers on TikTok and Instagram
Paul: @paulember on TikTok and Instagram