Whisper her name in the mirror—but who is she really?

Is Bloody Mary a cursed queen, a colonial witch, or something stranger?

In this episode, we uncover the historical roots, false identities, and psychological science behind the Bloody Mary ritual. From Queen Mary I to mirror-as-portal theories, we break down what’s fact, what’s folklore, and what your mind might be doing in the dark.

🪞Why do so many see something in the mirror?

🧠 Can science explain the fear—or is something really there?

🎧 Tune in now to explore the story behind the scream.

👉 Like, subscribe, and check the description for sources, bonus links, and how to support the show!

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode explores theories and beliefs that may vary by region or culture. Interpretations are based on historical documentation and peer-reviewed psychological studies.

(hrs:min:sec)

00:01:25 - The Mirror Ritual & Its Origins

00:02:01 - Mary I (England)

00:02:48 - Mary Worth - Folklore or Fact?

00:03:26 - Mirror Symbolism & Interdimensional Theories

00:04:16 - Scientific Explanation - The Strange-Face Illusion

00:05:00 - Summary

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Sources:

Caputo, Giovanni B, et al. “Visual Perception during Mirror-Gazing at One’s Own Face in Patients with Depression.” TheScientificWorldJournal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4258311/.

CARLSON, ERIC JOSEF. “Fires of Faith: Catholic England under Mary Tudor – by Eamon Duffy.” History, vol. 95, no. 319, 24 June 2010, pp. 377–378, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-229x.2010.00490_24.x.

Ellis, Bill. “Legend trips and satanism.” Legend Tripping, Nov. 2018, pp. 94–111, https://doi.org/10.7330/9781607328087.c004.

“Encyclopedia of Urban Legends : Brunvand, Jan Harold : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming.” Internet Archive, New York ; London : W.W. Norton & Co., 1 Jan. 1970, archive.org/details/encyclopediaofur00janh_0.

“Erratum.” Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, vol. 202, no. 11, Nov. 2014, p. 839, https://doi.org/10.1097/nmd.0000000000000203.

Fountains. “The Psychology of Reflections: Exploring Mirrors and Water.” Luxury Fountains for Your Home, Garden or Business, 29 Dec. 2024, fountains.com/the-psychology-of-reflections-exploring-mirrors-and-water/.

“Haunted Mirrors and Superstitious Mirror Mythology | Ancient Origins.” Ancient Origins, www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/mirrors-0016245. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

“Mary I.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 26 July 2025, www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-I.

Mikkelson, Barbara. “Is the Bloody Mary Story True?” Snopes, Snopes.com, 21 July 2025, www.snopes.com/fact-check/bloody-mary-story/.

“Mirrors in Mesoamerican Culture.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Feb. 2025, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirrors_in_Mesoamerican_culture#cite_ref-OlivierLopezLujan09p91_8-1.

“The Reformation : MacCulloch, Diarmaid : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming.” Internet Archive, New York, N.Y. : Penguin Books, 1 Jan. 1970, archive.org/details/reformation00diar_0.

“Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project.” Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive, salem.lib.virginia.edu/home.html. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

“The Supernatural.” Obo, www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199799558/obo-9780199799558-0157.xml. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

#FactsVsLegends #BloodyMary #UrbanLegends #MirrorMyths #PsychologyOfFear #Paranormal #QueenMary #FolkloreExplained #HistoryPodcast #MirrorRitual

Rome wasn’t built in a day—but was it built by a wolf-raised warrior?

This episode dives into the legendary tale of Romulus and Remus, then unpacks the historical truth behind the Roman Republic and Empire. From mythical she-wolves to real emperors, discover how a small settlement on the Tiber became a global superpower.

👑 Was Rome born from myth… or shaped by politics?

🛡️ Dive deep into the facts, the legends, and everything in between.

👉 Like, subscribe, and support the show via the link below!

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode includes historical analysis and interpretations that may differ from mainstream views. All discussions are evidence-based and open to respectful feedback.

(hrs:min:sec)

00:01:30 - Brief History of Rome

00:08:34 - Development of the Roman Belief System

00:18:00 - Rome’s Creation Story

00:19:31 - Evidence & Explanations

00:21:24 - Conclusions

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Sources:

“Ancient Rome.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, 30 June 2025, www.history.com/articles/ancient-rome.

“Roman Religion.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-religion/The-imperial-epoch-the-final-forms-of-Roman-paganism. Accessed 10 July 2025.

“Romulus and Remus.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 June 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romulus_and_Remus#:~:text=In%20Roman%20mythology%2C%20Romulus%20and,are%20subjects%20of%20ongoing%20debate.

#FactsVsLegends #RomeMythology #RomulusAndRemus #RomanEmpire #HistoryPodcast #AncientRome #FoundingOfRome #RomeFacts #LegendsExplained

Forget fangs—this time, it’s real blood.

In Part 2 of our Dracula deep dive, we uncover the chilling history of Vlad III Dracula, the 15th-century Wallachian prince whose brutal rule and obsession with impalement earned him a legacy of terror. Was he a national hero… or a monster in royal robes?

Explore his rise, his reigns, betrayals, battles, and ultimate death—as we separate dark legend from historical fact.

⚔️ Real battles.

🩸 Real brutality.

👑 Real man behind the myth.

👉 Like, subscribe, or support the show using the link below!

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode may include theories and interpretations based on historical records. We encourage respectful discussion and critical thinking.

(hrs:min:sec)

00:01:16 - Vlad III - Historical Background

00:01:47 - Early Life & 1st Reign

00:02:32 - 2nd Reign & Consolidation of Power

00:03:40 - Captivity & Return

00:04:06 - Final Reign & Death

00:04:38 - Legacy & Interpretation

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Links:

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Sources:

“Impalement.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 May 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impalement#:~:text=The%20length%20of%20time%20which,or%20drink%20to%20be%20given.

Vlad the Impaler | Early Life & History - Lesson | Study.Com, study-com.translate.goog/learn/lesson/vlad-the-impaler.html?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=id&_x_tr_hl=id&_x_tr_pto=tc. Accessed 13 June 2025.

“Vlad the Impaler.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 June 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_the_Impaler#:~:text=Vlad%20III%2C%20commonly%20known%20as,a%20national%20hero%20of%20Romania.

Where did Dracula really come from? In this episode, we explore the literary birth of Bram Stoker’s infamous vampire—tracing the gothic tale from Transylvania to England, from folklore to fiction.

Discover the inspirations behind Count Dracula, the mythos of vampires, and the real people who may have shaped characters like Van Helsing, Mina, and Quincey Morris.

👻 Gothic horror meets real-world history.

🧛‍♂️ Pop culture’s favorite vampire, explained.

🎧 Like, follow, and support via the link in the description!

⚠️ Disclaimer: This may include interpretations or opinions. We encourage respectful discussion. To the best of our knowledge, all sources used are credible.

(hrs:min:sec)

00:01:11 - Overview - Count Dracula in Fiction

00:02:15 - Literary Summary - Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897)

Literary & Folkloric Influences on Dracula

00:03:31 - Vampires in Earlier Literature

00:04:01 - Eastern European Folklore

Possible Real-Life Inspirations For Characters

00:04:41 - Count Dracula: Vlad III (Vlad the Impaler)

00:05:42 - Professor Van Helsing

00:06:02 - Jonathan Harker

00:06:13 - Mina Murray & Lucy Westenra

00:06:35 - Dr. John Seward

00:06:51 - Quincey Morris

Locations & Historical Accuracy

00:07:14 - Bran Castle (Romania)

00:07:30 - Whitby (England)

00:07:49 - Budapest & “Brain Fever”

00:08:04 - Budapest & Childbed Fever - A Medical Milestone

00:08:47 - Was There Any Truth in Stoker’s Dracula?

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Is the Headless Horseman just a ghost story—or is there truth buried in the legend?

In this premiere episode, we uncover the real history behind Washington Irving’s Sleepy Hollow. From shadowy forests and Hessian soldiers to the real inspirations for Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones—this isn’t just folklore, it’s forensic history.

🔍 Discover:

• Global roots of the Headless Horseman

• Real people behind iconic characters

• The evolution of Sleepy Hollow

• Why this legend still haunts us today

👉 Like, subscribe, and support the show via the link below!

⚠️ Disclaimer: Interpretations may vary. All claims are backed by verified historical research. We welcome respectful discussion and corrections.

(hrs:min:sec)

• ​00:01:36 - The Story
• ​Inspiration
• ​00:03:44 - Headless Horseman
• ​00:04:12 - Ichabod Crane
• ​00:04:47 - Katrina Van Tassels
• ​00:05:25 - Abraham Van Brunt “Brom Bones”
• ​00:05:43 - Sleepy Hollow “The Town”
• ​00:06:05 - So What Really Happened?

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Links:

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• ​#general-discussion - https://discord.com/channels/1408987809334956123/1409179827772326000
• ​#ep1-discussion - https://discord.com/channels/1408987809334956123/1409182357247754440
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X - https://x.com/truthhidden71?s=21

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/19kHT7Rwfw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Sources:

• ​Matsuo, Alex. “The True Story of ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.’” The Spooky Stuff by Alex Matsuo, 22 Oct. 2021, alexmatsuo.com/the-true-story-of-the-legend-of-sleepy-hollow/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20Ichabod%20Crane%20was%20a,However%2C%20the%20two%20never%20met.
• ​Parker, Karen. “The Headless Horseman.” WOODLAND HORSE CENTER, WOODLAND HORSE CENTER, 11 Mar. 2023, www.woodlandhorsecenter.net/blog/the-headless-horseman#:~:text=In%20the%20original%20myth%2C%20the,death%20and%20reclaim%20his%20head.
• ​“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Google Books, Google, www.google.com/books/edition/The_Legend_of_Sleepy_Hollow/BX4RAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Welcome to Facts vs Legends — the podcast that digs into the origins, evidence, and theories behind history’s most famous myths and mysteries. If you’re curious about what’s fact, what’s folklore, and what lies in between, you’re in the right place.