Folktown

New Year’s has been celebrated for thousands of years…but not always the way you think. In our Season 7 finale, Amanda, Dayelle and Deena dive into the surprising, magical, creepy and sometimes downright bizarre history of ringing in a new year.

We’re uncovering the origins of New Year’s itself, the song that became THE anthem of midnight (and why it still matters), why one country celebrates with a bucket of KFC, the tradition of jumping off chairs to “leap” into the new year, demon-like creatures meant to scare off bad luck and dozens of global customs meant to bring fortune, love, protection and fresh beginnings.

From the heartwarming to the spooky, from ancient rituals to modern quirks, this episode is the perfect send-off to the year and a wild ride around the world’s midnight folklore.

In our final stop through Connecticut, we’re trading witches and urban legends for something a little more…mysterious...What is a cryptid, really? From shadowy beasts lurking in the woods to creatures whispered about for generations, Connecticut has its fair share of strange sightings and local legends. In this episode, we break down what makes a cryptid, explore some of the state’s most popular folklore and ask the big question...do you believe?

Picture this: a crackling campfire, the hiss of night creatures, shadows dancing in the trees. (In reality, it’s just us in the studio, lights dimmed, creating our own spooky ambience.) Join Amanda, Deena and Dayelle as they swap some of Connecticut’s creepiest urban legends. Tales of haunted woods, mysterious creatures, and whispers that still echo through the night. Grab your flashlight, pull your blanket close and settle in…because these stories might just keep you up tonight.

Before Salem…there was Connecticut.

Long before the infamous witch trials of Massachusetts, another colony was already drowning in fear, superstition and accusations of witchcraft. This season, Folktown heads to the shadowed corners of Connecticut, where whispers of curses, poppets, and spectral evidence ignited America’s first witch panic.

In our season premiere, Amanda, Dayelle and Deena uncover the chilling stories of the women and men condemned as witches decades before Salem. Who were they? What sparked the hysteria? And why has this part of history been largely forgotten?

Season 7 resurrects the spirits of Connecticut’s dark past, where every accusation came with a price and not every ghost was laid to rest.

Listen…if you dare.

Season 7 of Folktown is dropping November 18! Welcome to Connecticut. 

She’s small, she’s sinister and she’s locked away for a reason. In our chilling season finale, Amanda, Dayelle and Deena crack open the case of Annabelle. The demon doll that turned playtime into a nightmare and found its way into the infamous Warrens’ paranormal files, their Occult Museum and more recently news channels everywhere. This isn’t just a story about a doll. It’s about Ed and Lorraine Warren, the husband and wife team whose names have become synonymous with the paranormal. From haunted houses to possessions and exorcisms. Their case files read like the darkest chapters of modern American folklore and Annabelle is only one case file.

As we close the book on this season the shadows don’t rest for long. Next season, were stepping into a place steeped in secrets, haunted halls and legends that inspired some of the most infamous stories ever told. Where are we heading? Maybe you already know. Or maybe…you’ll just have to listen to find out...

Part 1: Death Witchery & Mystic Arts with Ariel Willow

Step into the shadowed realms of the spiritual with Ariel Willow; death witch, Norse pagan, clairvoyant medium, demonolator, and astrologer. Amanda, Dayelle, and Deena explore Ariel’s path: how she interprets the stars, communes with the departed, and transforms death into a guiding force. She debunks myths, sheds light on the craft, and shares her most haunting encounters. If you're drawn to the occult, astrology, or stories from beyond, this conversation invites you deeper into the mystic and the unknown.

Part 2: Witchcraft, Spirits, and Modern Magic with Laurusa Mystic

In the second half, the hosts meet Alyssa; known as Laurusa Mystic. A witch, medium, animist, and polytheist with a background in environmental science and conservation. She weaves folklore and Greek mythology into her spiritual practice, honoring the land, ancestors, and local spirits. From building a modern witchcraft career to exploring how terrain and myth flavor spiritual connections, Alyssa brings grounded, nature-infused magic to life. Whether you're hungry for folklore or spine‑tingling tales, this episode will leave you seeing the world a bit more magically.

Still curious? Follow Alyssa & Ariel:

Website: laurusamystic.com

YouTube: @laurusamystic

Instagram: @laurusamystic

TikTok: @laurusamystic

Website: arielwillow.com

Instagram: @starryariel

TikTok: @arielwillow7

YouTube: @arielwillow

Podcast: Ghost Tea Podcast

You’ve heard his voice first in Season 2, Episode 2, and then narrating every haunting tale in Seasons 3, 4 & 5 but this time, JJ steps out from behind the mic (well, his home setup) and into the studio. From spine-tingling real-life experiences to his favorite lore, JJ shares the stories that sparked his love of the strange and supernatural. And YES he treats us to that unforgettable Folktown “Deeennnnaaaa” in person. JJ is also the co-host of the Can We Geek About Podcast with Kyle another Gotham West Studios production where the two geek out over movies, TV, and all things pop culture. Your not going to want to miss this one!

Over the seasons, Amanda, Dayelle, and Deena have spun folklore into living shadows. Bringing haunted legends, chilling spirits, and eerie tales to life. In this special anthology episode, we’re cracking open Folktown’s haunted archives to revisit the stories that still stalk our dreams and echo in the dark.

From Boo Hag to Krampus…these timeless stories weave together the eerie magic that makes Folktown unforgettable. This is where folklore feels too real, where whispers follow you home, and where even the bravest listener might find themselves leaving the lights on.

Whether it’s your first step into Folktown or a return to your favorite stories, this episode is our storybook of the strange and the spectral the very best of Folktown’s most hair-raising, spine-tingling tales.

Listen if you dare…because in Folktown, the shadows are always listening.

Spooky season has arrived—and so has Folktown Season 6. This year, we’re conjuring up conversations with modern witches, sitting down with our mysterious narrator JJ, and taking a chilling deep dive into the legend of Annabelle. Plus, Dayelle, Amanda, and Deena revisit their favorite stories from the last five seasons. Turn down the lights… and tune in to Folktown.