Horrifying History

In fiction books and fairy tales, many stepmothers range from being not nice to being evil murderers.  From Snow White’s envy-filled evil queen and Cinderella’s greedy Lady Tremaine, there is no shortage of these types of characters in literature.  At the minimum, these villains are painted as cold, devious, and uncaring.  A great example of this is Lady Tremaine, who forces Cinderella into back-breaking labour while encouraging her biological children to verbally abuse their stepsister.  

Today, stepmothers are often thought of in a less favourable light than any other family member.  People make presumptions that they are less affectionate, unfair, and at times hateful.  Although blended families do face challenges and conflict that could reinforce some of these stereotypes, no evidence supports the idea of a wicked stepmother.  Research shows that stepmothers provide extra love and support for their stepchildren.  But the women that we are talking about today embrace the evil stereotype.  

So light a candle and turn out the lights, my spooky friends.  You are going to hear about some mothers who redefine the term of evil stepmother.  But be aware, today we will be talking about child abuse and murder.  Listener discretion is advised.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get our episodes a week early.  You will also get a bonus episode each week.

To hear more stories about horrible family members, listen to our episode called The Real Story Behind the Movie 'The Orphan', click here.

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Imagine for a moment that it is 1656, and your father just died from an illness.  As you and your family start to mourn, you find out that people believe that your father was not just a vampire.  He was the first vampire in Europe.

So break out the stakes, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear the legend of a man who was the first person to be recorded as a vampire in historical documents.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get our episodes a week early.  You will also get a bonus episode each week.

If you want to learn more about vampires, listen to History of the Vampire by clicking here.

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She was a young actress and model who didn’t act or model.  She lived on the wrong side of town in an apartment she was about to be evicted from, because she couldn’t pay the rent.  Then she met a man thirty-six years older than her, whom she thought would fulfill all her dreams and help her live a stable life.  

Fast forward a few years, and the woman was broke and at her breaking point.  She decided to blackmail her lover, telling him she was going to sell evidence of their affair if he didn’t pay up.  It wasn’t long afterwards that she ended up dead.

So close the curtains, my spooky friends.  You are going to hear the tale about a woman who some say knew too little, and others say she knew way too much.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get our episodes a week early.  You will also get a bonus episode each week.

To hear another story of a woman who used the people around her, check out our episode on the murdering socialite Delphine Lalaurie by clicking on this link.

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My name is Brenda. Welcome to Horrifying History, where you will hear about the unexplained and supernatural happenings that have stained the pages of history.

It is said that a shadow-like entity has terrified people across different cultures, continents, and generations.  He goes by many names, but most know him as the Hat Man.  

So settle in, and turn down the lights, my spooky friends.  You are going to hear about an entity that is said to feed on people’s terror around the world, so whatever you do, do not look too closely at the shadows.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get our episodes a week early.  You will also get a bonus episode each week.

To learn more about creatures that are said to hunt us in our sleep, listen to our episode called Sleep and the Supernatural.  Click here to listen to this episode.

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In the US state of Massachusetts, there is a place where the paranormal comes out to play.  This approximately 200 square mile or 51,780 square hectare plot of land is known for paranormal activity that includes UFO sightings, cryptid sightings, and ghostly encounters.

So, get your compasses out, my spooky friends.  You are going to hear about a place that has been nicknamed the paranormal Disney World.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get our episodes a week early.  You will also get a bonus episode each week.

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Long ago, when I still wore pyjamas with mittens and slippers attached, I had a nightmare that I still remember clearly.  I went outside to see what my dad was up to and found him in our barnyard.  When I approached him, he told me to go back inside.  A monster was in the woods, and small children were its favourite food.  That’s when I heard thundering footsteps coming from the nearby forest.  I was afraid and turned to see a Sasquatch walking up to me.  My body was frozen, and the monster quickly grabbed me.  It brought me into the forest, where it found a large rock.  It then started smashing my head against the hard surface, and I woke up screaming in fear and pain.  

This is when my mom came running.  The first thing she said was, “You are soaking wet!  These pyjamas are too hot for you.  I am going to throw them out.”  That’s when I started crying and freaking out.  After all, those were my favourite pyjamas, and Mom was taking them away from me when I was just killed by a monster! 

The reason I had the dream was that my grandmother always let me read her newspapers, which were things like The World News and The National Enquirer.  That is where I first saw a blurry photo of a real-life monster that is called different names around the world. 

So, get out your bear traps, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear about a legendary cryptid that may be hiding in the forests or mountains near you

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get our episodes a week early.  You will also get a bonus episode each week.

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Imagine it is the early 1800s, and you are in a penal colony.  The conditions were horrible, and you worked your fingers to the bone.  Would you try to escape for freedom?  If you would, what would you sacrifice for that freedom?

For the men you are going to hear about today, that included cannibalism.  

So, set the table, my spooky friends.  You are going to hear about two men who broke the final taboo.  But before we start, here is a little heads-up.  Today, we will be talking about cannibalism and graphic murders.  Listener discretion is advised.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get our episodes a week early.  You will also get a bonus episode each week.

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When someone famous dies, there are a lot of different emotions that a person can feel.  We feel upset because their work and public persona often intertwine with our life experience and identity.  We may feel a strong connection to them due to their work resonating with us or helping us through hard times.  It also reminds us of our mortality.  

When we hear about a famous person’s death, it usually is something that sticks with us for a few days as the information plays out on social media.  But some cases are so horrible that they stick with us forever.

So get settled in, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear the stories of individuals who were gone before their time.  But be aware.  Today we will be talking about domestic abuse, suicide and graphic deaths.  Listener discretion is advised

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get a new episode each week. 

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People love treasure hunts for a variety of reasons.  Some use it as a way to explore their surroundings, and others use it as a way to bond with friends or family.  But let's be honest…the biggest reason is for a payday. 

There is one alleged treasure that many know precisely where it is.  For more than two centuries, treasure seekers have gone to a small island off the coast of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia in hopes of finding a treasure that is said to be everything from Marie Antoinette’s jewels to the treasures of the Knights Templar.  But getting this treasure is another story itself. 

So, get your shovels, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear about a legendary hoard that people are dying to get.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club - you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get a new episode each week. 

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In January of this year, I was invited to be a guest on the Family Plot podcast to talk about Ernest Hemingway.  After we had recorded their episode, we all started to talk about various subjects, including cults.  It was Family Plot who told me about a cult that existed near where I currently live and some of their dark deeds.  I had to learn more, and that resulted in today’s episode.

So buckle up, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear the tale of a man who believed he was a prophet with absolute power, but discovered how quickly that power can disappear.  But before we start, it is time for a heads-up.  Today, we will be talking about adult and child abuse along with torture.  Listener discretion is advised.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club - you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get a new episode each week.

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