Much of folklore is fun in a creepy sort of way, something that we often revel in here on Lore. But there are darker, more insidious corners of folklore that have used the power of storytelling for very dangerous reasons, and they lie closer to the surface that you'll believe.

Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott, research by Cassandra de Alba, and music by Chad Lawson.

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Lore Resources:

• Get Ad-Free Lore: lorepodcast.com/support
• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• Official Lore Merchandise: lorepodcast.com/shop

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Sponsors:

• Chime: Chime is banking done right. Open an account in 2 minutes at chime.com/lore.
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• Cook Unity: Try the freshest, best-tasting meal delivery made by your favorite celebrity chefs. Go to CookUnity.com/LORE or enter code LORE before checkout to get 50% off your first order.

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To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it.

To advertise on this podcast please email: [email protected]. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore

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©2026 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

I'm pleased to announce that my newest book, Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire, is scheduled for August 4th, and it's available for pre-order TODAY!

Exhumed is a 400-page historical journey to unpack the heart of the Mercy Brown story. Think of it like a 20-episode Lore miniseries of brand new material and research, hand-crafted for lovers of strange history.

Here's my publisher's fancy write-up about the book:

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About Exhumed

"From critically acclaimed podcaster and bestselling author Aaron Mahnke comes this engrossing and macabre exploration of the folklore and early medical practices that fueled the ghastly exhumation of Mercy Brown in 1892.

With Exhumed, Mahnke presents a unique history of the intersection of folklore and science, and how pop culture, medical advancements, and pseudoscience of the time shaped the perspectives of people in 19th century America.

From the death of George Washington to Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein, Mahnke leads reads on a fascinating journey through history, touching on mummification, executioners, corpse medicine, European vampire folklore, and so much more. He reveals that, as shocking as Brown's exhumation might seem to us today, it also reflected surprisingly common attitudes and beliefs about the relationship between the dead and the living, the nature of science and magic, and the fate of the human soul. It all builds to a revelatory understanding of human behavior that continues to this very day."

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Learn more, see the cover, and pre-order your copy today...over at my personal website: https://www.aaronmahnke.com/exhumed

We might call them the Great Lakes, but the folklore in and around them is so much greater. And—if the stories are true—much more terrifying as well.

Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Nick Tecosky and research by Jamie Vargas.

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Lore Resources:

• Get Ad-Free Lore: lorepodcast.com/support
• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• Official Lore Merchandise: lorepodcast.com/shop

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Sponsors:

• Squarespace: Head to Squarespace.com/lore to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using the code LORE.
• BetterHelp: Lore is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/LORE, and get on your way to being your best self.
• Mint Mobile: For a limited time, wireless plans from Mint Mobile are $15 a month when you purchase a 3-month plan with UNLIMITED talk, text and data at MintMobile.com/lore.
• Tovala: Get a FREE Tovala Smart Oven when you order meals 6+ times by heading to Tovala.com/LORE with offer code LORE.

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To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it.

To advertise on this podcast please email: [email protected]. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore

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©2026 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode—which was a rerun of Episode 12: Half-Hanged—with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog:

• Episode 25: LorePodcast.com/episodes/25
• Episode 41: LorePodcast.com/episodes/41
• Episode 56: LorePodcast.com/episodes/56

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Lore Resources:

• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• Official Lore Merchandise: www.lorepodcast.com/shop

©2025 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

This week, as the holidays draw near, the Lore team takes a well-earned break to relax with their loved ones. To give them that break, we're reissuing a golden oldie from over a decade ago: Episode 12: Half-Hanged.

Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with music by Chad Lawson.

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Lore Resources:

• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• Official Lore Merchandise: lorepodcast.com/shop

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Sponsors:

• Quince: Premium European clothing and accessories for 50% to 80% less than similar brands. Visit Quince.com/LORE for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

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To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it.

To advertise on this podcast please email: [email protected]. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore

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©2025 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Out beyond the edge of the known, where simply existing comes with risk, you will always find stories of threats that defy rational explanation.

Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex Robinson and research by Cassandra de Alba.

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Lore Resources:

• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• All the shows from Grim & Mild: www.grimandmild.com

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Sponsors:

• Quince: Premium European clothing and accessories for 50% to 80% less than similar brands. Visit Quince.com/LORE for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
• SimpliSafe: Secure your home with 24/7 professional monitoring. Sign up today at SimpliSafe.com/Lore to get 50% off a new SimpliSafe system.

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To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it.

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To advertise on this podcast please email: [email protected]. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore

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©2025 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (295: Making Your Luck) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog:

• Episode 54: LorePodcast.com/episodes/54
• Episode 74: LorePodcast.com/episodes/74
• Episode 87: LorePodcast.com/episodes/87

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Lore Resources:

• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• All the shows from Grim & Mild: www.grimandmild.com

©2025 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

It's all fun and games until someone has a cursed dream. The history behind these risky gambles is almost as fascinating as their eventual outcome.

Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott, research by Cassandra de Alba, and music by Chad Lawson.

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Lore Resources:

• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• Official Lore Merchandise: lorepodcast.com/shop
• All the shows from Grim & Mild: www.grimandmild.com

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Sponsors:

• Squarespace: Head to Squarespace.com/lore to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using the code LORE.
• Acorns: Acorns helps you automatically save & invest for your future. Head to Acorns.com/LORE to sign up for Acorns to start saving and investing for your future today!

—————————

To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it.

To advertise on this podcast please email: [email protected]. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore

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©2025 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Legends often contain clues about our greatest fears. Oftentimes they are small and invisible. But as today's collection of stories reveals, they can be much bigger than that.

Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex Robinson and research by Jamie Vargas.

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Lore Resources:

• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• Official Lore Merchandise: www.lorepodcast.com/shop

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Sponsors:

• MeUndies: Slide into game changing comfort and get up to 50% off at MeUndies.com/lore with the promo code LORE.
• Goldbelly: Get the most iconic, famous foods from restaurants all across the US, shipped free to your door anywhere in the country. Go to to GoldBelly.com and get free shipping and 20% off your first order with promo code LORE.

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To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it.

To advertise on this podcast please email: [email protected]. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore

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©2025 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (294: Upon Reflection) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog:

• Episode 34: LorePodcast.com/episodes/34
• Episode 112: LorePodcast.com/episodes/112
• Episode 117: LorePodcast.com/episodes/117

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Lore Resources:

• Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
• Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
• All the shows from Grim & Mild: www.grimandmild.com

©2025 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.