Mission Spooky

Nestled near the crossroads of history, the Eutaw House has stood as a silent witness to centuries of change. Once a bustling inn and tavern along a well-traveled stagecoach route, this historic landmark has hosted weary travelers, military figures, and perhaps even spirits from its storied past.

In this episode, we uncover the fascinating history of the Eutaw House—from its origins in the early 1800s to its role in Pennsylvania’s evolving landscape. Who were the notable figures that passed through its doors? How did it survive wars, industrial shifts, and the passage of time? And what remains of it today?

While legends of hauntings persist, the true history of the Eutaw House is just as intriguing as the ghost stories. Join us as we delve into the facts, myths, and mysteries of one of Pennsylvania’s forgotten landmarks.

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This week's featured music is from Antipole with the song "Midnight Shadows" Deus Ex Lumina Remix.

As winter tightens its icy grip, ancient legends tell of creatures that emerge with the snow and cold. In this episode, we explore chilling tales from Inuit and Algonquin folklore, uncovering the fearsome Snow Wasset—an elusive predator that burrows beneath the snow—and the mighty Pamola, a spirit of the mountains with the power to control storms. Join us as we delve into the eerie myths of the frozen wilderness and the beings that lurk within.

Welcome to Season Six of Mission Spooky! Today, we’re diving into one of the most infamous objects in the paranormal world: the Dybbuk Box. You’ve probably heard the spine-chilling stories—a cursed wine cabinet haunted by a malevolent Jewish spirit, causing chaos, bad luck, and even death to those who dare to own it. But how much of this story is rooted in fact, and how much of it is just a cleverly marketed hoax?

In this episode, we’re unraveling the tangled web of truth and fiction surrounding the Dybbuk Box. First, we’ll explore the box’s origins, tracing the story back to its creator, Kevin Mannis, who admitted to fabricating the tale as part of a creative writing project. Then we’ll examine how Zak Bagans, host of Ghost Adventures and self-proclaimed expert in all things haunted, turned this fabricated object into a cornerstone of his paranormal empire. Spoiler alert: It involves a lot of smoke, mirrors, and maybe some strategic editing.

But this isn’t just about debunking the Dybbuk Box as a hoax. We’re also diving deep into the cultural and historical roots of the dybbuk itself. What is a dybbuk in Jewish mysticism? Where does the concept come from, and how has it been misrepresented in popular culture? We’ll shed light on the true nature of these restless spirits and the sacred traditions surrounding them, traditions that deserve far more respect than they often receive in the world of paranormal sensationalism.

So, whether you’re here to learn the truth, enjoy some light Zak Bagans roasting, or explore the rich tapestry of Jewish mysticism, this episode has something for you. Let’s separate the facts from the fiction, the lore from the lies, and maybe have a few laughs along the way. Grab your salt circle and settle in—it’s going to be a fascinating ride!

BONUS: We read our favorite eBay sales of Dybbuk Boxes for your hearing pleasure.

Thank you to Magic Mind for partnering with our podcast! As a special bonus, listeners who visit MagicMind.com/SPOOKYJAN will enjoy an exclusive 45% off the 24-hour bundle. Make 2025 the year you prioritize your mental resilience!

🦃 In this special holiday episode of Smash or Pass, we’re diving fork-first into the ultimate Thanksgiving feast! From classic turkey and stuffing to wild-card dishes like Ambrosia salad and spinach casserole, we’ll rate which festive foods make us say “smash!” and which get a hard “pass.” Tune in as we roast, toast, and maybe even gag over some of the most beloved Thanksgiving treats.

Will pumpkin pie reign supreme, or will green bean casserole steal the show?

Grab your stretchy pants and join us for a feast of flavor, laughs, and hot takes!

Food is essential to life, but what happens when it turns deadly?

This episode explores the bizarre and macabre tales of individuals who met their untimely ends because of food. From factory workers tragically killed by industrial food production to mysterious and fatal meals, we delve into the dark side of our culinary world. Stories include the potato poisoning that claimed lives, a box of chocolate disaster, the sticky horror of a caramel catastrophe, toxic mushrooms, and even the dangers lurking in poultry processing plants. It's a feast of the fatal, blending history, true crime, and a chilling look at our relationship with what we eat.

The Flaky Foodie: Molasses: History of a Holiday Sweetener with Kiki of Mission Spooky

Join us for a lovely chat with Thersa Matsuura, author of The Book of Japanese Folklore. Known for her podcast Uncanny Japan and decades of exploring Japan's cultural myths and legends, Thersa shares insights into her favorite Yokai, her journey through Japanese folklore, and which Yokai she wouldn't like to meet in a dark alley! We also discuss Halloween's rising popularity in Japan, exploring how this Western tradition has been embraced and transformed with a unique Japanese flair.

Resources for Thersa Matsuura and Her Work:

Thersa Matsuura

The Book of Japanese Folklore

Uncanny Japan

🎃 Get ready for a Halloween special filled with spooky laughs and questionable judgment calls as we tackle Smash or Pass: Horror Villains!

Join us as we examine horror’s most infamous baddies and ask the ultimate question: would you run for your life or take a chance on "love"?

From slasher icons to supernatural fiends, no villain is off-limits in this lighthearted game of terrifying ‘what ifs.’ Buckle up for laughs, chills, and a healthy dose of horror-loving humor!

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and legally complex world of human remains. From the strict laws preventing the keeping of bones to the eerie allure of necromancy, we explore its origins in ancient Greece. We tackle the bizarre case of the witch who stole bones from New Orleans' Holt Cemetery, sparking a scandal known as "Bonegazi". Plus, we touch on the grim history of resurrectionists and the life of Grandison Harris, a man who was both a gravedigger and a medical assistant. Join us for a bone-chilling journey through history, magic, and the macabre.

Happy Indigenous People's Day!

In this episode, we expose the unsettling truth about stolen Indigenous peoples' remains in some of the world’s most renowned museums, including the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Illinois State Museum.

We dive into the ethical and legal battles surrounding the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a law designed to return these sacred remains to their rightful communities.

Kiki touches on the erroneous pseudo-science of phrenology and how it led to a glut of both legal and questionably obtained skulls in museums across the country.

Wrapping up, we touch on the curious case of Stone Man Willie, a case of experimental embalming that led an unfortunate soul to be a funeral home attraction for over 120 years.

Join us for a sobering discussion on the past’s lingering injustices and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights.

Check a museum or university near you with the ProPublica Repatriation Database!

In this episode, we discuss the disturbing and complex history of cannibalism. We explore the use of human body parts in corpse medicine—a practice once considered medicinal. We then dive into the legal questions surrounding the consumption of human flesh, examining the societal and cultural implications of such acts. Shifting to science, we analyze the psychological, biological, and evolutionary aspects of cannibalism, including how man-made conditions, such as famine or social breakdown, can drive individuals to cannibalistic behaviors. We unravel the psychology of wendigo psychosis—the haunting fear of turning into a flesh-eating monster.

This episode offers a chilling look at how cannibalism has shaped human history and ethics.

This Guy Served His Friends Tacos Made from His Own Amputated Leg