Strange Origins

While horror movies today have given us a stereotypical demon that we can imagine living under our beds and tickling our toes, the history of these little devils paints them in a slightly different light. From the Greek guardian angels called Daimons to the troll-like Oni of Japanese mythology, the story behind demons is a lot more interesting than you may think. 

Men in Black are either the cool government agents you wish existed, or your worst nightmare, depending on who is telling the story. From the post-WWII UFO craze of the 1940’s to the wild comic books from the 1990s, how did Men in Black become such a creepy household name?

Have you ever wished you could divine your future or communicate with those on the other side? Through the act of scrying people have been interpreting their fates for thousands of years. From Ancient Greek oracles to the Queens of Europe, and Aztec hallucinogens, scrying has served a purpose in teaching us about ourselves and helping us to pass on to the next phases in our lives.

The Kraken is mysterious, elusive, and larger than life. Join me this week in discovering the history behind how the Kraken grew from a Norwegian Tall-Tale to being a star in dramatic Hollywood films. From its female interpretation in Homer's Odysseus to its surprising cameo in the Dr. Seuss prequel, Halloween is Grinch Night, the Kraken was born from nothing and grew to be a household name. So isn't it odd we know next to nothing about it?

I'm back after the busiest summer of my life. Thank you all for allowing me that time to work and deal with bills, broken-down cars, and adult life in general. 

In this episode, I dive into the different versions of Halloween around the world. While in the U.S. we are usually busy Trick-or-Treating, dressing up in costumes, and putting giant spiders on our front stoop, the rest of the world is honoring the dead in their own way. From the Latin traditions of Dia de Los Muertos to the Japanese Hungry Ghost Festival, spooky traditions are mixed in with actions that serve only to respect those who have gone before us. Food, flowers, and decorations meant to be used by spirits are all a large part of the days following All-Hallows-Eve. Join me as I discuss a few of these incredible customs and speak on why they are so important to the cultures that practice them on November 1st and 2nd. 

A Note Of Warning: this episode is not appropriate for children under the age of 13.

Dragons are a lot more powerful than you think they are. While in European countries, they have the power of fire and poison on their side, in Asian cultures they can shapeshift, control entire water systems, and sink battleships. So where do these stark differences between the dragons of old originate? Join me and find out.

The story of dragons goes further back in history than you realize. 

From Chinese Dragon Bones, the birth of the Spartans, and monstrous apocalyptic beasts, join me as I discover just how strange the origin of the dragon is, and also just how much the monster has shaped our modern notions of evil and chaos.

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to travel anywhere in the world, with no restrictions at all? It’s said that if you just focus your mind and go to the astral plane you can escape the confines of your physical form. Going back to the history of astral projection from Egyptians to the "Good Walkers" to the Theosophical Society, it might surprise you just how many people report being able to travel outside of their bodies while asleep.

A Note Of Warning: The topic I discuss this week may not be suitable for listeners under the age of 13.

Stories of Ladies in White are some of the most iconic ghost tales ever told. So where exactly did the genre of wailing women come from? Jumping across the globe I investigate the different types of Ladies in White who have graced our castle halls and waved us down on the road.

Green Men and Woodwose have stood in European cathedrals for a thousand years now, so why are they not well known? From Gods to the magic of Merlin what is the origin of these strange carvings? Unicorns, Werewolf men, and Mermen also make guest appearances.