Strange Origins

*Please note this episode lightly discusses mature themes like cannabilism, murder, torture, and rape, and may not be suitable for children under the age of 13. 

Did you hear that? I think there’s a werewolf outside. Join me as I deep dive into the history of what makes a werewolf tick. From the myth of full moons to the werewolf trials, there’s a lot about werewolves that makes the back of my neck itch. 

It may have taken Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life 200 years to earn his wings, but what about the angels with three sets of wings? Spanning across all the Abrahamic religions, angels have done a lot of work to keep the cosmos in order. And some have done a lot of work to bring about the destruction of humanity. Join me this week to learn about the history of Angels, and how sometimes, they aren’t as angelic as you would think. 

Who is Krampus and why is always scaring the children? This week I close out the year and discuss one of the more fan-favorite monsters of the season and Santa Claus’ counterpart from Hell, Krampus. From St. Nicholas’ healing bone manna to Santa Claus’ abolitionist history, you’ll be full of strange facts to share with visiting family members this year. 

*Please note that due to darker themes this episode may not be suitable for children under the age of 13.  When do contemporary American myths cross the border between fun and just plain strange? From hypnotism to dead cats to nosebleeds, where do The Black Eyed Children fit in and how much can they be blamed for? One piece of advice: be sure not to let them in when they knock on your front door. 

From the hallowed halls of Trinity College was born The Ghost Club. After decades of lectures, research, and debunkings, where did their interest in the unexplained take them? Apparently, exploding knives, fake mediums, and a Spontaneous Psychophysical Incident Data Electronic Recorder (SPIDER). 

(Sidenote: I know that I pronounce Cambridge weird. I tried to watch out for that but sometimes my Idaho accent gets the better of me.)

*Please note that this episode lightly mentions child cannibalism and may not be suitable for children 13 and under.  Did you know that being called a Hag was at one point in history a compliment? Join me in my deep dive into the history of the hag, which in essence, is the history of women and the ancient Gods themselves. From Cailleach to Baba Yaga, what is it about these women that defy stereotypes? 

*Please note this episode lightly mentions the subject of human sacrifice, and may not be suitable for listeners under the age of 13.  

What is it about a circle of stones that either inspires or frightens generations of people? With Stonehenge, the answers aren’t very clear. Still, though, the evidence remains that there’s something special about the place. From possible human sacrifices to hippies fighting "the Man," Stonehenge seems to attract all types. 

All Hallow’s Eve is a time for sweets, pranks, and talking to the dead. But where exactly did all of these strange and seemingly random traditions originate? From Stingy Jack to pranks that went a little too far, Halloween has more mischievous beginnings than you thought. 

Grimm's Fairy Tales such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Rapunzel have been a large part of our childhoods. So why don’t we know anything about where they came from? From Philology to the Nazis, the Grimm's had quite the effect on the modern world. And he funny thing is, it was mostly on accident.  

*A note of warning: the topic I discuss this week, which involves mention of genocide and death, which may not be suitable for listeners under the age of 13.

What makes Golems such strange creatures? In my opinion, it's everything. From their birth to their death, and the religious implications behind the myth, Golems are a lot less simple than you might think.