*Please note that this episode may not be suitable for children younger than 13. 

I’ve seen the hat man. . . have you? This week I delve into the topic of shadow people, and the most famous shadow person of them all; the Hat Man. From my experiences with him at thirteen years old to my theory as to who he might be, join me in my deep dive into the origin of a creepy, evasive, and stylish shadow dude. 

*Please note that this episode may not be suitable for children younger than 13. 

Creepy, creepy clowns are this week’s topic. With an origin in Greek funerary services, how did coulrophobia go on to create such a stir? And why are scary clowns so popular in Hollywood today? With promoters such as Stephen King’s IT, American Horror Story, and Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy, it’s obvious that scary clowns are just getting started. 

   *Please note that this episode may not be suitable for children younger than 13.  

This week I explore the origins of the oft-discussed board game, Ouija. I get into the birth of its name, the rules of the game, and why I think it's equal parts dangerous and a good financial investment. Spooky and enlightening, we just can't seem to keep this board game locked away in our closets for too long. 

If you would like to skip where I talk about myself and get right into the lore of Vampires, go to 6:45.  *Please note that I do explore light themes of sexuality and death throughout this episode which may not be suitable for children younger than 13. For my very first episode, I answer the question of why vampires are so sexualized. From the Romantics to Edward Cullen, to Vampiric Pumpkins, I delve into where the modern concept of Vampires came from, and how they have morphed into what they are now. 

My name is Paige Woolstenhulme.

I have been interested in the macabre from a young age. Gothic tales, mysterious disappearances, and strange events you can’t quite explain. These are some great examples of what I dive into in my projects.

Since being hired to work on some large writing projects as a teenager and graduating with a B.A. in Humanities with an emphasis on Lifelong Learning, I decided to combine what I was good at with what I was passionate about.

My inspirations stem from podcasts and production companies like Welcome to Nightvale, Radio Rental, Grim & Mild, Two Girls One Ghost, and everything from Public Radio Alliance. 

Strange Origins answers your questions about history and poses some new ones. Have you ever wondered what gave birth to the stories we tell around the campfire? What happened in our history that caused spooky tales of creatures such as werewolves and ladies in white to be passed down from generation to generation? And more importantly, why are we still so fascinated with the macabre? Join me as I jump down the rabbit hole of a new subject each week and attempt to stitch together the history of all things strange and spooky.

For more info on me and my podcasts please visit FascinatingPodcasts.com. There you can listen to all my episodes, find merch, leave reviews, and read my other published works.

To become a supporter of Fascinating Productions visit my Patreon. There you can receive fantastic benefits with the lowest tier being $2. With it, you will receive handwritten thank you notes, stickers, exclusive merchandise, behind-the-scenes info, and Patreon-only podcast episodes in your future.