Newfoundland has its share of strange Christmas stories — but not too many involve hand-to-hand combat with a supernatural house cat.

There’s only one I can think of, and it comes from the shores of Bonavista Bay. In this tale one unlucky soul finds out that not every creature stirring on Christmas Eve comes bearing gifts; some come looking for a fight.

Read more at: Product of Newfoundland

If you want to see whales, Newfoundland and Labrador is the place to go.

More than 20 species routinely pass through our waters, and the world’s largest population of humpback whales —numbering about 10,000 animals — spends the summer months feeding on our shores.

A humpback whale seen near Eliston, NL in July.

When fall arrives, most — but not all — begin a long journey south. A small number of whales linger into late autumn, and a few brave souls stay through the winter.

In Newfoundland, these holdouts have earned an interesting nickname: Christmas whales.

In 1978, a small group of these Christmas whales — some humpbacks and a lone narwhal — came face-to-face with the harsh reality of a Newfoundland winter.

But they didn’t have to face it alone.

What transpired was a lesson in the good that comes when a community cares.

In this haunting Halloween episode, Robert digs into Newfoundland’s eerie world of death omens — the strange signs and superstitions that once foretold disaster, sickness… and death.

From flickering corpse candles and spectral fetches to howling dogs and loaves of bread that spelled doom, these stories offer a chilling glimpse into how Newfoundlanders once understood death — and how they tried to see it coming.

The episode begins with an original retelling of an old Burin Peninsula legend — The Tale of Jacob and the Corpse Candle — a ghostly light that drifts from the graveyard to claim the living.

So dim the lights, pour yourself a strong cup of tea, and listen close…

Because in Newfoundland, the signs of your own demise might be closer than you think.

As discussed in the episode Tom Dawe’s An Old Man’s Winter Night is available from Running the Goat Books & Broadsides.

Some stories rise from the sea and never quite settle again.

The Charles Haskell was a New England schooner, built to survive the brutal waters of the North Atlantic. But after a terrible storm on George’s Bank in 1869, she gained a reputation no ship would ever want.

Sailors claimed that in the years that followed, the dead returned — climbing from the sea to finish the work they’d started in life.

More than a century later, her story is still told along our coastlines — from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia, and right here in Newfoundland. It’s been told as a legend, a ghost story, and even a folk song. But the line between fact and folklore remains as foggy as the Banks themselves.

So pour a cup of tea, turn down the lights, and listen close as we climb aboard the Charles Haskell — the schooner that couldn’t quite leave her ghosts behind.

Episode page: The Ghostly Fishermen

This Halloween, we’re unlocking the doors of one of St. John’s most infamous ghost stories — the haunting of J.W. Foran’s Atlantic Hotel. A mysterious knocking echoed through its halls in the 1880s, leading to whispers of restless spirits… and one unexplained death.

Then, we turn from ghostly fiction to real-life horror — the true tragedy of William Shea, a porter whose final night at the hotel ended in heartbreak.

Part One: The Sinking of the SS Caribou

A ferry packed with families, soldiers, and crew. A midnight crossing through enemy waters. And a German U-boat waiting in the darkness.

On October 14, 1942, the SS Caribou was torpedoed in the North Atlantic, sinking in just minutes. What followed was a desperate fight for survival in freezing waters—and an unforgettable story of bravery, tragedy, and resilience.

Join us as we uncover the night the Caribou went down.

Part Two: A Chat With Tyler Humby

Tyler Humby is a rising folk musician bringing Newfoundland’s history to life through song. His latest work, The Caribou, blends fact and fiction to tell the story of two lovers aboard the SS Caribou on the night of its tragic sinking. On October 14, 1942, the passenger ferry was torpedoed by a German U-boat while travelling between Sydney and Port aux Basques. More than 130 people were lost.

With The Caribou, Tyler puts a human face on history, reminding us that every life lost was more than just a name—each had a story, a family, and dreams of their own.

Since launching his career in 2023, Tyler has made a name for himself on Newfoundland’s music scene. He placed 2nd in the 2024 Newfound Talent Contest and is currently performing regularly at venues across the eastern half of the province.

Tyler joins Strange Truths and Tall Tales to talk about The Caribou and his musical journey.

For more info visit productofnewfoundland.ca

Newfoundland’s Valentine’s traditions range from playful greetings to daring card deliveries, but love on the island isn’t always lighthearted.

The story of Fanny Goff, said to be the most beautiful woman in Newfoundland, is one of romance and tragedy, proving that love can be as fleeting as winter frost.

And sometimes, love isn’t just for people but for place—like the deep connection Newfoundlanders have to the sea. But that love comes with loss, as seen in the Ocean Ranger disaster, a tragedy forever tied to Valentine’s Day, reminding us that love and sorrow often go hand in hand.

For episode details, credits and a playlist of Atlantic Blue, visit the Mar Falten, Fanny Goff! episode page at Product of Newfoundland.

In this episode I’ve got all kinds of Candlemas lore from Newfoundland -- everything from weather predictions to bear stories and card games it’s pleasant distraction from the winter weather. (PS... I'm not old enough to have read a newspaper in 1902, no matter what I say.)

I also share the story of The Little Candlemas Bear. On Candlemas Day, Little Bear wakes to find his shadow missing. His search leads to a warm home, a wise Grandmother, and a wintery secret.

Read: ⁠The Little Candlemas Bear ⁠, Product of Newfoundland

Credits and more on the episode page.

If you’re from Newfoundland, you probably already know that Tibb’s Eve means December 23rd. It’s the unofficial start of Christmas—when the holiday buzz really kicks in and everyone’s back home, ready to reconnect with old friends. But Tibb’s Eve didn’t always mean celebration.

Once upon a time, it was actually known as a day that would never come—a day ‘neither before nor after Christmas,’ in other words, it was never supposed to happen at all.

Now, how did it land on December 23rd? Well, that’s a bit of a mystery. No one really knows, but somehow, it did. And now, we get to enjoy it—a day that was never meant to be, has become an early start to holiday celebrations. It’s a day of friends and fun.

This episode’s story is set on Tibb’s Eve, in the picturesque and historic town of Trinity (a place that’s especially cozy and charming at Christmas). In the story Tibb’s Eve becomes a night when time doesn’t quite follow the usual rules.

So, grab a hot drink, settle in, and join Clara as she finds herself in a Tibb’s Eve evening she’ll never forget.

Credits, Sources & Further Reading at:

​https://www.productofnewfoundland.ca/podcast/tibbs-eve-trinity

Part One: Jailhouse Jannies

In this episode, we’re diving into the spirit — and  mischief — of Christmas in Newfoundland.

First, I’ve got an old story from Trinity, where one group of mummers wound up in jail… but that was far from the worst thing to happen to them. I call the story Jannies in the Jailhouse.

I’ve come across this tale a number of times in my travels but I based my retelling on a version shared in the Daily News’ ‘Trinity Notes’ section on January 3, 1955.

Part Two: Tyler Humber of Kitchinparti

I’m excited to welcome Tyler Humber of Kitchinparti, the ECMA-nominated family trio known for their high-energy performances, harmonies, and dedication to keeping Newfoundland’s musical traditions alive. Made up of Tyler (vocals, guitar), his sister Terri Lynn Hickey (vocals, tin whistle), and brother-in-law Justin Hickey (vocals, bass), Kitchinparti embodies the spirit of a true Newfoundland kitchen party—which is to say they bring people atogether with music, laughter, and stories.

Since forming about four years ago, Kitchinparti has been adding their own original songs to Newfoundland’s musical catalog while reimagining traditional favorites. They’re currently working on their third album with producer Matt Dines, set to release in the summer of 2025.

This holiday season, the band is celebrating the tradition of mummering with their new single, Plank’er Down.

Written by Charlie Payne and made famous by Uncle Harry’s Bar Band, the ‘Plank’er Down’ captures the fun energy of mummers as they visit homes late into the night.

I’m thrilled to chat with Tyler about Plank’er Down, the band’s roots, and classic Newfoundland hors d’ouvers.

Part Three: Martha’s Dance With The Mummer

Finally a brand new story; a ghostly tale from Bonavista Bay about a woman’s last dance with a mummer. It’s a story of love and loss, and maybe even the fulfillment of a Christmas promise from long ago… the whole town wants to get a glimpse behind the mummer’s mask, instead the get a glimpse beyond the veil.

Credits, Sources & Further Reading at

https://www.productofnewfoundland.ca/podcast/mummers-kitchinparti