‘No tears please, it’s a waste of good suffering,’

- Hellraiser's Pinhead (Barker 1987).

Fayge and Mazal Horesh join me to talk about morbid history in Philadelphia. Fayge is a public historian and also produces the podcast, D-Listers of History. Mazal is Fayge's wife and co-host.

They bring us the story of The Boy in the Box also known as Joseph Augustus Zarelli. It’s tragic, mostly unsolved murder that has been a part of Philadelphia's history since the 1950s.

They also share an interesting connection for us to another body found in nearby Virginia that will definitely give you the feels and the creeps all at once.

We also get into the history of death masks, 1990s website timecapsule's, escaped wild animals in the city and how a hatmaker almost led to solving the case of 'America's Unknown Child'.

This is a really interesting look at social history in the Philadelphia area and how murders and unknown victims can get lost in the system.

This is a long one so listen in parts if you must, but I promise you won’t want to miss what we talk about at the end - especially if you're planning on skipping a "down ballot" vote in your county.  

*For joining us all the way to end of the episode I’ll have a special announcement for you that you won't want to miss out on either!

It’s Part Two of Hellhounds. This time we look more closely (if we dare!) at theStalking Type.

Where are these beasts usually spotted and what kind of people see them the most? Will you be their next victim or the next mark to protect? Plus, what is up with the patterns we see about black dog legends around the world and what does it all mean?

The Grim, The Barghast, El Cadejo- find out what’s these hellhounds from around the world have in common and why they might be lurking at your door … or following you home tonight!

In this first part of the Hell Hound series, let's look at the Cerberus-like hounds that are found in cultures all over the world. These hell-dwelling dogs that protect the entryways to the Underworld and Otherworlds have a longer history and wider influence than you think.

Other figures like Hecate and Anubis belong on this list as well to super-charge this motif.

Let's look at where all this myth comes from and what's really behind the stories and depictions we come across in our favourite movies and shows today...especially if you're into My Little Pony (kidding, not kidding).

My guest is the go-to True Crime guy in the midwest, John Brassard Jr, also known as the Kitchen Table Historian. He’s an author and ghost story lover and in this episode he brings us all of that with some true crime tales from the Midwest.

John tells us the story of Ed Gein, one of the most famous serial killers of the Midwest, plus several tales of bank robberies, family murders and eerie local legends that live on and cross over into the paranormal. 

Gilles de Rais, one of France’s most disturbing serial killers, who was also (allegedly) a pedophile and demon summoner, and the inspiration for the tale of Bluebeard.

But how much is true and how much is sensationalizing this dark story of the so-called dark ages? Stick with me to the end to uncover the truth and the modern twist in this morbid medieval tale! 

Dr.Gary Simmons, neurosurgeon and professor of neuroscience, shares with me his experience from his days of cutting into ooey gooey brains! Plus, get MAJOR chills (as I did) learning about brain implants and the eerie applications...

Hear about the pressures and pleasures in the daily life of a typical brain surgeon, and even how Dr. Gary has (untypically) become a believer and even peddler of the paranormal.

This is a stand out episode so get your thinking caps on, your zombie movie references ready, and get ready to talk BRRRRAAAAIIINNNS!!!!

Welcome to Season 3 of That’s So Morbid with Ashe Woodward. In this episode Ashe looks at the Roman god of beginnings, Janus, and the larger influence of his legacy including a rare condition and even on the movie Frozen.

Somehow we make it to demonic twin heads and the sexual ritual between the Keymaster and the Gatekeeper in Ghostbusters. Then we round it all out with Dan Aykroyd and Crystal Skull vodka. 

It’s going to be quite a journey - both in this episode and the entire season.

It's the most DANGEROUS time of the year!

Just when you thought everything was slowing down as we get cozy in the darkness, this episode reminds you not to get too comfy this holiday - it's actually time to stay alert so you make it to the new year in tact.

We go over some brutal Christmas killings, poinsettia poisoning and Christmas tree fires, all adding up to about 300 Christmastime deaths each year.

PLUS! Find out how you made this year special for this podcaster and what's planned for 2024.

The third installment in my quest for the finest and fullest definition of the term, 'Dark Fiction'. I'm in conversation with magic realism author, Lale Davidson, who brilliantly guides me to some surreal and magical ideas - a great one for those of us who feel there's more magic around us at this time of year...