The classic combo of spooky meets merry has been around a lot longer than you may think (or may want to believe).

If your kids just aren't worried about the threat of 'coal in your stocking', how about telling them a couple tales of monsters that drag you to hell if you misbehave or a giant cat that will eat you alive for not getting any new underwear?

This is the Yule episode with everything you need to know about Krampus, The Christmas Cat, sarcastic goats and more!

Still on the hunt for the perfect Dark Fiction definition, this is my very dark chat with author Patrick Barb. We also talk (of course) about horror, horror sub genres and all the types of dark fiction we can think of.

Among all the horror and other theories, Patrick teases with some previews of tales out of his recent collection, upcoming novel and we even discuss the therapeutic value of horror and other dystopias.

This is a fun one for all my fellow horror theorists and dark fiction nerds out there.

Well look who's a teenager!

Not counting Morbid Morsels, this is our 13th episode!!! And also it's a morsel - but just go with it because today is the 13th of November and the 13th episode for me and I'm celebrating with bringing you the history and some possible origins and connections of number phobias.

This month I'm teaching the Dark Fiction writing course so I'll be featuring some other pros in the genre to keep us all inspired.

So what's up with the 'Dark' part of Dark Fantasy anyway? What are the elements? What makes the monsters and themes hit different?And why are we obsessed?!

I pose all my inelegant questions to author JV Hilliard in this week's episode and he graciously lays it all out for us and even makes me question why dragons have gotten so much positive press over the years.

We also get into some other great stuff like working at haunted houses, researching medieval toilets and buying weird Mexican candy. So join us, won't you?

It's Devil's Night, the veil is thin and we're going from Crows to Curses.

Learn more about Scarecrow symbolism, Crow murders (or are they?) and a Holllywood curse to haunt your nightmares tonight!

Let's hang out on Halloween Eve!

What do you really know about the Headless Horseman? Is it a myth, legend or a beloved character from 19th century American literature...or all of the above? Does he really have a jack-o-lantern for a head or does he carry his head around with him?

Which one is it?!

Let's get to the bottom of this before Halloween, shall we? We need to know what we're dealing with...for when he returns...

Kicking off Halloween month with ... ghost stories!!

..some of the OGs in the literature world and some classic modern favourites. What is it about ghosts that we're so eager to learn from them, follow them and remember them from texts?

This week we'll explore how ghosts and ghost stories can guide us to our past, our history and even lure us in for a closer look at ourselves.

If you can't explain the difference between "poisonous" and "venomous" snakes (don't worry - neither could I!) then this is the episode for you.

I bring you all I learned, not only about this linguistic faux pas, but the treatment and potential lasting effects from a snake bite as well.

Plus, a haunting snake bite death story that will chill you in more ways than one!

A small musing on the traditional taboo of telling jokes at a funeral...

Can you stomach a leap from blood-sucking leeches to Angela Lansbury? In this episode we dive into the world of leeches, leeching and bring it all the way from ancient Egypt to the present...and somehow, yes, to Murder She Wrote royalty. How is that even possible? You'll have to listen to find out!