In the narrow lanes of southern India, a whispered warning once echoed from door to door, 'Nale Ba'.

In this chapter, we trace the origins of this unsettling tale, exploring its rise in 1990s Bangalore, its deep roots in rural superstition, and its reflection of social fears and urban transformation.

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Today we turn to one of Japan’s most enduring and disturbing legends, 'Kuchisake-onna', also known as 'the Slit-Mouthed Woman'.

This tale of a disfigured woman who asks a chilling question has stalked schoolyards, late-night streets, and the public imagination for decades. But beneath the horror lies a deeper story - one shaped by post-war trauma, shifting societal fears, and the evolution of urban myth in a media-saturated age.

We trace the legend’s rise from whispered folklore to national panic, exploring how stories like Kuchisake-onna take root, why they thrive, and what they reveal about the fears we try to suppress.

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A snippet of this weeks Patreon Exclusive chapter.

Lurking in the shadows of Detroit’s history is a red-eyed harbinger of doom, the 'Nain Rouge'.

In this chapter, we explore the legend of this elusive creature said to appear before disaster strikes. From the founding of the city to its moments of greatest turmoil, the Nain Rouge has remained a constant, now even commemorated in parades. 

We’ll trace the roots of this peculiar folklore, uncovering its connections to French colonial superstition, Native American tales, and the city’s own evolving identity.

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As we begin Season V, we explore one of the most unnerving figures in modern folklore: the Men in Black.

Join us as we trace the shadowy origins of these silent enforcers, following their evolution from early UFO encounters to government conspiracies and their place in pop culture. We’ll examine the strange patterns that link witness testimonies, the unsettling uniformity of their behaviour, and the psychological weight they carry as symbols of censorship, paranoia, and control. Blurring the line between reality and fabrication, this urban legend continues to haunt the spaces where secrets are meant to stay buried.

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• For more information on the show, to find all our social accounts and to ensure you are up to date on all we do, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lukemordue.com/podcast

Season Five of Urban Legends begins 14th May.

In this new series, we uncover the strange, the sinister, and the stories that refuse to die. From serpents and spirits to courtrooms and cryptids, each episode takes you deeper into the folklore, fear, and facts behind the world’s most enduring legends.

Written and narrated by Luke Mordue, Urban Legends blends storytelling, history, and cultural analysis to explore why these tales persist, and what they reveal about us.

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• If you have more information or a correction on something mentioned in this chapter, email us at [email protected].

• For more information on the show, to find all our social accounts and to ensure you are up to date on all we do, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lukemordue.com/podcast

Modern Myths is a series running alongside Urban Legends; shorter chapters delving into smaller folkloric tales shared worldwide. To listen to our past episodes and to gain access to those coming on our next season, join us on Patreon by clicking the link below.

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Get ready for a festive, yet perplexing journey into the world of urban legends as we explore the mysterious tale of Santa stuck in chimney. Join us as we investigate the origins, variations, and enduring fascination with this quirky holiday myth.

The legend of the body of a man, dressed as Santa Claus being found stuck in the chimney has endured for many years. But where did this twisted story originate? Why does it continue to spread? and has this ever really happened?

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Join us on a journey through centuries of tradition, mystery, and the darker side of the holiday season. Krampus, the horned and devilish counterpart to Santa Claus, has long been a figure of both fear and fascination. But what are the origins of this legendary Christmas creature? In this chapter, we will unwrap the layers of this complex folklore, tracing it back to its roots in European tradition and mythology.

Let’s explore Krampus's historical, cultural, and social significance, shedding light on how this icon has evolved over the years. We'll also study Krampus's modern resurgence in popular culture and how this sinister figure has been embraced by enthusiasts worldwide.

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In this chapter, we answer the chilling call of a legendary urban legend that has left us with frayed nerves for generations: the ominous words, "The call is coming from inside the house." 

Join us as we unravel the origins, eerie narratives, and psychological terror behind this haunting urban legend. We'll explore how it has become a timeless cautionary tale, rooted in genuine fears and anxieties, as it taps into our deepest concerns about safety, the unknown, and the places we call home whilst also studying the true crime cases that connect to its origins.

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In this harrowing chapter, we plunge into the chilling world of a spine-tingling urban legend that has fueled fear and fascination - the horrifying tale of 'The Dead Boyfriend' hanging above the car. 

Join us as we delve into the origins, gripping narratives, and psychological underpinnings of this enduring myth whilst also drawing connections to very real crimes committed over the years. 

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Join us as we dissect one of the most spine-tingling and enduring modern urban legends, 'Kidney Theft'. 

Let's delve into the chilling narratives, the origins, and the psychology behind this macabre tale of organ theft, exploring the various versions of the story and uncovering its roots in real-life fears and the fear of the unknown. 

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• If you have more information or a correction on something mentioned in this chapter, email us at [email protected].

• For more information on the show, to find all our social accounts and to ensure you are up to date on all we do, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lukemordue.com/podcast