Are cursed dolls, treasure, and other objects real or are they just stories we tell to explain bad luck?

In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we explore haunted dolls, cursed treasure, and the deeper folklore behind supernatural misfortune. From Robert the Doll and Annabelle to the infamous curse of Tutankhamun's tomb, we unpack the legends, the history, and the psychology behind objects said to bring tragedy to anyone who dares disturb them.

We dig into:

• The eerie reputations of Robert the Doll and Annabelle
• The so-called "Curse of the Pharaoh" after the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb
• The legendary lost treasure of the Knights Templar
• The dark lore surrounding the Hope Diamond
• The difference between a cursed object and an unlucky one
• The role of greed, trespass, justice, and hubris in curse legends
• The evil eye and everyday folk magic
• Whether breaking a seal marked "cursed" is ever worth the risk

Are curses intentional supernatural acts? Moral warning stories? Psychological pattern-making? Or something else entirely?

If you discovered a sealed tomb promising unimaginable wealth, but guaranteed a curse, would you open it?

Listen in and decide for yourself.

New episodes explore monsters, mysteries, folklore, and the strange edges of history.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Favorite Cursed Things: Robert the Doll and Annabelle
4:05 - James Dean and Cursed Cars
5:06 - Curse of Tutankhamun's Tomb
6:45 - Cursed Basano Vase
7:54 - The Knights Templar
13:01 - The Hope Diamond
14:34 - Pirate Treasure
15:41 - Faerie Treasure
16:41 - What if the Loch Ness Monster Guarded Treasure?
18:24 - Grimoures and Curses
19:54 - Pharoah's Treasure
23:05 - How Do Objects Get Cursed?
25:34 - Curses or Bad Luck?
26:29 - Cursed Swords
27:29 - Curses, Justice, and Reversing Curses
29:37 - Collecting Cursed Objects
32:09 - Curses of the Future
35:11 - The Legality of Placing Curses
37:22 - More on Justice and Luck
43:17 - Difference Between Back Luck and Curses
45:48 - Warding Off Trespassers
47:47 - Greyface
51:07 - Laundering Curses
52:44 - Rankings
58:44 - Outro

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• Necronomicon & Cursed Books Explained
• Are Real Psychics Actually Able To Predict The Future?
• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

Time slips … real, fake, or something in between?

In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we explore the strange and unsettling phenomenon known astime slips… brief moments where reality appears to shift and someone finds themselves in another era.

From the famousMoberly-Jourdain incident at Versaillesto the recurring reports onBold Street in Liverpool, we examine some of the most compelling time slip cases ever recorded. Why do these experiences almost always send people into the past? Are certain locations "thin spots" in time? And could these events be connected to folklore, liminal spaces, or even modern physics?

We also discuss:

• The Bold Street time slip phenomenon
• The Versailles / Marie Antoinette encounter
• A chilling Midwest dinosaur sighting
• Japanese folklore and Omagatoki
• (the twilight hour of spirits)
• The block universe theory of time
• Haunted buildings and "ghost architecture"
• Credible witnesses and the psychology of extraordinary experiences
• Whether time is a flowing river… or a fixed landscape

Are time slips literal glitches in spacetime? A perceptual overlap with another era? A modern version of fairy lore? Or something else entirely?

Time is stranger than we think and it might not move the way we assume.

If time is a landscape… could you accidentally step into the wrong place?

Listen now and decide for yourself.

Wondering Monsters Podcast– Exploring the strange, the mysterious, and the unexplained.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:17 - What are time slips?
2:10 - The Morberley-Jordane Case in Versailles
2:39 - Time slips in Bold Street in Liverpool
3:09 - What about the Philadelphia Experiment?
3:30 - More on the Bold Street case
7:49 - Slipping backwards in time and not forward
9:19 - Time traveling
9:42 - The inherent problem with time slips
12:20 - Time slips, liminal spaces, and dinosaurs
14:02 - Time and the Block Theory of Time
21:42 - Hauntings and time slips
24:08 - The credible witness and problems
28:44 - Time slip of a house in the forest
29:53 - Time slips and interacting with people
30:54 - Time slip with the Romans
34:17 - The time traveling hipster
38:15 - Charlie Chaplin film and the woman with the cell phone
40:32 - Mike Tyson spectator
41:39 - Time traveling and time slips
46:57 - The Philadelphia Experiment
50:56 - The Story of John Titor
56:47 - Science and Woo Woo
1:01:53 - Rankings
1:09:49 - Advice surrounding time slips
1:12:40 - Outro

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• Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and the Wild Man Tradition
• Are Theaters REALLY Haunted Places?
• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
• Mothman and a Horrific Bridge Collapse
• Are Real Psychics Actually Able To Predict The Future?
• Hellhounds in Mythology & Folklore
• Nessie Cryptid History: The Truth Behind the Loch Ness Monster

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

For centuries, something has haunted the dark waters of Loch Ness. Is the Loch Ness Monster a surviving prehistoric creature or something far stranger?

In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we explore the full Nessie cryptid history, tracing the legend of the Loch Ness Monster from ancient Scottish folklore and medieval encounters to modern sightings, scientific investigations, and occult theory.

We examine early accounts involving St. Columba, the role of kelpies and water spirits in Scottish mythology, and how Victorian-era fascination with dinosaurs reshaped Nessie into the creature we recognize today. We also break down sonar scans, environmental DNA studies, and why science has struggled to fully explain what people continue to see in the loch.

Beyond biology, this episode dives into darker territory exploring Boleskine House, Aleister Crowley, and the possibility that Nessie may be a thought-form sustained by belief itself. Loch Ness is more than a lake; it’s a liminal space where myth, history, and human perception collide.

Whether Nessie is monster, myth, or manifestation, one thing is clear: the legend refuses to sink.

Listen now and decide for yourself what’s really lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - The surgeon's photo and creating hoaxes
4:23 - First reports
5:38 - Size and shape of Loch Ness
8:09 - Sonar challenges for Loch Ness
10:44 - The role of the Boleskine House
26:48 - Loch Ness and Scottish Lore
30:50 - Early history and monster sightings at different lakes
34:57 - Loch Ness and dinosaurs
40:09 - Alligators, sewers, and old games
42:49 - Wild theories
52:51 - Sightings not in liminal spaces?
54:46 - Desert monsters, Predator, and Bigfoot
1:01:38 - Un/Likely Explanations and ratings
1:05:44 - A lot of money game
1:11:24 - Outro

=================================================================

• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
• Necronomicon & Cursed Books Explained
• Mothman and a Horrific Bridge Collapse
• The History of the Boogeyman
• Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and the Wild Man Tradition

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

Ghost ships have haunted sailors for centuries, but what really happens when a ship is found drifting with no crew?

In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we dive into the chilling world of ghost ships, abandoned vessels, and cursed voyages. From legendary phantom ships like the Flying Dutchman to real-life maritime mysteries such as the Mary Celeste, we explore why the ocean has produced so many unsettling stories.

We break down the two main types of ghost ships:

• Legendary and haunted vessels doomed to sail forever
• Real ships discovered intact but mysteriously empty

Along the way, we examine famous cases including the Mary Celeste, the Flying Dutchman, the Carol A. Deering, the Octavius, and the Ourang Medan. Are these stories the result of supernatural forces, psychological breakdowns at sea, toxic cargo, or natural phenomena like strange lights and mirages?

This episode also explores why the ocean itself is such a powerful source of fear ... a vast liminal space where isolation, uncertainty, and sudden disaster can turn reality into legend. Whether you believe ghost ships are paranormal, psychological, or something in between, these stories reveal just how thin the line can be between history and myth.

If you’re fascinated by maritime mysteries, abandoned ships, haunted oceans, or unexplained phenomena, this episode is for you.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:35 - Types of and defining ghost ships
2:38 - The Mary Celeste
5:39 - Weird Lights and St. Elmo's Fire
6:40 - The Flying Dutchman
16:39 - The Carol A. Deering
19:40 - MV Lyubov Orlova
21:42 - MV Joyita
22:50 - The Philadelphia Experiment
24:09 - Sailors and bad omens
27:10 - The Queen Mary
30:17 - SS Ourang Medan
36:14 - Future - ghost space ships?
38:38 - Other explanations for ghost ships
48:41 - Ratings
56:08 - Practical advice regarding ghost ships
57:56 - Outro

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• Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and the Wild Man Tradition
• The Legend of the Headless Horseman and Sleepy Hollow
• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
• Are Ouija Boards Real?
• Hellhounds in Mythology & Folklore

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

What happens if you meet a massive black dog with glowing red eyes at a crossroads... at night?

In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we explore the terrifying and fascinating mythology of Hellhounds—spectral black dogs that appear in cemeteries, lonely roads, graveyards, and liminal spaces between worlds.

From Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the Greek underworld, to Anubis, guide of the dead in ancient Egypt, to the infamous Black Shuck of England, Hellhounds appear across cultures as omens of death, protectors of sacred boundaries, and agents of the devil himself. Some chase souls who made deals at the crossroads. Others guide the lost safely home. And a few… decide your time is up.

We discuss:

• Why Hellhounds are tied to crossroads and liminal spaces
• The Wild Hunt and spectral dogs across Europe
• Graveyard Grims and protective black dogs
• Devil deals, blues legends, and being chased by Hellhounds
• Real historical encounters and modern sightings
• Whether Hellhounds are evil… or simply doing their job
• Are Hellhounds monsters, guardians, or something in between?

Listen now ... and watch the road when you’re walking home at night.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:23 - What are hellhounds?
5:47 - Hellhounds and the Crossroads
6:37 - Getting away from Hellhounds and MythBusters
9:10 - Hecate and threshold guardians
10:37 - Walpurgis Night or Walpurgisnacht
14:29 - Back to what hellhounds look like
16:09 - How stories change over time
17:22 - Drug sniffing hellhounds, Hades, Anubis, Vampire Dogs, and helper dogs
21:34 - Call to action for you!
26:23 - Throwback to the Crossroads
27:34 - Hellhound at a church in 1577
29:23 - Hellhound (Black Shuck) spotted in 1972
30:51 - Rick Moranis's party and a hellhound sighting
31:58 - Zuul, snacks, and Devil Dogs
33:14 - Hellhounds and ghost ships
34:29 - Hellhounds guarding cemeteries
38:36 - Shoutout to the Dave Benson Show
39:16 - Practical advice regarding encounters with hellhounds
41:44 - Ratings and ways to escape from a hellhound revealed!
51:41 - The power of a dog instincts, hellhounds included!
51:40 - Scenarios play out for escaping hellhounds
54:41 - Outro

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• Crossroads, Spirits, and Dangerous Deals
• The History of the Boogeyman
• The Legend of the Headless Horseman and Sleepy Hollow
• Mothman and a Horrific Bridge Collapse
• Why are Graveyards SO Scary?
• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

What really waits for us at the crossroads?

Across cultures and centuries, crossroads have been feared, revered, and ritualized as places where worlds overlap. In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we explore the dark folklore of crossroads spirits, supernatural bargains, and the enduring legend of selling your soul for success.

From ancient offerings to Hecate and Hermes, to Grimm fairy tales of tricking the Devil, to the blues mythos surrounding Robert Johnson, the crossroads has long been seen as a dangerous threshold where power can be gained—but never without consequence. We examine why crossroads rituals appear across the globe, why midnight matters, and why these stories still resonate in a modern world of ambition, algorithms, and shortcuts.

Are crossroads truly supernatural hotspots, or do they reflect something deeper about fear, choice, and desperation? And if you were brave (or desperate) enough to stand at one alone in the dark, would you make a deal?

Listen now and decide which path you would take.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:42 - Robert Johnson
4:04 - Grimm's tales and selling your soul to the devil
11:02 - Hecate, the crossroads, and other gods
14:45 - The devil, plagues, holidays, and traditions
18:12 - American, European crossroad history
19:25 - Crossroads and offerings
22:03 - the Greek Magical Papyri
27:21 - Blues music, briefly
29:18 - Modern version of the crossroads
30:48 - Deal with the devil logistics
35:25 - How the offering works
40:47 - Crossroads traditions around the New Year
43:47 - Circles and the crossroads
45:27 - Offering specifics
46:59 - Rankings
1:00:17 - Leave a Review
1:00:26 - Outro

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• Are Ouija Boards Real?
• Is Bloody Mary Real?
• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
• Why are Graveyards SO Scary?
• Mothman and a Horrific Bridge Collapse
• The Legend of the Headless Horseman and Sleepy Hollow
• The History of the Boogeyman
• Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and the Wild Man Tradition

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

Bigfoot is often dismissed as a man in a suit, an undiscovered ape, or a simple hoax—but what if that explanation doesn’t go nearly far enough?

In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we take a deep dive into the strange, contradictory, and often unsettling world of Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and the Yeti. From ancient Wild Man folklore to modern sightings across the Appalachian Mountains and the Pacific Northwest, Bigfoot refuses to behave like a normal animal ... or even a single phenomenon.

We explore why Bigfoot reports vary so wildly in size, behavior, and physical evidence, and why some encounters resemble poltergeist activity more than wildlife sightings. Strange knocking sounds, objects being thrown, unexplained lights, and even gift-like exchanges all point to something far stranger than a flesh-and-blood creature hiding in the woods.

This episode connects Bigfoot to centuries-old traditions of the Wild Man, Pennsylvania Dutch folklore, and winter figures like Belsnickel. We examine why Bigfoot sightings often overlap with UFO encounters, haunted locations, battlefields, and other high-strangeness areas and why some researchers believe Bigfoot may exist in a liminal space between worlds.

Rather than offering easy answers, this episode embraces the mystery. Is Bigfoot a biological species we haven’t discovered yet? A paranormal entity? A cultural echo of ancient myths? Or multiple phenomena being mistaken for one creature?

If even one Bigfoot story is true, the implications are deeply unsettling.

Listen now and decide for yourself.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and Yeti sightings
• The Wild Man in global folklore
• Bigfoot and poltergeist-like activity
• Gifting rituals and strange exchanges
• UFOs, glowing lights, and high-strangeness locations
• Why Bigfoot may not be a single phenomenon

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:54 - What is Bigfoot?
3:08 - Bigfoot Cover-up
3:44 - Sasquatch, Yeti, Apple Snitch, and more
4:55 - Bigfoot appearance and behaviors
8:28 - Undiscovered Creature, Wildengeist, Poltergeist
10:48 - Wild Men, Sierra Camp Recordings, and UFO Activity
17:28 - Where is Bigfoot Found?
20:03 - Required Land for Animals
21:45 - Sightings in Pennsylvania and Bigfoot Gift-Giving
31:16 - Christmas, Bigfoot, Fairy, Fae, and Santa
34:09 - Frau Perchta
38:04 - Odin and Santa Claus
39:28 - Santa, Mushrooms, Perthe, Valkyries, and UFOs
43:32 - Bigfoot and Evidence
45:54 - Call to Action - Have Bigfoot Find You!
46:58 - What Could Bigfoot Actually Be?
51:06 - Yeti Evidence
52:50 - Lucid Dreaming and Bigfoot
58:44 - Is Bigfoot an Alien Plot?
59:30 - More on Bigfoot Gifting
1:01:33 - The Bigfoot Economy
1:12:22 - Ranking []
1:19:56 - Leave a Review
1:20:49 - Next Time and Outro

=================================================================

• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
• Necronomicon & Cursed Books Explained
• The Night Hag: Folklore, Fear, and Sleep Paralysis
• Unlocking Dream Potential: What's Possible and What's Not
• Mothman and a Horrific Bridge Collapse
• The History of the Boogeyman

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

Haunted theaters have always captured our imagination — but why do so many stages come with ghost stories?

In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we dive deep into the chilling world of haunted theaters: the legends, the psychology, the architecture, and the strange experiences that performers and audiences swear are real.

From classic superstitions like the Macbeth curse to eerie sightings of phantom performers and stagehands, theaters sit at the perfect crossroads of emotion, history, and mystery. This episode explores why these spaces are so prone to hauntings, how stories spread through tight-knit theater communities, and what makes some shows feel "cursed" from the start.

We also break down the stone-tape idea, the concept that emotionally charged events can imprint themselves onto a location, possibly explaining why certain theaters seem to replay echoes of the past. Along the way, the hosts share insights on performance psychology, immersion, and why the boundary between reality and illusion gets blurred so easily in a theater.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Why theaters are considered liminal, emotionally charged spaces
• Famous legends involving stage ghosts and recurring apparitions
• The history and superstition behind calling Macbeth "the Scottish play"
• The stone-tape hypothesis and ideas about places recording emotional events
• How theater architecture, hidden spaces, and long hours feed paranormal lore
• Psychological factors that make people more susceptible to haunt experiences
• Why certain productions develop a reputation for being cursed
• Modern immersive theater and how it can mimic (or amplify) paranormal effects

Whether you're a theater kid, a ghost-story collector, or simply fascinated by the strange intersections of art and the supernatural, this episode offers a deep, atmospheric look at why haunted theaters continue to captivate us.

#hauntedtheater #hauntedtheatre #ghoststories #paranormal #wonderingmonsterspodcast #wonderingmonsters #supernaturalhistory #hauntedplace

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:48 - Ford's Theater Hauntings
1:33 - Haunted Theater in London and the Gray Man
2:45 - Phantom of the Opera based on...
3:40 - Macbeth
6:36 - Why theaters?
11:25 - Sailors and actors
14:03 - Acting as if
17:55 - Film versus live acting
24:54 - High energy theory and consistency
27:24 - Stone tape theory
28:53 - Ghosts and their jobs
35:07 - More on stone tape theory
38:34 - The power of liminal spaces
40:38 - Data on plays and hauntings
45:01 - Affect of the Crucible
48:10 - Pushing the boundaries on live performances and immersive experiences
52:46 - Ranking Haunted Theaters
58:44 - Experience with haunted theaters and schools
1:02:55 - Next time and outro

=================================================================

• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
• Are Real Psychics Actually Able To Predict The Future?
• The History of the Boogeyman
• Is Bloody Mary Real?
• Why are Graveyards SO Scary?
• Necronomicon & Cursed Books Explained

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

What if you could predict the future through divination by using tarot cards, scrying methods, or by visiting a psychic or fortune tellers? Do these methods work and could it be real?

Join us as we delve into the mysterious world of psychics and explore the question on everyone's mind: are real psychics actually able to predict the future? From tarot card readings to crystal ball gazings, we'll examine the methods and techniques used by psychics to allegedly foresee upcoming events. With a critical and open-minded approach, we'll discuss the possibilities and limitations of psychic abilities, separating fact from fiction and myth from reality. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this video is sure to spark interesting discussions and leave you wondering about the potential of psychic powers. Tune in to discover the truth behind the claims and decide for yourself: can psychics really predict the future?

We trace the origins of fortune telling through ancient China, Egypt, and Babylon, examine why spiritualism spiked after World War I, and break down why psychic readings became illegal in some parts of the United States. The hosts also look at Hollywood’s influence on how we imagine tarot, scrying, and paranormal gateways and how much of that fear is rooted in pop culture rather than history.

The episode also tackles the big questions:

• Can fortune telling offer real emotional or psychological benefits?
• Why do people find meaning in tarot, runes, or the I Ching?
• Do modern tools like apps and AI “count” as divination?
• Where does science fall short in explaining human experience?
• When does a helpful reading cross into ethical danger?

As always, the hosts end with the Monster Rating, deciding not whether psychics are real, but whether the idea of someone truly knowing your future is scary.

If you’re fascinated by divination, curious about the supernatural, or interested in how ancient practices have shaped modern beliefs, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Listen now and explore the mystery.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Defining fortune telling and psychics
4:16 - Brief history of fortune telling
6:08 - Fortune telling, psychics, and the law
8:09 - Why this freaks people out
10:34 - Tarot card history
12:53 - Games, occult, and divination
17:52 - Entertainment purposes only
20:20 - Science, psychics, fortune telling, and the occult
25:10 - Cold readings and ethics
26:46 - Macbeth
30:33 - Pygmalion Effect
34:54 - Which spirits are helping makes it okay?
39:00 - Why this stuff is really illegal
42:00 - Mental diagnosis
43:29 - Carl Sagan
45:26 - Observation by Laura Van Tyne ⁨@lauravantyne⁩
46:14 - Science and magic
47:56 - Penny Arcade fortune telling
51:12 - Digital stuff and predicting the future
56:33 - Phone calls from the dead, beyond the grave
57:45 - Metaphysical models and predicting the future
1:00:55 - Monster Ratings and Outro

=================================================================

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram

Let's talk about the Boogeyman mythology! Whether you're thinking the man with the bag, the Boogeyman, Bagman, Buggyman, Sackman, or even Bloody Bones, this episode has it all!

Who or what is the Boogeyman? In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we dig into the shadowy figure that has haunted bedtime stories for centuries. From medieval “bugbears” and Krampus’s sack to El Coco, the headless Pugot, and the gruesome Bloody Bones, the Boogeyman has taken countless forms across the world.

Join us as we explore:

• The origins of the word “boogeyman” and how it evolved from ancient folklore
• Global versions like Krampus, El Coco, and the Filipino Pugot
• The role of the Boogeyman in enforcing social rules and controlling behavior
• How pop culture reimagines the Boogeyman in movies, TV, and urban legends
• Why this faceless, formless monster continues to terrify—and teach—us today

Whether you picture him hiding under the bed, in the closet, or just beyond the campfire light, the Boogeyman remains one of humanity’s oldest and most adaptable fears.

Listen now to the full conversation and discover how folklore, psychology, and storytelling collide in this chilling, fascinating creature of the dark.

=================================================================

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:29 - The lasting name, Boogeyman
1:36 - Other associations including Buggyman
3:51 - Where the Boogeyman hides
4:28 - Ghost Rules
5:36 - Tata Duende and Brazil
7:12 - Boogeyman concept all over the world
10:45 - What the Boogeyman will and won't do
13:08 - Boogeyman and primal fears
16:14 - Even more Boogeyman
24:01 - The Boogeyman and adults
25:56 - Babies crying in the wilderness at night
28:34 - Real Boogeyman encounters?
33:20 - Get rid of the Boogeyman
34:29 - Ghostbusters, Mr. Boogity, Mike Myers
39:20 - Getting kids to go to sleep
40:37 - Enforcing rules
42:10 - Boogyeman: Government Employee
44:38 - CEOs and the Boogeyman
46:05 - Working with the Boogeyman
47:34 - Luomo Nero
48:52 - Working with the Boogeyman Part 2
51:03 - Bad side of collaborating ... or is it burnout?
52:41 - Ranking
55:53 - Open closets and meeting the Boogeyman
59:00 - Bloody Bones, Merch, and outro

=================================================================

• Is Bloody Mary Real?
• What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
• The Night Hag: Folklore, Fear, and Sleep Paralysis
• Unlocking Dream Potential: What's Possible and What's Not
• Is Mind Control Real?
• The Legend of the Headless Horseman and Sleepy Hollow

=================================================================

Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

Wondering Monster Links:

Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
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