Spooky Podcasts

For Macabre Monday

Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash

I realized last week that I recommend podcasts pretty often on notes and decided to round all my spooky faves up into one post. I love podcasts. Seriously, I only turn on my TV a couple times a week, if that. I listen to them driving, doing housework, cooking dinner, watering plants, all day at work, so I have a pretty big list that I regularly listen to. They are a big inspiration for my writing as well as fonts of helpful research. Hopefully there’s something here for everyone. Links are all for Apple’s podcast app, but I think most of them are on all the major platforms.

True Crime

Buried Bones: Hosted by a retired cold case investigator and a true crime journalist. This one is very forensics focused, I find it helpful in terms of the more gore related writing I sometimes do. But they also talk a lot about things like poison, where to hide bodies, you know, great stuff for horror writers. Not for the squeamish.

Killer Psyche: Hosted by a retired FBI criminal profiler and psychiatric nurse. Really great for understand the psychology behind a killer’s actions. I find it useful for writing realistic villains and even for protagonists sometimes. Can be a tough listen at times, so be aware of that.

Morbid: Hosted by a pair of cousins, one a former autopsy assistant, the other a hairdresser. They do deep dives into various cases and sometimes spooky ghost themed episodes. While not exactly experts in anything, per say, they do a really great job of focusing on the victims of crimes, which is a perspective I appreciate as a writer… and human. They are also great researchers, and pull off being really funny, while also remaining respectful of the dead.

Skeptics

Monster Talk: The science show about monsters. They have been on the air for 10+ years and have a crazy backlog of episodes, delving into everything from paranormal stuff and folklore, to cryptids and aliens, to the occult (think Crowley and Jack Parsons) and even writers like Lovecraft and his influences. They do interviews with a wide array of experts, like scientists, artists, and historians, and it’s always an enlightening experience.

Spooky Science Sisters: Another science show about monsters, hosted by two friends who are into science and the paranormal. Very funny, very informative, very science based.

Monster Fuzz: Hosted by two Irish guys who are not strictly skeptics and don’t appear to be experts in anything, but do include a fair amount of skepticism and rational research. Rob is a huge environmentalist and Eamonn is more of the philosopher type. Um… they can get a little vulgar, so if that bugs you. Monster Talk (above) is probably a safer bet. They are one of my favorite podcasts to listen to when the boredom of my day job gets to soul crushing levels.

Weird History

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds, and the Paranormal: Hosted by a couple of historians, they do fascinating episodes about some of the darker, and often less well known, moments of history.

Strange and Unexplained: Hosted by Daisy Eagan, who offers deep dives into some of history’s dark, strange, and unsolved mysteries.

One Strange Thing: All of the stories for this podcast are sourced strictly from news archives, which might sound dull at first, but believe me, there are some weird things happening out there. And they are all in the news.

Grim & Mild Presents: Hosted by Aaron Mahnke, each season focuses on a different historical time period, bringing stories of the strange, heartbreaking, and sometimes downright terrifying.

Folkore and Storytelling

Bone and Sickle: Hosted by the very eccentric Al Ridenour, who skillfully combines folklore, history, and horror into a very well researched podcast that will definitely give you chills, another one that is not for the squeamish.

Lore and Lore Legends: Two podcasts in one, Aaron Mahnke hosts both, with the Lore episodes focusing on historically evidenced folklore and Lore Legends focusing on stories that are less well grounded in history, but are equally fascinating. Lore was the podcast that got me hooked on podcasts.

Myths and Legends: Retellings of stories from myth, legend, and folklore. Some are famous, some are not, all are extremely entertaining and very well told, with some historical context thrown in for good measure.

Grimm Reading: The hosts read and discuss all of Grimm’s fairytales, often providing historical context and linking the European tales to stories from around the world.

Fiction

The Silt Verses: Not even sure how to describe this one. It’s horrifying and haunting, and has left me breathless on more than one occasion. The actors are all amazing and I highly recommend it.

13 Days of Halloween: A total treat every October. You’re a little behind if you start listening now, but it’s well worth the binge. So are the back seasons, honestly. Always very unique and scary storylines. This season so far has been phenomenal.

Bridgewater: A rift is opening up in the Bridgewater Triangle that threatens to merge the fairy realm and the human realm, with bloody consequences. Very engrossing and great storytelling. It’s even got Misha Collins from Supernatural in it. Definitely give it a listen.

Other?

Obitchuary: Not even sure how to categorize this one, other than “a podcast I LOVE.” The theme is always death positive, and there are several different segments ranging from death-related Am I the Asshole posts, reading obituaries, strange bits of death or funerary related history or culture, and, for some reason, dumbass criminals. IDK honey, just go listen they’re are so funny. I do want to assure you they always, always remain respectful of the dead, this is a very positive and fun podcast. They can get a little raunchy at times though, fair warning.