Castles & Cryptids

Hey cryptic cuties! This week we have a wild ep focusing on just some of the different types of twins out there in the world. Kelsey has a collection of some famous conjoined twins over the centuries and how being conjoined effected their lives. Alanna takes things in the opposite direction, with the stories of some twins who were intentionally separated at birth and raised by different families in a study of nature vs. nurture. Closing the ep out are some anecdotes of twin telepathy. Happy listening! Let us know if you know any twins and do they experience twin telepathy? Darkcast spotlight promo is Mountain Murders

This week we are back with a vengeance! First up is the story of Lauren McCluskey. A track and filed star who story ended too soon in a tragic way, involving stalking. The repercussions were great from this horrible, yet probably preventable murder.Then it's on to something completely different with 10 Cent Beer Night. Alanna covers this infamous Cleveland baseball promo-night-gone-wild. And it does get fairly nude and violent, as Monty Python might say! So get ready for a roller-coaster episode all about athletes and insanity! Cause Sports!!Darkcast Promo of the week : Missing in the PNW

We're back, did you miss us? This week we have some very creepy hospitals to share with you, one located very far from us, and another much closer to home. Kelsey covers the Clark Air Base Hospital, a sinister building with a violent past, it is no surprise it is said to be super haunted. Alanna tells us about the Charles Camsell Hospital, featuring first hand accounts from patients and nurses, it's safe to say its complicated history has both good and very dark experiences. Don't go exploring any abandoned buildings, you may find yourself being tricked by a ghost. Darkcast spotlight is Missing in the PNW!

Hello you lovely listeners and happy Friday! We had a busy week here in Cryptic-ville, so here's a little double feature to get you through to our next episode. We think you'll enjoy!It's our friends over at F**k That pod, with two gripping tales. The Eastbound Four:The West Atlantic City Murders is first up. Covering the murders of Kim Raffo, Barbara Breidor, Molly Jean Dilts, and Tracy Ann Roberts in 2006, you won't want to miss it. Then it's The Disappearance of Frederick Valentich which we had never heard of before and are happy to pass along and recommend, with the help of host Ash of course!Check out their podcast wherever you listen to this one! Happy listening and catch you next week!

This week we pry into some closed-up cases- a couple mysteries with some big clues and many questions. Like Kelsey covering the death of Mee Kuen (Deborah) Chong, a woman who was just selling her house. She was then tragically killed and the police were left to try and unravel the reason why. Finally we have the case of the Spy in the Bag, aka the death of Gareth Williams, a highly intelligent agent skilled in math and codes. The man was working for MI6 at the time of his death, and the details just don't add up! Let us know what you think, and don't forget to drop us a 5-stars!!Darkcast Promo of the week: Love and Murder

Hey cryptic cuties, we hope you are enjoying our South America focused eps for the last couple weeks. We love learning about different countries and their folklore, and are always excited to share it with you all. Kelsey takes a dive into the beliefs of the Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina, whose folklore centers around duality and balance between opposing forces, bleeding into everything, including their creatures. Alanna shares the history of el duende, a trickster spirit that may try to lure you into the woods. It is said to target lonely single women , or only children, or only men, it really depends on what you are reading. Tune in to find out how to defend yourself against them and their dung throwing ways. Please enjoy our 3rd co-host of the ep, Gordo, who makes his presence (and displeasure) known multiple times throughout the ep. Donate on patreon so we can set up a Gordo cam, both his cuteness and distraction levels are off the charts, you have no idea what we have to put up with lol. Darkcast spotlight is Famous Last Words!

Heading to Argentina this week, to see what true crimes we can find there, and boy did we find a few. Starting off with a wild yet mostly harmless robbery.Remember our first heist episode, 10,000 years ago? Neither do we, but we know Kelsey's case had fake mustaches, just like this case, but this one sees your fake mustache, and raises you a fake yarmulke! It's kind of bonkers really, with Ninja turtle inspired plans and themed names, negotiations by Pizza the hut*, and elaborate plans, this case is a real Oceans 7-11 meets the Italian-American job!Then it's a well-known murder case of Maria Marta Garcia Belsunce, a prominent sociologist and VP of Missing Children Argentina. Except at first it wasn't considered a murder, and then it was, and things got way more complicated from there. Convictions, appeals, cover-ups, and unprecedented court rulings, this one is a doozy of a case as well. But screw you, Netflix (Canada) for keeping us from the real details! Why do you always screw over your neighbours to the north. At least Kelsey's case we can watch still. LOLOh and enjoy 8 minutes of cat outtakes and extra crap at the end, you're welcome and lucky I got some out of the episode itself!!!Darkcast Promo of the week: Conspiring to Argue Pod

You only live once, you know what they say! Or do you? For some people's stories, it's not so clear.In Kelsey's case, a woman puts the "awake" back in, well, a wake. The Legend of Margorie McCall, or the Lady with the Ring, is steeped in mystery as only a story from the 1700's can be. From body-snatchers to romantic doctors to dramatic jump-scare surprises, it really runs the gamut. Don't miss it and don't mess with the Lady of the Ring!We time-travel forward to 1990 for the British Airways accident of Flight 5390. Also dramatic, and dramatized by TV, this hits a bit different, as the kids say. An unexpected decompression in the cockpit causes chaos. One crew member takes the joke, "I'll just sit on the wing", a little too seriously, and everybody scrambles to save the rest of the plane and him. It ends with a shocking twist, if we do say so ourselves! and we do! hope you enjoy!Darkcast Promo of the Week: Cause of Death: 60 Seconds to Midnight :)Birdie alarm promo code: https://www.shesbirdie.com/CASTLESCRYPTIDS15For 15% off!! Stay safe, and Keep It Cryptic!

Move over Ace Ventura, we have a furry team of case-cracking critters on the team! At least 3 birds, including a pet duck, cats and dogs too. All solving the murder or missing persons case of their owner or someone else entirely!It's a rowdy, wild round-up of pet hair, disgruntled employees, a Beady-Eyed Lane bird, TSA tangents, and movie mentions of course! Oh and Gordo the diva cat inserts himself in the mix, we think he was jealous of all the animal attention, maybe?Tune in to these tails of true crime and send us pics of your pets! Can we pet your dog? they are such a good dog!Darkcast Network Promo of the Week! Box in the Basement

We hope you survived last weeks ep, this one is much lighter. We thought we should celebrate Spring, renewal and rebirth, with a bit of a cryptid twist. First we learn about the Miniwashitu, a creature who is both feared and respected by the Indigenous groups in North Dakota. Its arrival in the spring is long awaited, and it also has a very important job to do. Next up is the Tiyanak, a terrifying creature from Filipino folklore that commonly takes the form of a helpless baby. Once you have been lured closer by its crying, its already too late to get away. Happy listening and until next time keep it cryptic!Darkcast spotlight is The Book of the Dead Podcast!

So it's another true crime, so we warn you it sucks. However. we always can learn something, we hope.Kelsey tells us of the story of Maria and Domenico, a Telanovela -esque tale that might just also qualify as a tale as old s time.Then we have a massive trigger warning for graphic details, etc. Unfortunately, mental health issues plagued Vince Li. so he tried to make himself as safe S POSSIBLE. Listen to find out. Love you all, Keep it Cryptic!

We LOVE our Darkcast Network shows, such as Cause of Death: !00 Seconds to Midnight! This show reminds us when and why to really be wary of humanity's collapse! Are we really going down with the next big Volcano eruption? etc. It's so fascinating my friends, so sit back and see if bats are going to kill us or not. Or something else!And we shall return next eek for your regular scheduled programming! so Keep it Cryptic!

Everyone wish Alanna a happy birthday!!! For this very special ep we covered two very old civilizations and cultures that have definitely left their mark on history. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius caused devastating damage to Pompeii and surrounding areas, but how much do you really know about the city? We take a trip back in time and learn a bit about what life may have been like over 2000 years ago. Alanna takes a deeper look into some Celtic traditions, from fire festivals to handfasting, and a whole lot more. We hope you enjoy, happy St Patrick's day, catch up with everyone next week!Darkcast spotlight this week is The Book of the Dead podcast!

APOLOGIES for the Delay, tech issues struck again! Trigger warning: for Abuse, Attempted Suicide, Miscarriage and sexual abuse mentions. Please listen with care. Old Hollywood Part Two is here and its all about the "Goddess and the Gangster" aka Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato. Let's just say it's a bit of a rollercoaster, rags to riches story with a raging violent streak.We go through Lana's early life and who she married before she met Johnny (she could give Liz Taylor a run for her money!) and their love story. Of course, it's true crime so somebody's gonna get hurt and we won't say anymore, you'll have to listen and find out!The glam factor is fun, from her pink carpets to her white Cadillacs, and it's not necessarily a super sad ending for all involved, so tune in to here the Old Hollywood Tea!Hope you enjoy and tell us what you think! Keep it Cryptic, Cuties!!!

Hey cryptic cuties, this week we take a trip back in time to the Golden age of Hollywood. In 1949 Jean Spangler was a star on the rise, only in her late 20's she was already a triple threat and seemed to be gaining more recognition for her many talents. All that changed when Jean didn't return home the morning after shooting for a new film all night. As investigations began, more and more questions are raised with very few answers. Tune in as we unravel all the details, from theories and suspects, to the possible connection to another famous Hollywood murder. Don't forget to come back next week for Alanna's case, until then keep it cryptic!Darkcast promo this week is Beyond the Rainbow!

Join us as we discover and uncover some lesser featured notable African Americans for Black History Month! So many people have fought so hard for their rights in history, we love learning about the ones we never learned much of in school. Kelsey tells us the life and legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, an activist, drag queen, and American sweetheart that took New York by storm. She is remembered for her work in gay rights, as well as advocating for trans rights and AIDS activism. Truly a treasure that did so much for her community, and was taken from us too soon.Following that, we dive into some African American inventors (one called himself the Black Thomas Edison), and one very impactful agricultural engineer. That's right, maybe you know about George Washington Carver and his many, many peanut products that helped revamp the soil of the South, or Garret Morgan inventor of two life-saving devices and improvements. Finally, we cannot forget Marie Von Britton Brown, co-inventor of the first security system, which became the basis for many of the systems we use today. Think two-way communication, and peephole cameras, but in the sixties! Plus mentions of "milk leg", the importance of crop rotation, and so much weird food! Have a snack handy and tuck into Black History Month with C&C! Darkcast Promo of the Week: Autumn's Oddities

Social media has been a huge part of our lives for the last 20 years, with its ability to connect people from all around the world to brightening someones day with a viral video or meme. Todays ep features 2 cases when social media platforms were used for a far more sinister reason. Kelsey covers a series of Death Lists that appeared on Facebook in early 2010, targeting almost 100 young people in Columbia it led to the death of 3 people before police took it seriously. Alanna details the case of Claire Miller, who stabbed her older sister in a sudden attack, and then uploaded videos to tiktok before she was arrested. Thanks for tuning in, make sure you balance out your doom scrolling with something lighter, like unlikely animal friend videos or videos of people falling down! Our Darkcast spotlight this week is A Hateful Homicide, a true crime and investigative journalism podcast dedicated to covering the stories regarding the murders and hate crimes involving our Transgender, Gender Non-binary/Nonconforming, Intersex, and Two-Spirit communities in the United States and abroad.

What is the occult? It's the supernatural, the spiritual and mystical beliefs and practices. So it can be so many things, really. Which we love! Kelsey covers an early tarot-researcher and occultist named Etteilla, from 18th-century France. He made significant strides in tarot card reading in his time. And then for something completely different! Scent, memory and the spiritual side of fragrance use like incense is the theme of Alanna's segment. Some people believed that incense helped guide the soul to its final repose after death, and we discuss what makes bad "scent branding" and other strange tidbits. Light a nice candle and enjoy the show, Cryptic Crew!Darkcast Promo of the Week: And then They Were Gone

This week we have two very different survival stories for you, featuring a lot of trigger warnings, so take care of yourselves as you listen. Kelsey shares the story of Jennifer Holiday and her cousin Ana Franklin, who are on a late night drive when a vehicle begins following them. What happens next is something anyone would struggle to keep their cool during. Alanna covers the Teka Adams case, filled with strange and bizarre actions, it feels straight out of a horror movie. Shout out to the I Survived tv show, check it out for more stories of perseverance and never giving up. Links to each of their eps are on our website!Check out the Mythical True Crime pod, part of our amazing Darkcast family! Uncover the dark true tales of modern legends with our spoken narratives that blend history, crime, and the supernatural. Stay safe out there cryptic cuties, catch out with you next week!Birdie Promo!We are Birdie ambassadors, personal safety alarms made for women, by women. We are excited to offer a promo code below for 10% off your purchase at www.shesbirdie.com now, thanks for partnering with us Birdie! Promo code: castlescryptids15 for 10% off your order!

Hey cryptic crew, happy Friday and Happy New Episode!! to bookend our haunted spaces episode, let's head to some far-off spots with spooks and stuff!Alanna has a short list of haunted suspects, so let's explore some creepy places together!From so-called Ghost Churches, to sunken burial lagoons, it's a whole new world for us in this episode! Just not a happy one....

Welcome cryptic cuties, this week we take another dive into our haunted places series, this time with a very old and very creepy island. Poveglia Island, located in the Venice lagoon, dates back to the 5th century and has a troubling past that has earned it the title of the island of no return. With everything from sickness, quarantines, death and mass graves, to psychiatric hospitals and lobotomies, this place checks all the boxes and is definitely haunted AF. The people who have managed to get to the island, report a lot of paranormal activity and a whole lot of ghosts. Locals steer clear of the island and say that it's cursed, refusing to go near it. We hope you enjoy, and catch up with us next week for Alanna's segment and more haunted af locations. Join us over at patreon.com/Castlesandcryptids for tons of bonus eps and minisodes!

Where there's smoke, there's fire...even on the water. We do keep coming back to this well (pun very much intended), of watery cases, as so many strange cases happen when one loses their life on the water. Or around the water, or in a flaming boat like a little too-early of a Viking funeral. Woof, sorry, this one is very dark indeed, with 2 cold cases of murder offshore.Kelsey takes us to Alaska, where the Coulthurst family was taking their annual fishing vacation. We still aren't sure why it ends in tragedy, with a family dead and all hands on deck too.If that's not enough of a bummer, Alanna tells us the story of Pat Mullins, who fell victim to something nefarious from what we can tell, but both cases have eerie similarities and, unfortunately, remain unsolved.One cute thing in this episode is the sheer amount of cat purrs we cot, maybe Gordo wanted to comfort us in our time of need! LOL Hope you like it!Darkcast Promo of the week! True Crime ConnectionsCheck them out, and Keep it Cryptic!

Welcome back cryptic crew, we are ringing in the New Year with some New Age Cryptids!Some are classic-inspired cryptids, others more “fakelore”, as Kelsey will tell us where that term came from, and about some of the creepiest of the creepy-pasta creatures. Slenderman, also the AI-created cryptid, Momo, we rounded up the best Internet horror-shows in her segment!To cap off the piles of creeps, Alanna retaliates with the Ouija board demon, the connection to an ancient Babylonian wind demon, and the Exorcist! Hope to heck this does not haunt any of us, we are so sorry for saying these cursed named so much in one episode! Clutch a crystal or something, maybe. Can't hurt!Promo of the week: Ye Olde Crime, hosted by Lindsay and Madison-we love these gals and this show, so if you like a little history or historical crime, check them out! 10/10! Maybe start at our collab episode!

Hey cryptic cuties, we have a much lighter ep this week! Revisiting something disscussed all the way back in our 1st ep about Death Omens, we have Doppelgängers. The idea of doublewalkers, evil twins, fetch, ka, or spirit doubles, has been around for centuries from all around the world. While some stories of their appearance seem to bring illness, bad luck or even death, others seem to be more benevolent. Kelsey shares some examples of historical figures who are said to have encountered their own doubles, while Alanna has some more recent stories off Reddit. If you have ever encountered your doppelgänger or someone who looked eerily like you, send us your story, we would love to be able to share it on a future ep!Happy Listening!Here are some cool pictures of identical strangers from around the world https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/10/14/francois-brunelle-doppelgangersHere is the funny video Kelsey sent Alanna, It will get stuck in your head!https://www.tiktok.com/@shansheridan1/video/7425681275459030315

Hope this finds you well, and also before we begin: Massive Trigger Warning For Sexual AssaultSo, this week's focus is true crime in Egypt. Kelsey talks us through the murders of a complicated predator, Karim Salim. which is rough enough.Then, Alanna walks us through some hard truths about the safety of simply being women protesters in Egypt. Just fighting for their rights puts many women in danger of sexual harassment and assault. Can we fight the crowds of predators and win? We hope so. Please listen with care and always feel feel to reach out to those you love (even us), or helplines if you feel in danger. We love you all and help is here if you need it. Darkcast Network Promo of the week: Scottish Murders

(Sorry the description didn't save the first go!) Happy Friday and Happy December Cryptic Crew! So happy you could join us for another adventure, we hope you love conspiracies as much as we do. This week we bring you an oldie but a goody as it's Government Secret Projects! And sometimes they turn out to be truth that's stranger than fiction. It's an early Patreon bonus ep., so be patient if it sounds a little different, but it's a really fun one so please enjoy.Kelsey brings us the story of the US Army's Secret Unit, the Stargate Project. Meant to make a sort of super-soldier that could kill goats at a glance and act as psychic spies (from China??) it had some strange experiments and odd original code-names. Gondola Wish, Grill Flame or Center Lane? Come on, y'all. Do better!Next Alanna tells us about Project Pegasus, where people maybe fly high on the road to political success and presidency, and also bend space and time so....let's gooo! Talk about something for the vision board, eh? And there's a cameo from someone we mentioned in passing last episode, from Baba Vanga's predictions, huh...it's all rather coincidental, no? We love it!Next week we will have more brand-new, true crime content for ya, so stay tuned and Keep it Cryptic!

Hope you enjoyed the last episode, and now for something completely different! Sort of, since this psychic has been known to have some spot-on visions, never took to a stage like some brothers, ahem, and may have made some other, very outlandish predictions!Meet seer, mystic, and healer Baba Vanga, the star of this story. Point-of-view, its the early 1900's, you lost your mother and went blind, but gained some other senses.. so what do you do? Help people of course! But also maybe you make some predictions about world wars, alien intelligence and human evolution, and agreed with Nostradamus?It's a bumpy ride, so get comfy and get ready to listen to the life and times of the "Nostradamus of the Balkans"!Darkcast Network Promo of the Week: Sinister Story Hour! check us out on socials and give us a 5-star rating on your podcast app!!

We've covered the Fox sisters, but have you heard of the Davenport brothers? In the days of the rise of spiritualism, people flocked to see anyone claiming to see beyond the grave. Or better yet, to interact with the spirit world. So when Ira Erastus and William Henry Davenport came on the scene with their cabinet of curiosity, many were curious themselves. Names big and small set out to see the brothers, including a certain famous mystery writer and massive magician, the cameos are just plentiful!Leaving a trail of awed crowds, angry mobs and even some imitators, they blazed their way into the history books as two entertaining dudes. So watch out for smoke and mirrors, the stage is set for intrigue, many musical instruments and a show that's BOUND to be a blast! Wink!Darkcast Promo of the Week! The Haunted and the Strange Podcast Check them out!And check out our partner promo! Stay safe with Birdie!We are Birdie ambassadors, personal safety alarms made for women, by women. We are excited to offer a promo code below for 10% off your purchase at www.shesbirdie.com now, thanks for partnering with us Birdie!Promo code: castlescryptids15 for 10% off your order

We have a mega-sized episode for you that coincided nicely with Remembrance Day being this week! Hope you have some long drive or big pile of dishes, we guess?? Or maybe you listen at work, like Alanna. So sorry, but this one is NOT Safe For Work. Earbuds in, in presence of kiddos. And as we discuss, you're never safe, not even at work, not even if you work as a trained soldier, not if someone decides they want you dead. Kelsey tells the tale of Tyrone Hassell III, who lived up to his awesome name by joining the military and making his dad proud. Of course it ends in tragedy, and that's all we will say here. Listen for the rest. Alanna takes us to Texas and the Fort Hood shooting of 2009. To the scene of the deadliest mass shooting on an American military base, and the heroes that stopped it from going further. The content is extremely upsetting, so please take care when listening. This one is dedicated to our military family, friends and all service members and their families for all they do. Thank you!!Darkcast Promo of the week: the Bell Witch Podcast!Check out all our friends on the Darkcast network website, and our site and socials! See you next week and Keep it Cryptic!

We hear dead people! Haha, we promised a local hometown haunt and here it is. Alanna reads to us of the haunting encounters that happen at the McKay Avenue School, an institution established in Edmonton in 1881. You know the big old buildings that look like they could be old-timey jails or schoolhouses? That's the vibe, only now it's a museum where the spirits tease the workers like they may have pranked their teachers so long ago! And since Leslie Nielson was a student, you know stuff went down!So join us, Gordo the Interrupting Ca-(Meow!), Ron the worker and Peter the poltergeist with a saucy personality, for some Sunday Scaries, but the good kind! And some divergences into Halloween 2024, the Haunted Museum in Vegas, and why we would never come back to haunt high school. But we may have to go check out this haunted school... So don't forget to rate, share, and donate on Patreon so we can go ghost-hunting!! Right, Kelsey? Kelsey?? ....

We are sorry, but this week we get super spooky, so come along on the spectral wild ride! Gather round the campfire, a bevy of tales await you! First Kelsey graces us with several ghost encounters of the worst kind-knocks, sounds and sights of a poltergeist. Several tales like The Haunted Ventriloquist make us scared to know more. Chuckie, are you listening?Next, Alanna Takes us down the haunted road to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, where many films are made and a Lady in Red resides. The Local ghost story will be a bonus ep as I don't have it edited lol. Stay tuned for that in the coming days! We love you and stay spooky my friends!

Horror season is in full swing, and we have some scary stories for you, my cryptic cuties! We are so excited to be joined by special guest Lindsay Valenty of the Ye Olde Crime Podcast for some true or false tales of creeps!If you are on Patreon, you know we have done our version of 2 Truths, 1 Lie scary stories and had so much fun , so here's some more you can play along with at home!So listen in, guess along, there will be ghosts on stairs, in closets, naked men stealing pizzza, you name it we talk about some weird spooky shit! Thanks so much to our special guest, Lindsay, drop what you are doing and go check out her amazing podcast and our guest episode of their Crack the Cramp Word segment, all at Ye Olde Crime Podcast. Please don't haunt us closet-creeper, and always let your ghost girls accept your parcels, just warn us all first, for god's sakes. I'd rather ghost helpers than porch pirates, eh?Hope you all had a Happy Halloween and get ready for more ghost stories to come! Boo-yah!!Check out Lindsay and co-host Madison here: https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/episodesKeep it Cryptic!!Apologies for my audio not being the clearest, we had some issues with recording remotely, but we hope it's worth the pain lol!Proud Member of the Darkcast Network!

This week we conclude the Gainesville Student Murders, sometimes known as the Gainesville Ripper Murders. They do make for a scary movie, targeting a young, defenseless, student population. From a triple-murder to the killing of the Gainesvillle victims, this killer was vicious, yet cautiaus. Who's lying?But however terrifying, there were some details that the movies got wrong. We can be stranger than we think, so stay strong! Love y'all and Keep It Cryptic!Darkcast promo of the week: And Then they Were Gone

Art and Life, movies and madness, do they always go hand in hand? We take a look at two cases that sit on different sides of the "inspired by" storyline. Kelsey covers Allan Menzies, a story that involves mental illness, an obsession with the Queen of the Damned, and a very sad loss of innocent life. Movies often get blamed for inciting violent tendencies, but how much culpability can we give them when the movie is telling the person to do something truly evil? Can movies be accessories to murder?Turning the tables, Alanna takes us to the USA for the horrific Gainesville Student Murders, aka the inspiration for Scream. We start off with the troubling childhood of Danny Rolling, the so-called Gainesville Ripper. Had he got the help he needed, would we still have had the triple-murder that kicked off a crime spree so chilling it inspired its own story? We'll never know, but stick around for part two of this murder rampage, it's a tough one that had to be split up due to time. Darkcast Network Promo of the Week! Burnt Marshmallows PodcastCheck us out on our website, socials and support the show on Patreon.com/castlesandcryptids! Keep it Cryptic!

Welcome to spooky season cryptic cuties, we hope you enjoyed the darkcast takeover ep last week. Join us as we take a dive into the vast world of vampire lore, for what is sure to be the first part of a series. Kelsey has the down low on how to avoid becoming a vampire, from different things to avoid, to anti-vampire burial methods. We discuss rules from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (we are both team Spike btw), and other common vampire myths, like aversion to garlic, holy water, sunlight and crossing running water to escape. Alanna shares a collection of vampiric creatures from around the world and how they are turned, along with a couple supposed cases of the undead rising from their graves. We had lots of fun this ep so tune in! You might learn something about vampires you didn't before, and take a shot every time we talk about a bag of rice. Come back next week as we continue our spooktober episodes! Darkcast promo of the week is the true crime pod Burnt Marshmallows!Gather round the campfire for today's cozy mystery. We'll keep you company with a little mystery to solve by the end of each episode.Stay safe with Birdie!We are Birdie ambassadors, personal safety alarms made for women, by women. We are excited to offer a promo code below for 10% off your purchase at www.shesbirdie.com now, thanks for partnering with us Birdie! Promo code: castlescryptids15 for 10% off your order

Hey happy Friday and Happy Spooky Season!! This week we are taking time to bank some episodes, watch some Horror movies for our special Patreon Halloween Movie Mash-up (Is that a good name? lol) and catch up so we can come back next week and be ready to do that Monster Mash!!So here's a sister show from the hella good Darkcast Network, Hands Off My Podcast, a true crime podcast hosted by Jasmine Castillo. It's the story of Colten Pratt who went missing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, so of course a Canadian case hits close to our hearts.Hope you enjoy, check out the show, and see you back next week for vampire lore!!Love you all!!

This week we dove into two cases that bed the question, Why? and also How? whether its the classic dead body-in-a-locked-room style murder mystery, or a horrific multiple-murder with no apparent motive, some murders are a true mystery. Or maybe, not murders at all, in some cases. So Kelsey hits us with the Keddie cabin murders, a malicious crime that remains mysterious to this day. Why were they targeted, and why was some family left alive?Alanna's case is a true locked-room conundrum, how did Margaret Schilling get out of her super-locked hospital ward and what happened to her to end up where she did?We discuss this, some recent horror films, how long you should wait before checking on your absent neighbour, and more on this jam-packed episode!So come on in, cryptic cuties, we have some stories to unpack!Darkcast Promo of the Week! a Hateful Homicidehttps://ahatefulhomicide.net/

Hey, Cryptic Cuties, let's take a trip together to some abandoned places of the world. Tales of wealthy towns that prospered and grew but were ultimately left or destroyed. Sometimes we don't even really know, leaving more of an air of mystery. Kelsey takes us to India, and the ruins of Hampi, including impressive structures like the Hemakuta Hill Temple and the Lotus Mahal. Sounds as good as it looks, honestly. On the other side of the world, we head with Alanna back to Pirate territory, and the Jamaican town known as Port Royal. This city had quite a mecca of gambling, rum, women, privateers and a pirate named Jack (and a Captain named Morgan!) Until it met it's dreadful end. And it's other end as they sang, "never shall we die", we hope. Yar mateys!Darkcast Network Promo of the Week : Autumn's Oddities https://open.spotify.com/show/5DqfzP2LR7lBiWOg3KjYZu?si=9e9f703831274de4

This week we cover cases involving post-secondary education, places where young people should be able to study and live safely. Sadly, we know that's not always the case. There's always a chance for a crime to occur, accidentally, or in these cases, not. Kelsey told us Cheri Jo Bates story, which tragically ended in the 1960s at Riverside City College. A couple of cryptic letters lend it an even more sinister side. Alanna's case is the tragic tale of Amara Marluke, a shining light of hope for humanity that was also taken so suddenly and unnecessarily. We hope we did them justice. Proud Member of Darkcast Network!Birdie Personal alarm Discount: https://www.shesbirdie.com/CASTLESCRYPTIDS15Check out our socials! https://linktr.ee/castlesandcryptids

Hey cryptic cuties, thanks for sticking with us through all the wild tech problems lol, we love you all. We hope things run a little smoother from here on out. This week we come in peace; bringing tales of alien abductions, weird encounters and murder mysteries, with a tangent or 2 along the way. Kelsey covers the Pascagoula Incident, where 2 men on a fishing trip experience more than just a relaxing evening after work. Alanna wraps things up with the bizarre death of Zigmund Adamski and one of the investigators, Alan Godfrey. It's a wild one, so be sure to tune in.Happy listening and catch up with you next time! Support us on patreon,where you can access dozens of bonus episodes as well as videos and our recap/reaction series! Darkcast Promo of the week: Mountain Murders East coast murders covered by Appalachian folks, Heather & Dylan. Join our intrepid hosts as they navigate the dark side of nature, exploring crimes that will make your hair stand on end. https://open.spotify.com/show/40g9BcUDirt3cqirkSvLgd

Yo ho ho, we need a bottle of rum after these last few episodes, besties!! From recording to posting, the issues kept cropping up, so we split the Pirates theme into two episodes, and here is Part 2!Alanna dove into the history of some girl buccaneers, mainly the story of mysterious Anne Bonny, but her bestie too. That was Mary, or should we say Mark? Read. One went as a man, you see, but they were fast friends and almost accidental lovers. Oh and a cameo, or more like a connection to "Calico Jack" Rackham. We can't forget our tangents on the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Fast & the Furious lore, pet grooming, and the surprise Gordo appearances, which really shock no one?!Also weight in on our new slogan, maybe? "just Get a Divorce!!" and our new favorite word, "Piratical"!Don't forget to check out our Patreon for hours of bonus true crime, Reddit rowdiness, videos, reaction/rewatch, and so much more!Apologies for

Ahoy, mateys, shall we step onboard this cryptic ship? We have had some rough seas on the Podcaster vessel this week, so we apologize for the delays! So let's talk Stede Bonnet, famed pirate extraordinaire. Kelsey does a deep dive off the plank into his story, and we are along for the ride!So does he live up to his infamy, worthy of still being depicted in games and tv shows like HBO's Our Flag Means Death? We hope so, and the only way to decide is to tune in and tell us what you think of old Stede. Next week we will conclude with Alanna's pirates. Oh and did we mention Blackbeard has a cameo??Darkcast Network Promos of the Week: Creepy Confidential and Famous Last Words Podcast!

Hey Cryptic Cuties, we missed you all! Sorry, we were supposed to be back with our regular episode, but some stuff delayed us. But don't worry, we have a treat for you featuring our Darkcast Network pals at ODFM. Each week they cover a true crime that's one "D" from murder, and this one is no exception, and we've never heard of it! Let's hear it from them, and their show description: No, Drew didn't kill anyone, maybe with laughter, but not intentionally. However, someone did rip out HIS heart and those of many others when they murdered the love of his life. This is the story of Amie Harwick.Hosted by Jenna Swanson and Kelly DeVriesProduced and edited by Kelly DeVriesTheme music by Erik SwansonIntro Music: Nasty by Oldwayshttps://linktr.ee/odfmpodcast

This week we traveled all the way to Africa for the latest ep in our folklore series. Kelsey covers 2 interesting legends from South Africa , first up is the Hole in the Wall. A rock formation formed over millions of years, and maybe with a little help from a sea man and a fish. Next is a creature known as the Grootslang, with stories and warnings all over Africa, it has been feared for generations. Alanna shares 2 popular Nigerian Folktales, The Woman with Two Skins and Why the Bat Flies at Night. Check out our patreon where we will be sharing Alanna's 3rd story, you can also catch up on monthly bonus eps and videos!We won't have an episode on Aug 9th as Alanna is on holidays (lucky lady), but we will catch up with everyone on the 16th (we hope) Thanks for listening and keep it cryptic!Zencaster Promo!Use our special link https://zen.ai/E0jhXppbKy1GdZYyKRcHFg to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan!

This week it's Alanna's turn to dive into some band scandals and screw-ups (and screw-overs). From boy bands old and new struggling against shitty managers and substance abuse issues, to some very nasty room wrecking parties from the trashiest of rocks stars, this one has it all!Like who was it that had to be tranquilized by the Thai army to get them out of their hotel room, and who did despicable things with mud sharks that probably they did not consent to! ?Shame on you, on behalf of anyone who's ever worked housekeeping! Until next time, Keep it Cryptic, Cuties! Proud Member of Darkcast Network!Zencaster Promo Code!! https://zen.ai/E0jhXppbKy1GdZYyKRcHFgFollow us on all the socials, now including Tik Tok! @castlesandcryptids on all the things, mostly lol

Let's just assume me and my computer are possessed/cursed/a hot mess express and move on to this refurbished episode! Seriously how many planets are in retrograde, guys, cause our stuff is all falling apart. Or maybe I was stress-editing and some things got mislabeled, anything is possible!Apparently the first time around it was audio all Alanna, all the time, and Kelsey's track ghosted into the ether. Apologies for that cringy mess, and always appreciate the heads up when stuff goes tits-up! So let's talk some badass band bitches from Russia with love! You guys are the best, we love y'all and keep it cryptic, but not so cryptic you have to guess what half the episode is about!! :P

Well we are back a follow-up of sorts, and a bad(ass) band tale. Or maybe a really good band tale where people protest peacefully? Hell, we just hope no one gets killed online, lol. Either way, tune in asap to find out! Cause you gotta fight for your right to protest!We finish off the Watseka Wonder case and discuss the details and credibility too. What do you think of this crazy case of body swapping? and how cool/brave is it when people protest in style?Proud member of the Darkcast Network!Zencastr Promo: https://zen.ai/E0jhXppbKy1GdZYyKRcHFg

We have talked about the many shades of possession, at least once anyway!What makes a person go to that level of scrutiny. Explore a couple cases with us as we dive into this mystery!From Gina to good for her, this one takes the cake!BTW, whats the fave cake yall??

Hello Cryptic Cuties, hope you had a great June!!! We are so excited to be back and share some more true crime stories with you!So buckle up, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. First Kelsey introduces us, at least Alanna anyways, to a serial murderess named Martha Marek and her tale. Which involves multiple murders, much mayhem, sketchiness and scandal. Truly it has it all, including a botched amputation! and is worthy of all the tabloids it surely inspired. Alanna brings a mysterious case to the table, the disappearance of Aeryn Gillern, a tragic tale with few answers and so many critical questions. This American in Austria was living his best life until the day he was seen leaving a sauna for men. Was he chased or did he leave of his own free will? We hope for his family that someday this will be solved. Darkcast Promo of the Week: Scottish Murdershttps://scottishmurders.com/Zencaster Promo: https://zen.ai/E0jhXppbKy1GdZYyKRcHFg

Happy Pride Month Cryptic Cuties!! It's halfway through our hiatus and we didn't want to leave you hanging without a nod to the summer gay days!! AKA the happiest month of the year :)So here's a taste of the perfect Pride month show for true crime lovers- Beyond the Rainbow! Host CJ is cute, quirky and full of frightful facts for you! So sit back and listen to some stories of the LGBTQ+, she tells one or two an episode if there's a true crime quickie on the docket. But in a way quicker way than our two co-hosts ever could! so it's very bingeable, if we say so ourselves. Here we have some "clips" of stylists stories of murder and hate crimes. Listener discretion is advised. Proud Member of Darkcast network! Check out Beyond the Rainbow here: https://beyondtherainbowpodcast.com/

**Sorry for the error uploading the last half of the episode, it's fixed! ** We can hardly believe this is episode 150 of our little baby pod! We want to thank you to all our listeners past and present (and hopefully future lol)! So to celebrate we did something different and served up some Patreon-style segments that we think you will love! First up is a faceoff of 2 Truths/1 Lie: C&C style, aka scary stories!! And then we and our special guest have fun guessing some famous killers in a top-ten listicle, as well as a couple other crime/conspiracy themed lists, so come play a game with us! Too Jigsaw? Sorry, eh, we love our creepy movies! Don't forget, we will be back in July with fresh stories and you can head on over to Patreon.com/castlesandcryptids if you enjoyed this and want more cryptic content! Until we chat again, Keep it Cryptic!! Proud Member of the Darkcast Network Zencaster Podcasting Promo: https://zen.ai/E0jhXppbKy1GdZYyKRcHFg