Left of Skeptic

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! We're bringing you yet another Ed and Lorraine Warren haunting this week as Kala tells us all about the Smurl Family Haunting. This is considered the Warrens' final investigation, and it is the inspiration for the upcoming movie The Conjuring: Last Rites. For over a decade, the Smurl Family experienced haunting activity that started out harmlessly enough, but it eventually escalated to violence. After being ignored by the Catholic church, they turned to the only people they thought could handle it: Ed and Lorraine Warren. But was this a legitimate investigation, or was it just the Warrens taking advantage of a traumatized family in hopes for more publicity? Let us know what you think.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, dear listeners! This week is a classic style haunting as Brittany tells us all about the West Virginia Penitentiary AKA the Moundsville Penitentiary. With just under 1,000 documented deaths in the prison's history, it is no surprise that some spirits still lurk here long after operations have stopped. It's now a tourist attraction, museum, training facility, and filming location - people have experienced all sorts of paranormal activity within its walls. You may encounter the Shadow Man, who is believed to be a former prisoner and is said to be able to disappear through walls. Or you could feel the icy cold breath of the faceless man on your neck as he approaches you. There are other classic haunting signs as well, such as apparitions, cold spots, and strange noises. Would you dare take one of their haunted tours and experience the haunting for yourself? 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! This week we have a subject request from Kala's mama! Annapolis, Maryland, was founded in 1649. This makes it over 375 years old. An old town has a lot of history, and that history can include ghost stories and local legends. Kala talks about three different locations in this Maryland city that are known by the locals to be a little spooky! The Middleton Tavern dates back to 1740 and is believed to be haunted by a few different ghosts. One has been spotted in the dining rooms on the first floor and wears Revolutionary War-era clothing, peeking out the window toward the water. Other haunting reports here include shadowy figures, furniture that moves by itself, wall lanterns that turn upside down, and dinnerware getting thrown around. It's a server's worst nightmare. People staying overnight at the Governor Calvert House have reported many sightings of otherworldly spirits, but no stories are as creepy as the stories of their ghost who sticks around just because he likes to watch people undress. *blech*And one local legend will definitely send chills up your spine: The Headless Ghost of Cornhill Street. After being murdered by his younger brother, this apparition now wanders the street looking for anyone to help him find his missing appendage.  Maryland is known for its rich history and many haunted locations, and these stories are just more proof that we need to plan a trip out to the East Coast! 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! Have you heard the latest controversy rocking the paranormal world? SOMEONE LOST ANNABELLE!Well, allegedly.TikTok and other social media platforms are buzzing with claims that the infamous haunted doll has mysteriously vanished while on her U.S. tour. And wherever she's been, chaos seems to follow—fires, escaped convicts, and some seriously bad luck. Meanwhile, the person currently in possession of Annabelle (haha, puns) swears she's never left his sight, but the internet remains skeptical. If only she could use her supernatural powers for good instead of… whatever this is.Curious about what's actually going on with Annabelle but don't want to wade through endless articles and speculation? Good news—Brittany did all the research so you don't have to! Tune in this week to get the full breakdown on the eerie rumors, the strange events linked to Annabelle, and whether there's more to this mystery than meets the eye.

Happy Spooky Wednesday!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! We're still coming down from the Homegrown Music Festival high, so let's keep things rolling with some haunted music venues. This week Kala's got 5 haunted venues from around the United States:House of Blues (Chicago, Illinois) Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, Tennessee) The Rave/Eagles Club (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) The Rapids Theater (Niagara Falls, New York) Roseland Theater (Portland, Oregon) While some seem to have more "proof" than others, all five venues have stories from staff and music lovers with paranormal encounters. Have you seen anything at these locations? Do you have a favorite music venue with ghosts of its own? Let us know! If there's anything we love more than the supernatural, it's local music!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, you beautiful people. You've heard of the Bermuda Triangle and the Alaska Triangle, but did you know there's a Bennington Triangle? In Southwestern Vermont, a string of mysterious disappearances happened between 1945 and 1950. With very few pieces of evidence, these disappearances remain unsolved. Could it be a portal, a Sasquatch-like creature, or Aliens? The disappearances have stopped, so this may forever remain unsolved!So while the Bermuda triangle got a lot of airtime during the 90s, perhaps, the polygon we should have feared most was in our own backyard…  or, you know,  in Vermont.

Happy Spooky Wednesday!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, dear listeners! When people think of ghost stories, they usually think of specific time periods. For example, the mid to late 19th century, when spiritualism was at its peak. Or the 70s and 80s, when Satanic Panic was spreading. But what if we told you that ghost stories go back much further than that? Brittany is about to tell you all some ancient ghost stories, and these stories are creepy! This is just further evidence that belief in the paranormal is nothing new... It's very, very old. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there. Just ask Dr. Finkel.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! We're talking about two of Kala's favorite subjects this week: witches and beer. For thousands of years, the process of creating beer and other fermented beverages was a household task, and so it was mostly done by women. By the Middle Ages, these women (called brewsters or alewives) were taking that excess foamy, golden liquid and selling it in the local marketplaces! #GirlBoss But eventually the men weren't as excited about their success, and that's when things started to go downhill. How does this relate to witches, you might ask? I guess you'll have to listen to find out. 

Happy Spooky Wednesday! Our story this week is a drama nerd's dream!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, dear listeners! We're heading in a new direction this week and exploring conspiracy theories! Let's start with the “mother of all conspiracy theories” and have Kala tell you all about the JFK assassination. Well, not all about it. This goes so deep that it would take too long. So instead she's gonna tell you a lot about the JFK assassination. The 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy, was shot in Dallas over 60 years ago. Theories have swirled around this national tragedy for decades. Though the official report said it was the fault of a lone gunman, the public is not so convinced. Was it the CIA? The mafia? The Secret Service? The Vice President? Take a listen and let us know what you think! Editor's Note: That episode of Bones that Brittany was talking about was The Proof in the Pudding | Season 5, Episode 12

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! This week Brittany is going to tell you all about the Dauphine Orleans Hotel in the New Orleans French Quarter. Considered one of the most haunted places to stay in the state, this hotel has been crafted from a number of historical buildings. As a result, a wide variety of ghosts haunt the location. Will you encounter the ghostly bride? The long-gone soldier? Will you catch an apparition in the square? Or will you see something move on its own in the bar? If the reviews are correct, you're definitely going to see something! Alternate titles that were considered: Episode 216: Two men in a tubEpisode 216: Ghosts are friendly, reasonable parking rates.

Happy Spooky Wednesday! This week Kala's going to tell us all about the Magnolia Hotel in Seguin, Texas. Built in the mid-1800s as a two-room log cabin. It quickly became a hotel, stagecoach stop, and social hub of the area. The building had been in poor repair for a number of years, but in the last decade, new owners have started to fix it up as a nice Bed & Breakfast AND a haunted tour spot. There are many newspaper and magazine articles as well as social media posts where people recount the many paranormal encounters they experienced in the building. It's been visited by Watcher's Ghost Files, The Daytripper, Ghost Brothers, and many more! While there are many skeptics who believe the owners might be ramping things up for publicity, with this many first-hand accounts, we have to believe there's SOMETHING spooky going on here. 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends!This week Brittany is bringing you the story of the Vardøger - a kind of spirit or paranormal experience (depending on who you ask). Often confused with things like déjà vu, it makes you feel like you experienced something before it happens! It's described as a precursor spirit. It imitates an individual's actions, characteristics, and even physical appearance before their actual arrival. Have you ever heard your partner walk into a room and turn on the TV? But when you go into the room, they're not there and the TV is off? And then 15 minutes later they come home and turn on the TV? You might have been Vardøger-ed. It sounds pretty harmless, but we're pretty sure it's an experience that would be very creepy if it happened to you.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! Have you ever heard a local legend that grows so wildly over time that no one knows its origins? That's what we're talking about this week with the legend of Char Man in the Ojai Valley in California. While most of the origin stories seem to be born from the horrific 1948 wildfire, the story of why Char Man exists varies from tale to tale. The one thing they can seem to agree on is that there is the ghost of a strange man who chases the locals away from his bridge due to some tragedy in his life. But is this really a ghost? Or a local hermit who just wants teenagers to leave his property alone? Or is there an even sadder tale at work here? 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! We're discussing The Olde Pink House in Savannah, GA this week. This extremely popular restaurant exists in a building that has been around for over 250 years. And it's collected some ghosts along the way, most of which seem to be the family that lived there even before the American Revolution. Who will you encounter if you decide to pop in for an evening of enjoyment? The Revolutionary War soldier? The bitter woman who wants you to get out of her bathroom? The children running amok in the basement? Better stop by and find out!Editor's Note: I wanted to call this one Episode 212: You know what they say… with great power comes great opportunities to use the free labor of enslaved individuals to continue to grow one's own wealth through a variety of business ventures.But it was simply too long.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everybody!Thank you very much to Kortenie for the listener request this week! Kala's going to tell you all about Devil's Island in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Some say that Casper Henneberry, a resident of Devils Island, saw the Devil in the form of a halibut. Yup. You read that right... Devil Fish. The next day, he was found drowned. There have also been reports of ghostly apparitions, strange fires, and other unexplained phenomena. It turns out this isn't the only location in Halifax Harbor with strange occurances. McNabs Island has a bunch of strange local legends associated with the land. And St. Paul's Church has an odd anomaly in one of its windows. Is this Canadian town cursed? Is it just so old that it can't help but have a few ghosts? Are we really buying the story about the Devil Fish? Guess you'll have to listen to find out! 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks!Are you ready for a story that's sure to shiver your timbers? We hope so! Because Brittany is about to tell you all about the Battersea Poltergeist. In the 1950s, a family in Battersea, London began experiencing strange noises, flying objects, and unexplained fires. Yeah. That's right. More fires. This ghost (who the family named Donald) became BIG NEWS in the UK and was even discussed in Parliament.But was it real? Or the imaginings of a teenage girl? Considering this took away more than a decade of her life, we're tempted to believe her.

Happy Spooky Wednesday! Thank you for celebrating our 4-year pod-iversary with us!  This is our first episode with our new format, and Kala is talking all about haunted roads in Wisconsin. One of the most famous legends is that of The Phantom Hitchhiker of Hwy 12 in Baraboo. He's been seen many times by drivers late at night. No one knows who he is or why he's there. And if you see him once, you'll likely see him again just a few miles down the road. Other spooky stretches of pavement include:  The Jogger and the Ghosts Cats of Jay Road The strange phenomena on Callan Road (AKA Witch Road) near Fond du Lac in Rosendale Spirits of roadkill on Paradise Road in Jefferson Old Man Weary, Spectral Cars, and other unexplained occurrences on Weary Road near Evansville This episode is sure to make you question your next Midwest road trip. This leaves us wondering why Wisconsin has so many spooky roads. Is it the only state like this, or is there more to worry about when traveling across the country? 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! We're wrapping up 2025 True Crime January with Jack the Ripper, one of the biggest unknowns in the genre. And we've got a special guest joining us for the occasion: Sean Moria! That's right, Kala's husband hopped in the studio to discuss the unidentified serial killer who terrorized the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. Considered one of the greatest mysteries of the past, Jack the Ripper has inspired many shows, movies, and music in pop culture (including Sean's band Gnarwals). Is the identity of the killer the only mystery here? Or have these tragic events brought about some of the ghosts who wander the London streets?  Important Timestamps: When Brittany starts her story (we've got a decently long intro this week): 7:30 or possibly 12:04 When Kala starts her story (skip the True Crime bits):  51:00 or possibly 55:30

Happy Spooky Wednesday! We're continuing our True Crime January with the location known as Fox Hollow Farm, formerly owned by the infamous serial killer Herb Baumeister. Baumeister, despite appearing to be an average family-minded businessman, murdered several men and disposed of their bodies right in the yard where his children played. When it seemed he was going to be caught, he left and took his own life. The tragedies he inflicted have left people to believe that the land he owned is now haunted, but there doesn't seem to be much evidence to support it. So is it actually haunted and the ghosts just aren't showing themselves? Or is this human nature to apply the paranormal to a place of darkness? And that's the case, why do we do it? 

Happy Spooky Wednesday! We're in our third week of True Crime January, and we're covering the Los Feliz Murder House. In 1959, a doctor murdered his wife, attacked his child, and then took his own life. And the house has been cursed ever since! Or has it? Decades of the home sitting seemingly unused has led to urban legends and ghost stories. But is there any truth behind these tales? Or is it just the wild imagination of a community still unable to understand the tragedy? For more information, check the AMAZING docu-pod: thelosfelizmurdermansion.com

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! For our second week of True Crime January, we are covering one of the most infamous murder cases in United States history. The Borden Murders in 1892 resulted in the infamous trial of Lizzie Borden. Even though she was acquitted of the crimes, a nursery rhyme asserting that she killed her father and stepmother followed her for the rest of her life and decades after her passing. And it seems like this infamy may be feeling the haunting in not one, but two different locations! Does her ghost really hop between the two homes? Or is it just people wanting to believe in a ghost because of a horrendous crime?

Happy Spook Wednesday, everyone! And Happy True Crime January! This week, we are talking about The Cecil Hotel, which has... let's say... not the best history when it comes to the folks who have stayed there. But is it HAUNTED? A certain ghost TV show host by the name of Bagans-Liar-Liar-Pants-On-Fire certainly thinks it is, but let's see what Kala has to say about it. Editor's Note: The John Cusack movie is 1408, not 1308. I knew it sounded off...

Happy Spooky Holiday Wednesday, dear friends! We've got a Christmas spectacular for you this year! Kala talks about Mari Lwyd. This is essentially a creepy hobby horse used for drunken caroling. It's every ex goth kid's Christmas dream! Then Brittany tells the tale of Père Fouettard. This French Anti-Santa travels along with Old Saint Nick punishing naughty children. He basically looks like Santa, but kinda dirty and in black instead of red. An ex-goth kid's Christmas dream. And we end the whole episode sharing some spooky Christmas Reddit stories that are sure to have you closing the blinds before you crawl into bed on Christmas night. We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! We've got some classic Brittany and Kala stories for you this week! First, Kala brings on the ghostly transportation! The Phantom Train of Marshall Pass in Colorado hasn't been seen in over 100 years, but it's one spooky story you don't want to miss. And the Silver Train of Stockholm may be more weird than scary, but it's definitely interesting. Then Brittany does a call back to one of her absolute favorite subjects... Past Lives! While there is no earthly reason these children should be recalling events from decades before they were even born, they are adamant that they do. And the accuracy of their recollections means we have a hard time questioning them.

Happy Spooky Wednesday! We're starting out this week with a listener request about a very interesting museum: The Iceland Phallological Museum. You read that right. It's a museum all about penises. One exhibit focuses on the “units” of different cryptids and folklore creatures. Now our question isn't, “Are these creatures real?” Our question has become, “Are these weenies real?” And Brittany talks about the supposedly most haunted home in Jamaica, The Rose Hall Great House. According to legend Annie Palmer, the "White Witch of Rose Hall", is said to haunt the grounds of the former sugar plantation. She murdered her husbands and tortured enslaved people. But how much of the Palmer legend is true?

Happy Spooky Wednesday! We are celebrating our 200th episode this week with special guests Kara Babcock and Stephanie Chow of Prophecy Girls: A Buffy Rewatch Podcast! In case you missed it, they joined us for our 100th episode, where we talked all about vampires. What goes best with vampires? Werewolves. These shapeshifting creatures look human by day, but on the nights where a full moon shines, their animal side takes over! These cryptids have been discussed for years, and the lore varies from culture to culture. We're here to discuss their origins, sightings over the years, and that burning question: "Why are werewolves so hot?"  We want to thank you all for being with us for 200 episodes! We can't wait for more! 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! We're going classic this week with a haunted university and hospital. Kala talks about the University of Portland in Oregon, which has several spooky locations on campus. If you head to the oldest building, you might run into the teenage ghost who drowned in the river. If performing arts are more your thing, you may run into the specter of a young girl who likes to hang out in the theater. If you go for a walk on the grounds, be prepared to hear the footsteps of an angry old man who did not like the Catholic Church. There's something around every corner here! Then Brittany tells us all about St. Alban's Sanatorium in Radford, Virginia. We all know the horrid story of all these old hospitals, but for this location that's where the horror ended, not where it began. The land was host to a terrible war and a preparatory school from hell. When a location includes THREE stories that could cause a haunting on their own, you know that the ghosts are really there. 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, dears! We've got extraterrestrials and the Wild Wild West for you this week. Kala talks about former United States President Jimmy Carter's UFO experience, as well as the stories from past US presidents. Is the government really hiding something? If so, they don't seem to be hiding it very well. Then Brittany covers Big Nose Kate's Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona. Neither host is particularly thrilled about the description Kate has been given, but we both agree that Kate has lived an eventful and interesting life. Her life was so wild that it seems it couldn't be contained within our mortal plane, because she (and some friends) have decided to stick around and bother poor service workers even after death.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! This week we've got two stories that will leave you wondering, "Are humans cursed or blessed?" Kala starts by discussing Anthropodermic bibliopegy—the practice of binding books in human skin. At its peak during the Victorian era, many of these volumes still exist in museums, colleges, and private collections today. How to handle these books, though, has been a matter of debate for years, and it doesn't seem like the debate is going to end anytime soon. Then Brittany talks about the (much nicer) Third Man Syndrome. This phenomenon happens when humans are in life-or-death situations. People feel the presence of a being that, while not actually there, calms and assists them in their time of need. Is this the human brain playing tricks under stress? A religious experience? Helpful spirits? We may never know, but it's certainly a heck of a lot more pleasant to think about than books wrapped in human leather. Editor's Note: The highwaymen that Brittany was thinking of were the Harpe Brothers... and they were awful.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, sweet listeners! This week, we're back to our regularly scheduled programming with two salty little tales. Kala talks about The Saltair near Salt Lake City in Utah. This concert venue has been rebuilt twice after the previous buildings were destroyed by fire and dilapidation. Oddly enough the ghosts seem to be the result of its more recent life, and not the spirits of the building in its heyday. Then Brittany discusses the Molly Brown House in Denver, Colorado. Molly Brown was an absolute badass who is best known for surviving the sinking of the Titanic. But she should be known for so much more. Her philanthropy and ability to make her fellow rich folks give up 'the goods' make us wish we could meet her in person. While she's long gone, you can still take a tour of her old mansion where you just might catch a glimpse of her in the afterlife.

Content warning: Kala's story this week includes some discussion of suicide. If you wish to skip this topic, jump to Brittany's story at 42:08. Happy Spooky Wednesday and HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE! It is our final week of Urban Legends October, and we've got two stories to get you into the holiday mood. First, Kala talks about Lavender Town Syndrome. According to urban legend, this level in the first two Pokémon GameBoy games led over 200 people to commit suicide. Was it the music or the sad content? Is it a conspiracy that Nintendo is trying to cover up? Or is the whole thing made up? And Brittany tells us about the legend of The Whistler. In this creepy story a person heard whistling as a child, and then the exact same whistling again 10 years later in a completely different place. That's not too creepy, right? It gets weirder. As an adult, the user hears the exact same whistling again, on a canoe with his girlfriend, causing them to look further into what this could be… Once he had an idea of what might be going on, that's when the creepiness really begins.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, dear listeners! We've got a treat for you! The return of special guest, Adam Herman! He joins us for Spooky Game week of Urban Legends October, where we discuss The Midnight Game. While other cursed games we've talked about in the past have various rewards, this game only has one prize if you win: your life. Which has us all wondering why you'd ever play in the first place? Apparently the lack of a proper trophy has never stopped people from trying it in the past. So the question is: Are you willing to play a deadly game for only bragging rights? Or are you smart? And of course, don't forget this universal truth... playing Rod Stewart will get you better gas mileage.

Happy Spooky Wednesday! We are at the midpoint of our 4th Urban Legends October, and we have some creepypastas sure to keep you up at night! Unless you're like us, these stories will help you sleep like a baby. First up, Kala talks about the internet legend known as Eyeless Jack. This creature in a hoodie, mask, and deep voids for eyes is coming to steal your internal organs! While the original creepypasta may not have been particularly well written, that hasn't stopped his legend from spreading all across the internet. Eyeless Jack is over a decade old, but Brittany has new a tale that we feel might become a creepypasta legend. The Job Offer provides insight to what lengths people will go to make sure they can pay their rent. Red flags be damned. When other employers won't pay you a living wage, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, ghouls and zombies! We are in our second week of Urban Legends October and this week we are featuring legends from Scotland! First up, Kala talks about the myths known as Selkies and Kelpies. They are both shapeshifting creatures known for haunting the waters, but have very different temperaments. While stories of the Selkies portray them as sweet creatures who encounter tragic circumstances, Kelpies are malevolent creatures who create tragic circumstances. And Brittany tells us the tale of A75 Kinmount Straight, also known as “The Ghost Road.” If you dare to travel this highway, beware that humans (and possibly chickens, wild cats, dogs, and phantoms?) may run out in front of your vehicle at any given moment. But you don't have to worry about a crash because when you pull over, you will find they were never actually there (OooooOooo... spooky...). Many a lorry driver have shared their stories... and we're pretty sure this is a road we will never want to drive down. If not because of the ghosts, it's because of ✨anxiety ✨.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, and Happy Urban Legends October, everyone! We've got two stories that are perfect for putting you in the mood for the Halloween season. Kala tells the tale of Stingy Jack, the origin story for Jack O' Lanterns. When Jack ticked off the Devil by tricking him one too many times, he was forced to wander the afterlife for eternity, never entering Heaven or Hell, with only the light of a fire inside a turnip to light his way. How in the heck does this become the spooky carved pumpkins we know today? Once combined with other folk tales and natural progression of traditions, you will see. And Brittany tells us all about Clara Crane AKA The Candy Lady. The reason for her nickname is not so sweet. After the tragic death of her daughter, she blamed her husband and used sweets to take her revenge. Later on, kids started disappearing. It turns out mystery candy had been showing up with notes from “The Candy Lady” asking if they could come out and play. The ones that did weren't seen again. How much of this story is truth, and how much is urban legend? This story will make sure you never take candy from strangers.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! We have an iconic episode this week, because we're covering two absolute icons. First up, Kala talks about Joan Crawford, who may have been haunted and/or haunted others. There is no denying her impact in Hollywood, but has she remained past her death? When her estranged daughter's classic movie “Mommie Dearest” was filmed, the set was plagued with strange activity, especially around the actress who was set to play Crawford in the film. But it turns out the paranormal activity may have existed before Crawford passed. And Brittany talks about the only sea monster to rival Nessie: Champ of Lake Champlain. This creature is known around the world. And while many places write off these beings as explorers mistaking fish for something more sinister, the evidence for Champ is more compelling than most! Evidence so bananas that you may be able to see it on Netflix before you know it! We end the episode with two intriguing listener stories! Make sure to join us next week for the start of our fourth annual Urban Legends October!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, Folks! Kala's got two locations for you this week, which are often discussed at the same time. The Tennessee State Prison and the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary are located about an hour and a half away from each other, and both are plagued by paranormal activity brought on by years of overcrowding, violence, and general ill-treatment. While the TSP was basically demolished by a tornado in 2020, Brushy is still available for tours. Will you encounter the ghost who is still having nicotine cravings, or try to escape the heat with the cold spots in the chapel? And Brittany tells us about the badass, Giulia Tofana. This woman continued the work of her mother Thofania d'Adamo, who created the elixir known as Aqua Tofana. Through the 17th-century whisper network, this poison saved women from abusive arranged marriages for decades. While we would never condone this activity today, the women of this era didn't seem to have any other choice. And it would seem that Giulia Tofana was a hero to more people than we can count. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, please don't hesitate to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline. They have folks who can talk to you 24/7 in English, Spanish, and 200+ additional languages through interpretation services Call 800-799-7233 or text 88788 Or visit their website at www.thehotline.org Editor's Note: Women were allowed to apply for credit cards independently in 1974, after the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). Before the ECOA, banks could refuse to issue credit cards to women or require their husbands to co-sign for them.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! We went a bit off the rails this week, so prepare for a giggle. First up, Kala discusses The Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky. Mummies, ghosts, and getting lost in deep dark caves. It's straight up out of a horror film. And Brittany tells us all about Gef the talking mongoose… which is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds. For years, a family lived with this spirit in the form of a mongoose inside of their house's walls. Was it really a spirit? Or something more sinister? Either way, Gef certainly was wacky, man. Editor's Note: Yo, the name is BattyThe logic is erratic,Potato in a jacket,Toys in the attic,I rock and I ramble,My brain is scrambled,Rap like an animal but I'm a mammal

Happy Spooky Wednesday! As summer fades and fall peeks it's head around the corner, we're always keeping it creepy here. First Kala discusses the cryptid known as the Chupacabra. A fairly new creature by most cryptid standards, this weird animal escapes any common description. Is it a coyote with glowing red eyes? Is it a kangaroo with bat like wings? The only thing people can seem to agree on is that it's creepy and it's killing livestock! But is it real? Or is there a scientific explanation behind the nocturnal, animal-killing beast? And Brittany tells us about the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in Alaska. This active medical facility may not have the terrible history of many of the abandoned hospitals that we've covered on the podcast, but it still has its ghosts. Apparitions, phantom footsteps, cold spots, and other paranormal occurrences are so common in this building that they even have methods to address it with patients and staff. And apparently this isn't the only haunted active hospital, because Brittany had Reddit stories from other hospitals' staff members with their own creepy stories!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! We are getting close to the end of summer, so we've got some stories this week that just scream "vacation time". First up, Kala talks about Captain Tony's Saloon in Key West, Florida. This bar features tropical drinks, an 'old school Key West' atmosphere, a hanging tree growing inside, some gravestones, bras on the ceiling, and ghosts! What a wide variety of items to create such a unique atmosphere. When you're out partying, just remember to avoid the first stall in the bathroom, and absolutely do not climb the tree! And Brittany tells us all about the Great Minnesota Get Together! That's right, the Minnesota State Fair is haunted. While out searching for food on a stick, you could run into some specters dancing in overalls! Or maybe you'll get a tap on the shoulder while riding Ye Olde Mill! It sounds like all the ghosts are pretty harmless, and we wouldn't mind seeing them for ourselves. Except the pigman. No one wants to run into the pigman. 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, dear listeners! We've got two Midwest stories this week all inspired my music… kinda. First Kala talks about a location in the hometown of one of her favorite bands Hawthorne Heights: Dayton, Ohio! The Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is a massive, old cemetery filled with gorgeous trees, beautiful structures, amazing mausoleums, and ghosts! Will you see the little girl in the white sneakers? Or the little boy forever playing with his dog? Or the dancing Russian ballerina? There are many stories, and they're all surprising consistent. And Brittany tells us all about the historic First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This iconic music venue got its start as a bus depot, and it seems like some of the spirits may not realize the change. Staff have encountered apparitions, voices, and phantom touches. Next time you head out onto their dance floor, you might just be joined my more than the living.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! It's Brittany's Birthday Spooky Spectacular! The birthday girl starts us off with the tale of the Goat Man of Prince George's County. This half-goat, half-man creature has been well known in Maryland since the 1970s. With an appetite for puppies and humans alike, this is definitely not a cryptid you want to stumble upon. And then as a present for Brittany, Kala has scoured Reddit threads to find people's creepiest experiences. Some are paranormal, and some are just normal, but at the end of the episode we both agree on the same thing: sometimes humans are the scariest creatures of all.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! Yes, we're a paranormal podcast, but this week we're also a paranormal drama podcast! We've got the hot goss on one of the most famous haunted locations in the United States, The Conjuring House. In the last couple of years, things have gone a bit off the rails, and we've got the full story so you don't have to dig for yourself. What happens when the ghosts of a house tell a boss how to handle their employees? The biggest scare of all is unpaid wages. And Brittany tells us all about The Monte Cristo Historic Homestead in Junee, Australia. There are at least 10 ghosts who haunt Monte Cristo; including the original owners, former servants, and children. At least one of these ghosts HATES animals. The owner of The Conjuring House might claim that their location is the most haunted place in the world, but we think The Monte Cristo definitely has it beat.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, y'all! It is our last episode of July! Where has the summer gone? Kala starts it off with one of her great passions: Wrestling. She tells the tale of the haunting of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. This famous, larger-than-life man made connections throughout his career, some of which kept going after the people had passed. While the haunting may be a topic of debate, Kala is choosing to do what she has always done with wrestling: suspend her belief and cheer on the wrestlers. Brittany talks about The Exorcism of Gottliebin Dittus, which happened in Mottlingen, Germany. Have you ever heard of a three word phrase being the end of an exorcism? Neither have we. But apparently, in the most Lutheran exorcism ever, all this demon had to hear was "Jesus is Victor" and he hit the road. The question is... who is Victor? (Insert Kala laughing at her own joke here.)

Happy spooky Wednesday, friends! This week is Kala's birthday episode! She celebrates by telling you all about the Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, Massachusetts. Once a psychiatric hospital in the late 1800s (with all the horrible history that goes along with that) it is now the site of luxury apartments. But would you want to pay top dollar to be surrounded by apparitions and disembodied screams? And Brittany gifts both Kala and you listeners with tales of the spooky activity in the Appalachian Mountains. Cryptids, spirits, and bears! Oh my! Don't go out for a midnight stroll out there, you may not come back.

Happy Spooky Wednesday! Editors Note: People from Memphis are called Memphians, apparently.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! It may be summer outside, but we're keeping it creepy here on the podcast. Kala had a special seeeeester birthday request for a haunted museum, and so she covered world's largest museum, education, and research complex, The Smithsonian Institute! Considering how many artifacts these buildings hold, it's no surprise that some ghosts have come along with them. And it's not just visitors who have had experiences, the staff has lots of tales to tell too! And Brittany talks about the legend of The Green Children of Woolpit. Years ago, two children were found next to a pit full of angry, snarling wolves (okay... not really. It was just a pit). What makes this situation even weirder? The kids were green! Where did they come from? Were they fae? Aliens? Sickly humans? Sadly, with this happening so many centuries ago, we may never know for sure.Thank you so much for listening! If you haven't had a chance, we would love it if you could rate and subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen to all your favorite paranormal podcasts! Editor's Note: The Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia IS the first World's Fair, but HH Holmes was at the Chicago one in 1893. It was called the World's Columbian Exposition. I was both right and also wrong.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! This week has us asking “How often do coincidences actually happen?” First, Kala talks about precognitive dreams (premonitions). There is a long history of us receiving warnings in our sleep. Should we heed every bad dream? What's the risk if we don't? And Brittany revisits weird coincidences throughout history. These stories are so weird, right? You might be able to say one or two examples are just by chance, but Brittany has way more than one or two examples. Do both of our stories include weird things that people say are coincidences? Do both of our stories have us asking “That's weird, right?” Do both of our stories involve Abe Lincoln? The answer is yes to all three. What are the chances?