Weekly Spooky

Fire in the Sky (1993) explained — the chilling alien-abduction film based on Travis Walton's true story. On Cutting Deep into Horror, hosts Henrique Couto and Rachael Redolfi break down why the UFO sequence still shocks, how director Robert Lieberman builds dread, and where movie dramatization diverges from the real Arizona logging-crew case. We compare the film to Walton's account, spotlight the cast (D.B. Sweeney, Robert Patrick, James Garner), and dig into small-town paranoia, survivor trauma, hypnosis testimony, and the 90s UFO boom.Inside this episodeFire in the Sky true story vs. film — what's verified and what's contested.Abduction set-piece breakdown: production design, practical effects, and sound that still terrify.Performance notes: Sweeney's vulnerability, Patrick's stoicism, Garner as relentless investigator.Themes & context: guilt, media pressure, and why the case haunts pop culture.Legacy: how a cult classic shaped alien-abduction horror for the 90s and beyond.Is Fire in the Sky a true story?Yes. It's based on Travis Walton's 1975 abduction claim; the film dramatizes events for storytelling.Where to watch (U.S.) right now• Free (with ads): Pluto TV (availability rotates). • Rent/Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home (Vudu), and Paramount Movies. If you're into alien-abduction horror, true-story thrillers, and 90s cult classics, queue this episode—sharp analysis, cultural context, and craft talk with a few laughs and plenty of goosebumps.

Summer, 1984—at the height of the Satanic Panic. Ricky is a motor-mouthed teen who wants proof the Devil is listening. In a moonlit patch of woods, a dare turns into a ritual and a killing. What follows is darker: Ricky props the body in a lawn chair with sunglasses, invites classmates to look, and turns terror into spectacle—boombox hissing, insects buzzing, and bravado curdling into dread as word spreads and the cops close in.This isn't a true-crime retelling; it's a brutal horror story steeped in Acid King folklore—teen cult swagger, drugs, and a swaggering kid convinced he's owed infernal fame. The consequences arrive in handcuffs and, at the end, a quiet, awful moment alone in a jail cell. Listener discretion advised for graphic violence, drug use, and suicide.What Ricky Did on his Summer Vacation by Dan Wilder

Resurrection Mary is Chicago's most famous ghost—and one of America's most chilling vanishing hitchhiker legends. For nearly a century, terrified drivers on Archer Avenue have reported picking up a mysterious young woman in white… only for her to vanish near Resurrection Cemetery.In this deep dive, we unravel the true story behind the ghost: a chilling mix of paranormal sightings, tragic deaths, and urban legends that span decades. Who was Resurrection Mary? Was she a real woman—like Mary Bregovy or Anna Norkus—or just a powerful symbol of loss and folklore?With firsthand witness accounts, historical records, eerie media coverage, and theories from leading paranormal researchers, we separate fact from fiction in one of the most enduring ghost stories in America.If you're fascinated by true ghost stories, haunted roads, and real paranormal encounters, this episode delivers.We're telling that story tonight.

My dear, the dial glows in a dark room where classic old-time radio horror breathes again—vintage OTR suspense, murder mystery, and supernatural dread from the golden age of radio drama.

Here come the lights, the laughter… and the dread. “Fairground Frights” is a bumper-pack of seven horror stories from Weekly Spooky that turns the carnival midway into a gauntlet of cursed curios, vengeful spirits, and wishes you'll regret the second you make them. Step into a clown's funeral where the punchline won't stay buried. Duck into a toy store after dark, where smiling dolls sharpen their grins. Beat an unbeatable arcade cabinet that might be playing you. Get lost in a mansion's velvet-dark corridors, run afoul of a man named Jerry who won't stay down, bargain with a devil you didn't mean to summon, and tour a museum of artifacts that should never be cataloged.If you love horror anthologies, creepy clowns, haunted attractions, cursed objects, and theme-park terror, this episode's for you. It's perfect for September chills and Halloween build-up—packed with creepy carnival vibes, midnight-movie mood, and the kind of campfire storytelling that makes you keep one eye on the shadows. New to Weekly Spooky? Start here: it's a self-contained thrill ride with killer pacing, atmospheric sound design, and seven complete, binge-worthy tales. Hit play, throw on your headphones, and let's go get lost on the midway.Fun in Funerals — David O'Hanlon.Babes in Terrorland — Morgan Moore.Ophiuchus — Daniel Wilder (listed as “Aphiuchus” in the transcript).Ghost Story — A.N. Ominous.Old Jerry — R.T. Raynaud.Careful What You Wish For — David O'Hanlon (name misspelled in shownotes). The Black Museum — John Oak Dalton.

In the rain-soaked woods below Knocknarea in Sligo, Ireland, a man raised human but born fae bargains with the Fair Folk to save his unborn child. Armed with “cold iron” bullets, a stolen sprite, and a prophecy learned from a carnival crone's mirror, he confronts an emerald pillar of flame and an ancient court that claims his bloodline. Irish folklore collides with modern terror as love, identity, and iron lore decide the fate of a family. Expect changelings, eerie glens, moss-slick boulders, and a showdown where one wrong move means a crib left empty forever. Weekly Spooky delivers a tense, folklore-rich horror story perfect for fans of fairies, fae bargains, and dark Celtic mythology.Abandonment Issues — by Douglas Waltz.

On a sweltering July night in 1966, Richard Speck forced his way into a South Side Chicago townhouse filled with young student nurses. By morning, eight women were dead—strangled, stabbed, and terrorized in what became known as the Chicago Nurse Massacre. Only one survivor lived to tell the tale, her testimony etching this crime into history.In this episode of Terrifying & True, we unravel the story of Richard Speck—his violent past in Texas, the night of horror that gripped Chicago, the frantic manhunt, and the dramatic trial that ended with a shocking twist in the justice system. From Speck's infamous “Born to Raise Hell” tattoo to the disturbing prison tape that surfaced decades later, this is the complete, harrowing account of one of America's darkest crimes.We're telling that story tonight.

My dear, the walls around us are never as silent as they seem. Beneath the earth, behind locked doors, even within painted frames—there are whispers waiting to be heard, and horrors waiting to be seen.Tonight, we descend into five tales where stone, sea, and shadow conceal unspeakable truths… and where murder leaves its mark in the most unexpected places.

The bell has rung, spookies… and tonight's lesson is terror. Weekly Spooky presents eight chilling horror stories that turn classrooms, hallways, and campuses into places of fear:The Chain of Time by Killian Crane — A strange artifact traps its victims in an endless cycle of dread.Suspended by Rob Fields — A punishment twists into supernatural terror when discipline goes too far.A Sunken Heart in Hino Bay by Jeff Carpenter — By the shoreline, love and loss drown in something darker.The Message by Rob Fields — A harmless note passed in class hides a horrifying secret.Heart of Fire, Heart of Stone by Joe Solmo — Passion and betrayal awaken something inhuman inside school walls.Slasher by Rob Fields — On a college campus, a masked killer stalks unsuspecting students.Be Mine by Shane Migliavacca — Valentine's devotion turns bloody in the halls.The Bad School Girl by Rob Fields — At Strickfield High, rebellion takes on a monstrous form.From haunted classrooms to cursed lovers and masked killers, this back-to-school collection will remind you that sometimes the scariest lessons aren't in the books—they're lurking in the shadows. Perfect for horror fans, creepy podcast listeners, and anyone who remembers the dread of school nights.

A Chicago hitman is gunned down in 1925 and dumped in a farm grave with a prayer for revenge. A century later, the first day at a small-town high school erupts into full-on possession: shadows walk without bodies, students cling to ceilings, phones glitch, Latin growls through the halls, and a serpent of sulfur chooses its host.Chelsea Rizzoli just wants to survive the bell. Ethan Crow is gripping a Winchester, and something ancient is steering his hands. Before the doors open to parents and buses, a century-old debt must be paid… and Hell intends to collect.Expect demon outbreak, mob-cursed revenge, and final-girl stakes—a collision of 1920s crime lore and modern back-to-school terror.Academia Demonia by David O'Hanlon

This month on Monthly Spooky, we investigate the unsolved 1978 Yuba County Five disappearance in Northern California—four friends found under tragic, baffling circumstances and the enduring question of Gary Mathias. Was it panic, hypothermia, or something far stranger? This true crime deep dive unpacks the case, the clues, and the most credible theories.You'll also hear fresh spooky news and curiosities:Erin Patterson update on the Death Cap mushroom poisoning case in AustraliaVenomous sea slugs spotted on beaches—what beachgoers should knowA late-night bat scare that turns ordinary into eerieThe viral haunted painting rumor and why “creepy art” stories spreadA closet message that feels ripped from a nightmareA dash of UFO festival excitement, because of course there isWhy this episode mattersOne of America's most haunting cold cases with enduring mysteriesThe only member never found—Gary Mathias—and the long-tail theoriesHow folklore, fear, and media shape what we believe about unsolved disappearancesIf you love true crime, unsolved mysteries, urban legends, and paranormal folklore—with humor and heart—this one's for you.

My dear, the word killer carries a weight that chills the marrow. But killers are never the same—some hide in plain sight, some return when least expected, and others linger like a shadow you can't escape.Tonight, we descend into five tales where death is not only a fact… but a calling.

Step aboard… if you dare.This is Manuscript Found in a Bottle, Edgar Allan Poe's chilling nautical tale of shipwreck, spectral vessels, and the slow descent into madness at sea.First published in 1833, this eerie story launched Poe's literary career and set the tone for generations of gothic horror to come.In this atmospheric reading, you'll be swept into a nightmarish voyage filled with mystery, dread, and a creeping sense of doom.

A chilling case file unfolds when paranormal investigator James Becker is hired to help a frightened woman in the wealthy Heaven's Hills development. But what begins as whispers of howls in the night quickly spirals into blood, betrayal, and the summoning of a hellish beast.In this terrifying original horror story by Joe Solmo, the line between hunter and prey is shattered. Who is the true Hellhowler—and what sinister price must be paid when a demon dog prowls in the shadows?Brace yourself for a tale of black magic, monstrous hounds, and the darkest corners of human desire.The Hellhowler by Joe Solmo

Over 20 severed human feet have mysteriously washed ashore along the coastlines of British Columbia and Washington since 2007—each one inside a sneaker. With no matching bodies, and no clear foul play, the phenomenon captured global attention and ignited a firestorm of urban legends, hoaxes, and theories.In this gripping true crime deep dive, we explore the eerie timeline of these chilling discoveries, uncover the forensic science that explains how feet can naturally disarticulate, and examine the media frenzy that turned a natural phenomenon into modern-day folklore.Was it a serial killer? A string of tragic accidents? Or something even stranger?We're telling that story tonight

My dear, there are nights when the air feels heavier… when the darkness clings to you like damp earth. On such nights, the dead may walk, killers may strike unseen, and strange lights may beckon you to your doom.This evening, we have five stories steeped in shadow and dread:where corpses refuse to rest, reptiles hiss in the dark, and midnight becomes the hour when all debts are paid.

Three look-alike cousins. One runaway pup. And the Backwoods of Strickfield after dark… what could go wrong? When Daisy May's dog bolts into the trees, Mouse (Maddy), Eileen, and Daisy May give chase—and stumble into something hungry lurking in the brush. Engines roar, claws scrape, and a battered pickup becomes their only lifeline as the creature closes in. The girls race to escape the Backwoods before the monster makes them disappear. A fast, fun creature feature set in the Strickfield universe—equal parts scary, funny, and full-throttle adventure.Things Come in Threes by Rob Fields

She looked healthy. She cooked for the wealthy. But wherever Mary Mallon went, death followed.This is the chilling, true story of Typhoid Mary — the first identified “healthy carrier” in U.S. history — whose trail of invisible contagion swept through New York's high society, igniting fear, outrage, and a decades-long debate over public health versus personal freedom. From lavish Long Island mansions to the isolation of North Brother Island, discover how one woman became both villain and victim, and why her ghost still haunts medical ethics today.We're telling that story tonight

My dear, the dead may rest easy—but the living rarely do.Tonight, we unearth three chilling tales where suspicion creeps like a fog, justice arrives cloaked in night, and innocence proves no protection at all. Each story drips with dread, pulling you deeper into the shadows until the truth becomes just another grave waiting to be filled.⚰️ Under Grave SuspicionA small town funeral home. A body with secrets. A family that won't stop asking questions… until it's far too late.

Prepare to be disturbed…In this chilling reading of Edgar Allan Poe's The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, we dive into one of Poe's most gruesome and scientifically provocative stories. What happens when a man is mesmerized at the moment of death? And what unspeakable horror lies in keeping the dead in a trance?Originally published in 1845, this short story pushed boundaries with its grotesque imagery and shocking finale—and still manages to haunt readers nearly two centuries later.Whether you're a fan of classic horror, gothic literature, or just looking for something truly unsettling… this tale will leave you breathless.

Summer of '76. Two best friends. One secluded campsite. And an ax-wielding killer lurking in the woods…This week on Weekly Spooky, we bring you a brutal, blood-soaked tale of survival and terror in the wilds of Oregon. When Janine and Rose set out for a dreamy backpacking trip to the legendary Fortune Falls, they expected scenic views and self-discovery—not a descent into horror.But as night falls, headlights appear. A red truck. A man in a cowboy hat. An ax. And no one to hear them scream.Inspired by gritty 1970s slashers and true crime headlines, David O'Hanlon delivers a savage, emotional, and unforgettable survival story. Featuring raw violence, heartbreaking choices, and a promise of revenge that refuses to die, Fortune Falls will leave you breathless.

In 1970, 21-year-old Donna Doll vanished from the Northern Illinois University campus. Nine days later, her body was found in a cornfield—with no signs of trauma, no shoes, and nearly six pounds of boiled potatoes in her stomach. Was it a crime of passion, a bizarre ritual, or something even stranger? In this gripping episode, we investigate one of Illinois' most chilling and baffling unsolved murders.We're telling that story tonight

My dear, not all love stories end in tragedy—Some begin with it.In this collection of four chilling tales, we wander through the dim corridors of human darkness: where affection turns fatal, relics thirst for blood, and even the most precise minds unravel beneath the weight of murder.

Beware the full moon… it's not just folklore — it's feed lore.This Weekly Spooky compilation brings together five ferocious tales of werewolves, shape-shifters, and murderous little monsters that transform the ordinary into pure nightmare fuel. Whether it's a bloodthirsty beast stalking a rural town or a teenage girl struggling to keep her inner monster at bay, these stories will leave you howling for more.Featured Stories:Wolf Moon: A chilling classic werewolf tale where something in the woods is watching… and hungry.Eh, Real Monsters from NEPA: A punny title hides a dark story of small-town werewolf terror.The Wolf of Fagan County: Mutilated bodies. Whispers of something inhuman. A gripping rural mystery with a hairy twist.Bringing Out the Wolf in Me: A high school student faces a monstrous temper—and a very real transformation.Squirrels (Murder in Small Packages): Not all shapeshifters are wolves… sometimes they're demonic, homicidal squirrels. Yes, really.Whether you love classic werewolf horror or absurd creature-feature chaos, Full Moon Fears delivers. Press play… and don't forget to lock your doors.

The explosive finale to the Weekly Spooky summer horror saga!Bella Taibon — vampire, cheerleader, and descendant of the powerful Taibon bloodline — is offered a second chance to undo her greatest regret. But accepting the Hellweaver's compact means going back to 1889… and facing a deadly betrayal that shattered her family.Now, armed with the memories and powers of her future self, Bella must fight to stop an alien vampire hybrid, save her bloodline, and kill the most dangerous creature she's ever known: Thornton Jillian.But as Bella rewrites history to protect her loved ones, the goddess of Perdition reveals her true plan… and Bella learns that winning her soul back may have doomed the multiverse.A blood-soaked, time-jumping horror fantasy packed with betrayal, vengeance, and jaw-dropping reveals — you don't want to miss the final chapter.Written by Rob Fields

Before the explosive finale of Deadly Second Chances, we take a deep dive into the dark, action-packed saga of Bella Taibon—Strickfield's most fearsome vampire warrior.In this epic primer episode, we present four interconnected stories by Rob Fields that reveal Bella's journey from grieving orphan to immortal protector, cursed blood-drinker… and maybe the multiverse's last hope.

In the July edition of Monthly Spooky, Henrique and Michelle serve up a hot mix of the bizarre and the hilarious. From terrifying real-world mysteries to strange animal behavior, this episode is bursting with the eerie, the absurd, and the unexplainable:

Ah, my dear, you've returned.Good.Because tonight's stories aren't here to scare you quickly.They're here to settle in, like a fog… slow, strange, and suffocating.We've collected six tales for the truly brave—each a descent into the unknown, where time slips, shadows speak, and the walls are listening.

Welcome to Weekly Spooky, where horror comes home—this time with a tiara, a body count, and a dance you'll never forget.

Deadly Second Chances – Part 4: Loralee HardyShe was broken, abused… and became a monster.Now, Loralee Hardy — the infamous Prom Queen Killer — is offered a second chance by the goddess Hellweaver: a chance to save her family, protect her lover, and stop the bloodshed before it begins.But when love is tainted by betrayal and the past won't stay buried, Loralee must confront the darkest parts of herself — and the twisted reality of a love she thought was pure.Will she rewrite her legacy…or unleash a new reign of terror?Written by Rob Fields

With Deadly Second Chances Episode 4 dropping tomorrow, it's time to meet one of the most tragic—and terrifying—figures in the Strickfield universe: Loralee Hardy, the girl who was broken… and came back swinging.In this special presentation, we bring you the full Prom Queen Killer miniseries—a complete horror saga of trauma, identity, resurrection, and revenge.

You clearly remember “Berenstein Bears,” a movie called Shazaam, and Darth Vader saying, “Luke, I am your father.” But none of those are real—at least, not in this universe. In this mind-bending episode, we explore the Mandela Effect: the bizarre phenomenon of mass false memories. From psychological misfires to multiverse theories, we investigate whether these shared illusions are proof of human error… or evidence of something stranger.We're telling that story tonight

Welcome back, my dear.Tonight, I offer you a little test of confinement.A locked door. A desperate plan.And the unsettling truth that sometimes… you're exactly where someone wants you to be.These four stories explore what it means to be cornered—by fate, by fear, by your own past.

We're reopening the gateway…Last Summer's mini-series Portals by Rob Fields is back for a special encore presentation. This terrifying sci-fi horror novella unfolds across multiple dimensions, strange timelines, and pulse-pounding realities.A group of strangers awaken in a sealed facility—with no memory of how they got there. When the walls begin to shift and strange doors open, they quickly realize they're trapped in a place where time is fractured, and monsters roam freely. Some want to escape. Some want to explore. And some… aren't what they appear to be.With each door they open, reality twists. But one thing is certain: someone—or something—is watching.Whether you're revisiting the madness or entering the portal for the first time, you're in for an unforgettable ride.

From womanizer to walking organ donor… Calvin Mirren's downfall was legendary in Strickfield.Now, thanks to Hellweaver's Second Chance Compact, he's back in time — before the night three women drugged him and sold his kidneys on the black market.But changing your fate isn't easy when your enemies are also your lovers.In this sexy, blood-soaked chapter, Calvin tries to seduce, outsmart, and maybe even love the very women who once destroyed him. But when past sins return with knives in hand, will a reformed heart be enough to survive?Or is Calvin just another soul Hellweaver is ready to collect?Written by Rob Fields

Before Deadly Second Chances continues, revisit the origins of two of Strickfield's most dangerous figures: Calvin Mirren, the privileged predator brought low, and Hellweaver, the cosmic goddess of chaos. This special triple-feature brings together their most defining stories.

From eerie cradle-switching fairies to the tragic murder of Bridget Cleary, changeling legends have haunted folklore for centuries. In this episode, we explore the chilling mythology behind these tales—and the real-world horrors that occurred when belief blurred with brutality. Are changelings just fairy tales… or something far darker?We're telling that story tonight

Ah, my dear, tonight we stray from logic.From science. From certainty.These stories come from the edge—where the human mind tries to make sense of shadows… and fails.I've brought you four tales for those who've ever doubted what they saw—or feared that what they saw was real.

An all-new chapter in the Weekly Spooky horror event of the summer!Jensen Mirren was wealthy, wild, and dangerous — a gothic femme fatale from Strickfield's notorious Mirren family. But when obsession over a college love triangle pushed her into darkness, she paid the ultimate price… and died by venom.Now, Hellweaver has brought her back to life with one offer: change your fate, or lose your soul forever.Jensen plans to avoid Zach Jenner at all costs. No love, no rivalry, no deadly snakes. But fate has other plans. And in Strickfield… second chances can be just as deadly as the first.Featuring revenge, resurrection, vampires, snake cults, and one hell of a love triangle — you won't want to miss this wicked ride.Written by Rob Fields

Before Deadly Second Chances continues, we return to two twisted tales that introduce Jensen Mirren—not as a villain, but as someone whose obsession, jealousy, and desire for control bring about monstrous consequences.

In 1996, 22-year-old Carrie Culberson vanished from Blanchester, Ohio, after a violent encounter with her abusive ex-boyfriend. No body was ever found, yet a jury convicted him of her murder. In our 100th episode of Terrifying and True, we tackle this haunting case—submitted by our friend and listener Wolf Dan—and explore the investigation, trial, and the legacy of one of Ohio's most disturbing disappearances.We're telling that story tonight

Ah, my dear, the summer sun does strange things.It thins the veil. Warms the bones. Wakes the dead.And tonight, I've gathered four tales of summer's shadow—where heat meets horror, and long days lead to longer nights.

Fireworks and sunshine won't save you now…This summer, Weekly Spooky returns with its Summer Scares 2025 anthology—seven terrifying tales from fan-favorite authors that will leave you sweating, screaming, and second-guessing every sound after dark. From haunted swimming holes to demonic dive bars, each story is a uniquely horrifying way to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Deadly Second Chances – Part One: AIDS MaryAn all-new 5-part Weekly Spooky horror saga begins!AIDS Mary — one of Strickfield's most feared and tragic figures — is offered a terrifying opportunity: go back to the day her life was destroyed and try to stop the monster she became. But tampering with fate has consequences… and some paths are soaked in blood no matter how many times you walk them.Can Mary rewrite her destiny… or is her second chance just another path back to Perdition?Written by Rob Fields

Before she rises again in Deadly Second Chances, revisit the full horror of Strickfield's most feared legend—AIDS Mary. In this special double-feature catch-up episode, we present the original two stories that introduced her deadly path.

This month on Monthly Spooky, Henrique and Michelle unravel some of the most chilling real-life horrors, folklore, and bizarre news stories from around the world.

Hello again, my dear.Tonight, I ask you to do something very simple:Turn out the lights.Now listen closely… because in this episode, we descend into the places light forgets—where silence has a voice, and fear finds you by feel alone.These four tales are stitched together by the same creeping thread: darkness. The kind that hides your worst thoughts. Or worse… listens to them.