Lore
The award-winning podcast (also a TV show & book series) about dark historical tales. Each episode explores the mysterious creatures, tragic events, and unusual places that fill the pages of history. Because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction.
Episodes (453)
Deeper Lore: 288 (50, 111, & 151)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (288: Doom & Gloom) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 50: LorePodcast.com/episodes/50...
Lore 288: Doom & Gloom
Folklore might be all around us, but sometimes the most frightening kind of story points in a very particular direction. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott,...
Legends 61: Drowning Deep
One of the most iconic creatures from folklore has a terrifyingly evil nature hidden beneath its beautiful facade. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex Robinson and research by...
Deeper Lore: 287 (25, 140, & 156)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (287: It Takes a Village) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 25: LorePodcast.com/episodes/25...
Lore 287: It Takes a Village
If these dark tales from history prove anything, it is that powerful things often come in small packages. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott, research by Jaime...
Legends 60: Operatic
Some places only have a handful of dark stories to explore. Today’s subject, though, is the land of a ten-thousand tales. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex Robinson and...
Deeper Lore: 286 (86, 113, & 186)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (286: Lazarus) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 86: LorePodcast.com/episodes/86 Episode...
Episode 286: Lazarus
One of the most intriguing topics throughout history has infectious disease and the way we handle it. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott, research by Cassandra...
Legends 59: Apparition
Folklore is often a regional thing, shifting and reshaping itself to fit the landscape and the people who live there. And nowhere is that more frighteningly true than one particular stretch of the...
Deeper Lore: 285 (16, 27, & 31)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (285: Oh My) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 16: LorePodcast.com/episodes/16 Episode 27:...
Lore 285: Oh My
We often think that the most frightening creatures of all are the ones that only exist within the pages of folklore. But what happens when the dangers lurks a lot closer to home? Narrated and produced...
Legends 58: Take a Bow
We usually go looking for the most frightening legends in the shadows. Sometimes, though, they can be found where the lights are brightest. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex...
Deeper Lore: 284 (19, 30, & 72)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (284: Grounded) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 19: LorePodcast.com/episodes/19 Episode...
Lore 284: Grounded
The way various cultures approach death has added a dark texture to the world around us. And caught in the fabric of those metaphorical burial shrouds is the debris from some truly powerful stories. ...
Legends 57: Long Live the King
Some legends only appear to vanish over time. From wide popularity to utter obscurity, their journey teaches us something about the way we use story. And sometimes, it even manages to leave its mark...
Deeper Lore: 283 (20, 23, & 36)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (283: On the Nose) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 20: LorePodcast.com/episodes/20 Episode...
Lore 283: On the Nose
Folklore often preserves something from deep in the past in a way that can still be experienced in the present. But ghosts aren’t the only lingering reminder of days gone by that we might bump into....
Legends 56: Ringed In
History is full of exceptions that make it very dangerous to assume—some examples of which are absolutely horrifying. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex Robinson and research...
Deeper Lore: 282 (43, 49, & 159)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (282: Auld) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 43: LorePodcast.com/episodes/43 Episode 49:...
Lore 282: Auld
Few cities in the world contain as much darkness, pain, and evil as the capital of Scotland. Join us for a chilling tour—but be careful where you step. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Legends 55: Different Paths
Some regions of North America might have taken different routes through history to our own, but that doesn’t mean the legends they’ve collected are any less terrifying. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Deeper Lore: 281 (190, 198, & 246)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode The Silver Scream (190, 198, & 246) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 190:...
Lore 281: The Silver Scream
We look to the theater for entertainment, distraction, and inspiration. But like so many other areas of popular culture, that glitz and glamour hides a darker past. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Legends 54: Fairytale
Humans have spent a very long time collecting and sharing specific tales. But just because the most popular ones are bright and cheerful doesn’t mean the rest are without shadows. Narrated and...
Deeper Lore: 280 (81, 118, & 166)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (280: Flower Power) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 81: LorePodcast.com/episodes/81...
Lore 280: Flower Power
The soil of history is rich with all sorts of traditions and folklore, many of which have sprouted into deadly tools and powerful magic. At least, that’s what the stories tell us. Narrated and...
Legends 53: Lunacy
Legends are all around us. But few topics in the world of folklore do as good a job of illuminating our flawed human nature as the stories hanging over our heads. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Deeper Lore: 279 (130, 176, & 205)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (279: Singular) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 130: LorePodcast.com/episodes/130 Episode...
Lore 279: Singular
Even the brightest members of the fairytale world have dark and shadowy origins. In fact, one particular medieval beast developed a terrifying reputation that is still a part of our world today....
Legends 52: Sunshine
We might long for vacations in beautiful, sunlit settings as a break from the mundane, but just because a place is a paradise doesn’t mean it has no shadows. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke,...
Deeper Lore: 278 (8, 111, & 215)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (278: Bad For Business) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 8: LorePodcast.com/episodes/8...
Lore 278: Bad For Business
It’s easy to think of folklore and the supernatural as something that sits outside our little bubble of normal life. But in many cases throughout history, spooky things had a way of creeping into one...
Legends 51: Royal
All the power and privilege in the world can’t guarantee safety. And if these legends are any indication, the list of risks includes the supernatural. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Deeper Lore: 277 (120, 208, & Legends 36)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (Episode 277: In the Rough) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 120:...
Lore 277: In the Rough
Some corners of folklore sparkle more than others. But just because the subject matter is pretty doesn’t mean it’s safe. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott,...
Legends 50: Settling Up
No community is a stranger to pain. To test this assertion, we’re heading into one of the far corners of America to see what sort of tragedy might be lurking in the record books. Narrated and produced...
Deeper Lore: 276 (43, 113, & 122)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (276: Heads Up) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 43: LorePodcast.com/episodes/43 Episode...
Lore 276: Heads Up
A good amount of history is nothing more than normal, everyday people doing their best to keep their heads in troubling situations. According to folklore, though, there have also been a few memorable,...
A Happy Update
A special announcement for a special day. Thank you to everyone who has constantly, generously, and joyfully supported this show over the years. Here’s to many more! ———————————— ©2025 Aaron Mahnke....
Legends 49: Scars
Injuries often leave marks that stick with us for years. In locations designed for violence, though, scars often reach a new level of pain and darkness. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Deeper Lore: 275 (57, 155, & 81)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (275: Taking Control) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 57: LorePodcast.com/episodes/57...
Lore 275: Taking Control
Thankfully, every rule has an exception, as this tragic story from 16th century France makes painfully clear. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott, research by...
Legends 48: Oh Deer
Roaming around a small wooded corner of folklore are four-legged creatures that might not be what they seem. These legends hold a lot of danger…and maybe something darker. Narrated and produced by...
Deeper Lore: 274 (117, 141, & 165)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (274: Distant Relations) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 117: LorePodcast.com/episodes/117...
Lore 274: Distant Relations
Despite the oceans and centuries that separate various cultures, it is often the folklore that acts like a glue, uniting humanity in a shared world of terrifying legends. Narrated and produced by...
Legends 47: Darkness Rising
The cool waters of the ponds and lakes that dot our landscape are often seen as safe retreats for recreation and rest. But if these legends have anything to teach us, it’s that there is always a bit...
Deeper Lore: 273 (118, 152, & 221)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (273: A Royal Pain) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 118: LorePodcast.com/episodes/118...
Lore 273: A Royal Pain
During their earthly lives, rulers often demanded the power of the divine. In death, though, many seem to have stuck around, unable to relinquish the power they loved so much. Narrated and produced by...
Legends 46: Landslide
History is often a discipline focused on looking backward. But scattered within those dusty pages are stories of those who seemed to be able to look ahead…with terrifying results. Narrated and...
Deeper Lore: 272 (154, 157, & 192)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (272: Tick Talk) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 154: LorePodcast.com/episodes/154 Episode...
Lore 272: Tick Talk
We live our lives by the clock and never think twice about it. But history is filled with stories that should make us very, very afraid of time. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by...
Legends 45: The Only Thing to Fear
The legends that fill our world often give us good reasons to be afraid. But there’s one thing most of us fear above all else, and when it succeeds in defeating us, the results can be terrifying....
Deeper Lore: 271 (37, 84, & 215)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (271: Chill Seekers) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 37: LorePodcast.com/episodes/37...
Lore 271: Chill Seekers
This epic crossover between two cultural powerhouses is enough to leave us haunted by a tragic era—and it will give you some chills along the way. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing...
Legends 44: For Whom the Bell Tolls
Folklore has a way of ringing down through the centuries, calling out to be heard. And for this particular set of legends, that couldn’t be more literal—or terrifying. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Deeper Lore 270 (51, 68, & 117)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (270: On Display) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/51 Episode...
Lore 270: On Display
Sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Right beneath the surface, dark stories are hidden from view. All we need to do to uncover the shadows, though, is to pay them a visit. Narrated and produced by...
Legends 43: Yule Regret It
The most wonderful time of the year has a few secrets. According to legend, there are a few holiday characters that often get ignored—and that could be dangerous. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Deeper Lore: 269 (115, 135, & 161)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (269: There Goes My Hero) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 115:...
Lore 269: There Goes My Hero
War has given us a lot of artifacts throughout history, but the most frightening relics are the stories it leaves behind. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Jamie Vargas and music...
Legends 42: Written in Stone
Stone is a powerful tool for recording history. But if the stories are true, the tales it tells can also hide dark and menacing secrets. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex...
Deeper Lore: 268 (192, 38, & 54)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (244: Stolen) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 192: LorePodcast.com/episodes/192 Episode...
Lore 268: Lost Empire
One of the most ancient folk stories in history has been the subject of debate for thousands of years. And the real world events and ideas that it spawned are truly bizarre. Narrated and produced by...
Legends 41: Monastic Memories
Some locations in the world have a reputation for being peaceful sanctuaries. Which makes the legends told about them all the more terrifying. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by...
Deeper Lore: 267 (13, 83, & 127)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (267: Curveball) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/13 Episode...
Lore 267: Curveball
Folklore is often grown in the fertile soil of doubt and a lack of control. And within one specific national pastime, those elements have allowed some wild and unusual stories to take root and grow....
Legends 40: Skin & Bones
The world around us shapes the stories we tell, even in the harshest conditions. So it’s no wonder these legends from Greenland have the power to give us chills. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke,...
Deeper Lore: 266 (84, 116, & 172)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (266: What’s in the Box) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/84...
Lore 266: What's in the Box
The end of the world has always been a big fear. And fear, as we all know, is a powerful fuel for driving folklore into the future. Let’s meet one individual who did just that, while also leaving us...
Legends 39: Have Love Will Travel
History has left us with countless stories of ghosts that stay in one place. But every now and then, our spectral neighbors uproot themselves and do a bit of traveling, leaving us with stories that...
Deeper Lore: 265 (82, 131, & Legends 11)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (265: Friend or Faux) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 82: LorePodcast.com/episodes/82...
Lore 265: Friend or Faux
Many animals in the world of folklore are inventions designed to fulfill one purpose or another. But if the stories are true, some of those inventions haven’t been satisfied with remaining in our...
Legends 38: Fife & Drum
We’ve all heard that war often leaves a few ghost stories in its wake. As proof, we offer a key territory in America’s most formative conflict…and all the terrifying stories that still linger there as...
Deeper Lore: 264 (149, 209, & 89)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (264: Engine Trouble) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 149: LorePodcast.com/episodes/149...
Episode 264: Engine Trouble
Humans have always had a need for speed. But whether we got our fix in the ancient world, or on modern roads, the results have often turned out to be more than a little terrifying. Narrated and...
Legends 37: An Apple a Day
Folklore grows. It has roots that run deep and branches that stretch out far and wide. The stories we pluck from it are fruit, in more ways than one—and that’s not necessarily a safe thing. Narrated...
Deeper Lore: 263 (61, 78, & 215)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (263: Elementary) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 61: LorePodcast.com/episodes/61 Episode...
Lore 263: Elementary
When we talk about the intersection of history and folklore, few individuals in history sat themselves so firmly on that target like well-known one man. The lesser known elements of his life, though,...
Legends 36: Strike it Rich
Legends 36: Strike It Rich Few human characteristics generate more legends than our greed and corruption. So it should be no surprise that entire towns built on those principles are often filled with...
Deeper Lore: 262 (51, 68, & 117)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (262: Broken Lines) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 51: LorePodcast.com/episodes/51...
Lore 262: Broken Lines
Some of the darker stories in history take generations to develop, coming down to us over the years one broken piece at a time. And the best way to enjoy their power is by putting them back together...
Legends 35: A Clean Death
Some of the most terrifying legends in history come from one place: beneath the shadow of an executioner. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex Robinson and research by Sam...
Deeper Lore: 261 (17, 82, & 29)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (261: Attraction) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 17: LorePodcast.com/episodes/17 Episode...
Lore 261: Attraction
PRE-ORDER THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES BOOK TODAY! ————————— Folklore is often confined to circles around the campfire or whispered stories at slumber parties. But for a time in America, people turned...
Legends 34: All American
The legends that are unique to America might be newer than some, but they still pack a powerful punch. But however familiar they might be, there’s always a darker side that needs to be explored....
Deeper Lore: 260 (37, 61, & 215)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (260: Ghostwriter) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 37: LorePodcast.com/episodes/37 Episode...
Lore 260: Ghostwriter
Our deep desire to connect to the world of the dead has taken humanity down some fantastic roads, but few compare to the stories that came out of the early 1900s in America. Narrated and produced by...
Legends 33: More Pirate Legends
Because the seas have been deep and dangerous for such a long time, it’s no surprise that they hold far more pirate legends than one episode can contain. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Deeper Lore: 259 (20, 79, & 153)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (259: Where the Heart Is) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 20: LorePodcast.com/episodes/20...
Lore 259: Where the Heart Is
Often the places that are closest to our hearts are the most vulnerable to being haunted. Which is why, even in folklore, there’s no place like home. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Legends 32: Dark New England
The older the place, the deeper the legends seem to run. And in New England, that means there’s a treasure trove of dark tales just waiting to be explored. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Deeper Lore: 258 (55, 64, & 40)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (258: Wall to Wall) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/55...
Lore 258: Wall to Wall
Beneath the waters of one city’s harbor waits countless tales of ghosts and demons from its past. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Alexandra Steed and music by Chad Lawson....
Legends 31: Slither
Some legends are harder to find, often requiring us to dig a little deeper. Thankfully, the stories we’re looking for are right under our feet. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by...
Deeper Lore: 257 (5, 11, & 197)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (257: Blasted) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 5: LorePodcast.com/episodes/5 Episode 11:...
Lore 257: Blasted
Some of the most fascinating—and terrifying—folklore out there is related to healing. But be careful: these aren’t your grandmother’s fairy tales. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing...
Legends 30: Death Omens
Few things are as terrifying as the mystery of our own deaths. Thankfully, folklore has stepped in with legends that hint at early answers, giving hope and chills in equal measure. Narrated and...
Deeper Lore: 256 (13, 127, & 221)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (256: Cursed) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/13 Episode...
Lore 256: Cursed
We often look to artwork as a source of inspiration, hope, and entertainment. But some examples throughout history have developed a reputation for something darker and more sinister. Narrated and...
Legends 29: Ghost Towns
One of our biggest obsessions as a culture is abandoned places. But once you dig into the legends about these locations, it’s clear that something still lives inside them. Narrated and produced by...
Deeper Lore: 255 (195, 198, & 199)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (255: Off the Rails) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/195...
Lore 255: Off the Rails
Every narrative trope has an origin story. This murder mystery staple, however, might just be the most suspenseful of them all. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose...
Legends 28: Lizard People
Snakes and lizards have frightened people around the world for thousands of years. But the truly terrifying stories of scaley beings exist in the legends we whisper around campfires. Narrated and...
Deeper Lore: 254 (62, 139, & 144)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (254: Remnants) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 62: LorePodcast.com/episodes/62 Episode...
Lore 254: Remnants
While every place has a dark history that seeps into the present, this particular spot is home to an eclectic and strange mix of hauntings and spooks. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Legends 27: Scapegoats
Some of the most haunting legends are rooted in moments when people did horrible things out of fear—all in the search for someone to blame. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Harry...
Deeper Lore: 253 (57, 191, & 185)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (253: Compelled) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 57: LorePodcast.com/episodes/57 Episode...
Lore 253: Compelled
One of humanity’s deepest fears has always been focused on the evil forces that scheme to destroy us, and how far they will go to get that job done. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research...
Legends 26: Living Fossils
Some of the most frightening—and fascinating—stories in folklore are all about living remnants from the distant past. Let’s go hunting, shall we? Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by...
Deeper Lore: 252 (125, 221, & Legends 14)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (252: Unto Death) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 125: LorePodcast.com/episodes/125...
Lore 252: Until Death
History is full of countless stories of people loving each other across all sorts of obstacles and divides. But it’s the greatest boundary of all that has generated the most fascinating—and...
Legends 25: Cursed Literature
Cursed literature and haunted tomes fill a category of folklore that never gets enough love. This tour through the some of history’s most deadly books is sure to help you find a few new favorites....
Deeper Lore: 251 (196, 127, & 221)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (251: Casting Shade) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 196: LorePodcast.com/episodes/196...
Lore 251: Casting Shade
Magic shows and illusions are often viewed as the stuff of childhood parties and tv specials. But as this journey into ancient history shows us, the history of magic is a lot more frightening than we...
Legends 24: Buried Alive
Few possibilities fill us with as much dread as premature burial. Unfortunately, the examples we can find in the pages of history—whether caused by illness or a botched execution—only seem to justify...
Deeper Lore: 250 (20, 103, & 206)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (244: Stolen) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 20: LorePodcast.com/episodes/20 Episode 102:...
Lore 250: A World Away
No matter how far we go or what we try to leave behind, there’s always something following us, haunting the places we call home. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Sam Alberty and...
Legends 23: The Devil’s Chair
Graveyards are the resting place for a lot of spooky folklore. But one strange element from the Victorian era has stuck around long enough to acquire some frightening stories of its own. Narrated and...
Deeper Lore: 249 (32, 220, & 47)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (249: Return Trip) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/32...
Lore 249: Return Trip
History’s ability to repeat itself can sometimes be delightful, and occasionally frightening. But few examples are as terrifying as these aviation-based tales. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke,...
Legends 22: Trickster Devils
Some of the most popular legends all feature the same central character. And in doing so, they tend to add both delight and fear in equal measures. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing...
Deeper Lore: 248 (81, 186, & 134)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (248: Blowout) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/81 Episode...
Lore 248: Blowout
Throughout history, some of the most joyful parts of life have had a dark, terrifying core. Some invitations apparently deliver more drama than they promise. Produced by Aaron Mahnke, researched and...
Legends 21: The Men in Black
Some legends evolve over time, sometimes taking centuries to fully mature. But one urban myth, at least, seems to have arrived nearly complete. And it’s been terrifying from the beginning. Narrated...
Deeper Lore: 247 (159, 120, & 2)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (247: Subterranean) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 198: LorePodcast.com/episodes/159...
Lore 247: Subterranean
So much for folklore is hiding just beauty the surface of seemingly normal places. The process of digging, though, isn’t without risk. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Cassandra...
Legends 20: Food & Folklore
Food and folklore. They go together like peanut butter and chocolate, or arsenic and lace. Throughout history, cultures around the world have paired the favorite meals with specific rituals, cooking...
Deeper Lore: 246 (198, 124, & 190)
Deeper Lore: 246 (198, 124, & 190) Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (246: The Greatest Show) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: ...
Lore 246: The Greatest Show
Few examples of folklore are as well-traveled as this one, complete with painful tragedy and dark echos of the past. Grab your ticket and step inside. Narrated/produced by Aaron Mahnke and written by...
Legends 19: The Casket Girls
The connection between one of Europes oldest monster legends and the streets of New Orleans is very strange, but has provided a powerful springboard for some very dark stories. Narrated and produced...
Deeper Lore: 245 (59, 108, & 90)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (244: Stolen) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 59: LorePodcast.com/episodes/59 Episode 108:...
Lore 245: Evasive
Variety is the spice of life. And yet folklore makes it very clear just how dangerous it is to mix things up. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Cassandra de Alba, and music by...
Legends 18: Magical Objects
The folklore and legends tied to physical objects can be fascinating, frightening, or both. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Harry Marks and Aaron Mahnke, and research by...
Deeper Lore: 244 (113, 122, & 128)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (244: Stolen) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 113: LorePodcast.com/episodes/113 Episode...
Lore 244: Stolen
Human remains are a touchy subject. But over the centuries, one specific type of folklore has turned them into something greater in death than they were in life. Produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Legends 17: Haunted Bridges
Bridges help us span uncrossable gaps in our world. But according to legend, a few go further, helping connect the living to the dead. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Harry...
Deeper Lore: 243 (25, 140, & 156)
Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (243: Surprise) with these three recommendations from deeper down in the Lore catalog: Episode 25: LorePodcast.com/episodes/25 Episode...
Lore 243: Surprise
The court of public opinion has always been a place where lives can be boosted or ruined. But centuries ago, it could also lead to darker results—even death. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Legends 16: Unusual Graves
Burial seems like a certainty for most people. But according to the legends that are whispered in graveyards around America, not all burials are created equal. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke,...
Lore 242: From the Ashes
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, one American city has climbed out of a dark and painful past. But the shadows of those early tragedies have proven to be impossible to leave behind Produced by...
Legends 15: Bonaventure Cemetery
Legends 15: Bonaventure Cemetery Like all cemeteries, Savannah’s Bonaventure is the resting place to many people. But as time has proven, it’s also home to some dark legends. Narrated and produced by...
Lore 241: Evergreen
There are few locations in our world as loaded with mystery and dripping with folklore as the woods. Let’s step onto the path and see what frightening places it might take us. Produced by Aaron...
Legends 14: Scared Straight
Legends 14: Scared Straight Love has always been a sort of the type of pain and heartbreak that leaves a mark after death, even when those romances don’t quite fit the expectations of the world around...
Lore 240: Brick by Brick
Lore 240: Brick by Brick People have a lot of fears. From spiders to the open sea, lots of things put us on edge. But few things are as downright terrifying as this particular circumstance…and it has...
Legends 13: Hometown Legends
Legends 13: Hometown Legends A collection of the most beloved and haunting tales from the hometowns of our amazing research and writing team. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by...
Lore 239: Head to Head
Lore 239: Head to Head Some rivalries play out on the big screen in a way everyone can cheer along with. But some have had a very different, and much more frightening, tone. Written and produced by...
Legends 12: Clinton Road
Some of the darkest local legends grow alongside the roads we take for granted. An no stretch of pavement in New Jersey has more to be afraid of than Clinton Road. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Lore 238: Rumors
Rumors might not always represent the truth, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the power to change the world around us. Or—in some cases—give birth to frightening stories. Written and produced by...
Legends 11: Dark Watchers
The feeling of being watched is a common strand that runs through many legends around the world. Pulling on that thread, however, might take us to very dark places. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Lore 237: Lofty Tales
Two centuries ago, one family played host to an unwanted visitor. And while the community wanted to learn more and see it for themselves, the challenges to that quest are also what made it so...
Legends 10: Haunted Melodies
Judging by music’s ability to connect with us on multiple levels, it’s no wonder that history is filled with legends about how that connection could go very wrong. Let’s explore some of those dark...
Lore 236: Spirited
Humans have done some horrible things over the course of history, usually because of internal issues. But one outside substance developed a frightening reputation thanks to folklore. Produced by Aaron...
Legends 9: Monsters of the Woods
The woods can be a place of peace and tranquility. But if the legends from around the world have anything to teach us, it’s that there are always exceptions to the rule. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Lore 235: Privilege
Lore 235: Privilege The way folklore breaks through in our day to day lives is often dictated by the worldview that society applies to certain people. The way that has played out in practical terms,...
Legends 8: Pirate Legends
Few occupations created more legendary tales than piracy. From adventure to treasure, everything seems dripping in blood and lore. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Harry Marks...
Lore 234: Sunk
It’s never fun to misplace something. Lost objects have been a frustration and fascination for most of humanity. But one place in particular is better than all the others at making things disappear....
Legends 7: Demon Lovers
Folklore at the intersection of romance and danger is nearly universal, no matter where you go in this world. And more than that, they can be downright terrifying as well. Narrated and produced by...
Lore 233: Down to Earth
A lot of our darkest stories come from within. But one event in 1952 sparked a panic that came from without. And the legacy it’s left behind is both fascinating and chilling. Written and produced by...
Introducing "That's Just Weird with Aaron Mahnke"
Introducing "That's Just Weird with Aaron Mahnke" Get ready for a weekly tour of our weird and wonderful world! Each Friday, That's Just Weird with Aaron Mahnke explores unusual news stories from...
Legends 6: Summer Camp Scares
Summer is here, and for many people, that also means it’s camping time. But few pairings are as perfect as campfires and spooky tales, so be ready for some scares. Narrated and produced by Aaron...
Lore 232: Empowered
Few corners of American folklore have as much depth and texture as one that was born out of tradition, longing, and powerlessness. And thanks to one trailblazing writer, we can take a guided tour of...
Legends 5: Long Island Ghosts
Our search for legends today takes us deep into the woods outside of Huntington, Long Island, to a place known forbiddingly as Mount Misery. Just be sure to bring a flashlight. Narrated and produced...
Lore 231: Out of Breath
Get access to premium, ad-free episodes, plus weekly bonus content, on Apple Podcasts and Patreon. Learn more here. ———————— Much of the history of folklore we have today involves a community driven...
Legends 4: Witchy Women
The history of witchcraft, from the folklore to the legal trials, is dark enough. But for centuries, people have been whispering legends that are so chilling that they’ve never been forgotten....
Lore 230: Gilded
Lore 230: Gilded Despite being known for being a “mile high”, the folklore and history of one American city is filled with more than enough darkness hidden away down below. Written and produced by...
Legends 3: Ghost Ships
Legends 3: Ghost Ships Let’s take to the high seas, and explore some of the many legends of ghostly vessels. But beware; here there be angry spirits. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Lore 229: Dark Shapes
Lore 229: Dark Shapes Some folklore can only be explored if we’re willing to get a little wet. Let’s dive into the frightening folklore of lake monsters. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with...
Legends 2: Mexico's Undead Lovers
Legends 2: Undead Lovers Few genres of story are as compelling as romance. But just because death puts an end to life, it doesn’t necessarily mean it has also severed the ties of love. Narrated and...
Lore 228: Safe House
Lore 228: Safe House Some corners of folklore offer us a place to hide. But when those traditions become a pawn in political and religious games, the stories they breed often leave us with chills....
Legends 1: North Carolina Monsters
Legends 1: North Carolina Monsters The world is a big, scary place, and that’s mostly because of the people around us. But if the legends are true, there are darker reasons to be afraid, and they are...
Introducing Lore Legends
Learn about a big upcoming change to Lore, and why it means double the thrills and chills for you! ——————————— Learn more about ad-free episodes over at LorePodcast.com/support
Lore 227: Bloodlines
Lore 227: Bloodlines Some of the most popular stories in our culture are far older, and more dark, than we could ever imagine. And what makes them even more frightening is that some of them might be...
REMASTERED – Episode 50: Mary, Mary
REMASTERED – Episode 50: Mary, Mary In this remastered classic episode, we revisit the story of two young women bound by something beyond our world, and the frighteningly familiar tales they tell....
Lore 226: Grounded
Lore 226: Grounded Folklore is typically invisible, buried in the stories we tell and the words we use. But every now and then it takes on a physical shape…with terrifying results. Written and...
REMASTERED – Episode 49: Seeing Double
REMASTERED – Episode 49: Seeing Double So many stories are built on the idea of double identity. In this remastered classic episode, we revisit the true life story of one of history’s most infamous...
Lore 225: Dark Animation
Lore 225: Dark Animation One of the most crowded landscapes in folklore comes from one of the most harsh and barren locations in the world. But the dead might just have too many stories to tell....
REMASTERED – Episode 48: Downriver
REMASTERED – Episode 48: Downriver It’s time to revisit the notion of a cursed community. This remastered classic episode features brand new narration and a score by Chad Lawson, as well as a whole...
Lore 224: Seriously Ill
Lore 224: Seriously Ill One frightening corner of folklore can be found in the history of one of our closest four-legged companions. Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Cassandra de...
REMASTERED – Episode 47: Missing the Point
In this remastered fan favorite, we return to the folklore of bird-man legends, and the events in Point Pleasant that have left us with one of the biggest cryptids of all time: Mothman. Come for the...
Episode 223: Worlds Collide
There are a lot of well-worn tales in the world of folklore. But there are some truly astonishing—and frightening—stories waiting for us just off the path, hidden away in the shadows. Written and...
REMASTERED – Episode 46: Dark Conclusions
Behind every vampire is a hunter looking to stop them, and this remastered classic episode takes us deep inside that mythology. Fresh narration and music, plus a brand new bonus story at the end!...
Episode 222: Outsider
Some fads are more than a harmless form of entertainment. In fact, the pages of history contains one that stalked the Midwest in the 1970s…with frightful consequences. Written and produced by Aaron...
REMASTERED – Episode 45: First Impressions
In this remastered classic episode, we revisit the story of Mary Toft and her unusual pregnancy. This episode features brand new narration and scoring, plus an exclusive new bonus story at the end....
Episode 221: Remote Control
One of our most common desires, no matter our culture, religion, or station in life, is something that countless practitioners of folk magic have spent their lives pursuing—sometimes with dark...
REMASTERED – Episode 44: From Within
This remastered classic episode—complete with fresh narration and scoring—takes us back through the history of mysterious fires that seem to come from within. And be sure to stick around for the brand...
Episode 220: Uplifting
Most of the frightening folklore we talk about takes place on the ground. But a little over a century ago, one ancient belief found new life in the skies above us—and the results were terrifying....
REMASTERED – Episode 43: Supply & Demand
Graves and corpses feature prominently in all sorts of folklore, which is why we love this remastered classic episode of Lore so much. Let’s reunite with Burke and Hare, and hollow their exploits to...
Episode 219: Unanswered
One of the most attractive roads to travel for many people are the ones that lead deep into the world of the occult. But sometimes they can also be incredibly dangerous. Written and produced by Aaron...
REMASTERED – Episode 42: In the Bag
Some places on the map are legendary, and Eastern State Penitentiary fits the bill. In this remastered classic episode of Lore, we return to those musty halls and explore the ghosts that still haunt...
Episode 218: Notorious
Some of the darkest folklore in America is hidden right inside many of the place names that are dotted across the landscape—and one special location that defies the norm. Written and produced by Aaron...
REMASTERED – Episode 41: Hole in the Wall
In this remastered classic, we return to Scotland’s deadly past, where one person’s accusations of witchcraft could bring an entire community to its knees. And don’t miss the brand new bonus story at...
Episode 217: Deadly Currents
While humans have depended on them for fresh water and transportation over the millennia, the rivers in our community have also become home to terrifying folklore. Written and produced by Aaron...
REMASTERED – Episode 40: Everything Floats
In this Remastered classic episode, let’s return to the city that seems to have it all: celebration, food, the arts…and a whole lot of darkness. Welcome back to New Orleans. Researched, written, and...
Episode 216: Tales of Wonder
Some of the most unusual stories in history have a connection to something many of us have living right inside our homes. But just because they’re familiar doesn’t mean they aren’t chilling. ————————...
REMASTERED – Episode 39: Take the Stand
In this remastered episode, we return to the courtroom for a look at a most unusual case. This classic episode has been completely re-recorded and re-produced, along with a brand new bonus story at...
Episode 215: Mind Over Matter
Some of the most bizarre celebrities of the past all fall under one umbrella, and you won’t need an Ouija board to guess how their careers ended. ———————— Lore Resources: Episode Music:...
REMASTERED – Episode 38: The Mountain
Bundle up, because we’re returning to the frigid mountain crime scene that has baffled historians for decades: Dyatlov Pass. This remastered classic episode features brand new narration and...
Episode 214: Spoiled
Often times the more revered and sacred a space is, the more haunted by a trouble past it’s likely to be. And as we see from this tour of the American landscape, those stories are more than a little...
Episode 213: Dark Tails
One source of common—and dramatic—folklore is living right inside many of our homes. It’s a feature of civilization that dates back thousands of years, and the superstitions it has attracted make for...
Episode 212: Unforeseen
Some of the darkest moments in history happened in the sweet spot between folklore and science. And if one particular event from Philadelphia has anything to teach us, it’s that moments like that are...
Episode 211: Charmed
There are a lot of strange corners in the world of folklore, but one of the most unusual also tends to fit into our pockets. And the stories surrounding them are beyond chilling. ———————— Lore...
Episode 210: Breaking Down
Everything falls apart. But that’s a horrifying truth when applied to one specific location in Ohio. Because failure can often lead to tragedy. ———————— Lore Resources: Episode Music:...
Episode 209: Thick & Thin
Tucked away in one of the most well-known types of figures in folklore is an idea we can all relate to. But at the same time, its implication has played out in some rather horrifying ways. ————————...
Episode 208: Bygone
Humans have never let go of folklore designed to help us find things, even if it seems like it’s from another time, long ago. But in stories about our search for things, it’s possibly to find...
REMASTERED – Episode 37: Passing Notes
This classic haunted house story with a dash of spiritualism was so popular, it became an episode of our television show on Amazon. Today it’s been freshly narrated and produced, and a brand new bonus...
Episode 207: Flesh & Blood
Our family and where we come from are often core elements of our identity. But as folklore and tragic real life events have made clear over the years, not everything is as simple as it would appear....
REMASTERED – Episode 36: When the Bow Breaks
It’s time to board the Queen Mary for one last journey through its troubled past. This remastered episode features fresh narration and production, as well as a brand new bonus story at the end. Bon...
Episode 206: Fault Lines
If a community is only as strong as its foundations, then this American city is standing on shaky ground. And the stories that have fallen out of it are as dark as they come. ———————— Lore Resources: ...
REMASTERED – Episode 35: The King
We head back to Clipperton Island for this remastered classic episode, complete with a brand new bonus story at the end, as well as all-new narration and production. Enjoy! ———————— Lore Resources: ...
Episode 205: Bit by Bit
One of the most common animals throughout all of history is also the focal point for a world of bizarre and frightening folklore. Today’s journey will cover a lot of ground…and it might get bumpy....
REMASTERED – Episode 34: All the Lovely Ladies
We return to Transylvania, and the reign of the Bloody Countess herself, Elizabeth Bathory. This remastered classic episode features fresh narration and production, along with a brand new bonus story...
Episode 204: Alluring
One of the most common types of folklore pops up all over the globe, and has left a trail of questions and theories that stretches back centuries. Let’s shine a light on this terrifying mystery today....
REMASTERED – Episode 33: A Dead End
Today’s REMASTERED edition of a classic Lore episode takes us back to the streets of Richmond, Virginia, where folklore seems to be underneath you everywhere you go. Along with the fresh narration and...
Episode 203: Blurry Pictures
One of the old and most popular types of folklore throughout history is something that most of us take for granted today. But just how thrilling the stories about it could be…well, few people ever saw...
REMASTERED – Episode 32: Tampered
In this REMASTERED classic episode, we revisit the folklore of tiny, meddlesome creatures. And not only is the narration and soundtrack new, but there’s a whole new bonus story at the end, so don’t...
Episode 202: Surface Tension
Beneath one of America’s largest man-made objects is a dark, painful past. And if the stories are true, it has never truly let go of the world around it. ———————— Lore Resources: Episode Music:...
REMASTERED – Episode 31: Lost & Found
In this newly remastered classic Lore episode, we revisit stories of bodies lost and bodies found. With fresh narration and production, and a brand new bonus story at the end of the episode, this...
Episode 201: Inescapable
You can’t beat an old classic. And in the world of folklore, there are few types of stories more classic that the good old fashioned ghost story. So today, we take a tour through some of the most...
REMASTERED – Episode 30: Deep & Twisted Roots
Nothing is as alluring as vampire folklore. And in this remastered classic, we return to the villages of Eastern Europe to explore just how deep those roots go. Come for the refreshed narration and...
Episode 200: Up Close
If the best way to experience something is first-hand, then this 200th episode of Lore is going to have to get a little personal. Lore Resources: Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music Episode...
REMASTERED – Episode 29: The Big Chill
In this Remastered edition of a fan favorite, we return to the frozen coast of Maine, and the haunting stories that flood its shores. With a new score from Chad Lawson, fresh narration and production,...
Episode 199: Cutting Ties
One of the most brutal and notorious unsolved murders in American history is also the seed that grew into its own fair share of folklore. How that affected the lives of those who survived is half the...
REMASTERED – Episode 28: Making a Mark
Let’s return to the location of another classic Lore episode, for one more tour through the sandy beaches and ancient stories of the Outer Banks. Featuring fresh narration, music by Chad Lawson, and a...
Episode 198: Curtain Call
Our love of all things thrilling and dramatic has led to some amazing achievements. But in the very center of that cultural legacy is a story that’s both dark and chilling. And it comes with an encore...
REMASTERED – Episode 27: On the Farm
REMASTERED – Episode 27: On the Farm It’s time to return for a walk through the snow and explore the barn of a small farmhouse in the woods of Germany, known today as Hinterkaifeck. Brand new...
Episode 197: Taken
One of the most common players on the stage of folklore is a creature that’s been obsessed over for centuries. And it’s fair to say that, however frightening the stories might be, Europe has been...
REMASTERED – Episode 26: Brought Back
It’s time to revisit the walking dead of folklore, and explore the unique traditions and legends from the island of Haiti. Freshly narrated, newly re-produced, and re-scored with Chad Lawson’s...
Episode 196: Bad Seed
Some of the oldest—and most bizarre—folklore in the world is about something we use to fill awkward conversations these days. But if more people knew how truly disturbing those stories are, they’d...
REMASTERED – Episode 25: The Cave
This return visit to the eerie island of Chiloé and its history of dark magic features fresh narration and production, plus a brand new story at the end. ———————— Lore Resources: Episode Music:...
Episode 195: Straight to the Heart
When a series of gruesome murders leaves one community feeling threatened and afraid, it was only through the reenactment of folklore that they eventually found relief. ———————— Lore Resources: ...
REMASTERED – Episode 24: A Stranger Among Us
Christmas taught most of us that it was acceptable for an odd stranger to invade our home and demonstrate unusual knowledge of our family. But there are far more terrifying strangers than old St....
Episode 194: Lawless
For centuries, various cultures have leaned on their justice system to provide safety from those who threaten their daily lives. But when a community lacks those resources and finds themselves facing...
REMASTERED – Episode 23: Rope and Railing
The structures that serve as lighthouses on the edge of darkness and danger deserve a revisit, and this Remastered classic episode should bring some fresh chills. New narration, music by Chad Lawson,...
Episode 193: Eye to Eye
The monsters from folklore that make the biggest impact on us are also the ones that are the most similar to us. It’s almost as if the most dangerous creatures of all are the ones that have a healthy...
REMASTERED – Episode 22: Over the Top
It’s time to return to the dark streets of Victorian London, and to the mysterious figure who put the city on edge…all while jumping over tall buildings in a single bound. The classic Lore episode has...
Episode 192: Time Will Tell
Some corners of folklore are a product of time, as centuries and cultures have all made their mark on them. But one type of story in particular has become a favorite of anyone who loves a good legend....
REMASTERED – Episode 21: Adrift
This remastered edition of a classic Lore episode takes us back to the chilly waters of the North Pacific, where tragic wrecks have left haunting reminders and frightening tales. Fresh narration from...
Episode 191: Throwing Voices
One of the oldest and most common beliefs in the world is also the source of intense fear and debate. But there are historical events on record that make it difficult to trust everything we hear…no...
REMASTERED – Episode 20: Homestead
Home is where the most powerful experiences of our lives take place. But when those experiences are tragic, the memories can sometimes stay behind. In this Remastered edition of a classic episode,...
Episode 190: All That Glitters
It’s a place where dreams are born, and were stars take flight. But beneath that thin, beautiful surface is a darker past, and the stories it holds are far from happy. ———————— Lore Resources: ...
REMASTERED – Episode 19: Bite Marks
Encounters with angry spirits will forever be some of the most terrifying experiences on record. If that’s the thrill you’re looking for, revisiting this classic episode will hit the mark. And as part...
Episode 189: Fragments
Many of the mysterious creatures in folklore have been passed down through the centuries, allowing rumor and hearsay to deliver fragments of truth waiting to be reassembled. But in some cases, the...
REMASTERED – Episode 18: Hunger Pains
The chilling legends of the wending never get old, so it seems right that we revisit this classic episode. Enjoy the fresh narration and modern production, along with the brand new story tucked away...
Episode 188: Hide and Seek
Some of the darkest stories and traditions are hiding inside one of our most beloved times of the year. Let’s take a fun and frightening journey into the heart of it all. ———————— Lore Resources: ...
REMASTERED – Episode 17: Broken Fingernails
It’s never a bad time to revisit this classic episode about graveyards and the folklore around them. Complete with fresh narration, a new soundtrack, and modern production, plus a brand new bonus...
Episode 187: The Crucible
Many of the darkest moments from history were born out of a perfect storm of motivation, fear, and misguided courage. And in the case of one individual, that became a recipe for something beyond...
REMASTERED – Episode 16: Covered Mirrors
It’s time to pay another visit to the little house in Villisca that played host to one of the most horrible ax murders in history. This classic episode is presented with fresh, modern narration and...
Episode 186: Invisible Boundaries
One of the most frightening aspects of our lives is something that’s hidden from our eyes. And yet its impact is so powerful and destructive that we’ve spent centuries running in fear from it. Well,...
REMASTERED – Episode 15: Unboxed
The folklore surrounding haunted dolls, and the tale of Robert the Doll in particular, deserves a revisit. This Remastered edition of a classic Lore episode includes fresh narration and production,...
Episode 185: Under the Skin
If there’s one thing humans have been obsessed with over the years, it’s the risk that the most dangerous, evil things in the world might find a way inside and take control. The stories about this...
REMASTERED – Episode 14: The Others
The folklore surrounding small, human-like creatures from around the world is worth another visit. And this time, the journey has been remastered with new narration and music, modern production, and a...
Episode 184: Falling to Pieces
History is filled with people who gathered unusual collections, often following a curiosity or passion to the extreme. But among those collectors, there have been those who have taken things too far....
Episode 183: Suffer the Children
Some of the most frightening and disturbing stories are the ones that take a different path than we expected. Their horror is in the exceptions, the little things that make them different. But some...
Episode 182: Ever-Present
While many of the places we live are defined by their current, modern personalities, a look into the past can reveal a much more thrilling—and terrifying—picture. And no where is that more true than...
Episode 181: Unsettled
We’ve always had a hunger for mystery stories and true crime. But for a period of time, many of those stories had a very unusual element to them—a detail that had a way of making less believable...
Episode 180: Above the Law
In the world of folklore, one of the most interesting most timeless characters is also the least supernatural. But that doesn’t mean their stories are any less thrilling or entertaining. ———————— This...
REMASTERED – Episode 13: Off the Path
In this remastered edition of a classic Lore episode, we revisit the concept of curses, and take a tour through some of the most powerful examples. With fresh narration and production, and a brand new...
Episode 179: Confidence
Folklore has many uses, and a quick trip through history would reveal many that you’ve come to expect. It educates a community, preserves events and well-known figures, and provides a...
REMASTERED – Episode 12: Half-Hanged
It’s time to return to the colonial village of Hadley and reunite with the neighborhood witch, Mary Webster. All presented with modern production, fresh narration, and a brand new bonus story at the...
Episode 178: Opportunity
Some of the darkest moments in human history have taken place because of our hunger for a second chance, a better life, or a fresh start. But not all opportunities are guaranteed a bright and shiny...
REMASTERED – Episode 11: Black Stockings
In this remastered edition of a classic episode, we’ll revisit the folklore of changelings, and the tragic story of Bridget Cleary, with a brand new story at the end, plus refreshed narration and...
Episode 177: Strings
One of the things that has united humans across cultures and languages is music. For as long as we can remember, we have filled our lives with new musical backdrops. And at the center of that world...
REMASTERED – Episode 10: Steam & Gas
The well-worn carpets and imperfect walls of an old hotel can often make guests feel as if they are staying in a little slice of the past. In one grand old hotel, however, that truth has never been...
Episode 176: Rooted
In all the folktales about the forest, we are warned to not set foot inside, lest the darkness and dangers that live there seek us out and harm us. But there are other stories that describe a much...
REMASTERED – Episode 9: A Devil on the Roof
It’s time to return to one of the classic American monster stories, the Jersey Devil. In this remastered edition you’ll get the same story you’ve known and loved, but with brand new narration and...
Episode 175: Head Case
In our never-ending journey to discover what makes us tick, people have come up with some pretty surprising ideas. And in the process, they’ve given themselves permission to do some utterly terrifying...
REMASTERED – Episode 8: The Castle
Let’s all revisit the hunting grounds of one of America’s most horrific—and prolific—serial killers: H. H. Holmes. This Remastered edition includes fresh narration and production, music by Chad...
Episode 174: From Scratch
Much like our instinct to set up a home in new places, humans are good at creating everything else we might need. And that includes folklore. But if even half of the stories that have been born in...
REMASTERED – Episode 7: In the Woods
Let’s all step back into the woods that started it all: the legendary—and frightening—Bridgewater Triangle. This classic script has been updated with fresh narration, production, and music. ————————...
Episode 173: Darkness and Light
On the edge of the world, where risk and danger crash constantly against the shores of civilization, stands a type of ancient guardian that everyone recognizes, but few truly understand. And there’s...
REMASTERED – Episode 6: Echoes
Revisit the classic journey into some the history behind our fascination with derelict mental health hospitals. The same story you love, with modern narration and production, plus a new bonus story at...
Episode 172: Under the Influence
Many people need something to believe, and someone to follow. But out of all the examples throughout history of bad leaders, few are as bizarre and unexplainable as one man from a century ago....
REMASTERED – Episode 5: Under Construction
A fresh take on a classic episode, exploring the world of hidden spirits in the earth, and the way humans have shaped their lives around those beliefs. With a brand new recording, modern production,...
Episode 171: Long Shadows
The older the city, the deeper its roots. And when that location is the oldest around—well, the amount of darkness it’s hiding should not come as a surprise. ———————— This episode of Lore was...
REMASTERED — Episode 4: Dinner at the Afterglow
Our classic tour of the Pacific Northwest's most haunted mausoleum is back, with brand new narration, music by Chad Lawson, and modern production. The chills, though, are 100% original. ———————————— ...
Episode 170: Into the Wild
Some of the most frightening kinds of folklore are the ones with a familiar element. Details that sit a bit too close to home. Qualities that resonate just a bit too much. And few places host legends...
REMASTERED — Episode 3: The Beast Within
Our classic exploration of everyone's favorite hairy beast, freshly re-recorded and produced from scratch with music by Chad Lawson. And don't miss the new Epilogue story after the credits! ————————...
Episode 169: Blood Money
We’ve all been told to beware things that seem too good to be true, and for good reason. But beyond the world of hucksters and frauds, one special group of people fooled an entire culture, at the cost...
REMASTERED — Episode 2: The Bloody Pit
It's our classic visit to the Hoosac Tunnel, reputed to be one of New England's most haunted locations. Freshly-recorded, newly produced, and scored with music from Chad Lawson...and don't miss the...
Episode 168: Beyond the Pale
Hope is a powerful emotion, and it has driven humans to do great things over the centuries. It’s also a key element of folklore, but the stories it gives rise to there are more than just...
REMASTERED — Episode 1: They Made a Tonic
The episode that started it all, freshly narrated, newly produced, and scored with Chad Lawson's haunting music. And don't miss the brand new story after the ads. ———————————————— Lore Resources ...
Episode 167: Deviation
Death is one of life’s certainties, and the final chapter in each of our stories. And yet throughout history, there have been reports of those who have broken the rules—and the brave few who rose to...
Episode 166: Toxic
For thousands of years, humans have used a tool of violence to control their enemies, advance their careers, and remove their problems. And the only thing more frightening than the tool itself are the...
Episode 165: On the Line
Some places seem to straddle the boundary between one world and another. It’s a feature than can often generate charm and beauty, but sometimes it creates darker things, as the history of these...
Episode 164: Loyal Companion
While animals have been our constant companions for thousands of years, one chapter of our long history together led to much more terrifying results. ———————— Lore Resources: Episode Music:...
Episode 163: Persistence
It should come as no surprise that one of humanity’s greatest qualities is also the tool with which it has committed much darker tragedies. Even far from the wilds of the Old World, that legacy was...
Episode 162: By Design
In a world obsessed with fairytale endings, the most iconic type of setting for those stories turns out to also be home to some of the darkest histories around. ———————— Lore Resources: Episode...
Episode 161: Shell Game
Folklore is often born in moments were answers and hope seem lost, and few situations like that have generated more stories than the crucible of human conflict. ———————— Lore Resources: Episode...
Episode 160: Sleight of Hand
One of the oldest beliefs in human history is also the root of countless stories in our collective folklore. But to understand the power of those tales, we need to understand the people who brought...
Episode 159: Close By
Episode 159: Close By Whether intentionally or by accident, the past has a way of slipping away, slowly vanishing beneath our feet. That doesn’t mean it’s gone forever, though. But before we seek...
Episode 158: A Grain of Truth
Oftentimes, the truth is right in front of us, made as plain as day and easy to access. But sometimes it’s lost, and the only way to track it down is through story. But as one island in the Pacific...
Episode 157: Hanging On
One of the most common features of our legends and folklore is our dreams. And one of the most common dreams, across all the pages of history, is a desire that has haunted people since the dawn of...
Episode 156: Bottled Up
Humans are very good at making assumptions. But if we look a little deeper, our preconceived ideas about some of the most common bits of folklore won’t just change—they’ll transform into something...
Episode 155: Skin Deep
Some stories are very familiar to us, but our understanding of them is only the tip of the iceberg. Even one of folklore’s most legendary creatures has roots that are almost forgotten today—roots that...
Episode 154: Adding It Up
Everywhere you go these days, there are superstitions. Many are modern, and not much more than clever word games or rhymes designed to help us remember things. But a few are older, with roots in a...
Episode 153: Hold On
Sometimes the past sticks around because we work hard to make sure it’s never forgotten. Other times, it stays with us because we refused to let it go. But in one American city, the past seems to have...
Episode 152: Follow the Leader
Folklore is filled with stories that evolve over time, and while the originals are full of drama and fright, it’s in the evolution that they truly come to life. ———————— Lore Resources: Episode...
Episode 151: By the Book
For a very long time, people have believed that our world is filled with magic. Secret knowledge and hidden truths that we can use to unlock power and privilege. It’s a belief that’s taken all shapes...
Episode 150: Addition
History can be easy to brush aside or paint over, giving us the illusion of control. But just because we can’t see the past doesn’t mean it’s not there, active and powerful, working behind the scenes...
Episode 149: Off Track
History has proven just how good humans are at improving things, from weapons and tools to medicine and education. But some advancements come at a price, while creating some horrifying folklore in the...
Episode 148: Predictable
If history has shown us anything, it’s that humans are easily motivated by fear. Just what some of those fears have been, though, is more than a little frightening. ————————————— Lore Resources: ...
Episode 147: Contained
Humans have long practiced the art of building walls and fortresses in an effort to gain control or find safety. But no place is safe from the danger we bring upon ourselves, and sometimes those...
Episode 146: A Great Weight
Humans have spent thousands of years building systems to keep us as safe as possible. But eventually, each of us will have to stop and rest, letting down our guard and opening ourselves up to perhaps...
Episode 145: Invention
Human ingenuity knows no bounds. Along with creating all manner of new technology, and ever more complex levels of knowledge, another thing we are good at inventing is ourselves. And sometimes that...
Episode 144: Birds of Prey
Folklore is often about danger and how we, as a community, might avoid it. But real life sometimes becomes a mirror of those fears, and leaves us wondering why no one saw it coming. ———————— Lore...
Episode 143: Inside Information
Some of the oldest and most popular parts of folklore are the ghost stories. Whether told around a campfire, or red about in the safety a well-lit room, they are always fun, and often chilling. But...
Episode 142: Reflections
There’s a lot that science has explained away. Mysteries that left us cowering in fear. Events that challenged our feelings of security and control. But even after all that progress, there are still...
Episode 141: Stains
Humanity has always been very good at making the best of a bad situation. Either by burying the past, or at least by building distractions that take the focus off of it. But no matter how beautiful...
Episode 140: Potential
We often speak in lofty terms about all that humans are capable of achieving, and much of that is true. But looking backward in time, we can also see moments when that potential has led to horrible...
Episode 139: Heirloom
The way we treat the past is a great lens into the character of humanity. Sometimes we elevate it, but all too often we work to bury it. And while the excuse might be to make room for the march of...
Episode 138: Foresight
Humanity has grown over the millennia by passing on knowledge through teachings and guides. Even today, how-to books are best-sellers, and people are more hungry than ever to learn and grow. But some...
Episode 137: Elusive
Our passion for solving incomplete puzzles is something that unites us as a culture. We will chase any mystery and dig into every single question we encounter. But that attraction might also put us in...
Episode 136: The Third Time
Folklore is our legacy. We humans have carried it with us everywhere we’ve gone in the world, and it anchors us to our roots and our community. But it also does something else: it gives us a place to...
Episode 135: A Good Death
We like it when things go according to plan. Even when it comes to death, we long to have some semblance of control over our path. So when those best-laid plans are disrupted by the unexpected, it’s...
Episode 134: Disturbing the Peace
Episode 134: Disturbing the Peace There’s nothing more certain in life than death. No matter how rewarding or challenging our days on this planet might be, for as long as humans have been around,...
Episode 133: Proof Positive
The human tendency to study the unknown—to dig deep and search for the bedrock of truth at the bottom of the mystery—is one of our most enduring qualities. But while that tenacity has helped...
Episode 132: Puzzled
We all love a good hiding place. Whether it’s the child who tucks the key to their diary under their pillow, or the parent who hides away the holiday gifts, humans have proven themselves to be fond of...
Episode 131: Sea of Change
While the ocean represents opportunity and hope, it also holds more mystery than most feel comfortable with. Yes, we’ve explored it in search of new lands and discoveries, but we’ve also lost much in...
Episode 130: In Plain Sight
Before cell phones and internet access, learning about the world around us took a lot of time. Along the way, there would be gaps in our knowledge—holes that human cultures tended to fill with...
Episode 129: Digging Deep
The longer humans stay in one place, the more progress and community we seem to create. But at the same time, we bring our darkness with us, and over time it begins to stain a place with shadows of...
Episode 128: A Hole in the Head
Most of our life is spent looking for things. Companionship, security, even our lost keys. But above all of that is our search for answers, and the way human beings have tried to find them has lead to...
Episode 127: Tipping the Scales
Episode 127: Tipping the Scales If you flip through the pages of history long enough, you’ll eventually run into stories about life out of balance, and how something—fate or chance or something...
Episode 126: Aftershocks
Some places in our world have a dark legacy. Prior failures. Shameful acts. Painful tragedy. Even though it all took place long before we arrived there, we can still feel the tremors of that...
Episode 125: Paper Trails
Everyone longs for someone. That special partner who can enter their life and make is something better, something more. And while dating has taken many forms over the years, nothing is like a good,...
Episode 124: To Die For
Everyone wants to look good. And while there’s nothing wrong with beauty, sometimes people have made sacrifices—both willing and unaware—in the pursuit of it. After looking through the pages of...
Episode 123: Unnoticed
Home might very well be what you make it, but it’s not always about beautiful decorations and comfortable furnishings. Sometimes the places we live take on elements of our own personality. Even after...
Episode 122: The Shortest Straw
Episode 122: The Shortest Straw Human nature has a number of powerful, universal characteristics. Our need for community. Our love of storytelling. Our seemingly infinite capacity to adapt and thrive....
Episode 121: Uninvited Guest
Some threats to our safety and well-being are obvious and easy to spot from a mile away. Over the course of history, people have become very skilled at looking for danger and avoiding it. But some...
Episode 120: Whistle While You Work
Human ambition has led us to some amazing achievements, and taken us to unexplored places. But it has also lured us into places where there is a lot more fear and danger than we are used to, and the...
Episode 119: Evolution
Some stories have been around for a very long time, and others are fairly new. One thing is certain, though: the tales we tell have a way of changing over time. But that doesn’t make them any less...
Episode 118: Ambition
Some people have a fire inside them that drives them to do great things. New discoveries, breakthrough inventions, or astonishing accomplishments. But some have harnessed that passion for something...
Episode 117: Bones
Episode 117: Bones Everything is built upon something else. Whether it is a mighty fortress, a simple home, or the very lives of the people around us, there’s a foundation beneath everything. But...
Episode 116: Something Blue
No one likes to be sick, and yet it is one of the most dependable things in life. We will all, at some point, become ill, and when we do, the most important thing in our world will be recovery and...
Episode 115: Perspective
The way we explain the world around us is determined by the lens we view it through, especially when events sit outside the realm of the believable. And no better moment in time can illustrate that...
Episode 114: The Gateway
Most locations have an isolated history that is unique to them and only them. But some places have served as the entry point for a bigger idea and a larger impact on history as a whole. Sadly, that...
Episode 113: Word of Mouth
Throughout history, cultures around the world have explored the world of medicine in search of tools that can heal our bodies. We’ve used plants and minerals, of course, but the most powerful tool...
Episode 112: Facets
Of all the parts of life that we can depend on, one of the darkest parts is loss. That’s the trouble with being surrounded by mortal, fragile human beings; at some point, the people we love won’t be...
Episode 111: Inside Job
The deepest mysteries come from the places we haven’t fully explored, or where we lack the control that makes us feel safe. And yet one of the most universally mysterious places of all is closer than...
Episode 110: Crooked
Not everything can be perfect. Even when there’s a clean slate and we’re given the resources and tools to make something great, humans have a way of building their flaws into it. And while there are...
Episode 109: Assumption
There’s a lot in life we can count on. Death, taxes, the sunrise, and political turmoil--these are all guaranteed, safe bets. But outside that, everything else is an assumption. And sometimes we get...
Episode 108: Debris
Our oceans are some of the most remote regions on the planet. Because of that, people have filled that darkness and space with stories that reflect our common fears and deepest suspicious....
Episode 107: Sight Unseen
We like to think we’ll see it coming. That we can plan ahead and prepare—even defend ourselves. But death comes in all shapes and sizes, sometimes so small and featureless that it slips through our...
Episode 106: The Collection
Humans have a tendency to collect things. From baseball cards to Twitter followers, we enjoy bringing everything into one place. But when that collection represents the very worst of humanity—both in...
Episode 105: Layers
We love to simplify things. Easy is better than complex, after all, and simple things are easy to understand. Sadly, though, the people around us are far from simple; they are complex and layered,...
Episode 104: Anchored
The ocean is very good at taking things from us, but we are equally skilled at not forgetting. Still, no matter how many stories we tell about lost ships and vanished loved ones, it will never bring...
Episode 103: Disappointment
Humanity is fueled by hope. We hope for improvement, and dream of a day when things get better than they are right now. And for a very long time, there have been certain people who have taken...
Episode 102: Devil in the Details
Most of us live incredibly busy lives, and because of all that distraction, we tend to miss the little things. Whether it’s a forgotten birthday, or the small puddle of water beneath your water heater...
Episode 101: Worn Away
Like a well-loved pair of shoes, or those jeans you bought in college and never gave up on, some things become worn out over time. But when that thing is a physical location, eroded away by thousands...
Episode 100: Home Sweet Home
Every movement has a seed, that spark that sets the fire ablaze. But this spark is more than just a murder mystery, or a treasure hunt, or even a haunting unlike any other. This one is all three....
Episode 99: Out For Blood
Each of us holds inside ourselves a precious cargo. It is the key to life, and a worthy sacrifice when important things are on the line. And yet it also sits at the center of some of our greatest...
Episode 98: Never Alone
When tragedy strikes and poor choices haunt us, sometimes the only thing we can do is move on and build on the ashes of the past. But there are places where that hasn’t worked out so well. In fact,...
Episode 97: Misplaced
For thousands of years, humans have built rules and procedures for handling the various curveballs that life throws our way—and we place a lot of trust in those systems. Most of the time, it all works...
Episode 96: The Long Good-Bye
Life is full of challenges. From learning new skills to climbing the social ladder, most people struggle with the hurdles we’re forced to overcome. But when it’s all said and done, few things are as...
Episode 95: Out of Sight
Few things disappoint us more than when our expectations aren’t met. We expect to be loved, or to be rewarded for our hard work. And above all, we expect the people in our lives to always be there....
Episode 94: Hard Rain
Our understanding of the natural world is incredibly advanced compared to our ancestors from a few centuries ago. We have established rules and order to help us frame how everything works. On...
Episode 93: A Place to Lay Your Head
Humans are hard-wired for trust. It’s the secret ingredient that helps us form communities, build relationships, and grow as people. But while that trust is a noble inclination, it can also get us...
Episode 92: Stronger
There is a lot in life that we can control, but no system is perfect. Every now and then, circumstances pull the rug out from underneath us and leave us powerless. But at least one surprise turn of...
Episode 91: Beneath the Surface
Islands have served a variety of functions for people over the years. They can be a place of safety and privacy, or of simplicity and escape. But islands have played host to other less savory events...
Episode 90: Mind the Gap
We tend think of rivers and lakes as tame. They are the safe and friendly counterpart to the deep and treacherous waters of the ocean. Freshwater rivers and lakes give us life, after all. But that...
Episode 89: Fanning the Flames
Some cities experience a single tragedy and then live with that pain and loss for generations. They are built on a dark foundation, and everything new takes on a flavor of the past. But there are...
Episode 88: Crossing the Line
Humans have always sought companionship. From the communities we live in, to the pets we welcome into our homes, our need for companions is as old as we are. But that natural desire has led some to...
Episode 87: Road Trip
Every now and then a story comes along that is so powerful and compelling that it creates a new branch on the tree of folklore. Yes, it has deeper roots, but sometimes a new expression of fear grows...
Episode 86: Under Siege
Our bodies are a fortress, and every day, they suffer through attacks from the outside. Over the centuries, we’re become very good at protecting ourselves from illness and disease, but all of those...
Episode 85: Creature of Habit
Our home is supposed to be a safe space where we are free to relax and enjoy life. History, though, contains stories that break that mould. Places where people want to live in peace, and yet find...
Episode 84: A Family Affair
Nothing is more magical than when a family works together. But when their talents seem to defy all logic and reason, it might not be a bad idea to dig deeper and look for the truth. Just be...
Episode 83: Carried Away
Humans have always been more than a little bit superstitious, and one of the oldest and most universal of those beliefs is the curse. The story of how that belief has evolved in relation to one...
Episode 82: Forgotten
People are really good at moving on. We rush from fad to fad at an alarming speed, and it’s difficult to predict where our interests will land next. In the process, we tend to abandon things—things...
Episode 81: On the Edge
Humanity seems to always be at risk of suffering through another major outbreak. History is full with dark moments of biological chaos, and despite constant advances in medical science, there seems to...
Episode 80: Dark Imports
The places we inhabit slowly become like us, reflecting our brightest ambitions and darkest secrets. Countless cities harbor the shadows of a violent past, but few hide it so elegantly as one southern...
Episode 79: Locked Away
Our lives have a way of becoming magnets that attract pain and suffering. Some of us go through more than others, but in the end, we’re all running from something. Just how far we might go to get away...
Episode 78: Exposure
We live in a very technological world today, with constant updates and improvements over last year’s model, and while many of the advancements are amazing, few have impacted humanity quite like...
Episode 77: Withering Heights
Waves of illness crash against the shores of humanity. They always have, and they probably always will. But we weather the storm through advancements in medical science and the resilience of human...
Episode 76: Talk Show
Life is a lot like a big budget movie. We click play, and then let the action wash over us. There are highs and lows, laughter and tears, and then it’s all over and the screen goes silent. The dead...
Episode 75: Black and Wild
The pages of our greatest literature are full of tales of powerful wizards. People gifted with abilities that stand head and shoulder above their peers. They act as guides, ushering us into a new...
Episode 74: All Fall Down
The sky is a source of life for everything on this planet. Rain to quench our thirst and sunlight for our food. We don’t look up too often these days, but that hasn’t changed our dependance on it. But...
Episode 73: A Sweet Embrace
When our health is failing and our lives are at risk, trust is essential. The people who care for us often find themselves in a position of power, with our well-being entirely under their control. As...
Episode 72: A Grave Mistake
Humans have a seemingly never-ending list of fears. The dark of night, small spaces, open water…there doesn’t seem to be an area of life that doesn’t come with a few reasons to take pause and be...
Trick or Treat 2017 - Set 2
In this second Lore Trick or Treat 2017 set of stories, we explore the power of folklore and fate. A Head of Steam takes us on an eerie trip through the graveyard, while A Deadly Past shows us how...
Episode 71: Silver Lining
We’ve conquered much of our world, but even with all of our great cities and urban sprawl, there are still shadows on the edge. And it’s in the shadows that the greatest threats still exist—creatures...
Trick or Treat 2017 - Set 1
The first Trick or Treat Halloween special of 2017 features two tales. The first, A Bridge Too Far, walks us through a winter train ride that went horribly wrong over a century ago. The second story...
Episode 70: Familiar
There’s a fine line between rationality and madness, but it’s not as easy to avoid as you might think. Throughout history, our world has played host to people who have taken their superstitions too...
Episode 69: Wide Open
The sky is full of mystery. It’s big, expansive, and—despite a century of powered human flight—outside our realm of control. Which is why, for centuries, humans have expected things to come down from...
Episode 68: The Tainted Well
The older the country, the deeper the roots of its folklore have grown—roots that are fed by darkness, fear, and pain. And few countries hold such a variety of frightening tales, both old and modern,...
Episode 67: The Red Coats
There are some locations that seem to draw humans closer. Places that are away from the bustle of everyday life, that almost seem part of our soul. We go there for solitaire, or for rest, or...
Episode 66: Where There’s Smoke
Fire is a dangerous tool. Used properly, it can transform a society, but if it isn’t respected, it can burn that society to the ground. Which is why we are obsessed with controlling it—and completely,...
Episode 65: Doing Tricks
There are very few bits of folklore that haven’t spread around the globe over the past few centuries. Yet every now and then, something fresh and distinct pops up. But just because it’s relatively new...
Episode 64: Behind Closed Doors
The bigger the city, the easier it is to miss the little details. Stories of loss, tragedy, and horrifying events have a way of vanishing beneath the bustle of everyday life. And no place is better at...
Episode 63: Homecoming
Folklore and popular culture are filled with a type of event that seems both unusual and logical: time and time again, criminals return to the source. But as one man proved a century ago, it’s not...
Episode 62: Desperate Measures
Folklore and medicine often go hand in hand. In fact, for a long time they were the very same thing. But folklore has a way of leading people to tragic actions—all in the name of getting better. * * *...
Episode 61: Labor Pains
You can tell a lot about a culture by the things it creates. Tools, exploration, weapons; all of it speaks to the priorities and character of that society. But if that’s true, then what are we...
Episode 60: If Walls Could Talk
Humans have an innate desire to fix what’s broken, and that’s a good thing. We’re not the best at it, though, and we often fail—sometimes horribly. And few examples are as powerful as the world of...
Episode 59: A Deep Fear
H.P. Lovecraft said it best: “…the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown”. And no other place in the world is as unknown to us as the ocean. It’s dark, it’s deep, it’s full of...
Episode 58: The Devil’s Beat
Human culture has a different expression no matter where you go. Despite that variety, though, we do share one common thread: music. And while it has typically been a source of joy, there have been...
Episode 57: Quarantine
Nearly four centuries ago, a wave of sickness spread through a community in the French countryside. It wasn’t a traditional disease they were fighting, though. This plague had a more sinister source....
Episode 56: Going Viral
Fear has a way of spreading. It’s contagious, moving from person to person. Given enough time, fear can consume an entire community. Sometimes, though, there’s good reason to be afraid. * * * Official...
Episode 55: A Way Inside
Folklore is more than just a collection of stories; it’s the soul of a culture or location. Without them, our world has less texture and beauty. And like the stories themselves, some places have...
Episode 54: Teacher’s Pet
The more crowded our world becomes, the more frequently we are confronted with our commonality. Our interests, our passions…even our appearance. But just how similar can we get? Well, that’s the stuff...
Episode 53: Trees and Shadows
Our connection to animals is ancient, intimate, and complex. Humans have worshiped them, sacrificed them, lived with them, and been buried with them. But folklore from all over the world hints at a...
Episode 52: Negative Consequences
History is full of criminals. They come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Some are cheerful, some are dark. Some, however, steal more than money or precious belongings. To be caught in their web...
Episode 51: Within the Walls
We crave safety. We build rules and systems and even physical barriers in order to create a sense of security. But darkness has a way of creeping in, no matter how powerful the walls might be. * * *...
Episode 50: Mary, Mary
The Spiritualist movement placed a large focus on reaching beyond the veil, which made us the outsiders pressing into a foreign realm. In the late 1800’s, however, that realm pressed back, and what a...
Episode 49: Seeing Double
It’s often said that our real identity is the person we are in private, away from the public eye. Over two centuries ago, however, one person gave life to that idea, and in the process, gave birth to...
Episode 48: Downriver
Tragedy is never something we plan for. It sneaks up on us like a bandit in the night, and takes away our sense of security and purpose. But throughout history, there have been places so plagued by...
Episode 47: Missing the Point
Our world is full of mysterious sightings, but most of them can be explained away with cold logic and common sense. When multiple reports flood in, though, the unbelievable can sometimes become...
Episode 46: Dark Conclusions
For almost as long as there have been stories of supernatural beings, there have been tales of those who hunt them. From ancient traditions to Hollywood blockbusters, these characters have filled our...
Trick or Treat 2016: Set 2
A Halloween treat to add a bit of dark history to your week. Each Lore “Trick or Treat 2016” episode is a collection of two of my favorite “shorts” in one place. Perfect for a rainy day, a walk in the...
Episode 45: First Impressions
We say it all the time. It’s a phrase we hang our hopes on. It represents our wants and desires. But “a dream come true” has an older, darker side as well. Darker, and a lot more creepy. * * *...
Trick or Treat 2016: Set 1
A Halloween treat to add a bit of spook to your week. Each Lore “Trick or Treat 2016” episode is a collection of two of my favorite “shorts” in one place. Perfect for a rainy day, a walk in the dark,...
Episode 44: From Within
Civilization was transformed the moment we discovered it. We’ve built it into our religions and use it to advance our technology. Whether we take it for granted or not, there’s a darker side to this...
Episode 43: Supply and Demand
Throughout history, certain individuals have managed to rise to the challenge in the face of difficulty. But in 1827, that attitude was taken to a new—and horrific—level. * * * Official Lore website:...
Episode 42: In the Bag
Most of our fears can be blamed on a deeper, more instinctive anxiety: we hate losing control. And no place on earth represents that sensation more viscerally than prison. Contrary to popular belief,...
Episode 41: Hole in the Wall
We’ve been taught since childhood to be honest, because our actions have consequences and our words can hurt people. But the events that took place in a Scottish village over three hundred years ago...
Episode 40: Everything Floats
The older the city, the more stories there seem to be. Some places are home to tragedy, while others have played host to disaster or war. Few cities have it all, though, and judging by the pain those...
Episode 39: Take the Stand
For as long as humans have lived together in community, there has been the need for crimes and disputes to be settled by some form of court. Many of those trials have been fair, while others have been...
Episode 38: The Mountain
Humans have always wandered off into unexplored territory. It’s a key part of our identity to leave safety behind in pursuit of adventure. Those journeys, though, don’t always end in success. In fact,...
Episode 37: Passing Notes
For as crowded as this world has become, most people feel isolated and alone. Perhaps that’s why so many of us believe that there’s another world, just beyond the veil. But when that veil is tampered...
Episode 36: When the Bow Breaks
The cities and buildings where tragedy has concentrated over the years always seem to hold stories. Stories of loss, of pain, and of things that refuse to move on. That quality, though, isn’t unique...
Episode 35: The King
Popular culture is obsessed with the idea of a lost humanity. Countless films, novels, and television shows all ask the same question: what would happen if only a few of us were left? Unfortunately,...
Episode 34: All the Lovely Ladies
Folklore has often developed as a response to real-world events, but the opposite has also been true. History has, upon occasion, unintentionally confirmed ancient tales. And nowhere is this more...
Episode 33: A Dead End
Folklore can change and evolve over time. But when we uncover the roots of these stories, we often find that the real events at their core are the darkest version of all. * * * Official Lore Website...
Episode 32: Tampered
Maybe it’s human pride, or maybe it’s a tendency toward superstition, but humans are very good at making excuses. When things don’t go our way or when something breaks, there always seems to be a...
Episode 31: Lost and Found
We spend every waking moment surrounded by people. People who talk to us, who interact with us, and who are very much alive an breathing. Which is why it’s that much more shocking when we stumble upon...
Episode 30: Deep and Twisted Roots
When two boys discovered a macabre surprise while playing in a Connecticut gravel pit, they uncovered more than a piece of the past. Their discovery echoes stories that are much older, stories with...
Episode 29: The Big Chill
Thanks to the writings of Stephen King, the state of Maine has become known as a place of fictional horror and tragedy. But it's at the real-life intersection of Maine's harsh winters and deadly...
Episode 28: Making a Mark
Stories leave a mark on us. They can act like scars or decoration, always there, always reminding us of things that happened. But in some cases, those stories leave behind literal, physical marks. Or...
Episode 27: On the Farm
Safety is a basic human need, and we build a lot of our life around achieving it. This is nothing new, really; humans have always sought safety in a dangerous world. And because of that, it’s those...
Episode 26: Brought Back
Humans have been obsessed with escaping the grasp of death for thousands of years. It’s impossible, of course, but we dream of it nonetheless. Which makes the events in a small Caribbean village all...
Episode 25: The Cave
Over the centuries, all sorts of methods have been used to govern people. And while some have been just and humane — such as most modern legal systems — others have been more unusual. Social fear,...
Episode 24: A Stranger Among Us
Many family traditions and treasured folktales involve strangers who visit us. What would Christmas be without Santa, after all. But strangers in general are a lot less appealing than we might...
Episode 23: Rope and Railing
There are places in the world that we rarely see. Our busy lives never take us there, and as a result, they don’t come to mind when we think of chilling tales and frightening lore. But they exist, and...
Episode 22: Over the Top
History is full of examples of moments in time when hysteria and fear ruled common sense. While some of these examples were valid reasons to panic and worry, others were less logical. But that didn’t...
Episode 21: Adrift
Since the dawn of time, humans have pushed themselves to explore. When that adventure took to the seas, however, it was an invitation for tragedy. The ocean, you see, takes much from us. And sometimes...
Episode 20: Homestead
Home is where the heart is. It’s where we build our lives and celebrate the things we love. But it can also be the center of tragedy and darkness. On many different levels, there’s no place like home....
Episode 19: Bite Marks
Seeing isn’t always a prerequisite for belief. In fact, oftentimes the things we believe in the most strongly are invisible to our naked eyes. But when we experience those invisible things through...
Episode 18: Hunger Pains
For as advanced and civilized as we are, humans are still led by very basic desires. We are drive by a need for safety and shelter. We long for a community to belong to. And we hunger. But not every...
Episode 17: Broken Fingernails
We leave our loved ones there after they’ve passed. We treat the space with reverence and solemn deference. Cemeteries are meant to be a final resting place. Sometimes, though, the ones who should be...
Episode 16: Covered Mirrors
At the heart of every horror film is an iconic weapon. Often times they are nondescript and ordinary, but in the hands of a killer they become something more. Something that has the potential to haunt...
Episode 15: Unboxed
People can be a bit possessive. We love our things, and we cling tightly to them. But what happens when the things we own refuse to let go of us? ———————————————— Lore Resources: Episode Music:...
Episode 14: The Others
We don’t like to be alone. We hate it. So we tell stories about others, the things at the edges of society. Things we’re not sure about. But what if those “others” are more real than we first...
Episode 13: Off the Path
Life is a careful journey down a pathway that we’ve set our hearts on. But every now and then we get pulled off the trail. Sometimes that’s a good thing, but sometimes it’s the stuff of nightmares....
Episode 12: Half-Hanged
History is full of people who took things too far. Humans are gifted at turning on one another, a skill we’ve honed over the millennia. But when a small town in colonial Massachusetts needed a...
Episode 11: Black Stockings
Humans have a history of making up stories to explain the unexplainable. Sometimes we use those stories to teach our children a moral lesson, or entertain our friends. Sometimes, though, those stories...
Episode 10: Steam & Gas
The well-worn carpets and imperfect walls of an old hotel can often make guests feel as if they are staying in a little slice of the past. In one grand old hotel, however, that truth has never been...
Episode 9: A Devil on the Roof
Few stories have the endurance to last centuries. Fewer still have a proven track record of documented, authoritative eye witness accounts to back them up. Among those rare myths, one stands above...
Episode 8: The Castle
When the authorities entered a building in Chicago’s south side in 1895, they weren’t prepared for what they found. Above and below the neighborhood pharmacy was a seemingly never-ending maze of doors...
Episode 7: In the Woods
Stepping into the woods is like stepping through a doorway to another world. A world that hides dark secrets from prying eyes, and holds unknown dangers for unprepared travelers. But some woods are...
Episode 6: Echoes
Settings are often just as important to a story as the tale itself. The Shining had the Overlook. The Legend of Hell House had the Belasco. We fear cabins in the woods and even our own basements. But...
Episode 5: Under Construction
Humans have always loved to build things, but we occasionally have to make adjustments to our plans. City ordinances, building codes, and property disputes all get in the way. Sometimes, though, the...
Episode 4: Dinner at the Afterglow
Deep in the forest at the northern tip of a small island near Vancouver Island, there is a stone monument standing amidst the trees. How that structure came to be, and what it meant to those who built...
Episode 3: The Beast Within
In 1582, the German town of Bedburg was ravaged by a violent and mysterious creature. After untold bloodshed, the townsfolk took up arms and hunted the monster down. What they found was something out...
Episode 2: The Bloody Pit
Over 200 lives were lost during the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel in western Massachusetts. According to countless eye-witnesses across nearly 150 years, many of those deaths left indelible marks....
Episode 1: They Made a Tonic
On the morning of March 17, 1892, a group of townsfolk in rural Rhode Island dug up the graves of three local women. What they did to their bodies was something that we might find shocking, yet was...
Trailer: Introducing Lore
Lore is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed podcast about true life scary stories. Lore exposes the darker side of history, exploring the creatures, people, and places of our wildest nightmares....
About this Podcast
Copyright
2024 Aaron Mahnke and Grim & Mild
Language
en
Categories
Lore, folklore, ghost, history, legends, monsters, myth, paranormal, spooky, supernatural, History, True Crime