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 questions—and maybe something else.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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 moments when music has brought something else: fear, pain, and horror.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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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. But like the stories themselves, some places have spirits that creep in and take up residence.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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 of folklore.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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 darker connection, and it just might be true.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
Subscribe for Free: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | RSS Feed
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 means paying the ultimate price.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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 wonder it turned out to be.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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 an entirely new thing to fear.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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 tragedy that those who live near them consider these locations to be cursed.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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 undeniable.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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 imaginations. But in 1969, those ideas became real.
Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke.
Dark Conclusions: The Lore Variations by
Chad Lawson is available today!
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 Patreon member-only “shorts” in one place. Perfect for a rainy day, a walk in the dark, or a campfire gathering. This episode includes “In a Pickle” and “Drained”.
Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke.
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.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance by Marcet Crockett.
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, or a campfire gathering. This episode includes “Peg & Button” and “Behind the Door”.
Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke.
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 tool, and if we’re not careful, we might get burned.
Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke.
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.
Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke.
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, though, not all prisons have been created equal.
Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke.