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. Unfortunately, the pages of history offer less reason than we might hope for, leaving us to wonder exactly what might be out there, lurking beneath the waves.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance from Marcet Crockett, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 carefully constructed defenses without us even knowing. And history shows us that all of us should be worried about that.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Carl Nellis, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 how it’s managed and where it comes from—the act of collecting comes with dire consequences.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance from Sam Alberty, and music by Chad Lawson.
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, with deep, hidden stories just waiting to be discovered.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Marcet Crockett, and Carl Nellis, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 them back. At least, that’s what most people believe.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance from Robin Miniter, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 advantage of that hope. What they deliver instead is an unexpected dose of darkness.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Taylor Hagerdorn, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 in the basement, not noticing things can have consequences. And sometimes, those details can be a matter of life and death.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Sam Alberty, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 of years of human activity and deep, rich folklore, what sort of nightmares might we expect to pour in through the hole? There’s only one way to find out.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Sam Alberty, and music by Chad Lawson.
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. Which may explain why a century and a half later, the world is still reeling from its impact.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance from Sam Alberty, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 fears. After all, if something’s precious, there’s always someone who wants to steal it.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Marcet Crockett, and music by Chad Lawson.
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, sometimes the worst thing we can do to history is bury it.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Carl Nellis, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 properly, but there are moments when human nature and our belief in the unusual throw a wrench in the gears.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Marcet Crockett, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 difficult as something all of us will have to face some day: saying good-bye.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Marcet Crockett, and music by Chad Lawson.
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. Which is why it’s so frightening to hear stories of those who don’t—of people who were right there, where they should be, only to disappear without explanation.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Marcet Crockett, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 occasion, though, those rules have been broken, and the results have been absolutely terrifying.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Carl Nellis, and music by Chad Lawson.
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 into trouble—trouble that can sometimes turn deadly.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance from Marcet Crockett and music by Chad Lawson.
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 events had a different affect, and the results have left us with questions that are still unanswered today.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance from Carl Nellis and music by Chad Lawson.
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 over the years. And just because they can be small, it doesn’t mean they can’t be dark.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance from Marcet Crockett and music by Chad Lawson.
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 doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. Somewhere in the darkness beneath their calm surface, terrifying stories wait for us.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research assistance from Carl Nellis and music by Chad Lawson.
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 other places where that tragedy is spread out over time, like a slow-burning fire that never fully consumes but always leaves its mark—and I’d like to take you on a tour of one.
Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, music by Chad Lawson, and research assistance from Marcet Crockett.