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.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Sam Alberty, and music by Chad Lawson.

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Source Spotlight

If the topic of Brother XII intrigues you, we highly recommend the book Brother XII, by John Oliphant. Every detail we’ve skipped over today, and all the deep intricacies of the story, are expertly covered in it. You can also purchase it directly from the author at brother-x-i-i.com.

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, and music by Chad Lawson.

Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with Music by Chad Lawson.

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.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Allie Steed, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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.

Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with Music by Chad Lawson.

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 more terrifying than the wilderness around us.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Taylor Hagerdorn, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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!

Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with Music by Chad Lawson.

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 of hundreds of lives.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Allie Steed, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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 brand new story after the ads.

Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with Music by Chad Lawson.

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 inspiring—some of them can also be terrifying.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Carl Nellis, and music by Chad Lawson.

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Source Spotlight

A fantastic resource on the life and legend of Gerald Fitzgerald is the work of historian Dr. Vincent Carey. His books are the best out there regarding the Wizard Earl, and he was generous enough to chat with us for this episode’s development. Please check him out!

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.

Researched, written, and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with Music by Chad Lawson.

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 the challenge to stop them.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Meaghan Des Roches, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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 stories about the people who use it.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Allie Steed, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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 historic islands demonstrates so well.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Marcet Crockett, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Allie Steed, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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 never far behind.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Allie Steed, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Robin Miniter, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Sam Alberty, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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 them to life.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Allie Steed, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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 unearth it, it would be wise to remember that some things are buried for a reason.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Marcet Crockett, and music by Chad Lawson.

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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 Northwest demonstrates, digging for the truth often comes at a price.

Written and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with research by Meaghan Des Roches, and music by Chad Lawson.

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