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American Hysteria

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chelsey weber-smith

American Hysteria explores how fantastical thinking has shaped our culture – moral panics, urban legends, hoaxes, crazes, fringe beliefs, and national misunderstandings. Poet-turned-podcaster Chelsey Weber-Smith tells the strangest stories from American history and examines the forces that create the reality we share, and sometimes, the reality we don't.

#238

Invasion of the Drones with Podcaster Gabe Lenners

Gabe Lenners is the host of the new podcast Obscurum: Invasion of the Drones, which explor... more

17 Feb 2025

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:14

17 Feb 2025

#237

The Jersey Devil

This Urban Legends Hotline episode features listener Brandon's inquiry about the legend of... more

10 Feb 2025

55 MINS

55:35

10 Feb 2025

#236

Context Clues: The Devil Went Down to Jersey

The famous cryptid known as the Jersey Devil will be the focus of our upcoming Urban Legen... more

03 Feb 2025

53 MINS

53:53

03 Feb 2025

#235

You Just Lost The Game with 'Spirits' Podcast

Julia Schifini and Amanda McLoughlin are the hosts of the podcast Spirits, a history and c... more

27 Jan 2025

1 HR 16 MINS

1:16:32

27 Jan 2025

#234

Chicken Soup for the Soul pt. 2 with Sarah Marshall of 'You're Wrong About'

Sarah Marshall and I are back for a second helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul, the 1993 ... more

20 Jan 2025

1 HR 37 MINS

1:37:54

20 Jan 2025

#233

Chicken Soup for the Soul pt. 1 with Sarah Marshall of 'You're Wrong About'

Many of you will remember the 1993 best-selling book of inspirational stories, Chicken Sou... more

13 Jan 2025

1 HR 24 MINS

1:24:24

13 Jan 2025

#232

(Throwback) An Irresistible Movement with Reproductive Justice Activist Loretta J. Ross

Since the 1970s, Loretta J. Ross has been an instrumental activist in the fight for 'Repro... more

06 Jan 2025

53 MINS

53:10

06 Jan 2025

#231

In Pursuit of Pardons with Podcaster Shannon Lynch of 'The Alley: DC’s 8th and H Case'

Shannon Lynch is the host of the podcast The Alley: DC’s 8th and H Case, a detailed look a... more

30 Dec 2024

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:38

30 Dec 2024

#230

(Throwback) The Horror of Hallmark with Podcasters Sarah Marshall and Alex Steed of 'You Are Good'

Because so many Hallmark writers and directors also make horror movies, I called in podcas... more

23 Dec 2024

1 HR 04 MINS

1:04:27

23 Dec 2024

#229

Beyond Belief: Fiction or Fiction with Guide to the Unknown Podcast

Remember the late '90s mystery show Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction? where you had to figur... more

16 Dec 2024

1 HR 13 MINS

1:13:35

16 Dec 2024

#228

The Great Glawackus Hoax with Pat and Val of Connecticut Cryptids

Patrick Scalisi and Valerie Ruby-Omen are the creators of the 2023 book Connecticut Crypti... more

09 Dec 2024

59 MINS

59:04

09 Dec 2024

#227

The Donner Party with 'You're Wrong About'

This is a special episode I did for the podcast 'You're Wrong About' in 2022, and I wanted... more

02 Dec 2024

1 HR 12 MINS

1:12:54

02 Dec 2024

#226

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

For the 100th anniversary of the Macy's Parade, we are looking at the chaos energy that ha... more

26 Nov 2024

58 MINS

58:03

26 Nov 2024

#225

Context Clues: All the World Loves a Parade

This episode will give some context for our upcoming episode about the Macy's Thanksgiving... more

18 Nov 2024

47 MINS

47:01

18 Nov 2024

#224

Artificial Unintelligence with Perry Carpenter

Perry Carpenter is the author of the new book FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World... more

11 Nov 2024

1 HR 22 MINS

1:22:06

11 Nov 2024

#223

Falling for Fascism (re-release)

This episode was originally released right before the 2020 presidential election and is ev... more

04 Nov 2024

30 MINS

30:24

04 Nov 2024

#222

Buried Alive!

In the 19th century, America and Europe experienced a panic over premature burial, believi... more

28 Oct 2024

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:36

28 Oct 2024

#221

Presenting: “Candyman: The True Story Behind the Bathroom Mirror Murder”

This is a preview for "Candyman: The True Story Behind the Bathroom Mirror Murder." On Apr... more

27 Oct 2024

07 MINS

07:55