The Strange and Unusual Podcast podcast

The Strange and Unusual Podcast

The unknown. It lies at the root of all fear, and has inspired legends, superstition, folklore, customs, hysteria, and even murder throughout history. Still today we feel the shadowy presence of our ancestors' struggles to explain the mysterious in almost every facet of our lives. Whether it be in the form of religion, urban legends, pop culture, ghost stories, superstitious rituals, and so much more we are still just fighting to keep our monsters in the dark. Welcome to The Strange and Unusual Podcast.

The unknown. It lies at the root of all fear, and has inspired legends, superstition, folklore, customs, hysteria, and even murder throughout history. Still today we feel the shadowy presence of our ancestors' struggles to explain the mysterious in almost every facet of our lives. Whether it be in the form of religion, urban legends, pop culture, ghost stories, superstitious rituals, and so much more we are still just fighting to keep our monsters in the dark. Welcome to The Strange and Unusual Podcast.

 

#104

The Cursing of Russian Hill, Pt 1 | Ep 96

In this episode we explore some of the strange goings-on in the earlier days of Russian Hill in San Francisco, including the ill-fated union of a Russian count and Spainish maiden, the first legal execution in California history, seances, the arrival of Fanny Stevenson to the hill, the earthquake of 1906 and more. In part 2, we get into the experimental '60s, Anton LeVay, mysterious deaths, and many more strange goings-on during that time. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

05 Dec 2024

42 MINS

42:50

05 Dec 2024


#103

Introduction of The Cursing of Russian Hill | Ep 95

A short series coming to the strange and unusual podcast See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

20 Nov 2024

01 MINS

01:48

20 Nov 2024


#102

Legally Haunted | Ep 94

In 1991, the New York State Supreme Court decided on a case that would set a legal precedent for house haunting in the state for years. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

24 Oct 2024

37 MINS

37:14

24 Oct 2024


#101

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Part 11 The Conclusion | Ep 93

We reach finally the conclusion of Frankenstein, where we discover the fates of Frankenstein and the Creature See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

24 Sep 2024

1 HR 09 MINS

1:09:50

24 Sep 2024


#100

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, PT 10 | Ep 92

In this episode, we follow Victor Frankenstein to his wedding day, which ends in tragedy, and the dominos really begin to fall. Though I thought I could cover the remaining chapters of Frankenstein in this episode, that was before I realized the final chapter was like two chapters in one. So, I will be releasing the final episode in week, instead of the usual two weeks, to finish up this epic tale, before we begin Halloween season spookiness! See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

17 Sep 2024

50 MINS

50:12

17 Sep 2024


#99

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, PT 9 | Ep 91

In this episode, we cover chapters 20-21, in which Victor struggles with whether or not he will create a mate for the creature, and is confronted and threatened by the creature as well. Victor is then faced with an unexpected shock. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

03 Sep 2024

58 MINS

58:58

03 Sep 2024


#98

Strange & Unusual Headlines | The Buried Alive | Ep 90

This week's headline comes from The Inter Ocean, published on December 21, 1890. This article covers the "buried alive" convent of nuns in Naples, Italy. The convent is raided when strange rumors spread of this order of nuns, and things are changed for these nuns forever. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

19 Aug 2024

35 MINS

35:25

19 Aug 2024


#97

Scared To Death | Ep 89

In this week's episode, Alyson explores the phenomenon of being scared to death through real life examples, folklore, pop culture, and medical mysteries. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

29 Jul 2024

36 MINS

36:14

29 Jul 2024


#96

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, PT 8 | Ep 88

In this episode, we cover chapters 17 through 19, when the creature confronts and begs his maker to build him a new companion. Victor then goes on a journey to perform his dreaded task. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

18 Jun 2024

58 MINS

58:17

18 Jun 2024


#95

The Evil Eye and Witchcraft Murder in Kalamazoo | Ep 87

On this week's episode we delve into the superstition of the evil eye and a case of witchcraft murder in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1929 See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

04 Jun 2024

43 MINS

43:51

04 Jun 2024


#94

RE-RELEASE: Strange and Unusual Headlines | Kept Dead Child In Their Home | Ep 86

This week's headline comes from St. Louis Post Dispatch, published on December 23, 1900 See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

20 May 2024

51 MINS

51:57

20 May 2024


#93

Nymph of the Woods, The Vanishing of a Child Prodigy | Ep 85

Barbara Newhall Follett was considered a child prodigy when her first novel "The House Without Windows" was published at age 12 in 1927, and then she had vanished forever when she was 25 in 1939. What happened to Barbara? And what does her disappearance possibly have to do with another woman who vanished in New Hampshire in 1936, Elsie Whittemore? See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

06 May 2024

57 MINS

57:31

06 May 2024


#92

Strange & Unusual Headlines |Catch Jersey Devil | Ep 84

This week's headline was published by Escanaba Morning Press on July 6, 1911. In this episode, we get into Jersey Devil lore, a trolling Benjamin Franklin, a mysterious Irish creature, frozen hoof prints, a Philadelphia Dime Museum, a doctored kangaroo, and more! See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

23 Apr 2024

57 MINS

57:16

23 Apr 2024


#91

Invasion of the Flying Saucers | Ep 83

Beginning in June, 1947, when a news article reached millions about a UFO sighting over Mt Rainier, flying saucer mania began, and lasted through the 1950s. Intensified by an alleged invasion of saucers over Washington DC, nuclear war, and the newly began Cold War, it was a time when the world feared that we may be overtaken by little, green men. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

08 Apr 2024

50 MINS

50:15

08 Apr 2024


#90

The Manananggals of the Philippines and other Female Vampires of Southeast Asia | Ep 82

In this week's episode, listen to learn more about the fascinating female vampires of Southeast Asia See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

19 Mar 2024

34 MINS

34:47

19 Mar 2024


#89

RE-RELEASE: Strange & Unusual Headlines | Constant use of Ouija Board Drives Seven People Insane | E...

This week I'm away on a birthday trip, so I'm re-releasing one of my favorite headline episodes. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

04 Mar 2024

57 MINS

57:46

04 Mar 2024


#88

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Pt 7 | Ep 80

For this installment, we cover chapter 12-16, when things really get dark See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

20 Feb 2024

1 HR 33 MINS

1:33:14

20 Feb 2024


#87

Through The Looking Glass | Ep 79

In this week's episode, we explore the history of mirrors, and their place in our superstitions, legends, and folk beliefs. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

06 Feb 2024

47 MINS

47:10

06 Feb 2024


#86

Holiday Monsters | Ep 78

For this week's episode, we are exploring the monstrous entities that emerge during the winter holidays. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

25 Dec 2023

34 MINS

34:21

25 Dec 2023


#85

What's Behind The Door? | Ep 77

Doors, thresholds, doorways, portals, and gates have always been powerful symbols throughout all of history and across all cultures. They’ve been used in rituals and religious rites since antiquity. And they have always been part of humanity’s legends, folklore, ghost stories, and superstition. Join me this week, as we explore the psychological and symbolic place doors have always held throughout all humanity. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

11 Dec 2023

30 MINS

30:27

11 Dec 2023


#84

RE-PLAY: A Haunting Winter | Ep 76

This week I'm down with a cold, so please enjoy this re-release of one of my favorite episodes ever 'A Haunting Winter'. Next week I'll be back with a whole new episode! See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

04 Dec 2023

57 MINS

57:52

04 Dec 2023


#83

Strange & Unusual Headlines| Scientist Proves Ghosts Real! Haunted Houses? Lots of Them! | Ep 75

This week's headline comes from The Toronto Star Weekly, April 5, 1924 See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

20 Nov 2023

40 MINS

40:46

20 Nov 2023


#82

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Pt 6 | Ep 74

Join Alyson for chapters 10-11 of 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. In this episode, Victor Frankenstein is forced to face his creation, and he, in turn, tells Victor all about the first days of his life. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

10 Nov 2023

45 MINS

45:10

10 Nov 2023


#81

The Shadows of Burton Hall, Pt 2 | Ep 73

Join me for part 2 of my ghost story, as Teresa gets settled into Burton Hall See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

31 Oct 2023

24 MINS

24:38

31 Oct 2023