As Halloween approaches ever nearer and thrill-seekers crave a healthy dose of the eerie and mysterious, one podcast promises to deliver on the spooky.
"LORE," created by Aaron Mahnke, is a …
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As Halloween approaches ever nearer and thrill-seekers crave a healthy dose of the eerie and mysterious, one podcast promises to deliver on the spooky.
"LORE," created by Aaron Mahnke, is a biweekly podcast that launched in 2015. It explores dark folklore, legends and historical events, shedding light on the macabre side of human nature. With more than 5 million monthly listeners, Mahnke has established a loyal fan base who tune in to uncover tales of vampires, ghosts,
werewolves, monsters and everything in between.
In his podcast episodes, Mahnke dedicates 20 to 30 hours each week to researching the origins of each legend, myth and story he presents, blending history and fiction in a captivating way. He delves into the rich tapestry of folklore, tracing each narrative back to its roots and exploring the cultural and historical contexts that birthed these tales. These aren't just whimsical tall tales; they are echoes of real events and beliefs, grounded in the human experience from times long past. By weaving together the factual and the fantastical, Mahnke invites listeners to appreciate the depth and complexity of these narratives, reminding them that every story has a kernel of truth waiting to be uncovered.
"LORE" has been compared to a campfire storytelling experience, but instead of s'mores and singalongs, Mahnke serves up unsettling truths about the human condition, often highlighting the fine line between myth and reality. The podcast has earned accolades, including iTunes' "Best of 2015" award and the Academy of Podcasters' "Best History Podcast" in 2016.
While the entire podcast is a treat, here are some spine-chilling episodes for those looking to dive into the creepy for the Halloween season:
Episode 1 – "They Made a Tonic"
Why not start at the beginning? While vampire tales have often been a bit romanticized and over the years have only gotten more so, the origins of vampires are a far cry away from sparkling in the sunlight. This episode explores vampire folklore, including the famous Mercy Brown vampire incident of 1892 in Exeter, Rhode Island. It delves into how fear of the undead gripped local communities, sparking legends that continue to haunt us today.
Episode 36 – "When the Bow Breaks"
In every good spooky podcast, there are plenty of ghost stories, and "LORE" is no different. In this episode, ghost enthusiasts will appreciate tales of the RMS Queen Mary, an ocean liner docked in Long Beach, California, rumored to be haunted by restless spirits. Mahnke explores the ship's haunted history and eerie encounters reported by visitors.
Follow-up episode:
Episode 100 – "Home Sweet Home"
Looking for more ghost stories? This episode focuses on the haunting of a house in Hydesville, New York, in 1848. The home, said to be haunted by a murdered peddler, played a significant role in the rise of Spiritualism and the notorious Fox Sisters.
Episode 170 – "Into the Wild"
For those intrigued by Bigfoot, this episode delves into tales of wild man sightings, including an alleged encounter in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana in the 1860s, where Bigfoot was said to have killed a man.
Episode 3 – "The Beast Within"
Growing up, many of us felt that werewolves were often victims, similar to The Hulk. However, the origins of werewolves are a little different. This episode recounts the chilling tale of Peter Stumpp, a 16th-century German man accused of being a werewolf and committing gruesome murders between 1582 and 1589.
Episode 12 – "Half-Hanged"
"LORE" features may episodes about witches. In this episode, Mahnke invites you to travel back to 1685 Massachusetts, where Mary Webster, accused of witchcraft, miraculously survived an attempted hanging. This episode examines the brutal methods used to identify and punish supposed witches during colonial times.
Follow-up episode:
Episode 70 – "Familiar"
Looking for more history of witches and witch hunts? In this episode, Mahnke covers the exploits of Matthew Hopkins, a notorious witch-hunter in England during the 1640s. His ruthless methods led to the execution of over 100 alleged witches, including the gruesome death of Mary Lakeland.
Episode 26 – "Brought Back"
This episode unearths legends of zombies, with a focus on Clairvius Narcisse, a Haitian man who was allegedly turned into a zombie after seemingly dying in 1962. The real story behind zombie folklore is far more terrifying than Hollywood's creations.
Episode 87 – "Road Trip"
While not everyone thinks of aliens for Halloween, there are many out there who find aliens to be quite frightening. Mahnke explores one of the most famous alien abduction stories in this episode — the 1961 case of Barney and Betty Hill, who claimed to have been abducted by extraterrestrials in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Episode 8 – "The Castle"
We saved the scariest for last. No legends or myths here, just the straight-up brutality of humans. Meet H. H. Holmes, one of America's first serial killers, who lured victims to his notorious "murder castle" in Chicago during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This episode explores Holmes' dark deeds and his manipulation of the people around him.
Follow-up episode:
Episode 63 – "Homecoming"
If you are looking for an episode that will keep you awake at night, let's continue with Holmes. This episode covers Holmes' exploits after he abandoned his infamous "castle" in Chicago, including his involvement in the murder of his partner, Benjamin Pitezel, and the tragic deaths of three of Pitezel's children across multiple states.
Whether you're fascinated by folklore or just looking for a good scare, "LORE" is the perfect companion for the Halloween season. Mahnke's smooth voice, almost like hearing a friend talk over the phone, and thoroughly researched storytelling make it an ideal way to pass the time — especially if you want to be a little more spooked by what lurks in the shadows. In addition to the episodes listed above, there are also episodes on wendigos, changelings, haunted dolls, the Bermuda Triangle and even Champy.
Listen to "LORE" on Apple, Spotify, Google and other platforms. If you like the podcast, Mahnke has also released books based on the series. For more information, visit www.lorepodcast.com.
But now I want to know what are you listening to. Do you have any recommendations on podcasts I should check out to get my scare on or learn a bit of history? Email me at whisper@gulfcoastmedia.com.
