Scary Stories for the Soul

The Stanley Hotel has a reputation for being the most haunted hotel in the United States. Some of that is thanks to Stephen King’s 1977 novel The Shining, but most of it is because it’s actually really, really, really haunted.

Holiday traditions are sacred things. They’re what makes the season joyful and bright. But I bet you didn’t know that some of our most beloved holidays traditions, have their roots in Pagan practices and celebrations. Let’s talk about the history of Christmas.

La Befana is a popular figure in Italian holiday folklore. The little Christmas Witch shares more than a few traits with good Ol’ Saint Nick. This holiday season we’re going to talk about La Befana, and see exactly why she should have a place on our mantel, right next to that Elf on the Shelf.

Forests are naturally known as fantastical places, but none hold a candle to Germany’s Black Forest. Walk into the supernatural history of the Black Forest, get acquainted with some of its more spooky inhabitants, and learn about what exactly inspired the Brothers Grimm to change the world of folktales forever.

When La Casa de los Lamentos in Guanajuato, Mexico opened its doors to tourists, they knew they could make some money showing the home of a deceased serial killer. What they didn’t expect, was that Tadeo Fulgencio Mejia’s victims might still be lingering in the halls. Bonus Episode: When Gertrude Tredwell’s father forbade her from marrying the love of her life, she kept that promise even after his death. But now, years after her own death, it seems as though Gertrude is still mourning that love in that very home she died in.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! It’s time for a Scary Stories for the Soul original tale of terror: The house next to Leticia’s has been vacant for years, until now. Her new neighbors, Marcelina and David, are interesting people; beautiful but aloof. But soon, Leticia starts having nightmares about the couple. Are the dreams just that, or are the vampire bites she feels every night real?

There’s a tree in Guadalajara that’s unlike any other. It’s not the concrete slab that the tree grew out of that makes it so unique, or it’s strange ability to bleed when cut into. It’s the fact that deep underneath its roots is a slumbering vampire waiting to take its revenge. Get ready to learn about the Vampire of Guadalajara.

Jure Grando IS a vampire, or at least that’s what the people of Kringa believe. Learn about the first man to ever be noted in historical record as a vampire, and how the village of Kringa stopped his deadly attacks.

Nellie Vaughn is NOT a vampire, and she’s been spending the majority of her afterlife trying to convince people of that. Let’s explore the Nellie Vaughn story, and how she got stuck with such a bad reputation.

Alleged vampire Mercy Brown has had her name cemented into American history by being the focal point of the New England Vampire Panic. But even now, almost 150 years after her death, the same question still arise: was Mercy ACTUALLY a vampire?

Warning: This episode contains instances of suicide and self harm. Listen at your own discretion. For decades the cause of Ladell Allen’s suicide was a mystery, as was the reasoning why her ghost still haunted her childhood home in Monticello, Arkansas. That is, until a new homeowner made a chilling discovery about Ladell Allen and the love of her life.

The Hope Diamond is well know for its beauty, but did you know it also carries a legacy of death and misfortune? Let’s discuss the lore behind the brilliant stone and its supposed body count.

Edward Mordrake was a handsome, wealthy young man with a deep secret - a parasitic, evil face lived on the back of his head, whispering atrocities so great that it eventually cost Mordrake his life.

Paintings are fraught with emotions, whether they be anger, sadness, or joy. Some paintings hold spirits and the blood of those who painted them. Sometimes when you look at a painting, it’s stares right back at you.

Games are never just games, we already know that. But Robin and Christine are about to learn that lesson the hard way when they insist on playing “The Chair Game,” a supposedly haunted game form their childhoods.

Hide and seek, tag, and cooties, all staples of our childhood, right? But did you know that some of your favorite childhood games could be hiding something dark and scary in their histories?? Let’s talk about it!

Agnes Sampson is one of the most well-known women who was murdered during the Scottish Witch trails, and yet there is so much of her story we don’t know. Let’s talk about the Agnes Sampson, the involuntary witch of Scotland. Please visit The Witches of Scotland’s website to learn more about their campaign for Justice. https://www.witchesofscotland.com

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Here’s an original short story “Xochi and La Lechuza.” We also spend some time listening to some real La Lechuza encounters from Reddit users online! https://www.reddit.com/r/scarystories/comments/ch0s6j/la_lechuza_the_owl_witch_true_story/?rdt=59264. https://www.reddit.com/r/skinwalkers/comments/z247n5/anybody_hear_of_la_lechuza/

Not all owls give us warm and fuzzy feelings, like the one from the Tootsie Pop commercial’s, or even Hedwig from the Harry Potter books. Some owls incite fear into the hearts of those who hear it’s call. This episode we soar into the legend of La Lechuza, the shapeshifting owl witch of Latin and Hispanic American folklore.

Marie Laveau is the most popular and powerful Voodoo practitioner in American history. Let’s explore the life of the woman commonly referred to as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.