We are digging into urban legends near and far with our guest, Chelsey Weber-Smith of American Hysteria. We chat about the cross section of poetry and moral panic, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and where fear comes from.    Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of conspiracy theories, spiders, clowns, child endangerment, home invasion, attempted murder, necrophilia, queerphobia/homophobia, illness, transphobia, patriarchy,    Guest Chelsey Weber-Smith is a queer, nonbinary poet-turned-podcaster working to understand both American cultur ..read more

What do Victorians, kids of the 90s, and Renaissance Christians have in common? They were all SUPER into unicorns. We talk about unicorn stories from across the globe and from ancient times to now, to see how the unicorn has evolved over the years.    Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of racism, colonialism, animal death, animal attacks, Christopher Columbus, poaching, illness, genitals, homophobia, and pornography.     Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends the A League of Extraordinary Women series by Evie Dunm ..read more

Keeping with our nature spirits trend, we’re talking about the horny (in more ways than one) Greek nature spirits: satyrs, and their Roman counterparts, fauns! Later satyrs!   Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of sexual content, sexual assault, masturbation, bestiality, and drugs.     Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends a convention banana.  - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at https://spiritspodcast.com/books - Call to Action: Check out Pale Blue Pod!   Sponso ..read more

Every story needs a villain, and Egyptian mythology has Set. But is he really just a villain? We explore his multifaceted domains, his motivations, and the worst salad story you’ve ever heard.    Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of death, murder, sexual content, sexual assault, colonization, infidelity, eye injury, endangering a child, and toxic masculinity.   Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends a bad horror movie, like Tarot.  - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at https ..read more

400 episodes. Wow. We decided for this one to talk about something that has captured our interests since before Spirits was even the thing - the Oneida Community. We talk about the Second Great Awakening, the Burned Over District, and the result: A well-known silver company.   Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of cults, explicit sex discussions, eugenics, sexual assault, rape, religious persecution, abuse, pregnancy, childbirth, child death, manipulation, and indoctrination.    Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends going ..read more

Oceanids, Nereids, and Naiads, oh my! We’re back to talking about nymphs, but this time it’s all about water nymphs - rivers, the sea, the springs and lakes. Grab your towels and let’s dive in!   Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of cannibalism, death, murder, blood, castration, warfare, drowning, and sex.    Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends The Dresden Files. - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at https://spiritspodcast.com/books - Call to Action: Join the Multitude Discord ..read more

Was Shakespeare writing about zombies? What if Romeo & Juliet were transformed at the end of the play rather than just dying? We’re joined by playwright and creator Melody Bates to talk about her love and frustration with Shakespeare, her acting origins, and translating fashion and folklore into performance.    Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of blood, gore, misogyny, death, suicide, disease, and violence.     Guest Melody Bates (she/they) is a native Oregonian actor and writer based in Red Hook, Brooklyn. She is a queer femme ..read more

We’re talking this week about Isis, the Egyptian Head Queen in Charge! She’s out there doing magic, bringing people back from the dead, controlling scorpions, all sorts of things. If you’re not impressed, you’re not listening.   Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of colonialism, death, grieving, xenophobia, religious persecution, pregnancy and birth, drowning, dismemberment, fire, animal attacks, poisoning, child endangerment, and genitals.    Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends watching Love Island USA with your group ..read more

After a month of mushroom folklore, horror, and general gushing, we are revisiting with fresh eyes the scariest story we’ve ever told on the podcast: The Shuddering of Creekside Mushrooms.    Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of racism, viruses, death, body horror, homophobia, and guns.    Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske. - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at https://spiritspodcast.com/books - Call to Action: Check out the MultiCrew ..read more

After a month of mushroom folklore, horror, and general gushing, we are revisiting with fresh eyes the scariest story we’ve ever told on the podcast: The Shuddering of Creekside Mushrooms.    Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of racism, viruses, death, body horror, homophobia, and guns.    Housekeeping - Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends A Marvelous Light by Freya Marske. - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at https://spiritspodcast.com/books - Call to Action: Check out the MultiCrew ..read more