Buzz
Halloween is almost here, and what better way to embrace the eerie season than by tuning into these podcasts? They offer everything from gripping fictional tales to chilling real-life crime stories.
1. Haunted Places
This podcast does exactly what its title suggests: host Greg Polcyn guides listeners to a different haunted spot worldwide in every episode. From well-known sites like the Winchester Mystery House and Paris's Catacombs to lesser-known locales such as Vermont's Bennington County Courthouse and Austin's Driskill Hotel, each episode combines historical facts with eerie folklore. Enhanced by atmospheric sound effects and Polcyn's engaging narration, new episodes drop every Thursday. (For more from Polcyn, don’t miss his other podcasts: Serial Killers and Cults.)
2. Strange Phenomenon
Launched this year, Strange Phenomenon is a documentary-style podcast that dives into paranormal events and unexplained anomalies. Through expert interviews and eyewitness accounts, it explores topics like the Fermi Paradox and the Snallygaster, a cryptid linked to Theodore Roosevelt. Upcoming episodes will cover John Murray Spear, creator of a mechanical messiah, and Indonesia’s Bigfoot. New episodes are released bi-weekly, accompanied by bonus content featuring full guest interviews.
3. The NoSleep Podcast
Horror movie enthusiasts will love NoSleep, a fiction podcast that delivers chilling tales with a cautionary note: "[NoSleep] is designed for mature audiences and not for the easily frightened. Proceed at your own risk …" Originating from a subreddit dedicated to original horror stories, the podcast was proposed by member Matt Hansen in 2011, with David Cummings taking on hosting and production. Each story is enhanced by voice actors, immersive sound effects, and eerie music. "We’re reviving the classic radio drama for today’s audience," Cummings told the Chicago Tribune in 2017. "Listeners contribute their own imaginations and fears, deepening their connection to the stories."
Currently in its 15th season, NoSleep promises "16 chilling tales featuring sinister nature, horrifying transformations, and menacing malls. This season is not for the faint-hearted." For newcomers, the team has curated a helpful list of recommended episodes to get started.
4. Park Predators
The National Park System spans over 85 million acres, offering endless exploration opportunities—but also the potential for danger. Park Predators delves into the dark stories that unfold in these remote, protected lands, focusing on visitors who encountered tragic fates. Host Delia D’Ambra also encourages listeners to share tips for unsolved cases.
5. Pretty Scary
Fans of My Favorite Murder will likely appreciate Pretty Scary. Though the tone is lighthearted, thanks to hosts Adam Tod Brown, Caitlin Cutt, and Kari Martin, the topics are anything but. The podcast dives into true crime, conspiracy theories, and unexplained phenomena, with episodes covering the chupacabra, the ghost ship Mary Celeste, nuclear explosions, and Halloween murders.
6. Family Ghosts
This podcast uncovers the hidden skeletons in family histories. Hosted by The Moth grand slam champion Sam Dingman, Family Ghosts shares true tales of families haunted by enigmatic ancestors or relatives with buried secrets that echo through generations. Across three seasons, the show has explored personal family myths and the enduring impacts of slavery and colonialism.
7. Into the Dark
With just 23 episodes, this podcast hosted by Cooper B. Wilhelm is ideal for pre-Halloween listening. It offers "engaging conversations with experts and practitioners of witchcraft and occult arts, alongside answers to listener questions about the supernatural." Wilhelm excels at drawing out fascinating insights from his guests. Don’t miss this episode, which delves into the differences between Satanism and Devil Worship.
8. Dateline
Long before true-crime documentaries like Making a Murderer and The Jinx became streaming staples, Dateline NBC was a must-watch for crime enthusiasts. While the show still airs on Friday nights, its episodes are now available as podcasts, including both new releases and classics from its 28-year run. Though less cinematic than other true-crime podcasts, Dateline’s straightforward, journalistic style in covering murderous plots and small-town mysteries makes it irresistibly binge-worthy.
9. Unexplained
This podcast explores phenomena that resist explanation, delving into "the boundary between reality and the inexplicable, where the paranormal intersects with cutting-edge scientific theories." Host Richard MacLean Smith explained to TVOvermind that he selects stories based on three criteria: "First, they must have a human element at their core; second, they should be compelling narratives, not just isolated events; and third, the mystery must remain unresolved and not adequately debunked."
Previous episodes have tackled topics like the Stocksbridge Bypass (considered the UK’s most haunted road), Operation Cone of Power, and the disappearance of the Eilean Mòr Lighthouse Keepers.
10. Unobscured
History holds more than what’s written in textbooks. Through storytelling and interviews with historians, Unobscured uncovers the truth behind misunderstood and darker historical events. Past seasons have examined the Salem Witch Trials and the emergence of Spiritualism.
11. Here Be Monsters
Launched by Jeff Emtman in 2012, Here Be Monsters—inspired by the cartographic phrase—defines itself as "a podcast for those who want to confront their fears and explore the unknown." Emtman shared with The Guardian in 2015 that the show encourages facing discomfort head-on: "We dissect our fears, breaking them into smaller parts and examining each one. Often, these fears turn out to be baseless." The podcast has explored topics like a Satanic prayer line, a three-legged arctic fox, crow funerals, and ASMR, all accompanied by haunting soundscapes and eerie artwork. The team, including Bethany Denton and Nick White, suggests starting with newer episodes and moving backward.
12. The Scaredy Cats Horror Show
Reply All hosts Alex Goldman and PJ Vogt share many similarities, but their views on horror films couldn’t be more different. Goldman finds them comforting, while Vogt avoids anything scary. To help Vogt face his fears, they created The Scaredy Cats Horror Show, where they watch and discuss horror classics like The Exorcist (1973), Alien (1979), Get Out (2017), and Midsommar (2019). Special guests, including actor Jason Mantzoukas and author Carmen Maria Machado, join the conversation. Their dynamic chemistry makes the podcast enjoyable for both horror fans and skeptics.
13. Limetown
This masterfully crafted radio drama—initially hard to distinguish from reality—has drawn comparisons to both Serial and the TV series The X-Files. It revolves around a fictional incident from a decade ago, where hundreds vanished without a trace from a Tennessee gated community. The fictional host, Lia Haddock, whose uncle was among the missing, investigates the enigma of Limetown. Creators Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie drew inspiration from NPR shows like Radiolab and This American Life for the documentary-style format, as Akers told Vox, and real-life mysteries such as the Roanoke Colony. After listening, check out the prequel.
14. Uncover: Satanic Panic
Each season of CBC’s Uncover delves into a gripping true crime story. In season 6, host Lisa Bryn Rundle examines the 1980s Satanic Panic that swept America. While no evidence of actual Satanic rituals exists, the wrongful accusations and trials stemming from the hysteria are equally chilling.
15. Stuff You Missed in History Class
This meticulously researched podcast (hosts Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey dedicate 8 to 20 hours per episode) explores terrifying historical events, with annual Halloween specials being no exception. Past episodes have covered the Villisca Axe Murders, the puzzling disappearance of Aaron Burr’s only daughter, and the history of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion.
16. Dr. Death
Doctors are expected to heal, bound by an oath to do no harm. Yet, when this oath is broken, the medical system should safeguard patients—though it often fails. Dr. Death chronicles the horrifying actions of neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Duntsch, who left a trail of devastation in his patients’ lives. His employers and the medical system failed to intervene adequately. "What’s shocking is the number of opportunities to stop him—starting with medical school—that were missed," host Laura Beil said at a podcast event. "At every stage, someone could have acted but didn’t. And this might not even be rare." What could be more terrifying?
17. Jim Harold’s Campfire
Listening to this podcast feels like gathering around a global campfire. Callers from across the world share true stories of their encounters with the supernatural. If you’ve had a chilling experience, you can share your tale, which might feature in a future episode.
18. Sawbones
While technically a comedy podcast, Sawbones delves into the terrifying world of medical history. Hosted by Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband, Justin, the show—named after an old term for surgeons—launched in 2013. Over the years, it has explored topics ranging from insomnia and asbestos to sleepwalking and spontaneous combustion, offering a mix of humor and horror.
19. Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked
Spooked, hosted by Glynn Washington, shares firsthand accounts of paranormal encounters. Washington, whose grandmother was a seer, witnessed an exorcism as a teenager. "Nothing is more chilling or captivating than a true ghost story," he said. "The stories on Spooked linger long after the episode ends, challenging your perception of reality." With its eerie narratives and haunting soundscapes, Spooked is a must-listen. Don’t miss season one, episode six, "The Shadow Men," featuring tales of a malevolent haunted house and a border patrol agent’s unsettling experiences.
