Spooky Creepy Dark and Twisty: My Autumn Podcast Playlist

On September 8, 2023 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn autumn, Podcasts2 Comments

Who else is ready for spooky season? This post has become one of my favorite yearly traditions on the blog! I listen to so many podcasts, and so many of them are on the spooky side! The podcasts I have listed in previous years have tended to be more true crime with some spooky – this year, maybe just one does both spooky and true crime?

I am all about the ghosts and cryptids this year. I find the lore of cryptids fascinating! My favorite cryptid to read about or listen to pods about is the Jersey Devil. I can just imagine the long dark nights when stories like this were born, can’t you? People huddled together inside around a fire, gossiping about the neighbors, telling some crazy tales.

These are my current listens – and since I like to set a mood, I like to have a warm beverage close at hand, maybe a soft blanket, and bonus points if it is stormy or rainy day, but that is not necessity. Be careful about turning the lights down too low though….you never know what is lurking in the shadows, as these tales might make you think!

Sinisterhood: I literally laugh out loud listening to this one. Christie and Heather are hysterical together! I love their vibe. I have only listened to their episodes that are about ghosts or haunting or cyptids, things like that, none of their true crime episodes, but I am sure they are just as well researched as the paranormal episodes, especially since Heather is a licensed attorney. My favorite episodes so far: The Nain Rouge (A Detroit Episode!!) and The Stanley Hotel (I will always love a good Stanley Hotel pod, and this one is awesome)

The Midnight Library: This podcast is a whole experience! I was listening the other night before bed and I didn’t want to stop. It is pure entertainment! From their website:

Proudly brought to you by the fine folks at the Astonishing Legends Podcast – Not just another show but a place you can go: The Midnight Library. You alone, can climb the stairs of the strange, old Victorian mansion and be somewhat welcomed by your Hosts, Miranda Merrick & Mr. Darling. Curl up in a window seat or beside the grand fireplace and hear a tale of times long ago. Be transported to forgotten lands, learn about ancient customs and mysterious happenings… all in the company of your unusual hosts in their unique setting. Just stay in the cordoned off areas, and you should be fine…

My favorite episode so far: Gargoyles (and now I want to take the Gargoyles tour of Pittsburgh!)

Old Gods of Appalachia: This is another podcast that is a immersive and dramatic. It draws on folk tales and tales of the supernatural for inspiration, and is all original fiction, which is brought to life by a spectacular cast. My cousin introduced me to this one and I am very thankful! My cousin actually had tickets to see them perform in person but they were flooded out. (I think that was the reason at least!) If you want to be swallowed up by a story, give this one a shot! Favorite episode so far: Hmm, too hard to choose!!!

The Night Owl: Ok, so I mentioned this one last year but I still love it to pieces and wait anxiously every month for a new episode. Yep, this podcast releases one episode a month – but the production quality and research that go into each episode are worth the wait. It is so well done! Each episode or haunt is treated so thoughtfully and carefully by Stephen and his team, and it is evident in every moment of the podcast. My favorite episodes so far: The Pioneer Farms episodes

Ghost Tales by the Fireside: Ooo this one is delightful and absolutely perfect on those rainy fall days. It is THE podcast to snuggle up under the covers, sip some tea, light a fire if that is something you can do, and just listen. It is exactly how you imagine a ghost tale should be told, hushed and quiet. My favorite episode so far: Ghosts of Ipsley

If you interested in my previous lists you can find them here: 2022, 2021, 2020

Spooky, Creepy, Dark and Twisty: My October Podcast Playlist 2022 Version

On October 12, 2022October 12, 2022 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Podcasts6 Comments

It’s October, and for me that means ’tis the season for all things spooky and scary! My brother and I were just comparing our reading lists for the month, both full of ghosts and witches and monsters. I’ve been indulging in spooky movies every week (and reviewing some of them with Lisa at Boondock Ramblings as part of our Spooky Season Cinema posts) and of course, listening to spooky, creepy, dark and twisty podcasts. Some are old favorites – others are new to me this year.

This year I seem to be all about the ghost and ghost stories, and lately I keep reading and hearing the same theory over and over in different places – that ghost stories are a form of folklore, of storytelling, that have a purpose – whether they are a warning or a lesson, whether they give a voice to those who didn’t have a voice while alive, and I love this idea. Entertaining, spooky, but with more under the surface than just the story and the scare.

Here are my current favorites – maybe listen with your favorite beverage, a cup of tea, a mug of cocoa, a hard cider, a glass of wine – and make sure the mood is right. I like a vibe y’all. We have thunderstorms in our forecast for today, the perfect ambiance for a spooky read or listen.

The Night Owl Podcast: My current favorite. Host Stephen Belyeu leads us through haunted houses and businesses with the help of his team including clairvoyant Sara. These stories are all central to Austin, Texas and usually are the result of someone coming to Belyeu for help with what they believe is a haunted home. Rather than just share ghost stories (although that is done as well in their Campfire episodes) they attempt to help people who are afraid by investigating and providing support. Belyeu and his team present well thought out, sensitive, serious, high quality pods that are highly addictive to listen to. They took a short hiatus due to some health issues, but recently have started to release new episodes. Favorite episode: The Pioneer Farms series of episodes

The Haunted Road with Amy Bruni: If you are a fellow ghost story lover, then you may know the name of Amy Bruni already. Bruni was an investigator on the popular show, Ghost Hunters for years. She now has another show, Kindred Spirits, which I have not watched, and is also the host of The Haunted Road. Filled with history, Bruni sets the stage for the tale before sharing the ghost stories themselves. The Haunted Road is informative and at times, unsettling. I have listened to some episodes over and over again, and I listen in times of quiet and also when I am cleaning or doing work. I find them so interesting and entertaining. My favorite episodes: His Body Wasn’t Discovered for Six Months (Mackinac Island) and The Lake It Is Said, Never Gives Up Her Dead (another Michigan episode) and When My Fire Burns Low, about Lizzie Borden.

The Dark Parts: The Dark Parts is a podcast hosted by Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman (both awesome last names) who also host the true crime podcast Going West. The Dark Parts is all about creepy – horror stories, dark history, unexplained events. There is something for every spooky seeker with this one! My favorite episode: Terrible Tilly Lighthouse

Homespun Haints: This one I just recently started listening to, but it is part of my October list so I wanted to include it. This one is fun and funny, and has great stories! I have not listened to many so far, but the ones I have listened to I have enjoyed. Favorite Episode (so far): Three of the World’s Most Haunted Libraries

And an old favorite:

Camp Monsters: Oo I love this one. I saved the newer episodes just for this month- and plan on listening to one today during our independent quiet time while I sew. Weston Davis is the writer and host and his voice is so soothing. Like you could listen to him read a phone book, he just has a way of storytelling that is lost almost in this day and age. And this format, like stories being told around the campfire, emphasize those storytelling skills. There is atmosphere to this podcast, y’all. The crackling of a fire, little noises and sounds that fit the story and the mood. I can’t speak highly enough of this pod. Fave Episode: The Jersey Devil

If you interested in my previous lists you can find them here: 2021 and 2020

Spooky, Creepy, Dark and Twisty: My October Podcast Playlist (2021 version!)

On October 6, 2021October 6, 2021 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Podcasts15 Comments

It’s a gloomy gloomy day today, and I’m looking forward to tonight and listening to a podcast. As it is October, I like to indulge in all things spooky and ghostly and downright creepy. I have scary books on my nightstand, a long list of movies to watch, and on my Stitcher and Spotify playlists, a plethora of podcasts just waiting to scare me! I have some new favorites this season that I am loving setting down in those quiet moments for a listen, with a cup of tea or a glass of red wine. Perfection, especially on a gloomy or rainy night.

First up, my current favorite:

Since attending Franken Fest a few weeks ago, I have been seeking out these stories of cryptids and monsters. I had no idea there were so many! And this podcast – Weston Davis is the writer and host and his voice is so soothing. Like you could listen to him read a phone book, he just has a way of storytelling that is lost almost in this day and age. And this format, like stories being told around the campfire, emphasize those storytelling skills. There is atmosphere to this podcast, y’all. The crackling of a fire, little noises and sounds that fit the story and the mood. I can’t speak highly enough of this pod. Fave Episode: The Jersey Devil (so far, I have so many left to listen to!)

I love this one for it’s versatility – these hosts are my kind of people! True crime and ghosts? Yes, please! And coffee too? It can’t get any better. I love that I can pick and choose which path to go down for whatever mood I am in all in one podcast. There are so many to pick from too, true crime and hauntings and just weird tales, they are all there. Plus yummy sounding coffee drinks! If you are a coffee lover like me, if you pop over to their website they also include recipes for those drinks… I just need a personal barista to make them for me. Fave episode: The Mothman of Point Pleasant

I just recently started listening to this one as well. I like how these hosts and criminologists have a goal and a mission, and it is not just about being sensationalists about these tragedies. From their website:

“As criminologists, we study females who have been victims of crime, those who have committed crimes, and those involved in the criminal justice system through their work.

In this podcast, we tell the stories of these women, but we also look at the causes of female crime, and victimization. We will cover cases in which women have been wrongfully convicted and exonerated, and we will use a criminologist lens to look at how women are treated in the criminal justice system.

Some of these women you may have heard of but we promise to also bring you cases of women whose names will be new to you. Regardless of the type of case, we will cover a new story involving women and crime each episode. “

I am reluctant to say fave episode because of the nature of the story, but I thought they did a very good job at covering the Ellen Rae Greenberg case.

I discovered Ashley Flowers from a different podcast that she hosts, Crime Junkie, and I just like her style. This is another podcast that covers a range of topics, some that can’t be explained logically or just have a twist of the supernatural. Fave Episode: The New England Vampire Girl

Haunted American History with Christopher Feinstein

This podcast is relatively new, and the host Christopher Feinstein has a full time job outside of the podcast, so there are not very many episodes yet. Feinstein also likes to keep the quality high so instead of rushing his process he takes his time, and it shows. I have enjoyed all of the episodes I have listened to! Also, the intro music is perfect. I only wish that the show summary actually gave a synopsis of what the episode was actually going to be about. Fave Episode: Robert and Friends

This podcast is already well-known, especially among people who listen to true crime. However, I just recently started listening to it. I think the guys do a fantastic job of covering the cases and delivering the facts. Again, not a favorite episode but the one that I think they did a tremendous job of covering is the Danielle Stislicki case. Danielle Stislicki is a case local to my area, and a fairly recent one. I vividly recall when she went missing and how hard her parents worked to bring attention to her case. Her family is sadly still waiting for answers.

So, this is the list of pods I keep gravitating between this month! Have you listened to any? Have any to recommend?

If you are interested, you can see my list from last year here!

Talk Nerdy to Me

On April 15, 2021April 15, 2021 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Podcasts6 Comments

If you have been around my blog before, you might know that I am a giant nature lover. I love science, I love nature, and this past year I have been doing a bit of a deeper dive on topics I enjoy. When I was in school, I always felt like I wasn’t “good” at science. And, depending on the type of ology, I wasn’t. I am just not mathematically minded; it comes a little harder for me. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t like it. I think that is a misconception a lot of us labor under – that if something is difficult then it is not for us. I have learned as I have grown older that this is simply not true. I have been reading more nonfiction than ever before, on all sorts of topics. I am listening to podcasts that teach me. I am putting in the time because I want to know more and understand more. And sometimes, our learning is more hands on, with getting out there and exploring nature, connecting with it personally – even bringing it into our home. The feeling this has given me is one of fulfillment and happiness- I am more content. I have always been a curious person, one who gets excited about the small things, and I am hoping that I am passing this on to Wyatt as well.

Anyway, my list! I have found some podcasts that I absolutely love, and here they are, in no particular order.

Ologies with Alie Ward: This is listed as a comedic science, and Ward makes listening to some of these topics more fun than one might think. She does use language that not all people would be comfortable with, but if this doesn’t bother you, this podcast is fabulous. I have learned so much! If it is an “ology” you might be able to find out more about it here! My favorites so far: Gluteology (BUTTS), Bryology (MOSS), and Lupinology (Wolves) (photo is from the episode about gluteology)

Our Numinous Nature: This is a new favorite for me, but it was an instant favorite. One episode in, and I was hooked. It is described as “a collection of reverential stories about nature & its effect on our souls. We’ll be hearing from folks with a deep connection to the natural world, from herbalists to hunters, wildlife rehabilitators to trappers, artists to homesteaders… The hope is to weave together these disparate lifestyles through tales of profundity, love, and awe. Find a comfy log and join us at the sonic campfire.” I am so in love with all of this. And I have lots of thoughts. The diversity in this podcast makes me happy, as this world is not so black and white, there are many shades of grey. The episode that hooked me: Herpetological Spring with Caroline Seitz, a Wildlife Educator

The Critter Shed: Another no-brainer for me, as I have been slowing adding critters to my own home. This podcast is about “leggy things like spiders, frogs, scorpions, newts and more…. In a shed!” So if you like creepy crawlies and little critters and more, then you need to check out this pod! My favorite so far: Snail Tales in “the Love Shack”

Nature’s Archive: This one takes a look from a different perspective – not only are these people experts, they are people actively working on making changes and an impact upon our natural world for the better. It is very inspiring!! I just started listening to this one, so I haven’t heard too many but my favorite episode so far is The Pollinators Posse on Monarchs

Earth Rangers: This one is for kids, but I love it too! Wyatt and I listen together and I love how they present the information in a fun, engaging way for kids. I will turn them on sometimes just randomly in the afternoon, and we listen as we go about doing other things- cleaning for me usually, and playing for him, but then other times I use them to accompany different unit studies we are doing. Wyatt’s Favorite Episode: Big-Eared Bats, and Big Cat Countdown

Do you listen to podcasts? Any science or nature favorites in your playlist? I would love to know!

Spooky, Creepy, Dark and Twisty – My October Podcast List

On October 20, 2020October 25, 2020 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Podcasts30 Comments

The closer it gets to Halloween, the more ghost stories I need in my life. The weather has been gray and gloomy, inspiring me to snuggle up with a cup of tea when I get the opportunity, and listen to a chilling tale. I started listening to True Crime after a long hiatus from it, and this month added in spooky stories about haunted places..

Let’s begin, shall we?

Haunted Places is my favorite – I listen to this pretty much everyday, while Wyatt is sleeping. Greg Polcyn has a wonderfully pleasant voice to listen to, even when his stories are not. I love that this podcast is a blend of storytelling followed up with history – you get a nice mix. I am also enjoying the Urban Legends included as well. My fave episode so far: The Pine Barrens, about the Jersey Devil.

I just started listening to this one, and I love it. The Grave Talks is a different format from Haunted Places – it is all interview style, which gives it a totally different feel. I have only listened to a few so far, but I’m hooked. But be prepared – every episode has two parts and to hear the second part you need to be a patron of their Patreon! I’ve been curious enough to consider it! Favorite episode so far: Eloise, which is about the asylum that used to be here in my county, about twenty miles away from where I live, and that generations of teenagers have illegally explored in their youth at one time or another. I know for a fact that my brother and his friends stumbled into the Potter’s Field one night…

Updated to add: My curiousity got the better of me and I signed up as Grave Keeper patron so I could listen to the Part 2 episodes! Well worth the $5 in my opinion!

Lore is an old favorite of mine, I’ve been listening for years. Lore is a nonfiction spooky podcast that takes a look at the darker side of history, and Mahnke always does a great job delivering the story. Also a tv series on Amazon! Favorite Episode: Black Stockings

And since we are talking about dark histories, we might as well talk about Dark Histories the podcast. Another podcast new to my lineup this month, I am enjoying podcaster Ben’s renditions of some of humanity’s darkest moments and strange happenings. Favorite episode so far: I haven’t listened to enough yet to choose

And now we start to veer into more of true crime tales. Unsolved Murders is exactly what it sounds like. It is performed by an ensemble cast which is kind of neat, considering the horrible tales they are telling. My favorite episode: Edgar Allen Poe: A Rigged Murder, about the mysterious death of Poe. Their theory about rabies is very compelling!

Redhanded is my favorite true crime pod right now. I love Hannah and Suruthi’s respectful handling of each case, and they have just the right amount of banter. I am even a patron of their Patreon. And they have begun adding in ghost stories in their special Redhaunted episodes. My Favorite Episode: Glensheen

I am imagining by next month the creepy tales will have run their course with me, but they are perfect for this time of year, if this is something that you are interested in. I know it is not everyone’s cup of tea! And it is not always mine either – but some days, I need a side of spooky with my cup of tea. And with that being said, Wyatt is off to nap and I am about to have that tea and scary story for the morning..

Talk To Me About Podcasts…

On October 4, 2018October 4, 2018 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Podcasts, Uncategorized9 Comments

In the past year or so, I have really gotten into listening to podcasts. Sometimes I just need something to listen to, while I am working in the office alone in the evening or cleaning or cooking or just sitting and chilling out with my coffee. I also love that they are so niche, there is pretty much a podcast for everything it seems! No matter your interests, I am sure there is one out there for you. Personally, I listen on Stitcher, but there are a bunch of other podcast players to choose from.

So, what is on my playlist? We will start with my very favorite!

lore

This is the podcast that started it all for me. I would listen to it while feeding Wyatt when he was six months old, and it hooked me. I still love it and eagerly await the new episodes every two weeks, except in October when they are every week!! The description from the Lore website describes it as:

Lore is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed podcast about true life scary stories. Lore exposes the darker side of history, exploring the creatures, people, and places of our wildest nightmares.

Because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction.

Each episode examines a new dark historical tale in a modern campfire experience.

If this kind of thing floats your boat, I urge you to listen! My favorite episode so far is Black Stockings, but the Trick or Treat ones are good too! Well, all of them are, but these are my top faves of the 96 episodes available.

cabinet of curiosities

From the same guy who produces Lore, Aaron Mahnke. This is a newer podcast of his, and the episodes tend to be shorter, but still super interesting! Again from the Lore website:

Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosities is a twice-weekly exploration of some of the most unusual and bizarre people, events, and objects in history.

np podcast

I love this podcast! Such great stories, well presented – it is one I listen to once a week or so because I don’t want to run out, I love it so much. Best episode in my opinion, so far (that I have listened to)? 37 Days in Yellowstone.

220px-My_Favorite_Murder_Podcast_Logo

So, yeah. My Favorite Murder. This one scares the crap out of me. I always listen to it at work on nights I am in the office alone, because of the language and content. However, it always freaks me out. I haven’t listened to very many, but I have listened to a few really good ones, including one that takes place in my own hometown…

If you are a true crime junkie, become a fellow murderino and give it a listen.

There are a few others that I will very occasionally listen to, including a few kids podcasts, like Circle Round, that I play when Wyatt wants to watch tv and I don’t want him to. If I put on a podcast he is content to just listen and play with his toys or color or whatever, which is much better than being glued to a screen all day. I won’t lie – he does watch television on occasion, but I do try to to limit how much and what he is watching. (usually Daniel Tiger, Blippi, Dave and Ava, or Sesame Street). I am also super excited becasue Aaron Mahnke is coming out with a brand new podcast, called Unobscured. In it he is going to deep dive the Salem Witch Trials – perfect for this time of year! It actually may have already started, I will have to check, but I know it is scheduled for this month sometime.

How about you all? Any podcast listeners out there? What do you like to listen to?