The Morbid Curiosity Podcast

Thousands of people believe they've seen a ghost, experienced a haunting or had a paranormal experience. Others have never seen anything supernatural in their lives, sometimes despite desperately seeking it . Is there something different or special about people who see ghosts? Or the people who don't see them? Lets explore what science has to say about why humans see g hosts and why these experiences are important.

The night was dark and the sea was raging. The captain of the steam ship Archtor checked his map. There should have been a lighthouse marking the rocky Flannan Islands, but there was no light to guide him. A lighthouse relief vessel, called Hesperus , was sent to investigate the dark lighthouse, and the crew immediately knew something was wrong. The three lighthouse keepers who were stationed there were nowhere to be found. In this episode, we will explore the disappearance of the light keepers, the official investigation and conclusions, and why this story is still a mystery today.

Hello listeners, This week, The MCP would like to showcase another history podcast. Fresh Hell Podcast, hosted by Annie and Johanna, is an amazing deep dive history podcast focusing on the macabre. Like the MCP they focus on research and human stories, taking time to explore the historical context behind every topic they cover. They often focus on lesser-known stories, tangents of larger topics that also deserve to be explored. They release a new episode every Friday, diving into stories of murder, mystery, and the macabre. The episode of Fresh Hell that I chose to share with you all is called This is The Saddest Show. I chose this one because we've covered Freak Shows on the MCP, but didn't have time to really dive into the lives of some of the people who were displayed in this way. This episode talks about Chang and Eng Bunker, the conjoined twins, who were eventually able to take control of their display, and Julia Pastrana, known as 'the Bear Woman,' whom even after her death couldn't escape the exploitation that ruled her life. Annie and Johanna tell their stories in detail, remaining sensitive and non-exploitative when dealing with the complicated issues that wove throughout their lives. So, please give this episode a listen, and if you like it, you can find part 2 on the Fresh Hell Podcast feed where ever podcasts are found. Thank you, and I'll be back next time with another episode of the MCP.

Glowing plants and mushrooms are a staple of science fiction and fantasy environments, but did you know these fantastical elements are based on real organisms? This episode should be called glowing non-animal organisms but that doesn't really roll off the tongue. We discuss fungi, moss, algae and plants that glow, using bioluminescence and other unique mechanisms.

CW: Discussions of Religious persecution, and brief descriptions of torture, execution, and abduction. This episode also discusses an area that is currently experiencing violent political strife. During the Spanish Inquisition, an era of intense persecution of the Jewish communities of Europe, one woman was able to provide shelter and escape to hundreds of Jewish people fleeing persecution. Her name was Doña Gracia Mendes Nasi. Using her vast fortune, intelligence and cunning, she was able to make her own escape, and then assist others in the Jewish community fleeing from the Inquisition.

Water demands respect - it's life-giving, but also extremely dangerous. It's no wonder that tales of dangerous water creatures exist in cultures all over the world and throughout time. One such creature is the Bunyip, whose origins lie with multiple ancient oral traditions of Australian First Peoples. In this episode, we'll discuss these origins, the way the bunyip changed with the arrival of Europeans and after, and the many sightings of this elusive creature.

CW: Discossions of death, crime scenes, and decompostion Human Taphonomy Facilities, nicknamed Body Farms, are locations where donated human corpses are left to decay in order to study the process of decomposition. This research aids crime scene investigators and forensic anthropologists in determining cause and time of death, both of which can make or break a criminal case. Let's discuss how these facilities came to be and what goes on behind the razor wire fences. Get Ad-Free Episodes: Join the Patreon

The Myrtles Plantation is known as the most haunted hotel in America, hosting a very prominent ghost of an enslaved woman named Chloe. Does the history hold any truth to the stories? Let's discuss! CW: Enslavement, violence, racism and murder.

Mushrooms. So cute. So tasty. So very toxic. Humans have loved and feared mushrooms since before written history. In this episode, Hallie discusses the tumultuous history of this relationship, and a few of the most deadly mushrooms in the world. For patrons of the MCP, this episode is ad-free and extended. Join the MCP Patreon community

Originally posted in Dec. 2022, lets dive back into Krampus. Without much effort, the layers of the Christian holiday of Christmas can be peeled away to reveal its origins in more ancient pagan traditions from across Europe. One of the ancient folkloric characters that has managed to survive by tooth and claw is Krampus. Lets talk about Krampus, the Christmas demon.

The Nahanni region in Canada's Northwest Territories has a nickname - The Valley of Headless Men - because several decapitated bodies have been discovered over the years. Most of these were found during the goldrush and while some suggest foul play, there is also talk of strange beasts and spirits in the valley. Let's explore these legends.

Originally published for patrons on Jun 28, 2023. Let's take a casual dip into the world of medical terminology: its history, how diseases are named, colloquial names and out of date terms for disease, and fancy words for mundane conditions.

Vampire folklore is ancient, but with the publishing of Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1897, that lore changed forever. The terrifying, grotesque creature became suave and charming, then continued to evolve into the seductive creature of the night we know today. In this episode we examine that transition, as well as the origin and evolution of Dracula's vampiric powers.

Originally published on Patreon on April 9th, 2025 'Baba Yaga is a powerful witch who terrorizes all who enter the deep forest from her hut on bird's legs, it's fences strung with human bones. In this episode, Hallie discusses her origins, the strange duality of her character, and shares several Baba Yaga folktales.'

Did you know that disease has been used to help people? In this episode we're going to discuss several cases in which disease, or disease research, was utilized to protect people from great harm. All of these cases occurred during World War 2, and were carried out by physicians doing their best to protect those targeted by The Third Reich, also known as the Nazis.

Originally published for MCP Patrons of Feb 15, 2025. 'In this episode, Hallie explores the physiological and psychological aspects of fear, how these reactions may have developed in our human past, and how they both benefit and burden us today.'

In November of 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter discovered an ancient Egyptian royal tomb, the first ever to be found in tact. It belonged to a little known pharaoh named Tutankhamun. This discovery stands as one of the most amazing archaeological finds of all time. But who was Tutankhamun and why was his richly furnished tomb so hidden and so small?

Originally released in Apr 24, 2017 with the title 'Getting Ahead in Life' Modern medicine seeks to find ways to ease the struggle for those affected by disease and disability. One of these that went from science fiction to actual scientific possibility is head transplantation, transplanting the head of one individual onto the body of another. This remaster includes more research, better music and higher quality vocals.

Originally released for Patrons on Sep 26, 2024 In this episode, Hallie dives into the web of social factors that likely drove the Salem Witch trials. The bewitched girls, called the afflicted, were from one faction in town, while the accused were from another. Is this a coincidence? Probably not.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes seizures, but throughout history, it was thought to be caused by demonic possession, angry gods and evil spirits. In this episode we discuss what Epilepsy is, and its medical and social history.