The Morbid Curiosity Podcast

A history podcast for the morbidly curious. From serial killers to ghosts, ancient remains to obscure medical conditions, let us satisfy your curiosity. (Some episodes may not be appropriate for children. Listener discretion is advised.)

The Bloody Benders 04/25/2024

The Bloody Benders The 1870s were a rough time in Kansas. Travelers and settlers on the frontier struggled against the odds to make even a modest living. The Bender family had a unique method of survival: murder. CW: forced relocation, murder of adults and children, suicide /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/30976608

Pentridge Prison 03/27/2024

Pentridge Prison CW: Torture, Rape, Execution, Racism, Self-Harm, and Suicide Colonial Australia was used by the British to house prisoners in the late 1800s. Pentridge Prison began as a stockade in 1851 and grew into one of the most infamous prisons in Victoria, both for its size and the brutality of the punishments suffered by its inmates. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/30558033

Ghost Theory 02/21/2024

Ghost Theory Have you ever wondered why paranormal investigators use certain devices to detect ghosts? It all has to do with theories about what ghosts are. In this episode, we explore theories about ghosts throughout history. Is there room for the possibility that they exist? Maybe. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/30057258

The Chivruay Tragedy 01/28/2024

The Chivruay Tragedy Often called the Dyatlov Pass Incident of the 70s, the Chivruay Pass Tragedy has similar elements: 10 students go hiking in the snowy Russian mountains and are later found frozen to death. They also share a cloud of mystery and intrigue that may or may not be true. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/29684293

Gryla & the Midwinter Monsters of Iceland 12/24/2023

Gryla & the Midwinter Monsters of Iceland For this winter holiday special, Hallie dives into the folklore of Iceland to talk about the terrifying creatures of midwinter. Who are they, what are their origins , and what has become of them in the modern era? /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/29193398

Plants That Bite 12/13/2023

Plants That Bite In this 4th instalment of the MCP's plants series, we discuss carnivorous plants: their traps, their habitats, and how to care for your own meat-eating plant. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/29052513

Taxidermy with Audrey Ko of Odd Taxidermy 11/29/2023

Taxidermy with Audrey Ko of Odd Taxidermy CW: Processing of dead animals, killing of insects, poaching and killing of bats. In this episode, Hallie talks with Audrey Ko of Odd Taxidermy about how she got her start, the types of taxidermy and the ups and downs of the industry. There is a more chatty version of this episode available on Patreon. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/28836163

Exorcism 10/31/2023

Exorcism CW: Belief in the supernatural, mental illness, religious doctrine, refute of religious doctrine, ritual abuse, suicide, and religious persecution. For Halloween this year, Hallie dives into the supernatural world to explore the practice of exorcism. From the early mesopotamian demons of the desert to modern day demons, famous exorcists and infamous exorcisms. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/28458293

The Sinking of the Titanic 09/08/2023

The Sinking of the Titanic CW: Mass accidental death including women and children, mention of suicide. In this epiosde, we discuss the sinking of the HMS Titanic, one of the most devastating maritime tragedies of its age. The construction, the safety features, the voyage, the aftermath and the psychological affects of the sinking are all discussed. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/27975336

Jack the Ripper, pt. 3 05/30/2023

Jack the Ripper, pt. 3 In this final part of episode 100, we explore the histories of the women whose lives were ended in 1888 by the Ripper. Each woman lived a different experience, leading them for better or worse to the East End. While the details are incomplete, and in some cases very sparse, we can at least get an idea of what life was like for the women of Whitechapel. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/26920329

Jack the Ripper, pt. 1 04/24/2023

Jack the Ripper, pt. 1 CW: murder, physcial and sexual violence against women, sex work, detailed descriptions of bodily mutilation. In 1888, a string of brutal murders shocked the residents of London. Just as shocking, the police were unable to find the killer, nicknamed Jack the Ripper. For the 100th epiosde of the Morbid Curiosity Podcast, we present a 3-part episode on Jack the Ripper. In this, part 1, we go over the details of the murders. In part 2, which is for Patrons of the MCP only, we'll discuss the suspects and the thoeries about who the Ripper was. In Part 3, we'll discuss the women who died, and how they might have been connected. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/26628153

Aokigahara: Suicide Forest 03/27/2023

Aokigahara: Suicide Forest TW: Discussions of suicide Aokigahara, a dense forest in Japan, is the setting for a surprising number of cases of suicide every year. Why Aokigahara? Some people think that it's due to the high rate of suicide in Japan in general, others believe the forest is host to miserable spirits that draw other unhappy people into its depths. In this episode, we discuss Aokigahara and the history of suicide in Japan. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/26314755

Chimu Child Sacrifice 02/27/2023

Chimu Child Sacrifice TW: Ritual violence, Child death The ancient Chimu civilization wasn't known to sacrifice humans, until a mass grave of child sacrifices was unearthed in 2011. In this episode we discuss the Chimu, how to identify human sacrifice in archaeology, and the two mass child grave sites in Huanchaco, Peru. Due to technical issues, the audio quality isn't the best. Our apologies! /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/26068557

Pirate Havens of Madagascar 01/23/2023

Pirate Havens of Madagascar During the Golden Age of Piracy, many small islands became havens for pirates, places they went to divide and enjoy thier loot. While some of these are legendary, such as the pirate Utopia Libertatia, others were real places. In this episode, Hallie discusses pirate havens, focusing on those in Madagascar. TW: Enslaved peoples, Trade in Enslaved Peoples. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/25694550

Walking Corpse Syndrome 12/22/2022

Walking Corpse Syndrome TW: Self-harm, Suicide Walking Corpse Syndrome is a psychiatric delusion in which you believe you are dead. You may not remember your own name and might try to prove that you're dead in extreme ways. In this episode, we discuss this delusion, possible causes and treatments. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/25402614

Residential Schools 11/28/2022

Residential Schools Canadian residential schools were not regular boarding schools, they were facilities meant to assimilate indigenous peoples into European-based Canadian society. Despite failing in this regard, they caused widespread intergenerational trauma to most people that attended them. TW: Physical/Sexual/Religious Abuse, Racism, Colonialism, Violence, Violence against children. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/25127541

The Corpse Light by D. Donovan 10/31/2022

The Corpse Light by D. Donovan It's Halloween! Let's celebrate with a creepy ghost story. The MCP presents, 'The Corpse Light,' by D. Donovan, originally published in 1899. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/24815286

Bitten: Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies 10/24/2022

Bitten: Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies In this episode, we discuss the folklore surrounding the three most popular supernatural creatures: vampires, werewolves and zombies. All three can transmit (or infect) humans with thier condition through a single bite, but what other similarities exists in thier origins and lore, and why are these creatures still popular today? Happy Halloween! /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/24754905

Death in Ancient Egypt pt 3: Tombs 08/30/2022

Death in Ancient Egypt pt 3: Tombs In the final part of this series, we discuss the tombs of ancient Egypt, from plain burials to monumental pyramids. We also talk about how they changed over time and who built these monuments. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/24217596

Death in Ancient Egypt pt 2: Mummification 07/18/2022

Death in Ancient Egypt pt 2: Mummification How did mummification begin? Were only the pharaohs mummified? Who made mummies? In part 2 of this 3 part series, we answer all these questions and more as we explore the evolution of mummification in ancient Egypt. In the next part of this series, we'll talk about burials, tombs and pyramids. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/23785319

Death in Ancient Egypt pt 1: Religion and Ritual 06/06/2022

Death in Ancient Egypt pt 1: Religion and Ritual We know the ancient Egyptians built tombs and made mummies, but why? In part 1 of this 3 part series, we explore the ideology, religion, and funerary rituals surrounding death in ancient Egypt. In the next episode, we'll dive into the process of making a mummy, and in part three, we'll discuss tombs and pyramids. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/23172788

The Tsavo Man-Eaters 05/02/2022

The Tsavo Man-Eaters TW: Colonialism, Big Game Hunting, Animal Attacks In 1898, two lions began systematically killing and eating Indian workers building a British train line over the River Tsavo in Kenya. Their stealth and cunning made them incredibly difficult to stop. In this episode, Hallie discusses the 9-month incident, the downfall of the lions at the hands of Lt. Col. Patterson, and why the lions may have gone after humans in the first place. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/22965386

Plants That Thrill 04/11/2022

Plants That Thrill That's right! The MCP is back! In this third instalment of our toxic plants series, we discuss natural hallucinogens with a focus on those found in Central and South America. Where they come from, how they work and what they're used for. Stay tuned during the break for a special announcement! /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/22709543

Tarrare 05/31/2021

Tarrare Tarrare was 18th century man who could eat almost anything, and did so in large quantities. That included live animals, wooden boxes, and feasts meant for 15 men. In this episode we discuss his life, and what might have been the cause of his condition. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/19288088

Dancing Mania 04/05/2021

Dancing Mania In 1518, the city of Strasbourg was consumed by a strange epidemic: hundreds were struck by the irresistible urge to dance until they died. This incident of Dancing Mania was not the first, and no one knew the cause of such strange behaviour. In this episode, we discuss several incidents of dancing mania, as well as the theories - past and present - about its origin. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/18602141

Sleep Paralysis 12/07/2020

Sleep Paralysis In this episode, we discuss a biological phenomenon that has been mistaken for a supernatural experience for hundreds of years. People of the past believed demons, witches, or spirits were sitting on their chests while they slept, crushing them, but today this experience is known as sleep paralysis, and it's far more common than previously thought. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/16960604

Bloodletting and Leeches 11/23/2020

Bloodletting and Leeches Bloodletting is an ancient treatment that persisted until the 18th century. One of the techniques used to let blood were leeches, blood-sucking worms. In this episode, we discuss both the history of bloodletting and these fascinating yet creepy creatures. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/16691822

Curse Tablets 11/09/2020

Curse Tablets One of the most common types of magic in the ancient Graeco-Roman world were curses. These binding spells were placed on special tablets & figurines that have since been unearthed by archaeologists. In this episode, we discuss these curse tablets, & how they were made & used. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/16486301

The Hinterkaifeck Murders 10/12/2020

The Hinterkaifeck Murders On March 31, 1922, an entire family and their maid were murdered in their home, an isolated farmstead in Bavaria, Germany, known as Hinterkaifeck. The killer has never been discovered, and a web of mystery has been woven around the incident since it occurred. In this episode we discuss the case, the suspects, and try to separate fact from fiction. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/16272644

Shrunken Heads 09/28/2020

Shrunken Heads In the past, tsantsas, or shrunken heads, were made by the Shuar people of Ecuador and Peru. These ritual items were part of a complex system of power among the Shuar, but were later traded to fascinated Westerners for guns and other metal goods. In this episode, we discuss the Shuar, how tsantsas were made, and how trade in tsantsas impacted the Western perception of the Shuar. /episode/index/show/mcpod/id/16029383

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