Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror
Lunatics Radio Hour is a non-fiction history podcast about the history of horror and the horror of history. Each episode explores real, documented events where fear, violence, survival, and the unknown shaped human lives and cultures. The show also traces how historical events influenced film, examining how real-world horrors became the stories and images that appear on screen.
Topics include dark history, psychological phenomena, folklore rooted in fact, and the historical roots of horror cinema. Most episodes focus on researched historical subjects. Occasional short fiction stories are included and clearly labeled.
If you’re drawn to the darker side of history and the real events behind horror films, Lunatics Radio Hour explores where history, fear, and cinema intersect.
Episodes
244 episodes
Episode 196 - Campfire Tales #11: Shadow Man
This week Abby and Alex present two original works of horror fiction.Shadows was written by by Jon Adcock. Find more of Jon's work at https://linktr.ee/jonadcock.Family, Like ...
Episode 195 - The History of Medieval UFO Sightings
Modern UFO reports are often associated with the 20th century, but strange objects in the sky have been recorded for hundreds of years. Medieval chronicles describe unusual celestial events, mysterious lights, and unexplained phenomena that lef...
Episode 194 - The History of The Green Children Of Woolpit
In the 12th century, villagers in Woolpit, England reported a strange discovery: two children with green-colored skin who appeared suddenly near the village. The children spoke an unknown language, refused most food, and seemed unable to explai...
Episode 193 - The History of The Paris Catacombs
Watch our footage from the Paris Catacombs HERE.Beneath the streets of Paris lies one of the most disturbing landmarks in the world: the Paris Catacombs. In this episode, we explo...
Episode 192 - Campfire Tales #10: In Life and Death
This week Abby is joined by Alex Goleman to read two haunting stories about grief and death. Forgiving Amy was written by Mike Macera. Follow @mikemacera on Instagram and check out https://www.scene3.co/filmsIn Life an...
Episode 191 - The History of Birds in Horror
From ravens and vultures to killer flocks and supernatural omens, birds have played a major role in horror for decades. In this episode of Lunatics Radio Hour, Abby sits down with Kate Rotunda to explore the history of birds in horror and why t...
Episode 190 - The History of Jump Scares in Horror
Why do audiences jump in horror movies? What are some of the greatest jump scares in cinema history? In this episode of Lunatics Radio Hour, Abby and Alan explore the history of the jump scare, from early suspense filmmaking and the fa...
Episode 189 - The History of The Bell Witch
This week Abby and Alan discuss the reported haunting of the Bell Witch in Tennessee during the early 1800s. The events centered on the Bell family and centers around unexplained noises, voices, and physical disturbances. The entity, often call...
Episode 188 - The History of Contagious Curses
This week, Abby and Alan dive into the folklore behind horror’s most contagious curses, from The Ring to Smile to It Follows.Get Lunatics Merch her...
Episode 187 - Campfire Tales #9: Only The Dead
This week, Abby is joined by Alex Goleman for a double feature of eerie campfire tales, the kind that feel a little too real once the lights go out.“Only The Dead” by Marisca Pichette and “Trash Talk” by Sam Logan.Find more from t...
Episode 186 - The Horrifying History of Mirrors
This week Abby sits down with Kate Rotunda to discuss the vast and unnerving history of mirrors. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on
Episode 185 - Listener Lore #1
Today we are bringing you 6 hometown urban legends straight from our listeners.Follow Madz on Instagram @madzsmiled and @sonrisalibrary. And consider supporting BeLoved Asheville. Follow Abby on Substack: https://substack.com...
Episode 184 - The Babysitter and The Man Upstairs
This week Abby and Alan sit down with Dan Roberts to discuss the history of The Babysitter and The Man Upstairs urban legend and When A Stranger Calls (1979). Follow Dan on Substack: https://substack.com/@drob91Follow Abby on...
Episode 183 - Real Scary Stories: Midnight Visitor
Have you ever felt like someone was watching you from outside your house? It's an (overdue) honor to present this real scary story from K.L. Mill. If you want to walk down memory lane with us, you can listen to
Episode 182 - The Clown Riot of 1855
In 1855, a bizarre incident in Toronto escalated into one of the city’s strangest riots. After a fight broke out between clowns from a visiting circus and members of a volunteer firefighting company, tensions quickly spiraled. What began as a c...
Episode 181 - Categorizing Horror Villains
This week Abby sits down with Kate Rotunda to talk through her classifications of horror villains. You can read Kate's original article HERE
Episode 180 - The History of The Connecticut Witch Trials
Before Salem, there was Connecticut.In this episode of Lunatics Radio Hour, Abby Brenker sits down with historian Josh Hutchinson to explore the Connecticut Witch Trials, which spanned 1647 to 1697 and led to 11 executions decades before...
Episode 179 - Campfire Tales #8: Airbag
This week Abby and Alex present two stories for your enjoyment. In The Light of The Wisps was written by Marisca Pichette. Follow them on Instagram @marisca_write or check out their website: www.mariscapichette.com Airba...
Episode 178 - The Disappearance of Roanoke
This week Abby and Alan discuss the real history of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, from the first English expeditions to the colony’s unexplained disappearance in 1590.We talk through the major historical theories, including integrat...
Episode 177 - The History of Third Man Factor
This week Abby and Alan discuss Third Man Factor; real life incidents, theories and it's impact on horror and pop culture. Third Man Theory refers to the phenomena of people surviving extreme situations and claiming it's because an invisible en...
Episode 176 - The Horrifying History of Puppets
This week Abby sits down with Kate Rotunda to discuss the very unnerving history of puppets. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on
Episode 175 - The History of Snow Cryptids
Abby and Alan conclude the four part winter horror series. This week they discuss The Yerti and other snow cryptids. They even talk through some of the most famous instances of ice mummies. Get
Episode 174 - Campfire Tales #7: Bunny Girl
This week Abby presents two spooky stories. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book