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
238 episodes
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
Episode 173 - The History of Isolation and Winter Horror
This week Abby and Alan continue exploring the intersection of winter and horror, this time through the lens of of isolation. Sources: A Medical News Today article by Danielle Dresdon:
Episode 172 - The History of Real Life Snow Tragedies
This week Abby and Alan continue our exploration of snow horror by talking through 5 real life snow tragedies. SourcesA History.com article by Becky Little:
Episode 171 - The Folklore and Mythology Behind Winter Horror
This week Abby and Alan present a non-exhaustive look at winter folklore and mythology from around the globe. From Scotland, Norway and Germany to Japan and Native American mythology. This kicks off a multi-part series exploring the...
Episode 170 - The Mega Christmas Horror Frankenstein Episode
This week we take a nostalgic walk down memory lane and piece together some of our past episodes on Christmas and holiday horror. We’ve covered so many different versions of holiday horror over the last few years, and we wanted to put together ...
Episode 169 - Feminism and Horror
Abby sits down with our friend Kate Rotunda to talk about the intersection of feminism and horror. We start out by discussing Frankenhooker (1990) and go from there. CW: Discussion of violence against women and SA.Get
Episode 168 - The Dark Roots of Everyday Expressions
Abby and Alan sit down to talk through the dark history of every day expressions and sayings. From mad hatter to taking it with a grain of salt, we get into all of it. Get L...