“THE SHADOW” Multi-Episode Marathon 10 #WeirdDarkness #RetroRadio
23 April 2024 - 4 hours 59 minsGet full-length pulp audiobooks, pulp eBooks, and old-time radio shows ABSOLUTELY FREE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD by emailing [email protected]!
One of the most popular radio shows in history, “The Shadow” went on the air in August of 1930. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" The opening lines of the "Detective Story" program captivated listeners and are instantly recognizable even today. Originally the narrator of the series of macabre tales, the eerie voice known as The Shadow became so popular to listeners that "Detective Story" was soon renamed "The Shadow," and the narrator became the star of the old-time mystery radio series, which ran until 1...
Series Episodes
Wendigo Psychosis: The Sickness That Drove Men to Cannibalism
A strange sickness documented since the 1600s causes its victims to see the people around them as edible — and several who caught it killed and ate their own families. IN THIS EPISODE: The Wendigo is terrifying enough – with its backstory claiming it is the creation of a person who chose to become a cannibal, and ended up twisting up into the legendary monster. But that’s just it – so far, it’s only just a legend. We have no solid proof of its existence. But even more horrifying than the Wendigo is Wendigo Psychosis – something that is not a legend at all. (Wendigo Psychosis: When Humans Become Monsters) *** Lauretta Lyons was killed in her own home on June 9th, 1966. And now, so many decades later, authorities are still at a loss as to who committed the murder. (The 1966 Murder Rockford Police Failed: Witnesses Identified the Killer — But He Was Never Charged) *** What does it feel like to die? We obviously won’t know personally until we die ourselves, as it’s hard to talk to someone about their experience of dying if they are… well… dead. But Reverend J.T. Mann can describe it – as he was hanged… died… and then came back to life to tell the story of what happened to his soul while he was gone. (The Man Who Came Back From the Noose: Rev. J. T. Mann) *** We’ll look at a few other legendary creatures and cryptids that have some interesting stories attached to them! (Mythical Creatures You've Probably Never Heard Of) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = The Face of the Wendigo 00:00:50.500 = Show Open 00:02:54.563 = Wendigo Psychosis: When Humans Become Monsters 00:13:34.059 = *** Mythical Creatures You've Probably Never Heard Of 00:27:18.914 = **** The 1966 Murder Rockford Police Failed: Witnesses Identified the Killer — But He Was Never Charged 00:34:53.557 = The Man Who Came Back From the Noose: Rev. J. T. Mann 00:39:54.302 = *** A Ouija Board, a Demon House, and a Lifetime of Terror 00:52:11.523 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES: “Wendigo Psychosis” by Kathy Weiser for Legends of America: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ymvwr3cr “More Mythological Monsters” by Estelle for ListVerse: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/dd9dy63a “The 1966 Murder Rockford Police Failed: Witnesses Identified the Killer — But He Was Never Charged” by Kathi Kresol for Haunted Rockford: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ysmfm8ap “The Man Who Came Back From the Noose: Rev. J. T. Mann” by Robert A. Waters for the website Kidnapping, Murder and Mayhem: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/82vvt58p “A Ouija Board, a Demon House, and a Lifetime of Terror” by Weirdo family member, Reverend Terry Wheless=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: May 19, 2021 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/WendigoPsychosis ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional...
53 mins
4 January Finished
I Explored an Abandoned House and Found A Creepy Puppet Waiting for Me: Mr. Rubberhead
When my friend dared me to explore an abandoned house, I didn't expect to find a puppet blocking my only way out. | “MR. RUBBERHEAD” by A.J. Spencer Find more family-friendly frights and creepy games to play on our website at http://MicroTerrors.com! Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/microterrors Other stories, novels, and more from author Scott Donnelly: https://amzn.to/3LymHaU Other narrations, podcasts, and audiobooks from voice artist Darren Marlar: https://WeirdDarkness.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Weird Darkness©, 2025 Micro Terrors: Scary Stories for Kids™, 2025#ScaryStoriesForKids #StoriesForKids #KidsStories #HalloweenKids #MicroTerrors #HalloweenStories #WeirdDarkness
10 mins
3 January Finished
Lobotomized: 8 Lives Ruined by History's Cruelest And Most Invasive Procedure
A young woman institutionalized for disagreeing with her parents, a 12-year-old boy punished for daydreaming, even a Kennedy daughter silenced to protect her brother's political career – all lobotomized. These people and five others went into surgery as individuals with hopes, dreams, and personalities — and came out as complete strangers to themselves. CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:02:12.814 = The Man Who Could Make Dead Fish Talk 00:08:48.284 = *** They Murdered Their Mothers 00:21:37.851 = The Ghostly Handprint of Francis Leavy 00:26:41.319 = *** Victims of Lobotomies 00:37:09.950 = Listener submitted story from Michael Emmanuel Omokhuvie 00:41:47.332 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Man Who Could Make Dead Fish Talk” by Sarah Murden for Georgian Era:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2nte76b6 “The Ghostly Handprint of Francis Leavy” by Prince Petropia for Paranorms: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/53xwm2wd, and by Adam for Mysterious Chicago: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yxcvw3td “They Murdered Their Mothers” by Jessika M. Thomas for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/kxprwkyk “The Victims of Lobotomies” by Jacob Shelton for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3kuhpcxf=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: May 18, 2021 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/lobotomized ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised. #WeirdDarkness, #Lobotomy, #RosemaryKennedy, #MedicalHistory, #DarkHistory, #TrueStories, #DisturbingHistory, #MedicalHorror, #KennedyFamily, #DrWalterFreeman
43 mins
3 January Finished
WAIT... I'M... AUTISTIC? | Something Curious I Might've Learned About Myself Last Night.
After taking an online personality assessment, I discovered I exhibit very high traits associated with autism — not a formal diagnosis, but an explanation for patterns I've lived with my entire life. The results helped make sense of why I thrive during structured performances like stand-up comedy, stage acting, radio broadcasting, and podcasting, yet feel completely drained by unstructured social interaction afterward. I recount how remote broadcasts and convention appearances left me counting the minutes until I could escape to solitude, and how my favorite parts of traveling in the Weird Darkness Beast were always the quiet hours alone on the road or in hotel rooms — not the events themselves.The assessment also shed light on smaller quirks, like my tendency to let my beard grow wild before trimming it all at once (efficiency over daily maintenance), and deeper emotional patterns, like processing my father's death without tears or visible sadness. A medical professional once reassured me that being naturally stoic is simply a different way of experiencing life, not a sign that something is missing.I reflect on my earlier depression diagnosis and wonder whether some of what was treated might have been the cumulative effect of decades spent not understanding how my own brain operates. Ultimately, the experience gave me context rather than a label — a quiet recognition of why certain things drain me and others restore me. I encourage you to examine your own patterns and see if perhaps you can learn something new about yourself - or explain some of your own personality quirks.
9 mins
3 January Finished
NAKED MEAT MARKET ROBBERY: Police Found His Underwear, His Knife, and a Dollar Bill
A 25-year-old Lake City man allegedly proved that you don't need pockets to pull off a robbery — just a face covering, a weapon, and zero shame - along with zero clothes. READ or SHARE: https://weirddarkness.com/NakedMeatRobbery WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness. #WeirdDarkness #WeirdDarkNEWS #FloridaMan #TrueCrime #StrangeNews #BizarreCrime #WeirdNews #DumbCriminals #FloridaCrime #NakedRobbery
8 mins
2 January Finished
Two Strangers, One Face: The 1903 Case That Made Fingerprints the Gold Standard
In 1903, a man arrived at Leavenworth Prison claiming he'd never been there before — but the staff found his exact double already serving a life sentence inside. READ MY DEEP-DIVE ARTICLE ON THIS STORY: https://weirddarkness.com/williamwest/ In May 1903, a convict named Will West arrived at Leavenworth Prison in Kansas. The intake clerk was certain he'd seen this man before — and a search of prison records turned up a card for William West, a convicted murderer whose measurements and photograph were a near-perfect match. The problem? William West was already locked up inside Leavenworth, serving a life sentence. The two men had never met, weren't related, and had no idea the other existed. Their extraordinary resemblance would expose a fatal flaw in the world's leading criminal identification system — and help launch the forensic technique we still rely on today. IN THIS EPISODE: How do you convince people you are innocent of a crime committed by someone who looks exactly like you and even shares your name? It’s the strange story of William West and… William West. (Will The Real William West Please Step Forward) *** In November 1638, Dorothy Talby killed her three-year-old daughter. She admitted so when first arrested. But then she refused to say anything when brought before a judge. But then, what would you expect from a woman, which we all know is more easily persuaded by Satan to sin – and women were much more likely to be seduced by witchcraft. At least, that’s what people believed in the 17th century. (The Case of Dorothy Talbye) *** It’s understood and agreed to by most that while it is a lot of fun to think about, time travel is simply not possible – and will probably never be seeing as we’ve never met any time travelers. Or… maybe we have? (True Time-Travel Moments) *** Stories of shapeshifters seem to be told worldwide – and the Celtic nations are no different. We’ll look at a few shape-changing creatures from Ireland, Wales and Scotland. (Shape-Shifters Of The Celts) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = The Leavenworth Lookalikes 00:01:59.171 = Show Intro 00:04:01.126 = Two Strangers, One Face: Will The Real William West Please Step Forward 00:18:16.969 = ***A Mother, A Murder, A Mental Illness, and Justice in 17th-Century New England 00:25:32.536 = Who Sent Messages Dated Decades Ahead of Time? And How Did They Send Them? 00:35:00.004 = Cold Hands 00:39:21.083 = *** When Gods Became Beasts: Shapeshifting in Celtic Myth 00:47:59.748 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES – and/or --- PRINT VERSION to READ or SHARE: “Will The Real William West Please Step Forward?” by Dean Jobb for Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5y8wybsa), Martin Chalakoski for The Vintage News (https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/th4ujesh), and Lee Ferran for ABC News (https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/sa66vcwf) “A Mother, A Murder, A Mental Illness, and Justice in 17th-Century New England” by Romeo Vitelli for Providentia: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yu54cyn8 “Who Sent Messages Dated Decades Ahead of Time? And How Did They Send Them?” posted at Earth-Chronicles.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/hh8tbwcr “When Gods Became Beasts: Shapeshifting in Celtic Myth” by Zteve T....
49 mins
2 January Finished
