“Eau de Afterlife: What Do Ancient Egyptian Mummies Smell Like?” #WeirdDarkness #MindofMarlar

CHRONICLES OF THE BLACK DEATH: From bird-masked doctors filling their beaks with rose petals to an entire city dancing itself to death, the history of plague is far stranger — and far more disturbing — than most people realize. And when a 20th-century outbreak hit San Francisco, the government's response wasn't to fight the disease — it was to cover it up. | #WDRadio WEEK OF FEB 15, 2026 ========== HOUR ONE: About 80 years after the black plague began, a different plague came upon England – a fatal one that would cause you to almost instantly perspire to death. (Death By Sweat) *** Most everyone is familiar with the plague in Europe in the early 1400s – but in the early 1900s it struck again. This time in San Francisco. If you’ve not heard that before, it could be because the U.S. government tried to cover it up. (The Plague of San Francisco) *** Of all the imagery that comes to mind when hearing the words “bubonic plague” the most prevalent is most certainly that of the doctors – and the odd, bird-like masks they would wear. Why they dressed that way is interesting – but what the doctors did while wearing those suits and in their labs as they tried to battle the illness is absolutely horrifying. (Plague Doctors) *** And it probably comes as no surprise that something so deadly and horrific as the black plague would leave behind some residual paranormal energy – and boy is there a lot of it. (A Plague of Ghosts) ========== HOUR TWO: During the bubonic plague in the early Middle-Ages, those who became sick and were even suspected of having the plague, were forced to relocate to a quarantined island – Poveglia Island. The gruesomeness that took place there still continues today, with the island being illegal to visit – and reportedly, very haunted. (Inside Black Plague Island) *** We look at some of the bathing – and lack thereof – that took place during the bubonic plague, as well as some of the beliefs they had about diet and how it might protect from contagion. Some of the ideas of what people thought could protect them from the disease are nothing short of shocking. (Living With The Black Death) ========== SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME: We look at some of the bathing – and lack thereof – that took place during the bubonic plague, as well as some of the beliefs they had about diet and how it might protect from contagion. Some of the ideas of what people thought could protect them from the disease are nothing short of shocking. (Living With The Black Death – CONTINUED) *** Europe just could not escape plagues of any kind – for example, the plague that made you, against your will, keep dancing until you dropped dead. (The Dance of Death) ========== SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT’S SHOW: “Inside Black Plague Island” by Cheryl Adams Richkoff for Graveyard Shift: https://tinyurl.com/v85y7k6 “Plague Doctors” by Melissa Sartore for Ranker’s Weird History: https://tinyurl.com/rmap5d8 “Death By Sweat” by Melissa Sartore for Ranker’s Weird History: https://tinyurl.com/vqpvgrz “The Dance of Death” by Melissa Satore for Ranker’s Weird History: https://tinyurl.com/u6kdwgp “The Plague of San Francisco” by Melissa Brinks for Ranker’s Weird History: https://tinyurl.com/sbaht69 “Living With The Black Death” by Genevieve Carlton for Ranker’s Weird History: https://tinyurl.com/tcbo9af,

A London gravedigger spent two years quietly digging up the dead by day and selling their bodies, teeth, and severed limbs to hospitals by night — with a 14-year-old girl holding the basket. HEAR THE NEW SONG FOR THIS EPISODE! https://youtu.be/7_uVLP_0YUM *** For the final story in this podcast episode, "Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA"... “DINOSAUR” is a pop-punk thought experiment about ancient monsters, biblical beasts, and the uncomfortable possibility that some things might not be as settled as we’re told. From Behemoth to Leviathan to a certain long-necked lake resident, the song asks a simple question: if it looks like a dinosaur, sounds like a dinosaur, and terrifies everyone like a dinosaur… what exactly are we waiting for? It’s a raised eyebrow to long-held beliefs set to power chords. (Interpret responsibly.) IN THIS EPISODE: The Phaistos Disc was discovered in 1903, by Italian archaeologists in southern Crete. Since then the disc has remained a mystery as no one has been able to decipher the writings upon it, nor who made the object, what was it used for, and even if it’s a genuine archaeological discovery or a clever fake. (The Phaistos Disc) *** Usually you learn that a place is haunted simply because people say it is. It’s common knowledge around the town or neighborhood… but when the government of your country says a place is haunted, you’d better danged well listen. Such is the case with India’s Bhangarh Fort. (Bhangarh Fort – The Most Haunted Place in India) *** At the end of 1894 French army captain Alfred Dreyfus, a graduate of the École Polytechnique, and a Jew of Alsatian origin, was accused of handing secret documents to the Imperial German military. After a closed trial, he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment on the dreaded Devil’s Island. But that’s just the beginning of the story that later became known as The Dreyfus Affair. (The Dreyfus Affair) *** We’ve all heard of the power of the mind – it’s been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of pain, some well-trained individuals can use their mind to slow their rate of respiration, to bring their heartbeat down to almost nothing with no long-term ill effects… but what about controlling things outside of your own body? Is the mind that powerful? Some believe so – and they also believe it’s one possible explanation for hauntings. (The Wild PK of the Poltergeist) *** Is it possible that our history books are wrong and that humans actually did walk with dinosaurs? It might not be as far-fetched as it sounds, especially when you look at tales of knights, dragons, and T-Rex DNA. (Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA) *** We’ll have a short tale about Joseph Naples… who chose the macabre career of being a grave digger… but only because it made it easier for him to be a grave robber… and a body snatcher. (A London Body Snatcher) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:02:56.690 = A London Body Snatcher 00:11:52.171 = The Phaistos Disc *** 00:24:08.962 = Bhangarh Fort – The Most Haunted Place in India 00:32:12.421 = The Dreyfus Affair *** 00:41:16.636 = The Wild PK of the Poltergeist 00:47:23.109 = Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA *** 00:56:08.245 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES… https://WeirdDarkness.com/STORE = Tees, Mugs, Socks, Hoodies, Totes, Hats, Kidswear &...

It’s the official day of romance (at least according to Hallmark Cards). Valentine’s Day bring up feelings of love and adoration, moments of affection, gifts to show one’s heartfelt emotions for another. But February 14th doesn’t always bring the warm and fuzzies. Sometimes the day brings tragedy, heartbreak, or just something of the bizarre and strange. CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:01:10.731 = A Freak Love Story 00:11:12.851 = Ghost Love Stories *** 00:27:41.588 = Bloody Story Behind Valentine’s Day *** 00:32:00.771 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES… https://WeirdDarkness.com/STORE = Tees, Mugs, Socks, Hoodies, Totes, Hats, Kidswear & More https://WeirdDarkness.com/HOPE = Hope For Depression or Thoughts of Self-Harm https://WeirdDarkness.com/NEWSLETTER = In-Depth Articles, Memes, Weird DarkNEWS, Videos & More https://WeirdDarkness.com/AUDIOBOOKS = FREE Audiobooks Narrated By Darren Marlar SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE… “A Freak Love Story” by Rachel Souerbry for Ranker.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4kr4ep45 “Ghost Love Stories” posted at NotebookOfGhosts.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/345vwf54, and BurroughsOfTheDead.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4hcjbps8 “The Bloody Story Behind Valentine’s Day” by Avani Raj for ED Times: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/c759fnnyWeird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =(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 ©2026, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: February 14, 2022 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/FreakShowLove 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, #ValentinesDay, #DarkHistory, #FreakShow, #SideshowLoveStory, #MonkeyGirl, #AlligatorSkinnedMan,...

A bullied boy discovers that his school's bathroom mirror holds a terrifying legend — and saying the wrong name three times unleashes something with a very sweet tooth. | “Candy Dude” by Scott Donnelly #MicroTerrors 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©, 2026 Micro Terrors: Scary Stories for Kids™, 2026#ScaryStoriesForKids #StoriesForKids #KidsStories #HalloweenKids #MicroTerrors #HalloweenStories #WeirdDarkness

Behind the grandeur of New Orleans' infamous LaLaurie Mansion lies a chilling legacy of cruelty, paranormal hauntings, and the lingering memory of Madame Delphine's horrific acts. IN THIS EPISODE: IN THIS EPISODE: We’re all familiar with, thanks to Stephen Spielberg, the concept of a close encounter of the third kind. That’s when you not only see a UFO, but you also see the extraterrestrials. The fourth kind of encounter is when you are abducted. A close encounter of the fifth kind is when you communicate with the alien – either verbally or telepathically. But then there is a close encounter of the sixth kind – the kind of encounter not even die-hard Ufologists and lovers of anything extraterrestrial want to experience… because nobody comes back from it alive. (Close Encounters of the Sixth Kind) *** In 1908, Charles Luard found his wife Caroline shot dead at a neighbor's country house. But who killed her? (The Seal Chart Murder) *** Madame Delphine LaLaurie, made popular by Kathy Bates in TV’s “American Horror Story: Coven” was a first class monster. A figure of high society, she was well known for her mistreatment of slaves. But no one knew just how sick she truly was. So much so that even after leaving the mansion and it burning down, there are still terrors taking place there, thanks to Madame Delphine LaLaurie, the Monster of Royal Street. (The Monster of Royal Street) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = DShow Open 00:02:03.613 = The Horrors of Delphine LaLaurie, Part 1 00:11:26.413 = The Horrors of Delphine LaLaurie, Part 2 *** 00:15:31.150 = The Seal Chart Murder 00:22:10.189 = Close Encounters of the Sixth Kind, Part 1 *** 00:46:49.572 = Close Encounters of the Sixth Kind, Part 2 *** 00:56:40.825 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES… https://WeirdDarkness.com/STORE = Tees, Mugs, Socks, Hoodies, Totes, Hats, Kidswear & More https://WeirdDarkness.com/HOPE = Hope For Depression or Thoughts of Self-Harm https://WeirdDarkness.com/NEWSLETTER = In-Depth Articles, Memes, Weird DarkNEWS, Videos & More https://WeirdDarkness.com/AUDIOBOOKS = FREE Audiobooks Narrated By Darren Marlar SOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Seal Chart Murder” by Elisabeth Tilstra for TheLineUp.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/envbsb3k “The Horrors of Delphine LaLaurie posted at TheScareChamber.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/kt9ktkpj,https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3aprfmpa “Close Encounters of the Sixth Kind” by Marcus Lowth for UFOInsight.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/pkvf6cdc BOOK: “From Deep Within The Archives Of UFO Insight: History’s Most Bizarre, Outlandish, And Controversial UFO And Alien Encounters!” by Marcus Lowth: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/9xeyhz8=====(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...