The Spooky Scholars Podcast

Y'know those shirts? The ones you might call a 'baseball tee'?

Well, they have a name - Raglan Shirts. And the history of the Raglan and Lord Raglan goes back A LOT farther than you think.

On this episode I look at the history of the Raglan shirt and why it very often pops up in horror movies. Hint: there's a practical reason - not just a fashionable one.

Together we'll complete the compiling of a list of Raglans all over horror movies and prove that it is the quintessential horror costume for final girls and killers alike!

'The Cave of Death' is a real place in Costa Rica but in this episode we question the reality inside the cave in The Descent (2005) and The Descent Part II (2009) and what is really happening with Sarah's (the protagonist) story of survival. Hint: it's DEEP!

We’ll also use Plato’s cave analogy to guide us 'through the dark' to the reality and to the meaning we’re meant to take away from this iconic film series - no matter which ending you're used to.

*This episode contains spoiler for The Descent (2005) and The Descent II (2009)

What is the deal with female heroes in high heels? Is the disbelief supposed to be that we see this as an added superpower, like killing and slaying in impractical footwear is like a part of their magic?

Or is it something else?

...You already know the answer. 

It’s totally something else. But it makes total sense and will give you a new way to watch and see your favourite horror heroines.

A look at the effects of diegetic sound in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer, episode “The Body,” as well as how other masters of horror cinema use diegetic and non-diegetic sound to add layers of creep to our viewing experience - such as in The Shining, Us and Sinister.

*This episode contains spoilers of the Buffy episode but it’s been like, 23 years so… hurry up and binge the rest of the series so we can be best friends!

In this episide we celebrate spring by looking at the story and retelling of the Persephone myth.

I question the validity, importance or maybe even the necessity of sanitzing the classics. Is it really helpful or harmful? Revisionist or revolutionary? Do we still need to keep talking about Ancient Greece when there's more than enough choice on Netflix?

*Important trigger warning of sexual harm and discussions of R*** in this one.

Welcome to the first episode as The Spooky Scholars Podcast!

In this episode we learn more about the effect of the uncanny valley.

We look at how this psychological phenomenon is at play and working to add layer of creep to your favourite films.

Also, we do a deep dive into the use of the effect in M3gan and a peak at how this all applies to our favourite puppet horror like Annabelle and Chucky.

‘No tears please, it’s a waste of good suffering,’

- Hellraiser's Pinhead (Barker 1987).

Fayge and Mazal Horesh join me to talk about morbid history in Philadelphia. Fayge is a public historian and also produces the podcast, D-Listers of History. Mazal is Fayge's wife and co-host.

They bring us the story of The Boy in the Box also known as Joseph Augustus Zarelli. It’s tragic, mostly unsolved murder that has been a part of Philadelphia's history since the 1950s.

They also share an interesting connection for us to another body found in nearby Virginia that will definitely give you the feels and the creeps all at once.

We also get into the history of death masks, 1990s website timecapsule's, escaped wild animals in the city and how a hatmaker almost led to solving the case of 'America's Unknown Child'.

This is a really interesting look at social history in the Philadelphia area and how murders and unknown victims can get lost in the system.

This is a long one so listen in parts if you must, but I promise you won’t want to miss what we talk about at the end - especially if you're planning on skipping a "down ballot" vote in your county.  

*For joining us all the way to end of the episode I’ll have a special announcement for you that you won't want to miss out on either!

It’s Part Two of Hellhounds. This time we look more closely (if we dare!) at theStalking Type.

Where are these beasts usually spotted and what kind of people see them the most? Will you be their next victim or the next mark to protect? Plus, what is up with the patterns we see about black dog legends around the world and what does it all mean?

The Grim, The Barghast, El Cadejo- find out what’s these hellhounds from around the world have in common and why they might be lurking at your door … or following you home tonight!

In this first part of the Hell Hound series, let's look at the Cerberus-like hounds that are found in cultures all over the world. These hell-dwelling dogs that protect the entryways to the Underworld and Otherworlds have a longer history and wider influence than you think.

Other figures like Hecate and Anubis belong on this list as well to super-charge this motif.

Let's look at where all this myth comes from and what's really behind the stories and depictions we come across in our favourite movies and shows today...especially if you're into My Little Pony (kidding, not kidding).

My guest is John Brassard Jr, also known as the Kitchen Table Historian. He’s an author and ghost story lover and in this episode he brings us all of that with some true crime tales from the Midwest.

John tells us the story of Ed Gein, one of the most famous serial killers of the Midwest, plus several tales of bank robberies, family murders and eerie local legends that live on and cross over into the paranormal. 

Gilles de Rais, one of France’s most disturbing serial killers, who was also (allegedly) a pedophile and demon summoner, and the inspiration for the tale of Bluebeard.

But how much is true and how much is sensationalizing this dark story of the so-called dark ages? Stick with me to the end to uncover the truth and the modern twist in this morbid medieval tale! 

Dr.Gary Simmons, neurosurgeon and professor of neuroscience, shares with me his experience from his days of cutting into ooey gooey brains! Plus, get MAJOR chills (as I did) learning about brain implants and the eerie applications...

Hear about the pressures and pleasures in the daily life of a typical brain surgeon, and even how Dr. Gary has (untypically) become a believer and even peddler of the paranormal.

This is a stand out episode so get your thinking caps on, your zombie movie references ready, and get ready to talk BRRRRAAAAIIINNNS!!!!

Welcome to Season 3 of That’s So Morbid with Ashe Woodward. In this episode Ashe looks at the Roman god of beginnings, Janus, and the larger influence of his legacy including a rare condition and even on the movie Frozen.

Somehow we make it to demonic twin heads and the sexual ritual between the Keymaster and the Gatekeeper in Ghostbusters. Then we round it all out with Dan Aykroyd and Crystal Skull vodka. 

It’s going to be quite a journey - both in this episode and the entire season.

It's the most DANGEROUS time of the year!

Just when you thought everything was slowing down as we get cozy in the darkness, this episode reminds you not to get too comfy this holiday - it's actually time to stay alert so you make it to the new year in tact.

We go over some brutal Christmas killings, poinsettia poisoning and Christmas tree fires, all adding up to about 300 Christmastime deaths each year.

PLUS! Find out how you made this year special for this podcaster and what's planned for 2024.

The third installment in my quest for the finest and fullest definition of the term, 'Dark Fiction'. I'm in conversation with magic realism author, Lale Davidson, who brilliantly guides me to some surreal and magical ideas - a great one for those of us who feel there's more magic around us at this time of year...

The classic combo of spooky meets merry has been around a lot longer than you may think (or may want to believe).

If your kids just aren't worried about the threat of 'coal in your stocking', how about telling them a couple tales of monsters that drag you to hell if you misbehave or a giant cat that will eat you alive for not getting any new underwear?

This is the Yule episode with everything you need to know about Krampus, The Christmas Cat, sarcastic goats and more!

Still on the hunt for the perfect Dark Fiction definition, this is my very dark chat with author Patrick Barb. We also talk (of course) about horror, horror sub genres and all the types of dark fiction we can think of.

Among all the horror and other theories, Patrick teases with some previews of tales out of his recent collection, upcoming novel and we even discuss the therapeutic value of horror and other dystopias.

This is a fun one for all my fellow horror theorists and dark fiction nerds out there.

Well look who's a teenager!

Not counting Morbid Morsels, this is our 13th episode!!! And also it's a morsel - but just go with it because today is the 13th of November and the 13th episode for me and I'm celebrating with bringing you the history and some possible origins and connections of number phobias.

This month I'm teaching the Dark Fiction writing course so I'll be featuring some other pros in the genre to keep us all inspired.

So what's up with the 'Dark' part of Dark Fantasy anyway? What are the elements? What makes the monsters and themes hit different?And why are we obsessed?!

I pose all my inelegant questions to author JV Hilliard in this week's episode and he graciously lays it all out for us and even makes me question why dragons have gotten so much positive press over the years.

We also get into some other great stuff like working at haunted houses, researching medieval toilets and buying weird Mexican candy. So join us, won't you?

It's Devil's Night, the veil is thin and we're going from Crows to Curses.

Learn more about Scarecrow symbolism, Crow murders (or are they?) and a Holllywood curse to haunt your nightmares tonight!

Let's hang out on Halloween Eve!

What do you really know about the Headless Horseman? Is it a myth, legend or a beloved character from 19th century American literature...or all of the above? Does he really have a jack-o-lantern for a head or does he carry his head around with him?

Which one is it?!

Let's get to the bottom of this before Halloween, shall we? We need to know what we're dealing with...for when he returns...

Kicking off Halloween month with ... ghost stories!!

..some of the OGs in the literature world and some classic modern favourites. What is it about ghosts that we're so eager to learn from them, follow them and remember them from texts?

This week we'll explore how ghosts and ghost stories can guide us to our past, our history and even lure us in for a closer look at ourselves.

If you can't explain the difference between "poisonous" and "venomous" snakes (don't worry - neither could I!) then this is the episode for you.

I bring you all I learned, not only about this linguistic faux pas, but the treatment and potential lasting effects from a snake bite as well.

Plus, a haunting snake bite death story that will chill you in more ways than one!

A small musing on the traditional taboo of telling jokes at a funeral...

Can you stomach a leap from leeches to Angela Lansbury? In this episode we dive into the world of leeches, leeching and bring it all the way from ancient Egypt to the present...and somehow, yes, to Murder She Wrote royalty. How is that even possible? You'll have to listen to find out!

Do you remember your first horror movie? Chances are good that you do since there's research now to suggest that horror movies can cause long-lasting trauma. The other side of this, though, is that helicopter parents might be doing an even greater disservice to their kids by shielding them from experiencing fear, keeping them from safely gaining emotional skills they can use in the real world.

In this episode, my guest, @hazey_dave, gives us insight into how he navigates his daughter's readiness for horror movies and drops some excellent recommendations along the way.

Welcome to Season 2! To kick this off I get into a female monster fave and how the modern perception of Medusa needs a glow up. There's so much more this gorgeous gorgon - mother, matriarch, murderer - than is usually associated with her. So let's take a deeper look (but not directly, of course)!

It's almost time for Season Two but, in the meantime, Ashe brings you a startling discovery she made over the break that puts a spotlight on a very important female character in comic book history. And she's more goth than you ever knew.

While these shorter, 'Morbid Morsel' episodes will be Patron exclusive in the future, today Ashe joins you for a Valentine's Day treat! With Marco taking some time away, Ashe can really get into the mushy, gooey girly stuff––like the romance between one of the world's most talented composers of all time and the woman who loved him and was the reason his disembodied heart wasn't allowed to rest where he requested on his death bed. Also, why in the 1800s there was an obsession with being buried alive and what those kooky Victorians did to ensure it didn't happen...Tongue pinching anyone?... It's SO Romantic! -xo

Death by wallpaper? Women who glow in the dark? The most authentic type of heavy metal?  In this 'colourful' episode Marco shows off his art school training and shares everything about the toxic chemicals in paint and pigments. Ashe is along for the ride, providing hard facts and specific cases where people actually lost their lives because their livelihoods depended on paint.

Did Mary Shelley really carry her dead husband's heart around with her? Why do all cultures revere relics from the dead? Why do we cling to the body when we're so sure the person who inhabited it is gone? Why are some body parts deemed more valuable than others? In this episode, I and my good friend, Marco, dive into these questions and more morbid phenomena surrounding the question of what can really happen to our body when we die?

Here's your host, Ashe Woodward, and your first glimpse into the morbid themes to be covered on the podcast.