Astonishing Legends

In tonight’s dead letter, we dive deep into the woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula with Alicia, an experienced outdoorswoman who encounters a mysterious forest dweller during her hunting trip. As she waits silently, a small, dark form captures her attention—what could it possibly be? Is it a creature of folklore peeking into our world, or just an intricate game of light and shadow? Michigan's Upp...

In tonight’s dead letter, we dive into "The Scented Ghost," a story from Buffalo, New York, shared by our listener Cheryl. In her old apartment, she and her boyfriend often noticed a strong, unusual floral scent, which could selectively present itself to either one of them. Things got eerie when Cheryl encountered a mysterious figure one night, leaving her spooked. Years later, a chance encounter...

In Part 2 of our series on the Max Headroom Broadcast Signal Interruption, we dig deeper into the analog chaos that unfolded in 1987 Chicago — a surreal, rebellious hijacking that mocked media itself. We explore the investigation, the lingering mystery, and what it says about how we interact with technology, culture, and entertainment today. Who was behind that mask? Who wielded that fly-swatter?...

In tonight’s dead letter, listener Leah experiences repeated visits from what appear to be gnome-like beings. The visits began after she began practicing Wicca, and thankfully, these mysterious creatures appear to be non-threatening…but persistent. Are they simply hallucinations connected to sleep paralysis, or are they part of the fabric of reality that is hidden from us most of the time? Email y...

In tonight's dead letter, we explore the eerie experiences of Allie, a PhD candidate from the University of Arkansas, who revisits the hauntingly notorious Devil's Den in the Ozark National Forest. As shared with hosts Scott and Forrest, Allie's research expeditions become unsettling when she feels an unseen presence and hears unexplained banging noises near isolated trails and bridges. Her tales...

Before streaming and scrolling there was broadcast television—shared signals sent through the air for anyone with an antenna to catch. But when something’s that open, it’s also open to hijacking. In part one of our two-part series, we dig into one of the most bizarre and legendary cases of broadcast piracy: the Max Headroom Incident. On November 22, 1987, two Chicago stations were interrupted by a...

In tonight's dead letter, we hear from Jada who encountered a shadowy figure with red eyes on two separate occasions in different locations. The first sighting occurred during a summer church camp, but the second happened years later and was witnessed by her boyfriend, who doesn’t believe in this kind of stuff. Are hauntings tied to people rather than places? Or tied to anything at all? The more w...

In tonight’s dead letter, a listener shares her stories of a childhood filled with unexplained phenomena in her family home just outside Toronto. From a mischievous spectral boy seen by the whole family to disembodied voices and a chilling sense of dread, their experiences were chalked up to "ghosts" as a family joke. But the story takes a strange turn when the spirit of "Robert Barber" appears in...

This week, we dive into a viral story that is captivating social media and stirring global debate — a supposed discovery beneath the sands of Giza that some are calling the find of the century. Descriptions of a vast, multi-level complex with geometric passageways, deep shafts, and mysterious chambers have sparked theories ranging from ancient power plants to the legendary Halls of Amenti. Could t...

In tonight’s dead letter, we delve into a truly bizarre family tale spanning generations. Taylor shares her mother's childhood encounter with a giant, tuxedo-clad bunny rabbit residing in her friend's shower—a story echoed by her own childhood sighting of a similar figure.  Could this be a family secret, a shared hallucination, or something far more uncanny? Púca

This week, we welcome master storyteller, podcaster, and comedian Dan Cummins, creator of the hit shows Timesuck and Scared to Death. Known for his deep dives into historical mysteries and the supernatural, Dan brings scholarly research paired with sharp wit. We’ve long admired the quality and depth of his work, which often parallels our own. Our conversation spans his paranormal encounters, the e...

In tonight’s Dead Letter, we explore a mysterious phone call received by long-time listener Michelle in the 1980s.  The caller identified himself as "Uncle Bill," a relative she had never known, leaving a lasting impression on her and her family.  Her parents' stunned reaction to the call adds to the unsettling mystery. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Call_(The_Twilight_Zone) https://www.snope...

Due to an error last week, this Dead Letter Office didn't make it to the main feed so here it is now! There's a NEW one tomorrow too!  In tonight’s dead letter, we explore the chilling tales of paranormal activity at a haunted firehouse, as recounted by volunteer firefighter Ken Sanner Jr.  Ken details a series of unsettling events, from flickering lights and moving objects to disembodied voices a...

On the night of February 25, 1942, less than three months after Pearl Harbor, Los Angeles was gripped by fear as air raid sirens wailed and a total blackout stretched to the Mexican border. Powerful arc lamps lit up the sky, and anti-aircraft guns fired wildly as reports of enemy aircraft flooded in — some claiming planes crashed down across the city, though no wreckage was found. Even military le...

In tonight’s dead letter, we explore a listener’s astonishing story connecting to the infamous USS Nimitz Tic-Tac UFO incident.  Mike recounts childhood encounters with doppelgangers and later, his ex-wife's dream of grays influencing her pregnancy. Their son even refers to a "space dad," adding another layer to this already unbelievable tale. We were shocked to get a dead letter directly connecte...

In tonight’s dead letter, we delve into a truly astonishing story from listener Gus about his daughter Tara. Tara's coworker, on her last shift before college, revealed he could see spirits and described three surrounding Tara – her deceased grandparents and grandmother, accurately detailing their names, causes of death, and even the months they passed. Then he made a startling observation about G...

In the fall of 1829, a Scottish settlement was thrown into turmoil by an invisible tormentor whose nightly mischief escalated into arson. Despite constant watch and attempted exorcisms, flames erupted repeatedly in one targeted home until its terrified occupants fled, only to see it burn to the ground. Seeking refuge in a neighboring house, they were again assailed by eerie noises, flickering blue...

Listener Chloe’s Dead Letter starts out talking about the infamous Greyfriars Kirkyard. One of the earliest topics on the main show here at Astonishing Legends. It quickly transitions to her visit to the Edinburgh underground vaults and an unsettling experience she had there on a ghost tour. The Astonishing Dead Letter Office - Where Your Stories Die to be Told https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyfr...

This week, we’re delving into the world of cryptids and unexplained phenomena again with Seth Breedlove, founder of Small Town Monsters. Celebrating 10 years of documenting America’s legends, 2025 promises to be their most ambitious year yet with four new projects. We'll discuss Dawn of the Dogman, exploring Michigan’s mysterious Dogman, and The Kinderhook Creature, a chilling tale from New York's...

In tonight’s dead letter, Jonathan, a self-described skeptic and psychonaut, recounts his experience taking DMT that led to an encounter with an omniscient entity, sparking a discussion about the nature of reality and the potential for interdimensional beings. The guys talk about similar experiences, highlighting the parallels between Jonathan's psychedelic journey and sober encounters reported by...

In tonight’s dead letter, listener Nicole recounts a chilling experience of hearing a male voice in her head during a protection ritual.  This unsettling event is similar to Tess's experience at the Sallie House, and it highlights the unpredictable nature of opening oneself to the unseen. One must take precautions when engaging with the paranormal without full awareness because whether you believe...

This week's Astonishing Dead Letter Office features a heartwarming story of a benevolent haunting at their family's camp in Gorham, New Hampshire. After the death of listener Karl’s father's friend Andy, the family began experiencing strange occurrences at the camp, including a deformed screen door that appeared to have Andy's face imprinted on it and a streetlight that would repeatedly go out but...

This week on Astonishing Legends, we conclude our two-part exploration into the enigmatic disappearance of Ambrose Bierce. Last week, we chronicled his vibrant life and career, culminating in his mysterious 1913 journey into Mexico.  This week, we delve deeper, examining the turbulent backdrop of the Mexican Revolution and how it might have played a role in his vanishing. Was Bierce a casualty of...

In tonight’s chilling episode, Nina shares her unsettling experience with a vintage Swami Mystery talking board. After acquiring this antique off-brand Ouija Board, she suffers a severe concussion and begins having vivid, disturbing nightmares featuring mysterious figures and ominous symbolism. Always think twice when messing around with talking boards! The Astonishing Dead Letter Office - Where Y...

Ambrose Bierce, famed author of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, vanished without a trace in 1913 at the age of 71. Bierce had a long and storied career, having been a soldier in the Civil War, a journalist, and a successful author. He was known for his dark humor and cynical outlook. In part one of this two-part series, we delve into the mystery of Bierce’s disappearance and explore the endurin...