The Uncannery

Send us Fan Mail A monk, a deadline, and a three-foot manuscript: that’s the wild origin story pinned to the Codex Gigas, better known as the Devil’s Bible. We start with the familiar grind of procrastination and pressure, then step into the stark world of immurement—the “bloodless” punishment that sharpened one scribe’s stakes—and ask how an ordinary act of painstaking craft became the stuff of l...

Send us Fan Mail A learning game that doesn’t coddle you but still teaches with precision and care—that’s the rabbit hole we fall into as we trace edutainment’s highs and lows from Oregon Trail to one of the strangest state-funded titles of the 90s: Cosmology of Kyoto. We start with the familiar—why some school-approved games clicked while others felt like worksheets with sprites—then step into He...

Send us Fan Mail What makes some stories transcend time while others fade away? King Arthur's legend has captivated audiences for over 1,500 years, morphing with each retelling while somehow maintaining its essential power. This fascinating deep dive traces the evolution of Arthurian legend from its misty origins to its modern interpretations. We begin by exploring the differences between myt...

Send us Fan Mail How does a yoga studio transform into a terrorist organization? The story of Aum Shinrikyo offers a chilling glimpse into the dark evolution of what may be history's most scientifically sophisticated doomsday cult. Through our exploration of this Japanese cult's transformation, we track founder Shoko Asahara's journey from a partially blind yoga teacher selling spir...

Send us Fan Mail The desire to practice life's significant moments before they happen is deeply human. What if we could rehearse our wedding, our parenting decisions, or even our next international conflict? This fascinating tension between preparation and authentic experience anchors our discussion as we explore HBO's "The Rehearsal" and what it reveals about our need to contr...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when national pride collides with nuclear disaster? The Chernobyl catastrophe of April 26, 1986 stands as a haunting reminder of technological hubris and the devastating consequences of prioritizing image over human safety. When Reactor 4 exploded at 1:23 a.m., it released more radiation than any other accident in history. But what's truly chilling isn't jus...

Send us Fan Mail When Charles Vance Miller died on Halloween 1926, few could have predicted the bizarre legacy this childless Toronto lawyer would leave behind. Born to humble farming parents, Miller had built an empire through shrewd investments in breweries, silver mines, and racehorses, becoming one of Canada's wealthiest bachelors. But without heirs or close relationships, his true lastin...

Send us Fan Mail Max Fleischer might be the most influential animator you've never heard of. While Disney and Looney Tunes dominate our cultural memory of early animation, this Polish immigrant who came to New York in 1887 was quietly revolutionizing the art form with groundbreaking techniques that still influence creators today. Through sheer determination and technical ingenuity, Fleischer...

Send us Fan Mail Remember the thrill of hearing a dial-up modem connect or the excitement of seeing a message pop up on your screen from a friend miles away? Join us on a whimsical journey down "Memory Lane" as we reminisce about the early days of communication technology. From the simplicity of Usenet and the quirky codes of beepers to the niche world of ham radios, we're celebrati...

Send us Fan Mail What if you had to choose between your computer and the internet—could you even imagine life without them? Join Ron and me as we kick off with some lighthearted banter about Doug’s absence and dive into the tech that threads through our daily lives like a lifeline. We reminisce about how our passion for gadgets traces back to my dad’s influence and mull over the evolution of compu...

Send us Fan Mail What if the very fabric of science fiction awards was shaken by an unexpected hero? Join us as we celebrate Doug’s temporary exit for fatherhood bliss and dive into the world of books that capture our imaginations. Don reveals his eclectic reading list for 2024, featuring tales of historical intrigue and epic sagas, while Ron reflects on his sporadic reading adventures, from Tolki...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how a kitschy grandma's garden ornament could end up in a museum? Join us as we kick off the holiday season with this light-hearted tale, which sets the stage for a heartwarming exploration of Christmas traditions. We'll take you down memory lane with cherished customs from my childhood, like the labor-intensive yet rewarding tradition of making ta...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found justice in the most unexpected places? In our latest podcast episode, we open with tales from everyday life, where a cheeky raccoon and a stubborn customer at Costco serve as unlikely arbiters of fairness. These personal anecdotes offer a humorous yet insightful glimpse into the chaos that often accompanies trying to do what's right in a world that doesn&a...

Send us Fan Mail What if a game from the '90s could still captivate tech wizards and gamers alike today? Join us as we traverse the rich legacy of Doom, an iconic first-person shooter that changed the gaming landscape. I kick things off with a musical tribute, channeling the game's unforgettable soundtrack, while Ron and Don share their personal connections—ranging from childhood memorie...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself in a spirited debate over the merits of turkey at Thanksgiving? Join us as we embark on a culinary clash, with Ron and Doug insisting that turkey is overrated, while Don staunchly defends it as a cherished tradition. Our conversation meanders into nostalgic Thanksgiving memories, contrasting the stiff formalities of old with today’s relaxed family gath...

Send us Fan Mail What defines true sportsmanship, and where do we draw the line between cunning strategy and unsportsmanlike behavior? Join us for an intriguing discussion inspired by Ron's eye-opening experiences at the Las Vegas Open, one of the largest wargaming tournaments in the U.S. From the camaraderie and respect shared among traditional sports players to the tactical mind games of co...

Send us Fan Mail What if the eerie feeling you get on a late-night drive past a cemetery isn’t just your imagination? Join Ron, Doug, and Don on Uncannery as we blur the boundaries between reality and the supernatural. From Doug's overwhelming connection with nature at Red Rocks Amphitheater to Ron's ghostly encounter on a deserted road, we share stories that invite you to reflect on you...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered which board game might be the oldest in the world? Join us on a whimsical exploration as we tackle this age-old question, journeying through the annals of gaming history with a playful discussion on Parcheesi, Mancala, and the Royal Game of Ur. But the spotlight soon shines on backgammon, a game steeped in Mesopotamian heritage and filled with tales of familial bondi...

Send us Fan Mail Wild boar pepperoni on a pizza—sounds enticing, doesn't it? Well, it wasn't quite the culinary revelation we hoped for, but it certainly made for a memorable outing. That got us reminiscing about our early gaming days, where family gatherings often meant bonding over video game consoles. Games like the Nintendo Wii and Rock Band were more than just fun; they became a bri...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how fear can be both thrilling and comforting? Join us as Ron embraces his goth side with a Sisters of Mercy shirt while Doug hilariously struggles to embody Bing Bong from Pixar's "Inside Out." We take a comical walk down memory lane, recalling some of our most creative (and sometimes cringe-worthy) Halloween costumes like Don’s creepy maggot-infested...

Send us Fan Mail WrestleMania weekend unfurled its tapestry of drama and spectacle, and I was right there in the thick of it, juggling my love for Baldur's Gate III with the real-life soap opera that is professional wrestling. The thrill of Cody Rhodes' championship saga, the electric atmosphere of the WWE's Super Bowl—if these stories set your heart racing, then you're in for...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling a bit skeptical about Doug's new obsession with pickleball? You're not alone! Join us as Ron humorously navigates Doug’s impassioned explanation of this fast-growing sport, and hear their playful banter on the ‘pickle glow’ phenomenon. Ever wondered if you could light up a room with pickles and potatoes? We explore that quirky idea amid Doug’s attempts to recruit...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt like the rug was pulled out from under your feet when a fact you held dear was debunked? That's the rollercoaster we're riding in our latest episode, where we tackle the towering tales and myths about dinosaurs that have shaped our understanding since childhood. Prepare to have your mind blown as we dissect the controversial claims against the existence of Tric...

Send us Fan Mail Each chord of nostalgia strikes a familiar tune, and as we ramble through the rebellious anthems of our youth, you're invited to join the riff.  We revel in the musical tapestry that adorned our formative years, from the unleashed roar of Def Leppard to the nonchalant grooves of the B-52s, and the parental advisory-laden allure of Limp Bizkit. We crack open our personal playl...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered if you've been singing the wrong lyrics your whole life? You’re not alone! Join Don, Doug, and Ron as we laugh at our younger selves, recalling those hilarious moments of confidently singing incorrect lyrics. From Ron thinking an auto mall jingle said “keys on thin ice” to Doug’s entertaining mumbling to Puddle of Mudd's "Blurry," this episode is...