Eerie Travels

We always associate New Years with resolutions and remaking ourselves. However, the mountain folk use it as a time of reflection and banishing the last of the evil spirits. January traditions travel from the Alps and the Perchtenlauf to the Carpathian and the festival of the Svatki with echoes in the Appalachians for the "Listening Days." These are the threshold legends to see us through t...

Mark and Kari interview Ranger Taylor Young and Jacob Rawls of the Red Clay State Park in Tennessee. The park is full of Cherokee and European settler history. Taylor shares some fascinating information about the flora, fauna, and the historical focus of the park. Then Jacob shares some amazing Cherokee tales of the area. #EerieTravels #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #BeauLake #GreetingsTravelers #Travel #...

How to celebrate the dead of winter with Kan No Shiwaza and Plough Monday. Two mid-winter festivals marking the end of the holiday season. Japan and the United Kingdom have very different ways of dealing with the coldest time of the year. Beware The Ice Lady and don't forget to tip the puppet horse. #EerieTravels #Travel #Folklore #Festival #Yokai #UnitedKingdom #Japan Support this podcast at...

Mark teaches Erika about horses of history and legend. From Incatatus to Little Texas and from Pegasus to El Muerte they discuss the influence of the horse on the folklore of mankind. Of course, there's a few spectral horses along the way. #EerieTravels #Travel #Folklore #History #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #BeauLake #Ghosts #UrbanLegends Episode Credits:  Hosts - Erika Lance @authorerikalance, Mar...

Before the change of calendars Christmas fell on what is now January 6. Many in the mountains kept this day as their holiday. "You can't change God's time." Mark talks about all the traditions and folklore about this day that almost becomes a winter Halloween with strange tales of talking animals, a spectral visitor, and a few miracles thrown in for good measure. #EerieTravels #Chr...

Beau, Mark, and Kari give thanks for making it through 2025 and a make some resolutions for 2026. They discuss travel highlights from the year that was, and announce a few new things for the new! #EerieTravels #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #BeauLake #GreetingsTravelers #Travel #ParanormalTravel #HappyNewYear #NoAI #Mothman #DragonCon #Book Episode Credits:  Hosts - Erika Lance @authorerikalance, Mark Mun...

In this episode, Mark reflects on some recent losses faced in the closing of the year while looking forward to the New Year with hope. He describes the various New Year's Eve traditions and superstitions, particularly focusing on the significance of the first visitor to cross the threshold after midnight. Through stories and folklore, the episode explores themes of loss, omens, and the connect...

Mark and Erica read a huge holiday haul of listener tales sent in by you, the Travelers. Encounter stories include a brush with Bigfoot, a child's encounter with what may be the Hat Man, and a Glitch in the Matrix that involves a cardboard cat. Join us for some post-holiday scary tales. #EerieTravels #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #BeauLake #GreetingsTravelers #Travel #ParanormalTravel #ListenerTales...

In this episode of Eerie Travels, Mark reflects on the legacy of Buck Rogers on him. He then goes into a deep dive into the episode "Space Vampire." He delves into how it draws parallels to classic vampire lore and the classic book "Dracula." He concludes with a heartfelt tribute to Gil Gerard, the actor who portrayed Buck Rogers, sharing his final thoughts and legacy. #EerieTravel...

Mark delves into the fascinating world of cryptids featured in Fallout 76, exploring the origins and legends surrounding creatures like the Beast of Beckley and the Blue Devil. He explains how these cryptids have been integrated into the game from their real-life folklore roots. Join us for a Nuka Cola and get a fusion core for your power armor as we hit the hollers of West Virgina to go monster h...

In the second part of our holiday special, Mark continues to offer Erika a variety of cursed objects, from haunted dolls to infamous diamonds, and the eerie stories behind them. As always, he delves into the history and legends surrounding these items, blending humor with chilling tales. The conversation flows from light-hearted holiday greetings to deep dives into the supernatural. The doll named...

Mark delves into the historical and mythical narratives surrounding George Washington's experience at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777. He explores the story of Washington's Vision, as recounted by Anthony Sherman, and examines how this narrative has evolved over time, reflecting the cultural and societal needs of different eras. Myth of divine intervention? Cosmic interference? Or s...

In this festive episode, Mark and Erika explore the intersection of holiday cheer and eerie tales with the '12 Cursed Days of Christmas.' Each day features a cursed object, including haunted dolls, paintings, and the infamous Hope Diamond. Urban legends and chilling stories blend to captivate the you while you celebrate the holiday spirit. #EerieTravels #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #BeauLake #Gr...

In this episode, Mark and Erika explore various holiday ghost stories, including the haunted Alcatraz Island, the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall, and the playful ghost of Jackie on the Queen Mary, and a ghost train from the future! They also delve into the eerie tale of the Mistletoe Bough, a dark Christmas carol that has captivated audiences for centuries. #EerieTravels #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #BeauLa...

In this episode, Erika and Mark reflect on Thanksgiving, share listener stories about paranormal experiences, including sleep paralysis, cryptid encounters, and the Hat Man. While delving into even more listener's personal encounters with the supernatural, they read more glitches in the matrix, and Mandela effects. There are several encounters with things right out of folklore, particularly th...

The Eerie Travels team continues their deep dive into the 1973 UFO Flap. They discuss the surge of encounters from October of that year that peaked with "The Night off the Humanoids." Famous incidents like Falkville, Pascagoula, and Coyne are discussed in depth. Was 1973 the biggest year for UFO encounters? Listen and you be the judge. #EerieTravels #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #BeauLake #Greeti...

Mark delves into the dark history of the Harpe Brothers, often considered America's first serial killers, who terrorized the Appalachian region in the late 18th century. He explores their violent crimes, the societal context of their actions, and the haunting legacy they left behind. From historical accounts to lingering ghost stories learn how the Harpe brothers' brutal past continues to...

In 1973 there were so many UFO sightings that it seemed like an invasion, but no one ever seems to only talk about a few famous cases. Mark and Erika dep dive into so many close encounters that they had to break this into two parts. We'll travel all over the world to document accounts from Australia to the South China Sea, and from California to Rhode Island back in the United States. Keep wat...

In central and north Georgia there hide many haunted history tales. From a tragic train wreck near Columbus in 1915 to the ghost filled Chastain house in Blue Ridge, Georgia. These locations are filled with preternatural encounters. The third location Mark tells the tale of involves a bloody family feud and the grave of a suspected witch. Join us. #EerieTravels #Travel #Georgia #HauntedHouse #Haun...

The Eerie Travels team goes on a deep dive into the various GoatMan cryptid stories from around the United States. They travel from the Maryland GoatMan of Fletcher Road to the Pope Lick Monster of Kentucky. More encounters are discovered in Forth Worth, Texas and near Ojai, California. They then discuss the SheepSquatch of Appalachia. Finally, they look into the story of the real Goat Man that tr...

From our earliest days we've told stories to scare ourselves. As the American experience evolved, so did American ghost stories. From the tales of the natives mixing with the tales of the early settlers, the stories began to evolve almost instantly. As technology progressed so did the types of haunted stories we tell. Join Mark as he tells some terrifying tales from the various ages of America...

What is your favorite monster movie? The Eerie Travels team discuss their personal favorite "Creature Feature" films to enjoy on this Halloween special episode. So, sit back and get your popcorn ready as the lights turn down and the beasts come out to scare you to death! #EerieTravels #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #BeauLake #GreetingsTravelers #Travel #ParanormalTravel #CreatureFeature #MonsterMo...

That0neFangirl, aka Beth Muncy, comes to the Smoky Mountains for a whirlwind trip. She gets to experience a small bit of Appalachian Halloween with a trip to the infamous Gatlinburg's Mysterious Mansion. Then she joins the Eerie Travels team on the local Witch Walk in Franklin, NC. There are discussions of old Hellview Cemetery and other haunted attraction memories. Join us for a scary fun tim...

Author Jackie Sonnenberg joins Mark and Erika to discuss her new book "Mock Cob Village" and the origins of Halloween traditions. They discuss Trick-or-Treating, Jack-O-Lanterns, bobbing for apples, dumb suppers, and more. They also discuss some great haunted house rules for scare actors and patrons to get the most out of visiting haunted attractions. #EerieTravels #MarkMuncy #ErikaLance #...

The Eerie Travels team headed out to Louisville, KY for the GoatMan Festival at Pope Lick. Just a short distance from the infamous train trestle that is home to the Pope Lick Monster. Mark and Kari discuss the trail to the event and some of the haunted and spooky themed locations they visited during the trip. Another great listen to plan your own eerie travel. #EerieTravels #Travel #Cryptid #PopeL...