Shadowland

Send a text Kris Kringle. Saint Nick. Father Christmas. He’s a legend beloved by children around the world for his kindness, jolly temperament and toy-laden sack. But there’s a darker side to Santa Claus lore--and there are a few of us who’ve seen it. Today, we’re sharing stories about scary Santas.  

Send a text Most of us think of them as the stuff of fairy tales and holiday lore. Tiny creatures hammering away on toys and maybe doing a solid for overworked cobblers or else the ethereal beauties in a Tolkein novel. But there are more than a few people who think elves are not only real--they might be closer than you think. 

Send a text Military personnel are trained to follow orders and when it comes to problem-solving, they take a straightforward route. But what happens when something inexplicable--or otherworldly--crosses their path? Today, we’re sharing stories of military encounters with aliens. 

Send a text We like to believe in a clear line that separates humankind from other creatures. Whether it’s our intellect, our capacity for empathy or even our eternal soul, we see ourselves as unique among species. But are animals smarter than we think? And is that separating line much blurrier than we can imagine? Today, we’re sharing stories about animal intelligence. 

Send a text Of all the architecture known to humankind, nothing seems to capture our imagination like castles. From turrets that rise toward the clouds to crumbling mountaintop ruins, one thing is certain: those stone walls hold centuries’ of secrets--many of them unspeakable. Today, we’re sharing stories about haunted castles. 

Send a text We’ve been sharing stories with you for over a year--and now you’ve started sending in your own tales from the shadows. Today, we’re doing a bonus episode of allegedly true--and totally spooky--listener stories. 

Send a text The open road is a symbol of freedom and possibility, vanishing into untold adventures just beyond the horizon. But venture down one late at night and you may meet up with more than fellow travelers. Today, we’re sharing stories about haunted highways. 

Send a text Those of us who love wandering in the woods know that there’s a dark side to their majestic beauty. Unseen dangers might be lurking in the trail just ahead or peering down at us from towering trees. But as frightened as we might be of encountering a predator, there could be far more terrifying things that dwell in the shadows. Today, we’re sharing stories about haunted forests.

Send a text Although they’re often part of our earliest happy memories, there’s something equally unsettling about dolls. Maybe it’s the trickery of their almost human appearance, those forever-staring eyes or frozen smiles. Or maybe it’s a long-buried fear that we might look over at any moment...and find them very much alive. Today, we’re sharing stories about haunted dolls.

Send a text They call it the witching hour--that shadowy place between night and day, where the veil between waking and dreaming seems barely there. Imagine your mind awake, but your body locked in sleep. And then you realize...you’re not alone. Today, we’re talking about sleep paralysis, with special guest Maggie Turner.

Send a text Do a search for “mythical creature” and you’re sure to conjure things that reside somewhere between human and animal. The Hydra with its headdress of snakes, dog men that prowl the Northern wilderness, centaur warriors galloping into battle. But the truth, it turns out, is also somewhere in between. Today, we’re sharing stories of chimeras.

Send a text We all know that millions of years ago, gigantic reptiles ruled the world. The proof lives on in their towering skeletons, unearthed at dig sites and meticulously put back together again. But there are some who claim they’ve seen them outside museum walls--alive and stalking the shadows near you. Today, we’re sharing stories of modern dinosaurs. 

Send a text To many, the word “magic” conjures slight-of-hand tricks, or illusions like David Copperfield levitating over the Grand Canyon. Seriously, look it up. Others see it as the product of superstitious minds vying for control in a chaotic universe. But is it all just an illusion? Or is there a very real power at play? Today, we’re discussing stories of actual magic—with a special guest. 

Send a text Of all the legendary creatures that stalk the shadows, one stands head and shoulders above the rest. From the forests of the Poconos to the American Northwest and even Alaska, these unexplained sightings have been reported f or centuries. And sometimes, there seems to be more than what meets the eye. Today, we’re sharing stories of Bigfoot.

Send a text As long as humans have walked the Earth, we’ve hoped for miraculous cures. From enchanted waters and snake oil to the wonders of modern science, miracles can be sought in many forms. And sometimes, they actually happen. Today, we’re sharing stories of supernatural healings.

Send a text When we think of urban legends, it’s often a story that’s far removed from any real event. But sometimes, these stories might not only be true but hiding right under our beds. Today we’re asking, “what lurks in the shadows?”

Send a text It’s human nature to wonder what lies behind a closed door. Nothing has the power to intrigue us like a thing that’s hidden, far away or lost to time. But sometimes, things are closer than they appear. Today, we’re discussing real stories of remote viewing.  

Send a text They’ve long been the subject of science fiction: mysterious gateways that let us travel to an alternate universe...or even the spiritual realm...just by stepping through the door. But are they only make-believe? Today, we’re going down the rabbit hole and talking about portals—with our first-ever special guest, Anthony Alvarez. 

Send a text For most of us, the word “gnome” probably conjures childhood fairy tales or the plastic statues you see on suburban lawns. But there might be more than folklore behind those pointy red hats. And should we be afraid? Today, we’re sharing real life stories of gnomes.  

Send a text As humans, we’re fascinated by the far reaches of space—but do we even know what lies below? From underground bases and bottomless pits to creatures that dwell in a world under our own, what mysteries exist beneath our feet?

Send a text The line between animal and monster isn’t always so clear. When people cry wolf, are they always overreacting? Today, we’re sharing stories of those who stared into the dark...and saw something staring back.

Send a text In the past century, over a thousand people have gone missing from United States’ national parks and forests. While most of these cases can be explained, some remain a mystery--to the point of being downright eerie. Today, we’re talking about the phenomenon known as Missing 411. 

Send a text We’ve all heard of close encounters of different kinds, ranging from lights in the sky to actual ET contact. But what happens when they get extra close? Today, we’re sharing stories of alien sex. 

Send a text Visionaries are people who exist on the border of imagination and reality. Sometimes, they’re able to see into the future--or even other worlds. They also tend to be pretty fascinating characters. In this episode, we’re talking about two of history’s most remarkable visionaries.  

Send a text There’s something unsettling about seeing ourselves in the mirror. Throughout history, across cultures and in scores of horror films, the reflected world can be a portal into the unknown. But what happens when these mirror selves take on a life of their own? Today, we’re delving into a few strange and eerie accounts of doppelgangers.