Spectral

At the age of 111, Sogen Kato was about to be crowned “Tokyo’s oldest living man” and celebrated during Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day. But when Sogen’s family wouldn’t allow city officials to speak with him, suspicions were at an all-time high. During a wellness check, officials found that Sogen had been deceased in his family’s home for over 20 years. Tune in to hear Sogen’s story and the repe...

We fell down the Reddit rabbit hole to bring you a mix of stories ranging from strange to downright frightening. We have ghost pets, disappearing people, and an entirely empty movie theater...? We share our theories about what could be at play with each story, we'd love to hear your take on things. Oh also! We have so many peaches if anyone wants one. For pictures and more information, please...

We’ve all seen it in movies and TV shows, someone is near death and someone screams, “Don’t go towards the light!” But what if we should never go into the light after we die…? We’re discussing the Soul Trap Theory in this mini tale, where we’ll be second-guessing who exactly is behind “the light” and what happens if you choose to go into it. Trust us, you’ll want to do some deep meditation after t...

For this week’s episode, we’re trading our mics for easels and diving into the world of haunted paintings. We’ve curated a collection so deadly it includes: a rendition of polar bears that reportedly drove a university student to take their own life, subjects within a painting disappearing, a serial killer clown portrait, and more. Put on your smock with us and explore the history behind these pai...

Welcome to Spectral’s Top 10, where we bring you the most unsettling, creepy songs the music industry has to offer. We’ve got a great set list for you this evening, ranging from songs fueled by ghostly encounters to love songs between the live and the decomposed. And don’t miss Alexis sharing the true meaning of the name AC/DC. Thanks for tuning in! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all ot...

Denver’s International Airport has been the center of SO many conspiracy theories. After opening behind schedule in 1995, the airport has garnered suspicions from locals since day 1, and the theories of what’s hidden in Denver’s walls have only gotten crazier. From secret societies to haunted horse sculptures, we’re tackling all of Denver’s wildest theories. #JustBeingaLizard Available on Spotify,...

We’re traveling to the misty hills of Ireland and diving into the commonly misunderstood Celtic lore of banshees, including a couple firsthand experiences. The banshee’s mournful cry and sometimes ominous presence can haunt you, protect you, or warn you. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other platforms. For pictures and more information, please follow us on Instagram & Threads @th...

What do serial killers, the Black Dahlia, and low water pressure have in common? The Cecil Hotel. We’re taking our first deep dive into true crime with the tragedies surrounding the Cecil Hotel, and it’s gnarly. The Cecil is infamous for being a lawless, dark place, so we’re going decade by decade to give you some of the Cecil’s most notorious mishappenings. Check out the Netflix documentary we re...

In numerology, 27 means reassurance and renewal. But among young artists, 27 can be a milestone age. We’re covering the 27 Club, a group full of talent whose lives were cut way too short. Is the 27 Club a curse? Could there be something more sinister at play, like… a deal with the devil? Tune in as we go through notable members of the 27 Club and the major theories behind it. Trust us, at the end...

We're back to tell you all about the slew of strange misfortunes that occurred after the unsealing of King Tut’s tomb: including inexplicable fires, illnesses, and death that plagued some of the tomb’s excavators, early visitors, and morbid collectors. Were all the unfortunate happenings a result of the 1900's of it all--or do you believe in the curse of King Tut? Available on Spotify, App...

The discovery of King Tut’s virtually untouched tomb took the world by storm in 1922. In part 1, we’re covering the Boy-King’s rule and untimely death, the discovery of his tomb, and what exactly set off the idea of a “Pharoah’s curse”. On top of everything, we must wonder...was the bean-water worth it? Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other platforms. For pictures and more informatio...

Is there an area of Yellowstone National Park where you can get away with murder? We’re covering the infamous, and slightly terrifying, Zone of Death in Yellowstone National Park. Though it would be cute to see a jury of woodland creatures, don’t explore this area with your enemies. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other listening platforms. For pictures and more information, please f...

Oh, Canada! We’re visiting our neighbors to the north and covering two of Canada’s most haunted hotels. These historic hotels are set among some of Canada’s most picturesque backgrounds, but don’t let that fool you. From ghostly stories of a burning bride, a room so haunted it needed to be “walled up”, to a friendly bellman just looking to lend a hand, only the brave can spend a night in these hal...

Ever wonder what’s behind the walls of Eastern State Penitentiary? The United States’ oldest and arguably most infamous prison has a macabre history, notorious inmates, and a supernatural presence felt by many brave tour goers. Listen closely as we discuss the origins of Eastern State, its troubling past, inhumane condition, eerie cell blocks, and some ghastly inmates that refuse to leave. Get out...

Happy Holidays! This year, we’re celebrating with a collection of scary short stories. Tune in to hear about phantom rest stops, spirits that returned from the dead, and the terrifying Snowman Ritual. The most important question remains: Is an olive a fruit? Whatever you celebrate, we hope you have a great one! Resources Braden, B. (2022, October 3). 11 of the Scariest Ghost Stories from reddit. T...

Introducing Pep, the well-known (& loved) canine inmate at Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary. Though initially introduced as a felon, Pep quickly became a source of joy for Eastern State’s prisoners and staff. Stay tuned as Spectral will take a deep-dive into the history and ghost stories of Eastern State in our next episode. Thanks for listening! Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts,...

On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 took off from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport with the intent of traveling to LAX. But only 31 seconds after takeoff, the flight crashed into a nearby field. This tragedy has led to strange occurrences: reports of nervous passengers haunting the surrounding crash site and airport itself; premonitions that saved lives; and the perpetuation of a possible curse...

What does the day of the week say about you? We’re discussing the influence the planets have on the day of the week you were born and how they can affect personalities. This phenomenon, like astrology, is recognized in several different cultures and traces all the way back to the Babylonians and Sumerians. If we didn't cover the day of the week you were born, please click here (or here ) to le...

Starting in 1965, residents of Tanzania and Zanzibar reported being attacked and haunted by a mysterious bat-winged figure. The demonic spirit was soon named the Popobawa, winged-bat in Swahili, to describe what its victims saw before they were attacked. The Popobawa has deep cultural, societal, and maybe even political roots, using times of fear and unrest to strike. After hundreds of attacks, ma...

Whether they’re based in fact or fiction, we’ve all been haunted by terrifying urban legends. In Spectral’s first volume of Urban Legends, we’re covering some classics like why you should always check your backseat or never flash your headlights. Most importantly, never go parking at a Lover's Lane or you may have a fatal run-in with a hook-handed man. Oh, and don’t forget to fill your car wit...

BREAKING NEWS : We interrupt this broadcast to inform you of a masked-man who was able to hack news channel frequencies and is still at large! We’re delving into chaos and covering the odd Max Headroom Hack from 1987--when an unexpected signal disruption rocked Chicago twice in one night. A mystery man dressed up as digital icon Max Headroom and managed to disrupt two major networks in the same ni...

We’re transporting you to Hollywood’s Golden Age where stars had glitz, glamor, and… car racing? Let’s dive into the life and legacy of star James Dean before his tragic and untimely death. Right as his career would take off, James Dean crashed his Porsche Spyder aptly named “Little Bastard” and died on impact. After that, the remnants of Little Bastard were involved in several eerie events, inclu...

Let’s take a ghost tour in Sydney's most haunted location, a popular Australian immigration port for almost 150 years, known as Quarantine Station. Zinc sulfate gas chambers, acid showers, and crowded infirmaries combined to create wailing shadow figures, more peeping toms, an ankle-licker, and the scariest dumbwaiter story you’ll ever hear. Oh, and one of the buildings was built on top of an...

We’re going back to the Philippines! In the picturesque mountains of Sagada, a small tribe practices a unique burial custom: hanging coffins. The Hanging Coffins have been around for over 2000 years, allowing passed loved ones to stay close to their families for as long as possible–until the wooden coffins give out. Listen to Spectral’s second mini Monday episode to learn more about this remarkabl...

The legend of La Llorona has been passed down throughout countless generations. The tale usually goes like this: a woman shrouded in white murdered her children and is now cursed to haunt rivers and pueblos, crying for them. But, what are La Llorona’s origins? What if she wasn’t a murderer, but instead a victim? Or a goddess in Aztec mythology? Let’s discuss the intricate history of the weeping wo...