SPOOK!

We’re jumping ahead to Christmas with this new installment of Nicole’s True Crime Corner. On Christmas Eve, 1945, the Sodder family went to bed, excited to celebrate the holiday with each other. Shortly after, they were woken up by the smell of smoke and terrified screams. George and Jennie Sodder were able to escape with four of their children, but the remains of five other children were never re...

It’s a bittersweet day here at Spook!, as today marks the last story by Kristen on Are You Afraid of the Dark?. It’s a surprisingly layered tale, as Joe and Nicole discuss family trees, Melissa Joan Hart, and reflect on Kristen’s legacy of dedication to her stories. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions child death.  Follow us on Instagram @spook_podcast Email your spooky stories to spo...

It’s a Lovecraftian episode of Spook! as Joe and Nicole talk about the fifth installment of Guillermo del Toro’s horror anthology show! Gather ‘round the spooky campfire as this adaptation of the prolific and somewhat problematic creator’s work is cracked open, as well as art school, hallucinations, and otherworldly beings. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions gore, child death, gun vi...

Get your backpacks and lunchboxes ready, because this episode of Spook! is going to boarding school! Joe and Nicole join Auggie and Jazz Wilson in this addition to Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and along the way cover topics such as school lunch, strange rules, and high frequency noises. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions child endangerment and animal death.  Follow us on Instagram @s...

Ducks on a lake! Yes, there are ducks on a lake in this episode of Twin Peaks , and Joe and Nicole dissect why that may or may not be so important, along with Albert’s conduct and why Leland desperately needs therapy. So grab your tape recorders, leave a message for Diane, and dive into this episode of Spook!! Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions murder, drug use, drug trafficking, and...

We have to go back! Back to…the 60s. Yes, Joe and Nicole talk about a particularly groovy episode of AYAOTD that continues Kristen’s trend of committing to her stories, and along the way discuss time travel mechanics, food fights, and school floor planning. Right on, man! Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions accidental child death.  Follow us on Instagram @spook_podcast Email your spoo...

On July 11th, 1908, the decomposed body of a young woman was found floating in Teal’s Pond, in Sand Lake, New York. In this episode of “Nicole’s True Crime Corner,” Nicole covers the murder of 20-year-old governess, Hazel Drew; a case that would go on to inspire the show, Twin Peaks, and the fictional murder of Laura Palmer. It’s been 116 years since the crime occurred and it is still officially u...

Tonight’s episode of Spook! is about something that saddens both Joe and Nicole: a lame Kristen story from Are You Afraid of the Dark?. Jill Petterson likes fairy tales and apparently must be punished. Gather ‘round as Joe and Nicole pick apart this episode as they discuss what’s under the bed, “Be careful what you wish for” stories, and Hot Topic. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions...

Maybe it’s magic. Maybe it’s the latest episode of Spook!! This doozy dives into the realm of feminist horror with another tale from Guillermo’s Cabinet, and along the way Joe and Nicole discuss party etiquette, societal expectations, and some heated opinions on deodorant. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions animal death, gore, mental abuse, mental illness, addiction, violence, and mu...

It’s the Fourth of July, and Spook! is celebrating Independence by watching the tangentially related Tim Burton movie Sleepy Hollow ! Gather ‘round as Nicole and Joe discuss Danny Elfman, a boring conspiracy, and many, many beheadings. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions gore, violence, murder, feticide, child murder, domestic abuse, torture, and animal cruelty/death. Follow us on Ins...

It’s time for some damn good coffee, and hot, too! Joe and Nicole continue down the increasingly twisted rabbit hole that is Twin Peaks for its most bizarre and David Lynch-y episode yet. Along the way they discuss drape runners, how people express grief, and the absurd nature of the show. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions murder, violence, drug use, and domestic abuse.  Follow us o...

Insert a quarter and try for a high score in this episode of Spook!! Joe and Nicole listen to another story from the Midnight Society in “The Tale of the Pinball Wizard”, and discuss how it really feels more like a video game than a pinball machine, as well as pinball storytelling, witches, and medieval robots. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions child endangerment.  Follow us on Inst...

It is happening again. Yes, Spook! is  back with another episode about Twin Peaks , delving deeper into the off-beat characters that make this show so beloved. Joe and Nicole discuss Agent Cooper’s quirks, lament Bobby’s frustrating rebelliousness, and investigate the prevalence of coffee in the show. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions murder, drug use, and domestic abuse.  Follow us...

Today’s episode of Spook! covers a literal cult classic, with 1973’s The Wicker Man. When an uptight, all-around jerk of a detective receives a mysterious letter about a missing girl on a remote Scottish isle, he begins to suspect that all is not as it seems. Joe and Nicole discuss whether that’s warranted, or if it’s just because he needs to take a chill pill, as well as the ethics of pagan portr...

Tonight’s prom theme is ghosts in the graveyard in this episode about an episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark?! Joe and Nicole will be your guides while they discuss the mysteries of decade accurate lingo, why these kids aren’t at prom, and how Jam is basically just Anakin Skywalker meets Zak Bagans.  Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions child death, suicide, and vehicular manslaughte...

Citizens of the galaxy: a new episode of Spook! has arrived! Joe and Nicole are joined by a special guest, Robin (she/her), while they discuss the finer points of the oft forgotten DCOM Can of Worms from 1999. Topics include the secret love story at the heart of the film, disturbing, exploitative, and potentially offensive aliens, and the logic of the movie’s meta-narrative plot twist.  Warning: ...

It’s the start of Alien Week on Spook!! No, not the long running sci-fi horror franchise, just aliens in general. Joe and Nicole perform an autopsy of the third episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities and discuss coroners, extraterrestrial hubris, and the Sony Cinematic Spider-Man Universe. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions gore, body horror, self harm, suicide, murde...

It’s another mini episode of Spook!! This time Nicole takes us into the strange world of Robert the Doll, and delves into why we find them just so darn weird and creepy. This one is for all the paranormal and neuroscience lovers out there! Warning:  Episode mentions creepy dolls, paranormal activity, and curses.  Follow us on Instagram @spook_podcast Email us your spooky stories @spoook.podcast@gm...

Spook! is back with another movie based on a Roald Dahl classic! This time, it’s 1996’s Matilda. Join Joe and Nicole in this very “spooky adjacent” episode as they discuss literacy, higher education, and what name Matilda would use if she joined the X-Men. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions child abuse, child neglect, suicide, animal endangerment, child endangerment, and murder. Plea...

Grab your coffee mugs because this episode of Spook! is about Twin Peaks! Joe and Nicole dissect the pilot episode of one of the most influential and acclaimed shows of all time, and on the way discuss love triangles, what qualifies as a serial killer, and measuring how time was recorded before Taylor Swift was born, amongst other things. Excuse Joe’s enthusiasm, as this is one of his favorite sho...

You are cordially invited to the latest episode of Spook! Your hosts Joe and Nicole kindly ask you to join them for an hour and a half of baseball, buzzkill guests, wine, and suspicious cults. Gifts are not required, but we ask that you not attempt to leave before the party is over. Saluti! Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions animal death, child death, PTSD, cult practices, gaslightin...

For this second installment of “Nicole’s True Crime Corner,” Nicole tackles the mysterious case of The Watcher of 657 Boulevard. The enigmatic writer sent threatening mail to the Broaddus family in 2014. Join Nicole as she reads aloud The Watcher’s letters and discusses the investigation.  Warning:  Episode mentions stalking and verbal harassment.  Please note: Nicole makes a mistake when she says...

Welcome to the first installment of “Nicole’s True Crime Corner,” a new segment here on Spook!. For this episode, Nicole covers an old-timey case from 1902, the unsolved murder of Nora Fuller. Put on your detective hats and fall down the rabbit hole with Nicole as she talks California, con men, and confusing names.  Warning:  Episode mentions child murder, asphyxiation, sexual assault, and a child...

Goth style is back in fashion with this episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark? ! Dean is a troubled youth coaxed by a powerful scepter, and soon becomes a servant to an ancient sorcerer. Joe and Nicole discuss genealogy, high school schedules, and the bad vibes Dean gives off. Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions occult practices, child endangerment, mind control, and murder (with brie...

Tune your channel to 666 tonight because we’re talking Late Night with the Devil ! This indie horror flick takes place in the 70s and features all the Satanic Panic one could crave. Nicole and Joe dive in to discuss demons, the ethics of parapsychology, and more! Warning:  Episode contains spoilers and mentions suicide, terminal illness, gore, violence, demonic possession, occult practices, body h...