Spooky Science Sisters

It's time for another round of Short and Spooky stories! From hidden noises in haunted houses to microscopic threats in ancient tombs, this episode features two stories about the big effects small things can have on our bodies. We call them ghosts or curses, but they're really just science! ** Link to the new research on infrasound: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/arti...

Along a stretch of the Little Miami River in Loveland, Ohio, tales are told about encounters with a strange and, if the drawings are to be believed, surprisingly bootylicious cryptid known as Frogman. In this episode, we review the major sightings and then speculate on what might really be hopping along the river banks of southwest Ohio. ** THE Loveland Frogman Drawing 🍑: https://www.instagram.co...

Mokele-mbembe is a sauropod-like cryptid that has been luring cryptozoology's most optimistic explorers into some of the world's most remote swamps for over a century, and yet the evidence remains, to put it generously, thin. Whether this creature was born from colonialist interpretations of local legends, or wishful thinking during the dinosaur craze of the early 20th century, one thing is clear:...

Almost everyone has at least one superstition they adhere too, and science says that might be for good reason! In this episode, we talk about the origins of two popular superstitions (including one that dates back to over 5000 years ago!), and then jump into the science behind how people use superstition to make (or break) their own luck. ** WE WROTE A BOOK! And you can buy it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠h...

For tens of thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have passed down stories of major geologic events around the world, and many times, we find that modern science is just playing catch-up to learn more about them. In this episode, we discuss some of the oldest known stories on Earth that come from Australia, and then dive into more recent events preserved in legends from the Pacific Northwest. **...

Did the U.S. government conduct secret experiments involving mind control, psychic warfare, and time travel on a military base in Long Island in the 1970s-80s? Probably not. But we did get a pretty great TV show out of it. In this episode, we're digging into the Montauk Project. ** You can check out some pictures of the abandoned base here: https://ghosttowns.placesandpics.com/new-york/montauk-air...

Whether it's a game of 100 ghost stories or the 100-year-old disappearance of a famous mystery writer, we're keeping it 100 with 100-themed stories for our 100th episode! We're so grateful to you all for supporting the show and hope to see you around for the next 100 rounds of spooky, giggly, science. ** WE WROTE A BOOK! And you can buy it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geni.us/spookyscience⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ **...

Another holiday season has arrived and we're back with more spooky Christmas traditions. Listen to learn where you can get your hands on some water infused with Santa's bones, the reason Christmas Eve dinner is served on the floor in Serbia, and why Paige can't wait for Meagan's death. ** WE WROTE A BOOK! And you can buy it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geni.us/spookyscience⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also, if you're inte...

As certified Midwesterners living in the Great Lakes region, we couldn't let the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald pass without dedicating an episode to her (we're pretty sure they'd kick us out if we did). Because despite being one of the most famous shipwrecks of all time, the exact reason for the loss of the Mighty Fitz to the icy depths of Lake Superior remains a tr...

Halloween might be over, but you can keep the magic going for a little while longer with our SIXTH round of Halloween Listener Stories! This was a fantastic batch of spooky and funny stories this year - thank you so much to those who submitted. From ghost doilies to rogue vacuums to possible home break-ins!?, there's something for everyone! ** WE WROTE A BOOK! And you can buy it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https...

It's time for another dive into Spooky True Crime, and in this volume we're taking a look at the science that might explain why some people turn into one of the worst types of monsters. Maybe it's just all in their heads... ** WE WROTE A BOOK! And you can buy it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geni.us/spookyscience⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also, you can find information about our upcoming book events here: ⁠⁠⁠https://spookyscie...

In this episode, we're digging into the legend of the chupacabra: part horror movie, part tabloid frenzy, and part… sick dog!? From Puerto Rico to Texas, we separate the monster myths from the mange-y reality. Along the way, we’ll uncover how pop culture, conspiracy theories, and some unlucky livestock gave birth to one of the strangest cryptids of the 20th century. ** WE WROTE A BOOK! And you can...

On March 13, 1997, thousands of people across Arizona saw strange lights in the sky. They became known as the Phoenix Lights and remain one of the most-documented UFO sightings in US history. But what really happened in the desert that night to convince so many people they'd witnessed something otherworldly? (Hint: it's never aliens) ** Video of the first v-shaped formation of lights: https://yout...

In this episode, we break down the details of what became one of the most famous UFO incidents to ever occur. Initially dismissed (and accepted by the public) in 1947 as a weather balloon, Roswell would rocket to fame over 30 years later when a former Air Force intelligence officer came forward to say that the whole thing was a cover-up for a crashed alien spaceship. We're here to tell you that th...

All of these years we've all been worried about quicksand would have been much better spent worried about whirlpools, which can occur naturally in the ocean and are capable not only of dragging people and small boats down to the depths, but have even almost captured a submarine! ** Videos of the Corryvrecken whirlpool and the standing waves that are also produced in the strait are included in Meag...

This episode is all about bats! These inherently spooky creatures have a bad reputation that dates back centuries and continues today because of the disease risk they pose to humans, but how much flak do these fuzzy flyers actually deserve? Also, did you know bats have belly buttons!? ** As mentioned in the episode, you can learn more about bat exposures and what to do if you think you've been exp...

Join us for a celebration of the FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY (!!!) of Spooky Science Sisters and listen as we each countdown our top five topics or episodes of the show so far. Then, drop us a message or comment to let us know what your favorite is! ** WE WROTE A BOOK! And you can preorder it here: https://geni.us/spookyscience Preorder Bonus Incentive -> https://www.quarto.com/campaign/spooky-science-p...

In this episode, we're revisiting the UFO phenomenon by taking a detailed look at their history in the United States, and how we ended up with the UAPs of today. What did Kenneth Arnold actually see on that fateful day in 1947? Why would the Air Force ever think it was good idea to reassure the public about UFOs by naming one of their investigations "Project Grudge?" Why is the Western U.S. the be...

Can you believe we haven't done a Loch Ness Monster episode before now? Neither can we! In this episode, we take a look at the foundational stories that established Nessie as the legendary cryptid we know and love today and discuss the geologic and biologic feasibility of a large, carnivorous reptile existing in a cold, not-so-ancient, Highland lake. ** Uncropped Surgeon's Photograph: https://www....

In this Substitute Sister episode, Meagan is joined by friend of the podcast and spooky storyteller Tyson Kemp to tell you about two people and one chicken who miraculously survived three very harrowing medical emergencies. ** You can find Tyson on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tysonunkempt/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tysonunkempt/. He also recently launched a new horror fiction seri...

Welcome to our sixth round of short and spooky stories! In this round, we talk about the recent "drone" scare in the eastern United States, a Florida family's mysterious ball, and Benjamin Franklin's backyard body problem. ** WE WROTE A BOOK! And you can preorder it here: https://geni.us/spookyscience ** Want to listen without the ads? Check out our Patreon, where you can get ad-free episodes & mo...

We cannot tell you how difficult it has been to keep this secret for the last year and we are SO EXCITED to finally share what we were up to all of last summer. How did we get here, guys!? ** Preorder Link: https://geni.us/spookyscience ** Links to our social media & more: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/spookyscipod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spookyscience Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sp...

The holidays might not be as spooky as they once were, but turns out, they can still be killer. In this episode, we explore all of the dangers lurking behind this otherwise cheery time of year, from food poisoning to house fires to heart attacks. ** Want to listen without the ads? Check out our Patreon, where you can get ad-free episodes & more! https://www.patreon.com/spookyscipod ** Links to our...

In this episode, Meagan interviews Kenny Biddle, who recently took on the role of chief investigator for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and is now living the dream as a professional investigator of paranormal claims! ** You can find Kenny on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IAmKennyBiddle/), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@kennybiddle42) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@KennyBiddle). K...

Welcome to the final episode of our series on the history of belief in ghosts! In this episode, we discuss the Victorians and their supposed fascination with death. We also review some statistics about modern day belief in ghosts. Also, neither Paige or Meagan can tell you how electricity works. ** Want to listen without the ads? Check out our Patreon, where you can get ad-free episodes & more! ht...