The Midnight Seminar

Doug and Tara jump back into trying to decipher Third Man Syndrome, plus related matters of material and mind. This part includes a discussion of the scientific theories that psychologists have presented to help explain sensed presences and the particular case of the mysterious so-called Third Man.    Sources: The Third Man Factor: Surviving the Impossible by John Geiger  "Belief in Angels and Hea...

In this first part, Tara tells Doug about a strange phenomenon colloquially called "Third Man Syndrome," in which experiencers sense a helpful presence at their side in extreme survival scenarios. The presence helps them out of trouble and then vanishes as quickly as it came. You might not see it or hear it, but you'll feel it. But is it real?   Tara and Doug use a few stories of so-called "Third...

To the Cold War and beyond! In Part 2, Doug and Tara cover the iconic plant monsters of the midcentury and ponder the meaning of the plant-human hybrid trope, what it's like to be a plant, and what might be coming next in plant horror.   Sources:   T. S. Miller, “Lives of the Monster Plants: The Revenge of the Vegetable in the Age of Animal Studies,” The Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts 23.3 (...

Your hosts start discussing killer plants in mythology, history, and popular culture. Part 1 covers the roots (literal and figurative) of the genre of "botanical horror" as it developed from ancient times through the nineteenth century. There's much to ponder about the possibilities, perils, and power of plants! Part 2 will pick up with the iconic Cold War literary and silver screen plant monsters...

Doug is out but will return soon; Tara is instead joined by her awesome friend Jesse, who knows all about caves. They discuss what makes caves creepy for loads of people, from mummified bats and myths of monsters who lurk in the dark to the realities of complicated rescue missions. They also talk about why caves should be appreciated and respected as places of awe and wonder, inspired science, and...

This time, Tara and Doug talk about cannibalism. It's a topic filled with myth and misunderstanding, but there are important lessons along the way. The meandering conversation covers ritual cannibalism, so-called medicinal cannibalism, survival cannibalism, criminal cannibalism, and what might be considered "curious" cannibalism, plus gray areas you probably haven't pondered.    References: Books:...

Join Tara and Doug for a game of "Which Is Scarier?" Highlights include Doug's diatribe on snakes and Tara's admission of donating a potentially haunted doll. Play along for maximum enjoyment!

Doug is sick and January is weird, so please enjoy this stitched-together bonus episode made from some odds and ends from your hosts' recent conversations about ghosts! Tara walks you through clips from the cutting room floor that will give you more to think about when it comes to imagining and encountering departed spirits over time...   We'll be back with a regular episode soon!

In Part 2, Tara tells Doug about the history of holiday "ghost panics," public ghost sightings that had revelers out and about, hunting ghosts with clubs and rifles. Your two hosts play the role of reporter and even share some pranky histories of their own. Doug teaches everyone a thing or two about attracting apparitions.   Happy Holidays from the Midnight Seminar!    References:   History's Haun...

This series is all about ghosts—Christmas ghosts! In Part 1, Tara and Doug discuss some ghost basics and geek out about the English tradition of fireside holiday ghost stories. Equal parts Charles Dickens and love letter to all apparitions.   References:   "Introduction" in The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories edited by Tara Moore   The Ghost: A Cultural History by Susan Owens

Tara and Doug are not always deep in reflection about the wistful carousel of eternity; sometimes, they just want to talk about horror movies. In this strange holiday special, they cover the 2023 slasher movie Thanksgiving, directed by Eli Roth. Spoilers abound. In fact, it’s an episode dedicated to spoiling the whole movie.   They talk through elements of the movies that inspired this one–some cl...

In part two, Tara tells Doug about the history of some harvest season holidays of yore. Rumination on death continues.

As the nights get longer and the breeze gets colder, Tara and Doug get philosophical on death, decay, and life in the darkest time of year. Part 1 takes a look at some cataloged reflections from historical commentators. Tara has a hard time saying goodbye to October but Doug has some peculiar remedies that just might help!

From the depth of dark folklore to the glow of the silver screen, vampires reflect the fears, questions, and concerns of the living. Long the object of scientific inquiry and philosophical debate, then forever emblazoned in iconic literature, the story of the vampire over time has forced us to confront disease, desires, and the darkness. Tara and Doug tackle the history of vampirism and the big qu...