The Morbid Curiosity Podcast

CW: Mass accidental death including women and children, mention of suicide.  In this epiosde, we discuss the sinking of the HMS Titanic, one of the most devastating maritime tragedies of its age. The construction, the safety features, the voyage, the aftermath and the psychological affects of the sinking are all discussed. 

In this final part of episode 100, we explore the histories of the women whose lives were ended in 1888 by the Ripper. Each woman lived a different experience, leading them for better or worse to the East End. While the details are incomplete, and in some cases very sparse, we can at least get an idea of what life was like for the women of Whitechapel.

CW: murder, physcial and sexual violence against women, sex work, detailed descriptions of bodily mutilation. In 1888, a string of brutal murders shocked the residents of London. Just as shocking, the police were unable to find the killer, nicknamed Jack the Ripper.  For the 100th epiosde of the Morbid Curiosity Podcast, we present a 3-part episode on Jack the Ripper. In this, part 1, we go over t...

TW: Discussions of suicide   Aokigahara, a dense forest in Japan, is the setting for a surprising number of cases of suicide every year. Why Aokigahara? Some people think that it's due to the high rate of suicide in Japan in general, others believe the forest is host to miserable spirits that draw other unhappy people into its depths. In this episode, we discuss Aokigahara and the history of suici...

TW: Ritual violence, Child death   The ancient Chimu civilization wasn't known to sacrifice humans, until a mass grave of child sacrifices was unearthed in 2011. In this episode we discuss the Chimu, how to identify human sacrifice in archaeology, and the two mass child grave sites in Huanchaco, Peru.   Due to technical issues, the audio quality isn't the best. Our apologies!

During the Golden Age of Piracy, many small islands became havens for pirates, places they went to divide and enjoy thier loot. While some of these are legendary, such as the pirate Utopia Libertatia, others were real places. In this episode, Hallie discusses pirate havens, focusing on those in Madagascar.   TW: Enslaved peoples, Trade in Enslaved Peoples.

TW: Self-harm, Suicide   Walking Corpse Syndrome is a psychiatric delusion in which you believe you are dead. You may not remember your own name and might try to prove that you're dead in extreme ways. In this episode, we discuss this delusion, possible causes and treatments.  

Canadian residential schools were not regular boarding schools, they were facilities meant to assimilate indigenous peoples into European-based Canadian society. Despite failing in this regard, they caused widespread intergenerational trauma to most people that attended them.   TW: Physical/Sexual/Religious Abuse, Racism, Colonialism, Violence, Violence against children.

It's Halloween! Let's celebrate with a creepy ghost story. The MCP presents, 'The Corpse Light,' by D. Donovan, originally published in 1899.

In this episode, we discuss the folklore surrounding the three most popular supernatural creatures: vampires, werewolves and zombies. All three can transmit (or infect) humans with thier condition through a single bite, but what other similarities exists in thier origins and lore, and why are these creatures still popular today? Happy Halloween!

In the final part of this series, we discuss the tombs of ancient Egypt, from plain burials to monumental pyramids. We also talk about how they changed over time and who built these monuments.

How did mummification begin? Were only the pharaohs mummified? Who made mummies? In part 2 of this 3 part series, we answer all these questions and more as we explore the evolution of mummification in ancient Egypt. In the next part of this series, we'll talk about burials, tombs and pyramids.

We know the ancient Egyptians built tombs and made mummies, but why? In part 1 of this 3 part series, we explore the ideology, religion, and funerary rituals surrounding death in ancient Egypt. In the next episode, we'll dive into the process of making a mummy, and in part three, we'll discuss tombs and pyramids.

TW: Colonialism, Big Game Hunting, Animal Attacks In 1898, two lions began systematically killing and eating Indian workers building a British train line over the River Tsavo in Kenya. Their stealth and cunning made them incredibly difficult to stop. In this episode, Hallie discusses the 9-month incident, the downfall of the lions at the hands of Lt. Col. Patterson, and why the lions may have gone...

That's right! The MCP is back!    In this third instalment of our toxic plants series, we discuss natural hallucinogens with a focus on those found in Central and South America. Where they come from, how they work and what they're used for. Stay tuned during the break for a special announcement!

Tarrare was 18th century man who could eat almost anything, and did so in large quantities. That included live animals, wooden boxes, and feasts meant for 15 men. In this episode we discuss his life, and what might have been the cause of his condition. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

In 1518, the city of Strasbourg was consumed by a strange epidemic: hundreds were struck by the irresistible urge to dance until they died. This incident of Dancing Mania was not the first, and no one knew the cause of such strange behaviour. In this episode, we discuss several incidents of dancing mania, as well as the theories - past and present - about its origin.   Become a Patron: bit.ly/morb...

In this episode, we discuss a biological phenomenon that has been mistaken for a supernatural experience for hundreds of years. People of the past believed demons, witches, or spirits were sitting on their chests while they slept, crushing them, but today this experience is known as sleep paralysis, and it's far more common than previously thought. TW: Sexual Assault Become a Patron: bit.ly.morbid...

Bloodletting is an ancient treatment that persisted until the 18th century. One of the techniques used to let blood were leeches, blood-sucking worms. In this episode, we discuss both the history of bloodletting and these fascinating yet creepy creatures. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy Us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

One of the most common types of magic in the ancient Graeco-Roman world were curses. These binding spells were placed on special tablets & figurines that have since been unearthed by archaeologists. In this episode, we discuss these curse tablets, & how they were made & used. Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron Buy us a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

On March 31, 1922, an entire family and their maid were murdered in their home, an isolated farmstead in Bavaria, Germany, known as Hinterkaifeck. The killer has never been discovered, and a web of mystery has been woven around the incident since it occurred. In this episode we discuss the case, the suspects, and try to separate fact from fiction. TW: Sexual Abuse, Violence Toward Children Become...

In the past, tsantsas, or shrunken heads, were made by the Shuar people of Ecuador and Peru. These ritual items were part of a complex system of power among the Shuar, but were later traded to fascinated Westerners for guns and other metal goods. In this episode, we discuss the Shuar, how tsantsas were made, and how trade in tsantsas impacted the Western perception of the Shuar. Become a Patron: b...

After travelling west by covered wagon in 1846, the Donner Party became marooned in the snows of the Sierra Mountains. Even though a small group had made it out to find help, they were running out of food and strength. In this third part of this episode, we discuss the relief efforts as well as the aftermath of their ordeal.  TW: Cannibalism   Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron   Recommended rea...

The Donner Party travelled by covered wagon in 1846 toward California, but became marooned in the snows of Sierra Mountains. In the second part of this episode, we discuss the first half of their winter ordeal, including the struggle to survive and a desperate attempt to strike out in search of help. TW: Cannibalism Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron   NEW! Further Reading: The MCP now has affil...

The Donner Party left Illinois in April 1846. Hoping to reach California by covered wagon before winter, they decided to take a brand new short cut. This short cut proved disastrous, and led to much hardship and horror when the group was snowed in for the winter in the Sierra mountains. In this first part of the episode, we discuss the journey leading up to that short cut and the trials they faced...