Things Are About To Get Weird

Hetty Green, better known as the ‘Witch of Wall Street’, may just be one of the most unique and eccentric women you’ve never heard of. After growing her fortune through clever investments during the 1800s in New York City, she became a peer of the likes of Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan…despite the fact she wasn’t even allowed to vote. But rather than celebrating her achievements, the press becam...

How did a 1,600 year old ‘bog body’ help to solve a murder? In the early 1980s, near the affluent town of Wilmslow in Cheshire, several discoveries were made in a local peat bog which caught the attention of archaeologists from around the world. Incredibly well-preserved human remains were found within the peat, with one particular finding setting off a chain of events that led to answers in a 20+...

In the sweltering heat of summer, during July of 1518, the city of Strasbourg was consumed by a plague…just not necessarily the kind you may be thinking of. After a lady named Frau Troffea began to spontaneously dance in the streets, this compulsion to move soon spread throughout the city, and before long hundreds of residents had been swept up by this ‘dancing mania’. Though it sounds idyllic in...

When Norwegian sisters Kari and May begin searching for an apartment in the Swedish locality of Gullspång, they end up opening a door that leads to more than they could have ever bargained for. After meeting the property’s seller, Olaug, the sisters accidentally make a discovery that changes the lives all involved forever. But is all quite what it seems? Thanks to documentary filmmaker Maria Fredr...

What happened to Richey Edwards? When the Manic Street Preachers guitarist and co-lyricist disappeared without a trace in 1995, under incredibly mysterious circumstances, speculation about his whereabouts was rife. Over 30 years on, despite endless theories emerging as to what happened to him, this case remains unsolved. Did Richey’s story end in tragedy? Or did he disappear voluntarily, determine...

Is Shepton Mallet in Somerset really the UK’s most haunted prison? Despite being decommissioned in 2013, it’s thought that the spirits of certain infamous prisoners still linger in the cells, corridors and grounds of the former institution. Today, Chyaz explores the dark history and ghostly tales linked to Shepton Mallet prison, and aims to discover why it’s now a destination for paranormal enthus...

The Mandela Effect is something many of us will have experienced at some point; this bizarre phenomenon, whereby large groups of people share the same false memories of a historical event, visual detail or pop culture fact, is surprisingly common. But why does it happen? Do the answer lie within the realms of science, or somewhere more otherworldly? Chyaz explores both the strangest examples and t...

After 21 year old Heather Quan was found murdered at an address in Phoenix, Arizona, police began an interrogation of her boyfriend – 18 year old Ryan Waller – to try and uncover the truth about what happened to her. What transpired next added truly bizarre dimension to this tragic tale, and provoked a debate that continues almost 20 years on. This story is as genuinely shocking as it is heartbrea...

What does the word Doppelgänger make you think of? The paranormal phenomenon, with its folklore roots and links to the idea of a ‘spirit double’ signifying impending doom? Or the more modern usage – the idea that we all have a non-biological twin somewhere out there in the world? Whichever it may be, the stories behind the concept of the Doppelgänger are as fascinating as they are eerie… Mental he...

Can a movie really be cursed? From classic horror flicks like The Omen and supernatural pictures like The Crow to family favourites including The Wizard of Oz - dozens of productions have been afflicted by exceptional bad luck and strange happenings over the decades. But were these films really ‘cursed’, or are the bizarre (and sometimes tragic) events linked to them merely coincidences? Mental he...

The Death Row last meal: a topic that is as utterly fascinating as it is controversial. But what’s the history behind the seemingly merciful act of allowing a condemned inmate to choose the contents of their final meal? What did some of the most infamous serial killers pick for theirs? And WHY do prisoners choose what they choose? Chyaz explores all of these questions and more in this intriguing e...

Sudden Savant Syndrome, also known as Acquired Savant Syndrome, is an extremely rare and incredibly fascinating medical phenomenon whereby a person becomes a ‘sudden genius’ in a particular field. Only a handful of documented cases exist, and most have one specific thing in common. What’s behind this utterly captivating condition? Join Chyaz as she explores the stories and the science… Mental heal...

Could a mystery that’s baffled historians for over 500 years finally have an answer? The  chilling tale of the Princes in the Tower is one of the most compelling cold cases of all time - but in recent years, several bizarre and dramatic theories have emerged which could help to answer the age-old question: did Richard III really end the lives of his nephews, or has the real truth been hiding in pl...

The Whaley House in San Diego fully embraces its title as America’s Most Haunted House…but what are the true stories behind these apparent hauntings? Can the property’s dark history explain why so many have reported ghostly encounters at the home for decades? And who is Yankee Jim? Join Chyaz as she explores the strange and twisted tales associated with this real-life haunted mansion… Mental healt...

In 1994, the body of an unidentified man was pulled from the North Sea near to the German archipelago of Heligoland. He was dressed in notably smart clothing, and foul play looked to have been involved in his death. Yet despite his distinctive appearance, the man’s identity still remains unknown to this day. However…could new clues uncovered in the past few years mean the Gentleman of Heligoland m...

Hero Complex, sometimes called Hero Syndrome or even Saviour Complex, is a strange psychological phenomenon that has fascinated doctors and academics for decades. But what does this intriguing term mean, and how has it ended up playing into numerous true crime cases over the years? Chyaz explores all of these questions and more in today’s episode… Mental health resources UK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mind.o...

On the 1st April 2006, medical student Brian Shaffer was enjoying a night out with friends in his university city of Columbus, Ohio. Just before 2am, he appeared to re-enter the bar he had been drinking at…and was never seen again. This mystery has baffled police and internet sleuths alike for almost two decades, so today Chyaz explores the question: what on earth happened to Brian Shaffer? Mental...

The lobotomy: one of the strangest and most controversial surgical procedures of all time, with arguably one of the darkest histories. In this highly requested episode, Chyaz explores how the lobotomy came about, who performed the infamous surgery and how it affected those who were subjected to it, as well as a couple of notable lobotomy patients. This bizarre episode is not for the squeamish… Men...

Craig-Y-Nos Castle: one-time home to the renowned opera singer Adelina Patti, a former TB hospital, a hotel and…the most haunted castle in Wales? In today’s episode, Chyaz explores some of the fascinating, spooky tales from this stunning building, and delves into how it got its haunted reputation.. Mental health resources UK: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/ ⁠⁠⁠ Mental health resources Global: ⁠⁠⁠ http...

In August of 1971, a unique psychological experiment was carried out at California’s Stanford University: male college students volunteered to enter a mock prison, as either a prisoner or a guard, with their every move being monitored by a team led by Dr Philip G Zimbardo. But what should have been a fascinating study quickly became something more darker for all involved… Mental health resources U...

Superstitions: they’re something many of us perform little rituals in the name of without giving it too much thought. Touching or knocking on wood for luck, avoiding the number 13 and certainly never opening an umbrella indoors. But where did the idea of superstitions originate, and why are they observed all around the world? Chyaz explores these questions (and takes a look at some of the stranges...

In June of 1990, 52 year old Trevaline Evans placed a note into the window of her North Wales antiques shop which read, ‘Back in 2 minutes’. When she failed to return, her loved ones grew concerned, and they were right to do so – Trevaline had vanished, and her disappearance remains unsolved to this day. But in 2021, a strange new twist in this story emerged…could the answers to this mystery be hi...

On Halloween night of 1992, millions of people across the UK gathered around their TV sets to watch a one-off, highly anticipated television special. ‘Ghostwatch’ looked like the perfect viewing choice for the spookiest evening of the year, but it soon became clear that all was not quite as it seemed. This is the fascinating – and truly tragic – story of the ‘spoof that duped a nation’. Mental hea...

In the last Weird Fix before Halloween, Chyaz shares a listener email that will chill you to your core and explores a lost ghost story recently discovered in Staffordshire – plus, find out which cute Halloween tradition she thinks we should bring back this year… Become a Patreon subscriber! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.patreon.com/ThingsAreAboutToGetWeird ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Merch Store! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://thingsareaboutt...

In today’s extra spooky episode, Chyaz explores the dark history one of Scotland’s most infamous ghosts: the MacKenzie Poltergeist. Did an unfortunate incident at Greyfriars Kirkyard in the late 90s prompt a slew of haunted happenings in and around the cemetery? And is the restless spirit of ‘Bloody MacKenzie’ really to blame? Become a Patreon subscriber! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.patreon.com/ThingsAreAbou...