Unspookable

What do you think of when you hear the word mummy? Some of us may imagine a bandaged figure, arms outstretched, stumbling through the desert, but did you know that mummification of the dead served another purpose? Mummification is just a small part of a sacred ritual of Going Forth By Day as captured in something we call The Egyptian Book of the Dead. But this is no book at all as we will find out...

This week Unspookable presents REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids  a weekly, family friendly exploration of our galaxy (and beyond!) with hosts Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien. Built for kids and based on questions from kids, REACH educates with entertaining segments, fun at-home experiments, and interviews with subject matter experts & thought partners from leading institutions like the Adler Plan...

Did you know that more than eighty percent of our ocean is unexplored? Is that why just thinking of the ocean's vastness leaves some of us feeling uneasy?  Or is it something more? What lurks in its dark, unmapped depths?  We look to uncover this mystery and more as we discuss the Kraken on this episode of Unspookable.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edite...

Have you ever heard a story that left you wondering whether or not it was true? Have you ever wondered how some local legends became legends in the first place? We'll look at one of these stories and the actions that amplified it as we discuss the Mothman on this episode of Unspookable.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction...

Greek mythology is full of amazing characters and creatures, but maybe none so much as those that share both human and animal characteristics.  What can those that have one foot in one world and one foot in another teach us about ourselves? We will look back at Centaurs, Minotaurs, Pan, and more on this episode of Unspookable.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produce...

When you think of a Unicorn, what words come to mind?  Beautiful? Gentle? Majestic? What if we told you that our current perception was a recent phenomenon and that history may tell a very different tale of this amazing creature. On this episode of Unspookable we track over 2000 years of Unicorn lore to get to the bottom of its origins.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Create...

Have you ever heard of a Chupacabra? Legends of this creature that attack goats and other livestock exist in Puerto Rico, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and the American southwest. On this episode of Unspookable we look to uncover the origins of these legends and the thoughts that aid in shaping our fears.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Mus...

How are stories created? What makes a story worth sharing? Would you be surprised to find out that people are telling the same stories all over the world? That's certainly the case with this week's topic of Dragons. Dragons exist in stories dating all of the way back to the beginnings of recorded history and on this episode of Unspookable we set out to answer why.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by:...

On this special episode of Unspookable we look back at The Black Plague and other historical pandemics to see how working together and trusting science can help in times of confusion.  We also hear from our child contributors who discuss social distancing and how they're handling being home from school.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFor...

Have you ever been judged or judged others because they weren't like you? While some part of this is natural, our differences are what make us interesting and give us great opportunities to learn about others. Now have you ever heard of the Salem Witch Trials?  On part two of a very special two part episode of Unspookable we look at the history of witchcraft, how acceptance of these practices has...

Do witches really exist? If so, what does it mean to be a witch? And are witches inherently good or bad? The answers to these questions have changed over time and you might be surprised to find out some of the answers. Give a listen to part one of a very special two part episode of Unspookable.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music D...

What comes to mind when you hear the word clown? Is it the amusing character intending to make you laugh? Or is it something else - something scarier?  We look at why so many have a fear of clowns and what that says about us on this episode of Unspookable.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and Composition: Jesse Case ht...

Why is it that we both fear and yet are drawn to the idea of vampires?  How have  media and modern medicine changed our thoughts about their existence? And what does all of this say about humans? We'll sink our teeth into all that and more on this episode of Unspookable.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and Composition...

Dolls are most often seen as simply toys, yet so many of us harbor a secret fear of what they do while we slumber. On this episode of Unspookable we look at why these inanimate objects may creep us out and how it may have more to do with us than with them.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and Composition: Jesse Case ht...

Stories of the walking dead permeate many cultures, but have you ever wondered if zombies could actually exist? On the new season of Unspookable we'll look at this and the origins of some of the most famous monsters that just may or may not be real.  Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and Composition: Jesse Case https://w...

On the season conclusion of the family friendly Unspookable we look at the phenomenon of Momo. Why did this creepy sculpture go viral? What is the responsibility of the media in reporting these viral scares? And how can we protect ourselves from falling victim to these hoaxes? For media literacy resources for the whole family, please see our links below. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Ri...

Have you ever wondered what lives beyond the borders of the civilized world ? What do you picture living in the forests and mountains? Some claim there is a missing link between humans and our ancestors that still dwell in these parts and on today's episode we are going to learn about this creature. Today we look at the mysteries of The Sasquatch. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Con...

Do you believe in luck? Do you think you're lucky or unlucky? Do you believe that there are certain days that are more prone to unlucky occurrences? In this episode we explore the origins, history, and superstition surrounding Friday the 13th. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and Composition: Jesse Case https://www.jess...

Fairies are nothing to be afraid of, right? Well, if all you know are Tinker Bell, fairy godmothers, and the Tooth Fairy, you’re going to want to hear this episode. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and Composition: Jesse Case https://www.jessecasemusic.com/ Logo by: Natalie Khuen http://nataliek.myportfolio.com Episode...

Many of us are drawn to the beauty of the full moon, but for some the moon can be a symbol of transformation. On this episode of Unspookable we look at our obsession with werewolves and human transfiguration throughout history. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and Composition: Jesse Case https://www.jessecasemusic.com/...

Do you believe in mermaids? When you picture them, what do you imagine? The idea of a part human, part fish creature is as old as human's search for answers in the deep blue see. In this episode we will show there is much more to these stories than you or even Hans Christian Anderson could fathom. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music...

For those of us who have been good all year the holidays are a time for celebration and gifts... but, for for those of us who have been naughty, we may have a half goat, half demon visitor waiting to steal us away. What's that, cheery soul? Not familiar? Well then, let's tell you a little more about Krampus. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit with Elise Parisian and Nate DuFort...

Stories of the boogeyman exist in almost every culture and take on as many unique forms as the human imagination can come up with. On this episode we'll talk about one of the most famous recent incarnations of this legend: Slender Man. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit with Elise Parisian and Nate DuFort Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and Composition:...

Most of us are familiar with tarot cards in some way. We've seen them in movies, maybe even played with them, but what are tarot cards? Are they magical? Can they tell the future? We'll look at all of that and more on this episode of Unspookable. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit with Elise Parisian and Nate DuFort Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort Music Direction and C...

Going to school can be a nerve-racking experience . There are constant considerations of homework, tests, and social dynamics, but what if you also had to worry about...ghosts. On this episode of Unspookable we dive into the legends of spirits specifically tied to places of learning. Host: Elise Parisian Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit with Elise Parisian and Nate DuFort Created, Produced, Edited...