The Fantastic Story Society

Max Timm & Scott Markus
  • 4.2 (15)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

From true crime to the paranormal, to urban legends and myths and the down-right weird, The Fantastic Story Society finds them, dissects them, and most importantly discusses such stories with an expert in the realm of the fantastic. Join historical researchers, experts on serial killers, ghost tour guides, archaeologists, and more as The Society hosts, Max Timm and Scott Markus, seek out the most bizarre stories you can imagine and try to find the voice behind the fantastic.

  1. 23h ago

    FSS 60: CHALLENGE - The Creepiest Stories We Found on the Internet

    Max & Scott challenged each other. They had one week to crawl into the creepiest parts of the internet and find the spookiest story they could.

  2. 6d ago

    FSS 59: The Top 10 Scariest Horror Movies We've Ever Seen (countdown)

    What's the scariest movie you've EVER seen? For this special LIVE edition of The Fantastic Story Society, co-hosts Scott Markus and Max Timm are counting down their personal Top 10 scariest horror movies of all time & we want YOU to be part of the conversation! In association with the International Screenwriters' Association, we'll be diving into the movies that have genuinely frightened us, haunted our imaginations, and stuck with us long after the credits rolled. But this isn't just a countdown. We're doing it LIVE, and we want to hear from you! 💀 What movie terrified you the most? 🎬 Which horror films belong on your Top 10? 👻 What makes a horror movie truly scary? 😱 Are jump scares enough, or is psychological terror more effective? 🎥 What can screenwriters and filmmakers learn from the horror movies that scare us the most? Join us in the live chat and defend your favorites, argue with our choices, recommend movies we may have missed, and help us celebrate the strange and wonderful art of telling scary stories. Whether you're a horror fan, filmmaker, screenwriter, or simply someone who loves a good scare, pull up a chair and join The Fantastic Story Society for a night of frightening movies, filmmaking discussion, and plenty of disagreement over what really belongs on the list! Watch LIVE and join the conversation! Presented in association with the International Screenwriters' Association. #HorrorMovies #ScaryMovies #HorrorFilms #FantasticStorySociety #InternationalScreenwritersAssociation #Horror #Filmmaking #Screenwriting #GhostStories #ScariestMovies

  3. Sep 14

    Hawaiian Legends, Night Marchers, Menehune & Heiaus with Lopaka Kapanui of Mysteries of Hawaii

    What really happens when the sun goes down in Hawaii? Hawaiian historian and folklorist Lopaka Kapanui explores the legends, lore, and ghost stories of the islands, from Night Marchers and Menehune to haunted places and sacred sites.

  4. 10/31/2025

    FSS 57: Pat Gonder, "Good Boy," Horror Movies & Pet Ghost Stories

    It's Halloween season, and the Fantastic Story Society is diving deep into the world of horror with Dr. Patrick Gonder — retired professor, horror scholar, and lifelong student of the strange. Together, we discuss the remarkable new film Good Boy, a ghost story told entirely from the perspective of a dog. Patrick shares insights into how the film's unique storytelling perspective shifts horror conventions, why animals make such fascinating protagonists, and how camera work shapes audience emotion. The conversation also spans other standout horror films like Weapons, Longlegs, The Changeling, and Trick 'r Treat, plus personal ghost encounters and spine-tingling folklore from the Philippines. This episode is packed with movie talk, folklore, filmmaking lessons, and genuine chills — the perfect companion for spooky season. We explore: 🐕 What happens when man's best friend becomes the witness to terror 🎞️ The challenges of storytelling through cinematography 💀 Why movies like Weapons, The Changeling, and Trick 'r Treat stay timeless 👻 Real-life ghost stories from Patrick's time living above a funeral home 0:00 – Intro: It's Horror Season at the Fantastic Story Society 2:00 – Introducing Horror Scholar Dr. Patrick Gonder 3:20 – Teaching the Art of Horror & Comic Books 5:20 – Trailer Reaction: Good Boy – A Ghost Story Told by a Dog 8:00 – The Dog's Perspective: Emotion, Loyalty & Limited Dialogue 11:00 – How They Made Good Boy (and Why You Shouldn't Watch the Featurette First) 15:00 – The Visual Language of Horror – Cinematography & Storytelling 17:00 – Recent Standout Horror Films: Weapons, Longlegs, Sinners 20:40 – What Makes a Horror Movie Great? Emotion, Relationships & Atmosphere 23:40 – Revisiting the "Is Silence of the Lambs Horror?" Debate 24:20 – Patrick's Annual Halloween Watchlist 27:00 – Filipino Horror, Monsters, and the Manananggal 31:00 – Zombie Fatigue and Fresh Scares (Last Train to Busan, Slither) 32:30 – Max's Writing & Filmmaking Retreats – Helping Writers Create 37:00 – True Ghost Stories: Dogs, Spirits & Strange House Energy 44:00 – Life Above a Funeral Home – Patrick's Exorcist Experience 48:00 – "The Dog Named No" – A Perfectly Creepy Story

  5. 09/24/2025

    FSS 56: Conversation with Chad Lewis, Paranormal Author-Researcher: Van Meter Visitor & more!

    Chad Lewis is a researcher, author, and lecturer on topics of the strange and unusual. His background is in the field of Psychology. He did his Bachelor and Master degree work in the field- but for nearly 30 years he's traveled the globe in search of unique and bizarre stories and history.

  6. 09/15/2025

    FSS New Season Preview & Madison's Beast of Bray Road, a D&D Adventure

    Wisconsin is home to Dungeons & Dragons and also home to a famous cryptid known as the Beast of Bray Road. The WI Historical Society created an event that celebrates both. Check out our adventure as we 'hunt the beast' down State Street in Madison, WI.

  7. 11/04/2024

    FSS: Hallowwen Special, "Famously Haunted: Hollywood" Tubi Documentary Reaction

    One of our co-hosts, Scott, was recently featured on the Tube documentary, Famously Haunted Hollywood. We go over the stories featured in the documentary: The Black Dahlia, The Manson Murders, Comedy Store, Peg Entwhistle, The Cecil Hotel.

    FSS: Hallowwen Special, "Famously Haunted: Hollywood" Tubi Documentary Reaction

  8. 10/03/2024

    FSS 53: Chicago Ghost Tour Guide Tony Szabelski Talks Haunted Lincoln Park

    Tony Szabelski is a flat-out Chicago ghost tour guru. He leads tours over 300 times a year throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. Perhaps his favorite area is Lincoln Park, essentially a forgotten cemetery, full of ghost stories. Take a tour at AmericanGhostWalks.com

    FSS 53: Chicago Ghost Tour Guide Tony Szabelski Talks Haunted Lincoln Park
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Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

From true crime to the paranormal, to urban legends and myths and the down-right weird, The Fantastic Story Society finds them, dissects them, and most importantly discusses such stories with an expert in the realm of the fantastic. Join historical researchers, experts on serial killers, ghost tour guides, archaeologists, and more as The Society hosts, Max Timm and Scott Markus, seek out the most bizarre stories you can imagine and try to find the voice behind the fantastic.

Information

  • Creator
    Max Timm & Scott Markus
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All Rights Reserved 2019
  • Show Website
    The Fantastic Story Society