The Freakin’ Shack Podcast

fshack03

Welcome to The Freakin' Shack... Mind our ghost on your way in... and don't worry about the spirit cat. He mostly ignores people, but likes a soft lap. The kettle's on, the light's swinging, and there's always room for one more around the fire. Every week we disappear down a different rabbit hole, exploring the strange, the spooky, the downright bizarre, and the stories that make you say, "Surely that can't be true..." (Spoiler: quite often it is.) From ghosts and cryptids to forgotten history, UFOs, folklore, ancient mysteries, and all the wonderfully weird and unexplained bits of our world. We love asking questions that don't always have answers. We're not experts pretending to know everything. We're just two curious people who enjoy a good story, a good laugh, and occasionally questioning our own sanity after reading far too much about haunted pubs, mysterious lights, or Antient Romans who may or may not have seen something very odd in the sky. We're here for the full-on believers, those with an open mind, our wonderful hardened sceptics, or just those who enjoy the weird side of life, - come in,  join us, you're among friends. So grab your favourite brew & settle into your favourite chair... the light is swinging.. Welcome to The Freakin' Shack

  1. 5d ago

    Fear, Folklore & the Spookiest Questions - A Halloween Special

    Halloween Special: Fear, Folklore & the Spookiest Questions Why do we love a good scare? Trina and Steph settle into the Shack for a Halloween conversation about psychological fear, favourite horror films, trick or treating, and the traditions that make this season feel different depending on where you live. They weigh up which monsters might be easiest to survive, ask what makes a good ghost, and wonder whether cemeteries are really frightening places. There are creepy sounds, strange creatures, and one rather large question: what would actually count as proof of life after death? Pull up a seat, grab your favourite brew, and swing that light. CONTENT NOTE This episode includes a brief personal discussion of PTSD and fear triggers. JOIN THE CONVERSATION What frightens you more: something you see, or something you only hear? Send us your answer, your spooky questions or a story of your own at shackpackinbox@gmail.com. Following, reviewing and sharing the show helps other listeners find the Shack. CREDITS & COPYRIGHT The Freakin’ Shack is hosted by Petrina and Steph. Mortimer Percival Witherblight is voiced by Steve. Episode text, original recordings and original artwork © 2026 The Freakin’ Shack. All rights reserved. Third-party material remains the property of its respective owners. VOICE & AI USE We do not give permission for the voices or recordings of Petrina, Steph or Steve to be copied, cloned, synthesised, used to train AI systems, or used to create new audio or video without our prior written permission. Licensing enquiries: shackpackinbox@gmail.com. Keep your minds open and your lamps lit.

  2. Oct 22

    Crossbones Graveyard, Part 1: The Outcast Dead of London

    Who lies beneath Crossbones Graveyard? In the first of two episodes, Trina and Steph travel into the history of Southwark’s Crossbones burial ground. They explore its use for pauper burials, its closure in 1853, and what archaeology has revealed about some of the people laid to rest there. They also examine the story of the Winchester Geese and John Stow’s account of the Single Women’s Churchyard, asking how much we can establish about its connection to Crossbones. Along the way, the conversation turns to the Liberty of the Clink, the rules imposed on women working in Southwark, and the importance of remembering the people behind the legends. Part Two will explore the stories of possible sightings and those who may still linger around the graveyard. Content note: This episode discusses sex work, child deaths, burial conditions, and historical mistreatment. Links & Further Reading: John Stow, A Survey of London, Southwark passage (1598 text in Folger edition) — https://stsaviour.folger.edu/Stow1618.html  Museum of London Archaeology, The Cross Bones burial ground, Redcross Way, report abstract — https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/library/browse/issue.xhtml?recordId=1085518  Crossbones Garden, History — https://crossbones.org.uk/history/  Bankside Open Spaces Trust, Crossbones Graveyard — https://bost.org.uk/crossbones-graveyard  : https://crossbones.org.uk/history/ How You Can Help: Have a thought or a question about Crossbones? Write to us at shackpackinbox@gmail.com. If you enjoy spending time at the Shack, following the show or sharing this episode is a lovely way to help others find us. Keep your minds open and your lamps lit. © The Freakin’ Shack. All rights reserved. This episode, including its original script, recording, and presentation, may not be reproduced or reused without permission. Our voices, including those of Trina, Steph, and Steve as Mortimer, may not be sampled, cloned, synthesized, or used to train or generate AI audio without our express written consent.

  3. Oct 15

    Crossbones Graveyard Part 2: Do They Still Linger?

    Can a place be haunted by its history—and by the people a city chose to forget? Pull up a seat, grab your favourite brew, and swing that light. In the second part of our Crossbones Graveyard exploration, Petrina and Steph follow the story from John Constable’s reported 1996 vision of the Goose to poems, candlelit vigils and a Garden of Remembrance. We explore how community action helped bring the outcast dead back into public memory, and consider the difference between historical evidence, spiritual interpretation and reported ghostly encounters. From ribbons at the gates to accounts of shadow figures and phantom children, this is a conversation about grief, exclusion, remembrance—and whether it’s sometimes the living who linger. IN THIS EPISODE • John Constable, John Crow and the Southwark Mysteries • The Goose and the Winchester Geese • Monthly vigils and remembrance at the gates • Community campaigning and the permanent garden • Unverified accounts of apparitions and lingering presence • The history beneath our feet—and why it matters Content note: Discussion includes sex work, death, child burials and historical mistreatment. Supernatural experiences are discussed as reported accounts, rather than established facts. SOURCES & FURTHER READING https://crossbones.org.uk/history/ https://bost.org.uk/crossbones-graveyard   COME AND JOIN THE SHACK PACK You can watch and listen to us on YouTube, or listen on all popular podcast platforms, including Podbean, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Have you visited Crossbones? Have you ever felt that a place holds on to its past? Leave a comment where available, or email shackpackinbox@gmail.com. Follow the podcast, subscribe on YouTube, and share an episode with someone who might enjoy joining us in the Shack. Your comments, likes and reviews help others find us. WATCH & LISTEN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFreakinShackPodcast Podcast feed: https://feed.podbean.com/fshack03/feed.xml CREDITS & COPYRIGHT The Freakin’ Shack is hosted by Petrina and Steph. Mortimer Percival Witherblight is voiced by Steve. Episode text, original recordings and original artwork © 2026 The Freakin’ Shack. All rights reserved. Third-party material remains the property of its respective owners. VOICE & AI USE The voices of Petrina, Steph and Steve are used in this programme with their consent. We do not give permission for these recordings or voices to be copied, cloned, synthesised, used to train AI systems, or used to create new audio or video without our prior written permission. Please contact shackpackinbox@gmail.com with any licensing request. Keep your minds open and your lamps lit.

  4. Oct 8

    The Green Children of Woolpit: Folklore, History or Something Stranger?

    The Green Children of Woolpit: Folklore, History or Something Stranger? Two children with green skin appear in a Suffolk village. They speak a language no one recognises and refuse every food offered to them—except broad beans. It’s a story recorded in medieval England, but what might have been behind it? Pull up a seat, grab your favourite brew, and swing that light. Petrina and Steph explore the Green Children of Woolpit, from the accounts of Ralph of Coggeshall and William of Newburgh to theories involving folklore, illness and the children’s possible origins. How much can we learn from the surviving accounts, and where does the mystery begin? JOIN THE CONVERSATION Were the Green Children part of a historical event, a tale shaped by medieval storytelling, or something else entirely? Send your thoughts—or a strange story of your own—to shackpackinbox@gmail.com. Following, reviewing or sharing the show helps others find the Shack. Links: SOURCES & FURTHER READING William of Newburgh’s account, “Of the Green Children” (Book I, Chapter 27): https://sourcebooks.web.fordham.edu/basis/williamofnewburgh-one.asp Ralph of Coggeshall’s account, reproduced in a later folklore collection: https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/efft/efft32.htm Woolpit Parish Council’s short history of the village and its legend: https://woolpitparishcouncil.gov.uk/information-2/a-short-history/ Academic discussion of the Green Children and the child refugee theory (Cambridge University Press): (may be behind a paywall) https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/international-medievalisms/green-growing-pains-the-green-children-of-woolpit-and-child-refugees/AAC329E483A2CBDAB1F9F8F7ED3628A3 CREDITS & COPYRIGHT The Freakin’ Shack is hosted by Petrina and Steph. Mortimer Percival Witherblight is voiced by Steve. Episode text, original recordings and original artwork © 2026 The Freakin’ Shack. All rights reserved. Third-party material remains the property of its respective owners. VOICE & AI USE We do not give permission for the voices or recordings of Petrina, Steph or Steve to be copied, cloned, synthesised, used to train AI systems, or used to create new audio or video without our prior written permission. Licensing enquiries: shackpackinbox@gmail.com. Keep your minds open and your lamps lit peeps.

  5. Oct 1

    If Autumn Were A Person - The Shack After Dark

    If Autumn Were a Person… | The Freakin’ Shack After Dark What’s the first sign of autumn for you? Falling nuts, changing leaves, the clocks going back—or that unmistakable feeling in the air? Trina and Steph are back in the Shack, chatting about childhood autumn memories, rain and woodland walks, Halloween traditions, and the sounds and scents of the season. They also try to imagine autumn as a person. Expect cosy thoughts, a little crustiness and quite a few leaves. Pull up a seat, grab your favourite brew, and swing that light. IN THIS EPISODE • The signs of autumn and memories of going back to school • Weather, wildlife and walks in the woods after dark • The start of spooky season and Halloween traditions • Seasonal food, favourite songs and an autumn playlist JOIN THE CONVERSATION What does autumn feel like where you live? Send your memories, thoughts or strange tales to shackpackinbox@gmail.com. If you enjoyed the episode, following and sharing the show helps more people find the Shack. Link: Find our Autumn Playlist on Spotify - 'The Freakin' Shack Autumn Playlist'   CREDITS & COPYRIGHT The Freakin’ Shack is hosted by Petrina and Steph. Mortimer Percival Witherblight is voiced by Steve. Episode text, original recordings and original artwork © 2026 The Freakin’ Shack. All rights reserved. Third-party material remains the property of its respective owners. VOICE & AI USE We do not give permission for the voices or recordings of Petrina, Steph or Steve to be copied, cloned, synthesised, used to train AI systems, or used to create new audio or video without our prior written permission. Licensing enquiries: shackpackinbox@gmail.com. Keep your minds open and your lamps lit peeps.

  6. Jul 30 ·  Bonus

    The Southern Storm - Tales From The Shack: Part 2

    The Southern Storm | Tales from the Shack – Part Two Sometimes, the oldest stories are carried on the wind... In this concluding chapter of our special two-part Tales from the Shack story, Trina shares a dramatic tale inspired by true events that unfolded around the Shack in the heart of rural Brittany. After weeks of relentless heat, an unsettling silence settles over the ancient woodland. Marlowe senses the change long before the first clouds appear, Mort offers his usual scientific explanations, and the old oaks seem to brace themselves for something they have witnessed countless times before. Then the South Wind arrives. As towering storm clouds gather, lightning tears across the sky, thunder rolls without pause, hail falls with astonishing force, and the woodland is transformed by one of Brittany's fierce summer squalls. Yet as the storm passes, questions remain. Why did nature seem to warn of its arrival? What old folklore still lingers amongst these ancient trees? And are some places simply better at remembering than others? Blending true events, Breton folklore, nature and a touch of the unexplained, The Southern Storm is a story about listening to the land, respecting its power, and discovering that not every mystery needs an explanation. This episode also marks the end of our summer season. After today's story, The Freakin' Shack Podcast will be taking a 6–8 week break while we research new mysteries, write fresh stories and record ahead for the next season. With Steph returning to work and life becoming a little busier for us both, this short pause will help us return with plenty of new episodes ready to share. We hope to be back towards the end of September or the beginning of October, and we can't wait to welcome you back to the Shack. If you've enjoyed spending time with us this season, we'd love your support. Following the podcast, leaving us a rating or review, and sharing an episode with family and friends really helps independent podcasts like ours grow and reach more curious listeners. Have you experienced something you can't explain? Do you have a family ghost story, local legend, or piece of forgotten folklore you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you. 📧 shackpackinbox@gmail.com Finally, thank you for being part of our wonderful Shack community. We wish you all a happy, peaceful summer and hope you'll join us again when the Shack doors reopen in the autumn. Until then... Keep looking up. Keep listening to the wind... ...and never forget that sometimes the oldest stories are written not in books, but amongst the ancient trees. As this story comes to an end, so does our summer season. We'll be taking a 6–8 week break to recharge, carry out new research, write fresh stories, and record ahead so we can return with a wonderful bank of new episodes. With Steph heading back to work and life becoming busier for both of us, this short pause will help us continue bringing you the quality and variety of episodes you've come to expect. We're hoping to return towards the end of September or the beginning of October, and we can't wait to welcome you back to the Shack. In the meantime, we wish each and every one of you a wonderful summer. Whether you're exploring old castles, wandering through ancient woodlands, sitting beside the sea, or simply enjoying a quiet evening in your own garden, we hope you find a little time for curiosity, imagination and perhaps even a touch of mystery. How You Can Help the Podcast If you've enjoyed spending time with us here at The Freakin' Shack, there are several ways you can help us continue to grow: Follow or subscribe to the podcast on your favourite listening platform. Leave us a rating or review—it genuinely helps more people discover the show. Share your favourite episode with friends and family who enjoy folklore, history, mysteries, the paranormal and the unexplained. Tell others about The Freakin' Shack Podcast—word of mouth is still one of the greatest ways to help independent creators. We'd Love to Hear From You Have you experienced something strange? Do you have a family ghost story, a local legend, an unexplained encounter, or an unusual piece of folklore you'd like to share? You can email us anytime at: shackpackinbox@gmail.com We read every email and your stories may inspire a future episode of the podcast.   Copyright Notice © 2026 Petrina Missons. All rights reserved. The Southern Storm and all accompanying written material are original works written by Petrina Missons. No part of this story may be reproduced, republished, adapted, distributed or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by applicable copyright law. AI Notice The voices, writing, performances and original creative content featured in The Freakin' Shack Podcast are not licensed for artificial intelligence training, voice cloning, synthetic voice generation, machine learning datasets, or any other AI-related use. No permission is granted to copy, reproduce, synthesise, imitate, clone or otherwise use the voice or likeness of the presenters, or the original written works, for AI purposes under any circumstances without the express written consent of the copyright holder. Finally... Thank you for welcoming us into your homes, your headphones, your walks, your cars and your quiet moments. Thank you for every kind message, every review and every story you've shared with us. Little by little, you've helped create something very special—a wonderful community gathered around our little Shack in Brittany. Have a wonderful summer. Look after yourselves. Keep listening to the wind... and we'll see you back at the Shack very soon. With love, Trina, Steph and Mort

  7. Jul 23 ·  Bonus

    Something This Way Comes (Part 1): A Tale from the Shack

    The summer has been relentless. For weeks, the Brittany countryside baked beneath an unforgiving sun. The streams slowed to a trickle, the ancient oaks stood motionless, and even the woodland seemed to be holding its breath. Then... everything changed. Join Trina as she welcomes you back to the Shack for the first of a special two-part storytelling series inspired by real events. As the silence deepens, Malo the ever-watchful husky senses something long before anyone else, Mort offers his usual scientific explanations, and an unsettling stillness settles over the woodland. Is it simply the calm before a storm... or is there something far older stirring amongst the trees? This atmospheric tale blends nature, folklore and a touch of the unexplained, inviting you to leave the screen behind and let your imagination do the rest. Next week - In Part Two, The Southern Storm, the South Wind finally arrives... and with it comes a dramatic reminder that nature always has the final word.   If you've enjoyed this story, we'd love to hear from you. Share your own unexplained experiences, local legends or family folklore by emailing us at shackpackinbox@gmail.com. If you're enjoying The Freakin' Shack Podcast, please follow the show, leave us a rating or review, and share the podcast with someone who loves mysteries, folklore, history and the unexplained. It really helps us reach more curious listeners and keeps the Shack growing. Until next time... Keep listening to the wind. 00:00 - Introduction to "Tales from the Shack" and setting the tone 00:38 - The change in summer weather and atmosphere 02:10 - Description of Brittany's heatwave and drought conditions 03:06 - The tired appearance of the natural surroundings and the shack 03:35 - The narrator's humorous attempt at a rain dance 04:23 - Steve’s invisibility during chores and the peaceful household scene 05:21 - Introducing Marlowe, the expressive husky with a haunting howl 06:20 - Marlowe’s calm watchfulness and her unique eyes 07:06 - The shack’s cozy interior and its connection to the emotional home 08:05 - Reflection on the shack’s state as a safe haven and storytelling home 09:04 - Mention of Mort, the Victorian ghost, and paranormal signs 10:28 - The strange, heavy silence and Marlowe’s alertness 11:25 - The narrator senses approaching change and stillness in nature 12:20 - The realization that something is coming, and the silence deepens 13:20 - Malt’s commentary explaining the meteorological event 14:19 - The moment the unseen force lifts a leaf, signalling something unnatural 15:20 - The ominous rumble and the build-up to the storm’s arrival 16:10 - Wrap-up, call for stories, and teaser for next episode

  8. Jul 16 ·  Bonus

    Ring - Ring!

    Summer has a habit of reminding us that not every story needs to arrive with horror & thunder on our paranormal storytelling podcast.. During these summer specials, we take a step back from longer recordings to provide a summer full of ghost and spooks, folklore, unexplained mysteries, and eerie, strange tales & also celebrate the quieter magic that surrounds us every day. After completely losing a whole recording, we decided not to chase perfection—instead, we are embracing the slower pace of summer and leaning into - why stories often find us when we least expect them. Along the way, we will highlight listener and storyteller Gary D from up in Ontario, Canada.. and share some of the mysterious and weird experiences he has been generous enough to share with us all. You can find Gary D here: @gary_d_up_in_ontario_canada   Over the summer we will explore the way fiction and true-life encounters sit comfortably beside one another, and reflect on how birdsong, drifting clouds and peaceful moments can become stories in their own right. Whether you joined us for paranormal mysteries, folklore, haunted history or simply enjoy spending time at The Freakin' Shack, we hope this episode feels like you're sitting beneath the ancient oaks with friends who understand that the world is still full of wonder. Sometimes the quietest stories stay with us the longest. Timestamps 00:00 – Summer's quiet magic and our missing recording 00:30 – Choosing to slow down 00:59 – Gary's mysterious stories from Ontario 01:30 – Stories as postcards from another world 02:10 – Listening to nature 02:50 – Fiction and imagination 03:30 – Why storytelling heals 04:10 – When stories arrive unexpectedly 04:50 – Celebrating authentic experiences 05:30 – Finding your own story   Become part of The Shack Pack! The Freakin' Shack isn't backed by a big production company or a network—it's simply a mother and daughter recording from a little shack in Brittany, surrounded by ancient oak trees, with our black cat Jedd keeping watch and our wonderfully sarcastic Victorian ghost, Mortimer Witherblight, occasionally wandering in to cause mischief. We don't have Patreon and we don't make money from the podcast. The best way you can support us is simply by being here. So: Subscribe, follow the podcast, leave us a review, like and share an episode with someone who loves the strange and unexplained. Better still, send us your own stories—whether they're paranormal encounters, family legends, local folklore or those little moments of everyday magic that can't quite be explained. Every comment, every shared story and every recommendation helps our little Shack Pack grow. We'd love for you to pull up a chair by the fire and become part of our community, because the best stories are the ones we discover together. contact us: shackpackinbox@gmail.com

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Freakin' Shack... Mind our ghost on your way in... and don't worry about the spirit cat. He mostly ignores people, but likes a soft lap. The kettle's on, the light's swinging, and there's always room for one more around the fire. Every week we disappear down a different rabbit hole, exploring the strange, the spooky, the downright bizarre, and the stories that make you say, "Surely that can't be true..." (Spoiler: quite often it is.) From ghosts and cryptids to forgotten history, UFOs, folklore, ancient mysteries, and all the wonderfully weird and unexplained bits of our world. We love asking questions that don't always have answers. We're not experts pretending to know everything. We're just two curious people who enjoy a good story, a good laugh, and occasionally questioning our own sanity after reading far too much about haunted pubs, mysterious lights, or Antient Romans who may or may not have seen something very odd in the sky. We're here for the full-on believers, those with an open mind, our wonderful hardened sceptics, or just those who enjoy the weird side of life, - come in,  join us, you're among friends. So grab your favourite brew & settle into your favourite chair... the light is swinging.. Welcome to The Freakin' Shack

Information

  • Creator
    fshack03
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Freakin’ Shack Podcast