34 episodes

For lovers of true crime, mysteries, and tales strangeness, join host Michael May as he and a guest study tales of the unknown each week from unsolved crimes to unexplained phenomena. A Study of Strange attempts to debunk common misconceptions and encourages each guest to “play a role” in the storytelling process. Guests include entertainment industry insiders, friends, weirdos, randos, and more!

Michael May is a filmmaker and performer known for producing films like GHOSTS OF THE OZARKS, 12 HOUR SHIFT, and hosting the true-crime automotive TV shows AUTO/BIOGRAPHY and AUTOBIOGRAPHY: COLD CASES. He obsesses over historical mysteries and loves to bring fascinating stories to life.

A Study of Strange Convergent Content, LLC

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 37 Ratings

For lovers of true crime, mysteries, and tales strangeness, join host Michael May as he and a guest study tales of the unknown each week from unsolved crimes to unexplained phenomena. A Study of Strange attempts to debunk common misconceptions and encourages each guest to “play a role” in the storytelling process. Guests include entertainment industry insiders, friends, weirdos, randos, and more!

Michael May is a filmmaker and performer known for producing films like GHOSTS OF THE OZARKS, 12 HOUR SHIFT, and hosting the true-crime automotive TV shows AUTO/BIOGRAPHY and AUTOBIOGRAPHY: COLD CASES. He obsesses over historical mysteries and loves to bring fascinating stories to life.

    The Disappearance of Agatha Christie

    The Disappearance of Agatha Christie

    Agatha Christie was a world-renowned author of crime fiction, and her vanishing in 1926 made headlines around the globe. For 11 days, she was nowhere to be found, and theories about her disappearance were rampant. Was it a publicity stunt? A case of revenge? Or something more sinister? It's alleged that Agatha Christie never spoke of those 11 days, but on this episode we look into some of the details of this strange story that are often overlooked, and hear from Christie herself. 
    Visit guest Julisa Wright's amazing business: https://storyboarddelights.com/
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrangeTheme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrangeWebsite: www.astudyofstrange.comHosted by Michael MayEmail stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com©2022 Convergent Content, LLC
     
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    Links:
    https://www.amazon.com/Agatha-Christie-Eleven-Missing-Days/dp/0720613906
    https://www.google.com/books/edition/Agatha_Christie/N5XzDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=missing+11+days+agatha+christie&printsec=frontcover
    https://www.google.com/books/edition/Agatha_Christie_and_the_Eleven_Missing_D/r-JEYgEACAAJ?hl=en
    https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/aug/27/mystery-of-agatha-christie-disappearance
    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/books/agatha-christie-vanished-11-days-1926.html

    • 46 min
    Talking Bigfoot with a Six Year Old

    Talking Bigfoot with a Six Year Old

    Albert Ostman's shocking encounter and kidnapping by a family of Sasquatch in 1924 is still a hotly debated topic. Was he telling the truth? Did he really spend almost a week living with Bigfoot? Are Bigfoot real? Maybe a six year old kid, and budding cryptozoologist, will have an answer. 
    Is this an appropriate story to share with my son? Probably not but the nightmares haven't been that bad....
    Visit our sponsor: https://www.audibletrial.com/strangePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrangeTheme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrangeWebsite: www.astudyofstrange.comHosted by Michael MayEmail stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com©2022 Convergent Content, LLC
    --------------
    Links:
    https://www.nytimes.com/1974/01/20/archives/stalking-the-sasquatch-its-hard-to-prove-that-something-even-a.html
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Voq2tQJx8
    https://www.science.org/content/article/bigfoot-samples-analyzed-lab

    • 41 min
    The Forgotten Witch Trials of Connecticut

    The Forgotten Witch Trials of Connecticut

    Before the infamous Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts, the majority of witch accusations and executions in North America took place in Connecticut. But, the Connecticut Witch Trials were once forgotten by history, and some details, records, and accounts are still largely unknown. Can the terrifyingly absurd witch trials teach us anything about humanity?
     
    On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by brother and sister, Sean and Sinead Persaud of Shipwrecked Comedy, who grew up near Salem, absorbing a lot of the witchy history of New England. 
    Shipwrecked Comedy: https://www.shipwreckedcomedy.com/
     
    Visit our sponsor: https://www.audibletrial.com/strangePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrangeTheme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrangeWebsite: www.astudyofstrange.comHosted by Michael MayEmail stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com©2022 Convergent Content, LLC
     
    --------------
     
    Links:
     
    https://www.abebooks.com/Witchcraft-Delusion-Colonial-Connecticut-Historical-Account/31283214980/bd?ref_=ps_ggl_18382194370&cm_mmc=ggl-_-US_Shopp_Trade0to10-_-product_id=COM9788027343003USED-_-keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0oagBhDHARIsAI-BbgfHmF-pWaUwVn19gB6yVaVfsa7fAJvIjKQ9A-r6qqqTAjE3xo67Lv8aAsQCEALw_wcB
    https://www.amazon.com/Connecticut-Witch-Trials-First-Panic/dp/1626193878
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/connecticut-may-exonerate-accused-witches-senate-resolution-proposed/
    https://www.cga.ct.gov/2006/rpt/2006-R-0718.htm#:~:text=Connecticut's%20witch%20trials%20were,fear%20was%20the%20primary%20caused.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Witch_Trials
    https://www.wethersfieldhistory.org/articles/connecticuts-witch-trials/
    https://www.ctinsider.com/living/article/Connecticut-s-witch-trials-Three-stories-to-know-16568143.php
    https://www.gutenberg.org/files/12288/12288-h/12288-h.htm
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcLtwGcRtK8
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC3yy6Nrqfc
    https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14015
    https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Unknown-328769
    https://www.legendsofamerica.com/john-joan-carrington-witches/
    https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31399646595&ref_=ps_ggl_17738760402&cm_mmc=ggl-_-COM_Shopp_Rare-_-product_id=bi%3A%2031399646595-_-keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0oagBhDHARIsAI-BbgfR4Ea3WyIyoIzpGbmxaGPqzoXsnnso7dw5biv9tjpa1Oj2C2BXZsgaAn-IEALw_wcB
    https://www.legendsofamerica.com/alse-young-witch/
    https://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2008/02/lydia-gilbert.html

    • 1 hr 18 min
    Are Zombies Real? Part 2 - With Mali Elfman

    Are Zombies Real? Part 2 - With Mali Elfman

    In part 2 of “Are Zombies Real?”, we discuss accounts of zombification in Haiti. These include the dramatic experience of Clairvious Narcisse which inspired “The Serpent and the Rainbow”, the strange zombie tale of Felicia Felix-Mentor, and more. 
     
    Writer/Director, Mali Elfman, of the new film NEXT EXIT, and producer of the film BIRTH/REBIRTH joins the podcast. 
     
    Visit our sponsor here: https://www.audibletrial.com/strange
     
    Listen to the episode unedited and commercial free on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrange
    Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/
    Instagram: @astudyofstrange
    Website: www.astudyofstrange.com
    Hosted by Michael May
    Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! 
    ©2022 Convergent Content, LLC
    -----
    Books:
    https://www.google.com/books/edition/THE_AMERICAN_MEDITERRANEAN/pUiToxfB3Y4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=victim
    https://tinyurl.com/2p9d328k
    https://tinyurl.com/59mendhe
    https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Haitian_Revolution.html?id=C3HnDwAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description
    https://www.amazon.com/1804-Hidden-History-Haiti-Wyclef/dp/B075TSFKKT/ref=asc_df_B075TSFKKT/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312152579167&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10350078240651898399&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-568748063226&psc=1
    https://www.google.com/books/edition/Haitian_Vodou/_smB9MocN0kC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=vodou+in+haiti&printsec=frontcover
    https://www.amazon.com/Zombies-Cultural-History-Roger-Luckhurst/dp/1780236697/ref=asc_df_1780236697/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385641680285&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2528799625666126412&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-564752502945&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=79288120715&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385641680285&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2528799625666126412&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-564752502945
     
    Links:
    https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2017/10/are-zombies-real
    https://travelnoire.com/clairvius-narcisse-haitian-zombie
    https://www.historicmysteries.com/clairvius-narcisse-zombie-story/
    https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_m_moreman_the_dark_history_of_zombies?language=en
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7EOTLpDSzs
    https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-trial-that-gave-vodou-a-bad-name-83801276/
    https://womrel.sitehost.iu.edu/REL%20300%20Spirit/REL%20300_Spirit/Hurston_Zombis.pdf
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326871#5.-Human-zombies?
    https://mindhacks.com/2012/01/11/a-medical-study-of-the-haitian-zombie/
    https://sites.duke.edu/ginalisgh323/zombification-process/
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_kHGb-zbJ0
    http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/haiti/voodoo/mars-zombi.htm
    https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4262
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXcjioLLvRQ
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_kHGb-zbJ0
    https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f5e9efa53eea036e019bc24/t/5f5ee1a44d3a6a5d4ff28e78/1600053672506/Tell+My+Horse_+Voodoo+and+Life+-+Zora+Neale+Hurston.pdf
     
     
     

    • 42 min
    Are Zombies Real? Part 1 - With Mali Elfman

    Are Zombies Real? Part 1 - With Mali Elfman

    Are zombies real, and where did the concept of a mindless, walking dead person originate? On this two part series we look into the history of the zombie, its ties to Haitian history, and explore the handful of stories of zombification that have been studied. Stories include the  account of Clairvious Narcisse and the strange zombie tale of Felicia Felix-Mentor. 
     
    Writer/Director, Mali Elfman, of the new film NEXT EXIT, and producer of the film BIRTH/REBIRTH joins the podcast. 
     
    Visit our sponsor here: https://www.audibletrial.com/strange
     
    Listen to the episode unedited and commercial free on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrange
    Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/
    Instagram: @astudyofstrange
    Website: www.astudyofstrange.com
    Hosted by Michael May
    Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! 
    ©2022 Convergent Content, LLC
    -----
    Books:
    https://www.google.com/books/edition/THE_AMERICAN_MEDITERRANEAN/pUiToxfB3Y4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=victim
    https://tinyurl.com/2p9d328k
    https://tinyurl.com/59mendhe
    https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Haitian_Revolution.html?id=C3HnDwAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description
    https://www.amazon.com/1804-Hidden-History-Haiti-Wyclef/dp/B075TSFKKT/ref=asc_df_B075TSFKKT/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312152579167&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10350078240651898399&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-568748063226&psc=1
    https://www.google.com/books/edition/Haitian_Vodou/_smB9MocN0kC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=vodou+in+haiti&printsec=frontcover
    https://www.amazon.com/Zombies-Cultural-History-Roger-Luckhurst/dp/1780236697/ref=asc_df_1780236697/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385641680285&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2528799625666126412&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-564752502945&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=79288120715&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385641680285&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2528799625666126412&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-564752502945
     
    Links:
    https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2017/10/are-zombies-real
    https://travelnoire.com/clairvius-narcisse-haitian-zombie
    https://www.historicmysteries.com/clairvius-narcisse-zombie-story/
    https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_m_moreman_the_dark_history_of_zombies?language=en
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7EOTLpDSzs
    https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-trial-that-gave-vodou-a-bad-name-83801276/
    https://womrel.sitehost.iu.edu/REL%20300%20Spirit/REL%20300_Spirit/Hurston_Zombis.pdf
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326871#5.-Human-zombies?
    https://mindhacks.com/2012/01/11/a-medical-study-of-the-haitian-zombie/
    https://sites.duke.edu/ginalisgh323/zombification-process/
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_kHGb-zbJ0
    http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/haiti/voodoo/mars-zombi.htm
    https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4262
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXcjioLLvRQ
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_kHGb-zbJ0
    https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f5e9efa53eea036e019bc24/t/5f5ee1a44d3a6a5d4ff28e78/1600053672506/Tell+My+Horse_+Voodoo+and+Life+-+Zora+Neale+Hurston.pdf

    • 41 min
    The Redpath Mansion Murder Mystery

    The Redpath Mansion Murder Mystery

    In 1901, one of Canada’s most wealthy and powerful families found themselves players in a real murder mystery. Ada Redpath and her son, Jocelyn Clifford Redpath, were found shot to death in their home. The murder weapon (or weapons) were found near the bodies, and it was concluded to be a murder-suicde. Why then is this a mystery? Police never investigated, the bodies were hastily buried, and the Redpath family never spoke of that night. It’s a story filled with secrets and, maybe, lies. 
     
    With special guest, filmmaker Jesse Ikeman. He really wants you to check out his tiktok where he shares awesome filmmaking tips. Give it a looksee: https://www.tiktok.com/@jesseikeman
     
    Listen to the episode unedited and commercial free on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrange
    Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/
    Instagram: @astudyofstrange
    Website: www.astudyofstrange.com
    Hosted by Michael May
    Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! 
    ©2022 Convergent Content, LLC
    -----
    Links: 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvdCKGN3pZ0https://mcgillnews.mcgill.ca/s/1762/news/interior.aspx?sid=1762&gid=2&pgid=1224#:~:text=In%20the%20Redpath%20manor%2C%20servants,He%20perished%20hours%20later.https://www.canadianmysteries.ca/sites/redpath/interpretations/indexen.htmlhttps://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maison_Redpathhttps://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/mcr/article/view/18717/20459
    https://www.mysteryquests.ca/quests/31/indexen.html
    https://www.amazon.com/Redpath-History-Sugar-House-v/dp/0920474675
    https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-redpath-canadian-bakebook-redpath-sugar-ltd/1125315060
    https://medium.com/unsolved-canadian/was-there-a-murder-at-the-redpath-manor-84d7223ddc60
    https://www.jhmoncrieff.com/r-is-for-redpath-mansion-murders/
    https://www.frsthand.com/story/the-redpath-mansion-mystery
    https://dailyunsolvedmysteries.tumblr.com/
    https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/the-other-redpath-mansion-mystery
    https://www.google.com/maps/place/1065+R.+Sherbrooke+E,+Montr%C3%A9al,+QC+H2L+1L5,+Canada/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4cc91bb64216fb15:0xc38a048146b94303?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbnMvl7fn8AhUKOkQIHQ1vBVEQ8gF6BAgSEAI

    • 58 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
37 Ratings

37 Ratings

charisse1234 ,

A Study of Strange

I love the interesting unique stories and Michael does a great job!

JGMBubba ,

All

Awesome—looking forward to more—

mlfec ,

Listen

What a witty host. Love how he walks the line but still gives us all the facts. Thank you crimes of the centuries for recommending. And everyone needs to listen to crimes of the centuries!

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