Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror

The Lunatics Project
  • 4.7 (61)
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Lunatics Radio Hour is a non-fiction history podcast about the history of horror and the horror of history. Each episode explores real, documented events where fear, violence, survival, and the unknown shaped human lives and cultures. The show also traces how historical events influenced film, examining how real-world horrors became the stories and images that appear on screen. Topics include dark history, psychological phenomena, folklore rooted in fact, and the historical roots of horror cinema. Most episodes focus on researched historical subjects. Occasional short fiction stories are included and clearly labeled. If you’re drawn to the darker side of history and the real events behind horror films, Lunatics Radio Hour explores where history, fear, and cinema intersect.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 183 - Real Scary Stories: Midnight Visitor

    Have you ever felt like someone was watching you from outside your house?  It's an (overdue) honor to present this real scary story from K.L. Mill. If you want to walk down memory lane with us, you can listen to The Man With The Axe (the very first episode of this podcast). Or watch Midnight Visitor.  Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show

    16 min

  2. MAR 17

    Episode 182 - The Clown Riot of 1855

    In 1855, a bizarre incident in Toronto escalated into one of the city’s strangest riots. After a fight broke out between clowns from a visiting circus and members of a volunteer firefighting company, tensions quickly spiraled. What began as a confrontation in a brothel turned into a mob attack that ended with the circus being burned to the ground. In this episode of the Lunatics Radio Hour, we explore the Clown Riot of 1855, the culture of volunteer fire companies at the time, and how the chaos exposed corruption within Toronto’s police force. The fallout from the riot helped push the city toward major reforms in policing and public order. Episode 182 examines how an unlikely clash between firefighters and circus performers became a turning point in Toronto’s civic history. Sources  An article by Alex Dunne, on The Uncircurriculum: The Great Toronto Circus Riothttps://grandorangelodge.ca/history/BlogTo article by Alice McCurty: This weird event in 1855 sparked the creation of the Toronto Police forcePeter Vronsky – "Rogues, Scoundrels and Screws" (Toronto crime history)Adam Bunch – "The Toronto Book of the Dead"Heritage Toronto article on the circus riotToronto Public Library archivesFirst hand sources, that we will cite as we go. Thanks to April Brenker for finding those for us.Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show

    28 min

  3. MAR 10

    Episode 181 - Categorizing Horror Villains

    This week Abby sits down with Kate Rotunda to talk through her classifications of horror villains. You can read Kate's original article HERE.  Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show

    41 min

  4. MAR 3

    Episode 180 - The History of The Connecticut Witch Trials

    Before Salem, there was Connecticut. In this episode of Lunatics Radio Hour, Abby Brenker sits down with historian Josh Hutchinson to explore the Connecticut Witch Trials, which spanned 1647 to 1697 and led to 11 executions decades before the events in Salem. They discuss the Puritan beliefs and English laws that shaped colonial prosecutions, the role of coerced confessions and spectral evidence, and the social instability that fueled accusations. The episode examines cases including Alse (Alice) Young, Mary Johnson, Goody Bassett, Goodwife Knapp, Katherine Harrison, and the 1662 Hartford executions. Josh also shares insights from his work with the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project and discusses ongoing efforts to formally clear the names of those convicted. A factual look at one of early America’s lesser known chapters of legal and religious history. Sources discussed include: – Amanda Pitts, NBC CT https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/four-decades-before-salem-there-were-witch-trials-in-connecticut/3407226/ – Research by Josh Hutchinson https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mary-johnson-witch/ – William K. Holdsworth, The New England Quarterly – Godbeer, Escaping Salem – Brian Levack, The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe – Carol Karlsen, The Devil in the Shape of a Woman – Connecticut Colony Code of 1642 Other links mentioned in the episode: https://connecticutwitchtrials.org/trail/ change.org/witchtrials https://endwitchhunts.org/ Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show

    59 min

  5. FEB 24

    Episode 179 - Campfire Tales #8: Airbag

    This week Abby and Alex present two stories for your enjoyment.  In The Light of The Wisps was written by Marisca Pichette. Follow them on Instagram @marisca_write or check out their website: www.mariscapichette.com  Airbag was written by Mike Macera. Follow Mike on Instagram and @mikemacera and check out his website: https://www.scene3.co/films Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show

    21 min

  6. FEB 17

    Episode 178 - The Disappearance of Roanoke

    This week Abby and Alan discuss the real history of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, from the first English expeditions to the colony’s unexplained disappearance in 1590. We talk through the major historical theories, including integration with Indigenous tribes, disease, violence, the supernatural and failed rescue attempts. Finally, we explore how this mystery shaped modern horror, including references in Storm of the Century by Stephen King and American Horror Story. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show

    41 min

  7. FEB 10

    Episode 177 - The History of Third Man Factor

    This week Abby and Alan discuss Third Man Factor; real life incidents, theories and it's impact on horror and pop culture. Third Man Theory refers to the phenomena of people surviving extreme situations and claiming it's because an invisible entity came to save them.  Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show

    42 min

  8. FEB 3

    Episode 176 - The Horrifying History of Puppets

    This week Abby sits down with Kate Rotunda to discuss the very unnerving history of puppets. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show

    42 min
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61 Ratings

About

Lunatics Radio Hour is a non-fiction history podcast about the history of horror and the horror of history. Each episode explores real, documented events where fear, violence, survival, and the unknown shaped human lives and cultures. The show also traces how historical events influenced film, examining how real-world horrors became the stories and images that appear on screen. Topics include dark history, psychological phenomena, folklore rooted in fact, and the historical roots of horror cinema. Most episodes focus on researched historical subjects. Occasional short fiction stories are included and clearly labeled. If you’re drawn to the darker side of history and the real events behind horror films, Lunatics Radio Hour explores where history, fear, and cinema intersect.

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