Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror

The Lunatics Project
  • 4.7 (60)
  • FILM HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. JAN 27

    Episode 175 - The History of Snow Cryptids

    Abby and Alan conclude the four part winter horror series. This week they discuss The Yerti and other snow cryptids. They even talk through some of the most famous instances of ice mummies.  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

    39 min

  7. JAN 20

    Episode 174 - Campfire Tales #7: Bunny Girl

    This week Abby presents two spooky stories.  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

    17 min

  8. JAN 13

    Episode 173 - The History of Isolation and Winter Horror

    This week Abby and Alan continue exploring the intersection of winter and horror, this time through the lens of of isolation.  Sources:  A Medical News Today article by Danielle Dresdon: What to know about cabin fever.JAMA Network, scientific study by Eugene Ziskind, M.D. called Isolation Stress in Medical and Mental IllnessPubMed study from 2021, Social Isolation and Psychosis: An Investigation of social interactions and paranoia in daily life Study we found on PubMed from 2008: Psychological effects of polar expeditionsAnd another study listed on PubMed The role of circadian phase in sleep and performance during Antarctic winter expeditions from 2022Slash Film article by Danielle Ryan: The Haunted History Behind The Shinings Stanley HotelSyFy article by Josh Weiss: The Thing Oral History: Cast and Crew Reveal Secrets of John Carpenter's Sci-Fi Horror MasterpieceGet 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

    1h 13m
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4.7
out of 5
60 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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