The Night Crew Podcast

Brad Ricks

Welcome to The Night Crew Podcast — where we shine a light on all the things that go bump in the night. From bloodthirsty vampires and savage werewolves to ancient legends and modern myths, this show dives deep into the world of monsters. Along the way, I’ll also be sitting down with horror authors to talk about their latest books, careers, creative influences, and—of course—their favorite horror creatures. But what exactly is The Night Crew? It’s more than a podcast. The Night Crew is also the title of my monster-hunting book series. It follows a gritty team of supernatural hunters who take down the things that lurk in the shadows before they get to us. If monster hunting is your thing, join the crew—grab a copy of the book and become part of the hunt. 🎯 Get a signed copy at: https://www.bradricks.com 📚 Also available at major booksellers

  1. 4d ago

    Cursed Objects Part 4: Hollywood Curses | Ep 48

    Can a movie, a role, or even a centuries-old play actually be cursed? In Episode 4 of the Cursed Objects series on The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks leaves haunted dolls and cursed artifacts behind and heads straight into Hollywood and the theater to investigate three of entertainment history’s most enduring supernatural legends: the Superman Curse, the Poltergeist Curse, and the Curse of Macbeth. First, Brad examines the so-called Superman Curse, from the mysterious death of George Reeves and the career struggles of early Superman actor Kirk Alyn to Christopher Reeve’s devastating equestrian accident and the tragedies that later became attached to actors connected with the iconic superhero franchise. Then comes one of horror cinema’s most infamous legends: the Poltergeist Curse. Several actors connected to the franchise died during or shortly after the original films, including Dominique Dunne and twelve-year-old Heather O’Rourke. But behind the supernatural rumors are very real and very different human tragedies. And then there’s the detail that needs absolutely no paranormal embellishment: the production really did use actual human skeletons during the original film’s swimming-pool sequence. Finally, Brad steps onto the stage for one of the oldest entertainment superstitions still alive today: Macbeth, better known backstage as The Scottish Play. Why do actors refuse to say its name inside a theater? From stories of witches cursing Shakespeare's play to centuries of injuries, falling scenery, sword accidents, disastrous productions, and even the deadly Astor Place Riot, the legend has had more than four hundred years to grow. Are these productions genuinely cursed—or are we simply very good at connecting unrelated tragedies once somebody gives us a pattern to look for? If you love Hollywood mysteries, cursed movies, horror movie history, paranormal legends, theater superstitions, supernatural folklore, dark Hollywood history, Superman, Poltergeist, Shakespeare, and stories where real tragedy collides with urban legend, this episode is for you. Keywords Hollywood curses, cursed movies, Superman Curse, Superman curse explained, George Reeves death, Christopher Reeve, cursed Superman actors, Poltergeist Curse, Poltergeist movie curse, Heather O'Rourke, Dominique Dunne, real skeletons Poltergeist, cursed movie sets, Macbeth curse, Scottish Play curse, why actors don't say Macbeth, cursed theater productions, theater superstition, Hollywood urban legends, paranormal Hollywood, horror movie history, supernatural legends, dark Hollywood history, cursed films, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks Hashtags #CursedByHollywood #SupermanCurse #PoltergeistCurse #MacbethCurse #TheScottishPlay #Superman #Poltergeist #Macbeth #CursedMovies #HollywoodCurses #MovieLegends #HorrorMovieHistory #DarkHollywood #Paranormal #UrbanLegends #TheaterSuperstitions #Supernatural #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks

    Cursed Objects Part 4: Hollywood Curses | Ep 48
  2. Sep 21

    Meet the Frogmaster: Angel Ramon on Chupacabras, Creature Horror & Frogs and Margaritas | Ep 47

    In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with horror author Angel Ramon to talk about creature horror, zombies, cryptids, psychological horror, and the long road from writing his first novel to becoming known as the Frogmaster. Angel shares how he started publishing horror in 2017, rebuilt his writing career after Hurricane Maria, explored historical fiction under a separate pen name, and eventually returned to horror with books like Piña Coladas and Rats and his breakout Frogs and Margaritas series. They also dive into Angel’s deeply personal psychological horror novel Requiem of a Lost Nation, inspired by his mother’s experiences during the Salvadoran Civil War. The conversation covers everything from Indiana Jones, The Legend of Zelda, and creature-feature storytelling to zombie fiction, the messy middle of writing a novel, supporting fellow indie authors, surviving imposter syndrome, and why reading widely is one of the most important things any writer can do. And, of course, no Night Crew interview would be complete without monsters. Angel talks about his favorite cryptid, the legendary Chupacabra, its roots in Puerto Rican and Latin American folklore, and why the creature still fascinates horror fans today. If you love indie horror, cryptids, monster fiction, creature features, zombie horror, psychological horror, Latin American folklore, and candid conversations about the realities of being an author, this episode is for you. Links: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1851996472230541 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelfrogmaster/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@angelfrogmaster Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/a6c47f92ebdf/jointhedarklegion   Keywords Angel Ramon, Angel Ramon author, Angel Ramon interview, Frogs and Margaritas, Frogmaster, Piña Coladas and Rats, Requiem of a Lost Nation, The Fifth Survivor, creature horror, creature feature books, Chupacabra, Chupacabra folklore, Puerto Rico folklore, Latin American cryptids, zombie horror, psychological horror, indie horror author, horror writing, indie publishing, horror community, Indiana Jones horror, Legend of Zelda inspiration, cryptid podcast, monster podcast, author interview, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks Hashtags #AngelRamon #FrogsAndMargaritas #Frogmaster #Chupacabra #Cryptids #CreatureHorror #CreatureFeature #MonsterLore #ZombieHorror #PsychologicalHorror #IndieHorror #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthor #PuertoRico #LatinAmericanFolklore #HorrorBooks #AuthorInterview #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks

    Meet the Frogmaster: Angel Ramon on Chupacabras, Creature Horror & Frogs and Margaritas | Ep 47
  3. Sep 14

    Cursed Objects Part 3: Marked by Tragedy | Ep 46

    Some cursed objects are blamed for bad luck. These ones have something darker attached to them: real deaths, real tragedy, and a body count. In Episode 3 of the Cursed Objects series on The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks explores five infamous objects whose legends are tied to documented deaths, accidents, fires, and human suffering. From Busby’s Stoop Chair, supposedly cursed to kill anyone who sits in it, to James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder “Little Bastard,” whose wreckage became linked to a growing trail of racing deaths and strange accidents, this episode asks what happens when tragedy gets attached to an object—and the story becomes bigger than the facts. Brad also dives into the infamous Myrtles Plantation mirror, separating the popular Chloe ghost story from the plantation’s real and far more difficult history; the Crying Boy paintings, which sparked a full-blown British tabloid panic after supposedly surviving house fires untouched; and two internet-era legends, The Hands Resist Him and The Anguished Man, whose haunted reputations exploded through eBay listings, viral stories, and paranormal claims. Along the way, this episode uncovers how cursed-object legends are often built from a mixture of real tragedy, folklore, media sensationalism, tourism, money, coincidence, and our need to give suffering a villain. Sometimes the object is old. Sometimes the story is old. And sometimes the story was created long after the object ever entered the room. If you love cursed objects, haunted artifacts, dark history, paranormal stories, ghost legends, James Dean, haunted paintings, true horror, urban legends, and the strange places where documented history collides with supernatural folklore, this episode is for you. SEO Keywords cursed objects, cursed artifacts, James Dean Porsche curse, Little Bastard Porsche, James Dean death car, Busby Stoop Chair, cursed chair, Myrtles Plantation mirror, haunted mirror, Chloe Myrtles Plantation, Crying Boy painting, cursed painting, The Hands Resist Him, haunted eBay painting, The Anguished Man, haunted paintings, paranormal objects, dark history, ghost stories, haunted artifacts, cursed car, urban legends, supernatural folklore, true horror stories, horror history, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks Hashtags #CursedObjects #JamesDean #LittleBastard #BusbyStoopChair #CursedChair #MyrtlesPlantation #HauntedMirror #CryingBoy #TheHandsResistHim #TheAnguishedMan #HauntedPaintings #CursedArtifacts #DarkHistory #Paranormal #GhostStories #UrbanLegends #Supernatural #HorrorHistory #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast

    Cursed Objects Part 3: Marked by Tragedy | Ep 46
  4. Aug 31

    Urban Legends, Cryptids & Things That Might Be Real: M. Lee Goodson Talks Horror | Ep 45

    What makes an urban legend truly scary? Maybe it’s the tiny possibility that it actually happened. In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with horror writer M. Lee Goodson to talk about urban legends, cryptids, psychological horror, and the strange path that led her from inspirational writing to stories where things tend to go considerably darker. M. Lee discusses her love of The Twilight Zone, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dean Koontz, as well as her weekly Legend of the Week posts exploring strange folklore, regional monsters, and creepy stories from around the country. They dig into why nearly every town seems to have its own frightening legend, how real experiences can make fictional horror feel more authentic, and why the best urban legends work because there’s always that lingering thought: what if it’s true? The conversation also covers Bigfoot, the Wendigo, Texas cryptids, the mysterious Horizon City Monster, werewolves, The Blair Witch Project, and M. Lee’s surprisingly unique favorite monster—the Basilisk. If you love cryptid lore, creepy folklore, urban legends, monster mythology, psychological horror, paranormal stories, and conversations with indie horror writers, this episode is for you. Links: Website: https://www.mleegoodson.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mleegoodson Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mleegoodson   Substack: https://substack.com/@mleegoodson   Keywords M. Lee Goodson, M. Lee Goodson interview, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, urban legends, cryptids, Texas cryptids, horror author interview, psychological horror, Twilight Zone horror, Edgar Allan Poe, Dean Koontz, basilisk mythology, Bigfoot, Wendigo, Horizon City Monster, werewolf stories, Blair Witch Project, creepy folklore, paranormal legends, monster lore, horror writing, indie horror author, Horror Writers Association, HWA Texas, folklore podcast, horror podcast Hashtags #MLeeGoodson #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #UrbanLegends #Cryptids #CryptidLore #MonsterLore #TexasCryptids #PsychologicalHorror #HorrorWriter #IndieHorror #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview #EdgarAllanPoe #TwilightZone #Basilisk #Bigfoot #Wendigo #Folklore #Paranormal

    Urban Legends, Cryptids & Things That Might Be Real: M. Lee Goodson Talks Horror | Ep 45
  5. Aug 24

    Cursed Objects Part 2: Something Is Watching | Ep 44

    What’s worse than a cursed object bringing bad luck? A cursed object that seems to know you’re there. In Episode 2 of the Cursed Objects series, Brad Ricks dives into three of the most infamous supposedly haunted objects in modern paranormal lore: Annabelle, Robert the Doll, and the Dybbuk Box. First, forget the creepy porcelain face from The Conjuring. The real Annabelle doll is a seemingly harmless Raggedy Ann surrounded by stories of unexplained movement, disturbing messages, claw marks, demonic manipulation, and the controversial paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Then it’s off to Key West to meet Robert the Doll, the century-old sailor doll whose reputation has become so powerful that visitors still send letters apologizing for photographing him without permission—often after blaming Robert for accidents, injuries, divorces, lost jobs, and other sudden misfortunes. Finally, Brad opens the story of the infamous Dybbuk Box, a supposedly haunted wine cabinet associated with nightmares, illness, possession, Hollywood movies, and paranormal television. There’s just one problem: the man who created the story later admitted that he invented its haunted history himself. So why do these stories continue even after the evidence falls apart? This episode explores haunted dolls, demonic objects, paranormal investigations, Jewish folklore, dybbuks, the psychology of seeing faces and intent in objects, and the strange way a frightening story can become more powerful than the truth behind it. If you love true paranormal stories, haunted objects, demonology, creepy dolls, urban legends, occult history, and horror stories that blur the line between folklore and fact, this episode belongs on your playlist. SEO Keywords Annabelle doll, real Annabelle doll, Robert the Doll, Dybbuk Box, haunted dolls, cursed objects, haunted objects, Ed and Lorraine Warren, Warren Occult Museum, Annabelle true story, Robert the Doll curse, Robert the Doll Key West, Dybbuk Box true story, Kevin Mannis, Zak Bagans, Jewish folklore, dybbuk folklore, paranormal investigation, demonic objects, possessed dolls, cursed dolls, paranormal stories, urban legends, occult history, horror podcast, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks Hashtags #CursedObjects #Annabelle #AnnabelleDoll #RobertTheDoll #DybbukBox #HauntedDolls #CursedDolls #HauntedObjects #Paranormal #ParanormalStories #Demonology #EdAndLorraineWarren #TheConjuring #JewishFolklore #UrbanLegends #OccultHistory #TrueHorror #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks

    Cursed Objects Part 2: Something Is Watching | Ep 44
  6. Aug 17

    Cursed Objects Part 1: The Classics | Ep 43

    Can an object actually be cursed—or are we just very good at turning tragedy into a story? In the first episode of a brand-new Cursed Objects series on The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks digs into six of the most famous allegedly cursed artifacts in history: the Hope Diamond, the Koh-i-Noor, the Curse of Tutankhamun, the mysterious Basano Vase, the Delhi Purple Sapphire, and the Black Orlov Diamond. But this isn’t just a collection of creepy legends. Brad separates the documented history from the folklore to uncover how these curses were actually built. Some were fueled by real deaths. Some were amplified by newspapers. One may have been deliberately embellished by Cartier to help sell a diamond. Another might never have existed at all. From royal executions and colonial theft to mysterious suicides, pharaoh tombs, supposedly bloodstained gemstones, and objects people became convinced were trying to ruin their lives, this episode asks a bigger question: why do we need cursed objects in the first place? If you love dark history, paranormal mysteries, haunted objects, occult legends, ancient curses, Egyptian mythology, true horror, and stories where folklore collides with documented history, this is the perfect place to start. Keywords cursed objects, cursed artifacts, Hope Diamond curse, Koh-i-Noor curse, King Tut curse, Curse of Tutankhamun, Basano Vase, Delhi Purple Sapphire, Black Orlov Diamond, Eye of Brahma, haunted objects, cursed diamonds, ancient curses, paranormal objects, occult history, dark history, supernatural legends, Egyptian curse, cursed gemstones, haunted artifacts, folklore podcast, horror history, horror podcast, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks Hashtags #CursedObjects #HopeDiamond #KingTut #CurseOfTutankhamun #KohINoor #DelhiPurpleSapphire #BlackOrlov #CursedArtifacts #HauntedObjects #AncientCurses #DarkHistory #OccultHistory #Paranormal #Supernatural #Folklore #HorrorHistory #CursedDiamonds #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks

    Cursed Objects Part 1: The Classics | Ep 43
  7. Aug 3

    The Succubus, Part 5: The Forgotten Queens of Hell: Naamah, Agrat, Eisheth | Ep 42

    Lilith may get all the attention, but she was never the only queen ruling the darkness. In this bonus episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks steps into the shadowy world of Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah, and the Sitra Achra to uncover the three demon queens who stood beside Lilith: Naamah, Agrat Bat Mahlat, and Eisheth Zenunim. Each queen rules a different territory of human fear. Naamah corrupts through seduction and desire. Agrat Bat Mahlat commands vast armies of demons that ride through the night. Eisheth Zenunim consumes the souls of the damned. Together with Lilith, they form a terrifying map of human vulnerability stretching from the cradle to beyond the grave. This episode explores the Four Queens of Demons, their connection to Samael, the Zohar, fallen angels, the Watchers, the Nephilim, demonic offspring, dangerous nights, forbidden desire, and the horrifying fate of souls that were meant to survive death. Perfect for fans of demonology, occult history, dark folklore, Jewish mythology, Kabbalistic mysticism, supernatural horror, and ancient monsters hidden in religious texts. Keywords Naamah, Agrat Bat Mahlat, Eisheth Zenunim, Four Queens of Demons, Lilith, demon queens, Jewish demonology, Kabbalah demons, Sitra Achra, Samael, Zohar, Jewish folklore, occult history, demon mythology, fallen angels, Watchers, Nephilim, succubus folklore, dark mysticism, supernatural horror, horror mythology, mythology podcast, demonology podcast, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks Hashtags #Naamah #AgratBatMahlat #EishethZenunim #Lilith #FourQueensOfDemons #DemonQueens #Demonology #JewishFolklore #JewishMysticism #Kabbalah #SitraAchra #Samael #TheZohar #DarkFolklore #OccultHistory #SupernaturalHorror #HorrorMythology #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks

  8. Jul 20

    Heathers Meets Nightmare on Elm Street: Kayla Frederick on Nightmares, Banshees, and Writing Horror | Ep 41

    In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with horror author Kayla Frederick to talk about turning nightmares, trauma, and a love of 1980s horror into unforgettable dark fiction. Kayla shares the journey behind her Rituals of the Night series, including Dead by Morning, Alive at Sunset, and the upcoming Survive at Midnight, which she describes as Heathers meets A Nightmare on Elm Street. They also explore her deadly artist competition novel The Residency, the difference between writing a standalone novel and a long-running horror series, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why consistency matters more than waiting for inspiration. Kayla discusses her atmospheric writing style, her love of psychological suspense, and the recurring nightmare that inspired her first book. The conversation also features 1980s movies and music, Stephen King, true crime, lucid nightmares, cliffhangers, baking cheesecakes, and Kayla’s favorite supernatural creature: the banshee. This episode is perfect for fans of indie horror, dark fantasy, supernatural horror, slasher fiction, psychological suspense, and behind-the-scenes conversations with rising horror authors. Website: www.authorkaylafrederick.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkaylafrederick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayla.frederick77 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kaylafrederick   Kayla Frederick, Kayla Frederick interview, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, horror author interview, Dead by Morning, Alive at Sunset, Survive at Midnight, Rituals of the Night series, The Residency, After the Devil, indie horror author, supernatural horror, dark fantasy, psychological horror, slasher fiction, 1980s horror, Heathers, Nightmare on Elm Street, banshee folklore, lucid nightmares, women in horror, author podcast, horror books Hashtags #KaylaFrederick #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #DeadByMorning #AliveAtSunset #SurviveAtMidnight #RitualsOfTheNight #TheResidency #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview #IndieHorror #HorrorAuthor #WomenInHorror #SupernaturalHorror #DarkFantasy #PsychologicalHorror #SlasherFiction #80sHorror #Banshee #HorrorBooks

    Heathers Meets Nightmare on Elm Street: Kayla Frederick on Nightmares, Banshees, and Writing Horror | Ep 41

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Night Crew Podcast — where we shine a light on all the things that go bump in the night. From bloodthirsty vampires and savage werewolves to ancient legends and modern myths, this show dives deep into the world of monsters. Along the way, I’ll also be sitting down with horror authors to talk about their latest books, careers, creative influences, and—of course—their favorite horror creatures. But what exactly is The Night Crew? It’s more than a podcast. The Night Crew is also the title of my monster-hunting book series. It follows a gritty team of supernatural hunters who take down the things that lurk in the shadows before they get to us. If monster hunting is your thing, join the crew—grab a copy of the book and become part of the hunt. 🎯 Get a signed copy at: https://www.bradricks.com 📚 Also available at major booksellers

You Might Also Like