Lore

A deep dive into the history and controversy surrounding simple divination boards. True stories of legal feuds, factory mishaps, and deaths tied to board messages. Tales of moral panic, mass hysteria, and how technology kept the mania alive into modern times. Exploration of how the brain can turn mundane symbols into monstrous visions.

Strange wedding lore and haunting claims tied to historic hotels and tragic nuptials. A bizarre 1927 ghost marriage leads to fraud, court fights, and lingering belief. Tales of fatal wedding-day accidents spawn reported hauntings and odd scents in old buildings. Ancient rain‑calling frog marriages and their surprising modern continuations round out the uncanny matrimonial themes.

A bonus guide links the Titanic-themed tale to three earlier sea stories. Classic ghost ship folklore gets revisited. A grisly ocean tragedy is highlighted with a trigger warning. Directions are given for finding the recommended past shows.

A deep dive into the Titanic’s persistent myths and the origins of the “unsinkable” legend. Tales of eerie premonitions, last-minute cancellations, and passengers who avoided fate are recounted. Strange animal behavior and spiritualist connections surface. Conspiracy theories and conflicting accounts about the ship’s final moments are examined.

Appalachia might be a vast and varied terrain, but one thing about it is incredibly consistent: the presence of dark legends, hidden in the shadows. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Nick Tecosky and research by Jamie Vargas. ————————— PRE-ORDER EXHUMED TODAY: aaronmahnke.com/exhumed ————————— Lore Resources: Get Ad-Free Lore: lorepodcast.com/support Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources Official Lore Merchandise: lorepodcast.com/shop ————————— Sponsors: BetterHelp: Lore is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/LORE, and get on your way to being your best self. 1-800-Flowers: To get your Double Blooms offer, buy one dozen to get a total of two dozen roses FREE, at 1800Flowers.com/LORE. Mint Mobile: For a limited time, wireless plans from Mint Mobile are $15 a month when you purchase a 3-month plan with UNLIMITED talk, text and data at MintMobile.com/lore. ————————— To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it. To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore ————————— ©2026 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Go deeper into the subject matter of our most recent episode (298: Almost Alive) with these three recommendations from further back in the Lore catalog: Episode 25: LorePodcast.com/episodes/25 Episode 88: LorePodcast.com/episodes/88 Episode 134: LorePodcast.com/episodes/134 ———————— Lore Resources: Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources Official Lore Merchandise: www.lorepodcast.com/shop ©2026 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Sometimes the more terrifying creatures we encounter are the ones we created ourselves. Don't let their antiquity fool you, though; artificial life isn't always pleasant. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott, research by Cassandra de Alba, and music by Chad Lawson. ————————— PRE-ORDER EXHUMED TODAY: aaronmahnke.com/exhumed ————————— For the curious, here are some links to the various contraptions mentioned in today's episode. Seeing them in action is truly powerful! Mechanical Monk Tipoo's Tiger The Writer The Draughtsman The English Execution St. Dennistoun Mortuary Murder In The Museum The Abbot's Treasure ————————— Lore Resources: Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources Official Lore Merchandise: lorepodcast.com/shop ————————— Sponsors: Gusto: Online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Try Gusto today at Gusto.com/LORE, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll. MeUndies: Slide into game changing comfort and get up to 50% off at MeUndies.com/lore with the promo code LORE. Warby Parker: Visit one of over 270 stores to find your next pair of glasses, or go to WarbyParker.com/LORE to try on any pair virtually! 1-800-Flowers: To get your Double Blooms offer, buy one dozen to get a total of two dozen roses FREE, at 1800Flowers.com/LORE. ————————— To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it. To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore ————————— ©2026 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Discover the intriguing world of household spirits that once dominated homes across various cultures. Learn about the domovoi, a mischievous home guardian, and its tales of rewards and punishments. Explore the dvorovoi, the outdoor protector, and its blend of jealousy and chaos. Delve into the dark side of the hovonets, a demonic spirit tied to wealth and fatal bargains. This fascinating journey reveals how these supernatural entities shaped beliefs, rituals, and even family dynamics in a time when homes were alive with spectral influences.

Explore the chilling concept of blood libel and its dark historical impact. Discover the tragic tales of changelings that once led to murders in Ireland. Delve into the harmful stereotypes about Romani people that still resonate today. Uncover the fascinating interplay of folklore and medicinal practices in folk belief. Each topic reveals a layer of humanity's complex relationship with myth and prejudice.

Dive into the darker sides of folklore, where storytelling intersects with violence. Explore chilling tales, like the tragic murder of individuals with albinism in East Africa, and the infamous blood libel myth that fueled centuries of persecution. Discover how historical events shaped cultural narratives, including the connections between anti-Semitism and Dracula. Uncover the sinister motives behind the accusations in the Little Hugh of Lincoln case and the lasting impact of these narratives on modern society.