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  • The Headless Horseman: Sleepy Hollow, Ghost Rules & Real Legends | Wondering Monsters Podcast

    The Headless Horseman: Sleepy Hollow, Ghost Rules & Real Legends | Wondering Monsters Podcast
    Oct 31 2025
    Just in time for Halloween! Whether it's Bing Crosby, Disney, or Washington Irving, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow has arguably one of the best villains, the Headless Horseman!In this eerie episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, Danny C, WDG, and Baba explore the chilling legend of the Headless Horseman, one of America’s most famous ghost stories.From Washington Irving’s classic Legend of Sleepy Hollow to the real Hessian soldier graves in New York, the hosts uncover how history, folklore, and fear are woven together. They discuss how this haunting tale connects to European myths, Irish dullahan legends, and even Japanese headless biker ghosts.The trio also breaks down the mysterious “Ghost Rules” that shape the supernatural. They explain why some spirits cannot cross bridges, why hauntings end when remains are properly buried, and how the Uncanny Valley effect makes headless figures so unsettling. The conversation compares the original short story to both the Disney adaptation and Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, revealing how each version changed the myth for a new generation.The discussion reaches beyond Sleepy Hollow to explore headless saints like Saint Denis and the deeper psychology of why missing heads provoke fear. Both creepy and comedic, this Halloween-ready episode blends folklore, pop culture, and monster philosophy with classic Wondering Monsters humor.Whether you love folklore, Halloween, or the strange and supernatural, this episode will have you watching your back whenever you cross a bridge at night.=================================================================Timestamps:0:00 - Intro and headless puns0:36 - The Legend of the Headless Horseman2:26 - Comparing versions of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow11:03 - Marrying for status14:00 - The Legend of Stingy Jack15:31 - Types of Gourds17:25 - Hessian soldier story22:40 - Spoiler for Sleepy Hollow23:05 - Phantom of the Opera makes an appearance26:26 - True Bing Crosby fans28:05 - Mixing the short story with the animated version29:32 - Headless things and uncanny valley36:26 - Headless saints and Monty Python39:20 - Intro to ghost rules41:26 - Headless Bikers45:24 - More ghost rules48:42 - Ranking57:13 - Summoning the headless horseman, for real and outro=================================================================Also Mentioned in This Episode:Why are Graveyards SO Scary?Mothman and a Horrific Bridge CollapseIs Bloody Mary Real?Intriguing History of REAL ZombiesUnlocking Dream Potential: What's Possible and What's Not=================================================================Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.Wondering Monster Links:Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast WebsiteYouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTubeSpotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on SpotifyApple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple PodcastsMore Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other PlatformsBluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on BlueskyInstagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram
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    58 Min.
  • Strange Connection Between Mothman and a Horrific Bridge Collapse

    Strange Connection Between Mothman and a Horrific Bridge Collapse
    Oct 28 2025

    In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we investigate the eerie mystery of The Mothman of Point Pleasant, West Virginia which is the red-eyed, winged creature said to appear before tragedy strikes. From the 1966 sightings near an abandoned TNT plant to the collapse of the Silver Bridge, Mothman’s legend looms large.

    Was it a cryptid, a government experiment, or a psychic manifestation of collective fear? Hosts Danny C, WDG, and Baba debate theories ranging from ultra-terrestrials and mass hallucinations to mutant cranes and poltergeist phenomena … all with their trademark mix of humor and curiosity.

    Topics include:

    • The original 1966 Mothman sightings
    • Silver Bridge disaster connections
    • Theories of mass hallucination & psychic guilt
    • Mothman festivals and modern folklore

    =================================================================

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Intro and Mothman Description
    1:32 - Summary of the initial mothman story.
    2:36 - Other spottings of mothman
    3:43 - Possible government tie in / other government projects
    4:25 - In brief, Project Acoustic Kitty
    5:56 - CGI/AI and weird stuff
    7:00 - PA Proximity to WV sightings
    7:54 - Map of sightings
    8:47 - Is the mothman real, what did they really see?
    10:37 - Flaw in the Sandhill Crane and Barred Owl explanation
    11:46 - Funny crane story
    14:31 - Wingspan implications and physics
    20:18 - Similarities to Bigfoot
    24:17 - Philosophy, psychology, and experience
    28:47 - Estimations, consistency, and mass hallucinations
    35:46 - Cryptid festivals
    39:26 - Psychic energy and (un)realized guilt
    48:19 - Ranking
    53:11: - Next time and outro

    =================================================================

    Also Mentioned in This Episode:
    • Is Bloody Mary Real?
    • What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?

    =================================================================

    Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

    Wondering Monster Links:

    Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
    YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
    Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
    Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
    More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
    Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
    Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram
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    54 Min.
  • What If Mind Control Was Real?

    What If Mind Control Was Real?
    Oct 14 2025

    Is mind control real or just science fiction? In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we dive into the strange world of hypnosis, brainwashing, propaganda, and modern tech to uncover what’s true and what’s myth.

    From the Cold War’s MK-Ultra experiments to cult indoctrination, advertising psychology, and even the Frey effect (“voice-to-skull” technology), we explore how influence shapes our choices more than we realize. Along the way, we break down groupthink, mob behavior, and the hidden power of social media algorithms that may already be controlling how we think and act.

    Join us as we separate fact from folklore, covering philosophy of mind, Stockholm syndrome, cognitive dissonance, conspiracy theories, and the monster-scale fear of losing free will.

    =================================================================

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Intro
    0:23 - What is Mind Control?
    1:06 - Mind, Consciousness, Brain
    1:50 - Types of mind control
    4:12 - What we typically think of mind control
    5:45 - First exposure to mind control
    6:26 - Story related to mind control - personal experience
    9:46 - Defining your terms
    10:41 - Near death experience (NDE) and the mind
    11:50 - Mind or body control?
    12:48 - Jedi Mind Trick, Suggestion, Split Personality
    15:02 - Different between influence and mind control
    16:35 - Brainwashing
    18:35 - Influence and Advertising
    20:24 - Manipulation and Brainwashing
    21:26 - Story of Patty Hearst
    23:34 - Free will and the legal system
    24:29 - Can you be reprogrammed without your consent?
    26:14 - Entrainment
    27:21 - Pacing, Leading, and Suggestion in Hypnosis
    29:22 - Influenced three words at a time
    30:13 - Influence, acting against your identity
    31:29 - Group think and Emergence
    32:32 - Liminal spaces and rules
    34:22 - Buzzword propagation, Marketing, and PR
    36:14 - Language implications and mind control
    38:53 - Language between cultures
    41:13 - Government projects, dreams, and mind control, MK Ultra, Project Stargate, Remote Viewing
    43:03 - Can you create a Manchurian Candidate?
    45:28 - People like me
    47:02 - Technology, hypnosis, and mind control
    49:50 - Is there an easier way to do mind control?
    51:18 - The Yes Set and compliance
    54:48 - Voice to Skull technology and the Frey Effect
    58:03 - Influencing people in modern times
    59:16 - Mind control at scale
    1:01:39 - Religion and mind control
    1:02:10 - Identity, influence, and cognitive dissonance, behavior change
    1:03:18 - Ranking
    1:11:43 - Next time and outro

    =================================================================

    Also Mentioned in This Episode:
    • What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
    • Unlocking Dream Potential: What's Possible and What's Not
    • Polybius Urban Legend, Mind Control Disguised as a Video Game

    =================================================================

    Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

    Wondering Monster Links:

    Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
    YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
    Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
    Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
    More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
    Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
    Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram
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    1 Std. und 13 Min.
  • Polybius Urban Legend | Mind Control Disguised as a Video Game!

    Polybius Urban Legend | Mind Control Disguised as a Video Game!
    Sep 30 2025
    The Polybius arcade game from Portland, Oregon in 1981 … is it a myth, secret mind control experiment, or just an urban legend? The mystery of Polybius is one of gaming’s strangest stories and the Wondering Monsters Podcast is diving deep into it.We answer questions such as: What is the Polybius game from 1981?How to download or play Polybius on modern systems?Is Polybius real?In this episode, we uncover the strange origins of the Polybius legend, from rumors of mysterious men in black collecting data from arcade machines, to theories about CIA mind control experiments like MK-Ultra. We also dive into the cultural panic of the 1980s, when video games were feared as addictive, dangerous, and even capable of altering behavior.You’ll hear how Polybius became the “haunted arcade machine” that refuses to fade away, inspiring countless recreations, pop culture references, and conspiracy theories. Whether you believe Polybius was real, a government project, or just one of gaming’s greatest hoaxes, its story reveals the perfect blend of paranoia, nostalgia, and mystery that keeps people fascinated decades later.Get ready to have fun in this episode — but be careful, those who come for the video game may just stay for the mind control!=================================================================Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction to the Polybius Urban Legend3:00 - What kind of game was Polybius?7:49 - Video game obsession and sleep deprivation10:07 - Binaural sounds and how they work / altered states12:33 - 80s government paranoia14:10 - Games getting a bad rap16:30 - Pinball, gambling and organized crime17:31 - Mind controlling video game, could you do it (Part 1)?20:30 - Dark fear of mind control ; A brief modern history of games24:54 - Hypnotism, mind control, changing a person27:58 - Environmental manipulation31:16 - Mind controlling video game, could you do it (Part 2)?34:02 - Polybius end game35:53 - Ranking43:20 - Call to action: Play Tempest46:30 - Diminishing dopamine levels, reward prediction error50:08 - Next time and outro=================================================================Also Mentioned in This Episode:Polybius game on SteamXKCD Strong PasswordAre Ouija Boards Real?Is Bloody Mary Real?Necronomicon & Cursed Books ExplainedUnlocking Dream Potential: What's Possible and What's Not=================================================================Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.Wondering Monster Links:Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast WebsiteYouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTubeSpotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on SpotifyApple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple PodcastsMore Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other PlatformsBluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on BlueskyInstagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram
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    51 Min.
  • Unlocking Dream Potential: What's Possible and What's Not

    Unlocking Dream Potential: What's Possible and What's Not
    Sep 16 2025

    When it comes to dreams, some things are possible, and other things are not possible ... or so it seems.

    In this episode of the *Wondering Monsters Podcast*, we dive deep into the mysteries of dreams, nightmares, and folklore. From the eerie idea of shared dreams to the power of lucid dreaming, we explore how ancient myths, modern psychology, and personal experiences collide in the dream world.

    Topics we cover in this episode:

    • The possibility of shared dreams and their place in pop culture
    • Folklore surrounding nightmares and creatures like the Mare
    • The science and techniques behind lucid dreaming
    • A fascinating discussion of what people can do in dreams (like fly, fight, or shift environments) and what they cannot do (such as read clearly or keep control when the dream fights back)
    • Why our brains create such strange, vivid symbols in sleep
    • How nightmares inspire art, horror, and storytelling
    • Personal dream experiences from the hosts that blur the line between sleep and reality


    Dreams connect us to both science and myth—and sometimes leave us with more questions than answers.

    Listen now and share your story!

    Have you ever had a lucid dream, struggled with dream control, or experienced sleep paralysis?

    Drop your dream experiences in the comments!

    =================================================================

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Intro
    0:47 - Shared Dream Experience
    3:02 - Dog in Distress
    5:02 - Shared Dream Technique Mash-Up
    6:54 - Dreamscape Movie / David Lynch
    9:07 - More on Shared Dreams / Psychic Victories / Dreamscape
    10:41 - Lucid Dreaming Stories
    13:08 - Tips for Lucid Dreaming
    15:09 - Celebrity Dragons
    16:51 - Stuck in Dreams / Getting Kicked Out of Dreams
    19:41 - Constructed Spaces, Not Real but Revisited
    22:07 - Memories Inside the Scope of Dreams
    24:56 - Waking into Dreams / False Awakening / Lucid Dreaming
    27:18 - Can You Use Smart Phones in a Dream?
    31:18 - Do People Actually Speak in Dreams?
    32:57 - Can You Read or Write in Dreams?
    36:11 - Is it Possible to Read a Clock in a Dream?
    37:57 - Can You Use All 5 Senses in a Dream?
    40:39 - Can You See Yourself in a Mirror in a Dream?
    42:04 - Can You Turn Lights On/Off While Dreaming?
    44:33 - Fighting, Running, Driving in Dreams.
    49:03 - You Can't Recall Names of People in Dreams.
    50:38 - You Can't Hear Music in a Dream Unless You Are a Musician
    53:50 - Call to Action - Taste Something in a Dream
    55:03 - Nightmares - the Evil Horse
    55:37 - Nightmare Story - Monster Under the Bed
    56:54 - Nightmare Story - False Awakening / Cursed Scream
    58:46 - Ranking
    1:02:02 - Why Dreams are Cinematic
    1:06:03 - Next Time and Outro

    =================================================================

    Also Mentioned in This Episode:

    • Universal Mind (Book)
    • You Are Psychic (Book)
    • Psychic Dreamwalking (Book)
    • Is Bloody Mary Real?

    =================================================================

    Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

    Wondering Monster Links:

    Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
    YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
    Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
    Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
    More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
    Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
    Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram
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    1 Std. und 7 Min.
  • The Night Hag and Sleep Paralysis

    The Night Hag and Sleep Paralysis
    Sep 2 2025
    What is the Night Hag and is it a side effect of sleep paralysis? How is it tied into the Hat Man, Pisadeira, shadow people, and even aliens?Step into the shadows with Episode 7 of the Wondering Monsters Podcast as we uncover the terrifying legend of the Night Hag, a figure that has haunted dreams and folklore across the globe.From the Old Hag of Newfoundland to Brazil’s Pisadeira and the Scandinavian Mare, cultures everywhere tell chilling stories of a sinister being who sits on your chest as you sleep, leaving you paralyzed with fear. But is the Night Hag a supernatural monster, or is she a frightening face of **sleep paralysis**?In this episode, we dive into:The history and folklore of the Night HagGlobal variations, including Pisadeira, the Mare, and moreThe hag in literature, art, and witchcraft trialsThe science of sleep paralysis and its terrifying hallucinationsReal-life stories and modern pop culture connectionsThe Night Hag may be rooted in myth, but her chilling presence still lingers in bedrooms, nightmares, and cultural imagination today.If you enjoy exploring folklore, creepy legends, and the science behind monsters, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.🔔 Subscribe to the *Wondering Monsters Podcast* for more eerie explorations into the creatures that haunt our stories and our sleep.=================================================================Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction0:26 - Creepypasta and cats0:52 - Introducing the Night Hag and Sleep Paralysis1:48 - What the night hag does to people2:36 - History of the Night Hag, Incubus, Succubus, witches, and demons6:21 - Newfoundland, the Irish, and the Night Hag7:14 - The Night Hag and the Pisadeira7:39 - The Batty Bat8:23 - Origin of the night mare8:57 - So what is the Night Hag, real or sleep paralysis?10:47 - What about the boo hag?11:46 - Weird games, nighttime games and rituals13:17 - Is it possible to summon the hag?14:19 - The Night Hag, shadow people, the Hat Man, and others15:54 - Sleep paralysis and dreaming17:01 - The really weird part19:37 - How do aliens fit into all of this sleep paralysis stuff?20:18 - What about witches coming from the sky, like Baba Yaga?23:59 - History of various sightings and iconography29:12 - People's stories, not tied to sleep paralysis only30:33 - Conscious states, hypnagogic, hypnopompic, lucid dreams33:27 - Personal story of seeing a shadow person34:58 - What about sleepwalking?38:38 - Rankings (including "getting hagged")46:22 - Escaping the Night Gag52:09 - Looking for aphants or those that have aphantasia54:55 - Outro=================================================================Is Bloody Mary Real?What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?Are Ouija Boards Real?=================================================================Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.Wondering Monster Links:Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast WebsiteYouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTubeSpotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on SpotifyApple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple PodcastsMore Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other PlatformsBluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on BlueskyInstagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram
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    55 Min.
  • Why are Graveyards SO Scary?

    Why are Graveyards SO Scary?
    Aug 19 2025

    Think about it, why are graveyards so scary to us?

    Graveyards aren’t just places for peace and remembrance—they’re the setting of our deepest fears. But why do we fear them so much? In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we dig into the spooky truth behind cemeteries, burial rituals, and the undead legends that haunt them.

    From zombie folklore and haunted catacombs to ancient curses and safety coffins, we uncover why graveyards have terrified us for centuries.

    In this episode:

    • Why graveyards are the perfect backdrop for ghost stories
    • How zombie myths evolved from ancient beliefs
    • Real legends of cursed tombs and pharaohs' revenge
    • Graveyard superstitions you’ve probably heard—but didn’t know the origin of
    • Safety coffins (yes, really)—and the Victorian fear of being buried alive

    This one’s for fans of horror, history, and haunted places. If you’ve ever walked past a cemetery at night and felt a chill, this episode explains why.

    New episodes every week—subscribe so you don’t miss a monster.

    =================================================================

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Intro
    0:30 - Cemeteries are scary because of ghosts.
    1:22 - Church graveyards
    2:13 - Graveyards getting creepy
    2:40 - Removed from the exposure of death
    4:45 - Importance of ceremonious and ritual burying
    6:51 - Burying in the basement?
    8:43 - Pop culture, video games, movies and guardians
    9:55 - Mummy's tomb and curses
    11:38 - Treasure, cursed treasure and the ghosts guarding the treasure
    12:58 - Modern day treasure hunt
    13:38 - More on haunted cemeteries (Morrison, Poe)
    15:40 - Haunted cemeteries possibly explained
    18:01 - Graveyard magic and necromancy spells
    19:54 - Relics, acquiring them, and saints
    23:15 - How far back do burial practices go?
    27:31 - How far back does visiting the dead go?
    33:15 - Haunted places, tourist traps, placebo effect, and tulpas
    37:17 - Doghead saints, miracles from saints that never existed
    39:17 - I dare you to walk through the cemetery at night
    42:45 - Catacombs, movie theaters, and bars
    43:56 - Profiting off of ghosts and a haunted space
    50:42 - Ranking
    59:24 - Tupla revealed
    1:00:04 - Next time and outro

    =================================================================

    Also Mentioned in This Episode:
    • Is Bloody Mary Real?
    • Necronomicon & Cursed Books Explained

    =================================================================

    Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

    Wondering Monster Links:

    Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
    YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
    Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
    Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
    More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
    Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
    Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram
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    1 Std. und 1 Min.
  • Intriguing History of REAL Zombies

    Intriguing History of REAL Zombies
    Aug 5 2025

    Why Do We Love Zombies? | Wondering Monsters Podcast Episode

    In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we dig into the terrifying and fascinating world of zombies! From ancient myths to modern-day horror movies and video games, we explore how zombies have become one of the most enduring figures in pop culture.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • The ancient origins of zombie myths, including strange burial rituals
    • The influence of Haitian folklore and voodoo on the modern zombie
    • How George A. Romero redefined zombies in Night of the Living Dead
    • Pop culture icons like The Walking Dead, Resident Evil, The Last of Us, and more
    • Why zombies reflect societal fears like pandemics and the collapse of civilization
    • Our favorite (and weirdest) zombie movies, shows, and games
    • Predictions for the future of zombies in entertainment

    Whether you’re a horror fan, folklore nerd, or pop culture junkie, this episode is packed with laughs, spooky facts, and plenty of zombie fun.

    Subscribe for more deep dives into monsters, myths, and the paranormal!

    Like the episode if you enjoyed it, and tell us YOUR favorite zombie movie in the comments!

    =================================================================

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Intro
    2:23 - Types of undead
    4:01 - Zombies in TV shows, Film, and Video Games
    6:30 - Categories of zombies, monsters, and replication
    11:42 - Our understanding of zombies in Haitian culture
    14:10 - Zombies/Ghouls in Western media
    17:39 - Mummies (undead) and cursed tombs
    20:19 - Back to Romero zombies
    22:46 - Connecting the zombie dots
    24:00 - Comparing the zombie and vampire story
    27:53 - Balance in monsters
    30:34 - No love for skeletons
    32:43 - Ranking zombies
    41:05 - Best defense against a zombie
    49:31 - Next time and Outro

    =================================================================

    Also Mentioned in This Episode:
    • Is Bloody Mary Real?
    • Necronomicon & Cursed Books Explained

    =================================================================

    Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.

    Wondering Monster Links:

    Official Website: Wondering Monsters Podcast Website
    YouTube: Wondering Monsters Podcast on YouTube
    Spotify: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Spotify
    Apple Podcasts: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Apple Podcasts
    More Podcast Platforms: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Other Platforms
    Bluesky: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Bluesky
    Instagram: Wondering Monsters Podcast on Instagram
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    51 Min.