It didn’t start with the pumpkin. Not by a long shot. Samhain is one of the four ancient Celtic festivals that have divided the year for herders and farmers for […]

A new paper published by the Vermont Historical Society documents how people celebrated the spooky season between 1870 and 1940.

What if the monster under your bed didn’t crawl out of a nightmare—but walked straight out of an unredacted police report? 🚪👀 We love campfire stories because monsters are simple. They have claws, they fear silver, and they vanish when the sun comes up. But the truth? The real origins of urban legends are far more terrifying than fiction. Behind every bloodcurdling myth, spooky ghost story, and neighborhood warning lies a forgotten headline, an unsolved crime, or an unspeakable human tragedy that society tried to forget. In this chilling yet darkly funny episode, we strip away the supernatural gloss to expose the disturbing true history behind modern folklore. Because when reality gets too horrific to process, humanity does what it has always done: we turn our trauma into monsters. 🎙️ What We Uncover in This Episode: - The Phantom in the Attic: Why the classic tale of the "hidden intruder" isn't an urban myth—it’s a documented, skin-crawling criminal reality known as phrogging. - Corpses as Carnival Props: The jaw-dropping true crime saga of how a real human body became an authentic "funhouse dummy" for decades without anyone noticing. - Toxic Sewers & Blind Beasts: How industrial neglect, forgotten city infrastructure, and local cover-ups birthed legends of subterranean reptiles and sewer mutants. - The Alchemy of Fear: The psychological reason human grief, collective guilt, and sensational tabloid journalism mutate tragic real-life deaths into immortal folklore. 🧠 Quick Take: Where Do Urban Legends Actually Come From? Urban legends aren't just spooky campfire tales; search engines and folklorists classify them as cultural survival mechanisms. Sociological evidence shows that modern scary myths often originate from real-life historical tragedies, freak forensic accidents, or unresolved local crimes. When communities lack answers or justice, collective panic reimagines real human violence as the supernatural. 💀 Why You Can’t Listen to This Alone: Whether you are a die-hard true crime junkie, a lover of dark history, or just someone who double-checks behind the shower curtain before going to bed, this episode reframes everything you thought you knew about your favorite horror tropes. You’ll laugh at the absurdity, shudder at the historical facts, and realize the cold, hard truth: We don't invent monsters to scare ourselves. We invent them because the truth is too heavy to carry. 🕯️ ✨ Join the Conversation & Keep the Lights On: Did your favorite childhood myth make the cut—or did we just ruin your sleep schedule for the next week? If this deep dive made your spine tingle, do us a huge favor: hit that Subscribe button, rate us 5 stars, and share this episode with your favorite true crime bestie. Got a local legend from your hometown that feels a little too real? Drop it in the reviews—we might just investigate it next! 🎧🖤  

SWS Ghost Stories from the Fur Trade Era - Alexandra Anthony - Episode 262 It was an amazing night last month at 'Spirits with Spirits' as we had a special guest - Alexandra 'Sandra' Anthony on Truth and Reconciliation Day join us.  She shared her indepth knowledge and experience of the Fur Trade era and all the spooky stories that went with it! As well as the a few other urban stories on how sometimes the dead are still right underneath our feet in the City of Winnipeg! Sometimes, history can be cruel.  Sandra has the most exquisite trading cards available for sale - please check out her wildly popular (23 K followers!)  Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/p/Metis-History-And-Culture-Page-61573814430532/ for more details  Tonight is Spirits with Spirits with our special guest - Chris Rutkowski - 3 times a charm!!  Tomorrow night Giving Up The Ghost Podcast will be at Frizelda!! Jas will be joing by Ashley with The Winnipeg Paranormal Group to hear your ghost stories!! C'mon Down!! Thankyou to Joe and Jen at Frizelda, as we will be doing this twice a month afater Halloween! *EXCITING NEWS*  A TASTE FOR BLOOD - Jas's Debut Novel will be available this month for purchase. If you would like a copy, they are available in limited quantity at - Prairie Sky Books - Raven's End Books - Frizelda - Six Pines Haunted Atrractions or visit Jas's website to order www.jnflamand.com And, as always, please visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Givinguptheghostpodcast/ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givinguptheghostpodcast/ or our website: https://www.givinguptheghostpodcast.com/ Upcoming Events with The Winnipeg Paranormal Group are as follows: - October 28 - 'Spirits with Spirits' at The King's Head Pub - special guest 'Christ Rutkowski - Novermber 7 - St. Vital Museum Public Investigation, Winnipeg, MB Enjoy this week's new episode! Music by Ruesche-Sounds https://www.youtube.com/channel/USqXO Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok & Redditt If you have a local paranormal story of Winnipeg or in Manitoba, please email us at giivinguptheghostpodcast.@gmail.com - or if you just want to say 'Hi'!!!

🎃 15 CREEPY HALLOWEEN FACTS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW Halloween is about much more than pumpkins, fancy dress and horror films. Behind this spooky celebration lies a fascinating history filled with ancient traditions, strange superstitions, ghostly folklore and some genuinely dark events. In this special Halloween episode of The Terror Cellar, Andy Crofts explores 15 fascinating Halloween facts, from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and the origins of Jack-o’-lanterns to the strange fortune-telling rituals people once performed in the hope of discovering their future. Discover why black cats became associated with witches, how trick-or-treating developed, where the name Halloween comes from, and what really happened during the infamous Salem witch trials. We’ll also explore the history of haunted-house stories, why bats became a Halloween symbol, and how darkness and uncertainty make ghost stories so effective.Whether you love true ghost stories, paranormal encounters, creepy history or classic horror, this special episode will get you in the mood for Halloween. 👻 Have you ever experienced something strange on Halloween? Get in touch and share your story. Your experience could inspire a future episode! Follow The Terror Cellar for more true ghost stories, paranormal encounters, haunted locations, supernatural mysteries and chilling tales.Listen with the lights on… just in case. 🎃

Frizelda Oct 10 Ramblesode The Witches Crook - Episdoe 261 Sher jouned me at the 'The Friz' aka Frizelda, as she likes to call it and we did a few Ranblesodes!!! Today we discuss 'The Witches Crook' creepy coold for sure! Thankyou to Joe and Jen at Frizelda, as we will be doing this twice a month afater Halloween! *EXCITING NEWS*  A TASTE FOR BLOOD - Jas's Debut Novel will be available this month for purchase. If you would like a copy, they are available in limited quantity at - Prairie Sky Books - Raven's End Books - Frizelda - Six Pines Haunted Atrractions or visit Jas's website to order www.jnflamand.com We invite you to come on out for Ghost Story Time at Frizelda - 353 Provencher Blvd. October  29th Jas will be joined by Ashley from The Winnipeg Paranormal Group! And, as always, please visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Givinguptheghostpodcast/ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givinguptheghostpodcast/ or our website: https://www.givinguptheghostpodcast.com/ Upcoming Events with The Winnipeg Paranormal Group are as follows: - October 28 - 'Spirits with Spirits' at The King's Head Pub - special guest 'Christ Rutkowski - Novermber 7 - St. Vital Museum Public Investigation, Winnipeg, MB Enjoy this week's new episode! Music by Ruesche-Sounds https://www.youtube.com/channel/USqXO Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok & Redditt If you have a local paranormal story of Winnipeg or in Manitoba, please email us at giivinguptheghostpodcast.@gmail.com - or if you just want to say 'Hi'!!!

Frizelda Oct 10 - SHER IS BACK - Episode 260 Reunited and it feels soooo good! Sher showed up at Frizelda or as she affectionately likes to call it 'The FRIZ' We spoke to some kind folks shopping and got some good ghost stories this round.  *EXCITING NEWS*  A TASTE FOR BLOOD - Jas's Debut Novel will be available this month for purchase. If you would like a copy, they are available in limited quantity at - Prairie Sky Books - Raven's End Books - Frizelda - Six Pines Haunted Atrractions or visit Jas's website to order www.jnflamand.com We invite you to come on out for Ghost Story Time at Frizelda - 353 Provencher Blvd. October  29th Jas will be joined by Ashley from The Winnipeg Paranormal Group! And, as always, please visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Givinguptheghostpodcast/ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givinguptheghostpodcast/ or our website: https://www.givinguptheghostpodcast.com/ Upcoming Events with The Winnipeg Paranormal Group are as follows: - October 28 - 'Spirits with Spirits' at The King's Head Pub - special guest 'Christ Rutkowski - Novermber 7 - St. Vital Museum Public Investigation, Winnipeg, MB Enjoy this week's new episode! Music by Ruesche-Sounds https://www.youtube.com/channel/USqXO Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok & Redditt If you have a local paranormal story of Winnipeg or in Manitoba, please email us at giivinguptheghostpodcast.@gmail.com - or if you just want to say 'Hi'!!!

Six Pines Haunted Attractions Ghost Invesitgation Oct 2 2026 Part 1 - Episode 259 Its been long over due - however Giving Up The Ghost returns to 'Six Pines Haunted Attractions' !!! We were sitting in the Tarot Card reader location on opening night! We were pleased as punch to be invited back. This round, I had Ashley from The Winnipeg Paranormal Group join me as co-Host!  Oh the stories we collected! Creepily delicious.  Please enjoy these terrifying stories and hopefully we will have part 2 out tomorrow as we want everyone to go to Six Pines Haunted Atrractions before the end of October!  *EXCITING NEWS*  A TASTE FOR BLOOD - Jas's Debut Novel will be available this month for purchase. If you would like a copy, they are available in limited quantity at - Prairie Sky Books - Raven's End Books - Frizelda - Six Pines Haunted Atrractions or visit Jas's website to order www.jnflamand.com We invite you to come on out for Ghost Story Time at Frizelda - 353 Provencher Blvd. October  29th Jas will be joined by Ashley from The Winnipeg Paranormal Group! HUGE THANK YOU TO Lucky Paranormal for having us out at   Lake Superior ParaCon in Thunder Bay last weekend! Hopfeully we will be invited back next year! Thanks for all the people who stopped by to share their ghost exerpeinces in the Thunder Bay area and we are hoping to get those episodes out next month!  And, as always, please visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Givinguptheghostpodcast/ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givinguptheghostpodcast/ or our website: https://www.givinguptheghostpodcast.com/ Upcoming Events with The Winnipeg Paranormal Group are as follows: - October 23 - St.Norbert Art Centre and Runs Public Investigation, St. Norbert, MB - October 28 - 'Spirits with Spirits' at The King's Head Pub - special guest 'Christ Rutkowski - Novermber 7 - St. Vital Museum Public Investigation, Winnipeg, MB Enjoy this week's new episode! Music by Ruesche-Sounds https://www.youtube.com/channel/USqXO Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok & Redditt If you have a local paranormal story of Winnipeg or in Manitoba, please email us at giivinguptheghostpodcast.@gmail.com - or if you just want to say 'Hi'!!!