Halloween Listener Stories II

Happy (Belated) Halloween! In our second annual Halloween Listener Stories episode we will share (and debunk) three spooky stories that came to us from your fellow listeners! Has something similar happened to you? Do you have an explanation that we didn’t cover?  Let us know your thoughts! 

Special thanks to Sophie, DJ, and Tyson for sharing their amazing stories!

To see our sources for this episode, head to our website at www.spookysciencesisters.com. Hit subscribe to be notified of future episodes, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SpookySciPod), TikTok (@SpookyScience), and Facebook (@SpookyScienceSisters) for even more spooky content! Help us grow by sharing with a friend and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support the show further by buying us a “spirit”!

Spooky Science Sisters is a member of the Straight Up Strange Podcast Network.

Episode 36 Sources – Black-Eyed Children: Creepypasta or Creepy Kids?

Are Black-Eyed Children just a product of a Creepypasta run rampant, or is there some science behind reported sightings of creepy kids? We discuss the origins of this popular urban legend, and then dive into possible explanations – Meagan has a theory of her own that we’re excited for you to hear! You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, or iHeartRadio.

Here are our sources:

  1. Astonishing Legends podcast, Ep. 87 and 88: Black Eyed Kids Parts 1 and 2
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-eyed_children
  3. https://texashillcountry.com/black-eyed-kids-legend-abilene/
  4. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/black-eyed-children/
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208221117/http://www.reporternews.com/news/columnists/brian-bethel/brian-bethel-recounts-his-possible-paranormal-encounter-with-beks-ep-384772497-348207271.html
  6. https://www.tbsnews.net/splash/legend-black-eyed-children-55705
  7. https://www.pararational.com/what-are-black-eyed-kids/
  8. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340278/6287302
  9. http://ineversausageaplace.com/2013/03/the-black-eyed-kids-of-the-iroquois-legends/
  10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonist_(The_X-Files)#Black_oil
  11. https://web.randi.org/swift/behind-black-eyes-reports-of-spooky-black-eyed-kids
  12. http://www.bizarrejournal.com/2012/12/debunked-black-eyed-children.html  
  13. https://skeptoid.com/blog/2013/01/15/the-black-eyed-children/
  14. https://partypinching.com/pear-bunny-salad/

Black-Eyed Children: Creepypasta or Creepy Kids?

Are Black-Eyed Children just a product of a Creepypasta run rampant, or is there some science behind reported sightings of creepy kids? We discuss the origins of this popular urban legend, and then dive into possible explanations – Meagan has a theory of her own that we’re excited for you to hear!

To see our sources for this episode, head to our website at www.spookysciencesisters.com. Hit subscribe to be notified of future episodes, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SpookySciPod), TikTok (@SpookyScience), and Facebook (@SpookyScienceSisters) for even more spooky content! Help us grow by sharing with a friend and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support the show further by buying us a “spirit”!

Spooky Science Sisters is a member of the Straight Up Strange Podcast Network.

Episode 35 Sources: 2 Short 2 Spooky

Our second Short & Spooky episode is here! Paige covers Deja Vu – what are we really experiencing and how is it studied? She also shares the story of the mysterious disappearance of Flight 513. Meagan gives an update on Oumuamua – the first interstellar object that we’ve been able to observe passing through our solar system – and our scariest topic yet, Bloody Mary. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, or iHeartRadio.

Reminder: We’re collecting spooky stories for our Annual Halloween Listener Stories episode! If you have a paranormal or other creepy experience that you were able to debunk, or that you’d like us to take a stab at, you can send it to [email protected] or DM us on any of our social media accounts. Happy Spooky Season!

Here are our sources:

Deja Vu:

  1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-science-explain-deja-vu/
  2. https://www.businessinsider.com.au/why-we-get-deja-vu-2017-12

Flight 513:

  1. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52255/8-weekly-world-news-headlines-turned-out-be-true
  2. https://www.mensxp.com/special-features/features/79021-mystery-santiago-flight-513.html

Oumuamua:

  1. https://observer.com/2021/03/oumuamua-alien-interstellar-object-ice-comet-study-reveal/

Bloody Mary: Source #8 includes the Strange Face Illusion photos we discuss.

  1. https://u.osu.edu/vanzandt/2019/04/17/bloody-mary-from-the-bathroom-to-the-laboratory/
  2. https://people.howstuffworks.com/bloody-mary-legend.htm
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catoptromancy
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Mary_(folklore)
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWORTeImS44
  6. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/558091/origin-bloody-mary-and-why-we-think-we-see-things-mirrors
  7. https://www.livescience.com/62274-disappearing-optical-illusion-troxler-explained.html
  8. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/illusion-chasers/locking-eyes-with-a-monster/

2 Short 2 Spooky

In our second short and spooky episode we discuss four exciting topics! Paige covers Deja Vu – what are we really experiencing and how is it studied? She also shares the story of the mysterious disappearance of Flight 513. Meagan gives an update on Oumuamua – the first interstellar object that we’ve been able to observe passing through our solar system – and our scariest topic yet, Bloody Mary.

Remember to send in your spooky stories for our Annual Halloween Listener Stories episode! Submissions are due by the end of the day on Monday, October 18. You can email them to [email protected] or DM them on one of our social media accounts.

To see our sources for this episode, head to our website at www.spookysciencesisters.com. Hit subscribe to be notified of future episodes, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SpookySciPod), TikTok (@SpookyScience), and Facebook (@SpookyScienceSisters) for even more spooky content! Help us grow by sharing with a friend and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support the show further by buying us a “spirit”!

Spooky Science Sisters is a member of the Straight Up Strange Podcast Network.

Episode 34 Sources: Damn Oceans, You Scary – AKA The Whale Episode

Thalassophobia, the fear of the ocean or other large bodies of water, is a common phobia, and in this episode we discuss what makes large bodies of water so spooky. Whether it be the size of the ocean, ghost ships, or what could be lurking beneath the surface of the water there are plenty of reasons to be creeped out! You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, or iHeartRadio.

Reminder: We’re collecting spooky stories for our Annual Halloween Listener Stories episode! If you have a paranormal or other creepy experience that you were able to debunk, or that you’d like us to take a stab at, you can send it to [email protected] or DM us on any of our social media accounts. Happy Spooky Season!

As always, here are our sources:

  1. https://amp.capecodtimes.com/amp/7653838002?__twitter_impression=true
  2. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a19000/less-than-one-percent-worlds-shipwrecks-explored/
  3. https://theconversation.com/ten-things-you-never-knew-about-the-oceans-deepest-places-55172
  4. https://www.usharbors.com/2018/10/the-science-of-ghost-ships/
  5. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-enchanting-sea-monsters-on-medieval-maps-1805646/
  6. https://medium.com/short-history/christopher-columbus-cant-tell-a-manatee-from-a-mermaid-b008e117c78d
  7. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/five-real-sea-monsters-brought-life-early-naturalists-180953155/
  8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_wave
  9. https://www.boatinternational.com/luxury-yacht-life/lifestyle/best-ghost-ship-stories–29737
  10. https://www.ripleys.com/weird-news/ss-ourang-medan-ghost-ship/
  11. https://www.historicmysteries.com/ourang-medan/
  12. https://www.marineinsight.com/maritime-history/ghost-ship-the-mysterious-flying-dutchman/
  13. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-did-whales-evolve-73276956/

Damn Oceans, You Scary: AKA The Whale Episode

Thalassophobia, the fear of the ocean or other large bodies of water, is a common phobia, and in this episode we discuss what makes large bodies of water so spooky. Whether it be the size of the ocean, ghost ships, or what could be lurking beneath the surface of the water there are plenty of reasons to be creeped out!

To see our sources for this episode, head to our website at www.spookysciencesisters.com. Hit subscribe to be notified of future episodes, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SpookySciPod), TikTok (@SpookyScience), and Facebook (@SpookyScienceSisters) for even more spooky content! Help us grow by sharing with a friend and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support the show further by buying us a “spirit”!

Spooky Science Sisters is a member of the Straight Up Strange Podcast Network.

Episode 33 Sources: Spooky True Crime Vol. 2 w/ Kyna: Was Elizabeth Bathory Innocent?

We’ve all heard stories of Elizabeth Bathory, who is known as the most torturous and prolific female serial killer in history. Was she really the monster we all know her as, or was she the Regina George of her time – a powerful woman with enemies just as mean as she was? Kyna, host of the Historical AF podcast joins us for our second spooky true crime episode. Listen in for a giggle-filled discussion on the famed Blood Countess and her residence-turned-prison, Cachtice Castle. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, or iHeartRadio.

Here are our sources:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_B%C3%A1thory
  2. https://www.thoughtco.com/elizabeth-bathory-mass-murderer-or-victim-1221244
  3. https://stmuhistorymedia.org/elizabeth-bathory/
  4. https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/elizabeth-bathory/elizabeth-bathory-countess-dracula/
  5. https://allthatsinteresting.com/elizabeth-bathory-true-story
  6. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bathorys-torturous-escapades-are-exposed
  7. https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/elizabeth-bathory#:~:text=In%201610%20she%20was%20accused,for%20most%20prolific%20female%20murderer.
  8. https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1134&context=etd
  9. https://www.historyhit.com/the-blood-countess-facts-about-elizabeth-bathory/
  10. https://www.thetravel.com/elizabeth-bathory-history-education-hungary-travel/
  11. https://www.istrianet.org/istria/legends/vampires/bathory.htm
  12. https://historycollection.com/real-countess-dracula-12-facts-life-crimes-elizabeth-bathory/6/
  13. https://www.orellfuessli.ch/shop/home/artikeldetails/ID3093779.html
  14. https://stmuhistorymedia.org/elizabeth-bathory/#marker-96966-11
  15. https://serialkillershistory.wordpress.com/2017/12/20/the-true-story-of-elizabeth-bathory-the-blood-countess-2/
  16. https://amyscrypt.com/cachtice-castle-elizabeth-bathory/
  17. https://historycollection.com/10-ghosts-of-the-most-famous-historical-figures-and-where-to-find-them/6/
  18. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/blood-countess-slovakia/index.html
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egNckCeKevE

Spooky True Crime Vol. 2 with Kyna: Was Elizabeth Bathory Innocent?

We’ve all heard stories of Elizabeth Bathory, who is known as the most torturous and prolific female serial killer in history. Was she really the monster we all know her as, or was she the Regina George of her time – a powerful woman with enemies just as mean as she was? Kyna, host of the Historical AF podcast joins us for our second spooky true crime episode. Listen in for a giggle-filled discussion on the famed Blood Countess and her residence-turned-prison, Cachtice Castle.

To see our sources for this episode, head to our website at www.spookysciencesisters.com. Hit subscribe to be notified of future episodes, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SpookySciPod), TikTok (@SpookyScience), and Facebook (@SpookyScienceSisters) for even more spooky content! Help us grow by sharing with a friend and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support the show further by buying us a “spirit”!

Promo at the beginning of the episode from Ain’t It Scary? with Sean & Carrie. Spooky Science Sisters is a member of the Straight Up Strange Podcast Network.

Episode 32 Sources: Can We Crowdfund a Crop Circle?

Thousands of crop circles have appeared in fields worldwide. Theories about what created them have included everything from horny hedgehogs to extraterrestrials. In this episode we discuss the history of crop circles and cover who (or what) is really behind them. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, or iHeartRadio.

Here are our sources:

Podcasts: Stuff You Should Know, “What’s the Deal with Crop Circles?”; Astonishing Legends, Episodes 206-208: Crop Circles; Unexplained Mysteries, “Crop Circles”

Key Images Discussed in the Episode:

  1. Hedgehogs cartoon: https://twitter.com/yerufoguy/status/1363101028380516354?s=21
  2. The Mowing Devil: https://mercuriuspoliticus.wordpress.com/2008/06/07/the-mowing-devil/
  3. Arecibo message & hoax: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecibo_message

Other sources:

  1. http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/ericeproduction/I.a_Plowing_patterns.htm
  2. https://www.livescience.com/26540-crop-circles.html
  3. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/crop-circles-the-art-of-the-hoax-2524283/
  4. https://daily.jstor.org/pssst-crop-circles-were-a-hoax/
  5. https://www.nature.com/articles/465693a.pdf?origin=ppub
  6. www.circlemakers.org
  7. http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2016/03/two-men-started-phenomenon-crop-circles-planks-wire/
  8. https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-cave-artists-might-ve-knowingly-deprived-themselves-of-oxygen-to-paint
  9. https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-08/popsci-qampa-using-modern-tech-make-crop-circles/