Last updated on March 13th, 2023
Humanity’s fascination with the unknown is vaulted by the popularity of true-crime dramas, murder documentaries, and ghost mysteries. In an age where fact and fiction are equally scrutinized, there lies one objective truth: We can all appreciate a good scary story.
And it’s not just for Halloween either. Good scary stories are always relevant. October isn’t the only spooky season.
When the United States Navy is confirming the existence of UFOs, when the United States Airforce is shooting down not only spy balloons, but who knows what, it’s time to take the paranormal seriously.
Well before paranormal podcasts, we grew up on shows like Unsolved Mysteries (that is even getting a reboot!) that would ask a lot of questions and wouldn’t provide too many answers. Remember the X Files? Yeah, we’ve been into this kind of thing for a very long time.
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And yes, the “medium” pun was completely intentional.
Podcasts encourage the spirit of debate, and paranormal reports couldn’t be more suited. Skeptics and believers will argue about the existence of Bigfoot, UFOs, ghosts, and demonic presences until the end of time. Personal testimony and scientific research make the case for the validity of paranormal accounts. If you can’t believe it with your eyes, maybe you will with your ears.
Yeah, we tend to think of this type of thing during the spooky month of October, but the last time I checked demons and imps don’t use a calendar. This is an evergreen phenomenon.
Here’s a list of our favorite paranormal podcasts that will inform, frighten, tantalize, and entertain.
Award-winning podcast This Paranormal Life dives right into each episode with a rapid-fire intro, posing provocative questions that float atop the show’s eerie theme. “Is someone torturing a voodoo doll of me or do I just have back pain? Is ectoplasm good for you?” Hosts Rory Powers and Kit Grier open episode #142, disclosing their comedic slant while maintaining their investigative approach to alleged paranormal cases.
Some of the best paranormal studies work being done in the podcast space.
Most episodes clock in between 45min and an hour. This Paranormal Life gushes with passion in its engaging narration and light-hearted nature. Sound effects, pin-point comedic timing, and a lush soundtrack reward all fans of the paranormal.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
“Weird Darkness,” hosted by the engaging storyteller Darren Marlar, is a captivating podcast that delves into the mysterious, eerie, and unexplained corners of our world. With a focus on true stories of paranormal experiences, unsolved mysteries, and bizarre events, this podcast offers listeners a thrilling and spine-chilling auditory adventure.
Each episode of “Weird Darkness” masterfully combines suspense, intrigue, and storytelling to bring to life tales of haunted places, supernatural encounters, true crime, and urban legends. Darren Marlar’s compelling narration and meticulous research ensure that listeners are not only entertained but also informed about the lesser-known aspects of our world’s enigmatic history. Disappearances and conspiracy theories go hand in glove.
Perfect for fans of the paranormal, true crime aficionados, and those who enjoy exploring the shadowy side of human existence, “Weird Darkness” provides an immersive experience that will leave you questioning the boundaries of reality. So, gather your courage, dim the lights, and tune in to this enthralling podcast for a hauntingly unforgettable journey into the unknown.
Tony Brueski hosts this podcast and honestly, it’s terrifying. The premise is that Tony sources real-world ghost stories, supposed demonic possessions, and simply overall weird experiences.
And he’s talking about things I’ve actually experienced which made the hair on my neck stand up. Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis? Where you were awake, but you just couldn’t move? Well… talk to your doctor, but perhaps we were really dealing with something more… extraordinary going on?
Nobody wants to sound crazy, but what if this is real? It’s not bunch of horror stories, it’s life.
That’s what makes this podcast so good. It’s not fiction. It’s sourced from real-life events and those events are explained through a paranormal prism.
The NoSleep Podcast embellishes the dark atmosphere of horror fiction with spooky music and theater to set the mood. The show aims to frighten and keep you up and night. Episodes can go up to three hours long and harken back to hearing tales around a campfire at midnight.
Professional voice-acting and narration present stories that range from hauntings and possessions to space dramas. Episode S8E23, “The Smiling Ones on Space Station Mir”, explores the mystery of a space station disappearing from orbit.
Stories are curated from volunteer writers on Reddit, and the voice actors do a great job bringing the chills of the written word to life, and death. Each episode contains stories focused on a specific topic. The NoSleep Podcast is a must-listen for fans of horror audio fiction.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
Jason Horton and Rebecca Leib’s playful banter induces laughter without mean-spirited insults. Ghost Town explores the occult and paranormal conspiracies. Rebecca’s experience as a haunted places tour guide allows the listener to live vicariously through her into the world of ghosts, demons, and possessions.
In Episode 72: The Haunted Roosevelt Hotel, Ghost Town recruits the help of psychic medium Linda Spellman to learn about the rich and chilling history of the hotel and its ghosts. It captures the podcast’s pursuit of the truth and willingness to confront fear.
Shows run between 30min and an hour along with mini-episodes to deliver releases twice a week. Listen to this show for an honest Ghost Adventures-like vibe without sensationalism.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
Blurry Photos investigates the fringes of the fringe with topics like the hollow moon theory, phantom time, and the Mirrored Men. Host David Flora explores oddities and phenomena that are lesser-known even amongst paranormal enthusiasts.
David Flora weighs the perspectives of believer and skeptic in his respect for guests and topics. He encourages the listener to have an open mind “before you lose faith” in Ep 209: Stigmata, showcasing his love for puns and the ability to remain neutral on controversial beliefs.
Blurry Photos is earnest in its research while maintaining a sense of humor in the presentation. Flora’s story-telling informs without being dry. His humility marries curiosity and authenticity. Episodes are typically between 30 minutes to an hour and a half, releasing one to three times a month.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
Hosts Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess connect with and interview people affected by paranormal experiences. The episodes bring a round-table approach to the conversations. Stories unfold with Scott and Forrest’s personal takeaways that ground supernatural phenomena.
Astonishing Legends embraces the long-form format with many episodes going for two to three or more hours. The sharp dialogue and discussion ensure shows don’t feel like they drag on. Episodes like The Grim Reaper and The Near-Death Experience Parts 1 and 2 satisfy an obsession with horror stories and the macabre, presented in a way that hits a little too close to home. Check in to Astonishing Legends to both soothe and exacerbate coming to terms with your own mortality.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
Mysterious Universe draws inspiration from paranormal and conspiracy theory AM radio show Coast to Coast. Hosts Aaron Wright and Benjamin Grundy cover news of the strange and weird, UFOs and alternative history. They approach topics with heavy skepticism and don’t push their beliefs on the audience. Wright and Grundy concede to the absurdity of their fascinations and laugh as much as they inform.
Mysterious Universe’s well-researched episodes are typically between 1hr-1hr45min and offer a paid model with more content for dedicated fans. Episode 23.01 – Retrocausal Destiny highlights the show’s ability to uncover the niche-est of the niche, concluding that “Eventually someone’s going to make a robot Abraham Lincoln.”
Check out Mysterious Universe for a podcast that plays like a high-quality radio show.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
The dynamic between Byron, Sam, and Captain Kelly makes the show feel like a hang. They cover stories of the weird, supernatural, and morbid while maintaining an air of amusement and hilarity. They break the fourth wall of paranormal podcasts when they review films and drop references for true fans of the horror genre.
Frightday interacts with its audience with the occasional Q&A episode, like in Episode 200 when they discuss “The Shining.” Their fandom is authentic and their love for the paranormal is evident in their reviews. Frightday is shoulder-deep in the culture surrounding strange phenomena and horror.
Most shows are 1hr-1hr30min. Listen to Fright Day for a crew that matches your obsession with the genre.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
The infectious enthusiasm of Last Podcast On The Left’s crew carries the show. Hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski jockey for takes on topics that range from true crime small-town murder mysteries to haunted houses. Episodes come out weekly, ranging from one to two hours, in addition to side stories, providing a constant stream of content.
The hosts are heavy on the dark humor and wax inappropriate with their back and forth dialogue. If you dialed to this show on a radio, you might think you were listening to an uncensored sports commentary. While the hosts don’t hold back from offensive jokes, subjects are well-researched, like their study of Heaven’s Gate founder Marshall Applewhite in Episode 397, or their departure from humor with a serious take on the Columbine story.
Last Podcast On The Left will inform and entertain fans of both true crime and the paranormal. If you’re really interested in LPOTL, read our post on the best episodes of Last Podcast on the Left.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
“It would be easier to measure what I didn’t drink last night,” Rob Morphy remarks at the beginning of Episode #113: The Ningen. He is joined by hosts Marc Storrs and Chris Carnicelli in a profanity-laced exploration of cryptids– creatures and animals that have been claimed to exist but never proven to exist.
The Cryptonauts don’t take themselves too seriously, but the breadth and scope of mythical beasts and strange humanoids they cover intrigue and amuse. They don’t limit themselves to Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. The Snallygaster, the Space Demons of Devil’s Swamp, and the Green Clawed Beast all lend themselves the show’s loose and curious outlook of paranormal wonders.
Most episodes are 45min to 1hr30min. Consider The Cryptonaut Podcast for expanding your knowledge of mysterious creatures.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
Good cop Sam Frederickson, and bad cop Jason Moitoso pit believer versus skeptic with a dynamic that encourages civil discourse. The self-professed Magic: the Gathering nerds cover cryptids like The Wildman of China and contemporary paranormal events like The Miracle of the Sun. The phenomenon of The Miracle of the Sun, reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917 Portugal, is covered over four episodes and showcases the duo’s deep research.
Episodes are released on a weekly basis and are usually between 1hr to 1hr30min. The host’s camaraderie makes them accessible, relatable and easy to partake in their love of the mysterious and unexplained.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
These are podcasts that just missed the cut, and we’ll likely be coming back to explore them in more depth later. So, check them out, because you can never get enough of the weird and unexplained.
There are a lot of unexplained phenomena going on. I’m going to say it again, the United States Government is admitting to UFOs. That means Tom DeLonge was right. That’s a hard thing for me to say. The guy from Blink-182 was correct about the government and UFOs.
If that’s not enough to pique your interest and make you completely uncomfortable, I don’t know what is. Let’s keep it light here in the close, but I’m hooked. Take a listen to these pods. Just be careful when you’re putting those earbuds in.
See you on the other side.
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