Reviews
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Lots of negative comments about the voicing/phrasing but I find it exponentially better than most of the pods out there. The concise script give a lot of info in a perfect sized time frame. I like the fact that the episodes are usually in pairs with the first one exposing the hype and hysteria...”Read full review »
Uncle Rickie ⚓️🇨🇦😎 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
04/29/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“If you. Read this sentence. Exactly. As it’s punctuated. Then you. Would now. Understand. How this. Host speaks. It’s really. Really. Really hard. To get past.
PLEASE change how you speak so more people can enjoy all that your saying! I can barely pay attention to the content and it shouldn’t be...”Read full review »
jdoucette2019 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
04/27/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“a wonderful show full of wonderful people!! so happy to see it”
J.B.246 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/25/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Just combine your show with Sarah’s.”
Karinaner via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/22/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Chelsey is a natural story teller! The research is high quality, and their insight and personal stories add to the enjoyment. I could listen to Chelsey talk about anything, but fortunately it’s always fascinating!”
Mysteries & True Crime! via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/21/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I love the subject matter! I just can’t get past the host’s delivery - as if she’s a cross between a TV news reporter and an over-the-top gossip columnist. Pleeease tone it down a bit because I’d love to listen!”
didnccidlenfnchdjfkcnn via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/04/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Personally, I love Chelsey’s cadence! The podcast is equal parts entertaining, well researched, and absurd. I enjoy the nostalgia of the bizarre moral panics we know and love or hate, as well as learning new things! Don’t change! ❤️”
torikeanegirl via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/02/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“After finding my way here from You’re Wrong About, I thought I’d give this a try. At first, I also had difficulty with Chelsea’s vocal cadence, but I’ve gotten used to it over time. (And I mostly only notice it now near the start and end of an episode). But the content is just SO GOOD and I love...”Read full review »
HBD66 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/02/24
“Definitely my favorite podcast hands down! This is such a unique podcast and I truly feel like there’s nothing else like it out there. As a professional researcher I can say Chelsey embodies the qualities of a true researcher. Aside from being straight-up brilliant and incredibly knowledgeable,...”Read full review »
stephseibs via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/31/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Content is great, but Chelsey speaks in an awkward, slow stilt that renders it unlistenable— a bizarre affectation that only alienates the audience. I only listen when there’s a guest to bring out normal human speech patterns.”
screw a nickname??? via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/25/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I’m sorry I want to listen to this I enjoy the content but the vocal styling is so difficult to listen to. It is only barely bearable on 1.5 speed and the constant emphasis on every 3-4 words is so frustrating to listen to. It’s like the host is reading a title header for dramatic effect but then...”Read full review »
ZËDUBB via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/24/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I really wish I could like this podcast but the voice is so robotic and uncomfortable. I feel like I’m watching a watchmojo top 10 video.”
jessie-bess1234 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/16/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Very entertaining and covers a wide range of topics!”
Janet?Marty?WhoAreYouPeople!? via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/15/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Unlike some other reviewers, I enjoy Chelsey’s delivery. She enunciates so clearly which helps an old, deafening guy like myself. There is no wasted space in these episodes; just a lot of interesting info packed into a manageable time. It gets even better when Sarah Marshall pops in for a visit.”
zxtyio via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/13/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I think about the jackass episodes weekly. So good, so incisive.”
🥯🧄🌈 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/10/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I’ve never liked podcasts. I was actually very snobbish about my distaste (v hipster I know). Since I got a job that gives me the freedom to listen during my shift, I found this podcast and now I just can’t stop! I appreciate the extensive research, how they don’t shy away from the harshest of...”Read full review »
USBANKUGH via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/08/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Please please please do an episode in the Serbian Dancing Lady! She creeps me out and I definitely want to know more about her!”
kyliejenner666 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/07/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“This is a well researched and entertaining podcast about urban legends and moral panics. It’s worth checking out!”
jefferyuniverse via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/01/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The topics of this podcast sound really interesting but I could not make it through one episode, due to the hosts tone and cadence. Certain words were drawn out unnecessarily, and it just became difficult to listen to. Additionally, some of the banter was a little odd. This podcast has potential,...”Read full review »
Verfied User✅ via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/21/24
“This is one of the most remarkable podcasts out there. It covers riveting, shocking topics—but does so with a depth and with a thoughtfulness that makes you better for having listened. Instead of feeling like a voyeur, you actually become part of a conversation. You actually understand. It’s like...”Read full review »
luthien13 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/06/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The host's delivery was fine when she was pitching merch for the intro. Then she starts reading her script. So unnatural and so hard to listen to.”Read full review »
dangerousmezzo via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
02/02/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I honestly don’t know what people are talking about in these 2 or 3 star ratings. Chelsey, I think you have a great radio voice!! Such an interesting and informative show.”
hansoloishot via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/31/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I am always sharing what I learn from your show. Thank you for all the deep dives and interesting stories!”
SZX 123 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/26/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“This is an awesome show! Well researched and interesting. Like other reviewers, I initially found Chelsey’s way of speaking off-putting, similar to Aaron Mahnke of the podcast Lore. They are much more natural in interviews so maybe skip to the episodes with guests if you’re having a hard time....”Read full review »
100Pierogis via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
01/26/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I love this pod so much!”
rnw5072 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/23/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I love the content and I think the host is great. They do have an odd way of speaking but when they have a guest it’s much better. They use an odd cadence in the scripted episodes but in conversational speech I find them charming! So I just listen to the episodes with guests :)”
melcamp99 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
01/15/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Incredible show, amazing topics. I always learn a lot but several episodes have completely changed my perspective on really important issues, like the episode on the intentional stoking of racial tensions by landowners and politicians among the working class in the immediate post-emancipation US....”Read full review »
Gene ward via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/12/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I love this host, she’s so smart and a great conversationalist!! I learn so much from this pod & other pods she is a guest on”
Elaina Nelson via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/31/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Has the potential to be an amazing, interesting podcast but the woke, repetitive talking points are so cliche and so exhausting”
Brewnetbagladee via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/29/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Why do people who speak so poorly think they should do podcasts? This person is impossible to listen to. Hard pass.”
HappyGenny via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
12/28/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I honestly don’t know why people are giving Chelsey so much crap about their speaking pattern, just speed it up, and if that doesn’t work for you then JUST MOVE ON! You don’t need to write a review about it. Overall an amazing show and very interesting topics!”
Rick Astley Axolotl via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/24/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I agree with others who say the topic and the research is great and really interesting, but the Host’s speaking cadence is very difficult to listen to over time. Disappointing.”
JLN9654 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/20/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The theme is a great idea but the delivery is terrible. I can’t follow the sentences because of her extremely unnatural cadence. Hard no from me.”
Rightsideout via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
12/20/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I want to like this show so bad. The topics are all interesting, the host is well researched, and the editing is engaging. I just cannot get past the host’s delivery. The cadence she speaks in is unnatural and, frankly, grating. Each word does not need to be drawn out and delivered so (for lack...”Read full review »
mculcasi via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/19/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I’ve only been able to get through 3 or 4 episodes and I can’t listen anymore. The host is fantastic but I can’t get past her speech pattern. It’s as if she’s reading a salacious headline or introduction that goes on forever. I keep expecting her to drop it and get to the story. I’ve heard...”Read full review »
jfjkwkgc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/18/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Interesting topics, with well researched commentary from the host with every episode!”
Haloapamnsbdkdoodp via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/10/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Always good to check in with our various American panics of history! Great research and sound design too. Love the storytelling.”
winsome_lawyer via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/02/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I really want to love this but the host’s speech pattern makes it unlistenable. The awkward emphasis on every 3-4 words with a dragged-out vocal fry (something I never much care about) is insufferable. I hope the producers reconsider whatever choice this delivery style was. So bad.”
D. Hendricks via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/02/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“As someone in academia, I am pretty PICKY about my podcasts and American Hysteria by far my favorite. Every Monday they deliver truly well-researched, nuanced, and entertaining episodes, and every Monday I have a new fun fact to tell any unsuspecting person who brings up anything tangentially...”Read full review »
poppy joe is late for the bus via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/01/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The content of this pod always seems great but I truly just can’t with Chelsey’s cadence. Having heard them speak normally on another show, I know the voice is forced and unnecessary and just ruins it. I keep trying but after 5 mins I always give up. It seems enough people have complained abt...”Read full review »
Laylion via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
11/26/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The host takes us through fascinating and sometimes bizarre scenarios throughout history, allowing us to consider and feel what the subject might have been feeling before exploring the who-what-why of it all. This podcast is a well-rounded, thoughtful look at strange and complicated American...”Read full review »
AudDens via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/23/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I would love to listen to this - the content is so much fun. But I literally can’t with the host’s delivery. Why make that annoying choice? I heard the host speaking normally on another podcast just in conversation, and she was great. I don’t get deliberately going for this when you could choose...”Read full review »
yrmdt via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/22/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Chelsey does great research, analysis and offers background and insight on illogical human behavior. The Drag series was an excellent and joyful deep dive.”
CrepuscularFox via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/09/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I have been listening to American hysteria for years now it basically got me through my first year of uni and is sooooo good Chelsea is doing amazing work and they continue to be at the forefront of fascinating cultural analysis – the links that they make between different elements of culture are...”Read full review »
AmYxXx14 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
11/07/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I really like this show and the interesting discussions of society that Chelsey draws out.”
toronto kate via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
11/03/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Love this Podcast! But came here specifically to say I too had “Pish Posh Said Hieronymus Bosch” as a kid! Loved it as a kid”
Meli5490 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/30/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Is the editing weird?! Trying to listen to the hot dog episode and I have had to rewind to make sure I didn’t miss something, but I didn’t, they just jump topics in weird editing. The episode topics are interesting and things I want to listen to but the editing is too rough and choppy.”
EmAnne12345 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/24/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The content and perspectives on this podcast are SO good and so interesting, but the host’s tone, speed, and cadence made it unlistenable to me- until I discovered you can listen to it in 1.5x speed!”
Nykneighm via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/18/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Chelsea Weber Smith has quickly become one of my favorites. Her research and storytelling is impeccable, and I love listening to her. Well done! And keep up the good work.”
j b nimble via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/17/23
Do you host a podcast?
Track your ranks and reviews from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.
See hourly chart positions and more than 30 days of history.
Get Chartable Analytics »
See hourly chart positions and more than 30 days of history.
Listen now
Links
Genres
Artwork or description wrong?
Request an update »
Updates may take a few minutes.
Do you host a podcast?
Track your ranks and reviews from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.
See hourly chart positions and more than 30 days of history.
Get Chartable Analytics »
See hourly chart positions and more than 30 days of history.
