Women around the globe are still being killed today for the sheer fact that they are women. But such violence and abuses of power always have a price to pay, and one day, fear and grief and trauma may turn to ferocity. And that will be a very scary day indeed. *** Twitter Instagram Facebook group

It's the Scary Stories Annual Valentine's Special!  At a time when we are so alone and cut off from each other, meaningful connection and affectionate love seems more important than ever and more elusive. But when we are living behind screens and keyboards, even love can become something we should be deeply afraid of.  *** Twitter Instagram ProgressHypnosis Facebook group  

Hypnosis is a dark art. Under its spell, we become like puppets at the hands of the sinister Svengali. But sometimes, those things that we are scared of can be far more unsettling than even we first realised. *** Facebook group Twitter Instagram

Christmas is a time to rest and relax: to put the old year behind us and ring in the new. Or at least that's what we think. Because the festive period is a much darker affair than we like to believe. *** Episode page Facebook group Twitter

Space often fills us with wonder and awe. We look to the stars for exploration and new human frontiers. But we should think again, because, quite simple, space is not made for us. *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter

Marriage is a joyous ritual that we see as a celebration and union of love. But in reality there is a much darker side to matrimony and not one we should readily forget. *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter

The abyss, something so unimaginably deep and shrouded in darkness, that it is used as a byword for those fears, those situations so worrying that facing them is like looking into that never-ending chasm. But in truth, the abyss is so much more than this, and perhaps even more terrifying than we think.

Our homes are meant to be a safe place of refuge. But despite all we do to protect them, houses are not always as secure as we like to think. And often they are haunted by more than just ghosts. *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter

Doppelgängers have long been a mainstay of folklore, manifesting as ghostly apparitions or demonic doubles. But we should take care, because it’s not as easy as we think to identify who exactly is the monster. h/t to Hope Clayton *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter

It is a natural human tendency to search for control in an unpredictable world. But sometimes the desire for control can consume us until we become a slave to it, and even pay for it with our lives.  *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter

Cultures around the world often express emotions differently but they share core feelings nonetheless. They are important for processing our experiences of the world, and even the ones which we shy from, emotions like fear, might just save our lives. *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter

In a world of social distancing and rolling lockdowns, loneliness has come to be the norm. But its been placing its mark on us and our society for far longer, and the effects have been terrifying. *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter

Since humans have begun communicating with one another, we have also sought ways to use that communication to hide our secrets. Some secrets are ours to keep private, but there are others, so dark and dangerous, we have no other choice but to try and decipher them. *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram

Marking the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, revisit Scary Stories Session 22: Catastrophe! The Illusive Host offers a fresh introduction to this fear for our changing times. If you find yourself endlessly worried about the world and our natural environment, this is a seesion you will not want to miss. *** Episode page Facebook group Twitter Instagram  

Belief in God seems to be a natural inclination, and it has marked human civilisation from its earliest days. But if we consider the horrors committed in the name of God, perhaps we should offer fear instead of reverence. *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram

The human face is said to be the key to our soul. We put stock in our ability not just to recognise faces but to read them. But what if no one was recognisable? What if everyone looked like a stranger? Who would we be able to trust? h/t to Scary Stories Listener, Cassandra Mogusar *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram

Epidemics scare us, pandemics even moreso. But when the world is gripped by one and all we have at our disposal is a voice, perhaps, just this once, we should use it to spread beauty instead of fear *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram

We all love a good mystery. Like puzzles, they get our brains working. But are they as much fun when real lives are at stake? *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram

Desire is an integral part of the human experience. Our wants not only shape our pursuits but define who we are as people. They also go hand in hand with jealousy and envy. But perhaps there’s something much worse to desire than the green-eyed monster? *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram

Romantic love is at the heart of swathes of literature, drama and poetry. It is an ideal we hope to one day attain. But romance might not be as beautiful as we think after all. *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram

Witches have been transformed into caricatures of the old crone or the beautiful seductress, but once upon a time the figure of the witch commanded huge fear. Are we right to have lost this fear, or are we laying ourselves open to something much worse?   h/t to Scary Stories listener, SK *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram

While spirit possession can seem like a superstitious throwback to a bygone era, it is an ever increasing phenomenon in the modern world. If you believe in possession, it is a terrifying prospect. It shows that evil is alive and well and waging a war on humanity. But even more horrifying, is what it means if possession is not real.   h/t to Scary Stories listener, Greg Carcione *** Episode page Transcript Facebook group Twitter Instagram  

Scary stories are as old as history. They have permeated every culture and to this day we happily regale each other with tales of torment and horror on darkened nights. But what if these stories are telling us something important? What if they are there to protect us? *** Episode page Facebook group Twitter Instagram

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. That holiday of good cheer and sweet kisses under mistletoe, when we should all be gloriously happy. So why aren’t we? Because Christmas is a lot darker than you think. *** Episode page Facebook group Twitter Instagram *** Episode page Facebook group Twitter Instagram *** Episode page Facebook group Twitter Instagram