Best Appalachian Folklore Podcasts (2025)

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The Folklore and Custom of "Telling the Bees" 11:23

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15d ago11:23

11:23

What did you think of this episode? What does it mean to “tell the bees”? In this episode, we explore a centuries-old European custom carried into Appalachia by Scots-Irish, English, Welsh, and German settlers. Families once whispered news of births, marriages, and deaths to their hives, sometimes draping them in black cloth or feeding them bits of…

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OG Exorcist 38:33

22h ago38:33

38:33

In this episode of Loreplay, Dayna Pereira dives deep into the real-life horror story that inspired The Exorcist. Forget the spinning heads and pea soup—this is the true 1949 case of Roland Doe, the boy whose alleged demonic possession terrified priests, shook the Church, and changed how America viewed exorcisms forever. From Cottage City, Maryland…

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The Bridge Burners of East Tennessee 22:19

3d ago22:19

22:19

In November 1861, a secret band of East Tennessee Unionists struck at the heart of Confederate supply lines by burning railroad bridges across the region. They believed the Union army would soon march in to liberate them, but it didn’t happen. Instead, Confederate authorities unleashed brutal retaliation, hanging several of the men, while others ba…

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Episode 141 - Gibborim, Part 2 47:37

3d ago47:37

47:37

In this week's episode, Patty wraps up her Nephilim (Gibborim) stories with more modern examples. Show Links: The Paranormalist Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theparanormalistpodcast The Paranormalist Podcast on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2743058 The Paranormalist Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theparanormalis…

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Stories of Helene: David Biddix, Spruce Pine, North Carolina 46:19

6d ago46:19

46:19

This week, we wrap up our commemoration of the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene by talking with Mitchell County’s David Biddix, who documented the effects of the storm and its aftermath in that hard-hit part of North Carolina. From his home in Spruce Pine to small communities like Poplar, and along the Nolichucky where CSX rail lines were wash…

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Amityville Horror 43:15

8d ago43:15

43:15

Episode Title: The Amityville Horror: Haunted House or Hoax? What really happened inside the most famous haunted house in America? In this episode of Loreplay, host Dayna Pereira digs into the chilling story of the Amityville Horror—where true crime meets the paranormal. First, we revisit the shocking 1974 DeFeo family murders that left six dead in…

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Stories of Helene: Kevin Behm, Marion, North Carolina 12:49

10d ago12:49

12:49

When Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina a year ago, it left behind washed-out roads, flooded homes, and communities cut off from each other. For first responders, the storm was more than just a headline, it was a fight to save lives. In this episode of Stories of Appalachia, we sit down with Kevin Behm, a firefighter and first res…

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Episode 140 - Gibborim, Part 1 1:05:56

11d ago1:05:56

1:05:56

This episode is the first of two parts about giants. Although Episode 2 touched on the subject, Patty has assembled a lot more information over the last 18 months for this episode! Show Links: The Paranormalist Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theparanormalistpodcast The Paranormalist Podcast on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2743058 The Pa…

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Mothman: Sky Daddy of Doom 35:41

15d ago35:41

35:41

West Virginia, 1966. Four terrified teenagers tear down a dark back road in a Chevy Bel Air with something massive chasing them through the sky — glowing red eyes, a ten-foot wingspan, and a story that would forever haunt Point Pleasant. Over the next thirteen months, dozens of locals reported the same winged figure, strange lights in the sky, prop…

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Stories of Helene: Maria True, Erwin, Tennessee 20:54

17d ago20:54

20:54

On the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s flooding in Appalachia, Rod and Steve share the story of Maria True, general manager of Jet Broadcasting in Erwin, Tennessee. When the Nolichucky River overflowed, it destroyed the studios and AM tower of WEMB and WXIS, along with family belongings tied to her and her late father and former station own…

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Black Eyed Children 28:46

22d ago28:46

28:46

In this chilling episode of Loreplay, host Dayna Pereira dives deep into the terrifying urban legend of the Black Eyed Children — the mysterious paranormal figures with solid black eyes who knock on doors and beg to be let inside. From journalist Brian Bethel’s 1996 encounter in Abilene, Texas to spine-tingling reports in Portland, Oregon, Vermont,…

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The Jellico Troop Train Disaster of 1944 18:27

24d ago18:27

18:27

In July 1944, a troop train packed with new Army recruits derailed near Jellico, Tennessee, plunging into Clear Fork River. Thirty-five soldiers died and ninety-one were injured. In this episode, Steve and Rod tell the story of how Tennessee prepared for World War II and the one tragic night that brought the war home to Appalachia. You can subscrib…

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Episode 139 - WWI Ghosts, Part 2 30:30

25d ago30:30

30:30

In this episode, Patty wraps up, for now, her paranormal stories from World War I. Show Links: The Paranormalist Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theparanormalistpodcast The Paranormalist Podcast on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2743058 The Paranormalist Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theparanormalistpodcast The Pa…

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Haunted History of The Winchester Mystery House 27:01

29d ago27:01

27:01

Step inside one of America’s strangest and most haunted mansions—the Winchester Mystery House. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune, this sprawling, bizarre labyrinth in San Jose, California is filled with staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open into walls, and enough ghostly legends to …

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The 1919 Torrent, Kentucky Nitro Explosion 19:09

1M ago19:09

19:09

In 1919, a nitroglycerin explosion near Torrent, Kentucky, killed four men and leveled a factory. Today we tell the story of that tragedy and the explosive history of oil well “torpedoes” in Appalachia. It’s another one of the Stories of Appalachia. Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast if you haven’t done so already. You’ll find us wherever …

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Episode 138 - WWI Ghosts, Part 1 43:08

1M ago43:08

43:08

This will be the first episode of two about ghosts of World War 1. Extraordinarily harsh conditions and death, with a bit of otherworldly entities added, too. Show Links: The Paranormalist Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theparanormalistpodcast The Paranormalist Podcast on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2743058 The Paranormalist Podcast Fa…

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Episode 94- KPop Demon Hunters 23:14

1M ago23:14

23:14

Becca and Erin talk about the Netflix movie: KPop Demon Hunters and give some book recs based on aspects of the movie as well as some fun cultural trivia! Find us on our socials: Facebook @ Merrimack Public Library; Tiktok, Instagram and X: @merrimacklibnh

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Talkin' Appalachian in the Digital Space with Appalachian_Bluebird 23:24

1M ago23:24

23:24

What did you think of this episode? If you're following Appalachian digital creators on social media, you've probably come across Appalachian_Bluebird, a vlog created by Southwest Virginia's Brittany Breeding. Inspired by her grandparents and upbringing in Meadowview, Virginia, Brittany shares what she learned from them, including features of her A…

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The Bell Witch 29:15

1M ago29:15

29:15

Welcome to Loreplay—the comedy-paranormal podcast where haunted history meets hot takes. In this episode, host Dayna Pereira dives deep into one of America’s most infamous ghost stories: The Bell Witch of Adams, Tennessee. From John Bell Sr.’s mysterious illness to Lucy Bell’s eerie protection, and from Kate Batts’ petty neighbor drama to the witch…

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Raggedy Annabelle 26:27

1M ago26:27

26:27

In this episode of Loregasm, we explore: The 1970 haunting of Donna and Angie and the disturbing Annabelle Higgins spirit backstory. The infamous “Help Us” and “Help Lou” notes — and why no physical evidence exists. Lou’s violent scratching and claims of demonic attack. The psychic medium’s misread and the Warren investigation. Annabelle’s decades …

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Christopher Gist and the Opening of Appalachia 12:33

1M ago12:33

12:33

In 1750, surveyor Christopher Gist set out to explore the wilderness of what’s now Southwest Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, and West Virginia. Hired by the Ohio Company, Gist mapped the Appalachian frontier and discovered coal. He also guided a young George Washington, becoming an important figure in the French and Indian War. Join us as we tell the s…

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When "Rednecks" Rose Up: Igniting the Labor Movement in Appalachia and What "Hillbilly" Means to Me 23:49

1M ago23:49

23:49

What did you think of this episode? *This is an edited repost of an August 29, 2024 episode* The word “redneck” might have different connotations today, but its roots tell a very different story. In this episode, we trace the surprising history of the word, from its early association with solidarity among coal miners in the hills of Appalachia to i…

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Loreplay, Haunting Soon! 1:05

1M ago1:05

1:05

Do you love spooky—but not like emo, turn it into your entire personality spooky? Do you make jokes at wildly inappropriate times just to cover up your crippling social anxiety? Then Loreplay might be for you. I’m Dayna Pereira, your tour guide down a rabbit hole of lores, myths, ghost stories, and haunted history. But like, make it fun. Some of th…

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Bloody Vengeance in Appalachia: The Battle of Dug Hill/The Officer House Massacre 17:26

2M ago17:26

17:26

In March 1864, Union Colonel William B. Stokes and his cavalry were ambushed at Dug Hill, in Tennessee, leaving dozens of his men dead. Enraged, Stokes led a brutal raid on William and Cynthia Officer’s home, where Confederate soldiers, including their son John, were staying. Six were killed, and the family narrowly escaped destruction thanks to th…

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The Rhea County Spartans: The South's All-Female Cavalry Unit 15:30

2M ago15:30

15:30

In the final years of the Civil War, a group of young women in Rhea County, Tennessee, made American history as the only known all-female cavalry unit: the Rhea County Spartans. Born from loyalty to their Confederate fathers, brothers, and sweethearts, they rode sidesaddle into history, carrying supplies, letters, and, according to some accounts, i…

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Haint Blue, Ghost Walking in the Low Country, and The Disappearing -R in Appalachian Accents 15:05

2M ago15:05

15:05

What did you think of this episode? From mountain mists to coastal marshes, the American South is rich with stories that blur the line between weather, superstition, and the supernatural. In this episode, we explore the colorful world of Appalachian weather lore: old sayings and signs used to predict snow long before the weatherman came on the radi…

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The Kentucky Longhunter, Henry Skaggs 15:54

2M ago15:54

15:54

In this episode, we tell the story of Henry Skaggs, one of the legendary Kentucky longhunters of the 18th century and his remarkable journey from his early days in Maryland to his time as an explorer and hunter on the Appalachian frontier. Discover how Henry explored the wilderness, including his encounter with the infamous Harpes, America's first …

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Episode 137 - Patty's Scariest Investigation 56:38

2M ago56:38

56:38

Patty is no stranger to paranormal investigations, but what happens when it's not a ghost? This episode is in response to a listener's question about being actually scared during an investigation. Show Links: The Paranormalist Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theparanormalistpodcast The Paranormalist Podcast on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/…

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Mountains, Moonshine and Mutiny: WW1 Desertion in North Carolina 14:41

2M ago14:41

14:41

In 1918, the mountains of North Carolina erupted in quiet rebellion. Dozens of young men dodged the World War I draft, hiding in the backcountry with help from friends and family. When a deadly shootout left two men dead on a remote mountain road, Governor Thomas Bickett launched an unprecedented campaign to bring the deserters in, using not just r…

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Episode 136 - Historical Hauntings 53:55

2M ago53:55

53:55

It's no surprise with Patty's penchant for history that she'd also have a collection of ghost stories from history and historical places. Show Links: The Paranormalist Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theparanormalistpodcast The Paranormalist Podcast on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2743058 The Paranormalist Podcast Facebook Group: https:/…

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Michael Stoner, Legendary Longhunter of Appalachia 26:34

2M ago26:34

26:34

In this episode we tell the story of Michael Stoner, a German-born frontiersman, longhunter, and close companion of Daniel Boone. From his early days in Pennsylvania to brutal battles like Blue Licks and Boonesborough, to his final expedition up the Missouri River, Michael Stoner was the definition of Appalachian exploration and settlement, making …