Best Cheap Scares Podcasts (2025)

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Letting an AI bot run a vending machine 5:42

Play Pause

23m ago5:42

5:42

Unless you want to lose a whole lot of money, don’t rush to hire an AI bot to run your vending machine. That’s the lesson from a recent experiment in AI autonomy, piloted by Joanna Stern, tech columnist at The Wall Street Journal.By WBUR & NPR

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Landmark court ruling orders VA to build housing for veterans on its West LA campus 5:39

5m ago5:39

5:39

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an order in Powers v. McDonough, which orders the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to build thousands of units of housing for homeless, disabled veterans on the West Los Angeles VA campus.By WBUR & NPR

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What's next for Brown University in the wake of shooting 5:55

5m ago5:55

5:55

Brown University and the communities surrounding it are trying to grapple with a shooting that took the lives of two students and injured nine others.By WBUR & NPR

1
NPR's Kyiv correspondent reflects on a year of warfare as many Ukrainians celebrate Christmas 6:48

31m ago6:48

6:48

Russia continues to pound Ukraine's power grid as the winter sinks in on Christmas Day.By WBUR & NPR

1
Heavy rains trigger flood warnings and evacuations across California 4:44

31m ago4:44

4:44

A powerful winter storm is drenching California on Christmas Day, leading to widespread floods, debris flows and evacuation warnings.By WBUR & NPR

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Can music be sacred? Some say yes and point to the 'Word of The Father Chord' 9:47

33m ago9:47

9:47

It's been called a rare moment of drama in liturgical music, and it's showcased in the final verse of "O Come All Ye Faithful," rising up under the lyrics "Word of the Father," leading many to dub it the "Word of the Father Chord."By WBUR & NPR

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Why the internet is obsessed with 'Heated Rivalry' 8:36

2h ago8:36

8:36

The queer hockey romance airing on HBO Max went from romance novel to TV phenomenon.By WBUR & NPR

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Our holiday elf Ron Cohen explores the rich tradition of 'Gloria' 11:06

19m ago11:06

11:06

The word "Gloria" has appeared in many pieces of music over the centuries, and that music is often a part of holiday celebrations.By WBUR & NPR

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How ADHD drugs work to indirectly improve attention 3:38

10m ago3:38

3:38

New research suggests that prescription stimulants for ADHD don't actually improve attention directly. They work on different pathways in the brain that support attention. .By WBUR & NPR

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The scandals surrounding San Patrignano model of addiction treatment 5:51

14m ago5:51

5:51

San Patrignano was founded in 1978 by Vincenzo Muccioli, a charismatic businessman who felt the Italian government and public health system were failing to address the nation's opioid crisis.By WBUR & NPR

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Why is there so much yearning in Christmas songs? 3:54

14m ago3:54

3:54

From Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" to John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," yearning is everywhere in Christmas music. But why?By WBUR & NPR

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Shams and scams: How to make sure your charity dollars land in the right pocket 11:03

38m ago11:03

11:03

When it comes to charity, Americans are generous. Last year alone, they donated $592 billion to charitable causes, most of it from individuals, not corporations. So not surprisingly, there are scammers lurking.By WBUR & NPR

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Sen. Tim Kaine on military actions in Venezuela: 'It is completely unjustified' 6:49

17h ago6:49

6:49

The U.S. military is continuing to strike suspected drug smuggling boats and seize oil tankers in an escalating pressure campaign against Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro.By WBUR & NPR

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A tale of a K-shaped economy 4:27

17h ago4:27

4:27

By WBUR & NPR

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Looking back on world events in 2025 — and ahead at 2026 9:33

18h ago9:33

9:33

President Donald Trump dominated the news in 2025 and is expected to do the same next year.By WBUR & NPR

1
The staggering impact of fast fashion on the planet 5:50

18h ago5:50

5:50

Fast-fashion brands have only upped the production with ultra-fast fashion garments, made in as little as a week, full of plastics and short-lasting, now accounting for up to a third of the entire industry.By WBUR & NPR

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The story behind Handel's 'Messiah' 11:05

18h ago11:05

11:05

Georgetown professor Charles King tells the story in his book "Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times That Made Handel's Messiah."By WBUR & NPR

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Why many Jewish families order Chinese food on Christmas 3:40

18h ago3:40

3:40

It's a holiday tradition for many Jewish families: ordering Chinese takeout on Christmas. How did this happen?By WBUR & NPR

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Inside San Patrignano's drug rehab model 7:35

18h ago7:35

7:35

WBUR's Deborah Becker visits a community in the north of Italy, thought to be a model for these kinds of addiction treatment centers.By WBUR & NPR

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Remembering 'Call of Duty' co-creator Vince Zampella 2:32

18h ago2:32

2:32

In the world of gaming, fans are mourning the loss of a true giant.By WBUR & NPR

1
International student arrivals fall sharply 5:57

18h ago5:57

5:57

There has been a 19% drop in the number of international students arriving in the U.S. compared to last year.By WBUR & NPR

1
Lawyer for Epstein victim describes 'initial victory' of files release turning to 'frustration' 6:05

18h ago6:05

6:05

Attorney Jennifer Freeman explains why she's still pushing for justice for Maria Farmer, the first Epstein whistleblower, as the Justice Department is compelled to release all of its files about him.By WBUR & NPR

1
Where is the economy heading in 2026? 9:53

18h ago9:53

9:53

The Federal Reserve is carefully balancing a cooling job market with inflation as it decides on interest rate cuts. Concerns about an AI bubble have grown.By WBUR & NPR

1
Who's piloting the drug boats the Trump administration is bombing? 5:41

18h ago5:41

5:41

The traffickers who transport cocaine to the U.S. from Colombia in high-speed boats can make up to $100,000 a day.By WBUR & NPR

1
'A Charlie Brown Christmas' choir member looks back on iconic special 3:50

18h ago3:50

3:50

A choir member who sang on the original recording of the soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which turns 60 this year, reminisces about the experience.By WBUR & NPR

Cheap Scares Podcasts

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Cheap Scares Podcast

Cheap Scares Podcast

1
Here & Now

1
4 Things To Know This Afternoon

Erick Erickson

1
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

NerdWallet Travel

1
Letting an AI bot run a vending machine 5:42

1
Landmark court ruling orders VA to build housing for veterans on its West LA campus 5:39

1
What's next for Brown University in the wake of shooting 5:55

1
NPR's Kyiv correspondent reflects on a year of warfare as many Ukrainians celebrate Christmas 6:48

1
Heavy rains trigger flood warnings and evacuations across California 4:44

1
Can music be sacred? Some say yes and point to the 'Word of The Father Chord' 9:47

1
Why the internet is obsessed with 'Heated Rivalry' 8:36

1
Our holiday elf Ron Cohen explores the rich tradition of 'Gloria' 11:06

1
How ADHD drugs work to indirectly improve attention 3:38

1
The scandals surrounding San Patrignano model of addiction treatment 5:51

1
Why is there so much yearning in Christmas songs? 3:54

1
Shams and scams: How to make sure your charity dollars land in the right pocket 11:03

1
Sen. Tim Kaine on military actions in Venezuela: 'It is completely unjustified' 6:49

1
A tale of a K-shaped economy 4:27

1
Looking back on world events in 2025 — and ahead at 2026 9:33

1
The staggering impact of fast fashion on the planet 5:50

1
The story behind Handel's 'Messiah' 11:05

1
Why many Jewish families order Chinese food on Christmas 3:40

1
Inside San Patrignano's drug rehab model 7:35

1
Remembering 'Call of Duty' co-creator Vince Zampella 2:32

1
International student arrivals fall sharply 5:57

1
Lawyer for Epstein victim describes 'initial victory' of files release turning to 'frustration' 6:05

1
Where is the economy heading in 2026? 9:53

1
Who's piloting the drug boats the Trump administration is bombing? 5:41

1
'A Charlie Brown Christmas' choir member looks back on iconic special 3:50