Best Urbex Podcasts (2025)

1
What I’ve Learned Stopping Suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge 1:04:34

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1d ago1:04:34

1:04:34

When Kevin Briggs joined the San Francisco Highway Patrol, he didn’t expect a key part of his job would be talking people down from the Golden Gate Bridge. In this episode, Kevin shares how he developed a method for these life-or-death conversations, and tells the stories of those he met and the words that brought them back. Follow Kevin on LinkedI…

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I Imported Rave Culture (and Ecstasy) to America 1:02:57

8d ago1:02:57

1:02:57

In 1991, Shaun Attwood arrived from the UK to find American rave culture in its infancy. Spotting an opportunity, he began importing potent Dutch ecstasy and built a drug empire through his network of dealers and party organisers. In this episode, he tells the story of his rapid rise and hard fall. Check out Shaun Attwood’s YouTube channel here. Hi…

1
What Happens When Religious Leaders Take Magic Mushrooms? 1:08:56

16d ago1:08:56

1:08:56

A new study gave psilocybin to religious leaders, just to see whether their faith would be affirmed or rattled. In this episode we hear from one participant, Islamic leader Sughra Ahmed, who describes how the trip brought her closer to God but uprooted her belief in organised religion. Find us on TikTok: @whatitwaslikepodcast Find us on Youtube: @w…

1
He Cut Off My Arms and Left Me to Die 1:05:40

22d ago1:05:40

1:05:40

Mary McGriff was 15 when she hitched a ride with a man named Lawrence Singleton. The next day, she lay at the bottom of a cliff, her arms severed with an axe. Somehow, she survived. In this episode, she shares how a voice in her head kept her going. It's a story about refusing to let the monster win. Find us on TikTok: @whatitwaslikepodcast Find us…

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The People Who Used to Live Here, Part II 29:20

23d ago29:20

29:20

Wander through fantastical realm of a real giant beige house (at the end of a very long driveway), abandoned and hidden on the banks of a famous river in New York-- where you’ll meet the ghost of the old woman and connect the dots between this story and “The People Who Used to Live Here, Part 1” from Season 1. This episode features: Margarita Meyen…

1
The Lovers That Burned Down 77 Houses 36:38

29d ago36:38

36:38

This week, we're re-running a classic. When abandoned farm houses started catching fire in rural Virginia, police weren't sure what to think. It took five months and almost 80 fires for a couple to be arrested and the story to emerge. In this episode, convicted arsonist Charlie Smith explains how he and his ex-partner lit fires to relax when their …

1
The People Who Used to Live Here, Part I (A Season 1 Re-Release) 17:29

1M ago17:29

17:29

In preparation for the season 3 finale, “The People Who Used to Live Here, Part II: The Giant Beige House at the End of a Very Long Driveway,” we’re diving back into the archives for this special re-release of “The People Who Used to Live Here, Part I.” You know; for context. This episode originally aired on December 29, 2022. Original episode desc…

1
I Got Eaten By a Hippopotamus 1:01:01

1M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

In the early 90s, Paul Templer ran a business guiding clients down the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls. One afternoon, he was attacked by a hippo and found himself halfway down its throat. In this ep, Paul regales us with his wild story of survival, moment by moment. Find us on TikTok: @whatitwaslikepodcast Find us on Youtube: @whatitwaslikepodca…

1
Frozen in Time (Borden Farmhouse - Wallkill, NY) 30:25

1M ago30:25

30:25

Feeling trapped in their Covid bubble, Blake and his pandemic pod-mate Isabel explore an abandoned Hudson Valley farmhouse where Isabel discovers the Borden family’s influence on the country’s dairy industry and reconciles with childhood ghosts. In an All-American Ruins first, join Blake as he passes the storytelling reins to his sister-from-anothe…

1
I Led the Manhunt for a Killer Who Lived Like a Hermit 1:07:02

1M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

In 2005, Malcolm Naden murdered two women and vanished into the Australian bush. For seven years he evaded police, until former detective Ricky Hennessy joined the case. In this episode, Hennessy shares how he helped track and capture one of Australia's most wanted men in remote wilderness. Find us on TikTok: @whatitwaslikepodcast Find us on Youtub…

1
The Anti-Ruin: Michael Townsend and the Secret Mall Apartment 1:14:14

1M ago1:14:14

1:14:14

What does it look like to revitalize an abandoned space - that’s situated inside an active and excessively large shopping mall - in 2005? On this special bonus episode of abandoned: The All-American Ruins Podcast, you’ll meet Michael Townsend, one of the eight artists who, from 2005-2008, did just that: built a secret apartment inside the Providenc…

1
How Cocaine Killed the Car in 'Back to the Future' 42:55

2M ago42:55

42:55

John DeLorean was a star auto designer in the 1960s, but his own car company—the DeLorean Motor Company—never took off. When a cocaine deal offered a last-ditch lifeline, it ended in a dramatic arrest. In this episode, his daughter Kat DeLorean recounts the rise and fall of the iconic car—and how it found immortality in Back to the Future. Find us …

1
My School Was Kidnapped at Gunpoint 1:17:03

2M ago1:17:03

1:17:03

In 1976, 20-year-old Rob Hunter was a month into his first teaching job at a remote Australian school when an armed gunman abducted him and his nine students. In this episode, Rob recounts the harrowing night they spent as hostages—and their dramatic escape via a high-speed car chase. Connect with Rob and book him to speak at your school at https:/…

1
I Had Sex With 100 Men in One Day 42:19

2M ago42:19

42:19

Last year, 23-year-old British porn star Lily Phillips announced plans to break the world record for the most sexual partners in a day—starting with a “practice run” involving 100 men. In this episode, she tells us what's motivating her, how her first attempt affected her—and why she’s still determined to go the whole way. Find us on TikTok: @whati…

1
Star Wars Dad (Mountain Drive-In - South Fallsburg, NY) 22:57

2M ago22:57

22:57

While exploring the ruins of a once-popular drive-in movie theater, Blake thinks about his complicated relationship with his father, reimagining a screening of Star Wars that they attended together the year John was diagnosed with stage IV mesothelioma. May the 4th be with you. This episode features: John Pfeil Tiernan Pfeil (Note: For the best imm…

1
Everyone Said 'Dirty Dancing' Would Flop. I Made It Anyway 1:04:27

2M ago1:04:27

1:04:27

In the mid-80s, producer Linda Gottlieb heard a friend’s story about “dirty dancing” at summer camp and urged her to write a script. Despite rejections, budget cuts, and on-set drama, the film became a surprise hit. In this episode, Linda shares why she believed in it from the start—and what she saw that others missed. Find us on TikTok: @whatitwas…

1
A Finnish Ghost Story (Unknown Cabin - Pohjola, Finland) 19:12

2M ago19:12

19:12

Deep in the woods of the Finnish countryside sits a quaint house, red, and completely abandoned. In this international episode of abandoned, follow Blake inside where he has a run-in with a ghost-- and not an imaginary one. (Note: For the best immersive experience, we strongly suggest you wear headphones 🎧 for every episode of abandoned: The All-Am…

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I Got Pregnant to a Man Who Doesn't Exist 1:44:30

3M ago1:44:30

1:44:30

In 2024, Cass Taulaki fell pregnant to the man of her dreams—a 32-year-old engineer in the Australian Defence Force. Or so she thought. In reality, he was unemployed and wanted for impersonating military personnel and skipping out on multiple families. Cass' TikTok story went viral earlier this year—and now she's sharing the full saga. Find us on T…

1
I Lived in a Haunted Apartment That Didn't Like to Be Alone 1:04:56

3M ago1:04:56

1:04:56

In the early 2000s, musician Nathan Munn moved into a tiny, ornate apartment in Montreal. At first, he and his flatmates brushed off its strange energy—but the nightmares and disturbances wore them down. Now, Nathan believes the apartment just wanted to be noticed. Check out Nathan's music on Spotify Find us on TikTok Find us on Youtube Follow us o…

1
Someone Lives Here (Unknown Casa - Merida, Mexico) 20:51

3M ago20:51

20:51

“Abandoned” doesn’t always mean “empty,” and in one particular vacant mini-mansion in Merida, Mexico, that is precisely the case. Continuing on his international circuit, join Blake as he spins an imaginary folk tale about the people who used to live in this house, while wandering its halls and reflecting on family, poetry, and gun violence. This e…

1
How a Sinking Ship Refloated our Marriage 57:49

3M ago57:49

57:49

In 2012, a cruise liner named the Costa Concordia sank off the coast of Italy, killing 32 people. But Australian couple Rob and Tracy Elcombe survived and the disaster brought them closer. Find us on TikTok Find us on Youtube Follow us on Instagram A Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
I Visited an Uncontacted Tribe in the Amazon 51:27

3M ago51:27

51:27

The Awá, an Indigenous group in Brazil's Amazon, had no contact with the outside world until recently. In 2010, BBC journalist Justin Rowlatt visited them in their new reserve, created to protect them from loggers. In this episode, he explores how modern pressures are impacting isolated tribes and what his ongoing friendship with the Awá has taught…

1
Fear (Homemakers Custom Draperies - Niagara Falls, NY) 21:10

3M ago21:10

21:10

Formerly a curtain shop in Niagara Falls, NY, a strange abandoned commercial space overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway draws Blake in as he ruminates on fear, in all of its unknowable power and mystery. (Note: For the best immersive experience, we strongly suggest you wear headphones 🎧 for every episode of abandoned: The All-American Ruins Podcast.…

1
I Slept With New York's Elite to Rob Them 1:16:34

4M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

In 2009, Kari Ferrell was outed by the media for writing bad checks and robbing trust fund babies across Manhattan. Dubbed the 'Hipster Grifter,' Kari served a year in prison and is now sharing her story. In this episode, she unpacks her motivations, her methods, and what she learned about the psychology of grifting. Check out Kari's new memoir: Yo…

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SCAMMERLAND: How a Fake Job Offer Landed Me in Slavery 34:18

4M ago34:18

34:18

This is the first episode of our new What It Was Like series, SCAMMERLAND. It's based on an episode we did last year, looking at how online scams are run by people living in modern slavery. We start our story with Small Q, a young Ugandan rapper and singer who thought he was traveling to Thailand for a dream job. However, everything changed the mom…

1
A Detour (Colorado Motorsports & Greyhound Track - Byers, CO) 17:48

4M ago17:48

17:48

An accidental pitstop at the ruins of a motorsports track becomes a silent meditation on spirits, open carry laws, and the function of fear as an explorer of the past. Walk with Blake through a history full of the distant sounds of race cars burning rubber around and around the track, surrounded on all sides by the sunny plains of Colorado in autum…

1
Wellness and Lies: My Friendship With Belle Gibson 58:30

4M ago58:30

58:30

In 2015, wellness influencer Belle Gibson was outed for pretending to have cancer. Now she's back in the headlines thanks to a new show on Netflix. In this episode we talk to a woman named Beckii Jones, who once considered Belle a friend. She ran a Facebook group for mothers in the early 2010s when Belle joined and even suggested the name for her i…

1
Cinema for the Ears at Garden State Film Festival 21:14

4M ago21:14

21:14

Join Blake in conversation with Garden State Film Festival executive director Lauren Concar Sheehy as the pair discuss the festival’s groundbreaking accessibility program “Cinema for the Ears,” which will feature season 2, episode 8 of abandoned: The All-American Ruins Podcast in Asbury Park, NJ on March 29, 2025. For tickets and more information, …

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Ep 4: Short Stories - Diving Into Abandoned Shallow Pool 23:42

4M ago23:42

23:42

In today's engaging conversation, two guests: Olivia (livey__westover) and Juan (greatestofdeities) recount a thrilling urban exploration adventure that took a dangerous turn when one of the explorers accidentally jumped into a shallow pool. The discussion covers the excitement of exploring abandoned buildings, the unexpected challenges faced durin…

1
I Watched Tornado Chasing Go from Subculture to Saturation 55:06

4M ago55:06

55:06

Tornado chasing was a niche hobby when Tim Marshall started in the 1970s. But over time, he watched it grow in popularity and then explode into the mainstream with the 1996 release of the film Twister. In this episode, Tim reflects on the times he was lucky to make it home, the friends who didn't, and the "internetization" of his beloved past time.…

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American Train (Bilevel Metrarail CalTrain - Jacumba Springs, CA) 18:40

4M ago18:40

18:40

All-aboard as Blake guides you to an abandoned double-decker passenger train in the middle of the California desert. While wandering the ruins of the great American railway industry, join Blake as he reflects the evolution of transportation, the unraveling of corporate greed, and his lifelong love of trains, deserts, and making music. This episode …

1
Discovering My Grandfather's Secret Nazi Past 1:14:16

5M ago1:14:16

1:14:16

Julie Lindahl always knew there was something different about her family. Her German grandparents had fled to Brazil after the war, but she didn't know why. Until she discovered her grandfather was in the SS—the elite guard of the Nazi regime, responsible for some of their worst atrocities. In this episode, Julie explores guilt, accountability, and…

1
Ep 3: What's the Best or Worst Thing You've Seen People Do in Abandoned Places? 41:22

5M ago41:22

41:22

We asked you: What are the best and worst things you’ve seen people do in abandoned places? Join our host, Greg Abandoned, and today’s guest, urban explorer Nick (Karmacula) from Ohio, as they reveal and discuss your answers. In addition, Nick shares some jaw-dropping stories, including a baby skull and the unsettling experience of smelling a dead …

1
Getting Stuck in a Washing Machine Changed My Life 45:42

5M ago45:42

45:42

In 2014, Laurence Hearn was drinking too much and struggling to make ends meet. Then he accidentally got stuck in a washing machine. What followed was a series of unexpected events that would ultimately turn his life around. This is a one-of-a-kind tale of Australian larrikinism—told by the man who lived it. Find us on TikTok Find us on Youtube Fol…

1
Nick and the Assassination of JFK (Irish Centre of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA) 21:54

5M ago21:54

21:54

A last-minute decision to peek into the abandoned Irish Centre of Pittsburgh transforms into a daydream of a haunted heads-up penny and the assassination of JFK. Nestled among the City of Steel’s rolling hills, join Blake as he guides you through a forgotten cinder block sanctuary of the past, where he reflects on the death of his first love and ho…

1
Why Did My Schoolmate Murder His Family? 49:17

5M ago49:17

49:17

In 1989, Melissa Fyfe was a high school student in Tasmania when her classmate killed his parents and younger brother. Shocked, the community buried the tragedy, leaving his motives a mystery. Now, Melissa shares what she uncovered when she finally started asking questions. Trigger warning: this episode contains child abuse themes. Find us on TikTo…

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Ep 2: Bank Vaults, Burned Buildings & Bullet-Dodging: IkeBoy79 on The Thrill of Urbex, Superman Gloves Gone Wrong, Vigilante Run-Ins, and the Fine Line Between Adventure and Danger 2:17:39

5M ago2:17:39

2:17:39

🎤 Meet @ikeboy79 From Youngstown, Ohio, Isaac has been exploring abandoned places since November 2018. His interest in urban exploring sparked after watching YouTubers like Adam the Woo, Exploring with Josh, The Proper People, and This is Dan Bell. Their videos inspired him to think, that looks awesome—I want to do that! He soon began following urb…

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Ep 1: We’re Back: The Rebirth of Urbex, Back from the Dead, Clout Chasers, the Future of Exploring, TikTok Kids, Gatekeeping, the Ethics of Urbex, What’s Changed & What’s Next for the Pod! 2:09:29

5M ago2:09:29

2:09:29

After a year-long break, the host reunites with Nick @karmacula, Justin @ihatejustincurtis, Dave @freaktography, and Tommy @moldy_lungs. They discuss the evolution of urban exploration, the impact of technology and social media, and the ethics of sharing locations. The conversation covers personal experiences, the thrill of sneaking into abandoned …

1
The Great Australian Coffee Shop Joke War 49:41

5M ago49:41

49:41

In 2019, a man named Fraser Harvey nominated himself 'Customer of the Week' at a Melbourne coffee shop. A woman named Harriett Noall retaliated and a game of oneupmanship arose. In this episode, we hear how a private prank accidentally became an internet sensation. Find us on TikTok Find us on Youtube Follow us on Instagram A Superreal production H…

1
Megan and the Very Bad Dream (Tillson Elementary - Tillson, NY) 20:32

5M ago20:32

20:32

What do Blake’s sister, a giant, and a very bad dream have in common? Find out as Blake guides you through the abandoned Tillson Elementary School where he ponders his relationship with his sister and a recurring nightmare he had as a child. This episode features: Megan Pfeil Ryan Pfeil (Note: For the best immersive experience, we strongly suggest …

1
We Hunted Down a Mystery Killer in the Outback 1:18:49

5M ago1:18:49

1:18:49

It was June 1987 and an unknown person had murdered five campers in Australia's remote northwest. In this episode, we speak with Bob Brown, the former leader of Western Australia's Tactical Response Group. Bob and his team were flown into the Kimberley region to find and arrest the murderer. But, as you’ll hear, things didn’t go exactly as planned.…

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Podcast Trailer 4:57

5M ago4:57

4:57

Welcome to the Greg Abandoned Urbex Podcast, the ultimate destination for urban explorers, adventure seekers, and anyone curious about the stories behind abandoned places. Whether you’re an explorer yourself, love hearing thrilling tales, or wonder about the stories behind your favorite creators’ photos and videos, this podcast has something for yo…

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I'm the Lowest-Ranked Tennis Player to Ever Win a Grand Slam 33:12

6M ago33:12

33:12

Mark Edmondson was ranked 212th when he was invited to compete at the 1976 Australian Open. He was a 21-year-old with sideburns, juggling odd jobs to fund his tennis dreams. In this episode, Mark recounts the experience of defeating his idols to win—then accidentally dropping the trophy on the podium. Find us on TikTok Find us on Youtube Follow us …

1
Nazis in the Canyon (Murphy Ranch - Los Angeles, CA) 18:37

6M ago18:37

18:37

Once upon a time, there was an active Nazi compound situated in a Los Angeles canyon. After it was emptied of its filth in 1948, Murphy Ranch sat abandoned for years before the city transformed it into a public park, where, over time, the architectural remnants of evil slowly faded away, reclaimed by the dirt and stone of the canyon. (Note: For the…

1
Inside the Life of the Pizza Bomber 46:27

6M ago46:27

46:27

In 2003, a pizza deliveryman robbed a Pennsylvania bank with a bomb locked to his neck—a heist that ended in tragedy when the bomb exploded. The mastermind? Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, later sentenced to life in prison. In this episode, we hear from criminologist Kathryn Whiteley who befriended Marjorie behind bars and uncovers how and why this "evil…

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I Dated a Celebrity as a Non-Famous Person 1:32:28

6M ago1:32:28

1:32:28

Myah Morgenstern isn't famous. But when she met actor Tony Revolori, (Spiderman, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Scream), she was ushered into a whole new world of red carpets, VIP parties and weird social dynamics. In this episode, Myah describes her real-life Notting Hill experience of dating a celebrity as a non-famous person. Find us on TikTok Find u…

1
Busted (Delmar Inn - South Fallsburg, NY) 21:09

6M ago21:09

21:09

The art of urban exploration often includes evading the authorities, but every once in a while, an adventurer gets caught. In the season 3 premiere, join Blake as he wanders the abandoned summer camp at the Delmar Inn, hidden away off a Catskill Mountain highway in New York. This episode features: Julie Novak The Caretaker (Note: For the best immer…

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The Woolworths Christmas Bombers (Rerun) 44:54

6M ago44:54

44:54

In the lead up to Christmas of 1980, three Woolworths stores were bombed around New South Wales. It's a crazy story involving Australia's largest supermarket chain, two larrikin crooks, and a $1 million ransom thrown into the Sydney Harbour. We'll hear about it from two people: Former police officer Allan Duncan who was injured in one of the explos…

1
My Husband's Client Stalked Us for Years 57:05

7M ago57:05

57:05

Sandra Miller wasn't overly concerned when her therapist partner's client admitted to eavesdropping outside their window. Until this client started calling the house, relentlessly. In this episode, we dive into a real life version of 'Fatal Attraction' to learn what happens when a stalker invades a relationship.\ Check out Sandra's USA TODAY best-s…

1
How I Got Revenge for My Parking Fines 33:53

7M ago33:53

33:53

Julian Morgans, host of What it Was Like, gets parking fines all the time. In his own words "I could wallpaper my house with them." But instead of doing that, he's embarked on a scheme to get revenge, while learning a few things about the inner workings of the parking industry along the way. Find us on TikTok Find us on Youtube Follow us on Instagr…