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A Study of Strange

Convergent Content, LLC

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A Study of Strange is for lovers of true crime, mysteries, and high strangeness. Each week, host Michael May investigates the unknown, from bizarre crimes and unsolved murders to hauntings, urban legends, lore, cryptids, and unexplained phenomena. The mission is simple: debunk common misconceptions, uncover hidden details, and explore the most unusual unsolved stories from history. Along the way, listeners hear from occasional guests like writers, entertainment industry insiders, and the occ ...
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In 1925, Cora Stallman's body was discovered in a cistern on her sister's farm. Despite the coroner's findings, that she had not drowned and showed minimal signs of physical injury, her death was swiftly ruled a suicide. This case, the strangest ever featured on A Study of Strange, remains a provocative unsolved mystery. It involves many cryptic de…
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On October 28, 1943, the USS Eldridge allegedly vanished from the Philadelphia Naval Yard, creating a legend of teleportation, time travel, and government cover-ups that refuses to die. This popular legend dominates historical mystery TV shows, podcasts, and forums, but how did the story really begin? This episode dives into the strange letters sen…
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The St. Augustine Lighthouse is considered one of the most haunted sites in the U.S. due to a history marked by death and tragedy, including a fatal accident involving children. For over a century, visitors have reported unexplained phenomena, often linking these occurrences to the true, tragic stories of those who died at the Lighthouse. From appa…
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Re-release of a classic episode. Considered to be the first American serial killers, Micajah and Wiley Harpe were born in North Carolina in the mid to late 1700s and became notorious for their violent crimes in Kentucky and Tennessee. They are known for committing a series of brutal murders. We dive into the fascinating and dark history of the Harp…
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Three weeks after the grisly Black Dahlia murder, Los Angeles was hit with another brutal homicide. This time with a message scrawled in red lipstick across the body. How did Jeanne French end up the victim of a crime that remains unsolved all these decades later, and was the case related to the Black Dahlia? Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.g…
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Five women were found brutally murdered in the Cumminsville area of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the early 20th century. The serial killer was never caught, the murders remain unsolved, and no viable suspects were ever questioned, which is especially strange because multiple women survived the assailant's attacks. The one detail witnesses noticed was that …
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For centuries there were accounts of a ghost haunting the English estate of Raynham Hall. They were just rumors until a photograph published in Country Life magazine in 1936 appeared to capture the specter known as "The Brown Lady," and it is arguably the most famous picture of a ghost ever taken. But is it real? Theme Music by Matt Glass https://w…
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Known as "Buryatia's Dyatlov Pass”, the Khamar-Daban incident is a bizarre mystery which saw experienced hikers become victims of an invisible horror. Unlike Dyatlov, this incident had a survivor, but that doesn’t mean that there are more answers. This is a real-life tale of inexplicable death, that came about instantly, that will leave you questio…
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Was a mysterious fungus behind the Salem Witch Trials? Drew Hannush from the podcast "Whiskey Lore" discusses his research into Salem, particularly the rye madness theory aka ergotism. Drew emphasizes the need for continuous inquiry, the interconnectedness of history and spirits, and the difficulty of understanding historical events through a moder…
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A Rerelease of a classic episode with Dearly Departed's Scott Michaels. Scandal rocked the small town of Beverly Hills, CA in 1929. At a massive mansion built by an oil tycoon's son, Ned Doheny, two men were shot and killed in an apparent murder-suicide. Almost 100 years later, no one can tell you exactly what happened that night because the case i…
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What happens when the world’s most destructive weapons simply vanish? In this episode of A Study of Strange, we investigate the chilling history of missing nuclear weapons aka “Broken Arrows.” From a hydrogen bomb lost off the coast of Georgia, to a U.S. jet that slipped into the Philippine Sea with a live warhead onboard, to Cold War rumors of sui…
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Deep in Canada’s Northwest Territories lies Nahanni National Park, a beautiful remote wilderness only accessible by boat or floatplane. Nicknamed The Valley of the Headless Men since 1908 after two Métis prospectors, Frank and Willie McLeod, were found decapitated at their camp. In the years after, more headless corpses were discovered. Drawing on …
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A Study of Strange explores the most riveting mysteries from the Golden Age of Piracy including why everything we know about pirates may be wrong. Topics include La Buse's hidden treasure, Anne Bonnie's fate, and the notorious pirate Henry Every's disappearance. Goonies Never Say Die. Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram:…
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A rerelease of a classic episode of A Study of Strange about the most notorious account of poltergeist activity in Canada. This infamous paranormal mystery involves Esther Cox, a young woman who began experiencing unexplainable events including objects moving, physical attacks, and fires starting on their own. These strange occurrences were reporte…
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On September 20, 1988, 19‑year‑old college student Tara Calico left her Belen, New Mexico home for a morning bike ride and never came back. This episode examines the haunting 1989 Polaroid that made this case a national obsession, witness accounts of an old pickup truck, and the recent breakthroughs in 2023. Tara Calico's case is a bizarre, true-cr…
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The internet promises answers to everything, but it creates more mysteries than most care to admit. In this episode of A Study of Strange, we dive into four of the web’s most cryptic mysteries. Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories, comm…
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When my nine year old son said, “I want to be on your podcast and hear about UFOs,” I proceeded as any dedicated podcaster would: by recording this episode.Great Mountain UFO Encounters looks at some of the early unidentified anomalous phenomena in the beautiful state of Vermont, before sharing the terrifying abduction claim known as the “Buff Ledg…
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In this chilling episode of A Study of Strange, we look at the terrifying real-life mystery that inspired A Nightmare on Elm Street: unexplained deaths of healthy Southeast Asian men who died suddenly in their sleep. Known as “Asian Death Syndrome” or Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS), this phenomenon was first noted in the late 1…
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A summer re-release of a classic episode! On July 10th, 1967, 25 year old mother of three, Leota Camp, was found by her young children, stabbed and bleeding in a small bedroom of the family’s home in Des Moines, Iowa. There was no sign of a robbery, forced entry, or sexual assault. In short, there doesn't seem to be a motive, and the attack happene…
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We conclude the devilish and mysterious story surrounding the disappearance of a group of women involved in a small cult run by new age author Carlos Castaneda. Not many are aware that one of the most successful New Age authors, Carlos Castaneda, lead a cult. The women that made up the inner circle of his cult were called “the witches” and five of …
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Not many are aware that one of the most successful “new age” authors, Carlos Castaneda, lead a cult. The women that made up the inner circle of his cult were called “the witches” and five of them disappeared soon after Castaneda’s death in 1998. In an all too familiar trope, Castaneda’s mythology was built on lies, narcissism, hypocrisy, and abuse,…
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What makes an object haunted? These four paintings have strange and mysterious backgrounds, along with claims of supernatural phenomena. #1 The Hands Resist Him, #2 The Anguished Man, #3 Woman of the Rain, #4 The Crying Boy Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrangeSupport the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com…
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In 1908, something tore through the skies over Siberia and exploded with the force of a thousand Hiroshima bombs. Trees were flattened across 800 square miles, yet no impact crater was ever found. What caused the Tunguska Event? A meteor? A comet? Something stranger?In this episode, we analyze the science and the some of the wild theories behind th…
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On April 1, 2014, two young Dutch friends, Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon, tragically disappeared while on vacation in Panama. What began as a day hike turned into a heartbreaking mystery when their remains were discovered weeks later. While the prevailing theory suggests a tragic accident led to their deaths, there are several unexplained and unse…
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Jonathan Todd Schwartz was a successful business manager for A-list celebrities and seemingly had it all. However, his life took a dark turn when he stole nearly $5 million from Alanis Morrissette and other clients. Driven by addiction, Schwartz's story is now one of rehabilitation and redemption. Follow Jonathan https://www.instagram.com/therealjo…
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The Mothman, a legendary winged “birdman” with glowing red eyes, was first reported in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1966. Interestingly, similar sightings began this century in Chicago. As far as cryptids go, the myth behind Mothman is more supernatural than zoological, with many believing this creature is a harbinger of doom.With special gues…
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From underwater anomalies to the notorious Hum heard around the world, these eight strange sounds are difficult to explain. Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrangeSupport the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/Website: www.astudyofstrange.comHosted by Michael MayEmail stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofs…
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On Easter Sunday, 1937, Veronica Gedeon, her mother, and a boarder were found killed in their New York City apartment. Veronica was a beautiful model, and the press provoked public reaction by publishing her portfolio of sensual photographs. The case had a lasting impact by influencing laws for the criminally insane. Theme Music by Matt Glass https…
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A dairy farmer is found dead in a small Vermont town, but was it murder...or an elaborate suicide plot to frame his enemies? The mystery surrounding Orville Gibson's death was a world-wide sensation news story at the time, and remains unsolved to this day, with two prevailing theories. Was he lynched by vengeful neighbors, or did he stage his own d…
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Pilots are among the most trusted observers in the world, but what happens when they report objects defying the laws of physics? This episode explores some of the most credible, chilling UFO encounters ever recorded by those who might share the skies with the unknown. With special guest Keri Pina! Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.co…
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On Christmas Eve 1945, a devastating house fire in West Virginia destroyed the Sodder family home. Five of the children were unable to escape as the house burned to the ground, but what happened next became one of the most strange unsolved mysteries. Some of the evidence suggests that the children survived, and the fire was an attack on the Sodder …
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In 2015, an anonymous 4chan user claimed to be a serial killer, and posted a series of gruesome images as proof. Was it a hoax? Can we finally get closer to solving this mystery?Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrangeSupport the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/Website: www.astudyofstrange.comHosted by Mic…
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In 1927, Los Angeles was gripped by terror as a young girl was kidnapped and then brutally murdered. The killer's motive was a twisted mystery, and his escape sparked a massive manhunt that captivated the nation. Though solved, this crime was considered the most horrifying case in Los Angeles’ history at the time, and it’s still haunting and strang…
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Were Nazis in LA during World War II? Local legends around places like the Murphy Ranch and the Furst Castle suggest they were, with fascist sympathizers building retreats and strongholds. Some claim Hitler even visited during the war. However, the truth is never quite what it seems, and it is way way more interesting. Listen to learn about an unhe…
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The often covered, discussed, and scrutinized death of Charles Morgan. The story is too odd and mysterious to not record our own retelling of his story. In March 1977, escrow agent Charles C. Morgan went missing. Three days later he turns up in the middle of the night with plastic handcuffs on his wrists and ankles and unable to speak. Just weeks l…
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Some towns refuse to die. Long after their last residents have vanished, something remains — eerie voices, shadow figures, and legendary folktales. In this episode, we explore five of the most haunted ghost towns in America: Bannack, MT, a lawless gold rush town with a murderous past; Bodie, CA, with a legendary curse; Wonder Valley, CA, a weird st…
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Author Brian Brady’s latest book, Hiding in Plain Sight, is loosely inspired by a true crime, and he was personally involved in its investigation. We discuss writing about murder, what shows, movies, and books get wrong about real investigations, and the true story that inspired the book. Learn more about Brian and read his books here: https://www.…
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The Civil War shaped the United States more than any other event, and it left behind some strange, unsolved mysteries. This Minisode covers 5 of the most interesting mysteries including paranormal events, lost treasure, and more. Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrangeSupport the Show! astudyofstrange.subst…
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Dorothy Arnold was a young heiress with everything to live for, but one December day in 1910, she disappeared in broad daylight from the center of New York. Over a century later, her case still haunts the city. Listener discretion is advised. With special guest Sean Anthony Davis. Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @ast…
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A compilation of some of the upcoming topics "A Study of Strange" will cover in the coming year. Episodes include haunted ghost towns, unsolved crimes, Nazi tunnels in Los Angeles, and a smattering of UFOs. Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrangeWebsite: www.astudyofstrange.comHosted by Michael MayEmail stor…
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Re-release of an early two part series. In 1873 it was discovered that a family known as the Benders had been killing travelers along the Osage Mission Trail in Labette County, Kansas. We know surprisingly little about the evil Benders. In fact, they may not have been a family at all. Their heinous acts of violence are still discussed to this day m…
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Béla Kiss was a Hungarian conman and serial killer who is infamous for his macabre practice of storing his victims in metal drums filled with alcohol. His devious crimes were not discovered until he was allegedly killed in action during the first World War. However, his death was debated and rumors persist that he survived the war and even made his…
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Scientists have theorized about a multiverse or parallel universes for centuries, and it’s only in the last few decades that the ideas have gone mainstream seeping into pop culture. There are a lot of different interpretations depicting how a multiverse might work and impact our reality. Today, filmmaker Rachel Noll James discusses her research abo…
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Wading back into cryptid waters, this Minisode of "A Study of Strange" covers the background on North America's Loch Ness monster, Champ. Subscribe to "A Study of Strange" on your favorite podcast platform!Visit our Substack for more strange content! https://astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Theme Music by Matt GlassInstagram: @astudyofstrangeSupport: …
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Lillian Armstrong's brutal and shocking unsolved murder on Halloween night has not been forgotten since it occured in 1963. Her community in Newcastle, England, was terrified, and it didn't help that the killer was never caught. Halloween is all tricks and treats—until something real goes bump in the night.With special guests Denise Pantoja and T.J…
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In 1799, the ghost of a recently deceased Eleanor Butler began haunting Abner Blaisdell's home. The ghost had a peculiar interest in the Blaisdell family, and her visitations were witnessed by many. Learn about the first documented haunting in America on this minisode of A Study of Strange! Subscribe to "A Study of Strange" on your favorite podcast…
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If ghosts are real, are we even close to understanding what they are? A discussion about spooky spirits with Intuitive Reader Kim Beam. www.KimBeam.comIG & FB: @IamKimBeamYouTube: @IamKimBeam2 Subscribe to "A Study of Strange" on your favorite podcast platform! Visit our Substack for more strange content! https://astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Theme…
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One of WWII's lost treasures was an automobile. The Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic "La Voiture Noire" is estimated to be worth over $100 million USD if it's ever found. Its whereabouts are a mystery because it was hidden during the war to keep it out of Nazi hands, but unlike other hidden Bugattis that were unearthed and restored "The Black Car" stays …
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Florida's Bigfoot cousin, the Skunk Ape, has been sighted since at least he early 1970s roaming the glades and swamps. Joining the discussion is the director of the film "Frogman", Anthony Cousins. Whether you consider the Skunk Ape a bogus cryptozoological legend or not, the Everglades and surrounding swamps are undoubtedly an easy place to hide.W…
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