A Study of Strange - podcast cover

A Study of Strange

Convergent Content, LLCwww.astudyofstrange.com
For lovers of true crime, mysteries, and outlandish tales of high strangeness. Join host Michael May as he investigates tales of the unknown each week, from bizarre crimes to unsolved murders and unexplained phenomena. ”A Study of Strange” attempts to debunk common misconceptions and dive deep into the most unusual unsolved stories from history. With occasional guests including entertainment industry insiders, writers, randos and more! Michael May is a filmmaker and performer known for producing films like GHOSTS OF THE OZARKS, 12 HOUR SHIFT, and hosting the true-crime automotive TV shows AUTO/BIOGRAPHY and AUTOBIOGRAPHY: COLD CASES. He obsesses over historical mysteries and loves to bring fascinating stories to life.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Are Zombies Real? Part 2 - With Mali Elfman

In part 2 of “Are Zombies Real?”, we discuss accounts of zombification in Haiti. These include the dramatic experience of Clairvious Narcisse which inspired “The Serpent and the Rainbow”, the strange zombie tale of Felicia Felix-Mentor, and more. Writer/Director, Mali Elfman, of the new film NEXT EXIT, and producer of the film BIRTH/REBIRTH joins the podcast. Visit our sponsor here: https://www.audibletrial.com/strange Listen to the episode unedited and commercial free on Patreon https://www.pat...

Feb 28, 202342 minEp. 30

Are Zombies Real? Part 1 - With Mali Elfman

Are zombies real, and where did the concept of a mindless, walking dead person originate? On this two part series we look into the history of the zombie, its ties to Haitian history, and explore the handful of stories of zombification that have been studied. Stories include the account of Clairvious Narcisse and the strange zombie tale of Felicia Felix-Mentor. Writer/Director, Mali Elfman, of the new film NEXT EXIT, and producer of the film BIRTH/REBIRTH joins the podcast. Visit our sponsor here...

Feb 21, 202341 minEp. 29

The Redpath Mansion Murder Mystery

In 1901, one of Canada’s most wealthy and powerful families found themselves players in a real murder mystery. Ada Redpath and her son, Jocelyn Clifford Redpath, were found shot to death in their home. The murder weapon (or weapons) were found near the bodies, and it was concluded to be a murder-suicde. Why then is this a mystery? Police never investigated, the bodies were hastily buried, and the Redpath family never spoke of that night. It’s a story filled with secrets and, maybe, lies. With sp...

Feb 07, 202359 minEp. 28

Internet Mysteries

Joined by guest Sean Anthony Davis, a writer and an employee at Naughty Dog, we discuss some of the internet’s most baffling mysteries while attempting to plan our own online enigmatic creation. Topics include the video 11B-X-1371 (aka the plague doctor video), the most mysterious song on the internet, the Heaven’s Gate website, the Markovian Parallax Denigrate, and the site Oct282011.com. Listen to the episode unedited and commercial free on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrange Theme...

Jan 31, 20231 hr 30 minEp. 27

Devil’s Fire of Canneto Di Caronia - with Director Laura Moss (”Birth/Rebirth”)

Beginning in December of 2003, strange and unexplained fires began occurring in the seaside town of Canneto Di Caronia, Sicily, Italy. The fires caused damage to many homes and businesses and the residents had to evacuate by the next summer. What's strange is that the cause of the fires has never been determined even after scientists and government organizations studied the quiet town. Filmmaker Laura Moss joins the podcast to discuss the strange mystery of Canneto. Theories include UFOs, secret...

Jan 24, 202354 minEp. 26

Sir Victor Goddard’s Time Slip Incident

In the mid-1930s, RAF officer Sir Victor Goddard experienced what might be the most famous case of a "time slip." By the end of his life, Goddard was a decorated and respected military veteran (of two world wars), writer, speaker, and firm believer in the paranormal. Though Goddard is full of mysterious stories and theories, his time slip experience remains the most perplexing. On this episode of A Study of Strange we explore Goddard's bizarre flight that lead to a momentary look into the future...

Jan 17, 202353 minEp. 25

Werewolf Serial Killer

Spain’s first documented serial killer, Manuel Blanco Romasanta, claimed to have killed his victims while suffering from the curse Lycanthropy. Simply put, he claimed to be a werewolf. Romasanta’s case was bizarre and his trial lasted nearly a year before ultimately being sentenced to death. But that’s neither the beginning nor the end of the tale of “The Werewolf of Allariz.” With special guest R.J. Blake. Producer of the podcast “Strange Phenonmenon”. https://www.strange-phenomenon.com/ Join P...

Jan 10, 20231 hr 6 minEp. 24

Murder at Greystone Mansion - 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 is full of rumors including a love affair, a coverup, and the inclusion of the political controversy of its time, the Teapot Dome scandal. Today, the grounds of the home known as Greystone Mansion are open to the public, bu...

Dec 27, 20221 hr 6 minEp. 23

Bloody Benders - Part Two

The conclusion of the tale of the infamous Bloody Benders! Special guest John M Keating joins the pod for both episodes of the Bloody Benders! Learn more about John M Keating: https://johnmkeatingacting.com/ His Movie: https://tubitv.com/movies/670622/the-concessionaires-must-die Visit our sponsor here: https://www.audibletrial.com/strange Join Patreon for exclusive content https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrange Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange W...

Dec 20, 20221 hr 3 minEp. 22

Bloody Benders - Part One

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 making the Bloody Benders the stuff of legend and folklore. Special guest John M Keating joins the pod for both episodes of the Bloody Benders! Learn more about John M Keating: https://johnmk...

Dec 13, 202250 minEp. 21

19th Century Serial Killers

Serial killers are not just a modern affliction. Today's episode briefly covers six cases of serial murder from the 19th century. Three solved and three unsolved. These include the Kelly Family, the Austin Axe Murderer, Thames Torso Murders, Mary Ann Cotton, and Dr. Thomas Cream. And, a true-crime aficionado, Bridget Weitzel, joins the show! Have you seen a UFO? We'd love to have you on a future episode. Write us at [email protected] Visit our sponsor here: https://www.audibletrial.com/s...

Nov 29, 20221 hr 32 minEp. 20

The Curious Case of the Sodder Children

In the early hours on Christmas dady, 1945, a fire quickly spread through the Sodder house and five of the nine children at home never made it out. They were presumed dead. It wasn’t long though before the Sodders began to notice that certain details didn’t add up, and they began to suspect the children were actually alive. A theory that persists to this day. The Sodder Children story has been passed down through generations and it's getting harder and harder to solve the mystery. Bringing a new...

Nov 22, 20221 hr 22 minEp. 19

Kenneth Arnold and the Birth of the Flying Saucer

1947 was a historic year. On top of the atomic age and the Cold War knocking on the door, a man from Boise, Kenneth Arnold, saw nine strange objects in the sky and it changed the world forever. The press ate up Arnold's story, and the few weeks that followed saw a frenzy of "flying saucer" sightings including some of the most notorious UFO cases of the 20th century. Were they all just part of the mass hysteria that followed Arnold's account? Guest Keri Pina brings her passion for the UFO phenome...

Nov 15, 20221 hrEp. 18

The Man Under The Latrine

The "out of the ordinary" case, as described by our guest, Amber Keating, happened in 1989 in Fukushima, Japan where a deceased man was found in the collection tank of a squat toilet. The story has become a mainstay of mystery blogs, reddit posts, and youtube videos, but authentic sources for research are hard to come by. Regardless, it's a worthy mystery. If it's true, how and why did the man crawl into the small, gross pipes? Guest Amber Keating is a licensed clinical social worker and mental ...

Nov 08, 202249 minEp. 17

Tom Holland - Halloween Bonus

Writer/director Tom Holland (FRIGHT NIGHT, THINNER, CHILD'S PLAY) discusses his inspirations and beginnings in the horror genre, and how the first film he directed lead to his new book "Fright Night: Origins". Follow Tom on instagram @thterrortime and Twitter @RealTomHolland Info and purchase links for the "Fright Night: Origins" by A. Jack Olrich and Tom Holland is available at the following links; https://bloody-disgusting.com/books/3734145/fright-night-origins-tom-holland-returns-with-brand-n...

Oct 27, 202236 minEp. 16

Halloween Special: Terrifying Tales Part Two

Part two of the Halloween Special includes the telling of various paranormal events and a UFO sighting. Happy Halloween! Part Two's terrifying tales are told by filmmakers Mali Elfman (Next Exit), Joe Russo (Nightmare Cinema), Zeke Pinheiro (Fun Size Horror), and Bryan May. Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Join Patreon for exclusive content https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrange Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories...

Oct 25, 20221 hr 4 minEp. 15

Halloween Special: Terrifying Tales Part One

Halloween it's not just about the candy, horror films, and parties, but the excitement of sharing scary stories. It's not simply the feeling of fear we crave but the depth of emotions that the stories provoke. The tradition of sharing scary stories continues in our two part Halloween special. Stories include personal paranormal experiences, a short story, and unexplained phenomena. Happy Halloween! Part one's terrifying tales are told by filmmakers Nick Peterson ("The Visitant"), Matt Glass ("Gh...

Oct 18, 20221 hr 26 minEp. 14

Spooky Spirits - An Interview about Ghosts with Brandee Stilwell

We all love ghost stories. Especially this time of year around Halloween. Haunted houses, ghost hunting, scary movies, we can't get enough. Outside of the holiday fun though, some people have experienced paranormal activity in their daily lives. It can be emotional, frightening, or even funny. On today's episode, Brandee Stilwell shares some of her ghostly experiences. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, some things can't be explained. Subscribe and listen to upcoming paranormal episod...

Oct 11, 20221 hr 3 minEp. 13

Ghosts Of The Myrtles Plantation with Bill Whirity

If you were to ask what the most haunted house in United States is, chances are high that the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana tops the list. Film writer/director Bill Whirity joins the show to discuss the history of the Myrtles Plantation. A history that perfectly mixes legend and fact, to create a unique destination for skeptics and believers alike. What’s real? What’s fake? And, what’s it like to stay the night in the most haunted house in America? Bill Whirity is an award wi...

Oct 03, 20221 hr 16 minEp. 12

Murder in Mandan with Brian James O’Connell

Feature film director Brian James O'Connell came across the case of a North Dakota man arrested for the brutal killing of four people in 2019, and became so intrigued that he traveled to North Dakota to attend part of the trial. On this episode of A Study Of Strange, Brian shares details of the bizarre case that shocked the city of Mandan, ND. The alleged killer, Chad Isaak, professed during his trial that he was not the murderer, but all of the evidence pointed directly to Isaak. Evidence that ...

Sep 26, 20221 hr 18 minEp. 11

Espionage and The Murder Of William Dean PART TWO - w/ Tara Perry and Jordan Wayne Long

What do spies have to do with a murder in a small New Hampshire town in 1918? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. Today we conclude the story of the epically strange murder of Dr. William Dean with guests, actor Tara Perry ("The Fresh Beat Band", "12 Hour Shift", "Ghosts of the Ozarks"), and her husband, filmmaker Jordan Wayne Long ("Ghosts of the Ozarks"). During World War I, there were reports of strange lights in the mountains of Southern New Hampshire. Paranoia was at an all time high and peopl...

Sep 19, 20221 hr 15 minEp. 10

”News Of Strangeness” September, 2022

News Of Strangeness is normally an exclusive perk for members of A Study Of Strange's patrons. To gain access to more News Of Strangeness episodes, or other additional content, visit www.astudyofstrange.com or https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrange Join Patreon in the next few months and receive a free giveaway! Thank you for listening! Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/ Join our Patreon for exclusive content! Instagram: @astudyofstrange Hosted by Michael May ©2022 Convergent ...

Sep 13, 202213 minEp. 9

Espionage and The Murder of William Dean - w/ Tara Perry and Jordan Wayne Long

What do spies have to do with a murder in a small New Hampshire town in 1918? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. Today we explore the strange murder of Dr. William Dean with guests, actor Tara Perry ("The Fresh Beat Band", "12 Hour Shift", "Ghosts of the Ozarks"), and her husband, filmmaker Jordan Wayne Long ("Ghosts of the Ozarks"). During World War I, there were reports of strange lights in the mountains of Southern New Hampshire. Paranoia was at an all time high and people believed the strange ...

Sep 12, 202258 minEp. 8

”The Light Grid” Interview excerpt w/ Tony Swansey

Tony Swansey shares a personal strange, supernatural experience that happened during a camping trip to Joshua Tree. This interview is an excerpt from a longer interview released exclusively to A Study Of Strange's Patreon members. To learn more or listen to the entire, unedited interview visit www.astudyofstrange.com and click on the Patreon tab. Thank you for listening! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info! Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbra...

Sep 05, 202223 minEp. 7

The Bennington Triangle - With filmmaker Yuri Baranovsky (”The Summoned”)

Special guest Yuri Baranovsky , the writer/producer behind the horror film "The Summoned", joins the podcast to learn about the mysteries and folklore surrounding The Bennington Triangle. This Vermont location is the setting for at least five strange disappearances starting in 1945. No known connections exist between the victims except their location and strange details. The Bennington Triangle was a name given to the area in 1992 by Vermont author Joseph A Citro. Most accounts briefly mention a...

Sep 05, 20221 hr 59 minEp. 6

The Murder of Biggie Smalls - With expert guest, filmmaker Michael Dorsey

The co-executive producer and showrunner of Ghost Adventures: House Calls , Michael Dorsey , has made a career out of documenting compelling stories for TV and film. Over the years he's become known for his expertise on the "unsolved" murder of Biggie Smalls having produced multiple projects about the case. On this episode of A Study of Strange, Dorsey shares his insight and opinion about who killed Biggie and why there have been no arrests. On March 9th, 1997, in Los Angeles CA, superstar music...

Aug 30, 20221 hr 8 minEp. 5

Who Killed Julia Wallace? Part 2

We continue to dive into the real life locked room murder mystery of Julia Wallace. Tonight we discuss William Herbert Wallace's trial, additional suspects, and theories with our special guest, writer of mystery & thrillers, Norm Thoeming aka August Norman. Read Norm’s work here ! Julia’s body was found by her husband, William Herbert Wallace, after returning home from a bizarre outing. Initially the doors to their home were locked before William gained entry to find the brutal scene. Willia...

Aug 30, 202249 minSeason 1Ep. 2

Who Killed Julia Wallace? With special guest, author Norm Thoeming.

We dive into a real life locked-room murder mystery in the first ever episode of A STUDY OF STRANGE. Who killed Julia Wallace on September 20th, 1931? It is a case that has stumped investigators for nearly a century. Our special guest, writer of mystery & thrillers, Norm Thoeming aka August Norman, joins to help figure it out. Read Norm’s work here ! Julia’s body was found by her husband, William Herbert Wallace, after returning home from a bizarre outing. Initially the doors to their home w...

Aug 30, 202252 minSeason 1Ep. 1

The Spirit Photographer William H. Mumler Part 2 - With Special Guest Tim Donahue

Part 2 of the mystery of William H. Mumler. Guest Timothy Donahue, filmmaker and tall former co-host of the deep cable show "Auto/Biography", strangely stuck around for the conclusion. Tim wears his skeptic hat as Michael introduces him to the story of William H. Mumler, the father of spirit photography and a likely conman. It was in New York City in 1869 when William Mumler was accused of fraud. Mumler was a medium who would take portraits of people, and on their photographs would magically app...

Aug 30, 202239 minEp. 4

The Spirit Photographer William H. Mumler Part 1 - With Guest Tim Donahue

Our special guest for this two parter mystery is Timothy Donahue, a filmmaker and former co-host of the tv series “Auto/Biography” along with A Study Strange’s host Michael May. Tim wears his skeptic hat as Michael introduces him to the story of William H. Mumler, the father of spirit photography and a likely conman. It was in New York City in 1869 when William Mumler was accused of fraud. Mumler was a medium who would take portraits of people, and on their photographs would magically appear gho...

Aug 30, 202253 minEp. 3
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast