Join Charlie for two AC Case Files interviews regarding strange experiences, one on the coast of North Carolina and one on the streets of Pittsburgh, PA! Links: Children of Solitude (Michael's new horror novel!) Grafton Monster Fest Upcoming Live Appearances: PBO Pride (maybe? - Michael solo - June 6 & 7, 2025) Grafton Monster Festival (Charlie Solo - June 13 & 14, 2025) ConGregate (Michael solo - July 11-13, 2025) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcan...
Apr 27, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Salem Black River Church near Maysville, SC, is one of the oldest churches in South Carolina and has a rich history as a place of worship and community. From it sprang many other local institutions and activists of tremendous importance also. But the Internet holds that today it is a place of disturbing phenomena from hauntings to monsters. Is any of that true? Go creepin' around with Michael and Charlie as we talk about why no one should trespass at Salem Black River Church! Links: Preorder Mic...
Mar 16, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Bertie County, NC, is a place of rural beauty--and possibly of an angry ghost engaged in some questionable parenting from beyond the grave! Join Michael and Charlie for a deep dive into the history of one of the state's oldest counties, a fun spooky legend, and the many ways this legend connects to the history of the community where it's set. Links: Sign up for pre-order info for Michael's next book! Upcoming Live Appearances: Flyleaf Books - Michael solo (January 9, 2025) Ret-Con 2024 - Charlie...
Feb 02, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Late on a rainy, foggy night, as you drive through the early settlement of Jamestown, NC, a young woman may flag you down in hopes of refuge from the weather and a ride to her home. This is a familiar legend in the Carolinas, but it isn't unique. Is there real history behind this instance of the well-known tale of a hitchhiker from beyond? And just how common is this story? Join Charlie and Michael for a fun discussion full of surprises and deep research! Links: Charlie's visit to Lydia's Bridge...
Jan 05, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 126
Look, up there in the sky! It's a drone! It's an alien! It's... live-action folklore in the making! Join Charlie and Michael for a quick, informal chat about the wave of "drone"/UFO/UAP sightings being reported (and sometimes recorded, and maybe sometimes manufactured) nationwide! Originally this was the intro to the next episode, but we went on long enough we thought this deserved to be its own thing. Happy holidays, and thanks for listening! Links: "Drone sightings in Wilmington cause concern ...
Dec 19, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Now that Spooky Season for 2024 has drawn to a close, and Michael and Charlie have gotten a bit of a rest, let's... rewind time to the start of Spooky Season! Join Charlie, Michael, and an enthusiastic crowd as we talk about three fun and spooky stories and places from the Carolinas and beyond! Note: if you listen to the show with kids, the jokes in this are a little more risque than usual, so take that into account! Links: Photos from the Cabe Lands in Durham, NC Hiking info and map for the Cab...
Dec 01, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 124
On stormy nights the spectral figure of a woman in blue dashes through the darkness to climb the stairs of the old Rear Range Light on Hilton Head Island. Why is her mission so vitally important she continues it from beyond the grave? Join Michael and Charlie as they dig deep into folklore and history in search of another Shady Lady haunting one of the Carolinas' most iconic locations! A content warning up front: this episode is about a ghost story associated with a massively destructive hurrica...
Oct 27, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 123
It's been a little over four years, and Charlie's new show Lost Monster Files is about to premiere, so we think it's a good time to re-introduce ourselves to folks who might be new to the show. And while you're at it, take a dive into a legend shared by more than one of the indigenous peoples of the Carolinas as Charlie tells the tale of the Catawba River Runner! If you're looking for a way to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas and beyond, consider donating to the American...
Oct 09, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Did you hear the story of that video game that drove that kid mad? It happened just one town over! My cousin's friend told me he heard about it at summer camp! Join Charlie and Michael for a deep-dive into the history of an urban legend straight out of the arcade age: Polybius, the original killer app! But is there any truth behind this story? There just might be! If you're looking for a way to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas and beyond, consider donating to the America...
Oct 02, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 121
This episode is the second half of our history deep dive into the Heroes of America, an anti-Confederate secret society that started in the "Quaker Belt" region of NC. If you're looking for a way to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas and beyond, consider donating to the American Red Cross' Hurricane Helene efforts . If you see this on Facebook, there's a link in the show notes for this episode. We hope everyone is safe and we're thinking of them all the time. Michael will ...
Sep 29, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Did you know a sprawling network of anti-Confederate organizers formed in the Piedmont of NC at the outset of the US Civil War? Join Michael and Charlie for a history deep-dive into a little-discussed corner of the reality of political organizing in the south during that era! Note: the sound is different on this one because we got to use an awesome podcasting studio and record face to face! Don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 is out now! Register & Vote: North Carolina voter registratio...
Sep 22, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 119
From the Devil's Tramping Ground to ghost chickens in the US Capitol, what are our paranormal bucket list items? And what makes any given paranormal hotspot such a focal point for the strange in the first place? Join Michael and special guest co-hosts Gary Mitchel and Tally Johnson for the rest of our ConGregate 2024 conversation! And don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 is out now! Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DURHAM - Michael and Charlie (September 26th - Durha...
Sep 18, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 118
We've all heard of Route 66, but have you heard of Route 6 66? Did you know a phantom hotrod terrorizes a two-lane highway through South Carolina and North Carolina by night? Or have you seen the ghostly merchant in downtown Winston-Salem? Join Michael at ConGregate 2024 with special guest co-hosts Tally Johnson and Gary Mitchel to discuss these and other stories! And don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 is out now! Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DURHAM - Michael a...
Sep 15, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 117
As the episode title says, and as we say in the episode, DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE. IT IS ILLEGAL AND IT IS VERY EASY TO DIE THERE. PLEASE DO NOT DO THAT. Goat-human hybrids: science gone wrong? Or magic gone wrong? Join Charlie and Michael for a lively and hilarious discussion of a unique (or perhaps not so unique!) legend from Kentucky of a deadly railroad trestle and the mutant who stalks those who foolishly visit it. This was recorded live at Ret-Con 2024! And don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: V...
Sep 11, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 116
On a spring-like December morning in 1954, dozens of school children, their teacher, and one exceptionally brave janitor had an encounter with what came to be known as The Monkey-Dog. Join Charlie and Michael for a discussion of one of the more obscure and fascinating stories out of Robeson County, NC, and a larger conversation about the distinction between a myth and a cryptid! And don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 is out now! Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DUR...
Sep 08, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Y'all, this story has it all: country music, 19th century sightings, the Brown Mountain Lights, electoral politics, multiple varieties of entrepreneurship, UFOs, aliens, illegal construction on federal land, trailbreaking, John Keel, curiosity shops, and traffic jams. We don't even know what else to say! Join Michael and special guest co-host Michelle at the Black Mountain Library in May, 2024, as they discuss a story of hope and horror on Brown Mountain and beyond! Out now: Arcane Carolinas: Vo...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Lake Norman is sometimes referred to as North Carolina's only inland sea, and a review of its size and dimensions definitely back that up. But it's also a place where strange things are seen in, around, and sometimes over the water! Join Charlie and Michael for a chat about the upcoming spooky season and a discussion of Lake Norman as a locus of the strange! Out today: Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 ! Pick it up now! Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DURHAM - Michael and Char...
Sep 01, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Do you love spooky tales such as the Boo Hag or the classic legend of The Rattlesnake Honeymoon? Do you love comic books and sequential art produced by folks right here in the Carolinas? Then check out this Arcane Carolinas Case Files episode where Michael interviews Fiona W. Dunn, co-creator and illustrator of Tarheel Tales of Terror ! And, don't forget, we've got Arcane Carolinas, Volume 2 coming out on September 1st! You can preorder paperback and electronic copies now! AND we'll have some co...
Aug 16, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Michael here! I have no idea how to introduce this episode, honestly, because every time we say anything even remotely snarky about this episode's subject some piece of technology fails us: we had microphones go out in the middle of recording, our hosting provider ate the episode when it was supposed to go out, and even so small a thing as trying to add episode artwork caused me to lose the draft seconds before I would have clicked "publish." That said, I invite you to join us Charlie does a dee...
Jun 30, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Hitch up your waders and fetch your log-pokin' stick, as ride along as Charlie and Michael talk about Alabama's Bear Creek Swamp! Do you like ghosts? Do you like creepy dolls? Do you like finding horrible things? Then this is the place for you! Bear Creek Swamp has anything you could want, and plenty you might not! Tally Johnson's Books: Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands Creek Walking Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry Upcoming Live Appearances: ConGregate 10 - Michael solo (July 12-14, ...
Jun 02, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Grab your stakes and garlic necklaces and come along as Michael and Charlie dig into the history and lore of a Charlotte neighborhood where it was said for many years a particular place only came alive at night! Upcoming Live Appearances: Black Mountain Public Library - Michael solo (May 8th - Black Mountain, NC) Carolina Fear Fest - Michael solo (May 24th-26th - Raleigh, NC) ConGregate 10 - Michael solo (July 12-14, 2024 - Winston-Salem, NC) SAGA Professional Genre Writing Conference - Michael ...
Apr 28, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Join Michael and Charlie as they take a deep dive into a pivotal battle of the Revolutionary War and the restless riding spirit who lingers from it still! Upcoming Live Appearances: Black Mountain Public Library - Michael solo (May 8th - Black Mountain, NC) Carolina Fear Fest - Michael solo (May 24th-26th - Raleigh, NC) ConGregate 10 - Michael solo (July 12-14, 2024 - Winston-Salem, NC) SAGA Professional Genre Writing Conference - Michael solo (July 12-14, 2024 - Winston-Salem, NC) Arcana Durham...
Apr 07, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Join Charlie and two very special guests to hear tales of Bigfoot encounters in the Piedmont and learn about the Museum of the Bizarre in Wilmington, NC, from Eric Odditorium! Upcoming Live Appearances: HWA NC Book Reading - Quail Ridge Books (March 26th - Raleigh, NC) Black Mountain Public Library (May 8th - Black Mountain, NC) Carolina Fear Fest (May 24th-26th - Raleigh, NC) ConGregate 10 (July 12-14, 2024 - Winston-Salem, NC) Arcana Durham (September 26th - Durham, NC) Links: Museum of the Bi...
Mar 16, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Charleston, SC, has a reputation as a haunted city with a long and complex past. But what about newer, more contemporary sites? Can't they have ghosts, too? Pull a chair up to the table and join Charlie, Michael, and friend of the show Kevin as we dig in to the history and lore around one of the city's most famous restaurants! Don't forget to pick up Arcane Carolinas: Volume 1 , out now! Upcoming Live Appearances: Black Mountain Public Library (May 8th - Black Mountain, NC) Carolina Fear Fest (M...
Mar 10, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 106
The Bell Witch of Adams, Tennessee, is one of the most adapted, sprawling, and elaborated upon legends in the entire catalogue of paranormal events in United States history. But which parts of it are verifiably real, and which parts of it are simply too much to believe? Go spelunking with Charlie and Michael as they argue with the disembodied voice of history to find out more about this world-famous case! Don't forget to pick up Arcane Carolinas: Volume 1 , out now! Upcoming Live Appearances: Re...
Feb 04, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Join Michael and Charlie for a discussion of everything from dowsing for water to plugging a tree as they dive into Appalachian folk magic and traditional remedies! Don't forget to pick up Arcane Carolinas: Volume 1 , out now! Upcoming Live Appearances: Ret-Con 2024 (March 1-3, 2024 - Cary, NC) Links: The Lumberton Report (arcanecarolinas.com) American Society of Dowsers (dowsers.org) Appalachian Dowsers (appalachiandowsers.org) NorthCarolinaGhosts.com Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arca...
Jan 03, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Join Charlie, Michael, and a bunch of awesome people at Arcana in Durham, NC, for three tales: a ghost taunting the living on a stormy night; a rail project unearthing ancient history; and the death and resurrection of a rural community's resident witch! Published early by request, this live recording was the 2023 Spooky Season Kickoff from September, 2023. Have a safe, happy, and spooky holiday season! Links: Meherrin Nation (meherrinnation.org) NCSSM (www.ncssm.edu) Upcoming Live Appearances: ...
Dec 17, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Ease into the post-Halloween season by joining Charlie and Michael for a casual discussion of various types of ghosts and past episodes we've done about some of them! Links: Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry (Amazon.com) Sea Island Spirits (YouTube) WRAL Voters' Choice Awards (wral.com) Upcoming Live Appearances: Ret-Con 2024 (March 1-3, 2024 - Cary, NC) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! a...
Nov 16, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Woohoo! An even 100 episodes! Join Charlie and Michael as they give updates on some previous episodes, their spouses join them for listener Q&A, and we hear some voicemails from friends. Now on to the next 100! Links: Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) (external site) Tally Johnson's books & info (Amazon) Alexandra Christian's books & info (Amazon) Strange Animals Podcast (external site) Upcoming Live Appearances: Ret-Con 2024 (March 1-3, 2024 - Cary, NC) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on P...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Did you know George Washington received a personal tour of Old Salem during his second term--and that doing so was politically controversial? Even more controversial is the possibility he encountered supernatural doom while there! PLUS, Michael and Charlie run a bracket to see who's the winner of Reasonable Ghosts! This episode was recorded live at ConGregate in July, 2023! Upcoming Live Appearances: Ret-Con 2024 (March 1-3, 2024 - Cary, NC) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolina...
Oct 25, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 100
