Penny & Midge talk about the spookiest bird: the raven! This bird has been part of the symbolism and mythology of cultures around the world. Is it a bringer of knowledge or an omen of death? How can you tell a raven from a crow? And why is there a football team making Penny's research harder?? Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge revisit the world of taxidermy to discuss some famous taxidermy gaffs. We find out how PT Barnum started the original alternate reality game, the folklore genus of the jackalope, and the gaff that neither of the ghouls can get on board with. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge talk about America's first ghost story: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow! From the original Washington Irving short story to the Tim Burton film, we explore the inspiration behind this classic tale, some of its most popular adaptations, and the place it holds in our Halloween traditions. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Cryptid Alert! In this episode, Penny & Midge chat about that famous denizen of West Virginia's night skies: Mothman! We chat about the initial sightings, the legend of Mothman, and how Point Pleasant celebrates him today. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge are ready to start the hunt for Halloween! The ghouls discuss their hopes & plans for this year, upcoming decor trends, ways to find great spooky pieces outside of the big box stores, and whether or not Penny can put the 12-foot skeleton on her balcony. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars .
Penny & Midge take a look at the history of the hearse. From elaborate horse-drawn funeral coaches to some delightfully wacky custom hearses, learn how folks are getting taken to their eternal rest in style. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny and Midge celebrate another queer horror icon: Elvira, the Mistress of the Dark! Learn about how the legendary horror hostess first fell in love with the genre, the fascinating coincidences (???) that formed her career, and her coming out of the coffin last year. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge chat about the art (and science) of taxidermy! We explore the history of taxidermy from the height of its popularity to the modern resurgence happening now. Plus, why Midwesterners love taxidermy, museum moments, and a conversation about moths. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars.
Penny & Midge get conspiratorial with a look at the rumored government experiments that inspired Stranger Things (don't worry, no spoilers)! From LSD to electromagnets, follow us down this wild wormhole to MKUltra, The Montauk Project, and beyond. Follow the ghouls at @ghoulsnightinpod Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny and Midge head to Mockingbird Lane for a visit with the OTHER classic spooky TV family: The Munsters! Learn about the show that gave Midge her name, the illicit acquisition of a very important coffin, and play Addams vs. Munsters This or That with the ghouls. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge talk about the king of the vampires: Dracula! Learn about the impact this 1897 novel had on today's vampire lore, just a few of the 500+ film appearances the Count has made, and why you should never leave home without 50 boxes of dirt. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod. Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge discuss the original Halfway to Halloween celebration: Beltane! Hear about the roots of this pagan holiday, the ways it's been interpreted in the modern age, and our concerns about fire safety. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars .
Penny & Midge set sail to talk about some of history's most mysterious ghost ships. What happened on these doomed vessels? Could it be murder, mutiny, or the work of that darn Bermuda Triangle? Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny and Midge get nostalgic with a look at the boom of horror aimed at children in the late 80s, 90s, and early 00s. Follow the ghouls to the Scholastic Book Fair for a look at the scary books of the era, then on to creepy cartoons, Halloween movies, and what brought this golden age to an end. Discussed in this episode: https://www.kindertrauma.com/ Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars ....
Penny & Midge discuss the life and career of a true horror icon: Vincent Price! With a career spanning 100 films; countless tv, commercial, and theatrical roles; and several excellent music videos, Price made his mark on the world of horror and beyond. Learn about his ties to the queer community, the ghouls' favorite Vincent Price roles, and where the Price family fortune came from... Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars....
Penny and Midge answer YOUR questions to celebrate 30 episodes of Ghouls Night In! Get behind the scenes on the podcast, learn what slasher movie tropes we fall into, and how we keep the Halloween spirit alive all year long. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge discuss a movie that tops both of their lists of spooky faves: Beetlejuice! The ghouls say the name of the world's premier Bio-Exorcist MUCH more than three times as they discuss the original screenplay, iconic characters, and all that's spawned from it. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars.
Penny & Midge explore the history of arsenic green and the notorious poison dresses of the Victorian era. Were dresses (and gloves, and fake flowers, and wallpaper) really deadly? Why would someone keep using a pigment they knew was dangerous? What kind of weirdo likes green that much anyway??? Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge take a wild ride into the world of the Uncanny Valley. This concept is part of everything from real world robotics to horror movies, but is it even real? This episode has everything: The Polar Express, zombies, glitchtok, FNAF, werepups, and more. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge take a deep dive into speluncaphobia AKA a fear of caves! Learn about some of the world's deepest caves, deaths and disappearances, haunted caves, scary bugs, and the world's worst mnemonic device. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge chat about the show that always brings more questions than answers: Unsolved Mysteries! Learn about the six basic categories that make up every Unsolved Mysteries segment, Hollywood stars who appeared in reenactments, and thoughts on the Netflix reboot. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod. Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny and Midge talk about the history and development of circus sideshows, from PT Barnum to today's attractions like Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Were sideshows exploitive or empowering? What did sideshow performers actually think about their experience? Is Midge the only person who liked AHS: Freak Show? Tune in to find out! Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars.
Penny & Midge discuss a shared favorite show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Tune in for favorite characters, top episode rankings, Penny's VHS hoard, and a lot of vampire (and librarian) thirst. Follow the ghouls on Instagram @ ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars.
Penny & Midge chat about the rise of Valoween, a spooky take on Valentine's Day. We cover the origins of the holiday, whether cat ladies & horror fanatics are the best kind of people, top spooky couples, and who we'd invite to the big Valoween dance. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars.
Penny & Midge explore the history of tarot cards. Learn how playing cards became the tool for divination and reflection that we know today, and get tips of getting started with tarot. Follow the ghouls on @ghoulsnightinpod. Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge explore the history and legends surrounding poison rings. This dark fashion episode delves into the origins of poison, what to keep in a secret compartment, Pretty Little Liars, and more. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod. Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge take a trip through the cryptids and legends of Penny's home state of Wisconsin. From the infamous Hodag to werewolves, lake monsters, portals to hell, and a sidetrack into Wisconsin's circus history, get a primer on the weirdness that lurks in the woods and waters of Wisconsin. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ ghoulsnightinpod . Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge get ready for the much-anticipated release of Scream 5 with a look back at the famous franchise. From the initial inspiration for the film to the way Scream changed the horror landscape, all the way to predictions for the new installment. SPOILERS for Scream 1-4 abound, so listen at your own risk! Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod Cover art by Alex Zimdars
Penny & Midge talk about the history of that Halloween classic: haunted houses! Learn how haunted attractions developed from wax dummies to DIY basement scenes to today's high production value haunts. We talk hell houses, whether Penny has ever really experienced a haunted house, and what's behind the desire to be scared. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod. Cover art by Alex Zimdars.
Join Penny & Midge for a chatty 2021 year in review show. The ghouls reminisce about the best spooky memories of the year, favorite acquisitions, top movies and TV shows, and talk about goals for the coming year and the future of the podcast. Follow the ghouls on Instagram at @ghoulsnightinpod. Cover art by Alex Zimdars.
