My Victorian Nightmare - podcast cover

My Victorian Nightmare

Genevieve Manionmyvictoriannightmare.com
Here you’ll find mysterious deaths, morbid fascinations, disturbing stories, and otherwise spooky events from the Victorian Era. If you consider yourself an enthusiast of creepy Victorian history, you probably already know about the age of spiritualism, the grisly murders, the grave robbers, twisted pseudo psychotherapy, and memento mori – But I try to dig a little deeper. This was a time full of lace corsetry, romantic poetry, and a deep reverence and affection for the dead. It was a culture of shared sorrow, ornament and elegance, prudishness and scandal, bone chilling children’s stories, and for whatever reason, I just feel at home there. There’s something strangely comforting about the heebie jeebies this era gives me. If you find yourself equally enchanted by things that most people would find horrifying, this podcast is probably for you. Join the community Instagram @myvictoriannightmare
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Episodes

Ep. 50 - He Dropped Dead With a Peach in His Mouth

On this week’s episode of My Victorian Nightmare, Genevieve will discuss a man mangled with a carving knife, another skeleton where it does not belong, the growing evil that is young women leaving their homes, a rum-crazed lunatic dentist, a man killed by a jar of peaches, and a couple of rats that exhibited an admirable commitment to teamwork. References for today's Episode: “Two Spectral Lodgers : Ghosts in a Fourteenth-Street Boarding House” - The New York Times, Jun. 24, 1881. “Charge of Imp...

Jul 07, 202547 min

Ep. 49 - England's Most Haunted Houses

On today's episode, Genevieve will be discussing not one, but two of the most haunted Victorian homes in England: The Borley Rectory as well as a little unsuspecting cottage in Essex that was once known as The Cage of St. Osyth, which was once the site of a medieval witch prison. We will also learn exactly what happens when you die, according to a Spiritualist newspaper from the 1800s. Thank you to today's sponsor, Rula.com! Go to Rula.com/VICTORIAN for convenient therapy that’s covered by insur...

Jun 30, 202551 min

Ep. 48 - A Corpse Sent to a Candy Maker

On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss a family that is a complete disaster, the absurdities of hypnosis, a hatchet murder, a man who luckily couldn’t quite properly operate a firearm, utter pandemonium at a spiritualist lecture, a corpse sent to a candy maker, a man frozen to a boat, yet another man killed by a coffin, and the single worst death ever discussed on any show up until today, hands down. Nothing comes close. Consider yourselves warned. “True Stories About Ghosts” - The Illustrat...

Jun 23, 202543 min

The Willington Mill Haunting With SIGHTINGS Podcast

In this very special collaborative episode between SIGHTINGS and MY VICTORIAN NIGHTMARE, venture into an eerie haunted house from the 19th century, and discover why some doors were meant to stay sealed shut. Check out SIGHTINGS on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to Podcasts! Story Music tracks used by kind permission of CO.AG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 16, 202546 min

Ep. 46 - Murder on the Victorian Railways

On Monday’s episode, Genevieve will discuss not 1, not 2, but FOUR grisly train murders from the Victorian era – one with a wild twist! All complete with frick’n sound effects and everything: The murder of Issac Gold (1881), William Pearson (1901), Elizabeth Camp (1897), and Mary Money (1905). Thank you to today's sponsor, Blissy! Get 60-nights risk-free PLUS an additional 30% off when you shop at Blissy.com/VICTORIANPOD References for Today's Episode: https://www.btp.police.uk/police-forces/bri...

Jun 09, 202541 min

Ep. 45 - Shot by a Spirit Hand

It’s our 1 year anniversary episode!!!! Today, Genevieve will have some brutal vigilante justice, deadly vengeance, another spooky skeleton discovery, a hammer murder, 1800s red pill propaganda, a mysterious murder-suicide, a clairvoyant shot by a spirit hand, and a devout, salvation-seeking rooster, named Cochin - all courtesy of the Illustrated Police News Law Courts and Record, our favorite goopy, gloppy, murdery, marvelous tabloid from the 1800s. Thank you to today's sponsor, Factor Meals! G...

Jun 02, 202548 min

Ep. 44 - The Gruesome History of Corpse Medicine

On today’s episode, Genevieve will be discussing corpse medicine; the century’s old practice of using dead bodies to treat everything from jaundice to infertility to cataracts – and when you hear about how they specifically treated that last one, it’s really gonna bum you out. References for today’s episode: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-gruesome-history-of-eating-corpses-as-medicine-82360284/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/mummy-eating-medical-cannibalism-gory-h...

May 26, 202544 min

Ep. 43 - The Witching Time of Night

On Today’s’s episode, Genevieve will be discussing a young girl caught in a waterwheel, stonings, pickaxings, a harrowing coal oil disaster, a ludicrous fall in a church, a man’s head blown to atoms, men in drag wreaking havoc upon street harassers, a man who visit’s his wife’s grave and leaves with her - it’s not what you think, booby traps gone terribly wrong and so much more. Thank you to today's sponsor, Rula! Visit Rula.com/Victorian and take the first step towards better mental health toda...

May 19, 202547 min

Ep. 42 - The Winchester Mystery House

On today’s episode, Genevieve will be discussing a topic that she’s said numerous times she would never cover: The Winchester Mystery House. She will thoroughly debunk all of the falsehoods, embellishments and downright lies about its very generous, very kind creator, Sarah (Sallie) Winchester, and her weird and wonderful house. You’ll also learn some great trivia night factoids in the process. Thank you to today's sponson, Factor Meals! Get 50% off your first order of Factor meals at factormeal...

May 12, 202544 min

Ep. 41 - Bitten by a Skeleton

On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss ghosts frightening country bumpkins, really spooky skeleton encounters, a hatchet attack by a blind man, a man trying to slice his own head off and a young lady with enough pluck and presence of mind to save the very day. References for today’s episode: “A Ghost at Large” - The Illustrated Police News, Sept. 10th, 1881. “A Baltimore Woman Killed by a Blind Man” - The Illustrated Police News, Dec. 14th, 1871 "A Burglar Bitten by a Skeleton" The Illustrat...

May 05, 202547 min

Ep. 40 - The Blackest Black Widow

On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the all-female Victorian gang, the 40 Elephants, as well as the thieving, poisoning, barbarous, butchering Belle Gunness: Hell’s Belle herself. References for today’s show: https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/triflers-need-not-apply-the-story-of-deadly-belle-gunness https://www.nydailynews.com/2014/11/30/belle-gunness-queen-of-black-widows-murdered-dozens-and-planted-victims-around-farm/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Gunness https://www.crimelibrary.or...

Apr 28, 202548 min

Ep. 39 - In a Malicious and Diabolical Manner

On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss a ghost sighting of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall, an insane hatchet murder, a brass burglar blown away by a buckshot, a demented opera singer’s stalker, a lamp light disaster, a gory game of cards, a nearly naked man frozen to death in a sinkhole, and much, much more! References for today’s episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Lady_of_Raynham_Hall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Nilsson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalene_laundry h...

Apr 21, 202548 min

Ep. 38 - The Richmond Murderess

On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the case of “The Richmond Murderess,” Kate Webster. This story has everything: a brutal murder, a dismembering, mysterious skulls, ghost nuns, cutting edge execution techniques and Sir David Attenborough intricately knitted into the very fabric of this bone chilling saga. References for today's episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Julia_Martha_Thomas https://www.theregister.com/2011/07/06/barnes_mystery/ https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-143...

Apr 14, 202542 min

Ep. 37 - They Died With Their Boots On

On Today’s episode, Genevieve will have a number of love-sick murderers, bad words that we’re allowed to use, so many gun fights, so many brains, a corpse concealed in a glen, Rasputin’s favorite sex cult, waxed mustaches, a dead robber baron at a seance, and much more. References for today's episode: https://www.murderbygaslight.com/2022/07/dr.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fisk_(financier) “Matricide and Self-Murder” - The Illustrated Police News, November 30th, 1871. “Bad Tom” Smith...

Apr 07, 202546 min

Ep. 36 - Victorian Cults: Messiahs, Manipulation & Custom Tea Blends

Ep. 36 - Victorian Cults: Messiahs, Manipulation & Custom Tea Blends On today’s episode, Genevieve is talking about Victorian era cults: the bonkers beliefs, the scandals, manipulation, devil children, corpses in bath tubs, custom tea blends, and what inspired these cults to come about in the first place. References for today’s episode: https://medium.com/@pau1morgan/the-lampeter-brethren-a-victorian-sex-cult-e318213d7b7f https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agapemonites https://www.utopia-britanni...

Mar 31, 202554 min

Ep. 35 - Where the Dead Delight to Help the Living

On Today’s episode, Genevieve will have a deathbed confession, the accidental death of a horse fancier, a horrific elevator accident, a horrific mowing machine accident, naughty picture book advertisements, a butchered brother in law, a case of Victorian cat fishing, a hairbreadth escape, and more! References for today’s episode: “The Avondale Horror. A Deathbed Confession” - The Illustrated Police News, November 30, 1871. “A Bottle of Horse Medicine Kills a Horse Fancier” - The Illustrated Poli...

Mar 24, 202546 min

Ep. 34 - Coffin Torpedos for Body Snatchers

On tonday’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the repugnant trade of body snatching in the Victorian era, she’ll discuss the ways families fought back, she’ll introduce you to the 2 most infamous body snatchers of all time; Burke and Hare, and we’ll run into a few friends along the way. References for today’s episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_and_Hare_murders https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.24794 https://www.civilwarmed.org/bodysnatching/ https://www.atlasobsc...

Mar 17, 202550 min

Ep. 33 - Talk to Dead People with Your Friends

On Today’s’s episode, Genevieve is diving back into the Illustrated Police News Law Courts and Record: everyone’s favorite bananas, blood-soaked, spooky little tabloid from the 1800s. She will have a hat-wafting seance, a thrilling search for a dead body, wax necks, jealous husbands, mayhem, a shocking discovery in a penitentiary, an alarming growth of intoxication among young ladies, and more! References for Today's Show: https://www.magicianmasterclass.com/post/how-do-magicians-levitate#viewer...

Mar 10, 202544 min

Ep. 32 - The Ripper: Part 2

On todays episode, Genevieve will return to 19th century London to discuss the Jack the Ripper murders case. She'll discuss the timeline, the victims, the suspects, and a few little known facts about the still open Whitechapel murders case. She’ll also discuss a very courageous photo shoot, and give her fairly coherent review of “The Monkey.” References for today's episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper https://www.jack-the-ripper.org/kate-eddowes-last-night.htm https://www.jack-...

Mar 03, 202547 min

Ep. 31 - The Ripper : Part 1

On todays episode, Genevieve will dive deep into the Jack The Ripper case and guide you down the cold, damp, cobblestone streets of 19th century Whitechapel. She'll discuss the timeline, the victims, the suspects, and a few little known facts about the still open Whitechapel murders case. References for today's episode: https://www.science.org/content/article/does-new-genetic-analysis-finally-reveal-identity-jack-ripper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper https://www.jack-the-ripper.or...

Feb 24, 202543 min

Ep. 30 - Welcome to the Cabaret of Death

On today’s episode, Genevieve will be discussing the very macabre ways in which French Victorians would entertain themselves: the death-themed cabarets, horror shows in old gothic chapels, and the very upsetting and morbid curiosities that Parisians would literally trample over each other to get a glimpse of. References for today's episode: https://daily.jstor.org/the-cabarets-of-heaven-and-hell/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Guignol https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/paris-morgue-publi...

Feb 17, 202543 min

Ep. 29 - Butchery with Banjos and Vinegar Valentines

On today's episode, we will have butchery with banjos, naked maniacs decapitating people, Lesbians, more butchery, some charming insults that Victorians liked to send to one another on Valentines day, and a very special love poem. References for today's episode: “A Naked Man's Horrible Deeds,” Illustrated Police News, December 18, 1880 "Butchered" With a Banjo,” Illustrated Police News, July 3, 1880 “Bloody Butchery,” Illustrated Police News, January 31, 1880 https://medium.com/equality-includes...

Feb 10, 202547 min

Ep. 28 - Horrors of the Victorian Lunatic Asylum

On today's episode, Genevieve takes you on a tour of the Victorian Lunatic Asylum. She'll discuss the history of the institution, surprising and spine-chilling facts, as well as her very own terrifying experience of the time she broke into the Overbrook Asylum in New Jersey. References for today's episode: https://cpp-college.netlify.app/programs/education-blog/victorian-mental-health-and-women-part-one-american-asylums https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/medicine/victorian-ment...

Feb 03, 202541 min

Ep. 27 - Curious Capers and Spiritual Speculations

On today's episode, Genevieve will discuss the 5 Points slum, a church lunatic, a woman that takes investment advice from her dead husband, a cannibalistic affair between 2 ladies, the curious caper of an unruly cow, a locomotive disaster, mayhem, mysterious tragedies and a man who saved an entire New Hampshire town because he loved his girlfriend a little too much. References for today's episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Our_Lady_of_the_Scapular%E2%80%93St._Stephen https://en.wik...

Jan 27, 202542 min

Ep. 26 - The Grave Trains of London

In today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the grisly history of the graveyard that is London, and the subterranean train system built in the Victorian era within and around the final resting places of literally millions of tightly packed Londoners. References for today’s episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enon_Chapel https://gizmodo.com/how-corpses-helped-shape-the-london-underground-1493312117 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-66507599 https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-tech...

Jan 20, 202545 min

Ep. 25 - Murder, Blackmail, and Raving Maniacs

On today's show, Genevieve has a robber who becomes a raving maniac in prison, a very shocking confession followed by a very grisly request, a woman poisoned by laudanum and nearly frozen to death, a footrace between a phrenologist and a zippy young lady, a thief who nearly blows his own head off, a wife’s vengeance with a pen knife, murder, blackmail, and an unfortunate sled accident on an historic Boston Street, among a few others. References for today's episode: https://www.murderbygaslight.c...

Jan 13, 202543 min

Ep. 24 - Welcome to the Murder Castle

In this week's episode, Genevieve gives a full, very dramatic review of Nosferatu, and dives into the truly diabolical murders of H.H. Holmes. References for todays episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Holmes https://www.newspapers.com/image/668069816/?terms=h.h.%20holmes https://www.history.com/news/murder-castle-h-h-holmes-chicago https://www.ranker.com/list/hh-holmes-origin-story/hannah-gilham https://www.bustle.com/p/quotes-from-hh-holmes-memoir-provide-insight-into-the-american-ripp...

Jan 06, 202557 min

Ep. 23 - Hatchets, Razors, Narrow Escapes, and Nosferatu

Today, Genevieve will discuss a Lunatic Asylum escapee in a washtub boat, a steamboat slaughter, a tragic murder on a lovely evening, a clergyman’s narrow escape from certain death, a fit of apoplexy, hatchets, razors, insanity, and a somewhat tragic ice skating accident that luckily has a meet-cute happy ending. References for Today's Episode: https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2022/11/nellie-bly-blackwells-island/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultana_(steamboat) https://genealogytrails....

Dec 30, 202444 min

Ep. 22 - Sweet Messages of Calm Decay

On today's episode, we’re still celebrating the Holiday season with some weird, wonderful, and downright irresponsible Victorian Christmas traditions! References for today's episode: https://www.history.com/news/christmas-tradition-ghost-stories https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/652043/victorian-christmas-traditions https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/dec/12/shock-of-the-old-11-murderous-and-macabre-victorian-christmas-cards https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34988154 https://histor...

Dec 23, 202436 min

Ep. 21 - A Chamber of Horrors

Today's episode is Christmas themed! Genevieve will be discussing a family hatchet fight, an assault with a pot roast, an assault with a teapot, a fruit and nut plundering, an insane chimney sweep, a grizzly Christmas day murder, A tragic Christmas Day train disaster, a Chamber of Horrors, and a few more truly horrific Christmas day events. References for today's episode: https://www.measuringworth.com/blog/?p=256 https://www.postalmuseum.org/blog/victorian-christmas-boxes/#:~:text=These%20token...

Dec 16, 202441 min
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