Scared To Death - podcast cover

Scared To Death

Dan Cummins, Lynze Cumminswww.badmagicproductions.com
The paranormal comes to life as husband-wife duo Dan Cummins (acclaimed standup comedian and true horror fan) and Lynze Cummins (costume and wardrobe stylist for numerous film and television productions) share terrifying stories that will leave you sleeping with the lights on. Dan’s goal? To scare Lynze with creepy accounts of demonic possession, shadow people, and other eerie phenomena. And when he’s done, Lynze fights back with chilling fan-submitted tales of true horror. Together, they explore the darkest corners of the web, dusty old books, and even their own eerie surroundings—a studio filled with occult objects and located right next to a cemetery. Don’t forget to check out the mini-series Nightmare Fuel, airing on this feed the first and third Friday of every month, where Dan narrates a short piece of original horror fiction. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
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Episodes

He Put His Hands On Me

Dan had two killer tales to share this week! He starts with a supposed encounter with what might be the creepiest kind of man: a paranormal pedophile. Then, in his second story, Dan really gets Lynze worked up when he shares the story of the Jamison Family Disappearance. Lynze shares three strange tales. Her first is a classic ouija board tale. Then she shares the story of two brothers who piss off a recently deceased man. Lastly, she takes us to Cambodia for the tale of an Ahp! BOOK #5: We are ...

Jul 17, 20241 hr 7 minEp. 254

The Backrooms

Dan has one big tale for us this week. A story based in fictional internet horror lore, but the person who posted it CLAIMS that this lore has come to life somehow. The strange liminal world of the Backrooms. We’ve talked about the concept of the multiverse and/or parallel dimensions several times. Could the creepy world of the Backrooms be next to ours? Can you end up there? Can you end up stuck there? Then Lynze has two spoopy tales that are a bit more heady. Her first will ask you to examine ...

Jul 10, 20241 hr 15 minEp. 253

Nightmare Fuel #11: Sometimes the Darkness Wins 2: The Doll House

In this eleventh installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins.... we check back in with Saymun, the monstrous, killer doll, and Jack Stevenson. Will Jack's new friend, Lizzie Chavez, be able to close this horrific chapter in the young boy's life and put an end to Saymun's destructive madness? This episode was scored by Logan Keith. We recommend listening with headphones to experience the full effect of all the creepy background noises! If you like this episode, please let ...

Jul 05, 202446 minEp. 11

Little Lamb

Dan brings us a creepy doll double feature today! The first tale, is a story of a little brother terrorized by his older sister’s doll, first by her pranking him with it, and then later, the doll seems to take the pranking on as its own. The next doll revolves around the creepy Swiss legend of the Sennentuntschi. Can a carved wooden doll come to life? Can it get jealous? And - most disturbingly - can it skin you alive? Lynze starts of her side of the show with a classic GTFO haunted house tale. ...

Jul 03, 20241 hr 21 minEp. 252

The Butcher of Trenton

Dan comes with his usual two stories this week. One bigger one, and then a little one. We’ve done a fair amount of haunted asylum stories here over the years, but few with as detailed of a backstory as today’s. We will start by learning about Henry Cotton - a truly mad doctor who worked at the New Jersey State Hospital at Trenton, now The Trenton Psychiatric Hospital. The we will explore if his ghost now haunts the abandoned portions of this facility. Then, Dan dives into the creepy legend of a ...

Jun 26, 20241 hr 24 minEp. 251

Nightmare Fuel #10: Mister Spider-Squid Man

When Lily's grandfather, Marco, comes to stay in their new home, he dismisses her fears of a monster in her closet. Unbeknownst to them, a terrifying shapeshifting entity known as Mr. Spider Squid Man is real and preys on Marco, mimicking him to get close to Lily. As the mimic tells Lily a gruesome bedtime story, her mother, Issa, discovers Marco's mutilated body and races to confront the monster, fighting desperately to save her daughter from a truly ancient evil.

Jun 21, 202452 minEp. 10

The Púca's Revenge

Dan takes us to Ireland to explore the strange and sad lore of the Celtic Púca followed by a story from the US about Octagn Lynze has three tales this week! Her first one touches on Nordic folklore, a place we don't often explore here but when we do, we love it. Then, in her second story, she has a bizarre story that will leave all parents feeling a bit rattled. She wraps up the show with her third and final tale, about a possible lingering energy in a home. A fun little grouping of tales! Patre...

Jun 19, 20241 hr 15 minEp. 250

The Red Room

Dan shares a most wild story of creepy Adobe Flash curse being passed around the internet. Then, Dan shares what is possibly a more disturbing tale from Bergen Norway of a Death Valley that holds much lore. Lynze has her standard two tales this week. Her first one is not that scary as you listen but then you see the picture take by the folks exploring this abandoned building and you will freak out. Then, in her last tale of the show, a fan tale surrounding a legend seems to have lasting affects ...

Jun 12, 20241 hr 21 minEp. 249

Nightmare Fuel #9: Demon in the Machine 2: Possession

In this ninth installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins, we pick up where episode eight left off for our first sequel. In this episode, Tom travels to Vermont in an attempt to locate and save his daughter Katie from the demon he helped bring into the world... This episode is scored by Logan Keith. We recommend listening with headphones to experience the full effect of all the creepy background noises! If you like this episode, please let us know wherever you rate and re...

Jun 07, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 9

You Belong To Me

Dan gives us three awesome stories this week! We explore tales from a current day exorcist! It's fascinating! Then we travel to Georgia to hear about a cursed object. Lastly, Dan shares the tale of Majorie Kemp, a woman who was either possessed or suffering with severe mental health. Lynze has a great first home haunting tale that has a surprise twist at the end. And finally, she shares a very, very creepy dopplegänger story! Patreon Monthly Donation: Stay tuned! Thank you for continuing to send...

Jun 05, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 248

It Came For Him

Dan's first story is a modern encounter story that fits into the Rules of Appalachia Lore. There are a bunch of stories that floated around on TikTok and Reddit the last few years regarding what kinds of strange creatures might be in the woods of Appalachia. His second has to do with aa Baltimore, Maryland legend. Today’s story it that of a teenage girl who met some sort of tragic end, and whose ghost now seems to be seeking revenge on the living. Lynze has two truly epic tales this week. Her fi...

May 29, 20241 hr 19 minEp. 247

A Night At The Clown Motel

Dan gives us two incredible tales this week. His first brings to life one of Dan's biggest fears: Clowns. Could you handle a night in a haunted, clown themed motel? Then, we are off to Washington DC for a throwback sighting of a dueling ghost. Then, Lynze wonder if this podcast the problem for one home that seems to be experiencing some kind of haunting? Did we do this?! Then, for Lynze's final story, a person has a scary moment while housesitting. Patreon Monthly Donation: This month we have la...

May 22, 20241 hr 19 minEp. 246

Nightmare Fuel #8: Demon in the Machine

In this eighth installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins, we travel to the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, where a successful writer begins to be tormented by something terrible he accidentally stumbled upon on-line... This episode is scored by Logan Keith. We recommend listening with headphones to experience the full effect of all the creepy background noises! If you like this episode, please let us know wherever you rate and review podcasts....

May 17, 202452 minEp. 8

The Ghosts of Tombstone

Today, Dan will take you to a haunted little lighthouse island in Maine to explore sightings of spirits and the tragedies that might have led to them. Then, we’ll go to Mineral Wells, Texas where we’ll explore two haunted buildings - an old hotel, and an old bordello. And THEN, we’ll keep heading West, and land in Tombstone, Arizona. A town famous for it’s Wild West days, and a town full of several haunted locations that have reportedly been haunted SINCE those days. Lynze also has three awesome...

May 15, 20241 hr 21 minEp. 245

The Face Of Grief (Black Aggie)

Dan's first story first revolves around Black Aggie - the name of a statue that sat for years in a Maryland cemetery and attracted a number of paranormal claims, many of which were featured in various articles in the Baltimore press. Then we explore some Cherokee Folklore. The story of the Yunwi Tsunsdi aka…. the “ Little People. ” Most of the stories come from the area of Hickory Nut Gorge, North Carolina. A haunted house trifecta from Lynze this week is sure to please! Her first two tales are ...

May 08, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 244

Nightmare Fuel #7: Vacancy

In this seventh installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins, we travel to Savannah, Georgia, where a young couple on vacation check into a very unusual hotel, The 1780. Will they ever check out? This episode is scored by Logan Keith. We recommend listening with headphones to experience the full effect of all the creepy background noises! If you like this episode, please let us know wherever you rate and review podcasts. For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, hea...

May 03, 202450 minEp. 7

He Was Real

Dan has two excellent scares this week. The first comes from friend of one of our staff. It is CREEPY. What starts off looking like a bad case of sleep paralysis or nightmares ends up being a very real case of an encounter with a pair of disturbing entities. Then we have a ghost story from the American Civil War era. Despite taking place over 150 years ago, it was well documented by some local newspapers. It’s a very odd story that is sad and scary. Lynze has three stories this week! She shares ...

May 01, 20241 hr 10 minEp. 243

Terror In The Stairwell

Dan shares the story of the disappearance of the Grimes sisters. What makes this story suitable to be told here are a bunch of witnesses seeing these girls, after they vanished, in places they just could not be. Then we go to the Anderson Municipal Business Center in 2009. We hear details of what was supposedly seen and heard, plus an anonymous encounter story. Lynze has a more traditional haunted house story to start her half of the show. Her second story is WILD. It is the telling of an exorci...

Apr 24, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 242

Nightmare Fuel #6: The Children of Midnight

In this sixth installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins, we travel to the Oregon coast, where a young family sees their dream turn into a nightmare when they move into a new and very troubled home, long possessed by a powerful demon... This episode is scored by Logan Keith. We recommend listening with headphones to get the full effect of all the creepy background noises! If you like this episode, please let us know wherever you rate and review podcasts. Have a great wee...

Apr 19, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 6

What's In The Basement?

Dan will feature only one tale this week but it's a big one! Really immersive. We’re heading to a haunted strip club in West Virginia! Before we get there, we’ll share a bit of lore from some other haunted strip clubs too! Then, we have a tricky ghost hanging out in the Cottonwood Cemetery. This is a fun tale told by Lynze. Lastly, a woman has been seeing and feeling the same two spirits her entire life. Just when she thought they were gone, she thought wrong. Summer Camp 2025: The time has come...

Apr 17, 20241 hr 14 minEp. 241

The Spirit Of Highway Five

Dan has a tale in Alabama and centers around a ghost that has been spotted by numerous truckers - and some other drivers as well - at night along Highway 5. Then we head to Pune, India to explore the story of the Pune Poltergeist. Lynze has a bizarre haunted house tale that might also include a mimic? You decide. Then we go to Mexico for a funny tale of a new little creature called a duende followed by a much heavier, much darker tale. Summer Camp 2025: The time has come!!! Tickets for Wet Hot B...

Apr 10, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 240

Nightmare Fuel #5: The Villa of Moonlight

Five American college students find their relaxing Croatian vacation at the picturesque Villa of Moonlight transforming into a nightmare. As one friend inexplicably changes, the others begin to exhibit disturbing behavior, leading to a chilling revelation of an ancient entity preying on their fear and turning them into monsters. The episode explores themes of ancient evil, psychological horror, and the fine line between paradise and peril.

Apr 05, 202442 minEp. 5

The Boy Who Feared the Dark

Dan has tale that takes us to Buffalo, New York where we learn about the Mount Massive Asylum and a terrible sorority hazing gone sideways. Next, we go to Guadalajara to hear stories and lore surrounding the Santa Paula Cemetery. Lynze has a palate cleanser story to kick of her side of the show. It's a really beautiful, tear jerker of a tale. Then we visit Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola for four encounters with different entities that seem to be hanging around. Summer Camp 2025: The time...

Apr 03, 20241 hr 8 minEp. 239

The Ghosts of Port Arthur

A history tale and a spoopy tale all rolled into Dan's first story of this weeks show. Come to Tasmania with us and explore a truly haunting location. Then, we are off to São Paulo for a bit more history and another heart aching story filled with mystery and scary moments. Lynze offers us three tales this week! She kicks off with a strange sighting of something unknown while housesitting. Then childhood nightmares take a turn when they are confirmed to be much more not once but twice. Wrapping i...

Mar 27, 20241 hr 17 minEp. 238

The Ghosts Of Franklin Castle

Dan kicks off the show with a real head scratcher. Was a man take by aliens of was he just a man who drank himself into mental illness and then left his family? You be the judge. We go to Cleveland, Ohio for a fun history lesson and then many small stories of the spirits that may still live in Franklin Castle. Then Lynze gives us a different kind of tale that explores Celtic folklore. A young couple is out enjoying a winter hike when they encounter a woman who is just not quite right. Was it a f...

Mar 20, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 237

Nightmare Fuel #4: Sometimes the Darkness Wins

Hello Creeps and Peepers! In this fourth piece of horror fiction written and narrated by Dan Cummins, we meet a strange child's doll, Sam, found by a young boy, Jack, when he and his sister and mother moved into a new home following the death of Jack's father. Sam looks like she comes from another world, and she does, and her world is full of nothing but evil... This episode is scored by Logan Keith. We recommend listening with headphones to get the full effect of all the creepy background noise...

Mar 15, 202455 minEp. 4

Roadkill

The first story this week is about a long haul trucker who had quite the night out on the road alone in the middle of heavily forested area on the East Coast. He saw something, a couple somethings, maybe. The creepiness lingers on this one. The the second story is set in the little unincorporated community of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, located just outside of Terre Haute. A small Roman Catholic liberal arts college, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is supposedly haunted by the spirit of a faceless...

Mar 13, 20241 hr 14 minEp. 236

Thank You For Visiting

Dan has two fantastic stories this week. The first is about a bunch of sporadic reports to police and media, beginning in the early 1990s, about people claiming to be social workers and attempting to abduct children from their parents. This topic might not SEEM paranormal, but just wait for it. The second tale is set in small town America, posted by someone who has chosen to remain anonymous and it revolves around a haunted laundromat. Lynze Dazzles us with two awesome fan submitted horror stori...

Mar 06, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 235

Nightmare Fuel #3: The Beast of Bodie

In this chilling horror tale, Sheriff Ezra Calhoun investigates a series of gruesome killings in Bodie, California, that locals attribute to a mysterious beast. Guided by a Mono Indian elder, Ezra learns the true history of the town and the killer: a vengeful Skinwalker born from a horrific past. He prepares for a deadly showdown, risking his own life to end decades of terror.

Mar 01, 202449 minEp. 3

Lake Labynkyr Devil

Dan kicks off the show with a strange tale from Russia. A water dwelling, creepy creature that no one seems to know what it is. We join him at Lake Labynkyr. Is it just folklore? Or are some kind of leftover dinosaurs or something else living in this lake? Real-life sea serpents? Then, we go back to Wildwood, Missouri’s Zombie Road. While we once shared stories from Zombie Road several years ago - today’s encounters are all new. Or at least, new for us to share. Lynze has a Peeper friendly tale ...

Feb 28, 20241 hr 18 minEp. 234
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