BSP: Believer Skeptic Podcast

In this minisode, Cody and Chris talk all things prickly (hence the title). First, Chris tells a creepy story about a group of friends who find tons of puppets nailed to walls in a house. Eek! Then, Cody talks about the Pendle Witches, whose woes began when they tried to buy metal pins. Naturally, they were found “guilty” (we use that term loosely) and executed. Can you guess next week’s topic?

In this episode, Cody and Chris dive into amulets and talismans (talismen?), those objects that help protect against evil. First, because Cody loves Thai food so much, he talks about Thailand’s Supernatural Talisman Dolls, a recent, weird trend. Next, Chris discusses the most basic of compounds (and potent protective substances), salt. It’s more interesting than you’d think! Next, Cody talks about Apotropaic Magic, or magic that is used to ward off evil, with a focus on the protective power of gentilia (you read that right). Finally, Chris shares the Ancient Roman belief in Penis Amulets (you also read that right). Creep of the Week is about a recent discovery of an ancient amulet in Israel. Drinks this week are Kobucha and Talisman. Advisory: 0s-:20s Intro Music: :20s-:46s Topic: :46s-4:30m Drinks: 4:30m-6:24m History: 6:24m-11:48m Supernatural Talisman Dolls: 11:48m- 16:45m NaCl: 16:45m- 23:46m Trailer: 23:46m-24:17m Apotropaic Magic: 24:17m-34:39m Penis Amulets: 34:39m-40:46m Skeptic: 40:46m-43:32m Believer: 43:32m-46:10m Creep of the Week: 46:10m-47:39m- Sign Off: 47:39m-48:30m Outro Music: 48:30m-48:45m Original Music: “Halloween Pumpkin” found at https://www.purple-planet.com To find other strange podcasts, follow our network: https://podmoth.network/ Trailer from The Supernatural Sisters History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amulet http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/religion-miscellaneous/difference-between-amulets-and-talismans/ Supernatural Talisman Dolls https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35416537 https://theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/luk-thep-thailands-baby-doll-tradition/’ Salt https://www.learnreligions.com/salt-folklore-and-magic-2562502 https://occult-world.com/salt/ https://www.wisechoicemarket.com/salty-tales/ https://www.saltworkconsultants.com/salt-social-standing-and-religious-superstition/ Apotropaic Magic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotropaic_magic https://www.

In this minisode, Cody and Chris throw hints that aren't related to Tom Jones (did anyone know What’s New, Pussy Cat is a Tom Jones song??). First, Cody talks about Mummy Cats that are a little more than meets the eye. In fact, one is 5 hind legs and no head. Then, Chris tells a story about a girl dealing with strange dreams that soon became a chilling reality (at least to her). Can you guess next week’s topic?

In this episode, Cody and Chris head east (or west?) to bring you folklore from Japan. First, Chris talks about Japanese monsters known as Yokai and focuses on the Makuragaeshi-a mostly malevolent creature that tricks people by flipping their pillows (gasp!). Then, Cody shares another type of Yokai called Tsukumogami, or a regular household object that comes to life after 100 years. Next, Chris discusses water creatures called Kappa that obsess over a bejeweled lifeforce contained within the human butthole. You read that right. Finally, Cody talks about the Heikegani crab, a real creature that appears to have a Samurai mask coming out of its back. Drinks this week are Ramune Soda and (an accidental) Raspberry Sparkletini. Advisory: 0s-:20s Intro Music: :20s-:46s Topic: :46s-3:25M Drinks: 3:25m-5:25m History: 5:25m-11:15m Makuragaeshi: 11:15m-17:18m Tsukumogami: 17:18m-25:24m Commercial: 25:24m-25:54m Kappa: 25:54m-33:00m Heikegani Crabs: 33:00m-37:32m Believer: 37:32m-40:00m Skeptic: 40:00m-43:23m  Creep of the Week: 43:23m-45:26m Sign Off: 45:26m-46:37m Outro Music: 46:37m-46:58m Original Music: “Halloween Pumpkin” found at https://www.purple-planet.com To find other strange podcasts, follow our network: https://podmoth.network/ Trailer from The Mustachioed Podcastio Links History- https://www.jrpass.com/blog/folktales-of-japan#:~:text=Japan's%20folktales%20and%20mythology%20were,powerful%20sun%20goddess%20of%20Japan. https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/japanese-mythology Tsukomogami- https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Kasa-Obake https://mysideofthelaundryroom.wordpress.com/2017/07/24/kasa-obake/ https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Tsukumogami https://thewillowweb.com/2016/02/18/tsukumogami-japans-household-spirits/ Makuragaeshi- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makuragaeshi http://yokai.com/makuragaeshi/ http://matthewmeyer.net/blog/2013/10/20/a-yokai-a-day-makura-gaeshi/ Heikegani  https://listverse.

In this minisode, Cody and Chris talk about a crazy cult and a hidden mansion. First, Cody discusses the Happy Science religion, founded by a man who is the lord of gods and can channel anybody….living or dead! Then, Chris talks about a mysterious mansion where a grisly ritual - that was supposed to ward off the bad karma of the world - took place. Can you guess the connection between these two stories?

In this episode, Cody and Chris talk about SLIders: people who can turn lights on and off without touching them. First, Cody introduces us to the strange phenomena by sharing different wacky accounts from around the world. Then, Chris talks about an Australian man who claims to have always been “electrically charged.” Next, Cody shares the exact steps on how to become a bonafide “electromancer” and control electricity to shock your friends. Finally, Chris discusses an electrician from Virginia who claims to be psychic and uses his power on the job. Literally. Drinks this week are HopShock IPA and Electric Lemonade. Advisory: 0:00s-0:30s Intro Music: 0:30s-0:46s Topic: 0:46s-3:09m Drinks: 3:09m-4:22m History: 4:22m-10:00m SLIders Across the World: 10:00m-16:46m  Australian SLIder: 16:46m-22:00m How to Become an Electromancer: 22:00m-32:27m Electrical Attraction: 32:27m-38:38m Skeptic: 38:38m-42:26m Believer: 42:26m-45:07m Creep of the Week: 45:07m-46:46m Sign Off: 46:46m-47:53m Outro Music: 47:53m-48:12m Original Music: “Halloween Pumpkin” found at https://www.purple-planet.com To find other strange podcasts, follow our network: https://podmoth.network/ Links History- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light_interference_phenomenon https://www.liveabout.com/sliders-and-streetlight-phenomenon-2596547 http://www.assap.ac.uk/newsite/Docs/sli.pdf SLIders Across the World- https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1933665475/beyondthecurt-20 Australian SLIder- http://amasci.com/weird/unusual/sliold1.html How to Become an Electromancer- https://learnpowers.com/psychic-powers/electrokinesis/#:~:text=Put%20simply%2C%20Electrokinesis%20is%20the,this%20ability%20is%20called%20Electromancer. Electrical Attraction- http://amasci.com/weird/unusual/sliold1.html Believer- https://www.graduate.umaryland.edu/gsa/gazette/February-2016/How-the-human-body-uses-electricity/#:~:text=Our%20cells%20are%20specialized%20to,

In this minisode, Cody and Chris tell two crazy stories about power surges. First, Chris talks about the Big Blackout of 1965, an incident that coincided with a huge number of UFO sightings (that may have been the cause, dun dun dunnnn). Then, Cody discusses Roy Sullivan, the luckiest or unluckiest guy ever (you be the judge) who got struck by lightning seven times and lived to tell about each incident. Can you guess the connection of these stories and next week’s topic?

In this very NSFW (aren’t they all?) episode, Cody and Chris celebrate Valentine’s Day by talking about sex rituals and magic. First, Cody shares an atheist’s experience with a sex ritual, performed at a yoga studio under a full moon. Then, Chris tells of a woman who believes her love spell may have manifested demons in her lover. Next, Cody discusses a Voodoo love spell that ended in fire...literally. Finally, Chris talks about a man who suspected he may have been under a puppeteer’s magic spell. Creep of the Week comes from Rich AKA Vinyl Bear. Drinks this week are (virgin) Sex on the Beach and Fat Tire Trippel. Advisory: 0:00s-0:13s Intro Music: 0:13s-0:38s Topic: 0:38s-1:58m Drinks: 1:58m-3:51m History: 3:51m-11:14m An Atheist Ritual: 11:14m-20:35m Demon Lover: 20:35m-27:56m Sex on Fire: 27:56m-32:25m You Got Me Under Your Spell: 32:25m-40:12m Skeptic: 40:12m-42:20m Believer: 42:20m-45:07m Creep of the Week: 45:07m-50:06m Sign Off: 50:06m-51:36m Outro Music: 51:36m-51:56m Original Music: “Halloween Pumpkin” found at https://www.purple-planet.com Links History- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_hysteria https://thevelvetbox.com/the-history-of-sex-toys/ An Atheist Account- https://www.vice.com/en/article/j5e888/sex-magic-how-to-cast-spells-with-your-orgasms https://www.vice.com/en/article/dyge7v/i-did-a-sex-magic-ritual-and-it-actually-changed-my-life Sex on Fire- https://gothamist.com/news/five-alarm-fire-caused-by-voodoo-sex-ritual-gone-wrong https://www.salon.com/2011/02/25/voodoo_sex_ceremony_new_york_city_fire/ https://nypost.com/2011/02/25/deadly-five-alarm-brooklyn-fire-caused-by-candles-that-were-knocked-over-during-voodoo-sex-ritual/ Under His Spell- https://www.reddit.com/r/occult/comments/4ww0kc/any_want_to_share_their_story_of_love_spells_gone/

Valentine’s Day is the second worst commercialized holiday (after Christmas), and we’re celebrating it with some “love” stories (guess who wrote that sentence). First, Cody tells us about a strange tradition where a family listens outside a honeymoon suite to, um, doobers. Then, Chris talks about an ancient Egyption papyrus that, once translated, revealed an ancient erotic binding spell. These stories may be a little more obvious, but maybe not. You tell us!

In this episode, Cody and Chris take you to Cajun Country for some good old fashioned (and often hysterical) folklore. First, Cody talks about the pirate, Jean LaFitte, and the spirit known as the Fifolet that guards his treasure. Then, Chris discusses the Bigfoot of the Bayou known as the Honey Island Swamp Monster. Next, Cody shares The Grunch (that’s not a euphemism), a creature that may have formed out of testicles. Finally, Chris talks about the most famous of Cajun Cryptids, the Rougarou, a creepy werewolf-like creature. Creep of the Week comes from listener Aaron. This week’s drinks/food are Swamp Water, Old Fashioned Cajun Cake, and a Hurricane. Advisory: 0:00s-0:13s Intro Music: 0:13s-0:38s Topic: 0:38s-2:45m Drinks: 2:45m-5:00m History: 5:00m-10:12m Fifolet: 10:12m-17:20m Honey Island Swamp Monster: 17:20m-23:30m The Grunch: 23:30m-31:13m The Rougarou: 31:13m-36:58m Skeptic: 36:58m-39:22m Believer: 39:22m-42:00m Creep of the Week: 42:00m-45:11m Sign Off: 45:11m-46:46m Outro Music: 46:46m-47:06m Original Music: “Halloween Pumpkin” found at https://www.purple-planet.com Links History https://peachtown.org/cajun-folklore/ https://973thedawg.com/cajun-and-south-louisiana-superstitions-spells-and-traditions/ https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/louisiana/bizarre-superstitions-la/ Fifolet https://houmatravel.com/blog/post/what-was-that-myths-and-legends-of-louisianas-bayou-country https://authorlyngibson.wordpress.com/2016/07/22/louisiana-urban-legends-the-fifolet/ https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/jean-lafitte Honey Island Swamp Monster https://pelicanstateofmind.com/louisiana-love/legend-honey-island-swamp-monster/ https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2018/12/mysterious-swamp-monsters-of-louisiana/ The Grunch https://973thedawg.com/the-strange-new-orleans-legend-of-the-grunch/ https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Grunch_Road_Monster The Rougarou https://pelicanstateofmind.

In this minisode, Cody and Chris tell two gruesome, murderous tales, so trigger warning and stuff. First, Chris talks about the Axeman of New Orleans, a mysterious person who loved jazz and referred to himself as the Angel of Death. Then, Cody tells a hauntingly sad story about a murdering janitor who killed students at a segregated school. Can you guess how these stories are connected? Listen to next week’s episode to find out!

In this episode, Cody and Chris talk about mysterious lost cities, those places lost to time, the elements, or other circumstances. First, Cody discusses the famous underwater island, Atlantis, full of riches, mystical creatures, and drrrrrrama. Then, Chris dives into the lost City of Z, a place that swallowed hundreds of explorers. Next, Cody talks about the ancient city of Crete, whose unexplained abandonment has spawned tons of interesting theories. Finally, Chris shares another lost city that was eventually discovered and is now considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - Machu Picchu. Creep of the Week is brought to us by listener Rich AKA Vinyl Beer. Drinks this week are Inca Cola and a Golden Margarita. Advisory: 0:00s-0:13s Intro Music: 0:13s-0:37s Topic: 0:37s-2:45m Drinks: 2:45m-4:55m History: 4:55m-8:45m Atlantis: 8:45m-17:48m City of Z: 17:48m-24:10m Crete: 24:10m-30:02m Machu Picchu: 30:02m-36:00m Skeptic: 36:00m-40:00m Believer: 40:00m-42:43m Creep of the Week: 42:43m-48:11m Sign Off: 48:11m-49:43m Outro Music: 49:43m-50:03m Original Music: “Halloween Pumpkin” found at https://www.purple-planet.com Links History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_city https://sociable.co/technology/archaeology-tech/ Atlantis https://www.livescience.com/23217-lost-city-of-atlantis.html https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/archaeology/atlantis/ https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/lost-city-atlantis-real City of Z https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/lost-city-z-and-mysterious-disappearance-percy-fawcett-003265 Crete https://www.thedailymeal.com/travel/7-eerie-true-stories-lost-cities-and-civilizations-slideshow/slide-4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/greeks/minoan_01.shtml#:~:text=Print%20this%20page-,Volcanic%20explosion,of%20the%20thriving%20Minoan%20civilisation. Machu Picchu

Happy New Year! Once again, we are bringing you our year in review. Chris (intentionally) didn’t prepare for this one, so Cody asked all the questions, and it’s a really fun time! Like before, we discuss our favorite episodes of the year, favorite moments, future hopes, and of course, resolutions. We also introduce a few new tidbits, like the most listened to episodes of 2020. The results are actually going to affect the new year. It’s a classic case of learning from your past and living in the present. Have a great one, everyone!

Because of the strange occurrences “popping up” all over the world, we decided to talk about monoliths. First, Cody discusses the Mên-an-Tol Stones that contain a hole that heals tuberculosis, hideousness, and infertility. Then, Chris tells us about a place he visited: the Mesoamerican City of Teotihuacán that contains three pyramids with potential paranormal connections. Next, Cody discusses the timeline of the current monoliths that first appeared in Utah and have now been found across the world. Finally, Chris focuses on a theory about why the pyramids were built, and how they may have contributed to the development and launching of UFOs. Drinks of the week are an ancient recipe of Atolé and Very Bad Elf Reserve Ale. Advisory: 0:00s-0:12s Intro Music: 0:12s-:038s Topic: 0:38s-3:24s Drinks: 3:24s-6:10m History: 6:10m-11:50m Mên-an-Tol Stones: 11:50m-20:03m Teotihuacán : 20:03m-26:35m New Monoliths: 26:35m-33:58m Teotihuacán UFO’s: 33:58m-39:02m Skeptic: 39:02m-43:20m Believer: 43:20m-45:43m Creep of the Week: 45:43m-47:24m Sign Off: 47:24m-49:53m Outro Music: 49:53m-50:13m Original Music: “Halloween Pumpkin” found at https://www.purple-planet.com Links History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolith https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalith https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/geo/10/1/article-p504.xml?language=en#:~:text=Some%20megaliths%20were%20used%20for,individual%20or%20collective%20burial%20chambers. Mên-an-Tol Stones https://occult-world.com/megaliths/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%AAn-an-Tol https://britainexplorer.com/listing/men-an-tol/ Teotihuacán https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teotihuacan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_of_the_Sun Monoliths of Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/12/08/monolith-timeline-appearances-disappearances-around-world/6491015002/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/11/24/utah-red-rock-country-metal-monolith-discovered-remote-area/6405523002/

In this minisode, Cody and Chris share two stories that coincidentally involve the devil. First, Cody talks about the Aberdeen Witches, who were tried for doing such innocent things as drowning people in a river. Then, Chris shares the amazing creation myth - from the Brule Sioux - of Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Can you find the connection between the two stories?