
Astonishing Legends
The world is more mysterious than most people are comfortable imagining. We cross paths with the mystical from time to time and may not even notice it. If we do, we quickly return to our usually mundane daily existence. But what if we not only acknowledged the unknown, we investigated it and spoke with those in the know? That's what co-hosts Scott Philbrook & Forrest Burgess, and co-executive producer Tess Pfeifle do at Astonishing Legends. Over 100 million downloads and hundreds of thousands of listeners have discovered the thrill of exploring the mysteries of our world, showing that the unknown can be both captivating and intriguing. Welcome to Astonishing Legends!
Latest episodes

Apr 22, 2025 • 29min
26: There's No Place like Gnome
In tonight’s dead letter, listener Leah experiences repeated visits from what appear to be gnome-like beings. The visits began after she began practicing Wicca, and thankfully, these mysterious creatures appear to be non-threatening…but persistent. Are they simply hallucinations connected to sleep paralysis, or are they part of the fabric of reality that is hidden from us most of the time?
Email your stories to deadletteroffice@astonishinglegends.com
https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/cryptids/evil-gnomes-mythology

Apr 15, 2025 • 28min
25: Knockin' on Devil's Den Door
In tonight's dead letter, we explore the eerie experiences of Allie, a PhD candidate from the University of Arkansas, who revisits the hauntingly notorious Devil's Den in the Ozark National Forest. As shared with hosts Scott and Forrest, Allie's research expeditions become unsettling when she feels an unseen presence and hears unexplained banging noises near isolated trails and bridges. Her tales echo past episodes with guest of our main show, Terry Lovelace, adding another layer to the chilling lore of this paranormal hotspot.
Shownotes:
Abduction at Devil’s Den (Terry Lovelace)
Devil’s Den the Reckoning Part 1
Devil’s Den the Reckoning Part 2
Devil's Den State Park
Devil's Den State Park Wikipedia
Terry Lovelace Books at Amazon
https://a.co/d/cA4eG3f
https://a.co/d/j7l4PFJ

15 snips
Apr 13, 2025 • 2h 5min
The Max Headroom Pirate TV Incident Part 1
Dive into the strange world of the Max Headroom Pirate TV Incident, where a masked figure hijacked Chicago broadcasts with surreal messages. Explore the technical wizardry that made this bizarre act possible and the myriad theories about the hijackers' identity. The hosts serve up a mix of nostalgia, humor, and cultural commentary, discussing its lasting impact on media. Unpack the unsettling nature of this incident while reflecting on the evolution of technology and its influence on communication, all wrapped in an entertaining narrative.

Apr 8, 2025 • 15min
24: The Shadow Man Who Wasn't There
In tonight's dead letter, we hear from Jada who encountered a shadowy figure with red eyes on two separate occasions in different locations. The first sighting occurred during a summer church camp, but the second happened years later and was witnessed by her boyfriend, who doesn’t believe in this kind of stuff. Are hauntings tied to people rather than places? Or tied to anything at all? The more we learn, the more questions we have.

Apr 1, 2025 • 32min
23: Unwanted Houseguests
In tonight’s dead letter, a listener shares her stories of a childhood filled with unexplained phenomena in her family home just outside Toronto. From a mischievous spectral boy seen by the whole family to disembodied voices and a chilling sense of dread, their experiences were chalked up to "ghosts" as a family joke. But the story takes a strange turn when the spirit of "Robert Barber" appears in her dad's dream, a name that has a bizarre connection to a local mill and perhaps even her grandfather.
https://www.theifp.ca/news/is-robert-barber-haunting-his-former-mill/article_4f000b62-5015-568e-8ee7-4eb3a1d4f70f.html
https://freaktography.com/abandoned-barber-paper-mill/
https://ominous.app/browse/site/603

Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 60min
What Lies Beneath the Pyramids of Egypt
This week, we dive into a viral story that is captivating social media and stirring global debate — a supposed discovery beneath the sands of Giza that some are calling the find of the century. Descriptions of a vast, multi-level complex with geometric passageways, deep shafts, and mysterious chambers have sparked theories ranging from ancient power plants to the legendary Halls of Amenti. Could this be a groundbreaking revelation? A misinterpretation of data? Something even stranger? We’ll explore the evidence, the claims, and the science behind this unfolding mystery to form some theories of our own. So join us as we examine another layer to one of history’s most enduring enigmas.
Visit our website for a lot more information on this episode.

Mar 25, 2025 • 34min
22: Bunny in a Tuxedo
In tonight’s dead letter, we delve into a truly bizarre family tale spanning generations. Taylor shares her mother's childhood encounter with a giant, tuxedo-clad bunny rabbit residing in her friend's shower—a story echoed by her own childhood sighting of a similar figure. Could this be a family secret, a shared hallucination, or something far more uncanny?
Púca

Mar 23, 2025 • 1h 37min
A Scared to Death Timesuck with Dan Cummins
This week, we welcome master storyteller, podcaster, and comedian Dan Cummins, creator of the hit shows Timesuck and Scared to Death. Known for his deep dives into historical mysteries and the supernatural, Dan brings scholarly research paired with sharp wit. We’ve long admired the quality and depth of his work, which often parallels our own. Our conversation spans his paranormal encounters, the eerie legend of Rasputin, and a bizarre experience he had that mirrors one of Scott’s — with coincidences too strange to ignore. We’ll also explore Dan’s unique path into podcasting, his prolific creative output, and his passion for the unexplained. Plus, Scott shares a story from his recent visit to the Rhine Institute in Durham, where he learned about cutting-edge research into human bioluminescence.
Visit our website for a lot more information on this episode.

Mar 18, 2025 • 32min
21: A Call From Beyond
Dive into the eerie boundary between life and death as a listener shares a chilling phone call from a relative she never met. The unsettling mystery blends personal anecdotes with cinematic references, probing our innate desire for connection with the departed. Explore the psychological impacts of spectral communications and the significance of dreams as we attempt to unravel the mysteries of the afterlife. This intriguing discussion invites reflection on memories, nostalgia, and the whispers of those we've lost.

Mar 17, 2025 • 23min
20: The Haunted Firehouse
Due to an error last week, this Dead Letter Office didn't make it to the main feed so here it is now! There's a NEW one tomorrow too!
In tonight’s dead letter, we explore the chilling tales of paranormal activity at a haunted firehouse, as recounted by volunteer firefighter Ken Sanner Jr. Ken details a series of unsettling events, from flickering lights and moving objects to disembodied voices and unexplained shadows—even a heavy metal door mysteriously opening on a windless day. There’s something more than meets they eye going on at this place, but what?
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