

Lore
Aaron Mahnke
The award-winning podcast (also a TV show & book series) about dark historical tales. Each episode explores the mysterious creatures, tragic events, and unusual places that fill the pages of history. Because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 17, 2025 • 25min
Trick or Treat 3: Loved & Lost
This time, haunting love stories are front and center. Discover the Thai folktale of Maynok, whose spirit comforts her husband after her tragic death. Explore the eerie tale of Lydia, a bride whose ghost lingers at a lodge, stirring up unsettling feelings. Uncover the chilling apparition of Queen Draga, seeking vengeance from beyond the grave. Plus, Australian theaters host their own spooky encounters, including an opera singer's ghost, forever watching over the stage. Love transcends even death, and these stories capture that bond.

Oct 13, 2025 • 34min
Legends 64: No Rest For the Wicked
Unearth thrilling tales of legends born from gravesites. Discover the spine-chilling story of Mary Jane Hendrickson, transformed into a witch by campfire tales. Explore Molly Lee’s tumultuous past and how her exhumation cast doubt on her witchy reputation. Delve into the mysteries surrounding the Stoskov granite orb, said to imprison a witch’s spirit, and uncover the real crimes behind local legends. Finally, meet Sarah Norton, a midwife who became a protective ghost. History intertwines with eerie folklore in captivating ways!

Oct 10, 2025 • 23min
Trick or Treat 2: Too Young
Explore chilling tales where tragic loss fuels haunting stories. Discover the ghostly legends of children saving lives on train tracks and the real-life crash that inspired them. Delve into the eerie history of a haunted campground tied to sorrowful tales of nuns and drownings. Uncover the dark legacy of Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, built over a mass burial site. Finally, hear about the tragic murder of Sylvia Gaines and the ghostly sightings that continue to captivate. These narratives blend history with the supernatural, leaving a lasting impression.

Oct 9, 2025 • 2min
Deeper Lore: 290 (24, 207, & 265)
Dive into the intriguing connections between growth and eerie tales as the host explores themes from selected past discussions. Discover how different episodes interlink and enrich the overall narrative. Alongside fascinating stories, listeners get insights into the purpose behind the show. Plus, recommendations spark curiosity about previous installments that illuminate the darker side of human experiences. A perfect blend of storytelling and thematic exploration awaits!

4 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 33min
Lore 290: Growing Pains
Dive into the eerily playful world of nursery rhymes, uncovering their dark historical roots. Discover shocking theories behind beloved characters like Little Bo Peep and the haunting origins of familiar tunes. Explore how jump rope rhymes capture real-world events, reflecting the fears and realities of children's lives. Learn about the process of how kids use games to cope with concepts like death, and unravel the mysterious figure of Mother Goose and her cultural significance. It's a journey through laughter and shadows!

Oct 3, 2025 • 25min
Trick or Treat: Lavish
For the first of our weekly Halloween bonus episodes (every Friday in October), we’re visiting a number of haunted castles. You might want to keep a light on for this one. Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with with writing and research by Alex Robinson, GennaRose Nethercott, and Alexandra Steed. ————————— Lore Resources: Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources Official Lore Merchandise: lorepodcast.com/shop All the shows from Grim & Mild: www.grimandmild.com ————————— To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads @ lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it. ————————— To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com. Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/lore ————————— ©2025 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.

Sep 29, 2025 • 34min
Legends 63: Dance With the Devil
Explore the dark allure of gambling and its connection to folklore. Discover the chilling notion of trading one's soul for worldly gains through devilish pacts. Hear tales of clerics intervening in risky bargains and the haunting legend of Robert Johnson at the crossroads. Delve into the mysterious Rose LaTulipe and her fateful dance with a stranger, accompanied by moral lessons on passion. Uncover stories of musicians granted talent by the devil, linking music and dance to sinister influences. It's a captivating journey through risk, temptation, and the supernatural.

Sep 25, 2025 • 2min
Deeper Lore: Episode 289 (18, 48, & 101)
Explore the eerie mythos of the Wendigo and its significance in folklore. Discover the unsettling narratives behind hunger and survival in the wild. Delve into chilling tales from Skinwalker Ranch that blur the lines of reality. Each recommendation unravels deeper layers of horror and fascination. Join the discussion that connects historical fears to contemporary lore, inviting listeners to reflect on the shadows that haunt us.

Sep 22, 2025 • 36min
Lore 289: Shake It
Explore the fascinating world of sacred dances across cultures, connecting communities with the divine. Discover how authorities have historically suppressed or reshaped dance as a form of cultural resistance. Delve into the chilling tale of Wovoka's Ghost Dance and its tragic ties to the Wounded Knee massacre. An eerie Irish folktale brings to life a haunting dance with the dead, blurring the lines between the living and the spirit world. Each topic unravels the power and enchantment of movement throughout history.

Sep 15, 2025 • 34min
Legends 62: The Little Things
Discover the beauty in the simple moments of life, as the journey takes a spooky turn to the haunted legacies of the Phelps family in Palmyra, New York. Delight in the playful ghost Sybil, who lingers in a museum, while local legends like the notorious Angola Pigman reveal how folklore shapes community identity. Uncover bizarre tales, including a ghost with four legs, and explore the chilling folklore of black dogs, deeply entwined with themes of death and loyalty. History meets the supernatural in this captivating narrative.