Spooked

An ecologist in Maine fears she will be criticized because she “communicates with animals.” Then a tiny, collared Dove told her he could read her mind.

This story comes to our from our sister podcast Snap Judgment. If you want more stories from the bright light of day, listen to Snap Judgment on any podcast platform! 

Thank you Sara and Lily B for sharing your story with us.

Produced by Anna Sussman, edited by John Fecile, original score by Nicholas Marks.

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Malachi and his husband Jeremiah are heading to the Green Corn Ceremony: an ancestral Native American gathering filled with food and dance. It’s also a night when spirits come near, delivering messages to those ready to hear.

Thank you Malachi and Jeremiah for sharing your story with Spooked!

Produced by Erick Yáñez, original score by Sandra Lawson-Ndu, scouted by Ixchel López.

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Spirits, seances and dollhouses. This is The Summoning.

STORIES 

"Spirit on the Board" - What happens when a group of kids conjure a spirit?

"The Seance" - A long-lost love comes to town for a visit, and he's been dead for years. Produced by Bob Carlson and KCRW's Unfictional.

"Dollhouse" - Ali Standish came home after surgery and was shocked to find her grandmother in the living room with a gift-- a dollhouse. Produced by Eliza Smith and Mark Ristich, original scores by Leon Morimoto.

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The people of Bower County have had just about enough of Polly Barrow and the boys, and decide to do something about it.

This is the third and final part of our introduction to Old Gods of Appalachia. If you like what you heard, you can listen to the complete podcast — currently in its sixth season here in 2026 — on your favorite podcast app! To learn more about the show, visit oldgodsofappalachia.com

This episode contains scenes of an armed mob, witchcraft practices, house fire, burns / injuries incurred from those fires, non-graphic mention of a gunshot wound, strangulation, smothering / difficulty breathing, death by blunt force, explosions, body horror, supernatural attack on a woman by a man, monster violence, ageist language (used by a villain), and death. Sensitive listeners please be advised. 

Written by Cam Collins and Steve Shell

Special script consultant: DJ Rogers

Narrated by Steve Shell

Sound design by Steve Shell

Produced and edited by Cam Collins and Steve Shell

The voice of Polly Barrow: Tracy Johnston-Crum

The voice of Granny Underwood: Stephanie Hickling-Beckman

The voice of Nina Jennings: Shasparay Irvine

The voice of Tobias Underwood: DJ Rogers

The voice of Franklin Moses: Dr. Ray Christian

Intro Music: “The Land Unknown (The Pound of Flesh Verses)” written and performed by Landon Blood

Outro Music: “Pretty Polly” as performed by Landon Blood and John Lee Bullard and a second version performed by Stacie Sexton.

Special guest voices (aka The Churchman Ghost Chorus): Cam Collins, Laura Hampton, Manda Alley Leonard, Jordan Shiveley, Kelson Stallard, Amerie Helton, Tonya Woolard, Nathan Cavicci, Jason Strength, Fiona Chamness, Colin Bulla, DL Armistead, Mortellus, Eric Daniel Pavey, Renee Hill, Grant McCracken, Dayv Cole, Terhan McDaniels, Monique Bouchard, Tyler Childers (no, not that Tyler Childers, the other one), Jékksyn Ícaro, Joshua Huntsinger, Theresa Daniels, Sarah Leary, Dan Craley, Edwin Maldanado Jr., Nikki Nelson-Hicks, Layla Cruse, Lindsey Deel with thanks and apologies to Billy Howell, Mayor Preston Blakely, D. Travis Brandel, Tonya Downing, Josh Roberts, and Susan Fox. 

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Polly Barrow and her boys make another special delivery, this time to the Underwoods of Oak Mountain. Discoveries are made.

This is part two of our three episode introduction to Old Gods of Appalachia.

This episode references historical racism and law enforcement, happy baby sounds, blended Appalachian witchcraft and Christian practices, supernatural manifestations centered around a baby. Sensitive listeners please be advised.

Today’s episode encompassed episode 34 from season three of Old Gods. If you like what you heard, you can listen to the complete podcast — currently in its sixth season here in 2026 — on your favorite podcast app. Old Gods of Appalachia is a production of DeepNerd Media. To learn more about the show, visit oldgodsofappalachia.com

Written by Cam Collins

Special script consultant: DJ Rogers

Narrated by Steve Shell

Sound design by Steve Shell

Produced and edited by Cam Collins and Steve Shell

The voice of Granny Underwood: Stephanie Hickling-Beckman

The voice of Nina Jennings: Shasparay Irvine

The voice of Tobias Underwood: DJ Rogers

The voice of Polly Barrow: Tracy Johnston-Crum

Intro music: “The Land Unknown (The Pound of Flesh Verses)” written and performed by Landon Blood

Outro music: “I Cannot Escape The Darkness” by Those Poor Bastards

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.