Episode 66: La Befana, the Christmas-ish Witch

La Befana is a popular figure in Italian holiday folklore. The little Christmas Witch shares more than a few traits with good Ol’ Saint Nick. This holiday season we’re going to talk about La Befana, and see exactly why she should have a place on our mantel, right next to that Elf on the Shelf.

Forests are naturally known as fantastical places, but none hold a candle to Germany’s Black Forest. Walk into the supernatural history of the Black Forest, get acquainted with some of its more spooky inhabitants, and learn about what exactly inspired the Brothers Grimm to change the world of folktales forever.

When La Casa de los Lamentos in Guanajuato, Mexico opened its doors to tourists, they knew they could make some money showing the home of a deceased serial killer. What they didn’t expect, was that Tadeo Fulgencio Mejia’s victims might still be lingering in the halls. Bonus Episode: When Gertrude Tredwell’s father forbade her from marrying the love of her life, she kept that promise even after his death. But now, years after her own death, it seems as though Gertrude is still mourning that love in that very home she died in.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! It’s time for a Scary Stories for the Soul original tale of terror: The house next to Leticia’s has been vacant for years, until now. Her new neighbors, Marcelina and David, are interesting people; beautiful but aloof. But soon, Leticia starts having nightmares about the couple. Are the dreams just that, or are the vampire bites she feels every night real?

There’s a tree in Guadalajara that’s unlike any other. It’s not the concrete slab that the tree grew out of that makes it so unique, or it’s strange ability to bleed when cut into. It’s the fact that deep underneath its roots is a slumbering vampire waiting to take its revenge. Get ready to learn about the Vampire of Guadalajara.

Jure Grando IS a vampire, or at least that’s what the people of Kringa believe. Learn about the first man to ever be noted in historical record as a vampire, and how the village of Kringa stopped his deadly attacks.

Nellie Vaughn is NOT a vampire, and she’s been spending the majority of her afterlife trying to convince people of that. Let’s explore the Nellie Vaughn story, and how she got stuck with such a bad reputation.

Alleged vampire Mercy Brown has had her name cemented into American history by being the focal point of the New England Vampire Panic. But even now, almost 150 years after her death, the same question still arise: was Mercy ACTUALLY a vampire?

Warning: This episode contains instances of suicide and self harm. Listen at your own discretion.For decades the cause of Ladell Allen’s suicide was a mystery, as was the reasoning why her ghost still haunted her childhood home in Monticello, Arkansas. That is, until a new homeowner made a chilling discovery about Ladell Allen and the love of her life.

The Hope Diamond is well know for its beauty, but did you know it also carries a legacy of death and misfortune? Let’s discuss the lore behind the brilliant stone and its supposed body count.