Episode 148 - The Dark Origins of Christmas Mythology and Monsters

Explicit content warning

12/10/24 • 69 min

1 Listener

Lunatics Radio Hour

Text Abby and Alan

From Krampus and Belsnickel to ancient pagan festivals, Abby and Alan discuss the dark origins of Christmas mythology and monsters.
Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Listen to the paranormal playlist I curate for Vurbl, updated weekly! Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.
SOURCES

Smithsonian Magazine Article by Kat Eschner - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-do-ghost-stories-go-christmas-180961547/
All Things Interesting Article by Morgan Dunn: The Story Of Yule, The Raucous Pagan Celebration Of Winter That Inspired Christmas
An article called The Legend of La Befana by Debra Thimmesh, on ItaliaRail.com
Santa Claus: Real Origins and Legends on History.com
English Heritage article by Tom Moriarty: The History of Father Christmas
Atlas Obscura Article by Sarah Elizabeth Troop: The Monsters of Christmas
Smithsonian Magazine Article by Colin Dickey: A Please to Resurrect the Christmas Tradition of Telling Ghost Stories

Support the show

Text Abby and Alan

Smithsonian Magazine Article by Kat Eschner - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-do-ghost-stories-go-christmas-180961547/
All Things Interesting Article by Morgan Dunn: The Story Of Yule, The Raucous Pagan Celebration Of Winter That Inspired Christmas
An article called The Legend of La Befana by Debra Thimmesh, on ItaliaRail.com
Santa Claus: Real Origins and Legends on History.com
English Heritage article by Tom Moriarty: The History of Father Christmas
Atlas Obscura Article by Sarah Elizabeth Troop: The Monsters of Christmas
Smithsonian Magazine Article by Colin Dickey: A Please to Resurrect the Christmas Tradition of Telling Ghost Stories

Support the show

Previous Episode

Episode 147 - Campfire Tales #3

Text Abby and Alan

Abby and Alan are thrilled to present three horrifying and hauntingly beautiful stories. Come and gather around the campfire, as we collectively grow more and more unsettled together.
Consider donating to Beloved Asheville.
Lakeland was written by Marisca Pichette, and narrated by Michael Crosa. This story was originally published in text in September 2022 by Night Terror Novels, as part of their Theatre Phantasmagoria series. Marisca's first novella, Every Dark Cloud, is forthcoming in spring 2025 from Ghost Orchid Press. Support Michael by checking out the Podnooga Podcast Network.
Black Tea, Cream Tea, Chocolate Tea, Blood was written by Elou Carroll, and narrated by Denali Bartell. It was previously published in Kaleidotrope last year and was included in Tor.com's (now reactormag.com's) Must Read Short Fiction list for September 2023. You can follow Denali on Instagram at @Denalibartell and check out their poetry collection here.
Eulogy of The Lake was written and narrated by Mike Macera. You can listen to Beach Therapy on Spotify here.
Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Listen to the paranormal playlist I curate for Vurbl, updated weekly! Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

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Next Episode

Lunatics Library 44 - Holiday Horror Stories

Text Abby and Alan

Abby and Alan are so thrilled to present four haunting holiday horror stories. Cozy up next to a fire with a cup of hot coco, and prepare to shake in your snow boots.
Matches was written by Warren Benedetto and narrated by Jon C. Cook. Catch Jon's narration of A Christmas Carol every week, here.
Some Items Are Display Only was written by Sarah Jane Justice and narrated by Sara Luke. Follow Sarah Jane Justice on social media @SarahJaneJusticeWriting and Sara Luke @SaraLuke25.
The Snow Ones was written by Paul O'Neill and narrated by Mike Macera. Follow Paul on Instagram @Paul.on1984. Listen to Mike's band Beach Therapy anywhere you listen to music.
Spirit of The Seasons was written by Marisca Pitchette and narrated by Abby Brenker.
Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Listen to the paranormal playlist I curate for Vurbl, updated weekly! Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.