Arcane Answers
by Lare, Amanda, and SaraSeason 2
The Denver International Airport
Underground Civilizations
In this episode of Arcane Answers, Larry, Amanda, and Sara explore a variety of regional monsters and urban legends from across the United States. The discussion begins with the Black Eyed Kids, a 1990s phenomenon involving eerie, monotone-voiced children with solid black eyes who evoke a sense of overwhelming dread. The hosts then shift to Arkansas to discuss the Gurdon Light, a mysterious floating orb on railroad tracks attributed to either the ghost of a murdered worker or geological piezoelectricity. Amanda shares the local legend of the Prop Man from Washington, a ghostly B-24 crash victim said to wander Mission Ridge with a propeller blade embedded in his chest. Sara concludes with two chilling tales: the Bandaged Man of the Oregon coast, a foul-smelling, bloody figure who terrorizes parked vehicles , and the Witch of Yazoo from Mississippi, who allegedly fulfilled a deathbed curse to burn down the town twenty years after being left to die in quicksand Email Us at aarcanepodcast@gmail.com The mysterious triangles of the world
In this episode of the Arcane Answers podcast, We get into the grim historical realities that inspired famous folklore. They discuss how these stories often served as a way to process collective trauma or as dire warnings to keep children safe. Featured Fairy Tale Origins Bluebeard: Lare connects this tale to Gilles de Rais, a 15th-century French nobleman and companion to Joan of Arc. After turning to alchemy and allegedly seeking the Philosopher's Stone, he confessed to the ritualistic murder of 140 to 600 children. The Pied Piper of Hamelin: Amanda highlights historical evidence in Hamelin, Germany, including a plaque at the "Rattenfänger House" and town records from 1384 stating it had been 100 years since their children left. Theories include the failed Children's Crusade of 1212 or a mass migration led by a brightly dressed "recruiter". Beauty and the Beast: Sara discusses Petrus Gonsalvus, born in 1537 with hypertrichosis (werewolf syndrome). Though initially treated as a "wild man" in the French court, he was highly educated and eventually had a 40-year marriage with a woman named Catherine. Key Discussion Points German Werewolf Myths: The hosts touch upon the origin of werewolf legends in Germany, specifically mentioning a man who believed he could transform by rubbing fat on his body and wearing furs.For those interested in this specific historical case, you can read more about Peter Stumpp, often called the "Werewolf of Bedburg," here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Stumpp The "New Dark Ages": Sara and Amanda reflect on the modern era, suggesting that society has entered a "new middle" or "new dark ages" characterized by a lack of understanding and widespread fear. Museum Update: The episode wraps up with news that the International Cryptozoology Museum has relocated from Portland to Bangor, Maine. Lare, Amanda, and Sara discuss various legendary creatures, starting with the Jersey Devil. Larry explains the 1735 legend of "Mother Leeds," who allegedly gave birth to a child that transformed into a winged monster and flew into the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Amanda shares Inuit cryptids, including the Akhlut, a part-orca and part-wolf shapeshifter driven by vengeance, and the Qalupalik, a horrific creature used to scare children away from dangerous ice. Sara concludes with stories of the Flathead Lake Monster, described as a large creature with "undulating hips," and the Shunka Warakin (Rocky Mountain Hyena), a wolf-like beast shot by a Montana rancher in 1886, whose taxidermied remains are still on display today. a family gathering in the Haynesville Woods where members share local folklore, personal memories, and original poetry. The primary legend discussed is that of the Hoof Man, a "gangly" figure with a blood-stained face and hands who allegedly visited a hunting camp called The Raven during a snowstorm, leaving only cloven hoof prints in his wake. The speakers also recount other local myths like the hitchhiker and the "Neon Lady," alongside personal anecdotes of getting a flat tire near the bridge and the camaraderie of hunting camp life. The session concludes with a reading of an original poem titled "Rutting Season," which captures the rowdy yet sentimental atmosphere of northern Maine hunting camps and the deep bonds formed among the men who gather there. Bonus episode 1: Clowns, Dolls, and bears, oh my!
Season 1
In this New Year's episode of Arcane Answers, host Larry and co-hosts Amanda and Sarah discuss various global traditions and superstitions for ringing in the new year. The group explores historical roots, such as Julius Caesar establishing January 1st as the start of the year in honor of the two-faced god Janus , and dives into diverse cultural practices like eating twelve grapes in Spain for luck or wearing specific colors of underwear in Latin America to attract wealth or love. They also detail a wide array of symbolic foods, ranging from Japan’s longevity-granting soba noodles to the American South’s "Hoppin' John" and the seven lucky gods of Japanese mythology. The episode concludes with a list of foods to avoid, such as lobster and chicken—which supposedly "move backwards" and sweep away good fortune —while Sarah encourages everyone to smash a pomegranate for future blessings. In this festive episode of Arcane Answers, host Lehrer is joined by sisters Amanda and Sara to explore the fascinating (and sometimes bizarre) history behind modern holiday traditions. The trio dives into the concept of religious syncretism—the blending of traditions—explaining how the early Church co-opted existing pagan festivals to establish December 25th as Christmas. 
