Ghouls Podcast

by Anne MacCarroll & Emily Dryden

Season 1

13. Conjuring House Campfire Stories & Video Evidence Captured

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We’ve got some special guests today to discuss our shared experience spending the night at the Conjuring House! Let’s just say, the place is haunted from top to bottom! We all felt it. Some of our experiences were shared, and some were personal. But we’re all in agreement: the place is definitely haunted!Also, check out our socials for a piece of paranormal evidence and some photos we took during our stay.

12. Conjuring House History

Today’s episode covers the Conjuring House! The house that started a movie franchise empire and that is dearly loved within the paranormal community. This episode is based on Andrea Perron’s book trilogy “House of Darkness, House of Light” and provides some history of the location as well as a roster of the resident spirits, according to the Perron family who lived there for 10 years. We don’t know what the fate of the home will be (a private buyer just purchased it), but we’re hoping it stays open to the public. And if it does… let this episode help guide you to connect with the spirits who dwell there. References: House of Darkness, House of Light, the complete trilogy by Andrea Perron

11. Bedtime Stories 2: Skinwalker Ranch

In today’s episode, we’re discussing a subject that has captured imaginations and terrified them: the skinwalker. We’re going to look at the Skinwalker’s Navajo origins, take a peek at what goes on at Skinwalker Ranch, and then travel the globe to compare stories like these around the world. References: Clyde Kluckhohn, Navaho Witchcraft (Beacon Press, 1944). Margaret K. Brady & Barre Toelken, Some Kind of Power: Navajo Children’s Skinwalker Narratives (University of Utah Press, 1984). EBSCO Research Starter, “Skinwalker (mythology).” George Knapp & Colm A. Kelleher, Hunt for the Skinwalker (2005) [for later folklore adaptations]. George Knapp & Colm A. Kelleher, Hunt for the Skinwalker (2005).

10. Halloween’s Origin Story and Evolution Around the World

Today we’re taking a look at Halloween, the holiday itself. It’s roots date back around 2000 years, and while it’s celebrations are still concentrated in North America and the UK, we’ll be taking a look its origin story, how its evolved in the United States to modern day and how it has spread across the globe, mixing with local customs and traditions. References: History.com Editors. History of Halloween. A&E Television Networks, 2009. History Channel Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night. Oxford University Press, 2002. Bannatyne, Lesley Pratt. Halloween: An American Holiday, An American History. Pelican Publishing, 1998. Morton, Lisa. Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween. Reaktion Books, 2012. Santino, Jack. Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life. University of Tennessee Press, 1994. NPR. The History of Trick-or-Treating. October 28, 2005. National Retail Federation (NRF). Halloween Spending Data & Statistics. Annual reports (various years). New York Village Halloween Parade. History of the Parade. Official site. National Confectioners Association. Most Popular Halloween Candy Rankings. (Annual industry survey). History.com Editors. Halloween 2023: History of Halloween Around the World. A&E Television Networks. https://www.history.com/topics/halloween Frazer, James.The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. 1890. (Classic anthropological study on pagan festivals and their transformation into Christian observances.)

9. Ronald O'Bryan: The Man Who Killed Halloween

Today’s episode kicks off our very first episode in an every-Friday series for the month of October in honor of all things spooky! We’re covering the case of Ronald O’Bryan, the “Man Who Killed Halloween” by poisoning his son with some tainted Pixy Stix in order to collect on a life insurance policy. References: People: https://people.com/candy-man-killer-timothy-obryan-murder-8732896 Law.justia.com https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1979/59731-3.html Click 2 Houtson: https://www.click2houston.com/news/investigates/2024/10/31/a-legacy-of-fear-50-years-after-the-candyman-tainted-tick-or-treating/ HCDistrict Clerk: https://www.hcdistrictclerk.com/Common/HistoricalDocument/pdf/COTM_Oct_2021.pdf ABC 13: https://abc13.com/post/1974-candyman-turned-halloween-terrifying-pasadena-texas/375883/ Medium.com: https://medium.com/@nikyoung/the-story-of-the-candy-man-killer-49455baf0ae3

8. Bedtime Stories 1: Florida’s Skunk Ape

Today is all about cryptids. The mythical beasts that somehow have no hard evidence to suggest they’re real and at the same time, have hundreds of thousands of believers across the world. Cryptids are that delightful mix between a silly story and the stuff of your worst nightmares, and today, we’re going to talk about our recent visit to the Bigfoot Museum and discuss his baby cousin, Florida’s Skunk Ape. References: EBSCO.COM: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/skunk-ape-cryptozoology Skunkapeevents: https://skunkapeevents.weebly.com/skunk-ape-sightings.html Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunk_ape Countere: https://www.countere.com/home/floridas-bigfoot-everglades-dave-shealy-legend-of-the-skunk-ape Mongabay: https://news.mongabay.com/2023/12/photos-top-species-discoveries-from-2023/

7. John Shaw & Geoffrey Evans, Ireland’s First Serial Killers

In 1976, John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans made a pact to rape and murder a woman a week until they were caught. And after spending a lifetime committing petty, and less petty crimes individually, they teamed up and graduated to murder. They are considered Ireland’s first serial killers and their hatred for women is palatable. But why bring this case up today… there is a chance John Shaw could walk free in 2026. References: Frozen Blood, by Michael Sheridan Worlds Most Evil Killers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPEbdGKsAwg The Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/the-late-summer-murders-two-men-on-a-mission-to-kill-irish-women-1.4804276 https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/07/07/irelands-first-serial-killer-will-not-face-rape-charges-in-britain/

6. Haunted Cities: Savannah

Today’s episode is going to kick off a series that will be sprinkled into future shows called Haunted Cities. And our first stop on the tour is Savannah, GA. Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, the city has seen its fair share of tragedy in its nearly 300 year history. From war to disease and the slave industry, there’s lots of reasons this city might be haunted. We’re going to share some of the city’s extensive history as well as some of its must-do haunted spots. References: Savannah History - visitsavannah.com Pirates House - WSAV.com https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/savannah/the-tale-behind-the-haunted-pirates-house/ Savannah Ghost Tour/Gribble House - https://savannahghosttour.com/the-gribble-house/ Gribble House History - https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2012/11/11/ghosts-haunt-savannahs-most-diabolical-crime/13449266007/ Sorrel-Weed House https://gallivantertours.com/savannah/historic-homes/sorrel-weed-house/ Sorrel-Weed House https://savannahghosttour.com/the-suicides-at-the-sorrel-weed-house/ Marshall House https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marshall_House_(Savannah,_Georgia)

5. Ronald Gene Simmons, Family Annihilator

Today we’re discussing a man who has the distinction of committing the deadliest case of familicide in US history, killing 14 family members and two others while on a several-days killing rampage during Christmas of 1987. Simmons killed his wife, children and grandchildren, and put a whole community on lockdown in the aftermath. References: Arkansas Democrat Gazelle https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/nov/13/the-devil-of-pope-county-episode-1-the-russellville-rampage/?crime Encyclopedia of Arkansas: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/ronald-gene-simmons-3731/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Gene_Simmons

4. Madame Delphine LaLaurie

Today we’re discussing a woman once described as “a demon in the shape of a woman.” Madame Delphine LaLaurie is a woman who has gone down in New Orleans infamy. Her cruelty towards her slaves in the 1830s shocked the city to its core and has been a tale whispered about for over 175 years. But where does fact meet fiction? References: “Madame LaLaurie, Mistress of the Haunted House” - Carolyn Morrow “Mad Madame Lalaurie, New Orleans Most Famous Murderess Revealed” - Victoria Cosner Love

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