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Artwork for After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

History Hit
Dick Turpin
William Palmer
Victorian Era
Elizabeth Báthory
Alexander the Great
Rugeley
Infant Mortality
Strychnine
Cholera
Medical Practices
Mary Celeste
18th Century Britain
Highway Robbery
Horse Racing
Gwen Ellen Jones
Criminal Justice
Highwaymen
Ghost Stories
Murder
William Murphy

This is After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal. The podcast that takes you to the shadiest corners of the past, unpicking history’s spookiest, strangest, and most sinister stories.

Join historians Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling, every Monday and Thursday to take a look at the darker side of history. From haunted pubs and Houdini, to witch trials and weird UFO sightings.

After Dark: Myth... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes248Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeHistory

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Artwork for After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Latest Episodes

The Victorians had a lot of twisted fascinations, but their fixation on Ancient Egypt might be the darkest of the lot.

From 'mummy unwrapping parties' (yes, really), to gothic stories of romances with mummified bodies and beetles that came to life. more

It all started when a huge storm drowned 40 men on Christmas Eve, 1617.

The people of Vardø, northern Norway, needed someone to blame.

What followed were devastating witch trials which featured one of the highest execution rates in Europe, and impl... more

The Fire that struck London in 1666 was one of the city's darkest chapters. In this episode, Anthony and Maddy examine the accounts of people who witnessed the disaster at the time, tracing the story from its origin in Pudding Lane right up until its... more

What did it feel like to wake up Salem Village during the darkest days of the witch trials? Would you be able to swallow down your beer and pottage breakfast? As you walked towards the simple wooden Meetinghouse in the afternoon, what feeling would h... more

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Recent Guests

Professor Marion Gibson
Historian and author specializing in witchcraft history.
Episode: The Deadly Arctic Witch Trials
Dr. Joseph Laycock
Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Texas State University and author.
Texas State University
Episode: The Truth About the Conjuring's Ghost Hunters
Siobhan McSweeney
Acclaimed actress and BAFTA winner known for her role in Derry Girls and her hosting on Great Pottery Throwdown.
Derry Girls
Episode: Banshees: Herald of Death
Dr. Eleanor Barrowclough
Returning guest, author of 'Embers of the Hands, A Hidden History of the Viking Age.'
Episode: The Most Notorious Viking Raid
Merlin Holland
Oscar Wilde biographer and grandson
Episode: Oscar Wilde's Very Victorian Scandal
Jenn Utley
a family historian from Ancestry
Ancestry
Episode: Does Every Family Hold A Dark Past?
Joe Buggy
Genealogist at Ancestry
Ancestry
Episode: Does Every Family Hold A Dark Past?
Dr Jess Venner
Ancient historian and author of The Lost Voices of Pompeii
Episode: What Happened The Day Pompeii was Destroyed?
Dr. Eleanor Barraclough
Historian and author known for her work on Viking history.
Episode: The Dark Side of the Vikings

Hosts

Anthony Delaney
Co-host focusing on historical narratives, often introducing engaging and educational discussions. With a background in history, Delaney brings expert insights and humor to the episodes.
Maddy Pelling
Co-host with a knack for storytelling and a focus on the darker, more unusual aspects of history. Pelling balances humor with insightful commentary, enhancing the show's appeal.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 5.4k ratings
  • Faboo!

    History Hit subscriber late to the After Dark party. Love Maddy and Anthony. Guests are great. Terrific subject matter

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pinky Panettiera
    United Statesa month ago
  • The Best

    This is my absolutely favorite podcast. My go to. Love you guys and the format. Maddy’s voice is so soothing. Love from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jossu_h
    United Statesa month ago
  • No more Dr. Janega

    Love this pod! But please no more Dr. Janega. Yes she’s very knowledgable, but her overuse of AAVE as a white lady is so cringey. I have to skip the episodes with her.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    RiffRaffSureShot
    United States2 months ago
  • You’re Both Great!

    This is a wonderful podcast, you both bounce off each other so well. Maddie, I love your in-depth descriptions as it makes me feel like I’m really there. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Foxy Minx
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fantastic

    Only just come across this podcast and I am rapidly working my way through them. I have learned so much without really trying. So informative and interesting. Thank you Maddy, Anthony and the rest of the team

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Propermanor
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its fascinating and educational content, coupled with entertaining hosts who engage well with each other.
There are requests for deeper explorations of certain topics, highlighting a keen interest in both analytical and narrative aspects of history.
Criticism of pacing and occasional tangents has been noted, suggesting that some listeners prefer a more focused discourse.
The combination of humor and insight is a strong draw for audiences, making history relatable and enjoyable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Deadly Arctic Witch Trials
Q: What happens to these women in this first instance? What is their punishment going to be?
The accused women face execution by burning at the stake, a particularly horrific punishment that demonstrates the societal reaction to the trials.
The Deadly Arctic Witch Trials
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about Kirsten Sorensdatter, who is also accused of witchcraft?
Kirsten Sorensdatter is a settler woman from Denmark who appears to be an authoritative figure within her community but ultimately confesses to magical practices when pressured during the trial.
The Truth About the Conjuring's Ghost Hunters
Q: Do you see the Warrens' presence at the trial as a publicity stunt?
It's possible they believed in the possession case, but they also likely wanted to prove their legitimacy.
The Truth About the Conjuring's Ghost Hunters
Q: What kind of people would we come across if we met Ed and Lorraine Warren at the height of their fame?
They presented as an ideal American couple, with Ed being a demonologist and Lorraine a psychic.
The Dark Side of the Vikings
Q: What role does sacrifice play in Viking culture?
Sacrifices were part of certain rituals, including evidence from archaeological and textual sources, indicating enslaved individuals may have been sacrificed.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the darker corners of history, a dynamic duo of historians uncovers the most sinister and intriguing stories from the past. With a blend of spooky narratives and scholarly insights, the discussions cover a wide array of topics such as haunted locations, witch trials, and historical crimes, appealing to both history buffs and general audiences. This show is particularly remarkable for its entertaining approach, combining lighter banter with engaging historical narratives, making the tales both informative and enjoyable. Each episode invites listeners to consider the peculiarities and complexities of history, often merging captivating storytelling with humor.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Not Just the Tudors
2. Gone Medieval
3. Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
4. Dan Snow's History Hit
5. The Ancients

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 248 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Professor Marion Gibson
2. Dr. Joseph Laycock
3. Siobhan McSweeney
4. Dr. Eleanor Barrowclough
5. Merlin Holland
6. Jenn Utley
7. Joe Buggy
8. Dr Jess Venner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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