American Hysteria
chelsey weber-smithAmerican Hysteria explores how fantastical thinking has shaped our culture – moral panics, urban legends, hoaxes, crazes, fringe beliefs, and national misunderstandings. Poet-turned-podcaster Chelsey Weber-Smith tells the strangest stories from American history and examines the forces that create the reality we share, and sometimes, the reality we don't.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 313 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureHistory | |||
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Latest Episodes
As a companion to our upcoming two part series, the topic of which we are not yet revealing, please enjoy this rerelease (2020) of one of our favorite episodes and one that is particularly meaningful to me.
For this episode we are dissecting the arc... more
The Aggressive Christianity Missionary Training Corps was a militaristic evangelical cult with an incredibly dark history, led in this case by a woman who claimed to have divine visions. Our guest today is Harrison Hill, investigative journalist and ... more
The multibillion dollar arts and crafts corporation Hobby Lobby has long been steeped in Evangelical Christianity, owned by a family that is extremely influential in conservative politics. Our guest today is investigative journalist Michael Blanding,... more
Back in the 1990s, it seemed like angels were everywhere in popular culture: in movies, TV shows, songs, and home decor. Our guest today is Christine Laskowski, a video journalist and host of the podcast T&J: A Roman Empire Love Story. For this episo... more
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Reviews
- Wiernermobile
I love this show. I love the oooh doggie ad and you can’t change my mind. I think there should be an episode ABOUT that ad. Anyway, my one other important and valid suggestion is that there needs to be an episode about the Wienermobile. Thanks!
Apple Podcasts5DW’s Glasses
United States16 days ago - Ridiculous vocal fry
I couldn’t get past the bad narration. So put on. Sounds like an amateur trying to sound “pro”.
Faux newscaster vibe.
Apple Podcasts2Durst98United States17 days ago - Awful presentation
The content is interesting but the presentation is often unlistenable. The episode on 90s angels was just awful. Don’t get me started on the woman who kept giggling and saying ‘like totally’!
Apple Podcasts1treskell
Australiaa month ago - Great show
I love Chelsea’s ads, they make me laugh so much. It’s already a great show but these are highlights!
Apple Podcasts5SyntheticgUnited Statesa month ago - Love the show, HATE the Quince ad
I love the research and the way Chelsey presents each issue. I sometimes skip the episodes where she chats with a guest.
I apologize that this is petty, but I almost wanted to skip the show because of how much I hate the “OOOOOOOHH DOGGIE!” Quince ad. I know ads are necessary to drive revenue and keep the podcast free for listening…but that particular ad is so off putting that it makes me angry every time, and it’s in every single episode. 🤣
Apple Podcasts5jessica20142018United Statesa month ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #239 | United States/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #248 |  Denmark/Society & Culture |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About American Hysteria
What is American Hysteria about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A deep dive into how myth, fear, and curiosity shape culture, this program traces moral panics, urban legends, hoaxes, and fringe beliefs through history and modern media. Episodes blend rigorous archival research with vivid storytelling, often featuring historians, journalists, and scholars who illuminate how narratives—from Bennington Triangle mysteries to internet folklore—become cultural touchstones. A standout trait is the collaborative, multi-guest format that pairs dot-connecting hosts with experts to unpack complex histories in an engaging, accessible way.
Unique strengths include a strong research backbone, a penchant for cross-disciplinary perspectives, and a willingness to explore uncomfortable ideas with nuance. Listeners can e... more
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How many listeners does American Hysteria get?
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Which podcasts are similar to American Hysteria?
These podcasts share a similar audience with American Hysteria:
1. You're Wrong About
2. You Are Good
3. Maintenance Phase
4. If Books Could Kill
5. What to Carry, What to Burn
How many episodes of American Hysteria are there?
American Hysteria launched 8 years ago and published 313 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact American Hysteria?
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What guests have appeared on American Hysteria?
Recent guests on American Hysteria include:
1. Harrison Hill
2. Michael Blanding
3. Rebecca Nagle
4. Ryan Broderick
5. Grant Irving
6. AJ Jacobs
7. Tyler McBrien
8. Gruff Webb
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.