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 | 271 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Society & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
This is a rerelease of our 2023 Halloween special about the 12 Ft Skeleton Halloween craze and the strange history of our relationship to skeletons, both real and fake, stretching back hundreds of years. On 10/14 you can hear me on You're Wrong About... more
What Went Wrong hosts Chris Winterbauer and Lizzie Bassett join me to tell the stories of three allegedly cursed horror movies and the unexplained events that befell the cast, crew, and sometimes even audiences. Were these films really possessed by d... more
For this episode, I get schooled on the history of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the children's horror book series that terrified 80s and 90s kids with its repurposed urban legends and folklore as well as genuinely terrifying illustrations. Liz ... more
George Civeris is the host of the comedy podcast Straightiolab as well as a new podcast called United States of Kennedy that explores our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty and the ways that this family has continued to shape American life... more
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- I’m getting so tired
All this talk about queer solidarity and inclusion and then surprise special guest TERF supporter Tim Harford.
I know we’re in the middle of a far right back lash but I have to say as a trans woman I don’t even know what to do anymore. I’m not even safe in the land of podcasts. I don’t know why I even continue to live.
Apple Podcasts1Apis13
United Statesa month ago An ongoing primer on the weird things that many Americans have believed - and continue to at alarming levels. Not clinical at all, there is a strong empathic narrative voice. I wish the host were more skeptical of new age and religious claims, as it's all hysteria, in context, even though it's really just people trying to make sense of the world, it doesn't mean the testability of claims takes a back seat to personal experience. I dislike the guest episodes where Sarah purrs at Chelsea.
Podcast Addict3a month agonnnn- Well researched & entertaining
Love this podcast. At first the topics may seem trivial & novelty but Chelsea has a way to make them insightful & relevant. I thoroughly enjoy the narration style & overall composition - even the sponsored content is humorous. Thank you!
Apple Podcasts5jessitalisa
Australiaa month ago - So good, and relevant
Started this podcast a few weeks ago, and listened from the first episode. It’s just so well done. The design, writing, everything. Beyond that, the older episodes (even upwards of 5 years old) still provide a relevant social reflection for today. To paraphrase ‘these hysterias are just a way to distract from the hard things we need to work on a society’. Just wow, really felt that as I listened.
Apple Podcasts5TeacherTraceyUnited Statesa month ago - Love the history and the humor
Really fascinating and entertaining! Thank you for this show!
Apple Podcasts5FrustratedthirdtryUnited Statesa month ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #92 | United States/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #120 |  Canada/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #132 |  United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #181 | Australia/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #122 |  Ireland/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #174 |  Norway/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?
Exploring the intersection of fantastical thinking and American culture, this podcast investigates moral panics, urban legends, hoaxes, crazes, and fringe beliefs. With a blend of storytelling and insightful analysis, the host captures bizarre and compelling narratives that reveal how these phenomena influence societal perceptions and behaviors. Topics like the infamous Houdini, disturbing children's media on platforms like YouTube, and iconic cultural figures like Ann Landers are addressed with a mix of humor and critical reflection. The show's unique approach lies in its comprehensive examination of the unwritten rules of societal norms, making it a thought-provoking listen for those intrigued by the quirky and often overlooked truths of ... more
Where can I find podcast stats for American Hysteria?
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How many listeners does American Hysteria get?
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What are the audience demographics for American Hysteria?
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How many subscribers and views does American Hysteria have?
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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. This Ends at Prom
How many episodes of American Hysteria are there?
American Hysteria launched 7 years ago and published 271 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. Liz Gotauco
2. George Civeris
3. Christine Laskowski
4. Lerone A. Martin
5. Adam Mahoney
6. Joshua Belhumeur
7. Malcolm Critcher
8. Gabe Lenners
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