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 | 305 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureHistory | |||
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Latest Episodes
This is a rerelase with a new introduction! The purse-carrying, tutu-wearing purple Teletubby Tinky Winky was outed as a homosexual in 1999, capping off a decade of conspiratorial anti-gay writings and videos that influenced politics straight up to s... more
We are celebrating our (estimated) 300th episode of American Hysteria with a little Chelsey Weber-Smith Q&A session hosted by Sarah Marshall of You’re Wrong About. It’s been a strange journey, and to celebrate, I’m answering questions provided by our... more
During the 1970s, a ragtag group led by American astronomer Carl Sagan set out to create and then launch into deep space an audio time capsule of sounds, songs, and messages that would represent the Earth to any intelligent alien life that might come... more
Warning! Extremely weird episode! In a world where AI creations are taking over social media, we are seeing more and more bafflingly bizarre content overwhelm apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, including what has come to be known as Cute Cat A... more
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Reviews
- One of my faves
Love Chelsey and 100% a comfort listen. Good research and deep dives into interesting topics, so often it goes all the way to the top!!
Apple Podcasts5Marthydragon
Australia21 days ago - Loved this show until
Panic World? Ew.
Apple Podcasts2starshipsfordays
United States22 days ago - Engaging and interesting
I love Chelsey Weber-Smith’s voice and personality, it is really a pleasure to listen to her! The content is ALWAYS much more interesting than the episode titles suggest, I always learn something new! Love you so much! Your podcast really brightens my days!!
Apple Podcasts5LadyBite
Spain25 days ago - Love this show… mostly
I love Chelsea and most of her guests, but like in this most recent episode, the bros that come on here are very… “you’re a guest on MY show, and I will control the trajectory of this episode.” Bleh.
Apple Podcasts4HMPeanutUnited Statesa month ago - Perfect Podcast!!
Perfect for fans of psychology podcasts, human rights podcasts, true crime podcasts, political podcasts, and literally everyone on the planet :)
Apple Podcasts5Jules!! :)United Statesa month ago
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Apple Podcasts | #241 |  Belgium/Society & Culture |
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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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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. The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall
How many episodes of American Hysteria are there?
American Hysteria launched 8 years ago and published 305 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. Ryan Broderick
2. Grant Irving
3. AJ Jacobs
4. Tyler McBrien
5. Gruff Webb
6. Will Rogers
7. Kristen Rogers-Anderson
8. Dr. Mara Einstein
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.