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 | 310 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistorySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
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Reviews
- Big nope for me
I couldn’t get past the bad narration. So put on. Sounds like an amateur trying to sound “pro”.
You know, just be natural. Stop with the stupid vocal fry, phony inflections ring to create suspense. Just speak.
Apple Podcasts2Durst98
United States25 days ago Amazing, keep spreading the good news!
Podcast Addict525 days agoA-LawLawConsistently one of the best produced and researched podcasts out there if you're interested in all things that are out to get you....or are they? I'm always learning new things and I've grown more empathetic and thoughtful because of it!
Podcast Addict5a month agospacebras- Love the show
I like giving great shows like this the kudos they deserve
Also, I hope someone in the House of Weber-Smith reads this… I just tried to get a pair of dad pants from CozyEarth and they rejected the discount code (“American”) so I cancelled the order. Might wanna dump high end advertisers who try to bait and switch with their discounts.
Apple Podcasts5MetaMotivationUnited Statesa month ago - Entertaining, Informative, and Addictive as Hell
Pick an episode, any episode, and give it a listen. You’ll be surprised (or maybe not) how much you learn and how much you enjoy learning. Production value is excellent, and Chelsey is the funny, snarky, sweet friend who can really tell a story. Fair warning though, you WILL get addicted and will find yourself listening to topics you hadn’t cared about previously just to get your fix!
Apple Podcasts5M. LivesUnited Statesa month ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #202 | United States/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #207 |  Canada/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #171 |  Colombia/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #216 |  Finland/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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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 310 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 American Hysteria?
Recent guests on American Hysteria include:
1. Rebecca Nagle
2. Ryan Broderick
3. Grant Irving
4. AJ Jacobs
5. Tyler McBrien
6. Gruff Webb
7. Will Rogers
8. Kristen Rogers-Anderson
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