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Artwork for American Hysteria

American Hysteria

chelsey weber-smith
Urban Legends
Hallmark Christmas Movies
Lgbtq+ Representation
Pro Wrestling
Bigfoot
Marilyn Manson
Candice Cameron Bure
Paranormal Entertainment Industry
Elmer Mccurdy
Kayfabe
Gender Representation
Factitious Disorder
Demerol
Munchausen Syndrome
American Hospitals
Supernatural Experiences
Ghost Hunting Shows
Auto-Fellatio
Sexuality
Cultural Authenticity

American 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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes251Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for American Hysteria

Latest Episodes

Right now we are seeing accusations of gang associations used to to justify abducting immigrants off the street and sending them to either US detention centers or the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador with no due process. We have included a... more

This American Life delivers thought provoking investigative pieces and deeply personal stories that really stick with you. They have been putting out some of their best episodes lately, so this is a perfect time to dive back in. We have become regula... more

Sarah Marshall takes me on a journey through two possible historical literary deceptions and asks me to try to figure out what is real, what is fake, and what it all means. This is a sibling to our recent episode on You’re Wrong About called Hoax Mem... more

*Please listen to part one of our series first.* 'The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk' was an 1800s true crime memoir about the horrors a runaway nun claimed to have suffered while living among debaucherous and murderous Catholic clergy in a convent-... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Joshua Belhumeur
Co-host of the podcast 'This is Propaganda'
This is Propaganda
Episode: Luxury Doomsday with 'This is Propaganda'
Malcolm Critcher
Co-host of the podcast 'This is Propaganda'
This is Propaganda
Episode: Luxury Doomsday with 'This is Propaganda'
Gabe Lenners
Television and radio journalist, host of the podcast Obscurum
Obscurum
Episode: Invasion of the Drones with Podcaster Gabe Lenners
Loretta J. Ross
Reproductive rights activist and co-founder of SisterSong
SisterSong
Episode: (Throwback) An Irresistible Movement with Reproductive Justice Activist Loretta J. Ross
Shannon Lynch
Host of the podcast The Alley, focused on the 1984 murder of Catherine Fuller and the wrongful convictions of eight men.
The Alley, DC's 8th and H Case
Episode: In Pursuit of Pardons with Podcaster Shannon Lynch of 'The Alley: DC’s 8th and H Case'
Will Rogers
Voice actor, longtime friend of Chelsey Weber-Smith
Guide to the Unknown
Episode: Beyond Belief: Fiction or Fiction with Guide to the Unknown Podcast
Kristen Rogers-Anderson
Podcast host and sister of Will Rogers
Guide to the Unknown
Episode: Beyond Belief: Fiction or Fiction with Guide to the Unknown Podcast
Patrick Scalisi
Co-author of Connecticut Cryptids, A Field Guide to the Weird and Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State
Connecticut Cryptids
Episode: The Great Glawackus Hoax with Pat and Val of Connecticut Cryptids
Valerie Ruby-Omen
Illustrator for Connecticut Cryptids, A Field Guide to the Weird and Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State
Connecticut Cryptids
Episode: The Great Glawackus Hoax with Pat and Val of Connecticut Cryptids

Host

Chelsey Weber-Smith
A poet-turned-podcaster, Chelsey Weber-Smith explores fantastical stories from American history, weaving humor and deep research into her narratives. She emphasizes the significance of cultural narratives and the impacts they have on societal understanding.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 5.6k ratings
  • Smart analysis delivered with wit

    I’m a long time fan of this podcast and the episode with Professor Jason Stanley was brilliant, timely, and necessary. It should be required listening for everyone who cares about the continuance of American Democracy. Kudos to Chelsea!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yoga Granny
    United States18 days ago
  • I tried

    The topics of this podcast are amazing and really interesting. But the host is so awful to listen to that I just can’t do it. Her intonation is all over the place and really strange. The vocal fry is also hard to deal with.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lipkilk
    United Kingdom21 days ago
  • Entertaining

    Great subject content and well done.

    Episode idea -

    How the hysteria in some of the subject matter covered is now blamed on white Christian patriarchy hysteria of today.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lonesome Echo
    United Statesa month ago
  • Pick up the pace

    I really wanted to love this podcast. The subject matter is fantastic! However, the host’s delivery is so slow that it alllllmost sounds normal when sped up x2. The problem with that is then every other speaker is unintelligible. I don’t have the energy to keep changing the speed while listening, so unfortunately this one is a no for me, dawg.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Cattail727
    United Statesa month ago
  • Dark

    Podcast Addict
    5
    @patrickjones
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The unique blend of humor and societal critique is praised, making for an engaging listening experience.
There are frequent complaints about the host's delivery style, which some find off-putting.
Some listeners express frustration over perceived slowness or unnatural cadence in the host's speaking style.
The content often provokes deep reflection on cultural phenomena, which resonates well with the audience.
Listeners appreciate the high-quality research and interesting storytelling.

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 Runaway Nun Hoax pt. 2 with Sarah Marshall of 'You're Wrong About'
Q: Would you be willing to try to summarize the book that we talked about, The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk, published in 1836?
It's about a young woman who becomes a nun in a nunnery that is getting orders from the pope to smother babies and throw them in a pit, and to have priests make nuns put pins through their cheeks, again, on orders from the Vatican.
Erasing History with Philosopher Jason Stanley
Q: How do you see this unfolding in K-12 public schools?
Public schools will likely undergo similar changes, focusing on patriotic narratives and neglecting critical histories.
Erasing History with Philosopher Jason Stanley
Q: Does this feel like what you're talking about in terms of that kind of repression of story and narrative and the truth of a culture?
Yes, there is a strong societal push against educators trying to teach about diverse histories due to fear and backlash.
Erasing History with Philosopher Jason Stanley
Q: What is it exactly about people's history, like the, you know, non-dominant groups' history that is this frightening to a fascist group?
Fascists need citizens frightened of each other to justify the need for a strong leader; recognizing diverse perspectives undermines that fear.
Invasion of the Drones with Podcaster Gabe Lenners
Q: Did the media influence people's reports of sightings?
Yes, as media coverage increased, more people looked to the skies and reported seeing what they thought were drones.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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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 intersections of cultural narratives and fantastical thinking, episodes cover a variety of topics including moral panics, urban legends, and societal misconceptions. The host investigates how these elements have shaped perceptions throughout American history, often highlighting lesser-known stories that engage listeners intellectually while also provoking thought on broader societal implications. The unique blend of humor, research, and storytelling aims to uncover the roots of these narratives, allowing for a more profound understanding of the realities they create.

Listeners can expect a blend of entertainment and education, as the discussions not only recount historical accounts but also challenge contemporary beliefs, mak... more

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How many listeners does American Hysteria get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers American Hysteria has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Sounds Like A Cult

How many episodes of American Hysteria are there?

American Hysteria launched 7 years ago and published 251 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. Joshua Belhumeur
2. Malcolm Critcher
3. Gabe Lenners
4. Loretta J. Ross
5. Shannon Lynch
6. Will Rogers
7. Kristen Rogers-Anderson
8. Patrick Scalisi

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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