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Artwork for Bone and Sickle

Bone and Sickle

Al Ridenour
Halloween
Folklore
Patreon
Christmas
Eaton Wildfire
Ventriloquism
Death
Witchcraft
Ghost Stories
Edgar Allan Poe
Banshee
German Carnival
Young Goodman Brown
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Salem Village
Trick-Or-Treat By Mail
U.S. Postal Service
Egypt
Vlad the Impaler
Demonic Possession

BONE AND SICKLE explores historical topics related to folklore and horror. With acerbic wit and a scholarly penchant for the grotesque, rogue folklorist Al Ridenour delves into a wide but carefully curated range of topics illustrated by stories from historical texts. Narratives are given dramatic readings by “Mrs. Karswell” (Sarah Chavez) backed by richly produced soundscapes blending original mus... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes189Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryArts

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Artwork for Bone and Sickle

Latest Episodes

In this episode we return to the topic of the Benandanti, or “good walkers,” those mysterious spirit-travelers of northeastern Italy, who claimed to leave their bodies at night to battle witches. Drawing upon the records of the Roman Inquisition from... more

YouTube

To be “born with a veil” (or caul) was once regarded as far more than an unusual circumstance of birth. Being born with a caul—a portion of the amniotic membrane adhering to a newborn’s head or face—is exceedingly rare, but across centuries of Europe... more

YouTube

Today he’s known mainly as a figure from medals carried to insure safe travels, but that image of a giant carrying the Christ Child across a dangerous river represents only the final stage in the long and strange evolution of the saint’s legend. Earl... more

YouTube

Robert the Devil is a supernatural medieval legend that inspired a 19th-century French opera, which incorporates key elements from a seminal Gothic novel. The opera and legend are substantially different but both interesting.

We begin with Giacomo ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Tom Chalmar
Excellent voice actor
Episode: Halloween Fortune-Telling Party

Hosts

Al Ridenour
Host and rogue folklorist; co-host of Bone and Sickle; author and creator of the show's folkloric focus.
Sarah Chavez
Co-host and dramatic reader; performs as Mrs. Karswell and provides readings; co-host of the show.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 548 ratings
  • Quite Enjoyable

    The topics are excellent. The style in which they are presented is fun and gives it an old time kind of feel. The chemistry between the characters is enjoyable and adds a lot to the show. Great scripts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheVelvetAnt
    Canada10 months ago
  • Delve, won't you, into the mysteries of folklore? Join our jolly circle

    Podcast Addict
    5
    teh_b00tnabian
    a year ago
  • Great Readings

    If you’re a fgan of The Midnight Library and the style where the narrator gives a reading on topic, then you will like Bone and Sickle. The stories are unusual and macabre, well read, researched presented in narration format.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CCart616
    United States2 years ago
  • 5 stars

    Scholarly, stylish, & grim in all the best ways. Brilliant stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jonbiscoe
    United States2 years ago
  • Bone and Sickle presents individual topic episodes about the intersection of folklore and horror. Mr. Ridenour is deeply erudite (he wrote a book on the Krampus) and it shows in each episode. These are dry, academic episodes though, with each presented with humor and excellent soundscaping.

    Podchaser
    5
    cmarkmurrah
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many comment on the show's unique blend of folklore, history, and horror as highly engaging.
High production value and deep research make episodes feel both scholarly and entertaining.
Listeners praise the host banter and the dramatic readings as a standout feature.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#222
India/History

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Bone and Sickle

What is Bone and Sickle about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A historically grounded deep dive into folklore, myth, and macabre imagination, narrated with scholarly rigor and theatrical flair. Episodes blend archival sources with dramatic readings and immersive sound design to explore how legends, saints, witches, and Gothic tales traveled across cultures. The show's standout approach combines meticulous research with entertaining banter and atmospheric production, making obscure historical material feel vivid and accessible. Listeners can expect well-sourced context, memorable storytelling, and a distinctive blend of horror and history that appeals to fans of classic folklore and early-Gothic literature.

Noteworthy elements include the host's roguelike curiosity and the dynamic readings by the co-h... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Bone and Sickle?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bone and Sickle:

1. MonsterTalk
2. Loremen Podcast
3. Lore
4. Old Gods of Appalachia
5. My Victorian Nightmare

How many episodes of Bone and Sickle are there?

Bone and Sickle launched 9 years ago and published 189 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 Bone and Sickle?

Recent guests on Bone and Sickle include:

1. Tom Chalmar

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