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Artwork for Bone and Sickle

Bone and Sickle

Al Ridenour
Patreon
Ventriloquism
Death
Folklore
Halloween
St. Patrick's Day
Grief
Banshee
Irish Folklore
Demonic Possession
Witchcraft
Salem Village
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Young Goodman Brown
Egypt
U.S. Postal Service
Horror Films
Krampus
History
Hollow Earth

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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes170Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsHistory

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Artwork for Bone and Sickle

Latest Episodes

This year, in the tradition of Halloween fortune-telling, we have an interactive divination game you can play at home.  It comes from aa 19th-century book on cartomancy called, The oracle of human destiny: or, the unerring foreteller of future events... more

YouTube

If you’ve been curious regarding Mr. Ridenour’s and Mrs. Karswell’s troubles with anomalous events in the house, this short episode should answer some of your questions as Dr. Bartusch and crew attempt to restore order.

YouTube

(SPOILER ALERTt: Do not listen to this until you have heard Episode 146 “Urban Legend”.) This is  a short postscript to our “Urban Legend” episode based on feedback from a listener. It has to do with a very curious grave in Chesterton, Indiana, which... more

YouTube

A 1968 Halloween “Spook Show” in the Midwest left an unsettling heritage of urban legends possibly rooted in even more unsettling facts.  What little is definitively known regarding this event comes from the newspaper archives of the Danville News-Ga... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Hosts

Al Ridenour
Host and creator known for his acerbic wit and scholarly focus on folklore and horror. He engages deeply with various historical narratives and is the author of several books on related topics.
Sarah Chavez
Co-host and storyteller who voices the character of Mrs. Karswell. Provides dramatic readings that enhance the show's narrative quality and engage listeners with haunting themes.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 531 ratings
  • 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 States7 months ago
  • 5 stars

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

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jonbiscoe
    United Statesa year 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
    a year ago
  • Excellent

    This is by far my favorite podcast. I love it. Ridenour is a great writer and this show makes me laugh out loud sometimes. It’s super interesting and well worth the listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Iamcoolv123(909)
    United Statesa year ago
  • Just the best

    This is my all time favourite podcast.

    It’s creepy and educational!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MadLove2001!
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the podcast for its thorough research and ability to blend humor with darker themes, making academic subjects accessible and entertaining.
Many appreciate the unique approach to folklore and horror, particularly the innovative dramatizations by the hosts.
The sound design and production quality receive high marks, contributing to an immersive storytelling experience.
Some critiques mention the occasional humor may not resonate with all listeners, but the overall quality of content is considered exceptional.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#241
New Zealand/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 unique exploration of historical folklore and horror topics is present throughout the episodes, characterized by a touch of acerbic humor and a scholarly approach. The discussions often draw upon historical texts which are dramatically recited by the co-host, Mrs. Karswell, enhancing the storytelling experience with rich soundscapes that merge music with sound effects. Themes such as the intertwining of folklore with various historical narratives are prevalent, with episodes adopting diverse formats, including dramatic readings of classic horror stories and lesser-known antiquarian texts. This engaging combination of humor, education, and sound design likely makes the content both entertaining and thought-provoking for listeners intereste... 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. The Midnight Library
3. Dark Histories
4. Loremen Podcast
5. Southern Gothic

How many episodes of Bone and Sickle are there?

Bone and Sickle launched 8 years ago and published 170 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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