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Artwork for Dark Histories

Dark Histories

Ben Cutmore
Ghost Stories
Jack the Ripper
Psychical Research
True Crime
Christmas
Mental Health
The Axeman
Druce-Portland Affair
Gef
Rocket Science
Patience Worth
Victorian Era
London
Spiritualism
New Orleans
Fritz Haarmann
Thomas Charles Druce
Duke Of Portland
Isle Of Man
Jack Parsons

Fortnightly narratives on the unsolved and the unexplained, mysteries, historical true crime, touches of the paranormal and cultural peculiarities.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes262Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Dark Histories

Latest Episodes

SOURCES

Brunt, Douglas (2023) The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel. Atria Books, London, UK.

Edinburgh Evening Dispatch (1913) The Missing Inventor. Edinburgh Evening Dispatch, Thurs 2 Oct 1913, p2. Edinburgh, UK.

New York Times (1913) Dr Diesel V... more

In the early 1970’s a small group of Canadians making up the Toronto Society for Psychical Research set out to prove the existence of ghosts and poltergeists. Such an investigation was sure to need a highly controlled experiment if it were to hold an... more

On a cold, grey January afternoon in 1914, a railway carriage travelling through north London shuttled along its route, carrying a grim secret. Beneath a third-class carriage seat lay the body of five-year-old Willie Starchfield, strangled and carefu... more

In the years following the American Revolution, when the country was still uncertain of itself and the frontier was still a place of violence, two brothers carved out a story of fear across the wilderness. When their story was first published in 1824... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Host

Ben Cutmore
Lead host and narrator, driving deep-dive historical storytelling with careful sourcing and engaging delivery.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 6.2k ratings
  • Great stories and great speaking voice

    A one-person production with a variety of interesting stories. I’ve listened for years and I always look forward to the Christmas Campfire episodes. Ben Cutmore is really good at producing his stories and his voice is lovely to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gatofish
    United States22 days ago
  • Enjoyable and Researched

    What I love most is how much research Ben does in order to give us an episode with as much facts as possible. Some podcasts don’t bother or don’t check to see if the sources are even trustworthy. Ben has a historian’s love of history and facts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sabaah Z
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best podcast

    This is one of the first podcasts I ever listened to. It was so good that it led to my listening to many other podcasts. Despite being subscribed to around 20-30 podcasts, this show still remains my favorite. An irresistible combination of well based research, excellent presentation with intriguing subjects is irresistible. Ben’s presentation and cadence perfectly fits the subject matter. I actually find the show relaxing despite the at times intense subject content. Ben is like a Bob Ross of d... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pere Busoni
    United Statesa month ago
  • GREAT! A MUST LISTEN!

    This podcast goes down so easy. Really interesting stories of the spooky and bizarre from the past. Fun, even if you’re a skeptic like me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hehshshhsbsbsb
    Canadaa month ago
  • So good

    Loving this podcast as it’s great to hear about historical times and his voice is very peaceful and easy to listen to

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Auwombat
    Australiaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Community notes highlight high production values and varied, well-sourced topics.
Listeners praise the host's soothing, clear narration and thorough research.
Fans cite minimal ad interruptions as a plus for immersion.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#78
United States/History
Spotify
#41
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#93
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#186
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#157
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#185
Germany/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS: 10 Year Q+A
Q: Is making the podcast your full-time job, and how did that happen?
Yes, it is now full-time after COVID pressured a switch from hairdressing; the host valued the autonomy and creative control of doing it full-time.
BONUS: 10 Year Q+A
Q: How do you research and how long does it take per episode?
Research typically takes six to seven days at four to eight hours per day; writing is quicker; recording and editing take about six hours; overall it's a chaotic but effective process.
BONUS: 10 Year Q+A
Q: What is your favorite episode or story that lives rent-free in your head?
He mentions The Wreck of the Medusa as a fan favorite and notes preferred ridiculous or adventurous stories like Bat Bombs and Man Bats on the Moon as his personal favorites.
BONUS: 10 Year Q+A
Q: Joanne asks how you disconnect from dark history content.
The host explains he shifts focus by listening to science, paleontology, and Egyptology podcasts, plus engaging in non-dark-history interests like piano and normal life activities to reset.
The Islandmagee Witch Trials of 1711
Q: What theories can explain Mary's symptoms during the trials?
The host explores several theories, including the possibility of illness, psychosomatic reactions, and the influence of others suggesting names of suspects to Mary during her fits, leading to the wrongful accusations against the accused women.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Histories

What is Dark Histories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Long-running historical mystery and true crime show with a calming, narrative voice explores unsolved cases, strange phenomena, and cultural peculiarities. Episodes consistently emphasize meticulous research, archival sourcing, and careful balance between grisly detail and respectful storytelling, often blending history, folklore, and investigative angles. A standout quality is the host's steady, soothing narration and a light ad load that keeps the focus on the storytelling. The show covers a wide range of topics—from maritime wrecks and sensational Victorian crimes to quack medical schemes and folklore—making it appealing to listeners who enjoy well-researched, slower-paced historical narratives with a spooky or curious edge.

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How many listeners does Dark Histories get?

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How many subscribers and views does Dark Histories have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Dark Histories 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 Dark Histories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dark Histories:

1. Unexplained
2. The Midnight Library
3. Lore
4. Southern Gothic
5. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

How many episodes of Dark Histories are there?

Dark Histories launched 9 years ago and published 262 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 Dark Histories?

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