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Artwork for The Atlas Obscura Podcast

The Atlas Obscura Podcast

SiriusXM and Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura
New York City
Maine
Los Angeles
Nebraska
Turkey
Fasnacht
California
Travel Stories
Eastern Hellbender
New York
Motel
Seltzer
World War I
Travel Resolutions
Centralia, Pennsylvania
Singapore
Museums
Mexico City
Carhenge

Your guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Kelly McEvers and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters transport you to a new wonder every day. Along the way, you'll meet fascinating people and hear their stories.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1408Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Latest Episodes

We wanna hear from you! Tell us about your intergenerational travel stories. Who did you go with?  Where did you go? What did you learn about traveling with this person of a different age? How did the trip go? What are some stories you brought back? ... more

A race is on to save this world heritage site that straddles the border of Togo and Benin. It’s home to remarkable earth tower homes called Takienta, and the Batammariba people, whose existence is threatened by climate change and migration.

READ MOR... more

Emily Zarka is the host of the PBS digital series Monstrum, a show that tries to  figure out how monster mythology was created and shaped through oral storytelling, literature, and film.

Today she tells us about the Flatswoods monster in West Virgin... more

Author and Ossining town historian Caroline Curvan helps unpack the story of how a castle ended up in the upstate New York woods. And how one wealthy family’s dream home was struck by subsequent tragedies and ultimately abandoned.

Hosted by Simplec... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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

Emily Zarka
Monster expert, host of Monstrum
PBS Monstrum
Episode: The Flatswoods Monster with Emily Zarka
Caroline Curvan
Author and Austin town historian
Mercy University (Professor of English); Austin-Inng historian
Episode: ELDA Castle
Valentina Di Liscia
Art historian and host
Atlas Obscura
Episode: The Cave House in Mexico City
Timothy Greve Carlson
Professor at Westminster College
Westminster College
Episode: The Legend of Kelpius
Brad Ryan
Author of Grandma Joy and Me, A Journey of Healing One National Park at A Time
Author
Episode: Traveling All 63 U.S National Parks with Grandma Joy
Christopher Swift
Theater history professor at City University of New York
City University of New York
Episode: Robot Saints (Classic)
Melissa Blundell
Education Director at the World Erotic Art Museum
World Erotic Art Museum (Miami)
Episode: The World Erotic Art Center
Elliot Stein
Journalist and author of Custodians of Wonder
Reporter for Atlas Obscura, author
Episode: Germany’s Most Romantic Post Office Box
Suzy Hansen
Author of From Life Itself, Turkey and Istanbul in the Age of Erdogan
HarperCollins/McSweeney's? (based on context)
Episode: The Syrian Sweets Shop in Erdogan’s Turkey

Hosts

Dylan Thuras
Host of Atlas Obscura podcast, co-founder of Atlas Obscura
Kelly McEvers
Host of Atlas Obscura podcast, Atlas Obscura

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.9k ratings
  • Pollution

    Imagine how much carbon dioxide The gates of hell produce so I’d say it contributes to a lot of pollution

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    good enouf
    Canada2 months ago
  • WAY too short

    It's just not worth the effort of listening. These podcasts are way too short in duration. This isn't even a taste the amount of info givren is so meager! Not worth my time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    manayunk wall
    United States3 months ago
  • Great!

    This is an excellent podcast. I would like some more European content though!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    the tech nerd 77789
    Ireland4 months ago
  • Fiesta bean cake episode

    So disappointed in this episode. Not up to AO standards at all. A cake recipe reviewed by a total non-baker who has little knowledge and none of the right tools to make this cake. And when it didn’t work out, the recipe writer is condemned? Nah….

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    SMASUE
    United States4 months ago
  • Vocal fry

    Love the topics and stories on this show but some of the hosts have vocal fry that makes it hard to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    FrankieB92
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show's bite-sized, wonder-filled stories and wide range of topics.
A portion note vocal fry and ads as distractions in a few episodes.
Some listeners wish for more international content and fewer ads.

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 Flatswoods Monster with Emily Zarka
Q: How does the show approach eyewitness accounts and the idea of truth in paranormal stories?
The show respects eyewitness experiences while acknowledging that memory and interpretation can vary; it treats accounts as entry points into historical context rather than definitive proof.
The Flatswoods Monster with Emily Zarka
Q: What's the elevator pitch for Monstrum and how does it frame monsters as historical actors?
Monstrum uses monster myth to illuminate human history, focusing on why a particular creature emerged at a specific time and what that reveals about culture, fear, and shared humanity.
AO Mailbag: Souvenirs and Detours
Q: Who was Johannes Kelpius beyond the myths that have grown around him?
The guest explains that Kelpius was a German Pietist who fled to the Wissahickon Valley near Philadelphia, with beliefs blending Christian mysticism, alchemy, and astrology, and that his legacy was shaped by later generations who projected contemporary identities onto him.
Germany’s Most Romantic Post Office Box
Q: Okay. So how did you first come across the story of the Bridegroom's Oak?
I was in Germany, heard chatter about a tree outside Hamburg, and as a journalist I pursued it, tracing clues in local newspapers and eventually visiting the site to meet the former postal carrier who kept the letters and kept the story alive.
Robot Saints (Classic)
Q: When did you first stumble across these objects?
Christopher Swift recalls a chance encounter and a professional hint from a colleague which sparked his research into these automata and their ritual use.

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 The Atlas Obscura Podcast

What is The Atlas Obscura Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program showcases short, story-driven explorations of unusual places, people, and historical events around the world, blending firsthand interviews with archival material and evocative descriptions. Episodes commonly thread curiosity with cultural, scientific, or historical context, featuring intimate portraits of creators, researchers, and local experts who illuminate how fascinating sites and artifacts came to be. A standout trait is the diverse roster of guests and subjects—from scientists and authors to museum directors and local historians—delivering accessible narratives in under 15 minutes that encourage wonder and travel-minded learning.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

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How many listeners does The Atlas Obscura Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Atlas Obscura Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Atlas Obscura Podcast 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 The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Atlas Obscura Podcast:

1. Sidedoor
2. Radiolab
3. 99% Invisible
4. This American Life
5. the memory palace

How many episodes of The Atlas Obscura Podcast are there?

The Atlas Obscura Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 1408 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 The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

Recent guests on The Atlas Obscura Podcast include:

1. Emily Zarka
2. Caroline Curvan
3. Valentina Di Liscia
4. Timothy Greve Carlson
5. Brad Ryan
6. Christopher Swift
7. Melissa Blundell
8. Elliot Stein

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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