There’s something irresistible about stories that bend reality and invite us into the eerie, the offbeat, and the unexplained. This collection gathers podcasts that do just that - from bone-chilling ghost tales and folklore to unsettling thrillers and strange histories. They’ll make you laugh, shiver, and sometimes question what’s real at all.
This list is curated by the audio obsessed, for the super listeners who just get it. Tink Media Co. is an award-winning podcast growth company that specializes in podcast marketing, PR, and creative partnerships.
Check out more podcast recommendations at: https://podcastthenewsletter.substack.com/
NO.1
Looking for your next cult thriller? Close Your Eyes is a slow-burn story with Severance vibes, following a man who infiltrates a cult to find his missing brother - only to discover the line between truth and delusion is far thinner than he imagined. With immersive sound design, standout performances, and two bingeable seasons (plus Season 3 on the way), now’s the perfect time to dive in.
NO.2
Cozy up with a boozy beverage for this weekly deep dive into mythology, legends, and folklore from around the world. Hosted by tipsy history geeks Amanda McLoughlin and Julia Schifini, you're sure to learn something new and have a great time in the process!
NO.3
Comedians and paranormal enthusiasts Betsy Sodaro and Marcy Jarreau invite their comedian friends and celebrity guests to tell their true paranormal experiences and hear spooky stories submitted by listeners.
NO.4
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.
NO.5
TRUE Ghost stories, hauntings, shadow people, demons, UFOs, cryptids and more! Everyday people share their personal stories of paranormal phenomena.
NO.6
Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest is a wildly enchanting fairy tale podcast from bestselling author Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm). Each episode retells a classic tale with curious creatures, mischievous foes, and plenty of surprising twists - all shared with a group of kids who add their own jokes and perspectives along the way.
NO.7
The history of horror and the horror of history - from haunted spots and eerie folklore to short horror stories and creepy tales that’ll give you chills
NO.8
A mental health show where licensed therapists open up about what they’re really thinking while answering the internet’s most burning questions - plus sharing real horror stories from their own experiences. And by burning questions, we mean the stuff you’re posting anonymously on Reddit in the middle of the night.
NO.9
The White Vault is an award-winning audio drama from Fool and Scholar that takes listeners to the icy wastes of Svalbard, where a repair team uncovers horrors hidden in the ice. With exceptional storytelling and immersive sound design, it’s a chilling listen - perfect for spooky season.
NO.10
Set in 2043, where the climate crisis rages and the wealthy hide in Bubble cities, a band of outsiders gathers in a roadside bar to demand a new story. This new fiction series weaves magic, mythology, and music into a daring tale of survival and resistance.
NO.11
catskull is a fiction neo-noir thriller and coming-of-age mystery. It follows Ram, a dismissed outsider whose attempt to protect his best friend from abuse goes fatally wrong - leading him to don a mask and confront the city’s darker forces. The show explores justice, violence, and the price of survival in an unforgiving world.
NO.12
A documentary series exploring delusional thinking today, from AI-related delusions to the cultural forces that shape our minds. Hosted by psychiatrist Joel Gold and philosopher Ian Gold - the duo behind the discovery of the Truman Show Delusion - the show combines real stories with expert insight to reveal how powerful (and dangerous) these beliefs can be.