Spooked

In the early decades of the 20th century, unions are on the rise in coal country. Those who toil beneath the dark earth balk under the yoke of the Barrow family’s rule, and something must be done...

It's our pleasure to introduce you to Old Gods of Appalachia! Old Gods of Appalachia is an eldritch horror fiction podcast set in an Alternate Appalachia, a world where these mountains were never meant to be inhabited. This Appalachia feels eerily similar to the hills and hollers folks remember from childhood, but there are some tell-tale differences. Towns and counties may be known by other names, or simply not exist. Historical events slide forward or backward in time. And then, of course, there are the monsters. 

This is part one of our three episode introduction to Old Gods of Appalachia.

This episode contains references to occult phenomena, unnatural means of reproduction, human sacrifice, ghosts, mutilation, beheading and maiming human beings, monster sounds. Sensitive listeners please be advised.

Today’s episode encompassed episodes 32 and 33 from season three of Old Gods. If you like what you heard, you can listen to the complete podcast — currently in its sixth season here in 2026 — on your favorite podcast app. Old Gods of Appalachia is a production of DeepNerd Media, written and produced by Cam Collins and Steve Shell and narrated by Steve Shell. The voice of Polly Barrow was Tracey Johnston Crum. 

Intro Music: “The Land Unknown (The Pound of Flesh Verses)” written and performed by Landon Blood
Outro Music: "Pretty Polly” as performed by Landon Blood and John Lee Bullard

To learn more about the show, visit oldgodsofappalachia.com

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On Kevin’s night shift at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, things get wet, wild, and very very weird.

BIG thanks to Kevin Wright and the magical Monterey Bay Aquarium. Thanks also to KAZU Radio in Monterey, California for its assistance.

Produced by Anne Ford, original score by Yari Bundy & Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.

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Maria thinks she’s landed the perfect gig, driving a friendly stranger from downtown Baltimore out to a Park ‘n’ Ride outside of the city. It’s the easiest hundred bucks she’s ever made. But she soon learns that there’s more to this job than she bargained for. Plus, a story about why the chicken really crosses the road.

Band-Aid Bandit

Maria thinks she’s landed the perfect gig, driving a friendly stranger from downtown Baltimore out to a Park ‘n’ Ride outside of the city. It’s the easiest hundred bucks she’s ever made. But she soon learns that there’s more to this job than she bargained for.

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your story with us!

Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Yari Bundy, scouted by Ashley de Coligny, artwork by Teo Ducot.

Fire Chicken

Remember that old joke, why did the chicken cross the road? Yvana and her uncle just found out.

Thank you Yvana for sharing your story with Spooked! For more dark magic and Haitian Voodoo stories, follow Yvana @theemlle on Instagram or check out her Youtube, Chronicles of Zoe.

Produced by Erick Yáñez, original score by Nicholas Marks, scouted by Paulina Creque.

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Betsy keeps seeing a young girl at night in her room. She stands at the end of Betsy’s bed and stares at her. She comes back, over and over: night after night; year after year. Betsy knows she wants something, but she has to figure out what. 

Thank you, Betsy, for sharing your story with us! Betsy is a #Spooked listener and reached out to us to share her story. If you have a frightening tale you’d like to share, email us: [email protected] 

Produced by Annie Nguyen, original score by Leon Morimoto, artwork by Sanaa Khan. 

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When Antonio and his sister Anita were growing up in Texas, their family didn’t have much money. That’s why they were so excited to move into their very own home, even if it was a little run-down. It turns out, the home already had an occupant. 

Thank you, Antonio and Anita, for sharing your story with Spooked!

Produced by Anne Ford, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.

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It’s the 1970s in Beverly, a small town in Jamaica where everyone knows everything about each other and gossip travels fast. Fifteen-year-old Claudia thinks she’s heard it all… But nothing can prepare her for the stories that start to spread after one of her neighbors passes away.

Thank you, Claudia, for sharing your story and your energy with our show! 

Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Nicholas Marks, scouted by Paulina Creque, artwork by Teo Ducot.

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Some roads are long and some roads wind. Some roads show you things you’d never think you’d find…

Demon Dog

Chuck and his family rent a cabin in the mountains every winter. One year he and his uncle are driving into town when they see something with red eyes chasing their truck: a huge, menacing wolf-like creature. When he’s older, he learns this creature has a name: The Demon Dog.

This is the second story Chuck has graciously shared with Spooked. If you want to hear Chuck tell another spine-chilling story set in the mountains, listen to the Spooked Dismal Falls episode.

Produced by Greta Weber and Chris Hambrick, original score by Yari Bundy.

Deception Pass

Shirley is a trucker. She gets sent out on a job and is given a tight deadline in bad weather. During the course of her four-day trip, her life is saved twice on the exact same stretch of highway. But by who?

Thank you, Shirley, for sharing your story with Spooked!

Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Doug Stuart, artwork by Teo Ducot.

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We all have ancestors... but on a Musambwa Island in Uganda, those ancestors are a little sssuspicious.

Thank you Enoch for sharing your story! 

Scouted & produced by Lulu Jemimah, original score by Sandra Lawson-Ndu, artwork by Teo Ducot.

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The Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast on the Oregon Coast used to be a lightkeeper’s home–and it has a reputation for being very haunted. So Spooked producer, Zoë Ferrigno, went to investigate.

Produced by Pam Porter’s Granddaughter, Zoë Ferrigno. Original score by Doug Stuart. Artwork by Teo Ducot.

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It’s a spring night in Hilo, Hawaii. Lei-Ann and her hula sisters are about to take the stage at the 1986 Merrie Monarch Festival. They’ve been practicing for months. But the gods have other plans.

Thank you, Lei-Ann, for sharing your story with us. The 2026 Merrie Monarch Festival is days away -- this Sunday April 5! 

Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Clay Xavier, scouted by Ixchel Lopez, artwork by Teo Ducot.

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