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Jackalope Carnival: A Sideshow of Stories

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Come one, come all to the Jackalope Carnival! Marvel at our sideshow of stories! Wonder at the depths of human belief! Gaze in astonishment at how we’ve fumbled with our logo designs over the years!

Season 5 Out Now! 

The Goatman: Of Goats and Men, and Men Who are Goats

Legends tell of a terrifying figure: half-man, half-goat, and fully armed with an axe. But is the Goatman a single creature wandering across America, or do multiple horned horrors haunt the land?

From eerie folklore to strange encounters, we dive into one of the wildest cryptid tales around in this goat-monster-themed episode.

Southern Cousins: Wild Men and Bigfoot Kin

Is there a connection between sightings of “wild man” in the Southern US and Sasquatch like creatures? Why would anyone “buy a box of bats”? What made Bekah exclaim, “I just want a cryptid who wears pants!” Find out in this episode of Jackalope Carnival

 

Bell Witch: The Pettiest Poltergeist

At what point does “legend” become “fact”? Is there any evidence that the legend of the Bell Witch was concocted to cover for something more…nefarious? We don’t know what strange girls in green dresses hanging about in trees showing off her ankles has to do with two headed dogs, but boy howdy there were some strange goings on in central Tennessee in the 19th century. Witch or no witch. And, by the eternals, what does Bekah’s 2nd or maybe 3rd least favorite U.S. President have to do with any of this?! Find out!

 

 

 

The episode that started it all, asking the profound question: “How you doin’ Mothman?”

Ouija Boards in the Local Convenience Store

Jackalope Carnival explores the paranormal through the history and lore of contacting the spirit world. Warning: detailed accounts of a 7-11 in Baltimore with Ouija board connections and a ham sandwich eating medium.

Electronic Voice Phenomena: The Ghost in the Machine

Can we hear ghosts? This episode explores EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and early pioneers in the field. Bekah records at Dix Park, a former insane asylum, while Eric shares his strange judgments about parakeets.

The Man from Taured’s Frequent Flyer Miles

Who was the man from Taured? What is the Mandela Effect and why does Good Housekeeping care? How can you find cheap inter-dimensional travel? Does facial hair have any moral significance?

Alferd Packer, Cannibal, Worst Dinner Guest Ever.

Come  hear the sorry tale of Colorado’s infamous Alfred “Alferd” Packer and find out which university dining hall bears his name.

Ancient Curses, Lead Poisoning and a Big Blue Mustang in Denver

Learn an ancient incantation cursing a musician’s “little buttocks” (direct quote). Eric and Bekah muse on why they’d be the worst version of the Wonder Twins ever, plus paranormal tomfoolery you expect from the show.

These Are Your Grandpappy’s Bigfoot Stories!

This week Jackalope Carnival talks about the lore of everyone’s favorite American hairy bipedal cryptid (besides Zach Galifianakis). Our stalwart scholars comb the archives specifically to find pre-Patterson/Gimlin accounts including one from President Theodore Roosevelt. Take the quiz and find out if you’re a “Mulder” or a “Scully” , all on this week’s circus of the absurd.

The Jersey Devil/ Ben Franklin Connection

Step right up and uncover a colonial era conspiracy! Weigh in on whether or not  the Jersey Devil should be an official U.S. mascot like Ben Franklin believed of the turkey. Plus, which American state grows the most aubergine?

Creepy Cures: Medicinal Leeches as a Unifying Principle

For the love of all that is healthy and holy do not take health advice solely from a podcast, especially this one. Talk to medical professionals instead.

Scandinavian Sea Monsters and the “Feejee Mermaid”

Sometimes the titles to these things just write themselves. Olaus Magnus, 16th-century cartographer and writer, tells us “here be monsters.” Where? Find out.
Oh, also: Jackalope Carnival adheres (hearkens?) to many hidden sea shanties, but does it contain one?

Ley Lines -or- “What Folks Did Before the Internet Was a Thing”

Are ancient landmarks connected by invisible energy highways or is it all just wishful thinking? Join Bekah and Eric as they trace the twists and turns of ley lines from opposite sides of the map. Whose path will you follow?

Fascinating Lee County SC: Amazing Gardens & The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp

The leech farm sponsor didn’t work out, but this episode closes season 1 with a deep dive into the mysterious Lizard Man of Scrape Ore Swamp and Mr. Pearl Fryar’s mystical topiary gardens. Road trip!

Cats, Our Aloof Cosmic Pals

This episode Eric and Bekah explore lore, superstitions and spiritual beliefs about our feline friends from various times and places. Does Bekah still make fun of Eric? Is there an audio Easter egg? Are there weird stories about machines that simulate being in a giant purring cat, poorly pronounced German, horses painted like zebras and a 90s all night Pokemon binge?

Spectral Dogs of Great Britain

Is seeing a black dog bad luck? Do ghost dogs protect your cemetery? Will Bekah make promises she can’t keep?
Join Jackalope Carnival as they tell tales of the spooky phenomena of spectral dogs through the black dog legends of Great Britain.

Historic Alien Abductions and The Phoenix Lights

This week, we discuss two of the most historically significant UFO cases of the 20th century. First: The extraordinary case of Betty and Barney Hill- the first UFO abduction report! Second: The most widely witnessed UFO sighting in United States history: The Phoenix Lights.

PLUS: guess which movie star made his Escape from New York to witness the Phoenix Lights in his private airplane- he reported The Thing to air traffic control , as serious as a Tombstone.

The World of Illusion! Astounding Magicians & Stolen Identities

The stories of two fascinating stage magicians from the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Chung Ling Soo, a con man bigamist and fake-Asian who learned karma the hard way, and a snake oil salesman from the Harlem Renaissance who may or may not have died on stage.

North American Sea Cryptids: The Thing In The Water Isn’t What It Appears To Be

This episode covers sea creatures in the East and West of North America.Eric tells the tale of two Chessies, one cryptid and one sirenian, both in the continent’s largest estuary. While Bekah investigates the history of the Cadborosaurus of the Pacific Northwest.

Werewolves and… Cheese?!

Explore two of history’s most well-documented werewolf sightings: the Beast of Gévaudan from cave-ripened France and the Beast of Bray Road from nutty and aromatic Wisconsin. How did Barry Manilow get involved? Hold on to your leisure suit!

There’s No Alligators in MY Sewers!

Hot on the trail of one of America’s most enduring urban legends, with monkeys loose in Manhattan, a zebra cobra surviving Carolina winters, alleged Chuck Norris urban safaris, and questionable feline choices.

Moon-eyed People and the Menehune: Choose Your Own Adventure!

We tried something here, a “Choose Your Own Adventure” episode where you can go about investigating stories of North Carolina’s Moon-Eyed people and Hawaii’s Menehune. How far back do these stories go? Can you figure out their mystery? Are aliens always an option? You decide!

UFO Religions, Unarians, Jello, Sparkles and the United States Supreme Court

No, really, it’s all in there. Every single bit of it and more…
Join Jackalope Carnival as we investigate UFO religions and answer your burning questions. Were early UFO religions in league with Nazis? Are the Unarians the best dressed UFO group? Should Jello Biafra have been an investigative reporter? Find out!

Jackalope Carnival Holiday Special 2021!

Our first holiday episode! Join us for a slice of fruitcake as we countdown 12 Christmas tales, traditions, and trivia from around the world. Thank you for all the support! Happy Holidays! xox The Carnival Crew

You Wouldn’t Have Heard of It, They’re Totally Underground

Put on your spelunking gear, we’re about to go subterranean, exploring hidden tunnels and passageways. Can you dig it?

Accidental Time Travel- Your Timeslip is Showing!

Don’t you just hate it when you’re taking an elevator from the office to go home and you accidentally end up in one of the bloodiest battles in American History? Or how about when you put in a full day’s work, go to clock out and find that you’ve only been at work for ten minutes? Eric refuses to besmirch thrice, Bekah makes a shocking confession!!!

The Stone of Scone: Legends of British Rock(s)!

If you came looking for Zeppelin or The Beatles… well, it’s more sandstone and quartz here. But we do have the Scotland’s famous Stone of Destiny and monkeys tasked with keeping an empire intact. Take that, Jagger.

To Owl or Not to Owl? That is the Question.

Two monster sightings blamed on owls, owl lore, and the question: owl or not owl? Owlman, Hopkinsville Goblins, Eurasian Eagle Owls, Barred Owls, Barn Owls & carnies, you can’t tell the players apart without a program! Who? Jackalope Carnival, that’s who!

Urban Legend -or- is it? The Bunny Man and More.

This all totally happened to my friend’s cousin back in the 80s… stories that sound unbelievable but aren’t. Lederhosen bars, a real-life murderer, a man in a bunny suit, a nun in go-go boots, squirrels stealing purses, and THAT WOMAN WITH NO PANTS IN THE CROSSWALK!

Jackalope Carnival Holiday Special 2022!!

Are werewolves and ghosts only for Halloween? What are the “stretchy pants days of December” and why do mischievous little men crawl from underground to sour milk? Happy holidays from Jackalope Carnival!

MORE Jackalope Carnival Holiday Special 2022!!

More international Christmas folklore and fun. Bekah tries to convince Eric that beating a log with a stick while screaming at it will poop candy into your bed. Results are inconclusive. Happy holidays!

Out of Body Experiences, Psychic Spies and Dangerous Artichoke Aliens

Did the government open doors it couldn’t close? Do dangerous aliens wear hot pants in the produce aisle? Why do they wave artichokes about? The Men in Black got there just in time! 1950s Yogis, radio executives doing astral projection, and all the normal Jackalope Carnival random abnormality.

Ghost Ships: The Carroll A. Deering and the Flying Dutchman

Get ready to take to the high seas in search of ghost ships, haunted vessels, and maritime mysteries. This episode dives into abandoned ships, missing crews, and legends like the Flying Dutchman and the Carroll A. Deering. Plus: what do Edgar Allan Poe, Richard Wagner, and SpongeBob all have in common?

Worst Valentine’s Day Episode Ever

This R-rated, historically accurate, and definitely not family-friendly episode explores the bizarre dietary crusades of Sylvester Graham and John Harvey Kellogg. These two pioneers of bland food were determined to prevent self-love, spankin’ the monkey, shaking hands with the bishop (you know what we mean). Cereal history has never been so weird or repressed.

Winged Harbingers and Scary Sky Creatures!

DOOOM! Were Chernobyl and the eruption of Mt. St. Helens foretold by terrifying winged omens? This episode dives into the Black Bird of Chernobyl and the legendary Batsquatch (yes, Bat + Sasquatch). When weird history and folklore take to the skies, it gets real dramatic.

Channeling for Fun and Prophet

In this episode, we talk Ouija boards, automatic writing, and voices from beyond. One famous poet gets ghosted… literally, by spirits encouraging him to move on from his ex. Also includes (probably) poorly pronounced Mandarin. Weird history and folklore? Check. Psychic drama? Double check.

Civil War Ghosts and Otherwise

Ghosts a plenty. Ghost-o-rama, Plethora of hauntings here. Boooooy Howdy. Also: Eric talks about his connections to the Civil War. Bekah wonders if her cold is making her manifest ectoplasm.

Mermen and more!

Where did all the stories of mermen go? When merpeople are so popular in fiction, why are they not talked about so much in cryptozoology circles? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Jackalope Carnival.

Christmas Episode ’23: Santa’s Friends Are Not Okay

In our 4th Christmas episode, which may or may not have been done under the influence of holiday cheer, we take a look at some of the dark and devilish company that Saint Nicholas keeps in France, Belgium and regions of Germany. They say you can judge someone by their friends, but we’ll give Saint Nick a pass. We have to, you don’t want to get on his bad side.

 

Keep the Jackalope fed (and mildly caffeinated)

If you’ve enjoyed our strange little sideshow of haunted ships, cryptid bats, and spiritually frustrated poets, help us keep the tent open!

And if you’re feeling generous, shout us out online or tell a friend who loves folklore, phantoms, and general weirdness. May your nights be ghost-free and your cryptids well-behaved.