A Scary State
True crimeHave you ever wondered what makes your state famous? What about what makes your state infamous? Join Lauren and Kenzie as they take a look into the dark background and creepy origin stories that take place in each state. We will venture into tales of cryptids, ghosts, haunted locations, urban legends, serial killers and much more. We dig deep into what makes your state scary.
Siste episoder av A Scary State podcast
- Ep.224 Bad Luck, Good Stories: Superstitions Explained (01:30:09)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! Our first Spooky Special of October is all about superstitions! We dive into the origins of some of the most famous beliefs—like why people knock on wood or avoid walking under ladders. Kenzie takes us deep into the world of Santa Muerte and her influence on Mexico’s narcocultura (narco culture). Meanwhile, Lauren hits the road to uncover unique superstitions from across the United States—you might even hear one from your own state!...
- Ep.223 Aliens and Assassinations in Wisconsin (01:17:37)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading to Wisconsin, where history and the bizarre collide! Lauren kicks things off with the story of John Schrank, the man who tried to assassinate President Theodore Roosevelt during a campaign stop in Milwaukee. Schrank’s troubled past, strange visions, and shocking actions make this a story that is as unsettling as it is unforgettable. Then, Kenzie dives into one of Wisconsin’s strangest UFO encounters—the biza...
- Ep.222 Rhode Island’s Wealth and Wreckage (01:14:16)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re diving into two stories of wealth, mystery, and maritime hauntings! First, Kenzie takes us into the scandalous life of Doris Duke, once called “the richest girl in the world.” From her turbulent personal relationships to the mysterious death of her companion, Doris’s story is a mix of glamour, power, and controversy that still fascinates true-crime and history buffs alike. Then, Lauren sets sail with the tale of the...
- Ep.221 Idaho: Wild in the Wild (01:33:16)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re venturing deep into the wild wilderness of the Gem State—Idaho! Lauren kicks things off with a chilling mix of eerie tales, beginning with the mysterious “Zone of Death” in Yellowstone, where unusual laws spark unsettling possibilities. She also dives into strange disappearances in Idaho’s rugged mountains, stories that leave behind more questions than answers. Then, Kenzie shares the bizarre legend of the Moss Man—...
- Ep.220 Michigan’s Ghosts, Lies, and Hidden Truths (01:41:59)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! Things aren’t always what they seem in the Great Lakes State—Michigan! First, Kenzie takes us to the idyllic Mackinac Island, a vacation hotspot known for its charm and beauty. But beneath the picturesque exterior lies a chilling truth: the island is rumored to have over 3,000 haunted locations. Then, Lauren dives into the story of Robert and Jane Bashara, a couple who appeared to be perfect in the eyes of friends and neighbors. Beh...
- Ep.219 Georgia’s Curses and Convictions (01:12:36)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading down to the Peach State—Georgia! Lauren kicks things off with the mysterious story of a Pillar in Augusta, Georgia, a structure shrouded in legend and said to carry a deadly curse that lingers to this day. Then, Kenzie dives into the heartbreaking case of Devonia Inman, a man who spent over 20 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. His fight for justice reveals troubling truths about the flaws in ou...
- Ep.218 North Carolina’s Haunted and Homicidal History (01:12:18)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading to our close neighbor, the Tar Heel State! Kenzie dives into the chilling story of Barbara and Russ Stager. On the surface, they seemed like the picture-perfect couple, but when one of them ends up shot in the back of the head, their carefully crafted image shatters. The case may appear straightforward, but the truth is far more twisted than it first seems. Then, Lauren takes us through the haunted halls of ...
- Ep.217 Deadly Love and Haunted Nights in Delaware (00:47:15)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading to the First State—Delaware! Lauren begins with the tragic tale of Mary Elizabeth Dunning and her husband, John Preston Dunning, a story that proves some choices come with devastating consequences. Then, Kenzie takes us to the charming yet eerie Addy Sea Inn in Bethany Beach. This historic bed-and-breakfast is home to the usual creaks and ghostly whispers—but what truly sets it apart is a chilling TripAdviso...
- Ep.216 Kansas’s Cold Cases & Creepy Faces (01:02:17)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading out west to the Sunflower State—Kansas! Kenzie kicks things off with the state’s oldest cold case: the murder of Mary Robin Walter. For 44 years, this case remained unsolved—until advances in technology and modern investigative techniques finally brought the truth to light. Then, Lauren takes us deep into two of Kansas’s creepiest urban legends. First up is the Hamburger Man (and no, we don’t mean the Hambur...
- Ep.215 From Cryptids to Catastrophes: Connecticut's Creepy Past (00:57:29)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading up north to the Constitution State—Connecticut! Lauren kicks things off with a look at two of the state’s eeriest cryptids: the mysterious Faceless People and the elusive Melonheads. The Faceless People are exactly what they sound like—strange figures with smooth, featureless faces and small holes for ears, who prefer to remain in the shadows. The Melonheads, with their oversized heads and unsettling presenc...
- Ep.214 Phantoms of the Plantation and the Haunted Hall of Justice in Louisiana (01:15:21)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we're heading deep into the heart of the Bayou State—Louisiana! Kenzie starts us off with the chilling legend of the Myrtles Plantation, often hailed as one of the most haunted houses in America. From phantom footsteps and mysterious handprints to the infamous tale of a ghostly woman in a green turban, the plantation's storied past continues to draw in curious visitors and paranormal investigators alike. Then, Lauren shar...
- Ep.213 Murder, Mystery, and the Minnesota Spirits (01:01:29)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading to the Land of 10,000 Lakes—Minnesota! Lauren kicks things off with the haunting history of the Palmer House Hotel. Built on the site of a former hotel that burned to the ground, the Palmer House has become a hotspot for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators. From disembodied footsteps to unexplained shadows, it’s earned a reputation as one of the most haunted places in the state. Then, Kenzie shares tw...
- Ep.212 Boggy Creek and Bloodshed: Arkansas’s Darkest Secrets (01:08:22)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading into the mysterious woods of Arkansas! Kenzie kicks things off with the legendary Fouke Monster—an elusive creature said to roam the swamps and forests near the town of Fouke. Then, Lauren dives into the unsettling true crime case of James Waybern Hall. Once a respected figure in his community, Hall harbored dark secrets that led to the brutal murder of his own family. His case shocked Arkansas and left behi...
- Ep.211 Fireworks, Felonies, and Fatal Lies on the Fourth of July (00:57:21)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! Happy Independence Day, USA! This week, we dive into the chaos and crime that often unfold during July 4th festivities. We kick things off with some of the ridiculous (and illegal) predicaments people tend to find themselves in while celebrating the holiday. Then, Lauren shares the heartbreaking story of Deundray Cottrell, who was tragically murdered while visiting family over the holiday weekend. Authorities are seeking the public’...
- Ep.210 Furnace Fires and Fatal Rides in Alabama (01:18:07)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we head to the Heart of Dixie—Alabama! Kenzie begins with the heartbreaking story of Vicki DeBlieux, a kind-hearted woman whose life was tragically cut short after a trip to visit family. What started as a journey home ended in a senseless act of violence that left more questions than answers. Then, Lauren turns up the heat with one of Alabama’s most haunted locations—Sloss Furnaces. This historic industrial site once fue...
- Ep.209 Hawaii’s Demigods and Disappearances (01:07:08)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re headed to the tropical paradise of Hawaii—but not for the sunshine and surf. Lauren dives into the legends of terrifying Hawaiian monsters and deities, including the powerful shapeshifting Mo‘o, the pig-man demigod Kamapua‘a, and the protective (but sometimes vengeful) ancestral spirits known as ‘Aumakua. These stories are deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and are not just myths to everyone. Then, Kenzie covers one ...
- Ep.208 Buried Secrets of the Bluegrass State (01:09:24)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading to the beautiful Bluegrass State—Kentucky! Kenzie kicks things off with a chilling reminder of one of humanity’s oldest fears: being buried alive. In the 18th and 19th centuries, this wasn’t just a nightmare—it was a very real concern, especially for the Hatcher family of Pikeville. According to local legend, Octavia Hatcher was buried alive, and her restless spirit is said to haunt the cemetery where she wa...
- Ep.207 Pirates, Monsters, and Legends: New Hampshire’s Haunted Lore (01:10:57)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading to the rugged wilds of the Granite State — New Hampshire! Lauren kicks things off with the eerie legend of the Woods Devils, elusive, Bigfoot-like creatures said to haunt the dense forests of the North Country. Then, Kenzie unravels the tale of Ocean Born Mary, a woman with a haunting origin — born on the high seas during a pirate siege. From shadowy creatures to pirate bargains, join us as we explore some o...
- Ep.206 From Cold Case to Closure: South Dakota’s Darkest Stories (01:09:51)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we’re heading to South Dakota to cover two chilling cases. First, we look at the brutal 1995 murder of Mary K. Ross, a young mother whose life was taken in a horrifying murder-for-hire plot. Then, we revisit the decades-old mystery of Cheryl Miller and Pamela Jackson—two teens who vanished on their way to a party in 1971, only for their case to be unexpectedly solved over 40 years later. These stories highlight how long j...
- Ep.205 Betrayals and Disappearances in Washington (01:26:07)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we're heading to the misty forests and rugged coastline of the Pacific Northwest to explore the eerie and unsettling tales from the state of Washington. Lauren kicks things off with not one, but three chilling disappearance cases that share uncanny similarities—each one part of a mysterious pattern that stretches far beyond state lines. Then, Kenzie tells the heartbreaking story of the Klungness family, whose lives were s...
- Ep.204 Evil Locked In Iowa’s Paranormal Past (01:47:43)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we head to Iowa to uncover chilling tales of spirits who may still be serving time. Kenzie explores the eerie history of the Squirrel Cage Jail in Council Bluffs—an old rotary jail that once held everyone from ax murderers to town drunks, whether they were awaiting trial or sleeping off a rough night. Some believe that some of the jailhouse residents have never left. Then, Lauren recounts the harrowing exorcism of Anna Ec...
- Ep.203 Mala Times in New Mexico (01:24:12)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we head to the Land of Enchantment—New Mexico! First, Lauren unearths a lesser-known urban legend: La Mala Hora. Depending on who you ask, she appears as either a massive black shadow or a terrifying ghostly woman. But one thing’s for sure—if you see her, it might be your last moment. Then, Kenzie dives into the chilling details of the 1980 New Mexico Prison Riot, the deadliest and most violent prison uprising in U.S. his...
- Ep.202 Ghouls, Ghosts, Murder, and Mayhem in Montana (01:11:26)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we have the best of both worlds from the Treasure State. First, Kenzie starts us off with a story of ghosts and ghouls haunting the Belton Chalet. The historic hotel is situated in West Glacier, Montana and is known for having a permanent ghostly guest. From missing reading glasses to blood curdling screams, there is no shortage of haunted hijinks roaming the halls of the Belton Chalet. Then, Lauren shares some murder and...
- Ep.201 Utah’s Ghosts, Graveyards, and the Great Basin Murders (01:18:39)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! This week, we venture into the haunting landscapes of Utah for a spine-chilling double feature. First, Lauren explores the dark and eerie past of the Old Tooele Hospital—also known as Asylum 49. What was once a place of healing is now considered one of the most haunted locations in the state. From ghostly apparitions to aggressive spirits and shadowy figures, this former hospital has a long history of paranormal activity that blurs ...
- Ep.200 200 Episodes Deep in the Nevada Desert (01:28:42)
Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know! We Neva-da thought we’d make it to our 200th episode—but here we are! To celebrate this major milestone, we’re diving deep into the dark and mysterious corners of the Silver State. We kick things off with some of Nevada’s eerie history, from its haunting abundance of ghost towns to the lasting effects of atomic bomb testing in the desert. Then, Kenzie continues her gripping three-part series on the Great Basin Murders. In part two, ...