Best Paranormal Podcasts for Skeptics (Who Still Want to Be Scared)
I love reading scary stories, but sometimes they're just too fantastical or far-fetched to be very spooky. I need a ghost story to seem totally plausible. Like it could happen to anyone. Like it could happen to me. Or you. We should question paranormal activity like any good paranormal investigator, not just blame every creak and groan of a house on demons. I love when a paranormal podcast host is welcoming to skeptics or anyone seeking a mundane explanation for paranormal claims.
Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or you’re only a skeptic in the light of day, this list is for anyone out there who likes to question the paranormal while still getting creeped out by it.
Sometimes, the science, folklore, and mundane truth of it all is far more interesting than demonic possession. Always, I'd wager. But that's me, I have a thing against demonmongering (or demonic fearmongering, same thing). Here's my list of paranormal podcasts that take the strange seriously without being too woowoo about it.
The Best Paranormal Podcasts for Skeptics
👁️ Madame Strangeways
Madame Strangeways is a true paranormal story podcast featuring narrations of people's real experiences. After each strange story, the I share my analysis and commentary on the story, offering believer VS skeptic points of view alongside folklore, science, and rabbitholes. The stories span paranormal subjects from black-eyed children (or black-eyed kids) to haunted Appalachia to aliens, Bigfoot and even gnomes. The podcast respects people's lived experiences, it just presents multiple theories and explanations all in support of the mantra "I can feel afraid and not be in danger." It's fun to be scared, but the message is not to let that fear of the unexplained make you feel unsafe.
Then there's the deep dive episodes (strangedives). There's a whole series on Ed and Lorraine Warren's paranormal case files (Amityville, Annabelle, Enfield [The Conjuring 2], The Perrons [The Conjuring] and the Smurls [The Conjuring: Last Rites]). Those episodes are perfect if you've ever watched any of The Conjuring movies and had more questions than answers.
The episodes can be listened to in any order, so feel free to jump in wherever you like.
Two good episodes to start with if you're new:
- The Annabelle of the Annaball (Warrens' Strangedive): covers the allegedly true story of the alleged case file of Annabelle from Ed and Lorraine Warren, and has great fun doing it.
- The Demon in the Woods (Listener Story): In which we hear a story of a demon in the woods (obviously) and learn about the origin and history of demons as a concept.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Castbox, YouTube, or wherever you listen to spooky stuff.
👁️ Uncanny
"From ghostly phantoms to UFOs, Danny Robins investigates real-life stories of paranormal encounters. So, are you Team Believer or Team Skeptic?" I love this podcast. They have on experts every episode to defend the stance of Team Believer and Team Skeptic, and I wish there was more time to hear them go back and forth with their theories, but it's an amazing format. The experiences are told by the person who experienced it, interviewed by the host, Danny Robbins. Not only do they present skeptical theories, but the stories themselves are plausible and sound genuine. Very very spooky, and a perfect podcast to binge in October especially.
Uncanny even did a short series of American stories specifically (Uncanny is aired on BBC in the UK), which was very fun to hear.
The episodes can be listened to in any order, so feel free to jump in wherever you like.
Two good entry points if you're new:
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you listen to spooky stuff.
👁️ Monster Talk
"MonsterTalk has been promoting science and critical thinking since 2009. We use monsters as a springboard to talk about a variety of monster topics. We’re skeptical of the existence of monsters, but we want to understand the mysterious experiences people report." Hosted by Blake Smith and Karen Stollznow, this is a must-listen for anyone who leans skeptical. You don't have to be interested in monsters or cryptids specifically because they talk about a host of spooky topics, ranging from Spiritualism and Harry Houdini, horror movies like Late Night with the Devil, and well, yes, of course, spooky monsters and super freaks like Bigfoot, dragons, and lake monsters.
The skepticism they have towards the strange topics they cover is respectful and irreverent, something I greatly appreciate in a show. You learn so much in practically every episode, something else I love. One of my favorite episodes is definitely not for everyone but I have to share it: Demon Sex in Medieval Times.
The episodes can be listened to in any order, so feel free to jump in wherever you like.
Two good entry points if you're new:
S04E29 - Dinos & Dragons Part 1
S03E43 - Ancient Werewolves
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you listen to spooky stuff.
👁️ Mysterious Universe
"Mysterious Universe brings you the latest news and podcasts covering the strange, extraordinary, weird, wonderful and everything in between. We strive to maintain a balance of healthy skepticism and entertainment while never losing our sense of humour." I only recently got introduced to the Mysterious Universe podcast and I really don't know how I missed it. From conspiracy theories, to UFOs/UAPs, to tulpas, there isn't much in the realm of the paranormal they don't seem to cover.
Two good entry points if you're new:
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you listen to spooky stuff.
👁️ Spooked
"Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. Be afraid. Created in the dark of night, by the creators of Snap Judgment in partnership with KQED." Hosted by Snap Judgment's Glynn Washington, Spooked has some absolutely scary and even sometimes emotional stories of the unexplained. The stories are told by the people who experienced them, and the sound design and production quality is fantastic. Though Spooked doesn't really address skeptical theories, I've found that most of the stories shared on the podcast are plausible and believable as being unexplained. While some of the people in some episodes blindly believe, most of the people telling their stories seem just as confused or baffled as I would be in their shoes. My favorite episodes are in the earlier seasons. If Glynn's intros aren't your style, you can just skip ahead and get right to the stories, though I love his storytelling.
Two good entry points if you're new:
Hellevator
Creepy Crawly
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you listen to spooky stuff.
What's the Best Paranormal Podcast for Someone Brand New to the Genre?
Start with Madame Strangeways or Uncanny if you're a skeptic (or if you're on the fence about the supernatural) and would like to hear some possible theories from both skeptics and believers. Both feature firsthand accounts of the supernatural and don't try to convince you one way or the other. Madame Strangeways is a fair bit more irreverent and uses humor to help decompress from the scary stories, whereas Uncanny has a very approachable and casual but welcoming vibe. Madame Strangeways is an indie podcast run by just one person, and Uncanny is produced by the BBC. If you're also interested in spooky folklore or history and strange facts, Madame Strangeways is a better fit. Uncanny does have a longer back catalog, but Madame Strangeways has over 50 episodes so there's no shortage of episode to binge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there paranormal podcasts that also explain the science and history behind the stories?
The Madame Strangeways podcast. Strange science, history, and folklore are shared alongside her research after every strange story she shares. And along the way, Madame Strangeways drags you down a slew of strange rabbit holes, kicking and screaming if needs must. Presented alongside supernatural and paranormal theories, it lets you make up your own mind.
What is the best true paranormal podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts right now?
Madame Strangeways podcast is the best true paranormal podcast. Madame Strangeways shares true strange stories of the unexplained and hand-picks spooky tales that could happen to you. It's available on Spotify and Apple, but also CastBox, iHeart, Amazon, YouTube, and more. You can also submit your own true strange story for her to read in an episode.
Are the stories on paranormal podcasts real or are they scripted?
It depends, really. On all of the podcasts on this list, none of them are fictional or written for the purpose of making up a scary story. Madame Strangeways shares people's scary stories with their permission, while Uncanny and Spooked work directly with the people who experienced paranormal happenings to record them on the show. None of the stories are proven to be supernatural or paranormal; they're all just unexplained.
Is Madame Strangeways good for skeptics?
Definitely, Madame Strangeways gives both skeptical or mundane explanations as well as paranormal or supernatural explanations for the true strange stories. She doesn't tell you what to believe, she just educates you on the strange science, folklore, and history surrounding every story.
Are there podcasts that debunk the Conjuring movies or Ed and Lorraine Warren's paranormal claims?
Madame Strangeways and Monster Talk both discuss some of the Warren's supernatural stories, ranging from The Conjuring to Annabelle. Madame Strangeways has six deep dive episodes across five of Ed and Lorraine Warren's paranormal case files and goes into detail about similar debunked cases, the true stories behind The Conjuring movies, and Ed Warren's infatuation with demons. Madame Strangeways looks at the books that the Warrens published and then researches other historical claims to present a clear picture, such as the case of The Conjuring movie based on the Perron family, and the unfair treatment of turning an innocent woman, Bathsheba Sherman, into a Hollywood movie villain.
How often does Madame Strangeways release new episodes?
New episodes are released every two weeks, but you can get bonus content by joining the Patreon!
Start Listening with Madame Strangeways
If you've read this far, wow, excellent, I love it, gold star for you. But also, if you've read this far, you must know which podcast to start with, and it's Madame Strangeways. Be sure to follow the podcast wherever you listen (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Castbox, YouTube, or wherever you listen to spooky stuff) and after you listen, please give a five star review on Apple or Spotify. And if you have a true strange story you'd like to hear read on the show, email it to madamestrangeways@gmail.com. I can't wait to read it.
See you soon (she said, ominously).
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow--A Deep Dive
