Following their investigation into New Mount Carmel Center, Hadley and Alyssa resume their discussion of the infamous 1993 Waco siege. Hoping to better understand the actions of those embroiled in the conflict, they’re joined by author and cult scholar Daniella Mestyanek Young, who, as a cult survivor and Army veteran with a Masters in Organizational Psychology, provides valuable insight into the perspectives of each side. Speaking to her own experiences, Daniella talks about growing up in the Children of God cult as well as her time serving in the Army, and the parallels she’s noticed between those two chapters in her life. The hosts also pick her brain on all things coercive control, including how cult leaders utilize isolated locations and strict living conditions to control their followers. Wrapping up the episode, Alyssa and Hadley reflect on the stories they shared this season. SWEEPSTAKES *IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: Following @Darkhousepodcast and liking Darkhouse’s ‘Uncultured’ Memoir sweepstakes post is required to enter Darkhouse’s ‘Uncultured’ Memoir Sweepstakes and does not necessarily signify an endorsement of the brand or post.* NO PURCH. NEC. TO ENTER OR WIN. Darkhouse ‘Uncultured’ Memoir Sweepstakes. Sponsored by Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. From 11/15/23 at 12:01 AM (ET) - 11/22/23, at 11:59 PM (ET), follow @Darkhousepodcast on Instagram and like Darkhouse’s ‘Uncultured’ Memoir sweepstakes post. Open to US, DC, & Canada (excluding Quebec) residents from age of majority. Void in Puerto Rico. Subj. to rules at https://www.housebeautiful.com/promotions/sweeps/a45701029/darkhouse-uncultured-memoir-sweepstakes-2023/. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS ‘Uncultured: A Memoir’ by Daniella Mestyanek Young: https://amzn.to/497qeIQ ‘Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism’ by Amanda Montell: https://amzn.to/406FPnQ “Joaquin Phoenix and Rose McGowan Spent Their Early Years in a Religious Cult. Then it Became Infamous.” Esquire (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3Q7gTb9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2023
Alyssa and Hadley turn their attention to New Mount Carmel Center, an isolated ranch just outside of Waco, Texas where a 51-day standoff between the FBI and the Branch Davidians—a religious cult led by self-proclaimed prophet David Koresh—came to a disastrous end on April 19, 1993, when the group’s massive compound burned to the ground with 76 Branch Davidians still inside. Setting out to understand what led to the government’s siege of Mount Carmel, the hosts go back to the beginning, reviewing the tumultuous history of the cult and their property. They also examine the harsh living conditions that Koresh’s followers were subjected to while living there, and how the compound's rudimentary design and construction played a significant role throughout the conflict. Finally, Alyssa and Hadley uncover what happened to Mount Carmel after the fire, how the remains of the compound became a macabre tourist attraction, and the chilling sounds that visitors and caretakers have reported hearing on the grounds since. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS ‘Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage’ by Jeff Guinn: https://amzn.to/3FtvqZL “The Bizarre History of the Branch Davidian Headquarters in Waco, Texas” House Beautiful (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/40o8CVb “The Ghosts of Mount Carmel” (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3M9U4m3 “Branch Davidian Compound, Mount Carmel Center” (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/3Q7gBRB “David Koresh SERMON” (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/45IZL15 “The Sinful Messiah: Read the series” Waco Tribune-Herald (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3Mf4lNT “The hounds of Waco” Salon (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/497qMyo “End Of Days” BBC Radio 5 Live (PODCAST): https://bit.ly/409UKNP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2023
Hadley and Alyssa investigate the Ammons House, a modest, single-story home in Gary, Indiana where, in the spring of 2011, Latoya Ammons and her three young children were reportedly possessed by demons. After unpacking the history of the region, the hosts dig into the Ammons family’s case, from the first signs of paranormal activity to the extreme behavior that eventually led Latoya to flee the home and seek medical attention for her children. They also review reports made by healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, and government workers whose eyewitness accounts point to two chilling possibilities: either the Ammons family suffered a psychological phenomenon, or the house really was infested by something evil and otherworldly. Hadley and Alyssa also discuss what happened to the house after Ghost Adventures host Zak Bagans bought it in 2014. Later, they’re joined by Karl Rosengren, a professor in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Psychology departments at the University of Rochester, to discuss how belief in the paranormal and magic affect early childhood development, the psychology behind superstition, and more. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS “Paranormal activity: Do Catholics believe in ghosts?” U.S. Catholic (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3QDiqak “White flight followed factory jobs out of Gary, Indiana. Black people didn't have a choice” The Guardian (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3FyLSry “Resilient Midtown Tour to explore Gary’s historic district on foot” Indiana University Northwest (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3s74nQX “The exorcisms of Latoya Ammons” Indianapolis Star (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/406svzQ Demon House (MOVIE): https://bit.ly/3s2BHse “We almost lost our lives': Woman possessed by demons in 'portal to hell' house that terrified even the police chief reveals new details of her family's terrifying ordeal” Daily Mail (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3s2qzf8 “Childhood trauma and the development of paranormal beliefs” PubMed (STUDY): https://bit.ly/3Q0Ge6o “Exorcism is something we can’t quite quit” Los Angeles Times (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3tSUKpm Silhouette in the Ammons House window (PHOTO): https://bit.ly/3QsAYtJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2023
Tackling the story most requested by Dark House listeners, Alyssa and Hadley come face to face with 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, the Dutch-Colonial house that inspired The Amityville Horror. The best-selling-book-turned-hit-movie tells the dramatic tale of George and Kathy Lutz, a young newlywed couple who purchased 112 Ocean Avenue in December of 1975, just a year after previous owners Ron and Louise DeFeo and four of their children were brutally murdered in the home. Having fled from the house only 28 days after moving in, the Lutzes told friends and neighbors that "unseen forces" drove them out. Looking to understand why today—despite the fact that the movie remains a classic—the Lutz's story is widely regarded as a hoax, the hosts dig for nuggets of truth buried under a mountain of lies and internet theories. They take a closer look at the DeFeo case and what could’ve possibly motivated Butch DeFeo, Ron and Louise’s eldest son, to commit such a heinous crime, as well as what exactly the Lutzes said happened to them in those 28 days living at the house, and how their credibility has been called into question since. Plus, they discover why the next family to move in after the Lutzes was also forced to abandon the home. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS Amityville Horror (MOVIE): https://amzn.to/3EyXTgi ‘The Amityville Horror’ by Jay Anson: https://amzn.to/3ZbAqLP ‘The Golden Avenue: The History and People of Ocean Avenue, Amityville, NY: The History and People of Ocean Avenue, Amityville, NY’ by Doug Robinson: https://amzn.to/3RjQ9GC ‘My Amityville: Memories of a Golden Time’ by Doug Robinson: https://amzn.to/44JnJc8 ‘High Hopes: The Amityville Murders’ by Gerard Sullivan and Harvey Aronson: https://amzn.to/489vefp “Why Do We Have To Rely On The Federal Government To Protect Us?” United For Justice In Policing Long Island (BLOG POST): bit.ly/3PfN9ID “The Confession Takers” Newsday (ARTICLE PDF): bit.ly/45NfaOV “'Amityville' Prisoner Says Movie Money Tainted Defense” The New York Times (ARTICLE): bit.ly/3RjBrzA “BEHIND THE BEST SELLERS” The New York Times (ARTICLE): bit.ly/3PiVQlk The Amityville House of Horror (VIDEO): bit.ly/3EUTC7j “Ex-resident of house debunks much of Amityville ‘horror’” The Seattle Times (ARTICLE): bit.ly/3PBeLJC My Amityville Horror (MOVIE): https://amzn.to/45PCz22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2023
Hadley and Alyssa venture to Victoria’s Black Swan Inn, a lush, 35-acre home and wedding venue cloaked by 100-year-old oak trees in San Antonio, Texas. Built in the mid to late 1800s on a plot of land where, 50 years earlier, 60 Mexican soldiers were killed in the Battle of Salado, the Greek Revival manor has had a plethora of owners—including many who died there. Operating today as a residence and special events venue, many guests have reported strange experiences while visiting the property. To get to the bottom of the hauntings, Hadley and Alyssa run through the history of the home, diving into the lives of all of its former occupants and their (alleged) lingering spirits. Working their way through the home’s history up to the present day, the hosts share some of current owner Jo Ann Rivera’s paranormal encounters, including one of the most sinister spectral presences they’ve ever heard of. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS Victoria’s Black Swan Inn (HOMEPAGE): https://bit.ly/46hu00n “Victoria's Black Swan Inn—Historical Dossier LSF/It Feels Evil” by Celina Sommers (BLOG POST): https://bit.ly/3tarZUT “Owner of San Antonio's Historic Black Swan Inn Unveils Her Paranormal Experiences” My San Antonio (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/467NFjb “Ungesund: Yellow Fever, the Antebellum Gulf South, and German Immigration” Southern Spaces (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3PI5dvd ‘The Trail Drivers of Texas: Interesting Sketches of Early Cowboys’ by J. Marvin Hunter (excerpt from Christoph Wilhelm Ackermann): https://amzn.to/48CEgSp “Salado Creek, Battle Of” Texas State Historical Association: https://bit.ly/46eL07b Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2023
Follow MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the first 8 episodes, early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Download the Amazon Music app today. The human body is a miracle. But when it’s not working, it can be the stuff of nightmares. On this new series from master storyteller MrBallen, we’re sharing medical horror stories and diagnostic mysteries that are surgically calibrated to make your blood run cold. From bizarre, unheard-of diseases and miraculous recoveries to strange medical mishaps and unexplainable deaths — you’ll never hear the phrase “heart-stopping” in the same way again. MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries is a first of its kind collaboration between MrBallen and Wondery, the award-winning company behind Dr. Death. Listen Now: Wondery.fm/MBMM_DAH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2023
Nothing is as terrifying as the sounds we hear in the dark. The slow creak of a door opening late at night... or a whisper in a room when you thought you were alone... or a distant scream in the wind. One noise at the wrong time or place can scare us for days. Each episode of I Hear Fear plunges the listener into a tale inspired by real events, from a deadly dance party to a cursed film set. Join host and two-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan for six immersive stories designed to jangle your nerves and haunt your dreams. Follow I Hear Fear on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes of I Hear Fear ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus. Listen now: Wondery.fm/IHF_DH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2023
Hadley and Alyssa chat with One Tree Hill star Hilarie Burton Morgan about her new book, Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief in a special Dark House minisode. The trio discuss the inspiration behind the book and Hilarie’s encounters with haunted homes, including a meaningful connection she made with a spirit “guide” while living in Wilmington, North Carolina. Plus, Hilarie shares her empowering interior design philosophy, how to incorporate magic into your everyday routine, and the case that inspired her true crime docu-series, It Couldn’t Happen Here. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor RELATED LINKS ‘Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief’ by Hilarie Burton Morgan: https://amzn.to/46hElcx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2023
Alyssa and Hadley explore the haunting past of the Hardie-Coleman House—or, as it’s better known online, the Lucy Murder House—in Uniontown, Alabama, where the remains of 13-year-old Allan Lucy were found buried beneath the front porch in January of 1994. Allan, who lived at the home with his adoptive parents, Phillip and Margaret Lucy, disappeared without a trace in May of 1985. In the months that followed, Jason Lucy, Phillip and Margaret's biological son, told classmates that his father killed Allan and buried him in the backyard. As they work to uncover what really happened, the hosts hear from former Uniontown resident David B. House, who explains why, at the time, no one believed Jason's story, and shares the rumors that were circulating about the Lucy family long before Allan disappeared. Later, in trying to understand why—even years after Allan Lucy's murderer was brought to justice—the house has still not recovered, Hadley and Alyssa discuss the environmental issues that have driven many residents out of Uniontown, and left those who remain fighting for justice of their own. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS Uniontown Historic District Nomination Form (PDF): bit.ly/3YJmg44 ‘REPORTER: Covering Civil Rights...And Wrongs in Dixie’ by Alvin Benn: https://amzn.to/3P6yTTJ Exploring An Abandoned Murder Mansion | Boy Buried Under The Porch (VIDEO): bit.ly/3OK07xZ “Environmental Injustice in Uniontown, Alabama, Decades after the Civil Rights Act of 1964: It's Time For Action” American Bar Association (ARTICLE): bit.ly/3P8tN9I “Uniontown is polluted with coal ash. Here’s how some UA students are helping” The Crimson White (ARTICLE): bit.ly/3E5Ullp “Judge orders Uniontown to stop fighting $31M sewer fix” Alabama.com (ARTICLE): bit.ly/45eKdTo “Alabama sues Uniontown again over sewage issues” Alabama.com (ARTICLE): bit.ly/3P9DW61 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2023
With a better understanding of the victim, Elizabeth Short, Hadley and Alyssa set their sights on the Black Dahlia’s suspected killer: prominent California doctor George Hodel. Dr. Hodel lived in the John Sowden House—Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.'s surrealist magnum opus in Los Feliz—from 1945 to 1950, until he abandoned his family and fled the country after the home was bugged by the district attorney's office. Following the trail of a popular theory, the hosts explore the history of Sowden House, from its magnificent Mayan Revival architecture and many former owners to the events and evidence that have led many to believe it was the site of Elizabeth Short’s murder. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS Sowden House, 5121 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles (PHOTOS): https://bit.ly/3PBihm5 ‘Black Dahlia Avenger’ by Steve Hodel: https://amzn.to/468kDj4 Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia (PODCAST): https://bit.ly/45iciIU Historic American Buildings Survey, Sowden House (PDF): https://bit.ly/3ZwglA1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2023
Hadley and Alyssa dive into the life and gruesome death of Elizabeth Short—better known as the Black Dahlia—whose unsolved murder spurred Hollywood’s most persistent ghost story. Working to uncover whether or not the iconic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles was the last place she was seen alive, the hosts retrace Elizabeth's final steps through her unmailed letters, stories from people who knew her, and eye-witness testimony. Having tracked her movements up to the evening of January 9, 1947, when she was seen leaving the lobby of the Biltmore, Alyssa and Hadley review all the possible sightings that may prove Elizabeth was seen elsewhere in Los Angeles the following week. They also sift through the many chilling stories of paranormal activity reported by Biltmore guests in recent years, which have many people convinced that Elizabeth’s spirit remains at the hotel. Later, the hosts learn about several top suspects in the case, including one who stands out among the rest. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS Ghost Captured in the Biltmore Hotel by Ginny Myers Sain (PHOTO): bit.ly/45UCN85 ‘Childhood Shadows’ by Mary Pacios: https://amzn.to/4532RwC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 27 September 2023
Alyssa—a longtime “Swiftie”—leads us in a deep dive into the history of Holiday House, Taylor Swift’s oceanfront mansion in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. The co-hosts turn their attention to “the last great american dynasty,” a track off of Swift’s 2020 album Folklore, from which we learned that, just like us, she too enjoys digging into the history of her own home and learning about the people who lived there before her. In the song, Swift sings about the fascinating life of Rebekah Harkness—an American socialite who purchased Holiday House in 1948 with her second husband, Standard Oil heir William Harkness. Following her husband’s death, Harkness spent much of his fortune hosting lavish parties, buying her own ballet company, and pissing off her neighbors in the small resort community of Watch Hill along the way. After scouring through old newspapers and reading ‘Blue Blood,’ the out-of-print biography on Rebekah’s life, Alyssa breaks down the song line by line, revealing which of the wild anecdotes mentioned in the song are true (did Rebekah really dye her neighbor’s dog key lime green??), which aren’t, and what’s missing. She also shares her own theory about the lyrics, and why she thinks they may suggest that Holiday House is haunted by Rebekah’s ghost. Later, the co-hosts discuss Swift’s own struggles since buying the home in 2013, including her many (horrifying) encounters with stalkers trying to gain access to the property. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS Holiday House old postcard (PHOTO): bit.ly/3qG8dzS ‘Blue Blood’ by Craig Unger: https://amzn.to/3sjhuy9 ‘Watch Hill Through Time’ by Chaplin Bradford Barnes: https://amzn.to/45Bbb7B “Taylor Swift: A former resident of your house would like to meet you” The Day (ARTICLE): bit.ly/44sIhpm Watch Hill Historic District Nomination Form (PDF): bit.ly/3OKhWx4 Rebekah Harkness or Jane Lynch? (PHOTO): bit.ly/3KQigt5 Daimoku - Nam myoho renge kyo - 15 minutes (VIDEO): bit.ly/3OHG6bi ‘Blue Blood’ recap series by @JessiSwiftTok (TIKTOK): bit.ly/44iUsVt ‘Blue Blood’ analysis by @Kristina Parro (TIKTOK): bit.ly/3qLttnG Westerly RI including Taylor Swift's house...Ocean House Watch Hill DJI Phantom 4 Drone view in 4K (VIDEO): bit.ly/3OJjo2B Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 20 September 2023
Kicking off season 3, Hadley takes us to the Winchester Mystery House (aka Llanada Villa)—a sprawling San Jose mansion built by The Winchester Repeating Arms Company heiress Sarah Winchester in the late 1800s. The hosts dig into the many legends surrounding the property and investigate rumors that the home’s creepy and bizarre architectural features were an attempt to keep out unwelcome spirits. Along the way, they uncover the true story of Sarah Winchester’s life, from her reclusive lifestyle to her love of interior design, to find out what really motivated the never-ending construction of her rambling mansion, and why it was deemed valueless after her death. To learn more about the Spiritualist movement that swept the nation during Sarah’s heyday, the hosts chat with Lisa Morton, the author of ‘Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances,’ about the history of mediumship, seances, ouija boards and more. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at [email protected]. RELATED LINKS ‘Captive of the Labyrinth’ by Mary Jo Ignoffo: https://amzn.to/3PgyLzZ 1963 KPIX Documentary: Mrs. Winchester's House (VIDEO): bit.ly/3refp6n “Return of the ‘66” (VIDEO): bit.ly/466hSyB Hargis Ranch in 1876 (PHOTO): bit.ly/3sUeNDq The Winchester House (1985) by Trish Newfarmer (VIDEO): bit.ly/3sTT3Yi ‘The Gun That Built an American Dynasty’ by Laura Trevelyan: https://amzn.to/45LIx4a ‘Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances’ by Lisa Morton: https://amzn.to/465g09h Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2023
Actor and horror buff David Dastmalchian joins hosts Hadley and Alyssa for a special Dark House minisode to talk about his new movie, The Boogeyman (also starring Sophie Thatcher and Chris Messina), hitting theaters June 2, 2023. David dishes on how the film adaptation differs from the original short story by Stephen King, and why King himself pushed for a theatrical release over straight-to-streaming. Plus, the actor opens up about what draws him to the horror genre, tells some scary stories about growing up in a haunted house in Kansas, and more. Later, Hadley and Alyssa share an exclusive update on Dark House season 3. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2023
In the final episode of Season 2, Hadley and Alyssa pass the mic to Dark House listeners who tell their own ghost stories. First up, Lisa takes us to her haunted childhood home in York, England. Then, Jed recalls a chilling encounter with an overprotective spirit inside an antique shop in Philadelphia. Next, Meagan shares a spectral encounter outside her family home in upstate New York. And finally, Brittany reveals the eerie baby cam evidence that’s led her to believe the former owners of her Florida home are watching over her family today. Following these personal stories, the co-hosts share their thoughts on Netflix’s ‘The Watcher’ series and get into the holiday spirit with a few Christmas-y folktales from around the world. Have a personal experience with paranormal activity you’d like to share? Reach out to Alyssa and Hadley on the Dark House Instagram account, @darkhousepodcast, or their personal accounts, @alyssafiorentino and @hadleymendelsohn. Be sure to follow all three accounts to stay up to date on all things Dark House! RELATED LINKS “The terrors of growing up in a haunted house” by Lisa Byrne (ARTICLE): bit.ly/3W1scn8 Sleep Meditation For Women Podcast: https://linktr.ee/womensmeditationnetwork CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 21 December 2022
Alyssa and Hadley unravel the complicated past of 1677 Round Top Road in Burrillville, Rhode Island, the colonial farmhouse that inspired the 2013 horror film The Conjuring. After learning that a majority of the film’s plot was fictionalized, the co-hosts dig into the real story of what happened to the Perron family, who experienced non-stop paranormal activity from the day they moved into the house in January 1971. They also discuss the family’s relationship with paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the strange things cast and crew say happened while filming The Conjuring, why homeowners at the time were upset with the film, and what happened when the Perron family returned to the farmhouse last Halloween. Turn your food waste into dirt with the press of a button with Lomi. Use the code DARKHOUSE22 to save $50 at lomi.com/DARKHOUSE22 RELATED LINKS 1677 Round Top Road Zillow 3D Tour: https://bit.ly/3zKQGb4 ‘House of Darkness, House of Light’ by Andrea Perron: https://amzn.to/3W3JOhz Andrea Perron’s interview with the Paranormal Road Trippers (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/3FIVtNW The Conjuring Houses Owner, Norma Sutcliffe, Disproves Movie and Andrea Perron's Story (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/3zFJpcs “Correcting the Conjuring House History” by Kenny Biddle (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3zJ3MWq “Replacing Bathsheba Sherman's Headstone” GoFundMe page: https://bit.ly/3t0mN2G “Homeowner disputes history of 'Conjuring' house” NBC 10 News WJAR (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3DYFLgs “A Daycare At The Conjuring House?” TikTok by Madison Heinzen (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/3zKStgi “Rhode Island’s ‘Conjuring’ house sold, with one stipulation: No one can live there year-round” The Boston Globe (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3sWE64L “'Death is not the end': Member of 'The Conjuring' family returns to Burrillville house” The Providence Journal (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3U5BIob CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 7 December 2022
Hadley and Alyssa unearth the haunting past of St. Louis's infamous and foreboding Lemp Mansion, the former home of wealthy beer tycoon William J. Lemp Sr. and his family. The co-hosts trace the property’s history through its many stages: a Gilded Age family estate atop an elaborate underground cave system, bustling brewery offices, a tourist attraction, a boarding house, and finally, a restaurant and inn. The co-hosts uncover a pattern of tragic and untimely Lemp family deaths that took place along the way, and they also review the paranormal encounters that visitors to the mansion have reported in recent years. Turn your food waste into dirt with the press of a button with Lomi. Use the code DARKHOUSE22 to save $50 at lomi.com/DARKHOUSE22 Read ‘The History and Haunting Lemp Mansion’ by Rebecca F. Pittman: https://amzn.to/3Y7xqPB Crisis Support Warm Lines: https://www.crisisconnections.org/wa-warm-line/ https://www.contactthecrisisline.org/ https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/ CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 23 November 2022
Nothing is as terrifying as the sounds we hear in the dark. The slow creak of a door opening late at night... or a whisper in a room when you thought you were alone... or a distant scream in the wind. One noise at the wrong time or place can scare us for days. Each episode of I HEAR FEAR plunges the listener into a tale inspired by real events, from a deadly dance party to a cursed film set. Join host and two-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan for six immersive stories designed to jangle your nerves and haunt your dreams. Listen – if you dare. Only on Amazon Music. Listen to I Hear Fear: www.amazon.com/IHF_us_pfd_AA_110122 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2022
Alyssa and Hadley explore the peculiar story of 328-330 Chase Street—a duplex in West Pittston, Pennsylvania—which became the subject of media frenzy in 1986 when owners Jack and Janet Smurl told a local newspaper that a demonic presence had been terrorizing their home for years. The co-hosts review the many strange occurrences that members of the Smurl family experienced in the home, what famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren found hiding in Jack and Janet’s bedroom closet, the chaotic aftermath of sharing their family’s story with the public, and what happened that finally caused the Smurls to move out of their home in 1987. Turn your food waste into dirt with the press of a button with Lomi. Use the code DARKHOUSE22 to save $50 at lomi.com/DARKHOUSE22 RELATED LINKS ‘The Haunted’ by Robert Curran: https://amzn.to/3uB5cPx Carin Smurl’s interview with Spaced Out Radio (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/3zJgtjZ Lorraine Warren interviews Jack and Janet Smurl (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/3NHD4mM CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer James Scully - Pre-production Advisor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 9 November 2022
For more than three and a half decades, the disappearance of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews was a mystery – a riddle neither authorities nor her family members could solve. The residents of her cloistered Colorado hometown had scoured every inch of prairie. Jonelle’s face had been on milk cartons nationwide. Even the President of the United States had appealed to the public for help. Still, every lead had fizzled. Every person of interest had turned out to be a dead end. Then, in 2019, Jonelle’s remains were unearthed near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. With the discovery came a troubling new question: Had the truth been hiding in plain sight the entire time? Was the man who couldn’t stop obsessing over Jonelle’s disappearance also the person who took her? From Campside Media and Wondery comes season two of SUSPECT. Former CNN reporter Ashley Fantz and executive producers Matthew Shaer and Eric Benson (Suspect, Over My Dead Body) dig into one of the most mind-bending cold cases in modern history, in an attempt to separate fact and fiction, compulsion from guilt, and true-crime fandom from a motive for murder. Hey Prime Members, listen to the Amazon Music exclusive podcast, SUSPECT: Vanished in the Snow, in the Amazon Music App. Download the app today. http://www.amazon.com/SUS_us_pfd_AA_110122. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2022
Picking up right where they left off in the story of 1000 Lombard Street, Hadley and Alyssa discuss the strange circumstances of a tragic fire that broke out at the apartment in 1969. The co-hosts recount the steps Pat Montandon took to find closure after the passing of three close friends who each spent time at the apartment with her. They also ponder the possible connection to the fateful astrology-themed house party Montandon had thrown during her first few weeks in the home. Later, the duo is joined by Stephanie Campos, a healer, astrologist, and good witch, who helps them further unpack the apartment’s history. Campos also weighs in on the natal charts of Montandon and the co-hosts themselves, and answers some of their biggest astrology questions. Read 'The Intruders' by Pat Montandon: https://amzn.to/3BpHdXA Interested in working with Stephanie? Book a session here: https://bit.ly/3gyDcsa CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & VO Jacob Stone - Sound Editor, Mixer, & VO Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 26 October 2022
Hadley and Alyssa untangle the many mysteries of 1000 Lombard Street, an apartment in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood where in 1968 an astrology-themed party kick-started a chain of unfortunate events and untimely deaths. The co-hosts dissect the bizarre behavior of a disgruntled tarot card reader who may or may not have cursed the apartment the night of the party. They also review the traumatic incidents that party host and then-tenant Pat Montandon, a journalist and socialite, faced in the years that followed, including the suspicious circumstances of a tragic fire at the apartment. Read 'The Intruders' by Pat Montandon: https://amzn.to/3BpHdXA CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 19 October 2022
The Generation Why Podcast released its first episode in 2012 and pioneered the true crime genre in the podcasting world. Two friends, Aaron & Justin, break down theories and give their opinions on unsolved murders, controversies, mysteries and conspiracies. One of the longest running true crime podcasts out there, Generation Why has a little something for every true crime listener. Follow The Generation Why Podcast on Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or you can listen ad-free by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app. Listen here: http://wondery.fm/DH_GenWhy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2022
Following their discussion of The Watcher House, Alyssa and Hadley are joined by psychology and sociology instructor Casey Lytle—who specializes in conspiracy theories, deception, and murder—to review the many possible suspects of the still-unsolved case. Casey weighs in on which suspects and theories are the most realistic, shares his take on other famous true crime cases, and provides some insight into the psychology of murder and stalking. RELATED LINKS 'Debunked: Separate the Rational from the Irrational in Influential Conspiracy Theories' by Casey Lytle: https://amzn.to/3W1HHv6 'Psychology of Murder: The traits we share with killers' by Casey Lytle: https://amzn.to/3uUsbFp CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 12 October 2022
Alyssa and Hadley recount the bizarre story of 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey, which became the target of an anonymous stalker who sent threatening letters to the new owners, Derek and Maria Broaddus, just days after they bought the house in 2014. The co-hosts review the disturbing letters sent by “The Watcher,”—who is still unidentified—and review the former homeowners and closest neighbors who were all considered as suspects. They also discuss the emotional and financial trauma Derek and Maria Broaddus suffered as a direct result of the letters, and why some members of the community accused the couple of writing the letters themselves. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 5 October 2022
Welcome to the Hellmouth, Weirdos! Your favorite Morbid hosts Ash and Alaina are branching out from true crime and heading to Sunnydale for the ultimate Buffy the Vampire Slayer Rewatch podcast! Alaina is a Buffy superfan and Ash has never watched a single episode, so whether you’re Team Angel, Team Spike, or have no clue who those people are...they’ve got you covered! Join them each week as they slay their way through the series, episode by episode, re-watching and watching for the very first time. They’ll break down Buffy and her friends adventures through weekly recaps, categories, and awards while Ash takes some (wooden stake) stabs at predicting what she thinks will happen next. They'll also welcome the occasional Buffy cast member, guest star, or celebrity superfan to join in the slaying. Listen to The ReWatcher: http://wondery.fm/DH_ReWatcher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2022
Following their discussion of Hawaii’s most haunted home, the Kasha House of Kaimuki, Hadley and Alyssa chat with Spider Man star Jacob Batalon, who grew up on Oahu. The co-hosts pick Jacob’s brain about his own experiences with paranormal activity there, the local lore he remembers most from his childhood, and how growing up on the island influenced his relationship with spirituality. Plus, the trio chat about Jacob’s leading role in the new Syfy series Reginald the Vampire, and the important message he hopes fans will take away from the show. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 28 September 2022
Hadley and Alyssa discuss the Kasha House of Kaimuki in Honolulu where, for years, occupants have reported attacks by an “unseen” force. They dig into the long history and mysterious location of the home before reviewing two of the most common theories surrounding the source of these reported attacks: a shape-shifting creature of Japanese folkloric origins known as the Kasha, and the angry spirit of a corpse buried in the backyard. They also hear from a recent resident who experienced paranormal activity while living in the condos that replaced the original house after it was demolished. Later, Alyssa and Hadley are joined by Lopaka Kapanui, a native Hawaiian storyteller, tour guide, and medium, who shares his own experience with the Kasha, as well as stories from other haunted hot spots on Oahu. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 21 September 2022
After learning about the Boise Murder House, Alyssa and Hadley are joined by interior designer Mikel Welch, who shares his first-hand experiences renovating infamous homes as one of the hosts on Roku’s Murder House Flip. The trio discusses some of the scariest things Welch and his co-host have come across inside the homes, a homeowner’s ghost story that still gives him chills today, and the biggest challenges of filming a home makeover show. Plus, the designer reveals how he became part of Drew Barrymore’s “Drew's Crew,” the surprising website that helped launch his career, and the design trends he wishes would die. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer & House Beautiful Lead Video Editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 14 September 2022
Alyssa and Hadley discuss the Boise Murder House—also known as the “Chop-Chop House”—where 21-year-old Preston Murr was fatally shot in the basement on June 30th, 1987. The co-hosts review the horrifying details of the crime, from the trail of blood left by the victim as he ran through the dark and quiet neighborhood in search of help, to the discovery of his body days later and the convictions of his murderers. After discussing alleged accounts of paranormal activity shared by former tenants and Boise locals, actor Justin Long joins the co-hosts to dish about his new horror movie Barbarian, which centers on a short-term rental home that’s hiding a sinister secret in its basement. Long shares behind-the-scenes details—including the deleted scene that was too terrifying for the final cut—plus, a Key West ghost tour encounter he’s still thinking about 20 years later. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer & House Beautiful Lead Video Editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 7 September 2022
Following their review of the iconic Grey Gardens estate, the co-hosts sit down with author and Washington Post columnist Sally Quinn—who purchased the East Hampton home from Little Edie Beale in 1979—to learn more about her experiences there, her belief in magic, and the other haunted homes she’s owned over the years. Quinn also discusses the impact astrology has had on her life and shares a few jaw-dropping anecdotes about her experiences dabbling with hexes. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer & House Beautiful Lead Video Editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2022
Hadley and Alyssa uncover the fascinating history of Grey Gardens, the grand East Hampton estate of Big Edie and Little Edie Beale—eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill—that was made famous in a 1975 documentary by Albert and David Maysles. After spotlighting the iconic women and their home, the co-hosts unpack its gradual downfall: Over time, the property fell into disrepair and was overrun by cats and raccoons (and perhaps something else not of this realm?). Little Edie held onto the property until two years after her mother died in 1977. Big Edie’s spirit is said to watch over the house. Among the believers is author and Washington Post journalist Sally Quinn, who purchased the home from Little Edie in 1979 and swears it’s haunted. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer & House Beautiful Lead Video Editor Hadley Keller - Story Editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 24 August 2022
Following their deep dive on 10050 Cielo Drive—the Beverly Hills home where Sharon Tate and four others were brutally murdered on August 9th, 1969—Alyssa and Hadley sit down with Scott Michaels, whose Dearly Departed Tours provided true crime fans with a one-of-a-kind look at the dark side of Hollywood for almost two decades. The conversation begins where the co-hosts left off: Is it possible that all of Benedict Canyon, where both 10050 Cielo Drive and the Harlow/Bern house were located, is cursed? Scott shares his thoughts, including a list of peculiar deaths and tragedies that have befallen Benedict Canyon residents over the years. Scott also shares his own experiences driving a tour bus on Cielo Drive and visiting the Oman House, as well as his book recommendations for anyone interested in learning more about the Tate-LaBianca Murders and what happened when he brought a piece of stone from 10050 Cielo Drive into his own home. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer & House Beautiful Lead Video Editor James Scully - Pre-production Advisor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2022
Alyssa and Hadley dive into the complicated history of 10050 Cielo Drive, the Beverly Hills home where Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Steven Parent were brutally murdered by members of the Manson Family Cult on August 9th, 1969. The co-hosts discuss the home’s beautiful architecture and peaceful-but-isolated location, as well as Charles Manson, the Family’s history, and the events that lead up to the infamous Tate-LaBianca Murders. After reviewing the facts from both crime scenes, Alyssa and Hadley shed light on the fate of 10050 Cielo Drive after 1969, the last celebrity tenant to occupy the home before it was knocked down, the multi-million dollar mansion that was built in its place, and the neighboring home nicknamed the “Mount Everest of haunted houses.” CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer & House Beautiful Lead Video Editor James Scully - Pre-production Advisor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 10 August 2022
Hadley and Alyssa uncover the true story behind the first house declared “legally haunted” in the United States. Nicknamed “Ackley House” after its one-time occupants, the Ackley family, this classic Queen Anne sits on the Hudson River across from Sleepy Hollow, New York. The many ghosts who roamed the home’s halls were nothing but friendly, until the 1990s when the Ackleys decided to sell the house and found themselves entangled in a legal battle with potential buyers over the home’s spooky reputation. In a landmark decision now referred to as “The Ghostbusters Ruling,” the house was deemed haunted by the New York Supreme Court. After digging into the home’s backstory, Alyssa and Hadley bring on legal scholar Eric Goldman to unpack the implications of the court’s decision and to learn more about disclosure laws for stigmatized properties. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-Host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-Host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer & House Beautiful Lead Video Editor James Scully - Pre-production Advisor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 27 July 2022
Dark House is officially back! Co-hosts Alyssa Fiorentino and Hadley Mendelsohn kick off season 2 of House Beautiful’s hit podcast with an exciting update on new episodes dropping every other Wednesday through the end of the year. After a brief reintroduction to the show and recap of season 1, the co-hosts tease some of their favorite moments from the upcoming season and share a few personal ghost stories that kept them up at night between recording sessions. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer Jacob Stone - Sound Editor & Mixer Ian Munsell - Assistant Audio Engineer & House Beautiful Lead Video Editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 13 July 2022
On May 4, 2001, Bonny Lee Bakley was found fatally shot in a car on a dark North Hollywood street. The prime suspect was her husband, famed actor Robert Blake. But Bonny, a longtime con artist, had plenty of enemies. She left behind a trail of men she’d scammed, and she had a volatile relationship with Christian Brando, the troubled son of movie star Marlon Brando. Not since the O.J. Simpson case had the eyes of the nation been so fixated on a homicide. The search for Bonny’s killer took detectives on an eleven-month odyssey across the country and through Hollywood's underbelly of hustlers, drug addicts, and would-be hitmen. It would be the most expensive murder investigation in LAPD history to date. This is the story of Robert and Bonny’s toxic relationship, her shocking murder, and his chaotic trial. Did actor Robert Blake kill his wife? Or was the murder someone else's vendetta? From Wondery, and the team behind the hit series Hollywood & Crime (The Dating Game Killer, The Wonderland Murders, Death of Starlet) comes a six-part series about love, obsession and fame gone wrong. Co-hosted by Tracy Pattin and Josh Lucas. Listen by subscribing to Wondery Plus in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery App: http://wondery.fm/DarkHouse_TEOBLB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2022
In the finale of Dark House, Alyssa brings listeners to the last—and most haunted—stop on the tour: the S.K. Pierce Mansion in Gardner, Massachusetts. Built in 1875 for a wealthy furniture manufacturer and his family, the grand Victorian was inhabited for just two weeks before the first of five confirmed deaths in the house took place. According to countless visitors, the spirits of those who lived and died there never actually left. In fact, the ghosts are so active, the couple who owned the home from 2008 to 2015 only lived there for two years before they felt like they had no choice but to move out. After sharing the most frightening encounters reported to have happened in the house, and the current owners’ plans to turn the mansion into a bed and breakfast, Hadley and Alyssa wonder how a house this haunted can ever be inhabitable, for residents and tourists alike. Looking for answers, they reach out to Joni Mayhan, author of Bones In The Basement: Surviving the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion (40:24). A psychic medium, self-proclaimed ghost magnet, and former resident of Gardner, MA, Mayhan joins the hosts to share an exclusive update on the hauntings at the mansion (44:25), her personal experiences with the ghosts there (including which one followed her home) (46:32), and most importantly, her best advice for anyone who thinks they’re living in a haunted house (1:02:09). CONTRIBUTORS Host/Producer: Alyssa Fiorentino Host/Producer: Hadley Mendelsohn Producer: May Tsehay Sound Engineer: Josh Caldwell Interested in advertising with us? Please visit https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2021
Hadley takes listeners to the Spanish moss-veiled city of Savannah, Georgia, as she details the storied past and present of the Mercer-Williams House. Designed in 1860 and restored in 1969 by preservationist Jim Williams after years of abandonment, the Italianate revival that inspired Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil played host to a world famous antiques collection, and, more notably, at least three untimely deaths. It’s also supposedly built right on top of unmarked graves, like much of the city is. The house witnessed some of the city’s liveliest parties as well as some of its darkest secrets, and while it was the scene of the crime in a scandalous murder trial, it’s unclear whether it’s haunted by the spirits of those who died there, or simply by its reputation. To get a better understanding of the region and the hauntings that unfold in it, Hadley and Alyssa sit down with Ghost Brothers co-star and Georgia native Marcus Harvey (42:31). Having been on several paranormal investigations in Savannah, Harvey shares his insights on the energy of the city (49:30), as well as his thoughts on antiques being possessed (56:12), and how dealing with the paranormal has allowed him to be more spiritual (1:01:48). TW: Domestic abuse CONTRIBUTORS Host/Producer: Alyssa Fiorentino Host/Producer: Hadley Mendelsohn Producer: May Tsehay Sound Engineer: Josh Caldwell Interested in advertising with us? Please visit https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2021
Alyssa shares the story of Los Angeles’s infamous Harlow/Bern House, a 1930 Craftsman that was once home to Hollywood starlet Jean Harlow and her MGM executive husband, Paul Bern. Two short months after the couple tied the knot, Bern was found dead in their home at 9820 Easton Drive in Benedict Canyon. Though his death was ruled a suicide, rumors have been circulating Hollywood for years suggesting Bern was actually murdered and that studio executives covered it up to protect Harlow’s career. Strangely, the next person to own the home also suffered an untimely death at the hands of the Manson Family. The co-hosts discuss a controversial interview from a 1970 issue of Fate Magazine that suggests the ghost of Paul Bern appeared in the home to warn the new occupants about a looming violent tragedy. Unsure of whether or not the house is haunted, cursed, or just a figure of Hollywood legend, Alyssa and Hadley connect with celebrity paranormal investigator Bridget Marquardt to find out what happened when she visited the home herself (39:33). Marquardt, who starred in E’s 2005 reality series The Girls Next Door, also shares stories about Hugh Hefner’s ghost visiting her in a “dream” (50:23), seeing a full apparition in her bedroom at the Playboy Mansion (53:48), and the scariest encounter a guest has shared with her on her podcast, Ghost Magnet with Bridget Marquardt (59:52). TW: Suicide CONTRIBUTORS Host/Producer: Alyssa Fiorentino Host/Producer: Hadley Mendelsohn Producer: May Tsehay Sound Engineer: Josh Caldwell Interested in advertising with us? Please visit https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2021
This week, Hadley shares the tale of the Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca, Iowa, and unpacks the true crime event that turned the domestic symbol of the American dream into a nightmare. A quaint farmhouse built in 1868, the home is forever marked by tragedy after a family of six and their two young house guests were murdered on a June night in 1912. After reviewing the details of the unsolved case, the co-hosts discuss the current state of the home and the reports of strange occurrences from visitors and current owners. Spooked by the familiarity of this story’s setting, Alyssa and Hadley bring on production designer Jerry Wanek, who brought the sets to life on The CW’s Supernatural, to learn more about how once-friendly houses like the Villisca Axe Murder House have influenced television shows and films (41:27). Wanek shares anecdotes from the Supernatural set, including the inspiration behind the show’s quirky motel rooms (51:53) and where his team sourced the best vintage props (55:11), as well as a spooky encounter he had while staying in a Los Angeles apartment previously inhabited by Elvis (59:48). TW: Sexual assault CONTRIBUTORS Host/Producer: Alyssa Fiorentino Host/Producer: Hadley Mendelsohn Producer: May Tsehay Sound Engineer: Josh Caldwell Interested in advertising with us? Please visit https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2021
In the premiere of House Beautiful’s new limited series Dark House, co-hosts (and editors) Alyssa Fiorentino and Hadley Mendelsohn introduce listeners to the show, and to themselves, sharing the personal ghost stories from their childhood homes that still keep them up at night. Hung up on questions about how and why certain homes become haunted, the co-hosts chat with their first guest, Tok Thompson, Ph.D., folklorist, and professor of anthropology at the University of Southern California (29:41). With years of experience studying ghosts and their origin stories from around the world, Professor Thompson joins Alyssa and Hadley to discuss the root of human fascination with haunted houses and the paranormal, and the important role ghost stories play in our culture. Ultimately, they arrive at another question that will linger throughout the series: What are ghosts trying to tell us? Listen to find out. CONTRIBUTORS Host/Producer: Alyssa Fiorentino Host/Producer: Hadley Mendelsohn Producer: May Tsehay Sound Engineer: Josh Caldwell Interested in advertising with us? Please visit https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2021
At the crossroads of true crime, interior design, and the paranormal, Dark House explores beautiful homes that can’t seem to escape their dark histories. Hosts and House Beautiful editors Hadley Mendelsohn and Alyssa Fiorentino dig into the twisted backstories of four infamous homes, and uncover the strange stories suggesting some inhabitants never left—and that perhaps history isn't the only thing haunting them. Featuring guest interviews with authors, set designers, psychic mediums, and paranormal investigators, Dark House uncovers why these residences, and the stories they tell us, are so important. Interested in advertising with us? Please visit https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2021
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