Best Conspiracy Asylum Podcasts (2025)

Donna tells us the story of Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts. A historic tavern dating back to 1716, was famously immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his Tales of a Wayside Inn. Known as the oldest operating inn in the United States, it’s rich with colonial history, literary legacy, and ghostly legends. Kerri covers the …

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Sinister Sightings - EP324 36:41

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7d ago36:41

36:41

Sinister Sightings are your true crime and true paranormal stories. Every week we read out ones that you've sent in. So prepare to get spooked. Do you have your own Sinister Sighting to share? Email us your stories at [email protected] If you want to introduce one of our Sinister Sightings, you can join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/th…

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Does America Need a Hero? 51:05

7d ago51:05

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Captain America: an all-American superhero. Clad in red, white, and blue, he carries only a shield. And he fights only when he must. When it's right. But what happens when what's right isn't so clear? And how does a comic book hero designed to represent America's values survive in a changing world? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastc…

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EP. 216 THE LEGEND OF: Eloise Asylum and the Curse of Brunswick Springs 1:06:48

8d ago1:06:48

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This week Savannah tells us about the haunted Eloise Asylum in Wayne County, MI. Taylor dives into the curse of the Brunswick Springs in Vermont. Lots of spookiness going on into todays episode. Email us your stories!!! or if you want to sponsor us ;) Email - ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ SAVANNAH'S ESTY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/sh…

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Irish Asylums: A Dark History We Don’t Talk About. Why? 37:54

8d ago37:54

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In the 1950s, more than 20,000 people—over one percent of the adult population of Ireland—were locked away in mental asylums. This was the highest rate in the world, with more people confined in asylums than in all other institutions, including prisons, combined. Yet, despite these staggering numbers, the story of Ireland’s asylums remains largely …

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EP 380 - Colleen Stan and Pigman Road 1:16:18

10d ago1:16:18

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Kerri covers a really tough story this week. She tells the kidnapping story of Colleen Stan. While hitchhiking to a friend's house, she was picked up by Cameron and Janice Hooker. The two had a child with them so she trusted it enough to get in the car. Little did she know it would lead to her kidnapping and torture for many years. This week, Donna…

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Iran and the U.S., Part Three: Soleimani's Iran 45:33

11d ago45:33

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The Iran-Iraq war, 9/11, and the story of Iranian Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani, from his rise to power, to his assassination, by the U.S., to the power his legacy wields now. This episode originally ran as Soleimani's Iran. You can find more of Throughline's coverage into the origins of the conflict in the Middle East here. Learn mo…

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Iran and the U.S., Part Two: Rules of Engagement 46:39

12d ago46:39

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Military confrontations, early-morning attacks, and digital warfare: the story of Iran and the U.S. from the 1979 Iranian revolution to the fraught moment we're in today. This episode originally ran as Rules of Engagement. You can find more of Throughline's coverage into the origins of the conflict in the Middle East here. Learn more about sponsor …

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Sinister Sightings - EP323 38:26

14d ago38:26

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Sinister Sightings are your true crime and true paranormal stories. Every week we read out ones that you've sent in. So prepare to get spooked. Do you have your own Sinister Sighting to share? Email us your stories at [email protected] If you want to introduce one of our Sinister Sightings, you can join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/th…

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What the Supreme Court Does in the Shadows 48:09

14d ago48:09

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The Supreme Court is issuing its final decisions of the term this month. But it's been extraordinarily active since January, in part because the Trump administration has submitted over a dozen emergency applications asking the court to rule quickly on controversial issues. Those cases are part of what's known as the court's "shadow docket." And inc…

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EP. 215 THE LEGEND OF: Alaskan Flight 293 and the Shag Harbour UFO 1:03:08

15d ago1:03:08

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This week Savannah covers the legend and mystery of Alaskan Flight 293 and what may have happened to it. Taylor discusses the Shag Harbour UFO and what that could have been. Lots of theories this week.....tell us which one you believe! Email us your stories!!! or if you want to sponsor us ;) Email - ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ SAVANNAH'S …

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Banned: The Hidden History of Contraception in Ireland (Listener Favourite) 28:12

15d ago28:12

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While we’re on the last week of our summer break, we’re bringing you one of our most popular episodes from the back catalogue. For over four decades, contraception was not just taboo in Ireland—it was illegal. From 1935 to 1979, selling contraceptives and even accessing information about family planning was strictly banned by the Irish government. …

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Iran and the U.S., Part One: Four Days in August 36:25

16d ago36:25

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The U.S. and Iran have had a tense relationship for decades — but when did that begin? This week, we feature our very first episode about an event from August 1953 — when the CIA helped to overthrow Iran's prime minister. This episode originally ran as Four Days in August. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR P…

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EP 379 - Swamp Gas and Terry Lee King 1:12:54

16d ago1:12:54

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Donna takes us to Michigan where bright, pulsating lights were spotted on more than one occasion. This became a national story and eventually the lights were determined to be swamp gas which thoroughly angered people as they felt they were being gas lit...see what we did there? Kerri covers the case of Terry Lee King's murder. Initially police were…

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Sinister Sightings - EP322 44:02

21d ago44:02

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Sinister Sightings are your true crime and true paranormal stories. Every week we read out ones that you've sent in. So prepare to get spooked. Do you have your own Sinister Sighting to share? Email us your stories at [email protected] If you want to introduce one of our Sinister Sightings, you can join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/th…

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Abortion Before Roe 51:56

21d ago51:56

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Abortion wasn't always controversial. In fact, in colonial America it would have been considered a fairly common practice: a private decision made by women, and aided mostly by midwives. But in the mid-1800s, a small group of physicians set out to change that. Obstetrics was a new field, and they wanted it to be their domain—meaning, the domain of …

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EP. 214 THE LEGEND OF: Lemp Mansion and Dunhill Hotel 1:21:10

22d ago1:21:10

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This week we have a pretty dark episode! Our stories have a ton of dark history that is riddled with ghosts. Savannah tells us the story of the famous Lamp Mansion. Taylor dives into the story of the Dunhill Hotel located in Charlotte, NC. Suicide Hotline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255 Email us your stories!!! or if you want to sponsor us ;) Email - ⁠⁠⁠mys…

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EP 378 - Kaylee Sawyer and Aradale Lunatic Asylum 1:25:16

24d ago1:25:16

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Kerri covers a recommendation from the discord about Kaylee Sawyer. After coming home from a bachelorette party, Kaylee went missing leading police on a multi-state chase of her killer. Donna tells us about Aradale Lunatic Asylum. Located in Victoria, Australia, it was one of the country’s largest psychiatric hospitals. Known for its grim history a…

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Sinister Sightings - EP321 34:51

28d ago34:51

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Sinister Sightings are your true crime and true paranormal stories. Every week we read out ones that you've sent in. So prepare to get spooked. Do you have your own Sinister Sighting to share? Email us your stories at [email protected] If you want to introduce one of our Sinister Sightings, you can join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/th…

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The First Department of Education 48:08

28d ago48:08

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Whose job is it to educate Americans? Congress created the first Department of Education just after the Civil War as a way to help reunify a broken country. A year later, it was basically shut down. But the story of that first department's birth – and death – set the stage for everything that's come since. To access bonus episodes and listen to Thr…

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EP. 213 THE LEGEND OF: Naree Pon at Fort Sill 47:58

29d ago47:58

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This week Savannah tells us about the mystery treasure thats possibly located at Fort Sill in Oklahoma!!! Taylor talks about the legend of the Naree Pon from Thailand, the mysterious flower women. Thanks for listening <3 Email us your stories!!! or if you want to sponsor us ;) Email - ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ SAVANNAH'S ESTY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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[Classic Replay] A Criminal Conversation: Affairs & Divorce in 1920s Ireland 40:52

29d ago40:52

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A story from the 1920s that will reshape the way you view our great grandparents lives! Unfortunately, there’s no new show this week, but I wanted to re-share an episode I really enjoyed making two years ago. It'll well worth another spin. In 1920s Ireland, Alice Morton’s marriage breakdown sparked a sensational divorce trial. Accused of adultery, …

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Episode 118: F*ck It, It's Friday (Damascus Titan II Missile Disaster) 1:01:11

30d ago1:01:11

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In this week's episode, Abby takes the gang on an exciting journey as she recounts the tale of the 1980 Damascus Titan II missile explosion. Join us as we explore the realm of nuclear disaster near-misses and examine the one simple mistake that nearly wiped Arkansas off the map. Credits: Disaster Autopsy This American Life Podcast, Episode 634 Wiki…

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EP 377 - Cafe Lafitte in Exile AND Latisha King 58:34

1M ago58:34

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Donna and Kerri both highlight Pride Month this episode. Donna tells us the story about Cafe Lafitte in Exile in New Orleans, Louisiana. Patrons of this gay bar report seeing the ghosts of Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote. Kerri covers a tough story that highlights the plight people in the LGBTQ community still experience. The murder of Latisha…

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Sinister Sightings - EP320 36:17

1M ago36:17

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Sinister Sightings are your true crime and true paranormal stories. Every week we read out ones that you've sent in. So prepare to get spooked. Do you have your own Sinister Sighting to share? Email us your stories at [email protected] If you want to introduce one of our Sinister Sightings, you can join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/th…

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The Woman Behind The New Deal 48:48

1M ago48:48

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From Social Security and the minimum wage to exit signs and fire escapes, Frances Perkins transformed how people in the U.S. lived and worked. Today on the show: how a middle class do-gooder became one of the savviest and most powerful people in American politics — and built the social safety net we have today. Learn more about sponsor message choi…

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EP. 212 THE LEGEND OF: The Red Brick Tavern and the Bellaire House 1:03:04

1M ago1:03:04

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HAPPY PRIDE EVERYBODY!!! This week we dive into some Ohio ghost tales. Somehow, we both showed up with haunted house stories from Ohio. Savannah covers the legend of the Red Brick Tavern, which is a haunted house turned restaurant. Taylor covered another haunted house in Ohio called the Bellaire House. It is considered to be one of the most haunted…

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The Irish Wake: A History 50:11

1M ago50:11

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The Irish funeral wake is a unique tradition where family and friends gather around the body of the deceased to share stories, remember their life, and celebrate their legacy. Often resembling a lively party with plenty of drink, this ritual is both a farewell and a celebration. Predating Christianity, the Irish wake stretches back thousands of yea…

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EP 376 - Cynthia "Cindy" Dunn and Baleroy Mansion 1:19:34

1M ago1:19:34

1:19:34

Kerri tells the story about Cynthia "Cindy" Dunn, a mother of two, who went missing. Per her husband, she went to drop off a donation and never returned. But police were a bit skeptical about his story and uncovered a heartbreaking case of domestic violence. Donna covers Baleroy Mansion, located in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill neighborhood. It is o…

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Sinister Sightings - EP319 33:34

1M ago33:34

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Sinister Sightings are your true crime and true paranormal stories. Every week we read out ones that you've sent in. So prepare to get spooked. Do you have your own Sinister Sighting to share? Email us your stories at [email protected] If you want to introduce one of our Sinister Sightings, you can join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/th…

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We the People: Search and Seizure 48:06

1M ago48:06

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The Fourth Amendment is the part of the Bill of Rights that prohibits "unreasonable searches and seizures." But — what's unreasonable? That question has fueled a century's worth of court rulings that have dramatically expanded the power of individual police officers in the U.S. Today on the show, how an amendment that was supposed to limit governme…

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EP. 211 THE LEGEND OF: Krasue on Planet K2-18B 52:31

1M ago52:31

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This week Savannah dives into an exoplanet that may or may not have life on it.....hundreds of lightyears away. If you're listening from that planet let us know!! Taylor covered the Thailand legend of the Krasue......stay away from her!!! Thanks for listening! Email us your stories!!! or if you want to sponsor us ;) Email - ⁠⁠⁠mysteriesmythslegends…

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Midwives & Mothers: A History of Birth in Ireland 28:47

1M ago28:47

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In times past, childbirth was a profoundly communal and intimate experience, guided by the steady hands and wisdom of community midwives. Known as Bean Ghlúine—the Women of the Knee—these women were among the most important figures in rural Irish communities. In this episode, I’m joined by historian Emma Laffey to explore the world of birth and mid…

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Episode 117: Get That Man His Tea (British Airways Flight 5390) 1:02:31

1M ago1:02:31

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In this week's episode, Shawna revisits one of her most fascinating topics and shares a heart-stopping plane incident from 1990s Britain. Tune in as Shawna recounts the incredible story of a pilot who endured one of the worst experiences possible on an airplane, and the co-pilot who had to think quickly to save everyone on board British Airways Fli…

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EP 375 - Shaker's Cigar Bar and Anatoly Moskvin 1:12:12

1M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

Donna tells us about Shaker's Cigar Bar, a haunted cigar bar in Milwaukee, WI (don't ask Kerri that state abbreviation). A bar that has been many things in the past, including a brothel, has now been deemed the most haunted cigar bar in the country. Kerri covers a heartbreaking case that is a bit different that what she usually covers. Anatoly Mosk…

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Sinister Sightings - EP318 45:24

2M ago45:24

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Sinister Sightings are your true crime and true paranormal stories. Every week we read out ones that you've sent in. So prepare to get spooked. Do you have your own Sinister Sighting to share? Email us your stories at [email protected] If you want to introduce one of our Sinister Sightings, you can join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/th…

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War Crimes 51:16

2M ago51:16

51:16

On today's episode, we travel from the battlefields of the U.S. Civil War, through the rubble of two world wars, to the hallways of the Hague, to see how the modern world has tried to define — and prosecute — war crimes. This episode originally aired at "The Rules of War" in 2024. To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, sub…

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EP. 210 THE LEGEND OF: The Ogua at the Gate of the Gods 1:00:49

2M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

This week, Savannah tells us the story of a PA/WV cryptid that is very very fast, and very very bad. Taylor dives into the mystery of the Gate of the Gods in Peru. Thanks for listening! Email us your stories!!! or if you want to sponsor us ;) Email - ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ SAVANNAH'S ESTY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/SavannahA…

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Glenmalure & Memories of a Lost World - How Did Electrification Change Rural Ireland? 36:54

2M ago36:54

36:54

Nestled deep in the Wicklow Mountains, Glenmalure was once a stronghold for rebels and a sanctuary from the outside world. But long after the echoes of rebellion faded, the valley remained a place apart, where the comforts of modern life arrived late. Glenmalure was only connected to the electricity grid and running water in the late 20th century, …