PODCAST · history
The Grim Cities
by The Grim Cities
Frights, terrors, haunts, and spoops; two Minnesota friends explore paranormal history in the Twin Cities and beyond. Starring Dan Laschansky, Madeline Ramirez, and a host of entities.New episodes every Wednesday. Available on all of your favorite podcasting platforms!
Episodes
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Episode 080 - Swede Hollow
If you were scared we were never returning, fear no more! Your favorite podcast has returned for a riveting new episode just in time for some spooky summer fun. And what better way to dive back in than an adventure through a lovely nature reserve at the heart of the Twin Cities whose history…
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Renee Nicole Macklin Good, ICE, and the Trump Administration - A Statement from the Grim Cities
Hey Grim Cities Family! It’s been a while. As you all know, Minnesota has been the subject of national attention as of late, and quite frankly things here in the metro area have been intense. This morning we released an official statement from the Grim Cities addressing the state of ICE…
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Minnesota Haunted Parks (Re-Release)
Another Special Re-release from Summer 2024! Refresh yourself on some of the haunted parks around the state! Pick up some merch today: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-grim-cities/ Be sure to follow us on Instagram, X, and Facebook @TheGrimCities or email us at [email protected]!
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Toast with a Ghost at Brinton Lodge (Re-Release)
Happy New Year, everyone! We are re-releasing our New Year's Eve themed episode from 2023. Hear all about the dark history of Brinton Lodge and their annual ode to those who once (and may still) roam its halls.
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Krampus (Re-Release)
It's a throwback episode! For the holidays, reacquaint yourself with the notorious Christmas legend Krampus! We will be back with brand new episodes on January 6, 2026.
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Episode 079 - O Christmas Tree, O History
We really did one of our listeners dirty y’all…and we apologize. Listener Regina sent us multiple messages over the past year, but we never saw them as she was trapped behind the hidden message requests on Instagram. We begin today by clearing up all the confusion and giving Regina the air time...
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Episode 078 - Knock On Wood
Have you ever noticed how some superstitions are so ubiquitous that no one ever seems to question them? Where did they come from? Why do they persist? One such superstition is so widely recognized that it is considered a near-global phenomenon: knocking on wood. Today we discuss the origins of…
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Episode 077 - The Cursed Chair
Madeline starts us off this week on a feisty note, when she airs out Dan’s dirty laundry. That’s right, Madeline catches Dan in a bold-faced lie that he swears was “unintentional”… We’ll let the audience decide. Then the two find out if they’d survive a horror film based off of their astrology...
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Episode 076 - Dybbuk Box
Dan recently discovered a new queer ghost hunting show that he cannot wait to share with everyone! And Madeline has a new Instagram account she's following. Then we explore an antique wooden object that is known to be haunted by a malicious spirit from Jewish folklore. This wine cabinet is said…
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Episode 075 - Graveyard Ghouls
Madeline and Dan can’t help but begin this week by reminiscing about the serendipitous moment they were contacted by a senior producer at MPR and the emotional high that immediately followed. I mean, a live interview about this very podcast syndicated state-wide on a popular radio show…is this…
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Episode 074 - Leap Castle: Part 2 - The Hauntings
Last week we took you all on a little journey back in time to explore how the most haunted castle in the entire world came into existence. Through all that conflict and bloodshed it’s no surprise that there may be some spiritual imprints on the place. Some of the previous inhabitants of Leap…
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Episode 073 - Leap Castle: Part 1 - The History
Today Madeline and Dan put their knowledge to the test to see if they truly deserve the title of Spooky Season Kween and King. And the questions come directly from a BuzzFeed quiz, so you know it’s the most accurate thing in the world… Then Dan introduces Madeline to a new annual film festival…
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Episode 072 - Dead Man's Trail
Today’s tale takes place in the small town of Thief River Falls located in the far reaches of northwestern Minnesota. As most of these stories begin, the town was established though conflict between Native American tribes and white colonizers and a string of treaties that were never honored. But...
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Episode 071 - Fear of the Forest
Today we explore people’s innate and often unexplainable fears. Do you have a phobia that seams unreasonable to most, but can trigger a full-body fear response that consumes all of your senses? Maybe you don’t…yet; however, as Madeline recently discovered, new fears can manifest at any stage of...
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Episode 070 - Into the Woods
You all can let out a huge sigh of relief because we are back in your earballs! The Grim Cities has returned for a brand new season, and Season 5 is going to be our biggest one yet! We’re coming at you with a whole new theme this year that will have you questioning what the fuck is behind those...
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Episode 069 - Spiritualism: Part 6 - Spiritualism and Women's Rights (Continued)
Welcome to the Season 4 finale of The Grim Cities! Can’t believe we’ve been doing this for over four full years… fucking 🤯 mind 🤯 blowing. We’re so grateful to all of our listeners, both new and original, for supporting the show and spreading the word to your whole network of peeps. Let’s close...
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Episode 068 - Spiritualism: Part 6 - Spiritualism and Women's Rights
Madeline and Dan have some riveting content to share with you all, and each other, this week! We jump in right away with not one, but TWO movie trailers for upcoming films that are causing unparalleled excitement in our Grim Cities family. The first trailer hails from a movie by the director of...
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Episode 67 - Crazy Annie's Bridge
Madeline starts today’s episode off by once again traumatizing Dan with a video that makes him question all of his life choices that lead to this very moment. Things get even wilder when we regale the listeners with a real-time account of a murder that took place in the Australian Outback of...
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Scry and Psychomanteum (Re-Release)
We are re-releasing one of our favorite episodes our FIRST season! Learn more on how you can communicate with spirits as we finalized a new episode on Spiritualism!
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Episode 066 - Spring Cleaning and Housekeeping
Madeline and Dan dust off the cobwebs from a long Minnesota winter, and attend to some much neglected housekeeping items for The Grim Cities. Beginning with an email from a devoted fan that was sent months ago - our apologies - we update our listeners on all the behind the scenes shit that has…
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Episode 065 - Spiritualism: Part 5 - The Ghosts of the White House
Today, Madeline and Dan mourn their thwarted plans to attend the live recreation of the Insidious universe. But in reality, it may likely have been for the best…listen to the crazy tales from those who endured the show in Detroit to find out why. And then we take a field trip to the White House…
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Horror at the Oscars (Re-release)
As the Oscars approach this Sunday, Dan and Madeline decided to re-release a fan-favorite: Horror at the Oscars! Listen as we dive into the horror movies that beat the odds and won coveted recognition from The Academy. Fingers crossed we can add The Substance to that list this Sunday! Merch...
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Episode 064 - Spiritualism: Part 4 - The Lincolns
Did you know that the Lincolns were heavily involved in the world of Spiritualism? Yes, those Lincolns…as in the 16th President of the United States and his wife Mary Todd. Today you’ll learn how they went through a whirlwind of change and grief, potentially turning to Spiritualism to make sense…
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Episode 063 - Spiritualism: Part 3 - How to Have a Seance
Today we revisit the infamous Dating Show episode with Cheryl Bradshaw, as Dan confirms that she did indeed pick Rodney Alcala as the winner of a second date. But that second date did not come to fruition, consequently and most certainly saving Cheryl’s life. He then reads some more real-life…
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Episode 062 - Spiritualism: Part 2 - The Fox Sisters
Dan cheated this week and looked ahead one day on the horror trivia calendar…blasphemy! But it was worth it because we learn another interesting fact about Buffalo Bill for the second day in a row. Madeline keeps the trend going by sharing another heart-pounding tidbit about a modern serial…
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Episode 061 - Midnight Mass of the Dead
Madeline starts us off today by taking the listeners deep underground through a series of tunnels underneath the United Kingdom. From a bomb shelter to music venues, these tunnels have seen a lot of action. Dan shares a list of the best horror movies from 2024, as suggested by the prolific horror...
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Episode 060 - Mari Lwyd
Did you know that the movie The Omen pre-dates its novelization? Madeline didn’t either, and today we both learn how many books there are in total across the series. Just in time for Dan to get called out for spreading misinformation about how many Omen movies have actually been made. Then, a new...
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Episode 059 - Spiritualism: Part 1 - What are Its Origins?
There’s a ton of history to be analyzed in today’s episode. Dan starts off with a puzzling inquiry into why certain people are more attracted to horror than others. Then, Madeline teaches us how the common colloquialism of “saved by the bell” has a more sinister origin. And finally, we shift our...
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Episode 058 - Vampire Panic
It’s been a few weeks, but we’re excited to be back! And we’re jumping right into the thick of things: Dan gets a new book from his parents who clearly support his deranged obsession with all things horror; Madeline does a full 180 and watches a movie that she, and frankly no one else for that...
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Episode 057 - Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Tomorrow is the most sacred of days for The Grim Cities: Halloween is FINALLY upon us! Madeline and Dan celebrate by reminiscing about their favorite Halloween traditions. They also read some harrowing tales and short stories that are sure to have your heart pounding and your palms sweating. But...
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Episode 056 - Trick or Treat
We start off today’s episode with a video that will make Madeline and Dan question reality. Did they really just see an inanimate object move on its own? Well, the whole country of Mexico seems to think it did! We then continue where we left off last week and discuss how the tradition of…
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Episode 055 - Samhain
The Grim Cities is getting philosophical today, y’all! We begin by breaking down some common horror tropes and how they reflect the lived experiences of women in our society on a daily basis. All through the lens of a truly disturbing movie that leaves its viewers asking…what 👏🏻 did 👏🏻 I 👏🏻...
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Episode 054 - Halloween Happenings in the Twin Cities
Today’s episode is all about spooky season events happening all over the Twin Cities and greater metro area. From classic haunted houses to frights on the main stage, there’s sure to be something to satiate everyone’s preferred mode of celebration. Madeline and Dan highlight a few of their most...
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Episode 053 - The Kahler Grand Hotel
Madeline and Dan dig up the microphones and unleash a new season of The Grim Cities just in time for Spooky Season. After catching up on what occupied their time over the summer months, the two jump right into a collection of horror headlines. And those headlines range from a playful music video…
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Episode 052 - Ness Church
Today’s episode is a long time in the making and holds a special place in Dan’s heart. We’re diving deep into the town of Litchfield, MN where Dan’s family cabin is located. This area has a tumultuous history that ranges from wealthy recreation to conflict and death. We speak with a special…
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Episode 051 - Minnesota Haunted Parks
Today we start off by talking about a new movie that seems to align a little too perfectly with one of Madeline’s interests… Let’s just say Dan is starting to not feel safe y’all! Also in this episode: Dead Man’s Hill? Dead Man’s Pond?! We really need to stop naming places this way if we’re…
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Episode 050 - St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery
Today we mark an incredibly special milestone for The Grim Cities. We’ve officially hit 50 episodes! 5-0…holy shit! 🤯 We are so incredibly grateful to all of our listeners, new and old, who have supported us along the way and who have motivated us to keep publishing content. We’ve been so well...
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Episode 049 - April Fools' Day
Today’s episode starts off with another tale from Dan’s trip to Ireland years ago. He just doesn’t know how to let things go does he?! 🙄 And then Madeline and Dan analyze some of the worst - or best, depending on who you ask - April Fools’ Day pranks over the years. Get ready to laugh, cringe…
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Episode 048 - The Mall of America
There is SO much to unpack in today’s episode…things are crazy as hell right right off the bat when Madeline finds out that she sleeps in a VERY concerning and downright creepy manner. And things just unravel further from there, as Madeline and Dan incorrectly try to guess when an iconic…
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Episode 047 - Total Eclipse of the Pod
As Madeline gears up for a family trip into the heart of Indiana, a large chunk of the continental US prepares for the upcoming solar eclipse. On April 8th, 2024 North America will become a prime viewing location for this incredible phenomenon. If you want to experience it in all its glory, draw…
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Episode 046 - Would You Survive a Horror Film?
As we get excited for the drunken debauchery of St. Paddy’s Day, Dan shares some fun memories from his time in Ireland. From ghost tours to a familial curse, his best judgement was not on display… Madeline then presents us with a compelling quiz to see just how well each of us would fare if we...
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Episode 045 - Horror at the Oscars
Are you tired of horror films being snubbed for major categories at the Oscars? Or even worse, not being considered at all? So are we. This week we’re facing that problem head on by raising awareness of some of the most prolific horror movies of all time that were able to break through that Oscar...
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Episode 044 - H. H. Holmes Pt. 2
Pick up some merch today: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-grim-cities/ In a continuation from last week’s episode, we delve further into the infamous life of H. H. Holmes and the plethora of crimes he committed. Polygamy, failure to pay his contractors, and bringing his victims across both…
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Episode 043 - H. H. Holmes Pt. 1
Pick up some merch today: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-grim-cities/ Where do serial killers come from, and what makes them different than the rest of us? Why do they gravitate toward violent behavior and vile thoughts? How do they justify their actions time and time again? In today’s episode...
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Episode 042 - Groundhog Day
Pick up some merch today: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-grim-cities/ With Groundhog Day just recently passed, we’d like to dive further into the history of the mystical cryptid that has been predicting the longevity of our winters for decades. How did this groundhog get his powers, where did…
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Episode 041 - Lakeview Cemetery
Pick up some merch today: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-grim-cities/ Today is an incredibly special day! And why is it so special you ask? Because we are OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING OUR MERCH STORE!!! That’s right, you can finally get your hands on some sick-ass Grim Cities products and become the...
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Episode 040 - Over The Hill
This week we’re celebrating our 40th episode! And what a better way to memorialize the occasion, than taking a good ol’ stroll down memory lane? Today we’re looking at some of our past episodes through the eyes of fellow locals who have shared their own experiences online as they relate to a few...
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Episode 039 - Maḣpiya Ḣota Wiŋ (Grey Cloud Woman)
They say there is always something new to discover in your own backyard. That is certainly the case in today’s episode, as Madeline and Dan first learn about a small island seated in the Mississippi River on the outskirts of Cottage Grove. Once home to the Mdewakanton tribe, what sort of entities...
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Episode 038 - John Dillinger
Strap in y’all, ‘cause a lot is going down in today’s episode. We check in with one another to make sure we weathered Krampusnacht unscathed, Madeline gets a new calendar that will benefit ALL of us, and Dan tries to teach Madeline why her opinion about a certain heartthrob is just plain wrong.…
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Episode 037 - Nefarious Nisses
Everyone wants a helpful assistant around the house to help with all the mundane chores, right? Lucky for you all, Madeline and Dan discuss some elf-like creatures from Nordic folklore that can take some stress off your plate. At least…most of the time. It’s a Christmas miracle! Or an omen… I…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Frights, terrors, haunts, and spoops; two Minnesota friends explore paranormal history in the Twin Cities and beyond. Starring Dan Laschansky, Madeline Ramirez, and a host of entities.New episodes every Wednesday. Available on all of your favorite podcasting platforms!
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The Grim Cities
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Grim Cities have?
The Grim Cities currently has 91 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Grim Cities about?
Frights, terrors, haunts, and spoops; two Minnesota friends explore paranormal history in the Twin Cities and beyond. Starring Dan Laschansky, Madeline Ramirez, and a host of entities.New episodes every Wednesday. Available on all of your favorite podcasting platforms!
How often does The Grim Cities release new episodes?
The Grim Cities has 91 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Grim Cities?
You can listen to The Grim Cities on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Grim Cities?
The Grim Cities is created and hosted by The Grim Cities.
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