Hexes, Haunts and Howls

Indiana looks quiet at first glance—long highways, open farmland, and small towns that seem far removed from anything unusual. But beneath that stillness are stories that refuse to fade away.In this episode of A–Z of Haunted America, we explore Indiana’s most unsettling accounts, from the Beast of Busco—a massive snapping turtle said to have once stirred an entire town into a frenzy—to strange reports of small, elusive creatures in the woods and forgotten corners of the state.We also step into the darker side of Indiana history with Fox Hollow Farm, one of the most disturbing true crime cases in the state, where the line between place and memory never fully settled again.Across every story, one pattern emerges: nothing here is loud or obvious. Instead, it’s quiet moments, half-seen figures, and unanswered questions that linger long after the telling.Indiana may look ordinary… but it has a way of holding onto the things people can’t fully explain.

Tonight’s episode is a compilation of listener stories originally shared on TikTok—real experiences sent in by people who swear something strange happened to them.You’ll hear accounts of shadow figures seen in the wrong places, voices where no one should have been, objects moving without explanation, and moments that still don’t quite make sense no matter how much time passes. Some of these stories are unsettling, some are subtle, and some are the kind that stick with you long after you’ve heard them.All stories will remain anonymous.

In the dark waters of Scottish folklore, one forgotten legend still lingers beneath the surface. The Ceasg—half woman, half salmon—was said to appear near lochs, rivers, and coastal shores, luring the curious ever closer.Some believed she granted three wishes if captured. Others warned she brought only death.In this episode of The Cryptid Files, we explore the eerie history of Scotland’s dark mermaid, the fear of deep water, ancient warnings hidden in folklore, and the unsettling question that remains…Was the Ceasg only a myth… or did something watch from the shoreline?

Welcome to Illinois—where the past doesn’t stay buried.In this episode of A–Z of Haunted America, we explore the legend of Resurrection Mary, the eerie grounds of Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, and the chilling mystery of the Mad Gasser of Mattoon.Because here, history doesn’t just haunt… it lingers.

Project Mogul was a top-secret U.S. military experiment in the late 1940s designed to detect Soviet nuclear tests using high-altitude balloons carrying sensitive acoustic sensors.But to many who later uncovered fragments of the project, it became something else entirely.In this episode, we drift back into the pale skies of post-war America, where long chains of weather balloons floated silently above New Mexico—carrying classified equipment, radar reflectors, and unanswered questions. Officially, it was science. Quiet, routine, unremarkable. Unofficially… it became the kind of story that never quite settles.Because when one of those balloons went down near Roswell, something shifted. Reports blurred. Memories changed. Records were revised. And what was once a surveillance project turned into the foundation of one of the most persistent mysteries in modern history.Was it just atmospheric testing? Cold War urgency? Or something lost in translation between secrecy and imagination?Project Mogul sits in that uncomfortable space where truth and interpretation start to drift apart—and neither one fully comes back the same.If you’ve ever wondered how a classified experiment can become a legend… this is where that story begins.

Some people use the words like they mean the same thing—voodoo, hoodoo—like they’re just different names for the same shadow.But they aren’t.In this episode of Hexes, Haunts & Howls, we pull apart the history, the fear, and the folklore that blurred those lines in the first place. From Louisiana roots to Caribbean traditions, from survival magic to misunderstood religion, we trace how stories were twisted… and how those twists turned into modern-day myths.What’s real? What was never meant to be feared? And what happens when culture, colonization, and storytelling collide until nothing is recognizable anymore?

In 1950, the U.S. Navy carried out a secret experiment over the city of San Francisco… without the public’s knowledge.They called it Operation Sea-Spray.This episode dives into the unsettling truth behind Operation Sea-Spray—the experiment, the aftermath, and the lingering unease that still hangs over the fog.

In this episode, we step into the blurred line between childhood myth and something far older… something that was never meant to be softened into stories.“Fairies” and “Fae” are often spoken of like they’re the same thing—but what if they’re not? What if one is the version we were given… and the other is what was left out on purpose?We explore the folklore that paints fairies as small, playful, and harmless, versus the fae of older legends—beings bound by rules we don’t fully understand, where politeness can be survival and a single mistake can mean you never leave the woods the same way you entered.From whispered encounters in deep forest roads to stories where people swear something “almost human” watched them from just beyond the tree line, this episode pulls apart the comforting version of magic and looks at what might be underneath it.Because in some places… the difference between fairies and fae isn’t just language.It’s warning.

In the quiet stretches of Idaho, something feels… off. Wide open roads, endless forests, and small towns that seem to fade into the landscape a little too easily. But beneath the silence, there are stories—encounters people can’t quite explain, missing time, strange figures in the tree line, and places locals warn you not to stop after dark.In this episode of A–Z of Haunted America, we explore Idaho’s hidden strange side—where isolation doesn’t always mean emptiness, and sometimes the quiet feels like it’s listening back.Some places don’t echo. They watch.

Hidden behind layers of secrecy, the experiments conducted at Edgewood Arsenal remain one of the most disturbing chapters in U.S. military history.In this episode of A–Z: United States of the Unexplained, we uncover what really happened inside those walls—where soldiers volunteered for testing… without fully understanding what they were agreeing to. Exposed to chemical agents, mind-altering substances, and psychological manipulation, many left with more than just memories—they left with questions that were never answered.What were they told? What was hidden from them? And how far is too far in the name of national security?Because sometimes, the scariest stories aren’t myths or legends… they’re real.

The ocean has always held secrets—but some may be closer to the surface than we think.In this episode of The Cryptid Files, we explore the mystery of mermaids vs. sirens. Are they separate legends… or the same cryptid misunderstood across cultures and time? From historical sightings to modern interpretations, we break down the patterns, the theories, and the lingering question that refuses to go away.Because the water doesn’t just hide life—it hides the unknown.So if something calls to you from the shoreline…would you know if it’s trying to lure you in—or warn you to stay away?

Golden sunsets, black sand shores, and waves that seem to whisper secrets.. Hawaii is as beautiful as it is mysterious. In this episode, we explore the islands beyond the postcard views, where ancient legends, restless spirits, and unexplained encounters still linger in the warm night air. From shadowy figures seen along quiet beaches to voices carried on the wind through the palms, these stories remind us that paradise isn’t always peaceful.Some say the islands remember everything.

Some scientists escaped justice after WWII—but at what cost? Dive into the dark secrets history almost forgot.

When a patrol goes missing in the remote mountains of Afghanistan, a special operations team is sent in to investigate—and what they find defies explanation. Scattered gear, human remains, and a massive cave hint at something far larger and far more dangerous than anyone expected.In this episode of Cryptid Files, we explore the story of the Afghan Giant—a towering, red-haired figure of incredible strength and intelligence, allegedly erased from military records. Could it be a modern myth, or something older, something that has always lurked in places we don’t fully control?Join us as we break down the legend, recount the Kandahar Incident, and consider the unsettling question: what happens when you face something that shouldn’t exist at all?

Georgia’s forests are vast, ancient, and full of secrets. In this episode, we dive into chilling stories of strange sightings, eerie noises in the dark, and encounters with something massive lurking just beyond the trees. From frightened hikers to local legends, we explore the fear—and fascination—surrounding Georgia’s mysterious Bigfoot.If you’ve ever felt eyes watching you in the woods, or heard something move when no one was there, you know the fear is real.Submit your own stories of the unexplained. All stories will remain anonymous.

In this episode, we uncover one of the darkest chapters of U.S. history: the Human Radiation Experiments. From unsuspecting hospital patients to terminally ill individuals injected with plutonium, these secret studies left a trail of pain and ethical horror. We explore the facts, the fallout, and the haunting questions they raise.

The legend of the Chupacabra stalks the night. From eerie livestock attacks to eyewitness accounts, we explore the origins, sightings, and unsettling stories behind this mysterious creature. Real or myth—something prowls just beyond the shadows.

Beneath the sun-soaked postcards and endless coastlines of Florida lies something far less inviting.In this episode, we step into the shadows of the Sunshine State—where the swamps breathe, the water stands still a little too long, and the air feels thick with something watching. From the dark, tangled cypress knees of the Everglades to backroads that seem to stretch just a little farther than they should… Florida holds stories that don’t quite settle.Strange lights. Vanishing footsteps. Whispers carried through Spanish moss.This isn’t the Florida you vacation in.This is the Florida you don’t talk about after dark.

They said there was nothing to worry about… so why investigate for 17 years?In this episode, we dive into Project Blue Book—the U.S. government’s official study of UFOs. While many cases were explained, some were left unanswered… and quietly filed away.This isn’t about aliens.It’s about uncertainty, contradictions, and the cases that never quite made sense.Have you seen something you can’t explain?Strange lights, silent objects, or something watching from above?Send in your stories—All stories will remain anonymous.

Some stories aren’t told because they’re exciting.They’re told because they refuse to stay quiet.In this episode, a listener shares an experience that lingered long after it ended—one that reshaped how they move through the world, how they listen to the dark, and how they understand fear. There are no dramatics here. No spectacle. Just memory, restraint, and the weight of something that never fully lets go.Thank you to the person who trusted me with this story. Thank you for choosing to speak, even when it would’ve been easier not to. Stories like this matter—not because they convince us, but because they remind us how deeply moments can carve into a life.If you have an encounter, an experience, or a memory you’ve carried quietly for years, you’re welcome to share it.All stories will remain anonymous.Listen carefully.Some things don’t want to be found—but they don’t always stay hidden.

Deep in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, something has been whispered about for nearly three centuries.Born of a curse. Seen with wings. Blamed for vanished livestock, broken silence, and a feeling that the forest is watching back.In this episode, we move past the jump-scare version of the legend and into the darker question behind it:What if the Jersey Devil isn’t a single creature at all—but a presence tied to place, isolation, and history?We examine early accounts, cultural panic, and why sightings surge during moments of fear and transition. Not to prove it exists—but to understand why it refuses to leave.Because some legends don’t need proof.They just need time. And quiet.

Some stories don’t announce themselves with screams or sirens.They linger. They hum. They wait.In this episode, we dig into the quiet side of the unexplained—the moments history barely recorded and the experiences people never meant to share out loud. These are the accounts that slip through the cracks: unsettling, unresolved, and impossible to fully dismiss.No dramatics. No spectacle. Just the weight of what happened when no one was watching.

Project Sunshine was a Cold War–era research program that crossed a line humanity should never have crossed.In this episode, we uncover the truth behind Project Sunshine (1940s–1960s), a U.S. government–backed initiative that secretly collected human remains—often from babies and children—to study the effects of radioactive fallout. Families were never informed. Consent was never given.We examine what Project Sunshine was, how it was exposed, and why it still matters today—especially in conversations about medical ethics, informed consent, and the people whose bodies were treated as data instead of lives.This is not a story told for shock value.It’s told to remember the victims—and to make sure this kind of abuse is never repeated.Content warning: discussion of medical ethics violations and the use of children’s remains.

The Cryptid Files: DogmanDeep in the forests of the Midwest and scattered rural backroads, witnesses report a creature that is part man, part wolf, and all terror. Known as Dogman, this cryptid leaves behind enormous footprints, eerie howls, and encounters that defy explanation. In this episode of The Cryptid Files, we dive into chilling eyewitness accounts, explore regional patterns of sightings, and ask the question: what really lurks just beyond the treeline?

MKUltra: Control Masquerading as ScienceFor decades, it was dismissed as paranoia—until the documents surfaced.In this episode, we unravel MKUltra, the covert program that blurred the line between research and abuse, science and control.Behind redacted files and clinical language were real people subjected to experiments involving mind alteration, memory manipulation, and psychological fracture—all sanctioned in the name of national security. What makes MKUltra truly disturbing isn’t just what we know… it’s how much remains missing.This isn’t a story about wild conspiracy theories. It’s about secrecy, power, and what happens when human beings become test subjects instead of patients. And it raises an uncomfortable question: did it really end—or did it just change its name?Listener discretion advised.All stories will remain anonymous.

Connecticut doesn’t scream.It waits.In this episode of A–Z of Haunted America, we step into a state known for tidy towns, old money, and carefully kept histories—and explore what lingers beneath the surface. From psychological hauntings and generational trauma to places that feel watched without ever feeling unsafe, Connecticut’s fear is subtle, inherited, and deeply rooted.This isn’t loud horror.It’s the unease behind manners.The silence after something has been endured.The sense that something remembers—even if no one speaks of it.Sometimes the most haunted places are the ones that learned how to stay quiet.All stories will remain anonymous.

In the shadows of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, a winged figure with glowing red eyes was seen again and again—always before disaster struck. Was Mothman a warning, a curse, or something far more misunderstood?In this episode, we unravel the chilling sightings that began in the 1960s, the collapse of the Silver Bridge, and the theories that refuse to die: interdimensional traveler, government experiment, harbinger of doom—or silent guardian. From eyewitness accounts to modern encounters, Mothman’s presence lingers wherever tragedy looms.Listen closely… some believe if you hear about Mothman, he may already be watching.Have a strange encounter of your own? Submit your story—all stories will remain anonymous.

Colorado: Mountains, Mysteries, and the UnknownFrom the soaring peaks to shadowy forests, Colorado is a hotspot for strange encounters and unexplained phenomena. In this episode, we explore Bigfoot sightings, eerie disappearances, and rumors of secret military activity tucked into the Rockies. Hear stories from locals who’ve witnessed the unusual—and send in your own.All stories will remain anonymous.

In this episode, we uncover Project Wormhole—a secretive Cold War–era operation hidden under miles of frozen tundra. Officially described as research. Unofficially rumored to be something far more dangerous.

Beneath the dark, cold waters of Loch Ness lies one of the world’s most enduring mysteries. For centuries, witnesses have described a massive presence moving just below the surface—too large to explain, too consistent to ignore.In this episode, we dive into the history of Nessie: ancient legends, modern sightings, famous photographs, sonar readings, and the investigations that tried—and failed—to put the mystery to rest. Is the Loch Ness Monster a surviving relic of the past, a series of misidentifications, or something we still don’t understand?Because some legends refuse to stay buried.

California is supposed to be bright. Loud. Alive.But step far enough out—past the suburbs, past the highways—and something else takes over. The desert hums with power lines. Cities glow in the distance without ever quite being reachable. Nothing looks abandoned… but nothing feels natural either.In this episode, we explore California’s quieter side—where hauntings don’t announce themselves, conspiracies don’t need proof, and whatever is operating out there never actually shut down.Not ghosts.Not myths.Just a state that may be far more managed than we’re meant to believe.All stories will remain anonymous.

In this episode, we dive into chilling tales submitted by listeners—true encounters with the unexplained that will make the hairs on your neck stand up. From eerie happenings in the woods to strange shadows in the night, these stories remind us that sometimes the scariest experiences are the ones that actually happened.All stories will remain anonymous.

They sound like someone you trust—but they aren’t.In this episode of The Cryptid Files, we investigate Mimics: entities known for imitating the voices of loved ones, calling from places they shouldn’t be, and getting closer when answered. From parents heard while away to children speaking from empty rooms, these encounters blur the line between familiar and terrifying.Listener discretion advised. Psychological horror and voice imitation discussed.All stories will remain anonymous.Don’t answer the voice.

Arkansas hides more than just natural beauty. From eerie forest shadows to mysterious disappearances, the Natural State has its share of unexplained phenomena. In this episode, we explore the top three reported supernatural encounters in Arkansas, including haunted landmarks, cryptid sightings, and chilling local legends. We also dive into the state’s most enduring conspiracy theory, leaving you questioning what really lurks in the shadows.

High in the frozen peaks of the Himalayas, something ancient is said to roam the snow.In this episode of The Cryptid Files, we dive into the chilling legend of the Yeti — a creature whispered about in Sherpa folklore and feared by climbers for generations. From sacred mountain myths and monastery relics to the infamous 1951 footprint photographs and modern encounters marked by blood-curdling screams and massive tracks in the ice, we examine the evidence that keeps this legend alive.Is the Yeti a surviving relic of prehistory… a spiritual guardian of the mountains… or something far more unsettling?This episode was recorded per listener request.

For the first time, we’re stepping into the dark with a story sent in by one of you. This listener-submitted account is raw, unsettling, and deeply personal—proof that the most terrifying encounters don’t come from legends, but from real life.Thank you for trusting this space with your experience. All stories will remain anonymous.Listener discretion is advised.

Arizona is a land of extremes—scorching deserts, rugged mountains, and shadows that seem alive. In this episode, we explore the state’s most chilling mysteries: sightings of cryptids, the elusive flesh pedestrian, and strange lights dancing across the night sky. We also dive into underground bases, military secrecy, and the conspiracies that swirl around Phoenix and beyond.All stories will remain anonymous.

Alaska is vast, silent, and unforgiving—and some believe it’s alive.In this episode of A–Z of Haunted America, we journey into the frozen wilderness of Alaska, where isolation breeds legends and the dark never fully leaves. From chilling encounters with the Kushtaka, the shape-shifting Otter Man said to lure victims into icy waters, to reports of shadow figures, disappearances, and things moving just beyond the treeline, Alaska’s paranormal history is as brutal as its landscape.We then turn our attention to one of the most infamous conspiracy theories in the state: HAARP. Is it simply a scientific research facility—or something far more dangerous hidden beneath the aurora-filled sky?This is a land where survival is never guaranteed… and some say not everything you encounter is human.Listener discretion is advised.

Altamaha-ha | Georgia’s River MonsterSomething moves beneath the dark waters of Georgia’s Altamaha River.For centuries, fishermen, locals, and early settlers have reported a massive serpentine creature gliding just below the surface—never fully seen, never fully gone. Known as Altamaha-ha, this river monster may be far older than modern cryptid legends.In this episode, we explore Indigenous lore, chilling eyewitness accounts, and why deep Southern rivers are the perfect place for something ancient to hide.

Alabama isn’t just sweet tea and backroads.In this episode, we travel deep into the heart of Alabama—where pine forests swallow sound, backroads stretch too long, and some stories refuse to stay buried. From eerie encounters and unexplained sightings to whispered conspiracies and lingering Appalachian dread, these are the moments people still think about when the lights are off and the night feels too quiet.Each story comes from those who lived it—moments that felt wrong, places that didn’t want witnesses, and experiences that never quite let go. Not everything here has answers. Some things were never meant to.All stories will remain anonymous.Listener discretion is advised.

Strange lights have been reported in the Smoky Mountains for decades—appearing without sound, explanation, or warning.In this episode of Hexes, Haunts & Howls, we examine unexplained lights and aerial phenomena in the Great Smoky Mountains, focusing on patterns, locations, and the silence that follows when the lights disappear.

Elkmont isn’t just an abandoned town—it’s a place where stories refuse to leave.In this episode of Hexes, Haunts & Howls, we explore the history, hauntings, and lingering silence of Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains, where empty cabins and forgotten paths still hold echoes of the past.

In the Great Smoky Mountains, Spearfinger was never just a monster—she was a warning.This episode of Hexes, Haunts & Howls explores the original Cherokee legend of Spearfinger, her ties to place and behavior, and why her story still lingers in Appalachian silence.

In the Appalachian Mountains, witnesses report Crawlers—humanoid entities seen near caves, mines, and deep forest hollows. From sudden silence to the feeling of being watched, these encounters leave one thing behind… impressions, not answers.

Deep in the Appalachian Mountains, something is watching from the treeline.Dogman sightings have been whispered about for decades across rural hollers, backroads, and forest edges where the woods fall unnaturally quiet. Witnesses describe a towering figure with a canine head, human-like shoulders, and eyes reflecting far too high off the ground.In this episode of Hexes, Haunts & Howls, we explore the history of Dogman encounters in Appalachia, common behavior patterns, and the fear that follows those who see it. From roadside sightings to encounters deep in the woods, Dogman doesn’t just appear — it stalks, intimidates, and disappears without explanation.All stories will remain anonymous.Thank you for listening to Hexes, Haunts & Howls. I’m your host Cupcake. Until next time… stay sweet.

Bigfoot is the most reported cryptid in Appalachia, yet one of the least openly discussed. In this episode, we examine the history, behavior patterns, and long-standing theories surrounding Appalachian Bigfoot—why it appears so frequently in these mountains, and why so many who encounter it choose silence instead.

Welcome to the very first episode of Hexes, Haunts & Howls! This is four terrifying stories that took place on Christmas Eve!If you’ve experienced something you can’t explain, we want to hear from you! Listener submissions can be sent anomalously. Submit your stories here:[email protected]