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After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

History Hit
Dick Turpin
William Palmer
Victorian Era
Elizabeth Báthory
Alexander the Great
Rugeley
Medical Practices
Cholera
Strychnine
Infant Mortality
Mary Celeste
Highway Robbery
18th Century Britain
Horse Racing
Gwen Ellen Jones
Criminal Justice
Highwaymen
Ghost Stories
Murder
William Murphy

This is After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal. The podcast that takes you to the shadiest corners of the past, unpicking history’s spookiest, strangest, and most sinister stories.

Join historians Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling, every Monday and Thursday to take a look at the darker side of history. From haunted pubs and Houdini, to witch trials and weird UFO sightings.

After Dark: Myth... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes257Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeHistory

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Artwork for After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Latest Episodes

Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Brontë in 1847, depicts a gothic world full of violence and passion, set against the wild Yorkshire Moors.

So how did the daughter of a clergyman create such a story? How was it received at the time? And what dark... more

The Storming of the Bastille in 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution... the day a Parisian crowd stormed the royal fortress-prison that had come to embody absolutist power. This is the story of how mounting unrest erupted into full-scal... more

Bootleg liquor. Tommy guns. Gangs ruling the city with crooked cops.

The Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929 Chicago sounds cinematic, but the fear and the bloodshed was very real.

What was the perfect storm that created this horrifying moment? How di... more

Julia Pastrana was a Mexican woman exploited as a sideshow attraction in life and grotesquely exhibited even after her death because of her appearance. Her story is part of the dark history of the Victorian 'freak show'. Anthony tells Maddy the story... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Michael Rapport
Reader in modern European history at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Episode: Bloody Beginning of the French Revolution
Jonathan Eyck
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Get Capone
Episode: Al Capone and the Valentine's Day Massacre
Marion Gibson
Professor at the University of Exeter and author of 'Witchcraft, A History in Thirteen Trials'
University of Exeter
Episode: Essex's Darkest Witch Hunt
Dr. Jay Sullivan
Historian and author of Egyptian Gothic 1884 to 1920
Episode: The Victorian's Dark Obsession with Ancient Egypt
Professor Marion Gibson
Historian and author specializing in witchcraft history.
Episode: The Deadly Arctic Witch Trials
Dr. Joseph Laycock
Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Texas State University and author.
Texas State University
Episode: The Truth About the Conjuring's Ghost Hunters
Siobhan McSweeney
Acclaimed actress and BAFTA winner known for her role in Derry Girls and her hosting on Great Pottery Throwdown.
Derry Girls
Episode: Banshees: Herald of Death
Dr. Eleanor Barrowclough
Returning guest, author of 'Embers of the Hands, A Hidden History of the Viking Age.'
Episode: The Most Notorious Viking Raid
Merlin Holland
Oscar Wilde biographer and grandson
Episode: Oscar Wilde's Very Victorian Scandal

Hosts

Anthony Delaney
Co-host focusing on historical narratives, often introducing engaging and educational discussions. With a background in history, Delaney brings expert insights and humor to the episodes.
Maddy Pelling
Co-host with a knack for storytelling and a focus on the darker, more unusual aspects of history. Pelling balances humor with insightful commentary, enhancing the show's appeal.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 5.6k ratings
  • Recommend!

    Love this show. Don’t miss out and subscribe.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jobruv23
    United Kingdom14 days ago
  • This HH podcast has it all...fascinating topics and it's so fun to listen to the banter back and forth between the hosts! I am always thrilled to see the next episode drop! Thank you Maddy and Anthony for knowing we all have a dark side that need to be fed!

    Audible
    5
    Debby Patten
    United States15 days ago
  • Excellent insight

    The Witchfinder General episode excellently explained why we NEED to keep discussing dark history, as a way of holding a mirror up to ourselves. Well done all 👏👏👏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kt75a
    United Kingdom17 days ago
  • Excellent

    Love these two & this is a fabulous show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ezriaboo
    United Kingdom24 days ago
  • What's the objective here?

    The history bits are truly excellent, but you have to wade through far too much off-topic self-amusement to get to it. I have done so before, but the Hannibal episode was just too much. Find an open mike somewhere and get it out of your system.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Poodle.girl4455
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its fascinating and educational content, coupled with entertaining hosts who engage well with each other.
There are requests for deeper explorations of certain topics, highlighting a keen interest in both analytical and narrative aspects of history.
Criticism of pacing and occasional tangents has been noted, suggesting that some listeners prefer a more focused discourse.
The combination of humor and insight is a strong draw for audiences, making history relatable and enjoyable.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Al Capone and the Valentine's Day Massacre
Q: Is this simply a situation in which gang members are dressing up and disguising themselves as policemen?
It is likely that the police were either involved or offered their cars and uniforms to the gang members, allowing for the ambush to take place.
Al Capone and the Valentine's Day Massacre
Q: What is happening in America more generally at this point, and how does it lead to this gang warfare?
Prohibition made alcohol buying and selling illegal, leading to a black market run by gang members who sought to capitalize on the demand, instigating gang wars.
Bloody Beginning of the French Revolution
Q: What happens after the storming of the Bastille?
Royal power collapses in Paris and other cities, leading to local revolutions and the National Assembly taking charge.
Bloody Beginning of the French Revolution
Q: What were the three estates and how did they become important as we head into the summer of 1789?
The first estate were the clergy, the second the nobility, and the third estate comprised everybody else, but included a wide range of people.
Bloody Beginning of the French Revolution
Q: How does this moment in French history, pre-revolution, fit in with what's happening more globally in terms of the Enlightenment?
France had a very important role in the Enlightenment, with many writers popularizing ideas that challenged the monarchy.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the darker corners of history, a dynamic duo of historians uncovers the most sinister and intriguing stories from the past. With a blend of spooky narratives and scholarly insights, the discussions cover a wide array of topics such as haunted locations, witch trials, and historical crimes, appealing to both history buffs and general audiences. This show is particularly remarkable for its entertaining approach, combining lighter banter with engaging historical narratives, making the tales both informative and enjoyable. Each episode invites listeners to consider the peculiarities and complexities of history, often merging captivating storytelling with humor.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Not Just the Tudors
2. Gone Medieval
3. Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
4. Dan Snow's History Hit
5. The Ancients

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 257 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Dr. Michael Rapport
2. Jonathan Eyck
3. Marion Gibson
4. Dr. Jay Sullivan
5. Professor Marion Gibson
6. Dr. Joseph Laycock
7. Siobhan McSweeney
8. Dr. Eleanor Barrowclough

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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