Segment from American Horror Story

Well, That Sucks

In the late 19th century, the residents of a small New England town thought a vampire might be preying on them. Michael Bell, the author of “Food for the Dead: On the Trail of New England’s Vampires,” helps the hosts sink their teeth into this story.

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Well, That Sucks

In the late 19th century, the residents of a small New England town thought a vampire might be preying on them. Michael Bell, the author of “Food for the Dead: On the Trail of New England’s Vampires,” helps the hosts sink their teeth into this story.

00:06:53

Where The Windigos Are

Historian Shawn Smallman talks about the windigo, a “monster” from the Native American oral tradition and how the pop culture versions of the windigo bear a small resemblance to the real thing.

00:08:56

A Trip Down Legendary Lane Pt. 1

We asked listeners to share with us their stories of legend tripping, which are local legends with a long shelf life. Here are stories from Bailey Bowthorpe and James Kirkpatrick.

00:04:11

Nevermore

Edgar Allan Poe helped invent the modern horror story. We talked to Paul Jones, an English professor at Ohio University, about Poe’s enduring appeal.

00:10:15

Listener Call

A BackStory listener asks about exorcisms.

00:05:33

A Trip Down Legendary Lane Pt. 2

We asked listeners to share with us their stories of legend tripping, which are local legends with a long shelf life. Here are stories from Kevin Gallagher and Josh Wadsworth.

00:02:21

These Houses, They Haunt Me

Stories about haunted houses have been around forever, but Hollywood didn’t start giving them starring roles until movies like “Poltergeist” and “Amityville Horror.” David Edelstein, a film critic for New York Magazine, tells us why.

00:05:15

Oh, The Horror!

The hosts wrap up the show by reflecting on what they’ve learned about American Horror.

00:05:09