Urban Legends
Luke Mordue examines the historical impact of the stories that haunt our society, tales that have gripped towns and cities worldwide for centuries as actual events - Urban Legends. First, hear the tales retold as short stories before delving into the history of the legend, dissecting its cultural significance, factuality, and origins.
Released Fortnightly.
Episodes
51 episodes
Killer in the Window [Patreon Teaser]
For decades, stories of an unknown figure staring through bedroom windows have circulated in whispered warnings and late-night news reports, but is there any truth to it?In this chapter, we explore the origins of the 'Killer in the Wind...
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2:28
Mermaids
From ancient carvings and medieval manuscripts to shipwreck songs and seaside myths, 'Mermaids' have haunted human imagination for centuries.Over the years, they have been a symbol of beauty, danger, sin, and even salvation. But where di...
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1:18:30
The Midnight Bus [Patreon Teaser]
In the late hours of the night, a bus winds its way through the quiet streets of Beijing - a vehicle that has given rise to one of China’s most haunting modern legends. Known as the tale of the 'Midnight Bus', it tells of unsuspecting ...
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2:14
Pin Prick Attacks [Patreon Teaser]
In the crowded streets and buzzing venues of modern life, a rumour began to spread of strangers attacking at random with needles, leaving their victims with more than just fear and discomfort. Known as 'Pin Prick Attacks', this urban l...
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2:21
Knife in the Briefcase
In this chapter, we investigate the ‘Knife in the Briefcase’ urban legend, a chilling tale that has circulated in cities across the world. Rooted in warnings about predatory strangers, it tells of women lured into vulnerable situations by a man...
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51:59
The Horseshoe Grave [Patreon Teaser]
In a quiet corner of Perry County, Ohio, lies a grave that’s become the centre of a dark fascination. Marked by a horseshoe carved into stone, this otherwise unassuming headstone has inspired decades of eerie tales, commonly known as 'The Horse...
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1:58
Chupacabra
Livestock found drained of blood. Puncture wounds with no clear cause.In this chapter, we investigate the 'Chupacabra', one of the most infamous cryptids in modern folklore. However, beneath the sensational headlines and pop culture port...
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Season 5
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1:00:33
Electric Birds. Part II. Thunderbird [Patreon Teaser]
The 'Thunderbird' is one of the most enduring figures in Native American folklore. A powerful, electric bird said to summon storms, strike down monsters, and keep balance between worlds. In this episode, I look at where the legend comes ...
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2:48
Banshee
Let's trace the eerie wail of one of Ireland’s most enduring legends, the 'Banshee'.Often dismissed as myth or metaphor, the Banshee is more than just a ghostly woman who cries in the night. Her story shifts across time and region, tangl...
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55:20
Electric Birds. Part I. Impundulu [Patreon Teaser]
In this chapter, we explore the legend of the 'Impundulu', Southern Africa’s lightning bird. A shapeshifting blood-drinker entity that is both feared and revered across generations.We’ll trace the story through Zulu, Xhos...
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2:59
The Pet Snake
**Trigger Warning: This chapter involves harm to children.**Join us as we explore a strange and unsettling tale that slithered its way into urban legend, 'The Pet Snake'.At first glance, it's a strange story of an affection...
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50:15
Nale Ba [Patreon Teaser]
In the 1990s, in the streets of Bangalore, India, a strange phrase began to appear on walls and doorways: 'Nale Ba''Translating as, 'Come Tomorrow.' This was all tied to the legend of a witch who wandered the streets at night, c...
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2:37
Kuchisake-Onna
Today we turn to one of Japan’s most enduring and disturbing legends, 'Kuchisake-onna', also known as 'the Slit-Mouthed Woman'.This tale of a disfigured woman who asks a chilling question has stalked schoolyards, late-night streets, and ...
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48:40
The Nain Rouge [Patreon Teaser]
A snippet of this weeks Patreon Exclusive chapter.Legends don’t always come from ancient times. Some are crafted more recently, shaped by communities, and kept alive because they say something important about the place they come f...
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1:41
Men in Black
As we begin Season V, we explore one of the most unnerving figures in modern folklore: the Men in Black.Join us as we trace the shadowy origins of these silent enforcers, following their evolution from early UFO encounters to government ...
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59:59
Season V Trailer
Season Five of Urban Legends begins 14th May.In this new series, we uncover the strange, the sinister, and the stories that refuse to die. From serpents and spirits to courtrooms and cryptids, each episode takes you deeper into th...
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0:40
Santa Stuck in Chimney [Patreon Bonus]
Modern Myths is a series running alongside Urban Legends; shorter chapters delving into smaller folkloric tales shared worldwide. To listen to our past episodes and to gain access to those coming on our next season, join us on Patreon by clicki...
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24:49
Krampus
Join us on a journey through centuries of tradition, mystery, and the darker side of the holiday season. Krampus, the horned and devilish counterpart to Santa Claus, has long been a figure of both fear and fascination. But what are the origins ...
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51:18
A Stranger Calls
In this chapter, we answer the chilling call of a legendary urban legend that has left us with frayed nerves for generations: the ominous words, "The call is coming from inside the house." Join us as we unravel the origins, eerie n...
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44:27
The Dead Boyfriend
In this harrowing chapter, we plunge into the chilling world of a spine-tingling urban legend that has fueled fear and fascination - the horrifying tale of 'The Dead Boyfriend' hanging above the car. Join us as we delve into the or...
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56:21
Kidney Theft
Join us as we dissect one of the most spine-tingling and enduring modern urban legends, 'Kidney Theft'. Let's delve into the chilling narratives, the origins, and the psychology behind this macabre tale of organ theft, exploring the...
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43:59
Killer in the Backseat
**Trigger Warning: This chapter involves references of Sexual Assault**Join us as we explore the origins, the harrowing variations, and the gripping psychology behind the 'Killer in the Backseat'. Let's uncover its roots in real-...
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28:08
Bloody Mary
Join us as we plunge into the realm of darkness and superstition to explore the enduring urban legend of 'Bloody Mary'. Peer through the looking glass into the chilling world of incantations, haunted mirrors, and the enigmatic figure who haunts...
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36:38
