Best Strange Amp Bizarre Podcasts (2025)

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S1E5 Families Divided 1:04:18

4d ago1:04:18

1:04:18

In this one, we dive into how political polarization—especially the rise of MAGA ideology—has created rifts in families across the U.S., and how it's become closely tied with modern evangelical culture. We share stories of strained relationships, lost connections, and the emotional cost of navigating belief systems that collide at the dinner table.…

1
The summit is in sight with Sherpa (Peculiar Movie Club) 1:08:03

9d ago1:08:03

1:08:03

Welcome to the Peculiar Movie Club, a bonus podcast linked to our main show the Peculiar Book Club through common themes in media. This week, in honor of the book Tap Dancing on Everest, we are reviewing our first documentary Sherpa. Join Davey Berris and Darren Cross as they take a deep dive into this real life tragedy. We'll discuss the themes of…

1
We're shuffling the deck with Krisit Belcamino and Queen of Spades (Peculiar Mystery Club) 21:45

11d ago21:45

21:45

From the dark underbelly of Sicily's Mafia to the heart-pounding streets of America, Eva Santella's tale is one of betrayal, vengeance, and an unquenchable thirst for justice.Once a fearless Mafia boss, Eva's world shattered when rival Sicilian families betrayed her. With a bounty on her head, she fled to America, seeking refuge in shadows and anon…

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S1E4 Coming Out 1:23:14

17d ago1:23:14

1:23:14

Growing Up LGBTQ+ in a Pentecostal Church In this episode of The Backslider Diaries, our guest shares their powerful story of growing up queer in a strict Pentecostal household — and what it was like coming out not only to their preacher father and deeply religious family, but also to their wife and close friends. We dive into the weight of religio…

1
133 | Pt1 | Palmyra Atoll and the Sea Wind Murders: Meet the Grahams 49:24

22d ago49:24

49:24

Time to set sail for True Crime Madness! Join us as we begin our journey towards the Palmyra Atoll Murders, aka 'the Sea Wind Murders.' In part one, "Meet the Grahams" we lay the groundwork for four of the main characters in the series and do our absolute best to explain the critical importance of materials science and going to court in order to sa…

1
132 | Live Paranormal Calls, Cryptid Sightings and Deathbed Confessions via Beer, Boos & Boogeymen 54:53

29d ago54:53

54:53

From Jackalope sightings to deathbed confessions, this is a collection of some of Joey and Gil's favorite live calls on ⁨Beer, Boos, and Boogeymen. These live call-ins feature cryptid sightings, ghost stories, and unsettling deathbed confessions. In this episode, we take listener call-ins and hear their real experiences with mythical creatures like…

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Britain’s Most Chilling Familicide 23:43

30d ago23:43

23:43

In this chilling episode of True Crime Britain, we uncover the haunting case of Christopher Foster—a British millionaire whose lavish lifestyle masked a deadly secret. On a quiet summer night in 2008, the idyllic village of Maesbrook, Shropshire, was rocked by an unimaginable tragedy. Foster, facing financial ruin, shot his wife and teenage daughte…

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The Day Innocence Died: What the CCTV Footage Didn’t Show 28:54

30d ago28:54

28:54

Watchers or Witnesses? The 38 Who Saw and Walked Away The shocking murder of James Bulger, a two-year-old abducted from a UK shopping center and brutally killed by ten-year-old boys Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, became one of the most shocking crimes in British history. In this true crime Britain podcast, we examine the events through expert an…

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It's Time to Get Your Dancing Shoes (and Climbing Gear?) with Mimi Zieman 1:03:39

1M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

Featured : MIMI ZIEMAN, Tap Dancing on EverestWe humans are a risky bunch. It seems part of our make-up, or at least the make up of one small expedition of four climbers. Their mission: attempt a new route on the East Face of Mt. Everest, considered the most remote and dangerous side of the mountain, summitted only once before. That’s not all, thou…

1
It's a long way down with Matthew Gavin Frank and Submersed 22:57

1M ago22:57

22:57

An exquisite, lyrical foray into the world of deep-sea divers, the obsession and madness that oceans inspire in us, and the story of submarine inventor Peter Madsen's murder of journalist Kim Wall—a captivating blend of literary prose, science writing, and true crime. Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://brandyschillace.com/peculiar/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsle…

1
131 | The Curse of Palmyra Atoll: Prologue to Sea Wind Murders 47:30

1M ago47:30

47:30

In this episode, we explore the eerie history of Palmyra Atoll, a remote island steeped in tales of shipwrecks, pirate legends, and unexplained disappearances. After touching on the island's geological features, we dig into the story of the pirate ship La Esperanza and the island's dark reputation, as well as a series of mysterious murders and the …

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S1E3 Narcissists in the Pulpit. A look at the "God Told Me" Complex 57:18

1M ago57:18

57:18

In this episode, we unpack the dangerous blend of narcissism and spiritual authority often found in evangelical pulpits. What happens when a leader claims divine direction to justify control, manipulation, or abuse? We explore the “God told me” complex—how it silences dissent, elevates ego, and blurs the line between faith and fanaticism. Drawing f…

1
The Backslider Diaries Season 1 Episode 2 1:03:22

1M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

In this episode of the Backslider Diaries, hosts T and J delve into their experiences growing up in a Pentecostal environment, exploring themes of religious trauma, purity culture, and the healing power of music. J discusses her deconstruction. They discuss the complexities of family dynamics, the journey of self-discovery, and the importance of qu…

1
Come Dig Up Some Flora-Fossils with Riley Black and Bethany Brookshire 1:11:36

1M ago1:11:36

1:11:36

Featured: RILEY BLACK, When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution's Greatest RomanceA favorite author returns! Once again featuring the marvelous Riley Black, author of The Last Days of the Dinosaurs, whose latest book takes a long look at prehistoric plants! It’s so rare that we see this type of book, one that gives us the actual lan…

1
The Backslider Diaries Season 1 Episode 1 1:06:34

2M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

Episode 1: Welcome to the Backslider Diaries In our very first episode, we introduce ourselves — two preacher’s kids who grew up deep in the world of Pentecostalism. We share our personal stories of faith, fear, and finally, freedom. From speaking in tongues to strict church rules, and the moments that made us question everything, this is the begin…

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We're all a buzz about The Fly (Peculiar Movie Club) 1:12:01

2M ago1:12:01

1:12:01

Welcome to the Peculiar Movie Club, a bonus podcast linked to our main show the Peculiar Book Club through common themes in media. This week, in honor of the book Humans: a Monstrous History, we are reviewing the classic monster movie from 1986 The Fly. Join Davey Berris and Darren Cross as they take a deep dive into this body horror classic. We'll…

1
Full Moon, Sixth Sense and The Silo 45:40

2M ago45:40

45:40

By Star Worldwide Networks

1
We're giving credit where credit is due with Allison Tyra and Uncredited 26:05

2M ago26:05

26:05

Uncredited proves that not only have there been hundreds of ground-breaking women in all professions, but that their accomplishments have been overlooked, denigrated, or downright repressed by their male colleagues or historians. Uncredited explores why women have not been properly acknowledged for their accomplishments, both historically and today…

1
130 | The Trickster Element: Linking UFOs, High Strangeness & Bigfoot - w/ Paranorm Girl Podcast 1:35:36

2M ago1:35:36

1:35:36

Masters of Chaos, "Tricksters," live across cultures and time, dancing along the fine line between ancient mythology and modern-day mysteries. These shape-shifting entities, from Anansi to Veles to Coyote, exist in the liminal space between science and superstition, folklore and fact. Join us for a chaotic collaboration as we dive deep into the wor…

1
There are Monsters Among Us with Surekha Davies and HUMANS 1:03:44

2M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Featuring : SUREKHA DAVIES, Humans: A Monstrous HistoryGuess what? We are featuring one of our own! Surekha Davis, long time peculiar, debuts a book on monsters. I mean on humans. Well. I mean both. Why do humans make monsters, and what do monsters tell us about humanity? Davies reveals how people have defined the human in relation to everything fr…

1
129 | Circus Oddities and Sideshow Wonders: From The Lobster Boy to A Headless Chicken 1:12:25

2M ago1:12:25

1:12:25

Join Joey and Gil on an odd journey into the captivating world of circus and carnival sideshows, where oddities and marvels steal the spotlight. Listen in as we delve into the lives of iconic figures like Mike the Headless Chicken and The Lobster Boy, Grady Stiles Jr. as we explore their stories and the fascinating history that surrounds them. Disc…

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The Hungerford Massacre: The Day Britain Changed Its Gun Laws Forever 26:31

2M ago26:31

26:31

On August 19th, 1987, the tranquil market town of Hungerford became the setting for one of the deadliest mass shootings in British history. In this gripping episode of Peculiar Britain, we explore the harrowing journey of Michael Ryan—from his troubled psyche and deadly arsenal to the town-wide rampage that claimed 16 innocent lives. We'll unravel …

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Lager, Legend, and the Last Stand: Raoul Moat & Gazza's Delusion 17:40

2M ago17:40

17:40

A manhunt grips the nation. A celebrity stumbles into the madness. This is Britain at its most bizarre. In July 2010, Raoul Moat launched a violent spree that left one man dead, a woman gravely injured, and a police officer blinded—triggering one of the largest manhunts in modern British history. But just when the standoff reached its peak, a surre…

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128 | Lumberton UFO Witness Accounts 18:16

2M ago18:16

18:16

This week we dive into the restored audio of eyewitness accounts detailing the sightings of a mysterious triangular object in Lumberton, NC. The witnesses describe the object's shape, color, and movement, as well as their emotional reactions to the experience. Multiple accounts from different individuals highlight the shared nature of the sightings…

1
Sheila Fox: The Girl Who Disappeared for Half a Century 21:58

2M ago21:58

21:58

A Coventry schoolgirl vanished into thin air in 1972—only to be found alive decades later, rewriting the rules of Britain’s cold case mysteries. In the gritty heart of 1972 Coventry, 16-year-old Sheila Fox stepped out of her terraced home on Gulson Road and into a void that would haunt West Midlands Police for over half a century. Her disappearance…

1
We've got a long climb with Chuck Wendig and The Staircase in the Woods (Peculiar Mystery Club) 26:03

2M ago26:03

26:03

A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents. Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://brandyschillace.com/peculiar/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://eepurl.com/ixJJ2Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https…

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127 | Kidnapped by a Cryptid? El Pombero 1:45:06

2M ago1:45:06

1:45:06

This week we go deep into the figure of El Pombero, a creature deeply rooted in the folklore of Central South America, particularly among the Guarani people. The conversation explores the characteristics, cultural significance, and the beliefs surrounding El Pombero, as well as a real-life case involving the mysterious disappearance of a child name…

1
Tobin: The Devil's Incarnate - Britain's Bloodiest Secret 15:38

2M ago15:38

15:38

You think you know darkness? Think again. Peter Tobin wasn't just a killer; he was a creeping shadow, a master of deception, and a predator whose depravity knew no bounds. His confirmed victims – Angelika Kluk, Vicky Hamilton, and Dinah McNicol – suffered fates that will haunt your nightmares. But the true horror lies in the chilling suspicion that…

1
Mr. Kipper's Shadow: The Suzy Lamplugh Mystery 24:23

2M ago24:23

24:23

In the heart of Fulham, a mystery lingers, cast by Mr. Kipper's shadow. July 1986: London. A young estate agent, Suzy Lamplugh, meets "Mr. Kipper" and vanishes. What began as a routine appointment spiralled into one of Britain's most baffling and disturbing missing person cases. "Mr. Kipper's Shadow" pulls back the curtain on this chilling mystery.…

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We're making a splash with Free Willy (Peculiar Movie Club) 1:16:14

2M ago1:16:14

1:16:14

Welcome to the Peculiar Movie Club, a bonus podcast linked to our main show the Peculiar Book Club through common themes in media. This week, in honor of the book The Killer Whale Journals, we are reviewing a movie from our childhoods, 1993's Free Willy. Join Davey Berris and Darren Cross as they take a deep dive into this childhood favorite. We'll…

1
Britain’s Final Executioners 26:21

3M ago26:21

26:21

In Peculiar Justice: Britain’s Final Executioners, we journey through the haunting final days of capital punishment in the UK. From wrongful hangings and crimes of passion to political reform and public outrage, we trace how cases like Derek Bentley, Ruth Ellis, and Timothy Evans ignited a national reckoning. This podcast brings together chilling c…

1
We're having a sobering discussion with Abbi Waxman and One Death at a Time (Peculiar Mystery Club) 23:30

3M ago23:30

23:30

When Julia Mann, a bad-tempered ex-actress and professional thorn in the side of authority, runs into Natasha Mason at an AA meeting, it’s anything but a meet-cute. Julia just found a dead body in her swimming pool, and the cops say she did it (she already went to jail for murder once, so now they think she’s making a habit of it). Mason is eager t…

1
126 | Pt3 | John R Brinkley From Charlatan to Prey 1:47:53

3M ago1:47:53

1:47:53

In part 3, we conclude our deep dive into the life and times of John Romulus Brinkley, a notorious medical charlatan known for his goat gland surgeries, and his rivalry with Morris Fishbine, a prominent figure in the American Medical Association. The discussion covers his rise and fall from fame, the legal battles he faced, the courtroom drama duri…

1
Join Us for a "Killer" Show about WHALES! We're on the Seas with Hanne Strager 1:04:23

3M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Featuring : HANNE STRAGER, The Killer Whale Journals: Our Love and Fear of OrcasORCA! It’s about time one of our Book Club shows featured these fascinating animals! When Hanne Strager, then an intrepid biology student, volunteered to be the cook on a small research vessel in Norway's Lofoten Islands, she couldn’t know the trip would launch a decade…

1
Beast in the Woods: The Bristol Zoo Cryptid Mystery 16:18

3M ago16:18

16:18

Was it a deer, a demon—or a devilishly clever stunt? When Bristol Zoo Project released night vision images of a “winged and horned” creature in October 2024, panic and intrigue spread like wildfire. Was this Britain’s next big cryptid—or just a cunning Halloween hoax? In this gripping episode of Peculiar Britain, we dissect the evidence, folklore, …

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Crocodile in the Harbour: Bristol’s Most Unbelievable Urban Legend 15:06

3M ago15:06

15:06

A six-foot reptile, a viral tweet, and a city that leaned into the mystery. In 2014, a Bristol bus driver reported a crocodile swimming in the River Avon. Within hours, the story exploded across the city—sparking more sightings, unofficial warning signs, and even a film. But was there ever a croc... or just a log and a clever bit of myth-making? Th…

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125 | Pt2 | Dr John Brinkley: Airwaves and Surgery 1:44:43

3M ago1:44:43

1:44:43

We continue our dive into the controversial life of Dr. John Brinkley, a figure who redefined fame and fortune through unconventional means. Known as a medical maverick (read as 'charlatan'), Brinkley became prominent with his infamous goat gland procedures, promising rejuvenation and vitality. Join us as we unravel the complexities of Brinkley's j…

1
Knob & Folklore: The Curious Case of Lord Hereford’s Knob 17:44

3M ago17:44

17:44

From post-punk ballads to poetic hallucinations—exploring the legendary landscape of Lord Hereford’s Knob. Lord Hereford’s Knob—also known by its Welsh name Twmpa—is more than just an eye-catching name. This episode dives deep into the wild tales, rich history, geological wonders, and pop culture nods surrounding this Welsh mountain. From its poeti…

1
124 | Pt1 | Dr John Brinkley : The Quackiest Quack in Medical History 1:43:52

3M ago1:43:52

1:43:52

Dive into the fascinating and bizarre world of Dr. John Brinkley, the infamous early 20th-century "goat-gland doctor," who captured headlines with his controversial medical practices. In this episode, we unravel the story of Brinkley's rise to fame and fortune through unconventional surgeries involving goat testicle transplants. Explore how his uno…

1
We'll All Be Faithful Unto DEATH with Paul Koudounaris 1:17:13

3M ago1:17:13

1:17:13

Featuring : PAUL KOUDOUNARIS, Faithful unto Death: Pet cemeteries, animal graves, and eternal devotionWhen a little dog named Cherry died in 1881, his owners arranged for a grave in a nearby gatekeeper's garden in London. At this time, the idea that a pet, even one that had lived as a family member, might be given a dignified burial was considered …

1
We'll bring the road trip snacks with Sarah Kendzior and The Last American Road Trip 29:29

3M ago29:29

29:29

The New York Times bestselling author of They Knew, Hiding in Plain Sight, and The View from Flyover Country navigates a changing America as she and her family embark on a series of road trips, in a book that is part memoir, part history, and wholly unique. It is one thing to study the fall of democracy, another to have it hit your homeland -- and …

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123 | Pt 2 | Cryptid Road Trip | Unveiling The Mysteries of the Pacific Northwest 1:16:35

3M ago1:16:35

1:16:35

Put on those seatbelts for another wild adventure with Joey and Gil on the second leg of our Cryptid Road trip! This time, we delve into the mystical realms of the Pacific Northwest to uncover the secrets of cryptids like the Lake Chelan Dragon, Colossal Claud, and the elusive Wampus Cat. From legendary tales to humorous banter, join us as we explo…

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122 | Pt3 | Ronald True: The End of the Trulogy 2:07:33

4M ago2:07:33

2:07:33

In this episode, we finish our deep dive into the chilling story of Ronald True, a man whose descent into madness leads to a series of harrowing events. The conversation explores the complexities of his character, the societal dynamics of the 1920s, and the impact of misogyny on the women around him. BCR Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BlackCatRep…

1
You're Getting a BRAND NEW appreciation for the Female Body with Cat Bohannon and Eve 1:09:42

4M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Featuring : CAT BOHANNON, Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human EvolutionYou loved Rachel Gross’s VAGINA OBSCURA? Of course you did. Then you MUST join us for this myth-busting, eye-opening landmark account of how humans evolved—answering questions like what IS the female body? How did it come to be? How does this evolution stil…

1
We're Killing it with Deanna Raybourn and Kills Well with Others (Peculiar Mystery Club) 27:58

4M ago27:58

27:58

“Much like fine wine, battle-hardened assassins grow better with age.” #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner Four women assassins, senior in status—and in age—sharpen their knives for another bloody good adventure in this riotous follow-up to the New York Times bestselling sensation Killers of a Certain Age. After more than a year of la…

1
We will seek out new life with Star Trek: The Next Generation (Peculiar Movie Club) 1:19:50

4M ago1:19:50

1:19:50

Welcome to the Peculiar Movie Club, a bonus podcast linked to our main show the Peculiar Book Club through common themes in media. This week, in honor of the book The Possibility of Life, we are stepping away from the movie world and into the TV world with 3 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. They are: season 3 episode 2 "The Ensigns of Co…

1
Slow down, take a breath with Carl Zimmer and Air-Borne 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

The fascinating, untold story of the air we breathe, the hidden life it contains, and invisible dangers that can turn the world upside down Every day we draw in two thousand gallons of air—and thousands of living things. From the ground to the stratosphere, the air teems with invisible life. This last great biological frontier remains so mysterious…

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We'll Discover the Possibility of LIFE with Jaime Green! 1:05:49

4M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

Featuring:JAIME GREEN, The Possibility of Life: Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the CosmosOne of the most powerful questions humans ask about the cosmos is: Are we alone? While the science behind this inquiry is fascinating, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is a reflection of our values, our fears, and most importantly, our endur…

1
121 | Pt2 | Ronald True: London Hunting Grounds 1:34:13

4M ago1:34:13

1:34:13

This week we continue to unravel the intricate and tumultuous life of Ronald True, whose journey from modest beginnings to becoming a controversial con artist and "war hero" is both fascinating and tragic. A charismatic yet deeply flawed character, his rise to fame, and his poignant fall are both comedically lucky and terribly sad. Through an in-de…

1
We'll have you believing in Lydia Kang and Pseudoscience 32:48

5M ago32:48

32:48

From the authors of Quackery, a visual and narrative history of popular ideas, phenomena, and widely held beliefs disproven by science. From the easily disproved to the wildly speculative, to straight-up hucksterism, Pseudoscience is a romp through much more than bad science—it’s a light-hearted look into why we insist on believing in things such a…

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