Episodes

  • Horror Express (1972) – SSP265

    Horror Express (1972) – SSP265
    May 27 2026
    This week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, we pay solemn tribute to two titans of terror—the incomparable Peter Cushing and Sir Christopher Lee—by revisiting the chilling 1972 cult classic, Horror Express. Step aboard a snowbound locomotive hurtling through the frozen desolation of Siberia, where something ancient, unspeakable, and utterly relentless stalks its prey beneath the dim glow of gaslight. Civilization fades with every passing mile… and survival becomes a most uncertain luxury. Your hosts, Karen and Greg, guide you through this atmospheric nightmare with equal parts wit and reverence, dissecting the film’s eerie legacy, unforgettable performances, and the dread that lingers long after the final frame fades to black. And what, you may ask, is terror without a proper indulgence? In honor of this devilish journey, they sip upon the elegantly crafted “Beautiful Friendship” cocktail—a drink as refined as it is deceptively potent. So, steel your nerves, pour yourself something worthy… and join us for a celebration of gothic horror, cinematic brilliance, and the enduring legacy of two gentlemen who defined the genre. All aboard… the Horror Express awaits. Beautiful Friendship Cocktail • 1 pinch cinnamon• 3/4 oz Cointreau• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice• 5 leaves fresh mint• 1 1/2 oz Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum• 1/4 oz simple syrup• 2 oz soda• 1 bar spoon tamarind concentrate Instructions: Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to the bottom of a shaker and gently muddle to release the mint oils.Add the rum, Cointreau, lime juice, tamarind concentrate, and a pinch of cinnamon. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously.Strain the mixture over fresh ice into a tall Collins glass.Top with club soda, gently stir to combine, and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. Source: cointreau.com A Brief Synopsis: Alexander Saxton, a brilliant British anthropologist researching in the Russian Far East, boards the Trans-Siberian Express with his latest discovery, a frozen specimen he hopes to prove is the missing link. But en route to Europe, passengers begin to turn up dead, and terror engulfs the train as Saxton and his partner, Dr. Wells, struggle to contain a mysterious — and increasingly murderous — force with the power to control minds. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: We learn about the Trans-Siberian Railway.Karen tells us all bout the Toy Poodle dog breed.Dr. Karen tells us why we have fold in our brains.Greg makes an Iron Maiden reference. Our rating of the film: This movie was OK. It took us 3 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and InstagramSubscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktailsFollow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Frogman (2023) – SSP264

    Frogman (2023) – SSP264
    May 20 2026
    Step into the shadowy crossroads where folklore, eyewitness testimony, and cinematic interpretation converge—because this week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, Greg guides us into the realm of the unexplained with a creature rooted not in distant legend, but in local lore. In the spirit of careful cryptozoological inquiry, Karen and Greg turn their attention to the 2023 found-footage curiosity Frogman, a film that dares to explore one of Ohio’s most curious amphibian enigmas. Much like the documented patterns of regional monster sightings cataloged over decades, the Loveland Frogman—an enduring figure in Midwestern mystery—takes center stage as both subject and inspiration. With an investigator’s eye and a storyteller’s instinct, your hosts examine the film’s narrative, authenticity, and its place within the broader tradition of cryptid cinema. Does Frogman offer compelling “evidence,” or does it merely echo the familiar rhythms of modern folklore? As Loren Coleman himself might suggest, the truth lies somewhere between belief and skepticism—and that tension is where the real fascination begins. Of course, no expedition into the unknown would be complete without ritual—so Karen and Greg complement their analysis with a carefully crafted “Frog Man” cocktail, a libation as enigmatic as the creature itself. Whether you’re a seasoned cryptid enthusiast or a curious skeptic, this episode invites you to sip, speculate, and perhaps reconsider what might be lurking just beyond the edge of the known world. Tune in, keep your senses sharp, and remember: sometimes the strangest creatures are the ones closest to home. Frog Man Cocktail • vodka• orange juice• Mountain Dew Citrus Soda (alt: orange soda) Instructions: You just mix 1/3 vodka with 1/3 orange juice and 1/3 mountain dew in a beer mug. Source: cocktailbuilder.com A Brief Synopsis: In 1999, a 12-year-old named Dallas Kyle captures footage of the mythical creature, Frogman, but no one believes it is real. Twenty years later, he returns to the same place with his friends to obtain irrefutable proof that it exists. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: Karen gives us some background on Loveland, Ohio and the Loveland Frogman.Greg makes a reference to the song “Getting Better” by The Beatles.We learn that no state in the United States has an official cryptid. Our rating of the film: This movie was so bad that it took us 4 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and InstagramSubscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktailsFollow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.
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    56 mins
  • Grizzly II: Revenge (1983/2021) – SSP263

    Grizzly II: Revenge (1983/2021) – SSP263
    May 13 2026
    This week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, we take a rugged trek into the wilds of cult horror cinema to mark the recent May 6th birthday of George Clooney with a bear-sized deep dive into the 2021 oddity Grizzly II: Revenge. It’s a tale born of teeth, claws, and Hollywood curiosity—one part creature feature, one part cinematic legend finally unleashed. Join your trail guides, Karen and Greg, as they sit by the campfire and wrestle with this long-lost sequel, sharing thoughts as raw and honest as the wilderness itself. Along the way, they sip on a specially crafted “Bear Bait” cocktail, strong enough to warm you through the coldest mountain night and smooth enough to keep the conversation rolling. If you love horror movie reviews, bizarre film history, creature features, or just enjoy your scares served with a stiff drink and a bit of frontier wisdom, this episode’s for you. So pull your coat tight, mind the shadows beyond the firelight, and listen close—because out here, revenge isn’t just personal… it’s Grizzly. Bear Bait Cocktail• 1 Tbsp blackberries• 1/2 oz black raspberry liqueur• 2 oz tequila• 1/4/ oz smoky mezcal• 2 oz milkweed cordial Instructions: In a cocktail shaker, muddle the berries in the fruit liqueur.Add a few ice cubes, the tequila, and the mezcal, and stir the ingredients for about 30 seconds, then strain into a martini glass.Top with two ounces of milkweed soda (substitute a flavored seltzer). Source: backyardforager.com A Brief Synopsis: All hell breaks loose when a giant Grizzly, reacting to the slaughter of Grizzlies by poachers, attacks at a massive big-band rock concert in the National Park. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: Karen tells us about the most popular national parks.We get more “bear facts” than we need.Bear bile is very important apparently.Greg inadvertently makes references to Billy Joel and Steve Miller.We also have references to the bands Winger and Venom! Our rating of the film: This movie was soooo bad that it took us 5 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and InstagramSubscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktailsFollow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) – SSP262

    Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) – SSP262
    May 6 2026
    This week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, we’re celebratin’ the birthday of that fine feller Tyler Labine (born May 29th) by takin’ a scholarly‑like look at the hilarious 2010 horror‑comedy classic, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. Join them big‑city brainiacs Karen and Greg as they cipher through chainsaws, college kids, and a whole heap of misunderstandin’s that turn two good‑natured hillbillies into the most accidental horror icons this side of the woods. It’s a right smart discussion of why Tucker & Dale vs. Evil stands tall as one of the best horror comedies of the 21st century, mixin’ slapstick laughs with genuine gore and heart. To help with the thinkin’, our hosts sip on a custom‑made cocktail known as the “Hillbilly Punch,” a concoction powerful enough to make even an evil forest seem friendly. Along the way, they poke at horror tropes, praise Tyler Labine’s lovably dumb‑genius performance, and explain why this film flipped the whole “killer redneck” notion clean upside its own head. So whether you’re a long‑time fan of cult horror movies, a lover of horror‑comedy podcasts, or just someone who enjoys seein’ things go wrong in the funniest possible ways, this episode’s got more laughs than a possum in a henhouse. Hit play and see why Tucker & Dale vs. Evil ain’t about monsters at all—just bad luck and worse assumptions. Hillbilly Punch Cocktail Recipe • 1 oz white rum• 1 oz peach schnapps• 1 oz amaretto• 1 splash cranberry juice• Sprite Instructions Combine white rum. peach schnapps, amaretto and cranberry juice in a mason jar with ice.Top with lemon-lime soda or Sprite. Source: tipsybartender.com A Brief Synopsis: Two scruffy pals’ backwoods vacation takes a bloody turn when ignorant college students mistake them for a pair of murderous hillbillies. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: Karen tells us about the 5th President of the Untied States, James Monroe.We learn all about Stockholm syndrome.Dr. Karen teaches us all about chamomile anaphylaxis. Our rating of the film: This movie was pretty good. It only took us 2 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and InstagramSubscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktailsFollow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Bug (2007) – SSP261

    Bug (2007) – SSP261
    Apr 29 2026
    This week upon the Scary Spirits Podcast, we tip our collective monocle to the April 19th birthday of the illustrious Ashley Judd by plunging headfirst into the jittery, nerve-scorching depths of William Friedkin’s 2007 psychological horror film, Bug. Your ever-valiant hosts, Karen and Greg, conduct a spirited parlor discussion on paranoia, isolation, and the creeping terror that crawls beneath the skin, all while savoring a devilishly delightful, specially crafted “Magic 8 Ball” themed cocktail—a libation as mysterious and unpredictable as the film itself. Expect sharp analysis, morbid merriment, and a dash of aristocratic unease as we examine Ashley Judd’s unforgettable performance and the nightmarish intensity that has made Bug a cult favorite among horror aficionados. Whether you seek psychological horror insights, classic film discussion, or simply a refined fright paired with a stiff drink, this episode promises an evening both bracing and beguiling. So straighten your cravat, steady your nerves, and join us—for the spirits are restless, the cocktails are flowing, and Bug most certainly has not been exterminated. Magic 8 Ball • 1 part Cherry Coke• 1 part Gold Schlager• 1 part amaretto• Amarena cherries & juices (for garnish) Instructions: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass.Pour over ice in a cocktail glass.Garnish with an Amarena cherry. Source: jenron-designs.com A Brief Synopsis: At a rundown desert motel, Agnes begins a tentative relationship with a newcomer named Peter. He has a strange charisma, one that offers fearful and unstable Agnes a flicker of hope. When Peter reveals that the military deliberately infected him with a bug and that he has tiny insects crawling under his skin, paranoia begins to envelop the desperate pair. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: Karen tells us all about psychic Jean Dixon. Greg is familiar with her horoscope work.Is it really bad luck to kill a cricket? Find out now!Beware of your smoke detectors! Apparently there are radioactive materials in them. Our rating of the film: This movie was OK. It took us 3 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and InstagramSubscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktailsFollow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.
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    45 mins
  • Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971) – SSP260

    Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971) – SSP260
    Apr 22 2026
    This week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, we draw back the velvet curtain to commemorate the U.S. release anniversary of Hammer Horror’s 1971 classic, Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde, released on April 15th. With scholarly precision and a suitably macabre twinkle, hosts Karen and Greg examine the film’s daring reimagining of Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale—where science, repression, and identity intertwine in true Hammer fashion. Expect thoughtful discussion of the film’s performances, atmosphere, gender-bending shock, and its enduring place in the golden age of British horror cinema. Naturally, such an elegant descent into madness demands refreshment. As the clock strikes midnight, our hosts raise a glass to the good doctor with a themed Brandy Old Fashioned cocktail, rich, refined, and just a touch dangerous—much like the film itself. If you are a devotee of Hammer Horror films, classic 1970s horror cinema, or simply relish intelligent conversation steeped in Gothic charm, then join us… because some experiments are far too fascinating to resist. Listen now to Scary Spirits Podcast — where classic horror meets wickedly good spirits. Brandy Old Fashioned • 2 oz brandy• 1/2 oz simple syrup• 3 dashes aromatic bitters• 2 dashes orange bitters• Garnish: orange peel and brandied cherry Instructions: Add brandy, simple syrup, aromatic bitters, and orange bitters to a glass with ice and stir until well chilled.Squeeze the orange peel over the glass and drop it in.Garnish with a brandied cherry. Source: ohlq.com A Brief Synopsis: Blackly comic variation on the classic tale, in which the good doctor, experimenting with ways to prolong life, tests the formula on himself and metamorphoses into a beautiful woman. His alter ego turns out to have a very nasty streak, killing prostitutes who, terrified of Jack the Ripper, believe they have nothing to fear from a woman. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: We learn about the original novella by Robert Louis Stevenson that inspired the film.The history of the White Chapel murders is discussed.Dr. Karen tells us all about the use of Lime in mass burials.Karen gives us stats about the murder rate of men. Our rating of the film: This movie was OK. It took us 3 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and InstagramSubscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktailsFollow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Anaconda (1997) – SSP259

    Anaconda (1997) – SSP259
    Apr 15 2026
    Wow… this week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, we’re sliding back into the jungle for a seriously wild celebration of the 1997 cult creature feature Anaconda—yeah, that Anaconda—which slithered into theaters on April 11, 1997, starring Jennifer Lopez and a whole lot of oversized snake energy. It’s one of those late‑’90s horror-adventure movies that just makes you lean back and go, “Wow… they really don’t make ’em like this anymore.” Join Karen and Greg as they kick back, talk man‑eating serpents, jungle paranoia, and all the gloriously over-the-top moments that helped make Anaconda a staple of ’90s horror films. And because it’s Scary Spirits, they’re pairing the episode with a dangerously fun, themed “Blue Anaconda” cocktail that’s as bold and unforgettable as the movie itself. So grab a drink, hit play, and wrap yourself around this laid‑back, laugh-filled deep dive into one of the most memorable creature horror movies of the decade. Wow… trust us—you’re gonna want to listen. Blue Anaconda • 2/3 oz coconut rum• 2/3 oz vanilla vodka• 1 oz blue curaçao• 1 oz milk/cream Instructions: Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice.Shake well until chilled.Strain into a glass (typically a coupe or cocktail glass). Source: Common Man Cocktails A Brief Synopsis: Filmmaker Terri Flores is traveling deep in the Amazon jungle looking for a forgotten tribe. Terri and her crew, which includes an anthropologist and a cameraman, come across Paul, who is stranded on the riverbank. He offers to help them find the tribe, but his secretive behavior puts everyone on edge. They realize too late that he’s using them to find a legendary anaconda that’s worth a fortune — if they can catch it. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: Naturally, we learn all about anacondas.Dr. Karen (the geography expert) tells us all about the Amazon River.Tragically, we hear about the Candiru catfish. We will never forget.Does dynamite detonate if it’s wet? tune in to find out. Our rating of the film: This movie was OK. It took us 3 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and InstagramSubscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktailsFollow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Wake Wood (2009) – SSP258

    Wake Wood (2009) – SSP258
    Apr 8 2026
    This week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, we beckon you into the shadowed heart of modern Hammer Horror as we commemorate the recent U.S. release anniversary of the 2009 folk‑horror gem Wake Wood, unveiled stateside on March 25, 2011. A film steeped in ancient ritual, creeping dread, and the terrible cost of defying death, Wake Wood stands as a chilling reminder that some doors, once opened, can never be closed. Join your devoted hosts, Karen and Greg, as they dissect this unsettling tale of grief and resurrection—exploring its ties to classic Hammer traditions, its atmospheric Irish setting, and the sinister folklore that pulses beneath every frame. Expect thoughtful analysis, reverent admiration, and a measured descent into the darker corners of the human soul. To honor the film’s brooding Irish roots, the discussion is accompanied by a specially crafted themed cocktail: the Irish Wolfhound—bold, refined, and not to be underestimated. So pour yourself a glass, draw the curtains tight, and prepare to walk willingly into the woods… for Scary Spirits invites you to confront the horror that waits beyond the firelight. Irish Wolfhound • 2 oz Irish whiskey• 2 oz ginger beer• 1 oz pink or ruby red grapefruit juice Instructions: Add the whiskey, ginger beer, and juice in a rocks glass.Add ice to the glass.Garnish each drink with grapefruit half slices. Source: whygoouttoeat.com A Brief Synopsis: After a crazed dog kills their nine-year-old daughter, Patrick and his wife Louise decide to relocate. Moving to the remote town on Wake Wood, they stumble upon the locals enacting a terrifying ritual said to bring the dead back to life for three days. Desperate to see their daughter alive again, the couple strike a deal with town leader Arthur to be part of the ceremony, but how will they cope when the three days are up? Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: Dr. Karen tells us all we need to know about Bovine Cesarean Sections.Greg gets schooled about wind turbines and electricity. Our rating of the film: This movie was OK. It took us 3 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and InstagramSubscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktailsFollow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.
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    1 hr and 9 mins