Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror cover art

Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror

Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror

By: The Lunatics Project
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Lunatics Radio Hour is a non-fiction history podcast about the history of horror and the horror of history. Each episode explores real, documented events where fear, violence, survival, and the unknown shaped human lives and cultures. The show also traces how historical events influenced film, examining how real-world horrors became the stories and images that appear on screen.


Topics include dark history, psychological phenomena, folklore rooted in fact, and the historical roots of horror cinema. Most episodes focus on researched historical subjects. Occasional short fiction stories are included and clearly labeled.


If you’re drawn to the darker side of history and the real events behind horror films, Lunatics Radio Hour explores where history, fear, and cinema intersect.

© 2026 Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror Art World
Episodes
  • Episode 191 - The History of Birds in Horror

    Episode 191 - The History of Birds in Horror
    May 19 2026

    From ravens and vultures to killer flocks and supernatural omens, birds have played a major role in horror for decades. In this episode of Lunatics Radio Hour, Abby sits down with Kate Rotunda to explore the history of birds in horror and why these animals continue to symbolize death, fear, and chaos across film and folklore.

    Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

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    45 mins
  • Episode 190 - The History of Jump Scares in Horror

    Episode 190 - The History of Jump Scares in Horror
    May 12 2026

    Why do audiences jump in horror movies? What are some of the greatest jump scares in cinema history? In this episode of Lunatics Radio Hour, Abby and Alan explore the history of the jump scare, from early suspense filmmaking and the famous “Lewton Bus” scene in Cat People to the modern era of loud, fast-paced horror shocks. We break down how jump scares evolved, why they work psychologically, and the films that helped define the technique across horror history.

    Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

    Sources

    • Collider Article: A Brief History of The Jump Scare by Samantha Graves
    • Inverse Article: The Unexpected Psychology of Jump Scares by Ben Guarino
    • An article from The Lineup by Kelsey Christine McConnell: The Hair Raising History of The Jump Scare
    • An Atlas Obscura Article by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw: The Startling History of The Jump Scare

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    50 mins
  • Episode 189 - The History of The Bell Witch

    Episode 189 - The History of The Bell Witch
    May 5 2026

    This week Abby and Alan discuss the reported haunting of the Bell Witch in Tennessee during the early 1800s. The events centered on the Bell family and centers around unexplained noises, voices, and physical disturbances. The entity, often called “Kate,” was said to target specific family members.

    The case became widely known and was later documented in An Authenticated History of the Bell Witch. There are also claims that Andrew Jackson visited the site. The episode reviews the reported events and their historical context.

    Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

    Sources

    • An Authenticated History of the Bell Witch by Martin V. Ingram
    • Tennessee State Museum article by Tori Kleinpeter: Tennessee Legends: The Bell Witch
    • MainStreetMediaTN.com article by Charlotte Reedy: Andrew Jackson and The Bell Witch

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    37 mins
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