As the episode title says, and as we say in the episode, DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE. IT IS ILLEGAL AND IT IS VERY EASY TO DIE THERE. PLEASE DO NOT DO THAT. Goat-human hybrids: science gone wrong? Or magic gone wrong? Join Charlie and Michael for a lively and hilarious discussion of a unique (or perhaps not so unique!) legend from Kentucky of a deadly …

On a spring-like December morning in 1954, dozens of school children, their teacher, and one exceptionally brave janitor had an encounter with what came to be known as The Monkey-Dog. Join Charlie and Michael for a discussion of one of the more obscure and fascinating stories out of Robeson County, NC, and a larger conversation about the distinctio…

On this episode, we discuss books with kings and queens, one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. Our picks include a page-turning history of the Magna Carta; a novel about Mary, Queen of Scots; and a YA novel that imagines an American royal family. Michael's Pick Magna Carta: The Birth of Liberty by Dan Jones Da…

Y'all, this story has it all: country music, 19th century sightings, the Brown Mountain Lights, electoral politics, multiple varieties of entrepreneurship, UFOs, aliens, illegal construction on federal land, trailbreaking, John Keel, curiosity shops, and traffic jams. We don't even know what else to say! Join Michael and special guest co-host Miche…

Lake Norman is sometimes referred to as North Carolina's only inland sea, and a review of its size and dimensions definitely back that up. But it's also a place where strange things are seen in, around, and sometimes over the water! Join Charlie and Michael for a chat about the upcoming spooky season and a discussion of Lake Norman as a locus of th…

Hello Smoke Circle! We have missed you all and hope you are doing well. Season four will be kicking off in two weeks on Friday, September 13th. Please be sure you are following or subscribed on whatever platform you love to listen on so you get notified right away when episode one of season four drops in a couple of weeks! Also, please follow us on…

Do you love spooky tales such as the Boo Hag or the classic legend of The Rattlesnake Honeymoon? Do you love comic books and sequential art produced by folks right here in the Carolinas? Then check out this Arcane Carolinas Case Files episode where Michael interviews Fiona W. Dunn, co-creator and illustrator of Tarheel Tales of Terror! And, don't f…

On this episode, we discuss books that are hybrids of at least two genres, one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. Jacqueline's favorite romantasy novels are a good example. They combine elements of romance and fantasy. Other books mash up elements of science fiction and horror or, in the case of both Michael's …

It’s episode 87, our last one for season 3! To end it on a bang, we are doing some adventure and true crime history! We are joined by Laurel’s husband, Kristian, back from Season One Episode 4 to hear about another wild race from history—the 1908 Great Car Race in which six cars went on a race from New York to Paris. We follow it up with George Rem…

July is Disability Pride Month! Learn more about the history, experiences, and contributions of the disabled community by reading books by authors with disabilities. On this episode, we also introduce the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. Teens and adults, from now through December 30, 2024, keep track of books you read or listen t…

Welcome to episode 86! We are celebrating our three year anniversary of the show with a topic that kicked it all off for us: a kickass female pirate. In this episode we meet al-Sayyida al-Hurra, a queen of her city-state of Tétouan in present-day Morocco. Due to a lack of formal navy against the might of the Portuguese and Spanish fleets, she creat…

Michael here! I have no idea how to introduce this episode, honestly, because every time we say anything even remotely snarky about this episode's subject some piece of technology fails us: we had microphones go out in the middle of recording, our hosting provider ate the episode when it was supposed to go out, and even so small a thing as trying t…

It's episode 85! We are rounding out our celebration of Pride month by going back to the 19th century, four years after the end of the American Civil War, to attend the earliest drag balls in Harlem, New York. Over time, these balls turned into the house ballroom culture and the dance competitions that birthed voguing. After the break, KT takes us …

It's episode 84 and we have history! And horses! And non-binary 18th century preachers! We. Have. Everything.Kt, our resident Horse Girl and Horsetorian, takes us on a tour through history to meet some of its most famous equine figures--from Alexander the Great's Bucephalus to Roy Rogers' Trigger.Next, Laurel travels through history to Revolutionar…

Hitch up your waders and fetch your log-pokin' stick, as ride along as Charlie and Michael talk about Alabama's Bear Creek Swamp! Do you like ghosts? Do you like creepy dolls? Do you like finding horrible things? Then this is the place for you! Bear Creek Swamp has anything you could want, and plenty you might not! Tally Johnson's Books: Ghosts of …

No matter the genre, when you read a book with a map, you're in for an adventure. This month, we share a YA historical fiction meets fantasy novel; a mystery set in 1920s Bangalore; and a dystopian novel set during a future American Civil War. Don't forget to turn in your bingo sheets for the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge…

In episode 83, KT wraps up her two part series on fantasy authors and friends with J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings series. (In our previous episode, she covered C.S. Lewis) From his service in World War One to his time teaching at Oxford and Cambridge to his amazing world building of Middle Earth, KT takes us through …

Welcome into the wardrobe for episode 82! At the back you'll find the Smoke Circle where we have snacks, history and...gin. Laurel first takes you to 18th century London when the greater access to spirits made gin a hot commodity and everyone a hot mess...or worse. After the break, KT shares the life and creative mind of Clive Staples Lewis, better…

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with books by AAPI authors! It's one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. Our suggestions include an action-packed adventure tale, a YA romance, and a comic but realistic immigration story. Michael's Pick The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Li…

Welcome to episode 81! In this episode, Laurel covers the story of the RMS Titanic's sinking and how it remained undiscovered on the ocean floor for the next 73 years until a top secret Cold War mission led to its (almost accidental) discovery in 1985. After we get back on dry land, KT brings us a long awaited topic near and dear to her heart: meta…

Grab your stakes and garlic necklaces and come along as Michael and Charlie dig into the history and lore of a Charlotte neighborhood where it was said for many years a particular place only came alive at night! Upcoming Live Appearances: Black Mountain Public Library - Michael solo (May 8th - Black Mountain, NC) Carolina Fear Fest - Michael solo (…

Welcome to season three! We are thrilled to be back with you and thrilled to be back with one of our favorite guests, Dr. Darren R. Reid, history professor at Coventry University in Coventry, England. We previously had Dr. Reid on in episodes 52 and 53 (linked below if you want to hear!) to talk to us about Indigenous representation in popular movi…

Join Michael and Charlie as they take a deep dive into a pivotal battle of the Revolutionary War and the restless riding spirit who lingers from it still! Upcoming Live Appearances: Black Mountain Public Library - Michael solo (May 8th - Black Mountain, NC) Carolina Fear Fest - Michael solo (May 24th-26th - Raleigh, NC) ConGregate 10 - Michael solo…

On this episode, we discuss books set in or about the outdoors, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. We recommend a memoir by a teenage naturalist and environmental activist; a popular YA dystopian novel; and a horror novel set in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Carrie's Pick Diary of a Young Naturalist i…

Join Charlie and two very special guests to hear tales of Bigfoot encounters in the Piedmont and learn about the Museum of the Bizarre in Wilmington, NC, from Eric Odditorium! Upcoming Live Appearances: HWA NC Book Reading - Quail Ridge Books (March 26th - Raleigh, NC) Black Mountain Public Library (May 8th - Black Mountain, NC) Carolina Fear Fest …

Charleston, SC, has a reputation as a haunted city with a long and complex past. But what about newer, more contemporary sites? Can't they have ghosts, too? Pull a chair up to the table and join Charlie, Michael, and friend of the show Kevin as we dig in to the history and lore around one of the city's most famous restaurants! Don't forget to pick …

It's our season 2 finale so hop in your wicker basket and get ready for some wild intergalactic travel we have guest Justin McHenry in the Smoke Circle to talk about a fake place that has some very real history--Lemuria! Justin has written the book "Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place" which takes the reader from its real origins in 19th century …

On this episode, we celebrate Women's History Month with fiction and nonfiction about women's history, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. From a graphic novel about Soviet women fighter pilots to a page-turning book about the evolution of female bodies, we'll show you that there's nothing dull about …

Welcome to season 2, episode 7! We're celebrating Black history in the Smoke Circle! First up, Laurel takes us back to roaring 20s Paris to meet Josephine Baker, the Jazz Age star, who was not only a singing and dancing star in the early 20th century, but also was a spy for the French Resistance during WWII and spent her later years as an activist …

We're celebrating all different kinds of love in the Smoke Circle for Valentine's Day! First up, Laurel travels through time recounting iconic stories of love and friendship suggested by listeners--from John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Next, Kt travels through the life and family tree of Norman king William I--…

On this episode, we discuss romance novels, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. This popular book genre has something for everyone, even the horror fans among us! Jacqueline's Pick Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber is a young adult fantasy novel. Seventeen year old Evangeline had loving par…

The Bell Witch of Adams, Tennessee, is one of the most adapted, sprawling, and elaborated upon legends in the entire catalogue of paranormal events in United States history. But which parts of it are verifiably real, and which parts of it are simply too much to believe? Go spelunking with Charlie and Michael as they argue with the disembodied voice…

Welcome to part two of the history of American comics with comic book historian and writer, Kevin Garcia. Kevin joins the Smoke Circle to discuss American comic's great (roughly) 150 year history and how intertwined they are with the history of America itself. Through comic books, readers can see reflections of American policies, commonly held beli…

Welcome to a great two part series with comic book historian and writer, Kevin Garcia. Kevin joins the Smoke Circle to discuss American comic's great (roughly) 150 year history and how intertwined they are with the history of America itself. Through comic books, readers can see reflections of American policies, commonly held beliefs, attitudes abou…

On this episode, we ring in the New Year with the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge! From now through June 30, 2024, keep track of books you read or listen to by writing the title and author in the matching bingo square. Complete all 25 squares for a chance to win a $100 Joseph-Beth gift card or an Amazon Kindle. You’ll also …

Join Michael and Charlie for a discussion of everything from dowsing for water to plugging a tree as they dive into Appalachian folk magic and traditional remedies! Don't forget to pick up Arcane Carolinas: Volume 1, out now! Upcoming Live Appearances: Ret-Con 2024 (March 1-3, 2024 - Cary, NC) Links: The Lumberton Report (arcanecarolinas.com) Ameri…

Welcome to season 2, episode 3 and the last episode of 2023! To finish it out, Kt takes us through the lives of Viking Age women and what their days might have been like. She also connects this history and time period to the song "Savage Daughter" by Karen Kahan/Wyndreth Berginsdottir, which has been popular on social media platforms. After that, L…

Join Charlie, Michael, and a bunch of awesome people at Arcana in Durham, NC, for three tales: a ghost taunting the living on a stormy night; a rail project unearthing ancient history; and the death and resurrection of a rural community's resident witch! Published early by request, this live recording was the 2023 Spooky Season Kickoff from Septemb…

Welcome to episode two of season two! In this episode we get to realize our dream of being Bill and Ted: plucking a historical figure out of time and sitting down with them to talk history and hear one of their most juicy (and most excellent!) stories! We are joined in the Smoke Circle by Bryan Austin, first person historical interpreter of Benjami…

This month, we discuss books with magic, our final prompt from the 2023 Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks include an anthology of witchy tales; a novel about the magic of sourdough starter, robot arms, and the human who works with both; and a YA fairytale set in contemporary times. If you’re participating in Books & Bites Bingo, do…

We are back with episode one of season two! We're excited to be back in the Smoke Circle with you! Kt hits it hard right off the bat with the history of one of her most favorite things in the world--CHEESE. After that, Laurel takes us to Sweden to meet King Christina of Sweden!*~*~*~*Mentioned In the Stories:Pictures of Christina of Sweden⁠⁠Images …

Ease into the post-Halloween season by joining Charlie and Michael for a casual discussion of various types of ghosts and past episodes we've done about some of them! Links: Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry (Amazon.com) Sea Island Spirits (YouTube) WRAL Voters' Choice Awards (wral.com) Upcoming Live Appearances: Ret-Con 2024 (March 1-3, 2024 …

In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, we discuss books by Indigenous authors, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks are as varied as ever, with a ghost story set in a bookstore, a teen mystery, and, of course, horror! Jacqueline's Pick Firekeeper's Daughter is a young adult mystery by Angeline B…

Woohoo! An even 100 episodes! Join Charlie and Michael as they give updates on some previous episodes, their spouses join them for listener Q&A, and we hear some voicemails from friends. Now on to the next 100! Links: Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) (external site) Tally Johnson's books & info (Amazon) Alexandra Christian's books & info (Amazon) Str…

Did you know George Washington received a personal tour of Old Salem during his second term--and that doing so was politically controversial? Even more controversial is the possibility he encountered supernatural doom while there! PLUS, Michael and Charlie run a bracket to see who's the winner of Reasonable Ghosts! This episode was recorded live at…

Let's get spooky! In our final episode of a very long season one, we cover a long-running mystery called the Tunguska Event. Over 100 years ago, the Earth experienced the largest impact of a cosmic body in modern human history...but no impact was found... Next, Kt takes us on a field trip through England to visit castles with eerie history--complet…

UFOs have been in headlines this year, but it certainly isn't the first time. Join us for a deep-dive discussion of a major UFO flap in Robeson County, NC, nearly a half-century ago! Upcoming Live Appearances: Ret-Con 2024 (March 1-3, 2024 - Cary, NC) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram …

Join us for a trio of tales! First, sit down with us live at GalaxyCon Richmond from spring of 2023 and hear the story of Richmond's most famous undead. Then, we have a talk with friend of the show Jerry Chandler as he tells us spooky stories about the Virginia State Capitol complex and surrounding areas. Then we cap off this super-sized episode wi…

**Content Warning: Hightailing Through History is for mature audiences and this particular episode includes content that is...a little more mature and "dirty" than our usual "mature content." Viewer and listener discretion is advised** Welcome to the conclusion of our history of sex series! For part two, Laurel snags her best friend, Kelly, to join…

Lees-McRae College is an institution of higher learning in the highest-elevation county seat in the eastern United States. Join Charlie and Michael for a look at the ghost (or ghosts) haunting their dorms, archives, and graveyard! EXTRA SPECIAL: don't forget to pick up Arcane Carolinas: Volume 1, out now! AWARD NOMINATIONS: WRAL Voter's Choice Awar…