Shadow figures in a former school. A mysterious tunnel hidden beneath a workplace. Strange creatures lurking in the woods. A recurring dream that felt more like a challenge than a nightmare. In the second volume of Listener Lore, we're sharing some of the creepiest, strangest, and most unforgettable stories sent in by our listeners.

Join us as we dive into tales of unexplained encounters, paranormal experiences, eerie dreams, and things that may be hiding just beyond the edge of perception. Whether you believe these stories have supernatural explanations or not, they're sure to leave you looking over your shoulder.

So turn down the lights, get comfortable, and join us for another collection of real stories from the Haunted Hangout community.

Want even more Haunted Hangout? We're excited to announce the launch of our Patreon! Members get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus content, and the chance to help decide what we cover next. You can find our Patreon here.

Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com—we might feature it in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

This episode was edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.

Originally opened in 1874, the Athens Asylum was built to care for those deemed mentally ill. But over time, the institution became known for overcrowding, controversial treatments, and tragedy. Once home to thousands of patients, the buildings of the Athens Asylum are now used by Ohio University. Over the years, countless stories of paranormal activity have emerged, turning the former asylum into one of Ohio’s most infamous haunted locations.

In this episode, we explore the disturbing history of the Athens Asylum, the mysterious disappearance of a patient, and the chilling paranormal encounters that continue to be reported today. From ghostly apparitions and unexplained noises to the infamous body-shaped stain that won’t disappear, the stories surrounding the asylum are difficult to forget.

Join us as we uncover the history, hauntings, and chilling legends surrounding the Athens Asylum.

Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com—we might feature it in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

This episode was written and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.

Episode Sources:

⁠RETRO REPORT: The Fascinating (and Dark) Story of the Athens Lunatic Asylum by Ethan Gallatin⁠

⁠Haunted Athens Asylum for the Insane, Ohio by Kathy Alexander⁠

The True Story of Billy Milligan, the First Ever Defendant Found Not Guilty Due to Multiple Personalities by Lauren Kranc

The Athens Lunatic Asylum | usghostadventures.com

The Athens Lunatic Asylum “The Ridges” | thelittlehouseofhorrors.com

The Kirkbride Plan | 99percentinvisible.org

The Dark Story of Margaret Schilling | medium.com

"Athens Lunatic Asylum". Paranormal Deep Dive. Podcast audio, October 14, 2024.

Tucked away in downtown Toronto stands a historic home with a past that refuses to stay quiet. Mackenzie House, once the residence of William Lyon Mackenzie—Toronto’s first mayor and a key figure in the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion—is now known for more than just its history.

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Mackenzie and how his home became a place of lingering mystery. Staff and visitors alike have reported strange occurrences over the years, some of which include unexplained footsteps, a piano playing on its own, and the unsettling feeling that someone is watching from the shadows.

Is it simply the creaks of an old house… or could something from the past still be holding on?

Join us as we uncover the history and hauntings of the Mackenzie House… where the line between past and present may not be as clear as it seems.

Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com—we might feature it in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

This episode was written by Chelsea Smith and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.

Episode Sources:

William Lyon Mackenzie by Victor L. Russell

Mackenzie House: Could this be Toronto’s most haunted home? By Melanie Zettler

Mackenzie House a spooky gem by Rod Charles

Mackenzie House — The Haunted Home of Toronto's Rebel Mayor by Denise Marie

Mackenzie House | toronto.ca

Haunted History – Mackenzie House and Other Spooky Locations for Halloween in Toronto | pantageshotel.com

Long-Faced Woman of Mackenzie House | Toronto | ghostwalks.com

Woodside National Historic Site - Parks Canada | parks.canada.ca

Hidden in the quiet town of Thorold, Ontario lies an old railway tunnel with a history as dark as the stories that surround it. Known as the Blue Ghost Tunnel, this 19th-century passageway once carried trains beneath the Welland Canal. Today, it sits abandoned but many believe it’s far from empty.

In this episode, we explore the history of the tunnel and the deadly incidents that occurred around it. But the story doesn’t end there. Over the years, the tunnel has gained a chilling reputation, with visitors reporting strange sounds, shadowy figures, and the presence of something they can’t quite explain.

Is the Blue Ghost Tunnel truly haunted, or have decades of tragedy and urban legend shaped what people think they experience?

Join us as we step into the darkness and uncover the history, mystery, and hauntings of one of Ontario’s most infamous abandoned sites.

Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com—we might feature it in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

This episode was written and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.

Episode Sources:

Haunted Globetrotting: The Blue Ghost Tunnel And What Remains Of The Third Welland Canal, Ontario, Canada by Lucia

The Merritt Tunnel (The Blue Ghost Tunnel) by Randy Barnes

A Farewell to The Blue Ghost Tunnel | hamiltonparanormal.com

“Blue Tunnel.” Creepy Canada, created by William P. Burke, season 2, episode 9, OLN, 2004. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmry6Q6-T2A

In the mid-1800s, a series of mysterious knocks inside a small New York home would spark a movement that swept across North America and beyond. At the center of it all were the Fox sisters, who claimed they could communicate with the dead.

In this episode, we explore the rise of Spiritualism, a movement that captivated millions and blurred the line between belief and deception. We’ll dive into the story of the Fox sisters, the eerie events that made them famous, and the séances that followed as people became desperate to connect with loved ones beyond the grave.

But as their fame grew, so did the skepticism. Were the Fox sisters truly speaking to spirits… or was something else at play?

Join us as we uncover the history, controversy, and lasting impact of one of the most influential paranormal movements of all time.

Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com—we might feature it in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

This episode was written by Chelsea Smith and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.

Episode Sources:

The Fox Sisters and the Rap on Spiritualism by Abbott Kahler

Spiritualism by Joan Townsend

Swedenborg Foundation | swedenborg.com

Often referred to as the most haunted castle in Ireland, Leap Castle has a history filled with betrayal, violence, and chilling legends. In this episode, we explore the dark past of the castle: from brutal clan rivalries and the infamous Bloody Chapel, to the discovery of a hidden oubliette filled with human remains.

We also dive into the paranormal side of Leap Castle, including the spirits said to roam its halls and the terrifying legend of the Elemental, a sinister entity that many believe still lurks within the castle’s walls.

With centuries of tragedy tied to the land, it’s no surprise that Leap Castle has earned a reputation as one of the most terrifying locations in Ireland.

Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com—we might feature it in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

This episode was written and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.

Episode Sources:

The Violent, Bloody History of Ireland’s Leap Castle by Shannon Raphael

Leap Castle | leapcastle.net

Leap Castle | thelittlehouseofhorrors.com

On December 7, 1958, the Martin family of Portland, Oregon set out for what should have been an uneventful outing in search of Christmas greenery along the Columbia River. But by the next morning, the family had not returned home. What followed was a baffling investigation filled with conflicting witness accounts, abandoned vehicles, unsettling discoveries, and theories that ranged from tragic accident to something far more sinister.

In this episode, we break down the timeline of the Martin family’s final known movements, the evidence uncovered in the months that followed, and the suspects and theories that continue to divide investigators and armchair sleuths alike. More than six decades later, the disappearance of Kenneth, Barbara, and their three daughters remains one of Oregon’s most haunting cases—and a mystery that still refuses to rest.

CASE UPDATE: Make sure you listen to the episode before you read ahead! As of April 16, 2026, police have confirmed that the remains found in the Ford station wagon discovered by Archer Mayo belong to Kenneth, Barbara, and Barbie Martin.

Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com—we might feature it in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

This episode was written and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.

Episode Sources:

In 1958, The Martin Family Suddenly Vanished — And Oregon Police Still Don’t Know What Happened To Them by Genevieve Carlton

TIMELINE: What We Know About the 1958 Martin Family Disappearance by Jenna Deml

December Marks 65 Years Since Portland Family Disappearance by Kelsie Cowart

⁠Human Remains Recovered From Car in Columbia River, Diver Says; Mystery Obsessed Investigators for Decades by Fedor Zarkhin⁠

Human Remains Found in Car of Martin Family Missing for Nearly 70 Years, Diver Says | kpic.com

Updates from Archer | martinmystery.com

“Missing: The Martin Family". Crime Junkie Podcast. Podcast audio, February 13, 2025.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most iconic legends in American folklore: the story of blues musician Robert Johnson and his alleged deal with the devil. Johnson’s extraordinary rise from a struggling guitarist to a musical genius has fuelled rumours for decades — rumours that he gained his unmatched talent after meeting a mysterious figure at a lonely Mississippi crossroads.

We explore Johnson’s life, the origins of the crossroads legend, the eerie themes hidden within his lyrics, and the strange circumstances surrounding his untimely death at just 27 years old. From supernatural lore to music history, this episode unpacks why Robert Johnson remains one of the most haunting and influential figures in blues.

Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com—we might feature it in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

This episode was written by Chelsea Smith and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.

Episode Sources:

Robert Johnson | rockhall.com

Beyond the Crossroads: The Tragic Real Life of Robert Johnson by Brandon Stoner

Oakes, Brian, dir. ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads. Netflix, 2019.