Podcast: The Dark Oak

Episode 22: The Unsolved Murder of Alonzo Brooks

When 23-year-old Alonzo Brooks went missing after attending a party in rural Kansas, his family set out to find their loving, laid back son. After weeks’ long searches, authorities came to the conclusion that he must have decided to make the long walk home while intoxicated and shoeless.  Sadly, nearly a month after he went…

Read More

Episode 21: The History of the Famous Bell Witch

The 1800s haunting of the Bell Farm made history books. A family of 9 suffered from mysterious noises, sleepless nights, whispers, voices and disembodied laughter. One victim of the Bell Witch even became the first person in US history to die from supernatural causes. We will fill you in on all the details.   Sources:…

Read More

Episode 20: The Unsolved Murder of Athalia Ponsell Lindsley

Who killed Athalia Ponsell Lindsley? The logical suspect was a man who had previously threatened her life. A man, that, conveniently, borrowed a machete from the county and never returned it. A man that had been called out by name by the only eyewitness to the murder. A man who lived in the house with…

Read More

Episode 19: The Obscure Lives of Feral Children

We will explore the lives of feral children raised in isolation, away from human contact. How does this strange phenomenon occur? And what becomes of children who befall this horrendous fate? How can we help them regain the ability to communicate, engage with the world and understand what it means to be human?   Sources:…

Read More

Episode 18: The Mysterious Death of Phoebe Handsjuk

When a beautiful woman is found dead at the bottom of a trash chute, authorities quickly rule it a suicide; The evidence, however, seems to bring up more questions than answers.  Did Phoebe kill herself or was she murdered? Listen to this week’s episode and let us know what you think.    Sources: Baker, R. (n.d.). Phoebe’s fall….

Read More

Episode 17: The Haunting of BallyGally Castle – Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, our annual celebration of spooky season lasting the entire month of October! Come with us on a journey through historic Ireland as we shiver through tales of BallyGally Castle, the only 17th century building still used as a residence in Northern Ireland. It is also reputed to be one of the…

Read More

Episode 16: Lizzie Borden – Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, our annual celebration of spooky season lasting the entire month of October! Lizzie Borden took an ax… Or did she? In this special Oaktober Fest Episode we discuss what you may not have heard about the Lizzie Borden case. Was a Victorian era woman capable of murder? At the time, scientist…

Read More

Episode 15: Creepy Bugs That Will Haunt Your Dreams – Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, our annual celebration of spooky season lasting the entire month of October! Is there anything creepier than being surrounded by bugs? We will delve in the wild, wonderful and terrifying world of bugs… bugs that torture us, bugs that disgust us and bugs that flat out scare us. Giant spiders, disgusting…

Read More

Episode 14: The Senseless Killing of Yoshihiro Hattori – Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, our annual celebration of spooky season lasting the entire month of October! This episode highlights the tragic death of Yoshihiro Hattori, a 16-year-old Japanese student on an exchange program to the United States.    When “Yoshi” and his friend and fellow student Webb Haymaker knocked on the door of a house…

Read More

Episode 13: The Werewolf Trials – Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, our annual celebration of spooky season lasting the entire month of October! In this episode we cover stories of lycanthropy, the belief that one can transform into a wolf. Before the Salem Witch trials, the Werewolf Trials were paving the way across Europe.  Lycanthropy is not a new concept but was…

Read More