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Wyrd Wessex
Craig Brooks
123 episodes
15 hours ago

Dive into the weird, spooky and supernatural with Wyrd Wessex, a podcast hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens. These self-proclaimed "wyrdo's" delve into the mysteries, myths, and legends of the world, focusing on the UK, but sometimes straying further afield. Expect to hear chilling ghost stories, explorations of unexplained phenomena, and even dabbles into true crime. Whether you're fascinated by hauntings, folklore, Ufology or cryptids, Wyrd Wessex has something for you. So, if you're ready to unravel the hidden weirdness of the world, "Stay Wyrd" and tune in!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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All content for Wyrd Wessex is the property of Craig Brooks and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Dive into the weird, spooky and supernatural with Wyrd Wessex, a podcast hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens. These self-proclaimed "wyrdo's" delve into the mysteries, myths, and legends of the world, focusing on the UK, but sometimes straying further afield. Expect to hear chilling ghost stories, explorations of unexplained phenomena, and even dabbles into true crime. Whether you're fascinated by hauntings, folklore, Ufology or cryptids, Wyrd Wessex has something for you. So, if you're ready to unravel the hidden weirdness of the world, "Stay Wyrd" and tune in!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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History
Society & Culture,
True Crime
Episodes (20/123)
Wyrd Wessex
The Demonology of King James

This week on Wyrd Wessex, we're diving deep into the mind of a king haunted by the Devil himself, a terror that sparked a nation-defining witch hunt: King James VI of Scotland, later James I of England. Get ready for a journey into paranoia, torture, and the infamous Daemonologie.


Join Craig and Andy as we explore the life of King James, a sickly scholar king who saw himself as God's champion against Satan, and whose fear transformed into a brutal legal framework that condemned thousands.


A Storm-Tossed Coronation: We trace James's obsession back to his ill-fated marriage voyage, where unseasonably severe storms convinced him his new wife, Anne, and he were under magical attack by a coven of witches. This wasn't just bad weather; it was an act of treason.


The North Berwick Horror Show: Discover how this royal paranoia ignited the infamous North Berwick Witch Trials, where James's personal involvement in the torture of women like Agnes Sampson led to fantastical confessions, including the precise words he'd exchanged with his Queen on their wedding night.


The King's Personal War: We delve into the dark legal strategy that allowed James to brand political rivals, like Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell, as agents of the Devil, turning witchcraft into high treason punishable by the most horrific means.


Daemonologie: The King's Propaganda: Explore James's chilling book, a direct royal counter-attack against skeptics. Learn how he argued for the existence of witches, the Devil's methods of temptation, and why "daft wives" using folk charms were actually consorting with Satan.


The Kiss of Shame and Witches' Marks: We discuss the deeply sexualized and degrading details forced out under torture, such as the Osculum Infame (kissing the Devil's anus) and the infamous "witches' mark."


The Terrifying Legacy: From the brutal methods of the self-proclaimed "Witchfinder General," Matthew Hopkins, to the countless lives lost in the Great Scottish Witch Hunt, we reveal how James's laws created a climate of fear that lasted for centuries.


Folklore and Modern Echoes: We examine how this historical terror entered popular culture, influencing Shakespeare's Macbeth, and astonishingly, how a descendant of these laws was used to jail the last person under the Witchcraft Act in 1944!


Was King James a devout scholar, a paranoid tyrant, or both? Tune in to hear our thoughts on the Witch King!


Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written by Emma & Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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15 hours ago
43 minutes 8 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: Butt-Breathing, The Holy Prepuce, and Miraculous Myrrh

The Wyrdo's are back with a bizarre, unholy, and downright weird edition of AfterWyrd.


Craig kicks off by proudly detailing his latest bookish adventures—a truly covetous purchase of a classic English folklore tome that he justified as a "charity donation." This segues perfectly into an eye-watering discussion on holy oil and the unusual history of Christian relics, including the rather infamous first-class relic, The Holy Prepuce.


Then it’s time for the Wyrd News, which features a spectacular grab-bag of the inexplicable:


Miraculous Myrrh and Roses: We investigate the claim that a cheap, mass-produced icon of Jesus has been oozing a sticky, fragrant resin since 1997, leading to multiple reported miracles.


Tesla vs. The Dearly Departed: We look into the viral story of a driver whose Tesla's system apparently started rendering phantom figures while driving through a cemetery. Is it an algorithm glitch, or are the sensors picking up on the spirits of the dead?


The Jamaica Inn Whistle: A quick report from the UK's most haunted hotel, where a recent reviewer reported hearing an unexplainable, loud male whistle in the dead of night.


Rectal Respiration: In the weird science segment, we report on the incredible news that scientists are testing the safety of a method that could allow humans to breathe through their backsides.


The Alien Comet: We tackle the sensational headlines surrounding the Manhattan-sized Comet 31 Atlas and the claim it might be hostile alien technology—and why its expected arrival date is being sensationalised.


"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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5 days ago
38 minutes 23 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
Guy Fawkes

This week, we are diving deep into a true, nation-defining event that has been woven into British folklore: The Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Remember, remember the Fifth of November!


Join Craig and Andy as we explore the life of Guy Fawkes and the daring Catholic conspiracy to overthrow the English government by blowing up King James I and the entire Parliament.


The Origins of Rebellion: We trace the plot's roots back to the brutal Reformation and the severe persecution faced by English Catholics, including the horrific execution of Margaret Clitheroe, which spurred Guy's conversion and resolve.


The Mastermind and The Soldier: Discover how Robert Catesby, the plot's true architect, recruited Guy Fawkes and a core group of desperate men (including the Wintour and Wright brothers) who took a solemn oath of secrecy at the Duck and Drake Club.


The Face of Treason: We follow Guy Fawkes—or Guido as he was known in Flanders—from his military experience (where he learned his gunpowder expertise) to his mission to Spain, and finally, to his infamous post guarding the barrels in the Parliament cellar.


The Unravelling: We discuss the mysterious Monteagle Letter that led to the plot's discovery, the chaotic final stand of the conspirators in the Midlands, and the absurd, almost comedic, gunpowder accident at Holbeck House.


The Aftermath: We detail Guy's defiant interrogation under torture at the Tower of London and the utterly gruesome sentencing of hanging, drawing, and quartering that followed for the remaining plotters.


Folklore and Legacy: Why is Guy Fawkes the name we all remember? We discuss how the plot gave rise to the Bonfire Night tradition and how the man became an enduring icon of resistance.


Was the plot an inside job, as some have long suspected? Tune in to hear our thoughts!


Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1 week ago
1 hour 14 minutes 42 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
Cryptid Carnage Tournament

This week, the Wyrdos toss out the trick-or-treating in favor of a full-scale Cryptid Tournament, battling the world’s most dangerous and bizarre creatures against each other to crown a champion.


Using a custom deck of cards (blame the manufacturer!), we dive deep into the terrifying lore of the silent Shadow People, the horrifying origin of the whistling Venezuelan spirit El Siblón, and the repulsive aggression of the car-smashing Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp. The chaos culminates in a shocking final round between the venomous Mongolian Death Worm and one of the biggest legends in American folklore, ending in a dramatic tie—and forcing us to bring in a secret, scythe-wielding Wildcard to decide the winner.


Was the final truly fair, or was the whole thing a plot to crown a certain, chaotic winner? We leave it for you to judge the stats.



Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1 week ago
1 hour 27 minutes 16 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: Ghostwatch, The Synth-Prime Minister, and Bored Aliens

It's the finale of Season Two and the Wyrdo's are fitting in all the wyrd news, strange stories, and other bits they couldn't squeeze into the main episodes!


The Wyrdo's launch into a deep dive on Ghostwatch (1992). We discuss how this unsettling BBC programme, inspired by the Enfield Poltergeist, masterfully used trusted presenters like Michael Parkinson and Craig Charles to blur the lines between reality and fiction. We explore the tragic real-world aftermath, the 30,000 complaints (including Michael Parkinson's own mother!), and the show's undeniable influence on the found-footage genre, right up to the critically acclaimed film Host. Craig also shares his efforts to track down Stephen Volk's elusive sequel short story, "31/10".


For the Wyrd news segment, Andy introduces a headline from the Daily Star: the bizarre theory, allegedly formulated by Google’s own AI, that Keir Starmer is a 'synth construct alien' sent to Earth to ensure Galactic Law. This leads to a related story from The Guardian's science section, pondering if intelligent life has simply got bored of trying to contact our planet.


Finally, Andy offers a quick-fire Wyrd item about a mother dressing her child as Ed Gein for a school bash, before the episode wraps up with a ghostly final piece of evidence: eerie Ring doorbell footage that, in our opinion, definitely proves the existence of ghosts.


Thank you very much for tuning in as always, Wyrdo's!



"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1 week ago
22 minutes 13 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
The Enfield Poltergeist

This week, the Wyrdo's dive head-first into the most famous, controversial, and thoroughly documented haunting in British history: The Enfield Poltergeist of 1977.


We go back to the original source, Guy Lyon Playfair’s This House is Haunted, to track the phenomena right from the first knocks on the party wall in the Hodgsons’ quiet council house.


From objects flying—including that infamous, skull-cracking Lego brick—to the guttural, deep male voice recorded by investigators, we explore the bizarre evidence that split the world between paranormal enthusiasts and hardened skeptics. We discuss the desperate personal motivation of investigator Maurice Grosse, the bizarre spiritualists who offered diagnoses of leaking 'Orick Fields', and the undeniable truth that the haunting stopped the moment the family moved out.


Finally, we wrap up with the Block Universe Theory, suggesting that perhaps the living were haunting the past, caught in a shared, tragic loop with the deceased. Was it a genuine entity, the greatest hoax, or a tragedy of mass hysteria? We leave it for you to decide.


Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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2 weeks ago
1 hour 10 minutes 23 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: Pumpkin Orange, Cola Bottle Calamity, and the Alien DNA Hypothesis

The Wyrdo's kick off with a quick mention of Craig's recent birthday, which leads to a discussion of his thoughtful, weird-themed gifts. The segment wraps with a piece of personal Wyrd News: Craig’s daughter's early morning sighting of a shadow figure in the house, proving the strange is never far from home.


The Great Halloween Décor Debate & Despicable Minions: Andy introduces the first piece of Wyrd News concerning a man whose elaborate, writhing and screaming torso decoration was deemed "too scary" for a quiet American neighbourhood, sparking a debate on Halloween etiquette. Craig and Andy then tackle a series of bizarre headlines, including a Despicable Minion causing a catastrophic blockage in a Sheffield toilet and a three-day, three-kilogram cola bottle sweet binge that landed a Barnsley man in hospital with an astronomical blood pressure reading.


The Wyrd News continues with the unlikelier pairing of Donald Trump and ancient prophecy. Andy recounts a story about a resurfaced Hoppe tribal prophecy mentioning a mysterious, world-changing figure wearing a "red cap". This leads to a more respectable tangent on the discovery of the Glastonbury Tor in the grain of a log. Craig wraps up this section by flagging an upcoming London occult exhibition featuring a ceremonial staff belonging to Aleister Crowley and authentic African Voodoo objects.


Craig introduces the main, most controversial piece of Wyrd News: an un-peer-reviewed study claiming that Alien DNA may have been inserted into the human genome. The study found bundles of "non-parental" genetic variants in subjects. The Wyrdo's dive into the speculation that these alien insertions could be the source of certain neurodivergent traits and may even bestow abilities like telepathy. This sparks a discussion on the fascinating, evidence-backed claims made by the Telepathy Tapes podcast.


The Great County Haunting Count: Andy concludes the episode with a triumphant, yet aggrieved, piece of news: an updated list of the most haunted counties in the UK by the Paranormal Database. While Essex and Sussex claimed the top spots, Craig expresses outrage at Dorset's middling position and questions the methodology, arguing that references to crop circles and alien behaviour are simply not hauntings.




"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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2 weeks ago
35 minutes 58 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
Monsterland

Join the Wyrdo's as they welcome renowned travel writer Nicholas Jubber for a fascinating conversation that goes far beyond the typical spooky story. Nick takes us on a journey through the pages of his book, Monsterland, revealing how the monsters we've created are not just things to be feared, but are powerful reflections of our society, our history, and the darkest parts of ourselves.


In this deep dive into folklore, we explore a wide array of creatures, from magnificent dragons to sympathetic giants, and the hidden meanings behind their myths. We hear first-hand accounts of Nick’s travels, including his audacious decision to spend a night in a mill said to be haunted by a Serbian vampire, and his encounters with the real-life mysteries that breathe life into these ancient legends.


Topics Covered:

  • The Psychological Purpose of Monsters: Nick delves into why monster stories are so compelling, arguing that they are a way for us to explore the "dark places within ourselves." He discusses the allure of becoming a monster—the desire to be unbridled and break the rules—and how this is a recurring theme from werewolves to the Incredible Hulk.
  • Sympathy for the Devil: We discuss the human side of monsters and why we often feel more sympathy for creatures like Frankenstein's monster and the Cornish giant Bolster, who was tricked and defeated in love. This leads to a discussion on how folklore reveals that the real monsters might, in fact, be human.
  • Monsters as Guardians of Nature: The episode explores the concept of monsters as defenders of the natural world, such as the ancient Babylonian giant Humbaba, who protected the Cedar Forest from human destruction. This challenges the traditional narrative and reframes heroes as villains.
  • A Brush with the Undead: Nick shares the captivating tale of his time in Serbia, where he explored the legend of Sava Sivanovic, a vampire miller. In a true test of his journalistic spirit, he camped out in the very mill said to be haunted by the vampire, and lived to tell the tale.
  • The Uncanny in Our Own Backyard: Craig and Andy share their own unnerving experience on Dartmoor, where they discovered they had inadvertently camped next to Vixen Tor, a site with its own sinister folklore of a witch named Vixiana who lured travellers to their doom with a supernatural mist.
  • Monster Q&A: The conversation wraps up with some light-hearted questions for Nick, including his personal favourite cryptid, the monster he wishes didn't exist , and the creature he'd have as a companion.


Find Nick -

  • Website: www.nickjubber.com
  • Instagram: @nickjubber


Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written & hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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3 weeks ago
1 hour 15 minutes 58 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: The Doll, the Declassifier, and the Deadly Dealt Fart

LThe show kicks off with Craig's recording space, dubbed The AfterWyrd Library, showcasing a new, custom-made owl. The talk quickly turns to Halloween, Andy’s partner Becky's Ekba doll costume, and the creepy doll customisations in Craig’s window that are now terrifying local wildlife. The segment concludes with a discussion on the enduring, yet debunked, urban myth of razor blades in apples.


Trump, Tapes, and the Aviatrix:

Andy introduces a topical, wyrd news story: President Trump's sudden move to declassify secret government records related to the 1937 disappearance of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. The Wyrdo's revisit the horrifying, plausible theory that Earhart survived a crash landing on a remote island, only to be consumed by giant land crabs.


Weirdception: The Smoking Gun Proof:

Andy follows up with a related story: Aerial footage from 1938 that potentially provides a "smoking gun" of Earhart's long-lost plane. The photo shows a "strange metallic object" in a lagoon on the island of Nikumaroro. An expedition is due to set off to investigate this object, believed to be the main body and tail of the legendary Lockheed 10E Electra.


The Mystery Odour & the Malicious Farter:

Craig introduces a light-hearted, yet costly, story from South Carolina about a teaching assistant who was arrested for repeatedly using a fart spray in his high school. This leads to a bizarre historical footnote: the deadliest fart in history—a Roman soldier's indecent gesture in a sacred temple in 570 BC that triggered a riot and resulted in over 10,000 deaths.


Chuckle Breaks Bad & The Hairy Space Junk:

Craig offers two quick-fire weird news items: an update on the menacing 31 Atlas Comet that is now confirmed to be much bigger than originally thought, and the shocking news that children's TV star Paul Chuckle (of the Chuckle Brothers) has gone hard man gangster, swapping slapstick for gruesome hits as "The Jackal" in a new mobster movie, Fall to the Top. 


Andy’s final piece of weird news concerns a giant hairy object that smashed into a farm in Argentina. The carbon fibre cylinder, potentially space junk, baffled experts due to its peculiar covering of black, hair-like fibres.


Brucie's Ghost: Nice to See You, To See You Nice!

Craig wraps up with a perfect spooky season story: the ghost of TV legend Sir Bruce Forsyth is allegedly haunting the London Palladium. A paranormal specialist named Brocard claims she heard his famous catchphrase echoing in the theatre. Craig triumphantly confirms that Brocard’s ghost husband, Edwardo (a 'devilishly handsome Victorian soldier'), had indeed been divorced after less than a year.




"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
3 weeks ago
38 minutes 3 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
Ghost Ships

Join the Wyrdos as they cast off into a world of chilling maritime mystery. This episode explores the most famous ghost ships, from real-life vessels that vanished without a trace to terrifying legends that haunt the high seas. Andy and Craig investigate what happened to the crews and delve into the strange theories behind their eerie disappearances.

Discussion Points:

  • The Mary Celeste: The world's most famous ghost ship, found completely abandoned with a meal still set.
  • The Carroll A. Deering: The "ghost ship of Diamond Shoals," where the crew vanished after a strange encounter.
  • The MV Joyita: An unsinkable ship found abandoned, with the crew's fate a chilling mystery.
  • The High Aim 6: A spooky modern mystery of a fishing vessel found drifting with its crew gone.
  • The SS Baychimo: A "zombie ship" that was abandoned but continued to sail itself for decades in the Arctic.
  • The Octavius: A horrifying legend of a ship found in the ice with its entire crew frozen solid.
  • The Flying Dutchman: The king of ghost ship legends, a cursed vessel doomed to sail forever.
  • The Lady Lovibond: A ghost ship with a schedule, said to reappear every fifty years.
  • The SS Valencia: A legendary haunting stemming from a tragic shipwreck off the coast of Vancouver Island.
  • The Fireship of Northumberland Strait: A terrifying, fiery phantom schooner seen for over 200 years.
  • The Palatine Light: A ghost light legend born from a real-life shipwreck and a tale of murder.
  • The Caleuche: A beautiful, benevolent ghost ship from Chilean folklore that collects the souls of the drowned.
  • The Chasse-galerie: A French-Canadian folktale about a flying canoe and a dangerous pact with the devil.
  • The Ourang Medan: A chilling, terrifying story of a Dutch freighter and its crew, who died screaming in pure horror.



Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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4 weeks ago
54 minutes 41 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: T-Rex Golden Showers, the screaming skull & The Ninja Squirrel

Andy and Craig (or are they two Mr. Barlins?) are back with another collection of strange news and oddities that didn't quite make it into the main Wyrd Wessex podcast. From East Yorkshire's Bermuda Triangle to prize-winning weird science, it's all here.


Wyrd News from the Wyrdo's


The Wold Newton Triangle: Werewolves, dragons, and a ghostly screaming skull plague a small corner of East Yorkshire. Can Wessex compete with its own Bermuda Triangle of folklore?


The Ig Nobel Prize: The annual celebration of truly bizarre scientific research is back! Find out which team won for painting zebra-like stripes on cows and the surprising link between booze and linguistics.


News in Brief: We rapid-fire through headlines on massive Ozzy Osbourne tributes, the shrinking of British conkers, and the brutal, out-of-nowhere attacks of an "evil ninja squirrel."


Holy Water Update: Andy discusses the River Jordan water with a Catholic friend to determine if it's truly "holy water." The answer is complicated and leads to a discussion on blessings and flowing rivers.


UFO Mystery: A compelling case of an unidentified falling object that smashed into a New Jersey building, caused a flash and a boom, and then vanished from the scene. What on Earth—or not on Earth—was it?



"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
1 month ago
29 minutes 31 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
Werewolves, Part Two: How to Become a Beast (And How to Get Rid of It)

Join Wyrdo's Craig and Andy for this special episode of Wyrd Wessex as they're joined by special guest and storyteller Eileen to delve into the fascinating and frightening world of werewolves and black dogs. This is the unexpected sequel to our first werewolf episode, as the wyrdo's had far too many dark canine tales left to tell!


Highlights include:


How to Become a Werewolf


The Recipe: Craig shares the chilling, and slightly ridiculous, ritual for werewolf transformation from Elliot O'Donnell's book, involving chalk circles, a new moon, and a boiling potion of strange ingredients, including Asafoetida (aka "Stinking Gum") and cat fat.


The Girdle: The importance of the magical girdle is highlighted in the dark tale of Peter Stubb (The Werewolf of Bedburg), who terrorised a region for 25 years before being captured.


Folklore, History, and Tales


The British Beast: Andy explores why the werewolf is less common in England, pointing to King Edward I's 1281 order to exterminate the wolf population, leading to the legend being replaced by spectral hounds like Black Shuck.


Wild Men and Curses: Eileen notes that the Scottish 'werewolf' (werwouf) was often used to describe a wild or feral man. She also shares Jinty's Griddle story—a tale of a woman who fights a wolf, resulting in her children inheriting amber eyes.


The Seven-Year Curse: The strange Irish legends of the Werewolves of Ossory are discussed, where people are cursed to transform into wolves every seven years.


The Nuckelavee Link: Eileen draws a powerful link between the terrifying sea-fiend, the Nuckelavee, and the Highland Clearances, suggesting the beast's noxious breath was an allegory for the toxic kelp fumes.


King John the Werewolf: Andy delves into the historical legend that King John of England himself was a werewolf.


Modern Sightings: The discussion includes modern sightings of the Winter Werewolf near Windsor, showing the legend is still alive.


The Werewolf Cure


Boanthropy: The Wyrdo's discuss Boanthropy, a rare psychological delusion where a person believes they have turned into a cow or ox.


The Exorcism: Craig shares the ludicrously complicated cure for lycanthropy, involving a specific astrological time, chalk circles, and a boiling pot containing a live snake and two live toads in linen bags! The final step requires a wand and a triple command: "Black evil devils from hell be gone!"


To hear more of Eileen's work, check out her podcasts, Scottish Folk and At Home With The Picts. You can also find her on Instagram at @eileenbudds.



Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
1 month ago
1 hour 12 minutes 57 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: Priceless Books, Holy Water, and Ghost Cats

In a packed episode of AfterWyrd, your favourite Wyrdo's, Andy and Craig, delve into book collecting, religious relics, and the paranormal mysteries making headlines.


Key Segments:

Book Haul & Tolkien: Craig recounts his trip to a Devizes book fair, including the hilarious story of a £1,500 Tolkien

first edition and the risk of devaluing it with a little bit of spit. He also discusses his new book haul and the struggle between collecting and use.


Vampire Hunting Relics: Craig reveals his latest unusual purchases: Holy Land Earth and a vial of Jordan River water. This leads to a profound question: Does water need to be blessed to be holy?


Wyrd News Round-Up:

  • The Black Iceberg: A massive, obsidian "black diamond" is spotted off Newfoundland. Is it ancient dirt, or an ominous Lovecraftian sign?
  • The Crying Statue: A Virgin Mary statue in Mexico is reportedly weeping tears, which locals link to the region's extreme violence. Is this a genuine miracle?
  • The Ghost Village: A medieval mystery in Yorkshire reveals that villagers may have performed brutal rituals to stop their dead from walking after discovering over a hundred bodies buried haphazardly.
  • The Vanishing Feline: Did a Florida woman capture a ghost cat disappearing into thin air on her Ring camera, or is it just a classic case of a camera failure?


"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
1 month ago
29 minutes 10 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
Werewolves

Join Wyrdo's Craig and Andy for this special episode of Wyrd Wessex as they're joined by special guest and storyteller Eileen Budd to delve into the fascinating and frightening world of werewolves and black dogs.


Highlights include:


Scottish Black Dogs: Eileen shares a chilling account of a black dog seen haunting a Glasgow prison and the tenement built on its foundations decades later, connecting the story to modern phenomena and the folklore of rabies.


The Wolf of Wales: Andy recounts the savage tale of a terrifying beast in 18th-century North Wales with hauntingly human-like blue eyes, a legend that has continued with modern sightings.


The Phantom of Cumberland: Craig tells a frightening Christmas story from Elliot O'Donnell's book about a family haunted by a wolf-like spectre, and the dark secret found in a cave nearby.


The Ghost of David Sutter: Eileen shares a truly wyrd Scottish account of a murderer whose spirit returns as a giant dog to haunt the first human he saw after his crime, in a powerful story of penance and curses.


Hebridean Werewolf: Andy presents a first-hand account of a man who finds a werewolf skeleton in the Hebrides, only for the remains to come back and haunt him.


The Modern Myth: The Wyrdo's discuss why belief in werewolves and other creatures is still surprisingly common, citing a recent YouGov poll. They explore how folklore is intrinsically linked to politics and societal fears, with Eileen revealing the metaphorical meaning of "werewolf" in Scots language.


Werewolf Trials: The hosts discuss the strange European werewolf trials, where people would confess to being werewolves, and the shocking theories behind why.


Old Stinker: Craig ends with a final, fascinating modern story about the werewolf-like creature known as Old Stinker, which stalks the Yorkshire Wolds.


To hear more of Eileen's work, check out her podcasts, Scottish Folk and At Home With The Picts. You can also find her on Instagram at @EileenBudd



Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
1 month ago
51 minutes 39 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: Screaming Goats, a Cold Dish of Revenge, & a Haunted Museum

In a slightly shorter-than-usual but still packed episode of AfterWyrd, your favourite Wyrdo's, Andy and Craig, delve into the weird and wonderful with a focus on a rather talkative goat, a new BBC show, and a miraculous tree.


Key Segments:

  • Political Commentary: Andy and Craig discuss recent political events, including a political figure "defecting" to the Reform Party and a London march with an unnerving, Pagan-unfriendly tone.
  • Film Review: The Conjuring: Andy shares his thoughts on the latest instalment of The Conjuring film series, and discusses the real-life Warrens, including the sale of their museum and the controversy surrounding them. Craig teases that the Warrens will be getting a very different mention in an upcoming episode of the main show on the Enfield poltergeist case.
  • The Wyrdo's kick off the segment with a story from the Metro about police investigating a screaming woman, only to find it was a noisy goat named Simon. This leads to a discussion about unsettling animal noises, including a throwback to a very creepy, "Mehh," from a previous job.
  • Wyrd Wessex x BBC: The conversation shifts to a new BBC ghost hunting series called Nightwatch, starring This Country's Charlie and Daisy May Cooper. This leads the hosts to muse about their own paranormal investigations and whether they could do a similar show called 'Daywatch'.
  • The Miracle Tree: Andy shares an AP News story about a lightning-struck pine tree in a Bolivian cemetery that is now revered as a 'miracle tree', believed to bestow good fortune and psychic powers on those who touch it.
  • Revenge is a Dish Best Served... With Ashes: Craig shares a bizarre tale from The Sun about a widow who discovers her late husband's secret life and seeks revenge by mixing his ashes with dog mess and, ahem, consuming some herself.
  • The Dangers of Demonic Dolls: The episode wraps up with a truly strange story about a Russian woman who sells her soul for a collection of 'Labubu' dolls and a concert ticket.


"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
1 month ago
18 minutes 32 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
A Walk in the Shadows

This week, the Wyrdos are joined by author, filmmaker, and paranormal researcher Mike Ricksecker for a truly wyrd and wide-ranging conversation. Mike, a self-described "experiencer" from a young age, discusses his unique journey into the paranormal world, which began with fiction writing and was unexpectedly steered by the universe into a career researching the unexplained. The trio delves into the methodologies behind paranormal research, the pros and cons of television shows like Ghost Hunters and Most Haunted, and the common but often ridiculed phenomena of UFOs and shadow people. Mike offers his expertise and a balanced perspective on these topics, suggesting that many unexplained phenomena may be interconnected through different dimensions, frequencies, and even time. The conversation continues with Mike sharing his own Hat Man experiences and a fascinating new take on sleep paralysis. To wrap things up, Mike reveals his bizarre Florida man headline and shares some of his favourite cryptid folklore, including stories of missing time and interdimensional travel.


Key Discussion Points:

  • Mike’s journey from fiction writer to paranormal researcher and author.
  • The connection between research, writing, and other projects, including tours to Egypt.
  • The evolution of paranormal television and its impact on public perception.
  • The difference between a ghost and a shadow person.
  • The recurring hat man phenomenon and the commonality of shadow people experiences.
  • A new perspective on how time slips and residual hauntings might be connected.
  • How sleep paralysis is often mistakenly used to explain away shadow people.
  • The crew’s own strange experiences with shadow people and inexplicable phenomena.
  • Why UFOs and extraterrestrials are often ridiculed, unlike ghosts or spirits.
  • The rich history and folklore of Wiltshire and Cornwall, and the importance of visiting locations in person.
  • Mike’s favourite cryptid and folklore, including the Welsh tale of Rhys and Llewelyn and the Romanian forest of Haggabotchu.
  • The Florida man story that is a perfect fit for Mike.


Find Mike Ricksecker at:

  • Website: mikericksecker.com
  • YouTube: youtube.com/hauntedroadmedia
  • Facebook: facebook.com/MikeRickseckerOfficial
  • Instagram: instagram.com/mikericksecker


Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written & hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
1 month ago
53 minutes 2 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: The Surgeon, the Spaceman, and the Stoned Hikers

This week, the Wyrdos get stuck into some truly bizarre news stories, from a surgeon's shocking fraud to a raccoon's boozy misadventure.


  • The Sepsis Surgeon: We delved into a truly perplexing Guardian article about a surgeon who froze his own legs to have them amputated for sexual gratification, only to then commit insurance fraud. We got into the weeds on the details, the judge's reaction, and the concerning implications for his former patients. It's a tale that's less supernatural and more just... horrible.
  • The Mars Rover: Andy shared a more optimistic and less horrifying news item from PBS. NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover has found new rock samples that show the most compelling evidence yet of ancient life on the red planet. While not definitive, the discovery of organic carbon and other chemical byproducts is a fascinating step forward in our search for extraterrestrial life.
  • A Fin Whale of a Tale: Craig brought us a story from Wales Online about a rare fin whale that washed up on a beach in Wharf. While the headline was exciting, the story turned out to be a sad reminder of the impact of climate change. We discussed the depressing nature of these events and the beautiful, but grim, phenomenon of a 'whale fall'.
  • Magic Mushroom Mayhem: The Wyrdos moved on to a more light-hearted tale from The Guardian about four hikers who got lost in the Catskill Mountains after taking magic mushrooms. One of them was having a "debilitating high" and they had lost their car keys, leading to a rather confused rescue operation.
  • Dead Foxes in Swindon: Craig brought up a story from his old stomping grounds about a disturbing discovery of dead foxes in bags. We briefly discussed the unsettling nature of animal cruelty and its potential link to more serious crimes.
  • Surrey's Big Cat? We talked about a man in Surrey who claimed to be attacked by a leopard. We explored the details of his claw injuries and the online speculation that this might not have been a wild cat at all. We also considered the possibility that a local "big cat expert" might be a little too keen on promoting the idea of big cats in the area.
  • The Raccoon Rhapsody: We ended with a story that could only be from the New York Post: a nurse saved a raccoon from drowning in moonshine-soaked peaches. The heroic act, complete with mouth-to-snout CPR, provided a much-needed dose of wholesome weirdness to cap off the episode.



"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
1 month ago
37 minutes 24 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
Road Trip Finale

In this final installment of our Weird Wessex road trip, Andy and Craig conclude their journey through Cornwall with a fascinating look at a brand-new monument built with ancient techniques.


Guest: Will Coleman, the artistic director behind Kerdroya, a stunning Cornish labyrinth built from traditional dry stone walling.


Episode Highlights:

  • The deep history of Cornish hedging, its geological diversity, and why it's so vital to the landscape.
  • How Kerdroya is a "brand new ancient monument"—a piece of land art for the future, not just a historical recreation.
  • The project's unique funding model: you can "buy a yard of hedge" to help its construction and leave a message.
  • The etymology of Kerdroya and the crucial difference between a maze (where you get lost) and a labyrinth (where you find yourself).
  • The infamous cream tea debate: jam-first vs. cream-first, and the creation of the blasphemous "Wiltshire Way."


Links & Resources:

  • Kerdroya: Learn more and support the project at https://www.kerdroya.org/


Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
1 month ago
56 minutes 46 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
AfterWyrd: Dennis the Menace, Flesh-Eating Worms & AI Psychosis

This week on the AfterWyrd podcast, Andy and Craig dive into a fascinating mix of wyrd news, personal anecdotes, and spooky coincidences.


Episode Highlights:

  • A "Wyrd" Coincidence: The guys discuss the amazing story of how two different creators on opposite sides of the Atlantic came up with Dennis the Menace on the exact same day in 1951.
  • The Black Scarf Spirit: Craig shares a strange email he received about a "black scarf spirit" affecting his life. Is it a hat? Is it a ghost? You decide.
  • The Book Club: Andy introduces some of his recent finds from old bookshops, including an ancient book from 1791 and a new one on mysteries of witchcraft and the occult.
  • Weird News:
  • Flesh-Eating Parasites: Andy reports on the first human case of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite in the US.
  • Guinness World Records: A look at the history of Guinness World Records, with some unclaimed records you can attempt yourself.
  • Regrowing Teeth: Discussion of a new medicine from Japan that could allow humans to regrow a third set of teeth.
  • AI Psychosis: Andy and Craig discuss the concept of AI psychosis, where people become detached from reality due to their interactions with chatbots. They also touch on the "dead internet theory" and the state of modern social connection.



"Don't blame the owls."


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Hosted by Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
2 months ago
48 minutes 15 seconds

Wyrd Wessex
Summer Road Trip Part 3

This week, the wyrdo's continue their journey in Cornwall with a very special guest: Simon Costin, the director of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. Simon welcomes the hosts into the museum's archive to discuss the institution's fascinating history, its core mission, and his own personal journey.


The episode covers:

  • A Contentious History: Simon reveals the museum was founded in 1951 by a former MI5 spy named Cecil Williamson. He explains how Cecil's goal of balancing sensationalist displays with genuine artifacts led to a clash with the well-known practitioner Gerald Gardner, who wanted to use the museum to promote his belief system of Wicca.
  • The Archive's Mission: Simon discusses how the museum's mission has evolved from a "cabinet of curiosities" to a more academic and nuanced collection. He explains his belief that magical objects don't like to be categorized and that their full purpose and energy should not be "straightjacketed" into a simple definition.
  • A "Courtship" with Objects: Simon describes his own deep, personal connection to the museum's artifacts, which began after the 2004 Boscastle floods. He shares that some magical objects require regular "charging" or ritual practice to retain their energy, a unique aspect of curatorial work that stands in stark contrast to other museums. He shares that while he isn't unsettled by the objects, a Japanese blasting rod is something he avoids having pointed at him.
  • The Uncanny & The Paranormal: The conversation explores the nature of the uncanny and its connection to magic and belief. Simon shares his own paranormal experiences at his home, including objects that move themselves, and tells the story of a recurring spider's web that prevents the museum's security cameras from capturing any strange activity.
  • Museum of British Folklore: Simon discusses his separate, long-term project to establish the UK's first museum dedicated to seasonal customs and events. He explains the challenges of creating a "bottom-up" museum where the knowledge comes from the people and the traditions are constantly evolving.


Stay Wyrd!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Buy our merch here


Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks


Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...
2 months ago
35 minutes 11 seconds

Wyrd Wessex

Dive into the weird, spooky and supernatural with Wyrd Wessex, a podcast hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens. These self-proclaimed "wyrdo's" delve into the mysteries, myths, and legends of the world, focusing on the UK, but sometimes straying further afield. Expect to hear chilling ghost stories, explorations of unexplained phenomena, and even dabbles into true crime. Whether you're fascinated by hauntings, folklore, Ufology or cryptids, Wyrd Wessex has something for you. So, if you're ready to unravel the hidden weirdness of the world, "Stay Wyrd" and tune in!


www.wyrdwessex.co.uk


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.