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The Scarecast: Scary Stories, Mysteries, and True Crime: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Michael Crutchfield
For almost a decade, The Scarecast—hosted by Michael Crutchfield—has captivated audiences with spine-tingling stories that explore the shadowy depths of real-life horror. Originally launched on YouTube as MaddMike, The Scarecast masterfully narrates true accounts of chilling encounters, from paranormal experiences to unsettling run-ins with strangers. With over a hundred episodes, The Scarecast stands out for its dedication to authentic, listener-submitted tales that leave audiences both unsettled and eager for more. Crutchfield’s storytelling prowess and commitment to sharing genuine scares have made The Scarecast a must-listen for fans of the eerie and unexplained.
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- 1 weeks ago1h 2m
EP30 - James "Murr" Murray: From Impractical Jokers to New Horror Movie "Don’t Move"
In this special episode of the Scarecast Podcast, I’m joined by James “Murr” Murray of Impractical Jokers to talk about his move from comedy into horror. Murr shares the story behind Don’t Move—the new horror film based on the thriller novel he co-wrote with Darren Wearmouth. Set in the Ozark wilderness, the film follows a church retreat that turns deadly after the group enters the wrong part of the forest and finds itself hunted by a terrifying prehistoric arachnid that tracks its victims by vibration. When every step could be their last, the only way to survive may be to not move.dontmovemovieyoutube We talk about the journey from writing the book to producing the movie, the cast-selection process, and what it takes to bring a creature-driven horror story to the screen. Murr also reflects on the early days of Impractical Jokers, how the group got started, what led him to writing horror, and why comedians can so naturally cross over into the genre. Don’t Move is now playing in theaters nationwide. Visit dontmovemovie.com to find a participating theater, check local showtimes, and get tickets. If it is not playing near you, the film’s official campaign encourages viewers to contact their local theater and request it. Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 weeks ago17 min
7 Disturbing Disneyland Deaths
In this video, we explore 7 Disturbing Disneyland Deaths that occurred across some of the park’s most recognizable attractions, including the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Disneyland Monorail, PeopleMover, Tom Sawyer Island, America Sings, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.Cases: 1 - Debbie Gail Stone 2 - Thomas Guy Cleveland 3 - Mark Maples 4 - Regena Dolly Young 5 - Gerardo Gonzales 6 - Bogden Delaurot 7 - Marcelo Torres Some of these incidents led to lawsuits, ride redesigns, stricter safety procedures, and permanent changes at Disneyland. Others became part of dark Disney folklore—stories of cold spots, shadow figures, unexplained voices, and spirits said to remain near the places where these tragedies occurred.Our Sponsors:* Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 weeks ago23 min
5 Killers Caught Years Later
Five criminals who believed they had escaped justice — some for more than 40 years — until preserved DNA, genetic genealogy, discarded items, and their own mistakes finally led investigators to them. From a coffee cup thrown in the trash to a floppy disk that revealed a killer’s identity, these are cold cases that refused to stay buried. Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 weeks ago31 min
5 Scary Stories: Ghostly Granny, Sleep Paralysis, and Creepy Hotel Owner
Five true scary stories where the paranormal crosses paths with real-world danger. From a dead relative appearing in a hallway to a shadow figure that may be more than sleep paralysis, these encounters leave behind questions that are hard to answer. But the most frightening stories may not involve ghosts at all... A grocery-store worker is pressured to leave the safety of the light and approach a suspicious stranger waiting in the dark. A young woman working far from home accepts a hotel room from her employer—only to discover that the person offering her safety may have had far more sinister intentions. Lock your doors, turn down the lights, and settle in. Because some encounters don’t end when you finally make it home. Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Aug 17, 202633 min
EP26 - 6 TRUE Horror Stories | Ouija Boards, Haunted Roads & Alien Encounters
Six creepy stories from people who experienced something they still can’t explain: a skeptic’s Ouija board prank followed by a terrifying encounter during sleep paralysis, unseen dogs running through a haunted house in Suffolk, missing time beneath Pasadena’s Colorado Street Bridge, a strange black-robed figure spotted along Pacheco Pass, pyramid-shaped lights and a towering gray alien, and a mysterious stranger who knew far too much about a couple he had never met. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Aug 12, 202635 min
EP25 - 8 Disneyland Horror Stories
Could Disneyland’s magic take on a darker life after the gates close? This episode explores true chilling accounts and creepy stories from former cast members and park visitors who say they encountered something unexplainable in the shadows of the Happiest Place on Earth. Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Aug 5, 202630 min
EP24 - 5 TRUE Scary Stories | Hide & Go Seek, Neighbor Haunting & A Tinder Date From Hell
In today's episode, I'm telling you five creepy stories including a hide‑and‑seek encounter with something hiding in the dark, a toddler's chilling "visit" from a grandfather she never met, a dead neighbor's TV that won't stay off, a creepy Pacheco Pass sighting from an Amazon driver, and a Tinder date that could have turned into a true crime case. After listening, comment which story creeped you out the most —comment on Spotify episode or through a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Aug 3, 202635 min
EP23 - 5 TRUE Scary Stories | Disneyland, Ouija Board Sessions, and Strangers on AOL Messenger
In this episode, we're diving into five scary true stories submitted by listeners and pulled straight from Reddit — covering a haunted restaurant, a chilling mimic encounter, a bone-chilling Disneyland night shift, an Ouija board session gone wrong, and a disturbing AOL Instant Messenger story that serves as a serious cautionary tale.Story 1 – A restaurant "haunted" joke turns real when a closing shift employee hears footsteps upstairs, finds every door locked, and watches a heavy patio door slam shut on its own — with no one else in the building.Story 2 – A family experiences years of eerie mimicry from something copying voices, cat sounds, and family members, until one night in the shower, a figure that looks exactly like her husband appears in the doorway... except he's asleep in bed.Story 3 – A Disneyland California Adventure custodian working the Hyperion Theater after hours watches a figure sprint across the upper balcony toward an elevator — only for the doors to open completely empty, with no other way down.Story 4 – A group of South Jersey ghost hunters uses a glow-in-the-dark Ouija board in a cemetery, and things escalate fast: a spelled-out warning, dropping temperatures in July, a spinning board with no hands on it, and a crushing weight that convinces one member he needs to leave immediately.Story 5 – A true and important cautionary tale from 2002: a girl's AOL Instant Messenger connection with a total stranger nearly leads to an in-person meeting, until a friend's mother steps in just in time.Sources:Story 1 – Reddit u/motherofxmen, r/Ghoststories - LINKStory 2 – Reddit u/ghostgirl324, r/Paranormal - LINKStory 3 – Instagram submission by u/beejayfourtwentyStory 4 – Reddit u/sorryistoleyourbike, r/Paranormal - LINKStory 5 – Reddit r/LetsNotMeet, "AOL was popular when I was 13" (deleted user) - LINKDisclosure: The narration is 100% voiced by me, a human. I have also repurposed the stories I have gathered from Reddit (to avoid reading verbatim) to be narrated in third person and have assigned the protagonist’s fictional names (unless their real names are provided in the posted story). Please refer to the writer’s pages if you want to read the story as posted originally. Have a paranormal or true crime story to share? Submit it to be featured on The Scarecast — DM us on Instagram, email mike@thescarecast.com or drop your story in the comments below.Sign up for my newsletter at https://www.thescarecast.com to be notified of new content!🔔 Subscribe for new episodes covering ghost stories, cryptids, UFOs/UAPs, unsolved mysteries, and true crime every week.📱 Follow @thescarecast on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for daily paranormal content.Our Sponsors:* Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
About The Scarecast: Scary Stories, Mysteries, and True Crime
For almost a decade, The Scarecast—hosted by Michael Crutchfield—has captivated audiences with spine-tingling stories that explore the shadowy depths of real-life horror. Originally launched on YouTube as MaddMike, The Scarecast masterfully narrates true accounts of chilling encounters, from paranormal experiences to unsettling run-ins with strangers. With over a hundred episodes, The Scarecast stands out for its dedication to authentic, listener-submitted tales that leave audiences both unsettled and eager for more. Crutchfield’s storytelling prowess and commitment to sharing genuine scares have made The Scarecast a must-listen for fans of the eerie and unexplained.
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