Free Daily Podcast Summary
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.
Latest Episodes
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- 4 days ago53 min
EP22 - 12 TRUE Scary Stories: Creepy Roommates, Children Who See Ghosts, and Almost Kidnapped
In this episode, we dive into a chilling collection of true paranormal and real-world horror stories: a phantom little girl who keeps calling 911 from the same house, children who see dead relatives, shadow figures in bedrooms, eerie apartment hauntings, military ghost encounters, and a terrifying close call with a violent roommate who later made the news. Stories and Credits: The Phantom Little Girl Calling 911 From My Address – urbanachiever95, r/LetsNotMeet. To the man who hunted me through Downtown Long Beach: Let’s not meet again – Prior-Emu-5918, r/LetsNotMeet. Has anyone ever had an experience with a child seeing a ghost? – Anonymous commenter, r/Ghosts. What experience did you have that made you believe that ghosts/spirits 100% exist? – MiaWallace1494, r/Paranormal. What’s the most convincing experience that you’ve had? – immee1, r/Paranormal. My dad’s roommate – sunshine123_, r/LetsNotMeet. Has anyone ever had an experience with a child seeing a ghost? – Pitterpatter35, r/Ghosts. Tell me the creepiest thing a child has ever said to you - idontthinkicarekinda, r/Paranormal You Grab One, I’ll Grab The Other – Complete-Fix1835, r/LetsNotMeet. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever witnessed? – madddforthewin, r/Paranormal. A creepy Disneyland story – sothrncalguy, Instagram comment @thescarecast Has anyone seen anything creepy on rural roads/highways etc. – Chrysanthemum1926, Reddit comment. 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
- 1 weeks ago36 min
EP21 - 14 TRUE Horror Stories | Paranormal Encounters, Police Officer, and Military
Tonight’s episode dives into some of the darkest and most unsettling encounters shared by soldiers, cops, Disneyland park employees, and everyday people who came face‑to‑face with something they still can’t explain.Stories and Credits:USMC deployment curse story – Anonymous Marine on r/USMC thread “Any Horror Stories/Paranormal Experiences on Deployments?”“A Childhood Encounter I Still Can’t Explain” Posted by u/Brilliant_Bill7305 on r/Ghosts.Uber driver protecting a passenger from a dangerous date – u/travelling-lost comment on r/uberdrivers (“What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever witnessed while driving for Uber?”).Hurricane Harbor security hauntings – u/Alita-Battle-Hacker on r/sixflags (“My paranormal experiences working at Hurricane Harbor in Arizona as a security guard”).Police officer and the missing wife / suicide note case – u/Anglicanweasel on r/AskReddit thread “Cops of reddit, what is the scariest situation you've ever been in?”Basic training child‑spirit story – u/santii_715 on r/scarystories thread “To Military personnel, what is the most terrifying thing you've seen on patrol?”Russian soldier’s WWII battlefield ghosts – u/Russian-Soldier on the same r/scarystories thread “To Military personnel, what is the most terrifying thing you've seen on patrol?”Disneyland Snow White and parking garage hauntings – Instagram user @thefinalqueer, as commented on my Instagtam post (Snow White’s Scary Adventures / “little Timmy” / Matterhorn story).Airbnb little boy and woman in the nightstand – u/Silent-Composer-873 on r/Paranormal thread “What’s the most convincing experience that you’ve had?”Appalachian tall pale humanoid creature – u/ScriabinFanatic on r/Paranormal thread “People who live in Appalachian mountaines, have u ever experienced something crazy?”“Fresh” ghost in a recently vacated apartment – u/fatherbundy on r/Ghosts (“My personal experience with a ‘fresh’ ghost”).Great‑grandfather death / invisible punch story – Jackie, author of Between Failures, posting as u/BetweenFailures on r/Ghosts thread “What Made you Believe in Ghost and why? please tell.”“Charlie, the Army man” – child medium on base housing – u/Kks1013 (K. S. / K. Schaeffer) on r/Paranormal thread “Tell me the creepiest thing a child has ever said to you.”Shadow figure by the bedroom door – u/Thick-Razzmatazz2105 on r/Paranormal thread “What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever witnessed?”Go listen to my last scary story episode, EP19 - 20 TRUE Horror Stories | Haunted Houses, Creepy Things Children Have Said, and Ghostly Encounter!📲 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next uploadAbout The Scarecast:The Scarecast pulls you straight into the dark edges of real life. Hosted by Michael Crutchfield, it blends unsettling true stories, paranormal encounters, and mysterious passings with immersive sound design and atmospheric storytelling to make every episode feel like a late-night campfire tale you can’t turn off. From haunted locations and eerie listener submissions to cold cases and unexplained disappearances, The Scarecast is made for people who like their stories creepy, cinematic, and just a little too real.Connect With Me On Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescarecastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thescarecastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thescarecast/Website: https://www.thescarecast.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 weeks ago26 min
EP20 - 5 Disturbing True Crime Cases That Are Unsolved
Five of the most disturbing unsolved true crime cases... from a man found under bizarre circumstances in Tennessee, to a mysterious woman in an Oslo hotel with no identity, these cases continue to haunt investigators and internet sleuths alike. In this video, we break down chilling true crime stories including Blair Adams, Jennifer Fairgate, the Dempsey family, Rey Rivera, and Buffalo Jim—each filled with unanswered questions, strange evidence, and theories that range from paranoia to possible foul play. If you’re into unsolved mysteries, creepy cases, and real-life horror stories, this is one you won’t forget. CASES COVERED [0:00] Blair Adams (Unsolved – Knoxville, Tennessee, 1996): A Canadian man fled across borders claiming someone was trying to end his life—only to be found deceased, half-naked, with thousands of dollars scattered around his body. No robbery, no clear motive, and a single unidentified hair left behind. What was he running from? [4:40] Jennifer Fairgate / Fergate (Oslo Plaza Hotel Mystery, 1995): A woman checks into a luxury hotel under a false name… and is later found deceased in a locked room with a gun in her hand, which she may not have even fired. No ID, no personal items... Who was she—and what really happened in Room 2805? [9:08] The Dempsey Family (Plant City, Florida, 2026): A horrifying modern-day case involving a mother, her two young children, and their grandmother... three generations. Despite evidence, suspicious behavior, and prior domestic disturbance calls, no arrests have been made. How is this case still unsolved? [11:58] Rey Rivera (Belvedere Hotel, Baltimore, 2006): A filmmaker vanishes after a mysterious phone call—only to be found days later in a locked conference room after falling through a roof. The physics don’t add up... how could he have made that jump... the medical examiner ruled the case “undetermined.” Do you agree? [20:18] Buffalo Jim Barrier (Las Vegas Mystery, 2008): A controversial Vegas figure who claimed he was being threatened said if he were ever targeted, it would be staged. Months later, he’s found deceased in a motel room under bizarre circumstances involving drugs, a missing car, and an unidentified woman. Coincidence—or something more sinister? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 weeks ago1h 0m
EP19 - 20 TRUE Horror Stories | Haunted Houses, Creepy Things Children Have Said, and Ghostly Encounters
In this episode, you will hear 20 true scary stories about haunted houses, creepy kids, glitch-in-the-Matrix moments, and ghosts that follow you home. From shadow figures in bedroom doorways to baby cries in empty apartments and a possible alien abduction on a dark highway, these listener-submitted tales will make you question what’s really lurking in the dark. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 3 weeks ago32 min
EP18 - 8 TRUE Scary Stories | Disneyland, Stalkers, and Paranormal Hauntings
In this episode, we explore eight chilling real-life encounters—from three friends overwhelmed by a shared, unexplainable presence on a dark street to a Disneyland ghost story that’s been whispered about for decades. A haunted apartment, eerie late-night sightings, and something violently knocking from the woods blur the line between paranoia and the paranormal. But some of the most terrifying moments aren’t supernatural at all—reminding us that sometimes, the real danger is human. Writing Credits: cheekonyourface (2), quiet-on-set (3), DGWoods-author (5), violettefemme23 (6), No-Zone6137 (7), and RichGeci (8) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 4 weeks ago18 min
EP17 - 3 Disturbing Craigslist Encounters
3 ordinary Craigslist interactions that turned into pure nightmare fuel. In this episode of The Scarecast, we dive into three disturbing real-life cases where a simple online listing led to violence, manipulation, and murder: a clean-cut med student living a double life as “The Craigslist Killer,” a pregnant woman lured to a house by a fake maternity clothes ad, and desperate job seekers drawn into the woods by a fake farmhand listing that was really a trap. You’ll hear about: Philip Markoff, the Boston medical student who used Craigslist adult services ads to target women in hotels. Dynel Lane, who staged a “free baby clothes” meetup that turned into a brutal attack on a pregnant stranger. Richard Beasley, a so-called street preacher who posted fake farm job ads to lure vulnerable men to their deaths. These stories are a chilling reminder that danger can wear any face: a promising doctor, a friendly mom-to-be, or a man of “faith” offering a fresh start. If you’ve ever had a creepy or dangerous experience answering an online ad, I want to hear it. Your story could be featured in a future episode of The Scarecast. Send your story to: mike@thescarecast.com Be safe out there… and thank you for listening. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Jun 24, 202633 min
EP16 - The Haunting of Glen Tavern Inn
Every old hotel has a story—but at the Glen Tavern Inn in Santa Paula, California, those stories may still be walking the halls.In this episode, I take you inside one of the most haunted hotels on the West Coast after personally staying in Room 308—one of the most requested (and feared) rooms in the building. From its origins in 1911 during California’s oil boom, to its rumored Prohibition-era speakeasy, brothel, and violent past, the Glen Tavern Inn has built a reputation that continues to attract paranormal investigators, ghost hunters, and curious guests from around the world.But the real question is… is it actually haunted?We’re diving deep into:The chilling legends behind Rooms 307 and 308The story of “Calvin,” the mysterious spirit said to haunt the third floorThe disturbing lore surrounding “Rose” and the infamous closet in Room 307The tragic story of psychic medium Patrick SmithReports of shadow figures, ghost children, phantom footsteps, and unexplained voicesReal accounts pulled from Reddit, TripAdvisor, HauntedPlaces.org, and social mediaAnd our own terrifying personal experiences during a paranormal investigationIf you’ve ever stayed at the Glen Tavern Inn—or experienced anything paranormal—send your story to: mike@thescarecast.com or DM @thescarecastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Jun 19, 202632 min
EP15 - The World Cup Mistake That Cost Andrés Escobar His Life
Colombian defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal at the 1994 World Cup. Ten days later, he was shot in a Medellín parking lot. This episode uncovers how cartel money, illegal betting, and national pressure turned one unlucky deflection into a death sentence. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & 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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