? EARS TO THE GROUND-

American Hysteria explores how fantastical thinking shapes culture: Similar toYou’re Wrong About, the podcast covers moral panics, urban legends, hoaxes, crazes, fringe beliefs, and national misunderstandings that America just can’t seem to shake. Host Chelsey Weber-Smith, poet-turned-podcaster, examines how these phenomena develop into shared reality.

You probably find dolls creepy. We do too. But how did these little play things become the hallmark of haunted possessions? In the episode titled Haunted Dolls, Weber-Smith takes a look at the dolls that became horror movie staples: Thomas Edison’s little monsters, a demonic Raggedy Ann, a living ventriloquist dummy, a deadly voodoo curse, and an online market where you can buy yourself a soul trapped in the body of a doll.

The podcast tries to break down how something, usually unassuming, could become such a vital part of collective consciousness. Each episode runs about an hour, give or take, and presents analysis and background on illogical human behavior.

While the host is a great storyteller, her delivery is controversial. Some users can’t get behind the podcast because of her slow cadence and pauses, but most just enjoy the content as is.

You can listen here on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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