it's almost oct: some eerie media recs, & why izzy hands sounds green

If the memes about Spirit letting Netherfield Park and the entire internet haven't told you, October is next month. But, like many of us, I'm always in the Halloween spirit.

it's almost oct: some eerie media recs, & why izzy hands sounds green
Photo by Haley Owens / Unsplash

If the memes about Spirit letting Netherfield Park haven't told you, October is next month. But, like many of us, I'm always in the Halloween spirit and I didn't need to be reminded. My headphones usually serve creepy madness, so I thought I'd share some. I'm an open-minded believer in the paranormal, just in the interest of full disclosure.

Lots of reasons other reasons why my media is usually of the ghostly variety...

  • I write gothic romances in the Brontë or Collins sense.
  • My academic specialisms are often around the taboo, which in Western culture usually translates to sexual, liminal, or deathly.
  • I never grew out of fixations with Salem (see this post), cryptids (as a kid, I wanted to meet Nessie so bad), hauntings, etc.
  • When I was around 12-13, I strongly considered being a mortician or funeral director. Nobody thought it was concerning or talked me out of it... I just ended up doing totally different things.

In addition, I'm a synesthete, which is still—even in the Year of Our Lord 2024—discussed like it's supernatural. Or fake. Had I lived early enough, I'm certain I would have been tried for witchcraft for that and a host of other reasons. An apostate, asks questions, talks to our cat, doesn't eat meat... so, below, I've noted shade associations I have with podcasters' or actors' voices. Just for fun. (It happens with films, yet tends to be more pronounced with audio media for me.)

With all this blether in mind, let's get to the good stuff, shall we?

YouTubers

Beardo Gets Scared—paranormal debunk channel; I appreciate the respect for others/belief systems/the dead (he goes off on some folks who are not only probably charlatans, but are also gauche or morbid AF)

Side Eye Guy—kinder than his quips and bants and side-eyeing might lead one to believe; salient debunks (as a bonus, he seems to share my fascination re: Zak Bagans)

Mythos Paranormal—solid debunk/storytelling/reaction content, does some investigating, similar to Beardo and SEG; his delivery is really good

The Paranormal Scholar—Laura is a meticulous researcher; also looks at aliens and cryptozoology; Kid Camille would love her channel

Amy's Crypt—rational and humane ghost investigations; Amy and Jarrad (not a typo; Amy's husband's name) travel worldwide; I enjoy the history threads they bring to their videos in addition to their overall investigation style

Ouija Brothers—ghost investigations/creepy explores for the chill observer... I found these two by chance; I dig their approach (sarcasm on lock, sensitive to history and circumstance) and how often things don't happen to them

  • Note as of 10 March 2025: Apparently, there's been drama around The Ouija Brothers and a location they visited; I missed the original video, but I've watched both SEG and Beardo talk about it. I've also seen Mythos' video on UK law + trespassing. Since I haven't seen the original source material and TOB removed it, I won't add much to the discussion here or take down my initial recommendation. I can't imagine TOB being utterly sensational or opportunistic, although I do understand why some viewers, e.g., SEG, were upset.

Don't Scare Claire—great storyteller; fab delivery with an open-minded, skeptical believer lens (in the vein of The Paranormal Scholar)

Podcasts

Into the Fog with Peter Laws (formerly Frightful)—at first, I stayed away from Frightful because Peter is an ordained reverend (it's not you, Peter; I'm just not-straight, and a lapsed Catholic)... but serve me a slice of humble pie, because I'm invested now

  • Often sounds like light-wash denim
  • If you prefer a YouTube format, he uploads video versions there

Haunted Road—detailed ghost stories, historical contexts, and reflections from Amy Bruni (who has been on a ton of paranormal TV... I feel like I have to specify that I'm not really a Chip Coffey fan, because they're friends, but I really like her way of telling stories)

  • She sounds mauve; it's not super strong, though

Kisses in the Dark—a podplay rather than a podcast... has a Ray Bradbury, La Belle et la bête, "Wouldst thou like to live deliciously" vibe; I listened when it first released and have revisited it twice (took my dramaturg hat off and consumed for fun)

  • Con O'Neill always brings phthalo green, doesn't matter who he's playing or if he's talking as himself—in this case, the character is John, but yeah, Izzy Hands has it too
  • Con, if you see this and aren't into the association, pretend you didn't (but you were a strong influence on my character, Paul... so please pretend hard)
"You should see what else is like a horse." (I'll show myself out.)
  • Rhiannon Clements, who plays Kate, John's love interest (of a sort), sometimes pulls navy
This is phthalo green pigment.

ASMR

Miracle Forest—offbeat, delightful soundscapes with cool backgrounds, almost always themed around topics like Bloody Mary, sea monsters, witches, and so forth

  • On Apple and Spotify as well as YouTube
  • No jump scares, though many uploads are intentionally creepy (Melinda, the artist, tends to note which ones are more scary)

Maybe some of this will inspire your next jaunt into the unknown... after all, we're close to the most wonderful time of the year, when such jaunts are traditionally more possible.

Happiest of Fridays! x