Psychology of the Strange
Folklore. Fear. Dark Psychology. Psychology of the Strange is a narrative psychology podcast that explores the eerie, the uncanny, and the deeply human. Every episode begins with an original atmospheric story rooted in dark folklore, superstition, or real events and then shifts into a psychological analysis that unpacks why these tales grip the human mind. From winter-born omens and skeletal visitors to fearlessness, moral ambiguity, and the monsters we create to explain uncertainty, this show lives in the spaces where folklore and psychology overlap. If you like stories that linger… and explanations that cut deeper… you’re in the right place. ABOUT THE HOST Hosted by Tara Perreault, a doctoral student in psychology at the University of South Florida. Her research focuses on the darker edges of human nature: fearlessness, Dark Triad traits, moral ambiguity, recreational fear, and the meanings people draw from the strange and the supernatural. Tara blends academic insight with myth, atmosphere, and psychological storytelling. Her approach is part folklore study, part dark psychology, part narrative experiment. She has presented research at multiple conferences, published empirical work, and spent years studying how people make sense of fear — in haunted houses, on screen, and in the stories we pass down through generations. Psychology of the Strange is her creative extension of that work: a place where the uncanny becomes meaningful, and where every monster is really a metaphor for something we haven’t faced yet.
Episodes
Fear doesn’t always arrive as a threat.
Sometimes it arrives as attention.
On a winter night, a woman and her teenage daughter begin to notice a figure standing outside their home. It doesn’t approach. It doesn’t knock. It doesn’t try to enter. It simply watches.
What follows isn’t a story about violence or intrusion, but about something quieter and often more disturbing: the ...
The Yule Log is one of the oldest winter rituals in Europe—a carved beam of wood burned slowly through the longest nights to protect the household and usher in the return of the sun. But beneath the folklore and tradition lies something deeply human: our need to create meaning, especially in seasons marked by scarcity, darkness, and uncertainty.
In this bonus episode, we explore the origi...
Elf on the Shelf is often dismissed as a modern, commercial tradition cute, harmless, and far removed from older winter folklore. But while researching the Yule Lads, I started noticing something unexpected happening in my own home.
Today’s elves don’t just watch. They move. They make messes. They steal food. They leave evidence behind.
In this short bonus reflection, I explore how Elf on t...
The Yule Lads are often remembered as mischievous Icelandic tricksters of thirteen strange figures who descend from the mountains each December. But behind the playful reputation lies a much older, darker tradition rooted in scarcity, winter anxiety, and the human tendency to project fear onto the unknown.
In this episode, we explore the folklore behind the Yule Lads and their monstrous parents, uncoveri...
This winter the world gets a little stranger. Season 2 of Psychology of the Strange is here. We are traveling into the season of long nights, distorted shadows, and the old stories people used to whisper to survive the dark. This time, we are exploring winter-born omens, creatures that came from the shoreline, mischief spirits who slip into homes, and ancient rituals that blur the line between the living and the dead. And as alway...
When the tide pulls back farther than it should, old things rise from the sea. In the windswept folklore of the Orkney Islands, that warning is tied to a single creature: the Nuckelavee (a skinless, relentless being said to crawl out of the ocean on the darkest nights), bringing with it illness, fear, and the sense that something ancient is watching from the shoreline.
In this episode of ...
I delve into the chilling legend of Huggin' Molly, a ghostly figure that has haunted the quiet town of Abbeville, Alabama for generations. The origins of this ghost are shrouded in mystery, and those who dare to speak of her do so in hushed tones. Join me as I uncover the dark and tragic history of Molly Crenshaw, a once-beautiful woman whose life took a horrific turn, ultimately transforming her into the entity known as Huggin' Mo...
This episode is not for the faint of heart and may contain some graphic language. I explore the realms of trepanation, dreams, and self-exploration through various historical and contemporary stories. It begins by unraveling the ancient practice of trepanation, delving into its medical and mystical aspects. The narrative then shifts to the swinging sixties, where individuals like Amanda Feilding and Joey Mellen championed self-t...
Exploring alien encounters and the mysteries that surround them. I tell the account of John, a truck driver, when one fateful night his life took an inexplicable turn. Hear the eerie details of his encounter with beings from beyond, leaving him haunted by the unknown.
Are we alone in the universe? From benevolent extraterrestrials to sinister invaders, considering recent claims of mummified aliens found in Peru
But what about the ...
In the late 1800s, Alexandra David-Neel embarked on a remarkable quest for forbidden knowledge. From Freemasonry to Theosophy, from opera singing to anarchist pamphleteering, her life was a whirlwind of intrigue. Her fascination with the mystical and the unknown led her to Asia, where she delved into the secrets of Tibetan monks and their astonishing practice of creating tulpas—sentient thoughtforms born from the fusion of Tibetan...
Take a trip down the rabbit hole with me with the curious and sometimes perplexing world of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS). Imagine lying in bed, ready to sleep, when suddenly, the room around you starts to twist and change. Everyday objects seem to warp in size, and you might even feel like your own body is transforming. We'll delve into personal accounts from individuals who've experienced AIWS, offering a glimpse into their...
The mysterious realms of sleep paralysis, explore the chilling tales of the night hag, boo hag, and other entities that have haunted cultures worldwide. But the eerie journey doesn't stop there – we'll also shed light on the phenomenon of Sudden Unexpected Nocturnal Death Syndrome that leaves us questioning the thin veil between the realms of sleep and the unknown. Get ready to unravel the secrets that lurk in the darkness of the n...
Journey through time to the quaint French town of Pont Saint Espirit where reality became twisted into a nightmare for many residents. Was their shared hallucination psychological, environmental, or an experiment by the CIA?
Reality blurs and perceptions shift in astonishing ways with Capgras Delusion, a rare psychological phenomenon that challenges our understanding of identity and cognition. Hear the chilling true crime story of Blazej Kot, a man driven by delusion to unthinkable actions. Discover the heart-wrenching case of Mary, a mother who couldn't recognize her own daughter. And Madame M who is at the epicenter of Cap...
Step into the shadows where superstition and psychology intertwine. In this exploration, I dive into the spine-chilling world of Bloody Mary, the legendary ghost, and the mind-bending Troxler Effect. Explore the uncanny similarities between summoning spirits and the visual tricks our mind can play. Brace yourself for a journey that blurs the lines between perception, belief, and the enigmatic realms of the mind.
Step into the ethereal realm where melodies dance and the mind's symphony plays on, as "Psychology of the Strange" embarks on a captivating journey into the enigmatic world of musical hallucinations. From Robert Schumann to Beethoven and a French psychiatrist that studied madness and genius.
Join me on a journey through the world of musical hallucinations. Explore the haunting and eerie melodies that can live in the minds of indivi...
An intro episode to explain the wealth of topics that you might find in an episode of Psychology of the Strange
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.