Less Taken
Less Taken 'Real-Life Horror Stories from the Midwest' @lesstakenpod on fb, Bluesky, & IG lesstakenpod@gmail.com Blog, Notes & Sources: https://www.lesstakenpod.com/ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lesstakenpod Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/less-taken--5431283/support.
Episodes
July 15, 2025 • 6 mins
A woman checks into a historic hotel—room 812. Top floor. Alone. By sunrise, she’s gone—and the legend of the “Bride” begins.
In this haunting episode of Less Taken, we uncover the eerie true story that inspired one of South Dakota’s most infamous ghost legends. Maybe.
Was it suicide? Something darker? Or does the room itself remember what no one else dares to say?
Featuring the real-life lore of the haunted Hotel Alex Johnson in Ra...
In this haunting episode of Less Taken, we uncover the eerie true story that inspired one of South Dakota’s most infamous ghost legends. Maybe.
Was it suicide? Something darker? Or does the room itself remember what no one else dares to say?
Featuring the real-life lore of the haunted Hotel Alex Johnson in Ra...
Mark as Played
July 12, 2025 • 7 mins
June 24, 1994. Tina Marcotte never makes it home from work. Her tire goes flat. She calls a friend for help—but by morning, she's vanished.
The last man known to see her is found dead days later beneath a forklift in what police call a freak accident. But locals in Rapid City still whisper: Was it guilt… or something else that caught up with him first?
A case where the road ends twice.
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Please rate, rev...
The last man known to see her is found dead days later beneath a forklift in what police call a freak accident. But locals in Rapid City still whisper: Was it guilt… or something else that caught up with him first?
A case where the road ends twice.
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Let us know what you think!
Please rate, rev...
Mark as Played
July 4, 2025 • 6 mins
A ghost town. A stubborn saloon. And a bartender who never clocks out. This July 4th, belly up to the saloon for one of South Dakota’s eeriest hauntings—where the beer’s cold, the steaks sizzle, and the shadows never leave.
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Let us know what you think!
Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swag!
If you're new to LT, Season Four: Hollowlands c...
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Let us know what you think!
Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swag!
If you're new to LT, Season Four: Hollowlands c...
Mark as Played
July 1, 2025 • 7 mins
There’s something walking the roads of Pine Ridge… and people say it’s still out there.
In this 7-Minute Less Taken, we explore the terrifying legend of Walking Sam—a shadowy figure tied to real-life tragedy on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Described as impossibly tall, with glowing eyes and a voice that whispers to vulnerable teens, Walking Sam’s story blurs the line between folklore and horror… with devastating real...
In this 7-Minute Less Taken, we explore the terrifying legend of Walking Sam—a shadowy figure tied to real-life tragedy on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Described as impossibly tall, with glowing eyes and a voice that whispers to vulnerable teens, Walking Sam’s story blurs the line between folklore and horror… with devastating real...
Mark as Played
June 26, 2025 • 46 mins
What do you leave behind when you hang a man like Stephen Dee Richards? Just a confession and a grave… or something more?
In this third Roads Less Taken journey, we travel north from the gallows of Minden, Nebraska, through haunted cabins, forgotten asylums, and cursed fields, ending at the edge of Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
Along the way, we fill in the gaps left behind in The Nebraska Fiend and stop at the eerie and the unexplaine...
In this third Roads Less Taken journey, we travel north from the gallows of Minden, Nebraska, through haunted cabins, forgotten asylums, and cursed fields, ending at the edge of Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
Along the way, we fill in the gaps left behind in The Nebraska Fiend and stop at the eerie and the unexplaine...
Mark as Played
June 13, 2025 • 6 mins
EARLY RELEASE! ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY 6/17/25.
In the summer of 1878, frontier farmer James Conway staggers past his barn, a flask in hand, unaware of the iron-tipped wagon tongue waiting in the dark. His death might have been foreseeable, but no one can predict what happens next.
Explore a seven-minute dive into a tragedy where simple misfortune blurs into haunting legend on the edge of Nebraska’s wild prairie.
Let us kn...
In the summer of 1878, frontier farmer James Conway staggers past his barn, a flask in hand, unaware of the iron-tipped wagon tongue waiting in the dark. His death might have been foreseeable, but no one can predict what happens next.
Explore a seven-minute dive into a tragedy where simple misfortune blurs into haunting legend on the edge of Nebraska’s wild prairie.
Let us kn...
Mark as Played
June 3, 2025 • 53 mins
In the vast Nebraska plains, a polished drifter named Stephen D. Richards hid a killer’s heart beneath his handsome exterior.
Between 1876 and 1878, Richards—later dubbed “The Nebraska Fiend”—confesses to murdering at least nine lone travelers across Nebraska and Iowa before fleeing from authorities.
In this episode, we trace his first fatal duel by the Platte River, the brutal slaying of the Harlson family, and the manhunt that ens...
Between 1876 and 1878, Richards—later dubbed “The Nebraska Fiend”—confesses to murdering at least nine lone travelers across Nebraska and Iowa before fleeing from authorities.
In this episode, we trace his first fatal duel by the Platte River, the brutal slaying of the Harlson family, and the manhunt that ens...
Mark as Played
May 27, 2025 • 9 mins
In the wide Nebraska plains, a polished drifter named Stephen D. Richards hid a killer’s heart beneath his handsome exterior.
Between 1876 and 1878, Richards—later dubbed “The Nebraska Fiend”—confesses to murdering at least nine lone travelers across Nebraska and Iowa before fleeing from authorities.
In this upcoming episode, we trace his first fatal duel by the Platte River, the brutal slaying of the Harlson family, and the manhunt...
Between 1876 and 1878, Richards—later dubbed “The Nebraska Fiend”—confesses to murdering at least nine lone travelers across Nebraska and Iowa before fleeing from authorities.
In this upcoming episode, we trace his first fatal duel by the Platte River, the brutal slaying of the Harlson family, and the manhunt...
Mark as Played
May 23, 2025 • 48 mins
Explore real-world horrors and ghostly legends as we embark on this chilling journey from the streets of Kansas City to the haunted highways of Nebraska.
Much like our Pit Stops from Season Two, these Roads Less Taken episodes cover details we couldn’t quite squeeze into our previous Story. These are often interesting tidbits that would have taken us too far off course from the main narrative.
What’s different is once we wrap up a f...
Much like our Pit Stops from Season Two, these Roads Less Taken episodes cover details we couldn’t quite squeeze into our previous Story. These are often interesting tidbits that would have taken us too far off course from the main narrative.
What’s different is once we wrap up a f...
Mark as Played
May 20, 2025 • 7 mins
They came seeking shelter on the Osage Trail—only to become whispers in Bender’s Inn.
In this tense, seven-minute edition of Less Taken, we travel back to explore the dusty frontier of the old Osage Trail, where weary travelers begin vanishing without a trace.
Every clue—discarded belongings, blood-soaked footprints, and frantic last-ditch messages—leads to one place: Bender’s Inn.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subs...
In this tense, seven-minute edition of Less Taken, we travel back to explore the dusty frontier of the old Osage Trail, where weary travelers begin vanishing without a trace.
Every clue—discarded belongings, blood-soaked footprints, and frantic last-ditch messages—leads to one place: Bender’s Inn.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subs...
Mark as Played
May 6, 2025 • 83 mins
There were no screams. Just photographs.
For years, Rob Berdella tortured and killed in near silence—his victims disappearing without a sound, their agony captured in Polaroids and handwritten logs. Neighbors heard nothing. The house stayed quiet. But behind closed doors, a methodical horror unfolded, room by room, tape by tape.
Berdella kept records like trophies: Polaroids, notes, fragments of lives erased.
This isn’t just the sto...
For years, Rob Berdella tortured and killed in near silence—his victims disappearing without a sound, their agony captured in Polaroids and handwritten logs. Neighbors heard nothing. The house stayed quiet. But behind closed doors, a methodical horror unfolded, room by room, tape by tape.
Berdella kept records like trophies: Polaroids, notes, fragments of lives erased.
This isn’t just the sto...
Mark as Played
April 29, 2025 • 8 mins
There were no screams. Just photographs.
For years, Rob Berdella tortured and killed in near silence—his victims disappearing without a sound, their agony captured in Polaroids and handwritten logs. Neighbors heard nothing. The house stayed quiet. But behind closed doors, a methodical horror unfolded, room by room, tape by tape.
Berdella kept records like trophies: Polaroids, notes, fragments of lives erased. This isn’t just a story...
For years, Rob Berdella tortured and killed in near silence—his victims disappearing without a sound, their agony captured in Polaroids and handwritten logs. Neighbors heard nothing. The house stayed quiet. But behind closed doors, a methodical horror unfolded, room by room, tape by tape.
Berdella kept records like trophies: Polaroids, notes, fragments of lives erased. This isn’t just a story...
Mark as Played
April 22, 2025 • 6 mins
What if a vanished girl’s voice slipped through your radio, years after she disappeared, and no one could explain how it got there? Tune in to the broadcast that Des Moines was never meant to hear.
In our first 7-Minute Less Taken, "Dead Air in Des Moines," we explore a spooky tale about AM stations, including whether the reported eerie sounds comes from ghosts or something else.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, sub...
In our first 7-Minute Less Taken, "Dead Air in Des Moines," we explore a spooky tale about AM stations, including whether the reported eerie sounds comes from ghosts or something else.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, sub...
Mark as Played
April 15, 2025 • 29 mins
In our first Roads Less Taken episode, we explore details excluded from 'Mary X: The Exorcism of Anna Ecklund' and embark on an eerie road trip from Earling, IA, to Kansas, the setting of our upcoming story 'The Kansas City Butcher.' And we also explore some of the local sights and haunts along the way.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a cha...
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a cha...
Mark as Played
April 1, 2025 • 67 mins
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of torment.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of s...
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of s...
Mark as Played
March 25, 2025 • 10 mins
In this upcoming Story episode...
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of torment.
Listen to the full episode Tues, April 1st, 2025!
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscri...
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of torment.
Listen to the full episode Tues, April 1st, 2025!
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscri...
Mark as Played
March 18, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode, we introduce you to what awaits in Season Four of Less Taken, and we might give you a few spoiler samples. Maybe...
ABOUT MARY X:
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of to...
ABOUT MARY X:
Growing tired of their defiant daughter, Jacob and his mistress place a curse on a young Anna Ecklund, ensuring her life turns out to be a living hell. Only when a concerned priest reaches out does anyone try to help Anna. As a result, she endures a series of exorcisms and a lifetime of to...
Mark as Played
March 12, 2025 • 35 mins
In preparation for Season Four, we thought this replay might help get everyone in the right mood.
Re-explore the real-life horror story of Tina Resch, a woman who claims she went from a life of demonic imprisonment to an actual prison for life.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swag!
Write to us - lesstakenpod@g...
Re-explore the real-life horror story of Tina Resch, a woman who claims she went from a life of demonic imprisonment to an actual prison for life.
Let us know what you think! Please rate, review, subscribe & tell a friend. Every little bit helps! Lucky reviewers have a chance of scoring some free LT swag!
Write to us - lesstakenpod@g...
Mark as Played
March 5, 2025 • 47 mins
While we work on getting Season Four rolling, we thought it would be fitting to go back and revisit Lurancy Vennum. And this might hint at what the first story of Season Four will be all about.
In this episode, we explore the real-life horror story of Lurancy Vennum and the spirits that possess her.
After a series of seizures and "fits," Lurancy becomes a portal through which the dead can visit her, speak to her, and sometimes, even...
In this episode, we explore the real-life horror story of Lurancy Vennum and the spirits that possess her.
After a series of seizures and "fits," Lurancy becomes a portal through which the dead can visit her, speak to her, and sometimes, even...
Mark as Played
February 19, 2025 • 88 mins
Check out our Season Two Finale - in full - during this midseason episode.
We explore the horrific real-life story of a thief and self-proclaimed prophet Jeffrey Lundgren, his violent religious cult, and the mayhem they unleash on the small town of Kirtland, Ohio.
In Pt. I, we covered Jeffrey Lundgren’s arrival in Kirtland and the early formation of his following, as well as his plan to seek revenge on the local RLDS temple for exili...
We explore the horrific real-life story of a thief and self-proclaimed prophet Jeffrey Lundgren, his violent religious cult, and the mayhem they unleash on the small town of Kirtland, Ohio.
In Pt. I, we covered Jeffrey Lundgren’s arrival in Kirtland and the early formation of his following, as well as his plan to seek revenge on the local RLDS temple for exili...
Mark as Played
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