#leasthaunted

[leasthaunted]

Episode 109: Let's Get Kraken

In the most recent episode, Cody and Garth dive into the deep waters to talk about Kraken! And in Garth's corner, he covers the art of figureheads (the sculptures of the front of ships)!

Enjoy the images discussed in the episode below (trigger warning: the last two images are of dead animals, there's no blood or obvious signs of distress but y'all deserve a warning nonetheless)! And please come join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

Sorry for the late post, I was hunting for a lake monster!

The book Cody read for the episode: Monsters of the Sea by Richard Ellis.

The Swine Whale (left) and possibly Kraken (right) Carta Marina map of Scandinavia (1539).

Illustration by Denys de Montfort. Historie naturelle des Mollusques (1802).

In 1861 the French ship Alecton recovered part of a Giant Squid, Achiteuthus. This event would inspire Jules Verne when writing 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

A Scandinavian grapnel anchor, aka Krake, made from the top of a spruce tree.

"The Kraken" in 1981's Clash of The Titans, although a feat of stop motion animation by Ray Harryhausen, NOT A KRAKEN.

The Mollusk album by Ween. The inspiration for SpongeBob SquarePants according to show creator, Stephen Hillenburg.

They Might Be Giants album Apollo 18 limited edition Zoetrope vinyl! Only 240 were ever made, Cody has #195 and Garth has #196.

GARTH'S CORNER, GARTH'S CORNER, GARTH'S FIGUREHEAD CORNER!

Here are some of the figureheads mentioned in Garth’s Corner. Special props to the YouTube Channel Baltic Empire for “Carved works and Figureheads: A History of Ship Decorations.” Garth also credits Chris Riley for his article “The History of Ship Figureheads.”

Here’s a carving of an elk’s head found in Säkkijärvi, Finland. It was made between 1750 and 1,500 BCE and is thought to have been attached to the front of a boat.

Some examples of Greek Ships with eyes.

The Oseberg Ship, a lavish ship that was buried in Norway some time in the 800s CE.

A model of the 80-gun Naseby (1655) showing Oliver Cromwell on a horse.

A mezzotint etching by Robert Sayer “Hercules as Ship's Figurehead” (1788).

A modern ship, Neptune, a replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon, originally built for the film "Pirates" (1986).

And finally, here’s an awkward mermaid Garth saw online. Not sure where he found it but here she is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Trigger Warning Below ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dead Sperm Whale with squid scars on its skin.

Dying Architeuthis found in Toyama Bay, Japan 2015.

[artbygarth]

Cody and I did a sequel to last year’s monster cereal review. I give you Cereal Killers 2: Mashing It https://youtu.be/TTiTgbX5ST0?si=Pr33kksCT6UhNCr8 via @YouTube

[elephantinpajamas]

@leasthaunted just in case you're wondering what you're missing on the shitshow that is the Elonverse, this is a pretty decent encapsulation of how everything is playing out

[leasthaunted]

Episode 114: The Dark Watchers

From the coast of Big Sur, to the top of the second highest peak in The British Isles, Cody and Garth explore tales of giant shadow figures in the mist. What are The Dark Watchers? Who is The Big Gray Man? and What does a specter from Germany have to do with it? All of this and the opening of your third eye await in the latest episode of Least Haunted!

As always, please come join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

[leasthaunted]

Episode 113: The ABC's of BBC's

Do unknown giant felids stalk the moors of Great Britain? Do Scottish sheep have something else to fear on the shores of Loch Ness? Do cats recognize the monarchy? This time wildlife biologist and Least Haunted's resident "Cryptid Hunter" Carolyn joins us once again to take a look at the mystery of Alien Big Cats.

Check out the images below discussed in this week's episode and please come join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

Scottish Wildcat, the native wild cat of the British Isle (learn more about them and what threatens them at https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/mammals/scottish-wildcat/)

Kellas cat, a hybrid of Scottish Wildcats and domestic cats, inspiration for the folklore of cat-sìth ('fairy cat') (taxidermy specimen from the University of Aberdeen Collection)

Felicity (mountain lion remains pictured below) is an example of a released wild cat that was believed to have formerly been someone's pet who was released into the wild. Why did they think she used to be a pet? She enjoyed being tickled and preferred processed foods. When she was caught, she was taken to live out the rest of her life at Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig where she was named Felicity.

An example of meow-staken identity: https://nypost.com/2024/04/03/us-news/cmountain-lion-on-security-camera-turns-out-to-be-cat-police/

Finally, the only alien cat we believe in at LH HQ is Jake the cat from The Cat From Outer Space. Go watch this movie and believe in Jake too!

[leasthaunted]

Pride in the Paranormal! 🌈👻

Are you part of the LGBTQIA+ community and into the paranormal? The Least Haunted Podcast wants to hear from you! We would like to do a part two to our Pride episode from last year (https://www.leasthaunted.com/podcast/episode/23c98c33/episode-82-paranormal-pride) by reaching out to the LGBTQIA+ community directly! Last year we talked about the intersectionality between queer identities and the paranormal and how that is reflected in pop culture. But we're curious to know how your queer identity relates to your paranormal interests. Please share your stories by emailing us at leasthauntedpodcast@gmail.com!

[leasthaunted]

Episode 108: Minge Magic (Genital Magic C*ntinued)

On this week's episode, Cody and Garth are c*ntinuing their discussion on the magical role of genitals. This time around the boys are focusing more on the Middle Ages and the magic of THE VULVA. And in Garth's Corner, he takes Cody on an ILLUMINATING trip into the books maintained by monk scribes.

Enjoy the images discussed in the episode below! And please come and join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

Statue of Julius Caesar giving the Digitus Impudicus (middle Finger)

Roman Tniabula, "Dick Monster Windchime"

Mediaeval Christian medals featuring Gentitals

Sheela Na Gig

Pilgrim Medal ©British Museum

GARTH'S ILLUMINATED CORNER

SNAILS AND RABBITS, OH MY!

Long story short, doodle in the margins!

[leasthaunted]

Episode 112: How Ghost Work?

On the week's episode, Cody has a migraine and Garth has a cough. So of course the only logical thing to do is address the really important questions: How Ghost Work? What Ghost do? Why is Ghost? Etc. Admittedly there are a hell of a lot more questions than answers in this one, so you've been warned.

No images below since this week's episode was a little more existential but, as always, please come join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

[leasthaunted]

Know any haunted roads in the San Francisco Bay Area?

Hey all you spooky people! Remember back when Cody and Garth drove Hicks Road in San Jose and filmed our drive? They're ready for another nighttime sojourn into the world of the paranormal and strange. But the boys need some help picking what road they should drive. So that is why they are asking for a little research help...

There are many "haunted" roads in the San Francisco Bay Area (their general neck of the woods), and that is a lot of choices to consider. With that in mind, why not make this interactive?

Do an internet search for haunted roads in the Bay Area and then share your findings as a suggestion down below. After enough suggestions have been submitted to create a list, Cody and Garth will let Patreon vote on what road they drive down late at night with dash cam.

Their haunted future is in your hands!

[leasthaunted]

Episode 101: The Flatwoods Monster

Original sketch of The Flatwoods Monster from 1952.

Least Haunted Artist's Recreation.

Red-Faced Great Horned Owl in defensive posture. Looks sort of "spade-shaped" Doesn't it?

Another example.

Unsuro-Bune, The Hollow Boat. Early 19th century tale from Japan. Unfortunate castaway? Or alien?

Tumblepop! 1991 Japanese arcade game featuring "The Three Meters Alien" as a final boss.

"Ghosts" from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000).

Mitsuko Hiramori, aka, The Three Meters Alien, aka Miss Three Meters from You-Gi-Oh.

A video about Planarians.

Penis Fencing Flatworms.

[leasthaunted]

Episode 110: Ghost Writers in A.I. (featuring Michael Swaim)

On this week's episode, Cody and Garth are joined once again by Michael Swaim of Small Beans! Together they discuss the time a famous author wrote a book posthumously. That's right! It's actual ghost writers! They also discuss Michael's new book, The Climb and delve into the philosophical ramifications of generative A.I. on the world of artists and creators. So grab your Ouija™ boards, fire up the chatbots, and crack a few glo-sticks, it's about to get weird. 

Thanks for joining the boys again, Michael! Please check out Michael Swaim's new memoir, The Climb, and the comic Michael and Garth made, One Last Job!

Check out the images below discussed in this week's episode and please come join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

Samuel Langhorne Clemens a.k.a Mark Twain (1835-1910)

A steam powered River Boat, much like Mark Twain piloted in the 1850's.

Young Sam Clemens as a young typesetter's apprentice

Original 1901 Oujia™ Board

Pearl Lenore Curran, the medium who communicated through Ouija™ board with the "spirit" of Patience Worth- a girl who supposedly lived in the 1600's - to write a series of novels and collections of poetry.

Emily Grant Hutchings, (1870-1960), friend of Pearl Lenore Curran, and St. Louis journalist. She was present at the Patience Worth Ouija™ sessions. In 1916 she, her husband, and medium Ms. Hays used a Ouija™ to communicate with the "spirit" of Mark Twain©.

The book, Jap Herron by Mark Twain, as communicated through the Oujia™ Board.

[leasthaunted]

Past Episode Shout Out!

Episode 57: Haunted Dolls

Almost 50 episodes ago, Cody and Garth got to talk with the Justin McElroy about haunted dolls and their history in pop culture!

A fantastic episode and one that many listeners have said got them into the Least Haunted Podcast. Give this episode a listen and see if you too fall down the mongoose hole 😉

[leasthaunted]

Episode 111: Firestarter

Due to Sequoidea Productions and the Least Haunted Headquarters being based in California, the boys think (worry) about fires a lot and fire season is in full swing here. Cody actually reported a fire while on vacation in Plumas County and there was a fire near the LH HQ also while Cody was away! Quite the Spooky Check!

These recent happens sparked an idea for the boys!

This is the One Hundred and Eleventieth episode! In New Zealand they dial 111 for emergencies, so here we are, talking arson and summer fun. Cody and Garth discuss some recent brushes with rapid oxidation and then we travel to England to get to the bottom of a spooky photograph of a burning city hall. Come and join us and we promise we won't put on a ring of invisibility and never be seen 'round these parts again. Clean a firebreak and we'll teach you to burn!

Check out the images below discussed in this week's episode and please come join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

The first image of The Gold Fire in Plumas County California. Taken by Cody's wife Alison as he was calling it in to emergency services.

The same fire six hours later.

The glow of the fire from the same angle once the sun went down, aka "Mordor."

A video, courtesy of Garth, of a helicopter dropping water on the fire near LH HQ.

The Wem Ghost Photograph taken during the Wem Town Hall fire in November 1994.

Little Girl on Postcard of Downtown Wem 1922

The two images of the ghost and girl side by side.

Original television broadcast story about the photograph from 1995: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm1gEf4_v8s&t=7s

[leasthaunted]

Garth's Guide to the Picturesque Art Movement

This post is a companion to the Garth's Corner for Episode 106: The Dick Knight Rises (link). I showed Cody several examples of Picturesque landscape paintings and landscape paintings made before this movement.

The artwork of the Renaissance was a revival of old Greek and Roman ideas of geometric perfection, symmetry, proportion, and harmony. Here are some examples.

Andrea Mantegna "Garden of Gethsemane" (1470)

Nicolas Poussin "Apollo in Love with Daphne" (1664)

Nicolas Poussin "Landscape with Orpheus and Eurydice" (1651)

The term "picturesque" concerns two aesthetic ideals - both the beautiful and the sublime. In the 1700s artists were becoming interested in rendering landscapes in a new way. They painted more evocatively, making the landscape the central focus and record of their own experience. They wanted to capture the majesty of nature.

Artists Thomas Gray had this to say about the Scottish Highlands:

"The mountains are ecstatic […]. None but those monstrous creatures of God know how to join so much beauty with so much horror."

Examples of the Picturesque:

Claude Lorrain "A view of the Roman Campagna from Tivoli, evening" (1645)

Figures in Classical Landscape - Flemish School (early 1700s)

Richard Wilson "Solitude" (1762-1770)

Thus began a tourist craze of landscape trophy hunting. Artist and Cleric William Gilpin remarked, "Shall we suppose it a greater pleasure to the sportsman to pursue a trivial animal, than it is to the man of taste to pursue the beauties of nature?"

Normally I use several sources (up to two!) for my Garth's Corners, but for this one I used Wikipedia. Here's a link to that, the last great website on a dying internet.

And, yes I'm an ass man. Here's two versions of the von Ahnen coat of arms:

We'll try to keep this tumblr up to date from here on.

[leasthaunted]

The Game is not over yet...

[leasthaunted]

Check out our newest episode to find out if we make contact with a time traveler! (Available wherever you get your podcasts)