Unspookable
Scary stories and myths explored in family-friendly podcast.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this podcast.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Unspookable is a podcast for the curious, that explores the history behind scary stories, urban legends, monsters, and more. There are episodes about popular childhood rituals like summoning "Bloody Mary" in the bathroom mirror, or playing with a Ouija Board. Other subjects include witches, aliens, and the Bermuda Triangle. Because the stories are presented along with historical and scientific facts, the scariness is just right for the target audience. It also helps that we hear from young children sharing their thoughts on the subjects, which can be insightful and funny. However, if your child has specific fears or phobias, check the episode descriptions first before listening.
What’s It About?
Each episode of UNSPOOKABLE takes an in-depth look at a popular scary story or urban legend. Host Elise Parisian examines the fascinating histories behind some of the things that frighten us, including witches, creepy spirits that appear in the mirror, and Friday the 13th. Some stories are shown to be common across different cultures, like dragon myths and celebrations of the dead. We also hear from kids on what they know about these stories. Listeners are asked to reflect on what makes things scary, and how our fears relate to media and society.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun and informative podcast for kids and families who love listening to scary stories and learning about history. What makes Unspookable special is it raises questions about what frightens us and why we react the way we do to these stories. We can enjoy a good scare while also thinking critically about a story's origins. In a two-part episode about witches, Parisian discusses how perceptions of witches have changed over time, and she makes parallels between the Salem Witch Trials and present day injustices. Unspookable succeeds in hitting just the right balance of scary and educational, and encourages listeners to do further research on their own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Unspookable looks at the historical and scientific facts behind scary stories. Does knowing this background information make the stories less scary?
Many spooky apparitions are women—particularly women without children. Who do you think created these legends, and what does it tell us about who had power in that society?
Urban legends are often related to conspiracy theories, which can be widespread online. Where can we look to find trustworthy information?
Podcast Details
- Release date: October 17, 2018
- Genre: Kids & Family
- Average Run Time: 25 minutes
- Host: Elise Parisian
- Publisher: Soundsington Media
- Pricing structure: Free
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Last updated: October 11, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
R.L. Stine's Story Club
Bite-sized spooky stories with humor and scares.
-
Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest
Modern take on Grimm fairy tales with some scares, peril.
-
Goosebumps Series
Captivating, spooky mysteries can pack an emotional wallop.
For kids who love scary stories
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate