Unspookable
By Lakshmi Hutchinson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Scary stories and myths explored in family-friendly podcast.
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Based on 3 parent reviews
Educational with just the right amount of scares to keep middle grade listeners engaged
So good it’s scary!
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
- Production Company and Network: Soundsington Media
- Pricing structure: Free
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: February 27, 2023
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