A podcast about ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night...
Join hosts Paul Randall Adams & Rachel Clark — two self-proclaimed skeptic believers — as they wade through the darkness together, one story at a time. From haunted locations and paranormal investigations to urban legends, cryptids, cults, and the occult, Shadow's Embrace covers every corner of the unknown with open minds and just enough doubt to keep things interesting.
Recorded across state lines and fueled by a shared obsession with the unexplained, Paul and Rachel bring you the stories that linger long after the lights
Is the Ouija board a harmless game or a portal to something darker?
In this episode, we explore:
The history of the board and its rise during the Spiritualist movement
Scientific explanations like the ideomotor effect and confirmation bias
Chilling real-life cases: Patience Worth, the Vallecas haunting, the exorcism that inspired The Exorcist, and the Zozo phenomenon
The board’s eerie role in pop culture
Listener questions, personal thoughts, and a few stories that might make you think twice before saying “yes” to the board
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this deep dive will leave you questioning what’s really behind the planchette’s movement.
🎧 Listen now… if you dare.
13 Apr 2025
Wheel of Lore: Spinning Through the Major Arcana
In this continuation of our Tarot series, Paul and Rachel dive headfirst into the rich symbolism and mysterious power of the Major Arcana. From The Fool’s first step to The World’s final triumph, these 22 archetypal cards form the backbone of the Tarot’s mystical narrative. Join us as we spin the wheel of lore and unravel how each card reflects our own journey through life, death, love, power, and transformation.
18 Feb 2025
Fool Disclosure: The Truth Behind Tarot
Tarot cards—fortune-telling gimmick or a window into the past? In this season premiere of Shadow’s Embrace, we unravel the mysterious origins of Tarot, tracing its journey from medieval playing cards to a tool of divination and self-reflection. From secret societies to pop culture, we'll explore how Tarot has shaped—and been shaped by—history, myth, and the human desire for answers. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, step into The Fool’s shoes as we take the first step on a path filled with secrets, symbolism, and surprising truths.
31 Oct 2024
Unmasking Halloween's Haunting Past
Welcome to this special Halloween episode of Shadow’s Embrace! Join Rachel and Paul as they dive into the hauntingly rich history of Halloween, from its mysterious Celtic origins to its transformation into the spirited celebration we know today. Together, they’ll uncover legends, lore, and the eerie evolution of this holiday through centuries of spooky traditions.
Amid the discussion, Rachel and Paul explore a playful hypothetical: what if local kids tried to pull off a Halloween prank? It’s a light-hearted look at the ‘tricks’ side of the holiday, making for a fun, spooky, and thought-provoking episode that’s perfect for the season.
16 Oct 2024
Black-Eyed Children: Urban Legend or Real-Life Nightmare?
Join us this time as we discuss the Black-Eyed Children. Who are they? What are they?
Are they aliens? Vampires? Demons? Harbingers of the Mandela Effect? Fergie and Will.i.am just wanting a blanket and some hot chocolate? You'll have to listen to find out. Make sure you stick around to hear Paul's in-depth critical analysis of the Scream franchise and listen as we wax poetic about liminal spaces. This truly is the episode that has everything.
1 Aug 2024
Aleister Crowley Part III: The Final Patreon
In the final episode of our Aleister Crowley podcast series, we delve into the enigmatic legacy of the occultist and his enduring influence on modern spirituality. We explore Crowley's controversial teachings and his role in shaping contemporary occult practices. Join us for a riveting conclusion to our deep dive into the life of this legendary figure.
26 Jun 2024
Aleister Crowley Part II: Real World Road Rules Challenge
In this episode, Paul talks about how Crowley’s expulsion from the Golden Dawn brought about the birth of Thelema. Join us as we discuss the connection between alcoholism and Typhoid, Crowley’s many lovers, and As-Seen-On-TV Magick.
Want to get in touch with us? Email us at podcastshadowsembrace@gmail.com (mailto:podcastshadowsembrace@gmail.com)
Further reading:
"Aleister Crowley in America: Art, Espionage, and Sex Magick in the New World" by Tobias Churton
"The Confessions of Aleister Crowley: An Autohagiography" by Aleister Crowley
"Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley" by Richard Kaczynski
5 Jun 2024
Aleister Crowley Part I: The Beginnings
In this episode, we delve into the enigmatic early life of Aleister Crowley, the controversial figure who would become known as the "Great Beast." From his strict religious upbringing in Victorian England to his rebellious school years and early mystical experiences, we explore the formative events that shaped his path towards becoming a notorious occultist. Join us as we uncover the influences and pivotal moments that set Crowley on his journey to infamy.
3 May 2024
Menger Hotel
23 Feb 2024
Dudley Town Curse
This episode, Paul and Rachel discuss the curse of Dudley Town and its origins in England. Ed and Lorraine Warren make a surprise appearance in this story, and Paul has... feelings. You definitely don't want to miss this.
Sources:
"The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren" by Gerald Brittle
"Ghosts of Connecticut: The Haunted Locations of Bristol, New Britain, Waterbury and Wallingford" by Jeffrey Fisher
"The World's Most Haunted Places" by Jeff Belanger
Conspiracy Theories Podcast - Dudleytown
Further Reading:
"Haunted Connecticut: Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Constitution State" by Cheri Revai
"The True Story of The Quiet Zone: Unraveling the Mystery of a Town Suspended in Silence" by Stephen G. Bloom
Email us at podcastshadowsembrace@gmail.com (mailto:podcastshadowsembrace@gmail.com)
16 Jan 2024
Gadgets and Voices and EMF...OH MY
On this episode Paul and I find ourselves discussing the equipment involved with a Paranormal Investigation.
Is it necessary?
Is it realistic?
Is it me Jesus?
31 Oct 2023
Willowbrook School
This week, Paul and Rachel look at the sordid history of Willowbrook School, a facility touted as a state-of-the-art facility to help people. Instead, it’s an institution filled with horrors and a legacy of hurt. This story truly has everything: ghosts, hepatitis, and a heroic Geraldo Rivera (for once.)
This episode comes with a warning: it is a lot darker and heavier than our previous episodes, but we feel it is an important piece of history to remember.
Resources used in this episode:
Geraldo Rivera's Report "Willowbrook: The Last Disgrace" (https://youtu.be/IRK0LO-9ZYk?si=CKH1ryERhvxTWIE_) (1972).
David J. Rothman and Sheila M. Rothman: "Willowbrook Wars: Bringing the Mentally Disabled into the Community" (2005)
Danny Fisher: "Unforgotten: Twenty-Five Years After Willowbrook" (https://youtu.be/HNLyKW8fCNg?si=DRFltNsw8-QraYu-) (1996).
Banner Staff Article: “College of the Damned: What Willowbrook Left Behind” (https://thebannercsi.com/2018/04/01/college-of-the-damned-what-willowbrook-left-behind/) (2018)
Sound Effects from Pixaby (https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/)
**Special Note: Rachel is working on fixing her microphone after moving and getting setup she neglected her settings and well she learned a valuable lesson.
3 Oct 2023
AHH! Virtual Monsters!
Special thanks for our story music contribution provided by Darren Curtis "Lurking Evil" and "Demented Nightmare"
22 Aug 2023
People Can Lick Too
Join us this month as Paul delves into the captivating realm of urban legends and their digital successors, Creepypastas. Explore their origins, the psychology behind their allure, and the evolution of spooky storytelling in the digital age. Join us as we journey from hushed tales whispered in the dark to the vivid horrors of the digital realm, understanding the enduring allure of these spine-chilling narratives. And listen to the chilling tale that kept Paul up for nights on end, "People Can Lick, Too."
Books referenced and/or used for this week's research:
Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear by Dr. Margee Kerr
The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings by Jan Harold Brunvand
The Choking Doberman and Other "New" Urban Legends by Jan Harold Brunvand
The Study of American Folklore: An Introduction by Jan Harold Brunvand
American Folklore: An Encyclopedia by Jan Harold Brunvand
The Mexican Pet: "New" Urban Legends by Jan Harold Brunvand
Special Thanks for our spooky ghost story music provided by:
Lurking Evil by Darren Curtis | https://www.darrencurtismusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
25 Jul 2023
Human Psyche
On this episode of Shadow’s Embrace, join Paul Randall Adams and Rachel Clark as we discuss what makes something scary, the science behind being scared and Paul’s avant garde response to Readers Digest jokes. We’ll discuss the first horror movie, how impressed Paul’s wife is with our knowledge about how we can fill time and space and why you might seek out those halloween thrills.
Selected resources for the week’s episode include:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/10/27/why-we-like-scary-things/ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/10/27/why-we-like-scary-things/)
The Paradox of Horror: http://bjaesthetics.oxfordjournals.org/ (http://bjaesthetics.oxfordjournals.org/), Penn State University (Paterno Lib) on September 18, 2016
Special Thanks for our spooky ghost story music provided by:
Komiku- The Ultimate Threat
Music promoted by: https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ (https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/)
Creative Commons CC 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
27 Jun 2023
Roots
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Shadow's Embrace! Join us, Paul Randall Adams and Rachel Clark as we delve into Spiritualism and the death grip it's had on American culture for years. We'll talk about the Fox Sisters, spooky stories, and haunted schoolchildren. We'll wax poetic about artificial intelligence and whether it's time to throw out that Roomba or not. This episode really has it all.
Selected resources for this week's episode include:
https://news.arizona.edu/story/experts-explain-our-love-fear-and-fascination-supernatural (https://news.arizona.edu/story/experts-explain-our-love-fear-and-fascination-supernatural)By Andy Ober, University Communications
Wikipedia - Spiritualism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism#:~:text=Spiritualism%20first%20appeared%20in%20the,not%20associate%20themselves%20with%20Spiritualism.)
The History of Spiritualism - Arthur Conan Doyle (https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/The_History_of_Spiritualism)
Special Thanks for our spooky ghost story music provided by:
Echoes of Time v2 by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
29 May 2023
Shadow's Embrace New Season
Promo of the upcoming episodes and what you can expect from Shadow's Embrace
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
62
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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