• Weird Darkness: Stories of the Paranormal, True Crime, Legends, Lore, Mysterious, Macabre, Unsolved

  • By: Darren Marlar
  • Podcast
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (28 ratings)

Weird Darkness: Stories of the Paranormal, True Crime, Legends, Lore, Mysterious, Macabre, Unsolved

By: Darren Marlar
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  • Summary

  • Award-winning podcast hosted by voice artist Darren Marlar who narrates true stories of crime, the unexplained, and paranormal.
    * Ranked #2 in Podcast Magazine‘s “Best True Crime and Horror” podcasts for 2020
    * Named one of the “Best Storytellers in Podcasting” in 2019 by Podcast Business Journal
    * Darren Marlar’s narration of “The Tell-Tale Heart” won Bronze at HEAR NOW 2020 Podcast Palooza
    * Reached #5 worldwide on the “HOT 50” chart for November 2020 by Podcast Magazine
    * Finalist for”Storyteller-Drama” award for the “People’s Choice Podcast Awards” in 2019
    © 2015-2025, Weird Darkness
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Science Spirituality True Crime
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Episodes
  • WHAT IF IMAGINARY FRIENDS ARE REAL?: The Chilling Question – Can Children See What We Don’t?

    WHAT IF IMAGINARY FRIENDS ARE REAL?: The Chilling Question – Can Children See What We Don’t?
    Apr 15 2025
    What if the imaginary friend you had as a child wasn’t imaginary at all — but something lingering, watching… and very real?

    Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version of #WeirdDarkness: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate

    DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.
    IN THIS EPISODE: Most people had imaginary friends when they were younger. These "friends" were usually nice, funny, and even comforting. They took the form of animals, other humans, and sometimes larger-than-life characters that defy classification. And sometimes they were extremely creepy and downright scary, especially when examined in hindsight.

    SOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…
    Imaginary Friends 01: http://ow.ly/olpf30nQLkP
    Imaginary Friends 02: http://ow.ly/obdb30nQLl8
    =====
    (Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)
    = = = = =
    "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
    = = = = =
    WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.
    =====
    Originally aired: June 2021
    EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/ImaginaryFriends
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    27 mins
  • Thrown BACK IN TIME And Chased By a NEANDERTHAL! What Would YOU Do?

    Thrown BACK IN TIME And Chased By a NEANDERTHAL! What Would YOU Do?
    Apr 15 2025
    A couple are transported to the stone ages and are menaced by a Neanderthal. #RetroRadio EP0381

    Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version of #WeirdDarkness and #RetroRadio:https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate
    CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
    00:00:00.000 = Show Open
    00:01:50.000 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “The Russian Passport” (January 07, 1976) ***WD
    00:47:47.829 = X Minus One, “The Roads Must Roll” (January 04, 1956)
    01:16:31.029 = Strange Adventure, “The Phantom Signal” (1945) ***WD
    01:20:57.489 = Appointment With Fear, “And The Deep Shuddered” (November 20, 1945) ***WD
    01:48:11.359 = BBC Ghost Story, “School Story” (November 28, 1980)
    02:03:51.169 = Beyond The Green Door, “Mrs Curlew Poisoner Marries” (1966) ***WD
    02:08:31.729 = Box 13, “One One Three Point Five” (March 20, 1949)
    02:35:45.459 = Incredible But True, “The Man Who Said Mass”
    02:40:24.319 = Chet Chetter’s Tales From The Morgue, “Peace To The Frifalites” (1989)
    03:08:50.339 = The Clock, “Uncle Amos” (May 18, 1947) ***WD
    03:33:58.639 = Confession, “James V Madsen” (August 23, 1953) ***WD
    04:03:14.169 = Sounds of Darkness, “Ticktock Death” (January 20, 1970)
    04:30:19.249 = The Devil and Mr. O, “Neanderthal” (September 24, 1971) ***WD
    04:59:03.780 = Show Close

    (ADU) = Air Date Unknown
    (LQ) = Low Quality
    ***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.
    Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library
    = = = = =
    "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
    = = = = =
    WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.
    = = = = =
    CUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0381
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    5 hrs
  • SOULS FOR SALE: Frightening True Stories of Real People Who Made Deals With the Devil

    SOULS FOR SALE: Frightening True Stories of Real People Who Made Deals With the Devil
    Apr 14 2025
    From popes and painters to witches and bluesmen, these are the damned souls who bartered with the Devil — and paid in madness, torment, and blood.

    Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version of #WeirdDarkness: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate

    DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.
    IN THIS EPISODE: Five stories of real people who supposedly made deals with the Devil himself. *** In the summer of 1988, a terrifying creature began haunting the woods and little towns of Lee County, South Carolina – it quickly became known as Lizard Man. *** Governor Daniel G. Fowle ordered the construction of an oversized bed - but a later inhabitant of the governor’s mansion found the bed that gave Fowle such comfort to be the source of a strange series of encounters.

    CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
    00:00.00.000 = Lead-In
    00:01:06.770 = Show Open
    00:02:29.568 = They Made Deals With The Devil: Pope Sylvester II
    00:07:31.713 = They Made Deals With The Devil: Dr. John Fian
    00:14:19.832 = They Made Deals With The Devil: Bernard Fokke
    00:18:04.907 = They Made Deals With The Devil: Christoph Haizmann
    00:22:16.770 = They Made Deals With The Devil: Tommy Johnson
    00:28:08.745 = Lizard Man, 30 Years Later
    00:36:46.451 = The Ghost In The Governor’s Mansion
    00:41:09.417 = Show Close, Verse, and Final Thought

    SOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…
    BOOK: “Lizard Man: The True Story of the Bishopville Monster” by Lyle Blackburn: https://amzn.to/2Exqoga
    BOOK: “North Carolina Legends” by Richard Walser: https://amzn.to/2H2MlFw
    “They Made Deals With The Devil” by Erik: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/38fkm5us
    “Lizard Man, 30 Years Later” by Nick Redfern: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/x4yy4m5w
    “The Ghost in The Governor’s Mansion”: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/57hwb5tp
    =====
    (Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)
    = = = = =
    "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
    = = = = =
    WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.
    =====
    Originally aired: June 07, 2022
    EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/SoulsForSale
    Show more Show less
    42 mins
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Profile Image for K8088

Great Podcast

First, Darren has an amazing voice. The stories are great. Productoin value is fantastic. Love it!

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Dark sweetness

I’m glad a friend of mine recommended this to me, you never know what you’re going to come across sometimes but it’s always nice to find a diamond. If you’re into the dark & interesting, this might be a good fit for you

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One of my favorite podcasts!

I have totally fallen for weird darkness!! I listen to it every night. Finally found a podcast right up my alley!!

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Profile Image for RileyE

Great work

I love the content, always a great story to be told by Darren on his podcasts!!!

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Love this program

Like the title says, I love this program. Darren is a great narrator, and you can tell that he genuinely cares for his fan base.

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Profile Image for RYAN P.

Love this Podcast!

I found this podcast a couple weeks ago and I can say I am part of the weirdo family now. I have been ear gooseling this podcast esp while I'm at work. Thanks Darren for making something so interesting and awesome!

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Love it sooo much

This podcast is the bomb the music definitely sets the mood and his voice is great for scary stories. He tries his best to get more them one podcast episode out a day.

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I enjoy listening to the story telling.

This was a thrilling story that had the sound like it could have come from truth.

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My Favorite Podcast. Period

I have been listening to Darren since the 2020 pandemic. Darren truly has the golden “radio voice” and it is a perfect match for the content of his show. Keep up the good work Darren!

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OMG this is the Bomb

I love this podcast sooooo much, I can not wait to listen to this every night. IT IS THE BOMB

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