Stuff They Don't Want You To Know Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

Appalachian Horror: Voices in the Woods

Apr 22, 2026 · 1h 8m

Summary

Recording from the Bahamas, hosts Matt, Noel, and Ben explore the Appalachian Trail’s history and its eerie folklore. They discuss the trail’s origins with Benton McKay and address safety concerns, including homicides and disappearances. The episode focuses on the "Appalachian mimic voice," a legend where entities call hikers by name using loved ones' voices. They analyze acoustic anomalies and cultural roots of these myths, warning listeners to ignore such calls in the woods.

Topics discussed

Intro: Recording from Baja Mar resort Guest Matt Williams and Max's birthday Appalachian Trail: Hiking tips and folklore Ad breaks: Ride or Die and Ebglys History of the Appalachian Trail and Benton McKay Trail statistics and the 'Thru-Hiker' phenomenon Disappearances and the 'Granny' mimicry legend Acoustic science: How hollers distort sound Ad breaks: Ride or Die and Fanatics Fest Folklore: Wendigos, whistling, and Spearfinger Pareidolia and auditory hallucinations in nature Moon-Eyed People and Cherokee legends Outro, shoutouts, and final ad reads
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