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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