It's October, and the spooky season is finally upon us! Get into the "spirit" with one of the most famous and feared ghosts of Japan and her alleged curse that many still fear to this day. If you like this episode or are a fan of the show in general, consider throwing us a tip at https://ko-fi.com/monstresspod so we can keep doing what we do best!

For more information on breast cancer awareness, please visit https://www.breastcancer.org/

Music Credits:

"Ōgi no Mato" section of "The Fire Scene and the Coming of War Medley (From "Memoirs of a Geisha" Soundtrack)" performed by John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Ensemble Nipponia. Written by Traditional / John Williams. From the album 'Memoirs of a Geisha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)'. Fair use.

"Heat Island" performed by Rhymester (feat. FireBall). Written by Shiro Sakama, Daisuke Sasaki, Jin Yamamoto, Chozen Lee, Jun 4 Shot, Criss, and Truthful. From the album 'Heat Island' (Ki/oon Records / Sony Music Entertainment Japan). Fair use.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Celebrate with one of the most horrifying spirits of Latin America who might make you hold your horses the next time you think to offer a beautiful hitchhiking damsel in distress a ride!

To learn more about the struggles currently faced by Hispanic and Latino immigrants and their families in the United States and see how you can help, please visit: https://unidosus.org/issues/immigration/

Music Credits:

"La Siguanaba" performed by Sara Curruchich. Written by Sara Curruchich. From the album 'Mujer Indígena' (Mamita Records). Fair use.

"El Torito Pinto" performed by Marimba Salvadoreña. Traditional folk music of El Salvador (Author Unknown). From the album 'Folklore Salvadoreño' (Music Art Productions Inc.). Fair use.

She's the world's most prolific female serial killer, and one of the most famous alleged vampires who may have even inspired the story of Count Dracula himself. But sometimes, the truth is even more terrifying than fiction, and the truth behind the legend of the Blood Countess is certainly no exception!

Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of torture and mutilation and therefore, may be distrubing to some listeners.

Music Credits

"Vörös Rébék" performed by Koncz Zsuzsa. Composition by Viktor Vajda, based on the ballad by János Arany. From the album 'Élünk és meghalunk' (Hungaroton). Fair use.

"Lydiához" performed by Márta Sebestyén and Sebő-együttes. Composition by Ferenc Sebő, based on the poem by Horace (translated by Miklós Radnóti). From the album 'Énekelt versek' (Hungaroton). Fair use.

You may have heard of witches in Salem, Massachusetts, but have you heard about the witch who supposedly cursed an entire town in Maryland just a few years after the infamous trials? Who some say still haunts the area, bringing about everything from car accidents to lightning strikes to severe illness? This witch will teach you a lesson about being neighborly!

Music Credits:

"Season of the Witch" performed by Donovan. Written by Donovan Leitch. From the album 'Sunshine Superman' (Epic Records). Fair use.

"I Put a Spell on You" performed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. Written by Jalacy Hawkins, arranged by Marc Shaiman. From the album 'Hocus Pocus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)' (Walt Disney Records). Fair use.

Eistedfodd Hapus! Celebrate the Welsh language and culture with this very special episode about an ancient and terrifying harbinger of death. In a Monstress first, I'm joined by special guest Owen Staton; a professional storyteller and Welsh speaker who discusses the country's unique folklore and oral traditions, shares a story of his own about this episode's monstress, and even teaches me some of the Welsh language, or tries to at least despite my ineptitude... Please excuse the poorer audio quality during my interview with Owen as it seems the software we were using had a few technical problems between our devices. I plan to have this remedied next time I have a guest on the show though!

Check out Owen Staton and his podcast "Time Between Times" here: https://www.welshstoryteller.com/

Music Credits:

"Myfanwy" performed by Philip Gregory. Traditional Welsh composition by Joseph Parry and Richard Davies. Fair use.

"Anifail" performed by Candelas. Written by Osian Williams, Ifan Jones, Gwilym Bowen Rhys, and Tomos Williams. From the album 'Candelas' (I Ka Ching Records). Fair use.

The World Cup is over, and while Scotland may not have won, they showed they know how to have fun! Just like the deadly fairy women of the Scottish Highlands, who's thirst for blood and dancing matches the Scottish football fans' thirst for cold beer and a good time. No Scotland, no party as they say!

Music Credits:

"Loch Lomond" performed by Runrig. Traditional Scottish arrangement by Runrig. Original version from the album 'The Highland Connection' / 'Once in a Lifetime' (Ridge Records / Chrysalis Records). Fair use.

"Highland Girl" performed by Nathan Evans. Written by Nathan Evans, Stevie Jukes, Alan Jukes, and Lewis Gardiner. From the album '1994' (Universal Music GmbH). Fair use.

Sometimes the scariest monsters are the real ones, and this sadistic socialite of colonial New Orleans, Louisiana is as real as it gets. Stories like hers are part of why this city became known as one of America's most haunted! Also apologies if the music sounds slightly lower quality on this episode than more recent ones. Due to issues with my laptop speakers, I had to use a separate recording device, but I'm hoping to fix the issue before the next episode.

Warning: This episode discusses the violence of the transatlantic slave trade and therefore, may be triggering to some listeners.

Music Credits:

"I Be So Glad When the Sun Goes Down" performed by Ed Lewis. Recorded by Alan Lomax. From the album 'Southern Journey, Vol. 5: Bad Man Ballads' (Alan Lomax Collection / Rounder Records). Fair use.

"Roll Jordan Roll" performed by Topsy Chapman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and cast. Traditional arrangement by Nicholas Britell. From the album '12 Years a Slave (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)' (Fox Music / Columbia Records). Fair use.

You may not know her name (unless you’re a fan of strange Australian animals) but you’ll definitely know at least one if not more of her beastly children. Meet the ultimate matriarch of monsters, who’s many abominable children were the bane of the ancient Greco-Roman world and are today still some of the most recognizable creatures of mythology.

Music Credits:

"Lady Madonna" performed by The Beatles. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From the album 'Past Masters' (Apple Corps Ltd. / Calderstone Productions Limited under exclusive licence to Universal Music Group). Fair use.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" performed by Queen. Written by Freddie Mercury. From the album 'A Night at the Opera' (Queen Productions Ltd. under exclusive licence to Universal Music Group / Hollywood Records). Fair use.