Back in 2024, I shared a playlist of some of my favourite spooky podcast episodes for Halloween on Twitter. Though I no longer post on that particular social media platform for ethical reasons, I thought it would be fun to revisit some of those old tweets and share the best spooky podcast episodes you should be checking out this Halloween.
Late One Night – The Memory Palace
Hosted by the beautifully eloquent Nate DiMeo, “Late One Night” is a heart-wrenchingly narrated historical story, complete with music and spectacular editing. It might be my favourite podcast episode ever released and is definitely the one I’ve listened to more than any other. DiMeo likes listeners to go into his episodes without knowing the topic he’s covering, so I won’t spoil what this one’s about. You’ll just have to trust me — it’s well worth checking out (you can always play the clip in the tweet below if you want a sneaky preview of the show’s incredible writing).
Night of the Living Allegory: The Politics of Zombies – Origin Story
If you’re after something a little more analytical this Halloween, Origin Story’s episode on zombies is a perfect choice. Hosts Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey trace the undead’s journey from Haitian folklore to the silver screen, exploring how George A. Romero’s reinvention of the zombie transformed it into one of pop culture’s most enduring and adaptable metaphors. What makes this episode so compelling is the way it treats the zombie not just as a monster, but as a mirror — reflecting our fears about politics, pandemics, capitalism, and even the end of civilisation itself. It’s thoughtful, sharp, and surprisingly moving, a reminder that even the walking dead can tell us something about what it means to be alive. (It’s worth listening to the little audio clip on the tweet if for no other reason than to hear Ian Dunt’s wonderful laugh which always puts a smile on my face).
Spirit Halloween – 99% Invisible
For something a little lighter but no less fascinating, 99% Invisible’s episode on Spirit Halloween takes a wonderfully offbeat look at one of the strangest fixtures of the modern retail landscape. Each autumn, the vacant shells of once-bustling shops are temporarily resurrected by the Spirit Halloween franchise, transforming empty space into seasonal spectacle. The episode explores what this annual haunting reveals about the so-called “retail apocalypse” — and why, despite its impermanence, Spirit Halloween has become a strangely comforting presence for so many. As always, 99% Invisible combines meticulous research with a sense of quiet wonder, finding meaning in the places most of us barely notice.
Monster’s of Halloween – Mortified
Mortified is a podcast where adults share the most embarrassing artefacts from their teenage years—diary entries, love letters, song lyrics, poems—onstage in front of a live audience. It’s a part confessional, part comedy that gives an unfiltered look into the experience of adolescence. If that hasn’t already sold you check out the twitter audio clip where 5-year-old Scott handed in a primary school book report on the Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. It’s every bit as delightful and hilarious as you’d expect.
You can check out a previous blog on the power of the Mortified podcast using this link.
Who Gets to Survive: The Final Girls of Horror – Imaginary Worlds
Few podcasts unpack pop culture tropes with as much intelligence and empathy as Imaginary Worlds, and their episode on “The Final Girls” is a perfect example. Host Eric Molinsky explores the evolution of horror’s most enduring archetype — the woman who survives. From Laurie Strode to Ellen Ripley, the episode looks at how the “Final Girl” has changed over decades of slashers and sequels, and what that shift reveals about our culture’s understanding of gender, race, and resilience. Featuring conversations with scholars and critics, it’s an illuminating, deeply thoughtful listen that treats horror not just as entertainment, but as a mirror for how society defines strength and survival.
Any Questions – Dead Eyes
Not all spooky podcasts are going to be winners, but this one is. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how one of Saturday Night Live’s strangest sketches became a cultural phenomenon, this episode is well worth a listen. Dead Eyes is hosted by Connor Ratliff, a comedian who turns moments of rejection and absurdity into something surprisingly thoughtful. In “Any Questions?”, Ratliff talks to Bobby Moynihan about the making of the now-legendary David S. Pumpkins sketch and how such a bizarre idea managed to capture the public imagination. It’s funny, self-aware, and full of behind-the-scenes insight into how SNL works at its weirdest and most creative.
Oh, also if you haven’t seen David Pumpkins yet, what are you doing? Go check it out!
Thanks for Reading
I hope you enjoyed these spooky podcast episode recommendations. I have a longer playlist of episode suggestions you can check out here with links for Apple, Spotify and Overcast. Happy Halloween!
Josh Wright 
Leave a comment