Overview of Deeper Lore: 293 (84, 116, & 172)
This bonus episode of Deeper Lore (hosted by Aaron Mahnke) is a topical guide meant to pair the new Lore episode 293, "Mother Knows Best" (about the British folk figure Mother Shipton), with three earlier episodes that share related themes—charismatic paranormal figures, spiritualist movements, and dangerous cult dynamics. The episode explains why older entries can deepen the experience of new ones and points listeners to specific episodes to follow up with.
Recommended episode pairings
Aaron highlights three past Lore episodes that complement episode 293. For each, a short summary and why it pairs well:
Episode 84 — "A Family Affair"
- Subject: The Eddie family, Vermont spiritualist mediums.
- Why listen: Shows how families/teams can build large followings through purported paranormal talent and public performances—parallels to Mother Shipton’s popular legend.
Episode 116 — "Something Blue"
- Subject: Linda Hazard and a diet-based cult.
- Why listen: An example of a leader using charisma and pseudo-authority to ruin lives; warns how seemingly benign beliefs can become destructive.
Episode 172 — "Under the Influence"
- Subject: A particularly destructive cult where danger was obvious but followers rushed in.
- Why listen: Demonstrates the social dynamics and warning signs of cults—useful framing for understanding historical figures who inspired devotion.
Themes and main takeaways
- Charismatic figures (spiritualists, prophets, cult leaders) attract followers through performance, persuasion, or promises of secret knowledge.
- Historical legends and folklore (like Mother Shipton) fit inside broader patterns of social influence—seeing similar dynamics across different eras helps contextualize them.
- Cult dynamics can escalate from odd beliefs to real harm; recognizing early warning signs matters.
- Deeper Lore exists to connect episodes across the catalog so listeners can trace recurring motifs and deepen their understanding.
How to listen
- Episodes 84, 116, and 172 are available in the Lore podcast feed—scroll in your app or use the direct links provided in the bonus episode’s description.
Ads & promos noted in the episode
- Rubrik Agent Cloud (AI agents monitoring and guardrails)
- CVS Extra Care / Extra Big Deals
- Promo by Chris Gethard for his podcast Beautiful Anonymous
Stay spooky.