Overview of Deeper Lore: 298 (25, 88, & 134)
This bonus episode of Deeper Lore (hosted by Aaron Mahnke) is a short, topical guide to Lore episode 298, “Almost Alive,” which explores the unsettling world of automata—people-making machines and the ethical, emotional, and eerie consequences of creating human likenesses. Mahnke points listeners to three older Lore episodes that pair thematically with the new installment, offering a curated mini-listening list to extend the mood and deepen context.
Recommended paired episodes
Episode 25 — “The Cave”
- Type: Witch story set on an island off the coast of Chile.
- Why it pairs: Involves witches doing disturbing things to human beings; thematically relevant to the idea of altering or manipulating people (or human likenesses).
Episode 88 — “Crossing the Line”
- Type: Creepy favorite exploring obsession.
- Why it pairs: Focuses on a man whose love leads him to commit a boundary-crossing act—so unsettling it defies even death. Resonates with the emotional/ethical extremes behind making or replacing people.
Episode 134 — “Disturbing the Peace”
- Type: Historical account of the Doctors’ Riot of 1788 and grave robbing.
- Why it pairs: Centers on community panic about what doctors are doing with bodies—parallels fears about how human parts or likenesses might be used, and the unknowns of medical/constructive practices.
You can find these by scrolling through the podcast feed or tapping the direct links in the episode description.
Core themes and takeaways
- The human impulse to create humanlike things is deeply natural—and deeply unnerving.
- Stories of automata intersect with older fears: manipulation of the dead/living, moral lines crossed for love or science, and community panic about bodily integrity.
- Pairing the new automata episode with tales of witchcraft, obsession, and grave robbing highlights recurring cultural anxieties about what it means to be human and what’s acceptable to do to or recreate a human.
How to use this guide
- Suggested listening order: new episode 298 (“Almost Alive”) first, then the older episodes (25, 88, 134) to expand themes and keep the eerie mood going.
- Links: direct episode links are available in the Deeper Lore episode description; otherwise find them by episode number in your podcast app.
Sponsor note
- Brief sponsor message: Mint Mobile holiday offer—50% off unlimited wireless for new customers (plans require upfront payment; details in ad). Mentioned at episode start.
Stay spooky.