1. "Morbid"
These two chatty hosts — Alaina and Ash — are aunt and niece who cover stories that are anything but light. Though their podcast is predominantly a true crime podcast (scary enough), they also cover the occasional true haunting story, and in October, ramp it up with the bone-chilling stories. If you want a little scare without worrying about losing sleep, this podcast is a happy medium, as the truly scary material is weaved in with lighthearted conversation and funny quips.
2. "Crime Junkie"
This true crime podcast, hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, is routinely recognized as a top podcast, and for good reason. Their storytelling prowess, the cadence of the stories and the cinematic music set the stage for a successfully informative yet chilling podcast that delivers on every episode. Because this is true crime and real stories, you may find yourself sleeping with one eye open. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
3. "Lore"
If nothing else, the eerie show tune anthem will make your skin completely crawl. Hosted by Aaron Mahnke, this award-winning podcast uncovers true stories behind common folklore. With the motto “sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction,” you’ll quickly discover exactly why that is a show tagline and it’s far from warm and cozy. Advice: Listen to this show in broad daylight and follow it up with something funny or lighthearted.
4. "Anatomy of a Murder"
Another true crime podcast on the list, but then again, the real stories tend to be the ones to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Former deputy and investigative journalist Scott Weinberger and former prosecutor Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi band together to use their knowledge and expertise on homicides to dissect murder cases. While more often than not informative and entertaining, the scariest parts of human nature are addressed, and episodes will leave you keeping an eye on that one weird neighbor. Just kidding, or…
5. "Park Predators"
You’ll be grateful that it’s not prime camping season, as this podcast hosted by Delia D’Ambra covers true crime that takes place in some of the most beautiful places on Earth — national parks. “Park Predators,” cuts any fluff and gets right to the point in its title. The podcast looks at horrific true crime cases where predators did their bidding in national parks. Turns out it's an unsuspecting yet all-too-common location for crimes.
6. "Unsolved Murders"
Interested in unresolved true crime? The kind that keeps you lying awake at night wondering who dunnit? Or worse — are they still out there? Then “Unsolved Murders,” will suit your fancy just fine. And P.S., most of the cases are relatively old, so if you get worked up into a fright, you can always remind yourself of that.
7. "The NoSleep Podcast"
The “NoSleep Podcast” delivers on its title by making sure you actually can’t sleep for the next few business days. This is the one truly fiction podcast on the list, with a multi-award-winning anthology of original horror stories. The actual stories are so terrifying that the podcast has a literal warning attached to it for only mature adults to listen to. So, uh...listen at your own discretion.