For the first time in what feels like forever, the Wyrdo’s, Craig and Andy, have ditched their typical dark, historical tales for a different kind of weirdness. In a special Christmas episode, they're joined by prize-winning storyteller Jason Buck to dive into the most sinister side of the holiday season. From flesh-eating trolls to ghostly brides, this is a yuletide journey that will have you double-checking the locks on your doors.
The Yuletide of Horror
The episode begins with an eerie start as storyteller Jason Buck recounts a chilling personal experience from his childhood: a real-life encounter with a strange, earth-like elemental. This personal story sets the stage for a deep dive into folklore far darker than the jolly Saint Nick we all know.
The hosts explore the origins of Krampus, the horned, shaggy demon from Alpine folklore who punishes naughty children, not with coal, but with a beating of birch twigs and a one-way trip to hell. Jason shares his first-hand experiences with Krampus runs in Switzerland, detailing the strange customs of this centuries-old tradition. But the weirdness doesn't stop there. We travel to Iceland to meet Grýla, a terrifying troll who has eaten two of her husbands and is the mother of the Yule Lads. Far from the mischievous elves of modern tales, the original Yule Lads were flesh-eating monsters with names like "Window-Peeper" and "Sausage-Swiper."
A Christmas Ghost Story
In keeping with the ancient tradition of telling ghost stories by the fire on a cold winter's night, the episode features two full-length tales. Jason Buck tells the haunting Icelandic legend of The Deacon of Darkwater, a story of a drowned man who returns from the grave on Christmas Eve to claim his bride. It’s a chilling tale of undeath and a final, desperate dance that is said to be based on a true story, with a stone in Iceland that supposedly keeps the ghost at bay.
Not to be outdone, Craig shares the tragic English legend of The Mistletoe Bride. The story follows a young bride who, on her wedding day, hides in an old chest as part of a game of hide-and-seek. The chest’s lid seals shut, trapping her inside. Years later, her skeletal remains are found still clutching a sprig of mistletoe. The tale is so popular that two different English manors lay claim to it, with reports of her spectral figure still appearing to this day.
The Santa Files: Fae, Tulpas, and Kryptonians
What would a Christmas special be without a discussion of Santa Claus himself? The hosts and their guest propose some wild theories on his origins. One theory suggests Santa is a tulpa, a being created by the collective consciousness of the billions of children who believe in him. Another posits that he is a powerful Fae from a magical realm, living in a barrow at the North Pole and able to travel the world with his bag of holding.
However, the weirdness escalates when the conversation shifts to real-world paranormal events. The team explores the WWII "Foo Fighters," mysterious balls of light that stalked Allied pilots, and a bizarre theory that they were Santa practicing his Christmas Eve flight. The discussion then moves to astronaut accounts, and a shocking new theory is proposed: Santa Claus is actually a Kryptonian, flying across the world as a benevolent hero.
The Great Christmas Debate
The episode isn't all ghosts and demons. The hosts and their guest find time to settle the most important debate of the season: is Die Hard a Christmas movie? The podcast also features a shocking moment of Whamageddon and a look at some truly bizarre headlines, including stories of people coming back to life right before cremation.
If you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit in a genuinely strange and spooky way, this episode is a must-listen. It’s a fascinating look at how our modern holiday traditions are rooted in ancient, terrifying folklore, and how the unexplained still pops up in our weird world.
Stay Wyrd.