Dark House

By: House Beautiful
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  • Summary

  • At the crossroads of true crime, interior design, and the paranormal, Dark House explores beautiful homes that can’t seem to escape their dark histories. Hosts and House Beautiful editors Hadley Mendelsohn and Alyssa Fiorentino dig into the twisted backstories of four infamous homes, and uncover the strange stories suggesting some inhabitants never left—and that perhaps history isn't the only thing haunting them. Featuring guest interviews with authors, set designers, psychic mediums, and paranormal investigators, Dark House uncovers why these residences, and the stories they tell us, are so important.
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Social Sciences Spirituality True Crime
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Episodes
  • Waco Siege Part 2: Feat. Cult Scholar Daniella Mestyanek Young

    Waco Siege Part 2: Feat. Cult Scholar Daniella Mestyanek Young
    Nov 15 2023
    Following their investigation into New Mount Carmel Center, Hadley and Alyssa resume their discussion of the infamous 1993 Waco siege. Hoping to better understand the actions of those embroiled in the conflict, they’re joined by author and cult scholar Daniella Mestyanek Young, who, as a cult survivor and Army veteran with a Masters in Organizational Psychology, provides valuable insight into the perspectives of each side. Speaking to her own experiences, Daniella talks about growing up in the Children of God cult as well as her time serving in the Army, and the parallels she’s noticed between those two chapters in her life. The hosts also pick her brain on all things coercive control, including how cult leaders utilize isolated locations and strict living conditions to control their followers. Wrapping up the episode, Alyssa and Hadley reflect on the stories they shared this season.  SWEEPSTAKES *IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: Following @Darkhousepodcast and liking Darkhouse’s ‘Uncultured’ Memoir sweepstakes post is required to enter Darkhouse’s ‘Uncultured’ Memoir Sweepstakes and does not necessarily signify an endorsement of the brand or post.* NO PURCH. NEC. TO ENTER OR WIN. Darkhouse ‘Uncultured’ Memoir Sweepstakes. Sponsored by Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. From 11/15/23 at 12:01 AM (ET) - 11/22/23, at 11:59 PM (ET), follow @Darkhousepodcast on Instagram and like Darkhouse’s ‘Uncultured’ Memoir sweepstakes post. Open to US, DC, & Canada (excluding Quebec) residents from age of majority. Void in Puerto Rico. Subj. to rules at https://www.housebeautiful.com/promotions/sweeps/a45701029/darkhouse-uncultured-memoir-sweepstakes-2023/. CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at sales@advertisecast.com.  RELATED LINKS ‘Uncultured: A Memoir’ by Daniella Mestyanek Young: https://amzn.to/497qeIQ  ‘Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism’ by Amanda Montell: https://amzn.to/406FPnQ  “Joaquin Phoenix and Rose McGowan Spent Their Early Years in a Religious Cult. Then it Became Infamous.” Esquire (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3Q7gTb9  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Waco Siege Part 1: New Mount Carmel Center (Waco, TX)

    Waco Siege Part 1: New Mount Carmel Center (Waco, TX)
    Nov 8 2023
    Alyssa and Hadley turn their attention to New Mount Carmel Center, an isolated ranch just outside of Waco, Texas where a 51-day standoff between the FBI and the Branch Davidians—a religious cult led by self-proclaimed prophet David Koresh—came to a disastrous end on April 19, 1993, when the group’s massive compound burned to the ground with 76 Branch Davidians still inside. Setting out to understand what led to the government’s siege of Mount Carmel, the hosts go back to the beginning, reviewing the tumultuous history of the cult and their property. They also examine the harsh living conditions that Koresh’s followers were subjected to while living there, and how the compound's rudimentary design and construction played a significant role throughout the conflict. Finally, Alyssa and Hadley uncover what happened to Mount Carmel after the fire, how the remains of the compound became a macabre tourist attraction, and the chilling sounds that visitors and caretakers have reported hearing on the grounds since.  CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at sales@advertisecast.com.  RELATED LINKS ‘Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage’ by Jeff Guinn: https://amzn.to/3FtvqZL  “The Bizarre History of the Branch Davidian Headquarters in Waco, Texas” House Beautiful (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/40o8CVb  “The Ghosts of Mount Carmel” (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3M9U4m3  “Branch Davidian Compound, Mount Carmel Center” (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/3Q7gBRB  “David Koresh SERMON” (VIDEO): https://bit.ly/45IZL15  “The Sinful Messiah: Read the series” Waco Tribune-Herald (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3Mf4lNT  “The hounds of Waco” Salon (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/497qMyo  “End Of Days” BBC Radio 5 Live (PODCAST): https://bit.ly/409UKNP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Ammons House (Gary, IN) Feat. Psychology Professor Karl Rosengren

    Ammons House (Gary, IN) Feat. Psychology Professor Karl Rosengren
    Nov 1 2023
    Hadley and Alyssa investigate the Ammons House, a modest, single-story home in Gary, Indiana where, in the spring of 2011, Latoya Ammons and her three young children were reportedly possessed by demons. After unpacking the history of the region, the hosts dig into the Ammons family’s case, from the first signs of paranormal activity to the extreme behavior that eventually led Latoya to flee the home and seek medical attention for her children. They also review reports made by healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, and government workers whose eyewitness accounts point to two chilling possibilities: either the Ammons family suffered a psychological phenomenon, or the house really was infested by something evil and otherworldly. Hadley and Alyssa also discuss what happened to the house after Ghost Adventures host Zak Bagans bought it in 2014. Later, they’re joined by Karl Rosengren, a professor in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Psychology departments at the University of Rochester, to discuss how belief in the paranormal and magic affect early childhood development, the psychology behind superstition, and more.  CREDITS Alyssa Fiorentino - Co-host & Producer Hadley Mendelsohn - Co-host & Producer Jessy Caron - Producer & Audio Editor To advertise on the show: https://www.advertisecast.com/DarkHouse or email us at sales@advertisecast.com.  RELATED LINKS “Paranormal activity: Do Catholics believe in ghosts?” U.S. Catholic (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3QDiqak “White flight followed factory jobs out of Gary, Indiana. Black people didn't have a choice” The Guardian (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3FyLSry  “Resilient Midtown Tour to explore Gary’s historic district on foot” Indiana University Northwest (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3s74nQX  “The exorcisms of Latoya Ammons” Indianapolis Star (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/406svzQ  Demon House (MOVIE): https://bit.ly/3s2BHse  “We almost lost our lives': Woman possessed by demons in 'portal to hell' house that terrified even the police chief reveals new details of her family's terrifying ordeal” Daily Mail (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3s2qzf8  “Childhood trauma and the development of paranormal beliefs” PubMed (STUDY): https://bit.ly/3Q0Ge6o  “Exorcism is something we can’t quite quit” Los Angeles Times (ARTICLE): https://bit.ly/3tSUKpm  Silhouette in the Ammons House window (PHOTO): https://bit.ly/3QsAYtJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 38 mins
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

ALL TITLES

LOVE THIS PODCAST! VERY HISTORICAL, INFORMATIVE, CREEPY, GHOSTLY, AND OVER-ALL AMAZING! I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PODCAST TO ANYONE WHO LOVES HISIRICAL HOMES, AND HISTORY WITH A GHOSTLY HAUNTED TWIST.

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Supernatural x True Crime x Architecture

I love Dark House because it's like listening to friends exchange ghost stories about famous places. I get excited whenever a new episode shows up in my feed.

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Profile Image for Perfect for a hot day ! They are the BEST

Super awesome adult slumber party

very interesting stories, voices are pleasant and well read , I'm a happy subscriber !♡

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Great Road Trip Listen

If you need to keep your mind engaged for hours at a time such as a long drive or a workout distraction then this is the podcast for you!

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Profile Image for Annette

Very detailed! Love all the history about the houses and people!

I ❤️❤️❤️ the depth of research they do about the haunted houses and the people that lived in them!!! I like the way they go about telling you about the history of the haunted houses b/c it gives a much better understanding of why the place is haunted. You can’t get this level of detail from a TV show. I also really like how they are able to paint a picture of the house or a situation they’re telling you about. I’m looking forward to new episodes.

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Profile Image for danielle bissette

get to the point

bad narrating because this isn't a docuseries about you and you guest speakers. I listened to 2 episodes and you never got into the haunted house itself. just a history lesson about the general area as a whole. no proffessiolism when you use profanity too much. pretty much got bored with it before you ever got to the point.

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Profile Image for JD

Terrible

Wow this is a terrible podcast which is a shame because the Watcher story in Westfield, NJ is a fascinating story. I recommend researching the story on your own. Do not listen about it here. I couldn’t even finish listening. These two girls were very hard & cringeworthy to listen too. What on Earth made them think they can do a podcast is beyond me!

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Profile Image for Fijiscout

not worth it

it sounded like I was listening to the Kardashians tell a ghost story but quickly got distracted and spent 95% of the episode talking about interior design....

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