Every Wednesday, meet us at the intersection of chaos and fate. We’ll briefly explore the origins of some of history’s most well-known superstitions. Then, we’ll dive into a fictional story that illustrates what might happen if you fail to adhere to these strange beliefs. Can we truly sway supernatural forces to work in our favor? Or are these eerie codes of conduct simply about exerting control in an unpredictable world? Superstitions is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
Latest episodes
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48 min
666
It’s all come to this…. In the year 2066, the apocalypse is upon us. It begins with a house fire, and ends with a coven of witches battling for their lives against a militarized Wi…
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41 min
William McKinley’s Red Carnation
It doesn’t matter if you’re the president of the United States or the president of your student body class. Every politician needs a good luck charm. Once you have one, hold onto i…
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38 min
Throwing Back the First Catch
The conditions are perfect, the fish are biting, and the catch of the day is just one cast away. Just remember what your grandpa told you about respecting the lake. Otherwise your…
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38 min
The Curse of the Colonel
Was a baseball team in Japan cursed by the KFC mascot? In today’s story, a young baseball player in Osaka resolves to undo the curse, and meets a mighty river kami in the process.…
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38 min
The Queen’s Superstitions
In the British monarchy, some superstitions still reign supreme… With her coronation day ahead of her, and a royal wedding soon after, Alix can’t help but feel the weight of ancien…
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39 min
Christening Ships
Weigh anchor and pop the bubbly! Today’s superstition is a nautical drinking tradition: Toasting a ship’s maiden voyage with champagne can appease fickle sea gods, and ensure safe…
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32 min
The Curse of the San Francisco Giants
After the Giants moved from New York to San Francisco, they suffered a losing streak that lasted over half a century. Some fans believe a curse was to blame, and that an old plaque…
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38 min
Mirror in the Bedroom
In feng shui, a bedroom mirror doesn’t simply reflect its surroundings. It responds to the energy you put into it. And in today’s story, an influencer’s boyfriend discovers what ca…
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40 min
The Cheese of the Dead
If you’re a fan of cheese, you might say “cheese is life.” But one Swiss tradition takes it a step further… “Le fromage des morts” is meant to be a legacy of sorts. It’s a wedding…
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39 min
The Ides of March
Ever since Julius Caesar allegedly ignored warnings about the 15th of March, that date has been doomed. In today’s story, a vogue ballroom competition — not the Roman Senate — sets…
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36 min
The Murray State Shoe Tree
Students at this Kentucky university partake in a tradition meant to bring good luck. But in today’s story, one impassioned professor doesn’t quite get it — and undoes the work of…
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39 min
The Royal Touch
They say that French royals had a special gift bestowed by the divine. Anointed with holy oil, they could change a person’s life with just one touch. But as Remy is about to find o…
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37 min
Astrology of Love: Karmic Nodes
In our final look at star-crossed lovers, Daisy is a gardener who likes following rules. She can read the soil just as well as she can interpret a star chart. But it turns out that…
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31 min
Astrology of Love: Moon Signs
Your moon sign reflects the deepest, most hidden part of yourself. Hidden even, sometimes, from your own understanding. Today’s couple seemed to be a perfect match. But only too la…
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33 min
Astrology of Love: Rising Signs
There’s something a little mysterious about first impressions. Those indelible first seconds with a new acquaintance can be delicious… or disastrous. In today’s story, can two musi…
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43 min
Astrology of Love: Sun Signs
Is the fate of our love lives written in the stars? This month, we’re telling the stories of four astrologically interesting couples, exploring the best and worst matches in the Zo…
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32 min
Setting Keys on a Table
If you lose your keys, it might be chalked up to bad luck. But in Sweden, you can get worse luck if you set your keys on the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc…
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37 min
Rats Abandoning Ship
Some believe rats contain souls of the dead. Others believe that where there are rats, there is death. Either way, if you see these rodents abandoning a ship, you may want to consi…
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44 min
Breaking a Mirror
Mirrors are said to reflect not only your physical appearance, but your soul as well. In today’s episode, a physical trainer confronts himself in a special mirror… and changes his…
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45 min
Charles Dickens' Superstitions
For our last episode of the year, we'll tell you a Christmas Story. One about a famous author who had a very *particular* set of superstitions. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi…