Lore

Deeper Lore: 294 (34, 112, & 117)

December 4, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The purpose of the "Deeper Lore" bonus episode format is to serve as a topical guide, recommending older episodes that complement the subject matter of the most recent "Lore" episode. 
  • Episode 294, "Upon Reflection," focuses on the folklore surrounding mirrors and Bloody Mary, prompting recommendations for older episodes featuring ghostly women. 
  • The recommended older episodes are Episode 34, "All the Lovely Ladies" (about Elizabeth Bouchery), Episode 112, "Facets" (about the weeping woman/La Llorona), and Episode 117, "Bones" (which contains a hidden, culturally embedded female ghost story). 

Segments

Sponsor Messages Introduction
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Progressive Insurance advertises savings for drivers switching car insurance, while Amazon Music promotes ad-free podcast listening included with Prime.
  • Summary: Progressive Insurance is advertised for drivers who save hundreds by switching their car insurance, with a call to visit progressive.com. Amazon Music is promoted for offering millions of ad-free podcast episodes, allowing listeners to stay immersed in stories. Listeners can download the Amazon Music app to access this ad-free feature included with a Prime membership.
Deeper Lore Episode Purpose
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(00:00:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘Deeper Lore’ bonus episode functions as a topical guide, pairing new ‘Lore’ episodes with relevant older content from the catalog of over 350 episodes.
  • Summary: Host Aaron Mahnke introduces the ‘Deeper Lore’ format as a bonus episode designed to guide listeners through the extensive catalog of over 350 ‘Lore’ episodes. The team uses a spreadsheet with keywords to identify thematic connections between new and old content. This pairing process aims to make new episodes feel more complete by linking them to fitting prior stories.
Episode 294 Context and Recommendations
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(00:01:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Episode 294, “Upon Reflection,” covers folklore about mirrors and Bloody Mary, leading to recommendations of three older episodes focusing on other ghostly women.
  • Summary: Episode 294, “Upon Reflection,” discusses the folklore surrounding mirrors and the ghost Bloody Mary. The episode suggests three older stories featuring creepy ghostly women for follow-up listening. These recommendations are intended to pair nicely with the themes presented in the current week’s episode.
Recommended Episode 34 Details
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(00:02:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Episode 34, “All the Lovely Ladies,” explores the legends and historical truth behind Elizabeth Bouchery, who embodies the classic evil queen stereotype.
  • Summary: The first recommendation is Episode 34, titled “All the Lovely Ladies.” This episode focuses on Elizabeth Bouchery, providing historical context to the classic evil queen stereotype found in folklore. Listeners who missed this popular episode or need a refresher are encouraged to check it out.
Recommended Episode 112 Details
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(00:02:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Episode 112, “Facets,” examines variations of the classic ghost story archetype known as the weeping woman or woman in white, often identified as La Llorona.
  • Summary: The second recommendation is Episode 112, “Facets.” This episode delves into the classic ghost story category of the weeping woman or woman in white. Specifically, it explores several variations of this figure, including the well-known entity La Llorona.
Recommended Episode 117 Details
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(00:02:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Episode 117, “Bones,” contains a hidden female ghost story that has achieved significant embedding within popular modern culture, despite the episode’s initial appearance focusing on international castles.
  • Summary: The final recommendation is Episode 117, “Bones,” which initially appears to focus on international castles. However, the episode contains a hidden female ghost story. This particular ghost has managed to embed itself into modern popular culture more profoundly than many other figures.
Closing Remarks and Sponsor Read
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(00:03:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners are directed to find the recommended episodes (34, 112, and 117) by scrolling through their podcast app or using direct links in the bonus episode description.
  • Summary: The host concludes the recommendations, urging listeners to follow up the new episode with the three past ones available in the podcast feed. Listeners can locate these episodes by scrolling down within their podcast application. Alternatively, direct links to episodes 34, 112, and 117 are provided in the description for this bonus episode.
Additional Sponsor Reads
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(00:03:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Mint Mobile offers a new customer promotion requiring an upfront payment for a three-month plan, with speed subject to throttling after 35 gigabytes.
  • Summary: Mint Mobile is advertised with a new customer offer requiring an upfront payment for a three-month plan, equivalent to $15 per month for the initial period. Taxes and fees are extra, and network speeds may slow down if usage exceeds 35 gigabytes when the network is busy. Listeners are directed to see Mintmobile.com for details.
Beautiful Anonymous Promotion
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(00:03:52)
  • Key Takeaway: The podcast ‘Beautiful Anonymous’ features host Chris Gatherd talking to random, anonymous callers reached via a publicly tweeted phone number, covering a wide range of serious and humorous topics.
  • Summary: Chris Gatherd promotes his podcast, ‘Beautiful Anonymous,’ where he speaks to random people on the phone after tweeting out a number. The rule is that the host cannot hang up, and the callers remain anonymous. Conversations have ranged from serious topics, like talking to meth dealers or mass shooting survivors, to humorous ones, such as speaking with a pirate enthusiast.