AfterWyrd: The Surgeon, the Spaceman, and the Stoned Hikers
This week, the Wyrdos get stuck into some truly bizarre news stories, from a surgeon's shocking fraud to a raccoon's boozy misadventure.The Sepsis Surgeon: We delved into a truly perplexing Guardian article about a surgeon who froze his own legs to have them amputated for sexual gratification, only to then commit insurance fraud. We got into the weeds on the details, the judge's reaction, and the concerning implications for his former patients. It's a tale that's less supernatural and more just... horrible.The Mars Rover: Andy shared a more optimistic and less horrifying news item from PBS. NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover has found new rock samples that show the most compelling evidence yet of ancient life on the red planet. While not definitive, the discovery of organic carbon and other chemical byproducts is a fascinating step forward in our search for extraterrestrial life.A Fin Whale of a Tale: Craig brought us a story from Wales Online about a rare fin whale that washed up on a beach in Wharf. While the headline was exciting, the story turned out to be a sad reminder of the impact of climate change. We discussed the depressing nature of these events and the beautiful, but grim, phenomenon of a 'whale fall'.Magic Mushroom Mayhem: The Wyrdos moved on to a more light-hearted tale from The Guardian about four hikers who got lost in the Catskill Mountains after taking magic mushrooms. One of them was having a "debilitating high" and they had lost their car keys, leading to a rather confused rescue operation.Dead Foxes in Swindon: Craig brought up a story from his old stomping grounds about a disturbing discovery of dead foxes in bags. We briefly discussed the unsettling nature of animal cruelty and its potential link to more serious crimes.Surrey's Big Cat? We talked about a man in Surrey who claimed to be attacked by a leopard. We explored the details of his claw injuries and the online speculation that this might not have been a wild cat at all. We also considered the possibility that a local "big cat expert" might be a little too keen on promoting the idea of big cats in the area.The Raccoon Rhapsody: We ended with a story that could only be from the New York Post: a nurse saved a raccoon from drowning in moonshine-soaked peaches. The heroic act, complete with mouth-to-snout CPR, provided a much-needed dose of wholesome weirdness to cap off the episode."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Road Trip Finale
In this final installment of our Weird Wessex road trip, Andy and Craig conclude their journey through Cornwall with a fascinating look at a brand-new monument built with ancient techniques.Guest: Will Coleman, the artistic director behind Kerdroya, a stunning Cornish labyrinth built from traditional dry stone walling.Episode Highlights:The deep history of Cornish hedging, its geological diversity, and why it's so vital to the landscape.How Kerdroya is a "brand new ancient monument"—a piece of land art for the future, not just a historical recreation.The project's unique funding model: you can "buy a yard of hedge" to help its construction and leave a message.The etymology of Kerdroya and the crucial difference between a maze (where you get lost) and a labyrinth (where you find yourself).The infamous cream tea debate: jam-first vs. cream-first, and the creation of the blasphemous "Wiltshire Way."Links & Resources:Kerdroya: Learn more and support the project at https://www.kerdroya.org/Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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AfterWyrd: Dennis the Menace, Flesh-Eating Worms & AI Psychosis
This week on the AfterWyrd podcast, Andy and Craig dive into a fascinating mix of wyrd news, personal anecdotes, and spooky coincidences.Episode Highlights:A "Wyrd" Coincidence: The guys discuss the amazing story of how two different creators on opposite sides of the Atlantic came up with Dennis the Menace on the exact same day in 1951.The Black Scarf Spirit: Craig shares a strange email he received about a "black scarf spirit" affecting his life. Is it a hat? Is it a ghost? You decide.The Book Club: Andy introduces some of his recent finds from old bookshops, including an ancient book from 1791 and a new one on mysteries of witchcraft and the occult.Weird News:Flesh-Eating Parasites: Andy reports on the first human case of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite in the US.Guinness World Records: A look at the history of Guinness World Records, with some unclaimed records you can attempt yourself.Regrowing Teeth: Discussion of a new medicine from Japan that could allow humans to regrow a third set of teeth.AI Psychosis: Andy and Craig discuss the concept of AI psychosis, where people become detached from reality due to their interactions with chatbots. They also touch on the "dead internet theory" and the state of modern social connection."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Summer Road Trip Part 3
This week, the wyrdo's continue their journey in Cornwall with a very special guest: Simon Costin, the director of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. Simon welcomes the hosts into the museum's archive to discuss the institution's fascinating history, its core mission, and his own personal journey.The episode covers:A Contentious History: Simon reveals the museum was founded in 1951 by a former MI5 spy named Cecil Williamson. He explains how Cecil's goal of balancing sensationalist displays with genuine artifacts led to a clash with the well-known practitioner Gerald Gardner, who wanted to use the museum to promote his belief system of Wicca.The Archive's Mission: Simon discusses how the museum's mission has evolved from a "cabinet of curiosities" to a more academic and nuanced collection. He explains his belief that magical objects don't like to be categorized and that their full purpose and energy should not be "straightjacketed" into a simple definition.A "Courtship" with Objects: Simon describes his own deep, personal connection to the museum's artifacts, which began after the 2004 Boscastle floods. He shares that some magical objects require regular "charging" or ritual practice to retain their energy, a unique aspect of curatorial work that stands in stark contrast to other museums. He shares that while he isn't unsettled by the objects, a Japanese blasting rod is something he avoids having pointed at him.The Uncanny & The Paranormal: The conversation explores the nature of the uncanny and its connection to magic and belief. Simon shares his own paranormal experiences at his home, including objects that move themselves, and tells the story of a recurring spider's web that prevents the museum's security cameras from capturing any strange activity.Museum of British Folklore: Simon discusses his separate, long-term project to establish the UK's first museum dedicated to seasonal customs and events. He explains the challenges of creating a "bottom-up" museum where the knowledge comes from the people and the traditions are constantly evolving.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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AfterWyrd: Vampires, Witches & Randy Dolphins
Welcome to AfterWyrd, the bonus podcast where the Wyrdo's go off-script.This week on the show, Andy and Craig get into:Geeky Pastimes and Dorset Folklore: Andy's been to a D&D event! He chats about how a conversation with a dungeon master led to discovering a huge D&D campaign based on Dorset folklore, including Maiden Castle, smugglers' lore, and corporeal lights. This leads to the discovery of a peculiar local charm, the 3 Bee Charm, which promises health, happiness, and good fortune. Andy also teases the idea of a Wyrd Wessex tabletop RPG, where listeners have to go back and listen to old episodes to win.Wyrd News: The Wyrdo's dive into some truly bizarre headlines, including:The Thirsty Priest: A church's video of a handsome priest goes viral, leading to a flood of "thirsty" comments.The Modern Vampire: A self-proclaimed "vampire" reveals a shocking diet of bloody sausages and a need to "feed" on ambient energy (with consent, of course!).The Randy Dolphin: The story of Reggie the bottlenose dolphin, who has been "basically drowning" swimmers in Lyme Bay, possibly due to his amorous advances.The Cursed Parcel: A woman on TikTok shares her story of a creepy, embroidered horse picture that she sold but mysteriously kept returning to her house."Don't blame the owls."www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereHosted by Craig Brooks & Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Exceptional_3D - Unexplained mystery intro/outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dive into the weird, spooky and supernatural with Wyrd Wessex, a podcast hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens. These self-proclaimed "wyrdo's" delve into the mysteries, myths, and legends of the world, focusing on the UK, but sometimes straying further afield. Expect to hear chilling ghost stories, explorations of unexplained phenomena, and even dabbles into true crime. Whether you're fascinated by hauntings, folklore, Ufology or cryptids, Wyrd Wessex has something for you. So, if you're ready to unravel the hidden weirdness of the world, "Stay Wyrd" and tune in! www.wyrdwessex.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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