Superstitions

Latest Episodes:

The ‘Q’ Word Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

For a police officer on patrol, there's nothing better than an uneventful shift. But according to this superstition, if you ever say a specific phrase, your day is about to get a lot more... eventful.

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The First to Leave a Funeral Feb 17, 2021

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Local to Iowa, this superstition adds an extra layer of tension to the loss of a loved one. Like a morbid version of tossing a bouquet at a wedding, the first person to leave a funeral... will be the first to die.

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Pele’s Curse Feb 10, 2021

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Taking stones from the Hawaiian islands may seem harmless, but you may want to think twice before pocketing a memento. Taking a rock from the slopes of Kilauea will earn you the ire of Pele, the volcano goddess herself, and a lifetime of bad luck.

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The Royal Family’s Ravens Feb 03, 2021

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The Tower of London is purported to have six ravens. But these are more than just spooky pets... Rumor has it that if any of these ravens is taken from the Tower, there will be dire consequences for the British Empire.

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Rubbing the Seatbelt Light Jan 27, 2021

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The airplane seatbelt “bing” is near-iconic. But few fliers are aware that pilots perform a secret ritual before pressing the seatbelt button — believing that if they forget, the plane will suffer mechanical problems… or maybe even a deadly catastrophe.

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The 20-Year Presidential Curse Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

If you look at U.S. Presidents who have died in office, a strange pattern emerges. Since 1840, those elected on twenty-year intervals meet untimely deaths, with few exceptions. Does a 19th-century death curse plague America’s highest office of political power?

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Beginner’s Luck Jan 13, 2021

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It’s an advantage that newcomers and novices relish: try something new, and succeed like a natural. But what happens when beginner’s luck runs out?

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Horseshoe Over the Door Jan 06, 2021

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Unassuming wall decor, or powerful protection against evil? Horseshoes are said to offer luck and fortune to those who possess them — so long as you manage to hang them right…

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New Year’s Eve Festivities Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

10… 9… 8… As the clock winds down on the final moments of the year, people around the world employ charms and traditions to shore up good fortune for the future. But it’s not always our own luck that’s on the line…

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Christmas Traditions Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

The roots of this festive holiday reach way back through history, with links to Nordic myths and the Roman Saturnalia. For colonists in 17th century America, celebrating Christmas was controversial… and in this telling, a despairing Puritan preacher goes so far as to try and cancel it.

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