Explore every episode of the podcast Midnight Society Rejects

If you were a child of the ‘90s with cable TV, there’s a good chance you remained wide-eyed well past your bedtime thanks to the Nickelodeon horror anthology Are You Afraid of the Dark.

Thirty-plus years later, join Sarah Johnson and B.J. Hollars (who failed to make the Midnight Society cut) for the debut episode of their rewatch podcast, "The Tale of the Phantom Cab."

Join Sarah and B.J. as the duo dives into one of their all-time favorite episodes: “The Tale of the Lonely Ghost.” Listen in as they unpack haunted mirrors, mean cousins, and one of the most iconic ghostly reveals in the show’s history. Is it spooky, sad, or just weirdly satisfying? Also, why is everyone so cruel to Nana? Call up your cruelest cousin and grab your ghost-hunting gear—it’s time to get nostalgic and unnerved.

Step right up, and join Sarah and B.J. as they tilt-a-whirl into one of Are You Afraid of the Dark?’s most iconic and unsettling episodes: “The Tale of Laughing in the Dark.” Revisit Zeebo the Clown—cigars, red nose, and all—as Sarah and B.J. explore '90s clown culture, and the real-world circus fire that may have (emphasis on the "may have") inspired Zeebo's entrance into our nightmares.

Submitted for your approval, the Midnight Society Rejects presents, "The Tale of Laughing in the Dark."

Sarah and B.J. are back…this time with villains! In one of the most iconic (and blue-goo-covered) episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, middle school odd couple Ethan Wood and Hooper Piccalaro find themselves face-to-face with the Ghastly Grinner—a nightmare-inducing comic book villain so terrifying he only ever appeared in a single issue. But after one ill-advised trip through a microwave (seriously, kids, don’t microwave comic books), the Grinner escapes into the real world, spreading his trademark blue slime and sinister grin wherever he goes.

Along the way, Sarah and B.J. revisit their own comic book obsessions—from Captain Carrot to well, that's about it—and explore the surprisingly large overlap between Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps. Grab your favorite back issue and listen in for “The Tale of the Ghastly Grinner.”

Join Sarah and B.J. as they confess their most “illegal” activities—from claw machine heists to the occasional sub-20% tip (allegedly). Along the way, they discuss the things they hated as kids but would probably love today, wonder why no one has hired them to build a fence, and eventually arrive at the spookiest thing the ’90s had to offer: scarecrows coming to life. Listen in as they recap Are You Afraid of the Dark? episode “The Tale of the Silent Servant”!

Ever wonder what quicksilver really is? Where the Creature of Darkness lives? And why, in the early ’90s, the only foolproof way to meet your crush was by “accidentally” dropping your history book beneath their locker?

Let’s be clear: the big takeaway from this episode is that it stars Tatyana Ali. The other big takeaway? Always test your smoke alarm.

Submitted for your approval, we call this story: “The Tale of the Quicksilver.”

In this week's episode, BJ and Sarah spend an inordinate amount of time discussing their childhood crushes. It gets weird. But then, following that car crash of a detour down memory lane, they get down to business discussing the ghostly dream girl of this week's episode. If you like bowling alleys, flashbacks to indeterminate time periods, and brother and sisters who are, um, maybe a little too close, then this is the episode for you. Submitted for your approval, we call this story, "The Tale of the Dream Girl."

Sarah and BJ—the duo that just won’t go away—are back.

This time, they tackle middle-aged body dysmorphia, the perils of haunted cameras, and a few episodes that feel… suspiciously close to a certain Goosebumps installment that came out just before. And yes, Bitcoin comes up. (Okay, not bitcoin.)

Tune in for laughs, mild existential dread, and analog-era horror in “The Tale of the Curious Camera.”

Midnight Society Rejects is back. 🌙 (As if we'd ever leave...)

Sarah and BJ return to the firelight with another trip into Goosebumps-adjacent weirdness—this time unraveling mummies, Body Worlds exhibitions, museum misadventures at the Field Museum, ancient curses, and the strange places curiosity can lead you after dark.

Tune in for “The Tale of the Guardian’s Curse,” where childhood fears meet adult skepticism… and the line between education and unease gets very thin. Light a match, pull your sleeping bag a little closer, and listen in—if you dare.

Want to learn Sarah and B.J.’s favorite 17th-century names—and the one item each of them would bring on a trip back in time? How about some real talk on the power of nostalgia, classic TV, and why the 21st-century viewing experience can’t touch the magic of a shared moment of collective consumption? Oh, also a rewatch on a lonely new kid, a friendship scarab purchased by Sardo himself, and a time-traveling romp alongside a whimsical little kid who was probably BJ in another life. This one has it all! Or actually, precisely what it listed here!

Join Sarah and B.J. for Are You Afraid of the Dark?’s

“The Tale of the Carved Stone.”

Sarah and BJ are blowing minds yet again—this time diving into their personal histories with babysitters, their love of Choose Your Own Adventure books, and a full recap of “The Tale of the Bookish Babysitter.” What happens when imagination gets the best of us? Listen up for this week’s episode of The Midnight Society Rejects.

Sarah and B.J. finally tackle the age-old question: what makes dolls so creepy—and why do kids love them anyway? And whatever happened to Sarah's Raggedy Ann? (If you know, please write in.)

The episode also revisits an Are You Afraid of the Dark? fan-favorite, a story of friendship as fragile—and as powerful—as the single piece of twine one girl uses to try to save another.

Submitted for your approval: an all-new episode of Midnight Society Rejects. We call this story, “The Tale of the Dollmaker.”

In this episode of Midnight Society Rejects, we dial back to Are You Afraid of the Dark?’s “The Tale of the Phone Police,” where Jake and Chris learn a costly lesson about the price you pay for prank phone calls—and for not knowing when to hang up.

BJ and Sarah explore the episode’s cautionary tale alongside memories of the early cell phone era, asking why they barely talk on the phone anymore, and what we lost when they stopped memorizing phone numbers.

Pick up the phone… if you dare… and enjoy this episode of Midnight Society Rejects.

Ever wonder what Sarah’s favorite woodsy activity is? A séance, of course. But today’s episode goes far beyond summoning spirits. We’ve got three lost campers who reappear 75 years later—looking a lot like, dare we say it… hags. We’ve got double-crossing camp frenemies with one last chance to work together if they want to escape Watcher’s Woods alive. And we've got B.J.'s high-pitched cackle. Tune in for today’s episode of Midnight Society Rejects: “The Tale of Watcher’s Woods.”

Want to learn what a smoke deck is? We don’t either. But that’s just one of the many bizarre diversions on this week’s episode! Join B.J. and Sarah as they uncover how Stacy befriends the old woman in the apartment down the hall—with terrifying results. Tune in for a tale of intergenerational friendship gone awry, unexpected twists, and the kind of creeps only Are You Afraid of the Dark? can deliver.

Listen in as Sarah and B.J. dig through the paraphernalia of their past—from Timex watches to hemp necklaces—before recapping “The Tale of the Long Ago Locket.” Featuring Will Friedle (of Boy Meets World fame), a Revolutionary War Minuteman, unrequited love, poorly tossed Frisbees, awkward teenage kissing, and plenty of that ’90s nostalgia you've come to tolerate. Enjoy!

Ever wondered what creatures can live without their heads? Then you’re listening to the right podcast! Join Sarah and B.J. as they ponder headless… well… everything. But especially the Headless Horseman, who makes quite an appearance (from the neck down) in this recap episode of “The Tale of the Midnight Ride.” Tune in for a spooky, time-traveling romp filled with tricorner hats, school dances, an awkward near-kiss scene, and Mr. Headless himself. All this and more on today’s episode of The Midnight Society Rejects!

The Midnight Society Rejects are back with an episode sure to give you shivers. This week, Sarah and B.J. dive into the finer points of hide ’n’ seek strategy, debate the greatest water guns of the ’90s, question whether ghosts really keep a tidy house, and celebrate the unexpected power of community theater.

And of course, they break down the Are You Afraid of the Dark? episode itself—where an innocent game of hide ’n’ seek goes wonderfully, creepily wrong.

Find your hiding places, and get ready for "The Tale of Old Man Corcoran."

This week on The Midnight Society Rejects, Sarah and B.J. ask the only question that truly matters in our inevitable alien-dominated future: Which earthly items are we taking with us when the mothership lands?

Then, they dive into The Tale of the Hatching, the delightfully slimy story of siblings Augie and Jasmine Wilson, whose new boarding school turns out to be run by aliens plotting to conquer Earth one freshly hatched egg at a time. If you’re into green goo, secret underground swimming pools, and unsettling high-pitched frequencies (don’t worry—just in the TV episode, not the podcast), then tune in and give it a listen--if you dare...please dare.

What’s funnier than Gary plugging his dad’s magic shop every chance he gets? Maybe the time our producer literally couldn’t keep it together—yes, it’s the now-legendary “pants-wetting magician incident.” And that's pretty much our segue to "The Tale of the Magician's Assistant."  Come for "The Tale of The Time Producer Tyler Peed His Pants," and stay for the time 13-year-old Todd takes a job assisting a magician and learns a lot more than parlor tricks.

Sarah and B.J. are back with a ghost-filled episode that’s allegedly about a shiny red bike—which, spoiler alert, isn’t all that shiny. 🚲💀

Will Mike ever stop being haunted by his dearly departed pal, Ricky? Will the sudden appearance of parents help…or just make things weirder? And of course, no episode would be complete without a completely unnecessary but heartfelt tangent—this time on bike safety. (“Wear a helmet!” “Always say, ‘Passing on your left!’”)

All this and more await in the newest episode of The Midnight Society Rejects.

BJ and Sarah are back with an episode that’s sure to get you howling: “The Tale of the Full Moon.” Buckle up for an overly descriptive journey involving raw meat, canine-themed brotherly love, and one tragically trapped T-shirt on a nail. Along the way, BJ and Sarah bare their very strong lunar opinions—BJ is proudly pro-Moon, while Sarah remains… let’s say, moon-curious. Finally, the hosts tackle the age-old cosmic question: what’s the difference between astrology and astronomy? (Seriously—if you know, please write in.)

Another spooky, silly night with your favorite (and only) members of the Midnight Society Rejects.

BJ and Sarah are back with a brand-new episode of Midnight Society Rejects: “The Tale of the Whispering Walls.” This not-so-charming story takes you through babysitters who can’t catch a break, getting hopelessly lost, mischievous ghosts that give terrible directions, paintings that spring to life, and—because it wouldn’t be complete without it—plenty of ice cream references. Tune in if you dare… and maybe bring a map so you, too, don't get hopelessly lost at The Whisper Inn...

Sarah and B.J. are still at it—somehow. This week they dive into The Tale of the Frozen Ghost, where the delightfully overnamed Charles Pemberton-Shilling III spends some quality time with his eccentric aunts…and his babysitter, played by none other than Melissa Joan Hart. Ghosts emerge, vanish, and—most importantly—whisper “I’m cold” in what just might be the most iconic line in Are You Afraid of the Dark? history. Maybe. Listener beware, you’re in for…another episode!

Sarah and B.J. are back with an episode packed with dragons, wishes, telekinesis, and the real cost of popularity. (Back in B.J.’s day? A Hollister shirt.) Along the way, Sarah drops a hot take on high school politics that’s equal parts brave and controversial. Spoiler: she thinks they’re dumb.

Submitted for your listening pleasure, we call this story: “The Tale of the Dark Dragon.”

Having trouble sleeping? We’ve got just the podcast for that! Join Sarah and B.J. for a romp guaranteed to jolt you from your slumber. In this episode, uncover the true power of typewriters, wander through wacky dream sequences, meet a mysterious fellow known only as The Sandman, and witness a tale of occasionally requited love. Wave goodbye to the melatonin and hello to the Jolt Cola (R.I.P.)! Listener beware: you’re in for a scare. Submitted for your approval, we call this story “The Tale of the Dream Machine.”

Join B.J. and Sarah as they discuss invasions of privacy, reveal the last person Sarah held hands with (seriously—who is Alex?), and explain why you should never, under any circumstances, mess with the dead. Especially the nautical dead. All this and more as they recap Are You Afraid of the Dark? episode “The Tale of the Water Demons.”

Join Sarah and BJ for what might be the most wackadoodle episode yet! (What's the definition of “wackkadoodle”? Look it up!).

If you love quirky apartment buildings, offbeat toy development labs, and have been eagerly awaiting BJ’s robot impression (“Beep bop, boop boop!”), this episode is for you. If not, listen anyway. Plus, this one's got some exciting guest stars—at least for Sarah! B.J. doesn't understand pop culture.

Submitted for your approval of the Midnight Society Rejects, we call this story, "The Tale of the 13th Floor."

Peace, love, and… locker portals? This week on Midnight Society Rejects, we crack open “The Tale of Locker 22” and meet a time-traveling hippie ghost who whisks two students back to the chemistry lab to save the day (and history itself).

Meanwhile, Sarah goes full witchy vibes (again…) and gives her hot take on the 1960s — which is extra impressive, considering she showed up three decades late to the party.

Groovy ghosts, a little time travel, and just enough chaos to make you wonder what’s really in that beaker.

Submitted for your approval, we call this story, "The Tale of Locker 22."

What's the scariest movie you've ever seen? And what makes a movie theater spooky? Sarah and B.J. are back to ponder these age-old questions, while recapping an episode that flirts a little with both questions: "The Tale of the Midnight Madness." Buckle up for horror beyond the screen. Nosferatu (or maybe not for trademark purposes) is coming for you! (Or at least the poor kids in this episode).

BJ and Sarah are back with Season 2 of The Midnight Society Rejects! They're kicking things off with their recap and commentary on the season opener, The Tale of the Final Wish--a tale of wishes gone, you guessed it, awry... (Or something like that. Honestly, we recorded this weeks ago. Something about The Sandman? You tell us!)

Along the way, they’ll relive the childhood traumas that still haunt them and wrestle with the eternal mystery: why do beds have “under beds” anyway—couldn’t we just slap a board down there and end the "monsters live under beds" problem for good? Submitted for your approval, enjoy the episode!

The Midnight Society Rejects are back for one last ride (this season, anyway)! Join Sarah and a very raspy B.J. (who lost most of his voice and, debatably, his dignity) as they bravely tackle the chaotic world of…pinball wizarding?

It’s a weird one—but what else would you expect from a show where the stakes are low, the nostalgia is high, and the commentary is…questionable at best?

Stick around for their season 1 hits and misses, where they debate which episodes soared, which ones flopped, and which ones are wholly...well...forgettable.

Put on your corsage and prepare to be haunted—Sarah and B.J. are diving deep into one of their favorite Are You Afraid of the Dark? episodes: The Tale of the Prom Queen. Along the way, Sarah drops a bombshell about her own prom court past, and B.J. investigates the surprisingly strange origins of the word “prom” (spoiler: it’s weirder than you; fine, not really.)

(Also, sorry about the audio; a ghost got into the mic).

Submitted for your approval, The Midnight Society presents, "The Tale of the Prom Queen."

Sarah and B.J. are back—because honestly, where else would they go?

In this episode, things get… unsettling. From the scariest sounds they’ve ever heard to the mysterious power of dark music, Sarah and B.J. take a winding path from furnace folklore to the deeply polarizing world of Sandhill Cranes. (Don't get her started...) Along the way: a nod to Home Alone, a salute (or side-eye) to weird uncles, and a full-bodied embrace of all things offbeat and unnerving. Listen up for "The Tale of the Dark Music."

“Yours be mine and mine be yours…” Is there a more iconic line in all of Are You Afraid of the Dark? lore? (Okay, yes. Probably.) But this one casts a spell all its own. Join Sarah and B.J. as they dive headfirst into “The Tale of Jake and the Leprechaun”—a wild theatrical romp packed with snakes, potions, changelings, goblins (maybe?), questionable accents, and at least two layers of acting. Plus, back by absolutely no one’s request, Sarah shares her real-life leprechaun story. Again. And yes, it’s still weird. Pull up a toadstool, friends—it’s about to get magical

Dust off your ancient amulets, this week Sarah and B.J. unwrap The Tale of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice! Join them as they dive deep into mummy lore, resurrect some thoughts on skull-obsessed sorcerers, and debate whether this episode is spooky… or just spectacularly strange.

Is this the weakest link in the Are You Afraid of the Dark? chain? They’ve got thoughts. You’ve been warned.

Hoping to conjure a bit of sorcery to make this episode palatable...

Just when you thought it was safe to fraternize with the neighbors…

This week, your favorite horror-loving hosts Sarah and BJ sink their teeth into the truly pressing issues of the day: Twilight’s enduring grip on our cultural imagination, the rebel spirit of Sinead O’Connor, Pope John Paul II’s unexpected cameo in the conversation, and a detour into current events with a look at Ukraine (yes, we went there).

Oh—and let’s not forget the age-old wisdom of why fences really do make good neighbors… especially when your neighbors are actual vampires.

Grab your garlic, turn up the volume, and beware of what lurks next door…

Sarah and B.J. talk about their second favorite subject (after cauliflower pizza): libraries! What is it about libraries that allows these places to find their way deep into our hearts? And why won’t B.J. ever return his overdue books? And who here misses the old days when you'd just write your name on a little card and that was how you checked out a book?

Anywhoo, none of that has a ton to do with the episode, minus the locale. Tune in for “The Tale of the Quiet Librarian,” featuring what may be the creepiest scene in all of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" history.

Shush up and listen in as they explore “The Tale of the Quiet Librarian.”

Sarah and B.J. are back recapping one of the most chilling, camera-centric horror tales ever told (sorry, Goosebumps #4). This week, they dive into the eerie world of Are You Afraid of the Dark?'s "The Tale of the Captured Souls," where a seemingly innocent lakeside B&B hides a dark secret. Enter Peter Kirlan III—an 11-year-old (supposedly) innkeeper with a sinister hobby: trapping souls through mirrors. It’s a tale of flickering lights, twisted reflections, and the terrifying power of a weird wardrobe and a smile. Pack your bags and your flashbulb—you’re checking in, but will you ever check out?

Sarah and B.J. are back with their candid thoughts on glasses, eye surgery, special effects budgets, and, of course, Sardo ("No Mister, accent on the do" --one of the most iconic recurring characters on the series. Grab your super specs and prepare to see beyond the bounds of the world you thought you knew. Or actually, since this is a podcast with no visual component, no specs needed. Just listen, alright???

Join Sarah and B.J. as they swap traumatic dog stories, take an unexpected detour into The NeverEnding Story, and finally dive into one of the most bizarre episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark? yet. With heavy doses of fog, vintage set design, and some very hungry ghost dogs, “The Tale of the Hungry Hounds” delivers a somewhat spooky reminder: always feed your dogs — or hounds, rather.

Just when you thought it was safe to break an old lady’s vase without facing dire consequences… think again. In this episode, Sarah and B.J. dive into “The Tale of the Twisted Claw,” unpacking the chaos that comes with careless wishes, their first impressions of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and fond memories of Halloweens past. Bonus: it’s Gary’s very first story as a Midnight Society member—so grab a flashlight and join us by the fire.

"Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink!" Does this apply to the episode? Not entirely, but it sounded like a hook that vaguely involves pirates! Sarah and B.J. are back to share about the stunning conclusion of Are You Afraid of the Dark's first-ever two-parter! Hope you like treasure!

Join BJ and Sarah, back after a long hiatus, as they kick off Season 4 with Are You Afraid of the Dark episode “The Tale of Cutter’s Treasure, Part 1.”

Shiver your timbers, if you dare, as a mysterious spyglass locked inside an old pirate chest (and an appearance from Sardo!) sends two brothers on a dangerous quest involving the legendary pirate Cutter. Treasure? Curses? Ghost pirates? Honestly, we’re just trying not to get dragged to the bottom of the sea.

What if a computer virus came to life? Hate to break it to you… one already did.

Sarah and B.J. are back by (un)popular demand to kick off Season 4 of The Midnight Society Rejects. This week: the real issues of our time—Windows, DOS prompts, Old Navy, and Arizona jeans.

It’s chaotic. It’s questionable. It’s exactly what you signed up for. Listen in for "The Tale of the Renegade Virus."

In the Season 3 finale of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Sarah and B.J. put all the ingredients together for an episode they like to call “The Tale of the Dangerous Soup.”

Listen in as they chat about childhood traumas (attics, anyone?) and how ’90s fears are, well, a little different than today’s. This episode has it all: Neve Campbell, the return of Dr. Vink, and plenty of questionable soup.

What happens when two brothers try to buy their mom the dumbest birthday present imaginable? And what happens when one of those brothers is…kind of a huge jerk? And what happens when that terrible gift turns out to be a crimson clown?

In this week’s episode, “The Tale of the Crimson Clown,” things get weird fast.

Along the way, we also tackle an age-old question: how do you actually pronounce the word “crimson”? Who’s right—Sarah or B.J.? You decide.

Write in… but first, press play.

This week, Sarah and B.J. are dropping the recap in favor of diving down the rabbit hole of myths, legends and fun facts surrounding their favorite show! Listen in to learn the truths and half-lies that make this show so great.

What art did Sarah and B.J. hang on their dorm-room walls? What do they think about authenticity, reproductions, and a horsehair paintbrush? Learn about B.J.’s domineering ways in the creative-writing classroom. And how the perfect painting, encountered at the perfect moment, can attach itself to your soul. Gather your bristles and prepare to be bristled by "The Tale of the Unfinished Painting."

Sarah and BJ break down “The Tale of the Room for Rent,” a tale as old as time: about how a pilot killed in combat in World War II returns from beyond the grave to haunt the man he believes killed him—and (even worse!) stole his girlfriend.

Join them for this otherworldly romp about the importance of finding good tenants. Or, at the very least, ones with enough of a pulse to pay the rent.