The Moonlit Road Podcast - Southern Ghost Stories & Folklore – Details, episodes & analysis

Every October, millions of pumpkins are carved into glowing faces. But do you know the dark legend of the man who gave them their name? Meet Stingy Jack—a man so cunning he managed to trap the Devil himself. This classic folktale explains why Jack is forced to wander the night with nothing but a hollowed-out turnip and a coal from the fires of Hell.

Read the full story and see the history here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/why-is-a-jack-o-lantern-named-jack/

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"Why is a Jack-o-Lantern Named Jack?" was adapted from folklore and produced by Craig Dominey.

Storyteller: LaDoris Bias Davis

http://kuumbastorytellers.org/ladoris-bias-davis/

Audio Production: Henry Howard

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

#JackOLantern #StingyJack #HalloweenFolklore #SouthernFolklore #OriginStories #GhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad

What happens when a traveling preacher seeks revenge on an inhospitable farm couple?

This darkly funny ghost story—passed down from Ireland to the Arkansas hills—follows a man of the cloth who decides to teach his unkind hosts a lesson they'll never forget. But in the world of folklore, revenge often takes a very strange and unexpected shape.

Advisory: This is an un-sanitized traditional folktale featuring dark themes and descriptions of physical injury/remains, typical of classic Brothers Grimm-era stories.

Another version of this story by storyteller Bill Harley can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltKUDHBCEGA

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

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"The Cow That Ate The Preacher" was adapted from folklore and directed by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: David Hirt

Music: Randall Franks - hear more of his work at https://randallfranks.com/

Audio Production: Henry Howard

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Experience the legend of Thomas Lester, a man whose high-speed encounter with a headless ghost left him running faster than a jackrabbit. This humorous Southern ghost story explores the folklore of 'the spirit that passes you real quick-like,' giving you a chill up your spine. Narrated by Yomi Goodall and recorded for the Tour of Southern Ghosts in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Spirit of Thomas Lester" was written and told by Yomi Goodall

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

High in the mist-covered peaks of North Carolina lies the story of a man who chose sacrifice over surrender. Tsali was a Cherokee farmer who became a martyr during the forced removals of the 1830s. This isn't just a ghost story; it is a legend of bravery and a haunting reminder of the lives lost along the Trail of Tears. Some say his spirit still watches over the mountains he died to save.

Read the full story and historical background here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/tsali-cherokee-ghost-story-north-carolina/

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"Tsali" was written by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: Jim McAmis

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

#Tsali #CherokeeHistory #SmokyMountains #NorthCarolinaFolklore #TrailOfTears #SouthernGhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad #AppalachianLegends

Experience the chilling legend of the Maco Light. From the tragic night of Joe Baldwin's sacrifice to the mysterious lantern light that haunted the North Carolina rails for over a century, this episode explores one of the South's most famous paranormal phenomena. Narrated by Jim McAmis, it's a journey into the heart of railroad folklore.

Read the full history here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/maco-light-north-carolina-railroad-ghost-story/

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Maco Light" was written by Jim McAmis and Craig Dominey

Storyteller: Jim McAmis

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

#TheMacoLight #NorthCarolinaGhostStories #RailroadFolklore #JoeBaldwin #HauntedRailroads #WilmingtonNC #SouthernGhostStories #UrbanLegends #ParanormalInvestigation #TheMoonlitRoad

Experience 'Mississippi Rose: A Southern Ghost Story.' This episode follows a young man's encounter with a mysterious figure on a dusty backroad in turn-of-the-century Mississippi. Part romance, part supernatural legend, this African American folktale explores the tragic history of the Simmons homestead.

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"Mississippi Rose" was written by LaDoris Davis and Craig Dominey

Storyteller: LaDoris Davis

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

Explore the legend of Chloe, the slave ghost of Myrtles Plantation. In this episode, we delve into the haunting history of one of the South's most famous antebellum homes and the tragic figure believed to haunt it to this day. This classic Louisiana ghost story is narrated with dramatic flair by storyteller Veronica Byrd.

Read the full history and see the "ghost photo" here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/chloe-slave-ghost-myrtles-plantation-louisiana/

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"Chloe, The Slave Girl of Myrtles Plantation" was written and directed by Craig Dominey.

Storyteller: Veronica Byrd

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

#MyrtlesPlantation #ChloeTheGhost #HauntedLouisiana #SouthernGhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad #AmericanHauntings #PlantationLegends #StFrancisville

One of the French Quarter's most infamous murder tales. 'The Sausage Man of New Orleans' is a gruesome ghost story exploring the depths of murder and madness. In the 1800s, Hans Mueller was a respected butcher with a thriving shop on Ursulines Street—until he found a truly grisly way to 'dispose' of his marriage. Follow the chilling tale of a man who tried to grind his problems away, only to discover that some secrets won't stay buried... even in a sausage vat. Narrated with dramatic flair by storyteller Kodac Harrison.

Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of murder, graphic violence, and disturbing imagery. Listener discretion is advised.

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Sausage Man of New Orleans" was written by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: Kodac Harrison

Audio Production: Henry Howard

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

Desperate for work during the Depression, a drifter takes a job at a remote Mississippi farm—only to find a mysterious black cat whispering at his dinner table. Discover the terrifying secret of the 'Sop Doll' and why some jobs are better left untaken. A classic Southern 'witch-cat' legend narrated by Jim McAmis.

Read the full story and see the Appalachian mountain archive here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/sop-doll/

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"Sop Doll" was adapted from folklore by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: Jim McAmis

Audio Production: Henry Howard

Music: Les Scott

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

#SopDoll #AppalachianFolklore #WitchStories #BlueRidgeMountains #GhostStories #SouthernFolklore #TheMoonlitRoad #MountainMyths

Caught in a fierce Mississippi rainstorm, an exhausted salesman seeks refuge in an abandoned hillside house. He finds a warm fire—and a trio of black cats who are much more than they appear. As the cats grow in size and malice, they whisper a chilling warning: 'Wait 'til Jesse comes.' A classic Southern spooky story narrated by LaDoris Davis.

Read the full story and meet the storyteller here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/wait-til-jesse-comes/

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"Wait 'Til Jesse Comes" was adapted from folklore by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: LaDoris Davis

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

#WaitTilJesseComes #MississippiGhostStories #TalkingCats #SouthernFolklore #ScaryStories #TheMoonlitRoad #SpookyCats #CampfireTales