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MPR News with Angela Davis
Jacob Aloi, Alex Cipolle and Matt Alvarez

The thrills and chills behind ghost stories — and why we like to tell them

two ghost hold a pumpkin
Tune in to MPR News' Halloween special for a conversation that'll explore why people love to tell ghost stories, and why ghosts, ghouls and goblins show up in storytelling traditions around the world.
Karolina Grabowska for Pexels

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For generations, humankind has enjoyed telling stories that send a chill down the spine.

It can also be a thrill to share a personal ghost story — sometimes one that is passed down from family and friends. You might remember what it felt like to hear that first spooky tale around the campfire, or you might’ve watched a horror movie you were probably too young to see. For some, the thrill and excitement of a scary story is a way to experience fear in a safe setting.  

MPR News guest hosts Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle will talk to a folklore professor and a science fiction and fantasy writer about why people love to tell spooky tales, sharing small moments of fear, and we’ll learn where our favorite stories originate from.

two guests tell ghost stories
MPR News host Jacob Aloi (center) and co-host Alex V. Cipolle (left) talks with Anatoly Liberman and Naomi Kritzer in an MPR News studio in the Kling Public Media Center in St. Paul on Monday.
Max Sparber | MPR News

Guests:  

  • Naomi Kritzer is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction author based in St. Paul, with over 20 years experience. Her work focuses on the otherworldly and the supernatural. Kritzer’s novels include “Catfishing on Catnet” and its sequel “Chaos on Catnet.”

  • Anatoly Liberman is a professor in the German, Nordic, Slavic and Dutch department at the University of Minnesota. He teaches courses in folklore, linguistics and culture.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.