Jeff Belanger

Adventurer, Author, Storyteller, Podcaster

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GBH's All Things Considered Radio Program.
New England Legends, News, Views, & Interviews

All Things Considered: Nearly half a century later, ‘Dover Demon’ mystery still puzzles enthusiasts

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Jeff Belanger joined GBH’s All Things Considered host Arun Rath on the radio to discuss the weird. In April of 1977, about 15 miles south of Boston, a very strange thing appeared at night that put the town of Dover on the map in the world of cryptozoology, the study and search for legendary creatures. Multiple teen drivers reported seeing an unidentifiable, alien-like creature with glowing eyes over the course of two days. As word of these sightings spread, so did the legend of the “Dover Demon.” GBH’s All Things Considered host Arun Rath spoke about the Dover Demon with Jeff Belanger, a folklore expert and host of the “New England Legends” podcast. You can listen to the segment and read the transcript here: https://www.wgbh.org/culture/2024-04-29/nearly-half-a-century-later-dover-demon-mystery-still-puzzles-enthusiasts?72

The Power of Places Podcast with Julia Suca.
News, Views, & Interviews

The Power of Places Podcast: The Curious Case of Haunted Places with Jeff Belanger

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Jeff Belanger was a guest on the most recent episode of The Power of Places Podcast with host Julia Suca. Get ready to crack open the door into the spooky world of haunted places with paranormal expert, Jeff Belanger! In this episode, we’ll explore the eerie allure of these mysterious locations. From creepy castles to haunted houses, join us as we explore why we’re irresistibly drawn to haunted places, even in the face of fear. Get ready for a hauntingly good time as we unravel the secrets of haunted places! You can listen to the episode here:

GBH's All Things Considered Radio Program.
News, Views, & Interviews

All Things Considered: Folklore expert explores the legend of Krampus and holiday monsters in The Fright Before Christmas

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Jeff Belanger joined GBH’s All Things Considered host Arun Rath on the radio to discuss the weird. Hallmark cards and Coca-Cola ads tend to dwell on the happy and cheerful side of Christmas. But there’s always been a dark side. The fear of St. Nick putting coal in stockings for misbehaving and even creepier, the old man watching you day and night, tracking your misdeeds. If you dig deeper into tradition, it’s darker still. The original St. Nick had an enforcer to take care of the bad kids: Krampus, a terrifying horned Christmas devil who whips misbehaving children before carrying them off to hell. And that’s not the only creepy holiday tradition out there. GBH’s All Things Considered host Arun Rath spoke with local author and folklore expert Jeff Belanger, who dives into the legend of Krampus and other frightening Christmas characters in his newest book, “The Fright Before Christmas: Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters.” You can listen to the segment and read the transcript here: https://www.wgbh.org/culture/books/2023-12-22/folklore-expert-explores-the-legend-of-krampus-and-holiday-monsters-in-the-fright-before-christmas

Talk is Jericho with Chris Jericho: The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger.
News, Views, & Interviews

Talk is Jericho: The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger

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AEW wrestler, Fozzy front man, and actor Chris Jericho welcomes Jeff back to his Talk is Jericho podcast to discuss the creepy holidays! Episode description: Jeff Belanger returns to celebrate the scariest, most violent, and dangerous holiday – Christmas! His new book, “The Fright Before Christmas: Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters, Witches, and Ghosts,” details the real reasons we put up trees, hang stockings, string up lights, and exchange gifts this time of year, and it actually has nothing to do with Santa Claus or even religion. He discusses how monsters, goblins, ogres, and witches from other cultures around the world morphed into the merry festivities of the season today. And he shares the stories and legends behind Krampus, the elf-like TomTen, Karakoncolas, the Gryla, and the Yule Cat! Naughty children, beware! You can listen to the episode here: https://www.webisjericho.com/talk-is-jericho-the-fright-before-christmas/

Room 2008 Podcast
News, Views, & Interviews

Room 2008 Podcast Ep. 67 – The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger

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Delve into the chilling depths of Christmas folklore with our special guest Jeff Belanger, author of the captivating book “The Fright Before Christmas.” In this episode, we’ll embark on a journey alongside Belanger as he unveils the dark underbelly of the holiday season. We’ll go over the ancient pagans who celebrated the winter solstice with wild abandon and how these traditions bled into the modern holiday, the symbolism behind Christmas decorations, monsters like Krampus and the Yule Lads who kept good behavior in check. So enter Room 2008 and grab a mug of something strong, light a few candles (maybe not made of animal fat, like the Yule Lads prefer), and settle in for a journey through the shadows of Christmas. We’ll uncover the secrets hidden in plain sight, reminding you that the holidays aren’t all about sugarplums and snowflakes. There’s a darker side to Christmas waiting to be discovered. Listen to the episode here. Or watch the interview below: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2009194997

That Witch Life Podcast
News, Views, & Interviews

That Witch Life Podcast Episode 220: Krampus And Other Yuletide Monsters With Jeff Belanger

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The ladies of That Witch Life podcast talk about holiday trials and tribulations of the past and rituals for the solstice season. They then welcome Jeff Belanger to talk about all things Krampus and other Yuletide monsters! You can hear the episode below: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-220-krampus-and-other-yuletide-monsters-with/id1460743150?i=1000638895801

Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith host the Fabulous 413 Radio on New England Public Media
News, Views, & Interviews

The Fabulous 413 – New England Public Media Radio Interview – Christmas with Jeff Belanger

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Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith host The Fabulous 413 Radio on New England Public Media. Podcast version description: We hear about the White House Holiday Party from someone who got to go: Law Professor Jen Taub, We discover the yuletide things that go jingle in the night with folklorist Jeff Belanger, and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy discusses the recently announced Solid Sound lineup. You can listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/december-18-2023-extra-excitement/id1669577464?i=1000639139436

News, Views, & Interviews

Den of Geek’s Talking Strange Podcast – The Fright Before Christmas: Krampus & Christmas Creatures with Jeff Belanger

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Seasons Greetings, or rather Season’s Screamings because today we’re talking about the ghouls, monsters, and creepy creatures of Christmas covered in the new book The Fright Before Christmas: Surviving Krampus an other Yuletide Monsters, by Jeff Belanger. Den of Geek‘s Talking Strange Podcast host Aaron Sagers talks holiday monsters and frights. Listen to the podcast here. Or watch the interview below:

The Ghostly Gallery Podcast
News, Views, & Interviews

The Ghostly Gallery Podcast Episode 20 – Featuring Jeff Belanger

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Come get ready and start your holiday celebrations with The Ghostly Gallery Podcast. This episode features Jeff Belanger. Jeff is an accomplished author, podcaster, and adventurer. He is the Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer for the series “New England Legends” as well as a writer and researcher for the hit show “Ghost Adventures” on The Travel Channel. Grab a hot chocolate and your favorite warm blanket (and maybe a flashlight too!). Listen in as we talk with Jeff about his new book “The Fright Before Christmas: Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters”. Learn about some spooky folklore and legends from across the world. You can listen to the episode below:

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