About the Show
One-Sentence Description: A boozy dive into mythology, folklore and urban legends.
Full Description: Spirits is a history and comedy podcast about mythology, folklore, and urban legends. Every week we pour a drink and dive into a new story from around the world. Hear fresh takes on classic myths and learn new stories from around the world, served up over ice by two tipsy history geeks. Founding member show of Multitude, a podcast collective and production studio.
Episode Details:
Schedule: Weekly episodes published every Wednesday at 6:30 AM ET. Episodes alternate between story-focused episodes hosted by Amanda McLoughlin and Julia Schifini, and guest episodes featuring a story told by a guest host or urban legends told by our co-creator Eric Schneider. (Story, Guest, Story, Urban Legends).
Length: 40-60 minutes.
Format: For episodes #265 and upward, the show begins immediately with one “refill” break about halfway through the episode containing announcements, recommendations for books and podcasts, details on new things happening at Multitude, and ads. Before episode #265, the first five minutes of each episode contain housekeeping and announcements, with ads in the “refill” break.
Where to Start? You do not need to listen in order! Choose a region or genre you’re interested in using our episode browser and dive in.
Mission Statement: To better understand ourselves and the world by examining the stories human beings tell one another throughout the ages.
Live Shows: Get in touch with us here about performing at your event, and check out our upcoming live events here! We have performed live at festivals like Brooklyn Horror Fest and Listen Up! Portland, at conferences like PodCon and FlameCon, and at standalone live shows with fellow members of Multitude. Recordings of the digital live shows we did in 2020-21 are also available for purchase here.
Our Values: We are an independent podcast, a passion project started in late 2016. As active members of the podcasting community, we frequently collaborate with our peers and publish resources on how to create great podcasts. We value accessibility, so we publish full transcripts of every episode. We are also committed to diversifying our medium by amplifying voices from marginalized communities on our show, directly and indirectly. We use our platform to hear and tell stories in a way that centers the voices of the currently and historically oppressed, with an active mission to dismantle colonialist, white supremacist, and hetero-patriarchal ideologies. We are always trying to do better and welcome your feedback.
Our Peers: For more podcasts like us, check out the other shows in the internet's best production collective: Multitude.
Audio Trailer
Press Kit
Reviews are our favorite thing! Click here to download our press kit, which includes show artwork and headshots.
How to Listen
On this website or directly via RSS
Social Media
Twitter: @SpiritsPodcast
Instagram: @SpiritsPodcast
Goodreads: Spirits Group
Tumblr: SpiritsPodcast
Contact Us
Questions, comments, interview requests, or sponsorship inquiries? Get in touch with us here.
Our Team
Co-Hosts: Julia Schifini and Amanda McLoughlin
Editor: Bren Frederick
Created by: Amanda McLoughlin, Julia Schifini, Eric Schneider
Researcher: Sally Ollove
Designer: Allyson Wakeman (@allysonkate)
Ad Sales: Multitude
Julia Schifini (Co-Host)
Julia is a historian, voice actor, sound designer, and lover of all fancy foods. She is a co-host of Spirits, a co-host of Join the Party, and the editor of Queer Movie podcast. She loves world-building, professional wrestling, fancy cheese, and all things creepy and cool.
Headshot by Danielle Salerno Photography.
Amanda McLoughlin (Co-Host)
Amanda is the creator and CEO of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio based in New York City, and a co-host of Spirits and Join the Party. Before starting Multitude in 2018, she was a YouTuber and small business advisor; in 2020, she was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Media list. She and Julia grew up on Long Island reading sci-fi and learning technical theater, and she now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Headshot by Danielle Salerno Photography.
Our Community
Our listeners, nicknamed “Conspiriters,” are some of the smartest, most curious people out there. Their support, both by sharing the show with their creepy-coolest friends and by pledging to our Patreon page, keep the show going.
Here are just a few of the beautiful artworks they’ve made for us!
By marleycatts
By Carson Ford
By joe l
Selected Press Mentions
Featured in publications like Wired, Buzzfeed, and the A.V. Club, Spirits has been named a Best Podcast of 2017 and 2018, Best Mythology Podcast, Best History Podcast by Women, and Best Podcast for Curious Minds.
For interview and appearance requests, get in touch with us here.
A.V. Club: Weekly Podmass Review Column
Reviewed in the AV Club's long-running Podmass column. (Read)
BBC: Culture Podcasts that will Blow Your Mind
Recommended for "historians who enjoy the odd tipple"! (Read)
Bello Collective: History Podcasts Made by Women
Included in a list of excellent history podcasts created and hosted by women. (Read)
Buzzfeed: 27 Podcasts to Listen to in 2017
Featured alongside Sawbones, West Wing Weekly, and 2 Dope Queens. (Read)
Discover Pods: 11 History Podcasts to Decide Whether the Past was Any Good
“[Julia and Amanda] have an endearing relationship, full of goofs, boozy drinks, and intricate education on the place mythology has in our daily lives, institutions, and structural oppression.“ (Read)
Wired: Best Podcasts for Curious Minds
Named one of the best "Podcasts for curious minds"! (Read)