Unexplained

Unexplained Podcast

Unexplained is a narrative-driven podcast that investigates real-life mysteries, historical enigmas, and paranormal phenomena. Created and hosted by British writer and musician Richard MacLean Smith, and distributed by iHeartPodcasts, the series employs a bi-weekly format to explore events that defy conventional explanation. The show utilizes a mixture of spoken-word narrative, historical research, and atmospheric sound design to examine the boundary between established reality and the unknown.

The editorial focus of the show is philosophical and objective, often contextualizing strange events within broader historical or scientific frameworks rather than seeking to prove or disprove supernatural claims. Episodes typically range from 25 to 45 minutes and focus on a single case or a serialized exploration of a complex mystery. While the production is rooted in the United Kingdom, its scope is international, frequently detailing incidents from around the globe.

Current content in the ninth season reflects this international breadth, with recent episodes covering a diverse range of topics. These include the 1935 "Shark Arm" case in Sydney, Australia—a bizarre murder mystery involving a regurgitated limb—and the 1959 disappearance of Gerry Irwin in Utah, often associated with theories of extraterrestrial abduction. Other recent installments have explored the haunting of the Summerwind Mansion in Wisconsin and the tragic history of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky.

The show's presentation is characterized by its measured pacing and evocative storytelling, which has earned it recognition as a leading title in the narrative non-fiction and horror genres. It resists sensationalism, opting instead for a contemplative tone that allows listeners to draw their own conclusions about the incidents presented. Since its launch in 2016, the podcast has expanded into other media, including a companion book by MacLean Smith. It remains a staple of the iHeartPodcasts network, maintaining a consistent release schedule that delves into the darker and more baffling corners of human history.

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Episodes

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Season 09 Episode 34: Nine Lives (The Haunting of Killakee House)

11 Sep 2026
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Season 09 Episode 33: The Day You Came to Me (The Grand Canyon Plane Crash Mystery)

This episode features a collection of iHeartRadio podcast trailers and advertisements, including previews for 'Hollywood Handbook', 'She Pivots', and 'The Psychology of Your 20s'. The main narrative explores the historical 1956 mid-air collision over the Grand Canyon involving United Airlines and TWA flights. The episode also delves into a journey through ancestral lands, a river expedition's battle for survival, and an FBI investigation into the potential looting of wreckage containing millions in securities.

04 Sep 2026
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S09E32: The Long and Lonely Road (The Betty and Barney Hill Abduction Mystery)

This episode of Unexplained details the 1961 encounter between Betty and Barney Hill with a mysterious aerial object while driving through New Hampshire. The narrative follows the couple from their initial sighting of the unidentified craft to the physical evidence found after the event, including their subsequent investigation into UFO phenomena. The episode also explores the aftermath of the encounter, covering the Hills' hypnotic regression sessions with Dr. Simon and the various psychological and historical interpretations of their experience, such as the theory of shared psychosis.

28 Aug 2026
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S09E31: Let's Get Wild (The Beast of Gévaudan)

This episode of 'Unexplained' delves into the historical mystery of the Beast of Gévaudan, a series of violent attacks by a creature in 18th-century France. The narrative explores various theories regarding the beast's identity, ranging from a dog-wolf hybrid to an escaped lion or a Eurasian wolf, while also examining the legend of Jean Grunier, a boy rumored to possess the ability to transform into a wolf. The episode also features several podcast previews and advertisements, including highlights from 'Our Town', 'Hollywood Handbook', 'Prose Society', and 'Joy 101'.

21 Aug 2026
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S09E30: Come, Hear What We Have to Say (The Scole Experiment), 2/2

This episode features a series of iHeartRadio podcast previews and advertisements, including highlights from Pro Society, Delivering Happiness with Nick Turturro, Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb, Our Town, and Hollywood Handbook. The main feature explores the 'Unexplained' history of the Skoll Group's 1993 communal mediumship experiments. The investigation delves into paranormal phenomena in a cellar involving mysterious physical objects, impossible historical photographs appearing on undeveloped film, and the eventual abrupt shutdown of the project due to alleged interference from a future personality.

14 Aug 2026