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Spirits: Mythology, Legends, & Folklore

Urban Legends of NYC w/ Greg Young of The Bowery Boys

·59 min·5 clips
A 19th-century Brooklyn family was tormented by a doorbell that rang for weeks, with newspapers reporting the devil was in their house.
Amanda and Julia welcome Greg Young, co-host of The Bowery Boys Podcast, for an episode focused on New York City ghost stories and urban legends. Greg explains that his podcast, started in 2007, covers NYC history and has produced annual ghost story episodes since October 2007. He recounts the famous tale of Olive Thomas, a flapper whose ghost haunts the New Amsterdam Theater, including a personal anecdote about a light bulb bursting during a visit. The discussion shifts to how ghost stories accumulate in NYC due to its dense history and five boroughs, blending urban and rural legends. Greg describes a chilling 1870s Brooklyn story where a family experienced a ringing doorbell and shattered windows, reported in multiple newspapers with a medium claiming it was the devil. They explore the impact of ghost stories on real estate, citing examples like the Amityville Horror House and the Kreischer Mansion in Staten Island. The Cropsey urban legend is analyzed, with Greg tracing its origins to upstate New York summer camps before it localized in Staten Island, linking it to slasher movies. Greg shares a personal ghost-hunting trip in Vermont where a door mysteriously opened after telling witch stories. He discusses how ghost stories were reported as news in the late 19th century and phases of authenticity, from Gilded Age reports to 1950s mediums and modern hoaxes. The conversation covers haunted neighborhoods like the West Village and upper Manhattan, including the White Horse Tavern and Morris-Jumel Mansion. Greg mentions artist Joseph Reginella's fake urban legend installations and speculates on ghost-free places like the High Line. The episode includes a mid-show break with ads and patron thanks, and ends with Greg emphasizing how ghost stories serve as an entry point to real history.

As heard by us

New York ghost lore told with history, humor, and just enough skepticism to keep it interesting.

New York City history is the real engine here, with Greg Young giving the Bowery Boys' familiar knack for turning city places into stories that are easy to picture.

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Why you'd press play

You want New York City ghost stories and urban legends served with city history and a conversational guide.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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