A Hint of Fiction

To all who come to this Happy Place, Welcome! In this episode, we celebrate Disneylands birthday with a star studded extravaganza! Ghosts, we got em, Yeti's, check, black widow brides looking for their next lover, oversided mice, we have it all! Our three stories include: Counterprotestors take over the Disneyland Park, three animatronics dissapear and reapper and Walt gets a little help from the CIA, can you tell which story is true? Intro: 00:46 The Day the Yippies Invaded 8:18 The Animatronics That Left and Then Came Back 25:21 The building of a city, with a little help from a spy 40:16 Outro: 48:02

Legends of objects of value and grandeur surround people of similar nature, we look to these relics as milestones of our accomplishments as humans and sometimes these objects take on stories of their own. Weapons of great power and destruction, secrets that could change the world or powerful objects that in the wrong hands could cause the end of everything.  These sacred and special artifacts sometimes go missing and lost to time, where do these pieces of our history go and what happened to these mythic items? Today, we bring you three stories of powerful artifacts lost to time. A feudal swordsmakers most powerful sword goes missing during a World War, a bardian original is lost to the annuals of the stage and an engine is created that smells good.   Intro - 00:59 The Greatest Sword from the Greatest Swordmaker - 3:07  When Love Was Won and Lost - 18:10 The Engine That Smelled Good - 31:01 Outro - 43:12 Audio Editor - Veekalp Sharma (iamveekalp@gmail.com)

We all come from somewhere and all towns have a story.  While many feel safe and secure, sometimes dark truths lurk just under the surface. What truth’s will you uncover in your cozy little hamlet’s and homesteads? And what if those truths are not always what they seems In this episode, we discuss three strange and in some cases deserted towns, filled with their own dark stories. A man obsessed with flight makes a journey above the skies, An ancient seaside town, is actually a den of sin and debauchery and a small coal mining town becomes abandoned after an accident.   Intro: 0:57 The City of the Skies: 2:40 The Sunken City of Sin:  18:51 Fires All the Way Down: 26:23 Outro: 37:02

Curses are the great equilizer in our world, we see them in our history, our media and our mythos. But how do curses affect the real world and how do you try and stop one? In this episode, a bad contract affects all who work on the Man of Steel, Death shall come on swift wings to him who disturbs the peace of the King, and a cursed forest attracts wedding bells. Intro - 1:07 The Curse of the Man of Steel - 5:14 Curse of the Ancient Mummy - 20:31 The Cursed Forest that Wants Wedding Bells - 34:16 Outro - 41:51  

Humans are considered to be the top of our food chain, we are the biggest apex predators on the planet, contending with Great White Sharks, Lions, Tigers and Crocodiles…. Oh my. The question I put to you is, what if we were not? Stories of large humanoid creatures, flying beasts in far flung jungles and massive sea creatures make us question our place at the top of the food chain. Do these cryptids pose a threat to our very existence?   In this episode, a bat creature attacks an expedition team in a remote jungle, a large sea creature is unearthed after some major construction and an ugly creature cries tears of amber for its lost incarnation. One of these stories isn’t true, can you figure out which one? Welcome to A Hint of Fiction Story Timestamps A Screech in the Night - 3:44 Monsters on the Seven Seas - 12:29 The Crying Cryptid - 22:16

Love is amazing, it lifts us up, it binds us, and it makes us become something more than the sum of our parts. On the other hand, losing love can feel like losing a part of yourself, and can make you to make outlandish decisions in the scramble to be whole again.  In this episode, a goddess ghosts a aggressive suitor, a Emporer and his wife are just awful and a poet scorns the love of a mistress, which causes her to go insane.  Intro: 1:12 Do as the Greek’s do and Ghost: 2:47 A King in Heartbreak, A Tyrant of Rome: 16:01 Nothing Like a Lover’s Scorn: 31:59

Things occur in collective history that are unusual, strange and downright weird, we discuss three of these stories this week.  A simple act of wanting to sit in a rocking chair causes a 3 day riot, a scientific experiment on a California military base goes awry, and cats are put on a extermination list by the pope.  One of these stories isn't true, can you figure out which one?

Ghosts, what are they? Are they the actual living spirits of humans long since passed? Or are they emotional ties to a place of great importance? Or something even sinister?  William discusses three ghost stories today on our newest Half Halloween episode! Can you figure out why haunts are real and which ones a just fancy folk legends?  A hotel is imprinted with the spirit of the living, a women finds love from the realm beyond and a cruise liner is the home to a gruesome murder. Which one of these are true? Find out today on A Hint of Fiction.

Welcome to Half Halloween, it's like Halloween...we'll you get it.  In our first spooky episode of this new holiday, we talk about urban legends. From things that go bump in the dark, to that chill that runs up your spine, we find the truth behind these creepy encounters, we'll sort of.  In this episode: celebrities visit a small town, post-mortem, a unusual fright is found at a local haunted house, and an costumed attacker protects his small corner of the world.      *******************Spoilers Ahead*******************************   Post Mortem vacation spot: Written by William Acker The body in the Haunted House: http://www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura/2014/04/11/the_corpse_of_elmer_mccurdy_and_how_it_ended_up_in_a_long_beach_fun_park.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pike The Bunny Man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunny_Man

Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum! Alex and Will explore the true history of pirates and talk about some of the greats! Did pirates bury their treasure? What is a buccaneer? Why was the rum always gone?  Find out in this episode!!! *****************Spoilers Below*************************   Captain Kidd's Lost Treasure: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/captain-kidds-treasure-has-been-discovered-deep-180955214/ The Prositutes of the Caribbean: Written by William Acker   Libertalia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertatia

Alex and Will put you on trial, and talk about the most curious, oddest and downright strangest trials in human history. We ask the hard hitting questions to open these cases right up. "Can you handle the truth?!" We hope so as you enjoy our episode on trials! A women exposes herself for a innocent verdict, a pope goes on trial posthumously and a man finds a loophole which allows him to go free on several guilty charges.    **************************Spoiler Alert***************************** Phyrne: https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/phryne-ancient-greek-prostitute-who-flashed-her-way-freedom-007571   Cadaver Synod: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/morbid-monday-cadaver-synod   The Man who did Infinite Crimes: Written by Alexandria Bivens and William Acker

In this episode, we dive into the mysteries of the medical field. Stories of things that seem unlikely, and conditions that can't be true. Mostly things that make Will uncomfortable and intrigue Alex.  In this episode, a fear of finding yourself in a brand new place becomes real, medical examinations lead to the belief in extraterrestrials and  dance parties are taken to far as people can’t stop and begin to die of exhaustion. *************************Spoilers Ahead****************************   Dromomania: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromomania Alien Abductions: Written by William Acker Dancing Plague: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_plague_of_1518

In this episode, Alex and Will enjoy a little egg nog, sit down by the fire and discuss some of the more unusual Christmas traditions. This is a mini-episode, so instead of doing 3 stories, we decide to do 6 smaller stories, 4 being true and 2 being false! In this episode, Christmas gets Outlawed, An Australian holiday sea monster, lucky spider webs in Christmas Trees, the 13 Santas of Iceland, WW2 Christmas Gifts, and a special stranger greets a small town!

In this weeks episode Will and Alex delve deep into the history of DC Comics to find stories that boggle the mind and fictions that keep you guessing. From Batman to Flash and beyond, you can find all sorts of DC goodies in this episode We discuss three true stories from DC Comics: a cross promotion allows an unlikely hero to save the day, a stoic protector almost destroys the people he swore to protect and the Caped Crusader is accused of being a witch by The Man of Steel! ***********************Spoilers Ahead******************************* Cross Promotion Comics: https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-new-kfc-dc-crossover-is-a-timely-reminder-fried-chi-1797053757 Martian Manhunter Destroys all Men: Written by William Acker Batman is A Witch: https://www.cbr.com/i-love-ya-but-youre-strange-that-time-superman-tried-to-burn-batman-at-the-stake-for-being-a-witch/

In this episode William and Alex take a break from storytelling to talk to you our fans! We answer questions about the show, things that have been bugging you and your thirst for answers! We have the facts and we give them to you! We also talk about the exciting new news we have coming for the show. What is it? Well you'll have to take a listen and see! Don't forget to check out our social media for specific dates and information!

This week William and Alexandria talk about one of Will's favorite pastimes, Marvel Comics and all form of comic book enjoyment. While trying to keep Will on track was hard this week, we tell three stories from the comic realm hoping to find the fiction within Marvel's fiction.    In today's episode, an unlikely band of lunar heroes team up, a tech savvy suit wearer creates an armor that has a deadly crush on him, and a real life comic incident changes the face of Marvel movies forever! **************************Spoilers Ahead****************   The Moonies: Written by William Acker Iron Man Sentient Armor series: marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Iron_Man_(Sentient_Armor)_(Earth-616) Samuel L. Jackson Sues Marvel: https://movieweb.com/marvel-movies-mcu-samuel-l-jackson-legal-obligations/

In this mini-sode, we decide to skip the fact and head right into the fiction. That's right, this episode is one fiction story, played out by your loveable hosts William and Alexandria.    The Right Girl Written by: William Acker & Alexandria Bivens Performed by: William Acker and Alexandria Bivens

In our spooky scary Halloween episode, Alex and Will discuss several cases of serial killers who were never caught. These deranged individuals preyed on small and large town alike, but were never brought to justice.    Today we deal with three stories of serial killers who were never caught, a monster straight out of a horror film terrorizes a small Texas town, an unusual set of victims may suggest a killer of vampiric nature and a seemingly harmless family sets up shop and destroys the peace of a small Kansas city.   ***********************Spoilers Ahead******************   The Texarkana Moonlight Murders: https://the-line-up.com/texarkana-murders The Vampire Killer of Los Angeles: Written by William Acker The Bloody Benders: http://mentalfloss.com/article/53672/bloody-benders-americas-first-serial-killers   Some reading to learn more about these topics!   The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders: The Story of a Town in Terror: https://amzn.to/2JhuriO   The Bender Tragedy: Click here for Amazon link!

When we think of heists the idea of intricate pieces of a puzzle working together to steal something valuable or rare often come to mind, romanticized by movies like The Italian Job or Oceans 11. The truth behind real life heists are never as glamorous or sophisticated, or are they?    In today’s episode, an act of terrorism almost destroys one of Earth’s survival plans, an expedition goes in search of an elusive bird for massive profits and two thieves escape a museum and are never heard from again. One of these stories isn’t true, can you figure out which one?    **********************Spoilers Ahead********************   Ecoterrorism at Svladbard Bank: Written by William Acker Trans-Saharan Ostrich Heist: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/great-ostrich-heist Isabella Gardner Museum Heist: https://www.gardnermuseum.org/organization/theft

Animals and humans have always had a symbiotic relationship. From loving companions, to help with work or protection, animals have been used in a myriad of ways! Today we discuss three stories of unique and wonderful animals from the course of history.   In this episode: a stray who becomes a war hero, an unusual presidential pet graces the White House and a 4 legged friend helps others under extreme situations. One of these stories is not true, can you figure out which one?   **********************Spoilers Ahead********************   Sergeant Stubby:https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/05/dogs-of-war-sergeant-stubby-the-u-s-armys-original-and-still-most-highly-decorated-canine-soldier.html   Rebecca the Raccoon:  http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/pets/calvin-coolidge-pet-raccoon-rebecca/   Calvin the skydiving dog: Written by Alexandria Bivens

Fairy Tales reach out from our childhood and touch our hearts through nostalgia, mystery and wonder. We may know these stories from old childhood books, stories told by our parents, or even the Wonderful World of Disney. While these stories may bring happiness to our hearts, the truth behind many of these stories are cold, heartless and even sometimes murderous.   In this episode,the origins of a sleeping princess are buried in Norse mythology, a hairy child is forced to live in a cage and amuse French royalty, and a woman with skin as white as snow is put to sleep by a poisoned apple. One of these three stories isn’t what it seems, can you guess which one? Find out on this episode of A Hint of Fiction   *******************Spoiler Alerts************************   Sleeping Beauty: Written by William Acker Beauty and the Beast: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrus_Gonsalvus Snow White: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White

In this episode, Alex and Will discuss one of their favorite topics video games.  A man creates a game console add on to help with an affliction that affects thousands, a real life hunt for treasure is embedded in a game series, and a psychological experiment goes horribly wrong. One of these stories isn't true.    Can you figure out which one?    ********************Spoiler Ahead********************** GlucoBoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iO_0nKk7vk&t= Swordquest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swordquest Bobo Experiment 2: Written by Alexandria Bivens  

In today's episode Alexandria and William talk about three subjects from Colonial America. A man who self appoints himself a lord, a women and her brothel who helps turn the tides of the American Revolution and the true story of an american legend.    One of these stories isn't true, can you find the line between fact and fantasy.      *************************Spoilers Ahead****************** Lord Timothy Dexter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Dexter A Pickle to Know Ones: http://www.lordtimothydexter.com/the_holl_pickle.htm John Chapman: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/real-johnny-appleseed-brought-applesand-booze-american-frontier-180953263/  

Welcome to A Hint of Fiction! A show where we toe the line between fact and fantasy. Every week we provide three tales, stories of the mysterious, the surprising and the downright weird.    But there's a catch.    One of these stories isn't true, a work of pure fiction. Can you tell the difference between truth and tale?    Check us out every Wednesday at hintoffiction.com  Google, Itunes or wherever you get your podcasts   Twitter: https://twitter.com/HintofFiction Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HintofFictionPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahintoffictionpodcast/