Magical Murder Kingdom

This week Lauren and David explore Babar's wonderful world of colonialism. What lessons does this gentrified elephant have to teach us about hunting, childhood trauma, and imperialism?   We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week Lauren & David explore The Princess and the Frog & The Frog Prince. What can these fairytales teach us about greed, lies, racial stereotypes and the importance of strong female role models?   We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week Lauren & David explore the dark history of Snow White. From the Grimm Brothers to Disney and beyond, what can we learn about jealousy, trusting strangers, poison and the magical healing powers of activated carbon?   We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week Lauren & David explore the dark history of the infamous, conniving Rumpelstiltskin. What lessons can he teach us about child endangerment & spinning lies into gold?   We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week Lauren & David bring you an eXXXtra special episode covering the gruesome murder of Alan Shalleck, director of the Curious George TV series. What dark & devious things will we find behind the curtain of one of our beloved childhood cartoons? Sex, Nazis, wig-snatching, spanking and murder all play a role in this twisted true crime tale.   We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week Lauren & David explore the land of the dead.  What can Coco teach us about life & death, and the importance of family ties?    We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week Lauren & David explore the deep sea terror of brutal murder by a terrifying serial killer, the kidnapping of a physically handicapped child, and an exhausting rescue aided by a beloved friend with mental illness.  We'll see you once upon a nightmare.

This week Lauren & David explore the dark origins of the Aladdin story, and conspiracies surrounding the 1992 Disney movie. What horrifying characters will we find in ancient Arabic folklore, and what darkness is hiding beneath the colorful animations of one of our favorite childhood movies?   We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week David walks Lauren and the listeners through Shrek, and the origins of ogres in mythology, folklore and some of our favorite fairy tales. Is this movie ogre-rated?! We don't think so! We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week Lauren walks David and the listeners through the horrors of Coraline, a magical children's tale of an alternate world where everyone sews bottons over their eyes, your friends might have their mouths sewn into a smile, and your mom is actually a giant spider obsessed with stealing your soul. Sounds charming. We'll see you once upon a nightmare!

This week Lauren & David explore 101 Dalmatians & Hansel and Gretel. What can Cruella teach us about proper pet care & the importance of adoption, and why are we telling our children cute stories about child abandonment, cannibalism and murder?   We’ll see you once upon a nightmare.

This week Lauren & David explore the dark side of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. What was Victor Hugo trying to say about religion, love, beauty and outcasts? Why did Disney adapt this horrific tale into an animated feature for children, and did they make it better or worse?

This week Lauren & David explore the dark origins of Sleeping Beauty. What can the gods, ogres and fairies of folklore & mythology teach us about consent, murder, necrophilia, canabilism and rape? Get ready for a wild ride through history!

This week Lauren & David explore the dark side of Moana & The Fox and the Hound.  How does Moana stack up against Polynesian culture, and what is The Fox and the Hound really trying to tell us about life, love and friendship? 

This week Lauren & David explore Neverland's dark side with Peter Pan, Hook, Wendy, Tinkerbell and the rest of the island's residents. What does Peter Pan teach us about baby teeth and the dangers of child endagerment and kidnapping?