Superstitions

It’s all come to this…. In the year 2066, the apocalypse is upon us. It begins with a house fire, and ends with a coven of witches battling for their lives against a militarized Witch Hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It doesn’t matter if you’re the president of the United States or the president of your student body class. Every politician needs a good luck charm. Once you have one, hold onto it — because giving it away can cost you everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The conditions are perfect, the fish are biting, and the catch of the day is just one cast away. Just remember what your grandpa told you about respecting the lake. Otherwise your fortunes might pull a real bait and switch… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was a baseball team in Japan cursed by the KFC mascot? In today’s story, a young baseball player in Osaka resolves to undo the curse, and meets a mighty river kami in the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the British monarchy, some superstitions still reign supreme… With her coronation day ahead of her, and a royal wedding soon after, Alix can’t help but feel the weight of ancient omens even as she tries to modernize the monarchy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Weigh anchor and pop the bubbly! Today’s superstition is a nautical drinking tradition: Toasting a ship’s maiden voyage with champagne can appease fickle sea gods, and ensure safe passage. But bad luck awaits if you scoff at tradition… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the Giants moved from New York to San Francisco, they suffered a losing streak that lasted over half a century. Some fans believe a curse was to blame, and that an old plaque once lost to time was at the center of it… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In feng shui, a bedroom mirror doesn’t simply reflect its surroundings. It responds to the energy you put into it. And in today’s story, an influencer’s boyfriend discovers what can happen when you play with ancient magic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’re a fan of cheese, you might say “cheese is life.” But one Swiss tradition takes it a step further… “Le fromage des morts” is meant to be a legacy of sorts. It’s a wedding gift meant to last a lifetime. But in today’s story, an ambitious banker bucks tradition… with rotten consequences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever since Julius Caesar allegedly ignored warnings about the 15th of March, that date has been doomed. In today’s story, a vogue ballroom competition — not the Roman Senate — sets the scene for a legendary showdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Students at this Kentucky university partake in a tradition meant to bring good luck. But in today’s story, one impassioned professor doesn’t quite get it — and undoes the work of generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They say that French royals had a special gift bestowed by the divine. Anointed with holy oil, they could change a person’s life with just one touch. But as Remy is about to find out, with a royal touch… comes royal responsibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our final look at star-crossed lovers, Daisy is a gardener who likes following rules. She can read the soil just as well as she can interpret a star chart. But it turns out that even the most grounded among us can be swept off their feet, with a little help from intuition… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your moon sign reflects the deepest, most hidden part of yourself. Hidden even, sometimes, from your own understanding. Today’s couple seemed to be a perfect match. But only too late did they realize why they were doomed from the start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s something a little mysterious about first impressions. Those indelible first seconds with a new acquaintance can be delicious… or disastrous. In today’s story, can two musicians with incredible chemistry keep the heat of their first spark? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the fate of our love lives written in the stars? This month, we’re telling the stories of four astrologically interesting couples, exploring the best and worst matches in the Zodiac. Starting with 11-year-old August, a Pisces and hopeless romantic desperate to find love at summer camp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you lose your keys, it might be chalked up to bad luck. But in Sweden, you can get worse luck if you set your keys on the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some believe rats contain souls of the dead. Others believe that where there are rats, there is death. Either way, if you see these rodents abandoning a ship, you may want to consider joining them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mirrors are said to reflect not only your physical appearance, but your soul as well. In today’s episode, a physical trainer confronts himself in a special mirror… and changes his life for seven years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For our last episode of the year, we'll tell you a Christmas Story. One about a famous author who had a very *particular* set of superstitions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices