Ding Dong Darkness Time

Warped Cortex Media

Join author Allison Dickson as she puts her fascination with the weird, morbid, and macabre out on the airwaves with a wide array of topics ranging from the arts to history to true crime. Featuring a mix of guest hosts and solo content, all delivered in a fun and engaging way, Ding Dong Darkness Time is perfect for people who like to know a little bit about a lot of things.

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20 episodes
Updated Mar 6, 2024

Episodes20

Newest first

Mar 6, 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
Introducing Allison's New Podcast: Vintage Villains -- Episode 1 Belle Gunness
That's right, Ding Dongs. The Queen is starting a SECOND podcast. It's specifically geared toward historical true crime (cases prior to 1980, and going back as far as human history itself). After a brief introduction, Allison will plunge you right into 1908 and the world of infamous Midwest female serial killer, Belle Gunness, who was reeling in and extinguishing scores of lonely hearts on her Indiana farm for a good few years before the whole operation went up in flames. Literally. Links to the main website, social media, Patreon, merchandise, and more -- ⁠https://linktr.ee/warpedcortexmedia⁠ RESOURCES https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/562322/belle-gunness-murders https://murderpedia.org/female.G/g/gunness-belle.htm https://nypost.com/2018/05/05/how-a-farm-girl-became-the-butcher-of-lonely-men/ https://www.amazon.com/Hells-Princess-Mystery-Gunness-Butcher-ebook/dp/B06XFS39KS "Frogs Legs Rag" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Credits: Main Theme Music -- Ken Dickson Main Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson
Feb 12, 2024 · 44 sec
Coming Soon: Vintage Villains -- A Historical True Crime Podcast
Coming March 1st, a historical true crime podcast hosted by the Queen Ding Dong herself, Allison Dickson.
Jan 23, 2024 · 1 hr 38 min
44: It's Time to Talk About 'Gone Girl'
The topic of Gone Girl was an inevitable for this show. The 2012 bestselling phenomenon by Gillian Flynn blew millions of readers away with its stunning plot twist, but it also caused one of the biggest plot twists in Allison's own life. This episode, featuring Jayson Blair of the Silver Linings Handbook, explores the dark and faceted marriage of Nick and Amy Dunne, and they discuss the way so many of its themes resonate in real human psychology and relationships. Listen to Jayson Blair's show, The Silver Linings Handbook Podcast: https://silverliningshandbook.com/ Essay by Gillian Flynn: "I Was Not a Nice Little Girl" https://medium.com/@Powells/i-was-not-a-nice-little-girl-c2df01e0ae1
Nov 27, 2023 · 1 hr 41 min
Joining The Silver Linings Handbook: Our Fascination with Darkness
Recently, Allison appeared on the Silver Linings Handbook with Jayson Blair to discuss our collective fascination with darkness. Why do some of us love things like horror stories and true crime? And are we doing ourselves disservice by avoiding those things entirely? All that and more in this talk. Listen to Jayson's show here: https://silverliningshandbook.com/
Nov 17, 2023 · 1 hr 37 min
43: Ding Dong Movie Time -- The Menu
As we prepare to hunker down to stuff our faces with delicious delights this holiday season, Allison and her trusty movie buddy Josh from Press Play and Scream bring you a rousing discussion on the diabolically epicurean 2022 masterpiece, The Menu, starring Anya Taylor Joy, Nicholas Hoult, and Ralph Fiennes.
Oct 31, 2023 · 1 hr 39 min
42: Let's Talk About Witchcraft
For the ultimate Halloween celebration, it seemed an opportune time to discuss another well-known trope of the season. This week we're joined by Nathaniel Dickson, the eldest spawn of our host! Nate has dabbled in the craft for the last several years, and they're here to bring all their practical knowledge and insights into things like tarot cards, crystals, spells, divination, manifestation, Dungeons & Dragons, and yeah, maybe that one time they hexed their ex. Don't worry, it was warranted. Happy Halloween! Additional Info: Nate's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honiemoth/ J&J Crystals in Charlevoix: https://jjcrystalrocks.com/ Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Oct 24, 2023 · 1 hr 24 min
41: Let's Talk About Werewolves
This week of spooky month, Allison and Jayson Blair of the Silver Linings Handbook podcast sit down for a thoughtful discussion on the long history and complex culture surrounding another one of our universal monsters: the werewolf. From symbolizing the harmony between person and beast in various indigenous cultures, to the fear of our own animalistic natures in Ancient Greek and European history and folklore, the werewolf offers us a chance to confront not only our anxieties regarding change and control, but a chance to embrace transformation and potentially even make friends with the parts of ourselves we're afraid to confront. And how in the pursuit to understand this world and each other, the stories we tell about our monsters are vital to maintaining our humanity. Additional Info: Jayson's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-silver-linings-handbook/id1665733166 Follow Jayson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaysonblair7 Join the Silver Linings Handbook Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Oct 16, 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
40: Let's Talk About Zombies
Last year, friend of the show Brett from The Prosecutors podcast came on to talk with Allison about ghosts and his time as a paranormal investigator. This time, they're going all in on a discussion of a different form of the restless dead: ZOMBIES, those flesh-craving ghouls that have a lot more going on with them historically and culturally than meets the eye. From folklore born during the enslavement of West Africans in Haiti to the shambling, brain eating automatons of George Romero lore and so much more in between, the zombie is the perfect mirror of the social anxieties of the time. Also stick around to hear their picks for the perfect zombie apocalypse weapons and vehicles. Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Oct 9, 2023 · 2 hr 1 min
39: Let's Talk About Vampires
We're getting tropey with it this October, with a series of episodes on some core spooky creatures and lore. And no such event would be complete without a comprehensive discussion on everyone's favorite bloodsuckers, VAMPIRES! Josh from Press Play and Scream joins the show and together, he and Allison cover the gamut, beginning with the origins of the lore and mythology before delving into the popular culture and discussing some of their favorite vampire movies and theories about what real vampirism might look like in this wild modern world of ours. Additional Info: The Press Play and Scream Podcast Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Oct 2, 2023 · 1 hr 29 min
38: Bad Art, Pulp Cinema, and the Wonders of Tubi
This week, Allison sits down with famed author Ed Kurtz to discuss his new anthology, IN THE COLD, COLD GROUND coming soon from Cemetery Dance, but then he sticks around a little longer to open up about his love affair with cinema, and in particular the never-seen low/no budget weird wonders of yesteryear and today. What makes us love "bad art?" What even does that mean? And what is behind his drive to scour through the depths of Tubi and even VHS in search of hidden treasures? All that and more in this riveting discussion you won't want to miss. Additional Info: Ed Kurtz Books Order IN THE COLD, COLD GROUND Avoid Rotten Tomatoes Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Sep 1, 2023 · 1 hr 15 min
37: Ding Dong Movie Time -- The Banshees of Inisherin
Better late than never! Back in Episode 29, Allison and her fellow cinephile Josh Bermont discussed director Martin McDonagh's amazing debut crime film, IN BRUGES, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Now you can listen to the rest of that discussion, as they dig into the latest film by this legendary trio, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, which came out in 2022. Unlike In Bruges, which is a contemporary story about two assassins holed up in a very storybook medieval town, Banshees takes place in 1923 on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, and involves an odd feud between two old friends. Yet somehow, the two make perfect bookends on a thematic level. And similarly, be sure to check out the In Bruges discussion if you haven't already! IMDB on The Banshees of Inisherin https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11813216/ Episode 29: In Bruges https://dingdongdarknesstime.buzzsprout.com/1871782/12731855-25-ding-dong-movie-time-apocalypse-now-and-the-hearts-of-darkness The Press Play and Scream Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/press-play-and-scream/id1589942694 Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Aug 14, 2023 · 49 min
36: Finale -- The Cult of Multi-Level Marketing Companies
In the last episode of their coverage on multi-level marketing companies, Allison and Beverly delve into the darkest of the dark side of these schemes, selecting several personal accounts found online as well as talking a little bit about one particularly gnarly company the Feds shut down back in the early seventies for deceptive trade practices, among other things: Holiday Magic. There might have been coffins and crucifixions involved. Finally, Allison delivers one final definitive statement about MLMs and their ties to a well known family annihilation case that not nearly enough people talk about. Additional Info: MLM Horror Stories on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/comments/wkc8q0/whats_the_saddest_mlm_horror_story_youve_had/ Holiday Magic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_Magic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pit:_A_Group_Encounter_Defiled The Dream Podcast Season 1 Learn more about guest Beverly Bambury! https://www.beverlybambury.com/ Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Jul 24, 2023 · 27 min
Ding Dong Ditch: Amway is STILL a Scam, Bae
Allison and Beverly are BACK to tie up some loose ends from the original Amway episode with this first Ding Dong Ditch episode that has a guest! We dissect an interesting listener review as well as further flesh out the political influence of Amway and how it came to write the book on current laws governing the industry. Finally, we hope to clarify the discussion of politics in general as it relates to this show, but in particular topics such as these. Additional Info: The Dream Podcast Season 1 Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Jun 20, 2023 · 32 min
Ding Dong Ditch: The Pinkerton Detective Agency -- Heroes or Hired Thugs?
Recently, news reported on the raid of a YouTuber's home by the Pinkerton agency in the recovery of some potentially ill-gotten gains. Magic: The Gathering cards... yeah... Anyway, you've probably heard of the Pinkertons before. They have a history so rife with blood they should probably be called the Reddingtons. From protecting trains and stage coaches to spying on the Confederacy during the Civil War, and throwing bricks and sticks of dynamite at striking workers, hundreds have died at the hands of this organization that predated modern law enforcement. Let's dive in, shall we? Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Jun 14, 2023 · 2 hr 26 min
Joining the 80s High Podcast: 'The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults'
It was a billed as the biggest sensation of its time in 1986 when famed TV journalist Geraldo Rivera brought us a 2 hour live special all about the infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone and the secret tunnels and vaults discovered beneath one of his old hotels. The idea was Capone had stashed away some of his ill-gotten gains down there, and the world was going to all to witness together a time capsule from a bloody era of American history being opened with the help of a team of excavators and dynamite. And well... you can learn all about what happened in this episode Allison joined on the totally tubular 80s High podcast hosted by Ben and occasional Ding Dong Darkness Time Co-host Chris (aka King Ding Dong). Once you've enjoyed this one, stick around and listen to everything else they have to offer! Additional Info: https://the80shigh.podbean.com/ Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Jun 5, 2023 · 1 hr 25 min
35: Ding Dong Movie Time -- In Bruges
Allison and Josh from the Press Play and Scream podcast are back yet again to jibjab about some wacky flicks! This time, they're taking on the brilliant playwright turned cinematic auteur, Martin McDonagh's brilliant 2008 bleak comedy film, In Bruges. Starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two hitmen who, after a job gone horribly wrong, are ordered to await their fate in the picturesque medieval Belgian village. But while they're there, they find some very unexpected ways to reflect on and redeem themselves of a life of crime. Also, you don't want to miss Josh's various accents. Additional Info: In Bruges on IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/ Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
May 31, 2023 · 16 min
Ding Dong Ditch: The Whirlwind Life and Tragic Death of Jayne Mansfield
She was one of the last of the blonde bombshell stars of the 20th century, a singer, actress, comedian, and a cunning rival of Marilyn Monroe. Her life was cut tragically short on a late summer night in 1967, and her death left an unusual legacy that you probably encounter every day without realizing it. Additional Info: https://allthatsinteresting.com/jayne-mansfield-death https://www.ranker.com/list/jayne-mansfields-car-accident/kellie-kreiss?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=weirdhistory&utm_campaign=wh_active&utm_content=%7Bdate%28%27yyyyMMdd%27%29%7D https://ricelawmd.com/all-about-mansfield-bars-and-their-dangers-to-drivers/ Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
May 18, 2023 · 1 hr 33 min
34: Amway is a Scam, Bae: The Cult of Multi-Level Marketing Companies -- Part 2
In the second part of their dive into MLMs, Allison and Beverly pull two more beefy deceivers out of the hat: Amway and Primerica. Whereas a lot of MLMs set their hooks in women, particularly stay-at-home moms looking to make a quick buck, these companies tend to have a much broader net, and when it comes to Amway in particular, you'll find yourself stuck in a genuine cult. We explain all the reasons why. And with Primerica, we learn that just saying you're not an MLM doesn't mean jack squat when you actually read the fine print. And you can find better, cheaper life insurance elsewhere. Stay tuned for Part 3! Additional Info: Amway Links: https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Amway/AUS/cultism.htm https://www.moneyaftergraduation.com/amway-is-a-pyramid-scheme/ http://marriedtoanambot.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-be-good-amway-cult-leader.html https://www.reddit.com/r/MLMRecovery/comments/ia4ogo/amwaywwdb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf https://www.motherjones.com/politics/1998/11/tough-sell/ Primerica Links: https://www.finance-guy.net/streetonomic/primerica-review?fbclid=IwAR2zhMSuCaOMSMnpyw2GnhVi_rcAjHd7pbAIXTeZ_bdaHrDd9LJgmG731tc https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1475922/000156459021009754/pri-10k_20201231.htm?fbclid=IwAR2W8g9gfZdXqvR666DSxdcp-JG06KtkE7G1jmLLdYs-hJ5zfWMTa8PWFe8 Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
May 9, 2023 · 1 hr 20 min
33: Pyramid Worship: The Cult of Multi-Level Marketing Companies -- Part 1
In this first of a multi-part series, Allison and her pal Beverly start a journey of revelation and personal reminiscence through the shady world of multi-level marketing companies, beginning with a couple of the OGs from that world: Avon and Tupperware. These brands are highly nostalgic and carry a lot of cultural weight, but they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the deceptive marketing practices, lost money, damaged relationships, and ruined lives that MLMs are largely known for. Additional Info: Tupperware Info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupperware https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownie_Wise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-level_marketing FTC and Other Links https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/public_comments/trade-regulation-rule-disclosure-requirements-and-prohibitions-concerning-business-opportunities-ftc.r511993-00008%C2%A0/00008-57281.pdf https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/public_comments/trade-regulation-rule-disclosure-requirements-and-prohibitions-concerning-business-opportunities-ftc.r511993-00017%C2%A0/00017-57317.pdf https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/public_comments/business-opportunity-rule-535221-00006/535221-00006.pdf https://www.thebalancemoney.com/business-is-an-mlm-scam-1794756 Elle's Younique (#Poonique) Experience https://ellebeaublog.com/poonique/ Travelling Jezebel's Avon Deep Dive https://travellingjezebel.com/is-avon-a-pyramid-scheme-a-deep-dive-into-avon/?fbclid=IwAR2dNuvyksw7u9L5Luk_PL4-XqNplagF79HZjhVo3F0zo5jfjoY6-gBRTyM Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2023 · 2 hr 2 min
32: Ding Dong Movie Time: Apocalypse Now and the Hearts of Darkness
In 1979, Francis Ford Coppola released Apocalypse Now, his stunning, surreal Vietnam war-fueled adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 1899 book, The Heart of Darkness. But even more harrowing than the events onscreen were the ones happening behind the camera as over a year of filming began to take its toll on everyone involved. Drugs, nervous breakdowns, monsoons, a near deadly heart attack... and that's only the beginning. Step aboard the boat, Ding Dongs. This journey is taking us a place where only madness dwells. Joining Allison for the discussion, and bringing his keen insights, is the always amazing Josh Bermont from the Press Play and Scream podcast. Additional Info: The Press Play and Scream Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/press-play-and-scream/id1589942694 About Apocalypse Now https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearts_of_Darkness:_A_Filmmaker%27s_Apocalypse https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078788/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Show Credits: Graphics -- Nathaniel Dickson: http://ndickson.com Music -- Spencer Morelock, Ken Dickson Ding Dong Darkness Time Media: Twitter: @dddarknesstime Instagram: dddarknesstime Gmail: dddarknesstime@gmail.com