Pantophobia – College of Curiosity

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 13: Season 1 Wrap-up. Mark, Aubrey and Jeff eat some raw oysters and discuss what it was like making Season 1 of Pantophobia. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com.   References: Cover Photo: Pacific oysters (not the kind we were eating) from Wikipedia Commons. Acre – Best Oysters in Chicago. YouTube: The Uncanny Valley Credits: Thanks to Jennifer for supporting us throughout this podcast, and for making some poignant comments during this episode. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 12: Masks (Maskaphobia) Jen hates clowns, but who doesn’t? We talk to some clowns to find out. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com.   References: Cover Photo: One mask viewed three different ways. Photo by Wmpearl.   Credits: Thanks to Jenna for sharing her story. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 11: Clowns (Coulrophobia) Jen hates clowns, but who doesn’t? We talk to some clowns to find out. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com.   References: Cover Photo: Dave Schultz as “Evil Clown.” Photo by Katie Hovany.   Credits: Thanks to Jennifer for sharing her uncomfortable stories with us, and to Dave for shedding light on what it’s like to be an evil clown. Thanks also to Becky and Ida for telling the Clown’s side of the story. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 10: Sleeping on the First Floor (Scopophobia) Randy will not sleep on the first floor of any building. Why? None of your business, and get away from the window! Just kidding—he says why. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com.   Loosely based on an H.G. Wells story. References: Cover Photo: Unknown. Food of the Gods: Trailer. Grizzly: Trailer. Michigan Dogman: Wikipedia. Books by Randy Pischel: Amazon.com.   Credits: Thanks to Randy Pischel  for sharing his story and to Jenna for discussing the case with us. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 9: Monsters (Teratophobia) Monsters aren’t even real. Why are we so scared of them? And what should we be scared of instead? We ask some kids. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke The Skunk Ape Research Headquarters Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties.   You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com.       References: Cover Photo: Skunk Ape Research Headquarters. Photo by Jeff Wagg. How Not to Be Afraid of the Dark: Daily Curio. Skunk Ape Research Headquarters: Official Site CBS Chicago: 2 Investigators: Creepy Clown Trespasses At Chicago Cemetery, In Dead Of Night.   Credits: Special thanks to Randy Pischel,  for sharing his story and exposing himself to the very thing that effects him, and  to the wonderful kids, Julian, Rebecca, Lyla, Naomi, Alissa, Nina, Rebecca, Leon and Ely, as well as parents Andrew and Francesca who allowed us to make a lot of monsters in their yard. Scooby Doo Theme performed by Larry Marks: Wikipedia. Other music by Sirmooge (Simon Wagg) and Bensound.com. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 8: Poison Oak (Acarophobia) Non (who hates peeing in public) talks about his old nemesis, poison oak—and how a lifelong fear of it did not save him. Bring calamine. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com. Calamine Lotion References: Cover Photo: Poison Oak. Photo by Elf. Calamine Lotion: Amazon.com. Poison Ivy by The Coasters: YouTube. Technu for cleaning urishol off skin: Amazon.com. Joy Sandwich is the podcast for more from Non Wells. Credits: Special thanks to Non for sharing his story and exposing himself to the very thing that effects him, and to Jenna for talking about some of the psychological aspects of phobias. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 7: Peeing in Public (Paruresis) Non (who is also afraid of poison oak) tells us why the urinals at Wrigley Field made him break out in a cold sweat. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com. References: Cover Photo: The troughs at Wrigley Field from this WGN article.   International Paruresis Association (offers support and advice): IPA Non’s podcast: Joy Sandwich iTunes Credits: Special thanks to Non for sharing his story and exposing himself to the very thing that effects him, and to Jenna for talking about some of the psychological aspects of phobias. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 6: Clustered Holes (Trypophobia) If the mere title of this episode made your scalp tingle, you probably have trypophobia. If it didn’t, OH BOY, have we got a fear for you. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com. References: Cover Photo: Puppies, supposedly a fix for trypophobic angst. (Public Domain). CBS News: (WARNING: trypophobic images) Understanding trypophobia: Why some people fear holes. NPR: (WARNING: trypophobic images) Fear Of Cantaloupes And Crumpets? A ‘Phobia’ Rises From The Web. Credits: Special thanks to John for sharing his story and exposing himself to the very thing that effects him, and to Jenna for talking about some of the psychological aspects of phobias. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 5: Popcorn (Maizophobia) Fisher can spot a popcorn kernel stuck in the carpet from across the room. He tells us about the perils of working in retail when popcorn is afoot. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com. References: Cover Photo: Viral image of “evil face in popcorn.” Photographer unknown.   An entire site devoted to popcorn pareidolia: Popcornface. Credits: Special thanks to Fisher for sharing his story with us, and Jenna for talking about some of the psychological aspects of phobias. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 4: Stepping on Fish (Ichthyphobia) Averil is afraid of stepping on fish—especially fish that jump out of aquariums unexpectedly. It happened to her sister-in-law once! Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com. References: Cover Photo: A crappie that appeared on a Westmont (Chicago) street for no apparent reason. Photo by Katie Hovany. Meijer, the grocery store chain with aquariums: Meijer. Herald Times Reporter (Manitowoc) article about dead fish on the beach: Huge alewife die-off a sign of life for the lake.   Credits: Thanks to Averil for sharing her story with us. Logo design by Beth Voigt. Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 3: Bridges (Gephyrophobia) An anonymous contributor shares a personal story about facing her fear of bridges. If that sounds too serene, don’t worry: There’s swearing. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com. References: Cover Photo: Rainbow Bridge in Texas. Photo by Aren Cambre. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Crossing Service: Kent Island Express. BBC News Report Video: Chesapeake Bay Bridge: Saving drivers too scared to cross. Credits: Special thanks to our narrators Erin Reilly and Julie Lynn, as well to our anonymous bridge driver. Logo design by Beth Voigt Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Episode 2: Drowning (Aquaphobia) When he’s 8, Mark almost drowns. He doesn’t tell anybody. When he’s 33, he lies to Jeff because he’s scared of drowning. He doesn’t tell anybody. Until now. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com. References: Strategies for Overcoming Aquatic Phobias: http://waterphobias.com/ Credits: Logo design by Beth Voigt Produced with Audacity for Mac.

Welcome to Pantophobia, a podcast about fear and curiosity! Are you scared? Yes? That’s great! Because right now, you’re hurtling through space on a spinning wet rock with 7 billion other people who are just as terrified as you. In Pantophobia, you’ll get to know a few of them. Even if you’ve never avoided a neighborhood bar because the wall art made your skin crawl, yelled vicious insults at a bridge, or lunged over a stack of Hawaiian dinner rolls to punch a guy in a gorilla suit (like our guests have), these stories will change the way you think about fear. Pantophobia Main Page Hosts: Jeff Wagg Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel. You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com. Aubrey Henretty Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions. You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com. Mark Graunke Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties. You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com. Credits: Music: Curious Process by Podington Bear Logo design by Beth Voigt Produced with Audacity for Mac.

In Mid-February 2016, we’ll be launching our new podcast, PANTOPHOBIA, which deals with issues of fear and anxiety, and how people have overcome them. We’re editing now, and of course, a lot of content is being cut. This little bit was too good to leave on the floor. Oops.