Boo-Foons Mystery Investigators

Boo-Foons Mystery Investigators Podcast Official Website.

Category: Episodes

Links to the latest podcast episodes

  • Greenhouse Mystery: The Curious Case of the Mandrake

    Greenhouse Mystery: The Curious Case of the Mandrake

    Episode 24

    Steve and Dan find themselves face-to-face with a botanical enigma, the legend of the mandrake.

    What Is a Mandrake?

    Mandrake (genus Mandragora) is a plant steeped in folklore and mysticism. Native to the Mediterranean region, its roots often resemble human figures, which has fueled centuries of superstition. Historically, mandrakes were believed to scream when uprooted, a cry so deadly it could kill anyone who heard it.

    Folklore and Myth

    • Medieval Legends: In medieval Europe, mandrakes were thought to grow beneath gallows, nourished by the bodily fluids of hanged men.
    • Protective Talismans: People carried mandrake roots as charms to ward off evil or bring good fortune.
    • Magical Uses: Mandrakes appeared in potions, spells, and rituals, often associated with witchcraft and alchemy.

    Biological Facts

    • Species: The most well-known species is Mandragora officinarum.
    • Appearance: Mandrakes have thick, often bifurcated roots that resemble human limbs, and dark green leaves with bell-shaped flowers.
    • Habitat: They thrive in dry, rocky soils and bloom in spring.

    Toxicity and Medicinal Use

    Mandrakes contain alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which can be highly toxic. Historically, they were used as anesthetics and sedatives, but improper use could lead to hallucinations, coma, or death. Today, mandrake is rarely used medicinally due to its dangerous properties.

    hdr

    (images: Wikimedia)

    Final Thoughts

    Whether feared or revered, the mandrake remains one of nature’s most enigmatic plants. Its legacy spans centuries, bridging the gap between botany and legend. For the Boo-Foons, it’s just another day in the greenhouse.

  • The Boo-Foons and the Three‑Headed Giant of Bonny Scotland

    Scotland has given the world many wonders: bagpipes, tartan, deep‑fried everything… and now, thanks to the Boo-Foons, one more addition to the list, a rumoured three‑headed giant lurking somewhere in the Highlands. Naturally, Steve and Dan packed their bags, grabbed their microphones, and set off on a quest that absolutely nobody asked for but everyone will enjoy.

    What followed was a journey filled with riddles, ruined castles, suspiciously tall vegetation, and a man named Jack who may or may not have been entirely trustworthy.

  • The Boo-Foons vs. The Ladies in White

    The Boo-Foons are packing their bags, grabbing their EMF reader, and jetting off on a globe‑spanning paranormal adventure (from the comfort of their PCs). This time, Steve and Dan are on the trail of one of the world’s most widespread ghostly figures: the mysterious women in white.

    From failed weddings to tragic legends, from haunted highways to moonlit dance floors, the lads dive headfirst into the many names, meanings, and misadventures behind these spectral brides. Expect folklore tangles and linguistic detours and join them as they chase phantoms across continents.

  • Taniwha Trouble

    We’ve crossed oceans, dodged customs, and packed extra socks because this time, we’re heading to New Zealand! Our mission? To uncover the truth behind legendary Māori creatures said to guard sacred lands and waters.

    Join us as we plunge into the Pacific, hunting for signs of reptilian sea guardians known as taniwha. These mythical beings are woven into Māori lore, often described as dragon-like creatures that dwell in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

    Some taniwha are fierce protectors of iwi (tribes), while others are known to be more mischievous or territorial. Either way, they’re not the kind of cryptid you want to surprise with a flashlight.

  • Boo-Foons Mysteries: Aliens of Boxing Day

    The Boo-Foons look back to a previous Boxing Day when aliens visited the UK.

    Join us as we explore the eerie mystery surrounding Rendlesham Forest, a woodland nestled beside a military base in Suffolk. On Boxing Day in 1980, this quiet corner of England became the centre of one of the most famous UFO sightings in British history.

    Late that night, American servicemen stationed at RAF Woodbridge reported seeing strange lights descending into the forest. Believing an aircraft had crashed, they ventured into the woods to investigate. What they found defied explanation. Witnesses described a glowing, metallic object with coloured lights moving silently among the trees. Some claimed the nearby animals went into a frenzy, and one airman even reported touching the craft and receiving a stream of binary code.

    Over the following nights, more sightings occurred. A deputy base commander recorded an audio account of lights in the sky behaving in ways that seemed intelligent and deliberate. Physical evidence was also noted, including indentations in the ground, broken branches and elevated radiation readings.

    Although sceptics have suggested the lights may have come from the Orfordness Lighthouse or a meteor, the consistency of witness reports and the involvement of trained military personnel have kept the mystery alive. The incident is often referred to as Britain’s Roswell and remains one of the most compelling UFO cases in the UK.

    Armed with curiosity, festive cheer and a healthy dose of Boo-Foonery we try to uncover the truth. Was it a secret experiment, a trick of the light, or something truly out of this world? Join us as we investigate the legend that turned Rendlesham Forest into a beacon for believers and sceptics alike.

    The Halt Memo and Recording

    Halt_MemoDownload
    The Halt RecordingDownload

  • Boo-Foons Christmas Eve Special: Unwrapping Terror with Tinsel

    This festive season, the Boo-Foons find themselves tangled in fairy lights and fear as they investigate a Dickens, Brides and other paranormal stories. The Brown Lady, legendary ghost of Raynham Hall, makes a surprise appearance… and she’s white. Not just spectral white, but blinding, snowstorm-in-a-nightgown white. She floats through the halls like a possessed snowflake, leaving a trail of confusion.

    The Brown Lady


    And just when you think it couldn’t get any scarier, Steve steps forward with a tale so chilling it makes the ghost gasp. A story darker than midnight mince pies and more disturbing than Dan’s shirt pattern. No spoilers, but let’s just say it involves a cursed celebrity and a Devon holiday camp.


    Join us for a Boo-Foons Christmas that’s equal parts festive and freaky. Ghosts, giggles, and gifts that bite, what more could you want?

  • Boo-Foons Investigate: Boscastle’s Museum of Witchcraft and Magic

    When the Boo-Foons rolled into Boscastle, we expected misty cliffs, spectral whispers, and maybe a cursed pasty or two. What we didn’t expect was a museum so packed with occult oddities, magical mischief, and eyebrow-raising artefacts that we left both enlightened and slightly scandalised.

    Nestled in the heart of this Cornish coastal village, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is a treasure trove of folklore, ritual, and the downright bizarre. From Wiccan robes to ceremonial daggers, the exhibits span centuries of magical practice, folk magic, Freemasonry, divination, and more. But let’s be honest: we were drawn to the weird stuff. The rude stuff. The stuff that makes you glance around nervously before giggling like schoolchildren.

    The Artefacts That Raised Eyebrows (and Spirits)

    Among the museum’s more infamous pieces are the Fanny Stone and Cock Rock, two geological wonders that prove Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humour. The Fanny Stone, a naturally eroded slab with an unmistakably yonic shape, sits proudly among fertility charms and goddess effigies. Meanwhile, Cock Rock is exactly what it sounds like: a phallic stone formation that would make even the most seasoned warlock blush.

    These aren’t just naughty novelties, they’re part of a long tradition of sacred sexuality in magical practice. Fertility rites, sympathetic magic, and the worship of generative forces have deep roots in pagan belief systems. Still, when you’re face-to-face with a stone that looks like it belongs in a hen party gift bag, it’s hard not to crack a joke.

    Paranormal Vibes and Pentagram Selfies

    As we explored the museum’s shadowy corridors, we encountered everything from poppets and potion bottles to a life-sized Horned God statue that seemed to follow us with its gaze.

    Outside, the slate-roofed building is adorned with herbs, symbols, and a pentagram that practically begs for a selfie. A black cat perched on the wall added to the ambiance, while an owl on the chimney watched us like a feathered bouncer guarding the secrets within.

    Final Thoughts: Bewitched, Bothered, and Boo-Fooned

    Boscastle’s Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is more than just a collection of curios, it’s a living archive of belief, rebellion, and the human desire to understand the unknown. Whether you’re a seasoned occultist or just here for the rude rocks, it’s a must-visit for anyone with a taste for the uncanny.

    We left with a deeper appreciation for magical history, a few questionable photos, and the lingering suspicion that we may have been cursed.

  • Into the Jungle: The Curupira Episode

    The Boo-Foons head deep into South America in search of the legendary forest guardian, the Curupira (or as Steve calls it, “Curry-piranha?”). This fiery-haired trickster from Brazilian folklore is known for his backward-facing feet, a clever trait that confuses hunters and leads them in circles. He’s the ultimate protector of the rainforest, punishing those who exploit nature and vanishing into the trees before you can say “deforestation.”


    Join Steve and Dan as they dodge mischievous spirits and try to keep up with the chaos. Steve, naturally, struggles with pronouncing “Curupira,” but that’s half the fun.

    This episode was recorded live during a Patreon stream, so expect extra Boo-Foonery and jungle misadventures.

  • The Boo-Foons vs. The Phoenix Lights

    The Boo-Foons have ditched the fog and found the fire, welcome to Arizona, USA. With backpacks full of snacks and minds full of alien lore, Steve and Dan head into the desert to chase the legend of the Phoenix Lights.

  • Boo-Foons and the Haunted Cabinet

    The Boo-Foons are crossing the Atlantic! Steve and Dan head to the United States of America on a spine-tingling mission: to investigate a mysterious haunted cabinet purchased on eBay.

    What begins as a cheeky bid soon spirals into a journey filled with spirits of every kind, both in the glass and in the shadows. As they sip, laugh, and stumble through folklore, the Boo-Foons uncover a supposed Jewish tale that travelled from Europe to the USA, carrying whispers of curses, superstition, and history across generations.s of curses, superstition, and history across generations.