Dark History Episode 193: Dark Conspiracies and Unsettling Truths – A DH Compilation
Host: Bailey Sarian (with “Paul”)
Date: January 14, 2026
Podcast: Dark History (Audioboom Studios)
Overview
In this compilation episode, Bailey Sarian explores some of the juiciest, most chilling stories from Dark History’s archive—all centered on dark conspiracies and unsettling (sometimes unsolved) truths. The lineup ranges from urban legends and supernatural terrors to infamous corporate deceptions and mysterious disappearances. Bailey’s trademark blend of irreverence, dark humor, and genuine curiosity makes each story both compelling and surprising.
Main Sections & Key Topics
1. The Nature of Conspiracy & Compilation Episodes
Timestamps: 00:00 – 04:00
- Bailey opens the episode explaining the rationale behind themed compilations: “...the more you learn about history, the more you realize that no one is telling the whole story. Everything's always edited, polished, wrapped in a neat little bow. But when you dig just a little deeper...everything starts to unravel.” (03:28)
- Preview of the themes covered: cursed commercials, supernatural urban legends, alien abductions, mysterious unsolved disappearances, and epic corporate figments like Betty Crocker.
- Sets a playful, curious, lightly conspiratorial tone.
2. Urban Legends & Sleep Terrors
Timestamps: 04:00 – 21:54
A. The Cursed Japanese Kleenex Commercial
- Paul recounts the viral 1980s Japanese Kleenex commercial believed by many to bring death and curses upon its cast and crew.
- Bailey and Paul riff on the absurdity, while noting “…none of that was true. But...it’s still kind of, like, fun to talk about, right? It is creepy, though. The music. Come on." (08:10)
B. The Legend of La Llorona
- Paul details the Mexican ghost story of “the weeping woman,” famously tied to infanticide, doomed vengeance, and sightings across the Americas.
- Tales of La Llorona seducing men, terrorizing children, and leaving victims frozen with icy breath.
- Bailey: "I think the lesson here is don’t have sex with ghosts that you just met. Maybe ask them to see their face first. Get some standards, gentlemen." (20:21)
C. Sleep Paralysis and Night Demons
- Explains sleep paralysis, its global cross-cultural “demon” manifestations, and its connection to sudden unexpected death syndrome (SUDS), especially among Hmong refugees.
- Bailey shares a personal sleep paralysis story: "I give it 2 out of 5 stars. Would not recommend.” (57:14)
- Connects folklore, cultural trauma, the “nocebo effect,” and contemporary neurological science.
Notable Quotes:
- "Nightmares can indeed kill you. Sorry, girl, it's over. We're all done." (69:13)
3. Alien Abductions: The Case of Barney and Betty Hill
Timestamps: 21:54 – 47:06
- A deep dive into the 1961 Barney and Betty Hill case, a foundational UFO abduction narrative.
- Details of the couple’s abduction, hypnosis-induced recovered memories, and subsequent cultural impact.
- Hypnosis accounts include medical examinations by aliens and Betty’s mysterious “star map.”
- Sassy skepticism: "Honestly, it looks like…like a dick. It looks like she drew a dick and balls and it was each all over the universe." (43:14)
- Alternative theory raised: Accidental awareness during surgery/anesthesia as a source for “abduction” memories.
Notable Quotes:
- “Even Barney’s version of aliens not having mouths could be explained by the surgical mask that doctors wear. The greenish gray color of aliens, same color of, like, the scrubs…” (45:03)
4. Corporate Deception: The Creation of Betty Crocker
Timestamps: 74:21 – 119:43
- Bailey chronicles how the homey matronly icon was fabricated by flour industry marketers in the 1920s.
- Details on the team of female home economists led by Marjorie Child Husted, who collectively became “Betty.”
- “Betty Crocker is not a real person. I know. Quit, leave, everyone. Bye. World's over. Betty Crocker's a fraud.” (85:30)
- The rise to nationwide influence through radio, cookbooks, depression-era survival tips, and later, TV.
- “It seems to me like society trusted men to be founders and CEOs, but women had to be make believe girl bosses. What’s that about?” (119:43)
- Discussion of how Betty’s brand empowered and comforted American homemakers, even as her origins were entirely corporate myth.
Memorable Moment:
- Bailey shares the positive impact of fake or “constructed” women while lamenting that real women like Marjorie are overshadowed: “We don’t really know her name. But at the same time, we know Betty Crocker, so we kind of know her.”
5. Disappearances and Theories: Amelia Earhart
Timestamps: 123:25 – 166:10
- Amelia Earhart’s career and mysterious disappearance over the Pacific are recounted with context, humor, and suspicion.
- Primary theories dissected:
- Crash and sink (official).
- Japanese capture and government cover-up.
- Survival and death as a castaway on Nikumaroro (Gardner) Island.
- Tantalizing scientific and “tinfoil hat” evidence discussed, including bones, radio transmissions, and artifacts found on Nikumaroro.
- The cult of obsession surrounding her mystery: “I think people are fascinated by the story of Emelia because not only was she amazing, but her disappearance has left us with so many questions.” (160:02)
Notable Exchange:
- “Some people still say she’s living in Cabo right now. And I’m like, what?” (162:38)
6. The Alaska Triangle: Vanishings, Vortexes, and the Otterman
Timestamps: 166:10 – 213:44
- Bailey introduces listeners to the Alaska Triangle, where disappearances (of planes, people, and more) occur at an extraordinary rate.
- Discussion of Cold War-era lost planes (including the massive, still-missing Douglas C-54), unsolved political vanishings (including Congressman Boggs, “healthy ice cream alternative”), and mob-linked conspiracy theories.
- Outlandish explanations are given equal time:
- Government weather modification via HAARP (“High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program”).
- Hidden underground pyramids emitting mysterious electromagnetic energy (“...the Dark Pyramid”).
- Otterman, a shapeshifting cryptid from Indigenous Alaskan lore, luring victims into the wilderness.
- “He's all buff and manly looking. He's got a thick ass neck. It's kind of… kind of hot. I know. Okay.” (204:56)
- Winks at the limits between reasonable skepticism and comic-level conspiracy, with Bailey gently encouraging curiosity but not paranoia.
Notable Quotes:
- "People love a mystery. We love a mystery. We like solving puzzles. ...Sometimes the official version, it's not satisfying. And you know it's a lie." (212:10)
Notable Moments & Quotes
On the irresistible draw of conspiracies:
“The more you learn about history, the more you realize that no one is telling the whole story.” (03:28, Bailey)
On urban legends:
"I just imagine her like, you better get the up right now." (12:36, Bailey, riffing on La Llorona)
On sleep paralysis:
"Giving those mittens one star review." (185:10, Bailey, after an on-air mishap with costume mittens—later looped back into the Otterman section)
On government conspiracies:
“Some experts say it’s likely both planes had something on board that made them a target. ...Maybe the Soviet Union took the plane out before a distress call could be made.” (176:46, Bailey, Alaska Triangle)
On manufactured icons:
"Betty Crocker is not a real person. ...She's a figment of corporate America's imagination." (85:30, Bailey)
On balancing myth and fact:
"Whether you believe in aliens, haunted Kleenex, or Betty Crocker, remember, there's always more going on than meets the eye. And history is full of secrets." (212:20, Bailey)
Engaging Audience & Tone
- Bailey invites comments, stories, and episode suggestions throughout (“Let me know your thoughts down below...”).
- The banter with Paul adds comic relief, skepticism, and further research context.
- The episode closes with a reminder to “stay curious,” keep scrutinizing the official story, and maybe just, you know, keep an eye out for Otterman.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – 04:00: Introduction, compilation theme, approach to dark history
- 04:00 – 21:54: Urban Legends: Cursed Kleenex, La Llorona, Sleep Parasites
- 21:54 – 47:06: Alien Abduction: The Hills
- 74:21 – 119:43: Betty Crocker: Corporate Creation and Impact
- 123:25 – 166:10: Amelia Earhart: Biography & Disappearance Theories
- 166:10 – 213:44: The Alaska Triangle: Vanishings, HAARP, Otterman, and Vortexes
Final Thoughts
Dark Conspiracies and Unsettling Truths is a rollercoaster of skepticism, wonder, and historical sleuthing. With stories that range from the spooky to the plausible to the deeply weird, Bailey’s playful but thorough approach invites listeners to get curious, question narratives, and enjoy the ride—tin foil hat optional.
For more:
- Listen to the podcast or watch on YouTube
- Share your own wild stories or theories with #darkhistory
- Next episode tease: Mystical Russian history—Rasputin gets the “Dark History” deep dive!