Lore: Deeper Lore – Episode 298 (25, 88, & 134)

Host: Aaron Mahnke
Date: January 26, 2026

Overview

This special “Deeper Lore” bonus episode serves as a companion to Lore Episode 298: “Almost Alive,” which explores the uncanny and unsettling world of automatons—lifelike machines built to imitate humans. Aaron Mahnke digs into Lore’s extensive archive to recommend older episodes that thematically resonate with this newest entry. The goal is to extend that eerie, thought-provoking feeling and offer listeners a layered context into humanity’s enduring fascination with creating humanlike doubles and interfering with the boundary between life and death.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Context of Episode 298: “Almost Alive”

• Aaron frames “Almost Alive” as a departure from Lore’s usual territory but ultimately finds it a perfect fit, as it explores people creating humanlike machines for people-like purposes.
  • “People creating people-like machines to do people-like things. What could be more human of us, and what could go wrong, right?”
    — Aaron Mahnke (01:10)

Curated Archive Recommendations

Aaron pairs episode 298 with three classic episodes that echo its core themes:

1. Episode 25: “The Cave”

   • A celebrated “witch story” set on an island off the coast of Chile.
   • The witches’ sinister acts against humans have direct relevance to the idea of manipulating or crafting human lives.
   • “But what those witches did to human beings is very relevant to our topic today. So do check it out.”
     — Aaron Mahnke (02:00)

2. Episode 88: “Crossing the Line”

   • A listener favorite celebrated for its creepiness rather than its big questions.
   • Centers on a man so obsessed with a woman that he transgresses boundaries—even those of death itself—in the name of love.
   • “In it we see one man's love for a woman cause him to cross a very big line, one that even death could not prevent. Give it a listen if you dare.”
     — Aaron Mahnke (02:27)

3. Episode 134: “Disturbing the Peace”

   • Explores the Doctor’s Riot of 1788 with a focus on grave robbing.
   • Addresses the deep-rooted community fears about what doctors did with the bodies of the deceased, a theme resonating with anxiety about tampering with the boundary between life and death.
   • “But the fear and panic experienced by the community is ultimately rooted in a very dark: what on earth are those doctors doing when with the body parts of our loved ones?”
     — Aaron Mahnke (02:50)

How to Listen

• Aaron reminds listeners that these episodes can be found in the podcast archive or via direct links in the episode description.
  • “Follow up this week’s brand new episode with a trip into the past. Episodes 25, 88 and 134 are waiting for you in this podcast feed.”
    — Aaron Mahnke (03:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Automaton Lore:
  • “People creating people-like machines to do people-like things. What could be more human of us, and what could go wrong, right?”
    — Aaron Mahnke (01:10)
• Recommending Episode 88:
  • “This one is a fan favorite though, because it's just so dang creepy.”
    — Aaron Mahnke (02:15)
• On Community Fear in Episode 134:
  • “…what on earth are those doctors doing when with the body parts of our loved ones? The answer, of course, is all part of the story.”
    — Aaron Mahnke (02:50)
• Signature Farewell:
  • “And until next time, stay spooky.”
    — Aaron Mahnke (03:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:31 — Aaron introduces the “Deeper Lore” concept and this episode’s purpose
• 01:03 — Discussion of Episode 298 and its automaton theme
• 01:40 — Archive pairing: Episode 25 “The Cave”
• 02:10 — Archive pairing: Episode 88 “Crossing the Line”
• 02:40 — Archive pairing: Episode 134 “Disturbing the Peace”
• 03:05 — Where to find and listen to recommended episodes
• 03:20 — Host’s signature outro and sign-off

Tone & Voice

The episode maintains Aaron’s signature mix of warmth, curiosity, and understated creepiness, with a conversational delivery that keeps the spooky, historical vibe at the forefront.

For New Listeners

This “Deeper Lore” episode is an accessible gateway: Aaron contextualizes complex and unsettling topics, offers clear entry-points to archival content, and helps illuminate persistent questions about our fascination with human simulacra, boundary-crossing, and the darkness found in history.