Lore Podcast - Deeper Lore: 302 (Episodes 73, 116, & 166) – Summary
Host: Aaron Mahnke
Date: March 26, 2026

Overview

In this Deeper Lore bonus episode, host Aaron Mahnke curates a thematic listening guide to accompany the latest main Lore episode (#301 "Bedside Manor"). The focus is the eerie tradition of caretaker poisoners—nurses, mothers, and healers whose ability to help was twisted toward harm. Aaron highlights three past Lore episodes that explore similar stories: the infamous Jolly Jane, the intersection of care and cults, and the notorious poisoner Mary Cotton. This curation is designed to let listeners immerse themselves deeper in tales of deceptive caretakers and lethal trust.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Purpose of Deeper Lore ([00:39])

• Aaron introduces "Deeper Lore" as a way to guide listeners through the archive, linking the latest episode to past themes:
  • “Here I’m going to dig into our vast 10-year archive and point out some older episodes that fit well with this week’s newest. And the hope is that maybe you can pair them all up and keep that spooky feeling going well into the weekend, putting a handful of old episodes into a new, more powerful context.” – Aaron Mahnke [00:54]

The Dark World of Caretaker Poisoners ([01:06])

• This week's main topic in episode 301, "Bedside Manor," dives into the unsettling reality of those trusted to heal, who instead cause harm.

Suggested Episodes for Deeper Listening

• Episode 73: "A Sweet Embrace" ([01:22])

  • Focus: Jolly Jane, a nurse with healing skills who infamously used her abilities for darkness.
  • Aaron describes it as:
    “She was a nurse with the skills necessary to heal and restore the sick, and yet she used those abilities for something far more dark. This episode is a can’t miss.” – Aaron Mahnke [01:30]

• Episode 116: "Something Blue" ([01:41])

  • Focus: Not your typical caretaker story—involves a healer, a cult, credulous followers, and a morbid trail of clues.
  • Aaron calls it “a bit of an oddball…a cult and a whole lot of gullible people…a fascinating trail of clues, bodies and drama.” – Aaron Mahnke [01:45]

• Episode 166: "Toxic" ([01:55])

  • Focus: A broader look at infamous poisoning cases, featuring Mary Cotton, one of history’s deadliest figures.
  • Aaron underlines: “There’s a lot of high profile poison cases and a feature on Mary Cotton, one of the worst of them all. I think you’re going to love it.” – Aaron Mahnke [01:59]

How to Listen ([02:09])

• Aaron explains these episodes are available directly in the podcast feed or via episode links in the show description, encouraging listeners to keep the chilling stories going.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The hope is that maybe you can pair them all up and keep that spooky feeling going well into the weekend, putting a handful of old episodes into a new, more powerful context.” – Aaron Mahnke [00:54]
• “She was a nurse with the skills necessary to heal and restore the sick, and yet she used those abilities for something far more dark.” – Aaron Mahnke [01:30]
• “There’s healing and there’s a caretaker, but there’s also a cult and a whole lot of gullible people.” – Aaron Mahnke [01:44]
• “There’s a lot of high profile poison cases and a feature on Mary Cotton, one of the worst of them all.” – Aaron Mahnke [01:59]
• “Until next time, stay spooky.” – Aaron Mahnke [02:19]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:39] – Aaron introduces the purpose of Deeper Lore and thematic episode recommendations
• [01:06] – Brief recap of current episode’s topic: caretaker poisoners
• [01:22] – Recommendation: Episode 73 “A Sweet Embrace” (Jolly Jane)
• [01:41] – Recommendation: Episode 116 “Something Blue” (Caretaker, cult, and drama)
• [01:55] – Recommendation: Episode 166 “Toxic” (Notorious poison cases, Mary Cotton)
• [02:09] – Directions for listeners to access these episodes
• [02:19] – Signature sign-off, “stay spooky”

Final Thoughts

This Deeper Lore installment is both a practical guide for established fans to get more out of the Lore archive and a thematic roadmap for new listeners intrigued by the sinister history of trusted caretakers gone rogue. Aaron’s concise summaries and genuine enthusiasm for “keeping that spooky feeling going” make this episode a quick, atmospheric jump into the world of dark historical tales.

Next step: Queue up episodes 73, 116, and 166 for a chilling weekend of poisoned trust and shadowy caretakers.