Two Girls One Ghost

Episode 353 – Holiday Cryptids: The Derry Fairy & Baba Yaga
December 21, 2025
Hosts: Corinne Vien and Sabrina Deana-Roga

Episode Overview

In this festive-yet-spooky holiday episode, Corinne and Sabrina delve into two winter cryptids: the little-known Derry Fairy of New Hampshire and the legendary Slavic witch Baba Yaga. Through their trademark mix of banter, deep storytelling, and folklore analysis, the hosts explore how winter can inspire both comfort and terror — and how its darkest nights are ripe for tales of the strange, protective, and terrifying.

Opening Banter: Surviving the Holidays & Emotional Release

• [02:04]–[04:55]: Corinne and Sabrina start by discussing the holiday season — its emotional toll, seasonal sickness ("tis the season to be sick"), and rituals for emotional release, such as Sabrina’s recent experience with vagus nerve breathing meditation and a “two-day cry-a-thon.”
  • Sabrina shares:

  “I was aware that I was blocking a lot of emotions, so I decided to do a vagus nerve breathing meditation. … And I had a two day cry-a-thon.” ([02:44])

• They swap stories about alternative healing, emotional self-knowledge, and planning for future self-care — “Good to know yourself.” ([04:55])

The Derry Fairy: New Hampshire's Strangest Holiday Legend

The Hallmark Romance Setup...with a Twist

• [05:00]–[08:37]: Corinne sets up a parody Hallmark Christmas romance—before veering into the eerie origin of the Derry Fairy legend:
  • “It was the first real snowfall of the season in Derry, New Hampshire... But then, a low, rasping screech from the woods. … One of New England’s strangest Christmas legends: the Derry Fairy.” ([06:07])

The Real Encounter

• [08:37]–[12:33]: Corinne shares the actual story from 1956, when Alfred Horn encountered a bizarre creature while in the woods near Beaver Lake:
  • 2 feet tall, green-skinned and wrinkled, with floppy "basset hound" ears, eyes with a film, stubby hands, and toeless feet.
  • The creature watched Alfred for 20 minutes, then screamed when he tried to catch it—prompting both to flee.
  • “The screech is so scary sounding that it scares Alfred.” ([12:33])
• The locals later dubbed the creature “the Derry Fairy.”

Possible Origins and Connections

• [12:59]–[16:49]:
  • Discussion about possible alien/cryptid connections, noting the famous nearby Betty and Barney Hill UFO abduction in 1961.
  • Local lore includes Shinito, a fairy/hunter spirit who protects lost people in the forest — could the Derry Fairy be a reinterpretation?
  • Reflection on how the human brain perceives (or ignores) the strange:

  “How many times do we accidentally see something that we shouldn't see? … Does your brain rewrite your experience and you're actually seeing things more than you know?” – Sabrina ([15:17])

Family Stories, Odd Jobs, and Holiday Ghosts

• [16:49]–[19:13]: The hosts pivot to personal stories about family secrets, random jobs, and hidden personal histories that emerge at family gatherings.
  • Both suggest holiday gatherings are a great time to ask elders about strange encounters (“Ask your families this Christmas if they've ever seen anything weird out in the woods.” – Corinne [17:12])
  • Classic Two Girls One Ghost banter about accidentally hiding pain and vulnerability.

Baba Yaga: The Dual Nature of the Winter Witch

Atmospheric Storytelling

• [23:06]–[28:08]: Sabrina transports listeners to 1500s Russia for a chilling tale about Baba Yaga's 12-day reign during the darkest part of the year.
  • Vivid, horror-inflected narrative:

  “A hut with chicken legs… The front door swung open and the witch stepped out: Baba Yaga. Long iron teeth, skin as gray as ash... ‘Little mouse, why do you wander during the 12 days when the world belongs to me also?’” ([26:53])

Who is Baba Yaga?

• [28:49]–[34:58]:
  • Baba Yaga is introduced as a multi-faceted figure: a Slavic witch who both devours and helps, living in a hut on chicken legs, flying in a mortar and pestle, and often targeting children alone in the woods.
  • Notable quote (from a Grunge article):

  “Baba Yaga is a voracious swamp witch who wants only to gobble up fat children after forcing them to do chores for her.” ([29:55])

  • Her home is fearsome on the outside (bones and skulls fence) but warm and inviting within.
  • Comparing her to other Christmas “scary figures” such as Krampus, Frau Perchta, and Gryla.

The Four Faces of Baba Yaga

• [43:44]–[48:11]: Sabrina outlines the four archetypes found in Baba Yaga stories:
  1. The Devourer: Burns away what doesn’t serve, punishing the lazy or deceitful.
  2. The Tester: Sets impossible tasks to push people to their limits for self-discovery.
  3. The Gatekeeper: Guards thresholds and boundaries, protecting against venturing where you don’t belong.
  4. The Helper: Offers aid and magical gifts to those who show respect.

Which Baba Yaga Are You? – Listener Quiz

• [48:11]–[50:44]: Fun quiz segment with lively discussion:
  • Sabrina: “Which Baba Yaga are you? The Gatekeeper, the Helper, the Devourer, or the Tester?”
  • Corinne identifies as the Gatekeeper:

    “You are the Baba Yaga of boundaries and thresholds. You guard what is sacred. Your time, your energy, your people.” ([50:26])

  • Sabrina: the Helper—“People feel safe with you.” ([50:44])

Baba Yaga in History, Symbolism, and Modern Pop Culture

• [51:11]–[59:56]:
  • First documented in the 1500s as a “known and talked about being.”
  • Interpreted as nature personified—cruel, wise, fiercely independent—often viewed as a feminist icon and symbol of women’s power outside traditional norms.
  • Modern appearances:
    • John Wick’s nickname is “Baba Yaga.”
    • Featured in "Spirited Away" and Neil Gaiman’s "Sandman" comics.
    • Anthology “Into the Forest” compiles 23 women-penned Baba Yaga tales.

Notable Quotes

• “She is woman. She is every part a woman that society has for centuries feared. … She answers to none, truly.” – Sabrina ([54:16])
• “She can wreak havoc, she can help, she can heal, and she can give aid to those who seem deserving.” – Sabrina ([54:01])
• “She thrives when the sun is the weakest. She tests us when the veil is the thinnest. And when you find yourself in the darkest of times, you must face Baba Yaga before the light returns.” – Sabrina ([59:56])

Concluding Thoughts: Lessons from Winter Cryptids

• Both the Derry Fairy and Baba Yaga are “protective beings in the woods,” guardians as much as monsters. The episode ends with the idea that what seems terrifying in winter folklore also contains wisdom, protection, and the necessity of transformation.
• Fun holiday encouragement to let listeners discover which Baba Yaga archetype they embody.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Ask your families this Christmas if they've ever seen anything weird out in the woods.” – Corinne ([17:12])
• “Let us know what Baba Yaga you are in the comments if you took the quiz and let us know what your favorite, maybe lesser known Christmas holiday, winter solstice creatures and cryptids are.” – Sabrina ([61:08])
• “I want to be her. She's. Call me Baba Yaga. A voracious swamp witch.” – Sabrina ([60:54])

Timestamp Guide to Major Segments

• [02:04] – Holiday banter and “emotional work” chat
• [05:00] – Comedy Hallmark intro & Derry Fairy story begins
• [08:37] – The real Alfred Horn encounter
• [12:59] – Aliens and ancient spirits: Possible Derry Fairy origins
• [16:49] – Personal/family stories and listener prompt
• [23:06] – Baba Yaga narrative begins
• [28:49] – Baba Yaga’s nature and attributes dissected
• [43:44] – The Four Baba Yagas explained
• [48:11] – "Which Baba Yaga are you?" quiz
• [51:11] – Historical and cultural significance
• [58:16] – Baba Yaga in modern media
• [59:56] – Lessons and symbolism for winter and transformation

Tone & Style

• Conversational, irreverent, and witty.
• Equal parts cozy and creepy, moving from joking asides to lush, atmospheric storytelling.
• Openly feminist and celebratory of the power found in folklore and embracing one’s complexity.

For Listeners/Newcomers

This episode offers richly researched, character-driven stories of under-the-radar holiday cryptids, plus thoughtful insights into why we tell these tales in the darkest time of year. It blends engaging narrative, pop culture connections, and personal reflection, all in the uniquely spooky and supportive voice that has made Two Girls One Ghost a cult favorite.

Listener Engagement Prompt:
Let the hosts know which Baba Yaga you got in the quiz, and share (in the comments or by email) your favorite obscure winter cryptid or family holiday ghost story for next year’s episode!