Shows
Unpleasant DreamsThe Room in the TowerAfter a brief hiatus, Unpleasant Dreams returns with a chilling classic from the early 20th century. This week, Cassandra Harold narrates E.F. Benson’s “The Room in the Tower,” a haunting tale first published in 1912 that explores the terrifying power of dreams—and what happens when they begin to bleed into reality.
As always, Cassandra’s evocative narration brings this eerie story to life in a way that lingers long after the final word.
Dim the lights and settle in—your nightmares await.
“The Room in the Tower” is in the public domain.
I...2025-06-1835 min
Unpleasant DreamsA Midnight VisitorThis week we revisit "A Midnight Visitor" by John Kendrick Bangs . One night, a stressed and overworked man is overcome with fear after a ghostly encounter in his home.
Bangs was an American author and the creator of the Bangsian fantasy genre, where the use of the afterlife is the main setting in which its characters, act and interact.
The short story was published in 1894 as part of the anthology The Water Ghost and Others and is in the public domain.
--Jim Harold Media LLC re...2025-05-1437 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Haunted OrchardThis week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold is back narrating the eerie story, The Haunted Orchard . What better way to celebrate spring than a haunted orchard! Written by Richard Le Gallienne, the story touches on themes like memory, loss, and the invisible bond between the living and the dead. With a series of vivid and emotional moments, Le Gallienne tells a tale that draws you in and makes you think about how the past sticks with us and shapes our lives today.
The Haunted Orchard was published in 1912 and is the public domain.
2025-04-3023 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Damned ThingDue to Cassandra Harold not being spared from the nasty cold in the household, we are re-airing the short horror story "The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce. A man finds himself haunted by an unseen, malevolent force. Will he overcome it, will it drive him mad, or worse?"The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce was originally published 1893 and is in the Public Domain.Thanks for listening and please share the show with your friends!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual p...2025-04-2428 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Beckoning Fair One Part 3This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold concludes her narration of the novella The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions.We thank our listener again for the wonderful suggestion of this story. If you have a short story (that's in the public domain) that you would like Cassandra to perform, please let us know by contacting Jim Harold HERE.Please tell your friends about the show! The Beckoning Fair One was first published in 1911 and is in the public domain.2025-04-161h 05
Unpleasant DreamsThe Beckoning Fair One Part 2This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold continues narrating the novella The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions. In her introduction this week, Cassandra gives us a mini lesson on "Free Indirect Discourse" and how it is used in this story. Stay tuned next week for the conclusion of the story and please tell your friends about the show!The Beckoning Fair One was first published in 1911 and is in the public domain.--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property...2025-04-101h 01
Unpleasant DreamsThe Beckoning Fair One Part 1This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold begins narrating the novella The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions. First published in 1911, The Beckoning Fair One is a classic psychological horror novella about a writer, Paul Oleron, who moves into an old, abandoned house to work on his novel. This week Cassandra shares with us the first four chapters to set up the story. Thanks to a fan of the show for suggesting this great story! Stay tuned next week for more and please tell your friends about the show!The Beckoning Fair One is...2025-04-0251 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Shadows on the WallOn this episode of Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra entertains us with the short story The Shadows on the Wall by Mary E. Wilkens Freeman, published in 1903 and in the public domain. The Shadows on the Wall is a chilling tale of grief, guilt, and supernatural vengeance. After the sudden death of Henry Glynn, his sisters and surviving brother gather in the family home, only to be haunted by an ominous shadow on the wall—one that refuses to fade. As tensions rise and dark secrets emerge, the lingering presence suggests that some wrongs are not so easily buried.2025-03-2630 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Dead ValleyCassandra Harold is back on Unpleasant Dreams this week narrating the short story "The Dead Valley" by Ralph Adams Cram. Cram's reputation as a writer stems solely from six stories published in Black Spirits and White: A Book of Ghost Stories. "The Dead Valley" is his most well-known and frequently reprinted tale, which H.P. Lovecraft later praised for its masterful use of atmosphere and description to evoke a haunting sense of regional horror.Content Warning: This story includes the death of a dog, which some listeners may find upsetting. Please listen with care.2025-03-1229 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Monkey's PawThis week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold is on vocal rest—doctor’s orders—so we’re revisiting her first Unpleasant Dreams reading from 2023: The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs. This chilling tale is one of Jim Harold’s favorite short stories, and its haunting moral remains timeless—be careful what you wish for.Originally published in Harper’s Monthly in 1902, The Monkey’s Paw is now in the public domain.Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to share the show with your friends!--J...2025-03-0533 min
Unpleasant DreamsThurnley AbbeyIn this chilling episode of Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra brings to life Thurnley Abbey, a masterful ghost story by Perceval Landon. First published in 1908 and in the public domain, this unsettling tale follows a skeptical traveler who dismisses superstitions—until he finds himself spending the night in a cursed abbey with a horrifying secret.Thanks for listening and please share the show!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on p...2025-02-2743 min
Unpleasant DreamsCaterpillarsIn this spine-chilling episode of Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold takes on the eerie tale Caterpillars by E.F. Benson, first published in 1912 and is in the public domain. A short story that twists the innocence of nature into something far more sinister. For Cassandra, this episode is a particularly unsettling one, as she has a deep fear of bugs—making the creeping horror of this story all the more real and terrifying. Thank you for listening!If you enjoyed this episode, please share the podcast!...2025-02-1925 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Body SnatcherOn this episode of Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra reads the supernatural horror short story, The Body Snatcher by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. William Burke and William Hare gained notoriety for allegedly carrying out at least sixteen "anatomy murders"—murders committed for the purpose of providing fresh cadavers for medical study—over the course of roughly ten months in 1828. Their gruesome actions captured the public's imagination and made headlines, leaving a lasting impression that endured for many years. The case inspired authors like Robert Louis Stevenson, with The Body Snatcher being one of the most famo...2025-02-1250 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Red RoomThis week Cassandra reads H.G. Wells' The Red Room. The narrator of The Red Room is a 28-year-old who doesn't believe in the supernatural. He comes to Lorraine Castle with the intention of spending the night in the Red Room, a place rumored to be haunted. As Cassandra explains it, the story "intertwines the psychological with the supernatural in a delectable way." How do you personally deal with the fear of the unknown?Enjoy!H.G. Wells' The Red Room was first published in 1896 and is in the...2025-02-0529 min
Unpleasant DreamsA Quicksilver CassandraThis week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold takes us on a journey through the whimsical and thought-provoking short story, "A Quicksilver Cassandra" by John Kendrick Bangs. Known for his wit and satire, Bangs weaves a tale that blends fantasy with a touch of the absurd, much like the prophetess Cassandra (not our Cassandra!) herself—gifted with the power of prophecy but cursed to have no one believe her."A Quicksilver Cassandra" was first published in 1894 and is in the public domain. It was a part of Bangs' short story collection "The Water Ghost & Others."...2025-01-2914 min
Unpleasant Dreams'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra reads the eerie ghost story “Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad” by M.R. James. First published in 1904 and now in the public domain, this chilling tale is part of James’ Ghost Stories of an Antiquary collection.The story’s title is inspired by a 1793 poem of the same name by Robert Burns, which Cassandra also reads in this episode.Thanks for listening, and be sure to share the podcast with your friends!--Jim Harold Media LL...2025-01-2250 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Upper BerthThis week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold brings to life F. Marion Crawford’s eerie tale "The Upper Berth." In this haunting short story, the dark secrets of a haunted cabin aboard a ship unfold, as a man becomes entangled in a chilling mystery that blurs the line between the living and the dead."The Upper Berth" was published in 1886 and is in the public domain.We hope you enjoy this week's reading!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. Al...2025-01-1554 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Open WindowIn this episode of Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold brings the eerie and unexpected world of Saki (H.H. Munro) to life with a reading of his classic short story, The Open Window. Published in 1914, Saki was known for his sharp wit and dark humor, and crafts a tale of deception and suspense that leaves the listener questioning what’s real. "Romance at short notice was her speciality."The Open Window was published in 1914 and is in the public domain.Enjoy!--...2025-01-0810 min
Unpleasant DreamsA Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol is perhaps the most loved classic holiday story of all time. Cassandra Harold, once again shares her narration of the full version of Ebenezer Scrooge's tale by Charles Dickens.Did you know that while the phrase "Merry Christmas" first appeared in written form in 1536, it was Charles Dickens who helped popularize its use in Victorian society through A Christmas Carol? Did you know the term "Scrooge" came to be synonymous with a miser and was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary with this meaning in 1982?Enjoy this super...2024-12-183h 21
The Paranormal Report with Jim and Dar HaroldDRONES: What the Hell Is Going OnThis Week on The Paranormal Report:Join Jim and Dar as they dive into the mysterious surge of drone sightings that have been reported across the globe this week. What’s really going on in the skies? Are these drones linked to strange health issues, or is there something even more eerie at play? Plus, we’ve got updates on the Loch Ness Monster and a look at Christmas ghosts that are sure to raise a chill. Tune in for another thrilling episode of The Paranormal Report!Holiday LivestreamJoin us t...2024-12-1753 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Story of the Goblins Who Stole a SextonDo you enjoy classic ghost stories—especially those with a festive twist? This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold has a special treat for you: a reading of Charles Dickens' The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton.You might be thinking, "Wait, didn't Dickens write the iconic Christmas ghost story A Christmas Carol?" That's true! But The Story of the Goblins was published seven years earlier and actually served as an inspiration or prototype for A Christmas Carol. In this spooky tale, a grumpy sexton (a type of undertaker or gravedigger) refuses to embrace the Ch...2024-12-1130 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Real Story of KrampusDecember 5th is Krampusnacht!In honor of this special occasion, we revisit the real story of Krampus in today’s holiday edition of Unpleasant Dreams! Oh, and be sure to be good. You wouldn’t want to upset The Krampus…Find the original article by EM Hilker that this episode is based on HEREEpisode originally released in 2021.SOURCES AND FURTHER READINGAlchemist., The. “Witch Bells and How to Use Them.” Magical Recipes Online, 19 May 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2021.Armstrong, Patti Maguire. “An Exorcist Explains Why the Devil Hate...2024-12-0519 min
Unpleasant DreamsJabberwocky and The Hunting of the SnarkCassandra Harold engages in some whimsy and nonsense this week on Unpleasant Dreams, reading two poems by Lewis Carroll."Jabberwocky" was published in 1871 and is considered one of the greatest nonsense poems written in English. The poem has given us the nonsense words and neologisms such as "galumphing" and "chortle". It was included in Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.Then, Cassandra tells us Carroll's poem "The Hunting of the Snark" which was published in 1876. It is also considered a nonsense poem. There are many analyses about what the poem...2024-11-2135 min
Unpleasant DreamsWhat Was It? A MysteryDo you like stories of terror and horror? You are in for a treat this week as Cassandra Harold tells us the short story, "What Was It? A Mystery".Written by Fitz-James O'Brien and first published in Harper's Magazine in 1859. It is in the Public Domain.This story is among the earliest modern tales to include the concept of "invisibility," predating H.G. Wells's 1897 work, "The Invisible Man."Enjoy!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in th...2024-11-1335 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Boarded WindowHalloween has passed but the spooky stories continue on here on Unpleasant Dreams.Cassandra Harold reads the short story, The Boarded Window, by Ambrose Bierce on this week’s episode.It was written in 1891, and is in the Public Domain.Enjoy!—Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers’ intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library’s guide on public domain:https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain L...2024-11-0714 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe VampyreHappy Halloween!Cassandra Harold reads the short work of prose fiction, "The Vampyre," by John William Polidori on this week's Unpleasant Dreams.It was written in 1819, was published in New Monthly Magazine that year, and is in the Public Domain. "The Vampyre" is believed to have started the romantic vampire genre.We hope you enjoy!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, vi...2024-10-3056 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Rime of the Ancient MarinerWhat would you do if you were on your way to a wedding and a sailor stops you tell you a story about life or death?This week Cassandra Harold tells us The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.This poem was first published in 1798 and is in the Public Domain. Cassandra is narrating an 1834 edition.This famous poem features popular phrases that are still used today : "albatross around one's neck" and "Water, water, every where, / Nor any drop to drink".Enjoy!--2024-10-2330 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Music of Erich ZannThis week's Unpleasant Dreams features a horror story written by H.P. Lovecraft.Cassandra Harold narrates the short story, "The Music of Erich Zann.""The Music of Erich Zann" was written in 1921 and first published in 1922 and is in the Public Domain.--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain:https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain ...2024-10-1625 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Masque of the Red DeathJoin us this week on Unpleasant Dreams as Cassandra Harold tells us the story of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death.""The Masque of the Red Death" (originally published as "The Mask of the Red Death: A Fantasy") is a short story by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1842 and is in the Public Domain.--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and co...2024-10-0920 min
Unpleasant DreamsA Ghost StoryBelieve it or not, Mark Twain actually wrote a classic ghost story. Appropriately enough, it was called, "A Ghost Story" and it is our Season 4 premiere. Much more to come this fall!It is great to be back and thanks for your patience! We'll be back next week with more chilling Unpleasant Dreams."A Ghost Story" by Mark Twain, was originally published in 1870 and is in the Public Domain.Our narrator is Cassandra Harold.--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories o...2024-10-0220 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Power of Darkness - Unpleasant Dreams 55This week on Unpleasant Dreams we dive into an eerie tale that tests the boundaries of darkness and the sway it holds over the mind. Our story is Edith Nesbit's "The Power of Darkness.""The Power of Darkness" by Edith Nesbit, originally published 1905 and is in the Public Domain.Our narrator is Cassandra Harold.Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33028--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and...2024-05-1339 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Old Nurse's Story - Unpleasant Dreams 54Tune in for this classic Victorian ghost story written in 1852 by Elizabeth Gaskell."The Old Nurse’s Story" by Elizabeth Gaskell, originally published 1852 and is in the Public Domain.Your narrator is Cassandra Harold.--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain:https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...2024-04-1258 min
Unpleasant DreamsVale Of The Corbies - Unpleasant Dreams 53Cassandra shares the troubling tale of "The Vale of Corbies" written by Arthur J. Burks."The Vale of Corbies" by Arthur J. Burks, originally published 1926 and is in the Public Domain.You can find the original at The Internet Archive here: https://archive.org/details/WeirdTalesV06N05192511/page/n31/mode/1upPlease tell your classic horror loving friends about Unpleasant Dreams!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public dom...2024-03-1324 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Night WireA hard boiled journalist encounters something that shakes him to his core. That is the premise of H.F. Arnold's classic short story, The Night Wire.You can find it here: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Night_Wire "The Night Wire" by H.F. Arnold, originally published 1926 and is in the Public Domain.Cassandra Harold is our narrator.Thank you for listening and please share with your friends who enjoy classic horror!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dre...2024-02-2818 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Tell-Tale Heart - Unpleasant Dreams 51Happy Valentine's Day! Here's the perfect story for a day dedicated to our hearts.It's The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. Enjoy!"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe, originally published 1843 and is in the Public Domain.Cassandra Harold is our narrator.--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain:https://copyright.cornell.edu/pub...2024-02-1418 min
Unpleasant DreamsGoblin Market - Unpleasant Dreams 50Join Cassandra on a journey to the mysterious Goblin Market on this edition of Unpleasant Dreams!"Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti, originally published 1862 and is in the Public Domain.Thank you for listening and please share the show your friends!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain:https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Lea...2024-01-3124 min
Unpleasant DreamsThe Yellow WallpaperThe Yellow Wallpaper is a horror tale from 1892 which details a woman's decent into madness. Yet, it is much more and is considered a classic of feminist literature.The author is Charlotte Perkins Gilman and you can find the full text at Project Gutenberg."The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, originally published 1892 and is in the Public Domain.Your narrator is Cassandra Harold.Thank you for listening and share the show with your friends right from your favorite podcast app.--Jim Harold Media LLC respects w...2024-01-1743 min
Unpleasant DreamsA Christmas Carol - Unpleasant Dreams 48A Christmas Carol is perhaps the most loved classic holiday story of all time. Cassandra shares her narration of the full version of Ebenezer Scrooge's tale by Charles Dickens.This episode includes the complete story."A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, originally published 1843 and is in the Public Domain.Enjoy this super sized Christmas edition of Unpleasant Dreams.Merry Christmas and God Bless Us Every One!--Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public dom...2023-12-183h 19
Unpleasant DreamsDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – Pt 2 – Unpleasant Dreams 47Cassandra shares the conclusion of the terrifying tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!You can find the classic original, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, at this link: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/43/43-h/43-h.htm#chap02"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson, originally published 1886 and is in the Public Domain.Thank you for listening and please tell your friends who love classic horror!Stay tuned for the full version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dick...2023-12-171h 47
The Someone You Should Know PodcastEpisode 114 - Jim Harold - Halloween Special PodcastThis Halloween we have a special treat for you. The host of several podcasts that all pertain to the scary, spooky, and the paranormal. So children gather around the campfire as we bring you my friend and radio brother, Jim Harold, he's definitely Someone You Should Know.Buy Rik a cold oneLink to Jim Harold's WebsiteLink to Jim Harold's 'Paranormal Podcast'Link to 'Jim Harold's Campfire' PodcastLink to Cassandra's 'Unpleasant Dreams' PodcastLink to Dar and Jim's 'You Won't Believe What Happened to Me' Podcast Link to...2023-10-3039 min