Kaidankai: Ghost, Supernatural, and Dark Short Fiction
The Kaidankai is a short fiction podcast featuring strange, supernatural, and dark stories across horror, fantasy, science fiction, and the uncanny. The Kaidankai presents original short stories from experienced and emerging authors that explore the unsettling edges of human experience. These tales can be touching, scary, gruesome, funny, and even heartwarming. From ghostly encounters and supernatural revenge to speculative futures and uncanny moments, the stories span genres while sharing a common atmosphere of mystery and unease. The Kaidankai is narrated with a focus on mood, pacing, and immersion. Whether a story leans toward horror, fantasy, science fiction, or something harder to define, each episode invites listeners to step into a world just slightly off-kilter.
Episodes
February 4, 2026 • 30 mins
A quiet supernatural story about aging, death, and the unsettling certainty that something always comes after. When a man is interrupted by an unexpected knock, he’s forced to face his mortality.
Told with restraint and dark humor, What Comes Next explores the thin boundary between life and whatever waits beyond it. This is a story about endings--life, relationships, our existence in a world we belong to, and what happens if that wo...
Told with restraint and dark humor, What Comes Next explores the thin boundary between life and whatever waits beyond it. This is a story about endings--life, relationships, our existence in a world we belong to, and what happens if that wo...
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January 28, 2026 • 19 mins
A first-person supernatural confession about inheriting witchcraft, where fear, taboo, and belonging collide.In That Sound That the Crickets Make, tradition is not comfort—it’s obligation, and refusal has a cost.
This is not a story about monsters from the outside, but about what it means to inherit a world you didn’t choose. Told with brutal honesty and dark humor, it explores witchcraft as culture, survival, and generational oblig...
This is not a story about monsters from the outside, but about what it means to inherit a world you didn’t choose. Told with brutal honesty and dark humor, it explores witchcraft as culture, survival, and generational oblig...
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January 21, 2026 • 19 mins
A powerful retelling of the legend of La Loca, where betrayal, hypocrisy, and supernatural vengeance collide. A mythic tale of feral justice and reckoning.
In this haunting story, justice is not delivered by courts or institutions, but by something older and wilder. La Loca is no innocent, but neither is she deserving of her fate. What follows is a reminder that some legends endure because they speak truths society would rather igno...
In this haunting story, justice is not delivered by courts or institutions, but by something older and wilder. La Loca is no innocent, but neither is she deserving of her fate. What follows is a reminder that some legends endure because they speak truths society would rather igno...
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January 14, 2026 • 11 mins
A retired sailor’s fond memories of a ship’s cat take on a chilling afterlife.
In “Polydactyl Aboard,” a retired sailor recalls his years at sea and the extraordinary ship’s cat whose talents went far beyond catching rats. The bond between sailor and animal becomes something deeper after death.
Set against the rhythms of life aboard ship, the story explores loyalty, instinct, and the quiet persistence of the past.
Thomas Koperwas is ...
In “Polydactyl Aboard,” a retired sailor recalls his years at sea and the extraordinary ship’s cat whose talents went far beyond catching rats. The bond between sailor and animal becomes something deeper after death.
Set against the rhythms of life aboard ship, the story explores loyalty, instinct, and the quiet persistence of the past.
Thomas Koperwas is ...
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January 7, 2026 • 19 mins
A quiet man’s passion for rare books draws him into an exclusive invitation—one that reveals an old literary grievance demanding a very personal and terrifying form of justice.
Nick Young is a retired award-winning CBS News Correspondent. His writing has appeared in more than thirty publications including the Pennsylvania Literary Journal, The Garfield Lake Review, Backchannels Journal, the San Antonio Review, the Bosphorus Review ...
Nick Young is a retired award-winning CBS News Correspondent. His writing has appeared in more than thirty publications including the Pennsylvania Literary Journal, The Garfield Lake Review, Backchannels Journal, the San Antonio Review, the Bosphorus Review ...
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December 24, 2025 • 29 mins
The annual alternative Charles Dickens story to A Christmas Carol.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Linda
The Kaidankai Podcast features original short fiction exploring horror, fantasy, science fiction, and the strange.
New episodes every Wednesday.
Subscribe on Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Read the stories at kaidankaistories.com
Follow the show:
Instagram
Facebook
Bluesky
Have a story you'd like...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Linda
The Kaidankai Podcast features original short fiction exploring horror, fantasy, science fiction, and the strange.
New episodes every Wednesday.
Subscribe on Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Read the stories at kaidankaistories.com
Follow the show:
Bluesky
Have a story you'd like...
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December 17, 2025 • 19 mins
A drifter joins a strange sheriff’s posse, only to discover he’s part of a ghost-hunting ritual—and far closer to the dead than he ever realized.
This story appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of SPOOKY Magazine.
Chad Gayle’s short speculative fiction has appeared in DreamForge Magazine, Inner Worlds, and Cosmic Horror Monthly.
You can read "Dead Man's Posse" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Please feel fre...
This story appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of SPOOKY Magazine.
Chad Gayle’s short speculative fiction has appeared in DreamForge Magazine, Inner Worlds, and Cosmic Horror Monthly.
You can read "Dead Man's Posse" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Please feel fre...
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December 10, 2025 • 16 mins
Two brothers flee through frozen fells from an unearthly pursuit, only to discover a city that chooses who may enter and who must be lost.
Bio: Daniel Stride has a lifelong love of literature in general, and speculative fiction in particular. He writes both short stories and poetry; his stories have appeared in Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Tales to Terrify Podcast, and Eternal Haunted Summer. His first novel, Wise Phuul, was published ...
Bio: Daniel Stride has a lifelong love of literature in general, and speculative fiction in particular. He writes both short stories and poetry; his stories have appeared in Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Tales to Terrify Podcast, and Eternal Haunted Summer. His first novel, Wise Phuul, was published ...
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December 3, 2025 • 9 mins
A celebrated self-help guru meets a follower whose “infinite patience” twisted his teachings into something dark.
Rick McQuiston is a 57-year-old horror fanatic with over 400 publications, including three novels. A new novel is due for publication in 2026. McQuiston spends his time working on new full-length and short stories.
You can read "The Patience Factor" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Please f...
Rick McQuiston is a 57-year-old horror fanatic with over 400 publications, including three novels. A new novel is due for publication in 2026. McQuiston spends his time working on new full-length and short stories.
You can read "The Patience Factor" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Please f...
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November 26, 2025 • 17 mins
A pastor reconnects with a troubled parishioner only to find prophecy and madness entwined in tragedy.
Nathan Perrin (he/him/his) is a writer and Anabaptist pastor in Chicagoland. He holds an MA in Quaker Studies, and is a doctoral student studying Christian Community Development at Northern Seminary. His doctorate work centers on creating a writing program for nonprofits and churches to use to help under-resourced communities proce...
Nathan Perrin (he/him/his) is a writer and Anabaptist pastor in Chicagoland. He holds an MA in Quaker Studies, and is a doctoral student studying Christian Community Development at Northern Seminary. His doctorate work centers on creating a writing program for nonprofits and churches to use to help under-resourced communities proce...
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November 19, 2025 • 29 mins
When a priest sells his dying church to a nightclub owner, he discovers that even the dead still demand redemption.
Ed Ahern resumed writing after forty odd years in foreign intelligence and international sales. He’s had over four hundred fifty stories and poems published so far, and nine books. Ed works the other side of writing at Bewildering Stories, where he sits on the review board and manages a posse of eight review editors, a...
Ed Ahern resumed writing after forty odd years in foreign intelligence and international sales. He’s had over four hundred fifty stories and poems published so far, and nine books. Ed works the other side of writing at Bewildering Stories, where he sits on the review board and manages a posse of eight review editors, a...
Mark as Played
November 12, 2025 • 25 mins
A ski trip to Japan turns into a darker adventure when two friends encounter a spirit that wants something.
Paul Walter is an Irish-born, recently retired illustrator, art teacher, and occasional author. He has had two children’s books published by Penguin; Grandpa’s Big Adventure, and Grandpa’s Space Adventure. His literary novel, Fin Rising, was originally published by Really Blue Books in 2012 and was re-published in 2022 by Púca...
Paul Walter is an Irish-born, recently retired illustrator, art teacher, and occasional author. He has had two children’s books published by Penguin; Grandpa’s Big Adventure, and Grandpa’s Space Adventure. His literary novel, Fin Rising, was originally published by Really Blue Books in 2012 and was re-published in 2022 by Púca...
Mark as Played
November 5, 2025 • 31 mins
A student filmmaker recreating an old murder discovers that the past is not done performing its part.
A life-long resident of Melbourne, Australia, Rick is retired after 42 years in the transport industry. His stories have appeared in magazines, anthologies and podcasts and he has several books on Amazon. He hasn’t been owned by a cat for decades and must resort to talking to next door's white tom who sometimes condescends to talk b...
A life-long resident of Melbourne, Australia, Rick is retired after 42 years in the transport industry. His stories have appeared in magazines, anthologies and podcasts and he has several books on Amazon. He hasn’t been owned by a cat for decades and must resort to talking to next door's white tom who sometimes condescends to talk b...
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October 29, 2025 • 33 mins
When the Rodadora arrive, born of blood and storm, a family braces for survival against an ancient, inescapable force.
Helen Gallegos Evans has taught Los Angeles students for 24 years. She enjoys writing, photography, reading, walking, and engaging conversations. Her works have appeared in Gingerbread House Literary, Acentos Review, The Amaranth Review, Papercuts, Bards and Sages Quarterly, and elsewhere.
You can read "The Rodadora"...
Helen Gallegos Evans has taught Los Angeles students for 24 years. She enjoys writing, photography, reading, walking, and engaging conversations. Her works have appeared in Gingerbread House Literary, Acentos Review, The Amaranth Review, Papercuts, Bards and Sages Quarterly, and elsewhere.
You can read "The Rodadora"...
Mark as Played
October 22, 2025 • 22 mins
A woman servant is under a monster’s spell. A chance encounter with a stranger makes her question whether her life—and her very identity—are her own.
Salem Savage-Cutcher strives to spark whimsy in the world. They write experimental and just plain weird fantasy, horror, and magical realism. They have previously been published in the Iris Review. You can find them at salemsavagecutcher@neocities.org.
You can read "Brainworm" at https...
Salem Savage-Cutcher strives to spark whimsy in the world. They write experimental and just plain weird fantasy, horror, and magical realism. They have previously been published in the Iris Review. You can find them at salemsavagecutcher@neocities.org.
You can read "Brainworm" at https...
Mark as Played
October 15, 2025 • 36 mins
A boy hears his mother’s voice calling from the closet—but didn't he just see his mother downstairs?
David Corisis is a born-and-raised Idahoan and graduate of Gonzaga University. He lives the exciting life of a programmer by day and aspiring writer by night. When not sharing a keyboard with his cat, David enjoys running, brewing mead, playing Magic the Gathering, camping, and worrying about the ever-marching hand of time stealing e...
David Corisis is a born-and-raised Idahoan and graduate of Gonzaga University. He lives the exciting life of a programmer by day and aspiring writer by night. When not sharing a keyboard with his cat, David enjoys running, brewing mead, playing Magic the Gathering, camping, and worrying about the ever-marching hand of time stealing e...
Mark as Played
October 8, 2025 • 19 mins
A near-death crash leaves Paul seeing strange, sheet-like entities that drift between life and death—and follow him home.
L.N. Hunter’s comic fantasy novel, ‘The Feather and the Lamp,’ sits alongside works in anthologies such as ‘The Monsters Next Door’ and ‘Best of British Science Fiction 2022’ as well as Short Édition’s ‘Short Circuit’ and the ‘Horrifying Tales of Wonder’ podcast. There have also been papers in the IEEE ‘Transacti...
L.N. Hunter’s comic fantasy novel, ‘The Feather and the Lamp,’ sits alongside works in anthologies such as ‘The Monsters Next Door’ and ‘Best of British Science Fiction 2022’ as well as Short Édition’s ‘Short Circuit’ and the ‘Horrifying Tales of Wonder’ podcast. There have also been papers in the IEEE ‘Transacti...
Mark as Played
October 1, 2025 • 17 mins
A man wakes from illness to find the world around him terrifyingly changed.
Stefan Sofiski is the pen name of a Bulgarian author living in the UK. Stefan works as an engineering professional by day and uses every free minute to write.
You can read "Fever" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Please feel free to contact me through the website contact form.
Follow us on:
Instagram
Facebook
Bluesky
Substack
The Ka...
Stefan Sofiski is the pen name of a Bulgarian author living in the UK. Stefan works as an engineering professional by day and uses every free minute to write.
You can read "Fever" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Please feel free to contact me through the website contact form.
Follow us on:
Bluesky
Substack
The Ka...
Mark as Played
September 24, 2025 • 19 mins
Roxie Hart is a wise-cracking, ghostly private detective solving supernatural crimes with sass, grit, and a spectral zapper.
Daniel P. Douglas is the pen name for identical twins Phillip and Paul Garver. Phillip, a U.S. Army veteran, former intelligence analyst, and retired federal government employee, and Paul, with 30 years in the museum profession including the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, write science fiction, suspense, and ...
Daniel P. Douglas is the pen name for identical twins Phillip and Paul Garver. Phillip, a U.S. Army veteran, former intelligence analyst, and retired federal government employee, and Paul, with 30 years in the museum profession including the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, write science fiction, suspense, and ...
Mark as Played
September 17, 2025 • 15 mins
A former Nazi guard returns to the camp where he worked. His memories stir up old ghosts.
Alice Baburek is an avid reader, determined writer, and animal lover. She lives with her female partner and four canines. Retired, she challenges herself to become an unforgettable emerging voice.
You can read "Stairway to Death" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Please feel free to contact me through the website c...
Alice Baburek is an avid reader, determined writer, and animal lover. She lives with her female partner and four canines. Retired, she challenges herself to become an unforgettable emerging voice.
You can read "Stairway to Death" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Please feel free to contact me through the website c...
Mark as Played
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