Its Halloween or what was once known as all hallows eve. It the the time of year when the wind get colder, the nights get darker and orange jackolanterns light you trick or treating path. It’s a celebration of all things spooky…. Where the hair stands up on your arms, a chill goes down your spine and you sense that there might be something right behind you. Today we are going to look at Halloween and what happens to our bodies when we are scared… why does our heart race, our breath get faster, and we jump at the slightest of sounds. Once we know how and why we are scared lets find out what has scared us here at home for generations with some of our favorite ghost stories and urban legends. Many of us have had a visit from the old hag late at night, some have heard tales of fairies and there are even new tales being spun about red eyes staring down from abandoned towers….

Well - If you’re like me and prone to getting a good fright from goblins, ghouls and other spooky characters at Halloween, then Dr. Jacqueline Blundell can explain the science behind your fear.

It’s a topic she’s been studying since 1998, first as a student in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, and now as an associate professor in the department. Her current research looks at the long-term effects of fear and she will walk us through why we can’t sleep when we hear a bump in the night.

Once we understand our fear we will talk with Katie Crane who is completing her PhD in Folklore and is an expert in urban legends here in the province. She shares one of her favourite stories here in NL that might just make you avoid abandoned mills forever.

We finish off by chatting with the Meddling Kids - Bri and Cord who tell us about their adventures in the world of scary stuff including advice around the old hag, fairies and other spooky things. Check it out!