On A Dark, Cold Night: Recent Episodes
Kristen Zaza
On a Dark, Cold Night is the ideal podcast for horror-lovers with insomnia; a creepy friend to tell you bedtime/ghost stories. The podcast involves Your Narrator telling you a spine-chilling yet soothing ghost story every week. Launched in January, 2018, the show is written, performed and produced by Kristen Zaza. Follow Your Narrator on Twitter at @ADarkColdNight, and on Instagram at darkcoldnightpodcast.
Bonus audio and video content will continue to be available at patreon.com/darkcoldnight.Thank you.
Patience.Courage.Music.Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
I’m here.
You’re here.
It’s enough.
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Can't sleep.Can't move.Someone is here. Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
Love and pain and bloody princesses.A story, we must have, tonight. Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
Happy Holidays!
Make a Wish;
Or don’t, I won’t tell you what to do.
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What good is it, knowing your own destiny?Would you walk your path any differently?Though there is something odd about this path.Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
Living life for others, living life for oneself;Being spoken to, being spoken through...I have a story about an oracle in the mountains.Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
There’s someone in the road.
How do I move forward?
What do you want?
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This week I’m recommending fellow sleep podcast, How to Fall Asleep Fast. The show is created by a husband-wife duo, Amanda Cupido and Boris Kurtzman. Amanda is a podcast producer and does the meditation at the beginning. Boris is a music producer and DJ who has spent his career keeping people up all night — and now he wants to help them go to sleep! The tracks are backed by science to help you fall asleep fast.
To hear more, visit https://www.howtofallasleepfast.net/podcast
Sweet dreams, my friends.
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Diving into the rift one more time to say:Happy HalloweenSupport On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
Onward, onward, onward.Living and learning.What else can I say?Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
Another story.
About a woman grieving an old life,
And a haunted telephone.
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A story for you.A spirit, a body,And their unfinished business.Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
A woman with no memory;
Succumbing to Fear;
And finding herself again.
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Souls locked in an eternal dance;
Destined to repeat it.
(Until they aren’t.)
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Shut up inside, not sure how to get free;
But until then, I’m human –
And that’s all I need be.
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Trapped in here in the dark.
It’s really not so bad.
At least my wings are growing back.
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Not sure what to do,
Not sure where to go,
But hanging on tightly.
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A long, long time ago,Only one of infinite realities ago,I saw a vision with two thrones.Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
A story for you - A story about an unholy pact,And what happens when a fiend breaks it.Support On a Dark, Cold Night Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
I don’t want this tower.
I want MY tower.
I am not a princess.
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A story about a woman,Her virtual friend,And taking different paths.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
Following the thread of a new path,But who is there, sewing it together,And who is pulling it apart?Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
What will I do, with two worlds merged?What is the solution to this luxurious fatigue?What is the woman by the creek looking at?Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
Once upon a time, I went on a little journey to a Tower.I hope it's not gone. I hope my heart's not gone.
A story about a dream about a feeling;A monstrous embrace, a sinking surrender.(Oh, what I wouldn't give.)
There's a witch in the woods.There's a mirror by the river.There's a smile in the moon.
A graveyard here, a graveyard there.Before your eyes, behind your eyes.It's all the same journey.
A story about a woman and a book,And spirits who like to travel -Between fiction and whatever this is.
Beautiful night to sit and wait. I have a story about a cruel forest,And a patient monster.
I've been having strange dreams.There's an eclipse coming.Sorry, let me just get my phone.
How did we get back here?I have a story about a fancy place,And two people who had a tough year.
Cast the old year into the fire,Welcome a new year in to the shadow.Jump in, the water's freezing.
I have a story for you.About a woman with a new life, a new home, And whatever it is that keeps her awake with its haunting revelry.
The Shadow picked me up and dragged me down.The Shadow has the pen that wrote me down.Happy Halloween
I have a story about a vampireI have a story about a vampireI have a story about a - wait, what?
Something followed me in from the storm. Something is waiting in the castle. Is this an exorcism or an invocation?
These rooms are haunted. Open the doors. Open the windows. They're all connected anyway.
There's a powerful moon out tonight. I have a story about a woman, a vampire, and a wish. What's your wish?
A story about a man who was very lost.Very far from the comforts of home, And very close to a source of primordial power.
I wouldn't have come here if I were you;I'm not feeling like myself today.Do you hear that music?
There are some upset spirits here tonight.Good thing none of this is real.Just kidding!
Music has the power to draw souls towards it.Quick, follow! Quick, follow!This is the story of a Song.
A story about a priestess and her unknown deity.A story about creating and being created.
Some monsters are invisible,Some monsters lurk in plain sight,And some are far more powerful than all the others.
I can't hide from these little whispers forever.Will you come with me?It's time to go see the Librarian.
I wait for you there in the heart of the woods.I wait for you here by the fireplace.Do you hear someone howling in the distance?
One minute I was on my balcony, The next I was staring into this crystal ball. What do you see?
Quick like bunnies. There's something I want to show you. Also, something's after us. Quick now.
We can be so lovely when we're yearning. Come visit the Library of Longing. What is it you want?
How do you tell a story with no beginning, middle, or end? On a different note: What time is it?
We're about to sit and watch my favourite show! Who made it, I wonder? Quiet, it's starting!
Like getting lost in a dark and haunted castle, Like having your heart broken by a beautiful song: Like falling into a deep and gentle sleep.
This one feels special. Secret Dreams. Weeping Hearts. And just outside the window: a Miracle.
A question for a past life. A most mysterious ritual. We stand on one side of a door. What's on the other side?
The Knight of Wands (Reversed). Another gift of another mirror. Who's looking back at us?
The Eight of Swords (Reversed). A little perspective; a little exercise in letting go; A little story.
The Eight of Pentacles. What can we learn from our fear? Oh, of course there is a story...
The Seven of Wands. What is going on out there?
*To seek help or to offer support:
plannedparenthood.org
genderjustice.us
transgenderlawcenter.org
thetrevorproject.org
www.heyjane.co/resources#talk-textlines*
The King of Wands. Let's lead each other through these shadows. I have a story about a party full of wonderfully creative guests.
The Emperor (Reversed). There he is, and here I am. And it's time we continued our dance.
The Devil (Reversed) and Death. They both made an appearance. We must honour that. What keeps us from transforming?
The King of Cups. There's a strange ringing, in the trees. Let's answer some calls.
If you are struggling with mental health, in crisis, or you need someone to talk to, here are just a few resources you can access:
https://crisisline.ca/
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
https://kidshelpphone.ca/
https://www.irsss.ca/faqs/how-do-i-reach-the-24-hour-crisis-line
The Six of Cups. What did you invent, as a child? I have a story about a girl and her imaginary friend.
The World (Reversed). We can be so much more. A story about the dead; a song about living.
The Eight of Swords. We each set traps for ourselves in our own way. Here's a story about a confused, angry, ravenous beast.
The Ace of Pentacles (Reversed). I must be around here somewhere... I have a fairy tale for you.
The Nine of Swords. I just had a terrible nightmare. I have a story about an artist, with his own nightmares to face.
The Seven of Wands. This terrible cold is relentless. Three greedy adventurers set off on a journey.
The Six of Cups. Two little stories, for someone who deserves them. Something is watching from the trees.
The Lovers (Reversed). I got you a present for the solstice (this is your present). It's a myth. It's a love story. It's Chaos.
The High Priestess. Can you see that other world, just there, beyond our own? I have a story about two friends who learned to travel in their sleep.
The Three of Swords. How can we turn despair into something beautiful? A story about a woman who built a fortress for herself.
The Eight of Wands (Reversed). Time has finally stopped. Let's see if we can find out why.
The Knight of Swords (Reversed). Where should we go? Here: a tale for you about a young gentleman and his nightly visitor.
The Magician. My story will go wherever I want it to go. For now, I have a tale of a King, and a Messenger.
The Sun. Just in time...it's getting colder. I have a story about an eccentric old vampire.
The Knight of Cups (Reversed). In which world are we now? I have a story about an infernal subway train.
The Knight of Cups (Reversed). In which world do I belong? There are familiar creatures in my woods.
The Seven of Cups (Reversed). Be quiet enough to hear yourself. I have a story about a young man and a computer game.
The Ace of Cups (Reversed). What are you feeling, tonight? Here's a story about a very sad ghost.
The Six of Pentacles (Reversed). Is there such a thing as giving too much? A barely-forgotten tale about a girl, a prince, and an apple.
The Queen of Pentacles. What a gift. I have a story for us about a haunted house and a devoted gardener.
The Nine of Pentacles (Reversed). I am afraid, but I will not be small. A story about a musician who knew the worth of his song.
Death. I'm glad to have company. I have a story about a lady, her friends, and her favourite day.
The Knight of Wands (Reversed). Imagine the lake with me. There's a little boat. Are you coming?
The Lovers. Again. I know why they keep appearing. Let's revisit a familiar labyrinth, with a familiar pair of monsters.
The Lovers. I'd like to tell you another myth this time. A love story about Venus and the Moon.
Strength. It isn't always what it seems. Let's have a story about one night in a haunted house.
The Seven of Pentacles. A literal metaphor? A fictional fact? Either way, let's go back to that farm from Episode 101.
The Page of Swords. Third time's a charm. A story about a young man who stumbled upon a witch coven.
The Five of Pentacles. I've never been good with secrets. A tale about a woman and a cursed bear.
The Ten of Pentacles (Reversed). Sometimes the rain can be overwhelming. Here's a story about a place where the rain wouldn't stop.
The Nine of Swords (Reversed). Come on a late-night picnic with me. No story tonight. Just the Full Moon.
The Page of Cups. What a perfect night for a story. I have one about a woman, a creature, and a cellar.
The Five of Pentacles (Reversed). Let's celebrate together, you and I. I have a story for you about a hungry and vengeful vampire.
The Page of Pentacles (Reversed). Something is growing all around me. Something is growing within me. A story about an ancient spirit - generous, hypnotic, and demanding.
The Five of Swords. Roaring, snarling, howling, growling. I have been writing about a girl.
The Lovers (again)? I am here. Where are you? I have a story about a solitary ghost in a still, dark house.
The Lovers. I think someone is playing games with me. Now, a little myth about a young man, and his demons.
The Six of Cups. It's natural to feel a little homesick, sometimes. A story for you about a warrior, a river, and a monster.
The King of Swords. King Dread, why have you returned? King Dread, won't you put aside your crown?
The Page of Swords. I intend to weave my web however I like. For you, a story about a curious clockwork musician.
The Eight of Pentacles. Enter here with respect, or do not enter. I have a story about an infernal place, and a curious creature.
The Eight of Swords. I must be patient. I cannot be patient. I will try to tell you a story.
The Seven of Cups (Reversed). I'm dreaming of an amazing metamorphosis. Hear the story of a Princess who found a very powerful book.
The Lovers (Reversed). I'm dreaming. Are you dreaming, too? I have a story about Chaos, and the young man who won her heart.
The Eight of Swords (Reversed). Let's escape, even if just for a little while. I have a story for you about two women and a lost highway.
The Ace of Swords. What to do, what to do... No story, no forest, only darkness, only shadow...
The Page of Swords. Change is in the wind (but then again, it always is). I have a story for you about a lioness who found herself in high society.
The Four of Pentacles (Reversed). My treasures are gone. Good. I hear the circus has come to town. Do you want to go?
The Ten of Swords. We've been here before. Look up. A story for you, about a dark tunnel full of scary monsters.
The Two of Wands. Happy New Year. I have a story about two friends, two paths, and a gorgeous tomb.
The Eight of Cups (Reversed). I've never been good at decision-making. A story about a vengeful forest, and those who danced there.
The King of Swords. What does he want? Why is he here? Come to my forest with me, and we'll find out.
The Four of Pentacles. I am awake. I have a story for you about an adventurer, stolen treasure, and a secret in the earth.
The King of Swords (Reversed). The storm is knocking down my door. I have a story about a different storm, and a heartless prince.
The Magician. What will you and I create this week? I have a story about a sculptor, who put all of his pain into his work.
The Empress (Reversed). I am so sleepy. Are you sleepy? Our Hero from a previous story receives a great and terrible gift.
The Two of Cups. We are preparing the forest for visitors. I have a tale of a sea monster and a pirate; each insatiable, each obsessed.
The Chariot. Let's have some fun. I have a story about a welcoming inn and its keeper, neither of them what they seemed to be.
The Chariot (Reversed). Home Sweet Home. The leaves are changing. She has a story about two women, each in their own dance with power.
The Ace of Cups. Again. I promise, I'm not cheating. I have a story about a reclusive vampire in a castle on a hill.
The Ace of Cups. Upright. Finally. Let's all take a journey together, to somewhere terrible and familiar...
The Ten of Cups. She is starting to understand the meaning of "home". She has a story about a man who discovers a strange secret about his happy family.
The Star (Reversed). She tells a story for the one who needs it most. A story of a grief-stricken inventor, and his haunted creation.
The Four of Cups. She finds joy in haunting her forest. Hear the tale of a young man who made a deal with a devil.
The Ace of Cups (Reversed). Part 2. This card, again? So soon? She had a strange dream. She met a new friend.
Judgement. Letting go of the past is a difficult thing. She has a story about a woman facing her childhood terrors.
The Hierophant (Reversed). This card seems familiar... She tells the tale of a trespasser in a powerful king's domain.
The Ace of Cups (Reversed). That voice is growing closer and closer. She has a story about a ghost ship.
Your Narrator has returned, though she has changed. She has a story about a farmer living in a forsaken land.
This week, she wants to tell you a story about a young woman and a haunted, frozen lake.
Your Narrator has a story about a man confronting his own past through the memory of a little purple flower.
Your Narrator has a story for the new year, about two unlikely companions; one, in love with moonlight, the other, afraid of morning.
This holiday season, she has a gift for you. Three stories, just for you. Three stories about you.
Hear the tale of a vengeful man pursuing his enemies in a wintry wood, and the terrible thing that pursued him, too.
One year later, she has another story for you about a different cemetery she visited just this week. Strange faces, familiar faces, new revelations.
Your Narrator has a story about a solitary girl who decided to get out of the house and go to a party. And play a very unusual game.
Shh, wait. Do you hear someone? Your Narrator has a story for you about a young fisherman and an old lighthouse.
She is still lost in this dark place. She remembers the tale of a kind priest, and a terrible storm.
Can you see anything here? It’s just dark, everywhere I look. But you can still hear me, can’t you?
Let her tell you the story of a game of cards that was once played on a most fiendish carriage ride.
Your Narrator is sorry. And she has a story for you about the ghost of a tormented lover, lost in the woods.
She has a story about a little girl who followed her fear to a cursed lake, and the spirit living within it.
Your Narrator has a story for you about a victorious villain, who found himself alone with everything he ever wanted.
A confrontation is in the cards this week. It's time we all learned who's pulling the strings.
Your Narrator is so tired, yet she cannot sleep. So, she has a story about a princess who was cursed to sleep for far too long.
This is the story about a woman who discovers an odd singer with an odd song, who only seems to exist for her.
Your Narrator has a story about a gentleman who found himself in a different kind of reality, by way of a haunted typewriter.
Your Narrator is back with a story about a kind young man, his invisible friend, and a toy bear the three of them shared.
I’m back. It’s very hard to tell a story when someone is watching you from behind a glass door. But, here’s a story for you anyway.
She has a story about a most gentle, beautiful song that came from a most terrible, powerful monster.
This week, she’s got a story for you about a wicked king, and a wise queen with an extremely powerful will.
Your Narrator is desperately trying to stay on the right track. Speaking of which, she has a story for you about a most unusual train, headed to some unknown destination.
How have you changed this week? How has She? Your Narrator has a story about a cruel thief who pursued the wrong person down the wrong street.
This week, she has a story for you about a man who discovered something beautiful and primal, living deep in the earth.
Your Narrator is a visitor in a new place. She has a story for you about a very different visitor in a very different place.
(CW: Illness, death)
Your Narrator has a story about someone who, like her, slept through a great deal of time and woke up to find himself in a very strange place.
Your Narrator has a story for you this week about a place; a place covered in fog, and host to countless wayward spirits.
It’s time we had a meeting of the minds. I’m not sure what’s going to happen. Neither is she. Here’s to new beginnings.
Your Narrator is confused, yet happy (she thinks). She has a story for you about hidden treasure, curses, and surrender.
If a haunted house’s walls could talk, what a tale they would have for you. Or, perhaps that is exactly the tale she has for you this week.
Your Narrator has a story for you about a young man who stumbles upon a surreal celebration in the woods.
What if your soul mate lived and died centuries before you even existed? She has a tale about a sad girl and a cemetery.
It's a love story, perhaps like some you may know, but perhaps not. Can love change a monster into a prince?
She doesn’t know where I am. Nonetheless, we have a story for you about determination, strength of will, and an unshakable bond between a girl and her horse.
She has been wandering again. And she has a story for you about another traveler, who found a strange tavern on a road he’d never walked before.
Happy New Year, friends. Here’s a story about a lonely girl, her absent father, and a magical window.
Peace, war, and legacy is on Your Narrator’s mind, as she tells a story about a man and a well.
This week, she has a story for you about a greedy woman, who forgot a promise she made long ago.
There is strength in numbers. Your Narrator has, in the past, had trouble accepting this. She has a story for you about a hunter, his strange love, and the wolves at his door.
Your Narrator has been considering the notion of festivals for the dead. She remembers one particular encounter from long ago.
It’s me again. Not her. Does anyone else see that full, red moon that’s been in the sky every night for the last two weeks?
Have you ever felt that there was something lurking within you, waiting to get out? Are you ever truly alone?
Your Narrator has a story about a young boy who discovers a dreadful secret about his mother. And about him.
This week, hear the tale of a strange, sad, ruthless, immortal woman, alone in a castle. A woman who’s story you may know a little differently.
Your Narrator has a story about a heartbroken woman in a little cottage, at odds with herself. Have you ever been at odds with yourself?
(Accidental post of wrong draft of this episode was released before this one; please disregard, if you can see it, and listen to this one instead! Apologies!)
The thing that lurks in your dreams is hungry. What happens if you feed it? This week, a young man struggles with his dream. And the creature waiting for him within it.
Once upon a time, you were so, so tired...and so, you were listening to this creature tell you some kind of story...but, just as you were about to fall asleep, you saw....something.
On a journey with an unknown destination, Your Narrator has been preoccupied with a demanding ghost, a melancholy writer, and thoughts of reality and fantasy.
Haunted by her Hunter, Your Narrator has not been sleeping well. She has a story about misanthropy, desperation and loneliness. I wonder why.
Your Narrator has a story for you about a girl and a beast. And she had a visit from a ghost from her past.
This week, Your Narrator has been thinking about love, sacrifice, and home. She has a story about a girl and an enchanted garden.
Are you finding yourself lost? Which way should you go? This week, Your Narrator has a story about a hero, lost in a labyrinth, with a monster.
Finding your way in the world on your own is a difficult thing. Your Narrator has a story about a young composer, hapless and alone. And a restless ghost.
Your Narrator has changed. Something has changed. Something continues to change. She has a story of another ancient creature, equally generous as he was demanding.
Imagine your perfect world. Now, imagine the highest price that you would pay for it. Make sure that it's worth it. Your Narrator has a story about a cruel, selfish pirate.
Your Narrator is feeling trapped. She has a story for you about a cruel sorceress, who desired the affection of a strange and remarkable companion.
Are you afraid of the dark? Do you have a night light? Your Narrator has a story about a little boy who did. Her temporary haven is discovered by...someone.
Once upon a time, there was a handsome Prince. Your Narrator has a story about the dark, lonely longings that creep in at midnight.
There is nothing so beautiful, so painful, so fragile, so difficult, as a Goodbye. Your Narrator has a story about one of those.
Your Narrator is running away. She has a story about a woman investigating an empty house - an almost empty house.
What is on the other side of your door? Are you certain it can't get in? Your Narrator isn't. She has a story for you about a convent with a door that just won't stay shut.
Your Narrator has a story for you. A story about fantasy, a story about reality. A story about a story.
Step out of your world for just a little bit. The world will wait, I promise. Listen to a story about a young man going for a long walk on a strange road.
Your world is full of moral conundrums and contradictions. Your Narrator has a story about a man who is haunted by a phantom feline.
Your Narrator is lonesome. Your Narrator is angry. Your Narrator reveals a little more about her own past.
Your Narrator saw a familiar face in an unfamiliar crowd. She has a story about a lonely widow, desperately clinging to her lost love.
This episode is dedicated to friends near and far, remembered and forgotten (and remembered again). Your Narrator has a story for you about two companions with a unique bond, and a strange secret.
(Apologies if you see 2 versions of this episode - the older one was an earlier, less-edited draft!)
Your world is so very bright. So alive. Your Narrator is in love with it. She has a story for you about a wise, fearless woman.
It's about time Your Narrator told you a bit more about herself. This week's story is one from her own past: about a stranger, locked away in a tower.
Your Narrator is getting ready. She tells a story about a little girl who discovers the danger lurking behind her reflection in the mirror.
There are hidden worlds on this earth that we know nothing of, not least of which is dominated by animals. Your Narrator has a tale of such a world - and a misguided wolf within it.
There are few things in life that can bring as much contentment as a simple dinner party with friends. Your Narrator has a story about the dinner party to end all dinner parties.
Your Narrator thinks her imagination has been getting the better of her, bringing back the ember of old memories. She tells you a story about two lovers in a dark forest.
Your Narrator introduces herself, and has a tale to tell of a singing sailor, drunk and adrift on a haunted sea.