Listener Tales 114: Back to School Tales
Evaluation and Summary
Morbid's 'Listener Tales 114: Back to School Tales' is a themed episode of the show's recurring listener submission segment. The episode centers on back-to-school-themed stories contributed by the podcast's audience, curated by Debra Lally. According to the description, these tales are designed to be both frightening and humorous, with the show notes emphasizing that the stories are 'BY you FOR you and ALL ABOUT YOU.' The episode runs 54 minutes and includes a YouTube version with additional footage of Nicholas (likely a recurring character or pet). The show notes promise that listeners will be 'freaked out AND cackling with laughter,' suggesting a mix of spooky and comedic content tied to the back-to-school theme. The episode is produced by the established Morbid team: hosts Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley, with research by Dave White, production and editing by Mikie Sirois, and listener correspondence managed by Debra Lally. The show invites listeners to submit their own tales via email for potential inclusion in future episodes, positioning this as an interactive, community-driven format rather than traditional true crime reporting.
Verdict: A community-driven listener tales episode that likely delivers entertainment and humor but lacks the research depth and substantive content expected of true crime podcasting; best suited for existing fans of the format.
True Crime rubric
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Research depth n/a
Show notes do not describe the actual content or research methodology; listener tales format typically relies on audience submissions rather than investigative reporting.
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Storytelling n/a
No information provided about narrative structure, pacing, or how individual stories are presented within the episode.
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Respect for victims n/a
Cannot assess from show notes; unclear whether listener tales involve real crimes, fictional stories, or personal anecdotes, and how they are handled.
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Substance 2/5 33%
Listener tales format is inherently variable in depth; show notes emphasize entertainment value ('freaked out AND cackling') over substantive content, and no indication of story complexity or detail.
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Delivers on its title 4/5 33%
Title promises back-to-school themed listener tales and show notes confirm that's the focus; delivery appears straightforward, though depth unknown.
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Value for time 2/5 33%
54 minutes for a listener tales compilation is difficult to assess without hearing content; format often relies on brief anecdotes that may not justify full runtime.
Worth it if you're a regular Morbid listener who enjoys the community-focused listener tales format and want lighthearted, spooky back-to-school themed stories rather than serious true crime investigation.
Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.
Show notes
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