In this Dark Outdoors mini episode, we step into the shadowy intersection of wilderness and human predators. Joined by Stephen G. Michaud, co-author of The Only Living Witness and Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer, we examine how Ted Bundy and other killers exploited false injuries, manufactured helplessness, and social trust to lure victims—and why those same tactics become even more dangerous in the woods.

Away from crowds and witnesses, trails and campsites offer predators distance, silence, and plausible deniability. This episode explores killer psychology, deception in outdoor spaces, and how moments meant for solitude can turn threatening without warning. Dark, eerie, and rooted in real conversations with a killer, this Dark Outdoors mini episode will change how you think about helping strangers—and what might be watching from just off the trail.

In this chilling episode of Far Dark Outdoors, we dive deep into the disturbing true crime case of Israel Keyes, one of the most calculating and methodical serial killers in modern American history. Known for his meticulous planning, hidden “kill kits,” and ability to blend into everyday life, Keyes exploited remote wilderness areas, highways, and outdoor recreation spaces to commit his crimes—and to evade law enforcement for years.

This episode explores how Israel Keyes used the outdoors as both a hunting ground and a hiding place, targeting victims across multiple states while leaving almost no forensic evidence behind. We break down his background, psychology, travel patterns, and the role that isolation, camping culture, and remote landscapes played in his crimes. From national parks to quiet roadside stops, no place felt truly safe.

Listeners will learn about Keyes’ methods, his eventual capture, and the haunting confessions that followed—confessions that revealed how many questions still remain unanswered. This episode is a must-listen for fans of true crime podcasts, serial killer documentaries, unsolved mysteries, and dark outdoor survival stories.

Topics covered:

• Israel Keyes’ kill kits and long-term planning

• How wilderness and remote locations enabled his crimes

• Psychological profile and behavioral patterns

If you’re fascinated by true crime, serial killers, missing persons cases, and the dark side of the outdoors, this episode of Far Dark Outdoors will stay with you long after the final moment.

Ghost ships are not myths. They are real vessels—found drifting without crews, washed ashore on remote coastlines, or discovered floating silently in open water with no clear explanation of how they got there.

This begins a five episode run of mini-episodes before the next big season of deep dives into outdoors dangers and mysteries.

In this episode of Dark Outdoors, we explore the true stories behind ghost ships, abandoned boats, and mysterious vessels encountered by fishermen, sailors, and coast guards around the world. From derelict trawlers that appear without distress calls, to modern ships found intact but empty, these maritime mysteries reveal how quickly the ocean can erase human presence.

We dive into real-world cases of abandoned ships at sea, theories behind missing crews, and the unsettling reality of encountering a silent vessel offshore—no lights, no radio response, and no signs of life. We also examine how weather, piracy, smuggling routes, and human error contribute to the growing number of ghost ships discovered each year.

Dark Outdoors blends outdoor storytelling, maritime history, and atmospheric documentary-style narration to explore the darker side of life on the water—where isolation, silence, and vast distances turn ordinary vessels into something deeply unsettling.

If you’re fascinated by ghost ships, maritime mysteries, abandoned vessels, or unexplained encounters at sea, this episode explores why some boats are never meant to be found—and why others drift until someone stumbles across them by accident.