Secret Societies
Secret Societies  
Podcast: The Powers of Darkness Podcast
Published On: Mon Oct 19 2026
Description: Season Two delves into the secret societies, sinister rituals, and Victorian conspiracies that may have inspired the mysterious alternate Dracula, Powers of Darkness. What if the Count wasn't acting alone, but commanded a secret society with ambitions of world domination? Iris Ichishita and Dacre Stoker welcome Gothic literature scholar Dr. Tyler Tichelaar and The Allusionist host Helen Zaltzman to explore the hidden influences behind this darker version of Bram Stoker's classic. From Freemasonry and the occult to the secret languages of exclusive societies, the conversation examines how power, class, and fear shaped Gothic literature, and why a conspiracy of humans might be even more terrifying than a vampire. Along the way, they trace connections to French Gothic fiction, examine the strange journey from translation to adaptation, and revisit the enduring mystery: Could Bram Stoker have written a more dangerous version of Dracula? EXPLORE MORE Powers of Darkness, Season One: Listen Here Dr. Tyler Tichelaar: Gothic Wanderer Helen Zaltzman: The Allusionist | Answer Me This Dacre Stoker: The Ally of Madness and Related Horrors | Official Website The Bram Stoker Estate: Official Website