In Slavic folklore, the raskovnik or razkovniche (Serbian Cyrillic and Macedonian: расковник; Bulgarian: разковниче [rɐsˈkɔvnit͡ʃɛ]; Russian: разрыв-трава; Polish: rozryw) is a magical herb. According to lore, the raskovnik has the magical property to unlock or uncover anything that is locked or closed. However, legends claim it is notoriously difficult to recognize the herb, and reputedly only certain chthonic animals are able to identify it.

On this episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Ben Radford to get the lowdown on creepy clowns, media literacy, the influence of folklore, and the psychological aspects of human beliefs. We touch on how misinformation and panic are spread through hoaxes and social media, using the example of clown sighting panics as a case study. Ben also discusses his investigations into paranormal phenomena and the experiences and empathy needed for effective investigation. His approach to investigative skepticism emphasizes the necessity for empathy, respect, and rigorous research.