Podcast Summary
Exploring Time Travel and Friendship: The Confessionals podcast delves into time travel stories and the importance of diverse perspectives, with a shout out system for listeners and a focus on open-mindedness.
Time travel, whether it's through a machine or within one's own mind, is a fascinating concept explored in the confessionals podcast. This week, host Tony is joined by an old college friend, Phil Anderson, to share haunting stories from Onset, Massachusetts. Phil also promotes his new comedy podcast, Stealing and Dealing. The episode includes shout outs to listeners who leave reviews on iTunes, with the monthly winner receiving a free gift. The discussion also touches on the open-mindedness of the podcast and the importance of having diverse perspectives. Overall, the confessionals podcast offers a range of topics and encourages listeners to share their own experiences and stories.
Speaker's love for Massachusetts' paranormal history and podcasting: Speaker shares personal paranormal experience, admires comedic duo, excited about growing podcasts, inspired by Massachusetts' history and paranormal activity
The speaker is passionate about podcasting and sharing stories, particularly those with a paranormal theme, especially in the context of Massachusetts' rich history. He recounted his personal experience of hearing a voice asking for a cigarette while at Eastern State, an experience he found spooky. The speaker also mentioned his love for shows like "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and his admiration for the comedic duo "Snealing and Dealing." He shared his excitement about his growing number of podcasts and his dedication to the medium. Massachusetts, with its historical significance and reported high level of paranormal activity, serves as a source of endless inspiration for his storytelling.
Eastern State Penitentiary's eerie past and Onset, Massachusetts' spiritual history: The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and Onset, Massachusetts, both have unique histories that contribute to their intriguing and eerie reputations, with the former's complete isolation and silence creating an environment for strange occurrences and the latter's spiritual foundation attracting paranormal activity.
The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was founded by the Quakers with the goal of complete isolation for prisoners, has a rich and intriguing history. The thick, imposing walls and silence enforced within created an environment ripe for strange occurrences. This is further emphasized by the town of Onset, Massachusetts, which was founded by spiritualists in the 1840s, leading to an increased presence of paranormal activity. The combination of these historical factors makes both locations significant and intriguing, with the Eastern State Penitentiary offering tours for visitors to explore its eerie past.
Childhood experience with paranormal contrasts spiritualist and church communities: Early exposure to spiritualism and paranormal experiences shaped the speaker's lifelong interest in the supernatural, influenced by contrasting beliefs and practices within their community.
The speaker grew up in a town with a long-standing spiritualist community, which contrasted sharply with the churchgoing community. The speaker's first paranormal experience occurred when they were a young child, during a church outing. After prayer, the shadowy figure in their van disappeared. The experience sparked the speaker's lifelong interest in the supernatural, which was already piqued by their fascination with war history and ghost stories. The contrasting beliefs and practices of the spiritualist and churchgoing communities set the stage for the speaker's encounter with the unknown.
Experiencing spiritual attacks during sleep: Spiritual attacks can leave one feeling scared and vulnerable, causing physical sensations like being pulled out of bed, a spinning room, and a shadowy figure. Prayer can provide relief.
The speaker experienced what they believed to be spiritual attacks, which left them feeling scared and vulnerable. These attacks occurred while they were sleeping, and they described feeling as if someone was trying to pull them out of bed. The speaker also felt that their room was spinning and that there was a shadowy figure present. They attributed these experiences to a friend who was looking up inappropriate content on their computer. Despite their initial fear, the speaker was able to pray and feel a sense of relief once the threat seemed to have passed. Overall, the speaker's experience highlights the importance of spiritual awareness and the potential impact of negative influences on one's wellbeing.
Anotherworldly encounter in the dark: The speaker shares an experience of a mysterious, otherworldly encounter and wonders if their thoughts could have attracted negative energies or entities.
The speaker described an experience of seeing a rapidly moving, almost indiscernible face in the dark, accompanied by a feeling of being physically pulled off the bed. While the exact nature of these events remains unclear, the speaker's descriptions evoke a sense of otherworldly or supernatural occurrences. The speaker also mentioned a past incident where they harbored negative thoughts towards someone and felt remorse, leading them to wonder if their thoughts could have attracted negative energies or entities. Overall, the conversation suggests that the speaker has had experiences that they perceive as unexplainable or paranormal in nature.
Experiencing Unusual Events at Home: The speaker felt perplexed after experiencing unexplained shadowy hand and shoulder taps in his house, leaving him questioning their meaning.
The speaker experienced unexplained events in his house, including seeing a shadowy hand and feeling taps on his shoulder when he was alone. These incidents left him feeling perplexed and unable to explain what had happened. The first incident occurred while he was trying to fall asleep, and the second happened while he was searching for food in the pantry. Despite not seeing anything else out of the ordinary, these experiences left a lasting impression on him. The shadowy hand appeared to be trying to pet his cat, and the taps on his shoulder felt like someone trying to get his attention. The speaker is still unsure of the meaning behind these events and is left questioning what they signify.
The comfort of familiarity during paranormal experiences: Belief in the witching hour and vulnerability during sleep or distraction can increase paranormal experiences, while familiar comforts like a TV may provide psychological protection.
The presence of familiar comforts, like leaving a TV on, might provide a psychological sense of protection during paranormal experiences. This could be due to the fact that entities may target individuals when they are most vulnerable and off guard, often during sleep or moments of distraction. The belief in the witching hour, a time when paranormal activity is believed to be more prevalent, may also contribute to this heightened sense of unease. Ultimately, the mindset and perception of an individual can significantly impact their experiences with the paranormal.
Story of a dangerous alternative to weed: Be cautious of synthetic substances like Spice, as they can have unpredictable and harmful effects despite being cheaper than weed.
"Spice," a synthetic substance marketed as synthetic marijuana, is actually just potpourri and can have dangerous consequences. While users may be drawn to it due to its cheaper cost compared to weed, the risks are significant. The speaker witnessed a friend, Jack, under the influence of Spice, who became violent and unresponsive, leaving another friend, Tony, severely harmed. Jack's behavior was erratic, and when confronted, he appeared to be under the control of some external force. The incident ended with Jack showing no remorse and acting in a disturbing, snake-like manner. This experience underscores the importance of being aware of the potential dangers of substances, especially those marketed as alternatives to more commonly known substances. It is crucial to understand that the effects of such substances can be unpredictable and potentially harmful.
An encounter with an unidentified entity leads to a physical altercation: An unidentified entity caused injuries during a physical altercation, leaving the speaker and friend shaken and questioning the nature of the entity
An encounter with an unidentified entity resulted in a physical altercation between the entity and a friend. The speaker, who was present during the incident, described how he managed to turn the situation around and prevent further harm. The entity, described as being strong and possessing the ability to throw objects and cause pain, was later revealed to have caused injuries to the friend, resulting in visible blood. The speaker's uncle was eventually called to perform a prayer to help the friend recover. The experience left the speaker and his friend shaken and on edge, with the friend describing the sensation of being beaten up by an unseen force. The incident was a surreal and unexpected experience for the speaker, leaving him questioning the nature of the entity and the events that unfolded.
The Influence of Drugs and Media on Behavior: Drug use and media consumption can alter behavior, potentially leading to disturbing incidents. The line between influence and possession can be blurred.
The use of certain drugs and exposure to violent media can significantly alter a person's behavior and potentially lead to disturbing incidents. The speaker recounts an experience with two friends, one of whom, Jack, injured himself and exhibited strange, demonic-like behavior after watching horror movies and using a dangerous drug. The speaker believes that the drug and media consumption played a role in Jack's disturbing behavior, but also acknowledges that he had underlying issues. The incident left the speaker questioning the line between influence and possession. Additionally, the speaker shares that Tony, Jack's friend, was present during the incident but was incapacitated and had no memory of it. The speaker also raises the possibility that an entity could have been involved in the incident. Overall, the speaker's account highlights the potential dangers of drug use and media consumption and the complex relationship between influence and possession.
A friend's unexpected violent encounter and its aftermath: Unexpected violence can lead to disorientation and chaos, leaving friends or bystanders injured and traumatized.
Phil Anderson shared a harrowing experience of discovering his friend Tony in a disheveled room after a violent incident. The room was in disarray, with furniture overturned, and Tony was unconscious. Jack, another friend, was nearby, injured and disoriented. Jack described the attack as if he was being beaten up by an unseen assailant. When Phil entered the room, he expected to find both friends fighting, but instead found Tony unconscious and Jack slithering towards him before attacking. The incident was reminiscent of scenes from horror movies. Phil also mentioned a separate incident where he felt a tap on his shoulder, which spooked him but did not feel evil or negative. Despite both incidents occurring in the same house, Phil did not believe they were related.
Personal experiences with the supernatural: The speaker shares her and her friend's eerie encounters with the supernatural, hinting at a belief in unexplained phenomena and a sense of curiosity
The speaker shares her personal experiences of feeling the presence of the supernatural, describing it as both terrifying and comforting. She recalls a friend's story of seeing angels around his roommate, and the two stories seem to overlap. The speaker then shares a family story set in the same town, involving her mother, uncle, and aunt, who experienced strange occurrences while living in a cheap rental property. The property, which had a large main house and a smaller cottage, was owned by wealthy people who only visited during the summer. The speaker notes that the cheap rent should have been a red flag and that strange occurrences took place in both the cottage and the main house. The speaker does not go into detail about these occurrences but implies that they were unsettling. Overall, the speaker's stories suggest a belief in the supernatural and a sense of curiosity about unexplained phenomena.
Mysterious footsteps and falling bookcase in new home: On their first night in a new rental home, the family heard strange footsteps and experienced a falling bookcase, leaving them with an unexplained and eerie feeling.
The first night in their new summer home turned out to be a mysterious and frightening experience for the family. They had just moved into the bigger house and were renting out the cottage. On their first night, everyone went to bed early after a long day of moving. However, around 10:30 PM, strange footsteps were heard coming up the stairs. Both my uncle Michael and my mom assumed it was the other, but when they went to check, they didn't find anyone. The mystery deepened when the bookcase next to my uncle's bed inexplicably fell, almost landing on their baby cousin. The family was shaken, and it took all three adults to push the heavy bookcase back into place. The origin of the footsteps and the falling bookcase remained unexplained, leaving the family with an eerie feeling in their new home.
Stories of unexplained occurrences surrounding babies in a neighborhood: Multiple stories of falling incidents and a persistent baby cry suggest a supernatural presence or a residual effect in a neighborhood
There seem to be unexplained occurrences surrounding babies in a particular neighborhood, as suggested by multiple stories of falling incidents and a persistent baby cry that was heard decades apart. The first story involves my auntie Dottie falling down the stairs while pregnant with twins, and my uncle Michael also experiencing a push that caused him to fall without touching the stairs. Another story involves a baby cry that was heard during a toy party in the 1970s or 1980s, which multiple people heard and went to investigate, only to find nothing upon arrival. These incidents, along with the tragic death of a baby in the area, may suggest a supernatural presence or a residual effect of a past event.
Two people report similar eerie experiences at a house decades apart: Unexplained crying and sobbing, a disappearing gypsy woman, and a bathroom that could only be locked from the inside hint at potential paranormal activity in a house where two people had eerie experiences decades apart.
Over a 20-year period, two different people reported hearing a baby crying and a woman sobbing at the same location, which led them to call the police. Despite the long gap between the incidents, the descriptions were strikingly similar. The story took an unusual turn when an old gypsy woman, dressed in traditional attire and with black eyes, appeared at the house unannounced. She tried to enter but was denied, and when the uncle went to check on her, she had vanished. The bathroom at the house, which was outside and could only be locked from the inside, was also a source of strange occurrences. These unexplained events suggest that there may be some sort of residual or paranormal activity connected to the house.
Strange occurrences at the haunted cottage: Tenants reported bathroom locking and flushing on its own, presence of a boy next door with unusual behaviors, and hearing strange noises like an old woman moaning and a baby crying.
The cottage they were renting was believed to be haunted based on several strange occurrences. One incident involved the bathroom being locked from the inside and flushing on its own, which was inexplicable and reminiscent of a ghost going to the bathroom. Another strange occurrence was the presence of a young boy next door who exhibited unusual behaviors, including speaking in multiple voices and having seizures. The tenants speculated that the boy was possessed or had multiple personality disorder. Additionally, they reported hearing strange noises such as an old woman moaning and a baby crying, which would stop when they left the yard. These occurrences suggest that the cottage was home to supernatural entities, adding to the overall eerie atmosphere of the place.
Unsettling experiences at a haunted house: My uncle's family encountered mysterious phenomena, including moving furniture and a monkey-like imp, leading them to believe their house was haunted or inhabited by cryptids.
My uncle's experience at the old house was filled with unexplained phenomena. He and his family witnessed a small, hairy creature jump in front of their car, which they later described as a monkey-like imp. In the house, furniture moved around during the night, and a heater tripped frequently without any apparent reason. Despite investigations, nothing was found to be wrong with the heating system or the house in general. These occurrences led my uncle and his family to believe that the house was haunted or inhabited by cryptids, possibly elementals, as described in Irish folklore. They spent a year in the house but eventually decided to leave due to these unsettling experiences. While it's unclear if these events were caused by ghosts or cryptids, the family's encounters with the unexplained left a lasting impression on them.
Uncle and Aunt Encounter Imp-like Creature in Onset, Massachusetts: An imp-like creature with paranormal abilities was responsible for the disappearance of a cat in Onset, Massachusetts, where spiritualist history is prevalent.
The uncle and aunt experienced an encounter with an imp-like creature in their attic, which resulted in the mysterious disappearance of their cat. The creature, described as being covered in short hair and having the ability to disappear at will, seemed to have paranormal abilities. This incident was not an isolated occurrence, as the uncle and aunt had previously seen the same creature in the street. The small Massachusetts town of Onset, known for its spiritualist history, appeared to be a hotspot for paranormal activity. The loss of their cat was a tragic end to the strange events they had experienced.
Strange occurrences in a town: Unexplained experiences are common and validating to share with others, even if they defy explanation
The world is full of unexplained experiences and connections that go beyond our understanding. The speaker shared stories of strange occurrences in a town, including hearing unexplained noises and feeling a presence. He also mentioned that his family members had experienced similar things at different times. The speaker emphasized that these experiences were not imaginary but shared by multiple people. He wanted to share these stories to help others feel less alone if they had experienced something similar. The speaker also made it clear that he was not promoting or glorifying these experiences, but rather acknowledging their existence. Overall, the discussion highlighted the idea that there are things in the world that defy explanation and that it's important to share our experiences with each other to validate and connect with one another.
