Podcast Summary
The Unexpected: The unknown can challenge our perceptions and make us question reality, as shown in a listener's story about a missing cousin who turned out to be hiding.
The unexpected can make us question reality. In today's episode of "Believing the Bizarre," the hosts discussed three listener-submitted stories, including one about a strange encounter at a family member's funeral. The episode also featured a reminder about the upcoming monthly blind rankings and bizarre news, as well as a trigger warning for animal trauma and death. The hosts shared their thoughts on the importance of world-building in storytelling and the importance of being open-minded to the unknown. The first story came from Adriana and took place in Texas in 2008. Adriana and her family were celebrating Christmas when her youngest cousin, Daniela, went missing. Despite checking multiple bathrooms, they couldn't find her. When they finally located her, she was hiding under a bed, trying to scare them. However, the confusion and fear of the situation made the children question what they had really seen. The episode highlights the power of the unknown to challenge our perceptions and make us question reality.
Misunderstandings and fear: Misunderstandings and miscommunication can lead to unnecessary fear and confusion, highlighting the importance of clear communication and understanding.
Perception and communication can lead to misunderstandings and fear, even in seemingly ordinary situations. In Adriana's story, the misunderstanding between her and her sister Dahlia about being in the bathroom led to Adriana's belief that there was something supernatural in the house. Meanwhile, in Robin's story, the misunderstanding of being in a hotel that was supposedly closed led to feelings of isolation and fear. These stories illustrate how important clear communication and understanding are in preventing unnecessary fear and confusion. Additionally, the element of the unknown or unexpected can heighten feelings of fear and anxiety, as seen in both stories.
Isolation and unknown: Isolation and the unknown can amplify feelings of vulnerability, anxiety, and fear in horror stories. Ambiguous situations and heavy doors add to the sense of foreboding and mystery.
Isolation and the unknown can create a sense of fear and unease, especially in the context of horror stories. The idea of being in a remote location, where help is far away, can amplify feelings of vulnerability and anxiety. Additionally, the ambiguity of situations, such as hearing strange noises or encountering unexplained occurrences, can leave individuals in a state of uncertainty and discomfort. The human mind is more susceptible to interpreting these experiences as paranormal when in a state of half-awake, half-asleep, or when other explanations are not immediately apparent. The presence of heavy doors in these stories also adds to the sense of foreboding and mystery. Overall, the fear of the unknown and the isolation of remote locations are common themes in horror stories, and they can create a powerful and unsettling experience for listeners.
Paranormal events: Unexplained door slamming, spooked horse, and grandma's strange behavior hinted at paranormal activity, leaving Abby fearful and uncertain after her grandma's passing
The unexplained events on Abby's grandparents' property raised suspicions of the paranormal. The inexplicable door slamming, the spooked horse Applejack with a limp and a claw mark, and Abby's grandma's strange behavior and eventual passing all contributed to a sense of unease and fear. The most disturbing incident was when Abby believed her grandma had been possessed and tried to harm her. Despite attempts to explain away the strange occurrences, Abby couldn't shake the feeling that something otherworldly was at play. The loss of her beloved grandma and the emotional damage left Abby with a lingering sense of fear and uncertainty.
Paranormal attachment to places: Entities or occurrences from a haunted past can follow an individual and attach to new places, causing recurring paranormal experiences and difficult living situations
Abby's experiences with the paranormal were not limited to her childhood home. The entities or occurrences seemed to follow her, appearing in different houses where she lived later in life. The most disturbing encounter involved her mother's boyfriend, Jim Bob, who was left with identical claw marks on his legs after an unexplained incident. The recurring theme of claw marks and the distance between encounters suggests a connection or attachment to these places. Abby's life continued to be affected by these experiences, leading to moves and difficult living situations. The paranormal events seemed to add layers of tragedy and unease to her life.
Paranormal Encounters: Paranormal encounters can leave individuals questioning the unknown and uncertain, with potential explanations ranging from natural occurrences to pranks or genuine paranormal activity.
Abby, a paranormal encounter witness, has experienced various unexplained phenomena in different locations, leaving her numb and skeptical towards the paranormal. Her encounters include hearing strange noises in her father's house, seeing a smiling woman in her closet, and observing her cattle dying with mysterious wounds. While some may dismiss these events as pranks or natural occurrences, Abby's experiences have left her questioning the unknown. Another listener, Adriana, reported seeing a small elf-like figure during a Christmas party, which left her feeling uneasy and uncertain. The team discussed the potential for this encounter being a prank or a paranormal experience, rating it as viable but with many unanswered questions. Overall, the team emphasized the importance of considering all possibilities and the challenges of evaluating the believability of paranormal encounters.
Fear of discovery/targeting: Unexpected circumstances can evoke strong emotions of fear and vulnerability, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and addressing the unusual.
Unexpected circumstances, whether it's discovering a hidden party or dealing with a malevolent entity, can leave us feeling vulnerable and exposed. The fear of being discovered or targeted is a common theme in many stories, especially when we least expect it. In Robin's story, the fear came from the possibility of intruders discovering her presence at a supposedly closed hotel. In Abby's story, the fear came from a malevolent entity targeting her, possibly due to her connection to a supernatural event. Both stories highlight the importance of acknowledging and addressing the unusual, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zone. Additionally, the idea that old buildings, such as hotels, may be haunted and hold a lot of energy adds to the overall creep factor.
Family and living situations: The supernatural entity is drawn to negative emotions and situations, possibly feeding off them, and seems to be connected to family members and their living situations.
Abby's experiences with the supernatural entity seem to be connected to her family members and their living situations. When she leaves her mother's house, the entity appears to stay with her mom, possibly because her mom is now alone. Abby's encounters with the entity become less frequent as she grows up and moves away from her mother. The entity's behavior may change depending on the environment and the people involved. For instance, it may become more active in places where there is already a presence of the supernatural or in situations of tragedy and death. Overall, the entity seems to be drawn to negative emotions and situations, possibly feeding off them. Abby's experiences with the entity are intense and traumatic, affecting her deeply and shaping her life in significant ways.
Paranormal comfort: Personal experiences with paranormal comfort can vary, with some individuals finding solace in the presence of ghostly figures, while skepticism towards certain paranormal stories is common.
The speaker in the discussion shares her personal experiences with paranormal phenomena, specifically the presence of a ghostly figure that brings her comfort and helps her fall asleep. She emphasizes that it's not about the visual or what it means, but rather the feeling it emanates. The speaker also expresses her skepticism towards certain elements of the paranormal stories they discuss, such as the cows being killed by an unknown entity. She believes that the grief and trauma experienced by individuals can make them more susceptible to paranormal experiences. The speaker encourages listeners to share their thoughts, theories, and reviews on the podcast's episodes, as they value the engagement and interaction with their audience.
Bizarre Stories: Join the Patreon community for exclusive access to intriguing stories, interviews, and deeper insights into unexplained phenomena from the creators of 'Believing the Bizarre' podcast.
The team behind "Believing the Bizarre" podcast shares intriguing and often creepy stories, some of which come from their Patreon community. These stories may include bizarre news, paranormal experiences, and unexplained phenomena. The team occasionally interviews the people who submit these stories, providing deeper insights and follow-ups. If you're intrigued by these tales and want to engage more with the creators and the community, consider joining their Patreon. The podcast itself is filled with a wide range of bizarre stories that are sure to intrigue and entertain. For instance, they've discussed a possible zombie encounter, a deep-voiced wolf story, and even an Indian burial ground mystery. So, keep an eye out for their weekly podcast episodes and consider becoming a patron for exclusive content and interviews.