Podcast Summary: And That's Why We Drink – Listener Stories: Vol. 105

Release Date: July 1, 2025

Hosts: Christine Schiefer & Em Schulz

Introduction to July: The Month of Julius Caesar

In this episode, Christine and Em kick off the month of July by delving into the historical roots of its name. They discuss how Julius Caesar's influence led to the month bearing his name, seamlessly blending humor and historical tidbits.

• Christine (02:11): "Historically, July was named after Julius Caesar, reflecting his impact on our calendar system."

• Em (03:06): "Most months are named after Roman gods, but July and August are exceptions, thanks to the Caesars."

Their playful banter sets a lighthearted tone as they transition into the core of the episode—listener-submitted ghost and true crime stories centered around the theme of swimming pools.

Listener Story 1: Brian’s “Can Ghosts Swim?”

Brian shares a chilling account of encountering a ghost in a swimming pool during a sweltering Texas summer.

• Brian (07:36): "Back in the summer of 2020, I was the last one out of the pool when I saw my sister swimming, tailed by a pitch-black figure."

• Christine (07:00): "I imagine they can move through water without needing to swim, much like walking through walls."

Brian describes seeing a figure resembling the "Hat Man," a common ghostly apparition, swimming alongside his sister. The figure’s ability to keep pace with her raised suspicions, especially since no one else witnessed the presence.

• Em (09:42): "The goggle man, the hat man—why would they remove their hat just to swim?"

The story concludes with Brian recounting another eerie incident where he was tickled by a ghostly figure in the pool, leading to lasting PTSD and a newfound fear of tanning.

Listener Story 2: Margot’s “My Summer at a Haunted Boarding School”

Margot recounts her unsettling experiences while teaching at a haunted English boarding school.

• Margot (21:32): "Every once in a while, I'd hear a banging noise coming from inside the walls while preparing lessons."

• Christine (23:11): "This was starting to feel too much like the beginning of a horror movie."

One night, after hours, Margot and a few colleagues decide to chill by the indoor pool with beers and music. The atmosphere shifts dramatically when the music distorts into static, lights go out, and a cold draft sweeps the area—only for them to realize it wasn’t raining but something more sinister. The following day, as Margot shares her story, the lights abruptly shut off, intensifying the haunting experience.

• Em (24:33): "I feel so scared."

Margot’s tale underscores the pervasive sense of dread and unexplained phenomena at the boarding school, leaving listeners with lingering unease.

Listener Story 3: Autumn’s Past Life Account

Autumn delves into memories that suggest a past life as Julius Caesar, intertwining personal trauma with historical intrigue.

• Autumn (26:46): "One day my mom told her friend that I acted like someone who had come close to drowning because of my fear of water."

• Christine (27:07): "She told her friend that my older sister had been in a car accident when I drowned."

Autumn shares a deeply personal story of how, as a child, she recounted a traumatic near-drowning experience that she doesn’t remember, hinting at past life memories influencing her present fears and behaviors.

• Em (29:17): "That's definitely too intense for a three-year-old to articulate."

This narrative explores the concept of reincarnation and how past traumas might resurface in current lives, adding a layer of mystery and introspection to the episode.

Listener Story 4: Bridget’s “A Psychic Predicted My Childhood Home Burning Down”

Bridget presents a harrowing tale of how a psychic's prediction seemingly led to a family tragedy.

• Bridget (31:00): "In May 2003, a psychic predicted that our house would burn down. Shortly after, an electrical accident caused a fire, devastating our family."

Bridget details the sequence of events where a neighbor, convinced by a psychic's warning, initiates measures to protect their home. Ironically, the actions taken by a family member during a crisis inadvertently lead to the stove being left on, causing the fire. The story intertwines themes of fate, coincidence, and the unintended consequences of believing in supernatural predictions.

• Em (42:17): "At some point, someone's gonna drag you off your property."

The account raises questions about the efficacy and ethics of psychics, as well as the fine line between foresight and self-fulfilling prophecies.

Listener Story 5: Delaney’s “Physically Touched with Marks”

Delaney shares a poignant story of surviving an electrical accident and the lingering ghostly experiences that followed.

• Delaney (45:39): "I was shocked in a puddle for about 45 minutes, which left me with PTSD and a severe dairy allergy."

• Christine (49:35): "That is absolutely heartbreaking."

Delaney recounts the tragedy of losing her sister in the same accident and how, years later, she began experiencing ghostly sensations, like handprints appearing on her sunburned knees and hearing a favorite song playing mysteriously.

• Em (48:05): "It's definitely too late. I have a feeling the sunburn and suntan have gone away since."

This story highlights the long-term psychological and supernatural repercussions of traumatic events, blending real-world horror with paranormal elements.

Listener Story 6: Jackie’s “Breaking into Wallace and Other Ways to Fall Asleep”

Jackie offers an unconventional technique for falling asleep, inspired by childhood pool experiences.

• Jackie (51:04): "When I was younger, I'd swim to the bottom of our deep pool, flip onto my back, let the air out of my lungs, and slowly sink to sleep."

Christine discusses how this method, rooted in sensory deprivation and relaxation, has surprisingly become an effective sleep aid for Jackie. The hosts reflect on the eerie parallels between Jackie’s technique and the ghostly themes of the episode.

• Christine (53:27): "To fall asleep today, I pictured myself slowly letting the air out of my lungs and sinking to the bottom."

This segment interweaves personal anecdotes with practical advice, offering listeners a unique approach to overcoming insomnia.

Hosts’ Reflections and Thematic Insights

Throughout the episode, Christine and Em provide insightful commentary on each story, exploring the intersections between past lives, supernatural encounters, and the lingering effects of trauma.

• Em (35:41): "Psychics can be a channel, so I don't think this was just a coincidence."

• Christine (42:33): "Maybe the psychic needed to learn some boundaries and social skills."

Their discussions often delve into the psychological underpinnings of the stories, questioning the nature of ghosts, the reliability of psychics, and the ways in which past experiences shape current beliefs and fears.

Conclusion: Embracing the Spooky Season

As the episode draws to a close, Christine and Em reflect on the whirlwind of listener stories and the swift passage of time, noting that spooky season is just around the corner.

• Em (56:08): "We are only two, three episodes away from spooky season Halloween."

They encourage listeners to continue submitting their own stories, fostering a community of shared experiences and mutual support in facing the world's inherent fears.

• Christine (56:29): "If you have your own story to submit, you can go to our website at thatswhywedrink.com."

Notable Quotes:

• Em (03:06): "Most months are named after Roman gods, but July and August are exceptions, thanks to the Caesars."

• Brian (07:36): "Back in the summer of 2020, I was the last one out of the pool when I saw my sister swimming, tailed by a pitch-black figure."

• Margot (21:32): "Every once in a while, I'd hear a banging noise coming from inside the walls while preparing lessons."

• Autumn (26:46): "One day my mom told her friend that I acted like someone who had come close to drowning because of my fear of water."

• Bridget (31:00): "In May 2003, a psychic predicted that our house would burn down. Shortly after, an electrical accident caused a fire, devastating our family."

• Delaney (45:39): "I was shocked in a puddle for about 45 minutes, which left me with PTSD and a severe dairy allergy."

• Jackie (51:04): "When I was younger, I'd swim to the bottom of our deep pool, flip onto my back, let the air out of my lungs, and slowly sink to sleep."

Final Thoughts:

"Listener Stories: Vol. 105" on And That's Why We Drink offers a compelling blend of ghostly encounters, true crime experiences, and personal traumas, all framed within the thematic backdrop of July. Christine and Em's engaging storytelling, coupled with their thoughtful reflections, provide both chills and comfort to listeners navigating the eerie and the unexplained. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the podcast, this episode promises to leave you both spooked and captivated.