Podcast Summary: Extrasensory – Episode 6: "The Two Johns"

Title: Extrasensory
Host: Will Sharpe
Producer: Poppy Damon
Release Date: November 25, 2024
Episode: The Two Johns | 6
Production: Blanchard House
Available On: Apple Podcasts

Overview

In the sixth episode of Extrasensory, titled "The Two Johns," host Will Sharpe delves deeper into the enigmatic story of John Pollock—a milkman from 1950s England who predicted the reincarnation of his deceased daughters. This episode challenges the authenticity of Pollock's claims by introducing perspectives from his granddaughters, Lisa and Joanna Pollock, who vehemently dispute his assertions of reincarnation. Through personal interviews and investigative insights, the episode unravels the possibility that Pollock's narrative may have been a calculated hoax rather than a genuine phenomenon.

Opening Scene: The Prophetic Movie (00:05 - 03:49)

The episode commences with a vivid recounting by Will Sharpe of a pivotal moment in May 1957. John Pollock attends a local cinema to watch a film titled The Search for Bridie Murphy. Despite not being a regular moviegoer, Pollock is intrigued by the film's sensational portrayal of reincarnation.

Will Sharpe [00:05]: "John's running late. He needs to hurry. It's 8:00 already and he's going to miss the start if he's not careful."

As the film progresses, it narrates the story of a hypnotist uncovering a woman's memories of her past life as a little girl named Heidi Murphy. The climax of the movie leaves John mesmerized, sparking an idea that would soon intertwine with his personal tragedy.

Narrator in Film [03:11]: "After you died, could you watch them bury your body? Yes, I. I watched them ditch my body."

The Sinister Shift: Pollock's Prophecy (03:49 - 09:28)

Post-movie, the episode highlights the coincidental timing between the film's release and the tragic death of John Pollock's daughters, Jacqueline and Joanna, in May 1957. Five days after the movie's screening, Pollock proclaims that his dead daughters will be reincarnated, leading to the birth of twins, Jennifer and Jillian, who bear striking resemblances to their deceased sisters.

Will Sharpe [03:25]: "Reincarnation isn't a thing in 1950s England. It's just not. Hardly anyone has heard of it."

This bold claim garners significant attention, even attracting American scientist Dr. Stevenson, who embarks on a transatlantic journey to study the twins. However, the episode begins to question the authenticity of Pollock's assertions.

Introducing Skepticism: Interviews with Lisa and Joanna Pollock (09:28 - 33:43)

Producer Poppy secures interviews with Lisa and Joanna Pollock—John Pollock's granddaughters—to uncover the truth behind their family's story. Lisa recounts fond memories of her grandmother Florence but reveals a starkly different image of her grandfather John.

Lisa Pollock [10:14]: "She was always in the kitchen. We'd cook breakfast first. She was just very, very quiet. Timid, but, yeah, fun."

Contrastingly, Lisa describes John as an absent, toxic presence who rarely engaged with the family and dismissed compassion during family tragedies.

Lisa Pollock [12:00]: "My grandfather had said, well, that's no use now they're dead."

Joanna Pollock further demolishes John Pollock's credibility, asserting that he fabricated the reincarnation narrative for personal glory and attention.

Joanna Pollock [19:10]: "He wanted to be respected, and that's what John was all about. He wanted to be somebody big. He wanted to be important."

Both granddaughters label John Pollock as a narcissistic liar who manipulated his family and community for decades.

Lisa Pollock [32:56]: "Truthfully. Narcissistic, gaslighting little man."
Joanna Pollock [33:05]: "Pathological, narcissistic, liar, self aggrandizing, hateful, pathetic little man."

Revisiting the Evidence: Birthmarks and Dolls (09:28 - 26:59)

The episode scrutinizes the evidence that supposedly supports the reincarnation claims. It examines the birthmarks of the twins, which were said to match scars from their deceased sisters.

John Pollock [23:40]: "Jennifer, love, come here a moment. Stand here... there's the one birthmark. And there, just above her left eye, that's the other."

However, Joanna and Lisa contest these claims, suggesting discrepancies and lack of verification.

Joanna Pollock [24:04]: "I think Jillian had a scar on her forehead, but it wasn't... I know she wasn't born with it because there are pictures of them as babies."

Additionally, the episode explores the story of the Pollock twins claiming knowledge about their deceased sisters' past lives, including obscure details like their old school in Hexham.

John Pollock [26:05]: "They both said that we used to live there."

Joanna dismisses these claims as convenient fabrications by her grandfather to lend credence to his story.

Joanna Pollock [21:16]: "I bloody clicked. And he thought, well, you know, there you go, we can start on this now."

The narrative around the twins' fear of cars—allegedly linked to their past lives' tragic accidents—is also debunked by their granddaughters, who report no such phobias.

Joanna Pollock [27:31]: "I didn't see any phobias of cars at all. God, he's full of crap."

The Dark Reality: Abuse and Manipulation (29:39 - 33:43)

Beyond the questionable reincarnation claims, the episode unveils the darker side of John Pollock's character. Joanna reveals the abusive environment fostered by her grandfather, both towards her grandmother Florence and within the household.

Joanna Pollock [30:08]: "He would berate her for stupid things... He was a wife beater."

This portrayal suggests that the reincarnation narrative could have been a facade masking deeper familial issues and enabling John Pollock's manipulative behavior.

Joanna Pollock [32:10]: "He roped everybody into it. Everybody. He tainted everybody."

Confronting the Narrative: Fact vs. Fiction (33:43 - 26:59)

As the episode progresses, Joanna discovers Dr. Stevenson's published work on the reincarnation claims, which further solidifies her belief that her grandfather fabricated the entire story for personal gain.

Joanna Pollock [33:52]: "I just remember being so angry because I just thought it was the newspapers... it must have just been so great for my granddad to be published in a book."

The episode also highlights inconsistencies in the testimonies of John Pollock and his wife Florence, particularly regarding the names of the twins' dolls and other specific details corroborated by external accounts.

Joanna Pollock [20:12]: "He thinks... it bloody clicked. And he thought, well, you know, there you go, we can start on this now."

Current Developments: Tracking Down Jennifer (33:43 - End)

In the episode's concluding segments, Poppy embarks on a quest to locate Jennifer Pollock, the surviving twin, aiming to hear her side of the story. This pursuit sets the stage for future episodes, promising to shed more light on the lingering mysteries surrounding the Pollock family's claims of reincarnation.

Will Sharpe [34:13]: "But there is one more history we need to hear, right? The big one. Jennifer's."

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, inviting listeners to anticipate Jennifer Pollock's revelations in upcoming installments.

Notable Quotes

• Will Sharpe [00:05]: "John's running late. He needs to hurry."
• Lisa Pollock [10:14]: "She was just very, very quiet. Timid, but, yeah, fun."
• Joanna Pollock [19:10]: "He wanted to be respected... he wanted to be important."
• Joanna Pollock [33:05]: "Pathological, narcissistic, liar, self aggrandizing, hateful, pathetic little man."

Conclusion

"The Two Johns" intricately weaves personal testimonies with investigative journalism to question the veracity of John Pollock's reincarnation claims. By presenting compelling accounts from his granddaughters, the episode casts significant doubt on the authenticity of the Pollock twins' existence as reincarnated souls. As the narrative unfolds, listeners are left contemplating the thin line between belief, manipulation, and the desperate need for familial recognition.

Additional Information

• Cast Portrayals:

  • John Pollock: Peter Peverly
  • Florence Pollock: Jasmine Hyde
  • Dr. Ian Stevenson: Mark Arnold
  • Pollock Children: Francisco and Edie Pimbola, Stevie Pye

• Production Team:

  • Written by Lawrence Grissel
  • Additional Production by Seren Jones
  • Original Music by Daniel Lloyd Evans, Louis Nank Manel, Toby Matimong
  • Sound Design and Mix Engineering by Vulcan Kiseltug and Daniel Lloyd Evans
  • Research by Alan Sargent
  • Fact Checking by Jesse Bering and Karen Walton
  • Managing Producer: Amica Shortino Nolan
  • Creative Director: Rosie Pye
  • Executive Producer: Lawrence Grisel

For more episodes, follow and listen to Extrasensory on Apple Podcasts.