Haunted Cosmos – Graveyard Shift: "A Demon Followed Her Family?!"

Hosts: Ben Garrett & Brian Sauvé
Guest: "Brittany" (Anonymous)
Date: October 8, 2025
Theme: Investigating generational demonic oppression, syncretism, and faith from a Christian perspective

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged episode of the Graveyard Shift series, Ben and Brian interview "Brittany"—an anonymous friend whose family has been shadowed by what she describes as a generational demonic curse. Raised in a family immersed in Catholicism, witchcraft (brujaria), and cultural syncretism, Brittany shares how dark supernatural phenomena plagued her upbringing—and how her own conversion to Christianity, coupled with prayer and faith, has begun to sever these spiritual chains.

Key Discussion Points

1. Family Background: Syncretic Catholicism and Witchcraft

• Brittany’s family on both sides are devoutly Catholic—but her mother’s side is deeply involved in brujaria (witchcraft), especially through her aunt in Mexico, an active witch-doctor.
  Quote:

  “My aunt in Mexico is an active witch that you can go see to get healed from.”
  (Brittany, 06:20)

• First exposure to “high strangeness” was at an early age; it was simply “the water I was drinking from as a child.”
  (03:00–03:18)

2. Early Supernatural Experiences

• Grandfather’s Ritual:
  Her grandfather, sick from repeated strokes, traveled to Mexico for a ritual. The witch-aunt performed frightening rites (including decapitating a chicken over him), after which he briefly recovered, then suffered even worse health problems.
  (06:40–08:00)

• Messages from the Dead & The "Hat Man":
  Family members who died would reportedly “visit” the living, always described as appearing in hats.
  Quote:

  "They always said they came to visit wearing a hat."
  (Brittany, 09:24)

3. Disturbing Encounters and Haunting Phenomena

• Impostor in the Bed:
  Brittany's mother, after losing her brother to suicide, awoke one morning "elbowing" her husband (who was not in bed)—sparked suspicion of a ghostly presence. Family elders insisted it was her dead brother visiting.
  (09:24–11:02)

• Poltergeist Activity:
  Objects moved or were mysteriously tied together; speakers turned on at 3am nightly with loud, unexplained music (12:01–13:26). Blamed on the deceased uncle’s spirit.

• Locked In:
  Brittany and her mother were trapped in a room whose door seemingly wouldn’t open, despite attempts to call for help and bang on walls. Only after prayer did a neighbor effortlessly open it.
  Quote:

  "She just said, God, please keep him safe... And [the door] just effortlessly opened."
  (15:49–16:30)

4. The Cycle Continues: Moving, More Manifestations, Family Tragedy

• After moving homes, the strange activity persisted—hallucinations, locked doors, and worsening personal circumstances (mother’s substance abuse, parents' separation).
  (21:50–23:31)

• Substance abuse escalated, and Brittany, newly Christian, faced hostility for her faith.
  Quote:

  “She would scream at me just like reading the Bible… throw things at me.”
  (24:18–24:20)

5. Conversion Experience and Spiritual Breakthrough

• Brittany converted to Christianity in high school after a reluctant visit to a For King and Country concert, where she heard the gospel for the first time. She describes her “full Calvinist” conviction that followed.
  (18:26–20:44)

• Her pursuit of faith met resistance; had to lie about going to church, read the Bible aloud at home (due to dyslexia) despite her mother’s rage.
  (23:31–24:29)

6. Religious Syncretism and Occult Handling

• Family would buy “Catholic sage” and bring in the witch-aunt for rituals, blending Catholic and pagan practices. Even priests responded with fear-mongering or requests for offerings.
  Quote:

  “We would buy sage from our church to, like, sage our house… And I guess most Catholics don’t practice that…”
  (26:33–27:11)

7. Night Terrors, the “Hat Man,” and Spiritual Warfare

• Described her mother's interactions with "the man in the hat" (Hat Man ESP), panic attacks, and near-violent outbursts possibly linked to demonic oppression or possession.
• Notable moment: Brittany prays for her mother in the throes of a supernatural-tinged panic attack, and her mother abruptly calms.
  (29:00–30:07)
• The physical and personality changes observed in her mother during these times (unnatural strength, unrecognizable face) are compared to classic possession manifestations.
  Quote:

  “There were times when she would get so angry and frustrated at me that I didn't recognize her face. Like, her face was not her face.”
  (31:32)

8. Spiritual Breakthrough and the Power of Christ

• With marriage and children, Brittany experienced a cycle where the dark presence would reappear after each birth, but with prayer and faith, its proximity diminished—eventually left standing outside her home, unable to enter.
  Quote:

  “It came back, but it got further and further away... It’s outside the house now because it can't come in.”
  (46:36–46:55)

• The hosts affirm how the demonic “playbook” is to attack through the seed and family; prayer and the presence of Christ break the cycle.

9. Reflecting on Generational Curses and Hope

• Panel discusses generational sin, demonic legalism, and God’s mercy (“mercy to the thousandth generation…”).
• Brittany observes feeling like “the outcast,” but now recognizes this as the conviction of the Holy Spirit and grace at work.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Witchcraft’s Empty Promises:

  "...everything that's not from God, right? It was bad. So he had like six strokes that next month."
  (Brittany, 07:51)

• On Demons and Syncretism:

  "You can't use Christ as a talisman... the sons of Sceva... get cooked, dude."
  (Ben, 43:32–43:59)

• On Prayer and Family Protection:

  “When you’re in this house, God is in this house, and that means the darkness is redeemed… Now all the darkness does is help us sleep good.”
  (Ben, 50:36–51:56)

• On Breaking Generational Chains:

  “We’re first gen Christians, and so we have a lot of chains to break ourselves... this curse that has infiltrated my family for generations would be cut off here. This is it.”
  (Brittany, 52:40–53:42)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [06:20] – Introduction to Brittany’s family’s blend of Catholicism and brujaria
• [09:24] – Translating family “ghost visits,” connections to Hat Man
• [12:38] – Poltergeist phenomena; father’s skepticism despite evidence
• [15:48–16:30] – Supernatural rescue: door opens after prayer
• [18:26] – Brittany’s conversion testimony
• [21:50] – Ongoing demonic manifestations in subsequent homes
• [24:18] – Hostility faced at home for faith and Bible reading
• [27:11] – Ritualistic use of “Catholic sage” and syncretistic beliefs
• [29:00–30:11] – Praying during her mother’s demonic panic attack
• [31:32] – Descriptions of mother’s possession (unrecognizable face, supernatural strength)
• [46:36–46:55] – The demon’s progressive retreat as faith grows in her home
• [52:40–53:42] – Request for prayer: ending generational curse

Tone & Style

The conversation is raw, honest, occasionally heavy with dark humor and warmth—a signature mix for Haunted Cosmos. Brittany’s storytelling is detail-rich and candid, while Ben and Brian frame her experiences within biblical narratives, Christian theology, and gentle encouragement. Light teasing, banter, and a supportive dynamic keep the weighty subject matter approachable.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• Brittany’s family history is an unnerving case study in generational spiritual bondage, cultural syncretism, and the destructive power of the occult intermingled with nominal religion.
• Demonic oppression manifested in her life as supernatural visitations, haunting phenomena, and familial chaos—but her embrace of the Christian gospel became a turning point in severing this legacy.
• The episode affirms the real, ongoing spiritual battle Christians face and the vital need for prayer, vigilance, and the authority found in Christ alone.
• The hosts encourage listeners to pray for Brittany’s family as they seek healing, protection, and continued freedom from generational spiritual bondage.

Prayer Request:

"Just pray that our kids would grow and be faithful Christians and have fruitful lives and that this curse that has infiltrated my family for generations would be cut off here. This is it.”
(Brittany, 53:42)

For fans of supernatural storytelling and Christian perspectives on spiritual warfare, this episode is a compelling listen—both unsettling and ultimately hopeful.