How I Died
Podcast: How I Died
Episode: S4 E06: The Educator In The Epidemic
Date: September 10, 2025
Producer: Audiohm Media
Episode Overview
In this gripping full-cast audio drama, forensic pathologist Dr. Jonathan Spacer—who can communicate with the dead—is drawn into a high-stakes medical crisis in the town of Springfield. Bodies are piling up with symptoms of a mysterious illness. Dr. Spacer is recruited by Dr. Dan and a CDC operative to find out the cause of a recent death, but there’s a catch: Dr. Spacer must use his supernatural skills to interrogate the ghost of the deceased patient, as a race against time and an impending epidemic unfolds.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Set-Up: A Deadly Observation
- Dr. John (Jonathan Spacer) is introduced, forced to wait over an hour by Dr. Dan in a strange observation room as a sort of psychological test.
- The CDC’s involvement is quickly made clear, with the presence of a hazmat suit and urgent, ambiguous directions.
"Normally people get up to check where I am after about 20 minutes, so kudos on the tenacity. You passed."
— Dr. Dan [01:50]
2. The Medical Emergency: Unorthodox Methods
- Dr. John is asked to determine the cause of death for Mrs. H but cannot perform a hands-on autopsy due to infection risk. Instead, he is urged to use his supernatural ability to speak with the deceased.
- The tension escalates over exposure to a potentially lethal pathogen, with a comedic edge in the dialogue.
"If he needs a HAZMAT suit, we should definitely be wearing them too."
— Dr. John [03:05] "Nonsense. We're all just about to be dosed with the antiviral. Then no worries."
— Dr. Dan [03:08]
3. Paranormal Forensics: Speaking with Mrs. H
- Mrs. H’s ghost is contacted and she reluctantly assists, recalling her symptoms and last days.
- The emotional stakes are heightened as she confronts Dr. John’s reluctance.
"You're not gonna help them just because you don't want to feel like you're being judged? Hell, if you don't help them because of that, then we will definitely judge you."
— Mrs. H (Ghost) [06:37] - Mrs. H describes her experience: severe gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms, dizziness, aversions to light, then neurological decline, and finally, coma.
4. Breaking Down the Case: Medical & Psychological Angles
- Dr. John tries to piece together the timeline and exposure of Mrs. H while also negotiating his own discomfort at being used for his ability.
- Hospital and CDC officials are desperate for insight, as more staff show symptoms.
- A significant reveal: The authorities already know the disease—“Argentinian mammarenavirus” or JUNV—but need to trace its spread and source.
"You've… They already know the disease?"
— Dr. John [11:09]
5. Tracing the Source: Epidemiological Investigation
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Mrs. H’s background is revealed: she was a loner, an elementary school teacher, with no family and little social interaction.
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Dr. John helps narrow down potential contacts. An unexpected detail surfaces: Mrs. H had a recent date with a mailman (Jared Freely), found via a government-employee dating site.
"I had a date."
— Mrs. H (Ghost) [16:48] "She went on a date last week with a mailman named Jared Freely."
— Dr. John [17:32] -
The show speculates on possible infection routes: school exposure, her date, or (comically) imported rat-contaminated wine.
"If he imported his own wine, it's possible an infected rat got caught in the container, right?"
— Dr. John [19:25]
6. Skepticism and the Supernatural
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Dr. Dan reveals deep skepticism towards Dr. John’s powers—despite the evidence—and frames his interventions as psychological phenomena rather than supernatural.
"Again, I saw what you think you can do."
— Dr. Dan [21:17] "I've been doing this job for a long time, Dr. John. And do you know how many people I've found who have actual special abilities? Of course you don't, because there isn't a ghost here to tell you, so I will. It's none, zip, zero. Zilch."
— Dr. Dan [21:29] -
Dr. John's frustration grows at being both disbelieved and exploited.
7. Open Questions and the Episode’s End
- After being pressured for more, Mrs. H gives her real name (“Winona Harold”) and a possible contact ("Dr. Chambers").
- The authorities plan to follow the new leads, particularly on the mailman and wine import angle.
- Dr. Dan’s parting words leave Dr. John uneasy, signaling future conflicts between the medical authorities and the paranormal.
"Next time, don't treat me like something... to observe, or you'll kill me too. But there will be a next time, eh?"
— Dr. John [22:14]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Dr. Dan’s Observation Game
"Normally people get up to check where I am after about 20 minutes, so kudos on the tenacity. You passed." [01:50] -
Ghostly Plea For Empathy
"You're not gonna help them just because you don't want to feel like you're being judged? Hell, if you don't help them because of that, then we will definitely judge you."
— Mrs. H (Ghost) [06:37] -
Cynicism About The Supernatural
"I've been doing this job for a long time, Dr. John. And do you know how many people I've found who have actual special abilities? ...It's none, zip, zero. Zilch."
— Dr. Dan [21:29] -
The Wine Theory
"Mrs. H said Jared was an amateur sommelier on the side. If he imported his own wine, it's possible an infected rat got caught in the container, right?"
— Dr. John [19:25] -
Ambiguity of Truth and Skepticism
"That's the thing about being right. No one really cares how you came across the truth. Even if it's... Even if it's from a psychic."
— Narrator [19:53]
Timestamps of Major Segments
- [01:42] — Dr. John enters observation, psychological test by Dr. Dan
- [02:42] — Dr. Dan introduces the CDC element, hazmat situation ramps up
- [05:02] — Dr. Dan asks Dr. John to use his talent to determine cause of death
- [05:49] — Dr. John communicates with Mrs. H's ghost
- [06:37] — Mrs. H (Ghost) lays ethical pressure on Dr. John
- [09:05] — Mrs. H details her symptoms and decline
- [11:09] — Reveal that authorities already know the disease involved
- [13:59] — Mrs. H's background and loneliness; risk of epidemic stated
- [16:50] — Mrs. H mentions her recent date (possible infection source)
- [19:25] — Wine import theory discussed
- [21:17] — Dr. Dan openly doubts Dr. John's supernatural abilities
- [22:14] — Emotional confrontation, episode denouement
Conclusion
S4E06: The Educator In The Epidemic skillfully combines paranormal investigation with medical thriller. Utilizing Dr. Spacer’s unique ability as both burden and asset, the episode interrogates the ethics of exploitation, the skepticism of institutional authorities, and the haunting cost of an unchecked epidemic. Both the science and the supernatural are given equal narrative weight, pushing Dr. John to both literal and figurative breaking points. The closing lines hint at more conflict with the skeptical Dr. Dan, and an ongoing struggle for Dr. Spacer to prove himself—and save lives—in a world that refuses to believe.
For fans of medical mysteries, paranormal thrillers, or intense character dramas, this episode delivers a resonant mix of suspense, wit, and ethical complexity.