Monsters Among Us: S19 Ep13 – Sunshine State Scares: Paranormal Tales from Florida

Host: Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios

Introduction

In episode 13 of Season 19, titled "Sunshine State Scares: Paranormal Tales from Florida," host Derek Hayes delves into the eerie and unexplained phenomena reported across Florida. Known for its vibrant culture and diverse landscapes, Florida also harbors a multitude of paranormal tales ranging from haunted locations and UFO sightings to encounters with cryptid creatures. Hayes invites listeners to explore these spine-chilling stories through firsthand accounts from residents of the Sunshine State.

1. Tim's Unsettling Encounter in Jacksonville Woods [02:44]

Tim from Jacksonville recounts a harrowing experience during a routine target shooting session with his father. While adjusting the scope of their rifles in a remote, dense forest, they were startled by sudden gunshots from an unseen assailant wielding a large-caliber rifle.

Tim [02:44]: "After the first couple shots, you yell out, hey, there's people down here... someone had literally crept up ghillie suit style to within a few feet of us just to fire one round."

Despite their cautious approach, the mysterious shooter remained concealed within the thick woods, prompting Tim and his father to flee the area immediately— an event that left a lasting impression on him.

Host Reaction [05:57]: Hayes acknowledges the unnerving nature of the incident, emphasizing the fear of an unseen threat.

Derek Hayes [05:57]: "It doesn't seem to be anything paranormal to me, but that doesn't make it any less creepy or nerve-wracking."

2. Sarah's Story of the Seminole Little People [07:03]

Sarah shares a compelling story intertwined with Seminole folklore about "Little People," mythical beings believed to inhabit Florida's wilderness. Her friend's father witnessed these mysterious figures dancing and singing in an orange grove ditch.

Sarah [07:03]: "He heard singing... and there was a bunch of little people dancing and marching along... colorfully dressed."

Hayes supplements Sarah's account with research, highlighting the Seminole legends of these benevolent beings who occasionally reveal themselves to children, offering guidance and protection.

Folklore Insight [09:11]: Delaney provides additional context from axismundy.com, detailing how these Little People are perceived within Seminole culture—often invisible, communal protectors who assist wandering children.

3. Valerie's Grandson's Spirit Encounter [11:36]

Valerie from Jacksonville narrates a poignant story involving her young grandson Taylor’s encounter with what seemed to be the spirit of his late grandfather (GPA). While babysitting, Taylor noticed a visible presence in the laundry room, culminating in the child declaring, "my GPA died."

Valerie [11:36]: "Taylor leaned around and looks into the laundry room... he says, my GPA died."

Hayes explores the significance of shared experiences between pets and children, noting the validation provided when both perceive a spirit presence.

4. Lando's Experiences with Pets and Strange Occurrences [15:48]

Lando recounts two mysterious incidents involving his pet cat and unexplained phenomena in his home during his late teens. The first involved his cat reacting aggressively towards an open closet door, hinting at unseen disturbances.

Lando [15:48]: "My girlfriend and I split up... I hear somebody call my name... and three taps at the window."

In a subsequent event, unexplained scratches appeared on his arm, leading to an overwhelming urge to leave the house—a memory that has haunted him since.

Host Reflection [22:30]: Hayes connects Lando's experiences with common pet behaviors in paranormal settings, suggesting that animals may perceive entities invisible to humans.

Derek Hayes [22:30]: "Both the dog and the grandson seem to share in this experience. Instant validation."

5. Mike's Glowing Ball of Light and Florida's UFO Activity [23:55]

Mike shares a striking encounter where he and his family witnessed a glowing ball of light traversing their home, entering his daughter's bathroom.

Mike [23:55]: "I see a ball of light about the size of a softball... it goes completely past us and right through the wall into my kid's room."

Hayes relates Mike’s experience to prevalent UFO sightings in Florida, providing statistical data from the National UFO Reporting Center that ranks Orlando as the city with the highest number of UFO reports.

Derek Hayes [27:44]: "Orlando tops the list with 401 sightings. If you're in one of these cities, you probably ought to get used to looking up when you're outside."

6. Pete's Haunted Theater in Brevard County [29:39]

Valerie (possibly misattributed; likely Pete) from Brevard County describes paranormal activities linked to a relatively new high school theater. Apparitions and unexplained technical glitches are attributed to the ghost of a former theater director who died of cancer.

Pete [29:39]: "The monitor just started freaking out... lights moving out of focus or spinning around... shadows moving in the spotlight booth."

Hayes emphasizes the ubiquitous nature of haunted theaters, appreciating Pete's detailed account of the supernatural occurrences.

7. Alexi's Terrifying Night in Orlando [34:36]

Alexi narrates a nightmarish experience in Orlando where disembodied noises resembling gargoyles descended upon her home while she was alone. This encounter coincided with familial tensions involving her grandparents.

Alexi [34:36]: "I heard this tremendous noise. It sounded like a thousand gargoyles... they descended upon the roof of the house."

Hayes reflects on the possibility of these sounds being related to mythological creatures or otherworldly phenomena, while also noting Mike’s earlier UFO statistics.

8. Megan and Chrissy’s Whispering Experience [44:52]

Megan shares a haunting experience she and her mother Chrissy had during her childhood and pregnancy, respectively. Both encountered whispers in their ears while on the brink of sleep, leaving them terrified and unsettled.

Megan [44:52]: "I could feel the warmth of someone's mouth... a bunch of whispers in my ear."

Hayes speculates whether this could be a form of exploding head syndrome—a benign sleep disorder—but leaves room for paranormal interpretations.

9. Joanna's Encounter with a Disembodied Voice [49:31]

Joanna describes a spine-chilling incident while working as a housekeeper. She heard a woman's voice calling her name throughout a modern, yet acoustically peculiar, home. Despite searching, no one was found until the homeowner intervened with fervent prayers.

Joanna [49:31]: "She said, have you been baptized?... I need you to start praying."

Hayes differentiates this event from typical sleep disorders, affirming its genuine paranormal nature and commending Joanna for her brave account.

Conclusion

Derek Hayes wraps up the episode by reflecting on the diverse and unsettling stories shared by Florida residents. From haunted theaters and UFO sightings to encounters with spirits and mythical beings, Florida's rich tapestry of paranormal activity provides ample material for both skeptics and believers. Hayes invites listeners to continue sharing their own experiences, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to exploring the mysterious and the unexplained.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim [02:44]: "Someone had literally crept up ghillie suit style to within a few feet of us just to fire one round."

• Sarah [07:03]: "He heard singing... and there was a bunch of little people dancing and marching along... colorfully dressed."

• Valerie [11:36]: "Taylor leaned around and looks into the laundry room... he says, my GPA died."

• Mike [23:55]: "I see a ball of light about the size of a softball... it goes completely past us and right through the wall into my kid's room."

• Joanna [49:31]: "She said, have you been baptized?... I need you to start praying."

Final Thoughts

"Sunshine State Scares: Paranormal Tales from Florida" offers a compelling glimpse into the supernatural experiences that permeate one of America's most dynamic states. Through vivid storytelling and firsthand accounts, Derek Hayes effectively captures the essence of Florida's mysterious allure, leaving listeners both intrigued and unsettled.

Stay tuned for more spine-tingling episodes of Monsters Among Us every Saturday evening at 10 PM Eastern on the Unex Digital Network.