Monsters Among Us
Season 6, Episode 5: "Sn. 6 Ep. 5 - I’m back!"
Host: Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios
Release Date: September 13, 2018

Introduction and Host Update

In the opening segment of Season 6, Episode 5, host Derek Hayes extends a heartfelt apology to his listeners for the recent hiatus. He explains that unforeseen personal circumstances, including a major vehicle breakdown and family commitments in Ohio, prevented him from releasing episodes as scheduled.

"I was supposed to have released a couple of episodes the past two weeks, but a couple things happened that pretty much made that impossible."
— Derek Hayes [01:00]

Derek recounts the ordeal with his 2013 Kia Sportage, which suffered an engine seizure—a known issue under a class of recalls not initially applied to his vehicle. His struggle with Kia’s customer service led him to seek legal action, highlighting significant frustration:

"If you own a Kia, I highly recommend you get rid of it. Not only is the vehicle unsafe... but their customer service is downright abysmal."
— Derek Hayes [04:30]

Despite these setbacks, Derek remains optimistic, hinting at upcoming content related to his visit to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and teasing exclusive Patreon footage.

Listener Story 1: Mickey's Trampoline Incident

The first call comes from Mickey of Springfield, Oregon, sharing a disturbing childhood experience involving a trampoline accident that led to unexplained missing time.

"I felt a jerk in my midsection. And at the same time I blacked out. And I never hit that I know of."
— Mickey [06:58]

Mickey describes practicing a triple front flip when she unexpectedly blacked out mid-air, only to find herself 20 feet away from the trampoline with no injuries but an hour and a half of missing time. Derek speculates on possible adrenaline responses but also draws parallels to other paranormal accounts, enriching the discussion with related anecdotes.

"There's just something about these kind of stories that makes it seem like there's some sort of invisible protector helping at least a few of us."
— Derek Hayes [10:14]

Listener Story 2: Isaac's Paranormal Childhood Encounter

Next, Isaac from Florida recounts a terrifying childhood incident where his He-Man action figure seemingly moved on its own, indicating a demonic presence.

"The eyes came out on the stems two more times, like real quick. They popped out and came in and popped out again."
— Isaac [14:30]

Isaac details waking up at 8 years old to witness his toy's lifelike movements, attributing the experience to spiritual warfare influenced by his Pentecostal minister mother. Derek connects this to similar experiences shared by other listeners, emphasizing the recurring theme of unseen forces interacting with individuals.

"This also reminds me of a story... a listener described seeing her cabbage Patch doll walking and eating an entire sandwich."
— Derek Hayes [15:08]

Listener Story 3: Keith's Grandfather's Passing and Afterlife Sightings

Keith from New Jersey shares two poignant stories surrounding the passing of his grandfather. The first involves his grandfather regaining lucidity in his final moments, speaking of a mysterious bus arrival before passing away.

"He said, 'A bus just came for me... so we had to drop off the other passengers before he came back to pick me up.'"
— Keith [18:11]

Months later, Keith recounts seeing a spectral version of his grandfather in a barbershop window, an encounter shared by his entire family, lending credibility to the experience.

"He was just staring at the large window, which basically took up the entire front wall of the barber shop, staring right out into the street."
— Keith [22:45]

Derek offers a scientific perspective, suggesting possible hallucinations but acknowledges the emotional weight and credibility of Keith's collective family experience.

"But the fact that your entire family witnessed this guy offers a good bit of credibility to the story."
— Derek Hayes [25:11]

Listener Story 4: Jen's Idaho Camping Nightmare

The final and most extensive story is from Jen of Washington, detailing a harrowing camping trip to Idaho that turned into a surreal nightmare filled with eerie encounters and inexplicable phenomena.

"It felt like a weird Stephen King movie... like all body language, and everybody was kind of like approaching slowly like some weird zombie movie."
— Jen [29:28]

Jen describes arriving at a bizarre lodge during a hot Fourth of July weekend, where interactions with the staff felt unnatural and intensely personal. The experience escalates as her husband, Justin, encounters a translucent presence while exploring a restroom area, leading to a frantic and fearful escape with their children.

"I felt like we went to like some type of weird government place or something that we weren't supposed to the whole way home."
— Jen [43:06]

Derek reflects on Jen and Justin's accounts, urging listeners to revisit previous episodes for a comprehensive understanding and offering his insights into the depths of their terrifying experience.

"It's downright amazing to hear the other side of this story."
— Derek Hayes [43:06]

Additional Content and Promotions

Throughout the episode, Derek intersperses listener stories with personal anecdotes and promotions:

• Cryptic Con Event: Derek shares his positive experience at a public speaking event, mentioning interactions with notable figures like Travis Walton and Linda Godfrey.

• Documentary Promotion: He endorses Seth Breedlove's Bray Road Beast documentary, praising its portrayal of the Dogman of Wisconsin and the Beast of Bray Road.

• Podcast Recommendation: Derek highlights Bloody Murder, a true crime podcast by Barney Black and Tara Saraban from Australia, commending its blend of dark humor and serious content.

"Make Monsters Among Us look good and check them out today. You won't regret it."
— Derek Hayes [28:44]

Conclusion

In a candid and engaging episode, Derek Hayes navigates personal challenges while delivering compelling paranormal stories from his listeners. Each narrative delves into unexplained phenomena, from childhood encounters with demonic presences to afterlife sightings and unsettling camping experiences. Derek's thoughtful commentary and relatable insights enhance the listeners' immersion, making this episode a must-listen for those fascinated by the unknown.

"Thank you all for listening. And until next week."
— Derek Hayes [43:06]

Produced by: Derek Hayes
Additional Support: Addie Lloyd & Warren Pon Abbott
Music: Mayu & Coag Music

For more spine-chilling tales and supernatural insights, subscribe to Monsters Among Us on your preferred podcast platform.