Podcast Summary: Morbid
Episode 676: Listener Tales 98: Witches!
Release Date: May 29, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 676 of Morbid, titled "Listener Tales 98: Witches!", hosts Ash and Elena delve into a series of spine-chilling stories submitted by listeners. Embracing the theme of witchcraft and exorcism, the episode weaves together personal testimonies of supernatural encounters, curses, and manifestations. The hosts infuse the narratives with their signature blend of thorough research and lighthearted humor, creating an engaging experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Hosts' Introduction and Thematic Setup
The episode opens with Ash and Elena donning costumes inspired by the film The Craft, setting a spooky ambiance for the tales to follow.
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Ash (00:00 – 03:00): Briefly mentions the podcast's sponsors and shares humorous interactions about their costumes.
“We dress up. And today we're dressed up like people from The Craft.” — Ash [03:16]
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Elena (02:28 – 03:00): Apologizes playfully for any hiccups during the introduction, adding to the lighthearted tone.
Listener Tale 1: "I'm Spooky AF Witchcraft and Exorcism"
Narrator: Jean, a 27-year-old from the Philippines living in the Middle East, recounts her harrowing experience with witchcraft and exorcism.
Story Overview
Jean's family, consisting of her siblings, cousins, and grandparents, resides on a secluded farm next to a cemetery. Their peaceful yet eerie environment becomes the backdrop for a terrifying ordeal when her cousin Anna arrives sick with unexplained symptoms. Believing Anna to be the victim of kulam (Filipino witchcraft), the family consults traditional healers who confirm the curse was placed by a relative of Anna's stepmother.
Key Events
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Anna's Arrival and Symptoms (07:15 – 08:15)
- Anna arrives pale and frail, exhibiting severe physical symptoms.
- Family believes black magic is the cause after a fight with her stepmother.
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Exorcism Rituals (11:12 – 13:10)
- Healers perform rituals involving candles, smoke, and holy water.
- Anna experiences possession, speaking in an old woman's voice threatening harm.
“Anna began to move strangely. Her body stiff, her voice completely changing.” — Jean [12:27]
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Escalation and Possession (16:37 – 19:24)
- Additional rituals fail to contain the evil spirit.
- Possession spreads to Anna's sister, leading to violent outbursts.
- The family faces increased paranormal activity and physical manifestations of the curse.
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Anna's Death and Aftermath (19:34 – 22:17)
- Anna is hospitalized but succumbs to her ailments before a definitive diagnosis is made.
- Her wake reveals a transformed visage resembling her stepmother, deepening the family's trauma.
- Jean reflects on the lingering presence of the curse even after Anna's passing.
“The face you're seeing isn't hers. It's the face of the stepmother.” — Healer [21:58]
Hosts' Reactions
Ash and Elena react with shock and empathy, highlighting the story's emotional and supernatural elements.
“I have full chills right now. Like I have. I read this before and I have chills.” — Elena [21:38]
Listener Tale 2: "Yeet. A Witch Cursed Me."
Narrator: Brianna shares her personal battle with curses that manifest in her physical health, linking her sufferings to witchcraft.
Story Overview
Brianna describes a traumatic event where she and her friends disturb an old wooden box containing eerie items. Upon tampering with the box, Brianna begins experiencing severe health issues, diagnosed later as multiple sclerosis. She connects these ailments to a curse placed upon her, attributing her symptoms to witchcraft influenced by her interactions with the mystical box.
Key Events
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Discovery of the Cursed Box (23:32 – 24:18)
- Brianna and friends find a box with ominous contents near a river.
- Upon touching the key, Brianna starts experiencing nightmares and physical ailments.
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Manifestation of Illness (35:02 – 37:00)
- Brianna develops multiple sclerosis-like symptoms, which she believes are the curse's effects.
- Her dreams become terrorizing, reinforcing her belief in the curse's reality.
“Every wound she gave herself, I carry them now.” — Brianna [36:51]
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Impact on Daily Life (37:00 – 38:40)
- Despite seeking medical help, Brianna struggles with depression, anxiety, and memory loss.
- She shares her hope that the curse will no longer haunt her as she manages her health issues.
Hosts' Reactions
Ash and Elena express sympathy and relate to the story's emotional depth, emphasizing the real-life impact of such supernatural encounters.
“That was so scary.” — Ash [35:34]
“I saw all of that. And I want to unsee it, please.” — Elena [38:32]
Listener Tale 3: "I Manifested a Whole Cat"
Narrator: Danae recounts her experience with witchcraft and manifestation leading to the appearance of her cat, Mars.
Story Overview
After the loss of her beloved cat Loki, Danae turns to her nascent witchy practices to manifest a new pet. Despite initial resistance from her fiancé, her persistence through spells and rituals culminates in the appearance of Mars, a cat who seems determined to stay with her. Danae details the mystical signs that confirmed Mars' identity as her manifesting cat and the challenges she faced in convincing her fiancé to keep the cat.
Key Events
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Loss of Loki and Decision to Manifest (39:00 – 41:33)
- Devastated by Loki's disappearance, Danae decides to use witchcraft to bring a new cat into her life.
- She performs a basic spell, burning bay leaves and setting ashes to manifest her desired outcome.
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Encounter with Mars (41:34 – 48:35)
- A stray black cat appears at her doorstep under mysterious circumstances.
- Danae's intuition and witchy senses affirm that Mars is her manifested cat.
- Despite initial skepticism from her fiancé, Mars proves to be a persistent and affectionate presence.
“She couldn't have kittens because she was already fixed. And sadly, in fact, she did have tapeworms.” — Danae [48:10]
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Integration into Family (48:36 – 49:10)
- Mars becomes a cherished member of the family, bringing joy and companionship despite her initial struggles.
Hosts' Reactions
Ash and Elena celebrate Danae's successful manifestation with enthusiasm, highlighting the positive outcome of her witchcraft journey.
“Mars is so cute.” — Elena [49:07]
“You did.” — Elena [48:32]
Listener Tale 4: "My Mom's a Witch"
Narrator: Gigi narrates her unsettling experience with a protective jar given by her mother, leading to mysterious burns.
Story Overview
Gigi, a veterinary technician student, receives a protective jar from her empathic mother just before moving for college. Ignoring her mother's instructions, Gigi allows a friend to touch the jar, triggering a curse that manifests as burns on her chest. Following her mother's guidance only after the incident helps alleviate the supernatural effects, reinforcing the power of her mother's witchcraft.
Key Events
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Receiving the Protective Jar (49:40 – 51:08)
- Gigi's mother gifts her a mason jar filled with protective items, instructing her to keep it in her car.
- A friend accidentally touches the jar, prompting Gigi to contact her mother for help.
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Manifestation of the Curse (52:04 – 54:00)
- Gigi awakens with burns resembling oil splatters across her chest, a direct result of the curse.
- Realizing her mistake, she follows her mother's instructions to remove the curse, which successfully heals her wounds.
“The next day, the burns were gone. Your mama's a powerful bruja.” — Elena [54:28]
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Lessons Learned (54:00 – 55:15)
- Gigi shares the importance of respecting her mother's protective measures and the real consequences of meddling with witchcraft.
Hosts' Reactions
Ash and Elena reflect on the story's moral, emphasizing the importance of heeding spiritual guidance to avoid supernatural repercussions.
“That's worthy. You don't listen to your bruja of a mama.” — Ash [55:09]
Conclusion
In this episode of Morbid, Ash and Elena explore the dark and mysterious world of witchcraft through their listeners' personal stories. Each tale underscores the potent blend of fear, belief, and the supernatural, leaving listeners both entertained and unsettled. The hosts adeptly balance the eerie narratives with their witty banter, ensuring an engaging and memorable experience.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Ash [03:16]: “We dress up. And today we're dressed up like people from The Craft.”
- Jean [12:27]: “Anna began to move strangely. Her body stiff, her voice completely changing.”
- Healer [21:58]: “The face you're seeing isn't hers. It's the face of the stepmother.”
- Brianna [36:51]: “Every wound she gave herself, I carry them now.”
- Elena [38:32]: “I saw all of that. And I want to unsee it, please.”
- Danae [48:10]: “She couldn't have kittens because she was already fixed. And sadly, in fact, she did have tapeworms.”
- Elena [49:07]: “Mars is so cute.”
- Elena [54:28]: “The next day, the burns were gone. Your mama's a powerful bruja.”
- Ash [55:09]: “That's worthy. You don't listen to your bruja of a mama.”
Final Thoughts
Episode 676 of Morbid masterfully intertwines personal horror stories with supernatural elements, providing listeners with a captivating exploration of witchcraft's impact on real lives. Ash and Elena's dynamic hosting ensures that each tale is both haunting and relatable, making this episode a standout in the true crime and spooky history genre.