Crossing the Line [Patreon Preview] - Otherworld

Summary3 min read

Otherworld Podcast Summary

Episode: Crossing the Line [Patreon Preview]
Host: Jack Wagner
Release Date: May 29, 2025

Introduction to the Bonus Episode

In the "Crossing the Line [Patreon Preview]" episode of Otherworld, host Jack Wagner delves into a particularly intriguing and unsettling story submitted by a listener. This bonus episode showcases the unique content available to Patreon supporters, highlighting the show's commitment to exploring mysterious and paranormal experiences.

“Sometimes when an email is like that, it only makes me even more curious about it and I just have to find out for myself.”
— Jack Wagner [00:00]

The Bizarre Email Story

Jack introduces the episode by recounting the email he received from a woman who claimed that a man had allegedly melted her engagement ring using his mind. Initially skeptical, Jack's journalistic curiosity drives him to explore the validity and details of this extraordinary claim.

“It was one of those emails where I was like, man, the person sending this might be completely unhinged.”
— Jack Wagner [00:00]

Setting the Scene: UC Berkeley in the Early 90s

The story unfolds at the University of California, Berkeley Library during the early 1990s. The woman, whose name remains undisclosed, was employed at the library when she encountered the enigmatic stranger. UC Berkeley serves as a historical and academic backdrop, adding layers of context to the unfolding mystery.

The Encounter at the Library

The core of the narrative revolves around an unusual interaction between the woman and a stranger at the library. She describes approaching him, only to be met with perplexing and eerie responses.

“I say to him, you know, like, how do you know my name? And he doesn't answer that question...”
— Narrator [02:22]

The Stranger's Unsettling Behavior

The stranger's behavior is a blend of the unnerving and the pitiable. Despite lacking any overt hostility, his demeanor and statements unsettle the woman. He expresses a desperate desire for friendship, which contrasts sharply with his inexplicable abilities and odd comments.

“I pray to God every day you will be my friend.”
— Stranger [02:22]

Mixed Feelings: Fear and Sympathy

The woman grapples with conflicting emotions—feeling both creeped out and sympathetic towards the stranger. His nervousness and inability to make direct eye contact heighten the sense of unease, yet his vulnerability evokes empathy.

“I'm torn right now. I don't know whether to be creeped out or just want to help him more.”
— Narrator [02:22]

Creepy Statements with Unusual Behavior

The stranger makes several offbeat remarks that add to the mysterious atmosphere. He mentions being reminded of a younger girl and boasts about his mathematical prowess in a way that feels disconcerting due to his intense delivery.

“I like you because you remind me of a girl of 15, 16 who looks like a hippie.”
— Stranger [02:22]

“Oh, and I'm really good at math.”
— Stranger [05:18]

These statements, particularly his fixation on math, suggest there may be more to his character than meets the eye, hinting at possible supernatural or psychological elements at play.

Invitation to Listen to the Full Episode on Patreon

Jack concludes the preview by encouraging listeners to subscribe to Patreon to access the full, detailed account of this mysterious encounter. This teaser sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the phenomena and the individuals involved.

“If you want to hear the full story. It's available now @patreon.com/Otherworld.”
— Jack Wagner [05:18]

Conclusion:
"Crossing the Line [Patreon Preview]" offers a tantalizing glimpse into a story that straddles the line between the unexplained and the deeply personal. Jack Wagner's open-minded and investigative approach invites listeners to ponder the boundaries of reality and human experience. For those intrigued by tales of the paranormal and the mysterious, subscribing to Otherworld on Patreon promises access to compelling and thought-provoking narratives.

Join the Conversation:
To explore the complete story of this eerie encounter and other fascinating mysteries, subscribe to Otherworld on Patreon at patreon.com/Otherworld.

Loading summary

Transcript3 lines

[00:00]
A
Foreign. Welcome to the Otherworld, Patreon. I'm your host, Jack Wagner. This bonus episode is one that I'm very excited about. When I got the email for the story, I honestly did not know what to make of was a woman who said she believes that a guy melted her engagement ring with his mind. It was one of those emails where I was like, man, the person sending this might be completely unhinged. And even if they aren't, it's still just such a bizarre type of story. It just might not be one that ends up working for the show. But sometimes when an email is like that, it only makes me even more curious about it and I just have to go find out for myself. And that's what I did with this one. I was like, I'm just gonna record this for Patreon and see how it goes. I love having the Patreon to be able to do stories like this, ones that even. I'm not sure what's gonna happen. And I'm always curious to see what people think of them. It turns out the person who sent me this email was super down to earth. And they were a great storyteller. She's also had a very unique life. The story takes place at UC Berkeley, and the story is about a time back in the early 90s when she was working at the UC Berkeley Library and she encountered a stranger who may or may not have caused some super strange things to occur. This is going to be a short preview if you want to hear the full episode. It's out now on Patreon. You could sign up@patreon.com Otherworld this episode is called Crossing the Line, and you're listening to the Otherworld Patreon.
[02:22]
B
Anyway, I say to him, you know, like, how do you know my name? And he doesn't answer that question, but what he says is, I pray to God every day you will be my friend. And that creeped me out. I'm not a religious person personally, but just a little strange. But I also felt a lot of, you know, sympathy for him if he's someone who needs to pray for friends. So I'm like, kind of torn right now. I don't know whether to be creeped out or just, like, know want to help him more. He's still, like, you know, looking downward. He's. He's like, very intermittently sort of looking up with a quick glance but not making eye contact with me. He's nervous, shuffling a lot. Seems really sort of uncomfortable and nervous. I'm torn. I'm like, kind of creeped out, but I'm feeling sorry for him too. And I. I also don't want to, like, judge him for being super religious. So I'm just like, okay, let's just put that aside for now and, like, find out more about, like, if I can help him. He. He said he wants to be my friend, and so, okay, let's just understand this a little bit more. I. I ask him, like, you know, what's your name? And he tells. And he goes, I like you. I'll never forget this wording. He goes, I like you because you remind me of a girl of 15, 16 who looks like a hippie. It's like everything that he says is really from out of left field number one. I didn't look like a girl of 15 or 16. I looked like a, you know, a woman of 20, mid-20s. And I didn't look like a hippie either. I mean, I would just describe myself as pretty, like, standard, normal dress. But also, that was, like, a creepy thing to say. Like, why would you like a girl of 15 or 16 if you're a student in college? But then the next thing he says is the thing that actually creeps me out, even though it's actually the most normal thing that he said. And that's because of the way that he said it. He goes, oh, and I'm really good at math. And I'm like, oh, well, that's really cool. You know, Great. And he's like, no, you don't understand. And now he's looking at me in the eyes. I'm really good at math.
[05:18]
A
All right. Like I said, this is just a short preview. If you want to hear the full story. It's available now@patreon.com otherworld.