Otherworld Podcast Episode 124: "Off Trail"

Release Date: May 26, 2025 | Host: Jack Wagner

Introduction

In Episode 124 of Otherworld, titled "Off Trail," host Jack Wagner delves into two spine-chilling real-life accounts of paranormal encounters experienced by individuals during hikes with their former partners. While the incidents themselves differ, both stories share subtle similarities, including the setting of wooded trails and the presence of ex-relationships, which create an added layer of emotional complexity to the experiences.

Sean's Paranormal Hiking Experience

Background: Sean, a 26-year-old from Studio City, California, originally hailing from Manorville, Long Island, shares his unsettling encounter that transpired between late 2019 and early 2020. Manorville, known as the "gateway to the Hamptons," is characterized by its semi-rural environment with expansive pine barrens and sparse developments, fostering numerous hiking trails frequented during Sean's childhood.

The Encounter: Sean recounts a post-Thanksgiving meeting with his long-term girlfriend, with whom he had recently broken up. They decided to spend time together, leading to a late-night conversation that extended into several hours in Sean's brother's car. The following day, Sean agreed to join his ex-girlfriend, Delaney, for a hike at the Wertheim Nature Preserve in Shirley. Despite an eerie feeling lingering from the previous day, Sean proceeded with the hike.

The Phenomenon: Around 3 PM, as twilight approached, Sean and Delaney embarked on the trail. Halfway through, Delaney noticed an inexplicable humanoid figure—a tall, luminescent, bipedal form—that darted silently through the woods. The entity's erratic movements and stark white appearance contrasted sharply with the surrounding environment, creating a surreal and terrifying sight.

Notable Quotes:

• Sean at [02:17]: "Everybody moves back into the light, even if it takes them a second."
• Sean at [28:13]: "It didn’t look translucent. It was almost too solid."

Immediate Aftermath: Frozen in fear, the couple watched as the figure vanished into the woods. The experience left them feeling hunted and vulnerable, prompting an urgent and frenzied escape from the trail. The ordeal profoundly affected Sean, leading him to relocate to Los Angeles and avoid similar environments.

Confirmation from Sean's Ex-Girlfriend

Jack Wagner reached out to Sean's ex-girlfriend to gain further insights into the incident. Though she opted out of appearing on the podcast, she corroborated Sean's account of witnessing the mysterious orb-like entity. She expressed a desire to move past the event, mirroring Sean's sentiments and lending additional credibility to his experience.

Notable Quote:

• Ex-Girlfriend at [31:53]: "She confirmed Sean's versions of events with this orb that they saw. She told me that she essentially hopes to put all of this behind her and that she hopes that Sean does as well."

Delaney's Paranormal Hiking Experience

Background: Delaney, a 24-year-old from Oklahoma City, recounts her own eerie encounter during a nighttime hike with her then-boyfriend at Lake Thunderbird, an area locally known as "Dirty Bird." An avid hiker encouraged by her boyfriend, who was an Eagle Scout, Delaney felt an inexplicable calmness before their venture into the dense, marked trails.

The Encounter: On August 21, 2020, as twilight deepened, Delaney and her boyfriend ventured into the woods. Approximately 30 yards into the trail, they encountered a tall, slender humanoid figure with disproportionate limbs and a lack of facial features. The entity's presence induced a primal fear, compelling them to flee the area rapidly. Delaney's boyfriend attempted to maintain calm to avoid escalating the situation, but the overwhelming dread persisted long after their escape.

Notable Quotes:

• Delaney at [33:21]: "It felt like, I'm prey now. That's what went through my head."
• Delaney at [54:31]: "I felt like something was watching me."

Immediate Aftermath: The traumatic experience led to prolonged anxiety and nightmares for Delaney. Attempts to discuss the event with her boyfriend were met with denial, eventually contributing to the end of their relationship. Seeking closure, Delaney shared her story with her father, Michael Wilder.

Confirmation from Michael Wilder

Michael Wilder, Delaney's father and a long-time resident of Oklahoma, provided an additional perspective on the strange occurrences at Lake Thunderbird. On the same evening as Delaney's hike, Michael experienced a similar paranormal event. While parking his truck near the trail's edge, he observed a rapidly moving dark figure that defied natural explanation.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Wilder at [54:31]: "I felt like I was being stalked, kind of like a wolf would stalk its prey."
• Michael Wilder at [62:28]: "The duality of the situation, the way that we had the dual experiences, really has made me more of a believer that there might be things we can't explain."

Details of Michael's Experience: Michael describes seeing a dark, humanoid figure moving unnaturally swiftly across the trail. Unlike any known animal or human, the entity's movement lacked rhythm and normal gait, further intensifying the surreal nature of the encounter. The simultaneous experiences shared by both Delaney and Michael suggest a compelling pattern that challenges rational explanation.

Conclusion

Episode 124 of Otherworld masterfully weaves together two haunting narratives of paranormal encounters during hikes with ex-partners. The corroborative testimonies from Sean's ex-girlfriend and Delaney's father, Michael Wilder, add depth and credibility to the unsettling experiences shared by Sean and Delaney. These stories not only highlight the mysterious phenomena that can occur in secluded natural settings but also explore the profound psychological impacts such encounters have on individuals.

Key Takeaways:

• Shared paranormal experiences among multiple witnesses can strengthen the credibility of the accounts.
• The emotional dynamics of ex-relationships add complexity to the interpretation of these encounters.
• Such experiences can lead to lasting psychological effects, including anxiety and shifts in personal beliefs.

Otherworld continues to shed light on the unexplained, inviting listeners to ponder the mysteries that lie beyond the known.

Notable Quotes Referenced:

• Sean at [02:17]: "Everybody moves back into the light, even if it takes them a second."
• Sean at [28:13]: "It didn’t look translucent. It was almost too solid."
• Ex-Girlfriend at [31:53]: "She confirmed Sean's versions of events with this orb that they saw."
• Delaney at [33:21]: "It felt like, I'm prey now. That's what went through my head."
• Delaney at [54:31]: "I felt like something was watching me."
• Michael Wilder at [54:31]: "I felt like I was being stalked, kind of like a wolf would stalk its prey."
• Michael Wilder at [62:28]: "The duality of the situation, the way that we had the dual experiences, really has made me more of a believer that there might be things we can't explain."

For more intriguing paranormal stories and unexplained mysteries, subscribe to Otherworld and join Jack Wagner on his quest to uncover the world's biggest enigmas.