Radio Rental - Episode 81 Summary

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Host: Rainn Wilson
Guest Host: Tig Notaro
Production: Tenderfoot TV & Audacy

Introduction

In Episode 81 of Radio Rental, hosted by Rainn Wilson and featuring guest storyteller Tig Notaro, listeners are immersed in chilling real-life horror tales set within the enigmatic confines of the fictional 1980s video rental store, Radio Rental. This episode delves into unsettling encounters with the unknown, blending eerie narratives with moments of dark humor.

Main Stories

1. The Swarming Spiders at the Lake (05:39 - 13:17)

Narrator: Guest Storyteller

The episode opens with a harrowing account of a childhood summer camp experience. The storyteller recalls frequent swimming sessions at a man-made lake, where one fateful day, an ordinary swim transforms into a nightmare.

• Discovery of the Spider Colony: As children relax on a dock after a long swim, the tranquility is shattered when the dock begins to fill with water. Suddenly, hundreds of spider-like creatures emerge from between the boards, overwhelming the swimmers.

  "As I looked around and realized how many spiders were around us in the water and how hard it was to get away from them..." [07:45]

• Panic and Fear: The swarm of spiders induces sheer panic. The storyteller describes the terror of feeling spiders in their hair and the desperate attempts to escape the relentless crawl of the creatures.

  "...long legs going everywhere, climbing over each other. There were several different sizes of spiders amongst the horde..." [09:30]

• Aftermath and Lasting Fear: The incident leaves a lasting impact, transforming the storyteller from someone unafraid of spiders to enduring arachnophobia.

  "I wasn't very afraid of spiders before this incident occurred, but I was arachnophobic for many years after this." [12:50]

Discussion:

Malachi, the anthropomorphic cat and co-host, responds with a blend of humor and dark amusement, highlighting the stark contrast between human and feline perceptions of such horror.

"I would be having a field day batting around all those little spider bodies. Oh man, I love when I find a bug in the corner." [13:10]

2. The Unseen Presence in the Lake (16:21 - 22:15)

Narrator: Payne Lindsay

Shifting from the unsettling swarm of spiders, Payne Lindsay shares a disturbing personal experience involving a possible supernatural encounter at a local lake.

• The Mysterious Touch: While picnicking by the lake, Payne's wife feels something solid beneath the water's surface, revealing what appears to be a human face.

  "When she said she felt that eye socket, she felt that nose. That's what made her sure." [18:30]

• Dismissal and Denial: Despite the alarming discovery, the surrounding crowd remains indifferent, leading Payne and his family to rationalize the experience as a trick of the light or natural debris.

  "We convince ourselves that this was nothing. This was just. This was just nothing." [21:00]

• Confirmation of Horror: Days later, the realization strikes when a newspaper report confirms a body was found in the lake—a body matching what his wife had felt.

  "That's when it comes back like my good. This was real. This was real." [22:00]

Discussion:

Malachi expresses comedic relief juxtaposed with the gravity of Payne's story, emphasizing the perpetual disconnect between human fears and feline simplicity.

"I don't know why humans feel the need to go in water. I just. That that really doesn't resonate with me." [22:05]

Conclusion

Episode 81 of Radio Rental masterfully intertwines spine-tingling narratives with moments of levity, maintaining an engaging balance that keeps listeners on edge while providing brief respites of humor. The stories explored delve deep into the fears of the unknown and the psychological impact of unexplained phenomena, all within the nostalgic and eerie setting of an 80s video rental store.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Spiders at the Lake:

  • "As I looked around and realized how many spiders were around us in the water and how hard it was to get away from them..." [07:45]
  • "I wasn't very afraid of spiders before this incident occurred, but I was arachnophobic for many years after this." [12:50]

• Unseen Presence in the Lake:

  • "When she said she felt that eye socket, she felt that nose. That's what made her sure." [18:30]
  • "That's when it comes back like my good. This was real. This was real." [22:00]

• Malachi's Reactions:

  • "I would be having a field day batting around all those little spider bodies. Oh man, I love when I find a bug in the corner." [13:10]
  • "I don't know why humans feel the need to go in water. I just. That that really doesn't resonate with me." [22:05]

Stay tuned for more chilling tales and eerie encounters on the next episode of Radio Rental. For exclusive merchandise and updates, visit Shop Tenderfoot TV.