Sightings Podcast Episode Summary: "Alexa Haunting: Michigan, 2024"

Release Date: December 16, 2024
Host: McLeod Andrews & Brian Sigley
Produced by REVERB | QCODE

Introduction

In the December 16, 2024 episode of Sightings, hosts McLeod Andrews and Eileen delve into chilling supernatural experiences shared by listeners. Moving beyond the usual tales, this episode focuses on personal encounters with the paranormal, presenting three spine-tingling stories that explore haunted homes, mysterious creatures, and unexplained maritime phenomena.

Story 1: The Haunted House in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Narrated by Eileen (Transcript Timestamp: 04:07 - 14:41)

Eileen recounts a harrowing experience of purchasing a seemingly perfect house in Grand Rapids with her family. Initially thrilled by the home's features—such as a grand wooden staircase and a window seat that made her daughter Amy feel like a princess—the family soon encountered unexplainable disturbances.

Key Events:

• Electrical Anomalies: "the kitchen lights would dim for no reason, then come back up" (05:59)
• Poltergeist Activity: Unwilling to ignore the escalating events, Eileen describes the TV turning on by itself to static and doors opening and closing autonomously.
• Whispers and Electronic Failures: "the Alexa said to me, I see you" (11:18), accompanied by mysterious childlike laughter captured on recordings.
• Paranormal Cleansing Gone Wrong: A friend’s attempt to cleanse the house with sage exacerbated the disturbances, leading to erratic electronic behavior.

Conclusion: Faced with undeniable supernatural activity, Eileen and her family decided to leave the house, abandoning their smart home devices in favor of simpler, non-digital solutions. The severity of the haunting led to their relocation, highlighting the profound impact of living with unexplained phenomena.

Notable Quote: "Whatever was in our house didn't like that [cleansing] very much because every single electronic device we owned went crazy." – Eileen (11:18)

Story 2: The Enigmatic Elk and the 15-Foot Creature in Colorado

Narrated by Kyle (Transcript Timestamp: 16:50 - 37:12)

Kyle, an ecologist from Oregon, shares his unsettling winter research experience in Colorado. While conducting fieldwork in a remote cabin, Kyle encounters peculiar wildlife behavior and a mysterious, towering presence in the forest.

Key Events:

• Unusual Elk Behavior: "the elk's stance was unnaturally rigid, like a taxidermy mount" (18:19). The elk's haunting gaze and stillness unnerved Kyle, differing from typical wildlife behavior.
• Appearance of a 15-Foot Creature: Kyle describes seeing a massive, fluid-moving shadow in the woods, significantly larger than any known animal in the area.
• Violent Attacks on the Cabin: "the entire cabin shuddered as something rammed the north wall" (22:03). These attacks left no physical evidence, such as footprints or damage to the snow, deepening the mystery.
• Bermuda Triangle Connection: The incident occurred near the Bermuda Triangle, suggesting a link to other unexplained maritime and aerial phenomena.

Conclusion: After enduring multiple nights of aggression from an unseen entity, Kyle abandoned his research, forever haunted by the lack of explanations for the events. The absence of physical traces left him questioning the nature of the creature, pondering whether it was a forest spirit or something far more sinister.

Notable Quote: "Whatever had attacked hadn't left a single track." – Kyle (23:03)

Story 3: The Solo Sailor's Caribbean Nightmare

Narrated by Mark (Transcript Timestamp: 28:15 - 37:12)

Mark from Boston recounts his solitary sailing journey around the Caribbean in the late 1990s, during a tumultuous period in his personal life. Seeking solace and a fresh start after a failed marriage, Mark's voyage becomes a nightmarish encounter with unexplained phenomena.

Key Events:

• Encounter with Strange Lights: "I saw something that wasn't a satellite, plane, or star" (30:35). The lights exhibited erratic movements, including zigzags and sudden disappearances.
• Persistent Following: The mysterious light appeared to monitor Mark's vessel, adjusting its distance despite changes in course.
• Final Confrontation: On the third night, unable to tolerate the pursuit, Mark chased the light, only to experience disorienting phenomena.
• Unexplained Relocation: After consuming rum to calm his nerves, Mark awoke the next morning in his dinghy—stranded 15 miles from his intended location with no recollection of how he got there.

Conclusion: Mark's abrupt and inexplicable displacement highlights the mysterious powers lurking in the Caribbean waters, possibly linked to the infamous Bermuda Triangle. The experience left him with lingering questions about the nature of his encounter and its implications on his understanding of reality.

Notable Quote: "I was either going to figure out what this thing was or go nuts trying." – Mark (35:15)

Hosts' Reflections and Discussion

Following the listener stories, McLeod and Eileen engage in a thoughtful discussion, analyzing the shared experiences:

• Technological Supernatural Interference: Eileen reflects on how modern technology, like Alexa devices, can become conduits for paranormal activity, as seen in the Grand Rapids case.

• Possible Explanations for Unseen Entities: The hosts ponder mythological beings like the Wendigo and the concept of forest spirits that can manipulate or manifest through animals and natural phenomena.

• Bermuda Triangle Mysteries: Highlighting Mark's story, they consider the Bermuda Triangle's notorious reputation for unexplained disappearances and anomalies, suggesting it as a potential backdrop for supernatural activities.

Notable Quotes:

• "This is insane." – McLeod Andrews (13:22)
• "It's never knowing if something actually happened to him and maybe he'll never know." – Eileen (36:27)

Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode concludes, McLeod and Eileen encourage listeners to share their own supernatural experiences. Emphasizing the show's commitment to uncovering unique and terrifying stories, they invite the audience to contribute, promising to feature the most compelling accounts in future episodes.

Final Thoughts:

• "We love sharing these unique things that, to our knowledge, have never been shared before with anyone or on a podcast at least." – Eileen (37:12)
• "You can continue emotionally draining me." – McLeod Andrews (38:18)

Production Credits

• Hosts: McLeod Andrews & Eileen
• Producers: Brian Sigley, Chase Kinzer, McLeod Andrews
• Music: Mitch Bain
• Mixing and Mastering: Pat Kickliter of Sundial Media
• Artwork: Nuno Cernatos
• Presented by: Reverb and QCODE

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow supernatural enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more mysterious tales next week!