Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth Episode #68 – Sharing Our Paranormal Encounters

Release Date: October 28, 2024

Hosts:

• Shayne Topp (Shane)
• Amanda Lehan-Canto (Amanda)
• Tommy Bo

1. Halloween Preparations and Costume Discussions (00:01 – 05:35)

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their trademark playful banter, discussing everything from vampire-themed cereals to their impending Halloween festivities. As Halloween approaches, Amanda expresses her excitement about the spooky atmosphere they're creating, mentioning props like candles, tarot cards, old books, cobwebs, and a fog machine.

Shane shares his and Courtney's meticulously planned costumes: Ryan Gosling from Blade Runner 2049, complete with a hologram scene setup. Amanda contemplates various costume ideas, including iconic 90s characters like Harrison Ford and Wonder Woman, ultimately reflecting on the blend of comfort and recognition in her costume choices.

Notable Quote:

Amanda [01:15]: "I don't have a Halloween costume, which is actually a crime and a horror in my book because I always plan out my costumes."

2. Transition to Paranormal Encounters (05:35 – 05:45)

With the stage set for a spooky season, the hosts announce that the episode will delve into ghost stories and paranormal experiences shared by their friends and colleagues at Smosh. Shane notes, "almost most people here at this job have ghost stories," setting the tone for the eerie tales to follow.

3. Guest Story: Chance’s Paranormal Apartment Experience (08:03 – 24:15)

Chance, a recurring guest on the podcast, recounts his unsettling experiences while living in an apartment in North Hollywood. Over several years, he sensed a female presence, hearing unexplained sounds like a garbage can lid swinging and feeling a figure on the stairs. The climax of his story occurs one night when multiple paranormal activities converge:

• Rattling Sounds: Chance describes hearing intense rattling from the AC system, leading him to contact his roommate, who confirmed experiencing the same noises.

• Physical Manifestations: The following day, during a cleansing ritual with Palo Santo and Sage, chaos ensues with objects falling and breaking, culminating in the apparent expulsion of the ghost.

Notable Quotes:

Chance [11:07]: "So, yeah, Amanda, our first guest to tell us his actual ghost story is Tommy Bo."

Amanda [13:24]: "Nighttime, scary time."

Shane [17:16]: "Or was it just like."

Chance [17:58]: "After the feeling was gone. After that, did you look up?"

4. Guest Story: Noah’s High-Induced Paranormal Encounter (27:31 – 43:54)

Noah shares a bizarre and intense encounter that occurred after consuming an exorbitant dose of a marijuana-infused brownie (1000 mg). The potent dosage led to severe hallucinations, blurring the lines between reality and his altered state:

• Paranormal Apparitions: While under the influence, Noah felt the presence of both a ghost and an alien in his room. He describes attempted confrontations, heightened fear, and physical sensations that made the experience feel overwhelmingly real.

• Climactic Moment: As Noah attempted a "surprise attack" on the perceived intruders, the door violently slammed shut. Amidst panic, he experiences what feels like a standoff between the ghost and alien, ultimately passing out from an anxiety attack.

Notable Quotes:

Noah [29:20]: "So, yeah, Amanda, our second guest to tell us his actual ghost story is Noah."

Noah [33:23]: "I was like, Ghost is gonna kill me, whoever they are. And I. At this point, I accept it."

Amanda [38:00]: "No, the dog there. He showed up on my porch."

5. Guest Story: Tommy Bo’s Haunted Civil War Plantation and Meth Lab (45:16 – 63:20)

Tommy Bo narrates his chilling experiences related to haunted sites in Franklin, Tennessee, a region steeped in Civil War history:

• Childhood Encounters: During school field trips to the Carter Plantation, Tommy and his classmates witnessed apparitions, leading to unexplained phenomena like objects moving without cause.

• Senior Year Adventure: Driven by curiosity and teenage bravado, Tommy and his friends decided to explore the supposedly haunted plantation at night. Their late-night venture was fraught with eerie sounds and an inexplicable sighting of a chicken perched impossibly high on a pole. Shortly after fleeing the site in terror, they discovered the building had been used as a meth lab, adding a sinister layer to their ghostly encounters.

Notable Quotes:

Tommy Bo [46:27]: "So, yeah, Franklin, Tennessee, just so much, like, unended suffering that is, like, going on into the afterlife, I think, is what's going on there."

Shane [50:02]: "Wow."

Tommy Bo [52:55]: "How did that chicken get on that pole?"

6. Conclusion and Teasers for Upcoming Content (63:20 – End)

As the episode draws to a close, Shane and Amanda tease their own paranormal experiences, hinting at a special Halloween episode featuring their overnight ghost-hunting adventure at the Smosh studio. They encourage listeners to tune in to Smosh Pit on Halloween for more spine-tingling stories and investigations.

Notable Quotes:

Shane [64:17]: "We're going to have a ghost story of our own that you will be able to see on Halloween on Smosh Pit."

Amanda [64:54]: "Don't get ghosted."

Key Insights and Themes:

• Belief vs. Skepticism: The hosts and guests navigate their varying beliefs in the paranormal, balancing skepticism with personal experiences that challenge their perceptions.

• Impact of Environment on Paranormal Activity: Many stories highlight the influence of historical settings, such as Civil War battlefields, on ghostly phenomena.

• Substance Influence on Perception: Noah’s story underscores how altered states can intensify or distort paranormal experiences, blurring the line between reality and hallucination.

• Cultural and Regional Differences: Discussions touch upon how different regions, particularly in the American South versus the West, are stereotypically associated with ghosts versus aliens.

Final Thoughts:

Episode #68 of Smosh Mouth offers listeners a captivating journey through personal and shared paranormal experiences, enriched by the hosts' humor and camaraderie. By featuring multiple perspectives and stories, the episode not only entertains but also invites reflection on the mysteries that lie beyond our understanding. Whether you're a steadfast skeptic or a believer in the supernatural, this episode promises to leave you intrigued and eager for more spooky tales.

Happy Halloween from Smosh!