Smosh Reads Reddit Stories

Episode: "Readers Beware... | Reading Reddit Stories"

Date: October 25, 2025
Host: Shayne Topp
Guests: Damian, Angela
Theme: Spooky and Scary Reddit Stories – Paranormal, Real-Life Creepy, and Hair-Raising Internet Tales

Overview

In this special Halloween-themed episode, Shayne Topp gathers Smosh friends Damian and Angela to plunge into some of Reddit's eeriest stories. With a focus on both supernatural phenomena and genuinely unsettling real-life situations, the crew reacts to tales of haunted houses, "gnomes", boundary-breaking partners, and chilling personal encounters. The group interjects snark, skepticism, gallows humor, and moments of introspective vulnerability as they dissect the wildest Reddit posts themed around fear — both imagined and all too real.

Key Sections & Time-Stamped Recap

1. Halloween Vibes and Ghostly Scepticism [01:00–15:30]

• The trio riff on Halloween's status as "the best holiday," pumpkin-themed foods, and how some people plan their entire October around spooky festivities.
• They dive into the vibe of "pumpkin times" and the thrill of spooky stories, but quickly reveal that, among them, belief in the paranormal is complicated.
  • Shane: “I need to be skeptical because I’m skeptical of what I am seeing.” [09:03]
  • Damian: “Everything is magic until you understand how it works.” [10:12]
• Angela brings up the “Dynasty Typewriter Ghost,” pondering patterns in hauntings, and the psychology behind wanting to believe the world is stranger than it seems.

2. The Haunted House, The Gnome, and Real-Life Danger [04:53–28:38]

The Paranormal Reddit Story: “I Think My House is Haunted. I See Gnomes and Hear Voices.”

• Story summary: A woman in Spain describes a series of bizarre experiences: hearing her absent husband’s voice, seeing a gnome run under her bed, mysterious moaning, possessions moving, and underwear/jewelry appearing in strange places. She even finds her sink inexplicably full of warm, soapy water.
• The group discusses:
  • The surreal escalation from a spooky voice to “literally seeing a gnome.”
  • Skepticism about human perception, logical fallacies, and the potential for mundane explanations (like plumbing issues).
  • The concept of “frogging” — someone secretly living in a home — is raised as a plausible explanation.
  • Memorable Quote:
    Shane: “Pause. You’re like, oh, I heard a voice. By the way, I have seen a little tiny man run under my bed… By the way, side note, I’ve seen a tiny little man run.” [07:03]
• Updates: The situation evolves when she discovers evidence that someone was actually living in a loft in the connected house, including trash, a mattress, and stolen underwear. The “gnome” is likely an actual intruder.
• Discussion around real-life horror overtaking supernatural explanation:
  • Angela: “Everything makes sense, and I feel like you never get this… The moaning makes sense, the jewelry, all… underwear… except the gnome!” [26:26]

3. Real-Life Nightmares: Manipulative Partners & Unsettling Art [29:40–52:59]

1. Girlfriend Secretly Sabotaging Partner’s Jobs [29:40–43:47]

   • Man discovers his girlfriend is responsible for years of harassment and job losses by leaving false complaints and reviews under aliases.
   • Resonance with Munchausen by proxy and pathological need for control.
   • OP finds detailed spreadsheets in her emails, leaves her, and seeks legal and psychological help.
   • Damian: “This is what she did when she liked you…” [41:36]
   • Angela: “Police, lawyer, therapy. Repeat.” [40:36]

2. Brother-in-Law Writes ‘Gone Girl’-Style Book About Sister-in-Law [44:47–53:12]

   • The group recoils at the inappropriateness and potential danger in someone fictionalizing their obsession with a family member—then handing the manuscript to their muse.
   • Discussion of trust, safety, and the inevitability of revealing the situation to the sister.
   • Angela: “I’m showing you this book not because I’m jealous or in love with your husband. I’m showing this book because it’s the other way around.” [49:22]

4. Therapists, Boundaries, and Hair Crimes [53:29–67:12]

1. Psychiatrist Asks Patient If She Can Move In With Her [53:29–61:50]

   • Patient’s psychiatrist repeatedly makes overstepping requests, blames personal tragedies on “not being happy enough,” and makes the patient doubting her own boundaries.
   • The group reiterates: “This is wildly inappropriate and unprofessional — report her immediately.”
   • Damian: “The only test is how much you can make your therapist laugh so you become their favorite.” [61:19]
   • Update: OP takes the advice and switches providers.

2. Boyfriend Secretly Curls Hair While Girlfriend Sleeps [64:30–68:36]

   • Both unsettling and darkly comic, this story turns from odd fetish to outright violation of consent.
   • Angela: “No, that. She said no, it’s not your body. Go away.” [66:15]
   • Damian: “Not bodily autonomy. You didn’t consent to any of that. Time to go.” [65:44]

5. One Last Tale: Sex and Soul Thievery & Final Thoughts [68:41–74:51]

• Story of a “horny 21-year-old” who discovers his casual sex partner lays out hundreds of photos of herself (and her family!) on the floor — and demands sex atop them. He soon faces months of being stalked at work and online.
• Group jokes about occult “soul-stealing rituals” and relieves tension with bitey humor.
  • Damian: “She just didn’t have any rose petals, so she’s like, all these Polaroids…” [71:07]
  • Angela: “That was a lot today. Ghouls gotta up their game. Nothing scarier than trauma.” [73:31, 73:43, 73:45]
• The episode closes with a consensus: “Turns out that people are still the scariest thing in the universe.” [73:45]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Damian, on skepticism: “Everything is magic until you understand how it works.” [10:12]
• Shane, on the haunted house Reddit story: “You gotta at least go, I have had weird experiences here, but nothing like this… except for the gnome that ran under my bed.” [16:50]
• Damian, on manipulation: “This is what she did when she liked you. Sorry.” [41:36]
• Angela, on boundary-crossing relationships: “She said no. It’s not your body. Go away.” [66:15]
• Angela, reflecting: “Nothing scarier than trauma.” [73:43]
• Shane, summing up: “Turns out that people are still the scariest thing in the universe.” [73:45]

The Hosts’ Tone & Dynamic

• The episode is marked by irreverent, quick-fire banter blended with genuine concern and skepticism.
• Shayne leads with a grounded, analytical approach but regularly cracks at absurdities.
• Damian relishes punchlines and wordplay but tempers discussions with empathy and cynicism.
• Angela oscillates between comedic interjections and serious, supportive outbursts.

Quick Reference: Segment Timestamps

• Halloween Banter and Skepticism: [01:00–15:30]
• Haunted Gnome House / Intruder: [04:53–28:38]
• Manipulative Partner / Job Sabotage: [29:40–43:47]
• Brother-in-Law’s Creepy Novel: [44:47–53:12]
• Therapist Overstepping Boundaries: [53:29–61:50]
• Hair-Curling Boyfriend: [64:30–68:36]
• Soul-Thieving Ex: [68:41–74:51]

In Summary

If you’re seeking a podcast episode that expertly blends horror, humor, internet culture, and hard-won wisdom about the dangers — supernatural or entirely human — that lurk behind closed doors and online, “Readers Beware…” delivers. It’s equal parts terrifying, affirming, and laugh-out-loud funny, with memorable one-liners and sobering takeaways:

“Turns out that people are still the scariest thing in the universe.” [73:45] – Shane

For more goosebumps, camaraderie, and biting commentary, tune in next Saturday for the following Smosh Reads Reddit Stories.