Snap Judgment - Episode: The Conjuring
Release Date: October 17, 2024
Host/Author: Snap Judgment and PRX
Description: Snap Judgment blends real-life stories with compelling beats to create cinematic radio experiences. This episode, titled "The Conjuring," delves into supernatural encounters and personal reconciliations, inviting listeners to view the world through another's perspective—all set to a captivating rhythm.

Introduction

Glen Washington opens the episode with an atmospheric setting at the haunted Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, where over 2,000 attendees prepare for the inaugural Spooked Live show. He sets a chilling tone, hinting at the powerful energies and magical stories about to unfold.

Glen Washington [00:03]: "I’m scared because I know there is a power here, an energy, a magic I need to channel, because I have a story to tell."

John Blake's Story: Shadows of the Past

John Blake, a celebrated CNN correspondent, shares his deeply personal and supernatural journey. His narrative intertwines childhood fears with adult revelations, exploring themes of racism, family secrets, and forgiveness.

Childhood Encounter

John recounts a terrifying experience from his childhood in Detroit, where he and his younger brother Patrick witness a ghostly figure in their bedroom.

John Blake [03:15]: "I see a face looking intensely at me... It looks kind of like us, and it’s looking us up and down, closer and closer, until it bursts into this big, big smile and vanishes."

The apparition leaves behind ominous signs, such as unexplained footprints and missing birthday cards, intensifying the brothers' fear and confusion.

Discovery of Family Secrets

At 17, John learns about his estranged mother, Shirley, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. This revelation occurs under unusual circumstances while watching a game show.

John Blake [10:45]: "Do you want to meet your mother?"
Glen Washington [07:49]: "Please put your hands together for Mr. John Blake."

Meeting his mother at a mental institution, John begins piecing together his family's troubled history, leading him to confront lingering fears about his grandfather, Bill Michael Daley.

Confrontation with the Past

As John builds his career in journalism, he continues to face supernatural occurrences related to his grandfather. His wife, Terri Lynn, experiences similar sightings, pushing John to seek advice from his father-in-law, a former missionary.

John Blake [22:30]: "I don’t know what to do now... So we turn to our wife and say, what if we just pray for him?"

Through prayer and reflection, John learns to forgive his grandfather, transforming his fear into understanding.

John Blake [32:50]: "I no longer see him as a monster. He’s my grandfather."

Resolution and Reconciliation

John's journey culminates in a profound reconciliation with his family's past, recognizing the impact of racism and mental illness on his lineage. His final reflections emphasize the strength found in forgiveness and the unifying power of storytelling.

John Blake [33:00]: "Stories destroy walls by binding us together. Sorcery of the highest order."

Susie's Story: Echoes in Savannah

Susie shares a bewildering encounter with a mysterious couple during a family vacation in Savannah. Her experience blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural, leaving her questioning what truly transpired.

The Encounter

While reviewing photos from a walking tour, Susie notices unexplained golden orbs and, later, interacts with a ghostly couple who seems eager for their attention.

Susie [35:19]: "I knew there was something very strange about this couple. My husband... he just said, you know what? I can't think of anything else but that they were ghosts."

Despite her husband's skepticism, Susie remains convinced that they interacted with spirits, as evidenced by the vanishing couple and the uncanny alterations in their photographs.

Thematic Insights and Conclusion

"The Conjuring" episode masterfully weaves together personal narratives with supernatural elements, highlighting how past traumas and unresolved conflicts can transcend into the present. Both John Blake and Susie's stories underscore the importance of confronting one's fears, seeking understanding, and finding peace through reconciliation.

Glen Washington closes the episode by celebrating the shared experiences of the listeners, emphasizing the communal aspect of storytelling in overcoming darkness and building bridges between individuals.

Glen Washington [48:13]: "Stories destroy walls by binding us together. Sorcery of the highest order."

Key Takeaways

• Intergenerational Trauma: John Blake's story illustrates how unresolved issues from previous generations can manifest in both tangible and supernatural ways.

• Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Central to both narratives is the journey toward forgiveness, whether it's with a deceased family member or the acceptance of unexplained phenomena.

• Power of Storytelling: The episode reinforces the idea that sharing personal stories creates a sense of community and mutual understanding, enabling individuals to navigate complex emotions and experiences.

Notable Quotes

• John Blake [03:15]: "I see a face looking intensely at me... It looks kind of like us, and it’s looking us up and down, closer and closer, until it bursts into this big, big smile and vanishes."

• John Blake [22:30]: "I don’t know what to do now... So we turn to our wife and say, what if we just pray for him?"

• John Blake [32:50]: "I no longer see him as a monster. He’s my grandfather."

• Glen Washington [48:13]: "Stories destroy walls by binding us together. Sorcery of the highest order."

• Susie [35:19]: "I knew there was something very strange about this couple. My husband... he just said, you know what? I can't think of anything else but that they were ghosts."

Further Listening

For those intrigued by these compelling and eerie narratives, "The Conjuring" episode of Snap Judgment offers a deep dive into the intersection of personal history and the supernatural. To explore more stories that challenge the boundaries of reality and belief, tune into future episodes of Spooked, Snap Judgment's sister podcast dedicated to magical, mysterious, and mythic tales.

Follow Up:
To delve deeper into John Blake's journey of reconciliation and his memoir, More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered about the White Mother He Never Knew, visit johnkblake.com or follow his work on CNN.

Production Credits:
Original scores by Doug Stewart and Bridgene Murphy, produced by Zoe Ferrigno and Davey Kim.

This summary captures the essence of "The Conjuring" episode, highlighting the transformative power of confronting the past and embracing forgiveness, all set against a backdrop of supernatural intrigue.