Spooked: “Disembodied Busybodies” – Episode Summary

Podcast Information

• Title: Spooked
• Host/Author: KQED and Snap Studios
• Episode: Disembodied Busybodies
• Release Date: May 30, 2025
• Description: Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. Be afraid. Created in the dark of night, by the creators of Snap Judgment in partnership with KQED & PRX. Hosted by Glynn Washington. Available for free on all podcast platforms.

Introduction

In the episode titled “Disembodied Busybodies”, host Glynn Washington introduces listeners to the chilling tale of Catherine Deane, an English teacher who encounters unexplained supernatural activities in her newly renovated home. This story delves into themes of cohabitation with spirits, the challenges of establishing boundaries, and the emotional turmoil that accompanies paranormal experiences.

Story Overview

Catherine Deane moves into a renovated house, eager to personalize it and make it her own. Shortly after moving in, she begins to experience the presence of two spirits—Joyce Dodge and her husband, Jimmy Dodge. Initially, Catherine perceives Joyce as a friendly, guiding presence who helps her navigate the house. However, as renovations progress, the disturbances escalate, leading to confrontations and heightened tension between Catherine and the spirits.

Key Moments and Notable Quotes

1. Initial Encounter with Joyce Dodge

   • [05:34] Glenn Washington: "Spooky starts now. Now then, as I've mentioned, some folk, they have a relationship with the other side. They see what's beyond the veil, and they run toward it. I am not one of those people. But our storyteller, Catherine, she is spooked."
   • Catherine first senses Joyce Dodge’s presence as a warm, guiding spirit who assists her in exploring the house without any visible apparitions.

2. Discovering Joyce’s Identity

   • [07:17] Narrator: "As soon as she showed her mother Joyce's Medicare card, they looked her up to find out as much as they could about Joyce Dodge."
   • Catherine uncovers Joyce’s identity through a Medicare card, providing a tangible connection to the spirits inhabiting the house.

3. Escalation of Supernatural Activity

   • [09:04] (Catherine) "I was here fairly late. It wasn't quite ten o' clock yet, but it was getting close. I was working on something in the living room and I just felt something come up from the basement."
   • The disturbances intensify as Jimmy Dodge starts asserting his presence, leading to increased fear and uncertainty for Catherine.

4. Confrontation with Jimmy Dodge

   • [10:42] Narrator: "As soon as she showed her mother Joyce's Medicare card, they looked her up to find out as much as they could about Joyce Dodge."
   • [13:07] Catherine Deane: "I am walking up the driveway and I see the gas stove on the Back porch. The first thing that hits me in the face, before I can even register what's going on in the kitchen, is Joyce just being despondent."
   • [16:09] Catherine Deane: "I drew the walls, and I drew where the refrigerator had been. I drew where the original door into the dining room had been, where the basement stairs were, where the sink originally was, where the stove originally was."
   • Catherine attempts to communicate and set boundaries with Jimmy by explaining her renovations and alterations, hoping to ease the tensions.

5. Climactic Encounter

   • [23:28] Joyce Dodge: "If they were that active downstairs, what are they going to be doing upstairs? Jimmy came upstairs first, and he's looking around."
   • [24:17] Catherine Deane: "I could see no features, not completely solid. And once he popped the door open and it hit the doorstop... I throw the sheets off, I walk to the door, I move the rabbit, I throw the door open."
   • The climax occurs when Jimmy Dodge physically manifests at the master bedroom door, breaking Catherine’s established boundaries and leading to a final confrontation.

6. Resolution and Aftermath

   • [27:07] Catherine Deane: "I didn't sleep that night, but then 8 o' clock came the next day, and Joyce did not try to get me out of bed. He stayed an extra hour, still awake."
   • The disturbances cease, and Catherine gains a sense of ownership and peace within her home, though she reflects on the strained relationship with the spirits.

Themes and Insights

Boundaries and Respect: The episode underscores the importance of setting and respecting personal boundaries, even in the face of the supernatural. Catherine’s initial inability to establish clear limits leads to escalating conflicts with the spirits.

Emotional Impact of the Paranormal: Catherine’s journey illustrates the profound emotional toll that living with spirits can take, highlighting themes of fear, frustration, and ultimately, acceptance.

Coexistence with Spirits: The gradual adaptation and the eventual cease of disturbances suggest a tenuous coexistence, where understanding and communication can lead to harmony between the living and the dead.

Conclusion

“Disembodied Busybodies” presents a compelling narrative of personal struggle and supernatural encounters. Through Catherine Deane’s story, listeners are invited to explore the delicate balance between renovation and respecting the history embedded within a home. The episode effectively combines eerie storytelling with relatable emotional experiences, making it a standout installment in the Spooked series.

Notable Contributions

• Original Score: Doug Stewart
• Produced by: Chris Hamrick

Final Note from Host

• Glenn Washington: “Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing your story at the Spooked. Folks, I want you to know that Catherine, she is a Spooked listener. We love it when our listeners share their stories with us."

Listen to “Disembodied Busybodies” on your preferred podcast platform every Friday, and share your own spooky experiences at spooked@snapjudgment.org.