Spooked: Hello from the Other Side – Episode Summary

Spooked, a gripping podcast series by KQED and Snap Studios, delves into true-life supernatural stories, narrated firsthand by individuals who find it hard to believe their own experiences. In the episode titled "Hello from the Other Side," released on February 28, 2025, host Glynn Washington guides listeners through a series of chilling accounts that explore the unknown and the inexplicable. This episode features three main stories: Ingrid Johnson’s haunting experiences in Oakland, Christine’s eerie encounters in her apartment, and Craig’s unsettling trip to a remote village in India, complemented by a historical tale of Mary Toft’s bizarre childbirths.

1. Ingrid Johnson’s Haunting in Oakland (01:36 – 07:38)

Ingrid Johnson opens the episode with a vivid recount of a night in downtown Oakland. After a long day ending at 4 AM, Ingrid and her friends find themselves navigating deserted streets near City Hall. Their safety is suddenly pierced by the unexpected sound of bagpipes—a seemingly out-of-place, fairy-tale-like introduction to an eerie gathering.

“We hear the peals of a bagpipe. Why? Who knows... Maybe there's some underground Scottish thing going on,” Ingrid narrates at [01:45]. Drawn by curiosity, they discover a warmly lit doorway between two dark buildings labeled "Bulgaria at Night." Inside, a lively crowd celebrates with Bulgarian traditions—dancing, singing, and indulging in moonshine, despite the lack of any prior knowledge about such an event.

Ingrid describes the camaraderie and festive atmosphere as they partake in the festivities. However, the following night brings an unsettling absence of the warm light and joyous sounds. Ingrid and her friends search for the mysterious gathering but find nothing, deepening the mystery.

“Here's the thing. Every once in a while, I still go by that spot. I'm still looking for that sign,” she reflects at [07:00], hinting at the lingering uncertainty and fear.

2. Christine’s Paranormal Apartment Experience (07:38 – 22:18)

Christine shares her harrowing experience after escaping a tumultuous marriage and moving into a new, cramped apartment found through Craigslist. The lack of amenities and feelings of instability set the stage for her encounter with the supernatural.

Initially managing three jobs to support herself and her son, Christine’s life appears to stabilize until the disturbances begin. She notices her TV turning on by itself, blasting the Weather Channel at full volume during the night.

“I knew that I wasn't hallucinating about the TV being on. I knew that I didn't watch the weather channel. If it wasn't me and it wasn't my son, it had to be a ghost,” Christine confesses at [15:20].

Desperate for a solution, she tries various methods to stop the TV from turning on, including unplugging it. However, the disturbances escalate, leading her to believe a ghost named Christine is tormenting her.

In a pivotal moment, Christine decides to communicate with the entity by muting the TV and enabling closed captions, hoping to appease the ghost. This strategy temporarily stops the disturbances, giving her a semblance of peace.

However, tension resurfaces when she hires a colleague named Christine from Texas, who reveals she can see ghosts. Together, they confront the malevolent spirit, leading to the eventual disappearance of the ghost after Christine performs a ritual involving a feather and a written yes/no test.

“Either way, she was gone,” Christine concludes at [21:10], reflecting on the resolution and the lasting impact of her supernatural ordeal.

3. Craig’s Eerie Trip in India (24:13 – 39:39)

Craig recounts a weekend getaway with friends to a secluded village by a serene lake in India. Seeking tranquility, the group settles into a small trailer with minimal facilities. Their peaceful retreat is soon disrupted by inexplicable phenomena.

One night, Craig encounters a mysterious man by the riverbank who warns him about being on the “wrong side” of the river—a cursed and haunted area created by an angry deity. The man’s ominous message leaves Craig skeptical yet unnerved.

“I tried to go back to my tent, and I take a small nap... I was like, okay, we are met, but something creepy is happening,” Craig explains at [35:50].

As Craig delves deeper, he discovers conflicting accounts about a cook who seems to vanish and reappear mysteriously. His friend recounts hearing screams and feeling unseen touches, adding layers of fear and confusion.

The climax of Craig’s story reveals a chilling realization: the “cook” and the mysterious man might have been supernatural entities attempting to manipulate him into crossing into the cursed side of the river.

“Could be that the guy who says, you are on the wrong side, he was on the wrong side. Maybe the cook was my savior,” Craig muses at [38:20], leaving the true nature of the events ambiguous and haunting.

4. Historical Tale: Mary Toft’s Bizarre Childbirths (39:39 – End)

The episode transitions to a historical recount of Mary Toft, a woman in Surrey, England, in 1726, who claimed to give birth to animal parts, including rabbits. Initially perceived as a medical miracle, Mary’s story gains national attention as doctors and King George’s court are astonished by the phenomenon.

“Mary Johnson begins experiencing contractions... she starts giving birth to parts of animals,” the narrator explains at [40:10].

As the story unfolds, skepticism grows, leading to Mary’s exposure as a fraud. The scandal tarnishes her reputation and those of the medical professionals who endorsed her claims, highlighting the murky intersection of belief and deception in supernatural phenomena.

“Under examination, this little story unravels. Mary has to come clean, spend some time in jail,” the narrator reflects at [42:50], emphasizing the tragic fallout from Mary's deceit.

Conclusion

The episode concludes by intertwining these narratives, underscoring the mysterious and often inexplicable nature of supernatural encounters. Host Glynn Washington leaves listeners pondering the thin veil between the known and the unknown.

“Sometimes it feels like the universe is having a laugh... maybe the best thing you can do is to never ever turn out the light,” Washington muses, encapsulating the enduring allure and fear of the supernatural.

Spooked once again delivers a compelling exploration of true-life ghost stories, blending personal testimonies with historical accounts to create an engaging and thought-provoking listening experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Ingrid Johnson at [01:45]: “We hear the peals of a bagpipe. Why? Who knows... Maybe there's some underground Scottish thing going on.”

• Christine at [15:20]: “I knew that I wasn't hallucinating about the TV being on. I knew that I didn't watch the weather channel. If it wasn't me and it wasn't my son, it had to be a ghost.”

• Craig at [35:50]: “I tried to go back to my tent, and I take a small nap... I was like, okay, we are met, but something creepy is happening.”

• Narrator at [40:10]: “Mary Johnson begins experiencing contractions... she starts giving birth to parts of animals.”

• Host Glynn Washington at [End]: “Sometimes it feels like the universe is having a laugh... maybe the best thing you can do is to never ever turn out the light.”

Final Thoughts:

Spooked: Hello from the Other Side masterfully blends personal horror stories with historical oddities, inviting listeners to question the boundaries of reality and the supernatural. Whether it's Ingrid’s mysterious Bulgarian gathering, Christine’s haunted apartment, Craig’s eerie riverside warnings, or Mary Toft’s infamous animal childbirths, each story weaves a tapestry of fear, curiosity, and the unending quest to understand the unknown.