Spooked Podcast Summary: "Run!"

Release Date: July 4, 2025
Hosted by Glynn Washington
Produced by KQED and Snap Studios

Introduction

In the "Run!" episode of Spooked, host Glynn Washington delves into a chilling true-life supernatural story narrated by Catherine, an archaeologist whose fieldwork experience takes a terrifying turn. This episode masterfully blends personal narrative with eerie occurrences, providing listeners with a gripping tale of suspense and the unknown.

Catherine's Archaeological Expedition

[01:21] Catherine begins by setting the scene of her archaeological field school experience. As a senior studying archaeology, she was thrilled to participate in a real dig at a university-owned site shrouded in secrecy.

"Our storyteller, Catherine, she studied archaeology in college, and when she was a senior, she got to head into the field like a real archaeological dig." [02:05]

The expedition took place in a remote, agricultural river valley, far from the comforts of their small town. The team arrived at an old, quaint white house from the 1920s, surrounded by bunkhouses for male and female participants. The isolation was palpable, with nature encroaching through spiders, cockroaches, and the sounds of chirping insects enhancing the eerie atmosphere.

Uncovering Dark History

[05:15] A pivotal moment occurred when the team returned from their initial dig to find their professor somberly addressing them around the campfire.

"The professor goes on to tell us...there was a tragic history associated with this property." [07:20]

He revealed that the previous owners were a family plagued by tragedy— the father, an alcoholic, had brutally murdered his two daughters and wife before taking his own life. A diary found in the crawl space detailed these horrors, leading the team to believe that restless spirits might linger.

Supernatural Incidents Begin

Following the professor's revelation, subtle supernatural events began to unfold:

• Missing Items and Shadows: Personal belongings disappeared and reappeared in inexplicable places. Shadows were seen moving at night, instilling fear among the team.

"I have a friend...he sees this big tall shadow just slowly walk past his window." [09:45]

Despite their initial skepticism, these occurrences heightened the tension, especially after an alumni who had previously dismissed the haunting started sharing his own inexplicable experiences.

First Night of Terror

[12:56] Catherine recounts a particularly harrowing night when her friend witnessed a malevolent silhouette in the house.

"He notices all of a sudden that the light changes...a solid black silhouette, like a big kind of bulky male figure." [14:20]

Terrified, he abandoned his camping gear, seeking refuge in a nearby hotel until daylight. The unsettling presence seemed to be the spirit of the abusive father, compelling the team to grapple with the possibility of real supernatural forces at play.

Second Year: Returning with Skepticism

Two years later, Catherine returned as a helper to the same field site. Her return brought a mix of nostalgia and apprehension as past rumors of hauntings persisted. Daily routines were overshadowed by lingering fears:

• Unexplained Phenomena: Similar strange occurrences continued, such as her friend experiencing a phantom touch and Catherine encountering a ghostly silhouette near her bed.

"She says, a voice whispered in my ear and told me to run." [22:15]

These events reignited the fear within her, challenging her skepticism and forcing her to confront the unknown.

Final Confrontation and Reflection

On the last day of the second year, while completing final chores, Catherine and her friend experienced a terrifying encounter in the woods. As they hurried back to their cabins in the dark, an inexplicable sensation of being watched and a physical prickling on her neck led to frantic running and silent dread.

In the aftermath, conversations between Catherine and her friend revealed deeper layers of the haunting:

"I think it's likely that it was one of the girls...trying to protect my friend and I from the same evil that had caused their deaths." [26:30]

This reflection suggests that the spirits of the murdered daughters might be attempting to shield the living from the malevolent force of their father, adding a tragic dimension to the supernatural events.

Conclusion

"[28:06] Glenn Washington concludes the episode by expressing gratitude toward Catherine for her bravery in sharing such a haunting story:

"I would never go back. But I'm grateful to Catherine for being brave enough to bring that story back to us." [28:06]

The episode underscores the thin veil between the living and the dead, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of unease and the reminder:

"Never ever turn out the lights." [28:58]

Key Takeaways

• Unresolved Past: The tragic history of the archaeological site plays a critical role in the unfolding supernatural events, suggesting that unresolved trauma can linger in unexpected ways.

• Skepticism vs. Belief: Catherine's journey from skepticism to reluctant belief highlights the tension between rational explanations and inexplicable phenomena.

• Protective Spirits: The possibility that the spirits of the deceased daughters are protecting current visitors adds depth to the haunting, portraying ghosts in a more complex light.

• Psychological Impact: The constant fear and uncertainty experienced by the team members emphasize the psychological toll of prolonged exposure to potential supernatural activity.

Notable Quotes

• "If you detect a voice, a feeling, a premonition...Run." — Glenn Washington [01:58]

• "He felt a real sense of malevolence coming from it." — Catherine [10:50]

• "I still love that site. I'm happy to go back to that property." — Catherine [27:40]

"Run!" exemplifies Spooked's ability to intertwine personal experiences with eerie storytelling, leaving listeners both captivated and unsettled. Through Catherine's vivid recounting, the episode explores themes of tragedy, the supernatural, and the human psyche's response to fear.