Podcast Summary: Spooked – "Spirit of the Mountain"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Spooked
- Host/Author: KQED and Snap Studios
- Host: Glynn Washington and Ken Washington
- Description: Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe they happened themselves. Created in the dark of night by the creators of Snap Judgment in partnership with KQED & PRX, it’s hosted by Glynn Washington. Episodes drop every week on Friday and are available for free on all podcast platforms, featuring brand new stories alongside episodes previously available only by subscription.
Introduction
The episode titled "Spirit of the Mountain", released on May 16, 2025, delves into supernatural experiences intertwined with nature and animal intuition. Hosted by Ken Washington, the episode sets a mysterious tone right from the beginning.
Notable Quote:
Ken Washington [00:06]: "You've crossed over to spooked. Stay tuned."
Story 1: Adam’s Encounter with the Spirit of the Mountain
Background and Setting
Adam recounts his childhood visits to Puerto Rico, specifically to his family's home in Yauco, a town nestled among mountains and jungles. His great-grandfather, Papito, is revered in the community as the "chief of the mountains," holding profound knowledge of the Tenu people.
Narrative Highlights:
- Papito's Influence: Adam describes Papito as a central figure respected by both humans and animals. Papito often emphasized the mountain's awareness, a concept Adam was only beginning to understand.
Notable Quote:
Narrator [06:20]: "I want you to meet Adam. As a kid, Adam used to travel a lot to Puerto Rico to visit his family in Yauco..."
The Encounter with Demon the Horse
While working at a local livery stable, Adam and his friends are responsible for tending to beautiful horses, including one named Demon. Demon is untamable and aggressive, except when her owner’s son, Chad, interacts with her.
Key Events:
- Chad’s Control: Chad demonstrates an almost magical ability to calm Demon, which fascinates and frustrates Adam.
- Revelation: Adam realizes that Chad only rewards Demon when she misbehaves, leading to heightened chaos. This manipulation reveals a deeper, possibly supernatural understanding between Chad and the horse.
Notable Quote:
Adam [08:53]: "And I've never seen this kind of control, this type of certainty. It's magical."
The Night of Papito’s Passing
Adam experiences a night filled with unsettling animal sounds as Papito dies. The animals’ distress indicates their awareness of Papito’s passing, suggesting a spiritual connection.
Detailed Account:
- Animal Wails: Adam hears agonizing sounds from various animals, symbolizing their grief over Papito’s death.
- Grandmother’s Explanation: His grandmother explains that the animals sensed Papito’s spirit leaving, underscoring the belief that animals possess an intuitive understanding of life and death.
Notable Quote:
Adam [13:45]: "I knew that death was something very, very powerful, very part of life. But Papito showed me that that death is not the end of our energy."
Story 2: Oscar the Cat and Predicting Death
Setting: Steer House, Providence, Rhode Island
The narrative shifts to Steer House, a nursing home where a cat named Oscar resides. Unlike typical affectionate cats, Oscar exhibits a peculiar behavior: he appears beside patients moments before their passing.
Key Observations:
- Initial Incidents: Oscar first curls up beside a woman who dies shortly after, prompting mild curiosity.
- Pattern Recognition: Over more than 100 cases, it becomes evident that Oscar’s presence reliably predicts a patient’s imminent death, regardless of their condition.
Notable Quote:
Narrator [17:00]: "By the time we arrive at the Strange Coincidence number 25, people aren't saying that's weird anymore."
Dr. David Dosa’s Investigation
A scientist, Dr. David Dosa, begins tracking Oscar’s behavior, seeking a rational explanation for the cat’s consistency in predicting deaths. Despite his scientific background, Dr. Dosa is baffled by the lack of conventional explanations.
Impact on the Community:
- Family Testimonials: Families report that Oscar's presence offers a moment to accept impending loss, providing a silent form of comfort and acknowledgment of their loved ones’ passing.
- Ongoing Mystique: Even as skepticism diminishes, the inexplicable nature of Oscar’s actions leaves the medical community and families alike pondering the boundaries between life, death, and the supernatural.
Notable Quote:
A Daughter [23:15]: "He helped us understand what was happening."
Conclusion: Reflections on Time and the Supernatural
Ken Washington closes the episode with a profound meditation on time and the supernatural. He muses on the relentless nature of time and its intersection with paranormal phenomena, suggesting that what we perceive as supernatural might be echoes of lives intertwined with ours.
Philosophical Insights:
- Time as an Illusion: Washington reflects on the concept of time being unforgiving and unidirectional, provoking thoughts about existence beyond the temporal realm.
- Responsibility to Lost Echoes: He questions our responsibilities toward the echoes of those who have transcended, pondering the lingering connections between the living and the lost.
Notable Quote:
Ken Washington [26:30]: "Sometimes if what we experience is supernatural, is paranormal. It's really just echoes of those that discovered an escape route from those that decided that this moment was too important to abandon..."
Production Credits
- Original Score: Doug Stewart
- Produced by: Eric Yanez
- Team: The episode was brought to life by the collaborative efforts of the Snap team, including Davy Kim, Zoe Ferrigno, Ann Ford, Taylor Ducat, and others, all represented by the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians.
Final Thoughts:
"Spirit of the Mountain" intricately weaves personal anecdotes with broader supernatural themes, exploring the profound connections between humans, animals, and the metaphysical world. Through Adam’s story and the mysterious behaviors of Oscar the cat, the episode invites listeners to contemplate the unseen forces that bridge life and death, reality and the beyond.
For more captivating supernatural tales, tune into Spooked every Friday on your preferred podcast platform.