The Dinner Table: A Southern Cannibal Podcast Episode Title: 8 TRUE Scary Stories From REDDIT | Episode 593
Release Date: April 27, 2025
Host: The Dinner Table: A Southern Cannibal Podcast
Description: The Dinner Table Podcast offers listeners harrowing true experiences narrated by Southern Cannibal and shared by individuals from around the globe.

1. An Unsettling Encounter at the Gas Station [01:29 – 12:29]

The episode opens with a chilling recount of a childhood experience. At 11 years old, the storyteller narrates an unsettling encounter at a local gas station. After receiving a stern text from an angry mother demanding she buy food with the provided money, she ventures out alone—an uncommon occurrence given her PTSD diagnosis, which made her hyper-vigilant about her surroundings.

Upon entering the store, she notices a muscular man lurking near the walk-in fridge, his intense gaze making her uneasy. The situation escalates as the man begins to engage her in conversation, asking intrusive questions like, "What kind of alcohol do you like?" and "Did you know that you can live without a kidney?" (03:45). Despite her attempts to remain calm and set boundaries, the man's persistence intensifies, culminating in her swift departure.

The story takes a terrifying turn when, years later, while on vacation in Mexico, the storyteller and his wife experience a near-burglary. A man with a master keycard forcibly tries to enter their hotel room, inquiring about their Wi-Fi. The encounter leaves them shaken, prompting heightened security measures for the remainder of their trip.

Further compounding the fear, the storyteller shares a recent unsettling incident in Germany. While waiting for a delayed tram, a disoriented woman with a backpack engages him in a bizarre and alarming conversation about Bulgarian pimps and her daughter's alleged involvement in prostitution. The woman abruptly ends the interaction after revealing a knife, leaving the storyteller bewildered and terrified (10:15).

2. The Obsessive Pursuit of Nick [13:56 – 22:44]

The second story delves into the dark side of online interactions and the dangers of misplaced trust. A young woman moves abroad to support her boyfriend while pursuing a PhD, only to find herself isolated and yearning for human connection. Through a BDSM website, she begins communicating with "Nick," who initially appears friendly and shares common hobbies. He reveals he's a police officer investigating drug cartels, furthering her trust (15:30).

Over several months, their online relationship deepens, culminating in an in-person meeting where Nick becomes physically aggressive, despite being married with children. This unsettling behavior marks the beginning of his obsessive pursuit. Nick's demeanor shifts from courteous to menacing as he tries to manipulate and control her, making veiled threats about her boyfriend and exhibiting classic signs of a narcissist (18:50).

As the woman's attempts to sever ties escalate, including blocking him on various platforms, Nick persists relentlessly. He even hacks into her Instagram, leading her to fear for her safety. The story concludes with Nick's brief incarceration, only for him to be released prematurely, leaving the woman scarred but resilient. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing manipulative behavior early and the lasting impact such stalking can have on one's life (21:20).

3. Max's Descent into Obsession [24:36 – 38:44]

The third narrative centers around a young woman's deteriorating relationship with her weed dealer, Max. Initially, their interactions are confined to simple transactions—buying weed and sharing brief conversations. However, everything changes during a bonfire event in May 2018. Unbeknownst to her, Max attends the bonfire, where tensions flare, leading him to send her a barrage of threatening and confusing texts late into the night (27:10).

Max's behavior becomes increasingly erratic as he sends unsolicited flowers to her doorstep and leaves unsettling chalk messages. Despite obtaining a stalking order and even witnessing Max's brief incarceration, his obsession doesn't wane. The legal system fails to provide lasting protection as Max is released after a short stint, allowing him to continue his harassment by reaching out to her friends' social media accounts (35:00).

Ultimately, the woman relocates three hours away to escape Max's reach, highlighting the profound effect of prolonged stalking and the shortcomings of the legal remedies available to victims. She reflects on the necessity of vigilance and the lasting fear instilled by such relentless pursuit (37:30).

4. Living Behind My Mirror [39:40 – 45:13]

The final story of the episode delivers a spine-tingling revelation of discovering an intruder living within the walls of her hotel room. Upon returning to her room with coworkers after a day of fieldwork, the storyteller notices someone in the bathroom. Confronting the individual reveals her belongings being rummaged through, but nothing stolen. The situation worsens when she discovers her room has been ransacked, with personal items and medication moved without her consent (40:50).

A deeper investigation uncovers a horrifying truth: a woman had been living in the wall behind her mirror for an undetermined period. The presence of items like clothing, toothbrushes, and blankets suggests a prolonged and secretive occupation. The woman had access to multiple rooms, exploiting gaps from renovations that left behind holes patched with mirrors. This revelation not only shocks the storyteller but also raises concerns about the safety and security measures of lodging establishments (43:15).

The incident underscores the potential dangers lurking in seemingly secure environments and the importance of thorough inspections, especially in accommodations with questionable maintenance histories.

Conclusion

Episode 593 of The Dinner Table: A Southern Cannibal Podcast masterfully weaves together four harrowing true stories sourced from Reddit, each highlighting the depths of human fear and the unforeseen perils lurking in everyday situations. From childhood encounters with strangers to obsessive stalkers and hidden intruders, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that can reside beneath the surface of our lives.

Notable Quotes:

• "As my stuff was getting put in the bag and as the pizza was done, I had picked up my pizza and left. But then the man decides to have a conversation with me." (01:45)

• "His behavior was really strange. As he went from 'I'm sorry, I think I'm in love with you' to 'if you tell the cops, who do you think they'll believe?'" (16:30)

• "He forced me against a wall and kissed me. I was shocked, really, and barely managed to push him off me." (19:10)

• "I look and I didn't see anything of mine. So since I'm obviously in shock at that moment, I let her leave." (41:20)

These poignant moments encapsulate the intense emotions and psychological turmoil each storyteller endured, providing listeners with deeply personal and terrifying experiences.

Note: This summary excludes all advertisement segments and focuses solely on the content-driven storytelling portions of the episode, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.