The Nateland Podcast

Episode 276: Spooky Season & The Bell Witch ft. Leanne Morgan

Date: October 29, 2025
Host(s): Nate Bargatze, Brian Bates, Aaron Weber
Guest: Leanne Morgan
Special Note: Dusty Slay was not present, and Aaron Weber participated in part of the episode.

Episode Overview

This episode celebrates all things "spooky season" with comedian Leanne Morgan joining the crew for a fun, Southern-flavored discussion about Halloween, the haunted Bell Witch legend, candy preferences, and comedy careers. The hosts and Leanne share personal stories from their lives, reflect on the joys and fears of Halloween, and dive deep into the folklore that shaped Leanne’s Tennessee upbringing. The episode is full of warmth, laughter, lively banter, and classic Nateland tangents—offering insight into both small-town legends and big-stage comedy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Podcast Announcements & Comedy Updates

• (01:10) Brian Bates announces comedy specials and tour dates, including Brad Upton's and Nate's tours.
• Bates and Dusty discuss supporting comics:
  • "This is what we're trying to do, build up and start making comics and have new comics for you guys to check out and watch." (01:47, Brian Bates)
• Shout-outs to Vandy (Vanderbilt) football and discussions about sports conspiracy theories, with Dusty passionately declaring the NBA is "rigged."
  • "I think likely it's more evil than we could ever imagine... not everybody's in on it." (07:56, Dusty Slay)
• Fun reflections on college football, the difference in college vs. NFL vibes, and what it’s like to be on College GameDay.

2. Conspiracy Theories in Sports

• (03:21—12:14) Lengthy debate about sports gambling, incompetence vs. malice, and the fallout of refereeing scandals.
  • Bates, Dusty, and Aaron debate whether corruption or incompetence is the real issue in sports.
  • "Never attribute to malice what can be attributed to incompetence." (08:36, Aaron Weber)
  • "I believe in evil, you guys." (09:05, Dusty Slay)
  • Discussion ties into broader issues—leaders being oblivious, but also failures at higher levels of organizations.

3. Leanne and the Grocery Store Adventure

• (28:05) Leanne details her quest for Dr. Pepper Cherry Zero, spanning Walmart, Kroger, and Food City—a quintessential Leanne moment highlighting her charm and relatability.
  • She jokes about being recognized for her voice more than her face in public.
  • "I love dogs, but my sister was allergic... they left his cat and that cat... would like vomit in the bush." (31:04, Leanne Morgan)
  • Leanne’s reflections segue to nostalgic talk about Southern grocery stores and 80s music.

4. Comedy Career Reflections and Arena Tours

• (42:14—47:40) Leanne transitions from theatres to arenas, marveling at the scale and audience love:
  • "I think anything 1,500 to 3,000 is a sweet spot." (42:46, Leanne Morgan)
  • She recounts humble beginnings—selling 60 tickets at the Orlando Improv and then returning to sell out arenas.
  • Hosts and Leanne riff on what jobs would suit her if not comedy (Target!).
• Stories about big shows and unique fan interactions.
  • "Chuck Morgan is so crazy about me that I had shingles three weeks ago and he wanted to make out with me and I had the shingles." (71:09, Leanne Morgan)

5. Halloween Memories & Traditions

• (93:55—96:45) Leanne and hosts delve into Halloween nostalgia:
  • Leanne admits she's not crazy about Halloween, but loves spoiling grandbabies.
  • Brian describes his family's deep love for the holiday; elaborate community trick-or-treating, family costumes, and his dad’s magician roots.
  • Harper (Nate's daughter) grows up, shifting Halloween interests from kid-safe to slightly scary.

Notable Quotes:

• "Now that I'm a grandmother...I do want to have cute. I don't have demon looking things." (94:08, Leanne Morgan)
• "I'm the opposite because I would have grown up like that. My dad being a magician...we love Halloween." (95:16, Brian Bates)

6. Favorite Halloween Candy (with Stats!)

• (105:22—110:19) Team debates best and worst Halloween candies; Tennessee's top choices over the years include Lifesavers, candy corn, Starburst.
  • Hosts and Leanne both root for chocolate, especially peanut M&Ms, Snickers, and Reese’s.
  • "I never met an M and M I didn't like." (105:50, Leanne Morgan)
• Brian and Leanne riff about the evolution of candy, with shout-outs to Nerds and Dr. Pepper’s wild new flavors.

Notable Segment:

• Discussion of regional candy preferences, with Brian lamenting:
  • "You want to be on board with the companies right now—Dr. Pepper and nerds, they're doing some big things." (110:19, Brian Bates)

7. The Bell Witch Legend: A Deeper Dive

• (122:30—139:02)
  Leanne, from Adams, Tennessee, offers hometown insights and personal stories about the infamous Bell Witch haunting:

Background:

• Considered one of the most documented ghost hauntings in American history.
• Andrew Jackson allegedly visited Adams to investigate the haunting (spirited debate over historical veracity).

The Core Legend:

• The Bell Witch allegedly began haunting the Bell family after a land dispute with neighbor Kate Batts, leading to John Bell’s poisoning and death.
• Sightings included a shape-shifting black dog, a talking spirit, and unexplained phenomena.
• Leanne shares local oral history:
  • "This man [Richard Powell] was sweet on Lucy Bell...he would throw his voice...make things happen...they never knew it was him." (131:48, Leanne Morgan)
  • "Growing up...every 4th of July picnic...there would be a casket with this dummy in it...they'd go 'that's Kate Batts.' And all these little children would be scared to death." (132:17, Leanne Morgan)
• Community rituals: Saying "Bell Witch" three times in the mirror as a dare (140:36–140:53).

Impact on the Town:

• The Bell Witch legend is a point of community identity and draws some tourism, but most locals accept it as part of their culture.
• Several movies, books, and plays have been inspired by the story (American Haunting, Blair Witch Project cited as influenced/inspired by it).

8. Listener Comments & Community

• Throughout:
  The hosts read and respond to listener comments, with fans sharing love for the wholesome, welcoming vibe of the podcast and Leanne’s shows.
  • "Listen to Nate Land has been a lifesaver for me the last two years. The jokes, banter...better than any network watching." (54:11, Amanda Boa)
  • Leanne gets emotional about family-friendly content and her connection with audiences of all ages.

9. Comedy, Rest, and Creative Process

• Nate and Leanne discuss the challenge of taking breaks in comedy, the insecurity of “being forgotten,” and what it means to “make it.”
  • "I think everybody's forgotten about me. Nobody cares... it's hard." (86:15, Leanne Morgan)
  • Nate advises, "You're making stuff people love... Just roll and you just go." (146:34)

10. Leanne’s New Netflix Special

• (146:22—147:51, closing)
  Leanne’s second Netflix special, “Unspeakable Things,” drops November 4th. She expresses gratitude and wonder at her late-in-life success, credits her loyal audience, and hopes audiences love the new material as much as her first hit special.
  • "Netflix changed my life. That was the stamp. And that special changed everything." (147:16, Leanne Morgan)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NBA being rigged:
  -"I feel vindicated, and I'm just waiting for the ball to drop to show us that it's all sports." (03:21, Dusty Slay)

• On Halloween as a grandparent:
  -"Now that I'm a grandmother...I do want to have cute. I don't have demon looking things...I will go to TJ Maxx and get a happy looking ghost and set it on the porch." (94:08, Leanne Morgan)

• On the Bell Witch oral history:
  -"I knew I was going to Hollywood and there would be a casket with this dummy in it and they'd go 'that's Kate Batts.' And all these little children we'd be scared to death." (132:17, Leanne Morgan)

• On career insecurities:
  -"If I take off, I think nobody loves me. Nobody cares." (85:54, Leanne Morgan)

• On newfound success:
  -"Thank goodness I persevered." (143:21, Leanne Morgan)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:58 — Announcements: Leanne's Netflix special, tour updates
• 03:21–12:14 — Sports corruption, conspiracy talk
• 28:05–34:06 — Leanne’s Dr. Pepper, small town stories
• 42:14–47:40 — Leanne on comedy in arenas & early career struggles
• 93:55–96:45 — Halloween traditions, costumes, and preferences
• 105:22–110:19 — Halloween candy debate, Tennessee’s favorites
• 122:30–139:02 — The Bell Witch: legend, personal stories, movies
• 146:22—147:51 — "Unspeakable Things": Leanne’s new special and reflections

Episode Tone & Style

Classic Nateland: warm, friendly banter full of Southern storytelling. The humor is gentle, self-deprecating, wholesome, with a happy blend of nostalgia, regional culture, and inside-comedy references. Leanne Morgan’s presence adds heart, gratitude, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

Conclusion

This episode perfectly sends listeners into Halloween with laughs, legends, and Southern charm. Whether discussing family, ghosts, or chocolate, the group’s easy rapport reminds everyone why Nateland feels like home. Don’t miss Leanne’s Netflix special November 4th!

End of Summary