The NoSleep Podcast
Season 22, Episode 18: "NoSleep Podcast S22E18"
Release Date: April 13, 2025

The NoSleep Podcast continues its tradition of delivering spine-chilling horror tales in Season 22, Episode 18. Hosted by David Cummings of Creative Reason Media Inc., this episode delves into the dark and tumultuous experiences of teenagers, both current and reflective of past traumas. The episode presents three distinct stories, each weaving intricate narratives of fear, loss, and the supernatural.

1. The Disappearance of Janet Hinshaw

Narrator: The episode opens with the haunting disappearance of Janet Hinshaw, a seventh-grader last seen walking home with friends on October 6, 1978, in Waverly County. The police investigation reveals unsettling discrepancies in the testimonies of the four girls who were with her that evening.

Key Characters:

• Bridget Palmer
• Patricia Jones
• Pauline Jones
• Debbie Howard

Each girl recounts the night differently, highlighting odd behaviors and unexplained phenomena that occurred during their walk home. Their collective narrative begins innocuously but quickly descends into chaos as Janet vanishes without a trace.

Notable Quotes:

• Bridget Palmer [05:39]:
  "I remember running really fast into the trees behind the swings and I was so, so mad. No one else was with us."

• Patricia Jones [08:13]:
  "I don't know where she went or what happened."

• Pauline Jones [11:49]:
  "I heard weird bug noises and I screamed back at Joy for us to leave and find the others."

As the investigation progresses, Debbie Howard emerges as a pivotal character. Her second statement reveals a deeper, more sinister truth about Janet's disappearance, contradicting the other girls' earlier narratives.

Debbie Howard [18:54]:
"I saw someone holding Janet's head from her ponytail. It looked like she was still screaming something, but all I could hear were those bugs."

This revelation suggests a supernatural involvement, leaving listeners with lingering questions about the true fate of Janet Hinshaw.

2. Slappy the Clown

Narrator: The second story centers on Ben Belladoyle, a man tormented by the memory of his father, Franklin Belladoyle, who also lived as Slappy the Clown. The narrative explores Ben's struggle with his father's dual identity and the lasting impact it has on his life.

Key Characters:

• Ben Belladoyle (Ben)
• Franklin Belladoyle / Slappy the Clown (Frank)
• Susie
• Mrs. Groves

Ben's recollections paint a picture of a loving father torn apart by a malevolent alter ego. Slappy the Clown embodies the chaos and cruelty that Frank succumbs to, leading to traumatic incidents that haunt Ben well into his adulthood.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben [26:37]:
  "Slappy could make a man like Mussolini smile."

• Frank/Slappy [30:13]:
  "Slappy did it, Lynn. You gotta believe me."

One pivotal moment occurs during a circus field trip where Slappy orchestrates a disturbing performance that results in Mrs. Groves' trauma and the loss of Ben's friendship with Susie.

Ben [33:06]:
"If I don't do what he says, he said he'll ruin my life."

This internal conflict culminates in a terrifying encounter at his father's grave, where Slappy's sinister presence forces Ben to confront his deepest fears. The story concludes ambiguously, leaving Ben's reality and sanity in question.

3. Moira and the Cursed Diary

Narrator: The final tale introduces Moira, an 8-year-old girl who receives a mysterious diary from her grandmothers. This diary comes with strict rules: Moira must only read the entry designated for each day and must never attempt to skip ahead. However, curiosity leads her to break these rules, unleashing a series of terrifying consequences that alter her perception of time and reality.

Key Characters:

• Moira
• Grandmothers: Cleo, Lockley, and Addie
• Patricia Jones (through secondary narration)
• Friends and Family Members

As Moira adheres to the diary's guidelines, her life unfolds with eerie precision, only to unravel when she decides to read beyond her allotted entry.

Notable Quotes:

• Narrator [48:05]:
  "Each day you may read one entry, but only the entry for that same day. Don't bother with what happened yesterday or the day before."

• Moira [50:12]:
  "What's old time like now, but heavier. And a bit blurry."

By ignoring the diary's rules, Moira experiences disjointed memories and encounters with her grandmothers, who hint at the diary's true power and the dangers of tampering with time.

Moira [57:10]:
"Pages flutter."
This recurring phrase symbolizes the chaotic and uncontrollable nature of the diary's influence over her life, culminating in a nightmarish cycle where past, present, and future blur into one horrifying continuum.

The story serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of curiosity and the inexorable march of time, leaving listeners pondering the thin line between reality and the supernatural.

Conclusion

In this episode of The NoSleep Podcast, David Cummings masterfully intertwines multiple narratives that explore the vulnerabilities and fears inherent in adolescence and the lingering scars of past traumas. Each story is meticulously crafted, blending realistic elements with the unexplainable, ensuring that listeners remain engrossed and unsettled long after the episode concludes.

Host’s Closing Remarks:
"We hope these stories give you a chill and a thrill from their very own teenage wasteland. Now back to the horror." [23:12]

The NoSleep Podcast continues to excel in delivering original horror content, enhanced by atmospheric music and compelling voice performances. This episode underscores the series' commitment to exploring deep-seated fears and the dark corners of the human psyche, making it a must-listen for horror enthusiasts.