The NoSleep Podcast – Season 22, Episode 25: "NoSleep Podcast S22E25"

Release Date: June 1, 2025
Host/Producer: Creative Reason Media Inc.

Episode Overview

In the season 22 finale of The NoSleep Podcast, host David Cummings wraps up the season with three gripping horror stories that intertwine crime and terror. Each tale delves into the dark consequences of criminal actions, blending atmospheric storytelling with chilling narratives. This episode promises intense horror that leaves listeners on the edge of their seats, perfect for fans seeking a final scare before the upcoming Season 23.

Story 1: "Confessions of a Reluctant Serial Killer"

Author: Thomas Kaminsky
Performed by: Sarah Thomas, Jeff Clement, Nicole Goodnight, Atticus Jackson

Summary:
The episode opens with a haunting confession from Atticus Jackson, a 25-year-old serial killer who shares his troubled psyche and the motivations behind his gruesome actions. Unlike typical serial killers driven by pleasure or power, Atticus reveals a complex rationale rooted in his desire to instill genuine fear in a desensitized society. Working weekends at a haunted house, he becomes disillusioned with fake scares and decides to create real horror, believing that true fear is necessary to prevent society from slipping into complacency.

Key Plot Points:

• Atticus’s Confession: Begins with Atticus reflecting on his identity and the emptiness he feels despite his criminal prowess.
  "What am I? I never thought I'd live long enough to need one." [04:47]

• Haunted House Setting: Describes his job at the haunted house and his growing frustration with artificial scares.
  "Perhaps a sign they simply didn't get scared like they used to." [07:41]

• First Kill: Details his methodical approach to murder, blending seamlessly into the haunted attraction to surprise his victims.
  "You'd think then that I already answered my own question. What am I? Why, I'm a serial killer, of course." [18:45]

• Philosophical Realization: Explores his twisted philosophy that society needs a common enemy to maintain order and motivation for improvement.
  "Through me and others like me, the mechanism to mold a perfect existence is possible." [21:24]

Notable Quotes:

• Atticus Jackson:
  "Sometimes I see their faces in the reflection of its blade." [04:47]
  "Crime doesn't pay, does it?" [01:16]

Story 2: "Echoes of the Mind"

Author: Jack Nash
Performed by: Aaron Lillis, Jeff Clement, Atticus Jackson, Jesse Cornett

Summary:
Aaron Lillis portrays a telepath who survives by feeding on the memories of violence and cruelty. In a world increasingly saturated with simulated violence, genuine traumatic memories have become scarce, making his existence both problematic and painful. Desperate to find substantial memories, Aaron's hunt leads him to confront Marcus, a formidable figure whose dark influence threatens the dwindling telepath community. The story delves into themes of isolation, addiction, and the blurred lines between reality and perception.

Key Plot Points:

• Telepath’s Struggle: Aaron explains the difficulty of finding authentic violent memories in a world dominated by fictional and second-hand trauma.
  "Too many remember video games like it was them holding a knife and not a controller." [27:04]

• Encounter with Marcus: Aaron's pursuit brings him to Marcus, leading to a metaphysical confrontation that reveals the true extent of Marcus's power and the fate awaiting telepaths.
  "Marcus Gravity is holding me fast." [41:24]

• Descent into Despair: The telepath realizes the futility of his quest as Marcus manipulates memories and exerts control over his mind, symbolizing the inescapable nature of trauma.
  "Marinated in it... There's no coming back from." [130:58]

Notable Quotes:

• Aaron Lillis:
  "I'm hunting for candy in a world drowning in aspartame." [32:53]
  "Maybe that's why we're dying off, us telepaths." [34:00]
• Marcus:
  "We are the dream, Gabriel, dreamt by the one who's caged amid the stars." [106:34]

Story 3: "The Manor of Shadows"

Author: Constantine E. Chiosis
Performed by: Graham Rowett, Dan Zapula, David Alt, Peter Lewis

Summary:
The final story introduces brothers Gabe and Michael, who embark on a perilous mission to retrieve a mysterious item from a dilapidated mansion as part of a deal with the notorious criminal Raymond Ardent. The mission takes a supernatural turn as they encounter the malevolent spirit of Jack Kaminsky, blending elements of haunted house lore with intense familial drama. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the haunting legacy of past traumas.

Key Plot Points:

• The Mission: Gabe and Michael are tasked with stealing from Raymond Ardent, a crime lord known for eliminating those who cross him.
  "You're smarter than that. This isn't about me getting my money back." [126:02]

• Supernatural Encounter: Inside the mansion, they confront Jack Kaminsky, the restless spirit of a past victim who torments them with visions and physical threats.
  "We are everywhere. I am now, yet we've always been." [106:34]
  "I can see why he asked me." [110:35]

• Climactic Confrontation: The brothers face their darkest fears as Raymond Ardent manipulates reality to assert control, leading to Gabe's realization of his brother’s disappearance and the depths of Ardent’s evil.
  "You gave me hope." [127:14]
  "This is about the message. I can't have people thinking they can steal from me and then just carry out a chance job and everything's peachy again." [124:54]

Notable Quotes:

• Raymond Ardent:
  "Care to give it a try?" [105:28]
  "We are the dream, Gabriel, dreamt by the one who's caged amid the stars." [106:34]

• Gabe:
  "Do you remember the day we met, Gabe?" [123:31]
  "I'm sure you didn't." [121:03]

• Michael:
  "You're staring at her naked feet." [73:27]
  "I can't find anything. It's just junk." [100:06]

Conclusion

The season finale of The NoSleep Podcast masterfully intertwines crime and horror, presenting stories that delve deep into the human psyche and the supernatural consequences of moral transgressions. From the philosophical musings of a serial killer to the haunted memories of a telepath and the familial horrors within a cursed manor, this episode delivers a rich tapestry of fear and intrigue. As Season 22 concludes, listeners are left anticipating the intense and terrifying narratives that Season 23 promises to bring.

Credits

• Host: David Cummings
• Story Authors: Thomas Kaminsky, Jack Nash, Constantine E. Chiosis
• Performers: Sarah Thomas, Jeff Clement, Nicole Goodnight, Atticus Jackson, Aaron Lillis, Jesse Cornett, Graham Rowett, Dan Zapula, David Alt, Peter Lewis
• Production Team: Phil Michalski, Jeff Clement, Jesse Cornett, Claudius Moore
• Editorial Team: Jessica McEvoy, Ashley McInally, Ollie A. White, Kristen Samido
• Musical Score: Brandon Boone

For more details and show notes, visit thenosleeppodcast.com.