The NoSleep Podcast - S23 Ep4: NoSleep Podcast S23E04

Release Date: July 27, 2025

Overview

In the fourth episode of Season 23, "NoSleep Podcast S23E04," hosted by Creative Reason Media Inc., listeners are immersed in a trio of original horror tales that delve into the macabre and the supernatural. This episode masterfully intertwines atmospheric storytelling with rich soundscapes, enhancing the eerie narratives. Skipping over advertisements and non-content segments, the episode focuses on three distinct stories: a chilling encounter at a town dump, haunting memories of a grandfather’s lakeside home, and a terrifying visit to a secondhand antique store. Each story explores themes of fear, loss, and the unknown, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats.

Story 1: The Prank at the Town Dump

Narrated by Quincy Lee, Performers: Jeff Clement, Atticus Jackson, Matthew Bradford, Danielle McCrae, Nicole Goodnight

Summary: The first tale introduces a group of young friends—Zaz, Aiden, Lizbeth, and Keisha—who decide to explore the local town dump out of boredom and curiosity. The centerpiece of their adventure is an old, medieval-looking refrigerator rumored to trap those who dare to enter it. Zaz, the ringleader with a penchant for scares, convinces his friends to play a prank by pretending to get stuck inside the fridge. However, the prank takes a sinister turn when Zaz starts receiving ominous text messages from inside the refrigerator, indicating that he’s genuinely trapped.

Key Events:

• Exploration of the Dump ([05:46] Zaz): The friends navigate through heaps of rusted appliances and debris, eventually discovering an old refrigerator that stands out due to its age and sturdiness.

• The Prank Turns Real ([06:23] Aiden): Zaz’s intent to scare his friends by acting stuck in the fridge evolves into a terrifying reality as he begins sending distressing messages.

• Desperate Attempts to Save Zaz ([12:16] DC): As Zaz's messages persist, his friends frantically search for him, only to find conflicting evidence that suggests he might be alive yet unable to free himself.

• The Fridge’s Dark Secret ([20:34] DC): Upon finally opening the fridge, they find no body, leading to theories about Zaz either being alive or becoming part of a supernatural phenomenon related to the fridge.

Notable Quotes:

• Zaz: “Good luck hauling that 6,000 pound rusted washing machine out of the woods yourself.” ([06:24])

• Lisbeth: “Keisha, Keisha, Keisha, you better not be.” ([11:08])

• Zaz: “Cold. I’m starting to type a reply when a knock on my door makes me think maybe he’s finally gonna be standing there with his shit eating grin.” ([18:15])

Conclusion: The story culminates with unresolved tension as the refrigerator remains empty upon police inspection, leaving the fate of Zaz ambiguous. His sister, Lisbeth, believes she sees his spirit manifesting through the fridge, scattering flowers as a reminder of his haunting presence. Meanwhile, Zaz’s continuous texts hint at an unresolved existence, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements.

Story 2: Echoes of the Lake

Narrated by Austin Taylor, Performers: Regan Tacker, Nicole Goodnight

Summary: The second narrative centers around Aiden, who inherits his late grandfather’s expansive lakeside property. Driven by nostalgia and a desire to honor his grandfather, Aiden embarks on a project to build a dock they had planned together. However, his endeavor awakens dark forces lurking beneath the lake’s surface, leading to inexplicable phenomena that blur the lines between reality and the supernatural.

Key Events:

• Inherited Memories ([31:03] Aiden): Aiden reminisces about summers spent with his grandfather, building treehouses and bonding over fishing and hunting, setting a nostalgic yet foreboding tone.

• Initiating the Project ([43:14] Zaz): Motivated by the discovery of his grandfather’s blueprints, Aiden begins constructing the dock, only to encounter malfunctioning equipment and unusual measurements that suggest an unnatural depth to the lake.

• Supernatural Occurrences ([44:53] Zaz): As Aiden continues his work, the lake exhibits eerie behavior—glowing waters, strange voices, and the formation of a massive, otherworldly dome that exerts a magnetic pull on him.

• Alternate Realities ([44:59] Zaz): Aiden experiences disorienting shifts in time and space, finding himself in unfamiliar settings with no memory of how he arrived, further fueled by the luminous presence emanating from the lake.

Notable Quotes:

• Aiden: “I kept walking. I held out my hand. I embraced the inevitable, and in a moment I felt my entire life collapse into a single instant.” ([45:04])

• Aiden: “I couldn’t read much from her face, and neither of us said anything on the drive back to her house.” ([19:13])

Conclusion: Aiden’s journey reflects a descent into the unknown, where his attempts to reconnect with his past inadvertently awaken malevolent forces. The story highlights themes of grief, inheritance, and the thin veil between life and the supernatural, leaving Aiden trapped in a cycle where the lake’s dark mysteries continue to haunt him.

Story 3: The Antiquer’s Curse

Narrated by Sam Singer, Performers: Jessie Cornett, Danielle McCrae

Summary: The final story follows Lisbeth, who, in an effort to declutter, donates her cherished stuffed bear, Bob, to a local secondhand store. Determined to retrieve him, Lisbeth visits Narrow Street Antiques, only to find herself ensnared in a nightmarish labyrinth where time is distorted, and malevolent forces seek to trap her within the antiquated confines of the store.

Key Events:

• The Donation Mistake ([50:51] Lisbeth): Lisbeth realizes her beloved teddy bear, Bob, has been sold and tracks him to Narrow Street Antiques, hoping to retrieve him.

• Entering the Antique Store ([53:26] Zaz): Upon entering the store, Lisbeth is greeted by Nora Vandeveld, the enigmatic proprietor, who directs her to find Bob within the seemingly endless aisles filled with relics.

• Supernatural Pursuit ([54:46] Zaz): As Lisbeth searches, she becomes lost in the maze-like store, encountering a grotesque figure referred to as the "antiquer," whose presence exudes decay and death.

• Encounter with the Antiquer ([71:43] Aiden): Lisbeth faces terrifying apparitions, including animatronic dolls lacking fingers, as she navigates through different eras represented by the store’s inventory, each step deeper into the antique’s curse tethering her to the store.

• The Climactic Rescue ([73:12] Lisbeth): Just as all hope seems lost, Lisbeth manages to retrieve Bob, only to face the antiquer’s final attempt to trap her. She escapes the store, but the encounter leaves her with lasting fears and the lingering presence of the antiquer.

Notable Quotes:

• Nora Vandeveld: “Good afternoon. Welcome to Narrow Street Antiques. Can I help you find anything?” ([53:26])

• Zaz: “Oh, it’s a shame that’s been damaged. I know our shop is a precarious place.” ([73:45])

• Lisbeth: “The lights on, Grainger understands that you…” ([77:33])

Conclusion: Lisbeth’s ordeal at Narrow Street Antiques serves as a metaphor for the inescapable nature of past attachments and the horrors that can arise when one becomes too entangled with the relics of yesterday. Her escape signifies a temporary victory, yet the shadow of the antiquer remains, suggesting that some darkness is never fully vanquished.

Final Thoughts

This episode of The NoSleep Podcast effectively intertwines personal fears with supernatural elements, creating immersive horror experiences that resonate on multiple levels. Through meticulous storytelling and atmospheric performances, each tale delves into the protagonists' vulnerabilities—whether it’s the fear of losing a friend, confronting haunting memories, or battling malevolent forces tied to cherished possessions.

Notable Quotes Across Stories:

• Host DC: “When the horror is young at heart, that heart will beat faster in terror.” ([00:00])

• Zaz: “Come in.” ([43:14] and [44:53])

• Lisbeth: “The mystic forces within this antique shop have left their mark on me...” ([73:12])

Production Credits:

• Host: David Cummings
• Performers: Jeff Clement, Atticus Jackson, Matthew Bradford, Danielle McCrae, Nicole Goodnight, Regan Tacker, Jessie Cornett
• Authors: Quincy Lee, Austin Taylor, Sam Singer
• Musical Score: Brandon Boone
• Production Team: Phil Mikulski, Jeff Clement, Jesse Cornett, Claudius Moore
• Editorial Team: Jessica McAvoy, Ashley McAnally, Ollie A. White, Kristen Samido

Closing: The episode concludes with a reminder that the horrors explored are ever-present, urging listeners to stay vigilant against the unknown entities that stalk the night. The NoSleep Podcast continues to deliver spine-chilling narratives that keep audiences engrossed and sleepless.