Podcast Summary: Two Girls One Ghost

Episode 367 – The Polaroid Ghost | Glassell Park Haunting

April 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Corinne Vien and Sabrina Deana-Roga dive into “The Polaroid Ghost” case—a decades-long haunting in Glassell Park, Los Angeles, where communication with a spirit named “Wright” was documented through thousands of Polaroid photos. The pair discuss the backstory, skeptical investigations, and the enduring mystery, blending their trademark humor with thoughtful analysis of one of paranormal history’s most persistent and unusual cases.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bigfoot Sightings and Movie Reviews (01:16 – 08:26)

• The episode kicks off with banter about recent Bigfoot sightings in Ohio, musings about the weather, and playful speculation about interviewing Bigfoot.
• Corinne reviews the new A24 horror film “Undertone,” a sound-based horror centered on a paranormal podcast, drawing parallels to Two Girls One Ghost:
  • “It is called Undertone. It's A24's new horror film all about a girl…podcasting about the paranormal...It's a sound horror.” (04:06)
• Both discuss the unique fear of recording at odd hours with headphones, feeling isolated and vulnerable—a sensation reflected in the movie and their own podcasting experience.

2. Introduction to the Polaroid Ghost Case (08:26 – 10:21)

• Corinne introduces the main story: a spirit in Glassell Park, LA, that communicates through Polaroid photos, spelling out words, giving answers, and possibly providing clues to a hidden body.
  • “What began as a ghostly apparition caught on camera turned into full on messages appearing on these photos.” (08:49)
• Over 30+ years, more than 15,000 paranormal photos have been taken, with no debunker succeeding despite attempts by experts, friends, and even Kodak/Polaroid engineers.

3. The Johns & The First Ghost Photos (10:21 – 18:38)

• The story centers on John Huckert and John Matowski (“Little John and Big John”), a couple of artists who move into a charming but quirky house in the early 1980s.
• Early odd experiences: knocks, electrical issues, shuffling in the attic—easily rationalized away at first.
• In 1992, after a heavy bathroom door opens inexplicably (twice), John snaps a Polaroid. The photo reveals a classic “cartoon ghost” shape—like someone under a sheet.
  • “It looks like the most ghost, costumey ghost ever...But it also has this like white mist coming out from different angles.” (15:37)
• A second photo brings the apparition closer; skepticism follows, with John suspecting pranks or camera error, but repeated testing rules this out.

4. Friends' Reactions & Interactive Ghost Communication (18:38 – 29:45)

• Friends are invited to a cocktail “reveal night,” react with skepticism (“Cool art thing. How'd you do this?”), but become believers when new Polaroids start revealing intelligent, responsive answers to direct questions:
  • Q: "Are you here?" → A: "YES" appears on the developed photo, written in ethereal “cloudy” letters (20:00 – 21:30).
  • Q: "Are you a good or bad ghost?" → A: "Friend"
  • Q: "What’s your name?" → A: "WRIGHT"
  • Q: "Where do you go when you’re not here?" → A: "FLUX"
• The words appear only in the developed film, not on the Polaroid surface.

5. Investigations, Skeptics, and The Media (29:45 – 38:23)

• TV show “Sightings” features the case; over 1,000 photos are taken during live taping, with results no one can debunk.
  • “Camera experts, Kodak, Polaroid, even the FBI came to try to debunk—no one could.” (33:29)
• Claims such as double exposure, pareidolia, or chemical manipulation are tested and dismissed: independent guests bring their own unopened film and cameras, ask spontaneous questions, get relevant ghost-written replies.
• Memorable quote on skepticism:
  • Sabrina: "How does it not then prove ghosts are real? What would convince people that they are?" (34:44)
• Corinne points to the extreme measures skeptics proposed to “fake” the effect—elaborate, time-consuming, and unable to recreate results.

6. The Nature of Wright & The House’s History (40:08 – 56:57)

• The entity, Wright, responds to questions over years with not only facts but encouragement—leaving messages like “keep going,” “I am here for you,” and “anything is possible.”
• The hosts note Wright’s “great sense of humor” and friendly nature, making him “top 5 ghost goals.”
• Research in city archives finds a previous owner named Wright, suggesting the spirit’s real-world identity.
• Psychic Peter James, after visiting, claims there's a body buried on the property; ask-the-ghost Polaroids produce the words “dig” and “dig here,” but no excavation is done.
• On the ghost’s supportive words:
  • “He loved the Johns. And he was so encouraging. Both Johns are, like, struggling artists...and Wright would give them messages to encourage them. Things like, keep going or anything is possible.” (46:01)

7. The Parties, The Grim Reaper & Ghostly Pranks (41:07 – 45:27)

• Annual Halloween parties become legendary; rules are set about keeping photos on site, as the Johns wish to protect Wright’s expressions.
• A famous encounter: A party crasher dressed as the Grim Reaper is deeply frightened when a Polaroid shows his face replaced by an even scarier skeleton. He leaves immediately—a classic example of the ghost’s mischievous, protective energy.

8. The Legacy, Artsy Gallery, and Unsolved Mysteries (56:57 – 59:48)

• As of today, the Johns (likely still living there) possess over 15,000 paranormal Polaroids.
• The film is now discontinued; digital photos sometimes show results, but are less compelling due to easy manipulation.
• Thousands of photos were displayed at a 2007 art gallery showing; some are featured in the book “Polaroid Ghosts and Other True Paranormal Tales” by Jo Augustine.
• Netflix’s “Surviving Death” (S1E5) covers the case, and host interviews are available for further context.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the ghost’s artistic choices:
  “It looks like the most ghost, costumey ghost ever...someone wearing a sheet over their head with eyes then the mouth drawn in like Sharpie.”
  Karina, 15:37

• On debunkers:
  “It makes me want to take the Polaroid and smack the skeptics across their faces. I would love, like, really, Gent? Because I don't want to hurt anyone.”
  Sabrina, 09:42

• On paranormal proof:
  “How does it not then [prove ghosts are real]? What would convince people that they are?”
  Sabrina, 34:44

• On the ghost’s kindness:
  “Keep going. Anything is possible.”
  Wright, via Polaroid; 46:01

• On communicating with ghosts as a career:
  “I'd start a GoFundMe: give me money for film packs because I have to non stop communicate, like, what is this?”
  Sabrina, 28:18

• On the spirit’s signature:
  “When we asked, what is your name? It spells out W, R, I, G, H, T.”
  21:48

• The ghost pranking the party skeptic:
  “As the photo developed, people noticed something quite scary form on top of the guy's face...as if Wright stepped in front of him, changed what he looked like to be a horrifying skeletal body.”
  Karina, 44:03

Listener Stories Segment (62:33 – 66:43)

• Sabrina reads a listener-submitted story from Lily, a professional psychic medium, about capturing the ghost of a teenage skateboarder named Xavor on camera during a paranormal class at an old mill arcade.
• Xavor flirts with the medium, humorously noting, “Well, technically in your time, I'm older than you.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:16 – 04:43: Bigfoot news & horror movie review
• 08:26 – 10:21: Introduction to the Polaroid Ghost case
• 15:14 – 18:38: Description of the first ghost photo & friend reactions
• 20:00 – 21:30: YES photo and the first direct ghost responses
• 25:05 – 27:26: Name revelation (“Wright”) and deepening communication
• 29:45 – 38:23: “Sightings” show investigation and skeptic debunk attempts
• 41:07 – 45:27: Halloween parties, the Grim Reaper photo, and ghostly humor
• 46:01 – 47:39: Ghost encouragement and emotional support for the Johns
• 56:57 – 59:48: Gallery show, legacy, and surviving evidence
• 62:33 – 66:43: Listener story: “Teen ghost caught on camera”

Podcast Tone & Language

• Playful, witty, and candid; lots of banter and mutual ribbing—it’s like joining your best friends for a spooky sleepover.
• Deep respect for the subject and witnesses, but ready to poke fun at pretentious or closed-minded skeptics.
• Their language mixes pop-culture references with a genuine earnestness about the mysteries of the paranormal.

Conclusion

The Polaroid Ghost story remains one of the most enduring and evidential hauntings in modern paranormal lore—a friendly ghost communicating in real time through physical media, witnessed, tested, and still unexplained. Despite exhaustive investigations, Wright’s playful, poignant messages persist as a testament to the unknown, offering encouragement to the living and fuel for endless debate among believers and skeptics alike.

The hosts encourage anyone with ghost photos or stories to submit them and highlight the importance of open-minded curiosity. Are you ready? As Wright might reply: maybe not yet.

For further exploration:

• Sightings, Season 1, Episode 10: “Ghostwriter”
• Netflix, Surviving Death S1E5
• “Polaroid Ghosts and Other True Paranormal Tales” by Jo Augustine
• Wendy's Coffee House Curious Podcast (interview with John Huckert)

Summary compiled true to the episode’s spirit and structure, highlighting every haunting detail, and—right—where it belongs (58:49).