While science offers an explanation for sleep paralysis, the haunting tales of shadowy figures, demons, and unearthly whispers remind us that, in the dead of night, the line between reality and nightmare blurs.

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*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*

IN THIS EPISODE: It feels like a demon trapping you inside your own body. For some, it’s a faceless entity trying to suffocate them. For others, it’s a creepy old witch with long, dirty claws. Others believe it’s alien abduction, and some even see the face of dead relatives during these attacks. However it happens, whatever is seen or felt, whatever the truth of the phenomenon may be… sleep paralysis is always terrifying. (Stories of Sleep Paralysis) *** It was the single most destructive fire in American history, on October 8, 1871 a large portion of the midwest burned to the ground… but this wasn’t the Great Chicago Fire. (The Great Peshtigo Fire) *** You could say their story is a long and fishy tail… mermaids have been in folklore and myths throughout history, and with stories of them being found worldwide. (Mermaid Mythology)

CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = The Foreboding
00:00:56.194 = Show Open
00:02:43.892 = Stories of Sleep Paralysis, Part 1
00:24:37.070 = Stories of Sleep Paralysis, Part 2 ***
00:43:30.403 = Mermaid Mythology
00:50:26.607 = The Great Peshtigo Fire ***
01:13:11.745 = Show Close
*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break

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EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/sleepdemon

SOURCES and RESOURCES:
Episode Page at WeirdDarkness.com: https://weirddarkness.com/SleepParalysis
“Stories of Sleep Paralysis” by Christoper Shultz for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckmrapk; and US Ghost Adventures: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/72p3x994
“The Great Peshtigo Fire” by Troy Taylor from the book “And Hell Followed With It”: https://amzn.to/3HdyOci
“Mermaid Mythology” by Louise Pryke for The Conversation: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p9bzzsx
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"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46

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Originally aired: January 09, 2024