Podcast Summary: "WEIRD Here to Help: Immaculate Possession & Uhaul Grandma's Spirit"

We're Here to Help – Episode 273
Hosts: Eric Edelstein & Steve Berg
Release Date: March 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special "WEIRD Here to Help" edition, Eric Edelstein and Steve Berg tackle two unforgettable listener dilemmas: one involving a year-long fake demonic possession, and the other, a heartfelt quest to bring a grandmother's spirit along during a family move. Overflowing with humor, sincerity, and practical (if sometimes quirky) advice, the hosts foster a supportive arena for personal stories and supernatural questions alike. Expect entertaining tangents about elderly tennis leagues, legendary grandparent recipes, and a masterclass in commitment to the bit.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Steve’s Omaha Tennis & Historical Society Adventure (00:44–07:43)

• Steve shares his integration into Omaha’s geriatric tennis scene, emphasizing the camaraderie, vintage tennis fashion, and highly social post-game coffee with retirees.
• Historical Society connection: Steve lands an invite to lecture about Nebraska UFOs—a dream for a local history and weirdness aficionado.
• Advice segment: Eric reassures Steve about fitting in with the older crowd and recommends classic icebreakers (start with the weather, non-political current events).
  • Notable Quote:
    Eric (04:42): “You’re basically joining a secret society. Kind of like the Bohemian Grove of Omaha.” Steve: “Am I going to have to drink the blood of an owl or something?” Eric: “No, just... probably sex stuff.”

Timestamps

• Integration into tennis community: 00:44–03:52
• Tips on connecting with seniors: 03:52–07:43

2. Caller 1: Zach from Indianapolis – ‘The Immaculate Possession’ (10:04–36:33)

The Scenario

• Caller Zach confesses to maintaining a year-long ruse of being possessed by a demon to unsettle a freeloading house guest and others—stemming partly from a need for attention after his father's death.

How It Started (14:05–18:59)

• Zach faked sleep, then chanted "Yvette" (his dad's name, Steve, spelled backward) to scare his guest.
  • Notable Quote:
    Steve (18:53): “Oh my god.”
    Eric (18:56): “Brilliant. Just brilliant.”
• The bit escalated: from sleep antics, to texting friends in Latin & backwards, to staged reactions at a haunted theater, and even feigned aversion to Christian music.

Reflection & Advice (25:31–35:37)

• Zach ultimately revealed the truth to friends at his wedding—most responded with good humor or indifference.
  • Memorable moment:
    Steve (26:43): “I love to picture you at your own wedding toast… ‘I just want to thank all my family, friends…’” Eric: “And Amy Grant for her healing music.”
• The unresolved: Zach hasn't come clean to a particularly religious friend and feels conflicted.

Host Guidance

• Eric and Steve praise Zach’s “legendary” commitment but encourage closure. They suggest Zach have a “part two” on the show—inviting the still-uninformed friend to reveal the truth live, turning the story into a cathartic, ultimate bit.
• Steve proposes Zach host a ‘reunion meal’ for all those he pranked, to cement good feelings and closure.
  • Quote:
    Eric (32:06): “Budget a little bit to take everybody you did this bit to out…say you’re now possessed by goodness.”

Timestamps

• Initial setup and confession: 14:05–19:31
• Details of the bit: 19:36–25:31
• Coming clean & proposed next steps: 25:45–35:37

3. Caller 2: Meredith from Denver – ‘Uhaul Grandma’s Spirit’ (36:39–53:40)

The Scenario

• Moving out of a longtime family home, Meredith wants to ensure her children feel that their grandmother’s spirit comes with them—not left behind.

Emotional Roots & Advice (41:06–53:40)

• Steve asserts, “Grandma lives in the kids and you…all your actions, grandma’s part of that recipe.”
• Practical suggestion: Create a dedicated family altar in the new house—photos spanning all life stages, keepsakes, favorite mugs, maybe even coffee the way she liked it. Involve the kids in creating it, so the bond is active and communal.
  • Steve (42:47): “Each kid gets to choose a thing on the altar—it becomes a family affair...this will carry over grandma’s spirit.”
• Eric shares his own grandfather rituals: keeping objects close and regular intentional remembrance, like having “coffee with grandpa.”
• For extra ritual: burn sage or palo santo at the old home (and the new), invite grandma’s spirit aloud, play her favorite music, and set intentional goodbyes and welcomes.
  • Eric (49:56): “Burning a little sage as you leave to clear that energy, then inviting grandma to join—the invitation matters.”
• Steve urges: "Don’t forget the hard candy!” (Classic grandparent move.)

Host Reassurance

• Despite differing family spiritual attitudes, both hosts give a “WEIRD Here to Help Guarantee” that the spirit of grandma “goes where the love is.” They encourage ritual, remembrance, and humor as the best tools for moving through this big transition.
  • Eric (53:22): “You’re making the intention, grandma’s coming with you, and your kids are going to be so happy to spend a little time with grandma in the morning.”

Timestamps

• Meredith presents her case: 41:06–41:38
• Advice and ideas for honoring grandma’s spirit: 41:38–53:40

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On senior societies:
  “You’re basically joining a secret society. Kind of like the Bohemian Grove of Omaha.” - Eric (04:42)
• Commitment to the bit:
  “That commitment to the bit of being possessed by a demon for 365 days… that’s astounding.” - Steve (14:30)
• Forgiveness and closure:
  “If we, on the show, can prove demons don’t exist, possession doesn’t exist—he was just going through a rough patch. All-time great caller.” - Eric (30:26)
• Ritual and memory:
  “If you and your new house have stuff of your grandmother and build the Steve Berg altar… you’re absolutely celebrating your grandmother AND teaching your kids that grandma’s spirit is alive.” - Eric (43:44)
• Host/guest rapport:
  “At the end of the day, Steve and I are just callers. You’re helping us help more than anyone.” - Eric (33:49)

Episode Structure: Highlights & Timestamps

• Tennis & Omaha history society bit: 00:44–07:43
• Zach’s “possession” question: 10:04–36:33
• Meredith’s “bringing grandma’s spirit” question: 36:39–53:40

Tone and Takeaways

The energy is playful, supportive, and slightly irreverent, but the advice always lands on seeing and validating the caller’s emotional needs—whether those needs are closure, connection, or permission to find humor in old wounds.

• For tough transitions (loss, moves, big changes), anchoring with some ritual—whether public or private—helps keep loved ones close and stories alive.
• Confessing old shenanigans, even wild ones, can be healing, hilarious, and lead to deeper reconnection (but maybe do it on-air for max impact, if you’re feeling brave).

For the Listeners

If you love a blend of heartfelt life advice and raucous life stories—especially those with a weird, supernatural, or guilty-pleasure twist—this episode is essential listening.