Episode 542: Listener Tales 83
Dive into the mystical and the marvellous with Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart as "Morbid" brings you the 83rd installment of Listener Tales, showcasing eerie ancestral tales and personal paranormal encounters. This episode traverses the realm of supernatural heritages, beginning with the stories of Jenny and Dolores, matriarchs with reputed mystical bonds, whose legacies include predictions and potential hauntings that beckon from the beyond. Whether it's a witch's curse reluctant to release its hold or a daughter's intrinsic connection with nature manifesting in healing prowess, these narratives weave through the supernatural threads of one family's history.
But the episode isn't just a journey through ancestral accounts. It includes intimate stories from listeners like Sarah, who speaks of religious and spiritual conflict, and Carson, who shares the poignant tale of lingering affection for a dearly departed pet. Moreover, in a heartwarming twist, the podcast serves as the backdrop for listener Ben's unique on-air marriage proposal to his girlfriend Ruby—an event shared with the Morbid community, adding a layer of human connection to the chilling chronicles. Ash and Alaina narrate these tales with a blend of intrigue and warmth, inviting listeners to explore the shadows of the unknown and the light of affectionate moments.
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1-Page Summary
Witchy Women Ancestors
Jenny and Dolores, two women from the same family lineage, are known for their supernatural abilities.
Alma's Godmother Jenny, Reputed Witch
Alma's godmother, Jenny, is famed as a witch who cursed a bully, causing her physical distress until Jenny's forgiveness. Jenny shared a close bond with Alma and sought to pass on her mystical knowledge. Her deathbed scene was marked by drama as a priest removed a book from her side, indicating the loss of a legacy. Jenny's spirit is suggested to have attempted to intervene.
Alma's Daughter Dolores with Supernatural Abilities
Dolores, known for her deep connection with nature and healing abilities, is remembered for incidents that suggest a supernatural influence. Her foresight is evident, with predictions of crisis and concern for her daughter's safety seemingly validating her powers. Dreams of Dolores after her death, shared synchronously among family members, hint at a hereditary supernatural connection.
Personal Paranormal Stories
Listeners empathize with the family's strange occurrences, sharing personal experiences with what lies beyond.
Sarah's Story About Her Ancestor's Grimoire Stolen by Priest
Sarah brings a chilling account involving her ancestor, Jenny, and a grimoire. On Jenny's deathbed, a priest took her spellbook, causing a supernatural reaction that hinted at Jenny's unrest with the theft. This story underlines the clash between conventional religion and the supernatural belief system.
Carson's Story of Being Haunted by His Deceased Cat Mr. Mayor
Carson presents a heart-wrenching narrative of being haunted by his deceased cat, Mr. Mayor. Odd phenomena, suggesting Mr. Mayor's spectral presence, subsided only when Carson reassured the cat's spirit that he would not be left behind. A tribute space in their new home continues to honor Mr. Mayor, where his comforting presence is still occasionally felt.
Listener Ben's Proposal to Girlfriend Ruby
Ben's surprise on-air proposal to his girlfriend Ruby was synchronized with the hosting of Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart.
Ben utilized the podcast medium to propose to Ruby, leading to a whimsical and joyous engagement announcement made live on the show. In the aftermath, hosts Ash and Alaina celebrated the couple's creativity and emotional bond, encouraging listeners to partake in the festivities with a toast. The hosts expressed their delight and anticipation for the couple's future, ending the segment with an affirmation of their support for Ben and Ruby's relationship.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Alma is connected to Jenny as her godmother, who was known for her mystical abilities and tried to pass on her knowledge to Alma. Dolores is Alma's daughter, who also possessed supernatural powers and had a deep connection with nature. Both Jenny and Dolores played significant roles in Alma's life due to their extraordinary abilities and familial ties.
- Jenny is known for her curse-casting abilities, causing physical distress until forgiveness. Dolores is recognized for her deep connection with nature, healing powers, and prophetic foresight. Both women exhibit supernatural traits that suggest a hereditary link to mystical abilities. Their supernatural talents are portrayed as innate and impactful within their family lineage.
Counterarguments
- The belief in supernatural abilities and curses, such as those attributed to Jenny, lacks empirical evidence and may be explained by psychological, social, or medical phenomena.
- The idea that mystical knowledge can be passed down through generations is not supported by scientific understanding, which typically requires evidence-based learning and practice.
- The dramatic removal of a book by a priest at Jenny's deathbed could be interpreted differently, such as an attempt to provide comfort through religious means rather than an act of theft.
- The suggestion that Jenny's spirit attempted to intervene is based on personal belief and lacks verifiable proof, as spirit intervention is not recognized in scientific discourse.
- Dolores's deep connection with nature and healing abilities could be attributed to a placebo effect or the natural course of illnesses rather than supernatural influence.
- Predictions of crisis and concern for safety could be coincidental or based on subconscious observations rather than foresight.
- Shared dreams among family members after Dolores's death could be a result of shared grief and psychological factors rather than a hereditary supernatural connection.
- Personal paranormal stories often lack verifiable evidence and may be influenced by cultural narratives, psychological states, or a desire for meaningful patterns in life events.
- The clash between conventional religion and supernatural belief systems can be seen as a cultural and philosophical difference rather than a conflict with a definitive right or wrong side.
- Experiences of being haunted, such as Carson's story with his deceased cat, can be explained by grief, attachment, and the brain's search for familiarity in patterns.
- The on-air proposal, while creative, may not be preferred by all individuals, as some may value privacy or a more intimate setting for such a personal moment.
- The hosts' celebration of the engagement and encouragement for listener participation assumes all listeners are equally invested in the personal lives of the participants, which may not be the case.
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Witchy Women Ancestors
The tales of Alma's godmother, Jenny, and Alma's daughter, Dolores, recount the entrancing history of women with reputed supernatural abilities in one family's lineage.
Alma's Godmother Jenny, Reputed Witch
Jenny, regarded as a witch since childhood, engaged in what many considered acts of witchcraft. She is known for having cursed a school bully, proclaiming that the girl would endure the pain she caused others until she was bound by it. The bully then suffered from severe constipation and incontinence for three weeks, which ceased only after Jenny forgave her.
Alma's godmother, Jenny had formed a special bond with Alma, intending to pass on their mystical traditions to her. Facing old age, Jenny's last moments were dramatic: she died as a priest removed a book—an implied grimoire—from beside her, symbolizing the legacy she sought to protect. The story hints that Jenny's spirit tried to reclaim the book that was unjustly taken.
Sarah's recounting of her family's witchcraft-associated tales, particularly of Jenny, captures Alaina's imagination. Alaina suggests Sarah write a children's book about their witchy ancestors—a history to which Alaina and Ash feel intimately connected.
Alma's Daughter Dolores with Supernatural Abilities
Dolores, Alma's daughter, is celebrated for her extraordinary affinities with nature and animals. Known for concocting medicinal herb mixes, she had a talent for reviving ailing animals and nursing injured ones back to health, such as a toad and a bird after an unfortunate collision with a window.
The narrative recounts Dolores's mystique through an event where a peculiar man assisted her during a rainstorm, mending her car without any physica ...
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Witchy Women Ancestors
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Dolores possessed supernatural abilities related to nature and animals, including healing injured creatures and foreseeing future events. Her talents extended to predicting emergencies and offering guidance based on her insights. Dolores' abilities were perceived as otherworldly due to the mysterious and unexplainable nature of her actions. Her family members experienced her presence through synchronous dreams after her passing, suggesting a continued connection beyond the physical realm.
- Dolores possessed foresight, predicting events ...
Counterarguments
- The belief in witchcraft and supernatural abilities is not supported by empirical evidence, and attributing such powers to individuals may be a form of superstition or folklore rather than factual history.
- The curse Jenny placed on the school bully could be a coincidence, and attributing it to supernatural causes lacks a scientific basis.
- The dramatic nature of Jenny's death and the removal of the book by a priest could be embellished or misinterpreted events rather than evidence of a mystical legacy.
- Writing a children's book about witchy ancestors could perpetuate myths and misunderstandings about witchcraft, which historically has led to the persecution and harm of innocent people.
- Dolores's affinities with nature and animals could be explained by a deep understanding and experience with wildlife rather than supernatural abilities.
- The incident with the peculiar man fixing Dolores's car could be an exaggerated tale or a misunderstanding of the events that took place.
- Dolores's foresight and predictions could be instances of coincidence, educated guesses, or the result of subconsciously picking up on cues rather than actual precognition.
- The advice again ...
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Personal Paranormal Stories
Listeners share their spine-tingling encounters with the otherworldly, from ancestral curses to spectral pets.
Sarah's Story About Her Ancestor's Grimoire Stolen by Priest
Sarah recounts a chilling tale that weaves together premonitions, ghosts, and curses. The story hinges on her great-grandmother's godmother, Jenny, who was reputedly a witch. During the year 1906, Sarah’s great-grandmother called Alma was born into a farming family. Alma's mother, Annie, named Jenny as Alma's godmother.
However, when the local priest was called to attend to Jenny on her deathbed, he found himself in a world of contrary beliefs. He conducted his Latin prayers with an eagerness to depart from the witch's presence, only to spot her grimoire. Disguising his action with a jacket, he took the book from Jenny's bedside at the very moment she exhaled her last breath. In a supernatural flourish, Jenny’s shawl rippled across the room as if caught in a breeze, despite the absence of any real wind—implying perhaps her spirit’s unrest at the theft of her tome.
Carson's Story of Being Haunted by His Deceased Cat Mr. Mayor
Another haunting narrative comes from Carson, whose attachment to his beloved cat Mr. Mayor transcended the mortal coil. Carson narrates his experience after Mr. Mayor's passing, where both he and his spouse began noticing unnerving phenomena in their home: the sensation of being watched, fleeting shadows on the walls, and items, including a cup, being inexplicably propelled across rooms.
Initially, they wondered if the house itself was haunted, but a witch friend suggested it was the land expressing its reluctance at their impending departure. The eerie occurrences were accompanied by sudden, uncharacteristi ...
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Personal Paranormal Stories
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Clarifications
- An ancestral curse is a belief that a curse or negative consequences can be passed down through generations within a family. This concept suggests that actions or events from the past can impact and influence the present and future members of a family lineage. Ancestral curses are often associated with supernatural or paranormal occurrences and are found in various cultural and religious traditions worldwide. They are believed to manifest in different ways, affecting individuals and families in mysterious or unsettling ways.
- A grimoire is a book of magic containing spells, rituals, and instructions on creating magical objects. It often includes information on summoning supernatural entities like spirits and demons. Grimoires are believed to hold magical powers and are used in various cultures worldwide.
- In many cultures, a godparent is chosen to support a child's upbringing in the absence of their biological parents. The godparent is often a close family member or friend who plays a significant role in the child's life, providing guidance, spiritual support, and care. The relationship between a godparent and their godchild is typically one of mentorship, love, and lifelong connection. Godparents may also have responsibilities in the child's religious education and moral development.
- Latin prayers are prayers recited in the Latin language, commonly used in traditional Catholic rituals and ceremonies. They hold significance in Catholic traditions and are often recited by clergy and worshippers during religious practices. Latin prayers are a part of the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Catholic Church, with specific prayers like the Hail Mary being widely recognized and utilized in Catholic worship. The use of Latin in prayers adds a sense of reverence and continuity to the Catholic liturgy.
- "Mortal coil" is a poetic term referring to the troubles and challenges of earthly existence. It symbolizes the burdens and struggles of life that individuals face. The phrase is often used to describe the complexities and difficulties of human experience. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, "shuffle off this mortal coil" means to pass away or die.
- Taking a metal bird from a gravesite is a symbolic gesture to invite the spirit of the deceased to accompany the living to a new location. It signifies a form of communication and reassurance to the departed soul that they are welcome to join the living in their new abode. This act is believed to help ease the spirit's tran ...
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Listener Ben's Proposal to Girlfriend Ruby
During a lighthearted moment on their show, podcast hosts Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart facilitated a surprise marriage proposal from a listener named Ben to his girlfriend Ruby.
Ash transitioned away from storytelling, with a teasing hint, saying, "hey Ruby, Ben has something to ask you." At that moment, Alaina and Ash gave pause, presumably allowing Ben to propose to Ruby live during the broadcast. After a short break, presumably for Ben to get down on one knee, the hosts excitedly announced, "Ruby in bed just got engaged!"
Overwhelmed with excitement, Alaina and Ash congratulated the happy couple, addressing them as the most beautiful couple and expressing their admiration for the art that the couple creates together. The hosts enthusiastically requested that Ben and Ruby share images and videos of the special moment with them.
Ash shared that her heart raced with the thrilling event as though she were the one being proposed to, while Alaina chimed in with equal excitement. They encouraged all their listeners to join in the celebration, asking them to raise their glasses, or whatever else they might have at hand, in honor of Ruby and Ben’s new engagement.
Raising a toast ...
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Listener Ben's Proposal to Girlfriend Ruby
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