As a child, I couldn't wait to join my father on his shifts as a Walmart greeter, believing it was a noble quest filled with adventure and pride. Yet, the harsh reality of schoolyard bullying, especially from a classmate named Colin, soon shattered that idyllic perception. In this episode, we explore the profound tensions that arise when childhood dreams collide with societal stigma, seeing how admiration turns to resentment as the weight of familial expectations grows heavier.

As the years pass, the story shifts to the turbulent emotions of teenage life, colored by a deep-seated frustration with the prospect of following my father's footsteps. The stigma surrounding his job eats away at my self-esteem, fueling fantasies of confrontation. But life takes an unexpected turn as my father's health declines, leading to poignant moments of regret and reflection. In the wake of his passing, I'm left grappling with the raw realities of adulthood, armed with only a high school diploma and a shadow of guilt over unvoiced gratitude.

The journey doesn't end there. What begins as a reluctant acceptance of wearing the Walmart vest evolves into a transformative adventure, merging past and present in a surreal tapestry of unexpected fulfillment. A mysterious staff meeting, a glowing rock, and an awe-inspiring family reunion with a colossal Tyrannosaurus Rex challenge my perception of destiny. Join us on this emotional rollercoaster, as we unravel the threads of personal growth, the power of embracing one's legacy, and the astonishing paths we sometimes tread to find peace with our past.

Brace yourself for a pulse-pounding journey as we recount two unforgettable adventures that will grip you from start to finish. Picture this: after surviving five arduous days in the rugged Scottish Highlands, we found solace in a quaint village, only for our evening to spiral into chaos. Listen as we vividly recount the terror of encountering a drunken man brandishing a machete, leading to a heart-racing chase through the village streets. The tension is palpable as we navigate this nightmarish scenario, feeling the unpredictability and sheer danger of that fateful night.

In the second leg of our episode, we plunge into a harrowing underwater walking ordeal that will leave you gasping for air. Imagine the horrifying realization of water infiltrating your helmet and the oxygen supply running perilously low. The narrative unfolds with the raw intensity of panic and the desperate scramble for the surface, culminating in an immense appreciation for the simple act of breathing. This gripping story serves as a powerful cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers lurking beneath the ocean's surface and offering a solemn warning against underwater walking.

Join us as we unravel the enigmatic case of Kenny Veach, an experienced hiker and YouTuber who mysteriously vanished in the Nevada desert. Kenny's unsettling encounter with a peculiar M-shaped cave near Area 51, which he described as causing an intense vibrating sensation, became a chilling urban legend. Despite facing skepticism from his online followers, Kenny's determination to prove his story led him on a final, fateful trip from which he never returned. We'll explore the details of his disappearance, the haunting discovery of his cell phone near an abandoned mine shaft, and the unanswered questions that linger.

In this gripping episode, we also touch on a poignant post from Kenny's girlfriend, shedding light on his long battle with depression and her heartbreaking speculation that he may have ventured into the desert to end his life. Despite this insight, the mystery of why Kenny's body has never been found continues to baffle authorities and his loved ones. We conclude with a cautionary note about the dangers of searching for the elusive cave that Kenny mentioned, reminding listeners of the perils that such quests can entail. Tune in for a haunting reminder of the thin line between adventure and peril.

Join us as we recount the harrowing experience of Mia Cavanaugh, a 20-year-old student whose sleepover with her best friend, Emily, turns into a night of pure terror. Mia, a lover of old school scary stories, is suddenly thrust into a real-life nightmare when Emily mysteriously vanishes after sending a chilling photo of herself unconscious. As Mia frantically searches for her friend, the situation escalates with another horrifying image of Emily held at knifepoint, accompanied by a threatening message. This chapter is a rollercoaster of emotions as Mia navigates the frightening reality of Emily's kidnapping, grapples with the police, and faces the agonizing decision to rescue her friend alone.

The suspense intensifies as Mia receives a cryptic snap from Emily, hinting at her location inside a dark, abandoned warehouse. Recalling it as their old hangout spot, Mia rushes to the eerie, desolate car warehouse, only to find more disturbing clues. With the empty chair and a vague note as her only leads, Mia's desperation mounts as she calls out for answers, met with nothing but unsettling silence. Follow Mia's gripping and chilling journey as she bravely faces the unknown to save her friend, each step bringing her closer to the heart-pounding truth.

Join us as we recount the harrowing story of the USS Indianapolis and its crew, who faced one of the deadliest shark attacks in recorded history. After completing a critical mission to deliver parts for the first deployable atomic bomb, the ship was tragically torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on July 30, 1945. With the vessel sinking in just 12 minutes, over 300 sailors perished instantly, while the remaining 900 survivors were left adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Without life jackets or lifeboats, they hoped for a swift rescue that never came, thanks to a series of tragic oversights and ignored SOS calls.

As dawn broke, the true nightmare began with the appearance of oceanic white-tip and tiger sharks. The survivors were soon caught in a deadly game of survival against both the elements and the relentless predators. Facing daily shark attacks, exposure, salt poisoning, and the brutal sun by day and freezing temperatures by night, their ordeal was a testament to human endurance and the horrifying unpredictability of the sea. Tune in to hear this chilling and powerful tale of courage, terror, and the fight to stay alive against unimaginable odds.

Join us for a captivating journey as we explore the eerie and unsettling world of liminal spaces and their profound influence on creativity. Listen in as I recount a spine-chilling experience at a park late one night, where the eerie atmosphere and the unsettling feeling of being watched culminated in a tense encounter with mysterious lights and unseen pursuers. This harrowing adventure provided not only a rush of adrenaline but also crucial inspiration for my filmmaking endeavors. Transitioning from this modern-day thriller, we revisit a peculiar childhood memory that took place nearly 15 years ago, involving an odd interaction with a new friend during a hide-and-seek game that led us into a nearby graveyard.

Our journey continues with a chilling recount of a mysterious daycare encounter. Hear about a disturbing interaction with a boy named Will during an innocent game of hide-and-seek, which led my mother to contact the daycare center for verification. The unsettling revelation that no William was registered there and the subsequent safety measures they promised to implement add an extra layer of intrigue and fear to the story. These experiences underscore the uncanny nature of liminal spaces and the strange encounters that can occur within them, all of which have significantly influenced my creative work. Join us as we navigate these eerie tales and uncover the impact they've had on my life and art.

Join us as we uncover the harrowing story of Randall Smith, an enigmatic figure known as "Lying Randall" in his hometown of Pearisburg, Virginia. Our journey begins with the chilling 1981 disappearance of social workers Susan Ramsey and Robert Mountford, who were hiking the Appalachian Trail for charity. Their tragic fate near the Wapiti Shelter leads to a nationwide manhunt, ultimately unearthing a dark chapter in the otherwise serene Appalachian Trail. We explore the intense investigation, the crucial evidence found in Smith's home, and his eventual capture in South Carolina, shedding light on the dangers lurking in unexpected places.

The narrative takes a terrifying turn with the recounting of Scott and Sean's encounter with Randall Lee Smith at their riverside campsite. What began as a seemingly harmless interaction quickly escalated into a violent attack, leaving both men fighting for their lives. Hear the gripping tale of their desperate escape, the crucial intervention by Melissa Miller and her son Randy, and the dramatic arrest of Smith. As we reflect on these real-life horrors, we also examine the unsettling truth that the real monsters often walk among us, blending seamlessly into our daily lives. Prepare to question the nature of fear and the true sources of danger in our world.

Join us on a journey through the eerie and captivating world of liminal spaces as we explore the mysterious allure of these transitional environments that evoke both nostalgia and fear. In this episode, I share my personal fascination with these unsettling spaces, recounting my experiences as a former deputy sheriff. Hear about the chilling encounter my partner and I had while searching for an absconding offender in a foreboding house in southwest Detroit. We detail our unsettling interaction with a strange woman at the residence, highlighting the surreal atmosphere that epitomizes liminal spaces.

Listen in as we recount a life-altering experience that led to a deep obsession with the ethereal plane known as the back rooms. Discover how a seemingly normal house transformed into a labyrinthine nightmare, filled with disorienting rooms and a haunting figure yelling for someone named Camille. This harrowing encounter sparked a passion for uncovering the secrets of the liminal world, prompting a dramatic career change from sheriff's deputy to full-time explorer of the back rooms. Along the way, we discuss meeting fellow adventurers and our relentless quest to find the original house that opened the door to this otherworldly realm.