Imagine surviving impossible odds with the help of a mysterious, unseen presence—someone who’s there just when you need them most. This is the Third Man Syndrome, a paranormal phenomenon that’s as comforting as it is spine-chilling. Is it a guardian angel, a spirit guide, our brain trying to keep us alive... or the grim reaper?

Join us as we dive into tales of people saved from the brink by a spectral ‘third man.’

This episode covers incredible stories of survival: lost explorers in the icy South Pole, a mysterious figure leading 9/11 survivors through smoke-filled towers, and even a handprint in the sand from an invisible helper. 👀

Our journey starts with Sir Ernest Shackleton’s doomed expedition to the South Pole, where he and his men endured the unimaginable. Lost on an iceberg and pushed to the brink, Shackleton’s team encountered something… or someone… who wasn’t part of the original crew. Through hurricanes, frozen seas, and the desperate fight for survival, the men swore they felt a presence guiding them across the icy wasteland, pushing them forward when all seemed lost. Against all odds, every member survived, but none could ever explain the mysterious “fourth man” who helped save them.

From sailors to climbers to everyday folks like us, these stories make you question reality—could we all have an unseen companion waiting to save us? And don’t miss our own paranormal ponderings, with plenty of shivers and laughs along the way.

Movie mentioned: Tusk

Have ghost stories of your own? E-mail them to us at [email protected]

Encounters episodes are released every Thursday at 9am PST/12pm EST. Corinne and Sabrina hand select a couple of paranormal encounters from our inbox to read in each episode, from demons, to cryptids, to aliens, to creepy kids... the list goes on and on. If you have a story of your own that you'd like us to share on an upcoming episode, we invite you to email them to us! 

This episode is sponsored by Jenni Kayne, Dinnerly and Manscaped.

If you enjoy our show, please consider joining our Patreon, rating and reviewing on iTunes & Spotify and following us on social media! Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Discord.

Edited and produced by Jaimi Ryan, original music by Arms Akimbo!