Paranormal Peeps

The corridors of Athens Lunatic Asylum echo with over a century of troubled history. For 119 years, this imposing Gothic structure in Athens, Ohio served as home to thousands of patients – many of whom never should have been there in the first place.

What began as a forward-thinking facility designed according to Thomas Kirkbride's humane principles eventually devolved into a crowded warehouse of human suffering. The shocking reasons for commitment ranged from legitimate mental illness to simply being a troublesome teenager, experiencing menopause, or even masturbating. Women were particularly vulnerable to unnecessary institutionalization, often admitted for normal biological processes like menstruation or childbirth-related conditions.

Our exploration reveals the asylum's darkest practices, including unsedated lobotomies where doctors inserted ice picks through patients' eye sockets while they were fully conscious. We uncover the mysterious case of Margaret Schilling, who disappeared within the asylum in 1978 only to be discovered 42 days later. Her decomposing body left behind a permanent human-shaped stain on the concrete floor that resists all cleaning attempts – a haunting memorial to her tragic end.

Today, Ohio University owns this massive property, repurposing many buildings while preserving their haunting history. With 1,930 former patients buried in unmarked graves and countless stories of paranormal activity, Athens Asylum stands among America's most haunted locations. Journey with us as we separate urban legends from documented horrors, examining how mental health treatment has evolved from these troubling beginnings.

What would it take for you to be committed to an asylum in the 1800s? Listen to discover how close you might have come – and why these historical practices should never be forgotten.

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The story of the Bell Witch stands as America's most vicious haunting—a tale so disturbing it's hard to believe it happened at all. Long before ghost hunting apps and night vision cameras, this malevolent spirit terrorized a frontier family with shocking physical power and psychological cruelty.

When respected farmer John Bell spotted a strange creature in his Tennessee cornfield in 1817, he couldn't have imagined it would lead to years of torment. What began as mysterious knocking quickly escalated into something unprecedented—an entity that could speak, recite scripture, and physically attack both family members and visitors. The Bells' teenage daughter Betsy endured the worst—being pinched, slapped, and having her hair pulled until she broke off her engagement, seemingly the entity's goal all along.

What makes this case extraordinary isn't just the physical phenomena but the intelligence behind it. "Kate," as the entity called herself, displayed preferences and vendettas. She tormented John Bell relentlessly while showing kindness only to his wife Lucy. She quoted Bible passages that stumped ministers and revealed private secrets that sent visitors fleeing. Even future President Andrew Jackson allegedly encountered her power when his wagon wheels mysteriously locked on approach to the Bell property. After witnessing his men being tormented, Jackson reportedly declared he'd "rather fight the British than the Bell Witch."

The haunting culminated with John Bell's death in 1820, when a mysterious black liquid appeared in the medicine cabinet—liquid that killed a cat instantly when tested. As mourners gathered for Bell's funeral, Kate's mocking laughter echoed through the cemetery, a final act of cruelty that cemented this case as uniquely malevolent. Whether demonic entity, vengeful spirit, or something else entirely, the Bell Witch remains paranormal history's most compelling mystery. Next time you hear knocking at night, remember—it could be more than just the wind.

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After taking a much needed hiatus and having to record this episode multiple times due to technical issues.  The paranormal peeps have returned. 

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!  We have some special guests on the show for our Halloween Episode!  Thank you to Luke and Tammy for joining us for a fun night of recording.

Long before the witch trials in Salem, England had their own and one of the most infamous being that of the Pendle Witches. 

The trials of the Pendle witches in 1612 are among the most famous witch trials in English history, and some of the best recorded of the 17th century. The twelve accused lived in the area surrounding Pendle Hill in Lancashire, and were charged with the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft. All but two were tried at Lancaster Assizes on 18–19 August 1612, along with the Samlesbury witches and others, in a series of trials that have become known as the Lancashire witch trials. One was tried at York Assizes on 27 July 1612, and another died in prison. Of the eleven who went to trial – nine women and two men – ten were found guilty and executed by hanging; one was found not guilty.

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Drover's Inn is known as one of the most haunted locations in Scotland.  Dating back to the early 1700's this Inn was once the season staying place of the cattle herders known as drovers.  They would move their herd from the highlands to the lowlands, and would stop at the Inn for a rest.  This practice lead to at least one known haunting from a man named Angus.  What other events have lead to the hauntings at this location?

Promo: And Then They Were Gone

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On recommendation and submission from one of our listeners, we come just down the road from the recording studio to Lehi Utah.  Named after a prophet in the Book of Mormon, this town located in northern Utah has an amazing history.  It also has some great ghost stories from haunted hospitals to restaurants. This town has several great ghost stories.

Promo: The Bell Witch Podcast 

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Ghost encounters can be scary for people when they are able to get away from the ghost, but what happens when you are on a boat at sea?  Listen to some truly scary tales of ghostly encounters on board ships at sea.  Would you stay the entire cruise in a haunted room?

Promo: The Haunted and the Strange

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Salem Massachusetts was home to one of the most memorable events in colonial United States.  We take a dive into the superstitions that helped fuel this event, and some fun learning different ways to use food to beguile and bewitch your love interest.  Enjoy this fun loving episode, and laugh with us.

Promo: And Then They Were Gone 

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We have come to the last of the origin stories.  Jamey tells all about how she got into the paranormal, and what experiences she had that truly terrified her and intrigued her.  There are some places that are just that spooky.


Podcast Promo: Weird True Crime

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We continue our deep dive into our hosts paranormal origin stories.  This week Aleca talks about her early childhood paranormal experiences, and how they were the precursor for her to become a paranormal investigator.


Promo: Mountain Murders

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