The Whispering Woods : True Ghost Stories & Paranormal Encounters

In this week’s episode, we explore one of Southeast Asia’s most feared and enduring supernatural figures: the Pontianak. Said to be the restless spirit of a woman who died during childbirth, this ghost appears as a beautiful woman in white—until she reveals her true form. From Malaysian kampungs to Indonesian cities, her legend is woven into generations of folklore, sightings, and cautionary tales. We trace the origins of the Pontianak, her chilling appearances in modern times, and the cultural beliefs that keep her story alive.

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Research Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontianak_(folklore)

https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/08/164882/ghostly-encounter-pontianak

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2019-04-01_170038.html

https://mythlok.com/pontianak/

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3193535/malaysias-pontianak-ghosts-and-feminism-horror-stories

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/ghosts-are-real-malaysian-writer-believes-paranormal-sightings

https://folklorethursday.com/legendary-creatures/pontianak-vampire-south-east-asia/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-22891380

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/21/fear-of-the-unknown-villagers-claim-pontianak-sighted-in-kampung

https://www.tiktok.com/@myghoststories/video/7203958392349560065 (for viral sightings reference)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/189172.Malay_Magic

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again on Wednesday.

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licence

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/;;;

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Haunted Places episode, we travel across continents to explore two notorious sites with tragic pasts. We begin in San Diego, California, where the Whaley House has earned its title as one of America’s most haunted homes—its halls echoing with the footsteps of lost family members and a condemned man named Yankee Jim. Then, we journey to the misty mountains of Costa Rica, where the abandoned Sanatorio Durán holds the restless presence of monks, patients, and a child said to roam its decaying wards.

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The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

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Research Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whaley_House_(San_Diego,_California)

https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/the-whaley-house-old-towns-most-haunted-house/

https://www.whaleyhousesandiego.com/

https://sohosandiego.org/reflections/2005-4/ghosts.htm

https://puebloantiguo.com/leyenda-el-santorio-duran-costa-rica-2/

https://ticotimes.net/2016/08/08/sanatorio-duran

https://amyscrypt.com/duran-sanatorium-haunted-costa-rica/

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again on tomorrow.

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licence

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's extra episode, we share 3 creepy camping stories, to get everyone in the mood for summer!

OBSCURATA - Apple Spotify Amazon

The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

Subscribe to our PATREON

EMAIL us your stories

Join us on INSTAGRAM

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Research Links:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/4wigr3/spooked_while_camping_in_stanislaus/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/if6t8p/i_just_graduated_boot_camp_i_experienced_some/

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again on Sunday.

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licence

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/;;;

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special thanks to psychcrime, Drendari, overallopinion999, and art-y-pants for allowing us to share their stories.

In this episode, we share four creepy Reddit stories.

The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

Subscribe to our PATREON

EMAIL us your stories

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Stories:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ghoststories/comments/1jvp2lc/a_discussion_i_had_with_my_resident_today_shook/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1kalfxm/glitch_alternate_reality_wtf_did_i_saw/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ghoststories/comments/1k6c397/im_actually_traumatized_by_this/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1k7ai3s/i_think_something_is_attached_to_me/

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again tomorrow!

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we journey to Joplin, Missouri, where tragedy and mystery collided during the devastating 2011 tornado. As the city reeled from the storm’s destruction, eerie stories began to surface—accounts of winged, glowing figures said to have appeared in the heart of the chaos, shielding the vulnerable from harm. Known locally as the Butterfly People, these mysterious protectors have become part of Joplin’s enduring folklore. We explore the strange and unsettling tales that rose from the rubble—stories of survival, fear, and the unexplained forces that may have watched over a city in its darkest hour.

OBSCURATA - Apple Spotify Amazon

The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

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EMAIL us your stories

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Research Links:

https://www.lawrencecountyrecord.com/articles/19991/view

https://sojo.net/articles/tornadoes-butterfly-people-and-finding-sacred-collective-stories

https://angelstoday.net/butterfly-angels-of-joplin-mo/

https://phylliswheeler.com/angels-protective-butterfly-people-of-joplin/

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/butterfly-people-of-joplin-hauntings-or-heavenly/article_aa26eb4a-89c0-11e0-b8f8-001a4bcf6878.html

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/22/joplin-one-year-later

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article260668689.html

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again on Wednesday.

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licence

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/;;;

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Haunted Places episode, we journey to Germany and the Tanzanian archipelago. We begin among the ruined grandeur of Heidelberg Castle and its infamous Witch’s Tower. Then, we travel to the remote island of Pemba, where tales of the Popobawa demon have left entire villages gripped by fear. From Renaissance ruins to modern folklore, this episode explores legends that refuse to fade.

OBSCURATA - Apple Spotify Amazon

The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

Subscribe to our PATREON

EMAIL us your stories

Join us on INSTAGRAM

Join us on TWITTER

Join us on FACEBOOK

Visit our WEBSITE

Research Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidelberg_Castle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_tower

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reportedly_haunted_locations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidelberg_Thingstätte

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popobawa

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again on tomorrow.

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licence

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's extra episode, we share 3 creepy stories from Germany.

OBSCURATA - Apple Spotify Amazon

The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

Subscribe to our PATREON

EMAIL us your stories

Join us on INSTAGRAM

Join us on TWITTER

Join us on FACEBOOK

Visit our WEBSITE

Research Links:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/a0hzhd/my_black_forest_encounter_searching_for_help/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ghoststories/comments/1absy7u/the_house_in_germany/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ghoststories/comments/g6x59u/14_year_story/

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again on Sunday.

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licence

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/;;;

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special thanks to gingernut-ranger, Terrible_Software769, JasonHebert1, and stephaniee2024 for allowing us to share their stories.

In this episode, we share four creepy Reddit stories.

The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

Subscribe to our PATREON

EMAIL us your stories

Follow us on YOUTUBE

Join us on INSTAGRAM

Join us on TWITTER

Join us on FACEBOOK

Visit our WEBSITE

Stories:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1k19nus/this_happened_5_years_ago_im_only_ready_to_talk/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1k0x2lj/just_need_to_tell_someone_about_this

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1jv5uqa/i_have_an_insane_paranormal_story_ive_held_on_to/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1k36f15/my_niece_has_officially_creeped_me_out/

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again tomorrow!

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we venture deep into Germany’s legendary Black Forest – a place where folklore and fear walk hand in hand. Known for its shadowy woods and centuries-old tales, the Schwarzwald has long been home to myths of witches, werewolves, and spirits that dwell just beyond the path. From ancient legends of dark magic to chilling reports of modern-day sightings, we uncover the strange and unsettling history woven through the trees.

OBSCURATA - Apple Spotify Amazon

The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

Subscribe to our PATREON

EMAIL us your stories

Join us on INSTAGRAM

Join us on TWITTER

Join us on FACEBOOK

Visit our WEBSITE

Research Links:

https://kaylaspelling.com/the-mysterious-black-forest-exploring-its-secrets/

https://www.suedkurier.de/baden-wuerttemberg/lost-places-zu-besuch-im-schlosshotel-waldlust-in-freudenstadt%3Bart417930%2C11133587

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Waldlust_%28Freudenstadt%29

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again on Wednesday.

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licence

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/;;;

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Haunted Places episode we travel to Indonesia and India. We start with Lawang Sewu in Indonesia and then finish with Dow Hill Forest in India.

OBSCURATA - Apple Spotify Amazon

The BOOK

BY US A COFFEE

Join Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUP

Subscribe to our PATREON

EMAIL us your stories

Join us on INSTAGRAM

Join us on TWITTER

Join us on FACEBOOK

Visit our WEBSITE

Research Links:

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/most-haunted-places-in-the-world

https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/lawang-sewu/

https://www.insideindonesia.org/haunted-house-haunted-history

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2024/12/27/173011278/basement-lawang-sewu-semarang-dibuka-kembali-ini-paket-wisatanya

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/the-haunted-dow-hill-of-kurseong-is-the-stuff-real-horror-stories-are-made-of/articleshow/63709416.cms

https://www.tripoto.com/trip/this-place-is-called-india-s-most-haunted-hill-station-here-s-why-5bc04a9e3c14b

Thanks so much for listening, and we'll catch up with you again on tomorrow.

Sarah and Tobie xx

"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licence

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

About The Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a UK paranormal storytelling podcast exploring true ghost stories, unexplained mysteries, haunted history and folklore from around the world.

From firsthand paranormal encounters to historical hauntings and centuries-old legends, we bring you atmospheric stories of the strange and unexplained.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Whispering Woods on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a story.

Explore more episodes and get in touch: https://www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.