Oct 19, 2026 · 44 min
Scary stories turn uncertainty into empathy
Why do we like scary stories? (w/ Glynn Washington)
The conversation examines how unexplained experiences can open difficult discussions about death, belief, memory, and the limits of certainty.
- 1Scary stories create permission to discuss death and fear without requiring agreement about what happened.
- 2Glynn Washington’s experience growing up in the Worldwide Church of God complicates easy judgments about belief and extremism.
- 3Listening to another person’s unexplained experience can build humility and empathy before skepticism takes over.
Don't miss
Washington recounts moving into an isolated trailer in a swamp and encountering an inexplicable situation that resists rational explanation.
The brief
Glynn Washington, host of Spooked and Snap Judgment, explains why he makes real-life supernatural stories rather than conventional horror: they probe truths people often overlook.
Ghost stories give people permission to discuss death, fear, and belief, while memory keeps shifting between factual accuracy, personal experience, and narrative meaning.
Washington reflects on growing up in the apocalyptic, white supremacist Worldwide Church of God and moving from religious certainty toward more cautious trust in systems and science.
His central lesson is ethical as much as paranormal: when someone shares an unexplained experience, listening before dismissing it can become an invitation into their world.
A story about moving into an isolated trailer in a swamp captures Spooked’s appeal: ordinary people describe experiences that remain powerful even when rational explanations fail.
Books & mentions
Some links are affiliate links — PodLume may earn a commission if you buy.
Humor Me
Chris Duffy’s book extends the show’s interest in humor, creativity, connection, and becoming more present.
Spooked
It carries the episode’s ideas into firsthand supernatural stories told by people who experienced them.
Snap Judgment
Its cinematic, beat-driven storytelling provides broader context for Washington’s creative approach.
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