Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: Poltergeists: Fact and Fiction
Jan 8, 2026
Explore the eerie world of poltergeists, from the origins of the term to their chaotic antics in pop culture. Discover global folklore and the striking similarities in supernatural legends across cultures. Delve into famous cases like the Bell Witch and Esther Cox, questioning authenticity and possible explanations. Uncover the sociological dynamics of reports, including the role of children and trauma. Finally, ponder scientific skepticism and the intriguing studies linking brain activity to feelings of ghostly presence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Poltergeist Pattern Explained
- Poltergeist reports cluster around three threads: objects moving, a targeted person (often an adolescent), and an apparent motive.
- These shared features form the genre label more than proof of an actual entity.
The Bell Witch Story
- The Bell Witch case (1817–1821) involved voices, object movement, and alleged shapeshifting in Tennessee.
- Ben warns the main source was published 75 years later, making the account unreliable.
The Amherst Case Of Esther Cox
- Esther Cox (Amherst, 1878–79) experienced knocks, seizures, and flying objects after an assault.
- Investigator Walter F. Prince argued trickery possibly during dissociative states; activity stopped during illness and a month-long imprisonment.
