The Freakin’ Shack Podcast

The Southern Storm | Tales from the Shack – Part Two
Sometimes, the oldest stories are carried on the wind...
In this concluding chapter of our special two-part Tales from the Shack story, Trina shares a dramatic tale inspired by true events that unfolded around the Shack in the heart of rural Brittany.
After weeks of relentless heat, an unsettling silence settles over the ancient woodland. Marlowe senses the change long before the first clouds appear, Mort offers his usual scientific explanations, and the old oaks seem to brace themselves for something they have witnessed countless times before.
Then the South Wind arrives.
As towering storm clouds gather, lightning tears across the sky, thunder rolls without pause, hail falls with astonishing force, and the woodland is transformed by one of Brittany's fierce summer squalls. Yet as the storm passes, questions remain. Why did nature seem to warn of its arrival? What old folklore still lingers amongst these ancient trees? And are some places simply better at remembering than others?
Blending true events, Breton folklore, nature and a touch of the unexplained, The Southern Storm is a story about listening to the land, respecting its power, and discovering that not every mystery needs an explanation.
This episode also marks the end of our summer season. After today's story, The Freakin' Shack Podcast will be taking a 6–8 week break while we research new mysteries, write fresh stories and record ahead for the next season. With Steph returning to work and life becoming a little busier for us both, this short pause will help us return with plenty of new episodes ready to share. We hope to be back towards the end of September or the beginning of October, and we can't wait to welcome you back to the Shack.
If you've enjoyed spending time with us this season, we'd love your support. Following the podcast, leaving us a rating or review, and sharing an episode with family and friends really helps independent podcasts like ours grow and reach more curious listeners.
Have you experienced something you can't explain? Do you have a family ghost story, local legend, or piece of forgotten folklore you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you.
📧 shackpackinbox@gmail.com
Finally, thank you for being part of our wonderful Shack community. We wish you all a happy, peaceful summer and hope you'll join us again when the Shack doors reopen in the autumn.
Until then...
Keep looking up.
Keep listening to the wind...
...and never forget that sometimes the oldest stories are written not in books, but amongst the ancient trees.
As this story comes to an end, so does our summer season. We'll be taking a 6–8 week break to recharge, carry out new research, write fresh stories, and record ahead so we can return with a wonderful bank of new episodes. With Steph heading back to work and life becoming busier for both of us, this short pause will help us continue bringing you the quality and variety of episodes you've come to expect.
We're hoping to return towards the end of September or the beginning of October, and we can't wait to welcome you back to the Shack.
In the meantime, we wish each and every one of you a wonderful summer. Whether you're exploring old castles, wandering through ancient woodlands, sitting beside the sea, or simply enjoying a quiet evening in your own garden, we hope you find a little time for curiosity, imagination and perhaps even a touch of mystery.
How You Can Help the Podcast
If you've enjoyed spending time with us here at The Freakin' Shack, there are several ways you can help us continue to grow:
Follow or subscribe to the podcast on your favourite listening platform.
Leave us a rating or review—it genuinely helps more people discover the show.
Share your favourite episode with friends and family who enjoy folklore, history, mysteries, the paranormal and the unexplained.
Tell others about The Freakin' Shack Podcast—word of mouth is still one of the greatest ways to help independent creators.
We'd Love to Hear From You
Have you experienced something strange?
Do you have a family ghost story, a local legend, an unexplained encounter, or an unusual piece of folklore you'd like to share?
You can email us anytime at:
shackpackinbox@gmail.com
We read every email and your stories may inspire a future episode of the podcast.
 
Copyright Notice
© 2026 Petrina Missons. All rights reserved.
The Southern Storm and all accompanying written material are original works written by Petrina Missons. No part of this story may be reproduced, republished, adapted, distributed or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by applicable copyright law.
AI Notice
The voices, writing, performances and original creative content featured in The Freakin' Shack Podcast are not licensed for artificial intelligence training, voice cloning, synthetic voice generation, machine learning datasets, or any other AI-related use.
No permission is granted to copy, reproduce, synthesise, imitate, clone or otherwise use the voice or likeness of the presenters, or the original written works, for AI purposes under any circumstances without the express written consent of the copyright holder.
Finally...
Thank you for welcoming us into your homes, your headphones, your walks, your cars and your quiet moments. Thank you for every kind message, every review and every story you've shared with us. Little by little, you've helped create something very special—a wonderful community gathered around our little Shack in Brittany.
Have a wonderful summer.
Look after yourselves.
Keep listening to the wind...
and we'll see you back at the Shack very soon.
With love,
Trina, Steph and Mort

The summer has been relentless.
For weeks, the Brittany countryside baked beneath an unforgiving sun. The streams slowed to a trickle, the ancient oaks stood motionless, and even the woodland seemed to be holding its breath.
Then... everything changed.
Join Trina as she welcomes you back to the Shack for the first of a special two-part storytelling series inspired by real events. As the silence deepens, Malo the ever-watchful husky senses something long before anyone else, Mort offers his usual scientific explanations, and an unsettling stillness settles over the woodland.
Is it simply the calm before a storm... or is there something far older stirring amongst the trees?
This atmospheric tale blends nature, folklore and a touch of the unexplained, inviting you to leave the screen behind and let your imagination do the rest.
Next week - In Part Two, The Southern Storm, the South Wind finally arrives... and with it comes a dramatic reminder that nature always has the final word.
 
If you've enjoyed this story, we'd love to hear from you. Share your own unexplained experiences, local legends or family folklore by emailing us at shackpackinbox@gmail.com.
If you're enjoying The Freakin' Shack Podcast, please follow the show, leave us a rating or review, and share the podcast with someone who loves mysteries, folklore, history and the unexplained. It really helps us reach more curious listeners and keeps the Shack growing.
Until next time...
Keep listening to the wind.
<|TIMESTAMPS|>
00:00 - Introduction to "Tales from the Shack" and setting the tone
00:38 - The change in summer weather and atmosphere
02:10 - Description of Brittany's heatwave and drought conditions
03:06 - The tired appearance of the natural surroundings and the shack
03:35 - The narrator's humorous attempt at a rain dance
04:23 - Steve’s invisibility during chores and the peaceful household scene
05:21 - Introducing Marlowe, the expressive husky with a haunting howl
06:20 - Marlowe’s calm watchfulness and her unique eyes
07:06 - The shack’s cozy interior and its connection to the emotional home
08:05 - Reflection on the shack’s state as a safe haven and storytelling home
09:04 - Mention of Mort, the Victorian ghost, and paranormal signs
10:28 - The strange, heavy silence and Marlowe’s alertness
11:25 - The narrator senses approaching change and stillness in nature
12:20 - The realization that something is coming, and the silence deepens
13:20 - Malt’s commentary explaining the meteorological event 14:19 - The moment the unseen force lifts a leaf, signalling something unnatural
15:20 - The ominous rumble and the build-up to the storm’s arrival
16:10 - Wrap-up, call for stories, and teaser for next episode

Summer has a habit of reminding us that not every story needs to arrive with horror & thunder on our paranormal storytelling podcast..
During these summer specials, we take a step back from longer recordings to provide a summer full of ghost and spooks, folklore, unexplained mysteries, and eerie, strange tales & also celebrate the quieter magic that surrounds us every day.
After completely losing a whole recording, we decided not to chase perfection—instead, we are embracing the slower pace of summer and leaning into - why stories often find us when we least expect them.
Along the way, we will highlight listener and storyteller Gary D from up in Ontario, Canada.. and share some of the mysterious and weird experiences he has been generous enough to share with us all. You can find Gary D here: @gary_d_up_in_ontario_canada  
Over the summer we will explore the way fiction and true-life encounters sit comfortably beside one another, and reflect on how birdsong, drifting clouds and peaceful moments can become stories in their own right.
Whether you joined us for paranormal mysteries, folklore, haunted history or simply enjoy spending time at The Freakin' Shack, we hope this episode feels like you're sitting beneath the ancient oaks with friends who understand that the world is still full of wonder.
Sometimes the quietest stories stay with us the longest.
Timestamps
00:00 – Summer's quiet magic and our missing recording
00:30 – Choosing to slow down
00:59 – Gary's mysterious stories from Ontario
01:30 – Stories as postcards from another world
02:10 – Listening to nature
02:50 – Fiction and imagination
03:30 – Why storytelling heals
04:10 – When stories arrive unexpectedly
04:50 – Celebrating authentic experiences
05:30 – Finding your own story
 
Become part of The Shack Pack!
The Freakin' Shack isn't backed by a big production company or a network—it's simply a mother and daughter recording from a little shack in Brittany, surrounded by ancient oak trees, with our black cat Jedd keeping watch and our wonderfully sarcastic Victorian ghost, Mortimer Witherblight, occasionally wandering in to cause mischief.
We don't have Patreon and we don't make money from the podcast. The best way you can support us is simply by being here.
So: Subscribe, follow the podcast, leave us a review, like and share an episode with someone who loves the strange and unexplained. Better still, send us your own stories—whether they're paranormal encounters, family legends, local folklore or those little moments of everyday magic that can't quite be explained.
Every comment, every shared story and every recommendation helps our little Shack Pack grow. We'd love for you to pull up a chair by the fire and become part of our community, because the best stories are the ones we discover together.
contact us: shackpackinbox@gmail.com 
 
 

The Tower of London has witnessed centuries of executions, betrayal and royal intrigue—but could it also be home to some of England's most famous ghosts?
In this episode of The Freakin' Shack, we explore the lives and legends of Margaret Pole, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey. Each woman met a tragic end during the Tudor period, and each has become part of England's rich history of ghost stories and paranormal folklore.
Together we examine the historical events behind their deaths, the hauntings reported at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, and the intriguing idea of Stone Tape Theory—   the belief that traumatic events may somehow become imprinted on a place itself.
If you are intrigued with Tudor history, haunted locations, or unexplained mysteries, join us as we separate historical fact from centuries of legend.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction08:57 The Tower Green Three18:38 Margaret Pole28:03 Catherine Howard43:54 Lady Jane Grey
Help grow our Shack community -
Follow us
Give us a review
Share with anyone you think might enjoy listening
Share your comments/thoughts and Stories via email
At: shackpackinbox@gmail.com
Pull up a chair...
The Shack door's open -
Thanks for listening...

In this episode, we journey into the eerie corners of London’s old riverside districts to uncover the stories of three spectral messengers whose unfinished business still lingers. We explore the haunting tales of Eleanor Hart, Tommy the Lantern Boy, and Samuel Keane — each tied to messages lost, forgotten, or never delivered.
Topics include: • Haunted London and its ghostly legends • Spirits connected to emotion, memory, and place • The meaning behind messages from the afterlife • How history preserves — and distorts — the stories of the dead
Perfect for listeners who enjoy paranormal stories, London history, and ghostly mysteries.
 
Topics include:• Haunted London and its ghostly legends• Spirits connected to emotion, memory, and place• The meaning behind messages from the afterlife• How history preserves — and distorts — the stories of those who came before us.. 
 
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Shack: Heat and Makeup Freedom
02:59 Ghost Stories: The Three Spectral Messengers
05:45 Eleanor Hart: The Milk Street Widow
11:20 Tommy: The Limehouse Lantern Boy
21:55 Samuel Keane: The Clerk of Unfinished Letters
30:05 The Lost Messages of History
34:12 Unfinished Business: Ghosts and Their Stories
37:57 The Nature of Ghosts: Messages or Memories?
43:46 Seeking Truth: Messages from the Past
48:44 Faith, Religion, and Personal Experiences
53:30 The Power of Community and Connection
57:25  Thanks & Farewell
link: https://youtu.be/dpHpKeXm-B0?is=NlOsr-ogaTq9yzmy
Help Support the show: • Follow the podcast • Rate & review to help others discover us • Share the episode with friends who love unexplained and strange stories
Contact us at: shackpackinbox@gmail.com
code: 9b4tLgbOzMqfrdPvls9I 
 

Step into the haunted heart of London’s East End as we uncover the ghostly legends woven into the streets of Spitalfields. In this chilling, but interesting episode, Trina and Stephanie guide you through three eerie tales rooted in archival shadows and centuries old mysteries:
The silent seamstress who still stitches by candlelight
The vanishing lodger of Wilkes Street
The ghostly child who wanders Dorset Street
Along the way, we delve into the history of the Huguenots in London, what are garret rooms and why are they so often haunted, and how emotional energy imprints itself on old buildings through theories like the Stone Tape Theory.
If you're into stories of London ghosts, historical hauntings, and strange echoes of the past that refuse to fade away, then this episode is your gateway into the eerie events around Spitalfields’ in London.
We apologise for some audio technical issues we had during the recording of this episode;
Featured chapters:
The haunted history of Spitalfields
The Huguenot legacy in East London
The Silent Seamstress and her eternal sewing
The Vanishing Lodger of Wilkes Street
The Ghostly Child of Dorset Street
Why garret rooms hold so much emotional residue
Archival shadows and the Stone Tape Theory
How history embeds itself into haunted locations
Sound Bites: “London’s past refuses to lie still.”“He walks when the moon is thin.”“The ghost of thresholds between life and death.”
 
Resources Mentioned:
London Metropolitan Archives - https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-metropolitan-archives
The Stone Tape Theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_tape_theory
Spitalfields Ghost Stories Book - https://www.amazon.com/Spitalfields-Ghost-Stories-Collection/dp/XXXXXX
keywords
London ghosts, Spitalfields history, haunted London, ghost stories, archival shadows, ghost trilogy, London hauntings, ghostly legends, historical hauntings, spooky London
Come with us as we discover haunted London, ghost stories, urban legends, and through our newly discovered map, the emotional archaeology of old cities.
How You Can Help Our Podcast Grow (No Patreon Needed)
If you enjoy our deep dives into haunted history and the forgotten corners of London, there are a few powerful ways you can help our show grow — all completely free. Independent podcasts like ours rely on listener support to reach new ears, and every small action truly makes a difference.
Ways to Support Us
Subscribe to/Follow the podcast — Subscribing helps platforms know you want more episodes like this.
Leave a rating or review — Even a few words boosts us in the algorithm and helps others discover the show.
Share the episode — Send it to a friend who loves ghost stories, London history, or spooky folklore.
Comment on YouTube — Comments tell the algorithm that people are engaging with the content.
Hit the Like button — A simple tap helps push the episode to more listeners.
Follow us on social media — It helps us build a community around the stories we tell.
Why It Matters
We don’t run ads, we don’t have Patreon, and we don’t earn money from the show. Your support is what keeps this project alive — your listens, your shares, your comments, your enthusiasm. When you interact with the episode, platforms are more likely to recommend it to others who love haunted history and archival mysteries.
If you’ve ever wondered how small podcasts grow, this is it: one listener at a time, one share at a time, one review at a time.
You can contact us at: shackpackinbox@gmail.com 
 
 

This week we dive into a chilling true story sent in & credited to: ‘Gary D up in Ontario, Canada’. Back in the late 1980s, Gary re-tells his own story from when he was a young salesman driving through rural Virginia in the dead of night when he stumbled upon a run down, eerie gas station that felt frozen in time. Inside: a fierce old woman, a filthy restroom… and something that really should not have been there.
His reaction was instant and unforgettable: “HELL NO!”
What followed was a frantic escape, a confrontation and a nightmare of a night he’s never forgotten.
Was it exhaustion? A glitch? Something paranormal? Or something far stranger?
Following the story, we unpack a bit of Gary’s experience, ask the questions he couldn’t, and invite you—our listeners—to weigh in on what might really have been happening in that creepy Virginia gas station
Story credited to; ‘Gary D up in Ontario Canada’ 
Gary D Link: https://www.instagram.com/gary_d_up_in_ontario_canada?utm_source=qr 
 
How You Can Help Us Grow
Subscribe/ or follow us on  YouTube/Podcast — it helps more than you think
Leave a rating or review on your podcast app
Share this episode with someone who loves true tales and strange encounters
Send us your own story — we might feature it next
shackpackinbox@gmail,com
Join our social media community and discuss theories with other listeners
Your support keeps these stories alive and helps us bring more real life mysteries to the show.
key words:
true scary story, real paranormal encounter, creepy gas station story, 1980s road trip horror, strange true tales, mysterious encounter, listener story submission, supernatural podcast episode, unexplained events, creepy true story

In this atmospheric solo episode, Trina shares the enchanting story of discovering a mysterious book tucked away in a second-hand shop. As she unfolds its fragile pages, she uncovers ghost stories, forgotten histories, and cryptic markings that hint at lives cut short.
This episode explores how maps can act as directories of a city’s souls — revealing not just where people lived, but who they were, what they lost, and the echoes they left behind. Blending storytelling, history, and a touch of the supernatural, Trina invites listeners to wander through London’s hidden past and imagine the ghosts who still linger there.
Perfect for fans of London history, urban exploration, ghost lore, and historical mysteries.
Chapters
00:00 Wandering Through London: A Hidden Gem
04:53 Discovering the London Gazetteer: A Portal to the Past
10:14 The Mysterious Map: Unfolding Secrets of London
16:15 Ghosts of the Past: Understanding the Map's True Purpose
18:49 A Journey Ahead: Exploring Stories of the Forgotten
19:42 shackpackinbox@gmail.com
 
Keywords
London ghost stories
Old London maps
Historical mysteries
Urban exploration London
Haunted London
London history podcast
Ghost map stories
Forgotten London
Supernatural storytelling
Victorian London mysteries
Old book discoveries
City folklore
London legends
Ghostly encounters
Map based storytelling
If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to help our podcast grow is beautifully simple: share it. Send it to a friend who loves ghost stories, post it on social media, or leave a quick rating or review on your podcast app. Every share, every comment, and every review tells the algorithm that our little corner of storytelling is worth showing to more people. We create this show entirely for free, with no sponsors or paid promotion, so your support truly makes all the difference in helping our stories find new ears.