Episode · Stuff They Don't Want You To Know · 2026-01-08
Books mentioned on CLASSIC: Poltergeists: Fact and Fiction
In the world of spirits and apparitions, the poltergeist is a unique type of ghost -- one known for its alleged ability to move physical objects (often in violent, unpredictable ways), to target and torment specific human beings and, perhaps strangest of all, to suddenly, one day, disappear.
Ben Bowlin discussed Poltergeist by Colin Wilson, The Bell Witch by Megan Cooley Peterson, and Carrie by Stephen King. Also mentioned: Ghostbusters by Erik Burnham.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Poltergeist
Discussed“We're talking about the plot of the movie Poltergeist. Um boy oh boy, what a what a cool movie. Apparently uh ghost directed by Steven Spielberg.”
Where to get it
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Ghostbusters
Discussed“Wasn't there a line about a poltergeist in the first Ghostbusters movie?”
Where to get it
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The Bell Witch
Discussed“The first printed account called the authenticated history of the bell witch was published in 1894. That's 75 years after these events occurred.”
Where to get it
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Carrie
Carrie is Stephen King's debut horror novel, published in 1974, which follows a tormented teenage girl gifted with psychokinetic powers.
Discussed“And this is uh you know, this is an argument familiar to people who perhaps delved into uh speculative science for characters like Carrie in the Stephen King novel and and later film.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Passing The Dead Alive
“Uh there's a great stopotion meat scene in that Peter Jackson movie Dead Alive. Um also known as Brain Dead.”
Passing Mirror's Edge
“Uh one uh one thing for the gamers in the crowd, you can play a game called Mirror's Edge. It's a firsterson POV parkour game.”