Is Anybody Out There?

About Is Anybody Out There?

We little humans don’t know how much we don’t know. Tune in every Monday to hear Sophie and Rachael talk about true crime, true creeps, and all around weirdness.

Publisher

Is Anybody Out There?

Category

true crime

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Jul 2022

Latest episode

10 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

53 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Feb 2026

   S. 2. Ep. 12 The Hat Man: Encounters with the Shadow Seen Across Time

   He appears at the edge of sleep—during illness, grief, trauma, and moments of extreme vulnerability. Sometimes he stands in the corner of the room. Sometimes at the foot of the bed. Sometimes he watches. Sometimes he simply waits. This figure has become known as the Hat Man. In this episode of Is Anybody Out There?, we explore one of the most widely reported shadow entities in modern folklore. From sleep-paralysis encounters and hospital sightings to historical accounts and online testimony, the Hat Man raises an unsettling question: Why do so many people see the same thing? Is he a neurological artifact of the human brain? A shared cultural image passed down through fear and expectation? Or something else entirely? Tonight, we examine firsthand encounters, psychological explanations, and the eerie similarities that link these stories together—across time, geography, and belief systems. And as always, we end with the question that lingers long after the lights go out: Is anybody out there? This episode discusses sleep paralysis, hallucinations, fear responses, and distressing nighttime experiences. Listener discretion is advised. Further Reading: Academic & Psychological Cheyne, J. Allan. Sleep Paralysis and the Structure of Waking Nightmares Hufford, David J. The Terror That Comes in the Night Jalal, Baland. Sleep Paralysis: Neurobiology, Culture, and Treatment American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Sleep Paralysis Research Historical & Folkloric Old Hag / Night Hag folklore (European & North American traditions) Shadow figure accounts in medieval and early modern sleep lore Cross-cultural sleep-entity myths Modern Accounts & Community Sources Reddit: r/SleepParalysis, r/Paranormal, r/TheHatMan Online testimony archives and forum collections Firsthand accounts submitted anonymously through community threads Additional Media Documentary segments on sleep paralysis phenomena Interviews with neurologists and folklorists on shared hallucinations

2. 

   19 Jan 2026

   Fear in Face Paint: The Clown Craze of 2016

   In 2016, something strange happened. Clowns—once symbols of childhood and circus lights—began appearing in the woods, outside apartment complexes, near schools, and along quiet roads after dark. Some were silent. Some chased people. Some carried weapons. And no one could quite figure out why. In this episode of Is Anybody Out There?, we unravel the Creepy Clown Craze of 2016—where it started, how it spread across the United States and beyond, and why it struck such a deep nerve in the public psyche. We explore the line between prank and threat, the role of media amplification, and what this moment reveals about fear, moral panic, and how quickly unease can become collective hysteria. Were the clowns ever really the point—or were they just the mask? Sources & Further Reading This episode was researched using the following sources: Wikipedia — 2016 Clown Sightings Poole, Steven. “The great clown panic of 2016: ‘a volatile mix of fear and contagion’.” The Guardian, Oct. 31, 2016. Walsh, James. “Professional clowns on the clown craze: ‘They’re in costume but they’re not real clowns’.” The Guardian, Oct. 13, 2016. Carlson, Adam. “The Truth About 2016’s ‘Clown Panic’.” People, Oct. 9, 2016. Shilling, Erik. “The Definitive Map of America’s Creepy Clown Epidemic.” Atlas Obscura, Oct. 6, 2016. Snipes, Anisa. “On This Day: Clown sightings near SC apartment complex set off nationwide ‘killer clown panic’.” FOX Carolina News, Aug. 21, 2025. Pasha-Robinson, Lucy. “Swedish man stabbed by ‘clown’ as craze sweeping Europe turns increasingly violent.” The Independent, Oct. 14, 2016. Crockett, Zachary. “Americans are more afraid of clowns than climate change, terrorism, and … death.” Vox, Oct. 21, 2016. Frank, Emma. “The Great Clown Panic of 2016.” The Mary Word, Oct. 29, 2021. Listen & Connect If this episode made you uneasy, curious, or nostalgic for the strange corners of the internet—we’d love to hear from you. Follow Is Anybody Out There? on social media, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who still checks the tree line at night. After all… is anybody laughing out there?

3. 

   22 Jul 2025

   S. 2 Ep. 10 Remembering the Idaho 4

   In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the lives of Kaylee, Madison, Xana, and Ethan, four vibrant young individuals whose lives were tragically cut short in Moscow, Idaho. Rather than focusing on the crime, we celebrate their light, their dreams, and the legacies they left behind. Join us as we hear from their loved ones, explore the initiatives created in their honor, and reflect on the power of remembrance rooted in love, not loss. This is a story of resilience, community, and the enduring impact of four remarkable lives.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

20 ratings

Spotify

4.6 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

32

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

67

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.