Ghost Story

This podcast was the perfect podcast. Mysterious, personal, gripping; gave me goosebumps more than a few times. Made me think about connections through time and space and how energies linger or are transferred… only downside is it’s now finished!

What a roller coaster this podcast has been. I was amused that a ghost seems to be able to move next door, and that said ghost is the host’s wife great grandmother. I was trying to send telepathic messages to the host (for all the good that will do!) to stop before things become awkward on the dinner table of his wife’s family. I was angry and exasperated at the blatant defence of the patriarch of the family to the cost of the actual victim of this show (they didn’t even bother to find out her name for god’s sake! That’s how focused and loyal they were to the family’s patriarch and his honour, reputation and name). I was spooked by Nicola and the seance. And I was touched by the memoriam written about the two deceased persons. Overall, very binge-worthy and I appreciate that the host honoured the wonderful woman that was Naomi and all the good she has done during her too-short life. It’s lovely that in the end she was not only remembered as the murder victim (as that was the way the family has remembered her all this time because of the misogynistic loyalty to her husband), but as a doctor, a humanitarian, a surgeon, an incredible woman who helped countless other women and children in an era where their voices were dismissed (because PATRIARCHY), and though painful for the family, at least bringing up the past meant they at least now knows more about her.

This is an extraordinary piece of journalism covering a dizzying array of topics and themes. As a standalone whodunnit it would have been gripping, but the humanity behind the real people who’s story is being told elevates it completely.

I did like this podcast and wish it was longer. Podcast host has a great voice, which is important. The story is captivating, interesting and produced quite well. The thing is, it’s not a ghost story but an attempt at true crime. The host unfortunately bows to pressure from his in-laws and completely disregards the professional crime investigators he states he interviewed. Seriously, their opinions and input are narrowed down to tiny sound bites. He protects his in-laws deluded view of Feyther (sp?). Naomi the victim (plus the second wife) aren’t given the recognition that deserve. Do better.