Things Are About To Get Weird

Chyaz Samuel
  • 4.7 (13)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

I’m Chyaz Samuel, and things are about to get weird. This podcast is dedicated to some of the strangest stories you’re ever likely to hear – from true crime and unsolved mysteries to unbelievable coincidences and tales full of bizarre twists. Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com

  1. 2H AGO

    Episode 81: Is Shepton Mallet The UK's Most Haunted Prison?

    Is Shepton Mallet in Somerset really the UK’s most haunted prison? Despite being decommissioned in 2013, it’s thought that the spirits of certain infamous prisoners still linger in the cells, corridors and grounds of the former institution. Today, Chyaz explores the dark history and ghostly tales linked to Shepton Mallet prison, and aims to discover why it’s now a destination for paranormal enthusiasts over 400 years since it first opened its doors… Mental health resources UK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mental health resources Global: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unitedgmh.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Where to find us! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/ThingsGetWeirdPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook (Main Page): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook (Discussion Group): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/thingsareabouttogetweird/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📧 Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com Source Shout Outs Shepton Mallet Prison Website: https://www.sheptonmalletprison.com/   BBC Articles: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20p6dz2318o https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-39330793   National Justice Museum Article: https://www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/museum/news/what-was-the-bloody-code   Historic UK Article: https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Bloody-Code-History/   History Extra Article: https://www.historyextra.com/period/early-modern/bloody-code-guide-british-legal-system-death-penalty/   Paranormal Database Piece: https://www.paranormaldatabase.com/somerset/somedata.php?pageNum_paradata=13&totalRows_paradata=368   Visit Somerset Article: https://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/discover-somerset/fascinating-somerset-facts/the-burn-incident-at-shepton-mallet-prison   Bristol Live Article: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/uks-most-haunted-prison-explore-623346   Metro Article: https://metro.co.uk/2023/12/31/eerie-prison-named-britains-most-haunted-place-saved-shutting-20045324/   Somerset Live Article: https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/5-most-haunted-places-around-2572285   Inside Times Piece: https://insidetime.org/comment/captain-cantankerous/   Academic Paper on Amelia Dyer: https://files01.core.ac.uk/download/492499909.pdf   Irish Times Article: https://www.irishnews.com/news/uk/old-bailey-hauntings-victorian-baby-killer-ghostly-barrister-and-spectral-cat-ES27BUAOEJLSZAT6UMFD35V2OM/   TripAdvisor Review: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Profile/Shazbug1970?fid=24019328-7308-414b-8427-fba07b8bc4bc The Haunted Exchange Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1582115179187438/posts/1685159335549688/   Shrewsbury Prison Website: https://www.shrewsburyprison.com/blogs/key-ghost-stories-of-shrewsbury-prison/

    35 min

  2. FEB 25

    Episode 80: Mandela Effects

    The Mandela Effect is something many of us will have experienced at some point; this bizarre phenomenon, whereby large groups of people share the same false memories of a historical event, visual detail or pop culture fact, is surprisingly common. But why does it happen? Do the answer lie within the realms of science, or somewhere more otherworldly? Chyaz explores both the strangest examples and the most compelling theories associated with the Mandela Effect in this fascinating episode…   Mental health resources UK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mental health resources Global: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unitedgmh.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Where to find us! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/ThingsGetWeirdPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook (Main Page): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook (Discussion Group): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/thingsareabouttogetweird/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📧 Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com Source Shout Outs University of Chicago Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36219739/ University of Chicago Study Article: https://socialsciences.uchicago.edu/news/new-research-shows-consistency-what-we-misremember   Psychology Today Article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/talking-apes/202211/testing-the-visual-mandela-effect Britannica Piece: https://www.britannica.com/science/Mandela-effect   Independent Article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mandela-effect-false-memories-explain-science-time-travel-parallel-universe-matrix-a8206746.html   Medical News Today Article: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mandela-effect#what-is-it   Fiona Broome’s Website: https://mandelaeffectsite.wordpress.com/about-2/   YouGov Article: https://yougov.co.uk/society/articles/52344-measuring-the-mandela-effect-how-many-britons-share-false-memories   Mandela Effect Sub-Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MandelaEffect/   Snopes Articles: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/monopoly-monocle-uncle-pennybags/   https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/cornucopia-fruit-of-the-loom/   Simply Psychology Article: https://www.simplypsychology.org/what-is-a-schema.html   Big Think Article: https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/quantum-mechanics-mandela-effect/

    36 min

  3. FEB 18

    Episode 79: The Bizarre Interrogation of Ryan Waller

    After 21 year old Heather Quan was found murdered at an address in Phoenix, Arizona, police began an interrogation of her boyfriend – 18 year old Ryan Waller – to try and uncover the truth about what happened to her. What transpired next added truly bizarre dimension to this tragic tale, and provoked a debate that continues almost 20 years on. This story is as genuinely shocking as it is heartbreaking… Mental health resources UK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mental health resources Global: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unitedgmh.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Where to find us! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/ThingsGetWeirdPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook (Main Page): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook (Discussion Group): ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/thingsareabouttogetweird/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📧 Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com Source Shout Outs Crime & Investigation Article: https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/articles/4-times-police-interrogations-have-gone-drastically-wrong Maricopa County Press Release: https://maricopacountyattorney.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/185 Ryan Waller’s Interrogation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI8G0KOOtqk  The Mirror Article: https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/arizona-couple-murder-father-son-965426  Arizona Daily Independent Article: https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2012/12/15/heathers-law-guilty/  Arizona Department of Corrections Notice: https://corrections.az.gov/news/inmate-death-notification-larry-carver   Arizona Court of Appeals Document: https://law.justia.com/cases/arizona/court-of-appeals-division-one-unpublished/2013/1-ca-cr-08-0781.html   Listverse Article: https://listverse.com/2022/07/30/ten-real-life-plot-twists-in-criminal-cases/   Ryan’s Memorial Page: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/228526929/ryan_thomas-waller   Heather’s Obituary Page: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/azcentral/name/heather-quan-obituary?id=25743260   Vocal Article: https://vocal.media/criminal/ryan-waller-s-story-the-man-who-was-interviewed-for-six-hours-with-bullets-in-his-brain  Weird True Crime Podcast Episodes: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2S8YkVVyuJTEY8PIxTLUJg https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gLgvcrwsBvZxhRv3RsKbs

    35 min

  4. FEB 11

    Episode 78: Doppelgängers

    What does the word Doppelgänger make you think of? The paranormal phenomenon, with its folklore roots and links to the idea of a ‘spirit double’ signifying impending doom? Or the more modern usage – the idea that we all have a non-biological twin somewhere out there in the world? Whichever it may be, the stories behind the concept of the Doppelgänger are as fascinating as they are eerie… Mental health resources UK: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠ Mental health resources Global: ⁠⁠⁠https://unitedgmh.org/support/⁠⁠⁠ Where to find us! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/ThingsGetWeirdPodcast⁠⁠⁠ Facebook (Main Page): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠⁠ Facebook (Discussion Group): ⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/thingsareabouttogetweird/⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠⁠ 📧 Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com Source Shout Outs BBC Articles: https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20160712-you-are-surprisingly-likely-to-have-a-living-doppelganger https://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/article/20241203-doppelgangers-and-the-ancient-origins-of-the-lookalike-craze   The Guardian Articles: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/jun/11/twice-in-a-lifetime-would-you-dare-meet-your-doppelganger- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/30/doppelganger-murder-ingolstadt-german-prosecutors-allege-woman-killed-lookalike-to-fake-death Emerald Isle Article: https://emeraldisle.ie/the-fetch Atlas Obscura Article: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/history-doppelganger Freud’s ‘The Uncanny’: https://web.mit.edu/allanmc/www/freud1.pdf   Poe’s ‘William Wilson’: https://poestories.com/read/williamwilson   Wordsworth Org Article: https://wordsworth.org.uk/blog/2014/07/08/full-fathom-five-the-poet-lies-the-death-of-percy-bysshe-shelley/   Haunted Britain Article: https://www.haunted-britain.com/eaton-place.htm   Business Insider Article: https://www.businessinsider.com/doppelgaenger-study-these-people-who-look-alike-share-dna-2022-9   Research Paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3032659/   Yahoo News Article: https://au.news.yahoo.com/german-woman-convicted-murdering-her-124903843.html

    34 min

  5. FEB 4

    Episode 77: Were These Films Cursed?

    Can a movie really be cursed? From classic horror flicks like The Omen and supernatural pictures like The Crow to family favourites including The Wizard of Oz - dozens of productions have been afflicted by exceptional bad luck and strange happenings over the decades. But were these films really ‘cursed’, or are the bizarre (and sometimes tragic) events linked to them merely coincidences? Mental health resources UK: ⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/⁠⁠ Mental health resources Global: ⁠⁠https://unitedgmh.org/support/⁠⁠ Where to find us! Instagram: ⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/ThingsGetWeirdPodcast⁠⁠ Facebook (Main Page): ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠ Facebook (Discussion Group): ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/thingsareabouttogetweird/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thingsareabouttogetweird⁠⁠ 📧 Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com Source Shout Outs Metro Article: https://metro.co.uk/2025/06/13/13-cursed-horror-films-tragic-set-deaths-mysterious-haunted-props-23406731/  Independent Article: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/cursed-films-urban-legends-b1910460.html  Entertainment Weekly Article: https://archive.org/details/1993-04-16-entertainment-weekly-blood-on-the-set-brandon-lee-b/page/n19/mode/2up  Esquire Article: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a27458589/once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-leonardo-dicaprio-brad-pitt-quentin-tarantino-interview/  Screensphere Article: https://screensphere.co.uk/news/7-cursed-movies-like-1994s-the-crow/  Grunge Article: https://www.grunge.com/1644499/the-crow-movie-curse-explained/  Looper Article: https://www.looper.com/10917/movies-predicted-real-life-deaths/  Syfy Article: https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/was-the-exorcist-set-really-cursed-and-haunted  Mirror Article: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/most-cursed-films-time-exorcist-24654402  AllThatsInteresting Article: https://allthatsinteresting.com/george-reeves-death  Time Article: https://time.com/5647491/wizard-of-oz-curse/

    37 min

  6. JAN 28

    Episode 76: Death Row Last Meals

    The Death Row last meal: a topic that is as utterly fascinating as it is controversial. But what’s the history behind the seemingly merciful act of allowing a condemned inmate to choose the contents of their final meal? What did some of the most infamous serial killers pick for theirs? And WHY do prisoners choose what they choose? Chyaz explores all of these questions and more in this intriguing episode… Mental health resources UK: ⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/⁠ Mental health resources Global: ⁠https://unitedgmh.org/support/⁠ Where to find us! Instagram: ⁠http://www.instagram.com/ThingsGetWeirdPodcast⁠ Facebook (Main Page): ⁠https://www.facebook.com/thingsareabouttogetweird⁠ Facebook (Discussion Group): ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/thingsareabouttogetweird/⁠ Tiktok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thingsareabouttogetweird⁠ 📧 Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com Source Shout Outs Research Papers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22925848/ https://digitalcommons.law.mercer.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=fac_pubs https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/soc4.12987 BBC Articles: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15040658 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-45835584   The Marshall Project: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/09/07/from-last-meals-to-last-words-what-can-death-row-prisoners-request-before-they-die   The Guardian Article: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/14/dull-death-row-meals-jay-rayner Psychology Today Article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/slightly-blighty/201509/last-meals-on-death-row-what-do-they-reveal-about-you Henry Hargreaves’ Website: https://henryhargreaves.com/ Time Magazine Article: https://time.com/archive/6927008/why-were-fascinated-by-death-row-cuisine/   The Mirror Article: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/death-row-killers-grim-last-36146608  CBS News Article: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/last-meals-of-death-row/  Independent Article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/georgia-killer-execution-death-row-meal-pizza-b2882964.html  New York Post Article: https://nypost.com/2025/12/11/us-news/obese-death-row-inmate-requests-bona-fide-buffet-for-last-meal/

    34 min

  7. JAN 21

    Episode 75: Sudden Savant Syndrome

    Sudden Savant Syndrome, also known as Acquired Savant Syndrome, is an extremely rare and incredibly fascinating medical phenomenon whereby a person becomes a ‘sudden genius’ in a particular field. Only a handful of documented cases exist, and most have one specific thing in common. What’s behind this utterly captivating condition? Join Chyaz as she explores the stories and the science… Mental health resources UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/ Mental health resources Global: https://unitedgmh.org/support/ Where to find us! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ThingsGetWeirdPodcast Facebook (Main Page): https://www.facebook.com/thingsareabouttogetweird Facebook (Discussion Group): www.facebook.com/groups/thingsareabouttogetweird/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thingsareabouttogetweird 📧 Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com Source Shout Outs BBC Future Articles: https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20180116-the-mystery-of-why-some-people-become-sudden-geniuses https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20190411-the-violent-attack-that-turned-a-man-into-a-maths-genius Guardian Article: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/oct/12/experience-head-injury-musical-prodigy Vice Article: https://www.vice.com/en/article/meet-the-guy-ben-mcmahon-who-woke-from-a-car-accident-coma-speaking-chinese-language/ HuffPost Article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/are-human-limitations-sel_b_7777510 Psychology Today Articles: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/articles/202403/the-mystery-of-sudden-genius https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brainstorm/202508/inside-the-worlds-first-savant-convention BBC Sounds Interview: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct41ds TODAY Show Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX6ONPQGBfo National Library of Medicine Case Report: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9781516/

    32 min

  8. JAN 14

    Episode 74: A Medieval Mystery...Solved?

    Could a mystery that’s baffled historians for over 500 years finally have an answer? The  chilling tale of the Princes in the Tower is one of the most compelling cold cases of all time - but in recent years, several bizarre and dramatic theories have emerged which could help to answer the age-old question: did Richard III really end the lives of his nephews, or has the real truth been hiding in plain sight? Mental health resources UK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Mental health resources Global: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://unitedgmh.org/support/ Become a Patreon subscriber! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.patreon.com/ThingsAreAboutToGetWeird ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Merch Store!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://thingsareabouttogetweird.teemill.com/

    34 min
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4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

I’m Chyaz Samuel, and things are about to get weird. This podcast is dedicated to some of the strangest stories you’re ever likely to hear – from true crime and unsolved mysteries to unbelievable coincidences and tales full of bizarre twists. Email: thingsgetweirdpodcast@gmail.com

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