Small Town Whispers

Small Town Whispers is a storytelling podcast where history and the paranormal meet under the glow of the porchlight. Season One, Watseka Wonder, explores the chilling 19th-century case of possession and exorcism that haunted my hometown of Watseka, Illinois. I first discovered the story as a twelve-year-old when I read the book Watseka: America's Most Extraordinary Case of Possession and Exorcism by David St. Clair. Now, I return to share those haunting pages alongside small-town legends, ghost stories, and folklore submitted by listeners like you.

Co-host

Emily Joy Thompson

I’m Emily, also a Watseka native but on the opposite coast. I’m Bethany's sidekick and vocal talent, always attempting to channel the best in spirit spunk. I’ve spent most of my professional life in marketing, which is funny, because I hate sales. Something I've always loved, though, is getting lost in a good story — especially ones wrapped in mystery, strange happenings, or anything that feels like it would have made a good X-Files episode. These days, I live in beautifully spooky and moody western Washington with my husband, two greyhounds, two cats, and one sourdough starter.