Ghost or Fiction?

In this mini episode, Kate discovers why we depict ghosts (and dress up dogs) in white sheets.

In the debut episode of Ghost or Fiction?, host Kate Green describes what may be one of the most common sources of ghost sightings—sleep paralysis. Titled The Ghost in the Room, the episode explores how this unsettling sleep condition can make people believe they've encountered a ghost.Kate, a science communicator, takes a closer look at the phenomenon that causes people to wake up unable to move, sensing a presence or even seeing something terrifying in their room. These vivid experiences have led to centuries of ghost stories, from medieval folklore to modern-day hauntings. Kate breaks down the science behind sleep paralysis, offering a rational explanation for what many interpret as paranormal encounters.With a calm and investigative approach, The Ghost in the Room invites listeners to question what they know about ghost sightings and consider how our minds—and sleep states—can deceive us.

In season one of Ghost or Fiction?, host Kate Green debunks ghost stories with scientific and psychological explanations while leaving room for the truly eerie. From nighttime apparitions to mediums who seem to know too much and the mystery of time slips, Kate tiptoes the line between the explainable and the paranormal. If you have an unexplainable ghost story, email it to ghostorfiction@gmail.com. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ghostorfiction, and listen wherever you get your podcasts.