Otherworld Otherworld

Ep 187 - Penny for the Guy

Oct 15, 2026 · 38m

Summary

Sarah, an herbalist from Cornwall, recounts a childhood legend about a "little man" lurking near railway tracks in her hometown. On Bonfire Night at age 18, she encounters this goblin-like figure in the bushes, who silently laughs and emits a smell of damp hay. Days later, the creature appears at her front door for "Penny for the Guy," and water physically seeps from its skin when she hands it a coin. Sarah believes the entity manifested from years of collective fear and remains terrified of invoking it again.

Topics discussed

Sponsors: Squarespace and Culligan Purity Introduction to Sarah and the Bonfire Night legend Sarah's background as an herbalist in Cornwall Childhood memories of the estate and village The game of avoiding the 'little man' at the railway Traditions of Bonfire Night and Penny for the Guy The night of the encounter: walking to the bonfire First sighting of the little man in the bushes Sponsors: Thumbtack, Crimes of Reddit, Alma, and others Aftermath: Denial and avoiding the area The second encounter: The little man at the front door Haunting sensations and the fear of being followed Reflections on truth, manifestation, and the story's origin Host's closing thoughts and credits Outro and Nissan Rogue advertisement
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