The Lets Read Podcast
The Lets Read Podcast
February 19, 2026

Recording Scary CARNIVAL Stories! -- (This voice heals all)

Quick Read

The host shares a personal health scare involving a gallbladder attack and narrates unsettling listener stories about carnival encounters, from acid-wielding clowns to a stalker from a Warhammer tournament and a tragic roller coaster death.
The host experienced a severe gallbladder attack, prompting a commitment to eliminate alcohol and adopt a strict, clean diet.
Listener stories reveal bizarre and dangerous real-life encounters, including an acid-throwing clown and a Warhammer stalker.
Even seemingly innocent fun, like a carnival dunk tank or roller coaster, can lead to severe, unintended consequences.

Summary

The episode begins with the host, Joel, detailing a recent, severe gallbladder attack, attributing it to dehydration and poor diet, and discussing his plans for drastic dietary changes with live chat participants. He then narrates several listener-submitted 'scary carnival stories,' including an ex-boyfriend disguised as a clown attempting an acid attack, a child's misunderstanding of a dunk tank leading to their father's severe injury, a Warhammer 40k tournament loser stalking his opponent, a thrill-seeker's fatal fall from a faulty roller coaster, and an encounter with a fake deputy at a beauty pageant later suspected to be a serial killer. The host also briefly discusses the recent lawsuit involving fellow YouTuber Mr. Ballen, highlighting the challenges of business partnerships.
This episode offers a blend of personal health insights, cautionary tales about unexpected dangers in seemingly benign settings like carnivals, and reflections on human behavior ranging from obsession and recklessness to the complexities of business relationships. The host's candid sharing about his health crisis provides relatable context for listeners considering their own dietary and lifestyle choices, while the diverse collection of stories underscores the unpredictable nature of real-life threats.

Takeaways

  • The host's gallbladder attack was linked to dehydration, alcohol consumption, and subsequent fatty food intake, leading to excruciating pain.
  • Viewer comments indicate a surprising prevalence of gallbladder issues among the audience, with many sharing similar experiences and treatment paths.
  • A listener's ex-boyfriend, disguised as a clown, attempted an acid attack at a carnival, highlighting themes of obsession and violence.
  • A child's misinterpretation of a horror movie led to them inadvertently causing their sheriff deputy father to fall 10 feet into an empty dunk tank, shattering his ankle.
  • A college football player was stalked across the country by a Warhammer 40k tournament opponent seeking 'real combat' after losing online.
  • A thrill-seeking friend died after intentionally riding a faulty roller coaster without a locked safety bar, fulfilling a 'bearback' dream with tragic results.
  • A beauty pageant contestant encountered a man impersonating a sheriff's deputy, later identified as potentially being serial killer Rodney Alcala.

Insights

1Gallbladder Health Crisis as a Wake-Up Call

The host experienced a severe gallbladder attack, characterized by intense upper right abdominal pain radiating to his back, after drinking beer and eating fatty foods while dehydrated. This event served as a stark realization of the impact of lifestyle choices on health, prompting him to eliminate alcohol and commit to a very clean, low-fat diet.

Host details his pain, symptoms (including lighter-colored stools indicating undigested fat), and the immediate decision to cut out energy drinks, fatty foods, and alcohol, opting for water and a healthy ketogenic-style diet.

2The Unpredictable Nature of Obsession and Revenge

Several stories illustrate how personal grievances, whether from a past relationship or an online gaming rivalry, can escalate into dangerous real-world threats. An ex-boyfriend attempted an acid attack, and a Warhammer 40k opponent traveled cross-country to confront and threaten a winner, demonstrating extreme, unhinged behavior.

Story of ex-boyfriend AM () and the Warhammer loser Elias () who stalked Hank and attempted to 'shoot' him with a toy laser gun.

3Childhood Misinterpretation Leading to Severe Consequences

A story highlights how a child's literal interpretation of a horror movie scene (Ghoulies 2) about a dunk tank with piranhas led them to believe their father was in mortal danger. Their attempt to 'save' him by draining the tank resulted in him falling 10 feet onto concrete, causing severe leg injuries.

The narrator's childhood fear of the 'ghoulies' in the dunk tank () and their subsequent actions to drain the water (), leading to their father's shattered ankle and broken fibula ().

4The Allure and Perils of Reckless Thrill-Seeking

A group of friends in the 80s actively sought out dangerous, unstable carnival rides. One friend, Tony, intentionally rode a roller coaster with a faulty safety bar, fulfilling a 'bearback' dream but ultimately being catapulted to his death. This illustrates the extreme risks some individuals take for thrills and the tragic consequences.

Description of Tony's 'weird life dream to ride a roller coaster bearback' (), his successful initial attempt to bypass the safety bar, and his eventual fatal fall from the coaster ().

Bottom Line

The discussion around Mr. Ballen's lawsuit against his business partner for alleged fraud, excessive spending, and workplace harassment highlights the extreme financial and personal risks involved in high-stakes business partnerships, even among successful content creators.

So What?

This serves as a cautionary tale for anyone entering business ventures, especially in rapidly growing industries like content creation, emphasizing the need for rigorous due diligence and robust legal protections.

Impact

There's an opportunity for services or legal frameworks specifically designed to protect content creators and public figures from internal corporate misconduct and fraudulent partners, offering transparency and accountability tools.

Lessons

  • Prioritize hydration, especially when consuming alcohol, to mitigate risks of gallbladder issues and other health complications.
  • Be mindful of diet, particularly after periods of dehydration or alcohol consumption, to avoid triggering digestive distress from fatty foods.
  • Seek medical attention promptly for severe, persistent abdominal pain, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like changes in stool color, as it could indicate serious conditions like gallbladder attacks or pancreatitis.
  • Exercise caution and maintain awareness of surroundings in public spaces, as personal grudges and online rivalries can manifest in unexpected and dangerous real-world confrontations.
  • Educate children about the difference between fictional dangers in media and real-world risks to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to accidental harm.

Notable Moments

The host details a personal, severe gallbladder attack, describing excruciating pain and the immediate lifestyle changes he is implementing, including cutting out alcohol and fatty foods.

This candid personal sharing creates a strong connection with the audience, many of whom share similar health experiences, and provides a relatable 'wake-up call' about the importance of diet and hydration.

Discussion of YouTuber Mr. Ballen's lawsuit against his business partner for alleged fraud, drug abuse, and workplace harassment.

This provides a rare glimpse into the darker side of success in the content creation industry, highlighting the potential for betrayal and financial misconduct even among well-known figures.

Quotes

"

"The juxtaposition of feeling spooked and relaxed at the same time. You're not going to get that anywhere other than here."

Host
"

"I'm just a guy hanging out with a girl asking if she'll let me love her."

AM (ex-boyfriend)
"

"I'm a professional Warhammer 40k player... at a national tournament level."

Hank (boyfriend)
"

"Traveling carnival folk are like nothing else. They will literally kill for each other."

Listener Storyteller

Q&A

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