The Confessionals

The discussion delves into the fraying boundary between the natural and spiritual realms, hinting at a coming shift in 2026. The hosts connect cultural phenomena like 'Stranger Things' to real-life encounters with tunnels and potential portals. They explore the concept of spiritual warfare, urging readiness for a supernatural battle. Personal testimonies of near-death experiences and prophetic visions add depth, while a call for believers to remain vigilant and proactive in their faith rounds out the conversation.

Kristine, a former New Age practitioner and healer, shares her intense journey from Reiki and mediumship to encountering open spiritual warfare. She recounts terrifying supernatural visions and the violent attacks their family faced. Kristine explains how her search for identity led her to deep involvement in spiritual practices, only to ultimately cry out to God in desperation. Her heartfelt testimony illustrates the triumph of Christ over darkness and the profound transformation that followed, showcasing the reality of spiritual deception and the power of redemption.

Katie Souza, a deliverance minister and author, shares her dramatic transformation from a life of crime and addiction to one of faith and miracles. She vividly recounts her prison experience, including encounters with angels and a miraculous stopping by the Holy Spirit. Katie discusses her powerful ministry, marked by astonishing healings like metals disappearing from bodies. She delves into spiritual warfare, detailing eerie encounters with werewolves and demonic forces. Her insights into spiritual authority and the fight against dark entities are both captivating and unsettling.

In Episode 580: Disturbing The Upside Down we are joined by David who unravels an experience he went through that seems to have echoes of the popular show "Stranger Things." David had reached out to the show to tell of a disturbing incident from his high school years in Trinidad, Colorado. He shares that he and a group of friends had dared to enter the abandoned Catholic school, unwittingly unleashing an unknown malevolent force that would soon plague them and those connected to them.The situation grew so dire that it ultimately required the intervention of a specialist recommended by the Catholic Church. This expert was brought in to reinstate the boundaries and restore a sense of control over the malevolent entity that had been unleashed. Today we talk about this situation and the aftermath of an exploration gone awry, where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs in "Disturbing The Upside Down."Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you’re able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890Become a member for ad-free listening, extra shows, and exclusive access to our social media app: theconfessionalspodcast.com/joinThe Confessionals Social Network App:Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrhGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZThe Counter Series Available NOW:The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HEREThe Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERETony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.comIf you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click HereBigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream HereThe Meadow Project: Stream HereMerkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.comMy New YouTube ChannelMerkel IRL: @merkelIRLMy First Sermon: Unseen BattlesSPONSORSSIMPLISAFE TODAY: simplisafe.com/confessionalsGHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tonyCONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.theconfessionalspodcast.comEmail: contact@theconfessionalspodcast.comMAILING ADDRESS:Merkel Media257 N. Calderwood St., #301Alcoa, TN 37701SOCIAL MEDIASubscribe to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/2TlREaIReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7hShow Instagram: theconfessionalspodcastTony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcasTwitter: @TConfessionalsTony's Twitter: @tony_merkelProduced by: @jack_theproducerOUTRO MUSICJoel Thomas - Walking In My SkinYouTube | Apple | Spotify

In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, Tony sits down with Joel Thomas to unpack how modern conspiracies, disclosure narratives, and theological trends can quietly pull believers away from Christ instead of toward Him. From NHI speculation and Majestic 12 lore to Gnosticism, transhumanism, and the aftermath of Little Season theology; the discussion challenges the obsession with “hidden knowledge” and questions whether these rabbit holes are producing fruit, or just distraction. Tony and Joel wrestle with discernment, critical thinking, and the danger of replacing faith, community, and purpose with endless information consumption. At its core, this episode is a call to refocus: away from conspiratorial addiction and back toward grounded faith, spiritual maturity, and living out one’s calling in the real world.Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you’re able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890Become a member for ad-free listening, extra shows, and exclusive access to our social media app: theconfessionalspodcast.com/joinThe Confessionals Social Network App:Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrhGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZThe Counter Series Available NOW:The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HEREThe Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERETony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.comIf you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click HereBigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream HereThe Meadow Project: Stream HereMerkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.comMy New YouTube ChannelMerkel IRL: @merkelIRLMy First Sermon: Unseen BattlesSPONSORSSIMPLISAFE TODAY: simplisafe.com/confessionalsGHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tonyCONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.theconfessionalspodcast.comEmail: contact@theconfessionalspodcast.comJoel Thomas:All links: Click HereMAILING ADDRESS:Merkel Media257 N. Calderwood St., #301Alcoa, TN 37701SOCIAL MEDIASubscribe to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/2TlREaIReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7hShow Instagram: theconfessionalspodcastTony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcasTwitter: @TConfessionalsTony's Twitter: @tony_merkelProduced by: @jack_theproducerOUTRO MUSICJoel Thomas - AdiósYouTube | Apple | Spotify

In this episode, Tony is joined by Ed Mabrie and Joel Thomas for a direct refutation of Little Season theology, a teaching that claims Satan has already been loosed and end-times prophecy is unfolding in a radically redefined way. Together, they dismantle the core claims of the movement by walking carefully through Scripture, exposing where the theory stretches biblical text, ignores historical context, and creates confusion about Christ’s victory, Satan’s binding, and the nature of the age we are living in. Rather than chasing speculative timelines, the conversation calls believers back to sound doctrine, biblical literacy, and discernment in an era flooded with persuasive but unstable teachings. This is a grounded, Scripture-first response to a growing movement, urging Christians to test every doctrine and remain anchored in truth rather than trend.Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you’re able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890Become a member for ad-free listening, extra shows, and exclusive access to our social media app: theconfessionalspodcast.com/joinThe Confessionals Social Network App:Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrhGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZThe Counter Series Available NOW:The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HEREThe Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERETony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.comIf you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click HereBigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream HereThe Meadow Project: Stream HereMerkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.comMy New YouTube ChannelMerkel IRL: @merkelIRLMy First Sermon: Unseen BattlesSPONSORSSIMPLISAFE TODAY: simplisafe.com/confessionalsGHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tonyCONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.theconfessionalspodcast.comEmail: contact@theconfessionalspodcast.comEd Mabrie:YouTube | Website | BookJoel Thomas:Little Season Series: Watch HereAll other links: Click HereMAILING ADDRESS:Merkel Media257 N. Calderwood St., #301Alcoa, TN 37701SOCIAL MEDIASubscribe to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/2TlREaIReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7hShow Instagram: theconfessionalspodcastTony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcasTwitter: @TConfessionalsTony's Twitter: @tony_merkelProduced by: @jack_theproducerOUTRO MUSICTony Merkel - Not Abandoned

Molly shares chilling tales from her haunted childhood home, revealing early strange vibes and unexplained sounds. A Ouija board session escalates when angry spirits respond, prompting warnings from her grandmother. Haunting voices and a creepy FaceTime sighting add to the eerie atmosphere. Molly discusses rituals to calm the house, but unsettling events linger. A ghost tour in New Orleans brings new surprises, including a mysterious shadow figure in a photograph. Each story weaves a dark tapestry of the supernatural, exploring the spirits that follow families.

What happens when AI's appetite for power exceeds our grid's capacity? The discussion dives into the fragility of the power system and the potential for rolling blackouts as data centers grow. With AI becoming integral to daily life, the hosts ponder privacy issues and the societal impacts of constant tech reliance. They explore innovative energy solutions like small modular reactors and discuss the chilling concept of AI becoming a utility. Finally, tips for preparedness in a world increasingly driven by technology are shared, urging listeners to think about their energy future.

A retired Alaska State Trooper shares gripping tales of high strangeness from his years on the force. He recounts an eerie dome-like bubble on the Dalton Highway, where temperatures plummeted dramatically. Legends of giant beings and mysterious little folk emerge from Indigenous stories. After moving to Kentucky, he encounters massive footprints and a fast-moving humanoid. Richie's experiences include demonic manifestations and an angelic visitation, sparking deep reflections on the nature of reality.

Strange activity is intensifying across East Tennessee, and longtime locals are starting to connect the dots. In this conversation, Tony sits down with Stephen Watson of Arcane Discoveries to explore why the Cherokee National Forest and surrounding mountains may function as a seasonal corridor for cryptids and paranormal phenomena. Stephen shares firsthand accounts of Bigfoot encounters, closed campgrounds plagued by rock-throwing and vocalizations, mysterious orbs, and unexplained handprints left on homes. He also recounts sightings tied to Dogman territory, a massive blonde Bigfoot moving at impossible speed, a black panther encounter, and a rare face-to-face meeting with what he believes was a red wolf. As the conversation unfolds, physical encounters give way to deeper questions about portals, vibration, and supernatural intelligence, suggesting these phenomena may be far more connected than anyone wants to admit.Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you’re able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890Become a member for ad-free listening, extra shows, and exclusive access to our social media app: theconfessionalspodcast.com/joinThe Confessionals Social Network App:Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrhGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZThe Counter Series Available NOW:The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HEREThe Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERETony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.comIf you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click HereBigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream HereThe Meadow Project: Stream HereMerkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.comMy New YouTube ChannelMerkel IRL: @merkelIRLMy First Sermon: Unseen BattlesSPONSORSSIMPLISAFE TODAY: simplisafe.com/confessionalsGHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tonyCONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.theconfessionalspodcast.comEmail: contact@theconfessionalspodcast.comStephen Watson: InstagramMAILING ADDRESS:Merkel Media257 N. Calderwood St., #301Alcoa, TN 37701SOCIAL MEDIASubscribe to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/2TlREaIReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7hShow Instagram: theconfessionalspodcastTony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcasTwitter: @TConfessionalsTony's Twitter: @tony_merkelProduced by: @jack_theproducerOUTRO MUSICTony Merkel - Static In The Pines