As 2025 fades into the rearview mirror, it’s worth taking a moment to look back at the stories that made us stop, reread, and occasionally ask, “Wait… what?” From AI-fueled delusions and haunted buses to brain-powered computers and possible portals ripping open reality, these were some of the most unusual headlines we covered this past year. There’s no ranking here—just a grab bag of high strangeness for you to peruse again as the new year breaks and the world continues doing whatever this is.

A bizarre statue in Joshua Tree has gone viral, with many claiming it’s opening a real spiritual portal in the desert. In this episode, we dig into where this story came from and why Joshua Tree has repeatedly appeared in portal and gateway encounters shared on The Confessionals over the years. We examine the symbolism surrounding the statue, the idea of spiritual gateways, and the patterns that suggest certain locations act as access points to the unseen realm. The conversation expands into music, Hollywood, and live performances, exploring whether lyrics, imagery, and mass participation events are being used to open spiritual doors—intentionally or not. As the lines between art, ritual, and belief continue to blur, this episode asks a pressing question: are these portals real, and if so, who is opening them?

Scientists may be closing in on a bold explanation for dark matter… one that involves a portal to a fifth dimension. A new study published in The European Physical Journal C revisits the “Warped Extra Dimension” (WED) model introduced in 1999, suggesting that particles may travel into a curved, hidden dimension beyond the familiar four. This revived idea could provide the missing link physicists have been searching for.

For years, black holes have been considered the ultimate cosmic traps—regions of immense gravity where anything that falls in, including light, is lost forever. But a new study suggests a radical alternative: black holes might not be dead ends at all. Instead, they could act as tunnels leading to white holes—theoretical counterparts that eject matter and energy back into the universe.

What happens when curiosity collides with the supernatural? Tony Merkel shares a chilling warning from his personal journey exploring portals, demonic encounters, and the occult. In this interview with Charisma Media, Tony opens up about the spiritual warfare he faced, the dangers of crossing spiritual boundaries, and the lessons learned from chasing mysteries that are better left untouched. With biblical truths and cautionary tales, this story challenges believers to confront the unseen world with discernment and faith.

A portal opens over a London home? UFOs swarm New Jersey skies? These strange videos from mavi ufoalarm challenge reality— watch them all and decide what’s really happening.

Tony Merkel joins Larry and Sandy Ragland for an impromptu interview to explore the mystery of Bigfoot, interdimensional portals, demonic ties, Bigfoot’s potential link to our past, and bizarre eyewitness accounts.

Ever wondered if your computer could be a portal to another dimension? (Of course you have.) Prepare to deep-dive into the rabbit hole of quantum computers and the possibility of unlocking portals to parallel universes! Can quantum computers connect us to other dimensions?

VIDEO: Tony Merkel Joins ‘Quite Frankly’ for a Paranormal Conversation

Paranormal and portals? That’s all we need to hear. Join Phill (Episode 50: Haunting Stories of Onset, Massachusetts) on a trek through Hockomock Swamp to catch EVPs, evidence of a witch, and more high strangeness in the video The Paranormal Portal of Hockomock Swamp.

The following written confession and book excerpt were shared via email, regarding the story of the “pink door” from Episode 175: It Dragged Me Down the Hall. By some synchronistic happenstance, I had just listened to episode 175, and had shut it down shortly after your guest’s stories regarding her son Jack(son) and a pink door or window that would appear. I think I’ve heard of similar things…