It starts with a scream. Ends with silence.

Somewhere between a Hollywood afterparty and a rundown motel room, a woman watches the world mourn her—while someone else wears her face, bleeds in her dress, and dies in her place.

But fame’s a tricky thing. It lets you disappear in plain sight.And murder? That’s just business with better lighting.

This episode isn’t about who died. It’s about who was supposed to.And why ghosts sometimes show up before the body’s cold.

Trust no one.

Not the man cashing the checks.

Not the girl who knew too much.

And definitely not the reflection in the mirror.

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📢 NOTE: This one breaks format. It’s longer. It’s riskier. It’s an experiment.If you love it—or hate it—I want to hear from you. Operators are standing by at jlstroudjr.com.

Your feedback decides what comes next.

So speak now… or the next body might be yours.

You ever had one of those dreams where everyone’s laughing at you—but it’s not funny? Now imagine you can’t wake up. What happens when the world’s laughter turns into something sharper, darker, and far more sinister? This is a story where the joke’s on you—or is it? ||| Story, art, and music produced by J.L. Stroud, Jr. with AI assistance. For more information visit www.jlstroudjr.com

In the shadowed corners between obsession and devotion lies "Phantom Hearts," a psychological exploration of love's darkest manifestations. This haunting narrative podcast follows Vincent, a man whose perception of romance has twisted into something unrecognizable as he orbits around Delores—a woman who exists at the center of his fractured universe. ||| Story, art, and music produced by J.L. Stroud, Jr. with AI assistance. For more information visit www.jlstroudjr.com