Episode WF-21 · 13:46

Weird Fix 21: World’s Oldest Tortoise Death Hoax, Ghostly Experiments & A Pope Fact

27 May 2026

Deep Dive

Weird Fix is back! In today’s mini episode, Chyaz discusses two of the strangest news stories of the year so far: one concerning Jonathan the Tortoise, the ‘World’s Oldest Land Animal’, who found himself caught up in a cryptocurrency death hoax…and the other relating to new research into the potential links between Infrasound and the paranormal. Plus, a fascinating piece of Pope-related trivia. There’s a weird little something for everyone in this bite-sized edition of Things Are About To Get Weird.

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Source Shout Outs:

Jonathan The Tortoise Articles:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c393xmpzjwko

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/02/worlds-oldest-tortoise-crypto-death-scam

https://news.sky.com/story/jonathan-the-giant-tortoise-the-worlds-oldest-living-land-animal-is-alive-after-getting-caught-up-in-alleged-crypto-scam-13527112

Infrasound Articles:

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/infrasound-paranormal-9.7209127

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2026.1729876/full?ref=404media.co

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/time-travelling-with-apollo/202605/is-it-a-ghost-youre-sensing-or-just-the-plumbing

Pope Fact Articles:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/04/pope-benedict-organ-donor-card-invalid

https://www.yahoo.com/news/pope-cant-organ-donor-because-131351440.html ?

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Themes

  • Hoaxes and Scams
  • Paranormal and Sensory Experiences
  • Historical Curiosities

Questions Explored

What was the hoax involving Jonathan the Tortoise? + −

Jonathan the Tortoise, believed to be the world’s oldest land animal, was falsely reported dead in a cryptocurrency scam. The report claimed he was dead to solicit donations, but it was debunked as Jonathan was found alive. This curious case shows how scams can exploit public sentiment. Chyaz Samuel explores this in Things Are About To Get Weird, Episode WF-21: Weird Fix 21.

How does infrasound relate to paranormal experiences? + −

Research from Canadian universities found that infrasound, low-frequency sound waves, may contribute to paranormal experiences by creating physical and psychological reactions. This supports theories about sensations in haunted locations. The study raises questions about our perceptions of the supernatural. The episode Things Are About To Get Weird, Episode WF-21, with Chyaz Samuel, traces the full story.

What unusual fact about the Pope is mentioned in the episode? + −

The podcast reveals that a Pope cannot donate organs posthumously due to ecclesiastical rules, despite any prior organ donor declarations. This fact became widely known when it was ruled that Pope Benedict, initially an organ donor, could not donate organs after death. This peculiar rule adds a layer of intrigue to the religious protocols. Chyaz Samuel follows the evidence in Things Are About To Get Weird, Episode WF-21.

Why did the Jonathan the Tortoise story become notable? + −

The story of Jonathan the Tortoise's alleged death became notable due to its wide media coverage and its link to a crypto scam. It exploited the tortoise's fame and led to public mourning before being revealed as a hoax. The case raises questions about media credibility. Chyaz Samuel explores this in Things Are About To Get Weird, Episode WF-21.

What themes are explored in this episode? + −

The episode delves into themes of scams, particularly through the tortoise hoax, and explores paranormal experiences linked to infrasound, alongside historical curiosity with a unique fact about the Pope. These themes provide a diverse exploration of the unusual and unexplained. This is the territory Chyaz Samuel maps in Things Are About To Get Weird, Episode WF-21.