Overview of 26 | This is the Captain Speaking
This episode presents raw, unedited phone calls from an anonymous source (two family members, identified in the calls as Kirk and Bonnie) addressing a recent independent podcast and associated online discussion that have targeted their family over the 8‑year‑old disappearance of a man named Joseph. The callers describe how the podcaster and anonymous users on an app/thread (referred to repeatedly as “that app” or “Gnome”) have republished private photos and interviews, made accusations (murder, “mafia,” covering up evidence), and harassed family members. The family explains their original cooperation with investigators, how the case was closed after they were cleared, and why they’ve chosen not to engage publicly with the podcaster despite serious emotional and reputational harm.
Key takeaways
- The episode is a set of legal, one‑party‑consent phone recordings featuring family members responding to online accusations tied to a missing person case.
- The family claims the podcaster is falsely accusing them of murdering Joseph, stealing photos and interview recordings from Facebook and leaked interviews, and propagating rumors for views/money.
- Police and federal investigators interviewed and cleared the family years ago; callers say no evidence was recovered that links them to foul play.
- The family sought legal advice but found lawsuits prohibitively expensive and legally difficult due to free‑speech protections.
- To limit harm they’ve gone private on social media, blocked the host, and largely refused to engage—hoping the controversy will die down.
- The calls describe real emotional harm: harassment, threats, sleep loss, and children’s photos being taken from private accounts.
Context and timeline
- Joseph went missing about eight years prior; the family volunteered for interviews with investigators and say they were cleared and had alibis.
- The new podcaster revived the story months ago, expanded it to include other missing persons (names mentioned: Florence and Donna Trace), and drew attention to the family via social posts and an app/thread where anonymous users speculate and harass.
- The podcaster allegedly posted family photos, a bill of sale for an airplane, and portions of an earlier interview that callers say were not meant to be public.
- Harassment escalated: repeated phone calls, accusations, and public gossip—especially targeting two family members named Jake and Chrissy.
Main allegations made by the family about the podcaster and online community
- Repurposes private photos and interview audio without consent (taken from Facebook and leaked interviews).
- Makes unsubstantiated claims: accusing family members of murder, membership in a “mafia,” or covering up evidence.
- Claims to have accessed airline manifests and other records to prove the family tracked Joseph—calls deny any access and say airline manifests shown would not reveal passenger names to them.
- Encourages anonymous users on a discussion app to speculate, harass, and amplify the narrative for views/money.
- Has a history, according to callers, of targeting other families and being sued previously for defamation.
Family response and actions
- Consulted with a lawyer; retainer (~$10,000) was unaffordable and counsel indicated free‑speech protections make a defamation suit difficult.
- Blocked the podcaster and related media accounts; made social media accounts private or deleted them.
- Decided collectively not to engage publicly to avoid feeding the podcaster’s audience and revenue model.
- Considering restraining orders against the host because of persistent harassment and phone calls.
- Continue to assert they cooperated with investigators, had alibis, and did not tamper with evidence.
Investigation status and disputed facts mentioned in the calls
- Police/FBI/troopers interviewed the family years ago and, per callers, cleared them after checking alibis.
- No evidence or remains were recovered from the original search area according to the callers.
- Callers speculate a bear attack is a plausible explanation; they note the area is bear‑populated and that people can be buried or hidden by wildlife.
- Callers dispute multiple rumors repeated by the podcaster: suicide note implicating Kevin, credit card usage after disappearance, allegations of affairs used as motive—callers either deny knowledge or say those points were not part of the official record they recall.
- The family acknowledges imperfect memory of minute details from eight years ago but maintains they told investigators everything they knew at the time.
Impact on family (emotional and practical)
- Persistent stress, sleeplessness, and fear for children’s privacy after photos of kids were allegedly taken from Facebook.
- Harassing calls and anonymous messages aimed at provoking responses that would further the podcaster’s content.
- Social and reputational damage in a small community, where gossip threads and anonymous commenters spread unverified claims.
Legal and practical considerations raised
- Free‑speech defenses make civil suits for defamation difficult and expensive; callers say a lawyer advised them they likely wouldn’t prevail.
- Unauthorized use of private interview recordings or private images could raise legal issues, but callers were told pursuing litigation would cost more than they can afford and might not succeed.
- Practical countermeasures used: blocking accounts, privatizing social media, and avoiding engagement (purposefully not responding to bait).
Notable quotes
- “He’s just making this up for entertainment and making money off of ruining people’s reputations.”
- “We blocked all his stuff. We made all of our social medias private.”
- “We can’t afford the lawyer… he probably doesn’t have any money though.”
- “We decided not to go after him because that’s what he wants—to get a rise out of us.”
What listeners should know (recommendations implied by the callers)
- Be cautious about anonymous online rumors—small communities are especially vulnerable to gossip amplification on anonymous apps/threads.
- Private photos and interviews can be reused and circulated; making accounts private and limiting what is posted publicly can reduce exposure.
- Engaging with or responding to sensational content can incentivize and prolong harassment; silence and privacy measures are a deliberate strategy the family chose to stop the coverage.
Episode production notes (credits)
- This episode consists of recorded phone calls; it was released by Tenderfoot TV as part of Up and Vanished in the Midnight Sun.
- Standard episode credits follow: Payne Lindsey (host/writer), production and editing team, and references to Tenderfoot Plus and show sponsorships.
If you want more context about the missing‑person case, the show notes may contain source links and additional background the producers referenced.