{"podcast":{"title":"The Confessionals","slug":"the-confessionals-743214","podcast_index_feed_id":743214,"rss_url":"https://audioboom.com/channels/5002796.rss","website_url":"https://audioboom.com/channels/5002796","image_url":"https://audioboom.com/i/41345232.jpg","author":"Merkel Media","episode_count":1126,"summary":"The Confessionals is where the unexplained meets raw, firsthand testimony. Through in-depth conversations, we explore encounters with the supernatural, interdimensional phenomena, cryptids, and mysteries that defy conventional understanding. From eerie paranormal activity and chilling Dogman sightings to UFOs, UAPs, and government cover-ups, each episode pulls back the veil on the hidden forces shaping our reality. If you’re drawn to the unknown, step into The Confessionals, where the stories are real and the mysteries are endless.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-24T12:19:01.234153+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-confessionals-743214"},"episode":{"title":"Members Preview | 852: He Died and Saw Heaven's Portals","slug":"members-preview-852-he-died-and-saw-heaven-s-portals","published_at":"2026-04-09T04:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-confessionals-743214/members-preview-852-he-died-and-saw-heaven-s-portals","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-confessionals-743214","url":"https://audioboom.com/posts/8885086","audio_url":"https://arttrk.com/p/ABMA5/pdst.fm/e/clrtpod.com/m/pscrb.fm/rss/p/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audioboom.com/posts/8885086.mp3?modified=1775706567&sid=5002796&source=rss&rssua=transcribr","summary":"He died for 15 minutes… and says he stood in heaven, spoke with an angel, and was sent back with a message he couldn’t ignore. Tony sits down with Rich, a former Alaska public safety officer, whose story builds toward a near-death experience that changed everything. After his heart stopped during a medical procedure, Rich describes waking in a place of overwhelming light, standing on what looked like sapphire glass, surrounded by swirling, radiant particles and a towering angel who confirmed he was in heaven. He recounts being led toward God’s throne, witnessing portals opening in the sky with angels moving in and out, and encountering Jesus in a moment defined by power, clarity, and indescribable love. Though he didn’t want to return, he was sent back, only to wake on the table declaring that heaven is real. Along the way, his earlier experiences in Alaska, moving stars, unexplained disappearances, and encounters tied to strange entities in the wilderness, take on new meaning through a spiritual lens. This episode moves from mystery to revelation, pointing to a reality that may be far closer than we realize. 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/b8f76890 Become a member for ad-free listening , extra shows , and exclusive access to our social media app : theconfessionalspodcast.com/join The Confessionals Social Network App: Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrh Google Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZ The Counter Series Available NOW: The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HERE The Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERE The Big Picture Prophecy Conference: prophecyconference26.com Tony's Recommended Rea…","meta_description":"He died for 15 minutes… and says he stood in heaven, spoke with an angel, and was sent back with a message he couldn’t ignore. Tony sits down with Rich, a…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":964,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-confessionals-743214/episodes/members-preview-852-he-died-and-saw-heaven-s-portals/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-confessionals-743214/members-preview-852-he-died-and-saw-heaven-s-portals.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}