Darkly Speaking

13. INFAMOUS: The Devil On Trial — The Warren Files Dilemma

Before The Conjuring Universe, there were the real stories — and the real consequences.
In 1974, the quiet town of Amityville became ground zero for one of the most infamous hauntings in the world. Six members of the DeFeo family were murdered inside their home, and when the Lutz family moved in, they claimed something inhuman remained. Voices whispered. Walls bled. Crosses turned upside down. The Warrens arrived with faith and cameras, determined to prove evil was real. But behind the fame that followed came something else — suspicion, profit, and a growing question about where belief ended and justice began.
Seven years later, another case would push them to the edge. In 1981, 19-year-old Arne Johnson stabbed his landlord to death — and claimed he was possessed by a demon that had once plagued an eleven-year-old boy. It became the first U.S. murder trial to argue demonic possession as a defense. And for the first time in American history… The Devil stood trial.
The Warrens stood by Arne, risking their credibility — and perhaps their conscience — to defend what they called the Devil’s truth. The Church refused to sanction the exorcism. The court refused to acknowledge the supernatural. And the world was left wondering whether the Warrens were fighting for salvation… or selling it.
From the haunted rooms of Amityville to the chaos of Brookfield, this episode exposes not just the stories that made the Warrens famous — but the ones that made them infamous. The moral questions, the contradictions, and the thin line between conviction and corruption.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
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⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

12. THE TERRIFYING TALES OF: Haunted Appalachia — Secrets In The Smokies

If you see something… no, you didn’t.
If you hear something… no... you didn’t...
 
These are just a few of the unspoken rules of the Appalachian Mountains — a place where the forest doesn’t just breathe, it listens. Stretching more than two thousand miles across the eastern United States and beyond, the Appalachian Trail cuts straight through the heart of some of the oldest — and most haunted — land on Earth. These mountains have swallowed more souls than history dares to count, and some say they never let go.
In this episode, we’ll follow the Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains — from the mysterious disappearances of Dennis Martin and Trenny Gibson to the chilling legends whispered in their wake. Stories of what might still move beneath the earth… and what feeds above it.
So if you’re curious enough to brave the trail with me, we have to tread carefully. Because if you stray too far from the path, yours might be the next story they tell.
 
Out here, there are rules:
Respect the land.
Never stray from the marked path.
Never whistle in the woods.
Never look too long into the tree line.
Never stay out past dark.
And whatever you do — don’t answer when something calls your name. 
 
If you see something… no, you didn’t.
If you hear something… no... you didn’t...
 
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

11. INFAMOUS: A Real Nightmare on Elm Street — A Killer In The Walls

For months, Frank Bowen’s daughters were convinced something was wrong inside their Pepperell, Massachusetts home. They heard footsteps where no one should have been, objects moved on their own, and an uneasiness settled over the house that no amount of logic could shake. Frank dismissed it as imagination — until one winter night in December 1986, the unimaginable happened.
An intruder emerged from the dark and took the Bowen family hostage inside their own home. When police arrived, the truth stunned everyone — the intruder wasn’t a stranger from far away, but a sixteen-year-old local boy named Daniel LaPlante, a resident of Elm Street in nearby Townsend, Massachusetts.
The Bowens survived that night, but the community couldn’t shake the story — the boy who had lived inside someone’s home, watching and tormenting them from the dark. After his arrest, LaPlante was released on bail, and for a brief moment, it seemed like the nightmare had ended. But what no one realized then was that the horrors had only just begun.
Over the following year, Daniel’s behavior would spiral into something far more sinister. His childhood trauma, isolation, and fixation on control would manifest in unthinkable ways. And by the next winter, another family — the Gustafsons — would pay the ultimate price.
TW: This episode includes disturbing content related to child abuse, psychological trauma, home invasion, hostage situations, and the murders of a mother and her two children. It also references stalking, sexual assault, and violent criminal behavior involving minors. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
 

10. MURDERED: The Powell Family Tragedy

As October approaches, so does Domestic Violence Awareness Month — a time to remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the warning signs too often ignored. Few cases embody that tragedy more than the Powell family.
In December 2009, Susan Powell vanished from her Utah home. Her husband, Josh, claimed she simply disappeared during a midnight camping trip with their two young boys. But as investigators dug deeper, disturbing secrets within the Powell family surfaced: Josh’s controlling behavior, his father Steven’s obsessions, and a home filled with tension and fear.
The nightmare didn’t end with Susan’s disappearance. Three years later, Josh carried out an unthinkable act of violence against their sons, Charlie and Braden, in a horrific ending that shocked the nation.
This episode examines Susan’s disappearance, the devastating loss of her children, and the unanswered questions that still linger. Through it all, her parents — the Cox family — continue to fight for justice, and to ensure Susan, Charlie, and Braden are never forgotten.
TW: This episode includes disturbing content related to domestic violence, child abuse, child pornography, family annihilation, and the murders of Susan Powell and her two sons. It also includes references to stalking, coercive control, and disturbing criminal behavior.Listener discretion is strongly advised.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
 

9. MURDERED: Cassie Jo Stoddart — A Real Life Scream Nightmare

In September 2006, 16-year-old Cassie Jo Stoddart was house-sitting for her aunt and uncle in Pocatello, Idaho. She was responsible, kind, and trusted — but what should have been a quiet weekend became a nightmare that no one could have imagined.
Two of Cassie’s classmates were obsessed with the movie Scream — the 1996 slasher film known for its masked killer who stalks and murders teenagers in their homes. For most, it was entertainment. A cult classic that shaped horror for a new generation. But for two high school classmates in Pocatello, Idaho, Scream became an obsession. And in 2006, they set out to bring it to life. 
That night, Cassie was brutally murdered in the place where she should have been safe. The crime devastated her family and sent shockwaves through the community.
This episode focuses on Cassie’s case: the betrayal she faced, the chilling recordings left behind, and the lasting impact of a murder driven by a horror obsession.
TW: This episode contains disturbing material, including explicit details of a violent crime, audio and video footage created by the perpetrators, references to mass shootings, and discussions of premeditated violence. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
 

8. THE TERRIFYING TALES OF: Mimics — The Uncanny Among Us

Have you ever heard someone you love call your name… only to realize they couldn’t have? Or seen a familiar figure standing in the room… when you knew they weren’t home? That’s the terror of mimics — entities that steal voices, faces, and movements to pass as the people we trust most.
In this episode, I uncover chilling reports and folklore of the uncanny. Voices luring people into the woods. Loved ones seen in two places at once. Figures that breathe and speak like us — until they vanish. These aren’t just stories; they’re encounters that strike at something universal: the fear that what feels familiar is suddenly wrong.
We’ll explore the different forms of mimicry — from doppelgängers said to foreshadow death, to Appalachian fleshgaits that stalk the living with stolen voices. And we’ll confront the uncanny valley itself — that unsettling space where something looks human… but isn’t, and where the thing wearing your loved one’s face might not have human intentions at all.
Because if it wasn’t really them — then who, or what, was it?
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

7. UNSOLVED: The Murder of Rosie Tapia — A Child Stolen From Her Bedroom, 30 Years Without Justice

In August 1995, six-year-old Rosie Tapia was taken from her Salt Lake City home in the middle of the night. By morning, she was found murdered in a nearby canal. This past August marked the 30th anniversary of Rosie’s death — a case that remains one of Utah’s most haunting mysteries, a story of innocence stolen and justice delayed.
Over the years, the investigation has twisted through rumors, overlooked leads, and heartbreaking dead ends. Rosie’s family — especially her mother, Lewine — has never stopped fighting for answers. And now, three decades later, there is renewed hope.
On August 25, 2025 — just two weeks before this episode’s release — Salt Lake City police announced a fresh appeal to the public. Detectives are actively seeking two men who may hold critical information about Rosie’s abduction and death, and advances in forensic genealogy have given the case new direction.
In this episode, I walk through Rosie’s story from the night she vanished to the most recent developments in 2025, examining the investigation’s failures, the resilience of her family, and the community’s ongoing search for the truth.
If you have any information about the kidnapping and murder of Rosie Tapia, please call 801-799-3000 or submit an anonymous tip through the CityProtect App, referencing case number 95-119190.
TW: This episode includes discussion of crimes against children and sexual violence, and potentially distressing circumstances. Listener discretion is advised.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

6. HAUNTED: The San Pedro Haunting — One of America's Most Violent Paranormal Cases (Part 2)

Leaving San Pedro should have ended Jackie Hernandez’s nightmare. But when she relocated to Weldon, California, the haunting came with her — and soon began targeting not only Jackie, but the very investigators who tried to help her.
As the phenomena spread, the case took on a darker edge. Attacks followed the team beyond Jackie’s home, and a real-life murder mystery in San Pedro raised unsettling questions about whether the haunting was tied to something far more sinister.
In Part 2 of this series, we follow the story as it moves beyond San Pedro, blurring the line between paranormal terror and true crime — and cementing its place as one of the most disturbing cases in American haunting history.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

5. HAUNTED: The San Pedro Haunting — One of America's Most Violent Paranormal Cases (Part 1)

In 1989, Jackie Hernandez moved into a modest bungalow in San Pedro, California — and soon found herself living inside one of America’s most violent hauntings.
Cold spots and pounding in the walls gave way to something far darker: objects hurled across rooms, shadowy figures, and attacks that left Jackie and those around her shaken to the core.
What began in that small house on West 11th Street would draw neighbors, investigators, and even a film crew — becoming one of the most infamous cases in American paranormal history.
In Part 1, we explore Jackie’s background, the history of San Pedro, and the chilling first signs of the haunting that would consume her life.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

4. UNSOLVED: The Murder of Robert Wone

On August 2, 2006, attorney Robert Wone was found dead inside a townhouse on Swann Street in Washington, D.C. What should have been a straightforward case quickly unraveled into one of the most perplexing unsolved murders in modern true crime.
Robert had spent the evening with friends and colleagues before heading to the home of three men he trusted. Within hours, he was discovered with multiple stab wounds — yet there were no signs of forced entry, no defensive wounds, and almost no trace of blood where he was attacked. Investigators quickly realized that the crime scene appeared staged, and the timeline presented by the men inside the home didn’t make sense.
Despite years of legal battles, shifting testimonies, and intense public scrutiny, no one has ever been convicted of Robert’s murder. Instead, his death remains shrouded in secrecy, leaving behind only questions:
Why was Robert targeted? What really happened inside that townhouse? And how has this case remained unresolved for nearly two decades?
In this episode, I break down Robert’s final hours, the investigation that followed, and the haunting details that continue to disturb both investigators and the public to this day.
TW: This episode includes discussion of violent crime and potentially distressing circumstances. Listener discretion is advised.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
⁠Spotify
Apple Podcasts ⁠
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
⁠YouTube ⁠
⁠Instagram ⁠
⁠TikTok ⁠
⁠Website ⁠(Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → Darklyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.