The Paranormal Podcast

Why do we slow down to stare at accidents, binge horror movies, or devour true crime podcasts? What draws us toward the dark and disturbing even when it frightens us? To explore this fascinating question, I’m joined by Dr. Colton Scrivner, a behavioral scientist and the world’s leading expert on morbid curiosity. His new book, Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can’t Look Away, digs into the psychology behind our obsession with danger, horror, and the macabre. We discuss: Why our brains are wired to pay attention to danger How horror movies and haunted houses safely feed our fears Why true crime is especially popular with women The evolutionary roots of fear — and how morbid curiosity can actually help us Morbidly Curious releases October 7, 2025, wherever you buy books. Here is the link to buy at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KAizdZ Thanks Dr. Scrivner! -- LORAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENT Join Jim at the Lorain Public Main Library on the evening of October 8th for “An Evening Around The Campfire” with Jim Harold. You can register here: https://www.lorainpubliclibrary.org/programs?action=show&id=44596 -- JIM’S MAUSOLEUM OF MERCHSupport the shows! Get spooky gear from Jim’s Mausoleum of Merch: https://jimharoldsmausoleum.etsy.com/ JIM’S SPOOKY STUDIO PLUS CLUBGet access to the entire back catalog of Jim Harold’s Campfire, The Paranormal Podcast & exclusive Plus ONLY shows. That’s over 2,500 episodes. Join today here: https://jimharold.com/plus--- For more information on our podcast data policy CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim is joined by paranormal investigators and real-life couple Cody Ray DesBiens and Satori Hawes — known from Ghost Hunters, TAPS, and their paranormal investigations. Together, they share how their paths crossed through the world of the unexplained and how their relationship has become inseparable from their paranormal work. Cody and Satori take us inside The Paranormal Couple’s Haunted Museum of Objects, Oddities, and Curiosities, where they curate hundreds of items linked to strange, eerie, and sometimes heartwarming experiences. From dolls that move on their own, to cursed artifacts like a monkey’s paw, to objects infused with love and intention, they explain how ordinary antiques can hold extraordinary stories. We also discuss their book, Archives of the Paranormal: Case Files from The Paranormal Couple's Haunted Museum, which collects some of their most fascinating cases and experiences with haunted relics. Along the way, we explore: -The story of the doll that wouldn’t stay gone. -Why not everything “haunted” is negative. -What it’s like to fall in love while ghost hunting. -How haunted objects can sometimes comfort rather than terrify. -Why respect — not provocation — is the key to investigating the unknown. Whether you’re fascinated by cursed relics, intrigued by haunted love stories, or curious about the reality behind Ghost Hunters and TAPS, this conversation offers a unique peek into the lives of two investigators whose passion for the paranormal is matched only by their love for each other. You can find their book on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4nsMIdn Cody & Satori even have more appearances than we discussed at time of recording. Check them out here: https://paranormalcouple.com/events Thanks Cody & Satori! -- Note: Thumbnail artwork was created with the help of generative AI tools. All video/audio content is original. – Join Jim's Spooky Studio Plus Club for exclusive content and 20 years of show archives: ⁠⁠⁠https://jimharold.com/plus⁠⁠⁠ – Get Your Spooky Merch at our Mausoleum of Merch at ⁠⁠https://jimharold.com/merch⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author, good witch and paranormal TV personality Patti Negri joins us to talk about her lifelong fascination with dolls and her new book Dollcraft: A Witch’s Guide to Poppet Magic and Haunted Dolls. From Hollywood’s obsession with haunted dolls to real-world cases that have left people shaken, Patti shares why these innocent-looking objects capture so much fear and curiosity. We also hear about her personal experiences with infamous dolls like Peggy and Annabelle, and how to tell if an item you’ve brought home might be more than just porcelain and lace. But it’s not all chills. Patti also opens up about the magical side of her work, introducing us to the world of poppets and how they can be used for protection, healing, and positive manifestation. We explore the difference between a haunted doll and a cursed doll, why intention matters, and how working with these vessels taps into something deeply human. It’s a mix of spooky stories and empowering insight you won’t want to miss. You can find Patti's book at Amazon: https://amzn.to/45WiycR Thanks Patti! Be sure to check out our free community of thousands of fellow paranormal fans at https://VirtualCampfireGroup.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spooky season kicks off in style! Jim Harold welcomes back author, storyteller, and podcaster Jeff Belanger to celebrate the release of his brand-new book Wicked Strange: Your Guide to Ghosts, Monsters, Oddities, and Urban Legends from New England. Jeff shares why New England may be America’s most haunted region, the importance of local legends, and how stories from cemeteries, roadside oddities, and even a legend of “satanic imps” have shaped the culture of the region. You’ll also hear about his friendship with Ed & Lorraine Warren, the White Lady of Easton, and how his podcast New England Legends helped inspire the book. Along the way, Jim and Jeff swap eerie experiences about interviewing people just before they passed away, the role of storytelling in grappling with death and the unknown, and why legends matter more than ever in our information-overloaded world. This is a wide-ranging, thought-provoking, and spooky conversation. It's perfect for the start of Halloween season. You can find Jeff's book at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g4uTyM -- This post contains Amazon affiliate links that benefit Jim Harold Media when you make a qualifying purchase. Thank you for your support! — – Join our Spooky Studio Plus Club for exclusive content and 20 years of show archives: ⁠⁠https://jimharold.com/plus⁠⁠ – Get Your Spooky Merch at our Mausoleum of Merch at ⁠https://jimharold.com/merch⁠ – Sign up for our FREE Virtual Campfire community: ⁠⁠https://virtualcampfiregroup.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bigfoot has been part of American folklore for decades, but what do we really know about the creature and the people who search for it? On this episode of The Paranormal Podcast, Jim Harold sits down with journalist and author John O’Connor, whose new book The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster explores not just the mystery of Sasquatch, but the culture of those who dedicate their lives to finding it. John shares his experiences traveling across the country, from the Pacific Northwest to the forests of Kentucky and beyond, meeting Bigfooters of all kinds. Along the way, he uncovers: Why he, as a serious journalist, decided to take Bigfoot seriously. The surprising diversity of belief within the Bigfoot community, from “flesh and blood” researchers to the more mystical “woo” camp. What the Patterson–Gimlin film still tells us, and doesn’t, about the possibility of Bigfoot’s existence. How his encounters with witnesses and searchers reshaped his own views on belief, mystery, and the human need for wonder. An unforgettable side quest in search of the ivory-billed woodpecker, and what it reveals about America’s vanishing wilderness. John also reflects on how Bigfoot represents something larger than footprints and blurry photos. It is a reminder of our connection to wild places and the enduring power of belief in the unexplained. If you’ve ever wondered why this legend refuses to fade, or what drives people to spend weekends in the woods chasing shadows, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the enduring mystery of Bigfoot. You can find his book at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mZCMrT Thanks John! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is reality far stranger than we’ve been led to believe? Researcher and author Andy Thomas joins Jim to explore the hidden connections between UFOs, ghosts, near-death experiences, crop circles, and more. From “time leaks” and precognitive dreams to unexplained encounters seen by everyday people, Andy reveals why the paranormal may be woven into our everyday world. Discover why these mysteries may all be connected—and what they tell us about the true nature of reality. You can find Andy's new book, Strange: Paranormal Realities in the Everyday World. at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UyQ7es This post contains Amazon affiliate links that benefit Jim Harold Media when you make a qualifying purchase. Thank you for your support! --For more information on our podcast data policy CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are extraterrestrials guiding humanity’s future? Psychic Medium Vincent Genna, MSW, joins Jim Harold on The Paranormal Podcast to share his extraordinary claim that ETs are benevolent beings working behind the scenes to help us evolve, survive, and reconnect with our spiritual nature. In this thought-provoking conversation, Vincent reveals: How he says he first made contact with an “Intergalactic Council” Why he believes humans are hybrid aliens The real purpose behind alien abductions How psionics and spiritual evolution connect to UFOs and UAPs Why ETs may appear more openly in our lifetime Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just curious about the UFO phenomenon, this episode will make you think about aliens, disclosure, and humanity’s place in the universe in a whole new way. Guest Links: Vincent Genna’s Website → https://vincentgenna.com Vincent’s Book The Secret That’s Holding You Back → https://amzn.to/3HsLijS -- Share this episode with a friend who’s fascinated by UFOs This post contains Amazon affiliate links that benefit Jim Harold Media when you make a qualifying purchase. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim reflects on 20 years of paranormal podcast from his deck! Thanks to all of our listeners and guests over the years. Special thanks go out to Maddy, The biggest thanks go to Dar and my kids. Thank you for allowing me to follow this dream! Join our free Virtual Campfire community at https://virtualcampfiregroup.com --For more information on our podcast data policy CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giano Cromley shares a chilling real-life experience deep in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest—an encounter that reshaped the way he sees the Bigfoot phenomenon. In this episode, we explore: -Giano’s unexplained encounter in the woods-Why Bigfoot remains such a powerful figure in American mythology-Indigenous stories that predate modern sightings-How belief, folklore, and the wild still collide in our digital age-His new novel, American Mythology, and how it pays tribute to true Bigfoot seekers Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation blends real experience with deep insight—and just might change how you see the legend. Get Giano's novel, American Mythology, at Amazon.com: https://amzn.to045dyl5v Thanks Giano! -- This post contains Amazon affiliate links that benefit Jim Harold Media when you make a qualifying purchase. Thank you for your support! --For more information on our podcast data policy CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is our reality real—or are we living in a video game? In this mind-expanding episode of The Paranormal Podcast, Jim talks with Rizwan Virk, MIT grad, tech entrepreneur, and author of The Simulation Hypothesis. Virk shares why he believes we may be players inside a sophisticated simulation, guided by code and driven by quests, karma, and possibly even a cosmic “game master.” Drawing connections between video games, ancient scriptures, quantum physics, and near-death experiences, Rizwan lays out a compelling case that our world may not be what it seems. They explore the metaphysical and philosophical implications of the theory, from reincarnation and life planning to déjà vu and the Mandela Effect. Can synchronicity, glitches in the matrix, and the structure of time and space point to a simulated multiverse? What role does AI play in this unfolding digital landscape? And if we are in a simulation, what does that mean for our purpose and free will? Strap in for a conversation that bends the rules of science, spirituality, and reality itself. You can find Rizwan’s book at Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4lI4GIC Thanks Rizwan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker Dean Alioto returns to discuss The Alien Perspective II — a deep dive into why “they” may be visiting us, and what that could mean for humanity. From simulated reality and experiencer contact to high-strangeness theories and Spielberg’s hidden truths, this is one of our most thought-provoking UFO episodes yet. Late in the conversation, Dean drops a surprising claim about UFO documentaries that you’ll definitely want to hear. --For more information on our podcast data policy CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim is joined by Bridget Marquardt—famous for The Girls Next Door and the creator of the Ghost Bunny podcast. Bridget talks about her lifelong love of all things spooky, from her first unsettling experiences as a child to her passion for exploring haunted places. She shares how her views on the paranormal have evolved over the years and why she believes there may be deeper connections between ghosts, UFOs, and other unexplained phenomena. Bridget and Jim also swap stories about dream visitations, strange encounters, and the idea that sometimes the paranormal has a trickster side. Bridget reflects on some of her favorite interviews and how talking openly about these mysteries can help us feel less alone in our experiences. It’s a fun and thought-provoking conversation with one of the most genuine voices in the paranormal community. JOIN THE VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE Join Jim’s new Virtual Campfire user community for FREE. No social media, no politics, no spammy advertising just good paranormal talk with like minded people. Join today at https://virtualcampfiregroup.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim talks with acclaimed psychic medium Carole J. Obley about her new book, The Art of Sensing: A Guide for Staying True to Your Soul's Journey Through Challenging Times. Carole explains how the book was inspired by her extensive experience and desire to help people move beyond fear and division. She describes simple practices, like quieting the mind and focusing on the breath, to access intuition and recognize the soul’s voice. They also discuss how hardships can open doors to spiritual growth. Jim and Carole share personal stories of setbacks that led them to more meaningful work. Other topics include karmic astrology as a map of the soul, the influence of archetypes, and the subtle ways loved ones communicate through intuition and synchronicity. You can find Carole's book at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GmonGf Thanks Carole! --For more information on our podcast data policy CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices