Category: Ghost Hunting Tips

Little Voices from Beyond: How to Speak with the Ghosts of Children

Alex Matsuo

In the paranormal investigation world, it is inevitable that we will run into a location where there are reports of spirits of children. While this can be unsettling to think about, because a life cut short is always tragic, it is a truth we have to face at times. Nothing reminds us more of our mortality than to encounter a life that didn’t have a chance to live.

The best way to communicate with child spirits is to treat them the same way you would when they were alive. However, this can be challenging for people who don’t encounter children in their daily lives or don’t work with children.

What Makes Me Qualified to Speak on This?

I worked in childhood and adolescent education for years. I started my interaction with kids helping in the church nursery in high school. In college, I spent my summers as a unit leader camp counselor for the YMCA. After graduate school, I spent my teaching career as a teaching artist for the local school district teaching theatre to kindergarten through 5th grade. In the summers, I was teaching reading skills from preschool through high school. Then, I was a preschool teacher for three years. I’ve interacted with nearly every age group leading up to adulthood before I eventually left the education field for the corporate life. But I’ve taken what I’ve learned and applied it to the paranormal field.

Disclaimer: These are just my suggestions based on my background as a former teacher and experience as a paranormal investigator. These tips aren’t the “only way” to talk to the spirits of kids.

First Things First: They’re Not Demons

Let’s get the obvious out of the way; 99% of the time, the ghosts of children are not demons. This is a very Christian-centric belief in the paranormal that often takes over the field. I’ve only encountered a few spirits that tried to come across as a child. But even so, it’s only been maybe twice in the 20 years I’ve been investigating. Not everyone in the field believes in the idea of heaven or hell. Don’t treat these kids like they’re evil entities trying to take your soul.

Get on Their Level

If you know the location is reported to be haunted by a small child, avoid standing if you can. Try to sit in a chair, or even on the floor, and get on the child’s level to communicate. Even for living children, getting on their level to communicate and talk to them is a more effective way to gain their trust so the child doesn’t feel intimidated by you. Standing over a child and asking questions could very well make them feel nervous around you and possibly remind them of someone who wasn’t kind to them when they were alive.

Be Mindful of the Tone of Your Voice

Some kids appreciate big, boisterous voices. If you’re a parent or a teacher, that voice may work in your favor in a positive manner. But sometimes, you may run into a child spirit that has been traumatized by an adult, and a loud voice may very well upset them and inhibit them from communicating. When I first initiate communication, I try to have a more neutral tone and volume to my voice in the beginning. This gives me the opportunity to gauge the comfort level of the child spirit and see how much they’re willing to communicate, their personality, and how outgoing they are.

Know How to Talk to Different Age Groups

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone on an investigation that’s reported to be haunted by a small child, and then it’s apparent that the young person we’re talking to is a pre-teen or older. Have an understanding of communication styles of different age groups. You don’t want to talk to a 10-year old the same way you would talk to a 5-year old. One can speculate that even in the afterlife, that spirit will reflect their age and development stage they were in upon passing.

Keep an Open Mind

The paranormal investigation practice isn’t an exact science, and we have a long way to go. This means people can make assumptions and mistakes sometimes. The way that folklore, myths, and legends can grow and evolve can quickly change the origin story for many spirits. This means that the 5-year old girl that haunts the old barn may not actually be a 5-year old girl, but instead, a 13-year old boy. Or, even an old man! Keep an open mind and don’t pigeonhole yourself into insisting on communicating with a spirit that may or may not be there.

Use Trigger Objects

If you know the location is haunted by children, bring trigger objects! This means toys, dolls, puzzles, music, whatever gets someone engaged. When trying to engage with children, people will bring different activities to stimulate that child’s mind. Just talking to people with nothing to entertain them could get bored rather quickly. Just as living children can have short attention spans, one can theorize that this is still the case in the afterlife. Depending on what you believe when it comes to evolving spirits long-term, it never hurts to try different trigger objects.

Talk About Things They Enjoy

This can apply to teenagers and adults as well. You can never go wrong talking about things that a spirit enjoys, whether it was something they enjoyed while alive, or still enjoying during their afterlife. Just like the trigger objects, talking about things like foods, their favorite colors, books, music, and depending on time period; movies and television.

Avoid Talking About Traumatic Topics

Children can sense blood in the water if you’re not comfortable talking to them, or if you have something to hide. It’s like they have that extra sense. So, when a child spirit is comfortable communicating with me, I treasure that moment and try to make the interaction as positive as I can. Talking about trauma for the sake of sparking communication isn’t okay. When you think about the living, majority of society doesn’t candidly talk to a child about their trauma, their abuser, etc. when they first meet them. Even experts in pediatric psychiatry will engage in different modes of play and other engagement methods before diving straight into trauma. As paranormal investigators, we are not that spirit’s psychologist, counselor, etc. and when we bring up a child’s abuser and just yelling things in empty rooms, it causes more harm than good. Now, if they volunteer the information themselves, it means that you’ve established enough trust with them to talk about more difficult topics.

They’re Not There to Perform

While spirit communication can be both disturbing and exciting, especially for content creation, these spirits are not there to perform for us. They’re not there to help us create spooky content. They are existing in their (hopefully) happy afterlife and doing their thing. Every time I encounter (what I believe is) spirit communication, I feel exceptionally honored. I feel even more special when it’s a child.

Final Thoughts

None of these tips are a guarantee that you will have the chance to talk with ghost children, or even that they’ll be interested in talking to you. But in a field where trauma-based ghost hunting is becoming the norm and now very popular, this is an alternative approach to paranormal investigations that doesn’t cause additional harm. At the end of the day, ghost hunting and paranormal investigating is talking to people, or at the very least, talking with something we believe is conscious and intelligent. Just as we expect spirits to engage with us respectfully, we should do the same when we enter these buildings and try to talk to those inhabiting it. If you have the chance to engage with the spirit of a child, take that experience as a gift and have a positive and meaningful interaction.

Happy investigating!

How to Not Traumatize Ghosts

Alex Matsuo1 Comment

For decades, it has been typical to see paranormal investigators walk into a haunted location and immediately start provoking and saying things that could be extremely traumatizing to not only spirits and ghosts, but also the living. Is it really necessary to do this in order to get a response during a paranormal investigation? What if this the best way to try to communicate with spirits? Is there another way to go about it?

Personal Experience

I had a TikTok recently that went viral where I shared a (very) short version of the One Bed Over: A Hospital Haunting story. This was the incident of the spirit attachment I dealt with after my car accident on New Year’s Eve 2005. I shared my story with the TV show “Haunted Hospitals” and wrote the book. Telling this story became a healing experience for me, and overall, I’m grateful for the opportunities I had to share it.

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of interviews on different podcasts and radio shows about the story. But in the past few months, I found myself experiencing more PTSD incidents since telling the story more frequently. Nightmares, panic attacks, flashbacks, they were all coming back with a vengeance.

How Do the Spirits Feel?

Why do I bring this up? Because talking about this traumatic chapter in my life just a few times per month has really sparked some responses in my body and soul that’s made me identify the need to step back. 

Yet, what about the ghosts that we try to connect with in haunted locations? Especially locations where there was a lot of trauma and negative events in their lives? There’s a group of strangers coming in and asking about one of the worst days of their lives. Then we expect the spirits to pour out their heart and souls to us, a bunch of strangers, without building rapport or trust. And some of these places see traffic on a daily basis.

Besides a location not being haunted, perhaps this might be a reason that paranormal investigators are met with silence? Or worse, they end up being physically assaulted. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve encountered this on the field. But then, a simple subject change will change the activity levels towards a more positive environment. That simple subject change is compassion and empathy.

Example: The USS North Carolina

In 2018, I did my first paranormal investigation at the Battleship North Carolina (also known as the USS North Carolina). I had been investigating for quite a while up until this point. I wanted to dive deeper into the hauntings of this location besides traditional ghost hunting. Taking a page from John Sabol’s Ghost Excavation method, I had my team members (all female identifying) dress in period clothing. Justifying our presence on the ship would be a bit challenging. This is because civilian women on the ship wasn’t necessarily the norm back in the Battleship’s prime.

So we took on a more flirtatious approach as women looking for sailors to take us out on a night on the town. This included contextual flirting, dancing, and all sorts of shenanigans from the 1940s. Yet, when we tried to steer the conversation towards World War II, and more specifically, Pearl Harbor, we were met with absolute silence. But if we brought up drinks and dancing, our equipment would respond and we got more activity on our recording equipment. Simply put, they weren’t interested in talking to us about a tough topic. To be fair, most of the World War II vets I knew (especially my grandpa) didn’t talk about the war, especially with women.

Example: Trivette Clinic

If you’ve read my book, The Hamptonville Hauntings, then you’ve already read this story in more detail. Without going too deep into the history and research rabbit hole, the Trivette Clinic opened in 1932 in Hamptonville, North Carolina as a small town clinic. This was a place where tonsils were taken out and babies were born. After Dr. William Trivette died in 1938, the Clinic was converted into a supper club and detox center, then a nursing home, and finally, a private residence. While not a lot of “horrifying trauma” happened at the Clinic, one could argue that surgery and childbirth is a form of trauma on its own. 

But one of the most remarkable experiences I had at the Trivette Clinic didn’t involve talking about medical procedures at all. It was playing music. Dr. Trivette’s wife Gwendolyn was a singer who had a love for opera. I’ve always been extremely drawn to her for various reasons, and one night, with two of my team members, a series of events led me to believe she was with us. Thinking about her love of opera, I was inspired to use music as a trigger object. Trying to think of popular operas back in Gwendolyn’s time, I defaulted to “Musetta’s Waltz” from the opera, La Boheme. 

Reaction to the Music

As the music started playing from my phone, every device we had in the basement started going off. The lights became brighter when the music swelled in intensity, and the lights dimmed during the quieter moments. It was like there was a reaction in the environment to the music. In my head, I pictured Gwendolyn singing to the music. Needless to say, it was an emotional experience.

Ever the debunker, I decided to play Van Halen’s “Jump” to see if our equipment would react the same way. None of the equipment went off, even when I grabbed my phone and walked around the space. I played a few more songs and still, nothing. No reaction like that.

Example: Melissa Elliott at the Cabin on 360

One of the darker places I’ve been to is the Elliott House next door to the Cabin on 360. The locations are owned by the same person, and sit just feet away from each other. It should be noted that I don’t call the Elliott House dark because of demonic entities or anything like that. It’s because it was the site of a brutal murder. If you want to learn more about the Elliott House, and Melissa Elliott, here’s some more information.

Melissa Carol Elliott was just 12 years old when she was raped and murdered by her half-brother in 1979. Just being in the house and knowing what happened within its walls is enough to give me bad feelings about the place. Knowing this, it made it hard to remove my bias. Also, it’s been said that there is a dark entity in the house.

When my team and I investigated the house, we went into Melissa’s bedroom and set up a few recording devices. I wanted to make sure to focus on things that a pre-teen girl would have liked or been interested in during the late 1970s. If Melissa was still a present entity in the house, I’m pretty sure the last thing she would want to talk about is the end of her life and likely the worst day of her life. But also, avoiding the traumatic topic could give us an opportunity to communicate with other spirits in the house, if there were any.

Shifting Gears

Immediately, I noticed that there wasn’t much response when my other two male members were asking questions. Keeping the nature of Melissa’s death in mind, plus being a 12-year old girl, she may not be comfortable around older males. Pulling out the Osmonds, David Cassidy, and other pop culture icons, it seemed we were getting some responses on our equipment. 

There was a moment where it looked like there was light shining on me for a brief second. I thought one of my team members shined their flashlight on me. My team member thought my Fitbit went off. The only thing that made me hesitant about declaring it my Fitbit was that my little watch will stay illuminated for several seconds, not a brief moment. It wasn’t headlights from the outside either.

Why Avoid Using Trauma

There’s a multitude of reasons to avoid using trauma in spirit communication. To be fully candid, using trauma as the first tactic to get a response is a cheap tactic. I even find skeptics using trauma to also try to elicit a response, which is puzzling. It’s like, “I don’t believe you exist but I’m going to exploit your trauma anyway.” Some of the best skeptics who investigate still respect the space and the people who once lived there.

By avoiding the use of trauma, you earn trust not only with the potential spirit you’re trying to communicate with, but also with the group in your company. I think we often forget that if we use trauma to elicit a response, we risk upsetting our fellow investigators who may have a personal connection with similar trauma. 

When we use trauma, it’s often a very generic approach with broad questions that don’t go any deeper. Also, using trauma right away forces the investigator to go in with a certain bias. They may assume that the house being haunted is haunted by the spirits tied to specific history and so they laser point on that traumatic event. Meanwhile, they miss out on meaningful communication with an entity that’s either not tied to that specific history, or they don’t want to talk about it.

So What Should We Talk About?

For the socially awkward like myself, coming up with topics to talk about with spirits can be tricky. I can’t even do small talk with the living so how can I talk to the dead? I’ve learned a lot about social interactions from paranormal investigating, especially from the examples above.

It also should be said that not every topic will be “trauma free” for everyone. Like, talking about someone’s child to one person may cause heartache and grief to someone else who may have lost children or weren’t able to have their own.

Here’s some things to talk to ghosts/spirits about:

  1. What brings them joy
  2. Their daily lives
  3. What the space looks like to them
  4. Who is around them at that moment
  5. Favorite foods and treats
  6. Entertainment they may have liked (books, music, movies, television)
  7. Recipes
  8. Games

Here are a few more topics to explore, but may have trauma associated with them:

  1. Religion (favorite hymns, Bible verses, etc.)
  2. Were they in love?
  3. Did they have children?

In reality, any point mentioned could bring up trauma. But in this case, the intention is different. Without diving too deep into intent vs. impact, there is a difference between going into a space with the intention of using trauma to provoke a spirit and trying to talk a spirit about something that may have made them happy and you upset them by accident.

This list is just a starting point. What’s great about this list is that you can keep it generic enough to help you pinpoint the historical and societal context of the entity you’re talking to. I like to call this method, “Start Big, Go Small.” Start with a broader topic, and use the responses to get more granular to help pinpoint the person you’re talking to and where they’re from.

Final Thoughts

We don’t need to provoke or say upsetting things during a paranormal investigation in order to get a response. If anything, we could get even better data and evidence by not going the route of provocation.

I see a shift happening in the paranormal investigation community where we are veering away from using trauma as a talking point. This makes me very optimistic for the future of the paranormal. Unfortunately, paranormal media has yet to catch up. It continues to default to trauma as a way to get a response from spirits. Not all television shows are like this (shout out to “Kindred Spirits”), but most of them do this. It’s not terribly surprising since the focus of most TV shows is to get that spooky evidence and then move on to the next location, leaving a mess of shattered feelings and trauma behind.

How to Become a Better Paranormal Investigator in 2022

Alex Matsuo2 Comments

2022 marks a new year, which means it’s all about new beginnings! One of the things you might be looking to do is to up your ghost hunting game. Becoming a paranormal investigator is a big decision. It’s a choice that takes up quite a lot of time and money, not to mention management on a multitude of levels, especially if you run a team. For many paranormal investigators, going on more investigations seems to always be on the list of things to do to become better. Field work is critical if you want to improve your investigation skills. Perhaps it includes going to that “bucket list” location, or trying new things at an old location. No matter where you are in your paranormal investigation journey, you’re always trying to better yourself.

I know this is one of my 2022 goals. So, here’s a list to help you (and me) learn how to become a better paranormal investigator this year!

Don’t Take Everything at Face Value

When you see someone post a photo, video, or audio clip of their evidence, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Ask the poster why they think it’s paranormal, and how they came to the conclusions they have. Just accepting someone’s posted data as legit paranormal phenomena isn’t necessarily helpful to the field. This is especially true if we find out that the data is a hoax. In a world where people are using filters, string, and other hoaxing methods, I usually go by the idea that if it’s too good to be true, it usually is. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to debunk, but the more you ask questions, the more you will find yourself debunking.

Document More

Documenting experiences doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as easy as writing down an incident with the date and time that it occurred. This is critical to do in the moment, even when you’re freaking out. After you’ve calmed down, you can further explore what happened and find out why it happened. Also, it helps build your credibility. Whether you’re writing down notes, taking photos, making notes of the weather changes, etc., document more of the surrounding events in your investigations and experiences. You might start noticing a pattern, or be better equipped at explaining an incident.

Research Something Different

We have your typical research areas of interest: history, psychic mediumship, and locations. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to research areas within the paranormal. For example, research the psychological effects of EVP, or audio pareidolia. Maybe even research the idea of time loops, adding performance to investigating, etc. Or, subscribe to a parapsychological research journal from the Rhine Research Center or the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena. Thinking outside the box this year can really help expand your paranormal investigation methods and expertise.

Hold People Accountable

This is especially critical for people to do when they see someone willingly fake evidence. The growing trend on TikTok and YouTube is incredible “paranormal” events being captured thanks to fishing line, clever audio editing, and poorly performed reactions. This behavior continues because we are willing to stay silent. However, our silence is deafening, and we need to start holding creators accountable for their actions. See the fishing line? Call it out. A video of a door opening by itself too good to be true? Ask to see a different angle. Our singular voices aren’t doing much, but vocalizing as a group may make a bigger impact.

Collaborate with Someone Who Thinks Differently

This doesn’t mean you have to collaborate with a skeptic. Collaborating with someone with different approaches and ideas can help you really hone in on what you believe in the paranormal. I often enjoy talking to people who disagree with me because it gives me the opportunity to expand my mind and see what other people are thinking in the field. Being challenged is often a scary thing in this community, but I promise that it is one of the most valuable experiences you’ll have.

Think Like a Skeptic

You don’t have to be a skeptic to think like a skeptic. Even if you think skeptics are full of it, thinking like one can help you keep accountable in your investigation methods. Work backwards in your investigation and method of collecting evidence. What questions would a skeptic ask you about your experience? What gaps would be pointed out in your investigation? Thinking ahead on these points will help you become a better investigator as well as be able to offer better explanations when asked.

Be Aware of Your Biases

This one is a tough one. We all have biases, even skeptics. If a skeptic (or a cynic) goes into a location with a goal of debunking, it’s a bias. I often catch myself having a bias when I go into a haunted location. As someone who likes to do my research pre-investigation, I have to be aware of my own biases. I can’t assume that the spirit causing the activity is the one I read about online. Heck, I can’t assume that any activity is a spirit. I have to keep an open mind and proceed to try other methods of engagement to see. If I feel a cold spot, and I assume it’s a ghost I read about online, that’s a bias. This can be really counter-productive and even harmful.

Read What Others Are Doing

While it’s nice to stay in your own paranormal bubble, sometimes you have to see what others are doing. If we stayed in our own corners, we would never know about different ideas and methodologies of other people. Part of the reason why this field has stayed stagnant for so long is that we’re not willing to try new things and try what other people are doing. On the flip side, also share what you’re doing. Yes, peer review can be scary, but feedback is critical in this field and we need more of it in order to get better. Could you imagine if the Estes Method stayed within the circle of Karl Pfeiffer, Connor Randall, and Michelle Tate?

Take Classes

Finally, while controversial, take classes. There are lots of free resources online, as well as offerings for an annual membership fee. For example, ASSAP (Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena), offers weekly webinars for an annual fee of about $28. The Rhine Research Center also offers plenty of online events to learn more. Even classes you find on Udemy and other learning platforms can be beneficial. If you find out the class is bad, then you know what sort of quality to look for.

I’m forever a student and believe in the idea of never stop learning. As soon as we stop learning, we become stagnant. There are far too many people in the field who don’t find value in education and it honestly makes me sad. While it’s true that we will likely never be able to prove the existence of ghosts, we can learn other areas of the field. There’s photography, videography, audio, genealogy, folklore, just to name a few. If an investigator doesn’t find value in education, it’s a red flag. Don’t be a red flag.

Advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The paranormal community can be toxic and problematic, especially if you don’t fit into the acceptable dominant group of investigators.

There is a major disparity when it comes to paranormal entertainment. This is especially true for paranormal events where event runners are filling up their rosters with people who aren’t even involved in the field. There is a major absence in women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community on television and paranormal events. Yes, it’s perfectly logical for event planners to fill their roster with a few TV folks. But there are prolific members of marginalized groups who are researching, creating content, and investigating that are being overlooked.

Also, the paranormal community needs to start listening to members of marginalized groups when they speak out. If they point out something that is problematic in the community, investigation methods, etc., we need to listen and see what we can do to make it better. Personally, I’ve met many BIPOC who have told me that they don’t feel safe in the paranormal community. That’s a huge issue.

We won’t get better, become more inclusive, and be a safer space unless we start listening. We’re not listening to marginalized groups, and that needs to stop. Not only do we need to listen, but we need to speak up when a marginalized group is getting oppressed all over again because ghost hunters want to ignore ethical boundaries.

What other things can you do to become a better paranormal investigator in 2022?

11 Tips on How to Buy a Haunted Doll

Alex Matsuo

Since acquiring Madison, I get hit with this question on a daily basis. It’s safe to say that 80% of my inboxes are asking me this question; how does one buy a haunted doll? First, I want to add a disclaimer and mention that I don’t really recommend that you buy a haunted doll. This is because if you decide to move forward with the decision, and you end up having a negative experience, I don’t want you to come back to me and say I gave you bad advice. So, no…don’t buy a haunted doll.

But if you’re insistent, I want to present to you some important tips that will make your haunted doll purchase smooth and pleasant. These are tips I’ve made up for myself as I go through the process of purchasing my second haunted doll. I also picked the brains of my friends who own multiple haunted items (and bought them intentionally).

1. Ask Yourself Why

The first thing you need to ask yourself is why you want to get a haunted doll in the first place. Is it for experimentation? Is it for research? Do you want to be entertained? Are you looking to get scared? Are you trying to get more likes and views on social media? Considering that you’re inviting someone or something in to live with you in your space, you need to work out exactly why you want to buy a haunted doll. Really look deep inside you and ask yourself if you’re ready to take on this responsibility.

2. Talk to the People You Live With

If you don’t live alone, you should talk to the people you live with before you purchase your haunted doll. Consider the fact that everyone in your household might be affected by this purchase, and you want to make sure that everyone in comfortable. You don’t want your mom, your roommate, or your significant other to be fearful of their space, even if the doll is haunted by a friendly spirit.

3. Look at Places Where You Buy Used Things

I found Madison on eBay. But I know other people have had success looking at flea markets, garage sales, Poshmark, estate sales, and even Facebook Marketplace. I have a friend who found her haunted doll from Goodwill. To be fair, she wasn’t looking for a haunted doll. She likes to collect vintage things and is well aware that some of these objects might have some attachments. I don’t know how often people are using Craigslist these days, but it might be worth looking into. Anywhere you can find used things is a good place to start.

4. Read the Description & Ask Questions

Approach buying a haunted doll the same way you would vet a new roommate or a potential date. I know it sounds weird, but buying a haunted doll is no different from online dating. You’re looking for someone that you will get along with, and you have similar interests. Or, if you’re looking for a haunted doll that’s the complete opposite of your personality, you will want to look at the description. You’ll want to look for buzzwords like, “positive spirit” or “negative spirit” or “negative entity.” Depending on what kind of haunting you’re looking for, you’ll find it in the description. Also, ask questions to the seller and ask why they think the doll is haunted, how they know it’s haunted, etc.

5. Take Notes & Record

From the moment you decide to buy your haunted doll, start taking notes as soon as you click on “Checkout.” If you want, buy a notebook just for your haunted doll adventure. Make notes on the type of activity is in the description. From the moment your doll arrives, take notes on its condition, what it looks like, feelings you get from looking at it, and any predictions you might have about the doll.

6. Buyer Beware

It’s important to note that you might end up buying a haunted doll that actually isn’t haunted. Most haunted dolls, especially ones on eBay and online, are meant to be entertaining. You definitely have to exercise caution and be willing to take the financial risk when making your purchase. Since we can’t prove the existence of ghosts in the court of law, you’ll have a hard time taking a seller to court because they didn’t sell you a truly haunted doll. If you can’t afford the financial risk, don’t buy it.

7. Cleanse & Bless Your Space

This is especially important if you already have resident ghosts in your home. It might not be a bad idea to talk to them and let them know that a new spook is joining the household. But also, you want to make sure that your space is clear and clean before bringing in another spirit. You never know what’s already around and how your haunted doll is going to react to it.

8. Open Gently, Introduce Yourself, & Set Boundaries

Regardless of whether or not your doll is haunted, you want to set boundaries as soon as your doll arrives. When the package arrives at your door, be gentle when opening the box. Take special care in unwrapping your doll. You want to be respectful from the moment your doll is dropped off by the delivery person. Once your doll is completely unwrapped, introduce yourself. Also introduce your doll to everyone in your home, including pets. Most importantly, set boundaries. If your pets and kids are off-limits, set that boundary immediately.

9. Get Second Opinions

It’s not uncommon for people to loan their haunted doll to their friends and fellow paranormal investigators. Creators like Amanda from Pretty F’n Spooky and Cherise Williams did an experiment with a haunted doll where they sent it to each other and tried different experiments. It was really fascinating to watch. As you work with your haunted doll, consider loaning your doll to fellow researchers, mediums, etc., and see what kind of data they collect.

10. Do Your Research

This probably needs to go higher up on the list, but definitely do your research. Look into the seller, read their reviews, and see what kind of quality of products they have. Use what information you have and try to find the person that is haunting your doll. See if you can find a way to track down previous owners. It would be nice to build some sort of database. For example, have a single site and assign numbers to haunted dolls to log information so that there can be a place for people to input and read notes. Maybe someday we can make that happen.

11. Have Fun

Ultimately, you want to have a positive experience with your doll. You want to have fun and not be in a constant state of panic and fear. Once owning a haunted doll becomes a negative experience, you need to get rid of it. But don’t lie about the nature of the doll just to take it off your hands. Even if the next owner thinks you’re crazy, tell them the back story. Having a haunted doll should be a fun experience, if not a collaborative one.

Do you own a haunted doll? Do you want to buy a haunted doll? Share your tips and tricks in the comments!

Why We Don’t Need to Investigate EVERY Haunted Location

Alex Matsuo1 Comment

This may be the weirdest thing to say as a paranormal investigator. But, not all places need to be investigated. Some places are sacred and should just stay that way.

During my interview with Vanessa Hogle for The Spooky Stuff podcast, talking about her newest book Ghosts Abroad Ireland, she made several excellent points. A few of those points inspired this week’s blog. Vanessa and I were talking about traveling around the world and getting outside of our own box. We also discussed when it’s time to investigate, and when to step aside.

Know When to Investigate, Know When to Remember

I know this idea could be applied to every haunted location. It seems the older a place is, the more “okay” it is to investigate. Even in the United States, we have locations that paranormal investigators avoid. For example, the Freedom Tower in New York City and the location of the Twin Towers. Same deal for the location of the Oklahoma City Bombing. The list goes on. Given that these events happened in the past 30 years, it’s still fresh in the hearts and minds of most of us.

And yet, it seems time may eventually make investigating these locations okay. Or, if the event wasn’t something that affected us personally or something we didn’t experience, then it’s fair game.

Not every haunted location warrants an investigation. Vanessa made a strong statement about this with the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Ireland. This was a place that needed to be remembered, not investigated. If you don’t know the history of this place, you can check out an article here with the backstory.

Think about it, in most traditional paranormal investigations, we say something to the effect of, “Prove to us that you’re here by knocking on the wall.” This isn’t the place for that. We know these children existed. We know they lost their lives. It’s disrespectful of us to even challenge their existence. Some places should just be acknowledged and remembered for what they were. If it doesn’t feel right investigating a location, then it probably isn’t right and should be avoided. Also, consider how someone closely connected to that event may feel if you investigated that location.

Expanding Our Horizons

I think we all know by now that there are no two hauntings that are identical. So why do we approach paranormal investigations the same way no matter where we go? It seems that we tend to look at historical locations and think the same thing; they’re must be ghosts. Not only that, but it seems we put these ghosts in a box and we expect them to act and respond in a certain way.

Do these spirits respond as expected? Sure. But we can take it even further. We can expand our horizons and focus more on the individuality of each spirit. Take into account where the spirit is from culturally, and hone in on their context.

Regionally Different Hauntings

Vanessa mentioned that hauntings are different around the world. No two countries will have the exact same type of circumstances. Of course, every country has had its share of war, famine, trauma, etc. But each country’s context is going to be different. Paranormal activity is regional. The way spirits act in Ireland will be completely different than how a spirit acts in England.

This makes sense because, well, let’s just look at the living. We all act differently around the world and that’s heavily influenced by our culture. A person from Ireland will act completely different from someone who is from France. Of course, we all have awareness of these differences in the living and we’ll make adjustments from there. It’s the same for spirits.

Spirits will act differently not only based on where they’re from but also based on their time period. This is why I appreciate and highly recommend John Sabol’s Ghost Excavation method. He takes this concept and goes even further with it by completely diving into the context of spirit.

Understanding Their Circumstances

I truly believe (and recommend) that every paranormal investigator takes a class on cross-cultural anthropology. Not only will this help us better understand the people around us, but it will help with historical context. We don’t want to look at other people’s cultures only through our own eyes. Instead, we want to see their culture through their eyes. There’s a major difference between being a spectator and being a participant.

Finally, empathy comes into play here. I don’t think a paranormal investigator is truly a successful paranormal investigator unless they are empathetic. Having the ability to share and understand the feelings of someone else is an invaluable skill to have. You can still be balanced as an investigator, even if you’re more scientifically minded. Empathy could be the key to truly unlocking the mysteries of the supernatural.

How to Talk to Spirits

Alex Matsuo

Talking to spirits seems like an easy concept, right? You just talk to them like you would any other person. Throughout my time as a paranormal investigator, I’ve learned that it isn’t that easy. If it were, we would be a lot further in the field than we are now. But what is interesting is that in order for me to learn how to better communicate with spirits, I did have to work on my people skills. Meaning, I had to consult my notes from my communications class in college. See Mom? I’m using my college degree!

If you want to dive deeper into the practice of ghost hunting and spirit communication after this, I highly recommend checking out my book, The Brave Mortal’s Guide to Ghost Hunting.

A lot of these tips were influenced by my years of investigating and working with a variety of different people. One of the heaviest influences was John Sabol’s “Ghost Excavation” method. If you’re looking to elevate your paranormal investigation, I highly recommend checking him out!

History of Modern Ghost Hunting

As we dive into the topic of how to talk to ghosts, it’s important to know where the current style of spirit communication and ghost hunting comes from.

The earliest form of ghost hunting that we know of goes back to the Spiritualism Movement and the Fox Sisters in New York. When they made contact with an alleged spirit by the name of “Mr. Splitfoot”, they were asking the spirit to make rapping sounds for “Yes” and “No” and naming letters of the alphabet. This later caught on as the Spiritualism Movement gained momentum.

Of course, we know now that the Fox Sisters fabricated a lot of their experiences and stories, but that didn’t stop Spiritualism from becoming a full-out religion.

Seances had a similar practice; knock one for yes and two for no.

How many ghost hunters still use that technique? A lot. In fact, ghost hunting on TV hasn’t changed in nearly 20 years since “Ghost Hunters” premiered.

A Rich Man’s Pasttime

As years go by, we have folks like Harry Price, Harry Houdini, Hans Holzer, Maurice Grosse, the Society for Psychical Research, the Ghost Club, Ed and Lorraine Warren, all of these different people were trying to find answers to the supernatural mystery of spirits. They were all doing in their own way.

Harry Price is regarded as one of the original ghost hunters. While he didn’t have a degree in science, he was a researcher and very much a promoter of his own work.

For example, Hans Holzer used a medium during his investigations as a tool and to be that bridge between the spirit world and the physical world.

So fast-forward, and the TV show “Ghost Hunters” hits television, and everyone realizes that they too can become a ghost hunter.

Much of the style we see on the show not only goes back to Spiritualism but with the addition of tech, it seemed that “sciences” had made its way into the field. Well, it’s always been there it’s just that the TV show made it super obvious.

K2 meters were flying off the shelves at hardware stores. Radios were selling out at Radio Shack. People were flocking to this new hobby and it has stayed that way basically ever since. Because TV has been so prominent in it, much of the way that we investigate today is influenced by TV.

Tips for Spirit Communication

These are some of the most common statements you’ll hear on TV. In turn, you may hear this during a ghost hunt.

  • “Give us a sign of your presence.”
  • “Is there anyone here with us”
  • “Do you know that you’re dead”

I don’t like that last one.

It seems that we forget that ghosts are people too. They engage and interact with us the same way that human beings do.

We just can’t seem them. But just because we can’t see them, it doesn’t mean that we turn them into science experiments that don’t have a soul.

So when you’re trying to make communication with a ghost, I always say that the first thing you should do is introduce yourself. Say your name, why you’re here, reassure the spirits that you’re not there to harm them. Also, set your intentions. Speak out loud that you’re only going to communicate with the spirits of the property and only spirits of love and light.

Super important, set your boundaries. If you don’t want to be touched, say so. Unless you want it to be a free for all, then maybe not set those intentions, but things may get messy.

Share Your Story Too

Tell the spirits about yourself. You’re going to be spending the rest of the night asking THEM questions and invading their personal life. It’s only fair that you share some things about yourself too. For example, are you married, do you have kids, did you serve in the military, do you like baking, did you go to school, are you a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, were you and your family affected by a major moment in history…things like that.

What this does is not only does it allow the spirit to get to know you better, but the spirit might find some common ground with you. Like, maybe they too served in the military, or they like baking, or they are bisexual like you are. If a spirit can see a part of themselves in you, they will be more open to talking to you.

Secondly, when you ask your questions, ask them like you would ask a friend. I wouldn’t get too formal with your questioning because it changes the dynamic of your position. You don’t want to come across as too authoritative, especially if the environment doesn’t call for it.

Also, pay attention to how the rest of your group is feeling. If someone is feeling cold, getting touched, etc. and no one else isn’t, then switch gears and have that person ask the questions because the spirits may want to talk to them instead.

Thirdly, when you do get responses, always say thank you and praise the spirit for the communication. We don’t know how much energy it takes to communicate so always show appreciation for the effort.

Trigger Objects

Don’t be afraid to use trigger objects like toys, alcohol (don’t drink it), music, sewing needles, posters, artifacts or replicas of items from the time period, anything that could be familiar to the spirits of that time.

Again, you want to bring something relatable to the spirits so that they feel more comfortable talking with you.

These methods may not work for every location. You want to make sure you’re flexible and can switch gears to adapt to the spirits you’re communicating with. This is why going with the flow is super important.

Write your questions down too. I’m actually working on a list of questions to ask during EVP sessions. That way, you won’t get stuck if you get spirit communication.

Really listen to the interactions you’re having, and try to mold your questions from that too. Follow up. Be careful asking stacking questions too, meaning don’t ask three questions at once, “What’s your name? How old are you? Do you live here” Be sure to leave about 15-30 seconds in between each question so the spirit can answer. You don’t want to talk over them while they’re answering.

Finally, have fun. You’re going on an amazing spiritual adventure. Be in the moment and see how much information you can learn. Check historical records after to see if anything you picked up can be backed up by history.

18 Qualities Successful Paranormal Investigators All Share

Alex Matsuo

Paranormal investigators all over the world are constantly striving to be better, be the best, and try to be “successful.” I have to say that success will look different to every paranormal investigator. For example, some investigators just want to have an experience. That’s alright. Some investigators want to find proof of the afterlife. Next, you have investigators who want to make sense of the paranormal through some sort of research like history or science. Then, there are others who want to be influential to others and make a name for themselves. Finally, you have investigators who also want to be content creators. I’m sure I’m missing many other categories. These were the ones that popped up in my head.

For this blog, I observed some of my heroes in the field (go here for the list) and I took notes. I looked at how they reacted to criticism, adversity, and what they’re doing in the field throughout the year. Also, I polled my Facebook group and received input from my members. I was pleasantly surprised at the overlap of the qualities they mentioned and the qualities you see on this list.

Now, are there only 18 qualities? Of course not! Be sure to let me know what qualities you think make a successful paranormal investigator in the comments!

1. Possess passion

All successful investigators I know are passionate about this field. Passion is what drives them to keep going, and it also makes them happy. It seems that passion is the fuel that never runs out. You wouldn’t be involved in the paranormal in some capacity if it didn’t interest you and give you some drive. Otherwise, being in the paranormal is a miserable experience. Putting yourself through that isn’t successful. On that note, I need to follow my own advice.

2. Strive to uplift others

Uplifting others means that you will lift others up, even if it means you’re not getting recognition yourself. I’ve seen people in this community go out of their way to uplift someone, and that is awesome to see. When someone is not doing great, there are people to stand out because of their ability to give that person a boost when they need it most.

3. Share the spotlight

Whenever there is some sort of paranormal awards, or lists recognizing investigators, I pay attention to see the reactions. Some of the most successful paranormal investigators I know praised and uplifted the folks who got recognized. Being successful is knowing that the spotlight won’t shine on you all the time and you step aside with grace and let others shine.

4. Avoid gatekeeping

There are a lot of gatekeepers in the paranormal community. I’ve had my own skills as a paranormal investigator and researcher questioned because I don’t have psychic mediumship abilities. It’s insane. Or, I’ve seen people say things like, “You can’t consider yourself part of the paranormal because you’re not out investigating.” Finally, I’ve also seen, “If you’re not trying to find proof of the afterlife, you’re not an investigator.” Successful paranormal investigators don’t gatekeep in the field, nor have they come up with a checklist of things you have to do to consider yourself part of the community. Everyone is welcome in their eyes!

5. Willing to try new things

Something I’ve noticed some of the most successful paranormal investigators do is that they are willing to try new things. This is especially true before they give feedback or their opinion about something. I appreciate that they are willing to step into the shoes of others and give themselves a more objective perspective instead of being an armchair critic. Another thing to note is that trying new things doesn’t mean you have to keep using the tech or doing a certain method. Trying new things is a great way to expand the mind!

6. Adapting as the field changes

The paranormal field is constantly changing. There’s always new tech, new investigative methods, and new social media platforms to explore. Instead of digging their heels in and refusing to adapt, successful paranormal investigators adapt and move to the ebb and flow. Do old-school methods still have value? Of course! But there are also changes happening on a regular basis, and moving with the waves will make you grow as an investigator.

7. Willingness to learn

No matter how successful or how famous they are, these paranormal investigators are always learning. They are taking classes, reading books, listening to radio shows, and attending lectures. Successful paranormal investigators acknowledge that while no one is an expert on ghosts, there are experts in other areas like photography, videography, psychology, sound, etc. There is always something new to learn in this field when it comes to the “non-ghosty” stuff.

8. Use critical thinking

Successful paranormal investigators are constantly using their critical thinking skills. Rarely do they see evidence online and accept it as legitimate. They will ask questions and get as much information as they can. Critical thinking skills are a bit rare in this field at times. So when someone is thinking critically, they stand out. Sadly, they may get perceived as negative and closed-minded by others.

9. Set healthy boundaries

I’ll get on my soapbox with the awareness that I myself need to adhere to this quality. Setting healthy boundaries ensures your survival mentally and physically. A successful paranormal investigator is aware that in order to do well in the field, they have to take care of themselves. Sometimes, that means not accomodating every request that comes their way or investigating every weekend out of the year. Setting boundaries means different things to different people. Figure out what boundaries you need to set and you’re on your way to helping yourself get to success!

10. Recognize differences

This one is huge. In the paranormal community, there’s a popular mindset that basically says, “We’re all the same”, or “We’re all at the same level.” As I’ve said before, this is absolutely not true. We are all different in the paranormal with different life stories, skills, education, and background. It is only when we embrace these differences that we truly grow. Part of that is acknowledging that someone may have more skills than us, or they have more education in an area than us. The most successful paranormal investigators I’ve met recognize and honor these differences, and it’s beautiful to see.

11. Utilize healthy skepticism

This rounds up several points into one. Everyone needs a healthy dose of skepticism in order to be successful in this field. If you’re not questioning everything, thinking critically, and skeptical of paranormal events around you, you’re missing out on an opportunity to grow. Skepticism is needed in this field because, otherwise, everyone would be believing that every speck of dust and water droplet was their spirit guide or grandmother coming to say hi. We would be making no progress in this field.

12. Demonstrate humbleness

Being humble in this field can be tricky. You want to be confident in what you do, but you also don’t want to come across as arrogant and self-absorbed. It’s even harder to achieve this on social media when text doesn’t always translate the way that we want it to. Yet, the successful paranormal investigators I watch are so humble, and yet, they bring a room to silence when they walk in. They still have their authority and they are still confident, but they manage to balance themselves out with humbleness. That’s incredible!

13. Admit when they’re wrong

Admitting when you’re wrong is hard. I struggle with this. But, it’s necessary for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes, especially in the paranormal, we’re not always right. And yet, sometimes we think we’re right, only to be corrected. Less successful paranormal investigators will argue, they will dig their heels into the ground, and they will stand their ground until they’re red in the face. Successful paranormal investigators will admit when they’re wrong and use it as a learning experience.

14. Provide constructive feedback

Successful paranormal investigators say more than just “That’s not good” or “Do some research.” They provide constructive feedback that helps the receiver learn more. This can be hard if the person receiving the feedback isn’t receptive. Sadly, it happens pretty often in the field. But successful paranormal investigators offer feedback as they are requested to do so, and they are able to do it with immense kindness.

15. Able to debunk

Debunking can be a scary thing to do since so many in the paranormal community seem to align debunking with losing credibility. I will die on this hill; some of the most successful paranormal investigators I’ve met will debunk themselves. Or, they will graciously accept the information from someone else that debunks their work. For me, that’s impressive and I’m sure this is some superhero skill.

16. Compassionate and empathetic

Being able to use compassion and empathy while addressing difficult people is an incredible skill. If I could also add a third element to this, it’s that successful investigators also know how to set boundaries. Those boundaries are helpful when it comes to dealing with people in general. Having compassion and empathy with healthy boundaries seem to be one of the biggest qualities with my paranormal heroes and I really strive to possess those qualities.

17. Don’t invalidate others

This is another superhero skill I’ve noticed in the paranormal that I’m striving towards. Invalidating others rarely goes well because…well, you’re making that other person feel bad. Yes, there are certain ideas and beliefs that should be invalidated because they are harmful to others. This section isn’t talking about those situations. I recently watched a friend (who is a very successful investigator in my eyes) who was able to switch naysayers on a post and get them to agree with him. It was like watching a magic show. But what I noticed was that my friend didn’t invalidate their thoughts, and segued their thoughts into something more constructive and positive.

18. Don’t start drama

This is a big one. I’ve noticed that the successful paranormal investigators in my circle don’t start drama, nor do they get involved with drama. They’re not creating slam posts or making passive-aggressive comments attacking someone. But, to be honest, when someone envelopes all of these qualities, they typically don’t get involved in drama. More importantly, when someone brings drama to their front doorstep, they simply close the door and don’t let it in.

12 Types of Hauntings You Need to Know About

Alex Matsuo

One of the most common questions I get is all about the types of hauntings. To be honest, I don’t really think about it that much because…ghost theory is shaky. I can’t prove any of these hauntings exist. Also, everyone has their own theories about ghosts, spirits, hauntings, demons, etc. There may be some consistent ideas across the board, but everyone will have their own thoughts on the details.

With that in mind, the hauntings I’m going to talk about are ones that I’ve either run into a lot on the field or something I read about in my research. This is seriously just my opinion, and I’m always open to ideas and feedback. And if you disagree, that’s okay too! I would love to hear your opinion as well.

Residual

This is a haunting that’s most misunderstood as a conscious ghost. I like to think of residual hauntings like a broken record player that replays a moment over and over again. In my opinion, residual hauntings are leftover energy from what was there before. Have you ever walked into a room after two people were fighting, and you can sense the tension? That’s kind of like what a residual haunting is. Residual hauntings are caused by an emotional imprint of a traumatic event in the area (like Gettysburg). It could also be something where someone has a set routine for so long that they’re energy just keeps flowing, like someone getting a midnight snack at 3 am for 50 years.

Intelligent/Interactive

This is the type of haunting where we interact with a spirit. I tend to use the word “intelligent” haunting over “interactive” haunting. In this situation, you’re able to interact with a spirit. They are aware that you’re there and they are responding to you. While they may or may not be aware of the current time period, they are responsive. These types of ghosts are able to answer questions, (maybe) interact with equipment, and tell you their story. This is the type of spirit that most paranormal investigators encounter in the field. It is the type of spirit you will most often see on television.

Spontaneous Apparitions

This one might be my favorite type of haunting because it comes from the living. That’s right. Spontaneous apparitions come from the living. This is sometimes associated with out-of-body experiences, astral projection, just to name a few. It usually involves a person leaving their body as a way to contact someone. From my research, spontaneous apparitions aren’t usually intentional, which means that this could happen due to extreme stress or extreme desire to contact someone.

Thoughtforms & Tulpas

Okay, maybe THIS is my favorite one. It’s a tie between spontaneous apparitions and thoughtforms/tulpas. What this means is that we create our own apparitions, so to speak. We create our own objects or beings through intense thought. There are theories that the hauntings we experience at more famous locations are thoughtforms because all these ghost hunters have created ghosts through their own collective thoughts. I’m actually on board with this theory since the same stories seem to circulate around. There have been experiments all over the world dedicated to testing out this idea, with the most famous one being the Phillip Experiment in 1972.

Crisis Apparitions

Crisis apparitions are truly fascinating. The person who appears as the apparition is usually going through some sort of stress or transition, like dying. When you see a loved one right when they die, it is a crisis apparition. For example, someone reports seeing their grandmother in their home at 4 pm. Then, they found out their grandmother passed at 4 pm. But crisis apparitions are also seen as the person is dying, in an accident, trapped somewhere, extremely ill, or badly injured…meaning they are still alive. I’ve only seen one crisis apparition in my life after my grandmother passed.

Guardian

Guardian hauntings are fascinating to me. This is when you have your spirit guides, relatives, ancestors, etc. visiting you not only often, but they are causing disturbances. This is merely my personal opinion based on experience. When you have a guardian spirit haunting you, it usually means that there is something in your life that you need to change as soon as possible. Or, something disturbing is happening around you. The only case we had that involved a guardian spirit was when the client’s daughter was being abused by a relative right under their nose. Afer the relative was removed and arrested, the haunting stopped.

Poltergeist

In case you’re wondering, the 1982 movie Poltergeist gets it all wrong. Most people don’t associate poltergeists with ghosts or spirits. Instead, poltergeists come from our own minds. This type of haunting usually happens around teenaged girls going through puberty or women going through menopause. It’s a combination of hormones and extreme stress that causes a psychokinetic phenomenon. Poltergeists have also occurred with teenaged boys as well. Basically, you have to have extreme emotional stress in the picture. This phenomenon can cause objects to move, electrical disturbances, phantom voices, and even apparitions. In case you’re wondering, yes, poltergeists are extremely difficult to diagnose.

Deathbed Visions

We hear about deathbed visions or deathbed phenomena most often from nurses, hospice care, etc. Basically, from those who care for the dying. It is believed that as someone gets closer to death, they are visited by deceased friends and loved ones. Some even report seeing angels or even Jesus Christ. The dying person may even rise from a comatose state to declare their long-passed spouse is in the room. Or, they see the dying person talking to someone who isn’t there.

Elementals

These hauntings are confusing. Can we really call them a haunting? Well, maybe. I guess? Elementals are inhuman spirits that have been around for….ever. When one hears elementals, they may think of faeries, elves, sprites, will-o-wisps, the list goes on. What is interesting is that during my investigation days in California, we ran into quite a few elementals. Many elementals are tied with Native American legends, which makes me believe they’ve been around since the dawn of time. During my investigations in heavily wooded areas, I’ve experienced what I believe were elemental experiences. Finally, we usually associate elementals with nature.

Shadow Person

Shadow people are a strange phenomenon that seems that everyone knows about. Mainly because they have seen them. Shadow people are humanoid figures seen as dark masses. You can’t see any features on them like eyes, nose, mouth, ears, etc. They can be seen in your peripheral vision as well. While we usually don’t see features of clothing on shadow people, there is the fascinating case of “Hat Man.” People have reported seeing a shadow man wearing a hat. There are thousands, if not millions, of shadow people cases. While these apparitions are seen often, not a lot is known about them. Are they human? Could they be aliens trying to study us? Or, are they demonic? Well, we don’t know. They can also be seen as shapeless masses. Shadow people have also been seen moving through walls. My favorite shadow sighting is shadow cat sightings because animal spirits are adorable. You could even say there aren’t any hardcore rules when it comes to this phenomenon.

Demonic

Before I go into details, I need to shout this from the rooftops; demonic activity is rare. Like, super rare. Sadly, with mainstream television making it seem like demons are around every corner, people greatly misunderstand demonic activity. I’ve always found it interesting that folks who don’t believe in demons don’t encounter demonic activity. I truly believe that this type of haunting all depends on the mindset of the person. You could say that a demonic haunting may even fall under elemental spirits. They are not human, and they seem to possess incredible strength. When it comes to possession, we honestly can’t say only demons possess, or if possession is even real. Depending on your religious beliefs, your perception of demons will be different. I’ve seen Christians name Greek gods and goddesses as demons, while another religion may consider something else for demons.

Portal

This one is the least believable for me. Maybe it’s because I don’t really understand it? There are so many theories as to what opens a portal, how to close a portal, and all of that info is inconsistent. But I digress. A portal is basically an open door to some sort of spirit world where spirits are coming in and out as they please. You can imagine this is problematic for the person living with the portal haunting. When this happens, the urgency to close that portal is high. Many believe that portals are associated with sacred ground or places of religious worship. Either way, it’s interesting.

What other types of hauntings have you heard of? Feel free to share in the comments!

9 Things You Should Know About New Paranormal Investigators

Alex Matsuo

This blog is for my fellow veterans out there who been out in the paranormal world for years. We’ve learned the ropes and we have the field experience. Over the years, we’ve chiseled our skills and gained incredible knowledge and experience.

But there are always new paranormal investigators out there who don’t know better. When I’m on social media, I’m constantly sad to see that the next generation of the field is often humiliated for not knowing something. Or, they get blasted with someone being condescending towards them because they don’t know better. There’s a lot of gatekeeping in the paranormal community. Frankly, this needs to stop. We will start losing what makes the paranormal field great if we’re not cultivating the next generation.

So, here are nine things you should know about new paranormal investigators.

They Will Ask Obvious Questions

Yes, they may ask those obvious questions like, “How do I get an EMF meter” or “What apps should I use while ghost hunting?” Dare I say that some of us may think these are “stupid” questions? But we can’t be like this towards new people in the field. It will either turn them off to the field completely, or they will be so closed off that they won’t be open to learning anything new. We need to be respectful when addressing questions that may seem obvious to us. Not everyone has walked in our shoes.

They Have Experience

Before we start going off and saying that newbie paranormal investigators are lacking experience, they do have something to offer. They may have experience in something that you know nothing about. When I was first starting out in the field, I didn’t know much. But I was a working photographer and I knew photography. I was able to offer that much to the team I was working with at the time. Don’t assume that just because someone is new that they don’t have anything to offer.

They Have Untapped Skills & Abilities

While their ghost hunting skills may be developing, they may have skills in communicating with people. And…ghosts/spirits are people! They may also have psychic abilities that they are trying to harness. I like to these of these folks like bulls in a zero-gravity china shop trying to find their bearings while trying not to float away. These are the rockstars. All they need is for one of us to reach out our hands and bring them back down to the ground.

They Watched the TV Shows

Most of the new people I’ve worked with have watched paranormal reality shows. This means that their investigation technique will likely emulate what they saw on TV. It also means that their paranormal knowledge may have come from the television shows. And that’s okay! It is up to us to validate their knowledge and praise them for what they’re doing right and then redirect and guide where they still need support.

They Have Connections

I’ve always said that just because someone is new to the field, it doesn’t mean they don’t have connections. They may know someone who owns a haunted hotel, or they went to school with a famous ghost hunter. I’ve basically used several bullet points to bring home the fact that new paranormal investigators have value and they have something to offer the world. This is especially true for the investigators that have been doing this for a while.

They Are Curious

Just as we are still curious about the paranormal, new investigators are just as curious as we are, if not more. They are navigating a new world and a new community. This means they will be asking a lot of questions. Some questions will be easy to answer while other questions may have you scratching your head. And it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers too! It doesn’t make you any less valid in your experience and skills.

They May Not Know Better

New people will make mistakes while investigating. It’s going to happen. Even the most seasoned investigator still makes misakes. But new people don’t know any better. They are still learning, finding their balance in this new world, and figuring out what style fits them best. It doesn’t mean they’re ignorant or less-intelligent. Just like you had on-the-job training when you started with a new job, new paranormal investigators are learning the ropes.

They Have a Fresh Perspective

To go along with a few previous points, new paranormal investigators are a fresh set of eyes on the current way we do things in the field. They are able to look at current methods and practices and offer their feedback. There may be something worth changing! Or there’s a glaring error in a certain investigative practice that we’ve never noticed because we are so set in our ways. New paranormal investigators give us the opportunity to change what we’ve been doing and make it better!

They Are Excited

Finally, new paranormal investigators are so excited to join the community! I will admit that I get desensitized sometimes and feel like that grumpy neighbor because I’ve been doing this for so long. It can be a little disheartening. But let me tell you, I love working with new paranormal investigators because they have this LIGHT about them. I get to see the paranormal world through their eyes, and their excitement is contagious. It is my duty to make sure that light keeps burning and I don’t do anything to snuff it out.

What do you appreciate about new investigators to the paranormal field?

The Shocking Differences Between Real Life Ghost Hunting And TV

Alex Matsuo1 Comment

One of the most popular panels I participate in at cons is the differences between real-life paranormal investigating and what we see on television. From my time hosting public investigations and working with new folks in the paranormal world, I’m often put in positions where I have to explain that what we see on television isn’t accurate to what happens in real life.

Simply put, paranormal reality television isn’t a reflection of what it’s like in real life. Here are some of the major differences between what you see on TV and what you may experience out in the field.

You May Not Have an Experience for Several Hours

Paranormal television shows show the best 30-45 minutes of an investigation that took place over the course of several hours, days, if not weeks. The clips you see on paranormal television shows may not have even been filmed on the same day. Usually, the first ghostly interactions happen within 15-minutes of the show’s start. This doesn’t happen in real life. And yet, I’m often asked within 30 minutes of a public ghost hunt where the ghosts are and why aren’t they talking? Well, it’s because these shows are very much a snip of a petal from a much larger flower.

It Might Be Boring

Ghost hunting television shows are exciting to watch. There’s music, dramatic clips, voiceovers, and more. This makes paranormal investigations look glamorous and dramatic. It’s not surprising that these television shows have managed to recruit most of the people in the paranormal community. But the real-life paranormal investigation isn’t nearly as interesting as what you see on TV. It’s much quieter, but it’s just as fulfilling if you set your expectations realistically.

Not Everything is Out to Get You

Paranormal reality television makes it seem like the spirits and entities are out to get the stars. But, in most scenarios I’ve encountered, the spirits are merely people. One of my favorite moments in a TV show was when the star is demanding that the spirits show themselves, and they respond with, “Do we have to?” How delightfully human is that? All in all, the entities that reside at a location are merely trying to get by in the afterlife. They aren’t the monsters you see on Scooby-Doo where they’re trying to get the stars.

Provocation Isn’t the First Thing to Do

Provocation is a jerk move, plain and simple. Yes, it’s great television and it’s entertaining. But have you seen what happens to television stars when they provoke? They get hit, bit, scratched, pushed, the list goes on. You wouldn’t walk into someone’s home and start provoking them, so how is it okay to do so during a paranormal investigation? While provoking is often used on TV, it is not the preference of most respected paranormal investigators. The only reason one provokes is to get a response. It’s not acceptable to do when one is alive, let alone doing it to someone who has since passed.

Television is Entertainment

Finally, you must remember that paranormal reality television is part of the entertainment business. Their goal is to entertain and maintain ratings. You will never see the ENTIRE story played out on camera. You’ll see snippets instead. While there may be some truth to some shows, that’s not the case with every show on TV. They have a storyboard. There are writers. A story needs to be told. What you see on a television show is the result of hundreds of pieces being put together. It’s the result of a team of dedicated filmmakers, all contributing something to the table.

Before you think I’m a complete hater of paranormal television, I’m not. Paranormal television has played a tremendous role in growing awareness of the paranormal and recruiting more people to the community. Therefore, it has value. As long as people know the difference between what they see on television and what is real-life, we’re going to be okay.