The Shocking Differences Between Real Life Ghost Hunting And TV

January 8, 2021January 11, 2021 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.

15 Things Paranormal Investigators Should Stop Making a Big Deal About

November 13, 2020November 13, 2020 Alex Matsuo3 Comments

This might be my most controversial blog to date…well, maybe. This is something I’ve talked about with other members of the paranormal community, and I managed to compile this list. There is a lot going on in the paranormal community. But these fifteen items seem to be something that remains consistent.

1. Egos

This seems to be an ongoing problem in the field that continues to get worse. You would think there would be more openness on the Island of Misfit Toys. What’s more, the things that drive people’s egos are ridiculous things like, “We’re on YouTube.” Yes, so are millions of other people. Or, “I’ve been on TV.” Great, so have a bunch of other people. It’s one thing to have confidence in yourself and the work that you do. But when people start ostracizing, excluding, and being hurtful to others because they’re “too good” for us regular folk…because they’re on YouTube, they’re “young”, or they’re “going places”, then that becomes problematic.

Weird timing, but a few days after I drafted this blog, I was sent this video of a gentleman who was basically told he couldn’t investigate with two teams because he was too old, and no one ever heard of him even though he had been in the field for so many years. I’m sorry, what? That’s ridiculous. YouTube doesn’t make you an instant celebrity, nor does age have ANYTHING to do with skills in the paranormal. Also, not everyone is trying to gain notoriety or celebrity status in this field. If I meet someone with decades more experience than me, heck yeah, come sit at the table and let me pick your brain while I buy you a cup of coffee!

2. Social Media Following

Influencers will tell you that social media following doesn’t mean ANYTHING anymore. It doesn’t mean you’re popular. Likes and follows can be bought these days, and you can tell when a page or profile does this. If you’re going to pay to grow your social media following, put money into Facebook and Instagram ads. The likes and follows you get from that will be genuine followers who will respond to your content. If a page has 300K likes and followers, but they only have an engagement of a few dozen; they bought their likes.

3. Online Classes

Man, when someone is offering an online paranormal class for a price, people lose their minds. Words like “scammer”, “someone trying to make easy money”, and “fraud” start coming out. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with online classes. They can be useful. Now, if they’re offering a certification, then I raise an eyebrow. But, as someone who develops courses and eLearning as their day job, do y’all know how long it takes to make a course? Let alone a full out class with modules? Also, how expensive it is to give it a platform to live on? It takes time. If you don’t want to take the class, then don’t. But don’t demand that the instructor offers their expertise for free for the sake of “anyone can learn.” Go find someone offering their expertise for free. They’re out there. Yes, anyone can learn for free. If someone wants to pay for a class, it’s fine. Keep scrolling and move on.

4. Getting on a TV Show

This sort of hits on my first point. This drives me nuts. It really does. Why? Getting on a TV show isn’t the end-all, be-all in this field. I see folks get almost rabid if a new face gets on a TV show. Their experience is questioned, people wonder if they’re professional. Then there’s all this complaining about how there are people who have been in the field for decades who deserve their own show. Okay, here’s the deal; paranormal reality TV isn’t marketed to seasoned paranormal investigators. It’s marketed towards regular people who have no idea what the ghost hunting world is about. Personally, a lot of the shows I prefer to watch are on YouTube and Amazon Prime, and other more independent platforms. But, do you know what this means? You can create your own paranormal show! Don’t wait for the mainstream networks to make you an offer.

5. Para Unity

Don’t get me wrong, we should all treat each other with decency and respect. But, I’ve noticed that the people who yell, “Para unity!” the loudest are often the ones who treat others poorly. They steal material, gossip, put people on blast for no reason, and constantly air their drama. I’ve been asked to do some pretty awful things for the sake of “para unity.” Truth be told, I don’t believe we should be rewarding good behavior that we should already be doing as decent human beings. Don’t be a jerk. That means you shouldn’t steal other people’s images or videos. It’s not fair to keep building your platform on the hard work of others and give credit where credit is due.

6. Differing Opinions

Okay, I will out myself and admit that this is something I’m still working on. If someone disagrees with you, or doesn’t think that your evidence is showing a ghost, it doesn’t mean they’re attacking you. They won’t think any less of you unless you start personally attacking them. I’ve seen people put others on full blast and start doxxing their personal lives because they disagreed about an orb in a video. There is a lot of ego in this field to the point where folks are causing harm and heartache to others. It needs to stop.

7. Acronyms

Acronyms were cool back in the early 2000s, maybe in the 2010s. But, acronyms are kind of old now. Plus, I’ve seen some really weird team names for the sake of spelling out G.H.O.S.T. or P.A.R.A.N.O.R.M.A.L or S.P.I.R.I.T. It gets confusing too, and it can be hard to brand that. Do you know how many GHOST teams there are with that acronym? A lot. Too many to count.

8. CCTV Video

I’ve been seeing CCTV as the “end all be all” factor for paranormal evidence, and honestly, it’s not. It’s faulty. It lags, it freezes, and it makes things like raccoons look like demonic gnomes. Plus, CCTV footage can easily be manipulated. Unless I have a personal tie with that CCTV security system (it’s mine), and I can track what was captured and it’s hard to take anything on the internet at face value. I’m seeing more and more paranormal compilation videos on YouTube that are obviously fabricated, and it’s disappointing.

I know some will fight me tooth and nail on this, so I’m probably preaching to the choir since my regular readers align with the same thoughts as me. This is my opinion, and if you disagree, I promise I don’t hate you. Confession: I was a photographer before I considered myself a paranormal investigator. I knew what orbs were before I realized people called them ghosts and spirits in the paranormal community. Orbs are actually covered in a lot of manuals for cameras. It’s dust, moisture, bugs, dander, basically explainable. Yes, dust can look like it’s going through walls if it’s going in and out of focus. Bugs can look like angels or fairies on camera. Yes, you can see faces in orbs thanks to the pareidolia effect.

Does this mean I don’t believe in orbs? No. Another confession: I’ve seen orbs I couldn’t explain. But I saw them with my naked eye. They emitted their own light. And they didn’t float the same way as dust. Orbs in photos and videos don’t emit their own light, they’re reflecting light. That’s a big difference.

9. Apps

Not all ghost hunting apps are created equal. I suggest that you research apps before downloading them. Anything that’s sold as a “ghost radar” or “ghost detector”, you should look for something else. Some of the better ghost apps include EchoVox, which is an ITC tool. Personally, for me, I’m hesitant to use any apps since our phones aren’t equipped to detect and gauge the environment. Also, any app that lets you insert a photo of a ghost is a big NO.

10. Skeptics

When I say skeptics, I mean the paranormal community needs to stop the mindset that skeptics are bad. They aren’t. They’re fantastic. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some skeptics out there who are total jerks. But, that doesn’t mean that all skeptics are that way. There are many fantastic ones out there who are just as curious about the paranormal as the rest of us, and often, they are looking to have that experience. The difference is that skeptics are hardcore critical thinkers, and need something more solid. They hold the paranormal community accountable and they are a valued asset to the community.

11. Demons

Not everything is a demon. Sometimes it’s a really negative human spirit. Other times, it’s elemental. Sometimes it’s nothing at all. It’s interesting how those who don’t believe in demons don’t seem to have an issue with them. It’s all about mindset and what energy you’re putting out there.

12. Religion

There is more than one religion in the paranormal field, and they are all bring something of value to the table. To me, all religions are valid because it goes back to intention and mindset. I’ve seen cleansings and blessings tied with other religions that were just as effective as Christian methods. As I mentioned in the point about demons, it goes back to your intentions and your convictions. If you’re certain that a Christian method will work, it will.

13. Ouija Boards

I don’t understand the hate against Ouija boards. Yes, I know people associate them with demons. Yes, people have had negative experiences with it, but people have had negative experiences in other areas of their life that they keep going back to. Furthermore, I don’t understand the venom that comes from people who speak out against the Ouija board. We’re talking personal insults, and even lowkey paranormal drama. Do these folks not understand that their hatred of the board and attacking others is just as negative and evil as the Ouija board (or so they think)?

14. Celebrities Joining the Field

This is something I’ve always been fascinated with, especially after it was revealed that Stormy Daniels was working on her own ghost hunting show. So many people have had paranormal experiences, and it should be no surprise that celebrities have had them too. If they want to join the paranormal bandwagon, let them! The more the merrier. There is a lot of gatekeeping in the field, questioning experience and professionalism, It needs to stop. Especially when someone who isn’t famous shares similar life experiences as a celebrity, and they see their lifestyle and choices under attack as a reason to not be in the community.

15. Facebook Groups

I love Facebook groups. They are such a wonderful way to connect with other like-minded people. I can share my content and have amazing conversations with folks and get awesome perspectives. But, each Facebook group is like its own little universe, and some people think they’re gods in little ponds. There are millions of paranormal Facebook groups out there, and there should be a shift in focus to cultivating the community instead of trying to constantly grow numbers, competing for admin/mod status, and booting people over disagreements. It’s just Facebook, y’all.

Stormy Daniels is Filming a New Ghost Hunting Show

October 18, 2020April 9, 2021 Alex Matsuo1 Comment

This is a post I never thought I’d be writing. When you hear the name Stormy Daniels, what do you think about? Most of us associate her with Donald Trump. But, she’s so much more than that. She is a person with hobbies and interests…and one of them is paranormal investigating.

Daniels was recently spotted ghost hunting in Atchison, Kansas at the Sallie House and the McInteer Villa. She was on a ghost hunting adventure. According to KCTV News, Daniels is working on a new show about ghost hunting.

Daniels is currently traveling around the country to different haunted locations for her show called, Spooky Babes. Her team already has merch and Daniels is headlining a few speaking engagements.

According to Daniels, she’s always had an interest in the paranormal, and she believes that the shows give people a safe space to talk about it. She is pitching her show to a few different networks at the moment, and I’ll be curious to see if it gets picked up.

About the Team

Spooky Babes was founded by Stormy Daniels in 2020 after she had intense paranormal activity in her home in New Orleans. She started the team with her friend, Justin Loupe. Apparently, the haunting of her New Orleans home started in 2019 and there are over 20 witnesses to the phenomenon. The activity was described as poltergeist-like with shadowy figures and physical attacks. Stormy started the team out of a desire to better understand her experiences.

Personal Thoughts

This is interesting. I know a lot of celebs have been jumping on the paranormal show train for decades, but I didn’t expect Stormy Daniels to be one of them. It honestly just goes to show you that anyone can have an interest in the paranormal. But as Daniels said, a lot of people don’t feel like they have a safe space to talk about it. The Osbournes are currently the big celebs riding this train right now.

I have to admit, it’s entertaining to watch celebrities ghost hunt. When you see a celebrity share that they too had experiences, it does make you feel less alone. It makes them a bit more relatable. I wish Stormy all the best in her ghost hunting and paranormal investigating, and I’ll be interested to see if her show gets picked up.

Would you watch Stormy Daniels’ ghost hunting show?

@thespookystuff
#greenscreen Stormy Daniels is doing WHAT? #ghosthunting #paranormaltiktok #hauntedtiktok #stormydaniels #ghosthunters
♬ Creepy Dollhouse – Peder B. Helland

10 Reasons Why It Rocks To Be a Ghost Hunter

October 2, 2020October 2, 2020 Alex Matsuo1 Comment

Ghost hunting, paranormal investigating…call it what you will . The world of looking for the unknown and trying to communicate with spirits is a centuries-old practice. It’s going stronger than ever, and it only keeps getting better! Of course, this is a life that may seem weird to outsiders, if not a little scary. But there’s a reason why people stay in it.

Let’s look at ten reasons why it rocks to be a ghost hunter.

Talk to Ghosts

This is the number one reason why many people love ghost hunting. It gives you the opportunity to talk to people who have passed from this life and remain in spirit form. How often do you have the chance to sit and chat with someone who lived through the American Revolution or the Civil War? Sure, there’s historical documentation like letters. But ghost hunting takes that one step further with the chance to talk to the person who wrote the letter.

Visit Historical Places

For the conventional tourist at a historical site, you can usually tour the location for a short time. Then you’re off to the gift shop. But, there are multiple historic places all over the world that are open to paranormal investigations. This means that you will get to spend much more time in a historic location than a daytime tourist. For example, you might get to spend 8-12 hours at the home of a patriot for a ghost hunt. Plus, you may even get a special tour of the place and get a unique perspective that others wouldn’t get.

Meet Cool People

There’s no doubt that the paranormal and ghost hunting community has some of the coolest and most unique people around. I’m always amused at the reactions when I tell people I’m friends with witches, psychic mediums, and Pentecostal Christians. We all hang out together! This community is very diverse when it comes to interests and backgrounds. Plus, you never know who you’ll meet. For example, I have a ghost hunting friend who is a corporate CEO at a major tech company that investigates on the weekends! We often banter about ghost theories and the latest happenings in the tech world, all in the same conversation.

Traveling is a Way of Life

If you’ve ever needed a good reason to travel, ghost hunting might be the ultimate excuse! There are haunted spots all over the world. Plus, there are even companies dedicated to creating paranormal-themed adventures just for you. I can’t tell you how many ghost hunters travel for hours for one location and then make it back home in time for work on Monday. Traveling is such a special experience, and ghost hunters get to visit as many places they can if they have the means to make it happen!

Cool Gadgets

Even though these gadgets aren’t confirmed to prove the existence of ghosts, they’re a lot of fun to use! The technology of ghost hunting is always changing and evolving, and the gadgets just get cooler. What’s even better is that the manufacturer is usually accessible to chat. It would be like getting the chance to talk to Steve Jobs about the computer. The world of ghost hunting equipment is always fascinating and exciting, and I’m excited to see what comes of it in the future.

Unique Opportunities

Ghost hunting definitely comes with its own opportunities. People have gotten a chance to do extraordinary things like appear on television, receive unique teaching opportunities, travel, write books, the list goes on. Others have had the opportunities to appear on podcasts, and even consult on paranormal-themed movies. There is definitely value in having expertise in the paranormal and the world of ghost hunting, especially if you know where to look.

Learn New Skills

Ghost hunting is much more than wandering around a building looking for ghosts. There are logistics that a seasoned ghost hunter needs to be familiar with like scheduling, networking, and even social media. And let’s not forget there’s also historical research, knowing how the equipment works and knowing how cameras work when it comes to photography and video. Some of the best ghost hunters and paranormal investigators out there are knowledgeable in how to research, photography, and videography. Paranormal research is the perfect place for working on your interest in genealogy and historical research.

Cultivating Gifts

Many people realize that they have some sort of spiritual gift while ghost hunting and they want to know more. Others dive into the world of paranormal investigating and ghost hunting because they have a gift and want to cultivate it. The beauty of spiritual gifts is that it doesn’t just mean psychic mediumship. There’s a whole world of gifts that even include being good at interviewing people or writing.

Helping the Community

The world of the paranormal has also given back to the community in a multitude of ways. Groups have fundraised for local charities, like the Gettysburg Battlefield Bash for the Wounded Warrior Project. Others, like the Association of Paranormal Study, host ghost hunting events for a price. Then, they give 100% of the proceeds back to historic locations. I’ve seen ghost hunting teams create toy drives at local haunted places. There are some that even participate as a group for 5Ks and walks for causes like March of Dimes, the American Diabetes Association, etc. Ghost hunting definitely has a unique twist on the traditional charity benefit!

Spiritual Awakening

Being a ghost hunter opens you up to a whole new world of diverse cultures and ways of life. You experience things that you can’t explain. Your mind becomes a little more open. The lessons you learn in your spiritual awakening end up in your everyday life. This ends up fulfilling your life all around. You become a well-rounded person both in life skills and spiritually, and you’re able to use these gifts to make the world a better place.

Why do you love being a ghost hunter or paranormal investigator? Tell me all about it in the comments!

The Ghost Train of Bostian Bridge in Statesville, NC

August 25, 2020August 25, 2020 Alex Matsuo

Could a traumatic event be so powerful that the land absorbs its energy? While battlefields are well known for having this kind of phenomenon, we don’t hear it about very often on a smaller scale. Or, in this case, a train wreck that occurred just outside of Statesville, NC.

I heard about this haunting from one of my team members when we were first exploring the Trivette Clinic, which is located in Hamptonville, NC. It’s not a far drive from Statesville. Being a California native, I’m still very new to the history of North Carolina and its fascinating local legends. One of the biggest standouts for me is the ghost stories and train culture.

This particular event is so disturbing, and the subsequent events that followed are truly horrifying.

The Local Tragedy

Train Wreck of Bostian Bridge, Iredell County, NC. Wreck occured August 27, 1891, near Statesville.
Photos by Stimson Studio, Statesville, NC

On August 27th, 1891, a passenger train in North Carolina was trying to make up for lost time. It was the Richmond & Danville engine number 9. The train was pulling six cars which included a baggage car, a second-class car, a first-class coach, a tender, a private car for R&D’s superintendent, and a Pullman sleeper. It departed Statesville (Iredell County) around 2:30 am. They were already running 34 minutes late, so the train was going much faster than it should.

Only 5 minutes later, the train lurched off the Bostian Bridge. It fell 60-feet and hit the creek below, known as Third Creek. Because the train was going so fast, survivors say that the train was actually airborne! The sleeper car ended up hitting the ground 153 feet away from where it left the bridge.

Survivors ended up walking and running back to Statesville to report the accident. The entire town dedicated itself to rescuing survivors and recovering the deceased. They cut people out of the wreckage. Approximately, 20-23 people lost their lives, and 30 people injured. If people didn’t die from the crash, they drowned because the creek waters were high. Sadly, Statesville didn’t have a hospital at the time. So the injured were treated by the locals in their homes. The deceased was laid out in the Farmers’ Tobacco Warehouse so they could be identified.

An investigation was conducted to find the cause of the accident. It was discovered that rail spikes had been removed. Others blamed it on the poor maintenance of the R&D railroad.

A Public Spectacle

When news spread of this tragic accident, thousands of people gathered to check out the wreck and search through the debris for souvenirs. Photographers gathered to take photos and sold them to various publications around the area and state. You could say this was very much a disrespectful way to handle the situation. After detectives questioned people, two men already incarcerated were convicted of the crime based on their supposed confession to fellow inmates.

A Ghostly Anniversary

The tragedy of the this train wreck has never been forgotten. Why? Because it seems that this tragic event replays itself every year on the anniversary on August 27th. It started in 1941 when a couple were stranded by the bridge due to a flat tire. The husband left his wife alone to get help. While she was waiting, she heard the whistle of an approaching train. She saw the headlights and saw an old-fashioned train made of wood. As the train crossed the bridge, she heard a horrible crashed and witnessed the train fly off the bridge. To her horror, she heard the moans and screams of wounded people. She went down by the creek to get a better look and saw the full tragedy unfold.

When the woman saw a car approaching, she ran up and waved for help. As it turns out, her husband was in the car. She told her husband and the driver that a terrible accident took place. When they went to look. Nothing was there.

Insisting something had happened, the wife asked the husband to stop by the train station in Statesville. When the couple approached the ticket window, the wife asked the ticket agent if there was a train accident. The ticket agent explained that there was a terrible wreck on that same night, 50 years ago.

Echoes of the Past

I made a Facebook post about the Ghost Train of Bostian Bridge in July 2020, and it went viral. In the comments, I read countless stories of people who have felt weird things in the area. Those who worked near the bridge noted phantom train sounds coming from the area late at night. It seems there is still ghostly activity taking place, reminding the locals that the tragedy still resonates today.

People have also reported hearing screeching tracks, as well as seeing a ghost light on the tracks. The ghost light is seen often by locals. The ghost of a uniformed railroad employee with a golden watch has been seen as well. It is believed to be the spirit of Baggage Master Hugh K. Linster, who was found in the wreckage with a broken neck.

The Cost of Exploration

via Bridgehunter.com (Photo taken by Royce and Bobette Haley in May 2015)

Since this legend became well known, people have flocked to Bostian Bridge each year on August 27th. This is all in hopes of catching a glimpse of the infamous ghost train. Keep in mind that the Bostian Bridge is still an active railroad. This means that there are still real trains traveling on this railroad, and therefore, it’s dangerous.

Sadly, on August 27th, 2010, about 119 years after the original accident, a ghost hunter named Christopher Kaiser was killed after he was hit by a real train on the Bostian Bridge. There were about a dozen people present to check out the legend. He and his team were in the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ghost train. Kaiser managed to save his girlfriend from getting hit by pushing her off the tracks. One other man fell off the tracks and was injured. Why didn’t they run off the tracks earlier? According to WBTV, they thought the train sounds were the ghost train.

On that note, if you want to check out the ghost train for yourself, do it from a safe distance and stay off the tracks.

Better yet, light a candle for the victims from the safety of your own home.

Sources

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article234487957.html

https://www.ncpedia.org/bostian-bridge-train-wreck

https://www.ncpedia.org/culture/legends/bostian-ghost-train#

https://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/27/north.carolina.ghost.train/index.html

“Ghost Hunter” STABBED After an Argument

June 16, 2020June 16, 2020 Alex Matsuo1 Comment

When I saw this story, I was shocked. This isn’t the first time that there have been paranormal investigations that resulted in violence. As I started digging into the story, I started to see that this story wasn’t what it appeared to be. Ghost hunters screwing up can make for interesting news. But it can harm the teams that are doing it right, especially if they’re trying to get into historic places.

The Story

On June 9, 2020, a story broke that a man was stabbed after ghost hunting in a cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette referred to it as “paranormal hunting.” Okay, that’s a new one. According to the unnamed female witness, she, Mark Galloway, and James Patterson were in a cemetery. Around 1:50 am Patterson and the female wanted to leave, but Galloway wanted to stay. As a result, the group started to argue.

But according to ABC-7 KATV, the argument started because there was a disagreement over who was going to drive back. Galloway insisted on driving, but Patterson and the woman didn’t want Galloway to drive.

They all got into a tan Ford 500, and Galloway started driving away. The woman said she couldn’t breathe, so she asked Galloway to stop. He refused. She tried to take the keys out of the ignition. Patterson tried to get control of the vehicle. Because of this, Galloway started to stab him. Patterson had stab wounds in his thigh and torso.

Police were called to a Rodeway Inn & Suites after there were reports of a stabbing. Patterson was bleeding heavily, and Galloway was arrested and charged with first-degree battery and false imprisonment. He was booked at the Pulaski County Jail.

Digging Deeper

I decided to dig deeper into this story to see what I could learn about Mark Galloway and James Patterson. Coast to Coast labeled them as ghost hunters, along with other news outlets. Were they actual ghost hunters?

First, I couldn’t find any connection to any paranormal team for Galloway or Patterson. I tried to find them in some of the larger paranormal Facebook groups I’m a part of. Based on this, I’m going to assume that these were people hanging out in a cemetery looking for something scare them.

In this case, I have suspicions based on Galloway’s mugshot and the sequence of events. Between the nature of their visit to the cemetery, the incident in the car, and the Rodeway Inn…yeah. Galloway also has a criminal record. In May 2016 for aggravated assault and false imprisonment for kidnapping his 19-year old girlfriend.

What was incredibly frustrating to read was the comments on the various postings of this story. People immediately jumped to the “demon” word and said Galloway was possessed. This doesn’t help the paranormal community at all. It only perpetuates the idea that these people aren’t responsible for their actions and we can blame the paranormal. That has to stop.

We can’t keep jumping to conclusions like this without thinking critically about the events of the story. This doesn’t help in creating a separation from amateur thrill seekers to serious paranormal investigators.

Burning Down History

This isn’t the first time that the mistakes of amateurs have made headlines. Sadly, labeling these people as “ghost hunters” doesn’t help the cause at all.

One of the most heartbreaking incidents that happened was when the LeBeau Plantation in Old Arabi, Louisiana, was burned down by ghost hunters. This group was also using marijuana and drinking alcohol. In the midst of their hazy stupor, plus the frustration that no ghosts were responding, one of the men decided it would be a good idea to burn the place down. I’m sorry, WHAT?

The seven men, ranging in age from 17-31, were trespassing. So they weren’t supposed to be there in the first place. But again, would we call these men ghost hunters? Definitely not.

However, it’s a catchy term, and the media will continue to use it.

What Do We Do?

Thankfully, there’s a few things we can do when this happens. We can speak out when these stories go public and reassure the community that this isn’t us. We can make our process known so that the community, and these historic locations, can be rest assured that we will take care of them.

Teams can also adopt a code of ethics as well as a non-disclosure agreement. Respecting the location’s wishes is a top priority. If ghost hunters can show that they can take care of and respect property, then how can they gain anyone’s trust?

Sources

https://www.coasttocoastam.com/article/argument-among-ghost-hunters-leads-to-stabbing/

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jun/10/mountain-home-man-arrested-little-rock-stabbing-po/?crime

https://katv.com/news/local/arkansas-man-stabbed-after-ghost-hunting-in-little-rock-cemetery

https://ahistoryofmystery.com/paranormal/argument-between-ghost-hunters-results-in-stabbing/

https://www.wdsu.com/article/sheriff-high-ghost-hunters-burned-down-lebeau-plantation/2818882

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ghost-hunters-burn-down-historic-mansion-180947839/

Why You Should Change the Way You Ghost Hunt

June 2, 2020October 23, 2020 Alex Matsuo

I have to confess something; I make mistakes too. Maybe more than the average bear. It’s all part of the “trial and error” life of being a paranormal investigator. You try things that work, and you toss the things that don’t work. But the problem here was I was using a technique that had been VERY successful for the past several years.

When I’m out there doing a ghost hunt/paranormal investigation, I’m constantly trying to do it right. Sometimes, that ideal gets me into hot water. This isn’t with the living. But instead, it’s with the ghosts.

I got called out by a ghost for the first time.

The Background

It was my first paranormal investigation since December (ouch). It was our second time at this particular location, and since we had moderate success during our first visit, I wanted to approach the location the same way as last time. The location is rich in history with documentation to support it all. The location is honestly a dream come true!

I can’t say where the location is due to privacy reasons. This is about the lesson I learned during my latest investigation. Don’t get me wrong, the investigation was overall successful and we got some fascinating data, but I didn’t expect the response I would hear from the man of the house himself…who is a ghost.

The Interpretation

I did a lot of prep, but at the end of the day, the ghost felt like we were asking them to perform parlor tricks. They (the ghosts) thought we were looking to be entertained. While that was far from the truth, I can see why the spirits thought that way. I made the mistake of approaching the location like I approach most places; the ghosts want to talk about their feelings. Well, not all ghosts want to sit in the dark with us and talk through their emotions.

Lessons Learned

I honestly feel bad that we came across like a group of ghost hunters that wanted the spirits to perform. That has never been my intention, nor the intention of my time. We try to approach our investigations with a research perspective and bringing questions to the table from a contextual standpoint.

Because I’m an emotional person by nature, I immediately default to this approach. I try to use an empathetic approach to my investigational skills. Most of the time, the ghosts are eager to talk because they may not have had the opportunity to talk about this side of themselves in the past. It’s been a successful approach…until now.

There are ghosts who are present to get a job done. In this case, when the spirits saw us working, they respected us and wanted to join in. I even taught a VIPKid class the next morning in the location (that was a new one). The door kept unlatching and being pushed open. The area was known to have children, and they wanted to learn as well. That was huge.

Like I mentioned before, the investigation wasn’t a bust. We did manage to get some responses and have some information to follow up on to see if it makes sense.

What I’ll Do Next Time

I learned that I can’t use the same formula every time I go on a ghost hunt. Not only do I have to have a plan ready, but I have to have a Plan B ready when A isn’t working. I also need a Plan C, D, E, F…the letters go on.

I need to go back to my roots and hit hard with historical research…that’s critical. That way, I can prepare to change gears at a moment’s notice without derailing the process. Also, most importantly, I hope the spirits feel valued and respected.

How do you prep for your paranormal investigation? What do you do to get the ghosts to talk? Share your tips in the comments!

The Ghost Hunter’s Quarantine Survival Guide

April 4, 2020May 12, 2020 Alex Matsuo1 Comment

Before you start reading, please take a moment for vote for me for INDY Week’s Best of thee Triangle! I was nominated for Best Local Interest Website/Blog. Click here to vote, and it takes less than a minute. I so appreciate it!

It’s a weird time right now. Most of the world is under some sort of “stay at home” order, whether’s it a complete lockdown, quarantine, etc. Movie releases are being delayed indefinitely. TV shows are putting productions on hold. Essential businesses like grocery stores, auto repair, the post office, etc. are still open. But non-essential businesses like parks, hair salons, gyms, etc. are closed until further notice.

Unfortunately, haunted locations are closed as well. While it may be hard to stomach, ghost hunting is not an essential business. Truly…it’s not. Does it mean that ghost hunting doesn’t matter? Of course not. It’s just not something we need to survive like food, medical needs, etc.

Impacts of COVID-19

All of these new orders are for good reason. It sucks My ghost hunting plans for spring and summer of 2020 are pretty much shot. I truly feel for the ghost hunters who are out there doing fieldwork several times a month. I know there are several teams that go out on a weekly basis (you are rock stars). This current time has got to be hard.

Taking a Forced Break from Ghost Hunting

But guess what? You don’t have to go out there doing fieldwork to be considered a ghost hunter or a paranormal researcher. If you’re truly looking for something to do to help amp up your ghost hunting skills and resume, there are things you can do! I compiled this list based on what I’m currently doing at the moment. Most of these are free.

Research

Is there a paranormal topic you’ve been wanting to learn more about? Do you want to understand why orbs aren’t ghosts? Want to know where the “woman in white” legend came from? This is the perfect time to research a legend or area of the paranormal. If you need an idea of where to start, think of different areas of paranormal research. Choose the one where you feel the most uncomfortable, or you can’t define in more than two sentences. That’s the topic you pick!

Go Through the Evidence That You Haven’t Watched, Listened to, Etc.

I’ll be the first to admit that data and evidence review is something I dread. Especially for longer investigations. For me, I’ve been spending 1 hour each day reviewing my backlog. 1 hour is pretty much my limit right now.

Read a Ghost Hunting Book

This may seem…too simple. For some, it is. For others, especially the ones doing fieldwork, reviewing evidence, networking, planning, etc. reading a book may be on the back burner. Take this opportunity to read about the ways other people are ghost hunting. I’ll take this opportunity to shamelessly plugin my book, The Brave Mortal’s Guide to Ghost Hunting.

Give Back to the Community

If you’re in a position where you can throw a few dollars at a paranormal location (especially if they’re non-profit), it would be a huge help. Many of these locations will be suffering significant financial loss because of canceled ghost hunts. If you’re not able to give financially, spreading the word and sharing content can make a big difference. You can even do live streams on Facebook and fundraise for the location.

Plan Your Next Ghost Hunting Adventure

Sure, we’re not sure how long this is going to last, especially in the United States. But, we can get ahead of the game by already planning our next adventure. Whether it’s mapping out where you’re going to go, your ghost hunting plan, equipment list, etc., planning your next ghost hunt will also give you something to look forward to in the future.

Take Inventory & Tidy Up

I know for me, at the end of an investigation, I sometimes will throw my equipment into some random bag or case, mainly because I’m packing up quickly. I’ve been taking this time to reorganize my equipment and make a list of what I need like batteries, new flashlights, etc.

Watch TV

Yep. Watch some TV. I do sometimes watch ghost hunting shows, but not for anything educational (sorry). Ghost hunting shows are meant to be entertainment. I’m watching them to be entertained, find new locations to check out, and also review their investigation skills and see what I could do better. Watching how other investigators do things, even if it’s on TV, can be valuable. You’ll either get validation for your own methods, get new ideas, or know what NOT to do.

Network

If there was any time to network with other ghost hunters, this is the time to do it. Whether it’s through Facebook or some other social media platform, take the time to meet other ghost hunters. Ask to have an online meeting on a platform like Google Hangouts and chat for a bit. This is also super helpful mental health-wise, as conversing with friends during this time can really help you. Most therapists are recommending that we connect with people for about 30 minutes per day.

Create Content

If you have the energy, definitely create content. This means creating images, videos, memes, videos, blogging, writing, live streaming, webinars, basically creating things that people can enjoy. If you’re a paranormal team, this can drive people to your page and website. If you’re a solo ghost hunter, same deal. Right now, we have to move to an all-digital platform, and creating appropriate content can still drive engagement with your work.

Self-Care

Most importantly, take care of yourself. If you’re not able to do anything on this list…that is okay! If you need to just veg on the couch and just exist…that’s okay. If you need to clean everything, that’s okay. Basically, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to accomplish things. This is a very trying time in our world right now, and we’re not quite sure when it will all be over. People are also on edge and many are feeling angry and need someone to lash out at. If you have to walk away from a discussion, argument, etc., do it! Take one day at a time, and we’ll get through all of this together!

Paranormal friends: What are you doing during your quarantine? Share your ideas in the comments.

The Performance of Ghost Hunting Part II

April 7, 2015January 6, 2023 Alex Matsuo

This blog is a continuation of “The Performance of Ghost Hunting, Part I“

The critically acclaimed actress Fiona Shaw also volunteered to have her brain scanned, where she would switch back and forth from “acting” in the MRI machine to doing static actions such as saying the ABC’s and counting numbers. The results were that while Shaw was acting, she was using a part of her brain that was responsible for visualization. This caused me to question whether this could also lead to the potential of having some sort of psychic abilities, or in the very least, develop empathic abilities since the very essence of acting is to emulate life and present different emotions with legitimacy. However, every actor hasn’t had his or her brain scanned. But based on the fact that Shaw is an extraordinary actress, the brain activity occurring during her performance may very be similar as to the brain activity of those who use the same performance process as Shaw. Given the success rate of the Ganzfeld by artistic people, it is interesting to consider that since the experiment is partially dependent on the send of images and video, the send creates their own visualizations in their mind and send it over to their fellow artist, who may use the same part of their brain.

And if the actor’s visualization skills are stronger than the average person, perhaps it could be the reason why actors are more vulnerable. Actors and musicians are also able to channel in their emotions more efficiently so that they’re available during their performance or writing their own pieces. Could this vulnerability lead to a higher chance of having ghosts interact with these artists? I don’t think that it is a stretch to hypothesize that performance could be summoning these ghosts even those the performer has no intention of doing so. Or is it possible that the actor could be using that energy in creating their own ghosts so to speak? Like thoughtforms of characters? The actor has a much larger role in theatre hauntings than they expect.

Then we have the factoring in of the actual ghost hunts that are taking place. Ghost hunting really is a performance from the perspective of the ghosts are your audience members, and you are saying certain words and doing certain actions for the purpose of getting a response from the ghost, just as when the actor performs on stage, they are anticipating some kind of reaction from laughter to tears. But just as an actor can have a bad performance, the ghost hunter can have a bad investigation. Maybe the wrong questions were being asked, or the ghost hunter and the ghost just weren’t connecting. It can be hard to figure out exactly where the investigation went wrong. But there are things that the ghost hunter to do to ensure a smoother time, which includes doing your historical research as well as making a completely game plan of the events of the investigation.

Even in our day-to-day routine, we are in the midst of a performance until we are alone at home. In the same sense, ghosts are constantly in performance mode as well. Think about it. They might be unaware of the amount of energy they carry, and with the wrong movement, they could reveal their current state. Or if the ghost has a message to send, and is in desperate need to get the sender’s attention, the ghost may put on a performance to make sure that they are being listened.

On that note, will we ever reach a time where we will no longer expect a performance from ghosts and just allow them to talk? That will actually be my next communication experiment at the Tenth. No more expecting “yes” or “no” answers, but instead, just allowing them to talk. Once I approach an investigation in that way, collecting tangible evidence would be more difficult, unless I was able to obtain better equipment that was more sensitive and could play back the information that was collected.

The performance of ghost hunting places responsibility on both sides of the investigation relationship. It is a tug of war relationship between the ghost hunter and the ghost, as they continuously trade roles from performer to audience member, and then back again. However, unlike the ghost hunter, the deceased are forced to perform when requested by the ghost hunter. I almost want to imagine circus animals that are being chained to their cages while the ringleader cracks their whip to get them to perform. In some cases, the ghost hunter may threaten the presence with religious objects such as crosses or threaten to force the deceased to cross over to the other side. The investigation process, while this will be ironic for me to say, shouldn’t be a performance like this, but instead a mutual agreement to engage in conversation and finding the most productive method of establishing that communication. The need to impress or outdo other teams is primarily responsible for the circus-like spectacle since a team’s value seems to lie upon whether they can capture the best evidence or not. While evidence collection is important, it is being used for the wrong way. Which is probably another reason why we have so many people trying to pass off their photos of dust as evidence of a ghost, or why people are faking evidence so that they can get their 15-minutes of fame. It really is a shame, and it does nothing more than harm the research field for the paranormal, and it is the reason why this community has yet to find widespread respect.

Perhaps I am not one to talk since I was interviewed by public television about the Tenth Avenue Theater, but that opportunity came about unexpectedly, and I did not ask for the interview. The field right now is flooded with people who are using the paranormal to gain a celebrity status. Is it right? I don’t know. If I were to criticize it, I would also have to criticize those who use theatre to get famous as well. It is a hard line to tow indeed. As a believer in karma, and the mindset of “what goes around comes around”, I wonder what price we will have to pay for putting the deceased out there in the public eye and not only making them perform tricks, but forcing them to become entertainment for our own pleasure.

I have mixed feelings about guided ghost tours that take place night after night. While I love the idea of having access to haunted locations and investigating, I often find that these tours are there for the specific purpose of entertaining people. So, in this case, the audience is the tourist. I do pay for my ticket to be a part of the ghost hunt, and I often find myself being the most experienced in the group, with the rest of the attendees borrowing equipment from the host team and going around ready to jump at the first sight of a ghost. I have distinctly mixed feelings because while I feel like it is a great opportunity to expose more people to the paranormal field, it is also subjecting the deceased to being performers, all the while the teams that are hosting these tour are proclaiming that they care about the ghosts. When these tours are happening year round and people are paying a good chunk of money to be a part of the experience, I find it comparable to running a circus and cracking the whip on the animals while saying you care about them under the same breath. I have also noticed that these ghost tours actually outnumber any historical research based tours. You can tell whether people would rather learn about history or be entertained, and so which direction is society heading?

It seems that we are at an impasse, both the living and the dead trapped in the world of continuous performances. Even in life, we perform all the time from our work duties, to tasks that need to be taken care of at home. With each changing social circle, our audiences change and thus, our performances change. I don’t act the same way at home as I do with I’m with my best friend at a bar enjoying a drink. In death, it should be our time to rest. But with the constant popularity of ghost hunting, it may be a while before the dead gets a hint of peace and quiet, or “rest in peace” so to speak. Is this what we have to look forward to after we die? It is a wonder why ghosts would even stick around and bother to communicate with the living world in the first place. What if the connection with the living world is worth being objectified and turned into a performer? Or perhaps, the messages from the other side are crucial enough to share that the living world needs to be an audience for these paranormal performers in order for them to receive these messages.