Haunted Talks

The strange disappearance of pilot Fredrick Valentich in 1978, is one of aviation's greatest unsolved mysteries. In the episode, we examine the mystery, including the bizarre radio transmissions from Valentich, which include the chilling line, "…it's not an aircraft." Was it a tragic accident, a hoax gone wrong, or a close encounter with a UFO? Could it be something else completely unexpected? Join us as we fly into mystery. Be sure to check out our HAUNTED TALKS tees & hoodies!

In part two of our special interview with the British Museum's Dr. Irving Finkel, he shares more from his book, The First Ghosts: Most Ancient of Legacies, including a discussion of the earliest drawing of a ghost, the intricate role of exorcists in Mesopotamian societies, and how the dead would often be rudely called up from the underworld to answer pressing personal questions from the living. He also ponders why modern society has become so skeptical about ghosts and shares his attempts to see one for himself at the very haunted British Museum. We would strongly suggest listening to part one before enjoying this episode. Be sure to check out our new Haunted Talks Tees & Haunted Hoodies – look spooky and help support the show!

What is the oldest recorded mention of a ghost? Dr. Irving Finkel, Assistant Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian script, languages and cultures in the Department of the Middle East at the British Museum, joins us to talk about his recent book The First Ghosts: Most Ancient of Legacies. He shares how living with ghosts and other restless spirits has been part of the human experience from the earliest moments of recorded history. Not only is he a leading expert in ancient writing, but also a wonderful and playful storyteller and we are extremely lucky to have him for a special two-part interview. Part two will be released next Friday. Be sure to check out our new Haunted Talks Tees & Haunted Hoodies!

While not a traditional ghost story, the tale of the wrecked iron scow that sits atop Niagara Falls is a haunting cliffhanger. It unfolds on the threatening edge of one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world. Its wreckage is a secret hiding in plain sight. For over 100 years it has stood as a sentinel to the passage of time. Earlier this month, major news broke about the fate of the beloved ghost ship. We share the incredible story and discuss the recent news. See all of our episodes at: https://hauntedwalk.com/podcasts/

A cluster of rental homes near Manchester, England, requires new tenants to sign a waiver acknowledging that they will be living in a haunted house. As part of our discussion of this strange scenario and the frightening incidents that took place in these homes, we are joined by Paige Oldfield, the reporter from the Manchester Evening News who broke the story. Join us for the latest episode of Haunted Talks!

For the first time ever, scientists have recorded the brain activity of a patient in the moments right before and immediately following death. The results may be the first scientific evidence of the often reported "seeing your life flashing before your eyes" during a near-death experience. We are joined by Dr. Kate Einarson, a behavioural scientist and knowledge translator, to discuss the findings, the answers they provide, and the new questions they raise. Join us for a mind-blowing episode of Haunted Talks!

Robert Service's The Cremation of Sam McGee is a beloved Canadian ghost story set in the unforgiving North. Many can identify it with just the first few lines. Themes of survival, obligation and brutal relentless cold, unexpectedly culminate in a surprise twist ending. We share a reading of the iconic poem and explore its strange history and the urban legends that surround this masterpiece.

Can we be haunted by our own thoughts? Or use them to haunt others? Few ideas produce the fear and existential dread that Roko's Basilisk provides. This unique thought experiment was considered so potentially disturbing, that the original website to which it was published quickly banned the topic. We break down this strange collision of urban legend, artificial intelligence and philosophy. Listener Warning: If you are struggling right now, or don't want to deal with existential questions about reality, we would suggest listening to a different episode. But, if you love a good metaphysical mystery that challenges our perceptions, and provides a good chill, join us as we head down the rabbit hole and explore the philosophical head-trip that is Roko's Basilisk.

We are going to be talking about death, but not in the usual ways we do on this podcast. There will be little discussion of the paranormal, and no mention of grizzly murders, unsolved or otherwise. Instead, we will be looking into the lives and businesses of those who spend the most time with the dead – Undertakers. Joining us will be a historical researcher and author, Marion Roes, to talk about her new book, Death as Life's Work, which focuses on Undertakers and Funeral Businesses in the Waterloo, Ontario region from 1850-2020. Marion will be sharing with us some of the practices that have changed in the industry over the years, surprising artifacts she unearthed during her research, and her family's unique experience of operating a funeral home for over 100 years. Follow Marion Roes on Twitter and her Facebook Page "Undertakers and Their Businesses in Waterloo Region".

Katarina and Diandra, co-hosts of the German paranormal podcast, Geistergeflüster, join us for a paranormal cultural exchange. In addition to sharing some of their favourite German ghost stories, which include the origins of Sleepy Hollow's headless horseman and a spirit who is very concerned about eating lunch, we also discuss the surprising way Germans think about the supernatural.

Each year around this time, we share a fictional Christmas-themed ghost story. The kind of which used to be more commonly shared between friends and family while huddling around a fire on a blustery December night. This year's story "The Crown Derby Plate" was written by Marjorie Bowen and was first published in 1931. What we really like about The Crown Derby Plate, besides it being set during the Holidays, is that it beautifully captures the sense of an isolated and eerie house in the country, where clearly something is wrong. It's creepy, atmospheric, and gets under your skin. While the story revolves around the search for a missing china plate, the real mystery that captures our attention is the uncanny and threatening nature of the secluded home and its awful garden. So, get the kettle going, stoke the fire, and tuck yourself under a warm blanket…things are about to get chilling!

December 5th is Krampusnacht! In this special episode we share our recent live Virtual Haunted Campfire on Krampus. Who is he and where does this bizarre tradition come from? What's the connection between a demon and Santa Claus? Join us as we kick off the Haunted Holiday Season with Krampus and share some seasonal ghost stories! Featuring: KRAMPUS!, Glen Shackleton, Jim Dean, Rowena Brook, and Margo MacDonald

A very Happy Halloween to all Haunted Talks listeners! Here is one last treat for your Halloween night. 🖤

Being a Storyteller for The Haunted Walk is Never Dull. When you spend a lot of time in and around haunted locations – things are bound to happen. Whether you want them to or not! In this special episode, we are joined by several of our talented tour guides who share the bizarre, eerie, and downright terrifying events that they have witnessed or experienced in the line of duty. Come behind the scenes with us and hear the stories that we share with each other after all our guests have gone home. For more stories from our tour guides, be sure to check out: Episode 23 – Tales from the Tours Vol. 1.

Incredible hoax or one of the most witnessed cases of supernatural activity? The Enfield Poltergeist is a case that must give the most ardent skeptics pause. The story is not only terrifying, but spanning 2 years, it is also one of the most well-documented hauntings in history. There were many firsthand witnesses and hundreds of hours of audio recordings from inside the haunted house. All of which begs the question, how much evidence is enough? In the episode, we will explore the unsettling events and closely examine the key evidence that makes the Enfield Poltergeist such a compelling and frightening case. (View Images) This episode was originally released on Oct 16th, 2019.

When the Mary Celeste was found off the Azores in 1872, it was immediately clear that something was wrong. The ship was deserted. What happened? Did the crew stage a mutiny? Were they attacked by pirates? Caught in a storm or some other freak weather event? Stories of this "Ghost Ship" quickly began to spread around the world, as did the fanciful stories of her fate. Join us as we set sail to explore one of the greatest nautical unsolved mysteries of all time!

Some of the creepiest paranormal stories are related to specific items. We explore several strange objects that were innocently purchased, only to bring something dark into the homes of the unsuspecting buyers. We examine mass-produced art prints that were so feared 2,500 of them were burned, a bunk bed that brought disembodied voices, a cursed painting connected to a series of deaths, a haunted doll, and a frightening mirror.

One of the world's great mysteries is on the verge of being solved. For over 70 years, investigators have sought to identify the unknown man found dead on an Australian beach in 1948. There were no signs of foul play and an examination of the victim's stylish clothing strangely revealed that all of the labels had been removed. In his pocket was found a passage from a rare book that eerily translates to: It is ended. Was this a suicide or something much more complicated? We are joined by Dr. Lars Petersen to discuss how newly collected DNA evidence may finally reveal the identity of the Somerton Man.

Of all of the professional sports, baseball seems to be the one most closely associated with the paranormal. There are famously haunted ballparks that connect current-day players and fans with the legends of the past. The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, has had so many strange encounters that it has been featured on shows like Ghost Hunters. Baseball players themselves are a very superstitious bunch, going to extreme and odd lengths to try to give themselves an edge, or at least to keep bad luck away. We are taking you to the ballgame and will be sharing some of baseball's spookiest stories and the unique connections the game has to the paranormal. Featuring special guest co-host (and serious baseball fan) Dr. Brittney Bos.

Historically in the horror genre, women have often been relegated to playing innocent victims who suffer terrible violence in movies most often watched by young men. Dr. Amy Jane Vosper believes horror movies are changing and has written a Ph.D. dissertation to prove it. Women are now making horror, writing about horror, watching horror, and communicating with one another about horror. We discuss these changes and take an in-depth look at what kinds of horror films are most appealing to women. We also share all sorts of awesome scary movie recommendations. Grab some popcorn and join us!

In 1861, the town of Kendal, England was the site of a chilling ghost story that captured imaginations and made headlines around the world. Late one night while gathered around a fireplace, a group of people suddenly experience a series of forceful knocks that shake the building. The residents search the structure in an attempt to determine the cause of the disturbance. Their ghost hunt culminates with a trip down to the damp and dark basement – where something – was waiting for them. We share the story.

The strange but true story of how child movie star and "America's Sweetheart", Shirley Temple, survived a brush with death on Christmas Eve in 1939 during a live radio show. We share Temple's own account of the terrifying and bizarre incident, as well as key parts of the original radio broadcast. Was it a clandestine operation by a foreign government? Someone jealous of Temple's success within the entertainment industry? Or, something much stranger and darker than that? In the episode, we explore the wild, disturbing, and relatively unknown events that had an 11-year-old Shirley Temple looking down the barrel of a gun.

Was there a monster hiding in the cemetery? In 1954, the Glasgow Police Department began to receive concerned calls about hundreds of school children descending on a nearby necropolis. These children varied in age from teenagers, all the way down to toddlers who could barely walk. Many carried crucifixes or other protective talismans. More disturbingly, others were armed with knives and makeshift weapons as they patrolled the grounds. There is no doubt the children came looking for a fight with a monster. Did they get one?

The tragic story of the sinking of the Titanic continues to fascinate, terrify and inspire the imagination. As we approach the anniversary of this historic event, we will look at the Titanic from another angle – a supernatural one. Is it possible that some people knew in advance that the great ship's maiden voyage would end in disaster at sea? Our guest, retired professor Terry Keefe, has recently complied over 200 different cases, many from difficult to obtain or out-of-print sources, in his new book "Premonitions of the Titanic Disaster." He will be sharing with us some of the most intriguing and eerie examples. It is another mysterious layer to the story of the ill-fated luxury steamship.

Once a year, Canadian literary giant, Robertson Davies, would write and perform a ghost story for his students and colleagues at the University of Toronto. This wonderful tradition carried on for 18 years. In the episode, we share one of the best examples of his spooky and side-splitting stories that blur the lines between fact and fiction.

In the aftermath of one of the deadliest tornadoes in US history, strange stories began to circulate in Joplin, Missouri. Children from a variety of backgrounds reported that angel-like "Butterfly People" had protected them during the terrible storm which claimed 161 lives. These incredible stories of survival are captivating and illuminate the very thin line between the divine and the paranormal. Warning: The episode contains descriptions of a massive tornadic event and the resulting destruction and loss of life. Listener discretion is advised.

We celebrate our 100th episode with a blockbuster interview! Professor Alexander Puzrin recently made international headlines for a paper he co-wrote in the Communications Earth & Environment academic journal about the Dyatlov Pass Incident. He joins us from Zurich to explain the new scientific discoveries that may finally solve one the world's most famously frustrating unsolved mysteries. Follow us as we head deep into the Ural Mountains looking for answers. Due to the unsettling nature of the tragedy, and descriptions of significant injuries, listener discretion is advised.

Has the Dyaltov Pass Incident, one of the world's most chilling mysteries, been solved? What could explain why a group of expert Russian skiers cut their way out of their own tent in the middle of a freezing cold night and wandered off into the dark without jackets and in bare feet? Avalanche? Animal attack? Military testing? Or…something much more sinister? Join us as we look back at the bizarre story before our big interview next week with one of the authors of the new headline making report.

Courtney from the Haunts Jaunts podcast chats with Jim about a variety of spooky topics. They discuss intriguing reports coming in from The Haunting at Home. Including Courtney's own experience. The reports pose questions about the nature of ghosts, reality and our perception. Of course, all this and more, with a good measure a ghost stories sprinkled throughout!

During the Victorian Era the practice of reading ghost stories out loud in groups of family or friends was very common. This was particularly true around the holidays. We are reviving this tradition with Charles Dickens' other supernatural classic, The Signalman. Some argue it is the greatest ghost story ever written. — Take part in The Haunting at Home Experiment! Looking for a fun gift idea for someone spooky in your life? Be sure to check out our gift cards and visit our online gift shop.

Do police officers believe in ghosts? What incredible and difficult to explain events have they witnessed or been called in to assist with while on duty? We are joined by Elliott Van Dusen, a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police turned paranormal investigator, to discuss the intriguing reports he has collected from his colleagues for his new book: Supernatural Encounters: True Paranormal Accounts from Law Enforcement.

What are ghosts? What do they look like? How do they act? Why do they exist? These are all fundamental questions we explore in virtually every episode of Haunted Talks. As we approach Halloween, when the boundaries between the living and the dead are most blurred – It seems only fitting that we look at these questions once again from a slightly different perspective. In 1900, an article was first published in the Chicago Tribune, "The Habits and Customs of Ghosts – Investigated By Science". It shares some truly terrifying ghost stories and provides insight into how people thought about the paranormal 120 years ago. Have ghosts changed much over that time?

Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven is a gothic masterpiece. It still gives chills and captures imaginations today. The narrator of this paranormal poetry is tormented by an ominous talking bird and haunted by the ghost of his lost love. More than enough to drive any of us to edge of sanity. In the episode, we explore the Halloween classic and share a reading of the iconic spooky tale.

While living in Bangor, Maine, Stephen King would often visit Mount Hope Cemetery for inspiration. He reportedly borrowed the names of some of his best-known characters, such as Carrie and Georgie, from headstones on the grounds. Aside from King's fictional creations, the cemetery has a well-earned reputation for being very haunted. Many visitors have reported seeing apparitions. Unexplained shadows or ghostly figures lurking about the grounds. Some have even heard the voices of small children calling out through the darkness.

This spring there was a notable surge in reports of paranormal activity in people's homes. What caused this spike and what does it mean? Is there anyway we could test to see how many of us live in haunted houses? Veteran tour guide and founder of Haunted Walk's Investigation Team, Margo MacDonald, joins us to discuss. Take part in The Haunting at Home Experiment and have a little spooky fun this Halloween Season! Please be sure to check out our new Bubble Ghost Tours in Kingston, Ottawa & Toronto, and visit our online gift shop.

"The Professor's Ghost Story" was published in newspapers across the United States in 1896. A spooky, chilling and surprising tale that combines the elements of a great ghost story with a compelling mystery. It is the story of a man and his horse, and the mischievous spirit they met along a dark country road. Is it a work of fiction or a genuine encounter with the unknown?

We examine a dastardly & largely forgotten crime that shocked a small community in Western Quebec & made headlines across North America. As dawn was breaking on a summer's morning in 1933, five family members were hunted down and brutally murdered on their farmstead. The evidence gathered from the gruesome crime scene unexpectedly pointed the finger at one of their own. We are joined by Canadian crime writer Keith Landry, author of "The Allumette Island Massacre."

The Pickman family thought they had found the perfect new home for their growing family. Within days they began to notice strange happenings. Playful at first, they became sinister and terrifying. Forcing the family to flee for their safety, leaving an incredible ghost story and countless questions in their wake. Join us as we explore the disturbing Sallie House Haunting.

Many are worrying about missing out on the best parts of Halloween this year. The haunted houses, costume parties, ghost tours and the other wonderful things that make the season awesome. What if we could give everyone a "Halloween Insurance Policy" to ensure a spooky good time no matter what? Well...that is the ambitious plan we are trying to turn into a reality with The Save Halloween Project.

There are few shows that captured the imagination quite like Unsolved Mysteries. As it gets a reboot on Netflix, we look back at one of television's most frightening and influential programs. And, prepare for what is to come. With special guest appearance by, Robert Burr, co-host of "Re-Enacted: an Unsolved Mysteries Podcast".

Convicted murderer, John Lee, managed to survive three trips to the gallows. Fulfilling the prophetic dream he had the night before his execution. Was it divine intervention on behalf of an innocent man or only a coincidence? Would the authorities try to hang him again? We conclude the epic and baffling tale of the life of John "Babbacombe" Lee. Looking for Part 1 of The Man They Couldn't Hang?

In 1884, after being found guilty of the grizzly murder of his employer, John "Babbacombe" Lee was brought to the gallows to pay for his crime. Then something completely unexpected happened. The shocking turn of events raise fundamental questions about justice, destiny and supernatural intervention.

The old Ottawa Jail is one of the most haunted buildings in North America. The Haunted Walk devotes an entire tour to share its dark and unsettling story. In the episode, Jim is interviewed by Elysee from The Real Scary Podcast, about the building's hauntings and history, and his personal paranormal encounters inside the Jail.

Casey Jones is a railroad legend and an American folk hero. With certain disaster at hand, he sacrificed his own life to save as many others as possible. We explore his life and his final fateful run with destiny.

On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we look back at our investigation into a popular Ottawa urban legend that involves the steamship, the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel, and a set of Dining Room furniture. Could the stories be true? We dig deep into the archives and find a surprising answer. Jim also provides a brief update on The Haunted Walk during the COVID-19 crisis. You can also check out our blog post with additional info: "Château Laurier Mystery Solved!"

As children, many of us have imaginary friends. These invisible entities are usually considered a normal part of growing up. But, sometimes they seem like something entirely different. Possibly even paranormal. In this episode, we will be sharing stories from our listeners about their usual or unsettling encounters with imaginary friends. We also speak with psychologist Dr. Kirk Honda, to understand more about this unique phenomena.

We put our collective psychic abilities to the test during our 3rd annual predictions episode. Haunted Walk CEO & Founder, Glen Shackleton, joins us as we predict the future and review how we did with our wild guesses about 2019.

Our annual "Behold the Future" episode is almost here! Be sure to play along with our group predictions on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and to enter your own.

We conclude our series of telling Victorian ghost stories with an absolute gem. A.M. Burrage's "One Who Saw" is a masterpiece of mood, atmosphere and anticipation. Late one a night, a hotel guest observes a strange and alluring figure sitting in the courtyard. Who is she? And what is her secret?

We continue our series reviving the Victorian tradition of reading ghost stories aloud during the Christmas season. The Toll-House written by W.W. Jacobs and first published in a book of his short stories in 1909, is unquestionably one of the best haunted house stories in British literature. Featuring special guest narrator, Margo MacDonald!