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.

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!

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?

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?

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.

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“.

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.

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.

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!

During the Victorian era, the reading aloud of ghost stories was a very common practice. Particularly at holiday parties and family gathering. Over the next few episodes we will be reviving this tradition. We start with Charles Dickens' other supernatural classic, The Signalman. Which some argue, is the greatest ghost story ever written.

Happy Halloween! We have a special treat for you on the spookiest day of the year. Ring the doorbell (press play) to find out! 🔔🚪

Nestled away in the gorgeous countryside of rural Ireland is one of the world’s most haunted castles. It has been a place of betrayal, murder, confinement and intense suffering. Home to restless spirits, monstrous demons, and a dark secret hidden beneath the floorboards, this is the grim story of Castle Leap.

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 beg the question, how much evidence is enough? In the episode, we will explore the unsettling events and closely examine the key evidence that make the Enfield Poltergeist such a compelling and frightening case. (View Images)

This summer we gave ourselves a challenge. Could we definitively solve an urban legend about the Fairmont Château Laurier, one of Canada's most well-known (and haunted) hotels? After months of research, we believe we have uncovered the new evidence that decisively settles the matter. You can also check our blog post: "Château Laurier Mystery Solved!"

Vicksburg, Mississippi has a dark & troubled history. Sitting high above the Mississippi River, it was a key strategic position for the Confederate Army during the US Civil War. The Union attempted two unsuccessful assaults, before laying siege and bombarding the city for 47 days straight . There were over 20,000 casualties. We are joined by Morgan Gates, owner of Haunted Vicksburg, to discuss the city’s history and its many ghost stories.