A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Krawczyk, the passionate owner of Little Ghosts Books, a spine-chilling bookstore nestled in the heart of Toronto. We delved into the intriguing world of running a horror-themed bookshop and received a treasure trove of recommendations to spookify our summer reading lists. Topping the list was A Darkness Absolute, a captivating collection of scary short stories crafted by the talented Canadian author, Caitlin Marceau, who joins us to give a special reading of the story that inspired the collection’s haunting title. Once the echoes of Caitlin’s chilling words settle, we’ll be joined by Chris and Caitlin for a conversation that explores the essence of the story, the macabre allure of the entire collection, and the profound experience of being a writer in the world of horror.
An intriguing question from a listener takes us on a wild ride, culminating in the revelation of never-before-heard ghost stories about a US landmark. Haiden Nelson, a collection technician at The Durham Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, joins us to share her strange experience and several delightfully eerie tales about the restless spirits that might roam the museum. These stories have never been shared with the public before and we will be among the first people in the world to hear them.
In his book “The Third Man Factor: Surviving the Impossible,” John Geiger explores the mysterious and fascinating phenomenon of individuals experiencing the sensation of a “third man” or presence during moments of extreme stress or danger. From mountain climbers and explorers to prisoners of war and disaster survivors, Geiger examines numerous accounts of people reporting the feeling of an unexplained presence aiding and guiding them through these harrowing experiences.
Listen in on our discussion with John as we delve deeper into the Third Man Factor, exploring the stories of those who have experienced it and the implications for our understanding of the paranormal, human consciousness and resilience in the face of adversity.
John Geiger is the CEO of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He is the internationally bestselling author of seven books, a former chair of the Editorial Board of The Globe and Mail and has been awarded with the Order of Canada.
There are many people who have claimed to be able to contact the dead. Some identify as mediums or seers or psychics, saying they have a special ability to connect to the other side. For the purposes of this episode, we’re not exploring or questioning the practice of séances or the identity of mediums; we’re specifically looking at historical figures who have been exposed as frauds who were in the business solely to make money. Their crimes, which were extremely widespread in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were not victimless and ended up tarnishing the reputation of genuine spiritualists and investigators, still affecting the validity of paranormal research to this day.