The Ghost Furnace Podcast

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 171 "Crossroads"

On this episode of the Ghost Furnace we take a look at the intersection of True Crime and Folklore. There is certainly a Venn diagram of the audiences for these subjects, but also the stories and their impacts on our culture. It's easy to look at stories in silo's or existing in one category but not another. If we can remember to use both of these perspectives, we often find a deeper understanding of an event and its effects.

The Ghost Furnace Episode 170 "Weird Tales from Western Maryland w/ Susan Fair"

This week we welcome back our friend and author Susan Fair to talk about her new book "Weird Tales from Western Maryland". This book really does have something for everyone. Are you looking for a new cryptid? Haunted Hotels? Ghost Roads? Venomous snakes? We got you covered. For an area only covering a few counties, there is an absolute wealth of stories that inform us about how things used to be, and spoiler alert, they weren't what you'd expect. All this is delivered in Susan's signature prose which makes this content both intellectually stimulating for the seasoned paranormal or folkloric reader, or someone looking for a fun read on some really wild topics. You can find Susan's latest along with her other titles, wherever fine books are sold.

On this episode of the Ghost Furnace, we start our film experiment down at a local park which has a storied history of activity. This particular way of supposedly making contact with the other side comes from an old John Keel book and also a more contemporary piece of parapsychological work called the Scole Experiment. We took some cues from both and added some of our own nuance. Though, like most experiments, even if it is wildly successful, it will likely do little to sway the hearts and minds of the masses. So at best, it will be a data point in the never ending pursuit of the Other, and at least, it was a literal walk in the park.

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 168 "Ghost Light no.9 - Knock Knock"

This week's episode is a ghost light, we were originally going to simply prep for our upcoming experiment in a local park. However, there was some recent activity we thought we would share with everyone. Sometimes determining if something is paranormal in origin or simply a mundane coincidence, is all about context. If you have a story you'd like to share, you can reach out to us on YouTube, Instagram or at TheGhostFurancePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 167 "Ghost Writers"

This week we share an old Dr. PA episode which we feel is relevant to the season ahead. It's hard pinning down where stories come from, especially in a small town. We've added and retracted plenty ourselves over the years. Things we thought were gospel truth, only to find contemporary sources that contradict the accepted narrative. Yet others, we thought HAD to be completely made up, giving us pause at the threshold of the unknown. If you have a story you'd like to share, you can find us on YouTube, Instagram or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 166 "After Death Communication"

We are joined this week by our good friend, and Ghost Furnace veteran, Brian to do a proper deep dive into a subject he is uniquely informed on. Everyone has lost loved ones. Even in the least tragic situations, it can still be a shattering experience. There are lots of healthy, and unhealthy ways to process these losses. One element which can help, is finding a sense of continued connection to a loved one. Which can mean carrying on a tradition, or adding some remembrance to your daily life. Many people, apparently 30-50% statistically, receive another kind of continued connection through the many forms of after death communication with their past loved ones. We delve into those stories, what might be happening and how it can help those left behind. If you have a story you'd like to share, you can find us on Instagram, YouTube or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 165 "Spirit Communication"

On this week's episode we ask some fundamental questions about spirit communication and its distinction from channeling. When using tools while ghost hunting such as pendulums, dowsing, or ouiji are the spirits acting on those objects, or on us? Being safe and comfortable has to play a roll in the effectiveness of these communications, just like with the living. This conversation leads to us kicking off an experiment we'll be returning to in the future, regardless of the results. If you have a story you'd like to share, or a story you'd like us to research, you can find us on YouTube, Instagram or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 164 "Lost & Found"

On this week's episode, we share a recent family story with a happy ending, to try and reset the vibe on some of the darker content we've had this summer. There is something about things coming in threes. When it comes to the paranormal, it's no different. Often times when we have recurring sightings, multiple witnesses, angels, or synchronicities, it does FEEL like an accumulation of assurance is happening that what we are experiencing is really happening the way we've imagined. Regardless of the accuracy of our assessment of the mechanism in these strange moments, they do seem to turn into the best stories. If you have a story you'd like to share, or for us to research, you can find us on Instagram, YouTube or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 163 "Close to Home"

This week we wander the backroads while talking updates to a cold case that has been on our minds as of late. True crime is a difficult area for us. The points where it intersects with folklore can be valuable for inspecting how we deal with tragedy, but this runs the risk of becoming too objective and removed from events that still affect people in our communities to this day. Do you have a story you'd like to share, or have us research? You can reach out on Instagram, YouTube or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 162 "Return to Dent's Run"

On this episode, we head back to Elk County to the little town of Dent's Run. We've talked about this little gem, nestled in the PA Wilds, on more than one occasion, but it is truly the folkloric gift that keeps on giving. This latest development brings dramatic sounding new information to the table, whether you think it helps, or hurts the likelihood of there being tons of lost civil war era gold in the hills, is up for some debt evidently. If you have a story you'd like to share, or for us to research, please reach out to us on Instagram, YouTube or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 161 "Scotia Barrens"

Sometimes you come across a location which feels like they are in their own little world. Scotia is one of those. Set apart geographically, ecologically, and according to some, spiritually. After finally getting to explore it, we have a few thoughts to share along with the story of the Black Ghost of Scotia. If you have a story you'd like to share, or a subject you'd like us to research, you can find us on Instagram, YouTube and TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 160 "Black Cat Tarot Redux"

On this week's show we welcome back Dana from Black Cat Tarot. Nic has never had a reading before. So we thought this was a great excuse to give him some insights on a few questions, via the cards, but it would give all those who have never had a reading an example of how these sessions work, hopefully demystifying the process a bit.

If you have a story you'd like to share, you can find us on YouTube, Instagram and TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 159 "The Keystone Hagstone w/ Timothy Renner"

On this week's episode we welcome back author, podcaster, musician and artist Timothy Renner to speak about his new book "The Keystone Hagstone: Faeries and Other Mysterious Entities of Pennsylvania" This book does a fantastic job of bringing light to forgotten stories of lesser known denizens of the commonwealth. Tim digs through historical accounts to parse out new connections between the roots of those who have settled in Penn's woods and how those cultural frameworks give us a unique perspective on the Other. This is essential reading for anyone who is interested in folklore and the spookier side of the state.

Please support Tim by checking out the links below:

Etsy link for book

Patreon

StrangeFamilairs.com

If you have a story you'd like to share, you can reach out to us on Instagram, YouTube, or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

Ghost Furnace Episode 158 "Cemetery Honey"

On this episode we take another run at recording an on-site episode at a local historic and reportedly haunted cemetery. The first time around, we were plagued by electronic problems, this time we fared much better, but not without some weirdness. If you have a story you'd like to share, or something you'd like us to look into, you can find us on Instagram, YouTube and TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 157 "The Problem with Disclosure"

On this week's episode we look at the latest cache of UPA evidence released by the pentagon over the last month. There are a lot of documents, photos and videos to sort through, and some dedicated researchers are no doubt already pulling out the most compelling and connective files to help bolster the hypothesis that there are unexplained things in our skies, and the government knows what, and who, is behind these phenomena.... That was the story we were planning on covering this week, but after looking at the evidence, we have another conversation we need to address first: the problem with disclosure. If you have a story you'd like to share, or one you'd like us to look into, you can find us on YouTube, Instagram and TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 156 "Dr. PA - Murder Swamp"

The week we go back about 10 years to a Dr. Pennsylvania episode which was probably our most graphic subject, the murder swamp. This is one of those stories that when we started digging into it, we couldn't believe it wasn't more known, or talked about. Which made us start to wonder, what other horrors were hidden in plain sight around us? If you like this kinda thing and want to listen to those old episodes of Dr. PA, they are still available on most podcast destinations, or here is the page. If you have a story you'd like to share, or want us to look into, you can find us on Instagram, YouTube and TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 155 "Butler Paranormal Investigations"

This week we are joined by our new friends Joyce, Alex, Rachel and Rebecca from Butler Paranormal Investigations. They have been at it for almost 20 years and have accumulated the knowledge, skills and stories to show for it. Over the last few years they've shifted focus to education and sharing what they've learned with the public in hopes of helping those with questions about spirits. We had a really fun conversation and think you'll all enjoy hearing about their methodology, educational, and technological approaches to this field.

If you have questions, need help or want to follow along with their journey, you can find them at

Instagram

Facebook

Butlerparanormalinvesitgations@gmail.com

If you have thoughts or stories you'd like to share, you can find us on YouTube, Instagram or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

This week we head to the center of the commonwealth, to a unique park nestled high in the Allegheny plateau. Like much of the area, its history, stories and folklore are as diverse as the ecosystems they are spawned from. In this case, the anaerobic bog, carnivorous plants and dark waters give us ghost lights, phantom hitchhikers and mysterious cryptids.

The reason we are focusing on this park presently, is because last week I, (Bond), was able to attend the Hemlocks to Hellbenders Outdoor Content Creator meetup, which is put on by our good friend Christian from Hemlocks to hellbenders and held at Black Moshannon state park. We were lucky to have the event sponsored by Happy Valley Adventure Bureau along with support from the PA DNCR, PA Game Commission, Centred Outdoors and more. If you don't already support these organizations, please check them out along with folks who supplied us with PA centric goodies like Blood Rose Gettysburg, Purple Lizard Maps, and Sister Sunflowers. I was truly humbled to be among such kind, knowledgeable and enthusiastic company. I learned a lot from both the attendees and the industry professionals who were so generous with their time and expertise. I was thrilled to be able to share some of my own stories and highlight legends of the commonwealth's ghosts, cryptids and folklore that remind us we are a part of one grand tale playing out one adventure at a time.

Here is the blog we mention in the episode: https://thepennsylvaniarambler.wordpress.com/author/pennsylvaniarambler/

If you have thoughts or a story you'd like to share, you can find us on YouTube, Instagram or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 153 "Tri-County Terror"

On this weeks episode, we start with one of our favorite stories from a local investigator Stan Gordon. A classic from 1973 that was formative early on around the correlation between UFO sightings and other strange events and, in this case, creatures. Then we touch of a few of his newer stories that fill out the spectrum of weirdness. If you have a story you'd like to share, you can find us on Instagram, YouTube and TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 152 "American Witches w/ Susan Fair"

On this weeks episode we welcome back author and researcher Susan Fair. This time to talk about her book "American Witches - A Broomstick Tour through Four Centuries". We've been wanting to sit down and speak with her about this book since even before the first time she was on the show. This is such a wonderfully written book which adds just enough humor and levity to make it easy to read, while covering some truly dark periods of our history. We can't recommend this book highly enough. If you're new to this subject, it's an accessible introduction. If you're a learned scholar on how the label of witches has evolved and been used in our history, this will be a fun read. Either way, we can't recommend it enough. If you have a story you'd like to share, you can find us on Instagram, YouTube or TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com