Episodes

  • Investigating the Investigators: Harry Price and the Evolution of Ghost Hunting

    Investigating the Investigators: Harry Price and the Evolution of Ghost Hunting
    Jun 10 2026
    In this episode of Poltergeists, we explore the fascinating evolution of paranormal investigation from pioneering researcher Harry Price to modern ghost hunting techniques. Harry Price, born in 1881, revolutionized the field by introducing scientific methodology to supernatural investigations, most famously at Borley Rectory, which he called 'the most haunted house in England.' We examine Price's systematic approach, including his use of controlled conditions, detailed documentation, and early recording equipment at his National Laboratory of Psychical Research. The episode also addresses the controversies surrounding Price's work and how they influenced modern investigative standards. We trace the development from Price's glass plate cameras and basic instruments to today's sophisticated digital equipment, electromagnetic field detectors, and full-spectrum cameras. Despite technological advances, the fundamental challenges remain unchanged - distinguishing genuine unexplained phenomena from natural events while accounting for psychological factors. The episode highlights how Price's emphasis on scientific rigor, public documentation, and educational outreach continues to influence contemporary paranormal researchers. We explore how modern investigators have learned from Price's controversies, emphasizing skeptical analysis and peer review. The cultural impact of Price's work on popular entertainment and folklore is also discussed, showing how his methodical approach established templates still used today in literature, film, and television portrayals of ghost hunting.
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    6 mins
  • The Amherst Mystery: Nova Scotia's Violent Spirit

    The Amherst Mystery: Nova Scotia's Violent Spirit
    Jun 3 2026
    Explore the Great Amherst Mystery, one of North America's most documented cases of alleged supernatural activity. In 1878, the small Nova Scotia town of Amherst became the center of extraordinary events surrounding nineteen-year-old Esther Cox and the Teed family home on Princess Street. This episode examines the extensive contemporary documentation, including medical reports by Dr. Nathan Tupper, investigations by stage magician Walter Hubbell, and newspaper coverage that brought national attention to the case. Unlike typical ghost stories passed down through oral tradition, the Amherst Mystery generated written records from multiple independent sources including physicians, clergy, journalists, and skeptical investigators. The phenomena allegedly included moving furniture, flying objects, spontaneous fires, and physical effects that witnesses claimed they couldn't explain through natural causes. The case occurred during the late 1800s spiritualism movement, reflecting broader cultural tensions around science, religion, and unexplained phenomena. Walter Hubbell's detailed investigation and subsequent book 'The Great Amherst Mystery' provides unique insight from a professional familiar with stage illusions. The events reportedly followed Esther Cox to different locations, continuing for several years before gradually diminishing. Today, the case remains significant for its unusual level of historical documentation and continues to interest researchers studying the intersection of folklore, psychology, and unexplained events in maritime Canadian history.
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    6 mins
  • Adolescent Energy: The Teen Connection to Poltergeist Activity

    Adolescent Energy: The Teen Connection to Poltergeist Activity
    May 27 2026
    Explore the fascinating historical pattern connecting teenagers to poltergeist phenomena in this compelling episode of Poltergeists. From the famous Bell Witch case of early 1800s Tennessee to the well-documented Enfield incident of 1970s England, we examine why adolescents frequently appear at the center of reported supernatural activity. Discover the cultural and psychological theories that attempt to explain this recurring pattern across different societies and time periods. We delve into the emotional turbulence of teenage years, family dynamics during crisis, and how communities have traditionally understood these mysterious events. Learn about the 'agent theory,' the role of stress in poltergeist cases, and the cultural significance of these stories in processing adolescent behavior. This episode presents documented historical cases and various research perspectives while treating these phenomena as fascinating cultural stories rather than verified supernatural events. Perfect for listeners interested in folklore, cultural anthropology, and the intersection of psychology with unexplained phenomena. Join us for an engaging exploration of one of the most intriguing patterns in poltergeist documentation, examining both famous cases and lesser-known incidents that have shaped our understanding of these mysterious reports throughout history.
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    6 mins
  • The Mackenzie Poltergeist: Terror in Greyfriars Cemetery

    The Mackenzie Poltergeist: Terror in Greyfriars Cemetery
    May 20 2026
    Explore the chilling case of Edinburgh's Mackenzie Poltergeist in this episode of Poltergeists. Since 1998, visitors to Greyfriars Cemetery have reported over 450 documented incidents near the tomb of Sir George Mackenzie, the notorious 17th-century persecutor of Scottish Covenanters. From unexplained physical sensations to sudden illness, witnesses including tourists, locals, and police officers have described consistent phenomena around the Black Mausoleum. We examine the historical context of 'Bloody Mackenzie's' violent legacy during Scotland's Killing Times, the incident that allegedly triggered the activity, and the ongoing mystery that has attracted international paranormal researchers. The episode explores both skeptical explanations including psychological suggestion and environmental factors, as well as the puzzling consistency of witness accounts. Discover how this case intersects history, psychology, and unexplained phenomena, making it one of Scotland's most documented supernatural cases. Join us as we investigate the terror in Greyfriars Cemetery and examine what makes the Mackenzie Poltergeist one of the most compelling modern paranormal cases in the world.
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    5 mins
  • Borley Rectory: England's Most Haunted House

    Borley Rectory: England's Most Haunted House
    May 13 2026
    Explore the legendary Borley Rectory case in this detailed examination of England's most famous haunted house. Located in Essex, Borley Rectory was home to multiple families between 1862 and 1939, all of whom reported extraordinary supernatural phenomena. From the Bull family's early encounters with a mysterious nun apparition to the intense activity experienced by the Foyster family in the 1930s, this Victorian rectory became the subject of extensive paranormal investigation. Harry Price, Britain's most prominent paranormal researcher, spent over twenty years documenting thousands of alleged incidents at Borley, including unexplained sounds, moving objects, mysterious messages, and apparitions. His investigations culminated in two influential books that brought international attention to the case. However, the Borley phenomena remain controversial, with critics questioning the methodology and conclusions of the original investigations. Despite being destroyed by fire in 1939, Borley Rectory continues to influence paranormal research and popular culture. This episode examines the documented history, key figures, reported phenomena, and ongoing debates surrounding this fascinating case that has captivated researchers and the public for nearly a century. Whether viewed as evidence of supernatural activity or as a compelling cultural phenomenon, Borley Rectory remains one of the most thoroughly documented and debated cases in paranormal literature.
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    7 mins
  • The Rosenheim Poltergeist: When Phones Attack

    The Rosenheim Poltergeist: When Phones Attack
    May 6 2026
    Dive into one of the most scientifically documented poltergeist cases in history with the Rosenheim Poltergeist of 1967-1968. This Bavarian law office became the epicenter of inexplicable phenomena including malfunctioning phones, electrical disturbances, and moving objects. What sets this case apart is the extensive scientific investigation led by Dr. Hans Bender and his team of physicists and engineers from the University of Freiburg. The phenomena centered around 19-year-old employee Annemarie Schneider, with activity intensifying in her presence and diminishing in her absence. German postal engineers and electrical company technicians found no conventional explanations for the telephone and electrical anomalies. The case attracted international attention from researchers and media, becoming a landmark study in paranormal investigation methodology. From impossible phone bills showing calls every few seconds to rotating light fixtures and moving furniture, the Rosenheim Poltergeist challenged conventional understanding of unexplained phenomena. The comprehensive documentation, credible witnesses, and systematic approach make this case a cornerstone in poltergeist research. Join us as we explore the fascinating intersection of science, skepticism, and the supernatural in this compelling German mystery that continues to intrigue researchers decades later.
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    6 mins
  • Ancient Spirits, Modern Science: Poltergeists Through History

    Ancient Spirits, Modern Science: Poltergeists Through History
    Apr 29 2026
    Journey through centuries of poltergeist documentation in this comprehensive historical exploration. From ancient Roman accounts by Pliny the Younger to medieval chroniclers and Victorian investigators like Harry Price, discover how unexplained phenomena have been recorded and studied across different cultures and time periods. This episode examines famous historical cases including the Drummer of Tedworth (1662), the Cock Lane Ghost investigation involving Samuel Johnson, and the Hydesville rappings that sparked the Spiritualist movement. Learn how modern science approaches these historical accounts, exploring natural explanations like infrasound, geological factors, and psychological phenomena that might account for reported experiences. We investigate how documentation methods evolved from medieval chronicles to systematic scientific investigation, and examine the consistent patterns that appear across cultures and centuries. The episode presents these phenomena as fascinating cultural and historical documents rather than supernatural facts, exploring what poltergeist accounts reveal about human nature and our drive to understand unexplained experiences. Perfect for history enthusiasts, folklore scholars, and anyone interested in how scientific methodology has evolved to approach unexplained phenomena throughout human civilization.
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    5 mins
  • Enfield: The Poltergeist That Shocked London

    Enfield: The Poltergeist That Shocked London
    Apr 22 2026
    Explore the infamous Enfield Poltergeist case that captivated London in the late 1970s. This episode examines the documented experiences of the Hodgson family on Green Street, where alleged paranormal phenomena including moving furniture, mysterious voices, and apparent levitations were reported over 18 months. We discuss the investigations by Maurice Grosse and Guy Lyon Playfair from the Society for Psychical Research, the controversial evidence including police testimony and photographs, and the skeptical responses from researchers like Anita Gregory. The case attracted intense media attention and continues to influence popular culture through books, documentaries, and films like The Conjuring 2. We explore how the Enfield case reflects 1970s British social anxieties and examine the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics. The episode analyzes the cultural significance of this well-documented case and its lasting impact on paranormal research and public fascination with unexplained phenomena. Join us for a balanced examination of one of Britain's most famous alleged poltergeist cases, presented through the lens of cultural history and documented testimony.
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    6 mins