Best Richard Hatems Paranormal Bookshelf Podcasts (2025)

1
SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: Living with Ghosts 1:33:34

14d ago1:33:34

1:33:34

What does it actually feel like to be a psychic medium? What is it like to have ghosts be a constant part of your otherwise normal life? Cindy Valenzuela and Colleen McKinnie can tell you -- because they are both in touch with the spirit world every day. They are both wives and mothers, they have professional careers -- and they can communicate wit…

1
S04E31 - Catching Up May 2025 43:06

26m ago43:06

43:06

Blake and Karen take a minute to catch their breath and talk about where things are in their lives and what's up next in MonsterTalk news. Links: Bitch: The Journey of a Word Adhesive Capsulitis Idiopathic Illnesses Mechanical Turk Speaking Machine Replica of Speaking Machine (YouTube) Wolfgang von Kempelen Deep Mind Deep Blue Marvin Minsky John Mc…

1
27: The Scented Ghost 26:34

3d ago26:34

26:34

In tonight’s dead letter, we dive into "The Scented Ghost," a story from Buffalo, New York, shared by our listener Cheryl. In her old apartment, she and her boyfriend often noticed a strong, unusual floral scent, which could selectively present itself to either one of them. Things got eerie when Cheryl encountered a mysterious figure one night, lea…

1
S04E30 Dinos & Dragons - Part 2 34:55

4d ago34:55

34:55

This is part two of our two part look at Dragons and how these mythical beasts are being used to promote Creationism. Our guest is Dr. Philip Senter and he's the author of a new book about this topic. We use the word bullsh!t a lot in this episode so I slapped an explicit tag on - but I don't think it's too explicit otherwise. Get Dr. Senter's book…

1
The Max Headroom Pirate TV Incident Part 2 2:21:22

6d ago2:21:22

2:21:22

In Part 2 of our series on the Max Headroom Broadcast Signal Interruption, we dig deeper into the analog chaos that unfolded in 1987 Chicago — a surreal, rebellious hijacking that mocked media itself. We explore the investigation, the lingering mystery, and what it says about how we interact with technology, culture, and entertainment today. Who wa…

1
26: There's No Place like Gnome 29:05

10d ago29:05

29:05

In tonight’s dead letter, listener Leah experiences repeated visits from what appear to be gnome-like beings. The visits began after she began practicing Wicca, and thankfully, these mysterious creatures appear to be non-threatening…but persistent. Are they simply hallucinations connected to sleep paralysis, or are they part of the fabric of realit…

1
S04E29 - Dinos & Dragons - Part 1 31:30

11d ago31:30

31:30

This is part one of our two part look at Dragons and how these mythical beasts are being used to promote Creationism. Our guest is Dr. Philip Senter and he's the author of a new book about this topic. Get Dr. Senter's book here: The Real Story of Dinosaurs and Dragons Read more about "The Dragon of Bologna" Another Book about fake historical zoolog…

1
25: Knockin' on Devil's Den Door 27:46

17d ago27:46

27:46

In tonight's dead letter, we explore the eerie experiences of Allie, a PhD candidate from the University of Arkansas, who revisits the hauntingly notorious Devil's Den in the Ozark National Forest. As shared with hosts Scott and Forrest, Allie's research expeditions become unsettling when she feels an unseen presence and hears unexplained banging n…

1
S04E28 The Victor Hotel Ghost 47:48

18d ago47:48

47:48

Matt & Karen went out for a little getaway weekend to Victor, Colorado and ended up investigating the allegedly haunted Victor Hotel. Did Eddie die in the hotel elevator? Was Matt caught in embarrassing circumstances? Find out inside! The show notes here won't show the images so you'll need to hop over to our episode webpage to see them. https://ww…

1
The Max Headroom Pirate TV Incident Part 1 2:05:02

20d ago2:05:02

2:05:02

Before streaming and scrolling there was broadcast television—shared signals sent through the air for anyone with an antenna to catch. But when something’s that open, it’s also open to hijacking. In part one of our two-part series, we dig into one of the most bizarre and legendary cases of broadcast piracy: the Max Headroom Incident. On November 22…

1
24: The Shadow Man Who Wasn't There 15:28

24d ago15:28

15:28

In tonight's dead letter, we hear from Jada who encountered a shadowy figure with red eyes on two separate occasions in different locations. The first sighting occurred during a summer church camp, but the second happened years later and was witnessed by her boyfriend, who doesn’t believe in this kind of stuff. Are hauntings tied to people rather t…

1
S04E27 - Jewish Mysticism and Dybbuks with Peter Bebergal 51:51

25d ago51:51

51:51

We're excited to welcome back Peter Bebergal. This time we're talking about mysticism and dybbuks. Be sure and check out the links below including the upcoming talk Peter is giving April 14th for The Last Tuesday Society. Peter on Jewish Boston podcast All the Haunts Be Ours (affiliate link) 15-Disk Horror Collection The Ibbur from Jewish mysticism…

1
23: Unwanted Houseguests 32:06

1M ago32:06

32:06

In tonight’s dead letter, a listener shares her stories of a childhood filled with unexplained phenomena in her family home just outside Toronto. From a mischievous spectral boy seen by the whole family to disembodied voices and a chilling sense of dread, their experiences were chalked up to "ghosts" as a family joke. But the story takes a strange …

1
S04E26 - A Natural History of Sea Serpents with Adrian Shine 54:31

1M ago54:31

54:31

We're delighted to get to talk with Adrian Shine, who has worked for decades to raise awareness about Loch Ness and investigated the legendary creature said to inhabit the dark waters of that deep Scottish lake. He's written a new book about Sea Monsters and their connection to the Loch Ness Mystery which releases April 1st, 2025. A Natural History…

1
What Lies Beneath the Pyramids of Egypt 1:59:57

1M ago1:59:57

1:59:57

This week, we dive into a viral story that is captivating social media and stirring global debate — a supposed discovery beneath the sands of Giza that some are calling the find of the century. Descriptions of a vast, multi-level complex with geometric passageways, deep shafts, and mysterious chambers have sparked theories ranging from ancient powe…

1
22: Bunny in a Tuxedo 34:08

1M ago34:08

34:08

In tonight’s dead letter, we delve into a truly bizarre family tale spanning generations. Taylor shares her mother's childhood encounter with a giant, tuxedo-clad bunny rabbit residing in her friend's shower—a story echoed by her own childhood sighting of a similar figure. Could this be a family secret, a shared hallucination, or something far more…

1
RHPB First Anniversary! 41:00

1M ago41:00

41:00

It’s our First Anniversary! Richard Hatem’s Paranormal Bookshelf debuted one year ago today, and to celebrate we’re re-broadcasting the very first episode where Richard receives the book that changes his life -- and gets introduced to his very first paranormal bookshelf. Join Richard and everyone here at RHPB as we celebrate the episode that starte…

1
S04E25 - Demon Sex in Medieval Times PT 2 32:24

1M ago32:24

32:24

We're back with part 2 of our interview with Dr. Eleanor Janega to discuss Demons in Medieval Europe - and a lot of that has to do with sexy sex. So… another EXPLICIT tag! Eleanor's Blog Going-Medieval Eleanor's book The Once and Future Sex The Apocalypse Tapestry of Angers (The Guardian) The Apocalypse Tapestry (Wikipedia) YouTube videos with Elea…

1
A Scared to Death Timesuck with Dan Cummins 1:36:55

1M ago1:36:55

1:36:55

This week, we welcome master storyteller, podcaster, and comedian Dan Cummins, creator of the hit shows Timesuck and Scared to Death. Known for his deep dives into historical mysteries and the supernatural, Dan brings scholarly research paired with sharp wit. We’ve long admired the quality and depth of his work, which often parallels our own. Our c…

1
21: A Call From Beyond 32:29

2M ago32:29

32:29

In tonight’s Dead Letter, we explore a mysterious phone call received by long-time listener Michelle in the 1980s. The caller identified himself as "Uncle Bill," a relative she had never known, leaving a lasting impression on her and her family. Her parents' stunned reaction to the call adds to the unsettling mystery. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…

1
20: The Haunted Firehouse 23:13

2M ago23:13

23:13

Due to an error last week, this Dead Letter Office didn't make it to the main feed so here it is now! There's a NEW one tomorrow too! In tonight’s dead letter, we explore the chilling tales of paranormal activity at a haunted firehouse, as recounted by volunteer firefighter Ken Sanner Jr. Ken details a series of unsettling events, from flickering l…

1
S04E24 Demon Sex in Medieval Times 28:44

2M ago28:44

28:44

We're joined by the engaging historian Dr. Eleanor Janega to talk about how the people of Europe considered demonic sex during the medieval period of history. This episode is in two parts, and both are explicit. Presenter on the History Hit channel - https://www.historyhit.com/ Blog - https://going-medieval.com/ Medievalist, author, blogs about med…

1
S04E23 Remembering Joe Nickell 17:10

2M ago17:10

17:10

A brief remembrance of our friend, Joe Nickell. (December 1, 1944 – March 4, 2025) Joe Nickell's extraordinary life came to an end on Tuesday, March 4th and we're posting this brief remembrance this week instead of our regular episode. Check out Joe's many "personas." The Science of Monsters: Tracking the Real-Life Creatures Archive episodes with J…

1
Battle of Los Angeles 2:13:00

2M ago2:13:00

2:13:00

On the night of February 25, 1942, less than three months after Pearl Harbor, Los Angeles was gripped by fear as air raid sirens wailed and a total blackout stretched to the Mexican border. Powerful arc lamps lit up the sky, and anti-aircraft guns fired wildly as reports of enemy aircraft flooded in — some claiming planes crashed down across the ci…

1
19: Not of this Earth 39:38

2M ago39:38

39:38

In tonight’s dead letter, we explore a listener’s astonishing story connecting to the infamous USS Nimitz Tic-Tac UFO incident. Mike recounts childhood encounters with doppelgangers and later, his ex-wife's dream of grays influencing her pregnancy. Their son even refers to a "space dad," adding another layer to this already unbelievable tale. We we…

1
S2 Ep10: Glimpses of Eternity 1:05:25

2M ago1:05:25

1:05:25

On July 27, 2011, Richard Hatem came home from work to find a book waiting for him—Glimpses of Eternity by Raymond Moody. He remembers the date well, because it was also the day he got fired. And if you’ve ever been fired, you know the feeling: shock, relief, maybe a strange sense of joy. It also ushered in a phase of creative revival and explorati…

1
S04E22 Women in the Paranormal 57:24

2M ago57:24

57:24

We're joined by Allison Jornlin (paranormalwomen.com) to talk about the footprint of women in the field of parapsychology and paranormal investigation. We most recently talked with Allison during "the dark times" on our COVID-era MonsterTalk Live series. She also covered the Chicago Mothman flap with us back in 2018! Become a supporter of this podc…

1
18: The Co-Worker's Gift 25:15

2M ago25:15

25:15

In tonight’s dead letter, we delve into a truly astonishing story from listener Gus about his daughter Tara. Tara's coworker, on her last shift before college, revealed he could see spirits and described three surrounding Tara – her deceased grandparents and grandmother, accurately detailing their names, causes of death, and even the months they pa…

1
S04E21 The Cave of the Winds 48:25

2M ago48:25

48:25

Is the cave of the winds near Manitou Springs, CO HAUNTED!? Matt Baxter has investigated and he joins us to talk about what he found. Related Links: Spooky Science Sisters - Roanoke episode with Karen In Research Of… The Lost Colony - Blake & Jeb Card discuss the In Search Of… episode about Roanoke. Eclectic Shopping options in Manitou Springs The …

1
The Baldoon Mystery with Dr. Rick Fehr 2:29:00

2M ago2:29:00

2:29:00

In the fall of 1829, a Scottish settlement was thrown into turmoil by an invisible tormentor whose nightly mischief escalated into arson. Despite constant watch and attempted exorcisms, flames erupted repeatedly in one targeted home until its terrified occupants fled, only to see it burn to the ground. Seeking refuge in a neighboring house, they we…

1
17: Peripheral Presence 26:50

2M ago26:50

26:50

Listener Chloe’s Dead Letter starts out talking about the infamous Greyfriars Kirkyard. One of the earliest topics on the main show here at Astonishing Legends. It quickly transitions to her visit to the Edinburgh underground vaults and an unsettling experience she had there on a ghost tour. The Astonishing Dead Letter Office - Where Your Stories D…

1
S2 Ep9: Investigating Mediums 54:29

3M ago54:29

54:29

Investigating Mediums by Julie Beischel, PhD. In this episode, join Richard Hatem as he cracks open Investigating Mediums by Dr. Julie Beischel. In her book, Dr. Beischel attempts a scientific exploration into the world of psychic mediums. What began as an academic pursuit for Dr. Beischel evolved into years of testing and research—none of which ha…

1
S04E20 - Understand Japan's Dan Da Dan [Explicit] 53:15

2M ago53:15

53:15

We're joined by Dr. Justin Mullis to get a better understanding of the incredibly lore-dense anime series Dan Da Dan. Justin's academia profile Legend of Momotaro Some links recommended by Justin: This is a really good video about the history of the Flatwoods Monster in Japanese video games. Highly recommended. This is the Religious Dispatches arti…

1
Seth Breedlove - Small Town Monster 2:15:00

3M ago2:15:00

2:15:00

This week, we’re delving into the world of cryptids and unexplained phenomena again with Seth Breedlove, founder of Small Town Monsters. Celebrating 10 years of documenting America’s legends, 2025 promises to be their most ambitious year yet with four new projects. We'll discuss Dawn of the Dogman, exploring Michigan’s mysterious Dogman, and The Ki…

1
16: The Underwater Trip 14:54

3M ago14:54

14:54

In tonight’s dead letter, Jonathan, a self-described skeptic and psychonaut, recounts his experience taking DMT that led to an encounter with an omniscient entity, sparking a discussion about the nature of reality and the potential for interdimensional beings. The guys talk about similar experiences, highlighting the parallels between Jonathan's ps…

1
S04E19 - Monsters of the Heart 40:57

3M ago40:57

40:57

As Valentine's day bears down upon us, we turn to the monsters whose origins lie in passion, betrayal, and tragedy. If love is the strongest human emotion, surely rage at betrayal is its nightmarish mirror - and such emotions are embodied in a variety of creatures around the world and throughout history. Content Warning - this episode contains stor…

1
15: Voices in My Ear 20:37

3M ago20:37

20:37

In tonight’s dead letter, listener Nicole recounts a chilling experience of hearing a male voice in her head during a protection ritual. This unsettling event is similar to Tess's experience at the Sallie House, and it highlights the unpredictable nature of opening oneself to the unseen. One must take precautions when engaging with the paranormal w…

1
S2: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: Questions & Answers — with Richard Hatem 53:19

3M ago53:19

53:19

It's a SPECIAL RHPB BONUS EPISODE! Grab a drink, sit down by the fireplace and join Richard as he answers the questions you've been asking him since the show began! From favorite authors to TV show plot twists; from Bible classes to the Sex Pistols; from cocktails to cats-and-dogs to cursing — he covers it all! And find out just how and when he'll …

1
S04E18 - Grave Rubbers from CyberSpace! 42:13

3M ago42:13

42:13

Cemeteries Cleaning and Grave Rubbing - Karen and Blake are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the ethics and best practices around maintaining and preserving graveyards. Links for Grave Rubbers from CyberSpace: The article that inspired this conversation (via The Conversation) Ken Feder (friend of the show and emeritus professor of archaeology) sent…

1
14: It's Ok Karl 10:34

3M ago10:34

10:34

This week's Astonishing Dead Letter Office features a heartwarming story of a benevolent haunting at their family's camp in Gorham, New Hampshire. After the death of listener Karl’s father's friend Andy, the family began experiencing strange occurrences at the camp, including a deformed screen door that appeared to have Andy's face imprinted on it …

1
S04E17 The Ghost of Ticonderoga with Joseph Gagne 42:26

3M ago42:26

42:26

This week we're welcoming back historian Dr Joseph Gagne to tell us about a ghost story that straddles North America and Scotland. He was last with us to tell us about the legend of La Corriveau in episode 181. Appearances of the Dead: A Cultural History of Ghosts by Ronald C. Finucane - mentioned by Joseph as his introduction to this story. This i…

1
The Mysterious Disappearance of Ambrose Bierce Part 2 1:54:52

3M ago1:54:52

1:54:52

This week on Astonishing Legends, we conclude our two-part exploration into the enigmatic disappearance of Ambrose Bierce. Last week, we chronicled his vibrant life and career, culminating in his mysterious 1913 journey into Mexico. This week, we delve deeper, examining the turbulent backdrop of the Mexican Revolution and how it might have played a…

1
13: Swami Mystery Talking Board 23:37

3M ago23:37

23:37

In tonight’s chilling episode, Nina shares her unsettling experience with a vintage Swami Mystery talking board. After acquiring this antique off-brand Ouija Board, she suffers a severe concussion and begins having vivid, disturbing nightmares featuring mysterious figures and ominous symbolism. Always think twice when messing around with talking bo…

1
S2 Ep8: The Other Side - Part 2 46:52

3M ago46:52

46:52

"The Other Side" by Bishop James A. Pike, with Diane Kennedy Part 2 We’re back on The Other Side, diving deeper into Bishop James A. Pike’s gripping search for a connection with his late son – and Richard Hatem’s high-stakes hijinks as a burgeoning writer chasing his dream. While Pike wrestles with the profound—and sometimes unsettling—realities of…

1
S04E16 - The Houdini Seance and Arthur Ford, Spiritualist 48:56

3M ago48:56

48:56

Today we're discussing the strange story of The Houdini Seance and Arthur Ford the Spiritualist. The last Houdini Seance (1936) - Audio + Story Bess Houdini Arthur Ford - Spiritualist Arthur Ford - Obituary The Houdini Code The Bishop James Pike Was Pike Seance Hoax? The Skeptics Dictionary: Arthur Ford Become a supporter of this podcast: https://w…

1
The Mysterious Disappearance of Ambrose Bierce Part 1 1:50:59

4M ago1:50:59

1:50:59

Ambrose Bierce, famed author of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, vanished without a trace in 1913 at the age of 71. Bierce had a long and storied career, having been a soldier in the Civil War, a journalist, and a successful author. He was known for his dark humor and cynical outlook. In part one of this two-part series, we delve into the mystery…

1
12: Stained 15:06

4M ago15:06

15:06

Tonight's Dead Letter is about a chilling overnight investigation at 30 East Drive in Pontefract, West Yorkshire – the infamous home of the Black Monk of Pontefract. A long standing Poltergeist we covered on our main show in a three part series back in late 2018. We delve into our listener's unsettling experience during a séance and Ouija board ses…

1
S04E15 The Green Eyes Festival 37:59

4M ago37:59

37:59

In the mountains of North Georgia on a spooky civil war battlefield there is a legend of a green eyed monster. This is not that story. This is the story of the new festival set up to commemorate the monster, but also bring people and revenue to this rural southern town. We'll be talking with Nate Tucker and Dillan Whisenant about their experience k…

1
2025 Next Episode Announcement! 1:34

4M ago1:34

1:34

A very important announcement about our next episode!By Astonishing Legends Productions

1
11: Hatman Assault 16:23

4M ago16:23

16:23

Tonight's Dead Letter is about a series of chilling encounters with mysterious entities that have haunted our listener, Alan, for years. He had unsettling experiences with sleep paralysis, including a confrontation with a shadowy figure wearing a fedora and a static-like being delivering phantom punches, in a rare case of someone being actually phy…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Richard Hatems Paranormal Bookshelf Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen