Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4 Ep12: Believe it or Not! With Blake Smith | 06 Nov 2026 | 01:26:24 | |
“I know more than one super-skeptical person who is unsettled by the commonalities that people report from Ayahuasca. Having your ego dissolve, seeing clockwork elves and snake imagery… Very common things that happen, and it’s like: ‘That bothers me’.” LINKS: | |||
| S4: The Omen Trilogy – and Beyond! With Bryan Edward Hill | 23 Oct 2026 | 01:35:57 | |
This week I’m joined by my old Titans friend Bryan Edward Hill as we break down the three films comprising the Omen Trilogy – all of which ask the haunting question: “What if the Anti-Christ was real -- and living among us right now?” The Omen, starring Lee Remick and Gregory Peck, was released in 1976 to massive critical and box office success. It is now considered a masterpiece of modern horror. It spawned two feature film sequels, a TV-movie, a 2006 remake, a 2015 TV series, and most recently, a “pre-quel” which is somewhat confusingly titled The First Omen even though chronologically it could be considered the fourth, fifth or even sixth Omen (depending on how you count your Omens). Bryan and I focus the first three films, and then we get into the short-lived A&E series Damien, primarily because I worked on the show and wrote one of the episodes. We talk about everything from the incredible casting of all three films to the academy award nominated score, to various ways the story can (and should) continue today. And along the way we answer the questions: where did the idea for David Seltzer’s original screenplay come from? How did they film the iconic “Baboon Attack” sequence? What famous political family was the Thorns based on? And would you trust a guy named Bugenhagen if he told you that the only way to save the world was to murder your own child with the Seven Sacred Daggers of Megiddo? St. Louis native Bryan Edward Hill is a director, screenwriter and comic book author whose television work includes Ash vs. The Evil Dead and HBO Max’s Titans. His comic book work includes American Carnage, Kilmonger, Blade, Fallen Angels and Ultimate Black Panther. | |||
| S4: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Forrest Burgess Explains It All For You | 09 Oct 2026 | 01:31:33 | |
Astonishing Legends co-host Forrest Burgess makes his RHPB debut to kick off the Halloween Season and reveal his “Top 5 Favorite Paranormal Books”! Of course, first we have to argue about the format of the episode, whether or not I explained it to him clearly, and how is he even supposed to narrow it down to five?!? But rest assured, we “count ‘em down!” – just like Casey Kasem and “America’s Top Forty”! And along the way we talk about everything from “Summer-ween” to Alien Pool Parties to The Odessa File to Tarot Cards to Silence of the Lambs, astral travel, Scott Philbrook, Mike Tyson, the Lizard Man, Spooky Action at a Distance – and all of Forrest’s Girlfriends! If you know Forrest, you know it’s gonna get weird. And if you don’t, well… you have been warned. PLUS: BONUS PATREON CONTENT! For Patreon members at the Obsessed Fan Level -- Forrest Burgess joins me to reveal and discuss his FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME! Only on Patreon! LINKS: To buy all of the books Forrest recommends, please go to https://bookshop.org/ | |||
| S4: The Light in the Dark Tour 2026 – Wrap Up with Susan Lambert | 25 Sep 2026 | 01:48:55 | |
Richard is back from the Light in the Dark Tour 2026! Join Richard and his wife (and RHPB executive producer) Susan Lambert as they discuss everything from Richard’s yearlong scheme to finally appear on “Woo-Woo with Rachel Dratch”, to the last minute decision to embark on the tour alone, to Scott Philbrook’s shocking news about getting COVID which basically made Richard certain that he had COVID too just by talking about it, to all the performances of RHPB and all the beautiful, kind and amazing fans we met along the way! LINKS: Need help with your personal writing projects? Richard is here to help! Get 20% off when you mention RHPB! https://www.richardhatem.com/ | |||
| S4 Ep11: Welcome New Listeners! Revisit Episode 1: Ghosts & Specters | 16 Sep 2026 | 00:44:03 | |
Welcome New Listeners! Revisit Episode 1: Ghosts & Specters Show Description: Hey Everybody! I just had the pleasure of appearing on “Woo-Woo with Rachel Dratch”! So, I’m re-broadcasting the very first episode of RHPB (“Ghosts & Specters”) for new listeners and anyone who wants to hear it again. (And don’t worry, the episodes don’t run in chronological order, so you can actually start anywhere…) If you’re new here -- welcome aboard! I’m so thrilled to have you here! LINKS: Get tickets to Richard Hatem’s “Light in the Dark Tour 2026” LIVE!: https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink | |||
| S4: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Holy Ghosts with Peter Laws | 11 Sep 2026 | 01:13:26 | |
“I love the idea that if the house up the road is haunted, then I literally have a cosmic doorway to another way of being. And that just turns all the colors up in life.” – Peter Laws My friend Peter Laws grew up like a lot of us. As a kid he was obsessed with ghost stories, horror movies and all aspects of the paranormal. In fact, his interest in the “big questions” was so great that he became an ordained minister. But his interest in the macabre never went away. So he returned to the creepier side of life by authoring a series of novels featuring Matt Hunter, an ex-church minister who’s lost his faith, dropped out, and now assists the police in solving religiously motivated crimes. And now, Peter has an insanely popular YouTube channel called “Into the Fog” where he investigates and documents reports of the unexplained. These are real, never before heard cases -- and he talks to the people who lived through them. Peter is the guy I want to be when I grow up. In today’s show, Peter and I talk about everything from our favorite horror films to Ouija boards to Peter’s own supernatural encounters. And along the way we grapple with the pressing questions: is there an afterlife? Which religion believes in ghosts the most? Should you take your grandfather to see “Friday the 13th: Part 4”? Is Taylor Swift a witch? Is E.T. a demon? And just what does Peter mean when he says that his books are literally flying off the shelves? LINKS: | |||
| S4: The Return of the Light in the Dark Tour with Scott Philbrook | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:52:05 | |
Astonishing Legends co-host Scott Philbrook returns to chat with Richard about his upcoming “Light in the Dark Tour 2026” -- as well as answer such never-before-asked questions as: What scares our dogs? Where will Scott & Forrest be appearing live in September? Did Abbott & Costello get along? Can anyone find Scott’s legendary “lost” appearance on “Portlandia”? Did Richard schedule too many shows on this tour -- and will Susan ever forgive him?? Find out the answers to these and many more questions on today’s episode! LINKS: Get tickets to Richard Hatem’s “Light in the Dark Tour 2026” LIVE!: https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events | |||
| S4 Ep10: Return to Life | 14 Aug 2026 | 01:06:38 | |
“It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection.” –- Voltaire An entire branch of paranormal research involves documenting cases of children who claim to remember past lives. Almost as soon as they can speak, these children ask desperately about their “other family”, their “other home” -- and will cry for months (sometimes years) begging to be reunited with people their parents have never met or even heard of. And sometimes those people turn out to be 100% real. Imagining the child’s pain is one thing -- but what about the parents? The ones who brought their child into the world thinking they were at the very beginning of something special and beautiful and unique… Only to realize they’re entering at the middle of an ongoing story as their child mourns a life they know nothing about. Jim B. Tucker’s book “Return to Life” is filled with such stories. Becoming a parent is hard enough. What do you do when your child is convinced they’re not even yours? Richard became a father for the first time on June 21st, 1996. And while Owen never claimed to have a past life, he claimed this one as all babies do – by screaming and crying and testing the very last nerve of both his parents. As Richard struggles through those first few months of fatherhood, he asks the questions every young parent does: who is this person? Who will they become? Is he giving them what they need to have the life they want? And over the years, did he somehow begin mistaking their dreams for his own? LINKS: | |||
| S4 Ep9: The Paranormal Ranger | 31 Jul 2026 | 01:21:44 | |
“That’s what was different about paranormal cases as opposed to my usual ones. These cases made me wonder ‘What If?’ I wondered if Bigfoot had supernatural abilities. Could it pass through dimensions the way we pass through air? Could it make itself invisible? Is that why it was so rarely seen? Is that why I could smell it now –– but not see it?” Meanwhile, it’s 1979. Richard is in 8th grade and he’s on the verge of becoming a man. That’s right: he’s about to enter the world of organized sports. With it comes an entré into a world he’s never been allowed into: male bonding with the sports guys. Sure, he’d rather be at home eating mini-pizzas and watching “The Rockford Files”. But when Sean Delgado – the most popular guy in school – allows you to hang out with him, what are you supposed to do? So what if he punches you so hard you have permanent bruises – it’s worth it, right? Hanging with the sports guys offers privileges Richard has never dreamed of. But there are hidden dangers, too. When the road gets rough, even Richard must decide which of his “two worlds” he really belongs in. Links: | |||
| S4 Ep8: The Omega Project | 17 Jul 2026 | 01:10:24 | |
“Please answer True or False to the following statements: ‘As a child, a lot of my time was spent in a world of self-created fantasy.’ ‘As a child, I felt that I had a guardian angel.’ ‘When I was a child, I was very psychic.’ ‘When I was a child, I nearly died’.” Listeners of this podcast know: near-death experiences are awesome -- and alien abductions suck. One is rapturous; the other nightmarish. But what if, at their core, they aren’t so different? What if only certain kinds of people have these experiences? And what if, behind their wildly different theatrical trappings, both experiences are imparting the same message: the earth is drifting toward doom, and there’s only so much time left to course-correct before everything goes up in flames? It’s January 1997, and Richard has been sent to Baltimore, Maryland with one task: convince Richard Gere to star in The Mothman Prophecies. Writing the script was one thing -- but wooing a Hollywood star? That’s not really in his wheelhouse. How much say do you ever have in your own success – or failure? And how do you know what moves to make when the result could make or break your career -- and the future remains stubbornly unclear? Notes & Links Support RHPB on Patreon HERE! The Cumin Club – delicious, easy, authentic Indian cuisine delivered right to your door. Use offer code RHPB to get 30% off on EVERY ORDER! https://www.thecuminclub.com/ | |||
| S4 Ep7: This House is Haunted | 03 Jul 2026 | 01:17:19 | |
“It appeared that in a single day Janet had levitated, traveled out of her physical body, made a book go through the wall from one room to another and caused a heavy cushion to travel from a closed room onto the roof. It did not sound possible, but five different people were certain it had all happened.” – Guy Lyon Playfair, This House Is Haunted Buy This House Is Haunted By Guy Lyon Playfair from Bookshop.org HERE. | |||
| S4: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE – Rob Kristoffersen and The End of It All | 19 Jun 2026 | 01:05:36 | |
“This is not going to be edited. It's just me and a microphone talking about my journey with this (UFO) topic and where I'm at. There are many of you who have asked: ‘When's the show coming back?’ I just kind of want this to be the end of it all. This podcast is never coming back.” –- Rob Kristoffersen, on the final episode of “Our Strange Skies” On February 28th, 2026, UFO expert Rob Kristoffersen abruptly ended his extremely popular podcast “Our Strange Skies.” In a candid, intimate and largely improvised 21-minute monologue, he explains why. When I heard it, I was so blown away I knew I had to talk to him – and then I decided to bring all of you in on the conversation. Most podcasts don’t end – they just stop. But Rob decided to address his reasons for leaving podcasting by talking frankly about the rarely discussed challenges and demands of the medium. For anyone who has ever tried podcasting, you’ll hear your own story here. For those of you who are podcast fans, you’ll get a rare and surprising look behind the curtain at what makes podcasting so alluring –– and so heartbreaking. In our conversation, Rob and I discuss “paranormal fatigue”; how COVID changed podcasting for the better -- and worse; the end of the “little guy podcast” and the rise of celebrity-casts; paranormal “comfort food” podcasts – and the biggest question facing podcasters: are we all just “Patreon whores”? Finally, Rob gives us a peek at what he’s up to now and what’s next for him in terms of exploring even newer avenues for creative expression. NOTES & LINKS Follow rob on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/yerguyrob/ Check out Rob’s Substack “Foolology” here Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Celebrate 2026 with 26% off all RHPB merch with offer code RHPB26! CLICK HERE and the discount is pre-applied!https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/RHPB26 Need help with your personal writing projects? Richard is here to help! Get 20% off when you mention RHPB! https://www.richardhatem.com/ The Cumin Club – delicious, easy, authentic Indian cuisine delivered right to your door. Use offer code RHPB to get 30% off on EVERY ORDER! | |||
| S4: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: Terrifying Encounters with Lyle Blackburn | 05 Jun 2026 | 01:20:29 | |
“This huge thing was standing in the road. It had to be at least seven or 8 feet tall, and the arms were so long they were down to its knees. You couldn’t see the face because there was hair all over it. It was actually running toward our car. It was awful.” – from Terrifying Encounters by Lyle Blackburn No one knows more about the strange creatures that lurk the backroads, swamps and forests of America than Lyle Blackburn. You probably know him from his appearances on “Astonishing Legends”, “Finding Bigfoot” and “The UnXplained with William Shatner”. Ever since seeing The Legend of Boggy Creek as a small child, Lyle has been obsessed with unknown creatures -- and he grew up to be the world’s foremost expert on the Fouke Monster, the beast featured in the movie. Lyle has written numerous books about monsters in America and “Terrifying Encounters” is his latest. It’s the first in a series and it features fascinating and truly terrifying first-hand accounts of encounters with creatures that shouldn’t exist -- but somehow do. Our conversation covers everything from Dogmen to Goatmen, to the differences between a Devil Monkey and an Anomalous Ape, to his own terrifying encounter in the backwoods of Arkansas -- to whether Bigfoot will ever finally be captured. Notes & Links: Buy Terrifying Encounters and all of Lyle Blackburn’s books here http://www.lyleblackburn.com/bio.htm Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Celebrate 2026 with 26% off all RHPB merch with offer code RHPB26! CLICK HERE and the discount is pre-applied!https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/RHPB26 Need help with your personal writing projects? Richard is here to help! Get 20% off when you mention RHPB! https://www.richardhatem.com/ The Cumin Club – delicious, easy, authentic Indian cuisine delivered right to your door. Use offer code RHPB to get 30% off on EVERY ORDER! | |||
| S4: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: Strange Days with Dan Zetterstrom | 22 May 2026 | 01:09:53 | |
“Ghost hunting is fun – until the ghosts show up.” -- Dan Zetterstrom, podcast host, What It Means To Be Human In today’s conversation we talk about the astounding results of his spiritual healing, his experiments with astral projection, his meditation experiences using a “Muse 2” headband to track his brainwaves – and what happens when you reach into the dark… and something licks your hand. Dan Zetterstrom is a passionate researcher of the anomalous, artist, storyteller and host of the podcast What It Means to Be Human. Known for his work as co-host and producer of That UFO Podcast, creator of the viral Tom Was Right campaign from To The Stars, and guest star on Ancient Aliens and Phenomenology, Dan brings a thoughtful and curious approach to exploring humanity, consciousness and the anomalous. With a talent for uncovering profound insights through engaging conversations, Dan invites listeners to journey into the mysteries that connect us all. Notes & Links: Listen to Dan’s podcast What It Means To Be Human here https://www.tobehumanshow.com/ | |||
| S4: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: Chris McKinnell on Growing Up With Ed & Lorraine Warren | 08 May 2026 | 00:53:41 | |
“My grandfather always taught me that 3:00 AM was the Devil’s hour. At 3:15 Liz started screaming that her face was on fire. My grandfather turned his flashlight on her face and, as we all watched, three claw marks raked down her cheek and blood dripped onto her chest.” – Chris McKinnell, The Warren Legacy In this wide-ranging interview, Richard and Chris discuss the Warren’s early cases, how their approach was shaped by their religious beliefs, his terrifying first night as a “ghost hunter” – and the contact he has had with his grandparents following their deaths. Chris McKinnell grew up inside the cases that inspired The Conjuring universe. He was the first investigator on the ground in the Smurl haunting, which became the basis for Conjuring: Last Rites. He lived in the haunted funeral home featured in The Haunting in Connecticut. He is the only living witness to some of the most famous cases Ed and Lorraine Warren ever worked. Chris began his own unique journey of investigating the unknown at just sixteen, assisting his grandfather on a violent poltergeist case. Since then, he has worked on over 10,000 cases across six continents, helping families and communities confront the unexplained. Notes & Links: The Cumin Club – delicious, easy, authentic Indian cuisine delivered right to your door. Use offer code RHPB to get 30% off on EVERY ORDER! https://www.thecuminclub.com/ | |||
| S4 Ep6: Hello From Heaven! | 24 Apr 2026 | 01:16:51 | |
“The strangest thing just happened. Your mother came through the wall of my apartment and said, ‘I have always loved you and I always will.’ Then she left.” No one had told Rose that my mother had just died. This encounter happened before she received any news of my mom’s death.” – from Hello From Heaven! Listen to Christopher Wynn’s podcast “Strange” here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strange/id1107060442 | |||
| S4 Ep5: Jadoo | 10 Apr 2026 | 01:12:16 | |
“I am a professional cliffhanger. Peddling adventure is my business, and at times it’s a mighty lean one. But the leanness is a part of it. Going hungry and thirsty and weird places that aren’t even marked on the map is part of it. My specialty is magic, the forbidden arts. Jadoo is my stock in trade.” – John A. Keel, Jadoo Richard shares this dream. And in the summer of 1987, he too sets off on an adventure – armed only with a tattered copy of ‘Lonesome Dove’ and a cassette tape of the Sex Pistols. He’s on the run – but whether it’s toward something or away, he’s not quite sure. And after a life-changing weekend in Chicago, he wonders if the road he’s been on his whole life might be about to change forever. Links: | |||
| S4: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: WEIRDUMENTARY with Gary D. Rhodes | 27 Mar 2026 | 01:35:03 | |
Remember In Search of Noah’s Ark? Chariots of the Gods? The Mysterious Monters? The Outer Space Connection? In the mid-1970s, these odd movies from Sunn Classic or American International Pictures would suddenly appear in your neighborhood theater – and it usually meant that your next Saturday afternoon was spoken for. Bigfoot, psychic powers, UFOS – finally there were films devoted to the scientific study of the things I cared about. Were they scientific? As it turns out, not so much. But were they entertaining? Oh, hell yes. I’d see these things with my cousins or school friends, and we would all get completely freaked out and terrified. In other words, a perfect day at the movies. Author and film historian Gary D. Rhodes remembers these films as fondly as I do and he’s written a beautiful book about them called Weirdumentary. In our conversation we cover everything from the Bermuda Triangle to William Shatner to the Loch Ness Monster to Orson Wells to the iconography of the Patterson-Gimlin film to the legendary “Office of Knowledge”! | |||
| RHPB 2nd Anniversary: MIRACLES MEGA-MIX! | 25 Mar 2026 | 02:02:08 | |
For our 2nd anniversary, we bring you the “Miracles MEGA-MIX!” We’ve combined all 3-parts of the Season 1 Miracles series into one easy-to-play episode. Perfect listening for long road trips, recovering from knee surgery and endless lines at the DMV! Now YOU don’t have to decide if you want to hear “Part 2’s” anymore – we’ve decided for you! You’re going to! You’re welcome! And Happy Anniversary! LINKS: | |||
| S4 Ep4: Lily Dale | 13 Mar 2026 | 01:05:43 | |
“Compared to most people in Lily Dale, I was a raging skeptic. Compared to most of my journalistic colleagues, I was a soft-headed sap. I didn’t believe Lily Dale’s people could chat with the dead, but I was willing to concede that I might be wrong. I never intended for any of it to change me. But it did.” – Christine Wicker, Lily Dale In the summer of 2009, Richard and Susan find themselves on opposite sides of an issue for which there can be no compromise: having a second child. All Richard wants is another TV show. A year later he’s in Shreveport, Louisiana producing ABC’s summer series The Gates. But the dream job is rapidly turning into a nightmare. What happens when the thing you thought would save you turns into something you can barely survive? And what if embracing the thing you’re most afraid of might be the only path to happiness? Links: | |||
| S4 Ep3: Sasquatch | 27 Feb 2026 | 01:01:02 | |
“SOMETHING is making those goddamn footprints and I’m going to find out what it is!” – René Dahinden, Sasquatch In 1977 Richard was in search of a girl he barely knew. She drifted through his school, his neighborhood, his dreams – always glimpsed in motion, in the corner of his eye -- but when would she become real? As Don Hunter and René Dahinden scour the Pacific Northwest in their search for Sasquatch, will Richard’s hunt bring him any closer to his mystery girl? Links: | |||
| S4: SPECIAL PRESENTATION: What It Means To Be Human | 20 Feb 2026 | 01:25:22 | |
Today I am thrilled to bring you an episode of an all-new podcast by RHPB guest, fan and my good friend Dan Zetterstrom! PATREON members will remember him from the episode where he shared his experience visiting spirit healer Michael Chapman – the son of George Chapman who was featured in the RHPB episode “Surgeon From Another World”. Dan is a kind, intelligent and relentlessly curious guy and his show “What It Means To Be Human” dives deep into the mysteries of consciousness, humanity and the anomalous. This episode features a fascinating conversation with comedian, actor and writer Michael Ian Black (Reno 911!, Wet Hot American Summer). Their talk touches on everything from John Keel to orb sightings to near death experiences to the collective unconscious – to Michael’s growing discomfort with the politics and personalities orbiting “official disclosure”. This is a fun and fast-moving interview that I think you guys will love. You can find “What It Means To Be Human” on Spotify, Apple podcasts, YouTube and everywhere you get your Podcasts Follow “What It Means to Be Human” here: https://www.tobehumanshow.com/ | |||
| S4 Ep2: The Ghost of Flight 401 | 13 Feb 2026 | 01:17:44 | |
“A flight attendant was in the lower galley when she happened to glance into the glass window of one of the meal heating units. There was the face of Don Repo, the flight engineer who died in the Everglades crash. He said, “Watch out for fire on this airplane.” – from The Ghost of Flight 401 Richard never had a problem with airplanes until a particularly terrifying flight on the night of July 12th, 2002. Just when his life should have been opening up, this new crippling fear of flying was shutting it down. How do you overcome fear when you’ve spent a lifetime holding it deep inside? And how does Richard navigate a landscape of paranoia, anger, desire and rebellion when everything in his life seems to be changing all at once – and way too fast? Links: Need help with your personal writing projects? Richard is here to help! Get 20% off when you mention RHPB! https://www.richardhatem.com/ | |||
| S4 Ep1: Induced After Death Communication | 30 Jan 2026 | 01:09:06 | |
“Nothing in my formal training prepared me for the events described in this book. What I discovered defied everything I knew about treating patients suffering from grief and trauma, and it took me into an unfamiliar realm of human experience. I and about 200 other trained psychotherapists have induced thousands of after death communications. It appears to work with nearly everyone, nearly all of the time.” – Dr. Allan L. Botkin, author of Induced After Death Communication Richard grapples with this question as he reads Dr. Botkin’s book in the aftermath of his mother’s death. How does one process grief when the relationship being grieved is “complicated” at best? And how can you trust a supernatural event that can be accessed as easily as a visit to a therapist’s office? Links: | |||
| S3 Ep17: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Bridging the Mothman Tragedy with Bill and Jaci Kousoulas | 23 Jan 2026 | 00:57:31 | |
“It was Christmas time. It was supposed to be a time of happiness, but we had funerals in town. We couldn’t put off the funerals until after Christmas. They said later, they found a hairline crack in an eyebolt, and once one part went down, the whole bridge went down.” – from the book Bridging The Tragedy by Bill & Jaci Kousoulas When the Silver Bridge collapsed on December 15, 1967, the tragedy touched the lives of everyone in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. In the months leading up to the disaster, hundreds of people in the Ohio River Valley reported UFO sightings, psychic events, poltergeist activity, Men in Black and encounters with a flying humanoid that became known as Mothman. What happens to a community that undergoes this kind of trauma? Bill & Jaci Kousoulas decided to find out. Richard was fortunate enough to meet Bill & Jaci at the 2025 Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant. In this interview, Richard talks with them about their initial interest in the case (sparked by the movie The Mothman Prophecies), their paranormal investigations, the concept of “Post Traumatic Growth”, and the people they met in Point Pleasant – many of them first-hand witnesses to the bridge collapse and the Mothman himself – all of which led to the publication of their book Bridging the Tragedy -- Silver Linings In The Mysterious Ohio River Valley. LINKS: | |||
| S3 Ep16: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Telephone Calls From The Dead with Parapsychologist Dr. Callum Cooper | 09 Jan 2026 | 01:08:52 | |
“He was seen with this guy… Two days later a neighbor said his lawn sprinkler had been running continuously. They called the police. A lieutenant was sent out – they found the back door ajar. So he went through and discovered Scott -- slain in a pool of blood.” -- parapsychologist Dr. Callum Cooper on the death of D. Scott Rogo. Today I’m thrilled to be talking with Dr. Callum Cooper about his personal research into the life and tragic death of fellow parapsychologist D. Scott Rogo. Rogo was the driving force behind one of the strangest and most fascinating books ever written – Phone Calls From The Dead. Cooper followed up on this research and published his own book 30 years later: Telephone Calls From The Dead. LINKS: | |||
| S3 Ep15: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! – Night Stalking with Mark Dawidziak | 26 Dec 2025 | 01:28:06 | |
“I became a journalist because of Carl Kolchak. He was my idea of what a journalist was and should be, and he remains that to this day.” -- Mark Dawidziak, author of The Night Stalker Companion Today’s episode is a Christmas gift to myself: a visit with my friend Mark Dawidziak, who just happens to be the world’s leading authority on Carl Kolchak and all things Night Stalker – the movies, the TV series, the original novel by Jeff Rice and the many sequel novels, one of which was written by Mark himself! The Night Stalker, a TV-movie starring Darren McGavin, Simon Oakland and Barry Atwater, was about an intrepid reporter named Carl Kolchak covering a series of bizarre murders in Las Vegas – murders he becomes increasingly convinced are being committed by an actual, real-life vampire. It premiered on January 11, 1972 to blockbuster ratings and for decades was the highest rated TV-movie of all time. It led to a sequel, The Night Strangler, and eventually to a 20-episode TV series that premiered on September 13, 1974. It’s the TV show that most people my age remember – a weekly trip into horror that at the time had no equal. Chris Carter often cites his love for The Night Stalker as the inspiration for creating his hit series The X-Files. And of course, listeners of this podcast know about my affection for the show and how formative it was for me as a young kid. Join Mark and me as we talk about Darren McGavin, Dan Curtis, David Chase, our favorite Night Stalker episodes, the history of the American vampire, the 3rd (unproduced) Night Stalker movie, how Darren McGavin finally gave up on the show (but not the character) – and the upcoming 2026 release of the all-new, definitive edition of The Night Stalker Companion! Mark Dawidziak is the author or editor of 25 books, including three acclaimed studies of landmark television series: The Columbo Phile, The Night Stalker Companion and Everything I Need to Know I Learned in The Twilight Zone. He also is an internationally recognized Mark Twain scholar, and five of his books are about the iconic American writer. His most recent book, A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe, was published by St. Martin’s Press in February 2023. Keep up with Mark Dawidziak and buy his books at his personal website here https://www.markdawidziak.com/ Buy The Night Stalker TV series on DVD here https://kinolorber.com/product/kolchak-the-night-stalker-the-complete-series-blu-ray?gad_campaignid=21604535012 Buy the novel The Night Stalker here https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=jeff%20rice&ref_=search_f_hp&sts=t&tn=night%20stalker | |||
| S3 Ep14: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Bigfoot 101: A Sasquatch Odyssey with Brian King-Sharp | 12 Dec 2025 | 01:09:24 | |
“It was ten feet away, slick dark-brown hair. And it’s going up this ridge. The cop in me kicks in and I decide I’m going to follow it. I just wanted to see it again. In retrospect it’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It was totally unsafe. I do not recommend it to anybody who’s listening.” – Bigfoot researcher Brian King-Sharp What is it like to come face-to-furry-face with Bigfoot? Today you’ll find out. My friend Brian King-Sharp, host of the popular Sasquatch Odyssey podcast has been on the trail of Bigfoot for forty years. And he’s here to answer our questions -- and spill his secrets: Why haven’t we ever found a Bigfoot body? Is the Patterson-Gimlin film a hoax? Why do hunters never seem to shoot a Bigfoot? What is the best evidence we have that Bigfoot exists? And what does it feel like to finally encounter one up close? LINKS & NOTES Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Listen to Brian King-Sharps podcast Sasquatch Odyssey here: https://pod.link/1552990311 Buy all of Brian’s books here: https://paranormalworldproductions.com/store Find out more about Sasquatch Research at the Olympic Project here: https://www.olympicproject.com/ "Get your tickets to 'Merry Queerness' -- the cabaret show Susan's producing -- here! https://lalgbtcenter.org/event/merry-queerness-a-wildly-inappropriate-holiday-show/ | |||
| S3 Ep13: SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Gods, Ghosts and UFOs | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:52:39 | |
Today I’m excited to bring you an episode of the brilliant new podcast Gods, Ghosts & UFOs – with their special guest, ME! You’ll recognize co-host Tom Maxwell from his appearances on Astonishing Legends Episodes 291 & 292, “American Bloodfalls”. (You might also know him as the frontman for the 90s band Squirrel Nut Zippers. He wrote their hit song “Hell”). On Gods, Ghosts & UFOs, Tom – along with co-hosts J.E. Peterson and Mallory Everton – does a weekly round-up of weird and obscure paranormal news stories. Their conversations are hilarious, probing, provocative – and refreshingly intelligent. If you’re a fan of RHPB, Astonishing Legends and Scared All The Time, you’ll love this too. So enjoy this episode where they welcomed me as their guest – and we talk about haunted Las Vegas Casinos, the Fresno Night Crawlers and a YouTube UFO mystery that might already have been solved… LINKS: Listen to “Gods, Ghosts & UFOs” here: https://www.tommaxwell.com/gods-ghosts-ufos | |||
| S3 Ep12: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: The Mammoth Mountain Poltergeist with Jenny Ashford and Tom Ross | 28 Nov 2025 | 01:05:24 | |
“I feel that it hates me sometimes. It can move objects. I heard it speak once, or try to speak. It sounded like somebody underneath the water. It’s never really touched me and I don’t want to see what it actually looks like. I was afraid it was going to look like a corpse.” -- Tom Ross, poltergeist experiencer. Have you ever heard someone describe what it’s really like to live with a poltergeist? Today you will. When Tom Ross was thirteen, he spent four terrifying days in what seemed to be a haunted condo in the Mammoth Ski Valley. Years later, he and author Jenny Ashford met, fell in love – and ended up writing about his experiences in a book I covered in Season 2 of RHPB – The Mammoth Mountain Poltergeist. In this fascinating interview, Tom Ross and Jenny Ashford share stories from the front lines of the boundary between this world and the next. We talk about everything from how Tom and Jenny met, to The Shining, to Tom’s poltergeist theory, to Ed & Lorraine Warren, to The Enfield Poltergeist, to flying remote controls, to Mad Max: Fury Road, to “Case Managers from the Afterlife” and finally: what do you do with a poltergeist with unlimited strength -- that wants to kill you? Notes & Links: Go to Jenny Ashford’s website to buy The Mammoth Mountain Poltergeist and all her books: http://www.jennyashford.com/books.html Check out Jenny’s Amazon Author Page here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jenny-Ashford/author/B003WN5M32?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=537b3ef0-a46b-436d-bfa3-f61ee4bcd411 Visit Tom & Jenny’s Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@13OClockPodcast | |||
| S3 Ep11: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: UFOs and High Strangeness with Rob Kristoffersen | 14 Nov 2025 | 01:37:45 | |
“When I was six years old, on Christmas Eve, I had an encounter with a little gnome that walked into my bedroom. I don’t recall any fear. But after that, I don’t remember anything.” – Rob Kristoffersen Rob Kristoffersen is not only an expert on UFOs and UFO cases and host of the Our Strange Skies podcast – he’s also one of my best friends. In this wide-ranging interview we get progressively weirder and wilder, touching on everything from Bigfoot to elves to ghosts to crop circles to UFO cults to alien abductions – and all the way to the mysterious creature Rob saw on his neighbor’s lawn that completely changed his life. Links: Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Check out Rob’s podcast Our Strange Skies here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-strange-skies-ufos-throughout-history/id1546735571 | |||
| S3 Ep10: The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts - Part Two | 31 Oct 2025 | 01:00:01 | |
“They’re demons. You’re talking to demons. And I don’t like the sound of it one bit.” -- The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts Joe Fisher falls further into darkness as he attempts to prove the earthly existences of his spirit guides. But once he realizes that his otherworldly lover Filipa has lied to him, all bets are off. A late-night meeting with a friend who warns Joe about “the other side of the spirit guides” puts the communications he’s been receiving in a new -- and terrifying -- light. The only remaining question is: can Joe get out in time to save himself? Meanwhile, Richard makes some discoveries of his own about his best friend Michael Principato. Can a friendship survive betrayal? And can you ever really go back to high school, reclaim the past, and fix something that seems forever broken? Something that you yourself broke? Links: Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Buy The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-siren-call-of-hungry-ghosts-a-riveting-investigation-into-channeling-and-spirit-guides-joe-fisher/1cb4282a7d49b9fc?ean=9781944529505&next=t | |||
| S3 Ep9: The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts - Part One | 24 Oct 2025 | 01:04:30 | |
“Here, in an ordinary suburban living room in Toronto, a cynical, 42-year-old mother of three was giving voice to disembodied humans who were testifying to the fact that we do not die. And that we are never truly alone.” -- Joe Fisher, The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts On July 20th, 1984, journalist and paranormal researcher Joe Fisher witnesses the phenomenon of channeling for the first time -- and his life changes forever. What if spirit guides really do exist? What if we all have people on the other side who watch us, love us and silently guide us in ways we cannot even begin to imagine? Joe sets out to prove this very thing. But as he embarks on this strange journey, his objectivity falters when his own personal spirit guide introduces herself: her name is Filipa -- and 300 years ago in Greece, the two of them were lovers. But as his obsession with her grows, Joe begins to suspect she might not be exactly who -- or what -- she says she is. Richard’s life changes forever, too -- on his first day of high school. That’s when he meets the legendary Michael Principato. Michael is everything Richard wants to be: popular, talented, funny -- and effortlessly creative. Richard and Michael soon become best friends and for one magical year it’s a relationship like nothing Richard’s ever experienced before. But something happens that first summer after freshman year and suddenly Richard finds himself wondering: do I really know Michael Principato at all? Links: Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Buy The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-siren-call-of-hungry-ghosts-a-riveting-investigation-into-channeling-and-spirit-guides-joe-fisher/1cb4282a7d49b9fc?ean=9781944529505&next=t | |||
| S3: “The Light In The Dark Tour” Wrap-Up! Part 2 | 17 Oct 2025 | 01:11:02 | |
Richard & Susan’s adventure continues as they make their way from Point Pleasant, WV to Washington, DC -- where they meet up with fellow RHPB super-stars Scott Philbrook, Tess Pfeifle and Kayla Lord! Then it's on to New York City and a visit with “Uh,Dad?” (Owen Gerber-Hatem) -- and finally, an absolutely legendary show at the home of Haunted Hallways creators Janice & Leo Bartoldus! Join us for more stories, more fan love, more pancakes -- and more french fries! Links: Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PLACES RICHARD & SUSAN WENT AND THE PEOPLE THEY MET BELOW! The Tabard Inn https://www.tabardinn.com/ Kramer’s Books https://www.kramers.com/ Hart Bar https://www.hartbarnyc.com/ Learn about all the Cool stuff Cullen Gallagher does here! https://www.cullengallagher.com/ Enjoy the truly amazing magic of Henry Bartoldus! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNfkaNrmkbc Susan's Show! (80's TV Ladies!) https://www.80stvladies.com/ | |||
| S3: “The Light In The Dark Tour” Wrap-Up! Part 1 | 10 Oct 2025 | 01:20:27 | |
Ten Days. Five Shows. Four Cities. One Mothman. No Regrets. Join Richard and his featured guest Susan Lambert for all the behind-the-scenes stories of the first leg of the RHPB “Light In The Dark Tour”. When did Richard freak-out? When did Susan freak-out? Which shows went the best? What’s a Fuzzy Duck? And what’s the deal with all those French fries? Find out all this and more -- PLUS -- when will the tour resume and will it come to a city near you? Links: Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/ CHECK OUT THE PLACES RICHARD & SUSAN VISITED BELOW! The Bourbon on Main Restaurant in Frankfort, KY http://www.bourbononmain.com/ The Main Street Diner in Frankfort, KY https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetDinerLLC/ The Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ Fat Patty’s in Morehead, KY https://fatpattys.com/ The Coffee Tree Bookstore & Fuzzy Duck in Morehead, KY https://www.coffeetreebooks.com/ The Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, WV https://www.mothmanmuseum.com/ The Colony Restaurant in Gallipolis, OH https://visitgallia.com/the-colony/ We met author Bryna Butler! Check out her books here: https://brynabutler.com/ We met actor and author Joey Madia -- check him out here: https://www.facebook.com/joeymadiacreative/ Bill & Jacqueline Kousoulas have written “Bridging The Tragedy”, a fascinating book about post-traumatic growth in the aftermath of Point Pleasant’s Silver Bridge collapse: https://www.facebook.com/bill.kousoulas.7 | |||
| S3 Ep8: The National Directory of Haunted Places -- Part 2 | 03 Oct 2025 | 01:02:35 | |
“Haunted events are beyond our logic and occur in ways that challenge our perception of reality. But whether a place is haunted by ghosts, flying saucers, angels, demons, or some strange energy can be a matter of some debate...” -- Dennis William Hauck, The National Directory of Haunted Places. Richard prepares for the biggest, most important and most personal pitch of his life. It’s the one that could change everything -- if he doesn’t screw it up. And The National Directory of Haunted Places never leaves his side. Richard scans the country, looking for something to believe in -- and even visits a haunted house in Michigan that just happens to be for sale! Just when it seems like the spirits are on his side, reality throws a curve ball: it looks like his son Owen might be born prematurely. Is there a middle ground between magic and the mundane? Is it possible to live with one foot in each? And where do you turn when real life threatens to tear hope away completely? Links: Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Buy The National Directory of Haunted Places https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=national+directory+of+haunted+places&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313 Visit Case Vega -- but look out for those dark green margaritas! https://www.casavega.com/ | |||
| S3 Ep7: The National Directory of Haunted Places -- Part 1 | 19 Sep 2025 | 01:00:39 | |
“In almost every town in America, there are places where strange things happen...” -- Dennis William Hauck, The National Directory of Haunted Places. When Richard found The National Directory of Haunted Places at a small bookstore in Taos, New Mexico, it was like finding an enchanted treasure map. It seemed to promise a world filled with magic, all yours for the asking -- if you could find it. Right now, Richard needs magic more than ever. Under Siege 2: Dark Territory has come out -- but he still hasn’t sold anything on his own. His options are fading fast -- and now there’s a baby on the way. Maybe it’s time to grow up and leave childish things behind. As Richard obsessively tears through The National Directory of Haunted Places, searching the country for ghosts, UFOs, Bigfoot -- and hope -- the walls start to close in on him. Will cold, hard reality have the final word? Or will Richard somehow find the unmarked turn-off that leads to the shadowy land of dreams? Links: See Richard Hatem LIVE! The “Light in the Dark Tour” tickets and news are all right here! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/richard-hatems-paranormal-bookshelf-podcast-90573788253 And here! https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Buy The National Directory of Haunted Places https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=national+directory+of+haunted+places&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313 Visit Santacafe https://www.santacafe.com/?y_source=1_MzI3NjAxMTktNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D Visit L’Auberge Chez Francois https://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/ | |||
| S3: SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: The Light in the Dark Tour -- with Scott Philbrook | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:56:07 | |
Astonishing Legends own Scott Philbrook joins Richard to find out everything you need to know about the upcoming RHPB “Light in the Dark Tour”! Rich and Scott break it down for you: the cities, the shows -- everything you need to know. PLUS -- Scott will be joining Richard live onstage in Washington, DC at Kramer’s Books! Along the way Rich and Scott talk about Halloween, Haunted Houses, Happy Hour, heart attacks, how to pronounce “Long Island” -- and the Rocky Horror Picture Show’s “Time Warp” dance! THEN: Richard talks with Leo and Janice Bartoldus, the RHPB fans who are generously hosting the final RHPB live show in Centereach, Long Island at their very own annual Halloween Haunted House! They’ll fill us in on all the thrills and chills -- and cocktails! -- you can expect when you arrive at this very special event! Links: See Richard Hatem LIVE! The “Light in the Dark Tour” tickets and news are all right here! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/richard-hatems-paranormal-bookshelf-podcast-90573788253 And here! https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/ | |||
| S3 Ep6: Forty Years of Psychic Research | 05 Sep 2025 | 01:18:50 | |
“I became aware of an amazing world of hidden, outlaw forces. A world in which miracles were everyday occurrences.” Hamlin Garland, Forty Years of Psychic Research. It started out as a simple challenge from a friend: travel the country testing psychic mediums and see if you can figure out what they’re doing. Those words sent Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hamlin Garland on a 40-year quest to prove the existence of life after death. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the most important answers have a funny way of staying just out of reach. Richard struggles to finish his final semester at USC and nothing is going his way. His scripts aren’t selling, his girlfriend Michelle is dating some other guy -- hell, he can’t even pass basic algebra. If Hamlin Garland can’t succeed in his quest after forty years, what makes Richard think he can achieve his meager dreams -- especially when all the evidence seems to prove otherwise? But then a friend shows up and throws down a terrifying challenge -- and it will only take five minutes. Will Richard accept? And if he does, will it redeem him -- or lead to the worst failure of all? Links: See Richard Hatem LIVE! The “Light in the Dark Tour” tickets and news are all right here! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/richard-hatems-paranormal-bookshelf-podcast-90573788253 And here! https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Buy Forty Years of Psychic Research here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/forty-years-of-psychic-research-hamlin-garland/21385301?ean=9798869324399&next=t | |||
| S3 Ep5: The Premonitions Bureau | 22 Aug 2025 | 01:01:24 | |
“Premonitions are impossible and they come true all the time.” -- Sam Knight, The Premonitions Bureau What would you do if you could see the future? Would you even want to? Join Richard as he explores Sam Knight’s The Premonitions Bureau, in which British psychologist Dr. John Barker learns the hard way that the privilege of seeing around corners comes with an unusually high price tag. Meanwhile, Richard has always seen his own life as a rollercoaster: a terrifying journey of sharp twists and turns and stomach-flipping plunges that feels like it will last forever -- but also like it will end too soon. Travel with him backwards and forwards through time, from 2022… to 1977… and the year 2000… as he travels from childhood to fatherhood and back again, trying desperately to answer the biggest question of all: what’s going to happen next? Pull down the safety bar and keep your hands and feet inside the car, because the answers he finds might just scare you -- to death. Links: See Richard Hatem LIVE! The “Light in the Dark Tour” tickets and news are all right here! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/richard-hatems-paranormal-bookshelf-podcast-90573788253 And here! https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Buy Sam Knight’s The Premonitions Bureau here: https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=sam%20knight&ch_sort=t&cm_sp=sort-_-SRP-_-Results&ds=30&dym=on&rollup=on&sortby=17&tn=premonitions%20bureau The movie Rollercoaster isn’t available to stream, but you can buy a DVD copy here: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rollercoaster-DVD-Universal-Studios-Action-Adventure/1090301?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0 | |||
| S3: The Fortean and the Skeptic Should Be Friends: My Conversation with Blake Smith | 08 Aug 2025 | 01:26:30 | |
According to Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma!, “The farmer and the cowman should be friends.” Shouldn’t it be the same for the Fortean and the skeptic? Is it even possible? My guest tonight is Blake Smith, the host of the MonsterTalk podcast, and a self-described skeptic. And I think you know how I take issue with a lot of skeptics and so-called skeptical arguments. But Blake and I are friends. Somehow, after a vulgar and insulting email blunder on my part, Blake kindly wrote back to me, a correspondence began, he invited me to be on his podcast, and the rest is history. The Fortean and the skeptic became friends. I think the reason we’re friends is that Blake has an honest interest in all things paranormal, but he also came upon his skepticism in a very human way. He doesn’t use it as a cudgel to beat anybody down. And best of all, ridicule is just not part of who he is. Also, the guy he has an amazing book collection, he loves to drink port, he’s quick with a pun -- and he’s just an all-around great guy. In this conversation we cover everything from Whitley Streiber’s Communion to the Heaven’s Gate tragedy; from exploding lightbulbs to snake-handling cults; and from “the hard problem of consciousness” to the one kind of paranormal experience that might change Blake’s skepticism forever. LINKS: Listen to Blake Smith’s award-winning podcast Monstertalk here: https://www.monstertalk.org/ RHPB LIVE SHOWS are coming! Keep up as we add dates and locations at the RHPB website https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/ And find out about upcoming performances and buy tickets at Eventbrite!: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dallas-richard-hatems-paranormal-bookshelf-live-tickets-1520485967459?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawMAjP9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHv9pgzdQBIIpLfpidbEp2IzjboC0W1P-qf_l9kBsPY7aJHzO8jg-6rhKQEmQ_aem_-ogycSZIIOELXK6VHRuNMQ Want to support the show? Join us on Patreon here https://www.patreon.com/c/RichardHatem?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Buy Richard Hatem’s Paranormal Bookshelf merch at https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/ | |||
| S3 Ep4: A Christmas Carol | 25 Jul 2025 | 01:08:24 | |
Sometimes Christmas just doesn’t feel like Christmas. It’s December 2001, and Richard is living alone, facing down his first Christmas Eve without his family. But he’s about to learn that Christmas has its own magic -- and its own surprising plans for him… One hundred and fifty-eight years earlier, Charles Dickens changed the world with his story of another lonely man on Christmas Eve who ended up getting far more than he bargained for. What Dickens didn’t know -- but Richard does all too well -- is that what he actually created was literatures most famous near-death experience. Join Richard and Dickens as they each face down their Christmas ghosts -- and hope to wake up the next morning transformed… Notes & Links: You can get a copy of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol pretty much anywhere, but I highly recommend Michael Patrick Hearns’ The Annotated Christmas Carol where I got most of the information for this episode. You can get it at AbeBooks here: https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?ch_sort=t&cm_sp=sort-_-SRP-_-Results&ds=30&dym=on&isbn=9780393051582&rollup=on&sortby=2 Get the DVD of Albert Finney’s musical Scrooge here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-scrooge-ronald-neame/3719770?ean=0097361459745&gQT=0 Learn all about the GameBoy Advance Owen wanted so badly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQvSB3KBUIE | |||
| S3 Ep3: Monsters, Giants and Little Men From Mars | 11 Jul 2025 | 01:00:46 | |
It’s April 1975, and Richard is still that lonely, haunted little kid we met in RHPB Ep.1: Ghosts & Specters. In fact, it’s just a few weeks later when, courtesy of Mrs. Fuller (the librarian who introduced Richard to his first paranormal bookshelf) that he comes across Monsters, Giants and Little Men From Mars by Daniel Cohen. It seems like the perfect fit. But then Darren McGavin shows up in Kolchak: The Night Stalker and shows Richard that some monsters can be defeated -- if you’ve got the nerve… Flash forward to 1985 and Richard seems to have left all of his monsters behind. But that summer, a very different kind of monster shows up way too close to Richard’s home, and nothing will ever be the same again… Notes & Links: Sign up for Patreon and support the show, receive ad-free episodes -- plus monthly bonus content! Join here: https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Grab some amazing RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/? Buy Monsters, Giants & Little Men From Mars here: https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/9780440958291/ Discover Matt Monro -- the legend… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ6Tp-nna9I Check out “Old Glory” -- The Bicentennial Condom! https://imgur.com/gallery/from-1976-one-time-old-glory-u-s-bicentennial-novelty-condom-YvTvpsi Read Phillip Carlo’s in-depth book about the Richard Ramirez/Night Stalker Case. https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-night-stalker-the-disturbing-life-and-chilling-crimes-of-richard-ramirez-philip-carlo/7340915?ean=9780806538419&next=t | |||
| S3 Ep2: Communion -- Part Two | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:54:09 | |
In Communion -- Part Two, Whitley Strieber tries to turn the tables on the “visitors” by inviting -- almost daring -- them to make a return visit. Meanwhile, Richard and Matt Reeves (“The Batman”) work around the clock to perfect “Rolling Thunder” -- then retitled “End of the Line” and finally “Dark Territory” -- while the odds of a big sale fade more and more every day. We all know that “Chance favors the prepared mind” and “Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups” -- but will years of setbacks and rewrites lead to a happy ending? Matt’s high school friend J.J. Abrams bestows some crucial advice (“Don’t be idiots”). But how will Whitley -- and Richard and Matt -- finally come to terms with a universe that plays by its own rules, and laughs at the notion of control? LINKS & NOTES: Sign up for Patreon at the “Obsessed Fan” level by midnight June 30, you’ll receive a SIGNED AND INSCRIBED printed copy of your favorite RHPB episode! Join here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Buy Whitley Strieber’s Communion here! https://bookshop.org/p/books/communion/18948208?ean=9798986205502&next=t Watch Under Siege 2: Dark Territory for free here! https://tubitv.com/movies/589620/under-siege-2-dark-territory?start=true&tracking=google-feed&utm_source=google-feed Patreon Donations help Write Girl -- learn more here! https://www.writegirl.org/ | |||
| S3 Ep1: Communion -- Part One | 13 Jun 2025 | 01:02:48 | |
Imagine being greeted in the dead of night by a small alien creature, running toward your bed. This disturbing experience set author Whitley Strieber on a dark and devastating path that culminated in the publishing of 1987’s Communion. Strieber’s life changed on the night of December 26, 1985 – and he has spent the last forty years trying to sort out exactly what happened. When Richard Hatem first stumbled upon the book Communion, he refused to pick it up. But after two years of post-USC Film School misery, he suddenly found dark solace within the story of Strieber and his strange encounters. As Richard struggles to find his writing voice, the story of Strieber’s frightening journey begins to resonate in strange ways. And when Richard and his best friend Matt Reeves start working on the script that will one day become the Steven Segal movie Under Siege 2: Dark Territory – he learns that sometimes, friendship, humor and terrifying books can be the key to everything. Join Richard as he navigates the rough waters of screenwriting, alien abduction – and tries to figure out how to make the great film Die Hard even greater (as if that were possible). NOTES & LINKS Sign up for Patreon at the “Obsessed Fan” level by June 30, you’ll receive a SIGNED AND INSCRIBED printed copy of your favorite RHPB episode! Join here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Buy Communion here! https://bookshop.org/p/books/communion/18948208?ean=9798986205502&next=t “Heidi’s Frogen Yozurt” was a real thing! (But sadly, not anymore -- they’ve all been sold and no locations exists, even in Los Angeles). BUT -- check out this article on the company’s founder Heidi Miller. She sounds like a great person! https://www.donatelifefloat.org/si/participants/pages/2020-heidi-miller.html “Blockbuster Video” was a real thing! (But sadly, not anymore -- they’ve all been sold and only ONE LOCATION STILL EXISTS!). BUT -- check it out here and maybe go visit if you’re ever in Bend, Oregon! https://bendblockbuster.com/about/ | |||
| S3: RHPB Season 3 Preview -- with Susan Lambert! | 30 May 2025 | 00:24:21 | |
Season 3 of RHPB starts in 2 weeks -- June 13th! Join Richard and his extra special guest, his wife Susan Lambert -- creator and cohost of the podcast 80’s TV Ladies -- as they tease Season 3 episodes, share DATES OF UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS -- and explore a very weird dream Richard had that might mean one of them is psychic! If you have location ideas for LIVE RHPB SHOWS, contact us at richard@richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com | |||
| SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE - The Close Encounters Man with Mark O'Connell | 09 May 2025 | 01:09:39 | |
NEW RHPB SEASON 3 PREMIERE DATE -- FRIDAY JUNE 13TH! In this Special Bonus Episode, Richard catches up with good friend and writer Mark O’Connell, author of the modern UFO classic The Close Encounters Man: How One Man Made the World Believe in UFOs -- the wildly entertaining story of J. Allen Hynek, the astronomer who invented the concept of "Close Encounters" with alien life, inspired Steven Spielberg’s classic film and made an entire nation want to believe in UFOs. Mark’s new book, The Year Science Changed Everything: 1957's International Geophysical Year and the Future of Our Planet is out now. Richard and Mark talk about everything from Steven Spielberg to Carl Sagan; from skeptics to believers; from the Abominable Snowman to Jurassic Park; and from Donald Fagen to dancing aliens! Plus -- a Jacques Valleé bombshell you won’t believe! Links: Buy The Close Encounters Man here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-close-encounters-man-mark-oconnell?variant=32207515811874 Buy The Year Science Changed Everything here: https://www.prometheusbooks.com/9781493084906/the-year-science-changed-everything/ Watch The Lost Monster Files here: https://go.discovery.com/show/lost-monster-files-discovery-atve-us | |||
| SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE: Living with Ghosts | 18 Apr 2025 | 01:33:34 | |
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 with those who have passed on. In our conversation, we’ll find out the scariest part of being a medium, what to do when your kid starts demonstrating psychic abilities, how these talents affect your belief in life after death -- and ultimately, what is it like to die? Cindy Valenzuela is a school psychologist in Los Angeles County, who works testing and counseling special needs students. She and her husband also write, produce and star in the YouTube supernatural travel series Ghost Tourist. Colleen McKinnie is a fashion tech entrepreneur and a full-time mom. Colleen now also works as an intuitive guide and psychic medium. LINKS: Book an appointment with Colleen McKinnie here: https://calendly.com/intuitivesessions | |||
| RHPB First Anniversary! | 25 Mar 2025 | 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 started it all -- and Richard shares some exciting news about an upcoming live event! | |||
| S2 Ep10: Glimpses of Eternity | 03 Mar 2025 | 01:05:25 | |
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 exploration, reminding us that the most unexpected transitions can open a door. Raymod Moody knew a thing or two about that. At just 30, he became famous for introducing the world to Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), and eventually Shared Death Experiences (SDEs). SDEs occur when a healthy person gets pulled into someone else’s final moments, glimpsing the other side without ever dying themselves. As the kids might say, you bogart someone else’s death trip. Of all the supernatural experiences out there, Richard Hatem has only ever wanted this one. Because what if you didn’t have to be the one dying to get a glimpse of the other side? These moments blur the line between joy and heartbreak, where loss and hope mingle. Sometimes, the only way to find the light is by going through the dark—and if you’re lucky, you just might emerge on the other side with a new understanding of what it means to live. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts for the next episode. Learn more about the stories, books, music, and more featured in this episode at: www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com LksCVj3gWZOOUrgXqn64 | |||