What happens when magic meets murder?

From sleight-of-hand illusions to real-world storytelling, this episode explores how magic, mystery, and the paranormal intersect, and why sometimes the scariest things aren’t supernatural at all.

John Gaspard joins the show to discuss:

The origins of the Eli Marks mystery series

How magicians think differently, and how that shapes storytelling

Writing mysteries that are both clever and fair to the audience

The blurred line between illusion, deception, and belief

His thoughts on ghosts, the afterlife, and unexplained experiences

Behind-the-scenes insights into indie filmmaking and writing

Plus… a real-life unexplained moment involving a disappearing cup of coffee that might just make skeptics think twice 👀

Author of the Eli Marks Mystery Series (10 books strong)

Creator of the Como Lake Players Mystery Series

Host of Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast

Indie filmmaker with multiple low-budget features

Expert in blending magic, mystery, and humor into compelling stories

His work dives into the psychology of deception, something magicians (and killers?) understand better than most.

Why magicians make perfect detectives

Using real magic techniques to solve fictional crimes

Crafting mysteries where the audience has all the clues

Do ghosts exist?

What kind of evidence would actually prove it?

The psychology behind paranormal experiences

Outlining vs “discovery writing.”

Avoiding writer’s block

Building compelling villains without revealing too much

The realities of indie filmmaking vs Hollywood

Why storytelling should always come from passion,  not profit

A skeptic’s take on ghosts that will spark debate

The concept of “fair mysteries,” where readers can solve them too

A real story about a vanishing coffee cup in a New York hotel ☕

Why magicians understand deception better than anyone

If you love:

Paranormal podcasts

Mystery & thriller storytelling

True crime with a twist

Writing and creative insights

👉 This episode is for you.

In this chilling episode of Dairyland Frights, host John dives deep into the paranormal with Loren Purcell, aka “The Mystic Chick” a psychic medium, energy empath, and paranormal investigator based in Illinois.

Loren shares her origin story, beginning with a near-death experience at just two years old that opened her connection to the spirit world. From there, she developed the ability to see, feel, and interpret energy, leading her to investigate haunted homes, historic mansions, cemeteries, and more.

This episode explores:

The difference between ghosts, spirits, and negative entities

How energy frequencies impact paranormal encounters

Why some people experience hauntings—and others don’t

Real-life investigations, including a 15,000 sq ft haunted mansion

The terrifying truth about entities posing as spirits

Why new homes can still have paranormal activity

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really lurking beyond our world… this one gets creepy.

Loren explains how being an energy empath allows her to:

Sense emotional and physical pain

Detect spirits and environmental energy

Identify disturbances in homes and locations

Loren has investigated:

Historic mansions

Cemeteries across Illinois

The Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake

Abandoned and energy-charged sites

She reveals how location energy, trauma, and history create paranormal hotspots.

One of the most intense discussions of the episode:

Ghosts = human spirits, often tied to trauma or unfinished business

Negative entities (demons) = never human, feed on emotional pain

Residual hauntings = energy loops replaying events

Loren warns that some entities can disguise themselves as innocent spirits to gain trust.

Loren explains how:

Trauma, grief, and stress lower your “frequency.”

Certain environments attract negative entities

Vulnerability can lead to attachment or influence

She also reveals why buying a home during emotional turmoil can lead to dangerous outcomes.

A shocking case involving:

A massive historic mansion

Paranormal sightings throughout the home

Emotional chaos between homeowners

Hidden trauma embedded in the property

Loren uncovers both spiritual AND environmental causes, proving not all hauntings are what they seem.

Loren (with a background in psychology) discusses:

When paranormal experiences may be mental health-related

How to distinguish real hauntings from internal struggles

The importance of approaching cases responsibly

A ghost story involving a tragic death, seeking justice

A terrifying case of a negative entity posing as a child spirit

Why cemeteries aren’t always haunted—and homes sometimes are

The truth about sleep paralysis and paranormal overlap

Everything is energy, and your frequency matters

Not all hauntings are ghosts

Vulnerability can open doors to the unknown

The paranormal world is far more complex than we think

🌐 Website: mysticchick.net

Dairyland Frights explores the darkest corners of the Midwest and beyond—featuring real ghost stories, haunted locations, cryptids, and paranormal investigations.

In this chilling episode of Dairyland Frights, we welcome paranormal researcher Keri from Unlocking the Paranormal for a deep dive into eerie encounters, haunted locations, and unexplained phenomena.

From childhood fascinations with the paranormal to real-life ghostly encounters, Keri shares what first pulled her into the mysterious world of the supernatural. Together, John and Keri explore everything from sleep paralysis experiences and mimic spirits to alien abduction stories and haunted locations across the Midwest.

The episode also investigates one of Iowa’s most intriguing haunted locations, the Mason House Inn, a historic bed-and-breakfast dating back to 1846 with a long history of ghost sightings, unexplained noises, and spirits that reportedly interact with guests.

If you love ghost stories, paranormal investigations, haunted history, and UFO mysteries, this episode is packed with spine-tingling conversations you won’t want to miss.

So dim the lights, grab your headphones, and prepare for another journey into the unexplained.

And remember…

Stay spooky.

👻 Keri’s lifelong fascination with the paranormal

Keri – Unlocking the Paranormal

Keri hosts the podcast Unlocking the Paranormal, where she explores mysterious cases involving:

Alien abductions

Paranormal encounters

Ghost stories

UFO sightings

Unexplained phenomena

Her research dives deep into the stories behind paranormal events and the people who experience them.

Built in 1846, the Mason House Inn served as a lodging stop for steamboat travelers and later functioned as a hospital during the Civil War. Over the years, it has developed a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in Iowa.

Reported paranormal activity includes:

Apparitions appearing in hallways and mirrors

Unexplained footsteps in empty rooms

Guests feel their clothing tugged while sleeping

Objects moving on their own

A ghost believed to rearrange décor when renovations occur

Visitors can still stay overnight and even participate in ghost hunts inside the inn.

Unlocking the paranormal

Ghost Encounters

Ghost stories

Haunted locations

Paranormal investigations

UFO encounters

Alien abduction mysteries

Midwest haunted history

Supernatural podcasts

🎧 Podcast: Unlocking the Paranormal

Instagram: Unlocking the Paranormal

In this episode of Dairyland Frights, host John welcomes paranormal investigators Rachel and Keith from Liminal Shadows to explore the fascinating world of ghost hunting, EVP recordings, haunted locations, and paranormal investigation techniques. The couple shares their experiences investigating some of the most active haunted sites in the United States and explains how their investigative dynamic works, with Rachel approaching the paranormal as a believer while Keith brings a healthy dose of skepticism.

Liminal Shadows with Rachel. Together they discuss the evidence they've captured during investigations, including disembodied voices, unexplained whistles, mysterious EVPs, and strange activity caught on multiple recording devices. The investigators explain how reviewing audio evidence after an investigation often reveals voices or sounds that were not heard in the moment, making EVP recordings one of the most compelling forms of paranormal evidence.

Rachel and Keith also share stories from haunted locations, including Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, Waverly Hills Sanatorium, and historic sites in Tennessee, where investigators have experienced strange energy, unexplained sounds, and even physical sensations believed to be paranormal encounters.

Throughout the conversation, they dive deep into ghost hunting equipment, discussing tools like EMF detectors, audio recorders, SLS cameras, and one of their favorite pieces of equipmen the “dead bell,” a modified hotel bell that responds to electromagnetic energy and may allow spirits to communicate through physical interaction.

The discussion also explores theories behind paranormal phenomena, including stone tape theory, environmental energy from storms or limestone structures, and whether spirits are residual echoes of past events or intelligent entities capable of communication.

To wrap up the episode, the investigators join John for a fun Paranormal Newlywed Game, where the couple answers questions about investigating together, surviving a zombie apocalypse, and what happens when ghost hunts get a little too serious—or a little too funny.

Whether you're a seasoned paranormal investigator or just curious about ghosts and haunted places, this episode offers a fascinating look at real ghost hunting experiences, paranormal research, and the mysteries that continue to haunt investigators across the Midwest and beyond.

What it’s like investigating the paranormal as a couple

Skeptic vs believer approaches to Ghost Hunting

Capturing EVPs and disembodied voices during investigations

Haunted locations include prisons, cabins, and historic buildings

The paranormal investigation team Liminal Shadows

Ghost hunting equipment like EMF meters, SLS cameras, and spirit communication tools

Paranormal theories, including the stone tape theory and environmental energy

The debate over demons vs negative spirits

Can ghosts communicate through physical devices?

The Paranormal Newlywed Game

EVP Audio Recorders

SLS / XLS Camera Systems

EMF Detectors

Cat Balls and Motion Devices

Spirit Box Communication

The Dead Bell Spirit Communication Device

Liminal Shadows is a paranormal investigation team led by Rachel and Keith, focusing on exploring haunted locations and collaborating with other investigative groups. Their approach combines open-minded curiosity with skeptical analysis to examine paranormal evidence objectively.

If you love ghost stories, haunted locations, paranormal investigations, cryptids, and unexplained mysteries, make sure to subscribe to Dairyland Frights for weekly episodes exploring the strange and supernatural.

In this chilling episode of Dairyland Frights, host John welcomes paranormal investigator Lara from Seance and Sensibility for a deep dive into real ghost investigations, Ouija board dangers, spiritual protection, and the mysteries that lurk beyond our understanding.

From childhood paranormal experiences to modern-day investigations with equipment such as ITC devices and EMF tools, Lara shares haunting stories that blur the line between curiosity and caution. Together, John and Lara explore how investigators set boundaries with spirits, protect themselves from attachments, and separate genuine paranormal evidence from coincidence.

This episode is packed with eerie firsthand encounters, including Ouija board warnings, shadow figures, intelligent spirit responses, and discussions about demons, haunted locations, and the emotional realities of paranormal work. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens during a paranormal investigation or why experienced investigators stress respect, boundaries, and protection — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Lara’s origin story and how Seance and Sensibility began

The dangers of Ouija boards and real investigation experiences

Haunted locations, spirit communication, and paranormal tools

How investigators debunk evidence vs. authentic encounters

Spiritual protection rituals and closing investigations safely

Emotional challenges of investigating the unknown

Paranormal investigation techniques • Ouija board safety • Ghost hunting equipment • Haunted hotels and asylums • Spirit attachments • Demon vs. human spirit encounters • EVP evidence • ITC communication • Paranormal boundaries and protection

Lara – Seance and Sensibility

Hosted by John Radtke, Dairyland Frights explores ghosts, cryptids, haunted locations, and paranormal mysteries from the Midwest and beyond — blending storytelling, investigation, and real experiences from the world of the unknown. 

If you enjoyed this episode:

Step into the strange side of the Midwest as host John welcomes Josh from Weird Wisconsin for a deep dive into haunted history, paranormal investigations, and bizarre UFO encounters across Wisconsin.

In this chilling episode of Dairyland Frights, you’ll hear firsthand stories of shadow figures, cursed farms, mysterious crop circles, alien encounters, and real paranormal investigations that shaped Josh’s journey into the supernatural. From haunted Waukesha legends to UFO festivals and eerie Midwest folklore, this conversation explores why Wisconsin may be one of America’s most underrated hotspots for paranormal activity.

Whether you believe in ghosts, extraterrestrials, or unexplained phenomena, this episode blends history, humor, and spine-tingling stories that will leave you questioning what’s really out there.

How childhood encounters with shadow figures inspired Josh’s paranormal path

The haunted history of Waukesha and Wisconsin ghost legends

The chilling Hill Family Farm tragedy and cursed land theories

Real paranormal investigation experiences — including being physically touched during a ghost hunt

Theories behind Stone Tape energy and haunted objects

Wisconsin UFO sightings, alien encounters, and strange crop circle events

The bizarre “alien pancake” story and other Weird Wisconsin legends

Why paranormal activity may happen just as often during the day as at night

Josh shares how researching Midwest hauntings revealed countless overlooked stories — proving the region is filled with cryptids, ghosts, and unexplained mysteries hiding in plain sight.

Josh is a paranormal researcher, storyteller, and ghost tour guide based in Waukesha. After early experiences with unexplained phenomena, he formed a paranormal investigation team and now documents Wisconsin’s strangest history through tours, social media, and his book exploring local hauntings.

Find Weird Wisconsin across all social platforms and explore more Midwest paranormal stories.

Midwest Paranormal Stories

Wisconsin Ghost Legends

Haunted Farms & True Crime Mysteries

UFO Sightings in Wisconsin

Crop Circles & Alien Encounters

Stone Tape Theory & Energy Imprints

Paranormal Investigation Techniques

If you enjoyed this episode, rate and review Dairyland Frights and share it with your fellow spooky friends. Your support helps keep Midwest paranormal stories alive.

In this episode of Dairyland Frights, host John welcomes special guest Jeremy from The Common Historian, a creator dedicated to exploring the eerie intersection of history, haunted locations, cryptids, and supernatural folklore. Together, they dive deep into chilling true stories, strange historical mysteries, and unsettling paranormal legends from around the world. From haunted houses and phantom footsteps to cursed phone numbers and psychological warfare during wartime, this conversation blends dark history, paranormal encounters, and bizarre real-world events that will leave you questioning what’s real and what might be lurking just beyond our understanding.

🔎 Where History Meets the Supernatural

📞 The Deadly Phone Number Mystery

⚡ The Tucker Telephone Torture Device

🎧 Psychological Warfare & Ghost Voices

🏨 Hotel del Salto – Colombia’s Haunted Cliffside Hotel

🌍 Bucket-List Haunted Destinations

Haunted houses & intelligent vs. residual hauntings

Dark historical events tied to paranormal legends

Psychological fear tactics in warfare

Haunted hotels and cursed locations

Indigenous folklore and supernatural beliefs

Forgotten Midwest history and paranormal exploration

Jeremy explores the crossroads of history and the supernatural, interviewing investigators, historians, and paranormal researchers while uncovering eerie stories hidden in real-world events.

📺 New episodes: Wednesdays & Saturdays

Dairyland Frights – Valentine’s Day Special

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love, romance, chocolates, and roses , but what if love comes with a body count?

In this Valentine’s Day special episode of Dairyland Frights, host John Radtke welcomes back fan-favorite guests Horror Hour With the Hanna's for a darkly funny, insightful, and occasionally unhinged deep dive into horror movies, twisted romance, and terrifying couples that redefine what “love” really means.

From Oscar-winning monster romances to slashers soaked in blood and heart-shaped carnage, this episode explores how horror uses relationships to tell deeper, scarier truths about intimacy, obsession, power, and identity 

Guillermo del Toro’s polarizing Best Picture winner sparks a passionate discussion about monster romance, marginalized voices, female sexuality, and why this film is secretly one of the most emotionally honest love stories in modern horror-adjacent cinema.

Topics include:

Why the “fish man romance” works

Communication without words

Desire, loneliness, and breaking societal norms

Why humans—not monsters—are often the real villains

A Valentine’s Day slasher that skewers rom-com tropes with surgical precision.

Described as “Scream meets a Hallmark movie with a knife”, this under-the-radar hit blends:

Meta commentary on romantic comedies

Slasher movie rules

Fake dating, meet-cutes, and grumpy/sunshine tropes

A surprisingly sweet (and bloody) love story

A cult-classic slasher set in a mining town where love letters are replaced with human hearts.

The group breaks down:

Why the setting makes the film so effective

The infamous censored footage

Why some slashers exist purely to terrify—and why that’s okay

The conversation expands beyond movies into horror’s most disturbing and fascinating couples, including:

Long-term relationship horror and anxious attachment

Codependency as body horror

Obsession, stalking, and “love that won’t let go”

How horror reflects real-world relationship fears

Films and characters referenced include:

Together (2025)

The Fly (1986)

Halloween (Michael Myers & Laurie Strode)

Body horror as metaphor for emotional fusion

This episode digs into why horror is one of the best genres for exploring love, including:

Vulnerability and intimacy

Power dynamics and obsession

Desire versus identity

When love becomes destructive

Whether you love elevated horror, slashers, rom-com parodies, or just enjoy hearing smart horror fans argue passionately about movies, this Valentine’s Day episode delivers laughs, insight, and plenty of dark heart.

If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day horror podcast episode that’s funny, thoughtful, and unafraid to get weird—this one’s for you.

💀 Love hurts. Horror proves it.

In this chilling and fascinating episode of Dairyland Frights, host John welcomes Kelsey from Third Eye Roll, a Midwest-based psychic medium and paranormal investigator who blends spiritual insight with hands-on ghost hunting. From spirit animals and energy frequencies to extraterrestrials and haunted locations, this conversation dives deep into the mysteries of the unseen world.

Kelsey shares how her childhood experiences with spirits shaped her abilities, why she believes ghosts are made of both energy and consciousness, and how she debunks paranormal activity before accepting it as supernatural.

The episode kicks off with rapid-fire paranormal questions — including the best time of night to capture ghost evidence (hint: when the veil feels thinner) and whether demons truly exist or are manifestations of human belief and energy.

Mediumship vs. paranormal investigation

Are ghosts energy, consciousness, or both?

Why fear fuels paranormal encounters

Spirit animals and their symbolic meanings

Energy vampires (human & spiritual)

Haunted locations to avoid (including the infamous Conjuring House)

Synchronicities, vibrations, and human frequencies

Channeling spirits and automatic writing

Extraterrestrials and spiritual connections

Debunking paranormal experiences

Kelsey explains how spirits often communicate through symbols, numbers, and intuitive messages — and why she constantly cross-checks readings for accuracy Third eye roll (1).

She also opens up about:

Using tarot, oracle cards, runes, dowsing rods, and bibliomancy

Why boundaries are crucial when working with spirits

How human emotions can carry heavier energy than ghosts

And in a fun twist, the conversation drifts into extraterrestrials, consciousness, and whether aliens are here to help humanity evolve, inspired by shows like Resident Alien.

🌐 Website: www.thirdeyroll.org

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 TikTok & Instagram: @3rdEyeroll11

Kelsey offers:

✔️ Mediumship sessions

Third eye roll (1)

If you love:

Paranormal investigations

Psychic mediums

Ghost stories

Energy work & spirituality

UFOs and extraterrestrial theories

Haunted Midwest locations

This episode is packed with insight, laughs, and eerie revelations that will keep you thinking long after it ends.

Welcome to Nightland Frights, the darker, twisted shadow of Dairyland Frights, where nightmares stretch long past midnight, and the unknown never stops watching. In this chilling episode, we dive into real-life paranormal encounters that will make you sleep with the lights on.

From haunted homes and possessed dolls to ghostly children, phantom passengers, and some of the most haunted locations in America, these spine-tingling stories prove that the veil between worlds may be thinner than we think.

If you love true ghost stories, real paranormal experiences, and terrifying hauntings, this episode is for you.

A family moves into a new home only to discover the spirit of a woman who tragically died in a house fire — seemingly watching over a newborn baby. Mysterious fog, moving objects, and eerie encounters soon force them to flee the house

Nightland Frights scary ghosts…

A toddler points out invisible figures standing among gravestones, calmly explaining they’re “not alive.” The unsettling encounter raises questions about children and their ability to see beyond our world

Nightland Frights scary ghosts…

A beloved childhood toy begins to change expressions, move on its own, and call out family members’ names. Attempts to destroy it fail — leading to a terrifying burial in cement

Nightland Frights scary ghosts…

A woman recalls her childhood “imaginary friend” who shared stories of the past — only to learn later he was actually her grandfather, who died before she was born

Nightland Frights scary ghosts…

A young child is mysteriously led outside by an “old lady” no one else can see, wandering dangerously close to traffic. The haunting presence soon drives the family from their home

Nightland Frights scary ghosts…

After passing a fatal car crash, a woman suddenly finds a stranger sitting in her passenger seat — a spirit confused about her own death, needing help to cross over

Nightland Frights scary ghosts…

Once a makeshift hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic, this historic inn is home to ghostly children, former owners, and unexplained footsteps.

The hotel that inspired The Shining continues to terrify guests with apparitions, mysterious illnesses, and chilling photographs.

Built on former gallows, this infamous haunted house features shadow figures, phantom footsteps, ghostly scents, EVPs, and lingering spirits of past residents.

✔️ Real paranormal encounters

Perfect for fans of:

True ghost stories

Paranormal podcasts

Haunted locations

Real scary encounters

Supernatural mysteries

True ghost stories, real paranormal encounters, haunted houses in America, scary ghost podcast, possessed doll story, cemetery ghosts, phantom passenger, haunted hotels, Nightland Frights podcast, real supernatural experiences, haunted locations, creepy true stories, spirits and hauntings.

Nightland Frights is the darker companion to Dairyland Frights, exploring the most terrifying true stories of ghosts, hauntings, and the unexplained from around the world. Hosted by John Radtke, each episode takes you deep into the shadows where fear lives.