Paranormal Lens - A Crossroads Of Curiosities, LLC Production

On this episode of Paranormal Lens: Are there such a thing as spiritual hierarchies? Are some entities more "powerful" and capable than others? We don't have the answers.... but what we do have is a great story. Introducing: Daddy Longlegs. A self-identified "Level 8" that HATES our beloved Jacques, who's a "Level 7." This is the biggest feud in Crossroads lore, and does a decent job illustrating the potential hierarchies that may exist in the spiritual realm.

GEMINI SUMMARY: This episode of Paranormal Lens features hosts Ben, Angela, and Brie as they discuss the concept of spiritual hierarchies among paranormal entities (3:02). The conversation is centered around two specific entities, Daddy Longlegs and Jacques.

Key Highlights of the Discussion:

Spiritual Hierarchies: The hosts explore the idea that ghosts and entities are intelligent beings that may exist within a structured hierarchy, similar to natural systems or religious frameworks (4:58 - 7:31).

The Feud: The primary story involves an ongoing rivalry between Daddy Longlegs, a self-identified Level 8 entity discovered at Rosevear Park, and Jacques, a Level 7 entity known to the hosts (19:32 - 21:19).

The Confrontation: The tension between the two entities escalated to a point where Daddy Longlegs openly taunted Jacques during a spirit box session, leading the hosts to put Daddy Longlegs in "timeout" (21:19 - 24:31).

Dimensions and Realities: The hosts touch upon the nature of dimensions, referencing a recent investigation regarding the probability of their own deaths in alternate timelines if they were to visit specific locations (30:08 - 31:43).

Original Airdate: July 2025

Shadow figures are some of the strangest paranormal phenomena reported, and they're deceptively easy to conceptualize. Once you start to go down the rabbit holes though of analyzing your own experiences with shadow figures and comparing them to other entities and sightings, you start to realize how strange the phenomenon truly is. Are shadow figures glitches in the matrix perhaps? Time slips? And, are they their own entities or merely the shadows of entities? This episode is full of conjecture, theories... and bits. Oh, the bits. Inside jokes galore. Uncle Bunkable!

GEMINI SUMMARY: This episode of "Paranormal Lens" features hosts Angela, Brie, and Ben discussing the mysterious and often debated phenomenon of shadow figures.

Key Discussion Points:

Defining Shadow Figures: The hosts grapple with the distinction between shadow figures and traditional apparitions. They suggest that while apparitions often have recognizable, detailed features (like a woman in a white dress), shadow figures are typically seen as fast-moving, featureless black masses (3:36-5:42).

Theories on What They Are: The group explores several provocative theories, including:

- Glitches in the Matrix or Time Slips: The possibility that these figures are remnants or visual errors in time, potentially even glimpses of one's future self (8:06-9:16).

- Low-Resolution Entities: A metaphor used is that shadow figures might be "low-res" versions of spirits that haven't fully "loaded" their details, contrasted with 4K-quality apparitions (10:33-11:03, 25:50-26:04).

- The "Hatman": The hosts clarify that the Hatman is usually considered separate from general shadow figure phenomena because he has a more distinct, identifiable form (11:27-12:48).

Personal Experiences: The hosts share their own encounters, such as Angela's sighting at Madison Seminary (3:24-4:20) and Brie's compelling experience at Rosevear Park, where she witnessed a shadow mass roughly 8 feet tall move behind a tree (14:04-17:28).

Investigative Perspective: The hosts emphasize the importance of critical thinking and debunking. They note that many "shadow figures" captured on camera, especially in low-light or infrared conditions, can often be explained by light interactions or environmental factors rather than the paranormal (20:14-22:23).

On this interactive episode of Paranormal Lens, we’re putting some of the most commonly misidentified “ghostly screams” under the microscope. From bobcats and foxes to owls and peacocks, we break down why these very real, very local animals can sound downright otherworldly, especially at night and when you’re already in a spooky mindset.

Think you heard a scream, a cry, or something that sounded decidedly not human? Before you blame the paranormal, you might want to know what’s living in the woods around you...

SOURCES:

Bobcat:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ByJrxUivs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fox:

https://youtu.be/NIyOiwGfJ1I

Cougar:

https://youtu.be/UE7YOJVSoIs

Barn Owl:

https://youtu.be/YLbzYNnoc2U

Limpkin:

https://youtube.com/shorts/mmNrojcx3F8?si=oBYk9Y0tVgoDNm9Q

Red-tailed hawk:

https://youtu.be/JyZZAD4tWDk?feature=shared

Possum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxm6xp-LHf4

Peacock:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MhZPqHeEAQ

How much "evidence" does it actually take to call a place haunted?

In Episode 61 of Paranormal Lens, we dig into why we don’t put much stock in rumored hauntings based on a single EVP, a vague ghost hunter’s account, or one unexplained experience. We talk about the weight of EVPs when it comes to diagnosing a potential haunting, what actually makes a paranormal claim or purported voice recording convincing, and whether we could ever know with certainty who is objectively haunting a particular place.

And, naturally, we go off the rails a little. We get into what makes a house “legally haunted,” the ghosts who may have never experienced the majesty (or travesty, depending on opinion) of pineapple on pizza, and several other tangents that somehow seemed relevant at the time. Carbon dating, anyone?

GEMINI SUMMARY: In this episode of Paranormal Lens, the hosts discuss why they are skeptical of hauntings that rely on insufficient evidence. They argue that claims based solely on a single Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP), vague personal accounts, or a single unexplained event are not reliable indicators of a truly haunted location.

Key takeaways from the discussion:

Weight of evidence: The hosts emphasize the need for multiple, consistent forms of evidence to support a claim of a haunting, rather than relying on isolated anomalies (0:00 - 4:00).

Defining a haunting: The conversation explores the challenges of objectively identifying a "haunting" and questions whether it is ever truly possible to know with certainty who or what might be behind paranormal activity.

Tangent topics: Throughout the episode, the hosts go off-track to discuss interesting side topics, such as what makes a property "legally haunted" and whether ghosts have opinions on pineapple pizza.

Not to toot our own horn, but this might be our most intriguing topic and conversation yet. On this episode of Paranormal Lens: Ben breaks down why he believes Sam and Colby are this generation's Ed and Lorraine Warren... and his argument surprisingly makes sense. As expected, the potentially controversial conversation also veers into highly compelling tangents: our goals in investigating; entertainment vs. storytelling; and what constitutes as compelling paranormal "evidence" (if there even is such thing as "evidence").

Are Sam and Colby the new Ed and Lorraine Warren? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

GEMINI SUMMARY: This episode of the Paranormal Lens podcast features a discussion where host Ben argues that popular YouTube paranormal investigators Sam and Colby are the modern-day equivalent of Ed and Lorraine Warren (1:37).

Key themes discussed:

Influence and Legacy: The hosts explore how both the Warrens and Sam and Colby have significantly influenced how their respective generations perceive, discuss, and investigate the paranormal (5:04-10:04, 11:18-13:58).

Storytelling vs. Entertainment: A central debate revolves around the goals of investigating. The hosts emphasize the importance of storytelling over "empty entertainment," noting that while their own work is driven by a desire to explore the human experience, it inherently becomes entertaining to an audience (22:30-24:55).

Evidence vs. Data: The group critiques the term "evidence" in paranormal research, suggesting that "data" is a more accurate descriptor for what is captured, which should then be evaluated by experts across various fields rather than being treated as definitive proof (25:06-33:05).

Investigative Styles: They address criticisms regarding the "go-go-go" nature of internet culture, noting that Sam and Colby stand out by producing long-form, unedited content that keeps audiences engaged, contrasting this with more traditional, highly edited television formats like Ghost Hunters (37:37-41:25).

On this short and sweet episode of Paranormal Lens, we’re asking a deceptively simple question: does the amount of time you spend investigating a haunted location actually matter? We dig into our own experiences in the field and explore how the length of an investigation might influence what we experience, if at all.

And, of course, we take the question to its extreme: if we were given an entire week to investigate any haunted location in the world, where would we go, and what would we hope to uncover? From our own anecdotal experiences to the ultimate paranormal dream investigation, this episode gets into how much time may or may not truly matter when you’re hunting for something you can’t necessarily predict.

GEMINI SUMMARY: GEMINI SUMMARY: This episode of Paranormal Lens explores the question: does the amount of time spent ghost hunting actually matter? The hosts discuss their experiences and theories regarding how the duration of an investigation impacts the potential for paranormal encounters.

Key discussion points:

Investigation Duration: The hosts debate whether longer investigations inherently yield more results or if paranormal events are simply unpredictable, regardless of time spent on-site (0:00 - 28:45).

The "Dream" Investigation: As a thought experiment, the team discusses what they would do if given an entire week to investigate a single haunted location, including where they would go and what they hope to uncover (throughout the episode).

This episode of Paranormal Lens is full of hot takes and potentially unpopular opinions.

In a rare moment when we all actually agree on something, none of us can quite wrap our heads around why so many paranormal investigators come up with weird, convoluted, or just plain factually incorrect explanations for why they supposedly need to investigate at night.

So, on this episode, we’re poking holes in some of the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding nighttime ghost hunting. We’ll examine the claims investigators often make about why the paranormal is supposedly more active after dark... and whether there’s actually any good reason to believe them.

We also share some of our recent daytime paranormal experiences; and reveal our own, surprisingly simple reason for investigating at night. Spoiler: it’s probably a lot simpler than you think.

GEMINI SUMMARY: This episode of Paranormal Lens explores the common belief that ghost hunting must only be conducted at night and challenges the various myths used to justify this practice.

Key takeaways regarding nighttime investigations:

Debunking Myths: The hosts argue that nighttime is not a requirement for paranormal activity (3:02). Common excuses, such as ghosts being nocturnal or infrared cameras being necessary to capture them, are dismissed as illogical or just convenient excuses for filmmakers (15:58, 19:20, 21:36).

The Real Reasons: The hosts admit that nighttime is preferred primarily for "spookier vibes" and to match the atmosphere people expect from paranormal media (10:42, 12:30). They also note practical factors like audience engagement, as viewers are more active in the evening, and location access restrictions during daytime hours (11:27, 31:27).

Solo Ghost Hunt Challenge:

The latter half of the episode focuses on a "scariest solo ghost hunt" challenge proposed in a previous episode (36:34). They brainstorm elements for this challenge, including being locked in a jail cell in an abandoned prison, having no communication with the outside, and using a strobe light flashlight (1:18:28 - 1:19:29).

The hosts set a goal of 400 listens for the episode by September 1st to make this challenge a reality, promising to play a game of Jenga to decide who undergoes the solo investigation (1:20:47 - 1:23:22).

What if you visited a place that shouldn't exist... and then could never find it again? What if an object you know you had suddenly vanished without a trace, only to reappear somewhere completely unexpected?

On this episode of Paranormal Lens, we explore the strange phenomenon commonly described as “glitches in the matrix." Experiences that seem to challenge our understanding of reality, from mysterious locations to disappearing objects that feel like reality itself has briefly skipped a beat. Are these experiences evidence of time slips, alternate realities, or something far more sinister?

Or is there a much more mundane explanation? Could the way our brains process memory, perception, and expectation create the illusion that something impossible has happened?

Throughout the episode, we'll examine some of the our own "glitches in the matrix," including a recent experience in Marshall, Michigan.

GEMINI SUMMARY: This episode of the Paranormal Lens podcast explores the concept of "glitches in the matrix," experiences where locations, buildings, or objects seem to appear and disappear or defy logical explanation.

Key Highlights:

The Marshall, Michigan Experience (06:15 - 17:30): Ben and Angela, share a personal story from several months prior when they visited an antique store in Marshall, Michigan, that specialized in paper ephemera and vintage books. Upon returning to the town recently, they were unable to locate the building or find any online record of the shop, despite extensively searching maps, social media groups, and local streets.

Missing Objects (17:42 - 22:21): The discussion shifts to the phenomenon of disappearing items. Ben recounts an experience in college at Riverbend Park, where a static EMF detector he was using for a web series vanished while he was driving home. He confirmed through recorded footage that the device was in the car, yet it was never found again.

The Antichrist Debate (00:00 - 00:15, 24:35 - 25:05): The hosts jokingly debate whether Bitcoin or Bigfoot is the Antichrist, a recurring humorous topic on their show.

Community Engagement (25:55 - 28:05): The hosts mention a challenge for their listeners: if episode 55 reaches 400 listens by the end of August 2026, they will commit to a high-stakes, solo ghost-hunting challenge they previously designed.

On this episode of Paranormal Lens, we take a (slightly) more serious look at fear and the role it plays during paranormal investigations. The conversation takes some interesting turns as we explore how "clip culture" has shaped people's perceptions of investigators' experiences, and why every time we post ourselves reacting to something unusual or go live from an investigation, someone inevitably comments: "Don't show it fear!"

We also discuss how some paranormal TV shows and investigation teams have made fear part of their brand and identity, and whether that alters their investigations or perceived experiences for better or for worse.

GEMINI SUMMARY: In this episode of Paranormal Lens, the hosts explore the role of fear in paranormal investigations, specifically addressing why viewers often tell them not to show fear while investigating.

Key Discussion Points:

The "Don't Show Fear" Myth: The hosts discuss the common viewer sentiment that showing fear during an investigation makes an investigator vulnerable to demonic attachment or possession (2:37-3:00). They argue that while extreme vulnerability can be a concern, a natural, momentary reaction to a startling event is different from living in a state of perpetual fear (3:40-4:30).

The Impact of Intent and Attitude: The team emphasizes that one's mindset matters. Going into an investigation with a negative, aggressive, or overly anxious attitude may influence the environment or create a self-fulfilling prophecy, whereas approaching it with a neutral, "clean slate" perspective is preferred (10:06-11:50, 12:52-13:40).

Clip Culture and Perception: The hosts critique "clip culture" on social media, noting that 10-second viral clips of them getting startled do not accurately represent hours of steady, focused investigation. These snippets often lead to unfair judgments from audiences who don't see the full context (14:22-15:10, 24:09-24:45).

Adrenaline vs. Reality: The team acknowledges that high-stress situations can make investigators more hyper-aware, sometimes causing them to misinterpret mundane shadows or sounds as paranormal (4:49-5:45). They argue that experienced investigators must learn to talk themselves down from these moments to objectively evaluate the evidence (5:45-6:00).

Ultimately, the hosts conclude that getting "spooked" by an isolated event is a normal human reaction, not a dangerous mistake, and they remain committed to long-form, authentic investigation styles over the sensationalized content often found in the paranormal genre.

In this episode of Paranormal Lens, we’re asking a terrifying question: what would be the SCARIEST possible solo investigation for the Crossroads of Curiosities crew?

(Spoiler alert: it does not involve handcuffs or bathtubs...)

After nearly a decade of investigating some of the most haunted locations in the midwest, we’re turning the focus inward and designing the one ghost hunt that would truly test our courage, skepticism, and nerves.

We're not creating the most "objectively" extreme investigation imaginable. We're creating the most terrifying one for us personally. What type of location would make us hesitate before walking through the door alone? What conditions would push us outside our comfort zones? And what paranormal scenarios would force us to confront our own fears?

Oh, and there’s a catch…

If this episode reaches 400 listens by September 1st, we’ve all reluctantly agreed to turn our hypothetical “scariest solo ghost hunt ever” into a reality.

So give this new episode a listen, and be sure to share with your friends... we dare you.

GEMINI Summary:

In this episode of Paranormal Lens, the Crossroads of Curiosities crew brainstorms the most terrifying possible solo ghost investigation for themselves (1:38 - 1:53). Their goal is not to create an objectively extreme event, but to design a scenario that would personally test their nerves and fears.

The "Ultimate" Scary Solo Cocktail:

• Setting: A large, abandoned haunted prison (7:16 - 7:20).
• Timing: Starts at 11:33 p.m. on the night of a new moon (24:26 - 25:12).
• Restraint/Isolation: The investigator is locked inside a cell with all cameras placed outside to ensure total isolation (8:14 - 8:28, 13:47 - 14:10).
• Environmental Factors: A random Craigslist coven is hired to perform a conjuring ritual on the prison grounds while wearing orange jumpsuits (23:07 - 24:17).
• Tools: A strobe light is used instead of a standard flashlight, and the investigator is provided with a word generator device (28:06 - 29:43).
• Psychological Hazards: Cat balls and Rem Pods line the hallway, a mirror is placed in the cell, and a Boo Buddy is kept just out of reach (12:42 - 13:06, 16:47 - 17:26, 25:45 - 26:15).
• The X-Factor: The crew aims to have a bat in the cell with the hope that it will leave droppings on the investigator (8:30 - 8:37, 30:45 - 30:52).

The Challenge: The crew has agreed that if this episode receives 400 listens by September 1st, they will host a live-streamed Jenga match to determine who must perform this terrifying solo investigation within the next year (31:00 - 33:05).