[01:17] Welcome, Shadowlings  

[02:04] New to This Old Haunt?  

[02:46] Content Warning  

[02:57] Honky Tonk Hell Portal (aka Bobby Mackey’s)  

[03:17] Cursed Clippings  

[04:27] Pearl Bryan’s Backstory  

[06:02] Enter: Scott Jackson, Human Red Flag  

[08:05] A Crime & A Coverup  

[12:21] The Legend of Johanna  

[14:30] Fact Check: Was Pearl ever there?  

[16:32] Wrap-Up & Teaser  

Welcome to This Old Haunt - Minisode Edition, the series where Paranormal Playback co-host Melanie Malone digs into the dark history behind your favorite haunted locations, and sorts fact from full-on ghost bro fiction.

In our first minisode, we’re unraveling the myths behind Bobby Mackey’s Music World, the infamous Kentucky honky tonk dubbed “the most haunted nightclub in America.” You’ve heard the stories: the headless ghost of Pearl Bryan, a haunted well rumored to be a portal to hell, and the tragic spirit of nightclub dancer Johanna. But what’s real, and what’s just paranormal PR?

We cover:

• The real-life murder of Pearl Bryan in 1896 (and why her ghost probably isn't at the bar)
• The origin of the slaughterhouse basement legend
• Who Johanna was... or wasn’t
• And how Ghost Adventures made it all legendary in Season 1, Episode 1: Bobby Mackey's Music World

👉 Want to hear us (lightly) drag Zak Bagans in real time? Check out our full rewatch of the Ghost Adventures premiere in our coordinating main feed episode:

🎧 The Ghost Bro Era Has Entered the Chat | Ghost Adventures Recap

And if you want to see the headlines, photos, and historical records we reference?

Head to paranormalplayback.com for the visuals that made Mel raise an eyebrow.

Follow, subscribe, and prepare to side-eye your spirit guide.

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[01:02] What Is a Spirit Box?  

[01:35] History and Design: Radio Sweep Origins  

[02:20] How to Use a Spirit Box in the Field  

[03:10] Spirit Boxes on TV: Best and Worst Moments  

[04:20] Char’s Perspective: Static, Bias, and Belief  

In this episode of Charlie Checks the Tech on Paranormal Playback, Char takes a critical look at Spirit Boxes, popular ghost-hunting tools used to detect paranormal activity by scanning AM/FM radio frequencies. Also known as ghost boxes or polter pods, these devices create bursts of static and audio fragments that some believe allow spirits to communicate. Char explains the science and psychology behind why people hear voices, touching on audio pareidolia, confirmation bias, and radio interference. She shares expert tips for using Spirit Boxes more effectively, such as fast sweep rates, recording sessions, and pairing results with other paranormal data. While not dismissing them entirely, Char urges ghost hunters to use these devices with skepticism, context, and careful documentation.

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this debut episode of “Charlie Checks the Tech” on Paranormal Playback, host Char (Charlie) dives into the science and skepticism behind Electromagnetic Field Meters aka EMF—those blinking, beeping tools often seen in paranormal investigations. She explains what EMFs are, how EMF meters work, and why spikes in readings don’t necessarily mean paranormal activity. Char explores common environmental causes, the psychological effects of EMFs, and offers practical tips for using these devices responsibly. Whether you’re a paranormal investigator or just a fan of ghost-hunting shows, this episode delivers a grounded and informative look at one of the field’s most misunderstood tools.

Next Up: Spirit Boxes

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[01:47] Hollywood Bones Unearthed  

[05:18] Stir of Echoes Meets EMF Readings  

[08:18] Spirit Box Chaos Dissected  

[11:48] Char Checks the Tech Begins  

[15:48] Ghostly Singing from the Loft  

[21:05] Ghost Child Lured with Candy  

[25:35] Laughs, Orbs, Tech Doubts  

[31:35] Candy Community Theatre with the Ghoulies  

[36:35] Window Figure Under Scrutiny  

[44:35] Demons, Dental Drama, Conclusions  

[58:34] Haunted or Hoax with the Bonemaster  

[01:07:33] Outro  

In this episode of Paranormal Playback, hosts Char, Mel, and Lor return for Part II of their recap of Ghost Adventures Season 29, Episode 6, “The Living Dead on La Brea.” The team dives into Zack Bagans’ investigation of the Women’s Social Club of Hollywood, where questionable bones, sketchy spirit box responses, and an upstairs singing mystery woman all fuel speculation about what’s really haunting the property. From misidentified tech like the Tri-field Meter and XLS-2 to Aaron’s candy-fueled antics and untested “remains,” the hosts dish out both skepticism and spooky vibes in equal measure. Highlights include loud EVPs, theories about secret witches in the attic, and a heated debate over what the spirit box really said.

👻 Want more? Follow, rate, and subscribe to keep the haunt alive, and visit our website for photos, source materials, and ghostly extras.

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[01:36] Intro: New Show Features + Ghost Biz Catch-Up  

[10:34] Recap Begins: Ghost Adventures Hits La Brea  

[14:03] The Real History of the Hollywood Women’s Club  

[17:06] This Old Haunt: Glamour, Graves & Ghost Girls  

[26:10] A Preacher, a Curse & the Club's Dark Past  

[35:28] Secret Society Energy + Patty Negri’s Return  

[41:25] Gardener Lisa & the Bones That Weren’t  

[47:50] Grave Theory, Cement Clues & Paranormal Confusion  

[53:46] Paranormal Side Quests: Patreon + Bonus Ideas  

[57:31] Rosemary Lord Enters: British Ghost Club Vibes  

[01:00:06] When Paranormal “Facts” Fall Apart  

[01:00:40] Outro: Part 2 Drops Wednesday, Things Get Weirder  

In this episode of Paranormal Playback, Char, Mel, and Lor dive into Ghost Adventures Season 29, Episode 6: Living Dead on La Brea, where Zak & the crew investigate the Hollywood Women’s Club. Once a glitzy girls’ school, now a haunted hotbed of secret societies, seizures, and suspect bones.

Mel breaks down the building’s true history in This Old Haunt, from Prohibition parties and silent film glam to a white supremacist preacher who allegedly cursed the land. Meanwhile, the team unpacks vintage ghost girl sightings, a raw-chicken re-enactment, and what might be Zak’s worst tech demo yet.

👻 Want more? Follow, rate, and subscribe to keep the haunt alive, and visit our website for photos, source materials, and ghostly extras.

Also featuring: mustard-fueled dramatics, a 1940s cosplay séance, a surprise return from Patty Negri, and Gardener Lisa, who may or may not be the most compelling medium of the season.

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[01:02] Intro  

[01:05] Zak's Truman Show Meltdown  

[01:13] Ritual Circles & Drama Builds  

[01:17] Paranormal Feud of the Century  

[01:32] The Evidence (??) Review  

[01:43] Inspector Gadget's Spirit Tech  

[01:57] Army-Crawling Ghosts & Demon Burps  

[02:06] Haunted or Hoax?  

Part II of our Ghost Adventures Season 29, Episode 5 recap is pure paranormal chaos. The crew dives into ritual circles, EMF spikes, and the pettiest ghost hunter feud in cable TV history. Zak thinks he’s chatting with Henry Rispin’s spirit, but Mel, Char, and Lor are more concerned with the suspicious stick-figure “evidence,” ghost gadgets from another timeline, and a very unverifiable story about a missing girl. It’s all demon burps, haunted convent energy, and tech that does absolutely nothing. Buckle up for the séance spirals and spirit gossip.

👻 Want more? Follow, rate, and subscribe to keep the haunt alive, and visit our website for photos, source materials, and ghostly extras.

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[00:31] Trigger Warnings  

[01:11] Shadow Updates  

[02:09] Intro: Rispin Vibes are Off  

[08:15] Housekeeping (Haunted Edition)  

[11:02] The Setup: Zak Enters a Nun Zone  

[15:19] This Old Haunt: Rispin's Fall & The Poor Clares  

[36:58] Zak’s Version of History™  

[40:11] Entering the Mansion (poorly)  

[45:51] Cult Talk & Questionable Circles  

[49:49] Aubrey Graves & Paranormal Petty  

[55:02] To Be Continued… (but Spookier)  

[55:23] Closing the Convent Door... For Now  

In Part I of our Ghost Adventures Season 29, Episode 5 recap, the Paranormal Playback crew explores the haunted history of Rispin Mansion in Capitola, California. Mel dives into the real backstory in This Old Haunt, covering the rise and ruin of Henry Allen Rispin’s luxury resort dream, followed by its eerie second life as a convent for the barefoot Poor Clare nuns. The team unpacks folklore, local legends, and a possible fatal fall, while side-eyeing Zak’s dramatic curse theories, cult talk, and shaky reenactments. Come for the ghost gossip, stay for the convent lore, chaotic transitions, and a suspicious lack of haunted vibes.

👻 Want more? Follow, rate, and subscribe to keep the haunt alive, and visit our website for photos, source materials, and ghostly extras.

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Paranormal Playback, the podcast where three creative directors recap ghost-hunting reality TV shows with equal parts sarcasm, skepticism, and haunted curiosity.

Join Charlie, Melanie, and Lauren as they rewatch Ghost Adventures from the beginning—breaking down the most iconic hauntings, ridiculous equipment, and Zak Bagans’ most chaotic lockdown moments.

Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just here for the drama, there’s a place in the shadows here for you.

New episodes weekly. Stream wherever you get your pods.

Website: paranormalplayback.com

IG: @paranormalplayback

TikTok: @paranormal.playba

Leave us a ghost story: (404) 981-4533

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[01:48] Intro  

[09:01] Introducing Whiskey Pete’s  

[12:46] This Old Haunt with Mel  

[33:19] Zak’s Version of History  

[41:02] Interviews with Former Employees  

[58:14] Night 1 Investigation  

[01:11:06] Introducing Matt Rife  

[01:18:47] Night 2 Investigation  

[01:39:09] Haunted or Hoax?  

This week Char, Mel, and Lor recap Ghost Adventures Season 29, Episode 4: Abandoned at Whiskey Pete’s, diving into the strange history and lackluster hauntings of the now-closed, castle-themed casino in Primm, Nevada. They explore the tragic past events, including two child murders, and the legend of Whiskey Pete, a bootlegger allegedly buried upright with a bottle of moonshine. While the Ghost Adventures crew (joined by comedian Matt Rife) tries to dramatize the investigation with vague energy readings and theatrical narration, the hosts find the episode underwhelming and filled with more speculation than substance. They poke fun at Zach Bagans’ usual antics, the unclear paranormal claims, and the absence of things like Bonnie and Clyde’s death car, ultimately concluding that the lore is more compelling than the investigation itself.

👻 Want more? Follow, rate, and subscribe to keep the haunt alive, and visit our website for photos, source materials, and ghostly extras.

Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[00:33] Intro  

[01:13] Shadow Updates  

[03:53] Trigger Warning + The Setup  

[09:46] This Old Haunt  

[19:13] Interviews & Investigation Prep  

[40:52] Lockdown Begins  

[01:20:19] Haunted or Hoax?  

TW: This episode discusses suicide - In this emotionally charged episode of Paranormal Playback, Char, Lor, and Mel dive into Ghost Adventures Season 29, Episode 3 as the team returns to the Glen Tavern Inn, a haunted California hotel with a tragic backstory. The investigation centers around Patrick Smith, a psychic featured in a previous Ghost Adventures episode, who died by suicide three months after a chilling seance with the crew. Mel investigates the inn’s lore, debunking myths about brothels and beheaded cowboys, while the team critiques everything from Zach’s dramatics and fingerless gloves to the use of the word “synchronicity.” Despite the heaviness of the topic, the trio maintains their sharp humor, questioning whether the spirits, or the show’s editing, are to blame for the chaos.

👻 Want more? Follow, rate, and subscribe to keep the haunt alive, and visit our website for photos, source materials, and ghostly extras.

If you or someone you know are struggling with suicidal ideation please call 988 or head to 988lifeline.org

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Paranormal Playback is your weekly deep dive into spooky reality TV, ghost hunts, dramatic reenactments, and enough EVP to raise the dead. Hosted by Charlie Holley, Melanie Malone, & Lauren Sanders.

Each episode has its own gallery on our website to explore while you listen.

→ Instgram @paranormalplayback

→ TikTok @paranormal.playba

→ ☎️ VM: (404) 981-4533

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.