Where did vampires really come from? And why have humans been afraid of them for thousands of years?

From ancient Mesopotamia and Eastern European folklore to Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, Mercy Brown and modern vampire culture, this episode explores the dark and fascinating history behind one of the world's most enduring monsters.

Long before vampires became seductive, mysterious characters in films and television, they were feared as undead creatures blamed for disease, death and unexplained tragedies.

In this episode, we uncover:

🧛 The ancient origins of vampire legends — from Mesopotamia and ancient Greece to the vampire folklore of Eastern Europe.

🩸 The diseases that may have inspired vampire myths, including porphyria, rabies and tuberculosis — and why symptoms such as sensitivity to sunlight, aggressive behaviour and changes to the body may have helped create the vampire legend.

⚰️ The horrifying case of Mercy Brown, the young woman from Rhode Island who became known as the "last American vampire" after her family and community believed she was responsible for spreading tuberculosis.

🗡️ The real story of Vlad the Impaler — the brutal Wallachian ruler whose terrifying reputation helped inspire Bram Stoker's Dracula.

📖 How Dracula changed everything, from Bram Stoker's 1897 novel to Bela Lugosi's iconic portrayal and the creation of the modern vampire.

🎬 Vampires in popular culture, from Dracula and Interview with the Vampire to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight, True Blood and The Vampire Diaries.

🩸 Modern vampire communities and real-life vampires, including sanguinarians, energy vampires and some of the darker stories surrounding the modern vampire subculture.

But perhaps the biggest question is this:

Were vampire legends really about monsters… or were they humanity's attempt to explain death, disease and the things we didn't understand?

This is the dark history of vampires — a journey through folklore, disease, death, superstition and the real people behind some of the world's most terrifying legends.

If you enjoy true history, dark history, horror, folklore, unexplained mysteries and the origins of legendary creatures, this episode is for you.

What happens when the people trained to observe, investigate and report the facts encounter something they simply cannot explain? In this episode of Pursuit of the Paranormal, we speak with Inspector Roy Teague about his new book, Close Encounters of the Police Kind, which explores extraordinary accounts of UFOs, UAP, strange lights and unexplained phenomena witnessed by serving and former British police officers. These aren’t stories from anonymous internet posts. They come from people whose careers depended on observation, accuracy and giving reliable accounts of what they witnessed. We talk to Roy about some of the incredible cases featured in the book, why police officers have historically been reluctant to speak publicly about paranormal or UFO encounters, how these incidents were treated within the force, and whether attitudes towards UAP are finally beginning to change. We also ask the bigger question: when trained police witnesses report seeing something impossible, how seriously should we take their testimony?

👮 Guest: Inspector Roy Teague

📖 Book: Close Encounters of the Police Kind

🛸 UFOs • UAP • Police Encounters • Unexplained Phenomena • British UFO Cases

Link to Youtube - https://youtube.com/@royteague

If you enjoy real paranormal investigations, UFO testimony and unexplained encounters, subscribe to Pursuit of the Paranormal for more interviews and investigations. #UFO #UAP #Paranormal #CloseEncounters #RoyTeague #UFOs #Police #Unexplained #PursuitOfTheParanormal

What if the biggest mystery isn't UFOs... but consciousness itself? In this fascinating episode of Pursuit of the Paranormal, Greg and Ash are joined by Sean Webb, author of NHI Connected Mind, to explore one of the most thought-provoking theories in modern consciousness research. Sean believes the phenomenon extends far beyond spacecraft and extraterrestrials. Instead, he argues that Non-Human Intelligence (NHI), consciousness, artificial intelligence, and humanity's future may all be deeply connected.

During this conversation we discuss:

👽 Sean's personal NHI experiences

🧠 Is consciousness fundamental to AI?

🤖 Why AI could become humanity's greatest challenge—or greatest ally

🔒 Government interest in consciousness research

❤️ Why compassion could be the missing ingredient in advanced AI

🔮 What the future of humanity may look like Whether you're interested in UFOs, consciousness, artificial intelligence or the biggest questions about reality itself, this is a conversation that will challenge how you think about the phenomenon.

If a super-intelligent AI and a UFO pilot both claimed to have a soul, who would you believe first?

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments: Is consciousness the key to understanding NHI?

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe and Share—it really helps the channel.

Find Sean -

https://youtube.com/@MindHackingHappiness

https://mindhackinghappiness.com

🎙 Pursuit of the Paranormal Exploring UFOs • Consciousness • Cryptids • Paranormal Investigations • The Unknown

#SeanWebb #NHI #Consciousness #UFO #UAP #ArtificialIntelligence #RemoteViewing #Psi #Paranormal #Podcast #PursuitOfTheParanormal

In this episode of Pursuit Of The Paranormal Podcast we speak to Bo from Don't Be Told. We discuss his paranormal, UAP and meditation experiences and he discusses the portals that stars are.

Follow Bo -

Tiktok - www.tiktok.com/dontbetoldticktock

Youtube - https://youtube.com/@dontbetoldproductions

www.pursuitoftheparanormal.co.uk

The UFO conversation has changed dramatically in recent years. Whistleblowers, military encounters and government disclosures have pushed the phenomenon into the mainstream—but what if the biggest mystery isn't in the sky... but in the human mind?

We noticed some small quality issues after the recording and editing. Please accept purchase apologies.

In this fascinating episode of Pursuit of the Paranormal, Greg is joined by Psionics: The Minds That Summon UFOs' Patrick Scott Armstrong, presenter of the documentary and host of the hugely popular Vetted podcast.

Together, they discuss the making of the film, which follows people who believe consciousness itself may play a role in UFO encounters. Over the course of a year, the filmmakers documented contact experiments across the United States and the UK, approaching the subject with open minds and no predetermined conclusions.

We explore:

• Could consciousness be connected to the UFO phenomenon?
• What really happened during the filming of Psionics?
• The controversy surrounding CE-5 and consciousness-based contact.
• How Patrick's own views evolved throughout the project.
• The overlap between UFOs, high strangeness and the wider paranormal.

Whether you're a sceptic, a believer, or simply fascinated by the unknown, this is a conversation that asks some of the biggest questions surrounding the UFO mystery today.

👽 Is the phenomenon purely physical... or could the mind itself be part of the equation?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

www.psionics.film

https://youtube.com/@vettedpodcast

#UFO #UAP #Psionics #CE5 #Consciousness #HighStrangeness #PatrickScottArmstrong #GlennBarden #PursuitOfTheParanormal #VettedPodcast #Paranormal

This episode explores the most popular ghost‑hunting tools and ranks them by reliability. Greg & Ash explain why certain devices — like cat balls, spirit boxes, and REM pods — often produce false positives, and how investigators can avoid being misled by environmental interference.

A must‑listen for fans searching best paranormal equipment, ghost‑hunting beginners, or paranormal investigation tips.

www.pursuitoftheparanormal.co.uk

This episode delves into the intriguing world of the Talika Arms, a pub situated in Hollywell, North Wales, which has garnered attention for its documented paranormal activity. I shall elucidate the building's eerie ambiance, characterized by boarded windows and a haunting silence, which contributes to its reputation as a site of spectral occurrences. Unlike many other establishments of its kind, the Talika Arms is notable for its history of verified reports of supernatural events, as chronicled in local news and planning documents. As we explore the narratives surrounding this location, it becomes evident that the spectral phenomena intensified following its closure in 2018, rather than abating. Thus, we invite you to join us as we uncover the unsettling tales that have emerged from this historically charged site and its surroundings, shedding light on the curious intersection of history and ghostly legends. The discussion navigates the eerie and historically rich landscape of the Talika Arms, a pub located in the town of Hollywell, North Wales. The building, which has stood since the 19th century, presents a façade that inherently suggests a spectral presence, characterized by boarded windows and peeling paint, alongside the heavy silence typical of abandoned structures. Despite its dilapidated state, the Talika Arms is distinguished by its documented history of paranormal activity, which transcends mere folk tales and urban legends. Reports from credible news sources and official planning documents substantiate claims of strange occurrences, including inexplicable phenomena such as locked doors opening mysteriously, missing bottles, and flickering light bulbs, all witnessed not just by patrons but by those involved in its redevelopment. These incidents intensify the intrigue surrounding the building, particularly as they have reportedly escalated since its closure in 2018, suggesting a restless energy that continues to permeate its walls. The narrative also examines the broader context of Hollywell as a historically significant corridor, which has served pilgrims, workers, and travelers over generations. It posits that the intersection of such diverse human experiences could contribute to the residual energy believed to foster hauntings. The mention of local media coverage further amplifies the pub's notoriety, as aspects of its haunting are discussed not only in ghostly terms but also in the context of urban redevelopment, merging the realms of the supernatural and the tangible. This duality encapsulates the essence of the Talika Arms as both a physical structure and a vessel of history, where the past and present converge in a haunting narrative. Subsequent discussions venture into other haunted establishments in Hollywell, such as the Old Wine Vaults and the Boar's Head, each with their own tales of paranormal encounters that further enrich the town's spectral tapestry. These establishments contribute to a broader discourse on how shared experiences of the supernatural can create a collective memory that binds locals and visitors alike, affirming the enduring allure of haunted places and the stories they tell.

Takeaways:

• The Talika Arms in Hollywell, North Wales, is renowned for its documented paranormal activity.
• Reports of unusual occurrences at the Talika Arms intensified following its closure in 2018.
• Local news outlets have published credible accounts of strange happenings at the Talika Arms.
• Witnesses have described various phenomena, such as locked doors and disappearing items, at the Talika Arms.
• The historical significance of the Talika Arms contributes to the belief in its haunting.
• Several other pubs in Hollywell are also noted for their own unique ghostly experiences.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Talacre Arms
• Talacre Arms
• Nation Kumru
• Daily Post
• Flintshire Paranormal Society

🚨 BONUS ARCHIVE EPISODE | FROM THE PURSUIT OF THE PARANORMAL VAULT 🚨

As part of our 2026 bonus content series, we’re revisiting one of the most talked-about and controversial interviews in Pursuit of the Paranormal history.

In this extraordinary episode, Greg and Ash speak with John Edmonds, owner of the infamous Stardust Ranch in Arizona — a property that has become legendary within UFO and paranormal circles due to decades of reported extraterrestrial encounters, unexplained phenomena, and alleged government interest.

From his earliest experiences on the ranch to his claims of ongoing contact with multiple non-human intelligences, John shares his personal account of the events that have shaped his life and made Stardust Ranch one of the most debated locations in the world of the unexplained.

👽 In this episode, we discuss:

• Reported encounters with extraterrestrial beings

• Claims of unmarked helicopters and Men in Black visits

• Telepathic communication experiences

• Interdimensional and non-human intelligence theories

• Why John believes Stardust Ranch became a focal point of activity

• Whether the phenomenon extends far beyond traditional UFO narratives

⚠️ Please note: This episode was originally recorded and released prior to 2026 and is being republished as part of our bonus archive series. The views and experiences shared are those of our guest and are presented as his personal testimony and experiences.

Whether you’re hearing this conversation for the first time or revisiting one of our most memorable interviews, the story of Stardust Ranch remains one of the most fascinating and controversial accounts in modern paranormal history.

RIP - John Edmonds died shortly after this interview (March 2022)

📺 Featured in episodes of Ghost Adventures, John Edmonds’ story continues to spark debate, curiosity, and discussion throughout the paranormal and UFO communities.

📧 We’d love to hear your thoughts:

[email protected]

👻 Website: www.pursuitoftheparanormal.co.uk

📲 TikTok: @PursuitParanormal

📷 Instagram: @pursuitoftheparanormal

#StardustRanch #JohnEdmonds #UFO #AlienContact #ParanormalPodcast #GhostAdventures #MenInBlack #Extraterrestrial #UAP #AlienEncounters #PursuitOfTheParanormal #Podcast

We’re going on a haunted pub crawl across Cheshire to investigate four of the most infamous paranormal hotspots in the county. From the dark history of The Pied Bull to the restless spirits of The Cheshire Cat, are these really Cheshire’s most haunted pubs?

In this episode, we explore the eerie stories and ghostly sightings at:

The Cheshire Cat (Nantwich): A historic site with a tragic past.

The Barley Mow (Warrington): What lurks in the shadows of this town centre favourite?

The Pied Bull (Chester): One of the oldest licensed houses in Chester, but who never left?

The Lord Eldon (Knutsford): A pub known for more than just its atmosphere.

From phantom figures and unexplained footsteps to tales of former residents who may never have truly left, these pubs have built reputations that extend far beyond great food and good beer.

Have you ever had a paranormal experience in one of these pubs? Let us know in the comments! Throughout the episode we’ll uncover the history behind each location, explore the reported hauntings and investigate why these venues continue to attract ghost hunters, historians and curious visitors alike.

🔦 Which pub would you dare visit after dark? Let us know in the comments! ⸻

If you enjoyed this investigation, make sure to: 🔔 Subscribe for more paranormal investigations: 🎧 Listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: https://www.linktree.com/pursuitoftheparanormal

www.pursuitoftheparanormal.co.uk

#Cheshire #HauntedPubs #ParanormalInvestigation #GhostStories #PursuitOfTheParanormal #Chester #Nantwich #Warrington #Knutsford

Mid Year Podcast Roundup - Whats been happening in the world of UAP and Paranormal?