Spooky Isles: The Podcast

Welsh author, journalist and folklore researcher Mark Rees joins the Spooky Isles Podcast to discuss the ghosts, legends and folklore of Wales. From haunted castles and mysterious phantom hounds to the famous Mari Lwyd tradition, Mark shares how his career in journalism helped him uncover forgotten stories hidden in newspaper archives and local history.

He also talks about the success of Paranormal Unpacked, Welsh identity, the importance of folklore, and whether he believes in ghosts after years of investigating haunted places.

• Visit Mark Rees: ⁠https://markreesonline.com/⁠
• Listen to Ghosts & Folklore of Wales: https://markreesonline.com/ghosts-folklore-wales/⁠
• Watch Paranormal Unpacked: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ParanormalUnpacked⁠
• For more ghosts, folklore, dark history and horror from across the UK and Ireland, visit: ⁠https://www.spookyisles.com⁠
• Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://www.spookyisles.com/signup-page/

As Halloween 2025 approaches, we welcome Dacre Stoker — great‑grandnephew of Bram Stoker — to the Spooky Isles Podcast.

Dacre explains why Dracula is the perfect Halloween tale: Irish folklore roots, Whitby inspirations, the “Count Wampyr” what‑if, the missing manuscript pages (including a volcanic ending), and why Bran Castle and Cruden Bay still matter.

He also shares details of his upcoming Romania trip culminating in a Vampire Ball inside Bran Castle.

• Book your Dracula Halloween adventure
• More about Dacre: dacrestoker.com · Bram Stoker Estate: bramstokerestate.com
• More spooky stories: SpookyIsles.com

In the latest edition of Spooky Isles podcast, host David Saunderson talks to David Turnbull, a local tour guide from South London, who delves into the rich and eerie history of Lambeth, exploring its connections to the occult, notable figures, and haunted locations. They discuss the significance of St\\ Mary's Church, the life of Simon Forman, and the influence of the Tradescant family. The conversation also touches on the intersection of medicine and the occult, the role of Lambeth Palace as a centre for occult knowledge, and the contributions of historical figures like William Blake and Aleister Crowley. Turnbull shares insights about his tours and the upcoming release of his book, 'The Hurdy-Gurdy Man'.

In this episode of Spooky Isles, David Saunderson and Rachael Elizabeth engage with Rick Hale, a seasoned Chicago-based paranormal investigator and writer, who shares his personal journey of overcoming cancer and becoming an amputee. The conversation explores the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in the paranormal field, the importance of inclusivity, and the evolving nature of paranormal investigations influenced by trends in media. Rick reflects on his early experiences with the paranormal and how his diagnosis reshaped his perspective on life and the afterlife. In this conversation, Rick Hale shares his experiences in the paranormal field, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. He discusses the comfort found in spiritual connections, the ability to overcome physical limitations, and the significance of rational investigation in ghost hunting. The dialogue highlights the need for a balanced approach between belief and skepticism, advocating for a community where everyone can participate in paranormal investigations regardless of their physical abilities.

In this episode of The Spooky Isles, hosts David Saunderson and Rachel Elizabeth welcome musician and paranormal investigator Jay Hollis. They discuss Hollis's debut album, The Ghost's Companion, inspired by a childhood book of ghost stories. The conversation explores the creative process behind turning ghost stories into songs, the realities of paranormal investigations, and the infamous Enfield Poltergeist case. Hollis shares insights on evidence in paranormal research and his personal beliefs about the supernatural, while also hinting at future musical projects.

In this episode of Spooky Hours, David Saunderson interviews Darren Sarsfield, co-founder of Manchester Paranormal. They discuss various paranormal investigation techniques, including the use of new equipment like the SIS camera and the Oculus device. Darren shares his experiences at haunted locations such as Antwerp Mansion and the Ancient Ram Inn, as well as personal encounters with apparitions and poltergeist activity. The conversation also touches on the methods of investigation, the nature of paranormal phenomena, and the excitement of conducting time slip experiments. The episode concludes with insights into future investigations and the importance of trust within the paranormal team.
paranormal investigation, haunted locations, SIS camera, Oculus device, Antwerp Mansion, Ancient Ram Inn, poltergeist activity, time slips, Manchester Paranormal, ghost hunting

In this episode of Spooky Isles, David Saunderson and Rachel Elizabeth chat with veteran ghost hunter Dale Kaczmarek. With nearly 50 years of experience, Dale shares insights on ghost hunting, evolving equipment, and his own encounters. They discuss the ethics of provoking spirits, scepticism toward ghost hunting apps, and the influence of historical sites on hauntings. Dale also reflects on fear, the nature of ghosts, and his belief that energy lingers after death.#paranormal #ghost hunting #DaleKaczmarek #SpookyIsles #EVP #spiritphotography #haunted #ghoststories #paranormalresearch

We talk to Kristian Lander, a filmmaker and writer with extensive experience in paranormal investigations. They discuss various methods used in investigations, the psychological aspects of tools like Ouija boards, and share intriguing stories from private investigations, including a unique case involving a child’s experiences with entities. Lander reflects on his childhood influences that sparked his interest in the paranormal and shares insights into his current projects, including a podcast series focused on lesser-known ghost stories from Nottingham.

Leon McAnally discusses his new book, A Guide to Dark Attractions, which explores dark tourism in the UK. He explains that his interest in dark attractions stems from his upbringing in a town with a rich history and his studies in travel and tourism. McAnally spent three years researching and writing the book, uncovering more than 300 places linked to death, suffering, and tragedy.

Paranormal journalist Mark Rees talk to Spooky Isles' David Saunderson about his latest book, Paranormal Cardiff.

Mark explains why he chose to focus on Cardiff and the overlooked spiritualism of the Victorian age. Mark shares his favorite ghost stories from Cardiff, including the famous tale of Pete the Poltergeist.

He also talks about his personal experiences with the paranormal and the challenges of investigating haunted locations.

Mark recommends places to stay in Cardiff and highlights the historical significance of Cardiff Castle.

He discusses his motivation for writing about the paranormal and shares his thoughts on the Ghostbusters films.

The conversation concludes with information about Mark's website and future projects.

You can find out more about Mark and his book at his website: https://markreesonline.com/