Tonight, the Night Owl is opening a new case—one that takes us to Austin, Texas, where a striking Victorian home, built in 1876 and relocated to South Congress in the 1970s, has quietly stood with its secrets tucked beneath decades of history.

Originally built in 1876 for local businessman and senator,  Walter Tips, the house is now home to Freddo ATX, a cozy café and cocktail bar with a growing reputation… not just for its drinks, but for its spirits.

Over the years, people have reported strange sensations—feeling watched when no one’s around, hearing voices, whispers, loud thuds, and unexplained electrical issues. Doors rattle or swing open on their own. Some guests swear they’ve seen children staring down from the upstairs windows.

And when something unexplainable happens? The staff all say the same thing: “That’s just Walter.”

In this episode, you’ll hear directly from Freddo’s three owners, several staff members, and even two local ghost tour guides—each with their own story to tell.

Photo by Meg Blohm

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Over the past four episodes in this series, the Night Owl team has been immersed in a chilling investigation of the Sunset Strip Comedy Club, located on Austin's legendary 6th Street. From eerie disembodied voices and shadow figures to a haunting presence in the back stairwell, the team has uncovered a disturbing pattern of paranormal activity tied to the building's long and mysterious past. Early on, they uncovered the tragic story of John Waller Stephens Jr., whose alleged suicide by self-administered Lysol ingestion was thought to haunt the club, but the investigation has since revealed far more than they could have expected.

In Parts 2 and 3, psychic mediums Jeffery and Kate the Brave helped validate staff experiences, while introducing new and unexpected spirits. Jeffery even identified a spirit named "Hank" who had no connection to the original story of John’s death. And Kate brought to light that the negative energy in the building might not be tied to John at all—but to something darker lurking in the shadows. Then, in Part 4, a game-changing revelation completely shook their understanding of John’s death.

Nicole Riccardo, a trusted member of the paranormal community, revealed that she had investigated the speakeasy below the Sunset Strip, Eden, years earlier. Through extensive research, she uncovered startling contradictions in the narrative surrounding John Waller Stephens Jr.’s death. Newspaper articles described his death as the result of a car accident—no mention of Lysol or suicide. Even more puzzling was the strange police report showing that, after the accident, John was driven across town, past his house and two hospitals, directly to his workplace at Wilson Furniture Company—now the very building they had been investigating. This discovery raised more questions than ever about the true circumstances of his death.

Now, armed with new evidence and insights, including the help of Nicole and the team of psychics, the Night Owl team returns to the Sunset Strip Comedy Club determined to uncover the truth. Will the investigation reveal what truly happened to John Waller Stephens Jr., and what dark forces are still at play in this historic building? Join them as they continue their journey to solve this mystery and confront whatever spirits may be haunting the Sunset Strip Comedy Club in Austin, Texas. 

Photo by Meg Blohm

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In the first three parts of this investigation, the Night Owl team uncovered unsettling paranormal activity at the Sunset Strip Comedy Club, particularly around the back stairwell of the building. Staff have long attributed the ominous energy in this area to the mysterious suicide of John Waller Stephens Jr. Reports of shadowy figures and an overwhelming sense of dread have made this spot a hotspot for eerie encounters. But during their last investigation, working with psychic mediums Jeffery and Kate the Brave, they made an intriguing discovery: the shadowy presence both mediums saw appeared to be a completely separate energy from John’s spirit, and it was likely the source of the darker activity reported. In this episode, the investigation will continue with Jeffery and Kate, reflecting on what has been uncovered so far, and Stephen will reveal a fascinating new breakthrough that sheds more light on the mystery of John Waller Stephens Jr. and his tragic death.

Photo by Meg Blohm

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In this episode, the team returns to the Sunset Strip Comedy Club, located in the heart of Austin’s vibrant 6th Street, to continue their investigation into the strange and unsettling occurrences plaguing this historic building. After hearing chilling stories from both staff and patrons, and diving into the investigation back in September, they’re back now to uncover what might be haunting this space—and what truths are still lurking in the shadows.

In Part I, staff and patrons shared eerie experiences — voices calling their names, dimmer switches flickering on their own, and strange energy around the back office and stairwell. One employee even described shadowy figures rushing at him when he opened the café alone one morning. These unsettling accounts left the team with more questions than answers.

In Part II, the team, including psychic medium Jeffery, investigated the building. He validated some of the staff’s experiences, like the disembodied voices and names being called. But he also introduced a new spirit named "Hank," even though no one had reported this energy before. To their surprise, Jeffery didn’t pick up on the heavy, oppressive energy around the back stairwell, nor did any of the mystery of J. Waller Stephens Jr.’s rumored suicide by Lysol ingestion come to light.

With these lingering questions still haunting them, the team is diving back in, determined to get to the bottom of what’s truly hiding within the walls of Sunset Strip Comedy Club. But this time, they’re bringing an additional psychic medium — Kate the Brave.

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In this episode, the Night Owl team returns to the Sunset Strip Comedy Club, nestled in the heart of Austin's iconic 6th Street, to continue their investigation into the unsettling paranormal activity at this historic building. Last time, the team uncovered chilling reports from staff and locals—disembodied voices calling their names, shadowy figures rushing them, mysterious foul odors that appear and disappear for no reason throughout the back of the building,  and most commonly reported, an ominous presence felt in the back stairwell that may be tied to a mysterious death in the buildings past. But the mystery deepens today, as Stephen is joined by team members Alexis, Franklyn, and psychic medium Jeffery, who will dive in and explore the dark corners of this club with him. 

They’ll attempt to find rational explanations for some of the strange reports, but as they dig in, Jeffery begins to make eerie connections to the reports and uncover new possible spirits lurking in the venue’s shadows. Utilizing cutting-edge techniques like the Estes Method and Ganzfeld Experiments, the team will venture into uncharted territory. And just when they think they’ve hit a dead end, a surprising witness from Missouri steps forward with a shocking validation that could change everything.

Is the Sunset Strip Comedy Club truly haunted? Join the team as they dive deeper into the mystery, unraveling the past and confronting whatever spirits might still haunt this historic building. 

Photo by Beau Harris

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In this episode, The Night Owl team heads to the heart of Austin’s legendary Dirty 6th Street, where they have been contacted by the Sunset Strip Comedy Club, a place with a haunting past that’s been creeping its way into the present. Nestled in one of the city’s oldest buildings, dating all the way back to 1873, this space has witnessed more than its fair share of history. It was once home to The Parish, an iconic live music venue that drew crowds from all over, but now the building’s supposed dark past seems to have a different kind of audience.

The team gathered firsthand accounts from both staff and locals, and what they uncovered is truly chilling. Employees have reported hearing disembodied voices calling their names, while others speak of an overwhelming dark presence lurking in the back office—possibly even demonic. There have been sightings of full-bodied apparitions and shadowy figures moving through the halls. But perhaps the most unsettling reports come from the back stairwell—a narrow, dimly lit space that leads to a speakeasy. It’s here where a sense of dread and unease fills the air, and it seems there may be a connection to a series of tragic deaths tied to the building's past. Could the spirits of those who died here still be lingering?

While Sunset Strip may be known for laughs and comedy, there’s nothing funny about what’s happening inside these walls. Join The Night Owl team as they dig deeper into the strange happenings at the Sunset Strip Comedy Club and uncover what might be haunting its historic walls.

Photo by Devin Murphy

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As the leaves turn and shadows stretch longer, we embrace the spirit of Halloween—a time when the veil between the living and the dead grows thin. This season, steeped in ancient traditions, invites us to gather around flickering candles and share tales that send chills down our spines. Ghost storytelling has long been woven into the fabric of our culture, echoing through the ages as a way to confront our fears and honor the mysteries of the unknown.

Join us as we take you on a haunting journey through three captivating tales of the supernatural recorded live at our inaugural Spirit Social event in Austin, TX, on October 12th, 2024. We’ll meet a pair of daring researchers who own a haunted museum and find themselves entwined with a gifted object that comes with unexpected consequences. Next, a group of brave investigators is drawn into a compelling quest for justice, seeking to help two spirits find peace from beyond the grave. Lastly, hear from a veteran psychic medium as she recounts a life-altering experience from her childhood, one that took her from a helicopter rescue in Germany to the heart of secret psychic studies, with guidance from a long-lost relative reaching out from the other side.

Grab your headphones and prepare for a night of spine-tingling stories and ghostly encounters that will leave you questioning what lies beyond!

Photo by Adam Lynch @adamlych44

STORYTELLER INFO

I wanted to give a  huge thank you to all our incredible storytellers for sharing their ghostly tales with us!

Be sure to check out Damian and Nicole on their podcasts, The Real Ghosts of... and Parapeculiar. Don’t forget to rate and review them! You can connect with them on social media @therealghostsof and @parapeculiar, and if you're in San Marcos, Texas, make sure to visit the Parapeculiar Haunted Museum—it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

You can find Chis and Dee Moon on TikTok @psychicchrismoon and @deebutterfly321 or Instagram @moniepix and @deeparanormal321. They also run a shop called Magick Moon Metaphysical in Brownsville, TX, where you can find magical treasures both in-store and online at https://moondeeinc.myshopify.com/. Remember to find this shop on social media @magickmoonmetaphysical

And for some fascinating reading on the spirit box, check out Chris’s book, Ghost Box, available on Amazon and other retailers.

For Elaine Ireland, you can reach out for virtual readings via email at [email protected]. And don’t miss out on her upcoming project—visit www.conversationswiththeancients.com for more details!

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Welcome back to the Night Owl team’s exploration of the Austin Antique Mall, a cherished landmark in the heart of Austin that has recently faced its final chapter. As they dive into Part II of their series, the team stands at the entrance of a sprawling 30,000-square-foot labyrinth, filled with echoes of the past and whispers of the supernatural.

In their initial phone interviews, they heard from staff and vendors who shared their personal encounters with the strange and unexplained. Kate recounted feeling an unsettling energy in various corners of the mall, particularly in the Southwest End, where she sensed a heavy presence. Vicki, a long-time vendor, confirmed the belief that some antiques hold onto the spirits of their former owners, especially after the sudden passing of their beloved colleague, Patrick. Renae shared her own eerie experiences, from a shaking chandelier during her pregnancy to a haunting encounter with a light fixture she believed still carried Patrick’s playful influence. Draven, who grew up in the mall, described shadowy figures and an intense feeling of being watched, reinforcing the notion that spirits can attach themselves to the memories embedded in these objects.

Today, the Night Owl team—Stephen, Alexis, and Franklyn—are joined by psychic mediums Jeffery and Kate the Brave for a challenging investigation. The vastness of the space, combined with the countless objects, furniture, and clothing believed to house energies from the past, presents quite a daunting task. With only a few hours to explore, they understand they won’t be able to uncover everything this place has hiding in the shadows. However, they remain hopeful of connecting with some significant energies, pinpointing locations of interest, and, while keeping expectations in check due to the sensitive nature of one particular energy, they still hope that Patrick might come through, as the staff firmly believes he still lingers here.

Will they unveil the secrets hidden within these walls? Or will the ghosts of the past continue to elude them? Join the Night Owl team as they step into the shadows of the Austin Antique Mall, ready to confront the unknown.

Photo by Tito Castaneda

EPISODE SPONSORS:

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What happens when an antique mall that’s been a staple of Austin for 40 years suddenly faces its last chapter? The Austin Antique Mall was sadly forced to close its doors on May 15, 2024, but before it did, the staff were determined to unravel the mystery behind the unexplained occurrences that have haunted the store for decades. With thousands of objects cycling through its halls, they suspected that some of these items had carried their own energies—or even spirits—that might have decided to linger long after their departure.

Join Stephen and the Night Owl team as they dive into their newest paranormal challenge. With a history of strange occurrences, ghostly sightings, and unexplainable noises, the mall’s legacy might hold more secrets than they anticipated.

Before diving into the heart of the mystery, Stephen will gather firsthand accounts from the staff, seeking clues about the spirits tied to the objects that have come and gone. Accompanied by occult specialist Alexis and two gifted psychic mediums, they’ll prepare to confront the lingering energies and uncover the truth behind the mall’s haunted history.

Will the Night Owl team unveil the secrets that lie hidden in the shadows of the Austin Antique Mall? Or will they find themselves lost in this football stadium size maze of echoes from the past?

Photo credit: Kate Daniels 

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Tonight, the team will conclude their series of investigations at the haunted Hotel Havana in San Antonio, Texas. Previously, they gathered testimony from staff and met Kate the Brave, a resident psychic medium who works with the hotel. They learned about the reports of the burning man spirit in the basement, phantoms smells in the lobby, ghosts of children roaming the halls and rooms, shadow figures waking up guests, the spirit of a drag queen who may have resided in the hotel when it was said to be a safe-haven for that community, and most strongly felt by the psychic medium Kate was a weeping woman in the Penthouse suite on the third floor. In part two of this series, the team packed our bags and visited the hotel for a 2 night stay with their very own psychic friend, Jeffery, who was kept unaware of the location or its haunted reports. To the team’s surprise, Jeffery validated two key things in this case: the children on the second floor and, more shockingly, the weeping woman in the Penthouse suite. Uniting the two psychics, Kate and Jeffery, the team  then explored the hotel and decided it was no coincidence this woman was seen by both psychics in the exact same room. Join Stephen, Jeffery and Kate now as they try to help an oppressed spirit by answering her cries for help.

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