Interview with Animal Communicator and Author Karen Anderson

by Annette Munnich

Annette: I know this is a general question Karen, but what kinds of things do you think our pets wish we understood about them?

Karen Anderson: First and foremost that they have needs that may be different than our needs.  We sometimes forget they are animals and have a need for being the dog or cat or horse that they are.  We tend to ‘humanize’ them and don’t give their biological, physical or emotional needs priority. I run into a few clients who make sure they are meeting their animal’s requirements but most of us have a long way to go in this area. As much as we like to think of them as our babies we need to remember that they have animal needs too.  Boredom is the number one source of behavior problems.  Make sure you provide good physical and mental stimulation and you will have a harmonious animal family. Brain challenges such as putting part of your dog’s daily ration of kibble in a treat ball. They have to roll it around to get their food.  If you have indoor cats then you are their entertainment center. Make sure you are providing them with something fun, interesting and different.  Don’t leave the same old stuff out.  Cats get bored in about 5 minutes. Rotate empty boxes, bags with no handles or empty cartons for them and take some away to be reintroduced later.  Be creative, most cats are happy with the lid from the hairspray bottle or a ball made out of foil.

Annette: Besides feeding, petting and playing with our animals what other ways can we use to reassure and express our love?

Karen Anderson: Stop stressing out about your animals!  Stress and worry are negative emotions and send out negative waves to our animals.  Turn that negative wave into a positive by shifting your perspective.  I challenge you to stop right now and think of what you are stressing about over an animal. Perhaps an illness, a behavior problem or even if you are leaving town.  Stress and worry can make matters worse.  Think of that song, “Don’t worry, be happy!”.  It’s corny but it’s so true when it comes to our animals.

Annette: I never thought of it that way. I think that is very important to realize how stress and worry in and of itself can be a problem in the relationship with our animals… Is it true that our pets will over time reflect the same types of personality traits as their owners?

Karen Anderson: In some cases yes I think so.  Here is a good rule of thumb.  If you are happy, healthy, balanced and feeling good about yourself, your animals will too.  If you are sad, depressed, angry, unhealthy and feeling bad about yourself…your animals will too.  They are our barometers reflecting back what we put out into the world.

Annette: What is the best way for people to introduce a new animal into the home… especially if there are other pets already?

Karen Anderson: Go slowly.  Most introductions are done way too fast.  Animals are scent oriented and allowing them to smell each other before they actually see each other is the best way to start.  Kittens meeting other kittens or puppies meeting other puppies are usually the exception to this rule.  Remember animals think with animal minds.  Territory, space, food, water, toys, are all claimed by the resident animals.  I use baby gates to separate them too.  Let them smell first then let them see each other with a barrier up so no one can touch the other.  Try to think positive about how you would like them to respect each others space.  When the time is right, after observing their behavior, then they can have monitored ‘visits’.  Take your time and go slowly. The slower the better in most cases.

Annette: Really good to know! Do our animals stay connected to us after they pass on? What generally happens and how do they feel about us if we had to put them to sleep?

Karen Anderson: Absolutely yes our animals stay connected to us.  Even though their physical body may die their soul or energy lives on.  I call it transitioning because it really isn’t dying.  Some animals tell me they feel more alive now than when they were in their bodies.  As for their feelings of being euthanized, this is case by case.  But most of the time the animals are ready to leave their body especially if it is failing them.   They see death and dying as a natural stage in their journey and usually don’t make a big deal about it.  They usually only get upset when their human gets upset.  It does not change their love for us nor do they hold a grudge. Animals are quite forgiving even in the worst cases of abuse or neglect.  We have a lot to learn from them.

Annette: I had to put two of my dogs to sleep and am still traumatized by it. Your answer gave me some comfort. Can anyone develop the ability to communicate with animals?

Karen Anderson: I do believe we all have the ability to learn to to communicate with animals.  However I do believe that some people are just not open to the process so they would not have much success. But if you believe it can happen, are open to the process and love animals then it’s a snap.  Once you learn the steps it’s like any other new skill.  The more you practice the better you get.

Annette: Are you able to receive messages from wild animals and also smaller creatures such as fish or even insects?

Karen Anderson: All animals communicate with me through the same transmission of messages.  Wild animals are no exception.  I think of ‘Christian the lion’ and his love for his two humans.  Even years after returning Christian to the wild he still remembered them and showered them with affection.  All animals are capable of sending messages.  Fish and other aquatic creatures are very interesting to communicate with.  Understanding their world from their perspective has been so rewarding.  I generally don’t communicate with insects much but it is possible.  All living creatures have a soul and it’s the soul I connect with.

Annette: Please tell us a little bit about your book Hear All Creatures and what gave you the idea to write it?

Karen Anderson: My book is an inside look into the hearts and minds of the animals.  I share my first moments communicating with animals and how I learned to understand their messages.  Sometimes they will send me an image or picture of something and it’s up to me to figure it out.  I also included some of my favorite sessions with the animals.  Their incredible and sometimes heart wrenching messages still humble and amaze me. The idea to write a book came to me as I was touring the United States attending psychic fairs and expos. At each show I would speak before and audience and share some of my most recent sessions.  The audiences could not get enough of my stories and would beg for more.  Once I sat down to write it practically wrote itself.  The stories of the animals in the Afterlife seem to be the most popular.  So my next book will highlight some of my favorite sessions from the Other Side.

Annette: What was it like growing up being able to talk to animals and know what they thought and felt?

Karen Anderson: I thought everyone could understand the animals. It wasn’t until I was about 7 or 8 years old that my parents started to discourage me from ‘talking to the dog’. They didn’t quite know what to do with me and figured I had an overactive imagination.  Since I loved animals so much it was very easy to tap into their energy.  I think children are very open to these types of abilities as they don’t know they can’t.  I loved every minute of it and still remember some of the silly conversations I had with them.

Annette: Nice. Have you ever come across an evil animal? Do you believe in people or animals being evil?

Karen Anderson: I have met some very fearful and some extremely aggressive animals but not an evil one.  That is more for the humans in this world.  Animals will generally act out for some kind of instinctual purpose.  They live in the moment and are usually very happy as long as all their needs are met.  If an animal is fearful it is usually because it’s humans are living in the past and keep replaying past events in their minds.  Be in the moment with your animals. They are in a good home with lots of love, food, water and exercise.  Don’t live in the past.  It will help your animals move through their fears.

Annette: Thanks Karen for your very helpful insights.  I am eager to incorporate what I learned today in to our daily life with our ‘fur people’ 

Karen has teleclasses and CD’s to help you learn to communicate with animals.  Signed copies of her book are also available. Karen Anderson does private sessions by phone as well.  Find out more about Karen Anderson by visiting her website.

Karen Anderson Website

Karen Anderson Facebook

Karen Anderson Fan Page on Facebook  (please join)

Pat Fitzhugh

An Interview Bell Witch Author Pat Fitzhugh

by Annette Munnich

It’s my pleasure to come to know author and historian, Pat Fitzhugh, whose mother is related to the John Bell family by marriage.  Pat has researched the Bell Witch story extensively over the last three decades. He is an expert on the famous Bell Witch haunting that began in 1817 in Tennessee and is now one of the most well known paranormal stories in the US.

The haunting centered around the John Bell family and it’s story was the basis for the movie “An American Haunting” starring Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek made in 2005. To this date it is the the account of the only death ever to be caused by a ghost.

Annette: Thanks for making some time for me Pat. I have been looking forward to this interview. First question… how did you first get involved with the Bell Witch Story?

Pat: My mother read me the story when I was very young.  What intrigued me the most was the fact that it involves real people and real places,
and that there is a family relation, through marriage, several
generations back.  My mother also was from the area where the legend
took place.

Annette: Can you give us a little background on the Bell Witch? When did
it begin and why do you think the story persists to this day?

Pat: The Bell Witch was an entity that terrorized the Red River community
of Robertson County, Tennessee, especially the home and family of
John Bell, from 1817-1821 and for a brief time in 1828.  The entity
acted like a poltergeist in the beginning, but over time it developed
intelligence and the ability to speak clearly.  It also possessed the
ability to read minds, as well as predict the future.  The entity
said that it’s main intention was to kill John Bell.  It was also
averse to Betsy Bell’s (John Bell’s youngest daughter) engagement to
a boy who lived nearby.  After killing John Bell, the entity broke up
the engagement.

Annette: You researched Bell Witch for over 20 years. How did you become so fascinated with this paranormal tale?

Pat: This is my 31st year researching the legend, and my level of
fascination with it, as well as my determination to find and share
even more information, grows stronger each day.  Every answer that I
find yields more questions.

Annette: How close are the movies Bell Witch Haunting and An American
Haunting to telling the whole truth about what actually transpired?
Are they just sensationalized stories or based closely to the truth?

Pat: Both movies have good “scare value.”  However, as an author and
historian, my primary interest is historical accuracy.  I feel that
“The Bell Witch Haunting” follows the story more closely than “An
American Haunting” does.

Annette: Do you have a theory as to why the Bell Witch haunting began and what it’s purpose was if any?

Pat: Balance and flexibility are the most important traits that a
researcher can possess.  An absence of the former leads to bias; an
absence of the latter leads to nearsightedness and carelessness;
either will compromise the integrity of the research being performed
– and of the person performing the research.

That having been said, I have many different ‘possible’ theories
about the Bell Witch.  Some of them are paranormal, and some are not.
My “current theory,” as well as my opinion of the legend, changes
from time to time, depending on where my research takes me.  The only
constant to the legend is that the entity was very real, and very
frightening, to those who experienced it first hand.

Annette: Your book is more than 400 pages.  How long did it take to write it and what can people expect to discover through reading it?

Pat: The actual writing of the book took about two years, although it represents 22 years of research (at that time).  The book contains historical footnotes, endnotes, appendices with explanations of key
terms and concepts, and even an index.  It contains all three versions of the legend (North Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi), and covers from 1817 until 1999.

It was the first book to tell the world about John Bell’s
excommunication from the church, and the first book to fully debunk,
through historical data, the myth that states Kate Batts was behind
the disturbances.  It was the first book to cover all three states’
versions of the legend.  It also shares many other key pieces of
information, including my theory at that time, for the very first
time.

Annette: Are there places to visit for people curious about the Bell Witch?

Pat: Most of the area where the legend happened is now on private
property, and the local residents are extremely vigilant with
trespassers.  The best place to get “near” the Bell Witch is the
Adams Museum and Archives Building in Adams, TN.  They have the last
surviving structure from the John Bell plantation, which is an
1810-era log cabin that was used as slave’s quarters.  Bellwood
Cemetery, nearby, is open to the public during the day and contains
the graves of many Bell family descendants.  There also is a cave
nearby.

Annette: Thanks so much for letting me interview you about the fascinating Bell Witch story. It’s been a real pleasure.

Pat Fitzhugh’s Book THE BELL WITCH: THE FULL ACCOUNT

Pat Fitzhugh on My Space

Shallow Graves Interview

by Annette Munnich December 2008

Recently I had the chance to ask Sean and Yvette Kelley some questions about their new and exciting magazine called Shallow Graves. Their premiere issue made quite a splash in the paranormal community. Editors Sean and Yvette put out a veritable smorgasbord of all things mysterious plus interviews, reviews and event coverage. I predict this mag will be very hot in 2009 and beyond.

The Interview

Annette: Can you please tell us about your new magazine, Shallow Graves?

Sean: Shallow Graves is for people interested in the world of the Supernatural & Unnatural, Unnatural being anything that isn’t normal or mundane.  We cover anything and everything that is in that realm.  From celebrities, musicians, artists, writers, events, anything we can find or comes and finds us.  It’s a cross between FATE Magazine and Fangoria.  We also include original short stories from today’s authors within our pages.

Annette: How did each of you get interested in the Paranormal?

Yvette: I have been interested in the paranormal since I was a child. My older sister passed away from cancer at age 9 and we swore we could hear her about in the house. My older brother Tom D’Agostino had always been into the paranormal and is very well known here in New England and I think a lot of my interest has also stemmed from him and places he would check out while we were growing up.
Sean: I have a very vivid imagination and I watched too many movies when I was little so things that go bump in the night still scare and fascinate me.

Annette: How did the magazine get started?

Sean: We went to Chicago to go to a CW’s Supernatural convention and we drove out.  On the way back home we talked about the event.  We already own a production company called King’s Feast Productions here in Rhode Island, where we’ve had a successful continuing run for the last 5 years, of a medieval dinner theater show called “The King’s Feast”.  We talked about how the convention was run and what went into it and some of the connections that Yvette made there.  It was something that extremely interested us.  A friend of ours came to Yvette about working for a magazine he was working with at the time and she had made some great headway with some big league actors, so she had the connections for interviews.  Well, things didn’t work out and Yvette still had these contacts and one night she looked at me and said “Screw this.  Let’s do it ourselves!”  We both love the Entertainment industry and the Paranormal so it seemed like a great fit for something new into the genre.
Yvette: Pretty much what Sean said.  I was landing interviews with stars from the TV series Supernatural and everything seemed to be falling into place. We just went with it and knew people who wrote and started making contacts and here we are today.

Annette: What has been your most bizarre or surprising experience so far?

Yvette: Interviewing almost every cast member of the TV show Supernatural. I went to cover several Supernatural conventions and not only ended up covering them but literally working them as far as England. It has been an amazing experience thus far. I have now become friends with several of the actors from the show. People have to realize that they are no different than you or me they just have high profile jobs.
Sean: I don’t know if it’s bizarre, but to me it was extremely surprising.  I did an article with 8 Horror Hosts from around the US about the business and one of the questions I asked was “Are you a religious person?”  Just because I was curious since these people deal with a lot of “Supernatural/Horror” kind of movies and things and one of host explained to me that he had gone from being Wiccan to being Catholic.  I had never met anyone who’s done that before.  I’ve met a lot of people who went from Catholic to Wiccan, but not the other way around.  It always cracks me up thinking of it.  It was something I had never heard of anyone doing before.

Annette: Have either of you had any personal experiences with the paranormal?

Yvette: Just the one I explained earlier of hearing my sister after she passed. We had cubbyholes in our house where her stuff was stored and we could hear a lot movement in there at night. It freaked us out so much we had our mom put a lock on the door. It took my mom a long time but she was able to finally to finally let go and get rid of my sister’s stuff and after awhile the noises stopped.
Sean: The only experience I’ve had at this time is there is a mansion in Newport, RI called “Belcourt Castle”. The castle is known to be haunted with different things.  There is a room upstairs that has a mirror that is on a wall.  A bunch of us were in this room because we heard of the mirror.  If you go into the room, unless you’re extremely tall, you won’t be able to see yourself in this mirror because it’s high off the ground, but if you raise your arm you can see your hand in it.  Well, we’re standing about 10 feet away, because the area is roped off for tourists and we’re all raising our hands and you can see them in the mirror.  Then you see your hands in the mirror tilt from side to side, kind of like a fake “royal wave” that everyone goofs about, but your hand is not moving because you’re keeping it still.  The mirror isn’t moving; it’s against the wall and can’t move.  Your reflection is moving.  It happens all the time!  We were there during the day time and I’ve also been there during the night time and had it happen.

Annette: What’s coming up in your next issue?

Sean: Right now we’re working on a few different things.  We’re looking at what we’re calling a “New Age of Horror Genre” with interviews with the stars of the new Friday the 13th   (Jared Padalecki) and My Bloody Valentine (Jensen Ackles, Todd Farmer) along with other cast members.  We talk with Edward Douglas of the band Midnight Syndicate who is releasing an independent movie called “The Dead Matter” that he did with Special FX guru Robert Kurtzman.   We’re working on an article with tattoo artist madman Brandon Bond of All or Nothing Tattoos who also does animal rescue and has a documentary of it coming out in the next month.  We also have interviews with Rex from The Avalon Apothecary about herbalism in today’s society. Plus, we hope to have more interviews with Supernatural stars both past and present. We’ve had a few submissions for some short stories that we’re looking at right now and interviewing an up and coming artists from France named Christine De Carvalho.  These are just a few things that we’re working on.  We’ve got some irons in the fire so we can’t really confirm a few other things yet, but we can assure you that they’ll be cool!

Annette: Thank you both and good luck with your magazine. I know it will be around for a long time!

Check out Shallow Graves Magazine website

Shallow Graves on My Space

From the makers of THE SECRET

Interview with Bill Bean

by Annette Munnich

I recently had the opportunity to read Bill Bean’s book DARK FORCE and ask him a few questions. Bill’s story is one of extreme terror that spans more than ten years that the Bean family lived in a house in Glenn Burnie, Maryland. I consider Bill to be a very courageous individual for all he has gone through and for openly speaking of it knowing that some will not believe. He was very brave as a boy as well fighting against the dark forces that inhabited the family home.

I have found Bill Bean to be a very kind and spiritual man. His strong faith assisting him in keeping the malevolent presence at bay that plagues him to this very day. Bill’s family was the subject of an episode of the television show A HAUNTING called appropriately “House of the Dead.” Of course there is much more to the story than what was on the one hour show. It was heartbreaking to read the details of their suffering that took many forms. Bishop James Long talks about demonic oppression and this seems to be the case in this story. The dark forces plaguing them with attacks, illness, and hardship at every opportunity.

May the angels always watch over Bill and his family~

Video from Bill Bean’s family story on the television show A HAUNTING. “House of the Dead”

Watch the video clip

Paranormal occurrence during Tim Yancy’s Encounters Paranormal Radio Show when Bill Bean was a guest.

Watch The video clip

The Interview

Annette: Bill, how difficult was it for you to revisit all these painful memories in order to write your story DARK FORCE?

Bill: It greatly affected me emotionally, having to put myself back in that situation. I have given over 100 interviews and It’s still very difficult to discuss.

Annette: How long did your family live in the afflicted house?

Bill: We lived there for over ten years. Looking back on it, I truly don’t know how we did it. The most violent and intense activity happened between 1973 to 1980 when we left. My father left us in 1975 and it seemed like we were prisoners there, bound to the evil entities that co-existed among us.

Annette: Bill could you share with us some of the traumatic things that happened to you and your family during this period?

Bill: Many traumatic things happened, far too many to list. The first physical attack by the evil force was on my sister in late 1970. I was the next one to be attacked in 1971. Our attacks were very similar. We were both awakened in the middle of the night by an unseen presence. She was grabbed around her leg and she was able to let out a scream for my parents. They rushed into her room and stopped what was about to happen to her. She had red marks on her leg where she said she was grabbed.

As for me, I tried to get out of bed to wake my parents and a force grabbed me by my shoulders and slammed me back on the bed. I was pinned on my back and was unable to move anything except for my eyes.  I was five years old at the time and I was so traumatized that I felt like I was going to leave my body. There’s much more to tell about this experience, but I don’t want to get long winded. It’s all in my book, “Dark Force”.   I was attacked many times like that over the years. The most traumatic experiences involved the attacks on my mother. She truly suffered more than anybody I have ever known.  My father was a very good man, but his demeanor had drastically changed by 1973. He turned into a raging alcoholic who physically abused my mother from 1973-1975, nearly killing her on several occasions. I have no doubt that the demonic entities were able to enter my father while he was in a drunken stupor. He left us in 1975 and my mother would suffer regular physical attacks from the entities. I was also quite traumatized as I witnessed four evil apparitions manifest just a few feet in front of me. Five adults were standing behind me as this was happening.

Annette: How are your family members now and do they talk about these dark and horrible experiences from the past?

Bill: I have my sister, brother left and we don’t discuss what happened to us. We had never discussed it at all until Discovery Channel [New Dominion Pictures], approached me in 2005. They somehow found out about my story and asked if I would consider doing a segment for, “A Haunting”.  When I first mentioned this to my siblings they were reluctant to be a part of it. Then one Saturday evening we sat down and talked about it for the first time. They reminded me of some things that I’d forgotten about and they decided to be a part of the interview for the show. We haven’t discussed it since the show aired. They have been with me on several of my book signings and appearances, but they have not publicly talked about it.  We have all suffered permanent damage and scars from this. There’s a lot of bitterness, feeling that our childhood was robbed from us. Neither of my parents lived to be 50.

Annette: What do you feel the presence was in the home and what do you think it wanted from you?

Bill: I have no doubt that it was demonic and it wanted to destroy us.  My family was destroyed and both my parents suffered sudden, untimely deaths.

Annette: How did this trauma affect your childhood and how has it changed your life?

Bill: What childhood? I’m sorry to state it that way, but my memories of childhood are filled with fear,torment, abuse, strife, violence, illness, suffering, loss and tragedy.  I was an empty young man for many years until GOD delivered me from it.  I’ve had many experiences since we left that house, including the 1988 possession of a loved one. I have no doubt this occurred because the demons were trying to get to me.

Annette: Bill could you list some warning signs that people in paranormal situations should know in order to determine that they need help from an outside source as soon as possible?

Bill: Evil works behind the scenes. The devil doesn’t come to you and tell you that he’s going to create havoc in your life. Usually evil will need a door to be opened to come into a person or a family’s life. When that door or invitation happens, little things will begin to happen. Things that will first confuse and perplex the affected person. The entity will feed on these emotions and will gain power when the affected person becomes fearful. We must be very careful when being affected by evil. I believe that we can take authority over it in the name and in the blood of Jesus Christ ! I would say that anyone who’s experiencing paranormal events and is having a noticeable change in demeanor [in a negative way], or the family is in chaos since the activity began, should seek help right away.  GOD Blessed me at the age of 13, when I was able to stand up the the entities and do battle with them. I had no power of my own, it was GOD’s power. I currently help families in need of deliverance from evil.

Annette: Any words of wisdom about what people in this type of situation should not do? Are there ways to make it worse?

Bill: The things people shouldn’t do: Don’t try and contact the entities. Satan is the original liar, that can even appear as an angel of light.  We must be very careful. Contact and communion with evil will cause severe problems and even death in some cases such as my family. Please refrain from Ouija Boards and things of that nature.

Annette: What are your personal beliefs concerning life and death at this point in your life?

Bill: GOD is Life!  Jesus Christ is my Savior!  satan is death! fallen angels & demons are liars! I truly have experienced the Awesome power of GOD and the vulgar power of satan. I believe in eternal life through GOD & Jesus Christ! I don’t judge anybody, I have many friends with different beliefs. However, I can never thank GOD enough for delivering me from evil.

Annette: You were a brave young man. Could you share some of the things you did to fight against the dark force that your family lived with?

Bill: We were actually physically assaulted by these vile tormentors. I stood up to them one day in 1979 and did battle with them. This took place after my mother was picked up by an unseen force and thrown accross her bedroom. A Priest was involved for the last 16 months we lived there and he was bringing us mason jars full of Holy Water.  I recall grabbing a Bible and a jar of the Holy Water, going through the house. I commanded the demonic entities to show themselves, in Jesus name. The house started shaking like an earthquake and four evil entities manifested in front of me in green beams of light.

Annette: In your opinion what are the most important things to remember daily in order to cope with an oppressive and aggressive haunted environment?

Bill: The most important thing is to call on GOD, Jesus & The Holy Spirit for deliverence from evil. Make an effort to fill the affected home with love, laughter, unity and uplifting music. Don’t be isolated from people. This is a divide and conquer tactic from the devil.  There’s strength in numbers.

Annette: Sometimes people in bad paranormal situations ask me for some help and then tell me they don’t believe in God, angels, or demons. How would you respond to that?

Bill: I feel very sorry for them, for they do not know the Truth!

Buy Bill’s Book

Bill’s Website

Bill’s My Space

From the makers of THE SECRET

An Interview with Linda Coil-Suchy

by Annette Munnich

Linda Coil-Suchy is a Bigfoot phenomenon writer with a new book coming out in early 2009 called “WHO’S WATCHING YOU?” Her book is filled with fascinating Bigfoot accounts including her own personal story as well as what she learned from her grandmother as a child. I am very happy to have this opportunity to ask a few questions.

The Interview

Annette: Linda how did you get interested in Bigfoot phenomenon?

Linda: My interest began with my grandmother, who beginning in 1959 had an ongoing experience with a Sasquatch raiding her garden. Gram, as I called her, grew and maintained a huge and bountiful garden. To quote from my book: “She was a green thumb beyond belief. Everything she planted sprung from the ground in profusion.” Add this to the fruit trees that grew on the property and there was no wonder that a Sasquatch would be tempted to return time and again to partake in her little paradise.

Since I was a little girl, Gram would tell me of her experiences, many of which are documented in my book in a story about her. Growing up with these stories and being accepting of them, I tended to take her experience for granted and did not pay as much attention as I now wish I would have. It wasn’t until the early 1970s while living at the Ft. Lewis military installation in Washington that I began to hear sighting reports from soldiers stationed there — at the time this was a hot spot for encounters, and soon a stronger interest began to form. But it was the summer of 1976 when I had my own encounter that I began to take Bigfoot seriously and my own personal research truly began.

My own experience consisted of hearing and smelling a Bigfoot. I was home alone one hot summer night, sleeping with the bedroom window open. At 1:00 a.m. my dog whining near the window awakened me. I heard heavy footsteps walking alongside the house and past my window — very heavy footsteps — and I was suddenly accosted by an extremely foul smell. The best I can compare the smell to is rotten decaying chicken or meat. I had a garage that was attached to the house; this thing went into the garage and began to rummage around making a lot of noise. My dog, a golden lab named Big-dog, went and sat in front of the kitchen door that led into the garage while I stood behind him holding an unloaded rifle (as I had no bullets). Big, who was an excellent and fearless guard dog, acted totally out of character and neither barked nor growled the whole time; he simply whined and cocked his head back and forth while listening to the ruckus in the garage. In the ten minutes time or less that the thing was in the garage it rummaged through my freezer, moved the freezer, threw heavy things around and made a huge mess (although nothing was missing the next day when I checked). Then it left just as quickly as it came. I had no phone at the time so I couldn’t call the police. I sat up the rest of the night holding my useless shotgun. In the morning it was all over the news and the radio that at 1:30 in the morning, only half and hour after the incident at my place, two security guards and two police officers had spotted a Bigfoot at the small airport just down the street from where I lived. They chased this smelly creature into the woods where they soon lost sight of it, as it was too quick for them. I then knew what had been at my house that night.

Months prior to this there had been a series of sightings on the Lummi Indian reservation in Whatcom County. Three Bigfoot had terrorized the reservation for weeks –witnessed by many people including several Lummi Police officers. To begin my investigations I found and interviewed many of the witnesses from that incident. From this experience I began to slowly learn how to interview — what to ask and what to look for. In doing so I developed a strong desire to know the truth and what exactly these things are!

Annette: What are the hot spots for sightings?

Linda: My opinion (and this is only MY opinion) is that the heavily forested areas of the Pacific Northwest, from Northern California to Western Canada and Alaska provide the best opportunities for spotting Bigfoot. Although sighting and track reports abound throughout most of North America, the vast wilderness of the Pacific Northwest has the most documented cases and reports of sightings. Thousands of miles of dense forests provide thick cover for these elusive creatures. This wilderness is so vast, inaccessible and unexplored that to quote the great researcher Peter Byrne: “Fifty-four airplanes, missing since World War II, have yet to be found.” Food sources abound year round to support whole families of Bigfoot who could easily survive with very few hardships.

Annette: What’s the difference between a Bigfoot, a Yeti, and a Sasquatch?

Linda: My answer in a nutshell is… “The name and the location.” The “Yeti” or Abominable Snowman is an apelike cryptid said to inhabit the Himalayan region of Napal and Tibet. The name “Sasquatch” (hairy giants) is an anglicized version of the Indian term “Saskehavis” (wild man). The term “Bigfoot” was used by people in Northern California. It became the common name for the creature in the United States in 1958 after huge footprints were found in Humboldt County, California, and the story subsequently distributed by the Associated Press. The same or similar creatures are said to exist around the world under different regional names.

Annette: What led you to decide to write a book?

Linda: Several years ago I decided to write and document my Grams story for my grandchildren. It was a hit with family and friends and everyone kept telling me it should be in a book. There are many books written on the subject and not being a scientist I was unsure of what I could bring to the table and offer in a new way. So I put out a call over the internet asking people what they would want to see in a book about Bigfoot, and what questions they might want answered. Well, the response was amazing! Over a period of a couple of years I heard from approximately 8,000 people. After knowing what they wanted I just had to write the book, and this book is for them.

I have learned a lot in my years of sporadic research, but I am no expert, not by a long shot. Actually no one is an expert, nor can they be at this time. But there are those who know much (much more than I know), so I contacted the best researchers, scientists, and professors to answer the questions that the people really want to know. Those in the Bigfoot Community are a wonderful group of professionals that I feel honored to know and work with. Those researchers and scientists, as listed in my book, came forward to graciously offer their help and advice and gave selflessly of their precious time. And I am forever grateful.

Annette: What are your personal theories and beliefs about Bigfoot?

Linda: I believe them to be very intelligent, much more than we believe. Despite the old tales of violent acts that may well have been embellished by the media in those days, I believe them to be friendly and peaceful beings. In all my years of interviewing eyewitnesses I have never once heard a report of anyone being harmed by a forest giant. The stories you hear of them throwing rocks and making loud, aggressive and frightening noises I believe are only attempts at scaring folks away from their territory or that particular area — perhaps to scare you away from a food source or because they have family members nearby. If you don’t leave after they make a big ruckus and perhaps a big stink as well, they will retreat and leave. They do not want to cause harm. If they did they very well could and we would hear of it. That’s not to say that they would not fight back if forced to protect a family member. But hopefully no human would ever be heartless enough to put them in that position. They deserve to be left alone and live in peace just as we wish for the same. I believe them to have emotions and they are fair and unselfish. I believe that one of their favorite things to do is to WATCH us (people), especially the young males of the species. They seem to be overly curious creatures who like to watch while we camp and go about our business, they like to peek in our windows, and watch our children at play. Hence the name for my book, “Who’s Watching You?”

What are they and where they come from? I can’t offer a worthy guess. I listen to the professors and scientists whose opinions over rule any theories I might form. I am still contemplating. There is much to contemplate.

Annette: What should people do if they see one? Have people ever been harmed by a Bigfoot? Who should they call to report a sighting?

Linda: If you should happen to have a camera with you please try to get one on film! Most people are so shocked when seeing one that they forget they have a camera until it’s to late! If you do run into one it will most likely quickly leave the area, after which I suggest you look for footprints, hair on branches or scat (any evidence to prove what you just encountered). If you should come face to face with one who does not appear to want to leave (which is highly unlikely), I would stand very still and do nothing aggressive. Offer him a candy bar or treat if you have one! If he should show signs that he wants you to leave the area, I would respect that and immediately leave.

Other than the Classic Bigfoot horror stories of old, and those that are covered in my book, I do not know of any recent incidents of violence perpetrated by these seemingly gentle giants.

If you have a sighting to report there are many qualified researchers in your area who will be more than happy to listen and document your experience. And in most cases they will go to the location to look for evidence. If prints are found, casts may be taken. If you make your report to the police or the forest department, do not be surprised if they brush you off and don’t take you seriously, or they tell you that they believe you but to please just go home and forget all about it. If you have gathered hair or other evidence, please do not give it to them, you will never see it again nor will you hear of any conclusions that resulted from it. Please get it to a qualified researcher or scientist in the Bigfoot community. Many are listed in my book, can be found on the web, or contact me and I will see to it that you get a name for your area.

Annette: Is the Bigfoot the missing link between ape and man?

Linda: At this point in research an answer to this question would be purely speculation. How many human traits or ape like traits they have are still in question. For almost as many scientists and researchers there are, there are as many theories and opinions as to what Bigfoot are and where they come from. To quote the great researcher Peter Byrne: “I refrain from calling them animals because of the very significant physical attributes which strongly suggest they are hominids, including upright stance, bipedal locomotion, white coloration in the eye, and according to credible eyewitnesses, something very close to a human face.”

Annette: Are there certain times of the year or certain conditions that seem to correspond with increased Bigfoot sightings?

Linda: Although sightings are reported at all times of the year and in all kinds of weather conditions, I would think that more sightings are reported in the spring and summer months, at least this is what my documented sightings show. And this may be only because there are more people out and about in the forests at that particular time of the year to be available to have a sighting. But this is debatable as many sightings have occurred while people were out in the snow in the dead of winter, while hiking in the spring, camping in the summer months, and while hunting or picking mushrooms in the fall. Many sightings have occurred on private property at all times of the year, during storms and all kinds of weather conditions and in all parts of the country. Another interesting note is that most eyewitnesses were not looking for Sasquatch or hoping to have a sighting when it happened. It seems to be that many people don’t find Bigfoot; rather, it seems to find them.

Annette: Please tell us a little about your book plus where we can buy it.

Linda: “Who’s Watching You?” is due for release in early 2009. It contains over seventy highly credible and detailed Bigfoot eyewitness reports/incidents — “Our vast forests will take on a whole new meaning!” Also included are answers to the questions that people in general would like to see addressed in the form of exclusive interviews with the major scientists and high-profile researchers currently involved in the Bigfoot arena. The introductory chapter is Gram’s story of her adventures with a Sasquatch; this heart-warming story will help to heal the Bigfoot phenomenon. The “Classic” section contains historical Bigfoot accounts; many guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, as well as a chapter of some of the most bizarre Bigfoot occurrences on record. Of special interest is a pictorial presentation of the first, the best, and the only related to the Sasquat/Bigfoot issue.  There are over 150 photos including a special color section showing photographs of some of the best evidence collected to date.  For travelers, there is an illustrated guide to Bigfoot attractions and places of interest to explore in the West. And more! Keep in mind that thousands of people came forward with their input, their most requested questions and their experiences to make this book a valuable resource – it is, “by the people and for the people.”

The book will be available by spring of 2009. You can order the book from Hancock House Publishers – Phone (604) 538-1114 or Toll Free number 1-800-938-1114 – or you can find them on the web (www.hancockhouse.com). You can also purchase a copy directly from me, especially should you wish an autographed copy. Please contact me at bigfootstory@yahoo.com.

Thank you, it’s been a pleasure.

My Best, Linda Coil-Suchy

Linda Coil- Suchy Website Linda’s My Space

Annette: Thanks Linda. I really enjoyed doing the interview

From the makers of THE SECRET

An Interview with Steven LaChance

by Annette Munnich  August 2008

My first contact with Steven LaChance was during the interview I did of Denice Jones. They are very good friends and speak highly of each other always. Steven had some kind words for Denice that were included in the article.

I remembered seeing the episode of the TV show A Haunting that told his story. Recently I had the opportunity to watch that episode again. It’s called “Fear House.” This was the one that had the clown in it, and that made it stick in my mind as I have a clown thing since John Wayne Gacy.I don’t even like the Burger King guy.

Steven gave me a copy of his book to read in advance as it is released to the public  September 1st. The book gives the whole account of the haunting at the Union, Missouri house. I ended up staying up all night to read it in one sitting. The story is gripping and intense. Too much to fit into a one hour show. In fact the TV program was not half as scary as the book is. Steven says about the house that the spirit would prey upon the fears of the observer. In essence it would morph itself into the things his family dreaded most. How awful is that? Steven lived there less than a month with his three children.

One of the most remarkable aspects to this entire story is that it doesn’t end there. The house was a rental and our hero Steve goes back there to help the new tenants.Anyone who has never been in a severe haunting situation will not be able to appreciate how much courage that takes. And this one was severe.

The second family is very much a part of this book. Steven goes back to help them countless times. The new family stays in the house a lot longer and suffers greatly for it. I’d like to say that I am as strong and kind as he is, and that I would do the same as he did, but in all honesty, I doubt that I could.

If you like reading paranormal books, put this one on your list.

Steven does a radio show on Blog Talk Radio Tuesday nights and begins filming the Haunted Survivors TV show in September. It is a Booth Brothers production as was Children of the Grave, a horror documentary Steven was a part of. The Zombie Road part really gave a chill.   He is also in the new Booth Brothers documentary THE POSSESSED which is the story of the Watseka, Illinois house where the first documented case of possession occured in the United States. I actually just moved to Watseka, so look for a lot more about John Whitman, his house and the upcoming film about it all.

There will be a HAUNTED SURVIVORS TOUR, and a book tour, so check out Steven’s website as he may be coming to your neck of the woods

The Interview

Annette: Was it difficult for you to recount your horrifying experiences while writing THE UNINVITED?

Steven: At times it was like reliving it all over again.  However, I felt that it was important for me to tap back into those feelings to bring them to the book. So many times in interviews I had been asked, “How did you feel at this moment or that moment?”  by tapping into those feelings I was able to demonstrate those emotions with a clearer picture.  That was important to me and I felt that it would be important to the reader. The hardest parts were the parts that dealt with my chldren and the personal losses that I revealed in the book which I felt were important to understand in order to truly understand my part of this haunting.

Annette: How has this experience changed your life?

Steven: Wow, the whole book, The Uninvited is how it changed my life.  At the point when this started I was a very angry and bitter man.  That has changed.  I have learned to release a lot of that bitterness and anger which I feel helped get me into spiritual trouble in the first place. My faith is strong and sound.  Not that I am a paticularly religous man, but I have learned to have faith is to love unconditionally.  Faith and religion are two very different things.  There are those who are very religous out there that have not learned the first thing about “true” faith.  I have also learned that it is important to live your life with the most positive of attitudes.  Faith, Love, and a Postive Attitude that is what truly fuels a good life.

Annette: How many years has it been since you were there at the house?

Steven: There are times when it seems like yestrerday.  The last time I stepped into the house was to remove Linda (Helen in the book) and that was in October of 2005.

Annette: I am also wondering how your children have coped with the ordeal they went through.

Steven: They are all three doing great today.  They dealt with it each in their own way.

My daughter at first had to talk about it. She found her solace in her religion and her faith.  Today she is married and in Januay will become a mother for the first time.  Yes, that will make me a grandpa.

My middle son, does not discuss it at all publicly.  He barely discusses it with me.  He is that way.  Every once in awhile he will ask me something, but for the most part he has put it behind him.  This is his first year of college.  He is a English Major and a Film Student.

My youngest son.  He will talk about it more than the other three to a point.  There are certain aspects that he will not discuss publicly.  We are getting him through that.  He has been home schooled and will begin college in January for Criminal Justice.  He wants a career in Law Enforcement and eventually wants to be a DEA agent.

Overall, I think they have adjusted well and they have gown into young adults that any parent would be proud of.

Annette: What is your opinion on the episode of A HAUNTING that told your story. I know an awful lot was left out.

Steven: They did leave an awful lot of the story out.  It was the readers digest condensed version.  I can’t blame them though, they had a very limited time.  Some of it was way over the top and then some of it was downplayed quite a bit.  However, it did drive me to write the book to tell the whole story.

Annette: Since then you have been busy working in the Paranormal, please tell me a bit about the new show HAUNTED SURVIVORS and your other works with the Booth Brothers.

Steven: Haunted Survivors is still in development and will start filming in September.  What can I say about the Booth Brothers?  Who wouldn’t want to work with them?  They are awesome.  Also, the Union House story has a very small part in the upcoming Booth Brothers production The Possessed due out in October.  I am also working on some other projects with them as well that I am not at liberty to discuss at this time.

Annette: When will HAUNTED SURVIVORS go on the air?

Steven: That remains to be seen.  I do know that you will be seeing myselfl, Tim Yancey, and Bill Bean as part of that line up.

Annette: You are also doing a HAUNTED SURVIVORS tour and radio show?

Steven: We ae hoping the tour will hit in January of 2009.  Haunted Survivor Radio is every Tuesday night on Blog Talk Radio at 7pm Central.

Annette: What do you believe happens when we die?

Steven: Let’s just say that I believe in an afterlife.  Other than that, it would get way too complicated to go into here.  Well, I have this idea of self-inflicted purgatory.  That hell may actually be a state of mind brought on by ourselves after we pass. Sort of follows the lines of Jean Paul Sarte.  lol   Anyone that is really curious about this can always look me up.

Annette: What are the best things a person can do if they find themselves in an extreme haunted situation?

Steven: First off, I have decided that I don’t like the term extreme.  It really does not paint the right picture of what these type of hauntings are all about.  I think I prefer the term violent hauntings.

The best advice that I could give someone is to find someone that has lived through it.  There is a sub-culture of us in the paranormal community who have lived through these type things and we are committed to helping others. We have gained the right type of resources to help these cases and we also have the practical knowledge.  We are their best bet.

Annette: Thanks so much Steven for making the time to chat with me. I appreciate it and wish you success with your new book and TV Show.

Visit Steven’s Website

Booth Brothers Page

Denice Jones Life Foundation

Blog Talk Radio Haunted Survivor Show

From the makers of THE SECRET

May 2008

Annette: Steve, I have been looking forward to this for quite some time now. Thanks for making some time for me. I appreciate it. I think I have some good questions for you   I’d like to start off by asking about the history of the Ghost Box, the different kinds of boxes, and what types you use.

Steve: The Spiritcom came out in the late 70′s to early 80′s. A bunch of scientists working on that were able to communicate with the other side using audible tones coming through some type of device that they were using and had developed. It lasted for a few years, but everyone started fighting and it never amounted to anything.

Then Frank Sumption got a hold of a Popular Science magazine from I believe it was 1995, and it was basically an article saying “How do we speak to the dead?” and “Could we speak to the dead?,” based off an idea that Edison came up with originally back in the 20′s. I can’t verify any of that as I wasn’t around in the 20′s, (laughs) this is just the story that I hear. Frank started building his boxes back in 2002, and gave them to Chris Moon, and he started using them out in the field. I didn’t get involved in this until 2007. It was only last year. My sister knew I was big into EVP’s so she e-mailed me an article about Frank’s Box. I saw that Chris Moon was using it and immediately signed up for one of his ghost hunter universities because I wanted  to see the box in action.

In the meantime I started to go nuts looking for an idea of my own, since Frank’s boxes were not available, only Frank made them, and he gave them out, and there was only very few. So I ran rampant on the internet trying to find an engineer to build one for me. I ran across Joe Cioppi, who lives in Pennsylvania, he’s a nice guy and a retired engineer, and he said he was working on an FM version of a Frank’s Box in his own design. He said if I was interested in that, I could buy the parts and he would build it. So we started there.

He built the first device. I got it and I was not overly thrilled, it seemed to sweep very slowly. The whole idea and premise behind the box is that you have a nice fast sweep rate going through the stations grabbing only small bits and pieces of the fragments that they (spirits) utilize to form words and sentences, whatever the case may be. So it was a little slow, we went back and did this a few times until we finally got it right. I went over and sat on his couch and we went over ideas, what I wanted to hear and how we could go about building it. We finally designed a product that I started getting results with. So being that Frank Sumption called his design the Frank’s Box, I decided to call what we made the Joe’s Box.

We collaborated on different ideas over the course of the past year, and I’ll have 4 Joe’s boxes as of next week, and they’re all unique, they’re all different. What happened was I started using the Joe’s Box, and I found Frank’s message board and started posting my files the way I knew how. I didn’t have any direction at all, I just started doing my own thing. (laughs) Frank saw what I was doing. I wasn’t using a Frank’s box, but I was still getting communication. He had just got two boxes from Chris Moon that were not working. He fixed them and then he offered me one of those boxes which was #13.

I never asked him for the Frank’s Box, he had offered it to me. So I got it and used it for awhile, I never really got a whole lot out of it to be honest with you. Then I ended up sending it back because it just didn’t work. So he built me a new one which was #27. I do get good stuff from that one.

I use so many different methods. When the Radio Shack Hack came out, somebody got the idea and posted it on the internet that you could pull a pin off a radio and the thing constantly sweeps and is like an instant Frank’s Box for about $25.00. So what I did with that is the person said they had this idea but didn’t say how to do it. So I was at home, it was raining, I didn’t have anything to do so I  e-mailed this person and said that if he knew how to do it, but wasn’t ready to post it yet, could he please tell me because there is a Radio Shack across the street and I’m ready to get jumping and get involved with it. So he e-mailed me back about what model it was and such. I went right across the street, grabbed it and within a half an hour, I already posted a couple of files from it.

He is actually Bill Chappell, who has now developed the Paranormal Puck and the Ovlilus. He was under an assumed name. After he came out with the Radio Shack Hack, I used  it and got some great stuff with it. I’m always up for something new. I sent my files to him and he e-mailed me back and said he had this website called ghostboxhacks.com., and he says can I use your files on the site? I said, “yes, sure, why not?” So he did that and everything went rampant.

The 470 is another model that was able to be hacked right after that which is the same as the 12-469, which incorporated a speaker, and is the only basic difference, plus it didn’t have the annoying click. So that was the one that really took off with a lot of people because it was small and portable with a speaker built into it and you could  take 5 minutes to modify it and be up and running.

Since then I found two of my own Radio Shack models that were able to be modified. On a whim, I was walking around in Radio Shack and grabbed a 20-125, which is another radio that incorporates a speaker and also has a shortwave, and is the first one that brought the shortwave into the research. I figured I had to modify that and put that up on my website allowing everybody to go out and buy that and use it if they wanted to.

Soon after I found another one which is the 12-820 model. It’s an armband radio, it costs $29.99, and I did that one at the pizza parlor at work. There’s a Radio Shack next to the pizza parlor, and while I was waiting for my food, I took it apart and  I actually modified it right then and there on the table (laughs.)  So I got that one out into the public too.

There’s also other methods. I have a Sony Walkman radio (model #SRF-M37V) that needs no hacking at all. All you do is hold the scan button down and it automatically sweeps, never stops, that one you can buy anywhere it’s $30.00. So I try to get these ideas out to the other people who are trying  to get this research going.

Since then there’s been so many other modifications to the boxes. Frank is on box #38 now, I believe, I have #27 so he has made 11 more boxes since he gave mine to me. As far as the boxes are concerned LC Duplatt developed a Joe’s Box type that sweeps the FM band, but he modified his to scan and sweep a little differently than the rest. He gets really good stuff with that. I’m always complimenting him on his files. I think they are excellent.  I think he is going to start producing them.

Stefan Bion, from Denmark, developed an EVP Maker, if you actually go back a little ways. EVP maker, according to Frank Sumption is what he was using, and spirits were taking that program and telling him how to build a Frank’s Box before it was called a Frank’s Box. Now basically what EVP Maker does is you take a piece of audio put it in there, and it mixes it up, jumbles it, and spits it out. Kind of randomly grabbing words from whatever file you put in.  He used that and that’s how he came up with the design for the Frank’s Box, which is the story that I have been told. I used it several times and never got anything from the EVP Maker.

A couple of months ago Stefan came out with this Allophone File which is based off of 72 audible tones, no words at all, just the audible tones. It’s very robotic sounding. You use the EVP Maker software, and you put it in there and it mixes up the 72 tones. I gave that a shot and all of a sudden I was getting full sentence answers that I have never gotten with any box. This was the first time I got full sentences from anything I have done research with. So I was pretty intrigued with that.  What I did was, I decided to take his file and use a program called Sound Soap, which is a software program used to edit and take the noise out of files and stuff like that. It has a bar on the bottom you could actually manually sweep it yourself. So I put the 72 allophone tones as my program and I started just manually  sweeping it myself and I started getting  answers to my questions.

What I feel is that they (spirits) use what we use. It doesn’t really matter. I think it is more based on the person who is doing the research. I seem to be able to, whatever I turn on, get something. So I’m using the Sound Soap and the EVP Maker and all of a sudden the Speakjet comes into the picture.

Rob Fitzgerald from deadscience.com put together a Speakjet Box, which is basically the 72 allophone tones in a chip format and it sounds like a Speak and Spell. He put it into a box and he based it out of energy fields so when it detects an energy field it randomly jumbles the 72 tones and spits stuff out. Now I could understand if it says “hello,” that I get, but if it says “hello Steve how are you?” the chances of it actually jumbling audio together to say things like that is significant enough that it’s not a coincidence to me.

Then the Paranormal Puck came out, which is Bill Chappell as I said before. That’s about energy fields, he’s all about environmental readings. Energy fields, voltage, he’s really into the data and that kind of stuff. I was one of the beta testers for original Paranormal Puck that started in February and I used it until recently then he sent me a brand new one; a finished product of it. I use that.

It has a thing called phenomes, and what that is, is bits and pieces of human speech. It’s not words and it’s not tones, it’s actually human vocal speech patterns. Now if you run that into his program, you can change the speed of it, and it randomly jumbles it up and spits out human speech giving a nice clear communication. A lot of things can be caught in a real time format. Some things you can’t which is why I record everything and go over it later, put the headphones on and I have some incredible files from that.

And that brings us up to date on all the boxes that are out there, except for one more which is the Mini-Box. That one came out in December. I got that one in December and the first time I used that I went to my mother’s for dinner. I was using it and there was a grounded spirit that was at my mother’s house and he kept saying “Why can’t you see me I am staring right at you, why can’t you see me?” It was really creepy (laughs.)

The way the Mini-Box was working that night was that I heard the radio and this voice was coming on top of the radio, using the audio from the radio, to make his presence known, and he was not happy. We fought with him for awhile and then finally convinced him to move on and he said okay. Then all of a sudden all I heard was radio and he was gone. My mom hasn’t had any problems with her house since. She had people singing in the middle of the night coming from her closet and people walking around in her room; all kinds of stuff before, and after that night she hasn’t had those problems since. So does the Ghost Box work? I think it does. Can people say it’s radio? Of course. Most people will. I don’t believe that. I have gotten stuff beyond what I believe to be radio. I just think this stuff works.

Annette: That was a very good detailed answer. I would like to talk about the Box itself for a few minutes. I’d like to ask you about the uses for it as well as  the limitations in your opinion.

Steve: Boxes are very useful. I’ve taken them out on location and I’ve gotten some really interesting stuff. LC Duplatt has also touched on this recently also. Bringing it to a supposed haunted location seems to fire it up and makes it a lot more active. I found that in a lot of situations.

There was a girl that lived up the road from me that needed help. I went over there and used the Joe’s Box that I was currently using at the time, and  got a lot of answers to questions; things I did not know, and I went to school with her, but that’s pretty much it. Up until recently, I didn’t know anything about her history. Her boyfriend was living with her. I kept getting this name Ed coming through, and he was really nasty, cursing, and doing a lot of stuff that was just not nice. Come to find out  the boyfriend’s father’s name was Ed, and he had a falling out with his father, and ended up putting his father in jail. His father died in jail. I didn’t know any of these things when I went in there. All I did was just repeat what I was hearing and they were blown away that I was getting answers, and this is like the first month I was using this box, so I was pretty intrigued that I was getting anything like this also.

Up until that point, I was sitting at home doing research and I was getting minimal stuff. When I went over there where they actually had activity,  I was getting stuff that was pretty close to their situation. So I found that to be pretty good. Now as to the limitations of the box, radio method boxes are limited to the location you are in. You’re not always going to be able to get a good signal. Say for example, if you are in a basement. So if you’re in the basement where the activity is and you turn the box on and you don’t have a radio signal, then you don’t have anything (laughs.) It’s definitely a downfall. That’s my big problem and why I am moving forward into the Speakjet boxes and to more of the Allophone tones.

I mix and match. I do a little bit of everything just to keep it fresh in my mind. I want to stay current with all of it. I don’t want to stick with one option. I think I will bounce around until I find the one that best works for me and then maybe stick with that.

Annette: It seems that there are some other limitations in regards to what kind of information they will pass on. They don’t like to predict the future, they don’t like to try to give too much detailed information as to what it’s like on the other side, have you run across any of those things?

Steve: I actually have gotten a lot of files that pertain to the other side. They’re pretty willing to talk about that. As for predicting the future, if anyone wants the lottery numbers they’re probably not going to get them (laughs.)  I think from what I have learned doing this, is that they have limited predicting ability. I have that file that you heard that said I have company and right then the phone rang. So they know things that are current and going to happen in the immediate future. As for the distant future, I’m not really too sure that they know any of that. I actually had a prediction tonight through the Joe’s Box and it was very specific as to what I am doing tomorrow night. So I am interested in seeing how that pans out because it didn’t seem to be a good message (laughs.) I don’t know if anything they say is actually going to happen and is true.

Annette: Bruce Halliday had posted some files that may be about the recent earthquake that happened in China, and I thought that was really interesting.

Steve: Yeah a few months ago we were getting a lot of earthquake messages. All of us.  It got to the point of yeah earthquake message and I just started deleting them. For like two weeks straight I got nothing but earthquake warnings and I didn’t think anything of it. I never got China, and then Frank was sending me seismograph maps showing me that there are always earthquakes going on and not to take it seriously. So I didn’t.

Annette: There is another researcher, and I’m not going to mention his name, because I’m not sure he would want me to, who had a particular spirit that he was talking with. He started asking questions about when that person was alive and trying to research him. His communication got cut off. He heard other voices in the background saying “don’t” and “stop” and things like that and he actually lost contact with that spirit and never heard from him again. Have you ever tried to use the box to research anyone in particular? You know try to find out someone’s personal details; where they lived, when they died etc?

Steve: I have tried to do that in the past but never got anything. They don’t like to answer those sorts of questions. I shy away from doing it now because I know they don’t like it. I’ve had problems and been cut off at different points in my communication also.

Annette: That person lives in a haunted house and was trying to investigate the spirits that remain there.

Steve: Which is a great idea but can we say on the other hand that we are talking to spirits for sure? Can we say that they are who they say they are? If I were them, and wanted to have a good time, I could say I am so and so and let you run to the library looking up all sorts of records (laugh.) I don’t know where they are. Are they on a parallel universe to us? It’s possible. Are there different levels? I’m sure there are. I’ve gotten that several times where  they say they are on different levels. The longer you are gone the more you move up on the levels. Sometimes I ask for someone, and it takes a long time like they have to go searching… I can’t say if it’s spirits or ghosts that we’re talking to, or if it is always earthbound spirits that we are talking to. Is it aliens (laugh) I honestly don’t know.  All I know is I ask questions and I get answers.

Annette: It’s a fascinating thing. I think I have been privileged in a lot of ways to be able to listen to so many files. I am amazed all the time at the questions and the answers that are coming through; people actually getting in touch with their loved ones, and people doing spirit rescue. It’s kind of mind boggling, it really is.

Steve: I’m actually going over a session I did today. I went to Monmouth Battlefield Park, here in New Jersey. It’s where they fought one of the big battles of the Revolutionary War. George Washington was there. So I went over there today and sat in the middle of the battlefield and I did a session. This is the second time I have done this at this location. Both times that I went there I got British speaking people coming through the Box. Which is bizarre, because there are no British speaking people on any of the radio stations around here that I know of. Now considering that this was a war between America and Britain, getting British speaking voices is really interesting.

Now today I went over the file and I believe I crossed over five spirits today while I was there. They were speaking to me and were willing. I asked them if they could see the light and told them to go to the light. This isn’t the first time. I actually enjoy doing this. I feel like I am serving a purpose at that point. What I did was simply convince them. If you see the light, your family friends and loved ones are all over there, and they want you over there. Trust me. And then I hear people in the background saying “yeah Steve said it is okay” I think I have built up enough clientèle over there  that they seem to know who I am now (laughs.) So when I said it, they were like hesitant, and then I kept saying “it’s okay go” and I keep hearing some Spanish radio station and then they were gone. Did I help cross them over? I might have. They said there were five of them. I didn’t hear anything after that so if there was five, I may have crossed all five over. I had that happen quite a few times.

Annette: I’d like to ask about your research in particular, what your hopes are for the future, as opposed to other researchers out there. What are you looking for? What are you hoping for?

Steve: Basically I do what I do every day, I think the skill  is in the editing process; going over the file and being able to capture it with your ear. You develop an ear for it over time. Being able to isolate it and get it out into the public is a great thing. I’ve never done this for a cent. I’ve given boxes away. I’ve offered tons and tons of time. I’ve gone over files for people and worked on stuff for them. What I like to do, what I feel is my portion, is teaching and helping others. That’s what I really like to do. That’s what my research is about. What I hope will come out in the future is to eventually get a device where we could actually sit there and no matter who you are you could sit with me and hear what is being said. I think we’re a ways off from that, but it’s coming.

I started this back in early 2007, and it’s light years away from when I started. When I started, it was just Frank Sumption, Chris Moon and me. Those were the only people doing Box research at that time, and I was the only one using the Joe’s Box because I co-created Joe’s Box. Joe was an engineer. He knew how to build devices but he didn’t know what this research was about. He built it, we learned together, so it truly was a collaboration between us. We have a good working relationship that way. When I go to visit, his wife brings out coffee and cookies and I stay and talk for like three or four hours (laughs.) We have so much stuff to talk about. I always have ideas. He’s constantly trying to put things into motion. He’s now talking about working with the Speakjet chip and trying to do something with that. You never know what will happen next. It seems to change all the time.

Annette: Yes it certainly does. It’s out there and people are thinking about it. There’s this idea and that idea and it’s kind of like a think tank situation in a way. You have a bunch of very sharp minds all focused on the same sort of a goal.

Steve: Well the thing is people see your ideas and see what you’re doing, and sometimes it sets something off in somebody. You know, basically, what I did when the Radio Shack Hack first came out, I saw the idea of what was going on and I just kind of ran away with the idea. I saw what he did with that design and I thought any radio with a similar pattern, set up and circuit board inside it, could be done the same way. It could also be done in different ways and people are just kind of all over the place doing stuff now.

There’s not a whole lot in the development. It seems like everybody just currently is using what everyone else is using. Me, personally, I am trying to do new things all the time to keep it new. I kind of throw it out there and try to keep myself slightly ahead of the pack. People see me using things and want to give it a try. I have gone pretty far with this. I am trying to keep myself a little bit distanced so people look to me and say, well he gets good stuff, he’s gotten a lot of answers and I am willing to give it a shot because he did it. It’s kind of like follow the leader, not that I am a leader, because we are all working together on this,  but I think that we should all keep moving forward.

Annette: Well, I think you are a leader, and I think that your curiosity, imagination, and enthusiasm  has effected a lot of people Steve.

Steve: I get a lot of e-mails. It’s almost impossible to help everybody. I do reply, but when it gets more and more in depth I send them to my Yahoo Group where I can, or somebody else can answer it. That’s kind of the whole point of having a group and we have everybody working together on it.

Annette: Steve thank you so much. It was all very informative and interesting. I’m glad we finally got together to do this. I appreciate your time. I’m going to close with some tips from Steve on editing.

Steve Hultay on Editing
This is a style that I do. Basic scenario for me is if I get a 5 second piece of audio that, for example, says “Steve, I (er-ee-oo) love (ir ikk) you”. Granted, you can share that to the group and it would sound like a mess. I simply highlight the nothing worded area and I amplify it, slow it down, and also reverse it. At that point, if I get nothing by those 3 methods, in that highlighted area, it gets deleted and I’ll move on to the next section.

I go over all my files in the exact order that I get it originally, but I try to keep the crap in the middle to a minimum, so others can hear the message clearly. I can’t personally listen to a 35 second audio clip that say’s “Hi”. “Hi” takes up a half a second and the rest is just random audio nonsense, so why not just highlight the “Hi” and make it a 2 or 3 second file? And to add more to the editing process, sometimes a word during that sentence doesn’t fit and sounds like gibberish. At that point, I do the 3 methods and in doing that I reverse it and it actually is a word that fits in the same sentence. Now, I didn’t do anything but reverse a piece of nothing fragment that became something usable, which is still in the same exact section of the original audio file. Editing for me is very hard and takes a long time, but we have to grab every section that could possibly be something and utilize it.

Remember that whoever we are speaking with is mostly likely not a professional at communicating either. We can’t expect that whatever device we turn on, that it’s going to be full word clear sentences, it’s not possible. If we do not edit to get the full message clearly, they will eventually just give up on us because we are expecting them to do all the work and for us to do minimal at best.

Common sense has to come into play, if a section doesn’t belong, and is obvious it’s a fragment or piece of white noise just get rid of it. As long as you keep the file moving in the same  direction without cutting and pasting words to fit your situation, it only makes sense to make sense…?…Right?

Steve’s website
Keyport Paranormal

Watch Steve on an episode of Mystery Hunters

April 2008

Annette: Denice, thanks for making some time for me. I am so glad to have this chance to get to know you better. I have heard so many good things. The movie THE SIXTH SENSE was loosely based on your son Michael’s experiences. Back to the beginning of all that has happened, what was your uh-oh moment when you realized you had a serious problem on your hands?

Denice: Hmm… I think when Michael started getting hurt by these things, I knew it was getting serious. Although when your children are so afraid of what they are seeing that no one will sleep in their rooms at night, or go in any room alone, not even the bathroom, I think you know you have an issue.

Annette: Could you tell me a little bit about how this began?

Denice: When Mike was able to talk he started asking me who was talking upstairs, but no one would be upstairs and I would tell him that. This would progress to the point in which he was very afraid to be alone in any of the rooms, and even to this day, he has to sleep with a light on. One day he was screaming that a man had tried to touch his shoulder, and I ran around my home looking for a man in the house, when I found no one I held Mike and he was still shaken and told me the man was crayon colored white.

I knew about ghosts as both my parents had some gifts, and growing up, we would hear and see things our home. Our cupboards and refrigerator doors would open and close on their own. When we would be sitting in the living room, we would hear a cracking noise in the wall, and then we all knew we were not alone. Usually, most of the time, we would see someone or something, go up the stairs. I was so afraid of ghosts growing up that I could not sleep. I would fall asleep when my eyes shut. My heart would race at night. I was very afraid. I would leave the doors open in the house so I could run out, something I would get yelled at for in wintertime. In some ways I feel I was being prepared for what I would have to deal with in later years.

I brought Mike to my parents home after the man had tried to touch him so we could talk to my mom. Mike and Kenny, my oldest son, went into their living room to get some candy, and Mike started to scream as he pointed to a picture my father had just placed on his wall the day before. He said that was the man who tried to touch him, and it was a picture of my grandfather who passed when I was 10 years old. Michael never met him, nor saw a picture. My father sat Mike down and told him it was his great Grandfather and that he would never hurt him. I thought maybe he was around because I cried and prayed to him when Michael had a troubled birth and I begged him to help him. Whatever the reason was he was around…

So much went on…

Mike would scream that a man was standing and watching him in between his windows. He would see a man with a bandana walk into his room, a woman in a wedding dress sitting on his step sister’s bed, a woman humming, and a baby crying in a friend’s home. He also saw many little boys watching him and running around, a soldier in blue with yellow stripes in the living room, two elderly women in the kitchen, black shadow men all the time, demonic, and he has seen Archangel Michael. I could go on and on throughout the years he has seen so much… sometimes they are trying to talk to him, sometimes they are watching him, leaning over him in bed, peering into a room from the door or closet, walking up or down the stairs towards him and so on.

where it all began 1994.

Denice’s book THE OTHER SIDE

Annette: Denice, this must have been very hard. I’m sorry your family endured such terrifying hardships.

Denice: Thanks. It was awful. Michael would be choked, scratched, pinched and slapped by unseen spirits. We all would see, feel or hear things ourselves. We were all a bit scared by this. Things would go missing and so on. Michael still sees spirits it calms down at times and yet sometimes it is just horrible. He dreams with messages as well. Michael has had a few exorcisms mainly to stop the physical things, as you cannot exorcise a gift of discern like he has. It was very hard to try to protect my child from unseen things; I was brave when I needed to be. We all slept together and the kids would want me to stay up until they fell asleep, we had to stay with Mike as he would not go in some rooms alone, there were times when we all would go in pairs to go to the bathroom and to shower, of course we would turn our backs.

It affected our extended family as well. I remember one Christmas Eve, my niece, sister, and brother came to my home. My niece had to go to the bathroom. She went in and then ran out of the bathroom a few minutes later, with her pants down to her knees, screaming and trying to pull them up. The faucets came on by themselves and something growled at her and she refused to stay. My sister had to leave and I was very sad as it was even ruining my Xmas. My brother came for a weekend and stayed at my home. During the first night he was held down in bed like something was on top of him, and he said he would never stay at my house unless he was drunk! He went to stay at my parent’s home the next night. Then he went back to South Carolina, where he lived at that time. Many years later he and his girlfriend, were moving back to Connecticut and stayed at my home, I thought they would be okay, and it was a different place, (we seemed to move a lot to get away from these things although we never did). It did help to rid of many of the entities tied to a certain home, they tend to get stronger the longer you are there. Anyway, his girlfriend went to take a shower, and she came downstairs white as a ghost and in shock. She said she was attacked in the shower. What was the weirdest thing was that a patch of her hair turned white. She still has that patch of white hair and was never the same since.

I took Mike to so many doctors and psychiatrists to make sure it was never a medical condition that they asked me to stop bringing him. I even called 911 once when he was in a paralyzed state and then later, when he was at the hospital, they called in a priest who prayed over him and we walked out of that hospital, with everyone staring at us, as they knew it was not medical condition at all. He sees ghosts and one was attached.

Annette: Wow, I am utterly speechless. I think this is the most extreme story I have ever heard. I would really like to cover what is happening for you now, and in the future. I have heard wonderful things about your LIFE FOUNDATION, I wonder if you would tell us all more about it. Actually, just the other day, I received a load of e-mails telling me what a kind and giving person you are and recommending the LIFE FOUNDATION

Here are some of the things people are saying…

From STEVEN LACHANCE; “Denice is someone that deserves the admiration and support of every single person working within this field today. She is truly THE person you would want to go to if ever your find yourself or your family in paranormal need.”

From JOHN ZAFFIS; “Denice has been helping families for over TEN years now and I have been a personal friend and help with many cases that have come in to the LIFE FOUNDATION. Denice is truly devoted to helping all that she comes in contact with in need of paranormal help and is known and respected in the field today.”

From TRACY BACON; “I have known Denice Jones for many years. She is a very caring and generous person who puts other’s needs before her own. Helping those who have nowhere else to turn and nobody else to look to for understanding and assistance with the paranormal.”

From CARI STONE; “I know Denice on a professional level, and I’m proud to say she is my friend. Denice has always said yes I’ll help when I have called her and said I have someone going through something similar to what you and your family went through. I absolutely loved Denice’s book THE OTHER SIDE. I recommend it to everyone.”

From MATT MOYER; Denice put together a network to assist those whom need help with the paranormal activities they may be having in their home or business. By having selected paranormal Investigators throughout the country in the foundation, Denice can effectively send the help they need. It is an honor to be on the Life Foundation list of Investigators.

From JIM JONES; For several years I have known Denice Jones. Denice is probably one of the most respected paranormal investigators, and one of the greatest human beings alive. The finest words cannot describe a person with such passion, vigor, and integrity. Always looking for the positive in people, that is what Denice is about. Never give up, never surrender, see it through…

Annette: Well, that’s quite an impressive line-up! The LIFE FOUNDATION clearly has had a profound effect on many people. How did this all get started?

Denice: The LIFE FOUNDATION was started in 1993-1994. When I was searching for help for our family’s situation, I could not find any. It wasn’t like it is today. I did not own a computer then, so I had no clue how to find help. I went to bookstores and read as much as I could. I did find a book with Ed and Lorraine Warrens names in it. I wrote down the address and sent them a letter. I also sent photos of us to show we were serious. They never wrote back. Why? I do not know. In the letter I begged them to help. I told them all that was going on with my son and told them I had no money to pay them,as this situation was taking all my time. I could not sleep… I was up all night protecting the children. My husband worked. Maybe they never received the letter, I don’t know. I sent a few.

My mother worked with a woman who knew a group that studied under the Warren’s, who came to our home. Their story I wish not to go into, as it is so negative, and that’s something I try to stay away from. The only good thing that came from them was that they got me to the Bishop, who helped Michael get rid of some of the negative he was experiencing at that time.

Annette: If anything good has come out of your frightening experiences, what would those positives be?

Denice: The positives would be that it made us stronger as a family . Closer. The LIFE FOUNDATION is another thing. I have been able to help thousands of families in need of help. Helping others is definitely a positive. As well as meeting some great people/Investigators who work hard to help others. Jason Hawes was someone who helped with cases that came through the Foundation. Now they send me cases to get help for as they get many in due to the best paranormal show out there ” GHOST HUNTERS”
( I just love that show and those guys, true respect )

Annette: How difficult was it for you to recall all of your terrifying experiences in detail while writing your book THE OTHER SIDE?

Denice: I never found it difficult to write the book. I felt it was a bit therapeutic in some ways. Everything we went through still seems like yesterday and everyday there is something new. To us it is normal life we do not know anything different.

Annette: After those paranormal experiences went public on a large scale, how hard has it been to handle criticism from skeptics and non-believers?

Denice: I never cared about skeptics too much… I am living it, they are not. I do not think trying to live my life, I needed to convince anyone of what we were/are going through. I had no time for that. I was just trying to live my life and protect my kids. When all the TV news stations were parked in my front yard begging to talk to me someone from the skeptic society called and I spoke to him. he was very nice to me and I answered all his questions and he said I was doing all I should be and that was that. He never called again. I did have a hard time with Michael’s school, some of his teachers were afraid of him and some harassed him. However I never took what anyone said to heart as again I knew the truth .I could not help they did not. I always thought someday they would, until then I was okay with how one thought. That’s what makes us all different Michael had a hard time, as he could not understand why some adults did not believe him. But is okay now at 20.

Some Questions For Michael

Annette: As paranormal investigators and researchers it would be very helpful for us to understand more about the other side. Are there any insights you could share with us about the spirit world? What are your viewpoints about the afterlife from what you have seen? Do most ghosts want to be helped to cross over? What types of things do they want? Secondly, your life has been touched by the paranormal since you were just a small boy. What is your outlook on life and death? Is this plane of existence basically a learning school?

Michael: The only thing that comes to mind is that Spirits are scared, confused and angry. You do not know which you are dealing with unless you have a gift. I can feel their emotions. The regular spirits just want attention when they know you can see them and if I do not give them this attention they get angry at me. Now I try to give them some attention and tell them with help to go towards the light as their answers are there. Some are afraid to go and some go. I was at Ellis Island when I was 9 and saw a man sitting in the courtroom, the courtroom was closed to the public, he was not human and was just sitting there looking at me, he knew I could see him. He looked sad like his life was over, he was dirty and old to me. I felt his emotion and then I was sad. I walked away. It was hard to shake that feeling. I do not know why I have these gifts, but, I plan on helping all the spirits I can. It is not like talking to a friend you can hug, joke around and get them better, this is a bit harder. I have my mom with me as many ask me to have her help too. They know she can as well.

The only insight I could give to an investigator, is if you speak nice to them like they are human still, you will get more out of them. If you go in a place and do not joke around too much, and go in like you are going to find someone who needs help, they would be more apt to allow you to help and come forth.

Remember they know you are there way before you know they are there. They know before you enter the home or dwelling. They read you, your light. Also remember most who are still in a location are from older days and in those days they are from the old school so going in laughing, playing around you lose their respect.

The women hardly spoke to men. The ones who passed within the last 40 years I think would not mind joking and such, but you just do not know who is in a haunted area. Children are all different they want to play, some are afraid as they were hurt by adults and so on. It is a crap shoot, That’s all I can say from what I have seen and what I plan on doing on the HAUNTED SURVIVORS series.

When it comes to demonic, which I see as well, I used to be really scared of them as they hurt me. Not anymore. I can actually send them away now, I use my soul, my heart, and my light. They are some things that no one should deal with if they do not know how. My life had been in an uproar because of them and I will continue to fight them and win.

They (demonic) effect your whole life; everything you do. If someone wants to deal with them they should know their life, finances, cars, jobs and people will not like you, things go wrong and so on just dealing with them. Its a choice to some, and some have no choice if you have a choice do not do it. It is as close to Hell as you hope to come.

Many say you need to invite them in to have them attack you. I do not believe this, maybe in some cases but not all. I did nothing but was born and died and crossed over many times. I see the dead and spirits attracts spirits and you can’t pick what comes in; sometimes it is bad. Then you have the demonic who wants your soul, or they do not want you to grow up as you may do something in the future they may not like. Remember there is no time there, they know and see all and know 20 years in the future. No one knows everything in this field, and I see many saying one thing and others another. I know what I know by going through it, living it. They could be fooling me too. I do see, hear and feel spirits, demonic and angelic and other things I wish not to talk about at this time. I used to always say why me? Why Me? I hope in another 10-20 years I will know why me. Life is about Time and Love.

My viewpoints about the afterlife… A friend of mine who passed was young, but when he came to me he was older, and was helping the servicemen who passed over. That was his work, so we all still work. He seems happy to be there. He said never to be afraid to pass over as you are pulled out of your body before you pass away so you miss the real pain and you can watch what is going on. He told me everything they did to him, he said it was like he was knocked out playing football. He did not pass away until after a few hours in the hospital, but, told me many things he saw before going there. He also said after he passed he stayed here on earth for 4 days, he said he had his hand on my mom’s right shoulder when she was walking down to the bedroom to tell me he passed. He had already came to me in a dream and spoke to me. I thought it was a nightmare.

She told me, then I cried and we spoke about the visit in my dream. He said so many things to me…I am not afraid to die, and many should know they are taken before the pain, they know they are going over and they are taken. They save us from any other pain. Many times they are looking for their mother, father, children, husband , wife, sometimes they do not understand why you are in their home and are confused. They have not asked for anything else.

I have known the other side. I am not afraid to die. I did not know others cannot see their energy. I do not know if earth is a school but in the next 5 years, since I still go back and forth, I will start asking the tough questions and learning more. When I start working with the afterlife on HAUNTED SURVIVORS with my mom and The BOOTH BROTHERS, I will find these answers, and I will try to get as much insight as I can for all. I will do this at that time as it will be for all the people and not just me. Am I nervous? Yes I am, but, I have a great support group with me. I don’t know if I answered your questions… they were very hard questions…

Annette: Thank you Denice and Michael. Best of luck to you both with HAUNTED SURVIVORS and all other future endeavors. It has been very interesting, enlightening, and a pleasure as well.

Left to right: Jason Hawes, Denice Jones, Kieth Age, and Grant Wilson	The Booth Brothers

Denice Jones is the founder of THE LIFE FOUNDATION through which Denice has been able to help thousands of families in need.

Denice: Helping others is definitely a positive. As well as meeting some great people and Investigators who work hard to help others just to help. Jason Hawes was someone that helped me with cases that came through the Foundation. Now they send me cases to get help for, as they get in many due to being the best paranormal show out there. GHOSTHUNTERS (I just love those guys true respect)

Today I am trying to finish the sequel to THE OTHER SIDE as well as a few other books I am working on. One with Steven LaChance. I am also working with Steven LaChance, John Zaffis and Carmen Reed, traveling throughout the US on THE HAUNTED SURVIVOR TOUR , lecturing and sharing our stories in many cities and states. We begin this summer.

I also Co-Host HAUNTED SURVIVOR RADIO on Tuesday nights 8pm eastern time with Steven LaChance

on Blog Talk Radio. I am also working with The Booth Brothers on many projects as well as being Associate Producer and starring in the series HAUNTED SURVIVORS with STEVEN LaCHANCE, and my son Michael with Tracy Bacon and with guests John Zaffis, Tim Yancy and so on… We start filming May 2008.

From the makers of THE SECRET

An interview by Annette Munnich

Jon Maronge is a psychic/medium and illusionist. He was born with the gift and has been able to see spirit all his life. Jon became intrigued with magic and studied the art. He also is involved with exposing frauds who claim to have psychic gifts and take advantage of the public for money. Jon uses his gifts to investigate paranormal activity as well. He specializes in shadow people and that is our primary focus for this interview. Jon has announced that he will be a guest speaker at Para-Con next month in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jon is someone I know personally and have talked to at great length. He helped us with some paranormal activity in our home and even described some of the layout of our house to us. He is the real deal for sure and the Paranormal Python stands behind him 100%. During one of our telephone conversations we began talking on the subject of ghosts and hauntings. The things he told me led to this article. Enjoy.

The Interview

Annette: Jon could you describe your first paranormal experience and explain how it changed your life?

Jon: The first paranormal experience that I can remember is when I was about 2 or 3 years old. My parents were out and I was left with a babysitter. that night, we went to sleep and I can remember crying to get her to come into bed with me. In the middle of the night, I woke up and sat up in bed because something didn’t feel quite right.

There was this shadowy thing crawling on the floor outside of my bedroom in the hallway. This thing was darker than the darkness that surrounded it, almost like it was blacker than the darkest black you could imagine. It would crawl one way, and then the other. That’s when I slowly pulled the covers up to my face so that it covered my nose and thought to myself, “please don’t see me, please don’t see me.” That’s when the shadowy figure stopped crawling and began to get up slowly. I saw the shadow’s head turn towards me and it started getting closer.

It lunged at me and grabbed my arms near my shoulders and I immediately started to scream However much I felt it’s grip on my arms, there was this other sensation of it grabbing my stomach area too, but from the inside. It picked me up and then slammed me down numerous times. All the while when I was being slammed, I would fling my legs at the babysitter that was sleeping next to me and kick her to try to wake her, but she never moved. Right after that everything for me blanked out and I woke up the next morning.

The strange thing about it was even though my mother told me it was a dream, my babysitter never came back because of the mysterious bruises that had appeared on her legs that morning. After that I could not sleep without a night light until my late teenage years. It wasn’t because I was scared of the dark, it was because I was scared of what was in the dark.

We moved a few years after this incident and this shadow thing followed us. I was seven years old now when it went to attack me again. What happened that night is what actually changed things for me.

I had fallen asleep and my father decided that he was going to take a bath. The problem with that was he had to close the bathroom door for privacy. The bathroom light was my night light at this home. I woke up and was surrounded by darkness and started to feel that strange sensation of terror that I had only had when I was about three years old again.

This shadow walked into my room that night and leaned over me. I was so overcome with terror that I could not even get a scream out. This was the final time I was scared of it. The scream let loose from my throat and I hopped up to my feet and started screaming at it as it backed off. My mother ran into the room and the shadow backed into the wall as she flicked on the light switch. The shadow was gone. At that moment, I had stood up to it and felt as if I had defeated it.

Annette: Can you please tell us what you believe shadow people to be?

Jon: There are many things that people believe these shadow people to be. some believe that they are demonic in nature and yet some believe they are other types of negative entities. I believe them to be both of those and also human. There is a fear that accompanies these shadows and in my experience, they feed off of this fear.

I think there are different classifications to the shadow people that all deserve their own merits. Demonic types definitely cause a great deal of fear. I believe these to be the worst type. Then you have the negative entities which may or may not have been human before. And finally you have the human type of shadow which tends to be the most common type in my studies. In particular, the case of Black Hope in Crosby, TX. This was the place that the movie “Poltergeist” was based on. They were plagued by shadows of the human type. These types of shadows normally have a chip on their shoulder because they feel as though they have been wronged. Would you blame your deceased loved ones
for haunting other people if they built their homes over your loved one’s graves?

Annette: Hmmm… I didn’t know Poltergeist was based on a true story.  Have you seen the kind of shadow people that have a hat? What’s your take on that? Are they in a different category than other shadow People?

Jon: I have not personally seen the types of shadows people wearing hats, and if I actually have seen those in my younger years I would not have noticed their attire. People generally see things differently. I have seen pictures while doing research on other groups finding of shadow people. The one that comes to mind is the picture that Frank Sumption book while doing his ITC video experiments. Maybe they are the spirit world’s men in black. As far as which category they would fall into, I could not step out to even pretend that I know because I don’t believe that I have ever come across one in my personal realm.

Annette: You actually specialize in shadow people. How common are they in haunted locations and how can you tell them from regular spirits?

Jon: Although these shadow people are very common in haunted locations, I would venture to say they are at almost all of these places. I must assume that you are asking me this question from a perspective of someone that could not physically see the entities. I need to try to answer this question carefully because I can see the difference in the entities because of my abilities and I do not want to seem smug or egotistical about it. Sometimes I forget that I see things differently than most people.

One rule of thumb I can give here is that if you feel frightened by something in an investigation, it is almost certainly a shadow. The type of shadow it could be would be determined by the evidence gathered at the investigation. It is very hard to describe how someone would be able to distinguish the difference. For example, I was at Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana on a tour when we went into a room and I started talking with a woman that I believed to be a part of the tour. Everyone in my tour group started to look at me strangely and asked who I was talking to. If you hadn’t gathered it by now, no one else saw this woman but me. I grabbed a camera and snapped a picture. And this is what cameout when I had the film developed.

As you can see, she appears in the picture as a shadow. Numerous people studied the photo, and sadly the negatives were destroyed during a flood that accompanied a storm. f you examine the picture carefully, you will notice that light is pouring into the room from two directions and the head of the shadowy figure appears to be blocking out a corner of the picture frame which is against the wall.

So even though you capture the picture of a shadow, it could be just a picture of a normal human spirit. This is why it would be so difficult to tell the difference.

Annette: What do you believe from your experience most shadow people want? Do the shadows that were human seem to want something other than the very negative or entity type?

Jon: This is a really tough question to answer. Just like people, shadows are individuals so their needs, wants, and intentions vary.

Annette: Your first shadow experience when you were a child is scary as hell. What do you think that presence wanted from you?

Jon: Looking back on that experience, in the beliefs that I hold now, I think that it was there to help me to become fearless. Because of that experience, I can now walk into a severely haunted locations without any fear at all. I look at it as a blessing now because I can do my job.

Annette: What about the theory that shadow people are guardians at portals?

Jon: I am sure that in some cases this is totally possible. You just have to remember that it is all a matter of perception.

Annette: How common are portals and what can be done if someone has one on their property?

Jon: Portals or vortexes are common in haunted locations. If someone believes that they have a portal on their property, it would be best to do some research and find someone to come and investigate it. Those people generally know people that can be of assistance in closing a vortex if one does actually exist.

Annette: If a person takes a photo and finds a black mass in it, is that a shadow person or could it be something else?

Jon: There are different reasons for a black mass to show in a photo. There could be an illusion caused by shadow and light, faulty media, or the real thing. Now remember was I was talking about earlier, it could be the spirit of a human that just appears in the photograph as a shadow.

Annette: Can you explain orbs to us. I have heard someone say they have seen black orbs. Have you seen that and what does it mean?

Jon: Orbs are an interesting topic. Some people believe them to be spirits, which some are, and some believe them to be dust and other particles floating around. The reason why the orb phenomenon is such a touchy subject is because there are so many things it could be other than the fact of it being an actual spiritual entity. Most people do not realize that their digital cameras have a function that when the lighting is not right and the camera can see a particular pixel, it fills it in and smooths the edges around it. Then you are left with what appears to be an orb. This is why evidence with orbs are normally overlooked by most paranormal researchers.

Annette: Jon what is your advice to people living in haunted homes that want to protect themselves and their families?

Jon: First of all, I would say that you have to be able to deem that the home is haunted. Get a team of investigators over so they can investigate the claim. There are a lot of investigative teams out there that can help and know the steps for either getting the entities to leave or teaching you how to coexist with the entity that is present in the home.  Doing your research is the first step.

I have to stress here that I am reluctant to give too much advice as this can be dangerous territory. The important thing is to not be afraid or show fear. Some of the things people try can sometimes make the situation grow worse. Calling a local priest or minister for a house blessing is another option if you can’t find a team of investigators that can help you right away.

Annette: Thanks Jon it was a pleasure.

Jon’s website

Jon’s my space

From the makers of THE SECRET

An Interview With Dean Midas Maynard

by Annette Munnich July 2008

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Midas Maynard. Not in person of course, as he lives in County Durham, England and I am living in the Illinois farmlands (corn and soybeans mostly). Even though we are a world apart Dean’s brightness shines through. When I say bright I literally mean such a good high energy. He is very kind and considerate and he does things fast. I found myself smiling when reading his e-mails. He is a little king of infectious hope and optimism. Now I think you might agree that there is a serious shortage on this planet concerning people like that, sparkling gems that they are.

I read Dean’s website about his abilities in making good things happen for people and even whole sports teams. It’s written that he was asked to help the Chicago White Sox the year they won the World Series. He was contacted by a discouraged fan who said the Sox hadn’t won the World Series for 88 years. I was born and raised in the Big Windy and I will tell you that you haven’t even brushed the surface of discouragement unless you are a fan of Chicago baseball. My old man would get drunk and cry at the end of every season… So he definitely had my attention now.

Dean is a paranormal investigator as well, having investigated some of the UK’s most famous sites, including Chillingham Castle. Anybody else see the episode at Chillingham Castle on the show Scariest Places on Earth with Linda Blair?

So I asked Dean to please give me some luck as I need to find a new house. The next day we went to White Castle (this is a hamburger joint in the US, not a paranormal investigation destination like Chillingham LOL). They got my husband’s picky order right (first time ever this happened by the way) and when we got home there were two extra jalapeno burgers in the bag. A few days after that I got an unexpected check in the mail. Not huge but enough for a week’s worth of groceries so that’s nice. Still looking for the house but we looked at one we were very excited about today. Maybe I have that White Sox mojo on me after all.

Dean is an Aries having been born on April Fool’s Day. Interesting. His favorite band is Green Day. He likes to watch Dr. Who and the Ghost Whisperer on television. He loves Halloween, soccer and walking in the woods near his home with his wife. Dean also does a lot of charity work. He raises money for a little girl with cancer as well as a girl who was murdered. Very sad cases.

Megan Appeal

In Memory of Sophie’s MySpace

Tilley Lockley

The Interview

Annette: I would like to start by asking you how you first discovered your abilities?

Dean: I was 9 years old when I first discovered that I had a unusual strong feelings and was drawn towards something that went on to win, it happened again a week later, and the week after that, and that’s when I began to realize “something was not right.”

Annette: I would like to ask how these abilities have evolved over time.

Dean: To be honest I continued to predict things but I never really worked with my “powers” until 2005, when I started to do regular meditation, visualization techniques and exercises, that seemed to help me even more and it is something I still do daily now.

Annette: Also if you could please explain your personal point of view as to things such as luck and bad luck? Do you believe in such things as karma? What about creative visualization and positive thinking?

Dean: I am a firm believer in Karma and firmly believe what you give you out you will get back whether it be good or bad, in terms of luck I would say that my work does have an element of luck involved and that’s why a British journalist said of me earlier in the year “Psychic skills or pure luck? either way Dean is good to have around”

Annette: Could you please tell me about a few of your most satisfying and amazing interventions, and would you refer to them as interventions, if so what would you term it?

Dean: Sunderland AFC was my first and I suppose one of my best cases because it was the first time I was brave enough to approach the media and confidently say “I can help.” The story of Midas could and would have stopped then if they had gone onto lose which, thankfully, they didn’t. Reading Football Club only losing twice in 45 matches was another good case and beating a team of professional tipsters at the Grand National in April this year was also very satisfying.

Annette: Dean do you have a deep philosophy and/or feel a higher calling in your life, or maybe a job or destiny of sorts?

Dean: I firmly believe that I am meant to be doing this. If I wasn’t my first “media” attempt would have gone horribly wrong, I think in the next few years I will be part of something very, very, big.

Annette: Could you explain the variety of applications of your gift so far?

Dean: When I work with the reality shows it starts with me getting “the feeling” towards a contestant then I back them 24/7 during the shows with messages and words support and I send them positive vibes constantly and am always there if they need any help or advice.

Annette: What kind of things do you have planned for the near future?

Dean: It’s going to be a busy 6 months, it starts with backing Niki Evans (British X-Factor contestant) as she releases her debut single here in the UK, then I will be involved with backing a contestant on this years X-Factor, and I am backing Stoke City in the Premier soccer league, I also have a few other things going on but I can’t say too much about them as yet.

Annette: Dean if the world were to end tomorrow how would you spend your time today?

Dean: If the world ended tomorrow I would spend it with my wife, I would visit Hamsterley forest then get up the courage to revist Killhope Mine where I had my scariest ever Psychic experience.

Annette: Thanks for everything Dean it has been a pleasure.

***UPDATE August 20, 2008

I not only found a great house at a great price on a full acre I might add, I actually found a home of my dreams complete with apple and pear trees plus a gazebo! A thousand thank yous to Dean. Wish me more luck anytime you want

Dean Midas Maynard’s website

From the makers of THE SECRET