Para-X Radio

Big Sur, California is one of the most awe-inspiring stretches of land in the United States—but behind the beauty lies a long, eerie history of unexplained encounters, ghostly apparitions, and ancient folklore. In this episode of the 222 Paranormal Podcast, Joe and Jen take you deep into the supernatural heart of this rugged coastline, uncovering a hidden world of strange beings, chilling stories, and mysterious energy that has captivated explorers, writers, and locals for centuries.

We begin by setting the tone—Big Sur is not just a scenic landscape. It's a place where people report an almost tangible heaviness in the air, a presence that feels aware and watchful. Indigenous tribes such as the Esselen and Rumsen believed the area was a spiritual crossing point, a place where spirits moved freely and where the worlds overlapped. Early settlers soon discovered similar things. Journals from the 1800s describe phantom riders, disappearing lights along the cliff paths, shaking ground with no visible cause, and voices calling out from deep ravines.

Joe dives into the lesser-known accounts of famed author John Steinbeck, who privately acknowledged ghostly figures, dark watchers on the ridges, and strange lights in the wilderness. Though Steinbeck avoided writing outright supernatural tales, his works carry an undercurrent of mystery directly inspired by the region he grew up in.

Jen then introduces listeners to the various beings said to inhabit the region. These include the legendary Dark Watchers—tall shadow-like figures that stand silently on high ridges and vanish when approached. There's the White Lady of Big Sur, a ghostly woman seen drifting across Highway 1 who has caused drivers to slam on their brakes for over a century. The Mist Children—small, fog-like forms seen playing near the redwoods—continue to puzzle hikers and campers with their eerie innocence. And then there are the unexplained whistles following travelers through canyons, the oppressive feeling of being watched, and reports of time slipping in remote areas.

In the scientific portion of the show, Joe expands on possible explanations. Big Sur sits on massive quartz and granite formations—materials believed by some to amplify energy. The coastline produces intense infrasound due to waves smashing into hollow cliffs, creating vibrations linked to eerie sensations and shadow hallucinations. Magnetic anomalies caused by magnetite deposits may distort both perception and navigation. Meanwhile, atmospheric conditions and mist can refract light in strange ways, creating ghostly shapes. And for those who like fringe ideas, some theorists even suggest that places like Big Sur are "thin zones" where multiple realities briefly overlap.

Listeners are then immersed in three extended story narratives—chilling accounts of hikers being followed by tall shadow figures, campers witnessing child-sized beings made of mist, and a truck driver's terrifying ride with a silent woman in white who vanished into thin air, leaving only a cold imprint on the seat.

Finally, Jen discusses why Big Sur might be an energy hotspot. Between its fault-line intersections, mineral-rich geology, ancient tribal beliefs, acoustic anomalies, and raw natural isolation, Big Sur has all the ingredients of one of the world's most active paranormal zones.

This episode blends folklore, science, eyewitness experiences, and deep storytelling to bring you a vivid, haunting, and unforgettable journey along the cliffs and canyons of Big Sur. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, Big Sur's mysteries are impossible to ignore.

Tune in—and prepare to feel the presence watching over the ridges.

Richard Senate delves into urban legends

Henry and the gang interview Casting Director Craig Campobasso on his experiences in the movies & television and paranormal experiences

 

Welcome to New England Legends from the Vault – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger go back to school when they search for the Round Schoolhouse in Brookline, Vermont. The school building was designed in 1821 by Dr. John Wilson who wanted the building round so he could look out the windows in all directions in case someone comes looking for him… because Dr. Wilson is a man with secrets. Dark secrets that he took almost to his grave. This episode first aired December 2, 2021

Have you ever wondered whether ghosts celebrate?

In this episode of Wicked Curious Radio, Roxie Zwicker explores a fascinating side of New England folklore—stories of spirits who seem to gather long after the living have gone home. Travel from Salem’s elegant Hamilton Hall, where shadowy figures are said to dance beneath the chandeliers, to a delightfully spooky 1916 “Ghost Dance” that transformed an Elks Hall into a Halloween spectacle.

Along the way, discover what a Boston Globe investigation revealed about ordinary New Englanders who quietly shared extraordinary encounters with the unexplained. Then journey to historic Sandwich, Cape Cod, where local legend tells of master glassmakers who return each year for a phantom Glassmakers’ Ball, complete with ghostly music, mysterious dancers, and the unforgettable Gaffer Bonique.

Are these lingering spirits, echoes of history, or simply the stories we continue to tell? Join us as we explore the places where New England’s past refuses to fade away.

History, folklore, haunted traditions, and a little mystery await. Stay wicked curious.

Step into the shadowed libraries of old Cambridge, where forgotten scholars and dusty volumes conceal far more than ancient learning... Written by Arthur Gray (1852–1940)—Master of Jesus College, Cambridge, distinguished medieval scholar, and a contemporary of M.R. James—The Burden of Dead Books is one of the finest yet least-known supernatural tales of the twentieth century. First published in December 1919 in Tedious Brief Tales of Granta and Gramarye (W. Heffer & Sons, Cambridge). Originally written under Arthur Gray's pseudonym "Ingulphus." Like James, Gray drew upon the unique atmosphere of Cambridge's colleges, libraries and scholarly traditions to create an unsettling story in which the pursuit of knowledge leads to something altogether darker. This is no tale of cheap shocks. Instead, it is a subtle, intelligent ghost story exploring ambition, obscurity, envy, and the terrible temptation to reclaim lost youth. It is a haunting meditation on the legacy we leave behind—and the price some might pay to escape it. If you enjoy the ghost stories of M.R. James, E.G. Swain, R.H. Malden, Algernon Blackwood, or A.M. Burrage, I think you'll find Arthur Gray a remarkable discovery. Read by Christopher Halton

 When you hear the words “UFO crash” you likely think of Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. And while that is the most famous of supposed extraterrestrial spaceship crashes, it is by no means the first. In fact, there were several taking place before Roswell became a household name. (UFO Crashes Before Roswell) *** But first – we’ll take a look at Roswell itself… and what might have been behind the crash, the UFOs, and the aliens! (Behind Roswell’s Aliens) *** Numerous travelers have gone missing in Nahanni Valley… and many whose bodies have been found, have been decapitated. It’s no wonder it has been nicknamed “The Valley of Headless Men”. (The Valley of Headless Men) *** In 2016, construction in a San Francisco family’s backyard unearthed a terrifying find… a glass coffin. And the history behind it tells a morbid history of the city. (The Karner’s Backyard Glass Coffin) *** Former Green Beret Jeffrey MacDonald claimed that a gang of acid-crazed Manson Family copycats brutally murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters in 1970, but then he was found guilty. Did he commit the crime, or did the law convict the wrong man? (The Evil Deeds of Jeffrey MacDonald) *** It’s understood that scientifically, alchemy – attempting to turn a substance or element into gold – is impossible. But then, there is that one incident that took place in the early seventeenth century that has some people wondering if that’s wrong.

Once one of St. Louis’s wealthiest and most powerful families, the Lemps built a brewing empire that made them famous — but behind the walls of the grand Lemp Mansion was a story filled with tragedy, loss, and unexplained events. After a series of devastating deaths, including multiple family members taking their own lives, rumors spread that a curse had fallen upon the Lemp bloodline. Today, the mansion is considered one of America’s most haunted locations, where visitors report shadow figures, ghostly voices, and encounters with the spirits of those who never truly left. Was the Lemp family cursed… or is something darker still haunting their home?

Annabelle isn’t just a horror movie legend — she’s real. In this episode of Haunted America, we explore the true, documented case of the infamous Raggedy Ann doll investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren. From unexplained movements and eerie handwritten notes to violent encounters and a chilling museum warning, this episode uncovers why Annabelle is considered one of the most dangerous haunted objects in America. Listen carefully… some stories don’t like being told.

The Common Historian: Dive into a world where history meets the supernatural. Here, we unravel pivotal moments that shaped our world, intertwined with the eerie and unexplained. From in-depth interviews with paranormal investigators to spine-tingling historical mysteries, our channel is your gateway to haunting history adventures. How did Jeremy get into it? What does Jeremy think of it as a whole? Website: http://HauntedVermont.org