Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite YouTube Channels

It's been a hot minute since I shared a Top 10 Tuesday post, and even longer since I posted some of my recommended YouTube channels! So, for today's blog, I've got for you a list of ten YouTube channels that I really think you should check out. Go give them a look, and if you think you'd be interested in that content, subscribe and share! 

These are in no particular order, and if you don't see your own, or your favorite channel, please don't be offended! These are just the channels that I've been watching a lot of recently, or channels that are fairly new and haven't been featured in any of my past YouTube recommendation lists. However, I'm always looking for new channels to subscribe to and share, both here and on Theresa's Haunted History Facebook page. Join me over there, or submit in the comments below any channels that YOU recommend, especially those channels featuring investigations/cases/hauntings here in West Virginia. But without further ado...

1. SRI-Huntington: Come join me and the rest of the Spectral Research and Investigation team as we investigate the most haunted locations in southern West Virginia and beyond! Our videographer, Kaysee, has done an amazing job putting together interviews and investigation footage to create some awesome documentary-style videos of our investigations! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more behind-the-scenes footage, live investigations, and much more. Additional content being uploaded regularly!

2. West Virginia Paranormal Investigations: The WVPI team's web series, Forgotten Relics, is an awesome look at the hauntings behind many popular locations, especially throughout the Mountain State. Check out their channel for videos on some of MY favorite locations, such as the Haunted Haymond House in Sutton, WV and the Old Hospital on College Hill in Williamson, WV.

3. Jordan Cline-Fireside Paranormal Podcast: Brian and I were honored to be guests on the Fireside Paranormal Podcast several months back! You can find our episode, as well as Jordan's archive of past Fireside Paranormal and Whispers Radio episodes on YouTube. This is a great show, with lots of guests and topics dealing with a variety of paranormal topics, many with a West Virginia element to them.

4. Wild and Weird WV: The Wild and Weird Crew, featuring Joe Perdue and Ron Lanham, have begun uploading episodes of their awesome podcast, Wild and Weird Radio, to their YouTube channel, along with plenty  of other videos featuring strange and spooky happenings in and around West Virginia. Lots of great information on local cryptid and UFO reports, including 'debunking' where applicable, are included. Go check 'em out to help keep updated on all the cool projects they have going on throughout the year. 

5. Amber's ParaWorld: I just recently stumbled upon Amber's channel through another channel I had been watching, and was thrilled to see that she was located VERY close to me, here in West Virginia. Go check out her channel for investigations into haunted locations, interviews (such as with the awesome Les O'Dell of WV CASE) and much more. 

6. This Uncanny Earth Official: I've been listening to This Uncanny Earth podcast for a LOOOONG time now, and it's always been one of my favorites. Lots of West Virginia based stories/locations are featured, but seriously, they talk about anything weird and...uncanny. It's a great show, and they're in the process of loading up the new YouTube channel with content, so follow along! 

7. From the Asherz: From the Asherz is the YouTube home to Ashley Hilt's podcast, On Wednesdays We Talk Weird. Ashley is a Fortean researcher based in Ohio. I got to see her Mothman talk in January at the Hidden Marietta Paranormal Expo, and didn't even realize that it was her podcast that I had been occasionally listening to! It's hilarious and informative, and if you like all things strange and spooky, you'll love it. 

8. Jared Tracey-Pasadena Paranormal: This is a channel I discovered purely by accident one evening flipping through Twitter. I joined in on a live talk and was impressed with how community-oriented Jared is. He always encourages his chat participants on any live shows to share their own channels and subscribe to each other to help each other grow. Plus, we have very similar ideas, theories, and methodologies when it comes to paranormal investigation. 

9. Small Town Monsters: If you're not already subscribed to the Small Town Monsters channel, stop what you're doing and go do it now! This channel is the home of SOOO MUCH GOOD STUFF. There are original documentaries, web series, podcasts (including The Lore You Know with Heather Moser!) and so much more to explore. 

10. Alex Matsuo: Alex Matsuo of the Association of Paranormal Study, talks about The Spooky Stuff on this channel, such as her haunted dolls, celebrity haunted houses, whether or not there are 'experts' in this field, and many more fascinating and fun topics. Go subscribe!

Top 3 Binge-Worthy YouTube Paranormal Shows

I don't know about you, but I've turned to binge-watching as a coping mechanism to escape from what's going on in the world.  And while many are turning to Netflix's Tiger King as their binge of choice, I'm not QUITE there yet.  I'd rather spend my free time catching up on some paranormal goodies!  Since not everyone has access to popular streaming services, I wanted to instead focus on fun stuff to watch that is completely FREE.  YouTube is a great resource for free material and it was hard narrowing down a top three.  These are the shows that I'm currently watching on YouTube, but if you have any suggestions for shows or channels, please feel free to comment down below, or head on over to Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State Facebook page to share what YOU'RE watching.  Stay safe, stay indoors, stay spooky! 

1. In Search Of---In Search Of, hosted by Leonard Nimoy, is one of those iconic shows in the paranormal field that gave many investigators their first glimpse into  the world of the strange and unknown. The weekly show ran from 1977 to 1982 and luckily, ALL SIX SEASONS are available for streaming on YouTube!  Each episode is only about 23 minutes long, so it's the perfect show for binge-watching or to simply watch one or two when you have a little extra time.  As this show was a bit before my time, I'm just now getting to experience classic favorites such as the Bermuda Triangle, ancient aliens, and the search for DB Cooper.  The official YouTube channel also has the three hour-long movies that sparked the beginning of the series, as well as a few humorous extras.

2. Hellier---Planet Weird's YouTube channel has made Hellier Seasons 1 and 2 available for free!  This docu-series which starts with a quest for answers in a remote Kentucky town, leads an investigation team on a wild journey full of synchronicity and high strangeness. If you haven't watched it yet, it is definitely worth it.  Once you make it a few episodes in, you'll more than likely find yourself NEEDING to find out what happens next!

3. Doc Spot---Doc Spot is one of my top channel picks for documentaries.  Among its history, science, and other documentaries, the channel offers a huge selection of titles pertaining to UFOs, cryptids, hauntings, ESP, and other paranormal topics.  My favorites are definitely the large collection of Haunted History Of..., an older History Channel show that would devote a whole show to the history and ghost stories of a particular location.  To get you started, here's the link to the Haunted History Of playlist, beginning with The Haunted History of London.

Spooky YouTube Subscriptions, Volume 4

It's been awhile since I've done a Spooky YouTube Subscriptions post!  Since we're getting closer and closer to Halloween, I thought it would be the perfect time to share another batch of spooky YouTube channels that I enjoy.  These channels are great for hearing some scary paranormal stories, getting some paranormal investigation tips, or simply vicariously visiting plenty of haunted locations and creepy festivals.  There should be a little something for everyone listed here to get you in a spooky mood for Halloween!

1. LoeyLane:  Loey Lane's channel is full of spooky story times, adventures in paranormal investigation, conspiracy theories, and lots of other strange and ghostly topics.  She  seems like a genuinely sweet person who just happens to have a penchant for attracting some really weird stuff!

2. Hailey Reese:  Hailey is a friend of Loey's and also has a really fascinating channel on which she explores a variety of paranormal topics, including paranormal investigation and the true story behind some of Hollywood's weirdest horror films. 

3. Mothman Historian:  I just recently came across this next channel, and while the Mothman Historian doesn't have a ton of videos on the channel, what's there is an awesome glimpse into the creature lore of West Virginia.  Take a peek!

4. The Carpetbagger:  Jacob the Carpetbagger is one of my favorite YouTube personalities!  He travels the country exploring classic roadside attractions, museums, festivals, and anything odd or interesting.  He visits a lot of places that are just plain weird---but he also often visits places of interest to those in the paranormal and/or cryptozoological field.  For example, just last month, he made an appearance at the annual Mothman Festival!

5. Weldon Paranormal:  Keith Weldon is the co-founder of Chill Seekers and is a paranormal investigator/researcher.  His channel is full of interesting videos with a concentration on paranormal investigation equipment.

6. The WV Network:  This channel has a series of videos which feature re-tellings of WV ghost stories found in the iconic book, The Tell-Tale Lilac Bush.  These are great little stories to listen to whenever you're in the mood for a quick dose of classic West Virginia ghost lore.

Well, I think six channels is enough for the fourth edition of Spooky YouTube Subscriptions.  If you know of any other channels that you think I should feature in an upcoming YouTube blog, please hop on over to Theresa's Haunted History Facebook and let me know.  Also, don't forget to check below for links to my previous YouTube recommendations.  Have fun exploring some spooky new video content!

Previous Spooky YouTube Subscription Videos
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3

Spooky YouTube Subscriptions, Volume 3

Volume One
Volume Two

It's a new year and time for a new installment of YouTube recommendations! And although I've said it in the previous two volumes, I seriously cannot get enough of YouTube.  With many sites, especially ones made up of content submitted by such a variety of people, you're going to have to sift through the garbage and find the gems---but there are plenty of gems to be found. YouTube is a great resource for paranormal investigators, researchers, and enthusiasts. It is a huge repository of lectures, documentaries, investigation footage, how-to videos and so much more. My goal is to help you find some of those gems without getting too deep into the muck.

1. Ancestry---This is the YouTube channel for the popular Ancestry.com. There are lots of FREE videos offering tips on using the site and genealogy research in general. Genealogy is an important part of paranormal research and can provide vital historic clues to support or debunk an alleged haunting.

2. Mysterious WV---Well researched mini-documentaries covering West Virginia's unsolved murders.

3. WV Archives and History---If you cannot make it to one of the awesome, live lectures offered by the WV State Archives, you can find it here! There is a wide array of topics covering all aspects of West Virginia history and genealogy research. There are even a few lectures devoted to paranormal topics!

4. Peter Cardwell---Do you remember the History Channel's Haunted History of... series? That is one of my all-time favorite shows, and this YouTube user has uploaded quite a few full episodes.

5. Mothership Productions---A channel featuring tons of full-length lectures from various UFO conferences.

6. ParanormalZoneTV---Web series about all things spooky and paranormal.

7. ProfParanormal---This is the official channel of parapsychologist, Lloyd Auerbach.

8. Real Ghost Stories Online---This is pretty self-explanatory!

January 2018 Updates!

We're only a week into 2018, and I already feel the need to do a quick update blog! There is so much going on this month

1. Grave City Haunted Relic Expo---On January 20th, my friend and I will be traveling to Moundsville, WV to set up a table for the Grave City Haunted Relic Expo, hosted by Steve Hummel of the Archive of the Afterlife Museum! There is a great lineup of speakers, live music, and some excellent vendors. I'll be promoting Theresa's Haunted History, as well as selling some small, spooky trinkets. If you're in the area, PLEASE stop by! Admission is only $5 and it looks like its going to be a really fun event.

2. Patreon---After much deliberation, I have been convinced to join Patreon. Patreon is a website where people can easily and safely donate money to the content creators of their choice. Those pledging $1 or more a month to Theresa's Haunted History will receive a personalized postcard from my haunted travels. Those pledging $3 or more a month will receive a goody bag with various ghost-related items. Please do not feel obligated to make a donation---no matter what, I still plan on improving both the quantity and quality of content on this blog and on Facebook, but I hope the added incentive will assist me in the development of a YouTube channel. Thank you in advance to anyone willing to throw a few bucks my way, though!

3. Guest Bloggers---On January 1st, I made a call for guest bloggers to share their stories, expertise, and perspectives on all things paranormal. To my surprise, there was an amazing response! The first of what I hope will be a LONG line of submissions was posted already, with a new post coming tomorrow. Keep an eye on the blog for all the great guest blogs coming your way. If you're interested in becoming a guest blogger, please let me know!

4. Halloween Blog---After another hiatus, I've revived my Halloween blog, and have been doing a pretty good job in keeping it, as well as thing one, updated! If you crave Halloween content all year round, please come check it out and share it with your friends.

5. YouTube Channel and Book---These are my two BIG projects of 2018, and preparations are already well underway. Check back for updates!

6. Re-writes and Updates---A lot of posts on this blog are outdated, some being originally posted at my old website as early as 2006. When I first started compiling these entries, they weren't designed for the public to see; they were a way to keep track of potential locations to look into for investigations and further research. Therefore, many entries are not well-written, they aren't complete, or information has just simply changed (or become available). I've also grown a LOT as a researcher. I have more access to additional resources, and more experience. I need to go back and just improve on some of the earliest entries. I've already started, and it is a monumental task, lol. And quite honestly...I've been a little lazy with it. If there is a location that I KNOW I am never going to investigate, I won't go super in-depth with its history. One of these days, I'm going to make a video and show all the documents I collect and all the work I put into the research behind an actual investigation location so people won't think I'm just an idiot who doesn't know what she's doing, lol. The best place to keep current with these updates will be on my Facebook page.

Well, that's what's going on with me so far in 2018! How has your new year been going? What goals and plans do you have coming up? Hop on over to Theresa's Haunted History Facebook and let me know! Stay Spooky, ya'll. 

Spooky YouTube Subscriptions, Volume 2

On a wet, rainy day back in July, I decided to share a few of my favorite paranormal-related YouTube channels with you guys. Well, its September and since its another wet, rainy day here in the tri-state, I thought this would be a perfect time to share a few more channels from my own list of favorites! I know I've said it before, but I REALLY, REALLY love YouTube, lol. It is such a great resource for paranormal investigators. You can access lectures, audio books, documentaries, investigation footage, and all sorts of other educational content for FREE in one easy to use website. However, there's also a lot of junk to sift through, which is why I thought it would be fun to share some of the gems I've found.

1. Michelle Belanger: You probably know Michelle from her work on Ryan Buell's show, Paranormal State. However, Michelle has quite a body of work on her own, separate from the affiliation with The Paranormal Research Society, especially in the realm of energy vampirism. She has some great videos on a variety of subjects, including Ouija Boards, hauntings, and of course, vampires. 

2. MUFON: The Mutual UFO Network has a great channel featuring case profiles, investigator profiles, and even full lectures from conferences and symposiums. If you are interested in ufology, this is a channel you HAVE to bookmark. 

3. One Candle Society: This group formed in 2014 and uploads educational content on paranormal topics and specific hauntings, as well as investigation footage. There isn't a ton of material on the channel yet, but what is there is of specific interest to those in the tri-state region! 

4. Open Mind Productions: Another channel for those studying ufology, Open Minds uploads videos on current UFO sightings, historical documentation, interviews, and much more.

5. Paranormal Quest: This group of investigators seeks to find the answers to questions few dare to even ask...and most of their videos feature investigations, interviews, and historical background work on haunted locations in West Virginia and surrounding areas! 

6. Paranormal Warehouse: A channel featuring videos on just about everything and anything paranormal! There are different types of videos of varying lengths, so you're sure to find something you're both interested in and have time to listen to/watch! 

And there you have it---six more spooky YouTube channels to explore this weekend! If for some reason you don't see anything that is of particular interest to you, or you've already binge-watched all the available content and want more, never fear! You can always go back and check out my Spooky YouTube Subscriptions, Volume 1 blog...and of course, keep an eye out for Volume 3, due out on another wet and rainy boring day! 

Spooky YouTube Subscriptions, Volume 1

Hey, everyone! It's a yucky rainy day here in my part of West Virginia...a day perfect for sitting around the house watching spooky videos.  So, today I thought I would discuss where I find a lot of the spooky paranormal lectures, documentaries, podcasts, and other short videos that I love to watch and share with you all.

If you're familiar with my blog and/or my Facebook page, you know I often stress two things: 1. Education in the paranormal field; and 2. FREE or cheap resources. That makes YouTube a perfect site for paranormal investigators and enthusiasts. There are so many awesome videos out there for us. You can find documentaries and television shows on just about any paranormal topic you can think of. You can see how other teams engage in the investigation process. You can analyze potential evidence. And, my favorite part....you have access to lectures and conferences that time, cost, or distance might keep you from physically attending.

It would be impossible to cover all the great YouTube channels that provide this information, free of cost to anyone with internet access, but here's a few channels that I love and subscribe to. As usual, check me out over on Facebook to let me know what channels YOU would recommend to those in the paranormal community!

1. Appalachian UFO Research Society--A look at UFO footage and case summaries from the Appalachian region.

2. ASSAP Conference Films--Conference footage from various events hosted by the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomenon.

3. Captain Disillusion--Funny and educational, Captain Disillusion debunks viral videos, many deemed paranormal, that are just too good to be true.

4. ghosting12--This is the channel for a paranormal investigation team based in Ohio. Lots of history of the places they investigate, plus footage from investigations.

5. Haunted Road Media--Anything and everything paranormal, including new, original content posted every Tuesday.

6. Kenneth Biddle--Kenneth Biddle, of I Am Kenny Biddle fame, critically examines and offers a healthy dose of logic and common sense towards some of the paranormal community's more incredulous claims.

Like I said, it would be impossible to share EVERY awesome channel here with you, but here are six great channels to get you started. Again, hop on over to my Facebook page to let me know which channel you enjoy the most, and share some recommendations of your own! They just might show up in Spooky YouTube Subscriptions, Volume 2...

February Documentary Series

Better late than never, right? I realize that we're over halfway through the month, but I have yet to share with you all February's Facebook feature---Documentaries!

As you may already know, I tried a little something new in January. Each day at 2 pm, I posted a link to a YouTube video featuring a lecture, talk, or panel concerning some aspect of the paranormal. This January Lecture Series was meant to share my love of paranormal education. I wanted to share FREE resources for paranormal information and learning by bringing talks by a variety of speakers to people who might not otherwise be able to go see them in person.

It is my goal to really amp up the education factor on my Facebook page throughout 2016 and I've been searching for some interesting, yet fun, ways to accomplish this.

Unfortunately, the Lecture Series wasn't a huge hit, lol. Links to the various lectures didn't generate much conversation or receive many LIKES. However, I managed to get a lot out of it since I personally watched each lecture I posted. Therefore, I decided to expand on this idea of monthly educational videos, courtesy of YouTube, and chose to go with the sharing of documentaries for the month of February.

I am a HUGE fan of documentaries, especially historical and paranormal. They pretty much make up the majority of my television/movie watching and there are some excellent ones available for FREE viewing online. I had hoped that the documentary medium would be more exciting for people, and so far, the February Documentary Series has done okay. Curious to see what my documentary choices have been so far...or what's in store for the rest of the month? Then join me over at Theresa's Haunted History Facebook and let me know what YOUR top paranormal documentary picks are!  Also, stay tuned for the announcement as to what MARCH has in store for the monthly educational video series...I think it'll be a unique change of pace....

What is the Paranormal Lecture Series?

Hey, everyone! I hope your first few days of 2016 have been good ones! I've been having a great time thinking about and planning some new, fun activities for the blog and for my Facebook page. One of those things is the Paranormal Lecture Series.

If you follow Theresa's Haunted History on Facebook, you've probably already seen the first three days' worth of postings...and may have wondered what the heck was up with that.  So, what IS the Paranormal Lecture Series?

Each day at 2 pm, I will post a video of a different lecture, talk, or conference panel to Facebook. These videos will feature speakers from a variety of paranormal disciplines and from a variety of viewpoints. Some speakers will be well known, while others might be a little more obscure. Topics will range from ghosts and hauntings, to cryptozoology, to ufology, to demonology...and everything in between. Following the lectures, I'll post a few links, facts, or other tidbits relating to the topic of the lecture or the speaker himself.

The inspiration for the daily Lecture Series actually came from a question posed by my favorite group, Ghosts Magnets with a Twist.  Awhile back, they asked readers to comment on who in the paranormal community they would actually like to go see give a talk. I found this question especially interesting because each year, I make it part of my paranormal New Year's Resolutions to increase my knowledge and understanding of the field by attending as many lectures and educational events as possible.

But, for me and many others, going to a ton of events really isn't feasible. It often takes time and money, especially when you live in an area where there aren't too many events within a day's drive. Also, there are so many great speakers out there, that it's just impossible to really get out and see them all. It is especially frustrating that some of those speakers just simply no longer tour or give lectures.

And that's where the idea for the lecture series began. I wanted to share with everyone out there the opportunity to be exposed to some great speakers and some great lectures without ever having to leave home. Nothing is better than attending a live event and getting to interact with the speaker and fellow attendees, but these free videos are the next best thing! I hope you enjoy this month's special feature...please check out my Facebook page for a new lecture EVERY DAY for the rest of January.

Happy Haunting!

13 Spooky Movie Classics

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...but even it can't hold a candle to these spooky classic films!

Here in the tri-state, winter has finally hit!  It's been cold, wet, and even a little snowy at times.  Therefore, leaving the house unless absolutely necessary hasn't been a huge priority for me.  So what have I been doing to fill my time?  Watching scary old movies on Youtube, of course!  Grab some popcorn and a cuddle buddy and enjoy these horrifying examples of classic horror, cherry-picked from among my personal favorites!

1. Carnival of Souls (1962)--Before there was The Others or The Sixth Sense, there was Carnival of Souls.  After a tragic accident, a young woman journeys across the country to settle into her new life, but along the way she's plagued by strange happenings.

2. Suspiria (1977)--A new-comer to a prestigious ballet academy quickly finds out that there is something very sinister going on.  Is a coven of witches responsible for the brutal murder of one of the students?

3. White Zombie (1932)--In order to steal a beautiful, young bride-to-be away from her fiance, a jealous suitor employs a witch doctor to turn her into a zombie.  Unfortunately for him, the plan backfires.

4. The Ghoul (1933)--An Egyptologist returns from the grave to exact revenge on those who plundered his tomb.

5. The Vampire Bat (1933)--When the citizens of a small town start dying of a mysterious blood loss, it is believed that the culprit is a vampire...but is it really a vampire, or something much worse?

6. The Old Dark House (1932)--Five travelers seeking shelter during a terrible storm find themselves at a strange old house with even an even stranger family living inside.  Will they make it through the night alive?

7. House on Haunted Hill (1959)--Guests are challenged to spend the night in a haunted house for a cash award.  Who will take home the prize...and who will die trying?

8. Ghosts of Hanley House (1968)--Another movie where guests are staying the night in a haunted house, and start dying off.

9. Terror in the Haunted House (1958)--When a young bride is taken by her husband to their new home in Florida, she's shocked to see that the home is one that she has never seen in person...but has been having nightmares about.

10. Horror Hotel (1960)--A young student spends her school break researching witchcraft in a small town.  However, she soon finds out that things are not quite what they seem and that witchcraft might still be alive and well here.

11. The Ghost Walks (1934)--Another movie involving stranded motorists trapped in a sinister house, where the widow of a murder victim is 'mourning' the anniversary of her husband's death.

12. Nosferatu (1922)--The classic silent film that sparked a cultural phenomena of vampire movies.  Even after all these years, the Count is one of the creepiest depictions of a leading role vampire you'll EVER see on screen.

13. The Phantom Carriage (1921)--A silent film about a drunkard telling the legend of the Phantom Carriage.  It's New Year's Eve and the legend states that whomever is last to die in a year will be cursed to drive the phantom carriage...who will the unlucky soul be?

Captain Disillusion Takes on the Gas Station Ghost

Day 18 of the August Blog Challenge is upon us, and today's challenge is to write about a video that I love, that inspires, and/or that teaches!   The first thing that popped into mind was a YouTube series by a "super hero" that goes by the name of Captain Disillusion.  As described on his website:

In a world where the content of digital images and videos can no longer be taken at face value, an unlikely hero fights for the acceptance of truth.

Captain Disillusion guides "children" of all ages through the maze of visual fakery to the open spaces of reality and peace of mind.

So in short, Captain Disillusion, complete with his silvery face make-up and high tech video editing, tears apart controversial videos, showing just how easily they can be explained through natural means, but mostly, how easily they can be faked.

I chose to highlight this particular video because even though he's pretty crass and rude to the reporter involved, its news stories like this that further lead to the devolution of the paranormal field.  Shoddy and sensational journalism highlighting the ignorance of the general population on paranormal matters at its best is illustrated beautifully.  Oh, and this case took place in Ohio, so I thought it related nicely!

Captain Disillusion's video series is always an inspiration.  Humor infused with science allows for an easy understanding of certain concepts, many of which aren't as simple as a bug on a camera casing.  If you get a few minutes, check out the plethora of Captain Disillusion videos on YouTube.  Many videos have a paranormal (mostly ghostly) theme, but other topics are discussed as well.

Captain Disillusion's YouTube Channel
Captain Disillusion's Official Website and Blog