Paranormal podcasting royalty Jim Harold has been sharing spooky stories with us for nearly two decades, we caught up with him to discuss his latest book True Ghost Stories: Jim Harold’s Campfire Volume Six
Congratulations on the release of True Ghost Stories: Jim Harold’s Campfire Volume Six. Can you share a little about what readers can expect from this latest addition to the series?
Thank you! This book, and the whole series, is a compilation of spooky stories as told on my long-running podcast, Jim Harold’s Campfire. Readers will find true stories as told by listeners. They range from heartwarming to terrifying. The common thread is that they are as presented in the book as they are on the show. We clean up the grammar and flow a bit for the written word, but we don’t embellish or add to the stories. We don’t have to because the stories stand on their own.
Out of the many stories you’ve collected over the years, which one stands out the most to you and why?
The Campfire podcast has been around for fifteen years, and no story has surpassed one from 2012 called The Roadhouse Saloon. It is worthy of The Twilight Zone. Our caller visited a bar with a friend and they both found themselves in a situation where it seems they just missed having been existentially trapped there with what seemed to be lost souls of some type. It is too long to explain here but it is amazing. In 2019, I met the storyteller in person and as a result believe her story even more. That account is in book three of our True Ghost Story/Campfire series and it really drives home the point that our world is far stranger than we give it credit for being.
You’ve been a pioneer in podcasting about the paranormal for nearly two decades. What first sparked your interest in the paranormal, and how did you transition that interest into a successful podcasting career?
I grew up watching In Search Of… and Unsolved Mysteries plus I devoured everything in our library about the paranormal. When I decided to start podcasting in 2005, the broad scope of the paranormal seemed a perfect choice for a show. It was totally a hobby and I never thought it would turn into my job. That’s when I started The Paranormal Podcast which continues to this day and is, as best I can tell, the longest running podcast of its type on the internet. I just started and never gave up. The key to whatever success I’ve had is persistence I have been the ultimate dog on a bone. That is so important.
With over 65 million downloads, your shows consistently rank among the world’s top podcasts. What do you think sets your podcasts apart from others in the genre?
There is a lot of competition out there and some great paranormal podcasts. I think the strength of my shows is that listeners can sense the authenticity both from my Campfire callers and, hopefully, from me. Yes, this is my job and the way I make a living, but I still have that same curiosity as I did when I was a little boy watching Leonard Nimoy talk about mysterious topics. Many years have passed, but that fascination remains. People can sense that, I think.
Your Campfire series features a variety of paranormal phenomena, from ghosts to UFOs. How do you decide which stories make it into your books and podcasts?
On Jim Harold’s Campfire, we have an open-door policy. In other words, we reject very few stories for the show. I want people to feel they have a safe place to share these experiences that have happened to them. For the books, we select the stories that we feel are the best of the best. They can be very scary or sweet. We just focus on the quality and sincerity of the story.
One of the themes you discuss is learning to respect the stories of paranormal experiencers. Why do you think it’s important to take these stories seriously rather than dismissing them?
If someone came to us with a story in other realm of life that was emotionally impactful to them, most of us would respect it. Just because an experience delves in the unknown does not mean it should be dismissed. Truth be told, if they admit it most people have had something happen to them that left them thinking, “what the hell was that?” In my view, we should not dismiss such universal experiences when most of us have had our own. We should share these stories and lift the voices of those who tell them.
You talk about the paranormal widening one’s perspective of the universe. Can you elaborate on how your experiences with the paranormal have shaped your own worldview?
Believe it or not, I find these stories comforting. I’ve always believed in a higher power, the afterlife and the existence of things that we cannot currently understand. After hearing all these stories, I believe even more. I am a logical guy with a graduate level degree, but I think you can be logical, level-headed AND willing to accept that humans don’t have all the answers about our existence. And, newsflash folks, we don’t.
In your opinion, what are some of the most compelling theories about why some people are more open to experiencing paranormal phenomena than others?
I think it is like anything else. Like playing the piano, playing sports or any other human endeavour. Some people just have “the gift” as it were. Also, I think being open to it means a lot. I always joke that I am as psychic as a board BUT I think everyone has innate ability to pick up on things. I think I even do that more since I started hosting these shows, but I am far from psychic. I never claim to be an expert, psychic or guru. I am just a fellow human trying my best to understand this stuff and I invite my fellow humans to join me in that journey.
What advice would you give to someone who has had a paranormal experience but is hesitant to share their story?
I mention this in my public presentations, TELL YOUR STORY! Now, it does not have to be on a podcast or a radio show but tell someone. You will very likely feel better about it and your story will survive. In the long-term sense, we are all terminal so to speak. One of the few things we can leave behind of meaningful impact are our stories whether they are supernatural ones or that cute story about what happened to us in grade school. Share your stories with your family and friends that is what I tell people. If you want to share the spooky ones with me on Campfire, I’d love to hear them. Either way, share them. It’s important.
Finally, for those new to your work, which episode or book would you recommend they start with to get a true sense of what Jim Harold’s Campfire is all about?
I’d direct them to listen to our free podcast, Jim Harold’s Campfire on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever they get their podcasts. In terms of the books, as the series has gone on, we have had many more stories to choose from for each book. So, I think the new book, True Ghost Stories: Jim Harold’s Campfire 6 is the best and the great thing is that you can read the books in any order. I suggest new readers start with that one first. Thank you for this opportunity to chat with you and your audience about the new book. I appreciate it! Stay Spooky!
True Ghost Stories: Jim Harold’s Campfire 6 is available to buy now
